Gevena, CERN and the £14 gin and lemonade.

On friday night I went to Geneva with my work colleagues- this was possibly one of my most awesome and worst made plans all at once.

We got the train at 3:40. so I decided to stay at work and get a massage from the health and wellbeing lady then walk to the train station, get the train- nice relaxing weekend holiday.
no.
My massage over ran. then my walk to the train station was twice as long as I thought it was. and Randi Rang me to tell me I had 3 minutes before the train left when I was at the other end of the road to the station. without a train ticket.
I have never run so far or bought a ticket so quickly in my life.
And we then forgot Karl.
Who go the next train. 5 min later. all that running for nothing! O_o

The airport went equally as well- first my boarding pass wouldn't scan, then it wasn't recognised- for 5 agonising minutes. then it behaved.
Then I got frisk searched.
then my bag got confiscated.

 By the time we sat down for an airport dinner I was a nervous wreck!

but we made it to geneva and got the train into the city at about 9pm local time- seeee- this is us, on the incredibly clean and efficient train:



We walked from the main square to the youth hostel. and then we decided to go to the pub.
lord jim's pub. to be exact.
they gave us free peanut watsits. and the most expensive drinks I've ever bought (sadly and quite a low price for geneva).
We got in from the pub at 2am.


After the pub we returned to the hostel. and they'd added 2 more people to the room- as is normal in a hostel. a couple. a bloke and a woman. the bloke snored like a train.
I was not chipper in the morning.




We walked from the hostel to the UN buildings in the morning- this was a weird looking church which was at the end of the road to our hostel.
it was surprisingly war,m given the amount of snow on the ground!



This is the broken chair monument outside the UN buildings- which were sadly closed so we didn't get to have a tour. awesome looking place though with all the flags of the countries outside too.



Me outside the UN buildings!



From the UN we went to the city centre to get some lunch- we had awesome freshly made baguettes and I ordered mine in french!
We ate them on the train station (1st picnic of the year!) and had tea and muffins for afters.

I really love the images they use for the rail workers in Switzerland- how cool! Play mobil!


We took the tram to CERN- it has it's own line from the main square- and went around the particles exhibition first- it was really cool.
And we took some photos for the wall in the office!
:D

from the particles exhibition we went to the proper CERN site-ready for our tour- We got to see the computer nerve system of the whole site- which is based in france, and we got to see the LHC, as it's not running currently as it's being refurbished.
Awesomely cool.
We also went to a talk about particles.


on sunday before our flight home we went to the old town of Geneva by boat across lake geneva.
it was really pretty.
and hilly.
we had wanted to climb the cathedral tower to see the view, but mass was taking place. it was pretty cloudy anyways so I doubt we missed much.
We also got to see the famous fountains!

Cardiff- dresses, mexican,excellent company, beaches, 30th Birthdays, fast driving, dirty stopouts, 4am.

On Friday morning Jen came to fit me for my Hednas dress- turns out my waist is skinnier than I thought! it's a shame about the rest of me!
So not it's all pinned ready for the finishing touches and its gorgeous!
:D
It will be fir for very much twirling.

I had wanted to go to Barry Island for a dip but it started to snow- Even I'm not hardy enough for a paddle in the snow- so we headed off to tea and cake for some lunch, and then to Penarth once the weather was more settled.
I had wanted to go on the pier, but it was closed for renovation.

Why is the sea brown in Penarth?


Jen, looking a bit windswept.


Traff Skimming stones on the beach in a very enthusiastic manner.


Jen & I on the seafront. bloody freeezing!


After our beath front super freezing adventure, we went for a hot chocolate in spoons and Traff did a spot of charity shop shopping for James's birthday present.
He'd already got him a card and a DVD- so he got him some more jokey items from charity shops including atank top and 50 shades of grey.
He also got a helium balloon which we had to sellotape into a bag to stop it escaping.

In the evening we went to El pasos with EVERYONE! and we got to wear sombreros. I love El Pasos on City road- its brilliant! the best mexican food I'v ever eaten.
And we were served by Pepe himself.
He gave me a free mohito and Traff got a shot of snake tequila.





Saturday: We got up pretty late.. James went to town to get his hair cut- and Traff, Lis and Tim went too- it took much longer than expected so I got all of lis's beauiful house to myself to get dressed and do my make up and everything.
We ended up eating breakfast at 3pm.
fry ups are just as delicious at 3pm as 10am.

Then we went Go Karting in Newport!
It was freeeezing



We went to Sarah and Dan's after Go Karting for tea and JD and got changed from our sensible trainers and jeans into our party clothes.
To Cardiff!
On the bus.



