TRYING TO ORGANISE...

... The next weekend, and not getting very far! We  are going to the Grand National on Saturday to celebrate my nephew's 21st.  However, in order to do that, we need to go to Yorkshire on Friday to drop the girls off and can't do that until after the radio show, so will be getting there very late and I've just had a conversation with Helen about what we are going to eat, completely forgetting about the show, so need to talk to her again about that. Feel as if we're being a big nuisance.

Have to get to Preston on Saturday morning by 10 ish, to check into travelodge, get changed and get to the station by 11.30, then get to Aintree in plenty of time for the first race. I haven't got a clue what to expect  when we get there. I think we've only ever been to the races once before and that was years ago. Looking at photos of previous race goers who are supposedly 'smartly dressed' but actually look like a load of chavs, I really do not know what we are going to be wearing. Do we go smart or chavvy? Haven't got a clue.

Forgot to mention we need to meet up with James and Claire who are travelling independently and Christina may also be driving herself., so the potential for stressing about meeting times and places is immense. Feeling too stressed already. Would much rather just stay here!

ALSO NEED TO SAY...

... That yesterday morning with James was lovely. As usual, he had chosen the perfect card. The flowers were stunning and are looking fabulous in the lounge this morning. It was just nice to spend time together even though we were a little underwhelmed by the Cafe Royale!!

Thank you so much  xxx

WOW !!

Thank you Christina! Feeling very special today. Had a lovely breakfast prepared for me, with scrambled eggs and toast, Buck's Fizz, fresh berries and Danish pastries. A lovely gift of champagne and Estée Lauder fragrance. A morning spent doing little more than drinking coffee and reading the papers ( can't honestly remember the last time I did this) and then this evening we're going to the Northumberland Arms for dinner.

Thank you so much!  xxxx

ABOUT A MONTH AGO...

... I said that the Newcastle players were already on holiday, and they haven't dissuaded me from that opinion since then. Appalling performance today by all accounts. Sadly though, I'm not surprised and that is the biggest let down of all.

GOING TO SPEND...

...  the morning with my boy!  It's our Mothers Day thing! Going to meet him in a while and then we're going out for brunch somewhere. Nice!! xx

WHAT A MISERABLE DAY!

Wet, cold, windy - not at all nice and certainly not conducive to going out, which sadly I must do shortly, although it will be a case of parking as close to the supermarket entrance as possible, running in and getting the shopping done with as much haste as I can and then legging it back to the car pretty damn quick!

 Haven't actually baked today - yet. It's been a laundry morning, changing the beds and getting them made up again.  Not much else really. I might make a start on covering a cake board ready for the Las Vegas cake this afternoon, although there's plenty of time, so I might not!!

WAS GOING TO WRITE THIS EARLIER...

... This morning in fact, but just when I thought I could have a bit of a breather, the day was hijacked by a coffee shop, so I've ended up doing a marathon in the kitchen today and am now on my knees with tiredness and irritability. ( Probably best to just leave me alone right now!)

TAPAS FOR DINNER TONIGHT!

All home -cooked of course. I'm doing Patatas bravas,  mushrooms in a garlic and cream sauce and meatballs in spicy tomato sauce AND, wait for it, Charles is cooking paella! Can't wait!!  Admittedly I've been his sou-chef this afternoon and got all his ingredients prepped, but it'll still be nice to have one dish that I haven't cooked myself.

Just enjoying a welcome cup of coffee and a few minutes sit down. It's been a pretty frantic day because  just as we were leaving for the match last night, an order came though from Centurion, so I had to make a start on that today. I needed ingredients so had to rush into Morpeth and I've spent all afternoon making quiche and little spinach and ricotta tarts. I managed to get brownies and bake wells done before breakfast!

Looking forward to this evening. Hannah is coming round for the first time in ages and James and Claire are also coming, so should be a good get together - hence the tapas!

BACK AT...

... St James's Park tonight! Match against Everton, who will be difficult to beat I think. Going to Adrianos first with James. Not sure if Claire is coming too? It would be nice if she did, but it may be a little early for her after work.

Bit of a quiet day to be honest. I've got a fair few quiche on the go, but that's about it. Just passing the time till we set off for town!

FIRST CUT...

... Of the grass I mean. Looks really lovely now and there's that fab smell of newly mown grass which is, apparently, one of the top three fave smells. I can't for the life of me remember the others, although I'm betting frying bacon, fish and chips and baby powder are up there as well.

I'm waiting for a delivery of new quiche tins. I've got the 13.42 - 14.42 delivery slot, so anytime now then. Fillings are all made and chilling in huge bowls. Just need to get the pastry cases done.

Not much happening today. Just a normal work day in the kitchen. Shame really. It would be the perfect day to be outside. It s a bit chilly but gloriously sunny and Springlike!

UP AND BAKING!!

Scones in the oven, quiche prepared and a huge chocolate cake ready to be frozen  for a week or so and then transformed into a Las Vegas cake!

Ended up enjoying yesterday, despite the morning jitters. The match itself was awful, but at least we got a last minute winning goal!

