Photo diary: week 24, project 365

This was one rollercoaster of a week for us. Sash was leaving on Monday to stay for five days at Butlins, Minehead, and we took Eddie out of school to do things together which we cannot do as a family of four any longer. It didn't work out as planned. Sasha couldn't cope with a new place and everything being out of his normal routine, and was too distressed, so he came home earlier.
Disappointing, yes, very much so, as we were looking forward to having a little break and devote all our attention to Eddie, but life is life, and that's what it means having a family member with a serious disability - life usually revolves around their needs.

At the weekend I made one last dash to the shops to get ready for the next days' trips. Walking through the flood fields, we saw this pretty skyline with clouds which looked like dinosaur ribs.

On Monday we waved Sasha good bye, and jumped on the bus to Oxford. Three train changes later and a taxi ride, and we were in Legoland at 12.30pm, which didn't leave us much time.
We managed to cram as much as possible, but still didn't quite make all the rides.
Eddie's absolute favourites were the Splash park and the Squid surfer ride at Adventure Land.
His smile really says it all.

On Tuesday morning we packed our bags for a two nights-stay in Brighton. We booked a family room at Jurys Inn Waterfront hotel. When we arrived, we got the keys to the room which overlooked the back, with a smelly fish shop. Eddie was so disappointed, that we went to the front desk and asked if we could be moved somewhere else. We explained that two years earlier we stayed in a family room on the side, with a partial view of the sea.
They offered us a room with a view at the front, but we'd have to pay more for the pleasure. We agreed. Eddie thought it was the best view in the world. We could see the beach and the Brighton Pier from our window.
Here is Eddie, chillaxing after a walk on the beach, eating breadsticks.

The next day I got a phone call from Sasha's teacher that he was too distressed and they were bringing him back home. They knew we were staying away, so asked when I could possibly be back.
There was not much I could do but grab my bag, and say Good bye to Eddie and Federico who stayed for another day/night. Eddie was pretty upset, as we had big plans for the day, including having fish and chips on the pier and long walks on the beach, and playing in the arcade. Alas, it was not meant to be.
On top of that, while on the train, I got messages and calls from Witney friends that there was a huge fire in our area, and our street was closed, and some of the houses were evacuated. I was worried that we won't be able to stay at home that night, and if Sasha were distressed after his trip, staying another night elsewhere would have been a nightmare.
But the angels were listening and took pity on me. The fire was put out by the time I came home, and when Sasha arrived later, his transport was let through the cordoned area.
When I went out in the garden, there was a muntjac deer, jumping around in panic. I managed to take one shot of it, and it scaled over to the neighbours' garden, first on the compost frame, then over the wall. Don't know how he would manage to get out of there, as their garden is on a much lower level than ours, and is surrounded by high walls on all sides.

Tomatoes in the greenhouse are just beginning to take shape. These are the yellow plum tomatoes.

Walking into town, we met this cat. It must be living locally, as we see it often enough.
I liked the silhouette of his head's shadow. Looks totally like a  Batman. So, it must have been a Catman.

There is a photo booth frame in the Co-Op. I guess there is some comp going on. Of course, Eddie had to poke his head through and giggle.

Degustabox World Cup (May'18) Box

The World Cup is almost upon us, are you counting the days? I don't watch football these days, but when I was a teen I used to watch football with my Dad and brother and knew the names of most players of the international teams. As years passed, and life moved on, I somehow lost interest in football.

In the lead to the World Cup many food brands are joining in, and offering fun competitions and novelty selections. Food box Degustabox has chosen the World Cup as the theme of their food and drink selection for May'18 box.

We are always looking forward to our Degustabox delivery, which arrives every month and is full of foodie surprises. This monthly food and drink subscription box is an excellent way to discover products which have only just appeared in the shops or those which might have been around for while, but you haven't had a chance to try them yet.

Thanks to Degustabox, I have found new favourites to add to our shopping list, including some products which I probably wouldn't have tried otherwise.

Each time the box arrives, it's a total surprise. You get a good selection of foods and drinks.

If you haven't tried Degustabox subscription box yet and would like to have a go, I have a whopping £7 off discount from your first box (and you can unsubscribe any time) - just use a code 8EVI8 when you place an order.

What did we receive in the May Degustabox? Let's have a look.

KitKat does not need any introductions.
KitKat Senses Mix is a mixed box of three delicious flavours - Salted Caramel, Double Chocolate and Hazelnut. This is a sharing box, with indivdiually wrapped treats.
Which flavour is your favourite?

