Monday 30 October 2017

Review Of The Hoover Sprint 21.6 Cordless

Can Housework excite you you wouldn't have thought so but I am actually genially excite with my new acquisition thanks to the kind people at Hoover for sending it to me. As a child of the 70's and 80's that's the 1970s and 1980's and not before I assure you ! in those times I remember carpet sweepers and they were big and clunking and they seemed cumbersome maybe it was because I was knee high to a grasshopper or had an aversion to housework.


The Hoover Sprint  a run time of 50 minutes due to its Lithium -Ion batteries( 21.6 v) enough time to do the house and drink multiple cups of tea with the time saved.A fingertip control button allows you to activate the brush bar for a deep clean on your carpets, you can deactivate the bar to allow cleaning on hard floor surfaces too.




It is light weight 3.kg and manoeuvrable.


Being cordless you can clean almost in your home and the Led lights illuminate dark area making them easier to clean and lightweight it is less of a strain on the arm.You can clean from all sorts of angles as the bar reclines enabling you to clean comfortably under sofas etc, it offers excellent cleaning power round the home and by the flick of a button you can turn the revolving brusher offer allowing you to go from capeted areas to wooden floors /tiled kithcen /bathroom areas etc with ease. The brush bar will ably lift dirt and debris out of your carpets and the Hoover Sprint is a doodle to empty and it has a filter you can clean when it is necessary to do so.


I think this would be ideal for my mother in law who is 92  this year and very sprightly and as does all manner of exercises to keep her fit ( I actually think she is fitter than I am ) and she is partially sighted to so the Led lights would be useful as well.




The Hoover Sprint is easier to store and charging is a simple as well just plug in and well wait for it to charge. It takes around 6 hours for it to be fully charged then you’ll have 50 minutes of use to clean to your hearts content .In fact you’ll have enough time to do an average 3 bedroom house twice before the need to recharge.

There is a very handy LED battery status shows you when it needs to recharge. The Hoover Sprint flexes ,pivots and bends to easily manoeuvre around and under your furniture.





A 0.8 litre bin that’s easy to see when it needs emptying , the weight of the bin and the motor are distributed at the bottom of the Hoover Sprint cordless.
The Hoover Sprint 21.6 retails at about £199 but there are deals out there to be had on this handy addition to your cleaning family.







Disclosure I was kindly sent this by Hoover and all my thoughts words and opinions are my own.


Saying Hello Is The Sweetest Goodbye

It’s a very long time not to see your child for s whole month while they settle into university and of course you settle into not having food disappear. Your husband says you don’t need to sent food parcels but surely this is what Amazon pantry was invented for ?!

And stuffing Belvita breakfast biscuits and little fruit pots etc , ready meals into a survival bag it was akin to the Berlin airdrop and Mr T asking if there was anything left in the shop.A month is far to long not have seen the teen ( I was going to alter what I call him but I will figure than out next year !)

University is so much work the teen showed us his university work schedule and it is truely and utterly mind boggling.The costs that students have to bear is quite unreasonable at times like take for example 5p a print or 9 p  double sided.So we’ve brought the teen a printer which we will take up next time along with a headed clothes house/airer which really is a God sent when the university charges so much to tumble your clothes.


Thursday 26 October 2017

Win A Pressure King Pro 12 in 1 Digital Pressure Cooker

Would you like to win an pressure cooker from Pressure King Pro I can see you nodding , I have an electronic pressure cooker which I brought myself but I was so impressed with it I asked the really really nice people at Pressure King Pro if I could run a little competition SO one of you lovely lot could win it. Since I got my electronic pressure cooker I have made Chicken Risotto, Poached Pear and Chicken curry ( I forgot to take a picture of the poached pears * Instagram automatic fail !)



  • 12-in-1 Digital Pressure Cooker creates delicious, hearty, home-cooked meals up to 90% faster than traditional cooking methods for slow-cooked taste in fast food time. Super-heated pressurised steam locks in more vitamins and minerals than many traditional cooking methods.

  • Not just a pressure cooker, the Pressure King Pro can be used for Sautéing/Browning, and as a Slow Cooker, Steamer and Warmer. Also features 24-hour delay timer - simply set it in the morning.

