A quick visit to Costa today, love that this photo has sweetener but it's surrounded by cake......it just needed some support, honest!! I'm back on my Slimming World so I did not consume these, well not all them, I donated one of them to a 'teenager dessert fund'. Anyway this is just about most of the grand selection of gluten free cakes on offer, they did have some bakewell tarts as well but I didn't want to look greedy. I know it would be impossible to cater for every single dietary need but I would love to see a big gluten free cake or some crumpets, maybe a croissant? Would it be too much to ask? the selection is massive for full gluteny stuff and sometimes I just feel a bit restricted to such a small selection from such a big company. There are many small high street tearooms and cafes that offer a bigger selection and would basically run around to cater for your dietary need and as a 'gluten free'er' I thank you so much on behalf of the GF family. Ok so I can't eat the cake but hang on..carrot cake - that's one of my five a day surely?? No really, I did put on my best disappointed puppy face just for the nation that feel the need, the need for a GF feed, not sure it made any difference, the barista probably thought I looked like that all the time. The small selection they do have is lovely but please Costa, give us a change and bake us more cake!!! Be good and see you on the other side......
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What you're looking at here is 'emergency rice'. It's the emergency packet of food to use when one has made a bolognese, looking so forward to cooking some pasta up, even the water was boiling and inviting the pasta penne to come on over for a pool party. Alas though there was no pasta in the cupboard, nothing there, the cupboard was almost bare (big shop tomorrow) but then I saw it, like a vision, a ray of sunshine......behind the emergency UHT milk, tin of red salmon and dodgy olives, (I don't even like olives). The small, half used packet of easy cook long grain rice. Still in date, yes!!! result!! with a slight alteration my bolognese was reborn and became a chilli con carne (without the con carne - that being red kidney beans). I have a feeling this small packet that was my dinner lifesaver didn't feel like running out of my cupboard in slow motion like 'the Hoff' in Baywatch, excited that it had come to my rescue but instead, fell out and slumped over to my pan like a sulky teenager. I could imagine it saying ' whatever!!! just chuck me in now, been sitting there in that cupboard, next to those stinky olives and now you want to use me - oh no I've never been as good as the basmati rice you love so much!!' I actually had just forgot it was there and I did appreciate it being around, all was ok till I heard a grunt from the spagetti pasta jar......'oi!!! what do ya think I'm doing? standing here in some pasta exhibition????' - completely didn't see it, right in front of my eyes, I'd say I should have gone to Specsavers but I've not long been......oh if food could talk eh? Bon apetit and catch ya tomorrow. My eldest son is 15 years old and has Autism, he was diagnosed when he was 4 years old and life has been an adventure to say the least. It really is a cliche to call it a rollercoaster but it is just that, full of ups and downs, twists and turns and everyday is a school day as we say in our family. Apart from the downs though Autism can have quite a few ups (some people may not be feeling that right now I know). Today was one of those days, an up day, a moment which which just stops me in my tracks and makes me giggle. It was a no-college day today so I am using this opportunity to take my son out on the days he is not in college and try and teach him some life skills, teach him to do shopping, try and look after money, buy mum coffee at Costa, learn about the best handbags to buy (oops did I say that out loud)? Well he needs to get his priorities right, he may have to look after me one day! So I asked him to get dressed this morning and as the picture shows, when I walked into the bedroom this is where he left everything. Now not sure it's an autism thing. I expected with a teenager and a young man, to find clothes all over the place but to be honest this was the last place I ever imagined to find them. I understand his strategy, if you hang your clothes up here you could actually pull them down whilst in bed and get dressed without leaving the comfort of the duvet, brilliant!!! It reminded me of something you'd see Wallace from Wallace and Gromit do before he invented that fabulous machine that got him dressed and made his breakfast, we would all love that surely? Before this arrangement he would usually leave his clothes laid out on the floor as he had worn them, as if he had just jumped straight out of them, scared me at first as I thought I was in a 'mum you've shrunk your kid' scenerio. I love his mind, it doesn't always run smoothly, and come to think of it, not everyone's does, autism or no autism but his world is very interesting, maybe sometimes we should enter more into