Hazelnut is a combination of indulgent praline with crunchy pieces of hazelnut.
Salted caramel is infused with crunchy caramel flakes, while Double chocolate has rich chocolate ganache with crunchy cocoa nibs.
Nutrition information: 10.1g of sugar and 107kcal per 2 pieces. Actually that's not bad at all, when you have a chocolate craving. One piece will be just enough to satisfy it.

KitKat Bites White Chocolate is another sharing variety. These are mini crispy wafer fingers covered with white chocolate.
Each serving (4 pieces) has 11.3g of sugar and contains 125kcal.

While KitKat represents the USA, Brioche Pasquier PITCH is obviously standing for France.
We love Brioche Pasquier. The plain variety is a great base for the bread and butter pudding.
This time we received two chocolate varieties chocolate filled and choc chip.
You might have spotted promotional packs in the shops - PITCH for every pitch. You can win sport prizes like footballs, headbands, sports socks and inflatable goals.
We've won a headband with the first code. I'm not sure if you can win more than one prize, as we have entered 3 more, and they are just added to a list to claim a free sports bag (the kind you would put your towel or trainers in).

One brioche roll counts as 136kcal and contains 9.7g of sugar. They are all individually wrapped, and are convenient for lunch boxes.

Subscribers would have also received Cirio pasta sauce - standing for Italy. Try this premium peeled plum tomatoes in two new pasta sauce recipes. Made with 100% top Italian ingredients for a genuine and tasty dish.
As a blogger, I haven't received the Cirio products, but Cirio is one of our favourite brands, and if you're looking for inspiration, I have plenty of Cirio recipes on my blog - just click on the link Cirio.

Joe and Seph's popcorn was a bonus item included in a limited number of subscriber boxes (which again the bloggers didn't receive). This British brand is waving our national flag in the World Cup of flavours.

Santa Maria Latin American Kitchen takes us across the pond to more exotic flavours.
Caribbean Creamy Chicken Curry Seasoning Mix offers a taste of the Caribbean, which is a fusion of cuisines. This mild curry mix works perfectly with chicken. You can also use it for a great vegetarian curry, or even a vegan one, if you use coconut milk instead of dairy.

Mini Coconut & Black Pepper Soft Tortillas are a fabulous receptacle for all kinds of fillings, to please anyone - from meat-eaters to vegans.
These are soft tortillas, with a mild flavour of coconut and pepper - typical Caribbean ingredients.

I made a vegan dish with these tortillas, with the Koko Cheddar (vegan cheese), borlotti beans, Vivera Smoky BBQ pulled veggie, avocado, salad, tomato and coriander, and it was a delicious lunch.

Lucozade Energy Original is a soft drink originating from Japan. It gives you energy when you need it most. I'm not the biggest fan of energy drinks, but they have their use.
Lucozade is best served chilled.

Say Aloe drink has pieces of aloe vera which give it a unique texture and a clean taste. This refreshing drink is rich in vitamin C, has no artificial flavours or colours and comes in 3 flavours - Original, Mango and Strawberry.

Subscribers would have either received the We Made Lemonade (in a non-alcohol box) or The Good Cider in the alcohol version of the box.

We have already tried The Good Cider of San Sebastian a couple of years ago. It is a premium quality cider, zingy and refreshing.

In the past I have baked an Apple cider pound cake.
Last week I cooked Apples Stewed in Apple Cider. It was a delicious dessert.

It was a lovely themed food box. My only note of disappointment was that there was not a single product from Russia. After all, the World Cup takes place in Russia, and it would have been super to source out a genuine Russian food product.

Disclosure: We receive a monthly Degustabox delivery for the purposes of reviewing. All opinions are our own.

Photo diary: week 23, project 365

Last week was mostly sunny and warm. On Sunday we popped into Costa, and Sash was also there, with his Dad. We did sit separately as Eddie loves sitting on the bar stools, while Sash was in one of his favourite corners by the big mirror, from which he could see everything that goes on in the cafe.

We walked home, and spotted this funny-shaped cloud. It looked like a little Dumbo with his trunk up and ears flapping mid-jump.

On Tuesday I had to go to Sasha's school for a meeting with his teacher and our social worker to discuss the provision for the next year. Sadly, our much loved school ends this year, as they don't do 16+ education. Sash got a place in a special needs school out of town which will be a long journey each day, and I'm anxious, as for him every change is a huge stress, and this will be an enormous change.
Teachers here know him well and are wonderful, dedicated people who love him.
This rose bush is in someone else's garden, on the way to school.