  • Large 5-litre capacity (900 watts) so you can cook enough for the whole family! Sleek and compact design fits easily on your countertop.
  • The Pressure King Pro is the simple solution to making delicious, homemade meals faster and easier than ever before! With its steam infusion technology, you get that slow-cooked tenderness and taste in fast food time.



And because I have a son at university it means the extra I make I can freeze for another time for myself and my husband to eat.Having a pressure cooker is definitely good for the household budget which is just as well with having to help the teen out with university, university costs are just ricidulous but that a whole blog post in itself.






SO just comment below what you'd like to cook in the Pressure King Pro 12 in 1 Digital Pressure cooker, If you want some ideas just look at these recipes which are on their website. You could win one of this in black so getting entering and please be sure to tell all your friends !



a Rafflecopter giveaway
Here are the Terms and Conditions.

1. The promoter is Pressure King Pro
2. Employees of Pressure King Pro ,Ninjakillercat blog or their family members or anyone else connected in any way with the competition or helping to set up the competition shall not be permitted to enter the competition.
3. There is no entry fee and no purchase necessary to enter this competition.
4. Route to entry for the competition and details of how to enter are via Ninjakillercat blog
5. Closing date for entry will be 31st October 2017 After this date the no further entries to the competition will be permitted.
6. No responsibility can be accepted for entries not received for whatever reason.
7. The promoter reserves the right to cancel or amend the competition and these terms and conditions without notice in the event of a catastrophe, war, civil or military disturbance, act of God or any actual or anticipated breach of any applicable law or regulation or any other event outside of the promoter’s control. Any changes to the competition will be notified to entrants as soon as possible by the promoter.
8. The promoter is not responsible for inaccurate prize details supplied to any entrant by any third party connected with this competition.
9. No cash alternative to the prizes will be offered. The prizes are not transferable. Prizes are subject to availability and we reserve the right to substitute any prize with another of equivalent value without giving notice.
10. Winners will be chosen by the use of Rafflecopter
11. The winner will be notified by email and/or letter within 28 days of the closing date. If the winner cannot be contacted or do not claim the prize within 14 days of notification, we reserve the right to withdraw the prize from the winner and pick a replacement winner.
12. The promoter will notify the winner when the prize will be sent.
13. The promoter’s decision in respect of all matters to do with the competition will be final and no correspondence will be entered into.
14. By entering this competition, an entrant is indicating his/her agreement to be bound by these terms and conditions.
15. The competition and these terms and conditions will be governed by [English] law and any disputes will be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of [England].
16. The winner agrees to the use of his/her name and image in any publicity material. Any personal data relating to the winner or any other entrants will be used solely in accordance with current [UK] data protection legislation and will not be disclosed to a third party.
17. Entry into the competition will be deemed as acceptance of these terms and conditions.
18. This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook, Twitter or any other Social Network. You are providing your information to Pressure King Pro who will directly send you the prize  and not to any other party.

19. Uk only.
20. You must be 18 or over to enter this competition

Disclosure : I have not been compensated for this post in anyway , thank you to Pressure King Pro for allowing me to run this competition.

Papa Johns For A Night in Treat

Sometimes it is nice to threat yourself and with Papa Johns you can do that and it is prefect for a movie night at home or family get together , I know we will be all having a pizza when my son is home from university. I think that my son and his flat mates have tried themselves to a pizza on the odd occasion.


Papa Johns has launched 'Papa's Deep Crust' . Paps's Deep Crust is almost double the depth of a regular Papa John's pizza and is coked in a specially designed pan, using an extra cup of cheese compared to other Pap John's Pizzas.It also features a specially designed tomato sauce.An even tattier treat ; it's now on offer until 26th November 2017 priced from £10.99 from Papa John's outlets nationwide.

As part of this launch of "Papa Deep Crust, Papa John's delivered its brand new deep crust pizza to the deepest part of the London network (Hampstead at 58.5m 192 ft) as part of a unique platform dining experience.The usual comfortable benches were swapped for cosy seating and home comforts to give a taste of a perfect Papa John's night in as diners tucked into deliciously light and fluffy 'Papa Deep Crust '







Papa John’s prides itself on using fresh ingredients, ensuring the use of fresh never frozen dough.  The specially formulated recipe features a buttery, seared crust for a fuller flavour and a light and fluffy deeper dough, almost double the depth of regular Papa John’s pizzas cooked in a specially designed pan, to offer an even more indulgent taste than before.
 
