As much as I love that pre-Christmas euphoria, I hate this deflating post-Christmas lull - the perpetuating sense of loss that all good things for the year have drawn to a close. Do you get that? I find London (and England, for that matter) quite depressing in the winter, especially once the glitterati of the Christmas magic has paled and all that's left is…well, gloom and greyness. Grey (light-less) buildings, grey skies and grey post-flu complexions… so it's no wonder I'm turning time and time again to the gifts and cards that brought such a smile to my face this year. Nostalgia (albeit very recent-history), if you may. For somebody who's known me no longer than 5 months, the boyfriend managed to find almost everything that's known to bring a smile to my face. "Covering all bases" was his exact terminology. I'm going to call it the five "s" rule, a very cliche-but-cute guide to gift-buying your way into a girl's good books.
Something(s) soft - n.b. the presence of three cuddly cuties here.
Something smelly.
Something sparkly - a small piece of jewellery is a win-win really. It's a keepsake for life.
Something special (nothing quite beats something personalised or bespoke) and…
…something sweet (it is Christmas after all!).
It's the last day of 2011 tomorrow. No doubt a day for reflection, for quiet relapse into what this year has given, and taken, and what you hope to achieve in the next. If you've been reading here for while, you'll have accompanied me on my journey through the highs and the lows - through the losses and the lessons. When we go through tough times, it's hard to say whether we'll ever be the same again; whether we'll ever forget what we lost. All we know is that you've got to take what comes your way with grace, with courage, with appreciation. Look at problems as a test of your resilience rather than an obstacle in your path. And never, ever give up. 2011 is one I will never forget because I've finally found what I was looking for. Until tomorrow, happy Friday to you all.
xxx
This was surprise number 20. Just four days to go. Happy 21st December xxx
I s'pose mac 'n' cheese needs no introduction, no explanation, no justification. It is, just, comfort food at its most… well, comforting. And unfortunately, as it can be classed as neither British nor American (and most definitely not Italian), it's pretty hard pushed to find its place on any restaurant menus. Alas, home-made it will be. Creamy, cheesy pasta with a crisp, bubbling top... mmmmmmmmmm. Enjoy.
What to do
1. Cook the macaroni in a large saucepan of boiling salted water for 8-10 minutes; drain well and set aside.
2. Melt the butter over a medium heat in a saucepan slightly larger than that used for the macaroni. Add the flour and stir to form a roux, cooking for a few minutes.
3. Gradually whisk in the milk, a little at a time. Cook for 10-15 minutes to a thickened and smooth sauce.
4. Meanwhile, preheat the grill to hot.
5. Remove the sauce from the hob, add 350g of the cheese and stir until the cheese is well combined and melted. Season to taste.
6. Add the macaroni to the sauce and mix well. Transfer to a deep suitably-sized ovenproof dish. Sprinkle over the remaining cheddar and the parmesan and place the dish under the hot grill. Cook until the cheese is browned and bubbling. Serve straightaway (but try not to burn your mouth because you're too keen.)
Over-crowded, bustling shopping centres, sub-zero temperatures and the chilly winter wind pinching at your cheeks; toffee-nut lattes, half-opened advent calendars and lights everywhere you look; December is well and truly here. I'm super-charged with the xmas energy this year - my birthday shenanigans commence this weekend and I'm having the time of my life coming up with little ideas to fulfil "24 surprises" for the boyfriend; it's really getting me in the mood. Christmas, to me, has always felt like a time to give without any restraint; a season to exchange gifts, share food and appreciate, really appreciate, the loved ones you have in your life. For lack of any more words, I'm leaving you with more festive pictures, a snap-shot update of Christmas proceedings over the past week. I intend on sharing the fool-proof (trust me, even I didn't mess it up!) recipe for this wondrous macaroni cheese at some point in the next few days, as well as a few film reviews and more mushy tales of my first Christmas with the man (cue: reach for sick bucket) Until next time, wishing you a Happy 8th. Enjoy it.