More sky pictures - these lines were like a child has scribbled all over the blue.

On Thursday Sash stayed overnight at his residential place, so Eddie and I popped on the bus to Oxford after school to explore the West Gate shopping centre. He loved the LEGO section in John Lewis. No surprises then. I loved the T2 tea shop, and couldn't resist buying some chocolate bars in Hotel Chocolat too.

This plant - now the name escapes me - is just outside our sitting room window, on the old stone wall. I have to cut it yearly, as it climbs on the low roof with alien-like roots from its branches. But the blooms look delicate and pretty.

On Monday Sash goes off on a residential trip with his school until Friday. They are going to Butlins, Minehead. I'm keeping my fingers and toes crossed for the trip to go as smoothly as possible.
It is quite a journey, and a totally new place for him to stay. We've never been to Butlins.
I had to buy new shorts and swimming trunks for him, so Eddie and I traipsed through several shops earlier today.
I needed a cup of coffee, and we popped into Costa. The only available newspaper was Mirror. I had a chuckle at the cover of the TV magazine. Can't wait for the latest installment of Poldark, as I love costume dramas. I am quite indifferent to Ross's charms, and his naked chest doesn't make me swoon.
Give me Jimmy Perez any time, now he is my kind of an eye candy.

Take to the Skies 1000-piece jigsaw puzzle from Ravensburger

It's Father's Day in just over a week. Last weekend Eddie and I wandered around the shops, looking for a present. We bought one of the bigger cards, having spent a long time looking at the cards, laughing and discarding them. My cheeky son has picked a card which said "Dad, you suck!", which you have to open like a concertina, and then the full sentence reads like "Dad, without you I'm stuck", or something like that. And though I was tempted to buy that card, it is mighty rude. So we opted for a more traditional Superhero-style card.

Are you thinking of getting a gift for your partner, father of your kids or your Dad?
Is he a jigsaw puzzle fan by any chance?
If he is, there is a splendid idea from Ravensburger, which could easily please any puzzle fiend -
Take to the Skies 1000-piece jigsaw puzzle.

This puzzle is a colourful tapestry of all kinds of flying machines: from vintage to contemporary.
Here you will see light aircraft, gliders, helicopters, radio-controlled models, hot air balloons.
The main image is framed by the maps with bold fonts.

The artwork for the puzzle was created by Hampshire-based artist David Pen, who is a flight aficionado himself. His passion for flying things clearly shines through.

The finished puzzle measures 70x50cm when complete, and is suitable for ages 12+.
All puzzle pieces are made of high quality cardboard, with linen finish print to minimise glare on puzzle image.

I've been working on this puzzle a little bit at a time during the day, when my boys are at school. I get a cup of coffee, put Netflix on (watching The Pinkertons), spread the puzzle and enjoy a peaceful half an hour. I just need a little bit more time to finish it, but it's almost complete. I won't have a chance to do anything during the weekend, as my elder son goes on a school trip next week, and I need to make a list, check it many times, pack all his things etc.

This is a beauty of a puzzle, and will make a lovely gift, and not just for Father's day. Look at me, a jigsaw puzzle addict. Give me a puzzle any day, and I'm happy.

Disclosure: I received the puzzle for the purposes of reviewing. All opinions are my own.

Apples stewed in apple cider

Last year we had such a big crop of apples, we are still eating them. Only last week I ate the last fresh apple from last autumn. I have kept them in baskets, filled with straw, and they were perfectly good, albeit slightly shrivelled and waxy. And I still have lots in the freezer - peeled, sliced in big chunks and pre-blanched in a lightly sweetened syrup.
This way they keep well, and when defrosted, do not lose their taste.

I enjoy stewed apples with a bit of cider added to syrup. Apple cider is a great ingredient in many dishes. For example, chicken cooked in apple cider and cream is simply melt-in-the-mouth. Cider makes a fab base for a grown-up jelly too.

I don't have exact measurements for the recipe, but I had a medium bag of frozen sliced apples, maybe 6 or 7, and used about half a bottle of 330ml bottle of apple cider.
I used the Good Cider of San Sebastian, which was one of the products in the latest Degustabox May box.