As you can see- Tim very much loves the bus.

We went for dinner in spoons and pitchers of cocktails- then on to barocco- which is much bigger than it looks from the street.
I liked it very much- Gutted I've never been in there before this weekend! They serve cocktails in jam jars!



We went from Barocco to the Old library- until 3am. Sarah Acquired a weirdo.
But all in all a good time was had.

We stopped on chippy lane for chips (funnily enough) and it was bonkers. Sarah acquired another weirdo who squeezed her bum in the chip shop!


Chips in the Taxi Queue.

We got in at 4am, got up at 11. Bacon sandwiches at 1 and then home via my parents house for a pick n mix tea!
:D

And now, I've watched call the midwife and I'm ready for a bath and bed.

From my Valentine

OK, so this post is a little late.

My boyfriend is usually the least romantic person I've ever met. He normally forgets Valentines day. or any other romantic kind of event.

Occasionally I am surprised.

This was one of those occasions.

I had a massive envelope arrive on the 15th February (better late than never)

Check out the note on the back!he bac

Deftones, Holibobs, 1st picnic of the year and mortality

We're back from Birmingham!

We survived.

I drove through the city centre which was super terrifying and we drove on spaghetti junction. that was terrifying too.

my new order of scary road features is this:

1) Spagehtti junction

2) Swindon "magic roundabout" 

3) Hemel Hempsted "magic roundabout" - its less scary only because its "real" roundabouts not painted on noes so people can't just close their eyes and drive for the exit they want...

4) ALL multistory car parks

5) the junction for the A470 as you leave cardiff through Cathays- left for whitchurch, 2 middle lanes for A470, 2 lanes off the flyover for Llanishen. you know where I mean...

Anyway, we go to the Travelodge and parked, checked in sorted out a room with a bed that wasn't broken and had our awesome picnic.

1st picnic of the year.

It was an indoor picnic but I'm still counting it.

Traff refused to eat his salad because he was on holiday. And we had drinkies in the room before heading out. like teenagers do.

We walked the mile and a half from the hotel to the o2 arena- the last time we walked that was to see Hole.

We ended up having a bit of a weird discussion about mortality- it started because the last time we went to the o2 arena in birmingham most of the way back (a bit worse for wear) Traff had been discussing class A drugs. specifically his thought was this;

If you were diagnosed with a terminal illness, would you try a class A substance? like heroin or crack cocaine? to see what it was like- as you'd have nothing really to lose. (assuming all your other bucket list activities are completed).

Recently Traff's been weirdly freaked out by his own mortality- and the inevitability of death.

Perhaps I should stop reminding him how old he's getting?

It's probably not helping.

The walk was freezing cold- and neither of us thought to take a coat with us as it's been so nice in Bedford- so it's just as well we had an engaging topic of conversation.

We also found "holiday street".

The Deftones were awesome. We had a lush night. they played loads of older, heavier songs and all the good songs from the new album.

Definite win!

After the gig we went to sainsburys for sandwiches and more beer, then back to the hotel to watch "the breakfast club" on the TV.

not very rock'n'roll we admit. 

Today we went for breakfast in Subway and then drove home whilst the traffic wasn't too heavy-

 whilst we were on the way home we have a phone call from Timmy asking us about the weekend- Which we are super excited for.

So as soon as we got back we booked out hotel room for Thursday night- so fingers crossed I get a whole day down barry Island on the beach!

He looks pretty angry with his sandwich:

:D

I'm also very excited for this event in March- Traff's friend's band is coming to play in milton keynes- From Cardigan- So We're up for a cheesy night out!

Meeting Alice

Yesterday Sarah and Dan came to see us as they're here to see Dan's family and help to prepare for Dan's Brother's wedding.
All very exciting stuff!

This was the first time we'd met Alice- as I was in cardiff the day before she was born, and we haven't been to cardiff since- Although we're off to Wales at the end of next week- But Alice will be staying with Sarah's family to allow us to have some cocktails.

It was lovely to see Sah and Dan and catch up on all the news- and have a cwtch.
It turns out the Alice likes Traff and no-legs best. She's 8 weeks old and she's at that "grabby" stage- Traff's nose ring escaped mercifully unscathed.

So, we had a really lovely Valentines day, in good company.
:D

(Although, the wife didn't get me a card or flowers or anything! I got him a card...)

The magnificent Ms Jennifer Heap, and her seemingly unlimited talents.

No. This is not the title of a dirty film.
Sorry to disappoint.

