Tendonitis

Turns out I wasn't being a real wimp whinging about how much my squashed foot hurts- After a week and no improvement I went to the doctors yesterday and I have tendonitis.
:(
Hopefully we'll see a sharp increase in my creativity this weekend as I can't go anywhere.
"rest and elevation".
I've also been told to stay home from work next week to rest it- but I'm trying to arrange to be in on Tuesday at least as I have so much work to do. O_o

Fingers crossed I'll have a less purple, more normal sized ankle soon.

Peanut butter and fleur de sel Brownies

I've recently developed an obsession with peanut butter ice cream- The Ben and Jerry's one- We had it after glass blowing when we were staying at Abi's. It's that salt/sweet combination which makes it sooooo addictive.
Unfortunately that turns one tub of ice cream into one serving. so it's one to buy when I have someone to share it with!
I recently discovered that the sweetshop in town sells white chocolate reeces peanut butter cups- so that's been helping to fuel my chocolate peanut butter addiction.
Yummy.

I've been mooching about on the internet this evening- huddled on the sofa in my onesy feeling sorry for myself- I have sinusitis a a squashed foot. I ran it over at work. So my face hurts. and my foot hurts. 
Unmotivated.

Anyways, I found this on the net and it's cheered me up.
I think I'll have a go at these when I'm off next. 
:D
Or when I have company, so I don't eat them all myself... Although, maybe on second thoughts..

Peanut Butter and Fleur de Sel Brownies

Yield: 16 brownies

Total Time: 1 hour

Ingredients:

For Brownies:
10 tablespoons (1 1/4 sticks) butter
1 cup sugar
3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder (natural or Dutch-process)
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 cold large eggs
1/2 cup all-purpose flour

For Frosting:
6 Tablespoons (3/4 stick) softened butter
3/4 cup peanut butter
1 cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon Maldon or Fleur de Sel.

Directions:

Prepare an 8 inch square pan. Butter and line the bottom and sides of the baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on two opposite sides. Butter parchment.

Preheat your oven to 325 degrees F.

Combine the butter, sugar, cocoa, and salt in a heat-proof bowl and place over a large pot of simmering water. The bottom of the bowl should rest in the pot but not touch the water.

Stir over medium heat. When the butter is just about melted, remove the bowl and let the residual heat continue do the rest. Stir until smooth. At this point the mixture should feel warm, not hot to the touch. If hot, wait until warm to add the eggs.

Add the eggs, one at a time, stirring until each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next. Stir in the vanilla. Add the flour, and stir about 40 times until the flour is completely incorporated and the batter is smooth and shiny.

Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan and bake 20 to 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out with a few moist crumbs. Let cool completely on a wire rack.

To prepare the frosting, cream the butter and the peanut butter until combined. Slowly stir in the powdered sugar until completely incorporated. Spread over cooled brownies and sprinkle with flake salt (Maldon) or Fleur De Sel. Cut into squares.

Read more at http://www.loveandoliveoil.com/2011/11/peanut-butter-and-fleur-de-sel-brownies.html

Super London "To do" List- Let's go!

This is listed on buzzfeed as venues for dates- but I don't think you need to be on a date to do these!
I think this looks like an epic london challenge!

I'm always whinging that I have nothing to do but I could quite easily if only I'd get my bum in gear head into london- and the vast majority of these are cheap or free.
I'm sure I can persuade people to come with me.. maybe..

Anyways, once the weather is looking better I think I could do quite a few of these in one or two days aremed with an all zones travel card and bit of forward planning!
Or maybe just have a few lazy days in the holidays in London.
Either way- I'm going to these:
Come with me!

Matthew Lloyd / Getty

1. A walk on the Southbank.

@jackhunterblair on Instagram

@jeera on Instagram

@jackhenryjames on Instagram

Stroll along the Thames, thumb the used books on sale, watch the skateboarders and pretend you own the city. There are plenty of places to stop to have a bite to eat, as well as loads of bars including the BFI and the National Theatre.

Tube: Waterloo, London Bridge or Southwark

2. Gordon’s Wine Bar.

@everlongart on Instagram

@_janss_ on Instagram

@_janss_ on Instagram

This dark and discreet, bar is perfect for whispering secrets over glasses of delicious wine. The food’s good too, and the location is super easy.

Tube: Charing Cross or Embankment

3. Pedalos in Hyde Park.

@taliaco on Instagram

@alexdealexs on Instagram

@bisho_bisho on Instagram

Skip the row boats and relax with pedal power. The pedalos are hired by the hour, and during the summer there may be a queue. There are few more pleasant ways to spend a hot afternoon than by slowly splashing around a city centre lake.

Tube: Green Park or Hyde Park Corner

4. A drink at Madison.

@herepooch

@lazyrivers on Instagram

@madisonlondon1

This city centre bar is notable for its view of St Paul’s Cathedral. And what a view. Bring your date at sunset and prepare to swoon.

Tube: St Paul’s, Mansion House or Bank

5. The Trocadero.

@andreit10 on Instagram

@fbautiista on Instagram

@rebeccabrittle on Instagram

Hear me out. Sure it’s not glamourous. But what could be more fun than a tenner’s worth of tokens, a bag full of jelly sweets and the chance to win a massive teddy bear for your boo?

