I wear Paco Rabanne like I was Charlie Sheen

Heck!  Can't believe it's been so long since I've updated.  We've been busy in these parts.  Still ill, not me, M, obviously.  He has improved greatly and isn't as scabby.  Just nerve aches and the like.  Awful business this shingle malarkey, I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy.

Well, maybe Tracy Smith from secondary school.  Not only did she have a ridiculously average name she had no eyelashes because she'd plucked them out (no joke) and she was mean to everyone.

Things that have taken my attentions:- 

Sorting through boxes

A couple of weekends ago M decided to have a clear out of the loft because we were due to go to Manchester to see my bro's new student house (and to celebrate my mum's birthday) and we wanted to take some glasses and other stuff that students always need loads of.

So we got the 'kitchen' boxes out and started to sort through.  We decided all of it could go to the students, even the sherry glasses.  Hey, they could bring sherry back into fashion for students.  You heard it here first.

We stumbled upon some amazing artifacts.

 This very handsome Martini glass which belonged to M's mum.  

Since my childhood I have had fond feelings for Martini.  That sounds quite wrong and of course I would never condone underage drinking, but it's true.

When we used to visit my grandma at the weekends, my sister and I used to get really excited about being little hostesses, yeah, rock on feminists and all that.  Generally we'd help lay the table, do a dance, or run around the garden in a show stylee. 

About 11am we'd shriek with excitement "Martini time!!"  Now, I'm not sure whether it was just because my grandma was a complete lush (which she wasn't from what I remember) or because she was sick of our various performances but during her making of the Saturday dinner, Martini was free flowing. 

It kind of goes to show what things amused us as children in 'those days' before gameboys and sky tv.  In fact, martinis, drawing on her best notepaper sneaked from the bedroom, making mud pies and going into the garage to get things out of the big scary chest freezer was pretty much as exciting as it got.

It was a very scary chest freezer I'll have you know, lots of strange noises like animals dying.  I used to imagine a hand reaching out of it when I intrepidly opened the top.   

Anyway, I'm happy to report my grandma is still very much alive and kicking and she's 90.  So if that isn't an advert for Martini I don't know what is. 

This weird and wonderful book of recipe cards. 

Apparently it was all the rage back in the 80s to collect these kind of things and I can totally see why. 

Monster burgers?! 

Cheese and noodle hotpot?! 

I'm in.  As if that wasn't good enough there is also a lovely guide book to 'a healthy lifestyle' with exercises:

An awesome find.  I'm going to try one of the recipes.  In fact, I might have a retro exercise party.  Leg warmers, shoulder pads and monster burgers, sounds like a definite plan.

Listening to Mark Ronson

I have literally (I say literally too much but I needed to say it this time because it's literally the truth) not stopped listening to the Record Collection album.  I love all of it.  Skip to 'Hey Boy' and 'The night last night' to hear the very beautiful voiced Rose Elinor Dougall.

For a more Wu-Tang Clan feel, 'Lose It' is definitely recommended.  I wanted to go and see them all in Leeds a few weeks ago but M's shingles were still in full force and I was concerned for the other humans there.

Reading Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

So, I am a Harry Potter fan.  There.  I said it.  I always try to read the books again before the latest film comes out so that I can pick holes in the film and tell whoever I'm with at the cinema how much better the book is.  Normally said victim is walking in front of me by the time we hit the exit doors desperately trying to shake me and my Harry Potter over excitement off.  This time I suspect I will be a weeping snot-covered mess when it all comes to an end.  

Making Bakery Noms

I finally got round to making Cinnamon buns again.  This time they turned out really well.  The only complaint I have is that the sugar I used (which you layer onto the bottom of the tray with butter) turned into a treacle type mixture in the oven and the taste was a bit too toffeeish for me.

M really liked it though.  I'm going to make some Halloween cupcakes and bloody hand shortbreads this weekend.

Being Bought Lovely Roses

M came home with the lovelist rose plant last week.  He said it was only because it was on offer but secretly I know it's because he only ever has delightfully romantic thoughts about buying me flowers.  Maybe.

Purchasing Treats

As I write this I realise I haven't actually bought any Halloween treats for the local kiddie collective.  Must do that or I might just feel really unhalloweeny when I see all the little scroats and throw water over them.  I digress, I have bought a couple of nice treasures. 

I bought some Momji items a few weeks ago.

Pixie doll - it's pretty obviously modelled on me.  It's tag line is "I'm a cup-cake pixie from a magic land. I like monty python and coconuts."  Well I love cup-cakes, monty python is the best and coconuts - well, I've never been one to turn down a bounty bar (yes, I am 30 years old).

I also got these adorable little spoons for...well...stiring things of course!  A welcome edition to my tea cups.  I might even use one to eat a yoghurt, very carefully with very small mouthfuls.

I was very tempted to buy some of the Venomous Villains Mac range that came out at the beginning of the month but when I went into Harvey Nics everything was either sold out or surrounded by spotty teens painting their nails with the testers.  So, I flounced out.

Right, I believe I've rambled on a little bit too much without saying a great deal.  But I need to eat food now so, bye for now.