Life update

Today is my 9th baptism anniversary :) It's a happy memory because I had this feeling of intense joy as I was lifted from the water and it always makes me remember the good bits about belonging to God.


Haven't blogged for ages not because of lack of things but because life is crammed full of living at the moment... well, kind of! Enduring the working week and playing hard at the weekends.


Both DH [dear husband in forum speak - I've been browsing a housewife forum recently!] and I are looking for jobs on and off. Ben needs a better all round job - better appreciation, opportunities, pay etc, and I need a new challenge preferably close to home. Interviews and job applications seem to take a lot of time and energy with some promise but no results yet.


Life is busy - since the addition of blahcar to our family we've been commuting together which is a LOT cheaper than the train (even counting in the cost of tax, insurance etc!) but means we're out of the house for the time our work overlaps - often means days of 13 hours out of the house which is so TIRING! It's the annoying kind of tiring as well, not because we're doing anything particularly stressful but because we don't have time to recharge between work days.




This is what our car would look like if it was pimped and had all its hubcaps - it waas missing one to start with and Ben left another one by the side of the road when it nearly broke down the first time! This morning it just conked out at traffic lights!! It's a love-hate relationship.


Weekends are my sanctuary at the moment. We've been making the most of the car, going to the beach and to places we've wanted to explore but never been able to. Even had an improtue barbeque with Ben's parents on that scorching hot weekend a couple of weeks ago which was nice to be able to do. Trips to the sealife centre, Gressenhall and Holkham beach are in store soon. I'm starting to appreciate Norfolk and its countryside as my home land lately, it's a nice to feel like I belong somewhere.

The summer will bring a trip to Cardiff to see Ben's brother and his new fiance in their new house (they got engaged this week!) and also a stop in Windsor on the way home for Ben to do a bungee jump (yes, a BUNGEE JUMP!) for his 21st birthday. Rather him than me!


I'm thinking of exciting things to do at the moment but not getting much opportunity to do them yet... I've been thinking about starting/hosting a book group for a couple of months now and as soon as work situations settle down a bit I'll be starting an interior design course.

Just now I'm in the forum waiting for Ben to finish work at 9pm. Really looking forward to the weekend!

Chicken pie - yum

A Monday recipe, perfect for using chicken left over from the Sunday roast.

Make Delia's shortcrust pastry and wrap in clingfilm. Leave in the fridge while preparing the pie filling.

First, make a white sauce - melt a small knob of margerine in a saucepan and stir in about two tablespoons of plain flour to make a smooth paste. Add milk a litle at a time to make the amount of sauce needed - stir this constantly to avoid lumps! Season with salt and pepper.

Meanwhile, boil some chopped carrots.

Bacon, onion and courgette are also really tasty in chicken pie - fry the onion and bacon lightly before adding, but corgette won't need cooking first.

Add the chicken, carrots and any other ingredients to the white sauce. Keep stiring it regularly while you roll out the pastry. Put the white sauce mixture into a pie dish and top with the pastry. Brush with a little milk (optional).

Put in a hot oven - at least Gas 6 or 200C - for about half an hour or until the pastry is crusty. Serve with fresh veg or mashed potatoes.