Tube: Piccadilly Circus or Leicester Square

6. The Shard.

@oooiishjoy on Instagram

@barrypilling on Instagram

@gigina08 on Instagram

It’s a little pricey, but the Shard has a massive wow factor. Top tip, to avoid over-crowding, book for the hour before sunset.

Tube: London Bridge

Matthew Lloyd / Getty

7. The Geffrye Museum.

@marie_parsons on Instagram

@mr_londoner on Instagram

@ladyfacejose on Instagram

The best hidden museum in London, the Geffrye lets you wander through houses throughout history. It also has a beautiful walled garden and a great coffee shop. Bliss.

Tube: Hoxton Overground

8. Hackney City Farm.

@carolinabkoster on Instagram

@martagianotti on Instagram

@sweaterspotter

Geese, sheep, goats, donkeys and more. An idyll in East London, with a brilliant coffee shop, and the option to buy fresh eggs to take home.

Tube: Hoxton or Cambridge Heath Overground

9. The Aubin cinema.

@katerynam on Instagram

@davidwchow on Instagram

@orlsbrodie on Instagram

Snuggly and cosy - with blankets and couches, the Aubin is a cinema with a difference. You can also bring in wine and food, making it perfect for a low-key date night.

Tube: Shoreditch High Street Overground

10. A drink at Sager and Wilde.

@bolloxolgy on Instagram

@lucysiddall on Instagram

@rachaelnell on Instagram

Sager and Wilde is still quite new, but it knows exactly what it wants. Low-key and quietly sophisticated, they serve perfect grilled cheeses alongside even more perfect wine choices.

Tube: Hoxton or Cambridge Heath Overground

11. Play table football at Bar Kick.

@d4vestory on Instagram

@mikemcm86 on Instagram

@tomaltmann on Instagram

This lively Shoreditch bar serves decent beer, and has enough foozball tables to keep anyone happy. If you’re further north, then Cafe Kick in Angel has a similar vibe.

Tube: Old Street

12. A drink at Evans and Peel Detective Agency.

@postscriptwpt on Instagram

@missapples on Instagram

@avytabby on Instagram

This below the radar bar has a touch of intrigue. You’ll have to assume an identity, and tell nobody. It’s worth it for the mouth-watering Old Fashioned though.

Tube: Earl’s Court

13. The Electric cinema.

@laurariascos on Instagram

@deciedoc on Instagram

@clairemichie82 on Instagram

So super classy, the Electric is a Notting Hill institution. Double-couches, mood lighting, and red velvet everywhere. Ideal.

Tube: Ladbroke Grove

14. Museum Lates.

@lunarsynthesis on Instagram

@annablaseby on Instagram

@shochdorf on Instagram

Choose your museum - the V&A, the Science Museum or the Natural History Museum. Now stay out after-hours, peering the exhibits, doing crafts, and having a bite to eat and a glass of wine.

Tube: South Kensington

Matthew Lloyd / Getty

15. Have a picnic on Primrose Hill.

@hianastasia on Instagram

@monamuo on Instagram

@henrydmarshall on Instagram

Grab your picnic basket and a rug, and take to the Primrose Hill. When you’re not pointing out the skyline, keep an eye out for local celebrities like Gwen Stefani and Harry Styles.

Tube: Chalk Farm or St John’s Wood

16. Zoo Lates.

@igotsleeves on Instagram

@djironman on Instagram

@shanalot on Instagram

Ever wanted to see what the giraffes got up to after dark? During the summer, London Zoo stays open for adults, with food trucks, dancing and of course, the animals.

Tube: Camden Town

17. King’s Cross and St.Pancras Station.

@barrafundles on Instagram

@joel_webster on Instagram

@incendiaryblonde on Instagram

A train station? Not just any train station. Follow in Harry Potter’s footsteps at Platform 9 3/4’s, sip on champagne at the bar, and recreate the opening of “Wannabe” at the next door St Pancras Hotel (where the video was filmed). And if you’re feeling flush, the Eurostar is right next to you.

Tube: King’s Cross St Pancras

Matthew Lloyd / Getty

18. Lunch in Brixton Village followed by a Brockwell park walk.

@harryengall on Instagram

@hoponbaby on Instagram

@melvispelvis on Instagram

Nibble your way around Brixton Market (we recommend dumplings at Mama Lan’s and then a burger at Honest Burger) before walking it all off at Brockley Park.

Tube: Brixton

19. Try the maze at Crystal Palace.

@godard_girl on Instagram

@crystalpalacepark on Instagram

@ralphfuller on Instagram

Get lost in the maze at Crystal Palace before going to say hello to the dinosaur sculptures.

Tube Crystal Palace Overground

20. Greenwich Observatory.

@helzyeahh on Instagram

@dadayka on Instagram

@kim_bc on Instagram

Take in the stars and the skyline and stop time (metaphorically) by stepping over the Meridian line. What more could you want?

Tube: Greenwich DLR

21. Up the O2.

@bencerisola on Instagram

@josephraison on Instagram

@5am3t13nn3 on Instagram

Test your head for heights by climbing the side of the O2. Sure it might be scary, but it’s certainly a talking point.

Tube: North Greenwich