Pork, Lime and Ginger Stir-Fry

Good morning! Thank you for all your nice words about my scarf. You made my day. 

Actually we had a lovely day yesterday, just the kids and I. We didn't leave the house. We spent the morning pottering and crafting (shoes and sequins - such fun! I will show you tomorrow) and, when the sun came out, we spent the afternoon in the paddling pool in the garden. At 6.45pm I dragged myself away from the evening sun, left John to put the kids to bed and went to my local running club for the first time. And it was good, even if I was in the beginner group, but I don't mind that. I run* with my friends Kate and Rachel a couple of times a week but lately we have been in a bit of a comfort zone of short, slow runs - that's if we make it out at all. Hence joining the running club. The lady who led our group went easy on me I think but I do wonder if she has a bit of army sergeant-major in her, I can see her barking "FASTER" at me next time. Then home for lots of water, then chilli and a bottle of beer and an episode of The Bridge. This Scandinavian crime drama aired on tv in the Spring but we missed it and have just received it through our Love Film subscription...oh, its good. In fact, and I feel slightly traitorous saying this, *takes deep breath*...it might even be better than The Killing, the Danish crime drama which I thought was outstanding. 

Anyway, the stir-fry. I am not an instinctive cook. I can follow a recipe, step by step, and produce something good, but I'm not one of those people who can just throw random things into a pan and create something delicious. So the execution of this supper came as something of a surprise to me.

A few weeks ago I saw a this recipe on Karen's blog, A Quiet Corner, and it looked really good and got me thinking. I happened to have some pork steaks in the freezer, bought with no idea what I would do with them, and these flavours seemed fresh and summery and light, so I experimented. It is so good - the acidity of the lime and heat from the ginger and chilli contrast so well with the fattiness of the pork, and it is so, SO easy. If you marinate the pork beforehand, you can cook the whole thing in ten minutes. Thanks for the inspiration Karen!

You need (for two):

2 pork steaks

3 limes

chilli salt (or just chilli flakes/crushed dried chillies mixed with sea salt)

fresh ginger, around one inch, grated

soy sauce
2 or 3 spring onions

1 yellow pepper, sliced

some sugar snap peas or mangetout

egg noodles

a bunch of fresh coriander, roughly chopped

It's all quite approximate, as you can see.

• Put the pork steaks in a freezer bag. Chop two of the limes and squeeze the juice into the bag, and chuck the limes in too for good measure. 
• Sprinkle some (1 teaspoon per steak?) chilli salt on top, give is all a good squish and mix, and leave to marinate in the fridge for a good long while. I left mine for about six hours.
• When you are ready to cook, remove the pork steaks from the bag and slice them thinly. Mine had already started to cook a little in the lime juice (a bit like ceviche I suppose) and this made them stir-fry really quickly.
• Heat some oil in a wok and throw in the pork and grated ginger.
• Add the spring onions, pepper and mange tout or sugar snap peas, whichever you are using, to the wok, stirring it regularly so that it doesn't catch on the bottom.
• Cut and juice the last lime, and pour the juice into the wok. Add a couple of tablespoons of soy sauce.
• Cook your noodles according to the packet instructions and then throw them in with the pork and vegetables. 
• Give it all a good stir so that the noodles are coated with the lime and soy sauce, and everything is mixed in. Season, taste and add more soy if you think it needs it.
• Remove from the heat, add the chopped coriander and serve.

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*When I say running, you know that I mean a gentle-pace-a-bit-faster-than-jogging, don't you, and always at a speed we can gossip at. I don't want anyone thinking I'm a marathon runner or anything.

A Granny Square Scarf

I have finally, finally, finished my first crochet project. It is a granny square scarf for my very good friend Kate, whose birthday it is this week. We met through the NCT five years ago, when our eldest children were babies, and she has become a firm friend; a running buddy, a drinking partner, someone to share the highs and lows of parenting with, and best of all she has a very dry sense of humour. She once said her favourite colour was purple so I really hope she likes this scarf (hmm...I hope she wasn't joking).