Now, as you saw from my post on saturday I'm having a bit of a nightmare finding a dress for Hednas that I
a) like
b) can afford
c) doesn't need posting from america
d) doesn't need me to have a pay pal account

and most importantly

e) has a zip.

I was planning to get a dress made through a website I'd found- but on speaking to Jen she very kindly offered to make me a dress.
I am very impressed. and Excited. and grateful for her help and kindness. maybe she'll teach me to make a dress! or just how to thread my sewing machine. that would be a good start!

I feel very important having a dress made for me!

I really wanted a pale blue dress- so Jen's going to make it from pale blue dupion silk- maybe a little darker than this one:
 

She's going to make it from this pattern-it's a little late for hednas- as hednas is a 40s evening, but this is very similar to late 40s early 50s styles- it's just lower cut on the front. I like this style of dress very much so it'll get plenty of wearing!

The pattern is now on order and then it's just to order the fabric.


I'm super excited! I can't wait!
I've already decided I'm going to wear it with my turquoise silk scarf as a sash/cover up, my navy blue corde designer bag and possibly my 1930s silk shoes.
and of course my stole Traff bought me. It will only be march after all!

I've been fussing so much about a dress- it's a relief now that I can relax and stop stressing! Sorted! it is all now in the hands of the wonderful Jen! (no pressure. :P )

Happy chinese new year!

As of tomorrow we will be in the year of the snake! say goodbye to the year of the dragon!

I completely forgot that this was chinese new year! I've been on about it for ages- and on the weekend it arrives I just completely forgot about it!

There are big celebrations in london and there was a parade in the afternoon! I should have gone! maybe next year!

Here are some awesome looking pictures of new year being brought in in Beijing- maybe this should be added to the bucket list too!

Dresses, Oakham, Rockets and sleepovers

On friday my sister came to stay with Traff and I- we watched "you've been framed" and had hot chocolate.
Today My sister and I went to Oakham - its a really lush town! lots of awesome cafes and independent shops- I can't believe we found it by accident. Worth the drive for an adventure!

And we had to cross the level corssing. so Ray was really at home.

Although our real mission was to go and try on some vintage dresses- you'll have to forgive my range of facial expressions- I've never been photogenic:


This was my second favourite dress- look how teeny weeny my waist is! it's a bit too late in the era for hednas and I'm not sure baby pink offsets my beautiful red irish glow in quite the way I'd like.


I'd have liked this dress if it had actually finished at my waist rather than ended up being an "empire" dres


This is a proper 50s prom dress- it's a bit Morticia Addams though! It was very cool but probably a bit much for Hednas.



This was the £600 Dior dress! It didn't do up which saved me the heartache of having to decide that I didn't want it. Probably the most expensive dress I'll ever wear!

And this was the one I went for- I've been telling peope all week that I want to own this dress:


looks good, right? one slight snag- It doesn't have a zipper. or any other kind of fastening. so the lady had to pin me into it.
She had a zip but she hadn't fitted it yet and if I wanted to buy the dress she said it would cost me less to find someone to fit the zip rather than her doing it. now, had it been any other modification I'd probably have taken it on- but I have 3 dresses and a pair of boots that need re-zipping because I lack the skills.
the cheapest I've found re-zipping dresses round here is £25. the dress was £100. so already this is becoming very expensive...

now, you might still be thinking- "It's just a zip- it's an awesome dress- why didn't you just get it?"
There was another, slight hitch:


The last 3 inches of zipper (had there been one) would not have done up.
So then we get into the land of eyelets and boning and ribbons and modesty panels.

Craft 3/12- bath salts

Although, not the kind that turn you into a zombie.

It's taken me AGES to gather the ingredients for this craft- I posted the instructions ages ago under "bath crafts to try"- I hadn't realised how difficult it would be to buy coarse salt. Apparently it's not big in bedford. in Wantage however, they carry 5 different types in Sainsburys.
Perhaps only middle class oxfordshire people use coarse salt for cooking?

Anyways, this was simple enough to do- you mix your salt with a teaspoon (or a bit more) of the essential oil and mix. then divide between the containers and decorate as you please.

those of you who know me well will be reading this thinking "yeah, so how did you manage to make it go wrong?" well, I'll have you know I didn't. It's worked out well! All ribbon wrapped and stacked inside my crafty 1940s sideboard ready to be give away. Or used up. :D


Ok- top tips-
I got the 8 mini containers from poundland- which is a bargain!
The Essential oil is from the bodyshop- I don't want to bring my friends out in a rash!
I used my hair washing jug (70s bathroom.. no shower...) and it's been a nightmare to get clean again -which doesn't really matter so much to me- but would be a pain if you use a "good" container- maybe better with an ice cream tub or container for non-food applications.
Hayley got me the stickers- I believe they are an IKEA goody!
I got ribbons from Masons in Abingdon for £0.25 for 2m.


