Halloween

Today we were supposed to go to Bristol- and meet Josh-and go on a ghost walk and have face painting and then go for dinner at my parents.
That sounds like a pretty damn good day.

I ruined it all by being ill. I came over pretty green on the train home from London- In honesty, I think it was a combination of tiredness, eating too much food late at night, dehydration and travel sickness because the train was really boingy.
Traff put me to bed when we got in at 2am and I slept until 8am. I tried to get up and go out- I honestly did! but just felt too sicky.

The result is most probably the tamest and most boring halloween ever.

I tried to convince Traff to let me do face paining on him, but he didn't seem very convinced. He made a cross face.
I also tried to buy a scary film to watch from CEX but Traff just kept coming back with scary films you have to watch from behind the sofa, rather than on it. So, I gave up.

However, I have made a pumpkin, and it's not super subversive or anything either.

I thought about making a gingerbread house ruin, but after eating all that cake from my birthday party I can't face the idea of eating any more sweets. The odd biscuit or chocolate bar is fine- but all that gingerbread? urgh, it turns my stomach!

I've cheered up a bit as I got two belated birthday cards today and a parcel from malaysia from Randi- Containing chopsticks all with their own colourful silk wrappers- I think she's worried I'll disgrace her and Stu when Traff and I go to stay with her in May!
I'm a Chop stick pro.
And Traff is becoming very proficient indeed.

Rasputina

On Wednesday Traff and I went to see Rasputina at the Purple Turtle in Camden- Ray got me tickets as a Birthday present- I was super chuffed because they NEVER play in the UK.
And they were AWESOME.
:)

They were supported by another artist- Jo Quail who was also bloody brilliant- if a bit more classical than Rasputina.
Deffo a new artist to watch.

The Purple Turtle is a weird Venue- not only can you sit down to watch the band on sofas- now I am old it's something I truly appreciate- It's also super small! like 200 capacity maximum.
We seemed to have missed the "dress in as much black velvet as possible" memo- We were the most colourfully dressed people there!

They played loads of songs- old and new- I was happy that saline the salt lake queen, Secret message and Momma was an opium smoker made the set list.
Traff was delighted because they played their cover of barracuda (It's waaayyy better than Hearts Original version.)
I danced and sang all night- Unlike the vast majority of the audience who looks sullen and goth-like throughout the performance.

I bought their LP at the gig too. :)

We also made friends with some spanish girls who'd come dressed up as skeletal nuns.
Interesting look.

We drank our way to the venue- so that we could check directions on our phones not out in the middle of north london- and had a few drinks there too.
This gave us drink munchies. We had McDonalds Wedges on the way back to Kentish town Overground station (A longer walk than you'd imagine from Mornington crescent) and we had to stop off for chocolate nearer the station too- I didn't know white chocolate lion bars existed!
Delicious.
And a bit weird.
All at once.

How to make Vietnamese dumplings & Gong Bao Chicken

I really love oriental food- And I need to learn to make my own- before I am single handedly keeping the vietnamese restaurant in business- AANNDDD to use my new chopsticks all the way from malaysia!Lots of practice before may!I will (hopefully) get Kirstie to supervise me making the dumplings over the xmas holidays- Maybe for new years? or on newyears day when we need "quiet activities".And lots of food!I might cheat with these and buy the dumpling wrappers- and Ray has a steamer so no bamboo baskets required. (I read somewhere that you can use a Sieve over a pan of water but I can see that being a bit of a disaster)Shu Mai Dumplings

1. 1/3cup minus 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
2. 5teaspoons rice flour
3. 1ounce boiling water
4. 1/2teaspoon vegetable oil
5. 1/2pound ground pork (not lean)
6. 1/4
7. pound cleaned uncooked shrimp ..... cut into small pieces
8. 3/4
9. teaspoons grated garlic cloves
10. 1
11. teaspoon grated ginger
12. 1/4
13. small onion ..... chopped
14. 1
15. tablespoon cilantro ..... finely chopped
16. 1
17. teaspoon sugar
18. 1
19. tablespoon fish sauce
20. 2
21. teaspoons lemongrass ..... finely chopped (optional)
22. 3tablespoons potato starch (or corn starch)
23. fresh red chile ..... thinly sliced
24. cilantro leaves
25. 2tablespoons fish sauce
26. 1tablespoon rice wine vinegar
27. 1tablespoon water
28. 1gallic clove ..... minced

1teaspoon fresh red chile pepper ..... minced

1. Start with the wrapper. In a bowl, combine flour and rice flour. Add boiling water and oil then mix quickly with a fork. Use your hands to form the dough into a ball and knead it until it is smooth and elastic. Cover with plastic wrap and leave it on the counter for 30 minutes.

