April Cooking & Eating

 1st: Cheeseburger Quesadillas

2nd: Roast lamb, roast veggies, mash

3rd: Toad in the Hole, broccoli

4th: Out to Birmingham to collect Liv

5th: Leek, potato & wild garlic soup (vg)

6th: Orange, tofu & chili noodles (vg)

7th: Cauliflower steak with chimichurri sauce; couscous with chickpease (vg)

8th: Mixed bean goulash, biscuits (vg)

9th: Massaman butternut squash curry (vg)

10th: Back to Birmingham to drop Liv

11th: Linguine with Creamy Rosemary Sauce (v)

12th: Roast veggies with crusty bread and salad (vg)

13th: Rocket, pine nut, leek and blue cheese risotto (v)

14th: Sausage and Lentil Traybake, broccoli

15th: Pizza night

16th: Korean style prawn and spring onion pancakes

17th: Courgette Lasagne, salad, garlic bread (v)

18th: Fend for yourself Monday

19th: Frittata with asparagus & wild garlic (v)

20th: Spinch, leek & potato pie (v)

21st: Fend for yourself Thursday

22nd: Cajun chicken traybake with sweet potato wedges

23rd: Ginger, sesame & chili prawn & broccoli stir fry

24th: Cauliflower Cheese, Japanese Mustard Greens (v)

25th: Fend for yourself Monday

26th: Bits & pieces pasta (olives, artichokes, smoked tomatoes) (vg)

27th: Gyoza, Pak Choi, Noodles

28th: Courgette & Pancetta Carbonara (K out)

29th: Curried Carrot Fritters, Salad (vg)

30th: Leek, Pine Nut & Blue Cheese Wellington (v)

March Cooking and Eating

 1st: Stir Fried Tofu and Veggies with Noodles (vg)

2nd: Roast harissa veggies and potatoes with chickpeas (vg)

3rd: Lemon and Pancetta pasta (S cooking, K out)

4th: Rosemary & Garlic chicken with potatoes, Salad

5th: Leek, Bacon and Cheese Tart

6th: Chili con carne (G cooking)

7th: Fend for yourself Monday

8th: Scrambled eggs with broad beans and potatoes (v)

9th: Beetroot risotto with feta (v)

10th: Fish with leeks & potatoes

11th: Penne with broccoli pesto and chili flakes (Sarah cooking) (vg)

12th: 

13th: Sausages with mash and cabbage

14th: Goat cheese and pesto canneloni (v)

15th: Eggs with Romano peppers and feta, new potatoes, purple sprouting broccoli with sesame (v)

16th: Coconut lentils with Masala carrots (vg)

17th: Fend for yourself Thursday (K yoga)

18th: Fajita night (v/vg)

19th: out to Frank Turner concert

20th: Sunday roast : chicken, parsnips, carrots, potatoes

21st: Fend for yourself Monday

22nd: Veggie burgers, broad beans, potatoes (v)

23rd: Chicken and veggie soup

24th: Cauliflower cheese, potatoes, salad (v)

25th: Chorizo, potato and thyme quesadillas; Courgette & goat cheese quesadillas (v)

26th: Spinach, potato & chickpea curry (vg)

27th: Shepherd's Pie (Geoff cooking)

28th: Fish and Chips

29th: Frittata with asparagus

30th: Loaded Sweet Potato & Parsnip fries (v)

31st: Filled pasta bake (v) (K yoga)

February Cooking & Eating

1st: Chicken, Broccoli & Cashew Stir Fry

2nd: Potato & Leek Soup with Bread (vg)

3rd: Artichoke, Olive & Lemon Pasta (v/vg)

4th: Early find-your-own dinner as out to Theatre

5th: Sausages with Spanish Style Chard with Chickpeas

6th: Broad Bean and Blue Cheese Risotto (v)

7th: Fend for yourself Monday

8th - 22rd- Kate and Sarah in Arizona

23rd: Find your own dinner

24th: Lentil Shepherd's Pie (v/vg)