their world (the world of autism) and spend less time trying to bring them into ours (a neurotypical one), could be completely mind blowing but might be fun. Pj's at the ready and catch ya tomorrow. Well just recently I've had terrible trouble with my earworm, no I don't need a doctor or any special cream for it. An earworm is the name for the song that you can't get out of your head, it springs into your mind from nowhere and you can't get rid of it. I can spontaneously sing my earworm loudly while cleaning, washing dishes and while shopping. So what is it? It isn't True Colours as pictured but that has been one of my worms at one point. This picture is actually from summer last year when learning lyrics for the Rock Choir Summer Show, I can see how the earworm would appear at that time, learning lyrics over and over, kind of makes sense. My current one though I cannot explain, I mean where the heck do I get Ravels 'Bolero' from??? Yes I cheered with the rest nation when Torvill and Dean performed their winning gold Ice Skating dance to it but that was back in the 80's. I loved the film '10' with Dudley Moore and the gorgeous Bo Derek and secretly think how funny it would be to put this piece of music on in the throws of seduction but no it's there, in all it's glory. I can't even sing it out loud as its instrumental, so I can only project my best 'da da da da da's'. Apparently the Earworm is very common amongst musicians and creative souls and it can be 'cured' by either transferring your brains energy to another source such as a puzzle, reading, trying to squeeze it out by listening to another track or chewing gum (I kid you not!) but my theory is to face it, head on, or should I say 'ears on'. I play the track out loud and over and over, almost like a musical exorcism - 'be away with you!!! pleasant but repetitive music' (one could actually say that waving a symbolic musical note around instead of a cross). I'm not going to be too ashamed of my earworm as it is believed to be the third most popular classical earworm so if your going to have one at least have a good'un eh? Maybe it's a sign, to tell me to go Ice Skating but I fear I may try to replicate the routine and then the only medal I'll be rewarded with is one made of plaster waiting in A&E. Enjoy the music and embrace that earworm, if it's something great sing it loud, if it's 'Agadoo' by Black Lace, dance like there's no one looking - no literally dance while no one is looking otherwise you could get into trouble while 'pushing a pineapple and shaking a tree'. Catch ya tomorrow. It's a big decision when it comes to tea. Teabags have been a revolution for covenience and simplicity, they are most commonly used I suppose but why? Loose leaf always seems a bit old fashioned to some people, your granny always had loose leaf, a tea strainer and a cosy on the teapot - hand knitted of course. It always seemed a lot of fuss and there was always a chance of the tea leaves escaping the strainer, getting mixed in your brew and them lodging right at the back of your throat.
I decided to have a go at the loose leaf tea not so long ago. My friend started a small business selling tea online so after a discussion on the workings of an infuser (I know, it's so basic but it was something I wasn't sure off) and recomendations on which blend I took the plunge and I can honestly say it really is good stuff. It's just as easy as using teabags but 'oh my' the taste of the brew is so much better, it tastes like proper tea. There are so many lovely tasty blends and in the 'leaded' or 'unleaded' variety as we say, which is caffeinated and decaf. There are all the accessories you need and the lovely team will gladly give you advice of which blend would suit your lifestyle, they can even make a special blend up for you. Amongst the accessories there are some small bags so if you still prefer a bag or you want to pop some tea in with your packed lunch you can spoon some of your tea into the bag and off you go. I have been trying them all, of course! The green tea is great for weight loss and after a recent discussion so is white tea so that's my next experiment. There is something for everyone whether you are detoxing, trying to control your mood or if you just fancy a good builders brew you will find it. Please give her website a look and place an order, it's so easy, go to www.tranquili-tea.co.uk Be good and catch ya tomorrow. Well I bought these nice zippy freezer bags from a well known supermarket, you know the one where you go in for loaf of bread, a pint of milk and come out with a tent, pressure cooker and a hostess trolley. The middle aisle we call it and if we ever lose my dad that's where he will be. Anyway while I was making up my sons packed lunch for school I'm putting items in these bags and zipping them up and thinking to myself that I've seen this all somewhere else. Then it hit me, Silent Witness the other night!!! I was packing this lunch like I was on a murder scene, all I needed was a white paper onezie and matching paper slippers. I turned round just to check I hadn't got a team