1. While the dough is resting, mix all the stuffing ingredients in a bowl. Use your hands to blend the mixture until the meat becomes sticky.

1. Divide the meat mixture into 24 even pieces and roll each piece into a small ball. Set aside on a baking sheet.

1. Roll the dough on a floured surface into a long log and cut into 24 pieces. Keep the pieces under plastic wrap or a kitchen towel.

1. Take one piece of dough and roll it into a 3-inch circle. Put the wrapper on your thumb and index finger and put one of the small balls of meat on top. Slowly push down the shu mai into the hole between your thumb and index finger to wrap the wrapper around the meat ball. Push the edges of the wrapper inward in small folds covering the top edges of the meat. Some meat at the top should remain exposed. Put the shu-mai on a floured plate or tray and cover with plastic wrap. Continue this process for the rest of the dumplings.

1. Before steaming, tap some water around the folded edges of the wrapper with your fingertips to help keep them from drying out. (If the wrapper is still moist already, skip it.) Steam the dumplings in a steamer on high heat for 6-7 minutes. Take one piece out of the steamer at the 5-minutes mark to confirm the meat is cooked through.

1. When they are cooked, garnish the top with fresh red chile and cilantro leaves.

1. Mix all ingredients for the dipping sauce and serve on the side with the shu mai. Other condiments such as sweet chili sauce or soy sauce are good to serve with them as well.

1. The  other recipe That I have found is for Gong Bao Chicken:

a

1. a This is a much easier recipe and uses things I actually have in the house- so this will be one for a culinary wednesday or when we have guests. wooo!

1. It requires chicken thighs- Although I can't see why chicken breast or Quorn won't work.
2. 2
3. teaspoons dark soy sauce
4. 2
5. teaspoons brown sugar
6. 1
7. tablespoon chinese dark vinegar
8. 1
9. tablespoon cornstarch
10. 6
11. tablespoons of water or stock
12. 1 generous
13. handful of peanuts
14. 2
15. green onions, chopped into 1-inch lengths
16. 4
17. garlic cloves, skin removed, smashed and chopped
18. 6
19. slices of ginger
20. 8
21. red dried chiles, chopped
22. 4
23. teaspoons Sichuan peppercorns
24. 1/2
25. cup vegetable oil
26. Mix together the marination with the meat; set aside while preparing the rest. *Can put in fridge for the day.

1. Mix the liquid ingredients, brown sugar and corn starch and set aside to use as the sauce for stir-frying. Heat up wok with vegetable oil until shimmering and hot, about 120 F.

1. Dip half of the meat into the oil and move around until half-cooked, around 2 minutes; remove with slotted spoon and drain from oil. Repeat for the other half.

1. Drain off all but 2 tbsp of oil in heated wok, throw in chiles, peppercorns, garlic, ginger and spring onion; stir-fry until fragrant, about 2 minutes; add peanuts and stir-fry for another 1~2 min.

1. Add chicken cubes, stir-fry for about 3 minutes, or until chicken is cooked.

1. Pour on reserved sauce and simmer until the dish thickens, about 3 minutes.

1. Garnish with ground Sichuan peppercorn; serve with rice

Dipping SauceStir-Frying

How I spent my Birthday being a grown up.

Yesterday was my actual birthday- but as you can imagine I was pretty done in from all my weekend antics!
I also woke up at 5. and couldn't get back to sleep. I really get excited still for special events and then am asleep mid afternoon and all stroppy. Whan will I grow out of this?!

My parents came over in the morning and we went for lunch at limes (It's Traffs favourite cafe because not only is their food amazing- one of the women who runs it looks like Tracy Emin).

Then we had a mooch around town, checked out the xmas decorations in TK MaXX but was super restrained- This year we're going to have a flamingo lighted xmas tree.
Watch this space... (Although, not until after Traff's birthday. which is AGES).

We went back, have coffee and birthday cake- and used my cake forks I got given for xmas- see, they're handy to have!
We still have LOADS of birthday cake left. I never want to eat cake ever again!

I spent the evening sorting the kitchen cupboards- as my parents dropped off loads of tupaware boxes which don't fit into their new kitchen- and our cupboard is now an avalanche.
I feel like a real adult.
Actually, the sense of achievement when everything was stored beautifully was worth the hour kneeling in escaped chick peas.

As a reward for all my cupboard tidying Traff let me watch Fantasia (On video of course). and then I fell asleep on the sofa.