25th: Baked Fennel with Aubergine and Shallots (v/vg)

26th: Out to Thai Tho for Anniversary

27th: Cauliflower and Spinach Dhansak (vg)

28th: Fend for yourself Monday

January Cooking & Eating

 1st: Pasta Bake (v)

2nd: Pizza at Franco Manca after the Panto

3rd: Fend for yourself Monday

4th: Veggie Stir Fry with rice (vg)

5th: Bean Enchiladas (v/vg)

6th: Celeriac Laksa (vg)

7th: Chard, Rosemary, Chili and Garlic Pasta (vg)

8th: Courgette, chickpea & coconut curry (vg)

9th: Roast Gammon, potatoes, Cabbage

10th: Fend for yourself Monday

11th: Mushroom Omelette (v)

12th: Cauliflower & Broccoli Cheese with Crusty Bread (v)

13th: Pasta alla amatriciana (K out, S cooking)

14th: Sausages, Roast Squash, Baked Potatoes (v opt)

15th: Chorizo, Kale and Potato Soup

16th: Carrot & Potato Tart; Balsamic Brussels Sprouts (v)

17th: Fend for youself Monday

18th: Salmon Curry

19th: Squash, carrot & chickpea traybake (vg)

20th: Bacon, courgette and caper pasta (K out, S cooking)

21st: Pizza night!

22nd: Pea, courgette & feta fritters, salad (v)

23rd: Chicken and tofu fajitas (v opt, vg opt)

24th: Fend for yourself Monday

25th: Roast parsnips with parmesan; courgettes & sprouts with chili bean sauce (v)

26th: Frittata with romano peppers, potatoes & Wensleydale cheese (v)

27th: Creamy rocket & sausage linguine (K out, S cooking)

28th: Indian sweet potato wraps (vg)

29th: Roast chicken, roast carrots, roast potatoes

30th: Cauliflower & chickpea curry (vg)

31st: Fend for yourself Monday

December Eating & Cooking

 1st: Teriyaki Brussels Sprouts and Carrots (vg)

2nd: Sausages, Roasted Cauliflower with lemon & paprika; oven potatoes

3rd: Harissa roasted squash, chickpeas & carrots (vg)

4th: Minestrone & foccacia (vg)

5th: Out to dinner (Daquise)

6th: Fend for yourself Monday

7th: Pasta

8th: Lentils with Spring Greens (vg)

9th: Mexican bake (v)

10th: Spaghetti bolognese (G & S - K out)

11th: Chicken traybake

12th: in Stratford with John & Angela

13th: Pasta with brussels sprouts and bacon

14th: Indian takeaway

15th: Salmon, potatoes, greens

16th: Blue cheese and pea risotto (v)

17th: Sausages, potatoes, cabbage (G & A - K & S out)

18th: Roast veggies with couscous etc (v/vg)

19th: Leek and potato soup (v/vg)

20th: Fend for yourself Monday

21st: Coconut dal with masala carrots

22nd: Out up in London for Christmas lights

23rd: Fajitas (v/vg)

24th: Nibbles at Christmas Eve gathering

25th: Christmas: Roast Turkey, Roast Pork, Stuffing, Roast Potatoes, Carrots, Brussels, Yorkshire Puddings, etc

26th: Boxing Day: Leftovers

27th: Puff Pastry Tarts - Brussels & Blue Cheese/ Red Pesto & Courgette (v/vg)

28th: Parsnip and Beetroot Rosti, Salad (vg)

29th: Lunch out, fend for your own dinner

30th: Sausages, Mash, Red Cabbage

31st: Chicken, Leek & Mushroom Pie

November Eating & Cooking

 1st: Fend for yourself Monday

2nd: Leek & Potato Soup (v)

3rd: Spinach, chickpea & potato curry (vg)

4th: Pasta with sausages, mushrooms & rocket

5th: K & S out - fireworks at school

6th: Savoy cabbage and coconut dal (vg)

7th: Roast vegetables with bread stuffing and gravy (vg)