You will need
6-7 sliced frozen apples (or fresh, peeled and sliced)
3-4tbsp caster sugar
1/2 bottle of apple cider (330ml ---> about 165ml)
a sprinkle of vanilla
to serve with
Greek style yogurt
nutty granola (optional)

First cook the apples in cider with sugar and vanilla. If they are pre-blanched, you will need less time. If cooking from fresh, peel the apples, slice them into big chunks and cook until soft but still keeping the shape.
Let the apples cool completely before assembling an easy dessert (or breakfast).

Spoon the apples into a glass bowl, add the Greek yogurt and sprinkle a bit of nutty granola for some crunch.

The apples will keep well in a container with a lid in the fridge for a couple of days.

For a vegan version, use a coconut yogurt.

Photo diary: week 22, project 365

This week in photos is mostly images of Eddie. I'm trying to take a photo to use as a canvas for his bedroom, hence an Eddie-fest.

Last Sunday we spotted this ginormous Playmobil lady outside the Dentons toy shop.

Roses are in full bloom in the garden. I know I posted a photo last week, which is almost identical, but it was either that or more pics of Eddie, who is already taking over my project 365.

In the evening, after reading, we were doing selfies. We bought a new Harry Potter top for Eddie.

I finished reading Friend Request by Laura Marshall (if you want to read my review, just click on the link).

Yep, still admiring oneself in his new top.

We spent many hours, wandering in town yesterday. Shopping, lunch at Sainsbury's cafe (chips for Eddie, steamed cod with potatoes for me), and then playground. Eddie had a blast, climbing, jumping, sliding, playing in the water park area.
I really like this photo. Such a beautiful smile. A shame about manky trousers.

As you can see, he lives in his new Harry Potter top. Here we're in The Works, me looking at books, while Eddie checking out the toy section.

Paris by the book by Liam Callanan

Do you buy books, having been taken by a book cover design? Happens to my all the time. If I've spotted Paris by the Book (HarperCollins) by Liam Callanan in a bookshop, I would buy it. It has a cover which draws you in with a catching design.
You see a row of houses in a respectable Paris district, with blooming trees around. One of the houses is painted in fire truck red. It stands out like a raw wound. And then there is a red balloon flying above the block.

If you're a cinephile, you'd immediately think of the short film by Albert Lamorisse about a little boy who befriends a red balloon, and about their adventures together. It is a beautiful melancholic film, quite obscure nowadays, unless you collect DVDs of old films or study cinema.

In fact, that's exactly The Red Balloon featured on the cover. It is an important detail in the narrative.
It was The Red Balloon which brought together Leah and Robert Eady all those years ago.
Both creative people, they seem to understand how individuality and imagination can absorb you completely, and how the ordinary mundane life could repel and bore you.

Their marriage starts as a union of like-minded people. Robert writes a bestseller, and then struggles to produce another book.
Then life happens. Two children later, it's Leah who has to earn the bread and pay the bills, while Robert disappears on his writing forays. He would announce that he needs some time, and off he goes gallivanting, not so much as an excuse for creativity, but rather a banal escape from the family obligations and responsibilites. At first these disappearances are short, and there is always a note or a clue of some sort. Then the disappearances become longer, and one day he simply vanishes. Without a single note.

One day Leah finds a clue in a cereal box and discovers there are tickets booked for a trip to Paris. So, she takes off with her daughters Ellie and Daphne, and opens a bookshop in Paris. Just like that.
Life abroad is quite a struggle, the business is hardly flourishing. The girls though take to Paris like ducks to the water.

Will Leah find out what's happened to her husband? Is he still alive, is he in Paris? Will they be reunited?

The plot of the novel is slow-paced, with the narrative jumping from the present in Paris to the American past.
There are numerous references to the Red Balloon as well as the Madeline books, both of which romanticise Paris.

Ultimately this is the story about grieving and coping with a loss of a loved one.
I think you need to be in the right mood to appreciate the style of the book, I confess I struggled a bit with the slow pace. The best parts for me were descriptions of Paris - streets, smells, food, manners.
Alas, I didn't care much about Leah, and her husband sounded like a right self-obsessed twit.

There are too many references to The Red Balloon and Madeline, to the point it felt affected. I wanted to shout "There are other books about Paris, you know!"

I wanted to shake Leah and tell her: "You have two daughters who need you. Stop obsessing about your selfish husband. He left you long before his disappearance. Don't waste your life on someone who clearly has a commitment phobia and whose ego needs to be stroked constantly. He made his choice, don't chase after his shadow".


