Tuesday 19 November 2013

Never Again

In our house you get asked what you would like to eat for your birthday dinner. It's just one of the perks. Only himself had a birthday on the weekend and when I asked him what he would like to eat he said Beef Wellington. Really?!!

I love him, but never again. No way, no how. I slaved over that thing. And still couldn't get it to cook right. Next year - slow cooked lamb shanks or something similar. I'm not asking. He is just getting. Remind me if I forget, please.

The girls both made himself a birthday present from each of them. I didn't get a photo of Emily's before hand but she made him juggling bags. Helen made him a cushion.

Scuba diving is one of his favourite activities.
She whipped up that cushion, design and all, in about an hour. I wish I had that kind of focus!

Meanwhile, I have been trying over the past few months, to get a better balance in life. I found that I had slippped into a pattern of spending too much time at the computer and one of the things that was being sacrificed was the reading of books. I have been a voracious reader all my life and it became imperative that I make time for it again. Most of my reading is done on the Kindle Reader app on my iPad but there is nothing like the tactile pleasure of a real, proper book.

I just finished The Little Coffee Shop of Kabul and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys reading. The next book in line is one I won from the delightful Lucy. I am really looking forward to starting this one.


I'll be packing it this weekend because I won't be here. My mum is arriving in a couple of hours and on Friday morning we are running away to London for the weekend. Yay!

Susan

29 comments:

  1. Enjoy your weekend escape! So sad re the beef Wellington, haven't you heard of m&s? ;-)

    Fab pressies from the girls for their dad!

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  2. I hope you have a wonderful wonderful time in London. Enjoy it. Reading has been lost from my world - I understand what you're saying 100%. Re-focusing is always welcome, isn't it?

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  3. Oh! And Jamie Oliver. As much as he bothers me even I can make his beef wellington.

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  4. You did ask!! ;-) a great cushion and what a fun design! Have a great weekend and i look forward to hearing what you think of the book! Xx

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  5. Hi Susan! I hope you are well now and can enjoy your London trip! Wow it's going to be fantastic there is this time! I love to read but unfortunately too often I forget myself in the internet. x Teje

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  6. I hope you have the best time in London and enjoy your books.

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  7. Beef wellington? That request is just cheeky.

    It can be hard sometimes not to let the internet suck up reading time. But there's nothing like getting lost in the middle of a book.

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  8. Beef Wellington? well at least you tried. have a wonderful weekend in London. that sounds fun/exciting!

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  9. The beef wellington thing reminds me of when I said to Chief about his ideal menu for me to cook if we had a dinner party. My jaw hit the groun as he described three courses way above my skill level and seriously thought I could cook them! Enjoy your weekend away.

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  10. I know what you mean about loosing time on the internet... easy to get caught up reading good blogs! I hope you have a wonderful trip and visit with your mom.

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  11. I know what you mean about loosing time on the internet... easy to get caught up reading good blogs! I hope you have a wonderful trip and visit with your mom.

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  12. Going by your recommendation i've just put a reserve on that book The little coffee shop...four copies in four libraries except mine, i hope to have it by Sat! Happy b'day to the other half!

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  13. You are a braver woman in the kitchen than me. I hope that you have a brilliant time away and take a book with you too! Di x

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  14. Beef Wellington is something you only eat out- you ARE insane...

    I hope you're here at some point for my birthday because Im going to ask for something REALLY hard like Bombe Alaska...and totally send you over the edge.

    Helen's cushion is fabulous.

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  15. You're going to have a fabulous weekend! x

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  16. Have a wonderful weekend. You deserve a very special something from a lovely shop of your choice for making beef wellington!

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  17. Have a great time in London you gad about!

    Enjoy someone else cooking for you!

    BTW fab cushion - another great sewist in the family then!

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  18. Well done all of you!!!
    Enjoy your well-deserved break xxx

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  19. I did 'beef in a gumboot' for Christmas one year. Yeah, never again lol

    Have fun in London!

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  20. Have an amazing weekend away. And thanks for the book recommendations

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  21. Love the cushion! Your daughter is clearly following in your footsteps! How sweet and talented she is. I'm the same with reading, I LOVE to read and this year, I've sewn more than ever and neglected my reading, until last week when I started A Secret History by Donna Tartt. I'm a little way in and loving it, despite the front cover looking oh so boring. You know what they say! I like the sound of the ones you read too, I'm going to set reading goals next year, alternating between reading a book that's 'good for me' i.e a classic, and something more easy going. Do you want to be my reading buddy?! I must put those 2 on my Christmas list. I have lots I can recommend you too if you're interested...

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  22. Enjoy time out with your Mum.
    And dont "reply" . . . . I dont want to be a noose around your neck, (or a nose upon your yak).

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  23. Great post as always Susan, I've no idea about beef wellington! maybe because I never ask what they want to eat - ha ha. Your daughters are just super talented, I can see them blogging in 10 years time and pointing to you as their mentor and inspiration. Have a wonderful time with your Mum, what a treat.

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  24. My darling Prince wants to make beef wellington for Christmas dinner this year. Gluten free!!
    Yup, we may be having just veggies. LOL
    Your girls obviously inherit their super talent from you.

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  25. I am so jealous that you can go to London that often. Enjoy it and you might ask him for your birthday to make beef wellington ;) Happy Birthday!

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  26. You never fail to make me laugh! Love the cushion, talented girls. And enjoy your trip to the big smoke :)

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  27. Ooh, enjoy your escape! That cushion is v. impressive!

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