8th: Fend for yourself Monday

9th: Mushroom Omelettes

10th: Salmon with Kale & Tomato Stir Fry

11th: Ginger Tofu with Pak Choi (vg)

12th: Filled pasta bake (v)

13th: Dinner out at Cappadocia

14th: Romanesco & Cauliflower Cheese with Saute Potatoes (v)

15th: Fend for yourself Monday

16th: Scrambled eggs, oven potatoes, etc (v)

17th: Celeriac Laksa (vg)

18th: Ravioli with Artichokes, Leeks & Lemon (v)

19th: Fish and Chips

20th: Birthday dinner:  Coconut dal with Masala carrots; Burnt Aubergine Chili; Hassleback potatoes; Asian Broccoli Salad; Cannelini Bean, Courgette & Tomato Salad (vg)

21st: Winter Greens puff pie (v)

22nd: Fend for yourself Monday

23rd: leftovers with celeriac chips (v)

24th: Spanakopita with leeks and potatoes (v)

25th: Fend for yourself (G out to lunch in town)

26th: German Sausages, slow cooked onions, sauerkraut, oven potatoes

27th: Thai chicken curry with hearts of palm

28th: Pizza Night

29th: Fend for yourself Monday

30th: Scrambled Eggs, Hashbrowns, Mushrooms & Peppers

October Eating & Cooking

 What we ate in October:

1st: Radicchio and Sausage Risotto

2nd: Fend for yourself (K away, S & G leftovers)

3rd: Puff pastry tart with ham, cheese, olives, red pesto, etc

4th: Fend for yourself Monday

5th: Roast pork, roast potatoes, Runner beans

6th: Meatballs, oven chips, peas

7th: Broccoli Pesto Pasta (vg)

8th: Chicken curry (K out, G cooking)

9th: Stuffed Courgettes (v)

10th: Spinach & Potato Wholemeal pies (v)

11th: Fend for yourself Monday

12th: Baked potatoes, mushrooms, scrambled eggs, beans

13th: Stuffed peppers (v)

14th: Chorizo, olive & rocket penne

15th: Chicken traybake with ginger and carrots

16th: Minestrone (vg)

17th: Steak and Ale Pie, Cabbage

18th: Fend for yourself Monday

19th: Parsnip & Butternut loaded "fries" (v)

20th: Bacon and butternut pasta

21st: Salmon, Courgettes & Egg Noodles with Chili Bean Sauce

22nd: Brussels sprouts and blue cheese pizza (v)

23th: Veggie Paella (vg)

24th: Cauliflower Cheese Lasagne (v)

25th: Fend for yourself Monday

26th: K & S away (Isle of Wight)

27th: K & S away (Isle of Wight)

28th: K & S away (Isle of Wight)

29th: Chinese Takeaway

30th: Sausages, Cabbage, Potatoes

31st: Orichiette with sprouts and pancetta 

September Eating & Cooking

 September Eating & Cooking - the meals!

1st: Spanakopita (V)

2nd: Potato and Leek Soup (V)

3rd: Sausages, Potatoes, Greens (K out)

4th: Spaghetti Bolognese (Geoff cooking)

5th: Chicken Korma

6th: Fend for yourself Monday

7th: Scrambled eggs, oven Potatoes, fried padron peppers, sweetcorn

8th: Chicken & Lettuce roll up wraps, Noodle & Beansprout Salad

9th: Carrot Pitta Fritters (VG)

10th: Chickpea, Spinach & Potato Curry (VG)

11th: Spicy Black Bean Tacos, Fried Padron Peppers (VG)

12th: Soy & Ginger Braised Tofu, Roast Cabbage (VG)

13th: Fend for yourself Monday

14th: Frittata with potatoes and Sweet Peppers (V)

15th: K away on school residential

16th: K away on school residential

17th: Chinese takeaway

18th: K, S away to take Alex to Leeds

19th: Pork mince Udon noodles (Geoff cooking)

