Friday 27 April 2018

Cheese Onion Ham Luxury Omelette

An omelette need not be ordinary in fact you can elevate the simple ingredients of egg into a luxury meal that you might see an a Michelin star restaurant , I am sure Gorden Ramsey will come knocking at my door soon enough. Previously when I had cooked omelettes I was guilty of adding milk to them all the time which in my mind did take away the richness of the flavour that an omelette can have









  • 5 large free range eggs 
  • Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • Herbs of your choice 
  • One onion chopped
  • Red pepper which I roasted separately in the oven 
  • ham hock, shredded (you can use leftovers, or Waitrose sell slow cooked shredded ham hock)
  • Olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon Honey
  • 40g soft crumbly cheese ( I used Tunworth cheese which I was kindly given as a gift )
Method 
  1. Crack eggs into a mixing bowl and whisk until the eggs are frothy.
  2. Mix in all the ingredients and mix well.
  3. Heat a large non stick pan add in a knob of butter if you're feeling luxurious otherwise just use some oil of your choice.
  4. Pour in the mixture and tilt the pan to make sure an even spread cook on a low flame.
  5. Flip over I tend to hold a plate over and then slide the omelette back into the pan , but before you do that ensure there is enough butter or oil left in the pan.
  6. Cook until the omelette is set .




I should have posted this last year but its been stuck in my blog draft posts and I thought it was time to release into into the wild and now I really want some Tunworth cheese again. It is with the rain I think a comfort food sort of day and Omelette is a comfort food in my opinion.

Tuesday 24 April 2018

Choose The National Citizen Service ( NCS) For An Unstoppable Experience For Ages 15 to 17

Choose the  NCS( National Citizen Service) for an unstoppable experience!






I have some friends whose kids are coming up for there GCSE's this year and I myself have have a young Nephew who is 17  and a niece who turns 15 next year , my Niece is a a whizz with social media and her video skills are truly epic.The world of media has certainly changed from when I was a teenager and all I had was a Spectrum 48 K that I played games on and sometimes dabbled in writing computer programs. I truly learnt patience waiting for my Spectrum games while crossing my finger hoping the games would load as it was all done via cassette.



I know when it came to year 11 for my son he got his himself a part time job in the food industry and while he was earning I don't feel it was necessary the best for his confidence at the time especially after his GCSE's. It was not just the fact that the low pay got him down although we all like more cash it was the way he was treated sometimes , though on occasion he was happy especially when he got the recognition for outstanding service.We have always as parents did our best to give him the confidence that he needed for the future ( and still do so )  and it all started with leaving him at Beavers one day and literally running away.I think he had grown up to be a well young young man not at all embraced by his parents ( or parent looks in mirror! ) 







When you're 15 you are at a crossroads in your life and often unsure when path you will follow in either education after doing GCSe's or A levels and it is at this age that it helps to build up your skill base as well as doing things that will help your confidence.



Did you know that there is a government based Activity programme for teenagers called "National Citizens Advice " which runs in England and Northern Ireland.Their aim is to help build  more  engaged cohesive society and in also bringing young people from different backgrounds this through the NCS helps them to become better individuals which in turn means better citizens.





NCS is an activity programme of two to four weeks  brings outstanding  opportunities at an amazing price of only £50 it is aimed at 16-17 year old. In the first week there are team building exercises.After which they go onto progress while being in the same groups to doing life skills and social interaction in the community.And the end of all this there is a celebration event and of course friends and experiences that you will value for the rest of your life.This year more than 100,000 teenagers from different backgrounds will come together in common purpose on NCS. That means one in six of the cohort of 16 year olds will live together, develop skills together and build community projects together. And support is even to those students with additional needs so no one is excluded which is marvellous.






And just because you might have a summer holiday booked don't worry as the NCS will find you a place to suit your plans so why not find out more by looking here and you can also sign up.


I know friends of my teen who have signed up and I have see the transformations and the transformation are amazing as one teenage friend of my son thought that they would never amount to anything has gone on to helping out himself with the NCS to going onto university to study Sports Science.And his unstoppable experience all started with the National Citizen Service ( NCS).


For every £1 spent, NCS' 2016 programme delivered between £1.15 and £2.42 of benefits back to society.NCS is amazing value for money and the whole experience including food,accomodation and travel costs just £50 and if needed bursaries are available on a case by case basis.


So why not sign up your Year 11 this summer for this once in a lifetime experience where your teen will have fun whilst building their confidence, making new friends and learning life skills that can't be taught in a classroom. 

You can also connect with the NCS on their social media pages;
Facebook  Twitter  and Instagram



This is a collaboration post.