I love it. I want one for myself in just two colours, maybe black and white or navy blue and white. It was a joy to make. Some find making granny squares repetitive but, novice crocheter that I am, I find making them incredibly relaxing as so little concentration is needed. I can crochet these while chatting to the kids, watching tv, sitting in waiting rooms, the passenger seat of the car. And in cycling shops, while John spends an interminable length of time looking at bikes.

It is long enough to loop around your neck and fold over comfortably - and here I am wearing it. (Bella took the photo on the left). I have a very odd expression on my face, as I concentrate on trying to take a picture without being able to look in the viewfinder.

There is nothing worse that a too-short scarf in my opinion. I was tempted to add another square or two but I'm glad I didn't, as I think any more length would have caused the squares to pull and stretch under the weight of the yarn. The cotton yarn has a lovely weight and drape to it, it is heavier than other types so I hope it will be warm.

Some information:

• I crocheted 12 squares on a 3mm hook. Each granny square contains 8 rounds and measures 13cm x 13cm or 5" x 5". 
• The total length, including tassels, is 2m or 6' 6". 
• I chose Annell cotton yarn, from the Yvestown Shop for a warm and hopefully non-itchy scarf.
• I used 2 balls of dark grey (58), and one each of light grey (57), violet (54), purple (50) and plum (80). 
• At €1.95 or £1.50 per ball that is a total cost of £9, which is think is pretty good, and I have loads and loads of yarn left over, about half a ball of most colours.

You could crochet a double stitch border around the edge if you like - I may try this as I increase in hooky confidence. I want to crochet up a storm, and make more of these beauties for Christmas and birthday gifts, and for myself. I love granny square scarves - I found these scarves in particular very inspiring. My sister, Katy, has requested one edged in cream for Christmas. But first I need to finish the cushion I am half way through. Oh, so many jobs, so little time! 

Now, I need to go and do some parenting - both kids are currently tripping around the house in my old heels, teetering dangerously, sensing that my attention is elsewhere and making the most of it. Yesterday I painted Bella's toenails and Angus just sat down next to her, took off his socks and said "me too". I complied. So you can imagine what he looks like with painted toenails and wearing yellow peep toe heels... :-)

The Last of the Summer Weekends

Our weekend started on Friday, as John was home after working seven days in a row. The weather was warm and sunny. Our old sandpit makes a great paddling pool as Bella and Angus can perch on the edge. Load after load of washing was hung on the line.

It was a little cooler on Saturday but much fun was had with the hose in the garden. 

We did some outside crafting. Last winter, Bella and I made some toilet roll people. It was a project we both really enjoyed, and she plays with them all the time. She asked if we could make more and, before you could say "Nativity" we were saving toilet roll and kitchen roll tubes and planning a little group of people involving a baby, a camel and a sheep that needs to be ready by December. I love how this has captured Bella's imagination. She is planning which fabric off-cuts she will use for Mary, and hunting out gold card for crowns for the Three Wise Men. It will keep us both very happily occupied over the rest of the holiday. I know it seems mad to be doing this now, but come the Autumn neither of us will have the time or the energy for such a project.

John is shopping for a bike (he is still under the influence of Olympic fever) and we looked around a lot of cycling shops. We bought the kids a helmet each, something we'd been meaning to do for ages. Bella's is emblazoned with Hello Kitty and Angus's with Lightening McQueen.

Angus loves his new helmet.

He wore it all day Saturday. When he wasn't wearing it it was hung from the handlebars of his bike, which he pushed around the garden with a very serious expression on his face. It was next to him on the table at meal times. At bath time, it had to come into the bathroom with him (not the bath - I drew the line there). At bed time, he spent ten minutes arranging it on the end of his bed. When I went to check on him later, it was under the duvet with him. 

