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. 

Books 44/45: Dragonsong/Dragonsinger by Anne McCaffery (re-reads)

 

 

A couple of old favourites which I often re-read when I can't settle to a new book.

Book 43: Mudlarking by Lara Maiklem

 

This was great - very interesting read about the author's experience mudlarking (looking through the mud for objects of interest) along the Thames. 

July 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 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

July reading: 

• I read three books from my pile (The Sealwoman's Gift by Sally Magnusson, A Skinful of Shadows by Frances Hardinge, Night Music by Jojo Moyes)
• and one book in a crime series I'm reading, which I recently ordered from ABEbooks (A False Mirror by Charles Todd)

July Eating & Cooking

  July Eating & Cooking - the meals!

1st: Fried butterbeans with feta, spinach & sumac (V)

2nd: Dinner out (Lime & Thyme)

3rd: Greek Style Chicken Salad

4th: Burgers, Hotdogs, Potato Salad

5th: Fend for yourself Monday

6th: Scrambled eggs with pancetta, chorizo, fried onion, cheese & oven potatoes

7th: Turnip laksa (VG)

8th: Summer greens and coconut dahl with spiced sweet potato (VG)

9th: Spinach and ricotta pasta bake (V)

10th: Thai chicken and new potato curry

11th: Picnic at Juniper Top

12th: Fend for yourself Monday

13th: Pasta with cherry tomatoes and romano peppers (VG)

14th: Spanakopita (V)

15th: Mushroom & Sausage Pasta

16th: Indian Masala Roast Carrots with Coconut red lentils (VG)

17th: Courgette, refried bean & Goats cheese quesadillas (V)

18th: Picnic out with John & Angela at Blenheim

19th: Fend for yourself Monday

20th: Scrambled eggs, mushrooms, broad beans, toast (V)

21st: Pasta with courgettes, pesto & pine nuts (V)

22nd: Take away (end of school, yay!)

23rd: Salads: potato salad, pasta salad, Moroccan carrot salad, radish & cucumber salad

24th: Minestrone, homemade foccacia

25th: Toad in the Hole, Potatoes, Cabbage

26th: Fend for yourself Monday

27th-31st: Away in Germany

Book 42: Night Music, Jojo Moyes

(purchased - charity shop, New Malden. 15.4.21)

 

Book 41: A Skinful of Shadows, Frances Hardinge

 

(purchased, charity shop, New Malden, 27.12.19)

Book 40: A False Mirror, Charles Todd

 

Book 39: The Sealwoman's Gift, Sally Magnusson

 

June 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 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

June reading: 

• I read another in a mystery series I like, which I've not kept up with recently until now (Riviera Gold by Laurie R King)
• I read a book about reading (The Year of Reading Dangerously, Andy Miller)
• I read a YA book which was great (The 10000 Doors of January, Alix Harrow)
• I re-read an old favourite which was mentioned somewhere (I Capture the Castle, Dodie Smith)
• I read a novel in a different world by Jasper Fforde (I like the ones set in books) - this one was an interesting concept, but I wasn't quite as keen (Early Riser)

June Eating and Cooking Update...

 June Eating & Cooking - the meals!

1st: Lunch out (pizza) in London

2nd: Dinner with friends, Lyme & Thyme

3rd: Stuffed Peppers, Potatoes, Salad (V)

4th: Salmon, Chard, Noodles

5th: Thai Style Steak Salad

6th: Blue Cheese & Broad Bean Risotto (V)

7th: Fend for yourself Monday

8th: Pasta Genovese (green beans, pesto, potatoes) (V)

9th: Ravioli (from Farmers Market) with sage butter

10th: Courgette & Tarragon Soup (VG)

11th: Mexican salad/burrito bowl (VG)

12th: Sausages, Potatoes, Braised Turnips

13th: Chicken Traybake with Oven Cooked Cabbage

14th: Fend for yourself Monday

15th: Eggs cooked with potatoes & onions (V)

16th: Butternut Squash and Lentil Salad (VG)

17th: Green Bean and Kidney Bean Curry (VG)

18th: Sweet Potato and Parsnip Loaded Fries (V)

19th: Potato & Carrot Tart, Asparagus, Bread (V)

20th: Pizza Night

21st: Fend for yourself Monday

22nd: Thai Veggie Curry (VG)

23rd: Sausages (Bevans at Garsons), Turnips, Potatoes

24th: Tofu Katsu Curry (VG)

25th: Frittata with Chorizo, Potatoes, Peppers 

26th: Sweet Potato & Leek Stuffed Shells (V/VG)

27th: Roast Chicken, New Potatoes, Asparagus

28th; Fend for yourself Monday

29th: Veggie Stir Fry

30th:  Spanish Style Chard with Chickpeas, Roast Carrots, Bread