A new recipe tomato sauce has also been created, using Californian vine-ripened tomatoes which go from field to can in six hours. Added to this is a blend of signature spices and extra virgin olive oil which are then reduced to create a richer tasting sauce, complementing the new thicker base perfectly. Every ‘Papa’s Deep Crust’ pizza uses an extra cup of cheese, which is spread all the way to the edge of the dough to create a caramelised, crispy cheese crust. Each pizza is then completed with all the favourite pizza toppings, including fresh “store cut” vegetables.



Disclosure Thank you to Papa Johns who sent me one of their delicious pizzas.



Wednesday 25 October 2017

Upon The Autumn Dark



Upon the Autumn dark I stumble

Parcel laden and shopping pensive 

Computers down running on XP

Can’t take the parcel then I see 

Upon the Autumn dark I stumble 

Still parcel laden and shopping pensive 

4 tins of beans my what a shopping spree 

Upon the Autumn dark I stumble 

All warm and welcoming just for me 

Wednesday 18 October 2017

Where I stand ~ Autumn

I really don't think of myself as brave when I go out adventuring , I will adventure anywhere but I do love particularly being outdoors where there is a distinct lack of people so my mind can relax.I recently took a walk down a ancient monastery route alas the monastery is no longer there but a skeleton of a priest was found some years ago in a farm house. I am most fortunate to live near many villages and I do love walking I could do with a nice pair of waking boots with ankle support and some of those walking poles. Is there a walking equipment fairy I do hope so as I really would like these items and a nice new shiny camera ones that's portable as I like to constantly take pictures with my minds eye I have  particular eye and see many a thing other people don't see or choose not to see * who knows.


The area round here is farms and rolling fields and we fall within the art of the National Forest which is the largest tree replantation in England and covers a woodland across 3 counties.






That little wander can lead you to stunning scenery and the wonders of Autumnal colours.




And the scenary I came upon in the National Forest I thought I just might come across Frodo Baggins and Gandalf. It really is that magical here and the thing is with scenary each day is different and it is really something I embrace and going back to the same place again is never dull.



You don’t need a lot to get walking you really just need a sense of adventure and to dress accordingly hence why I’d like a new pair of walking boots.

Betwixt the ground and the sky that's where you find me seeking out life and adventure ~ here is hoping you find adventure too.

Wednesday 11 October 2017

Whacky Outdoor Games Ideal Fun For Adults

As a nation we are quite barmy from queuing to drinking tea on the hour and of course we enjoy crazy games from the pictures I have seen from my sons university Freshers week he has been partaking in some crazy games .One of the crazy things he took part in in York was a Viking raid awwwh what it is to be young footloose and fancy free though I think the Freshers week is just wearing off for him.

And playing whacky games is an ideal way to let off steam and I think this would be ideal for my sons university rugby team and his rugby team here in Derby. I have seen some crazy rugby tours and  the costumes are utterly hilarious you know the  sort where it looks like you're riding a horse or a bear is carrying you !




Playing whacky outdoor games is an Ideal way to let off steam! 

The Welsh games would be ideal for the rugby team with 9 welsh themed games  which will have you splitting your sides involving of course dragons ,rugby and course sheep, hours of inflatable fun for all. And something I wish I had had when it was my hen party 20 years ago was perhaps something more adventurous like perhaps a Bristol hen weekend with plenty of Bristol activities  ?! Perhaps you could have a joint stag and hen party whacky outdoor games competition ?!



Any as my sons rugby team go on tour this would be an ideal collaboration behind the 2 clubs in order to share the cost and cement firm rugby friendships. And I think they are looking at Cardiff activities for their next rugby tour idea and I think they will be looking at this.



There is also a West Country games  theme and everyone knows what the West Country is famous for cider so indeed the games involved cider, mangold dangling and it wouldn't be the West Country if farm animals weren't involved.