of police people with a wipeboard loaded with suspects to find the person missing 2 ham sandwiches, chocolate chip cookie and a tangerine. I was even ready to label up the bags with named body part, date and send it off to check DNA at the lab. The chocolate chip cookie would probably be used in evidence against me with the goverment 'Healthy Eating Lunchbox Police' so arrest me......I like to think I am responsible for my lunch boxes so I'll put in them exactly what I like. So when I stopped daydreaming and realised I wasn't actually Dr Nikki Alexander and good job too as these exhibits entered a fridge bag and when it returned these bags were empty. I'd be sacked for losing vital evidence and what's more, I've watched alot of Silent Witness and I'm not sure I've seen an episode where someone eats the bodies......oh there ya go scriptwriters, ya welcome! Off to make dinner now......it's ok bags are all labelled for leftovers, catch the next episode tomorrow. You may wonder why I've named my blog 'Make a Brew Sue'. I love tea, apart from handbags it has been my big love from being a little girl. It's the drink that can help one to relax, improve health, always there in a crisis and one of the many things I can never say NO to. My dad makes the best cup of tea ever!!! I think he has spent most of his 80 something years perfecting the perfect brew. There's a very strict routine to it, not just chucking a bag in a cup of boiling water, dunk and that will do, it's the real deal, top brewer!. This man has made me a cuppa in all sorts of situations, when I was living at home I'd be quivering under my duvet in the middle of the night, scared of a thunderstorm, and there he'd be at silly o'clock, 'would ya like some tea?' He must have taken his son in law (now ex son in law - long story) aside and they must have had an important 'tea coach talk' because there was the time I was very heavily pregnant (bit late for that talk), waters broke as I slipped down into bed one night and he just shot up and announced 'cup of tea then?' I'd just expelled a tidal wave of fluid from my body and he thought I needed more but of course I said YES to tea! I also found a great way of obtaining tea without leaving the bedroom.
On a recent visit to a Derby Fire Station (no I wasn't just loitering with intent, I did take my son for a proper supervised visit) they will show you one of the most important pieces of equipment on the fire engine, and it is a kettle! This we experienced first hand a long time ago with an early morning call to my work place at the time after an arson attack on the building, after the fire was fought, building was safe, everyone was accounted for, out came a million mugs and a kettle.....the best sight ever, I know it gets better, a firefighter with a kettle!!! So that's why I think it's approriate for my blog, it's me! there's a brew for every moment, a favourite mug or cup, a teapot big or small and they always say tea tastes better when someone else makes it, ok there I go again......put kettle on someone!! Catch you tomorrow!! Its' here!! for us anyway, I know some have already been there and everyone else will be looking toward this in the next few days.....BACK TO SCHOOL or as I like to call it 'Mission - I'm gonna try my hardest to make it possible'. It is sometimes like a military operation depending on how many children and how many schools have to be reached by an ETA of 8.40 (that's our target). I made an effort to get any packed lunches prepared and in the fridge the previous evening giving me time in the morning to observe school bag contents and the preparation of uniform. This all went quite well really and destinations were reached at the scheduled time which is shocking for saying we haven't been out of pajamas before midday on some days during the festive period. My eldsest son started his first day bag with 'BIG BAG DAY', this day, how shall I describe it?? well, in my day, a long long time ago, no not in a galaxy far far away but it was when someone very deviously designed the timetable to involve, on one single day: PE, Cooking, Art, Packed Lunch, Music and an afterschool club activity - eg. Chess. So with the school bag the size of Russia or arms like Mr Tickle from the Mr Men you had to juggle the.... PE kit (not knowing what PE day it was, outside = full kit or inside PE? =small kit! We prayed for rain..... Cookery ingredients - the girls always took a nice picnic basket Huge A1 (that's big) art folder The biggest Lunch Box - saved the day if you had school meals A musical instrument - completely stuffed if learning the tuba and......your chess set with pieces carved from an oak tree. The rest of the week was fine, just one A4 folder and a pencil, and a trip home for lunch if you lived near school, and they say school days are the best days of your life. My best advice is aim for a career that does not involve a big bag because by the time your 18, you won't be able to carry one. When you've achieved that first day back it's a bit like an episode of 'Dora the Explorer', when you walk away from those school gates