The finished product! (well, Minus label and ribbon- I think I get good marks for presentation though!)



My 4 boxes to start with- I've got more oils left so I'll make some more when I have another chore to avoid. Like the hoovering. which was todays avoided chore.

If I can get some better containers I might post some of these to my friends living far away! although, Salt is quite heavy,
I need a more postable craft!

Craft 2/12- Paper crafts

On Tuesday I went to craft @ 229 with Amanda and Anita- Traff made us dinner before we went out- Yummy lebanese food and salad.
And then the craft evening always supplies amazing cakes and tea!

I'm excited for the next one as it's a wirework evening!

Anyways, Paper craft was harder than I expected. It's all about having a steady hand and getting your images symmetrical. bearing in mind you fold the paper in half, that should be easy. Don't be fooled. And it takes AGES! the time just flew by and all of a sudden we'd been there 2 and a half hours!

Anita teaches D&T and is really good at creative stuff- including paper cutting.

Here are my creations:


This was my first attempt- which was trickier than I thought it would be- and then it refused to be mounted on glitter paper- I had to use enough spray glue to kill a small child.


This is the bunting I made- I was quite pleased with this- it was my last make of the night so maybe I'd started to get the hang of it!

you'll spot the difference between mine and Michelle or Anita's handiwork...



The ladies being very hard at work being better at making things from paper than I will ever be. Even if I live to be 10000.




A greetings card that I made- which Is now winging its way to Helen Via royal mail!


I really had a lovely evening and enjoyed being crafty- it's so lovely to do something to de-stress midweek. and it's every other month so it's easy enough to justify having the evening off!
:)
It's not quite milgis "menopause club" but then I never was very good with a glue gun...

Pakistani school partnership & letters from Africa

I'm chuffed today- it's been a long long week- and January feels like its going on forever- But it's been a good day.

I've managed to partner our school with a school in Islamabad, Pakistan.
I asked for a school very different to our own to give our students a chance to learn more about other cultures and a chance to learn about other peoples' lives.

They definitely delivered we are partnered with the Islamabad College for Girls:

http://icg.edu.pk/

Islamabad College for Girls f-6/2 was founded in May 1968 as Islamabad Model School for Girls. This prestigious education institution of Islamabad started its classes in an under-construction building without even a boundary wall and with a student population of only 64. Today, by the grace of Allah, it has a student enrollment of nearly 4,000. Initially, Islamabad College for Girls, popularly known as I.C.G. at home and abroad, had classes up to the Matric Level but was upgraded to the intermediate level in 1975 and graduate level in 1985. M.A. English classes were introduced in 1989 followed by the programme of M.Sc. in Applied Psychology. The college is affiliate with the Punjab University at the graduate and post graduate level. It is a great achievement that I.C.G has maintained its standard all along. Along with academic excellence, I.C.G. is renowned for the achievement of its students in sports, co-curricular and extra-curricular activities. This premier institution of the capital houses classes from Prep to Post-graduate level in one beautiful campus and is unique in this regard. It has the privilege of grooming young girls who have gone on to become useful members of society- in fact become the backbone of the country in their roles as doctors, engineers, civil servants, teachers and mothers.

This will be exciting!
I'm looking forward to setting up this pen pall project- you never know, we might even go to Pakistan!
I hope some of their teachers are up for some twinning too! I'd love to learn more about their culture.

As if this wasn't exciting enough I had a letter from Moyo- the little girl I sponsor to go to school in Africa. She'd written me a letter in English- which was really sweet. Last time she sent me a drawing of her village.
So I will need to write her a letter back.

And, I planned an investigation into the terminal velocity of toast.

See, it's all good.
:)

Earl grey poppy seed tea cakes- YES PLEASE! now I just need to get good at cooking...

Earl Grey Poppy Seed Tea Cakes
Yield: four 3-inch cakes
[click for printable recipe]

This recipe requires four 1.75 x 3-inch pastry rings.  One cake is a very generous single serving  (and could probably serve 2).  They have a bright, fruity flavor that I liken to Froot-Loops cereal (no kidding! -or maybe I’m just weird). The extra step of covering them in black fondant and decorating with luster dust is not necessary, but it sure makes them pretty.