Monday 23 April 2018

Let’s do this blog thing

I have a rough time recently with my mother coupled with my anxiety and just when I think I’m getting back on track my blooming back goes. Typical and my cat is no use as it’s got a poorly paw and I really need to get out and get the medicine from the vets to help it’s poor so fingers crossed I can get my back to function.So this week I’m so ready to do this blog thing and get focused and drink tea and get my Blog on, blogging really helps me and I really think more people should blog you might think it’s a ramble but hey it’s my ramble. I’m sure I’ve got a degree in tea drinking and I’ve been blogging now for 6 years I think I should get a Damehood or something I know in my heart of hearts that my invite from the Queen is winging its way from Buckingham palace.



Picture at the request of cat who is in this for full on sympathy and treats.

Since being off work I’ve discovered my cat likes Homes under the hammer and Bargain Hunt , he doesn’t like Jeremy Kyle or Piers Morgan. He does like cream teas which I have to eat on his behalf.Jack also likes the dinner things in life like nice restaurant s which again I have to visit on his behalf.

So far Jack has got to pay me back £52 in vets bills I’m trying to train him to bring back jewellery and Gold but I don’t think a jewellery heist has ever been pulled off by a cat.

So here’s to getting my Blig back on , my musings , recipes reviews ( the cat would love a new bed ) and I love anything really especially tea and spas though I’ve never reviewed a spa yet.


Here’s to more of me and the cat ..

You lucky people ....


Friday 20 April 2018

Stonehenge Is Epic For a Visit

Firstly it’s worth signing up for English Heritage membership as I’ll assure you will get your money back and so much more.We got English Heritage membership in particular as our son is a York University studying archaeology and there is a good concentration of properties around Yorkshire which we just love.




I’d seen Stonehenge occasionally from the road side but never close up , parking is free and simple at Stonehenge and booking is advised before attempting to visit.You can walk to the stones seeing various Barrows that litter the countryside surrounding the henge and whatever the day Stonehenge and the surrounding is stunning.

The Stonehenge you see today is 4,000 years old Salisbury is the closet Cathedral city to the stones and while I didn't visit Salisbury I will be back to do so as the area is just stunning.Stonehenge is older than the Pantheon which I have visited too when I was in Rome and it is older than the great Wall of China ( which I haven't made it to as of yet )

The route around the stones is well thought out and it is not over touristy despite being a top tourist attraction and no worries about there being a souvenir shop or ice cream shop at the stones ) as that is reserved for the the start of the art visit centre and cafe )














And there was a news report that Stonehenge was overpriced and yes it is expensive if you just rock up to the property but this is why me and my husband have a  English heritage card the same can be said for many a National Trust property also where again we have an National Trust card.The expense I think comes when visiting houses and properties that are in private house and then the cost can mount up so I say do your research and get a English Heritage card and National Trust card and where properties and monuments aren't part of these see if you can source vouchers.

The Wonder That Is Spring

Though my son didn't pass his driving test , he has got further than I ever had in learning to drive and I am so pleased that he has the confidence in his driving . While he won't have a car to go to university with as there is little  point as York has such great transport links . Learning to drive is such a great skill in life ! , it won't be long before my son is more qualified than me ! but not yet !!. It was I that found the driving school he's currently with however if if had been the first driving and there had been room he would have been learning in a pink mini with "Tammy" written down the side . I don't think that would have bothered him even though he raised an eyebrow when I told him. I managed to find another driving school where it was a lady instructor this time with a white mini.

And the path you take isn't always the easiest for instance I popped to the shops today and I decided to take the route that wasn't the easiest.

 

The weather is so gloriously today , I love Spring it's wonderful to see the emergence of the wild flowers such as the wild primroses.

 

To catch the woods reflection in the pond 


 
 

Spring is the prettiest pirate of all as it reveals its golden haul 

Close your eyes for a second then its Winter before you know 

Keep your eyes open to see it all 

The easiest route to what you need can be the muddiest of all 


The wonder that flies by as the butterflies glide by 


What a glorious day to see it all 

 

 

The ice cream you see that I'm afraid was just for me ....

 


I do love Spring as it highlights the fairies that are resting on my furniture I don't like to disturb them . I will at some point have a flick of the duster and spray and evict those fairy sleepers. I feel I'm almost getting back to me it's been 3 weeks since I lost my cat and Rollie was a very good indicator of the weather. If Rollie was outside then you knew it was the best weather ever in the whole wide world.

Sunday 15 April 2018

Keep On Talking And Talking When It Comes To Mental Health

Life isn’t always fair life isn’t sways just right but we soldier on no matter what , I can’t stress enough how important it is to talk to people about how you feel and how your situation is. And for me hope starts with a cup of tea and calorie free cake you see the air holes let the calories escalate ~ brilliant science I’ll think you’ll agree !