Had a lovely evening with James, Claire and Adam and his girlfriend, Becca who we're visiting from London. Lots of chat and laughter, helped along by plenty of good wine!

CAN'T WORK. OUT...

... If I've got the jitters because we've got a match this afternoon or because I've consumed three mugs of strong coffee in quick succession. Could be a caffeine overdoes, but probably more likely to be nerves about the show we're likely to witness at SJP, when we field a team that look about as likely to score a goal as I could fly to the moon. Of course, Charles will be his usual optimistic self, but I think it's got 0 - 0 written all over it. (Or worse!)

HAD MY HAIR DONE TODAY

Not that that is unusual, just mentioned it because it's the only thing I've done today really, apart from making a treacle tart and a cheesecake for tomorrow when we appear to be having a houseful! We've got a home game tomorrow, so it'll be a bit of a rush when we get in, but the main meal is a takeaway so it shouldn't be that hectic.

Charles is busy doing his radio show right now and I'm enjoying a few minutes snuggled up with the girls on the settee!

HAVE LOVED TODAY!

All I've really done, apart from making some mini-Victoria sponges, a carrot cake and a banana loaf, and putting Radcliffe's order together,  has been painting sugar paste decorations. It's been so relaxing, In fact. If that is what relaxation is all about, bring it on. If it's about doing something that is calming and creative and I pressured, maybe I could do relaxation after all.

TRYING OUT...

... A couple of new cakes this afternoon. Both from the Lorraine Pascale books that arrived yesterday. One is a chocolate and orange 'zebra' cake. It was quite a gaff to assemble, but I'm hoping that it will look suitably stunning when it's cut. I've added a glossy glacé icing that wasn't in the recipe, but which I think will just finish it off. In the oven currently is a dulce and banana tray bake. Not too sure if this is a cake or a pud, or even if it will work but, we'll see in a few minutes! Smells good I have to say!

ORDERED A PAIR OF SHOES TODAY...

... From Clarks! I think this is the first time since I was a child that I have bought ( well I haven't actually bought then yet, just asked the shop to get the, in in my size, so I might try them on and hate them) a pair of shoes from such a sensible shop. And therein lies the problem. I hated my sensible shoes as a child. The sullen, sulks I had when we had to go shoe shopping are talked about to this day by my mother. I just wanted something pretty, but never, ever got them. They were always black (never patent) or brown and had sensible round toes and straps with buckles or, even worse, they were lace ups. They were either Clarks or Startrite, and I loathed them with all my heart. I know that most women have a bit of a thing about shoes, but I'm convinced that my thing is in part sticking two fingers up to my Mum because now I can by whatever sort of shoes I want. However ridiculous! Sadly though, today I decided that I needed a funky pair of wedges that were still comfortable and I found that the choice was somewhat limited. So Clarks... It's been a long time!

NOT MUCH TO DO TODAY!

Just a couple of quiche and a few more bits for the celebration cakes. That's about it really. I should get an order from Radcliffes for tomorrow, unless they've had a couple of really quiet days, but apart from getting that organised - and it's pretty much done already to be honest - there's not much else to be done. Never really like this situation. It's weird. Whenever I have anything that I know I have to do, I just have to get on with it so that it's not hanging over me, but then I kind of go into panic mode when I haven't got anything to do. So I can't really win that one. Leave it to do later - it bugs the life out of me. Get everything done - then what? Relax? Don't know where to begin with that!!

MET UP WITH...

... James and Claire this morning. Had a look at their beautiful livingroom. They've created an amazingly classy, cosy and restful room. Well done you two - it looks fab! Enjoyed a lovely breakfast at Cafe No95 on Gosforth High Street. Really like that place. And loved the eggs benedict. Should never have done that research on the dime bar gateau though. That was a big mistake as I then had to come home and try to recreate it. I think I've managed it, but now have the problem of what to do with it, as Charles is still on his diet and I am supposed to be being good. Oh well...

STARTED WORK. ON...

... A couple of birthday cakes today. One is for a first birthday and has to be princessy, pink and be covered in hearts!!i've managed to steer Mum away from the whole princess castle thing until baby is a few years older!! The other is a fiftieth Las Vegas cake - actually it's for my hairdresser, but he knows nothing about it. So the cakes couldn't be more different really. They don't go out for a couple of weeks, but I know I've got another couple of big cakes to do shortly, so just thought I could make a start on some of the time-consuming and fiddle stuff. Have to say, I'm perfectly happy!

HE SEEMS...

... Very nice actually. Refreshingly nice, normal and pleasant.

LIGHT LUNCH...

...at Linden Hall today. Meeting Christina's new bloke. Back in a while.

TIME FOR A SIT DOEN WITH A CUPPA!!

I'm shattered! After the delivery this morning, we went for a quick look at the house in town (Summerhill, I think is the area). Only looked from the outside as we can't exactly do anything about it yet. I loved the area although have to admit that it was a bit scruffy and there was quite a bit of litter around. That could be because it was near the shops, but it could be an indication that the local residents don't look after their properties too well. Either way, it makes no difference. We looked. End of story. On getting home, it was straight into kitchen duties for me. I've made lady cakes, carrot cake, chocolate cake, apple and sultana cake and 36 portions of leek and bacon quiche and 20 portions of vegetable quiche. Not too bad for an afternoon's work.

