sweet nothings...

My bf had a second attempt at making mince pies last night with his leftover mincemeat. This time they had the added magnificence of a little pastry star on the top of each one. They tasted just as good as his last ones, but looked even better! I think he has well and truly mastered little pies now, and won the battle against what can sometimes be uncooperative pastry Perfect mince pies!

Last night I made the mulled wine to go with my homemade mince pies
I've never made mulled wine myself before! It's really easy





Happy christmas!!

Yesterday I summoned what was left of my strength after a busy shift at work, and made my first batch of bread since I have been staying here (a whole month of eating fluff shop bread!!) It turned out as nice as usual I have missed homemade bread! I had a big chunky squint doorstep of fresh bread for breakfast this morning, with a few slices of my favourite cheddar and some branston pickle. Yum



I have also made sweetcorn fritters again, this time they worked out really well and didn't splat all over the pan, as I must have used a bit more flour and made the mixture a bit thicker. They puffed up beautifully into lovely cheesy sweetcorn pancakes. No picture this time though, as it was quite late at night and I was too hungry to stop and get my camera out!

We had just been for a lovely 'little' after work drive, which turned into an epic journey all the way to the westbury horse! (I am not much use as a navigator, hehe ) It looked really beautiful too, i've never seen the horse from that angle! Of course, I didn't have my camera with me...I hope to go back there sometime soon though! The last time I saw it I was looking down on it from the top of the hill...



It seems that the best view of these chalk hill drawings is always looking up at the hillside from a distance. Not really surprising I suppose, as that was where they were meant to be seen from, like chalk graffiti

I have now had my first mince pie of the year! Despite my recent valiant attempts at wrestling the box of pies out of the trolley and back onto the supermarket shelf every week, last night I was persuaded to have one. No competition to homemade pies though, I don't even feel the desire to go back and have another! That doesn't happen with home made ones

I have now worked at my new job for 4 days, it's going quite well I think. I'm starting to get used to it and speed up a little now. I have been working on the bar up until now, getting back into the swing of things, and learning to cope again with the crazy rush of customers at mid-day, and the rapidly multiplying row of drinks waiting to be made. This place is busy for the entire day it seems! I am now fast enough to have two different jugs of milk steaming at once, while pouring four shots of coffee, and making several drinks, all at the same time

It seems that I am not the only new person there either, as there are usually several new members of staff all flapping about in a panic, trying to find where things are kept and wondering what to do.
I am looking forward to when I know exactly what I am doing, I like to know that I am doing something well!! There are so many people's names to remember too...I always have to ask names several times before I finally remember them.

I don't even start work today until 4pm! I will be working my first night shift. Feels strange to have most of the day free, I have to keep reminding myself that I have to go to work later!