I have now hit the point of my hangover where I want junk food….. but I am strong!
Abbie is starving, however, and frankly whatever form dinner takes, it has to be minimum effort. Enter the toastie maker – my saviour. In no time Abbie is sitting up to a plate of cheese and olive toastie with baked beans. And I can sit down, stare aimlessly into the middle distance and think about how bed is now only a few hours away…….
Filed under Family suppers
I just HAD to post about my crazy daughter! Yesterday she finished two lines of her reward chart, meaning that she could choose a great treat when we went out today. Soooooooo…. Abbie decided upon careful consideration of comics, books, toys and other delights that she wanted… CHEESE! She asked if she could have a cheese plate with 3 cheeses on it.
Both Jon and I were completely stunned, but Abbie happily bounded up to the deli counter and asked for ‘that blue one’ (Shropshire Blue), ‘Cammememebert’, and ‘that stripy cheese’ (5 counties). She couldn’t have been more pleased with her choices. She has nearly finished another row – wonder what it’ll be next time… maybe a selection of fine wines!!
The cheese plate!
Filed under Family lunches
What a beautiful day! I’m sure that most people headed to the beach…. but as Jon hates sand, a walk in a park is always an easier sell! So I packed up what is fast becoming Abbie’s favourite meal and we headed off to Sheringham Park. It is a National Trust Property and I have to say that before we became members, the 4.50 parking fee put us off, but we soon found out that it shouldn’t have…. what a wonderful place to wander! Masses of rhododendrons, tiny paths that lead of the main routes… fairy paths as Abbie renamed them, with all the magic that accompanies the name! To top all the fun that we had on our ‘treasure hunt’ that the park was running for children, we found that ‘Waybaloo’ would be visiting from the 15th-19th September and that children can come to play Peeka! with the Piplings – you can imagine my daughter’s delight!
A tree-made den
Anyway.. to the picnic. This was a repeat of a previous picnic which Abbie and I took with us when climbing up the Catbells in the Lake District (see vid below). She proclaimed it ‘the best picnic ever’ and asked that we have the same when I was planning picnic lunches this week. It is much simpler than previous picnics that I have created (I ususally take an assortment of meats, cheeses, salads and then bread and butter sandwiches/boiled new potatoes) but it does mean that you are not carrying leftovers on your walk – essential when tackling a Wainwright!
Picniccing in the Bower
Abbie’s favourite sandwich filling at the moment is salami, cheese slices, lettuce and tomato ketchup – weird but strangely delicious. Jon and I had our choice of sandwich as well (slightly more conventional fillings). I recently bought re-usable sandwich boxes, instead of using loads of ziploc bags, and they are great as you have a lid to put crisps, carrot and tomatoes in – no plates needed. We finished off with some Victoria plums (delivered from our lovely neighbour that morning) and apples. More fuel than gastronomic experience…. but delicious all the same!
Had to put this vid on – so proud of my lttle girl’s accomplisments climbing the Catbells in the Lake District… fantastic
Filed under eating out, Family lunches
As I drove home from school last night, the sun was shining and casting a glow over beautiful North Norfolk. Daffodils lined the road and the world was a wonderful place….. inspiration to buy sunny foods for our Saturday picnic.
We feasted on melon and air-dried ham (but not from Parma!), ‘holey’ cheese, olive bread and extra olives ( because Abbie loves them), Romaine lettuce and a quickly knocked-up tomato, mozarella and basil salad – see below for quick recipe…..
I think that at times this is a perfect meal for Jon, Abbie and I and this one definitely helped to put us all in a good mood – even Jon who sat sniffling all through lunch!
Tomato, mozarella and basil salad – serves 3/4 depending on other dishes
2 beef tomatoes, sliced thinly
1 ball of mozarella, sliced thinly
handful of basil leaves, torn up
Dressing made from splash of balsamic vinegar, glug of extra virgin olive oil, sprinkle of Maldon salt and good grind of pepper.
I dress the tomatoes and mix in the basil, then alternate layers of mozarella and basily tomato slices on a platter – simple, but delicious!
Everyone’s favourite!
Melon makes you smile!!
Filed under Family lunches
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