Paris by the Book (paperback) is out tomorrow, 1 June 2018.

Disclosure: I received a proof copy of the book for the purposes of reviewing. All opinions are my own.

Friend Request by Laura Marshall

I tend not to buy books which are lauded as "the most addictive psychological thriller you'll read this year" or "the most anticipated thriller of the year" etc, as they often do not live up to expectations.
Friend Request by Laura Marshall had raving reviews and endorsements from Jenny Colgan, Marian Keyes and Erin Kelly.

I picked it up recently, browsing books (guiltily, I must admit, as I should stop buying paperbacks) at The Works, and got my 3 for £5 fix. It is an addiction, and my pile of books is ever-growing. Though I read regularly, and then take them to the charity shop, the ratio of read to bought is quite disproportionate. I do need to join a club of Bookaholics Anonymous.

These days it seems almost a rarity, when someone doesn't have any social media accounts. There are of course such atypical creatures - my Mum is one of them, but it appears most of us do dabble in one or the other social account, and share personal lives on several platforms.
Not surprising, that there are books being written about the dangers and perils of over-sharing lives on social media, when we unwittingly leave ourselves open to "stranger danger".

I can't say that I'm living my life on social media, and I do take it with a big pinch of salt. One has to be very naive to believe everything you see in staged images of perfect life. Just read the numerous threads on Mumsnet regarding the lack of transparency and exploitation of children by Instamums, but I digress.

For me Facebook is a way of connecting with people with whom I'd otherwise wouldn't be able to keep in touch, like some of my school mates, or friends who live abroad.
My Facebook circle is quite limited in comparison these days, I have culled the list of friends, but when I joined Facebook, I remember befriending people who I had not known much about (i.e. the only thing we had in common was our love of comping, or cooking).
Of course, you can never be too careful about what friend requests you accept.

Would you accept a friend request from someone who has been presumed dead for over 25 years?
I wouldn't.

But Louise, the main protagonist of the book, did.
"Maria Weston wants to be friends with me. Maybe that was the problem all along; Maria Weston wanted to be friends with me, but I let her down. She's been hovering at the edge of my consciousness for all of my adult life, although I've been good at keeping her out, just as a blurred shadow in the corner of my eye, almost but not quite out of sight.
Maria Weston wants to be friends.
But Maria Weston has been dead for more than twenty-five years."

Louise is a single working Mum, who is devoted to her 4-year-old son Henry. She is still emotionally hankering after her ex-husband who left her for a younger woman when she got pregnant. The other woman barely features in the book, but I don't have much compassion for someone who has an affair with a married man, knowing there is a very young child involved.

Louise accepts the friend request from Maria, because she has a guilty secret which goes back to the night when Maria has gone missing. Her body was never found, and she was later presumed dead.

Flashbacks to high school days show just what a piece of shit Louise was, siding up with the obnoxious bullies who enjoyed their power and made Maria's life as miserable as possible.

Twenty five years later, Louise is still struggling with her guilt (and rightly so). Louise has changed, but I still wouldn't call her a likeable character. She clearly enjoys her drink, and in many ways is not sensible enough. Though being dumped by her horrid husband, she is not mature enough to cut clean all the links with him. And knowing the extent of the dominating relationship she had with him in the past, I don't understand why she's still all a-tremble in his presence.

After accepting the friend request, Louise starts receiving menacing messages from Maria. She is followed, watched and threatened. With the class reunion looming, she cannot avoid uncomfortable questions and tries to find out what has really happened to Maria.

The story has a clever plot. with an ambiguous twist at the end. Is the killer truly dead, or will they come back to wreak revenge?
The dynamics of teenage girls' friendships is believable and sadly true to life.

As a debut novel, it is an accomplished achievement, and I will be keeping an eye on new releases from Laura Marshall.

SPOILER ALERT;
There are some issues with the plot that have been niggling at my mind.
I found the short chapters in Italics rather confusing, and still don't quite know who wrote them. Wife no.1 or no.2? They are never explained properly.
At some point I thought it was Louise's old friend Esther writing about her over-protective husband, but again, this line doesn't seem to go anywhere. Why was he so over-nannyish towards his wife during the reunion?

The idea that Louise would risk the life of her child and herself and keep the information from police beggars belief. She couldn't seriously consider she would be prosecuted for what she did 25 years ago. The motivation of her actions was not credible, and the incompetence of police is a joke.

Have you read Friend Request? What did you think of it?