You could have a go at zorbing as well well why let hamster just have all the fun and if you want to go for the true washing machine experience then try Aqua zorbing which is sorbing with water involved * no hamster are involved in any of these activities !


Joining in games is a way of life

Have you noticed when you are on holiday the rep is always trying to get you to join in with the games that they offer and how ever much you try and avoid it at times you do end up taking part with fully or just for the people watching value. We did this when we went to Spain one year and were watching the French and German get competitive in a quiz at the car and it was hilarious. We love people making a fool of them in a same controlled manor of course you 'll have seen those shows on TV where you can earn a bit of money for sending in a video of your other half falling of a chair ( I really wish I had filmed my other half falling off a chair )


Indoor Games don't have to be boring.

Indoor games don't have to be boring and have everyone moaning when the battered box of Monopoly comes out for the umpteenth time and everyone is rolling their eyes. Somewhere deep in the Welsh mountains I believe you can go jump on trampoline nets ( well it's indoors albeit in a mountain!) Luckily Welsh Games and West Country Games takes their games inside for the winter weather.

This is a Collaboration post 

Tuesday 10 October 2017

My Cat is Such A Show Off

I don’t know if it was the free lunch I was eating from the Coop or if it was the show tunes I had playing through the laptop. The free lunch has a great message behind it as every time you choose Co-op water they donate 3 p to the One Foundation for every litre sold.




But I think my cat Jack was channelling his inner Rose from Titantic ( ps he’s not named after Jack in Titanic but is named after Jack Black the comedian). Jack was getting all 

“ Paint me like one of your French women “











I also think my cat is middle class because it eats Waitrose cat food , I have no idea how I entered up with a middle-class cat but I have as it won't touch Aldi cat food as my friend puts it "Aldi cat foods smells like dead Zombies ".It was at this point I said "My cat eats Waitrose #Middleclasscat " So there you have it I have a cat that has no conception of the Brexit process and increasing food prices while he indulges in his Bourgeoisie ways.




Monday 9 October 2017

High Tea At Little Morton Hall

If you're wondering what life is like when your child has flown the nest to university and you're rattling round the house then I have a few answers for you one is going slipper shopping and believe me that is complicated in itself. I don't think slipper shopping could be complicated but it is there is slippers with memory foam slippers without memory food and so the choice goes on.

Footloose and fancy free and with the teenager at university I decided me and Mr T should get out though it seems if I want the DIY doing then I can keep running out on little jaunts boooo. I do love myself having a go at DIY though Mr T does worry he will have to redo himself but trust me I am getting better. Trouble is with DiY once you spot one thing then you notice another and the one usually noticing is me and I promise I am not causing the DIY issues .. well mostly not.

Little Morton Hall is a beautiful National Trust property not far from Derby it is in Cheshire and it really is the place of dreams with a beautiful moat running round it and it is the archetypical chocolate box black and white timber framed building. little Morton hall does have some scaffolding around it at the moment but that shouldn't  round for look and the elegant lady of a building does have to look her best . I promise you I don't have scaffolding and I even let my husband take my picture at Little Morton Hall without tilting my head not quite sure why I tilt my head in pictures but I do and I am trying to be more confident.




At Little Morton Hall there is a exhibition on what the Tudors thought of sleep there is even a dream library in the grounds where you can describe and file your dreams how magical is that !

Tudor sleep remedies


 You can explore the hall on your own or take one of the free tours that the National Trust run. Little Morton Hall is really stuck in time and the misfortunes of the Mortons is the fortunes of the National trust now and this has kept the hall as if it was still in the Tudor times.

Tudor bed and Tudor sleeping




Little Morton Hall National Trust

I do like a photo through a window it has such a unique enchanting quality to it .




Tudor Decoration Little Morton Hall



Autumn at Little Morton Hall


Tudor Knot Garden Little Morton Hall


You can always have a little tea at National Trust properties and in particular I think the High tea you can have at Little Morton Hall is exquisite value at £9.50 and for that you get sandwiches ,accompanying relish, some salad, shortbread and a choice of cake and of course tea. The size of the cake is huge and trust me you'll not need anything else to eat after you've had this.