20th: Fend for yourself Monday

21st: Vegetable Curry (vg)

22nd: Tofu and veggie stir fry (vg)

23rd: Pasta with butternut squash, potato and bacon

24th: Homemade pizza

25th: Fajitas

26th: Roast vegetables, sweetcorn, grilled halloumi (v)

27th: Fend for yourself Monday

28th: Pasta with Cavolo Nero (v)

29th: Potato & Carrot Pancakes, Green Salad (v)

30th: Stir fry with Chicken, Green Peppers & Black Beans

August Book Update

 Once again, I've set a reading goal of 100 books for the year - I didn't quite make it last year (95), but it's close enough to set that as a goal again (and I like a nice round number). I'll track which books I read in a month and which I liked best. Mostly for myself more than anything, but of course I'm always glad to have others follow along.

So...  in August, new (to me) books read: 2 ; books re-read: 2
Favourite book in August: Mudlarking by Lara Maiklem

 in July , new (to me) books read: 4 ; books re-read: 0
Favourite book in July: The Sealwoman's Gift by Sally Magnusson

in June, new (to me) books read: 4 ; books re-read: 1
Favourite book in June: The 10,000 Doors of January by Alix Harrow

in May, new (to me) books read: 6; books re-read: 0
Favourite book in May: Commonwealth by Ann Patchett

in April: new (to me) books read: 8; books re-read: 0
Favourite book in April:  The Ninth House, Leigh Bardugo

in March: new (to me) books read: 8; books re-read: 1
Favourite book in March:  Spring, Ali Smith

 in February: new (to me) books read: 4; books re-read: 
Favourite book in February:  A Single Thread, Tracy Chevalier

in January:  new (to me) books read: 6; books re-read: 
Favourite book in January:  An American Marriage, Tayari Jones

August reading: 

• I re-read a couple of fantasy novels I go to when I can't get my brain to like a new book (Dragonsong, Dragonsinger by Anne McCaffrey)
• I read a non-fiction book about treasure-hunting along the Thames, which was very good (Mudlarking by Lara Maiklem)
• I read the next in a young adult series with a Sherlock Holmes kind of theme, which I've been reading (The Case for Jamie, Brittany Cavallero)
• I started about four books, most of which I will finish eventually, but which don't count yet

August Eating & Cooking

August Eating & Cooking - the meals!

1st: Filled Pasta Bake

2nd: Fend for yourself Monday

3rd: Potato & Pepper Frittata (V)

4th: Lentils with Swiss Chard (VG)

5th: Bacon, courgette and caper pasta

6th: Korean Style Prawn and Spring Onion Pancake

7th: Lamb Korma

8th: Honey and Sriracha Chicken Wings, Potatoes, Runner Beans

9th: Fend for yourself Monday

10th:  Away in the Isle of Wight

11th: Away in the Isle of Wight

12th: Away in the Isle of Wight

13th: Away in the Isle of Wight

14th: Salad with seared tuna

15th: Sausages, Chard & Rosemary Gratin

16th: Fend for yourself Monday

17th: Lemon, Artichoke & Olive pasta (VG)

18th: Runner Bean & Fennel Slaw, Potato Salad, Lemony Three Bean & Feta Salad (VG)

19th: Kate out for dinner

20th:  Goats Cheese Tarts (V)

21st: Tacos

22nd: Roast chicken with beetroot & potatoes

23rd: Fend for yourself Monday

24th: Fennel risotto (VG)

25th: Chicken Soup with Runner Beans and Tomatoes

26th: Filled Pasta with Garlic & Rosemary (V)

27th:  Out to Dinner at Osaka

28th: Black Bean Burritos with Tomatillo Salsa Verde (VG)

29th: Sweet Potato & Quinoa Chili (VG)

30th: Fend for yourself Monday

31st: Coconut Lentils with Masala Carrots

Book 46: The Case for Jamie, Brittany Cavallero

 

Third (and possibly final?) book in the young adult series based on the idea of young descendants of the Holmes and Watson family.