Snowfields

I thought I'd post this stunning view of my backyard...or rather "borrowed scene" of the fields behind my house. That spot of heavy snow on Friday created such a stir--the A30, a major road was closed for hours because of accidents. I became a casualty myself when I skidded several times that fateful morning! It didn't help that it was so dark and the blizzard obliterated your vision. I felt really scared and I thought to myself, "this is not worth it. I am not being paid a lot to risk my life!".

Let it snow or get snowed under?

It was snowing when I woke up this morning. Actually it was just beginning to snow when I set out for work--in pitch dark. The first sign of disaster was when my car slid down the driveway. Take note, of the word "slid". Then there was a flurry of snow or a blizzard. I wouldn't have minded but the roads going out of Axminster weren't properly gritted and guess what...I experienced my first bump car competition. It's a weird sensation when the tyres lose traction and the car just skate off the road. I went as far as a couple of miles then when turned towards the A35, the road (uphill) was frozen and my car just did a 360 degree turn. With blinding blizzard and skates for a car, I decided my life was worth more than a day's work. I head back home. I was getting a panic attack when I couldn't see the road markings. Everything was covered in white fluff. The scenery changed and I felt quite unsure. Not good. Then coming up our hill, the car lost traction again and I ended up hitting the pavement. Not good. I skidded my way up to the house. Gosh was I thankful to get back home!
It is still snowing heavily outside. The whole countryside is picture perfect but I know that these conditions are deadly to drivers.

Posh dinner

I roasted a pheasant on Sunday for Peter’s dinner. It was a success judging from the clean plate after the meal. I’ve never roasted pheasant before and I didn’t realise it was dead easy. I prepared the bird by lightly marinating and seasoning it beforehand. Then I wrapped it in bacon rashers, slathered olive oil and roasted it on top of a rack. I then added water on the roasting pan, put foil on top of the chicken and roasted it in the oven for one and a half hours at 180 deg. Fifteen minutes before serving I removed the foil and the rack and rolled the bird around the pan. Sounds simple? I think so, but I also made sure the bottom of the pan didn’t dry out. I added water while it was roasting and it was a real hassle to be in front of a very hot oven during the last 15 minutes.
I also received positive comments about my original orange fruit cake. Yes! I think my idea of marinating the dates, raisins and orange peel in orange liqueur works. So that’s it for my usual Marks and Spencer fruit cakes. I am making my very own cake for Christmas.
It looks like I am just about ready to hand in my assignment. I actually wrote over 6000 words! Amazing huh? I will just check it tonight and I think I will hand it in next week. I do hope I get a merit this time, but one never knows.
I may sound a bit boring talking about the weather again. Today was not just bitterly cold but foggy as well. Tomorrow I will be driving Peter’s car because he’s going to take my car in to be fitted with a new radio/CD player. I shouldn’t worry about it but I do hate driving other people’s cars especially in the dark…foggy…and icy. Ughs!

Frosty the iceman

I cannot believe that my last post is almost a week old now! I thought I just wrote it recently. Anyway, work this term has been short of a nightmare. I thought I was the only one under stress but it turned out that many of my colleagues are feeling the pressure too. I suppose that should be expected during times of major changes.
I also received comments from my tutor regarding my draft for my paper on Power and Influence. I am now doing revisions to the document and I really hope this time I get that one extra point for a merit. We'll see. Maybe trying to get a masters degree and holding a full time stressful job isn't a good idea. Also having to drive 45 minutes each way to work is a real hassle but I do so love this house.
Frosty the iceman has arrived. We've been having heavy frosts in the morning now. In fact my hands get really numb when I scrape off ice from my windshield and car windows. Last night I had my electric blanket on--just on low to warm my feet. We also had the open fire going in the lounge. My in laws came over for our Friday night take away dinner here. Last night was Indian curry night. The dishes were hot but extremely delish. Next Friday it will be Chinese night. Can't wait.
Today I struggled with my assignment but I think I am making headway. Tomorrow I intend to make the additions and changes electronically. I still write long hand when doing these revisions then I type them into the main document. A bit laborious but that's how I work best. Today I also baked my original recipe light orange fruit cake. It is cooling downstairs. I am experimenting on a new fruit cake. Most recipes are just too rich for my taste. This one I'm working on seems to be a winner with friends and family--yes, yes I've been doing my taste test as well. I am getting geared up for Christmas. We've ordered the turkey, testing the sausages and planning what other meats to order (ie beef topside and pork loin for roasting). One has to be organised for these things.
I suppose this facet of my personality is so out of sync with what people expect from me. I am such a homebody and some people cannot believe that especially at work. They think I do exciting things every weekend. How wrong they are! I'd rather be here in my home. I think after almost 15 years away from my real family and home, I finally found my place in the sun--at the moment it feels more like wintry sun. Brrrr.

Autumnal thoughts

The other day my father in law treated us to a magnificent dinner at Coombe House. Let me describe the place or better still check it out http://www.thishotel.com/.
We arrived at 7:30pm and left the premises at 11:00pm! The food was excellent and the place was so posh. I half expected the likes of Mr Darcy (of Pride and Prejudice) come riding up the long driveway---or better still in his very wet suit (sigh).
It was a memorable meal and we enjoyed it immensely. Of course it cost a small fortune but Coombe House is a real treat.

I do like good food. At the moment I am slow cooking a beef casserole. I started cooking it before 11am and it is simmering downstairs in my slow cooker. We will be eating it tonight at 7:30pm. I make my beef casserole with red wine. I used Tempranillo, a Spanish wine, this time. I also used up my Italian mushrooms to add flavour to the casserole. I also added olives, bay leaf, garlic, shallots, peppers and tomatoes. I hope it tastes good.

It is that time of year when I start thinking of what to serve for Christmas. I am having my in laws over for Christmas dinner but the big party is on the 29th when we've invited all the Blackeby's to come over for a house warming. I am counting 15 people at least. What to feed them I wonder? Also I need to decorate the house with lots of fresh flowers. It's the clearing up later on that's going to kill me. Good think I have a dishwasher. It should be fun though.

I am nursing a sore neck and shoulders. I think it had something to do with too much PC time--like now! I think I should go downstairs and veg out.

Rainy weather

I've been under "assignment" stress lately. I have a deadline to submit my draft on Thursday and I've just finished drawing a flowchart--that's the part I like because it visualises my thoughts.
Anyway, the autumnal weather is here. We've been battered by gale force winds and heavy rain for the last two weeks. Driving gets to be challenging too when most of the time you can't see where you're going! We also adjusted the clocks to winter time--no more daylight saving. At least it is not that dark when I leave for work. It's dark though when I come home. Oh well, a few months of this won't hurt. The house takes the rough weather pretty good. Makes me think of the story of the three little pigs! A house made out of bricks is the way to go.
By the way, I also received photos of my Manila visit from my sister and they're fab. I love looking at these photos...very happy memories of my last visit in Manila. Here are some of them.

Me and my Dad--This was taken at my sister's house. Good ole dad!

That's my mother! Isn't she beautiful? I think she's very photogenic.

My best friend Melanie--she's the gorgeous one on the left (haha!). We've known each other since we were seven years old and that's a long time ago.

Finally, with my sister Rosalyn. She's the funniest female I know. She's fearless too and loves the water--dives like a fish. My exact opposite that way. I do miss all of them...everyday of my life.