Rock n roll.

Pre Birthday Adventures- otherwise entitles "how I was owned by my nearest and dearest friends and family"

On friday, Helen came to stay- As we have't seen her for ages we arranged for her to have dinner at mine- with Karl, Emma, Ayesha, Salma -and obviously Traff and I.

I made turkish pancakes and cous cous- 

This time I made the pancakes the same was as before- but changes the filling so this time I used with Quorn, Mature cheddar, Pepper, Fried onions, sun dried tomatoes and Garlic- I also used BBQ spices as last time they seemed a little bland but Sauce is clearly not the answer!

Traff fried them as I wrapped them- Although making 2 each for 7 of us was a real challenge! Ayesha was laughing at me saying the last time she saw a production line like this one was when she was helping make samosas for her brothers wedding.

Everyone enjoyed them though- And Helen and Karl both brought cake for us to eat for pudding- I highly recommend M&S's Sherry trifle flavour cake!

Post dinner we had sparklers!

Then we played guitar hero and listened to music- Everyone went home by 11 so it was all quite good fun.

On Saturday I hung out with Helen and went for cake from Fancy for lunch! In the evening we went for dinner at the vietnamese with Trist, Cat, Hayley, Dai, Helen, Karl, Ayesha, and Salma.

I love vietnamese food- next time though I'm having chicken fried rice- Ayesha ordered it and it was AWESOME.

Trist had spare ribs which looked pretty tasty too.

Following the dinner we went to the pub next door- and then home via Subway for midnight cookies!

Then home for more sparklers:

We stayed up until 3am (with the extra hour for daylight savings!) drinking my infused Gin, and chatting- I had an awesome evening!

I loved seeing everyone and catching up.

Honestly, at that point I didn't think my weekend would get any better.

Today, I was horribly, horribly hung over.

I got up pretty early as I had a headache and I was worried I'd end up not sleeping tonight if I stayed in bet till like midday.

Helen told me she was taking me an adventure- So I needed to dress for outdoors.

She wouldn't tell me where we were going.

So, we got in the car- and off we went- I was fussing as Trist, Hayley, Dai and Cat were still about and I didn't want to miss them heading back to Cardiff.

She took me out for the afternoon to Woboen Abbey gardens.

:)

On the way we stopped off because we were hungry- And walking down the high street we ran into my parents!

I didn't see anything odd with this at the time...

We went for lunch, then on to the Abbey grounds- We had to drive through loads of park land with deer on it!
They're huge!
It was like being on Safari

Once we'd parked we walked round the grounds- it was sooo windy with all the storms which are on their way- and it rained- the walk is largely on grass so I ended up getting quite muddy.
The gardens are beautiful though.
Especially in Autumn!



We also went to the pottery shop, exhibition and to the "sculpture gallery".
Then had a cuppa.

We headed off in Helens Renault 5. helen was like "oh, I'm going to go back on myself and drive through woboen rather than follow signs as I know the route" Which seemed pretty sensible to me.
Half way back Helen was like "I really need the loo"
So we parked in the car park of a fancy hotel in woboen- helen was gone for a few minutes. and then came back to the car and was like "You have to come and help me".
I thought that was odd, but hell, I've had my fair share of stuck zippers etc so I went with her.

We followed signs through the hotel for the loo- so that was still sensible- and the we turned the corner and I saw a woman who I thought was really pretty.
Then I realised it was Kirstie- and she was talking to Amanda!
Then we went into the function room and EVERYONE was there!
It was awesome.I was speechless.

I was whisked off to get my hair done by Sarah- who does the hednas hair- And ray confessed that Helen had taken me out for the day so that she could raid my house for clothes for me to wear and make up- and for tea pots to use as table decorations!
It was awesome!
I got dressed and went to join everyone else for afternoon tea.
:)
I've never had a surprise event planned for me before! it was really weird.

I realised when we left that Helen parked between Ray and Trists's cars and I didn't even notice!
haha.

Crochet Bikini Pattern & Crochet jumper dress pattern

Traff's mum rang a few days ago and during the course of the conversation it transpired that as the nights are getting colder, She'd taken up knitting and crochet again.
Her first commission is to make a multi coloured tank top for Traff's dad.
He says he's going to wear it everywhere.
She says it's for in the house only.

Anyways, Traff's mum rang today and said she'd pretty much completed the waistcoat- so was there anything we'd like?

Now, being as I have a jumper obsession, That is probably what I'll end up asking for, but my initial reaction be being asked what I'd like crocheted for me was "a bikini".