or drive away after the drop off, you are doing the 'We Did It' song and dance in your head, if you haven't experienced Dora, Google her, she's brilliant, you'll be wanting a back pack, a monkey friend called Boots and a talking map by the time you've finished. So hope you've recovered if completed the mission and good luck to the rest who still have the adventure to complete. Stand by ya beds and see ya tomorrow. We decided to have a family day out with our lovely friends today before the mad rush back to normality tomorrow (whatever normal is in our household). Our visit to Derby Museum started in the cafe, where all good visits should start. Lovely cakes, a latte and service with a smile, but also a fabulous display of 'mug shots', pictures of public brews! I squealed slightly with excitement as here in this place of loveliness there are pictures who love their brew just like Sue (that's me). The museum had some very interesting exhibits and we all instantly thought of the film 'Night of the Museum. we looked very closely at the skeletons, mummies and taxidermy on show, wondering if they really did come alive at night. I know!! it's only a movie, but is it? Got ya thinking now haven't I? There was a soldier on horseback and we all had a lovely moment rembering the legend Robin Williams, hoping he was looking down on us having a giggle. It's those memories in movie and television that we all remember, we all have our favourites and the museum brought all those classic children's tv moments back to life in their exhibition running throughout the rest of January. It showed all the classics from 1946 to the present day, there were also activities to take part in. One of my favourites personally would have to be Mr Ben, I loved the idea of going into a magic changing room and going on an adventure of my dreams. I secretly stood in the changing room of many a shop when I was younger hoping for a 'shop keeper to appear', they did appear, but the staff at BHS, M&S or Debenhams just didn't possess the same magic somehow. My other favourite character would have to be the hippy rabbit named Dylan from the Magic Roundabout, so chilled for reasons that when I became an adult and learnt more about the world it became a little clearer, the reason he may have been so chilled, bless Florence, she always tried to keep everyone on the roundabout in order, even the flamboyant Ermintrude. So like the latte I purchased in the cafe which in the days of some of this vintage tv used to be called a 'milky coffee' it was a delight to feel the warmth and the taste of classic tv again. A very good day out for all the family and all ages. The exhibition continues until 29th January. Check out the museum's website at: www.derbymuseums.org Naughty Coffee Machine!!! Look what happened to my coffee machine, it gave me a tipple of prosecco, now I love my Tassimo pods (other coffee machines are available) but blimey what a surprise. Seriously though I think there are some days we would love this to happen, that stressy day that needs that something a bit stronger. Not promoting alcohol by any means and I'm sorry to mention it if you are taking part in 'Dry January' for charity or to totally detox but we all need a treat sometimes. We can't mention that to the 'diet police' though can we as according to some research which was released around Christmas, we are all obese, unfit and on the way to high blood pressure and diabetes'ville. I'm no expert and I do hope a clever researcher didn't have to collate the information most of us can plainly see that some of us are not all the healthiest of people, me included but we try our best. Life is so hectic, where do we all get time and money to go to the gym and to be honest all the naughty food is just sitting there on the shelf in the supermarket just screaming 'buy me, you know you want to!!' I always think it's funny because all this fat bashing comes around Christmas time when I've just consumed the whole of a small convenience store and on the way to actually buying shares in a well known chocolate manufacturer or when the slimming clubs need new members. That's all fine, I am an online member of Slimming World and find it really good, yes I've lost a bit of weight and after a rest (ha ha) for a couple of weeks I am ready to ditch the naughty stuff again and get back to losing some more. I will mention it as it's bound to be a subject that crops up again in my blog. I think the conclusion for the nation is very similar to your old school report, 'try harder' and continue collecting your stickers for good progress, my grandad always said 'eat what you like just in moderation. In the meantime I will have words with my coffee machine and insist it gives me hot beverages from now on......no milk or sugar of course, otherwise my 'syn sargeant' in my head will be shouting 'nooooo thats gonna cost ya' - enjoy ya brew and catch ya tomorrow. |
What to Buy WednesdayFrom May 2020 I will be writing a poem about something I may have purchased or would like to purchase. Archives
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