On Saturday evening, we had a barbeque. Cheeseburgers and potato salad and bottles of Coke. I insisted we eat in the garden, even though it wasn't that warm. If you wait for prefect weather in this country, you'll be waiting forever, and suddenly it seems that Summer is disappearing.

It was a fun excuse to use up the Union Flag paper plate and cups I bought for the Jubilee. What with the bottled drinks and disposable barbeque, there was no washing up - always a happy scenario!

Sunday was cool and grey and spent quietly. Pancakes with strawberries, blueberries and maple syrup for breakfast. John cut the hedge, a summertime chore he loathes but the kids think is fantastic fun.

BLTs and leftover potato salad for lunch, then we went raspberry picking in the afternoon. I remembered to take the camera, but forgot to put an SD card inside. Very annoying. I don't have a very good track record with fruit picking and photography.

I could not resist a teeny tiny bit of filter-magic on my pictures today...I love the Seventies Summer feel it gives, especially when the sun is more often that not hiding behind a cloud. They remind me of the hundreds of photos from my childhood carefully stored and labelled in albums. I suddenly felt this weekend that Summer was nearly over, and that we must make the most of every last bit of it. Next weekend John is working, and the two weekends after that we will be traveling to and from my parent's house. Then, before we know it, the new school term will have started and as soon as 1st September rolls around I am mentally in "Autumn Mode", no matter how hot the weather.

I hope you all had a lovely weekend and are enjoying these warm days. Thanks for reading and for being here. x

Olympic Torch Crafting

I know, I know, the Olympic Games are almost over, but don't underestimate the appeal of a bit of crafting to small children; something that they can make, wave around, pretend it's a sword or wand, hit each other with. I pinched this idea from a sports day afternoon we went to a few weeks ago and thought it was such good fun that I really wanted to share it. The ones we created there were made with paper, but they did not stand up to over-enthusiastic play, so I made these from card.

You will need:

1. Yellow tissue paper
2. Orange tissue paper
3. Gold card (A4 size)
4. Red card (A4 size)
5. Double-sided sticky tape
6. Scissors
7. Glue
8. Ruler

• Cut both the red and gold sheets of card in half diagonally, corner to corner.
• Using the double-sided sticky tape, stick the two pieces of card together, along their long sides, making sure the gold side is on top (pic 1).
• Roll into a cone shape and secure with more sticky tape. The card is stiff and kids will need a bit of help with this part (pic 2).
• Using the scissors, snip rough zigzag/flame shapes into the top of the red card (pic 3). Younger ones may need some supervision with this, as you need sharp scissors for the card.
• Roughly cut or tear the tissue paper into small triangular shapes (pic 4).
• Dab some glue onto the straight end of the tissue paper triangles and fix to the inside of the torch.
• Wave around while cheering on your own team of choice.

We had lots of fun with these. The older ones were able to do most of it themselves, while the younger ones (despite huge enthusiasm for the glue, scissors and tissue paper) needed some help. The girls insisted on "Princess Torches", hence the pink one below (it's awful, I know). The boys could not have cared less and just wanted to hit each other with them. 

I am so very proud of the British Olympic Team, of their achievements, their conduct, and their success. This time one year ago this country was rioting. It was a grim time. It just feels so good to celebrate good news and positive role models.

Last of all, a golden postbox! The Royal Mail promised to spray paint a post box gold in the home town of every gold-medal winning British athlete. The Brownlee brothers, from Leeds, won gold and bronze in the triathlon on Tuesday. I drove past it this week but it's a busy road and there was no-where to pull over, so I found this image on the internet. Do you know, Yorkshire has won more medals than any other county in the UK. With 6 gold, 2 silver and 3 bronze medals, if Yorkshire was a country it would be 11th on the medal table*! 

Image from  http://www.goldpostboxes.com/gallery?postbox=70

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* I do hope I worked that out right. Please correct me if I am wrong!