So, Just incase my dream does come true, I'm saving the instructions!

I really wish I'd kept up my crocheting! I might have even been able to make myself a bikini. :( I need a crochet tutor!

Mon Tricot Knit & Crochet, June 1971

MATERIALS:  Light Weight Cotton Yarn: Four 50 gr balls of no. 5 cotton (175 yds per 50 gr ball) used double in Brown.  Crochet hook size B/1 (English size 12) or size to give gauge.  Some elastic thread.

SIZES:  Misses' 10-12-14.  Directions for sizes 12 and 14 are given in parentheses.  Measurements for size 12 are given on chart.

STITCHES USED: 1. Chain (ch)2. Slip stitch (sl st)3. Single crochet (sc)4. Double crochet (dc)5. Treble (tr) PATTERN STITCHES: 1. Corded edging:  Work in sc from left to right, always inserting hook to the right of stitch previously worked. 2. Mesh pattern:      Row 1:  Ch 7; 1 tr in 4th ch from hook; * ch 3, skip 3 sts, 1 tr *.      Row 2 and following rows:  Same as row 1 working the tr in the tr of the previous row. GAUGE:  19 dc = 4";  10 rows = 4" with crochet hook size B in dc. 7 spaces = 4";  6 rows = 4" in Mesh Pattern. BRA (70 grs for size 12) Right cup:  With 2 strands of yarn held together and crochet hook size B, ch 63 (67-71) and work in dc thus:  ch 3, 12 (13-14) dc; 3 dc in 1 st, 50 (53-56) dc. -- 65 (69-73) dc. Next row:  Leave unworked the first 32 (34-36) sts.  Draw up a loop in the 33rd (35th-37th) st; ch 2; and in the next 32 (34-36) sts work:  18 (19-20) dc; 3 dc in 1 st; and 13 (14-15) dc.  Continuing working these incs one above the other, on each row 3 (4-5) more times. Next row:  Above the incs, work a double dec (** yo, draw up a loop, yo, draw through 2 loops ** (3 times) yo, draw through all 4 loops on hook); then work 1 row without any decreases, and 1 row with one single decrease (repeat from ** to ** twice only.  At same time beginning on. Row 3:  At right edge, every row, dec 1 st (7 times); 2 sts 4 (5-6) times, and at left edge dec, alternately:  * 1 st (once) and 2 sts (once) * (3 times); then 2 sts 5 (6-7) times. Next row:  Work one more dec then continue the shoulder strap, working on each row:  ch 3 and 2 dc for 11" and fasten off.  (To have even edges when decreasing 1 st, skip 1 st after the first ch 3 or before the last dc; to decrease 2 sts, skip 1 st and work then or before, at the end of row, one single dec). Left cup:  Work same as right cup but reversing shapings. Finishing:  Join the two cups along first row at center of front.  Then work in corded edging all around cups, shoulder straps and back straps.  Sew shoulder straps to center of length of back straps.  Make a buttonhole loop at each end of back straps; make a chain 12" long and insert it in loops and tie in back. PANTS (100 grs for size 12)Begin at top of front.  With 2 strands of yarn held together and crochet hook size B, ch 46 (50-54).  Work 6 rows even in dc, then, shape crotch:  at each edge, every row, dec:  11 (12-13) sts (once); 3 sts (once), 2 sts, (once); 1 st 2 (3-4) times.  Work 2 rows even on the remaining 10 sts, then at each edge, every row, inc:  1st (twice); 2 sts 14 (15-16) times -- 70 (74-78) sts.  Work 5 rows even and fasten off. Finishing:  At each leg edge and at top of front and back work 1 row in sc working over 2 strands of elastic thread, then work 1 row of corded edging along sides and leg edges.  Join the front and back at each edge with 3 tabs; for each tab draw up a loop on one side, ch 7, 1 sc on other opposite side, then work a row of corded edging, inserting hook in each chain.
