Highly Strung

So after I accepted a job offer by email yesterday my shoulders dropped several inches and I finally breathed out. There are of course still challenges ahead, but at least I know my future is secure for at least 3 months and hopefully longer barring any major failures or redundancy (you just never know do you).

More celebrating tonight – this time locally, which is nice considering the cold out there and it also means I can cook before we venture out, making it a- cheaper and b – probably nicer (fish pie).

Speaking of cheap – here’s a pic of my celebratory clothing purchase (it wasn’t cheap tho).  It has rather fetching puff sleeves, and you can’t see them, but little brass studs all over the front.  This pic was taken while I tipsily stood on my coffee table last night – I am very skilled!

I’ve abandoned the best 09 posts, not much good has occurred in the last 6 months, and the 6 months preceeding that are not really what I want to dwell on at the moment.  So here’s to a far better year in 2010.  No resolutions, just a few hopes and a few fears…

After watching Jamie Oliver’s gorgeous girls cook pancakes last night on the telly box, I was inspired to cook my own banana pancakes for lunch today;

Step 1.  Saute onion and garlic.  Add lamb and brown.  Add half tsp cinnamon, half tsp all spice, one bay leaf, 2 tbsp tomato puree and half a tin of chopped tomatoes.  Salt and pepper to taste.  Simmer for one hour.

Step 2.  Slice peeled potatoes, and boiled until cooked but still holding their shape.  Roast slices of Aubergine

Step 3. Layer cooked mince, potato and aubergine, finishing with mince.

Step 4.  Delia’s bechamel sauce; make about half a litre of white sauce, cool.  Add half a tub of ricotta and one beaten egg.  Pour over the moussaka and sprinkle cheese on top.

Annnd we’re done.

Inspired by couple of different recipes, BBC good food site and Delia (both of which were just too technical for my patience or lack thereof).

I’d do a hash on the title but I’ve totally forgotten hwo to do that on my mac.

Annnway via Lizsara’s blog I’ve decided to try a best moments of 09 thing.  I was supposed to start the first day of December – but never mind, I’ll start today.

Best night out of ‘09

It’s very much a toss up between the NZ Society Waitangi Day ball or the night I went to La Clique for the first time.  I’m goingt o choose La Clique though, partly because a friend who has become a really good friend over the last year came that night and partly because it was such an unexpected delight.

…but sometimes, you just talk crazy:

235mph wind???  I shall be battening down the hatches and regretting renting an attic flat!

There are 4 ways out of Crouch End (that I’m interested in), they go to Muswell Hill, Finsbury Park and  Holloway.  They all involve a hill of some sort and I’ve cycled them all.

Muswell Hill is the toughest, I’ve only been all the way up it 2 or 3 times, and each time its been close to breaking me.  It’s definitely my least favourite hill, thankfully I only head up in that direction in summer when I want to visit the heath.

My most common route out is via Crouch End Hill, it’s shortish, but sharp – and even worse on the way back in, where it’s longish with a kick up at the end.

Crouch Hill I’ve only done once or twice and I’m quite happy to leave it at that thanks.  It’s sharp!

Today I took a route I’ve only done once before, Ferme Park Road, it’s not bad going up, I was somewhat impeded by the regularity of the W3 barreling past, and I admit, I did stop at the top, ostensibly to unzip my jacket but actually to catch my breath.  On the way back in however, much more manageable, my breath flowed easily, and I enjoyed the easy roll down the other side.  I think I’ve found my new commuting route out of here.

Coming home at 9pm on a friday  a bit tipsy already and playing the Black eyed peas and dancing to it whilst sipping a cup of peppermint tea…and no one looking at you like you are strange…

Skype conv with a friend;

Me:  I just feel so old and jaded at the moment

Her:  don’t be silly, you and are the youngest looking oldies I know.

Me:  because we dont have kiddies or responsibilities?

Her:  that and the fact that we can afford expensive face creams

Me:  yeah I’m totally addicted to that Clinique age defense..

Her:  and remember that Kiehls Elderflower toner I bought?  Its basically just water – it was £36!

…she always cheers me up