Cake: 
3/4 cup extra-fine granulated sugar

1/4 cup loose-leaf Earl Grey tea

2 tbsp. poppy seed

4 eggs
1 1/2 tbsp. canola oil
2 tbsp. buttermilk
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 drop black food coloring (*optional)
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
Powdered sugar for dusting

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Grease an 11x14-inch jelly-roll pan with white vegetable shortening and line with parchment; grease parchment paper.
2. In the bowl of a food processor, combine sugar, tea leaves and poppy seed.  Process for 2-3 minutes, or until the mixture looks well ground and is very fragrant.
3. In a large bowl, beat eggs with a mixer for 5 full minutes (I suggest setting a timer).  Properly whipped eggs will lighten in color considerably and have the appearance of yellow cake batter.
4. With the mixer still running, slowly add sugar mixture and oil to the whipped eggs.  Next, add buttermilk, and vanilla extract and food coloring, if using.
5. Sift together flour, baking powder and salt.  Slowly add to the liquid ingredients.  Mix until well combined.
6. Pour batter into prepared pan and tilt pan to distribute batter evenly.
7. Sprinkle a cotton tea towel with powdered sugar and rub sugar into the towel with your hands
8. Bake for 12-15 minutes. Check at 12 minutes. Cake is done when it springs back when pressed with fingers. 
9. Turn cake out onto the powdered tea towel.  Dust surface with powdered sugar.  Let cool completely.
10. Use 3-inch pastry rings to cut out 12 cake circles.  Set aside.

Earl Grey simple syrup:

3/4 cup sugar

3/4 cup water

4 Earl Grey teabags

1. Stir together sugar and water in a small saucepan.  Place over medium-high heat and bring to a bubble. Stir to make sure all the sugar is dissolved.  Remove from heat and place the teabags in the hot sugar syrup to steep.  Infuse for 5-7 minutes, then remove and discard tea bags.  Set aside to cool.

Tip: You may have leftover syrup after assembling the cakes Store unused syrup in the 'fridge and use it to sweeten your tea!

Zesty citrus buttercream:

1 cup of unsalted butter, softened

2 cups confectioners’ sugar - the finest you can find (usually 10x)

1 tsp.  clear orange extract

Juice of 1 small lemon

Zest of 1 small orange

Zest of 1 small lemon

* Milk or heavy cream, optional

1. In a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, mix together the butter and confectioners’ sugar.  Begin mixing on low speed until crumbly, and then increase to high and beat for 3 minutes.
2. Add orange extract and lemon juice; beat again for another minute until light and fluffy.  Add zests and mix on lowest setting until evenly dispersed.  Transfer to a piping bag or zip-top bag with the end snipped (no decorator tip necessary)

*Note: If you find the buttercream is too stiff, you may add milk or heavy cream 1 tablespoon at a time until the mixture is piping consistency.

Assembly and decoration:

1 1/3 cup ready-made black vanilla rolled fondant

Silver luster dust

Small cup of water

Culinary stencil or other plastic non-toxic craft stencil

Small soft-hair artist’s brush

1. Place 1 cake circle in each of the four pastry rings; brush cakes liberally with Earl Grey syrup (if you don’t have a pastry brush, you can drizzle two tablespoons of syrup over the cake).  Pipe in a layer of buttercream and top with another cake circle; press cake circles down into the buttercream to create an even layer.  Brush cake circle with syrup and add another buttercream layer.  Top with remaining cake circle and press  it down so that it is level with the top of the pastry ring.  Brush with syrup. 
2. Chill cakes in the refrigerator for 20 minutes. Press cakes out of the molds from the top onto a baking sheet.
3. Lightly grease a work surface with white vegetable shortening.  Knead and roll out a 1/3 cup piece of black fondant.  Lift piece with a rolling pin (or your hands – it’s small enough) and drape over a cake. Smooth fondant down and around the cake and trim the excess with a sharp knife.  Repeat process with remaining cakes.  Place a stencil on top of each cake.
4. Tap out a little silver luster dust onto a clean plate.  Dip the paintbrush into water and then into the luster dust; work it into a paint-like paste on the plate with the brush.  Repeat dipping/working until your brush is loaded with luster dust “paint”.  Gently apply in even strokes over the stencil.  Carefully lift stencil to reveal the design.

Tips:

Roll out a piece of fondant to practice your stenciling.

The stencils I used had a lightly adhesive backing.  I coated the sticky side with vegetable shortening and then wiped most of it off with a paper towel. This took enough of the stickiness away so that it would not damage the fondant’s surface. If you use the same brand of stenciling that I did (below), be sure to use this method and test the stickiness on a test piece of fondant before applying to the cakes.