											OK, back from the land of the 70s- this  dress would be pretty cool, Although I'd probably need to post some wool out! It's quite a big ask! Jumper dress Pattern (photo is at the bottom!) This Tweed Off-Shoulder Dress is on an intermediate skill level, so it's just challenging enough for a learning crocheter. The process of making this free crochet pattern will improve your skills, and wearing it afterward will improve your confidence. Materials: Caron International's Simply Soft Tweed (100% acrylic; 3 oz/85 g, 150 yds/137 m skein): #0002 Off White, 8 (10, 12) skeins One crochet hook size US I-9 (5.5mm), or size to obtain gauge Yarn needle GAUGE In exsc pat, using US size I-9 (5.5mm) hook, 15 sts and 15 rows = 4”/10cm. In sc pat, using US size I-9 (5.5mm) hook, 13 sts and 15 rows = 4”/10cm ABBREVIATIONS Trc Cluster (Cl): 4 trc worked together in same st Five Ch picot (picot): Ch 5, sl st in beg ch Extended single crochet (exsc): Insert hook in designated stitch or row, pull up loop, yarn over, pull through 1 loop on hook, yarn over, pull through 2 loops on hook. STITCHES USED Chain (ch) Extended SC (exsc) Single crochet (sc) Slip stitch (sl st) Instructions: NOTES Stitch markers are used when working yoke to mark placement for increases. BODY Beginning at yoke, chain 26 (30, 34), place marker; ch 36 (40, 44), place marker, ch 26 (30, 34), place marker, ch 36 (40, 44), place marker, being careful not to twist, join with sl st to beg ch – 124 (140, 156) ch.. Rnd 1: Ch 2 (counts as first exsc here and at beg of each row), exsc in next and in each ch around, moving markers up as you work, join with sl st to beg ch 2. Rnd 2: Ch 2, exsc in next and in each st around, moving markers up as you work, join with sl st to beg ch 2. Rnd 3: Ch 2, exsc in next and in each st around, making 3 exsc in marked sts, moving markers up to middle of these 3 sts as worked, join with sl st to beg ch 2. Rnd 4: Repeat Round 2. Rnds 5: Repeat Round 3. Rnds 6 - 13: Repeat Rounds 4 & 5 alternately, ending Round 2. Rnd 14: Ch 2, exsc in next and each st around to marker, ch 5 (8, 11), skip all sts to next marker; exsc in marked st (armhole made) and in each st around to next marker, ch 5 (8, 11), skip all sts to next marker; exsc in marked st (armhole made) and in each st to beg, join with sl st to beg ch 2. Rnds 15: Ch 2, exsc in next and each st and ch around, join with sl st to beg ch 2. Rnds 16: Ch 2, exsc in next and each st around, join with sl st to beg ch 2. Rnds 17 – 31: Repeat Round 16. Rnd 32: Ch 2, exsc in next and each st around, making 12 evenly spaced decreases, join with sl st to beg ch 2. Rnds 32 – 38: Repeat Round 16. Rnd 39: Ch 2, exsc in next and each st around, making 12 evenly spaced increases, join with sl st to beg ch 2. Rnds 40 – 51: Repeat Round 16. Rnd 52: Repeat Round 39. Repeat Rnd 16 until dress is desired length. Edging: Ch 1, sc, ch 1 in each st around, join with sl st to beg sc. Fasten off. Collar Rnd 1: With WS facing, join yarn in beg ch, ch 1, sc in same and each free loop around, join with sl st to beg sc. Rnd 2: Ch 2, exsc in next and each st around, join with sl st to beg ch 2. Rnd 3: Ch 2, exsc in same sp, *exsc in next st; 2 exsc in next st; repeat from * around, join with sl st to beg ch 2 -- 186 (210, 234) exsc made. Rnd 4: Ch 2, exsc in next and each st around, join with sl st to beg ch 2. Rnd 5: Repeat Round 4. Rnd 6: Ch 2, Cl in next st; *exsc in each of the next 5 st; Cl in next st; repeat from * around, ending exsc in last 4 sts, join with sl st to beg ch 2. Push clusters to front of work as work progresses. Rnd 7: Repeat Round 4. Rnd 8: Ch 2, exsc in next 4 sp; Cl in next sp, *exsc in next 5 sp, Cl in next sp; repeat from * around, join with sl st to beg ch 2. Push clusters to front of work as work progresses. Rnd 9: Repeat Round 4. Rnd 10: Repeat Round 6. Rnd 11: Repeat Round 4. Rnd 12: Repeat Round 8. Rnd 13: Repeat Round 4. Rnd 14: Repeat Round 6. Rnds 15 & 16: Repeat Round 4. Rnd 17: Ch 1, sc in same sp, picot, *sc in each of the next 3 sp, picot; repeat from * around, ending sc in last 2 sp. Fasten off. Armhole Edging: Rnd 1: With RS facing, join yarn in any underarm ch, ch 1, sc, ch 1 in same and each sp around, join with sl st to beg sc. Repeat on other armhole. FINISHING Weave in all ends. Lightly steam to set sts. Read more at http://www.favecrafts.com/Crochet-Sweaters/Tweed-Off-Shoulder-Dress#PxKl2igz7JSJ8v8E.99