Friday 6 October 2017

What Was Instant Moment Of Happiness Today ?

What makes you happy in a moment be it a person or a picture or otherwise , for me it is a multitude of people and items and whatnots that can make me happy. I mean take the ever so humble cup of tea ( tea isn't really humble but tea is humble in the fact that it doesn't blow it's own trumpet )

Today what made me happy was leaves tree and sky , but I wasn’t walking underneath them but oh I I wished I was.I was a passenger in a car stuck in a queue of traffic nothing particularly remarkable but oh the sky tree leaves and light that particular moment in time.

Collecting things is not just reserved to things it is also moments and this was one of them , my husband questioned why I was taking an upwards photograph of the trees , leaves and sky. And I told him
The reason as I’ve just told you the reason because if the that moment in time when the leaves , trees and sky was just perfect with the line that was just oh so magical. 



Tuesday 3 October 2017

Why Not Get An Electric Pressure Cooker From Pressure King

Why not get an electric pressure cooker ?


You could get an ordinary pressure cooker , they are good I am told from those who can actually operate them , but alas I can not operate an ordinary on the stove pressure cooker as the last time I did entered in disaster and a repaint of the kitchen ceiling. Yes I was the one that plastered the kitchen ceiling with potatoes about 25 years ago and since then I have not been near a pressure cooker. So with the advent of a lot of cooking programs I decided to buy an electric pressure cooker from Pressure King I choose the bigger model but there is a smaller one available if you so wish.



There are plenty of electronic pressure cooker on the market some of which are very expensive , luckily the Pressure King nestles nicely in the market at at affordable price , there are 3 sizes. There is a 3 litre one  £44.99 or a 5 litre one £59.99 or the largest size with is 6 litres £99.99  we opted for the mid sized size as the 5 litre one came with 12 options.



The Pressure King comes with a nice look cook booklet and Mr T followed the chicken paella recipe and I watched for afar checking in every so often. I have to admit I was still a little scared due to my previous experience of the ones you put on the stove, but my fears were soon eased away when I saw the beautiful meal that it created with no fuss what so ever. And I am going to be brave and have a go myself another day , I think it is really like have a chef in your kitchen that produces Michelin quality meals.


SO Mr T and I do reccomned that you get one and this recommendation is without strings if you click through and buy one then I don't get a penny ~ boo buy I will have a warm glow that I have converted someone to the wonders of Power King and the electronic Pressure cooker!






Sweet And Spicy Pork (Hong Shao Rou)

I had quite a few pork chops in the fridge and I was trying to figure out what do with them , Pork can be a tricky meat at the best of times . If you over cook it then it can taste like the soul of a shoe that's got a hole in the soul but get it right then it is like heaven in a raindrop.


Ingredients

Pork slices ( I used chops and sliced them up ) enough for around 4 people
A few sliced ginger pieces ( you can use already sliced ginger )
A red onion chopped
A red pepper chopped
Chilli flakes
1 teaspoon Chinese 5 Spice
2 Tablespoons rice winevinrgar
About 4 tablespoon of brown sugar
2 teaspoons of ginger


Method 

1. Cut the pork into strips or cubes depending on what type of pork you have, trim off the fat.

2. In A large work bring the water to boil.Add the ginger, onions ,chilli and pork, Bring back to the boil and simmer for 3 minutes. Remove from the wok and pat dry on kitchen roll when cool enough to handle . Discard water and content from wok.

3. Add vegetable oil to a hot wok and add your pork pics . Stir fry till brown on all sides. Remove from the wok and drain on paper towel, set aside.

4.  To your wok add the brown sugar and cook over medium heat until the sugar melts and bubbles. Quickly add the hot water to the wok and stir to mix thoroughly. Add the soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, Chinese Five Spice, ground ginger, red pepper , chilli lakes and the pork pieces back to the wok and stir. Stir to coat the pork. Cover and simmer on low for 35 minutes.

5. Remove lid and allow the sauce to cook and thicken for at least 10 minutes. Serve with either steamed rices or noodles. Top if you wish wish either chopped chives or spring onions.





Sweet And Spicy Pork (Hong Shao Rou)