xxx
Another week, another AWOL - I'm sorry :( It's been an absolutely manic one, what with the Christmas rush at work, the end of term scurry at university and of course the child-like impatience to get into gear for the festive period now that it's finally hit December. It's finally hit December! And it officially looks like Santa has puked all over my house - red bauble, tinsel, gift wrap and fairy lights galore. It looks beautiful though and oh-so-magical. It's my first Christmas with the mister, and as new love goes (cheesy and totally OTT), we know this one's going to be a memorable one. I've planned 24 surprises for him, one for each day leading up to Christmas (I'm taking Christmas day off though, can't be stealing Santa's thunder now can I? ;) ) Ahhhh I do love Christmas. I've got the weekend off work, the icing on the cake, so I'm off to begin my day, leaving you with a small sneaky-peak into my xmas euphoria. Have a wonderful weekend, whatever it is you're up to - and if you're not already, I'm sure a bit of Arthur Christmas will get you into the festive spirit. Enjoy!
xxx
I remember a time when it’d come to 3pm on Sunday afternoon and I'd be filled with this inexplicable dread of the full week looming ahead, that same sinking feeling in the pit of the stomach as when you wave loved ones good bye (I class the weekend as a 'loved one', okay?!). But now? Now it's my one day of down time, catch up time, fix-up-and-get-my-life-in-order time. It's my day to spend with the family, with the bf, cooking, chilling and just doing as I please. I love Sundays. I mean when else is it really acceptable to crawl into (your unmade) bed following the fattest lunch you could possibly imagine, and just stay put until you're feel ready to take on the world (and the washing up) again? Exactly. I haven't accomplished anything on my to-do list (nope, haven't proof read essay on Leviathan, haven't applied for a minimum of three internships nor have I been job searching - oopsie), but I reckon, just because it's a Sunday, and Sundays are meant for lazing, I can forgive myself. It's nice to start the week with a head start - and I'm definitely looking forward to this one. I'll be back tomorrow (hopefully with a stomach full of sushi and a new hair style), but for now, here's wishing you a happy Sunday - hope you're rested, relaxed and re-energised.
xxx
It's official, my 21-year-long highly exclusive intensely romantic relationship with Bollywood has been dirtied. Tampered. Changed forever. I've cheated and I can't lie anymore. Who'd have thought three months with the bf would be enough to have me knowing who set fire to the rain and who found love in a hopeless place? And to make me feel worse, I can't even say I don't feel an ever so slight swelling of pride within my being each time I recognise a tune on the radio/in a club/at work. It's a sublime sense of satisfaction, a small slither of smugness that seeps through my heart. Absolutely brilliant. Yup, Amy, Sunita, Rob - what you couldn't accomplish in ten years has been accomplished by another in three months. I will no longer spend nights out asking you "what song is this?!"
xxx
I’m off for my first Orange Wednesday date in an age. Can’t tell you what I’m seeing though ‘cause that’s a surprise (yeah for me as well, I don’t actually know what I’m seeing - I just haven’t had the time to ask). I have one day off work in the next ten, two essays to submit, a stack of reading to plough through and the whole of the Leviathan to digest (if you don’t know what it is, you’re better off not knowing, trust me). But who caaaaaaares, it’s half way to the weekend, five days ‘til payday and seven ‘til the start of December. And no I’m not sad enough to be counting down the (only flipping) 31 days ‘til Xmas (eeeeeek!) Jeez, whadya actually take me for??
xxx
It's days like these that make me wonder where the colour's gone from the skies. As much as I'm trying not to wish time away, I can't wait for December to begin; it feels like it's high time we have something to look forward to, no? But then November always tends to long out a bit doesn't it? Ahhh hurry up already December, hurry up carol singers and Christmas parties, colourful cards and useless presents. Hurry up toasty winter evenings and tipsy Christmas nights. We've been waiting long enough already. Hurry up.
xxx
I think I have post-holiday blues. It's dull, dreary and grey outside. I miss my mum. It's cold. I can't be bothered to do anything. It's grey. I'm awfully jet lagged still. Did I mention it's grey? Urghhhhh. I feel I've been working like a robot the past few months and I knew that the minute I stopped for a break, I wouldn't be able to pick myself up again. And it's official. I've lost my mojo. My will to do anything. I've done next to nothing the past few days and yet I feel SO tired. All I just want is to leg it out the country asap to a place with white sands, blue skies and golden sunsets. Someone remind me what we're actually doing in England puh-lease?!
I've got the last of my holiday photos for you today - I've been pouring over these endlessly in a desperate bid to cheer myself up, draw some energy from their vibrancy. Alas. These were taken in Vadodara, mum's home city, in the state of Gujarat, home to almost 1.6 million people. It's a gem of a city, extremely clean by India's standards, vibrant, bustling and beautiful.
