In a few days February will be over, and I will be officially on the wrong side of 50, sigh.
Last week was a midterm break, which we all needed. I truly admire parents who do daily trips around the country and educational visits to famous landmarks, but I don't have a stamina and enthusiasm for this kind of dedication. We went to Oxford twice this week, and for me that was plenty.
Last Sunday I was finally able to try a Gregg's vegan sausage roll. Taste-wise, it wasn't bad at all. The pastry tasted less greasy than its meaty counterpart, and the filling was OK, rather nondescript but edible. I read that it is made with a fermented fungus (sounds rather scary).
I have satisfied my curiosity, now it's back to chocolate eclairs and donuts at Gregg's which are pretty good value for money.
The sky on Monday evening was all pink and purple. The Moon looked beautiful and a bit eerie. It felt like something sinister was going to happen, thankfully, it didn't.
On Tuesday we all jumped on the bus to Oxford. Sasha's been showing me the PECs from his old school story books, building up sentences that he wanted to go to Oxford on a double-decker bus and visit Burger King. I think they used to take his class there once in a while.
I've never been inside a Burger King in my life, and I've lived here for about 25 years.
Sasha was ecstatic on the bus, smiling a happy smile.
Eddie and I took selfies on the bus. As you do.
I believe he looks very much like me in this photo, what do you think?
This week I've been reading a book by Nicola Pryce - The Cornish Lady - for the forthcoming blog tour. I haven't read much, with holidays getting under way.
I talked to my Mum about the book, and she asked me if I was reviewing it for a fee. I said: I wish.
This is a really rubbish quality photo, because my child and I were giggling too much. We called it an "inappropriate carrot".
Reading at bedtime with Eddins. We're now on book 4 in the Raven Mysteries series, and I'm getting slightly frustrated with it. We loved the first book, thought it was wonderful, funny and amusing, but by book 4 I'm rather vexed with the fact that the servants are killed off left and right. They are dispensable like commodities. I get it, that it's the satire-horror genre, but still...
I'm sure we will read the last two books in the series, but I wish the servants were treated kinder.
Another trip to Oxford by bus today. It was rather hot, especially on the bus. We popped into the Blackwell's shop, and looked at the Harry Potter section.
Ahh! I agree! I can't be doing with trips around the country and too many days out. We had two and that was more than enough for me.
ReplyDeleteI like the vegan sasuge rolls from Greggs. I like that they aren't as greasy as meaty one's. I am not too keen on reading what they are made from though.
Oh wow! That sky on Monday looks amazing! The purple is so pretty!
How lovely that Sasha wanted to go to Oxford. I hope it was a great day. Eddie does look so much like you! It's the smile!
hahaha! The inappropriate carrot did make me chuckle. My teen ran a bath today and she had inappropriate looking bubbles which I wouldn't take a photo of. lol
Thank you, Kim! We had a lovely time in Oxford, though we didn't do anything special. Lol @ inappropriate bubbles.
DeleteI was just thinking the same thing about the holidays and we had two weeks off ! I took a week to catch up on stuff around the house and a week with a couple of trips out, which was plenty. Maybe it's because the kids are growing up? Glad you got to try the vegan sausage roll at last ! And I love your moon photo - it looks just the sort of thing you'd see on the front of a mystery or scary book !
ReplyDeleteThank you, Cheryl, the Moon was fabulous, but it did look like a conspiracy of ravens will soon descend in our garden. :)
DeleteYour carrot did make me laugh! I finally had a Greggs vegan sausage roll this week too. I've been vegetarian for 28 years and it tasted a lot like I remember them tasting. I used to love sausage rolls! We haven't done much this holiday either, mainly because I have to work, but we've never been big on days out. Love your photo of the moon.
ReplyDeleteThank you Sarah! I'm not very keen on sausage rolls but Eddie loves them. I find them too greasy. The vegan pastry is definitely better as it's less greasy, it's the contents that I find a bit frightening. I'd rather just have some vegetable or mushroom paste.
DeleteLol I don’t think I’ve ever been paid to review an adult fiction book sadly. I like her work. That moon photo looks beautiful, more like a painting than a photo #365
ReplyDeleteThank you, Mary! I will try to find the previous books in the series. I do review lots of books which I read without even being asked, so that's not an issue. But would be nice to have your work appreciated, wouldn't it?! :)
DeleteAww, I love the Gregg sausage roll. I've had it many times, as it is a fab option when I'm in search for a quick lunch, like at services on the motorway. You say it sounds scary how it is made, for me though, the thought of how the meat for sausages is produced is much more scarier.
ReplyDeleteI'm very found of Quorn as a meat alternative, although I try to limit my fake meats as they are processed and I do prefer cooking from scratch.
He is right, you do look alike in that picture. How wonderful to see you having so many activities together. It's heart-warming.
The Raven Mysteries series sounds a bit boring.
You're right, of course, Anca, on the provenance of meat. Personally I'd rather eat vegetables and mushrooms rather than meat substitutes, as I think all the artificially grown protein is rather suspicious too. My main worry is the genetically modified food. I prefer vegetarian sausages which are made of recognisable products, like grains, mushrooms, veg etc, rather than quorn or tofu. I just don't trust tofu or other soy products not to be GMO. But I'm happy to be corrected.
DeleteI agree with you, I'd rather eat veggies or mushrooms. I love mushrooms.
DeleteThe discussion on GMO is very nuanced. For example, many animals that will be slaughter are fed with GMO crops, even in EU. It makes sense, higher yield makes the industry more profitable. But there are restrictions on what GMO foods can be sold to humans in EU.
Personally I'm not scared by GMO as a health issue, I think science is well equipped to produce safe grains that give a better yield. That has an impact on conservation too, as less land is needed to produce the same amount of food. But, I'm bothered if the GMO seeds affect the wildlife, like the pollinators. I don't know too much about this to comment.
But Quorn is not made with GMO or anything too complicated. It's a fungus, like the ones used (well, another type, but the same idea) for blue cheese or penicillin.
Greggs sausage roll have always been good value for money, many years back when my kids we wee Saturday was a walk to the shops ( each with their own pull along trolley) did our shopping. Into the video shop for 3 videos for £1 and then 4 sausage rolls for a £1 and walk home again.
ReplyDeleteI am with you I am a home buddy and trips out leave me struggling but glad you all had a good time. The bus selfie you do look alike.
Thank you, Elaine! The big victory was that Sash tolerated being in a family group, which recently was too difficult for him.
DeleteLove the capture of the moon against the sky. Very atmospheric. #365
ReplyDeleteThank you, I am fascinated by the Moon, and forever take photos of it.
Deleteooh the moon picture is my favourite. Love it. The Greggs sausage roll are always a good idea and great value. You do look alike in that selfie. xx #365
ReplyDeleteThank you Susan, I am partial to Gregg's eclairs and donuts.
DeleteWell I will be joining you on the wrong side of 50 in a few months. Had to laugh at your carrot.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Erica! The carrot was a hoot. :)
DeleteTwo trips out is plenty! I get tired if we go on long trips daily!
ReplyDeleteFermented fungus doesn't sound very appetising.........
That moon picture is lovely..the colours are stunning.
The moon picture is absolutely stunning with the silhouette of the branch. I haven't heard of the Raven Mysteries but they sound intriguing even if you are getting frustrated by them #project365
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