HOPES DASHED AGAIN!

Forget the viewing on Saturday. The woman who was going to come has pulled out because her buyer has (allegedly) backed out... ... Sadly, this news reached me after I had found the perfect property for us to buy and had spent a sleepless night furnishing it. I really must learn not to build my hopes up. As the wprld's greatest pessimist I should know this by now.

MIND YOU...

... The good news this morning, is that, having just changed estate agents last week, we already have a viewing booked in for Saturday morning at 11.30. (Yes I have checked and that IS right!) AND they've already sold their property! Fingers crossed!!!

TOTALLY MESSED THIS MORNING UP!!

Was convinced I had an appointment at SAks! Organised everything around it, only to discover that I'm a day ahead of myself! How silly do I feel now

SUCH A GLORIOUS DAY!

The windows are wide open. The sun is streaming in. There's a gentle breeze. It almost sounds like summer!! What a difference a bit of sunshine makes. I've been feeling so down recently, but if we have a few more days like this I think my mood will pick up.

FULL OF COLD!

Not feeling brilliant tobe honest. In fact it's 11.00 and I'm only just dressed for the day which is unheard of for me. Usually I'm up and organised, but today everything seems to be a bit of an effort. Still, it's Sunday, I have no plans, nothing I NEED to do, so I might just take it as a day to relax, chill and hopefully get over this bug. I never get colds, so I'm really annoyed that I've got this one. Maybe I should be eating more fruit. Wonder if the pear and dark chocolate cupcakes that I made yesterday would do the trick?

FEELING LOUSY!

It's been threatening for a few days, but at last I've succumbed to the dreaded lurgy! Sore throat, bunged up, nasty cough, feeling shivery - brilliant! Might just curl up on the settee with the girls for the rest of the day! #feelingsorryformyself

JUST HAD THE REGULAR...

...panic over Charles's 'lost' phone. Total meltdown and melodrama, followed by, "I know where it is..." By which time I'm a jibbering wreck of nerves

CHARLES TOOK THE GIRLS...

... Out for a long walk while the Food standards guy was here. Sadly, when they returned, they looked like they'd had a mud bath, so we've had to give them a good old bubble bath, shower and blow dry. They now look very beautiful and smell delightfully fragrant!

INSPECTION OVER!!

Everything fine just more records to keep about ingredients! New legislation comes in in December, so got a bit of time to sort it,but might as well get it done sooner rather than later. Need to add stuff to the website as well, but only in the light of these new requirements. Fairly happy, but feel as if the record keeping will take almost as long as the baking!!

KITCHEN INSPECTION TODAY!

Hope it goes okay! Would hate to be shut down!! Let you know later on.

DIDNT NEEDTO WORRY!

The electricity went off at 9.00, I went to Morpeth, did some shopping and had coffee, came home to find everything back to normal, boiler working and house lovely and warm. Just waiting for James and Claire. We're having five hour lamb, at Jim's request. Hope they're hungry!!

JUST REMEMBERED...

... That the electricity is going to be off in the morning for a couple of hours. Something to do with the new housing estate - grrrrrr! This is okay, so long as it does go back on as planned at 11.00 as I'm cooking five hour lamb for dinner and also so long as the boiler fires up again as it's pretty dodgy these days, doesn't operate on the timer any more and I have a really bad feeling that this might prove too much for it!

SAME OLD...

...SAME OLD!! That's it really!

YOU KNOW HOW QUIET THE COFFEE SHOPS HAVE BEEN...

... For the past few weeks? Well, that must have all changed this week, because today, all three of them decided to place big orders. Great news really, just a tiny bit hectic in the kitchen, which is why I'm only just writing this now. Not that I've been baking till this time! I collapsed in front go the telly about two hours ago and have been dozing since then. Charles is going to do two deliveries in the morning and then another will go out on Thursday. I'm going to start replacing stuff that's going out, so it'll be another busy day I think.

WAITING...

... For the photographer to come and do the pics of our house. Getting a distinct feeling of déjà vu!! Fingers crossed, this time we get some interest.

MAN CITY...

...have scored 2 now, so it's looking a bit better. After this it's Villa v Norwich - I'm looking forward to that one and will be heartily cheering Chris Hughton and his lads!

RESIGNED TO...

... Never being able to feel good about our football club. great result yesterday and some good football, although the MOTD coverage might have indicated otherwise, first game on MOTD as well, but only because of idiot Pardew and his ridiculous head butt. Now we're sitting through the cup final, Sunderland are already a goal to the good and the chances of us ever doing the same are absolutely non-existant.

JUST BACK...

... From a really lovely morning with James (and Claire as well, later on). We haven't bought much. Although I think we all came back with something. I bought some fab grey boots from Daniel! Originally £230, then reduced twice and on sale today at ?123. However, I managed to persuade them to let me have them at a further 25% off because I had an online voucher, so ended up paying £93. Can't grumble at that!!