And hard as it is you have to help yourself by talking I’m not saying people always what to listen but there are people who do. I just chatted my problems away as I ordered my cup of tea the other day , I’m one of life’s quiet un intrusive people but I do have a place in life there is no denying that! I’ve even chatted my problems to the lady at the post office counter.

Tea 





And I love my tea I assure you that I’ve drunk quite a few cups of tea over the last few months and I’ve kept talking.Talking doesn’t always make you feel right it comfortable but I think it’s a necessary action . Even if you blurt out one sentence or talk 10 to the dozen eventually you’ll say more and slow down in your talking.

Friday 13 April 2018

How I view My Photography

I love my photography I really do wether I am using my IPhone ( which still works despite being caught in the rain ; note to self order a waterproof cover for it !) or if I’m using my my small camera or my large DSLR I just love my photography I am told I have a good eye for it.With my photography how I go about it is I capture what ever I see in my eye but it has to grab me and really excite me as I get a really thrill from photography.Photography for me is a chance to relax and unwind from all the trials and tribulations that life might through at me , photography grounds me yet photography takes me elevates me to a throughly mindful place.

My photographs 













I would love to upgrade my camera I think most people would like to upgrade their photography kit at some time and I know that I would ! My son loves the Panasonic lumix TZ20 which he uses for his Archaeology degree but as his career progresses he will want to upgrade to especially when he’s flying all round the world on archaeology digs.My husband approaches his photography in a different manner as photography really is in the eye of the beholder the way he approaches photography is in the here and now , he’ll photograph something that necessarily doesn’t grab me.My husband I know would love a 4K Wildlife & Sports Camera he’s heavily into his sports photography taking pictures of rugby games our son plays in and also taking pictures of other games for the rugby club.

My Husbands photographs 









So photography you see is very personal to myself and my husband as it how you view it but I will always love capturing my moments in time.








This is a collaborative post.

Tuesday 10 April 2018

Finding My Way From No Mans Land


I wrote this on the inset of my anxiety in dealing with my Mother s mental health issues ( Bipolar)and it’s hard. I’m on the learning curve of being the one fighting for mental health care and it’s hard not only in me but for those around me.Time is essential for me to process all that going on and it’s been hard to deal with given my own mental health issues of the past.Words are my friends and my ally and so is social media I’m not splashing it about but doing it in a manner that’s comfortable to me.Let me make it clear it’s not an issue that’s going to go away but with help advice and getting to grips with my own emotions I’ll muddle through and sometimes I’ll stride through. I can’t emphasise the need to talk and scream about your situation to get what’s right for you and those you are in need.Carers need caring about as well in what ever capacity you’re doing it.



“I’ve had a stressful morning which in itself is an under statement , I have been very very upset to the point where I could quite frankly just go walk about but I didn’t. See what you don’t see is that words can have an affect on people and though I’m strong I do and will get emotional. This morning I was all for saying stuff Mothers Day I was I really was , I try and try my hardest and I don’t like to feel that I’m not enough when I am.

What do you do if you’re in the no mans land or being the child of parents who don’t parent through either having their own issues or want you to jump through self justifying hoops.


What do you do ?

I feel like an emotional wreck.

It’s not about the hugs , it’s not about the daffodils , it’s not about the cards it’s not about the cake.

It’s about the humanity.

People simply need to be humane.

I don’t know what the answer is.

I’m doing the best I can.

I’m not 5 any more and being grown up is hard.

Humanity is what should be in no mans land.”



It was when I wrote this when I knew I needed to seek support for myself , I do like to be helpful and to empower myself and others.


Don’t let your mental health issues or those you care about define you and others , we are all people are the end of the day.

Tuesday 3 April 2018

Jodrell Bank Well Worth A visit

Jodrell Bank is one of those places I knew from Doctor Who when Tom Baker goes through his regeneration and it has always fascinated me. You don’t have to be nerdy to appreciate science but I am nerdy and I do appreciate science as well ! I never really knew where Jodrell Bank was I just knew of it and for some rhyme and reason I thought it was far far away. It’s good for children there any age but they will be more appreciative of it age 7 and above. It’s only 8 pounds for adults to get in and you can go on a talk that lasts about an hour which is free. The talk will be given more than likely by one of the young university students and they know their stuff !



Jodrell Bank is a Grade 1 listed structure and I love it , there’s exbihibtions to see and there are some grounds to walk round and picnic in there’s even a small playground.Work is ongoing to improve the facilities and you can see this when you visit within a few weeks or months.






Jodrell Bank is a fantastic place to learn about space and the enormous  Lovell telescope and encourages a love of science regardless of age or ability - from the sheer size of the telescopes to the indoor activities such as planet models and infra red camera.