Katy's Mini-Break Part 2

Some highlights from the last few days:

1. A Happy Meal.
2. Wine-o-clock.
3. Me - "Alicia, is that a baby in your tummy?" Alicia - "No. I've got one really big booby."
4. Swimming.
5. Birds flying over Kirkstall Abbey.
6. Four little toothbrushes lined up in a row.
7. Breakfast - poached eggs and spinach.
8. A Lego "Olympic Torch"
9. Cake - Millionaire's Shortbread.

My sister Katy left today and normal life resumes. These last few days have been tiring (SO tiring!) and busy and chaotic but also full of fun and laughter. I'll be honest - I am looking forward to an uninterrupted night's sleep tonight. I've not had much time to blog, or read other's blogs, or do any housework, or anything really. I will try to rectify this over the weekend. I spent a peaceful morning at home with the kids earlier, stripping beds, loading and unloading the washing machine, vacuuming, straightening the place up. Very satisfying.

Thank you for all your lovely comments about sisters. I am lucky to have mine even if they do live miles away. It was strange to spend time with Katy without our other sister, Anna, being there too. Anna, we missed you! 

I will also try to resist tinkering around with photographic filters, like the ones I used in the above collage. Those things are fun and addictive but make me a lazy photographer, as you can rescue the most dull, blurred photo and make it look half way decent. I resolve not to use them (except on very special occasions maybe).

Katy's Mini-Break

1. Drinking my tea.
2. Sunflowers.
3. Working on a little crochet project.
4. Jeremy playing with his horse.
5. Katy and I.
6. Admiring our toenails.
7. Alicia's new necklace.
8. My new necklace.
9. Girls at play.

My youngest sister, Katy, has come to stay with her two children. Alicia, aged 4 ("I'm nearly 5!!") and Jeremy aged 3. It is all total, joyful chaos (although I wasn't saying that at 6am this morning after getting up twice in the night with the little monkeys.)

I had planned excursions, day trips and all manner of exciting activities. It turns out all Katy wants to do is relax, which is fine by me. This morning we went to the park, then to the shops to buy ice creams and nail varnish. After lunch all us girls painted our nails. Katy and I have drank a lot of tea, watched the Olympics, chatted on the sofa. The kids have played inside, outside, everywhere. Currently, Bella and Alicia are upstairs engrossed in sticker books while Angus and Jeremy are both asleep on the sofa.

Katy is young and trendy. She wears very short shorts and has an iPhone. The above photos were taken with her phone - oh, how I want an iPhone! She has re-tuned the radio in my kitchen to Radio 1. I haven't listened to Radio 1 since I was about 18. Sisters are brutally honest. Me - "Do you think I need more make-up?" Katy - "Yes."

I am loving having her here.

Happy and Glorious

A month ago, if you'd asked me if I was going to watch any of the Olympics, I would've shrugged and said maybe some, we're not that bothered to be honest. Fast forward two weeks and Olympic fever has well and truly gripped our household. John, who admittedly loves watching sport, especially football, cricket (and American football, baseball and ice hockey for some reason) claimed he hated watching athletics and wasn't going to watch any. Ever. Well, all week he has been watching the (excellent) Olympic coverage on the BBC and has been jumping on the sofa and shouting and cheering at the TV with the best of them. 

I am loving the Olympics. It helps that London is hosting and some of our friends have tickets so there has been lots of talk about it. The opening ceremony was fantastic, celebrating  British people and storytelling and history, all with a sense of humour. Bella told John this morning that when she grows up she is going to win gold in a "running race". Angus is fascinated by any events involving boats, bikes or horses and stands right in front of the TV, captivated by them.

So, go team GB! Fourth in the table so far, that's pretty good for such a small (although admittedly densely populated) island. Are you watching the Olympics Games? Are you enjoying it? Its taken over most TV and radio here in the UK - what is the coverage like around the world?