Easter Weekend and Derbyshire delights

Ok. So last weekend was a while ago now. Especially since my non bloggable issues, the airline industry coming to a hault with the Icelandic volcanic ash (which rather amusingly no one on the BBC can pronounce - so just aren't,) and the bit political debate last night.

BUT last weekend we stayed at Mottrum Hall in Cheshire. In retrospect, given my tum, we maybe should have stayed home. But those who know me, know I do have a determined streak at times. And this was planned. The place is grand from the outside, and has a nice spa and relaxation area. I got all the info from my manicurist on who is a member. It's footballers wife's country. Carlos Tevez, Wayne Rooney, Michael Carrick are all members apparently. And Sir Alex used to be. Some of the Chelsea team were staying in an annexe on the Friday night before the game. Not that I saw any and the less said about Chelsea the better.

Given all this, the rooms are not actually that swish. I mean they are fine. But could probably do with updating. Good breakfast mind.

We tried eating out a couple of times. Bad move on my part. Should have taken a picture of Jonny's face when I ordered the muscles one evening. I mean really. Of all the things to order.

Our time "out" was in Derbyshire on the Sunday. It really is beautiful. Stunning in fact. We visited Buxton briefly only to realise everything was shut on Easter Sunday, but was pretty to see anyway. I post a couple of pics of us out of the car and looking far more active than we actually were, and far less rainy than it actually was. Still loved the fresh air though.

Our time with the family on the Monday was lovely. It was great to see everyone and to see our nephews getting on so well. I think the activity books we chose were a hit too. As Jonny had work to do in Manchester on the Tuesday my sister in law introduced me to the Trafford Centre. Oh and a stop at her favourite local boutique, where I may have purchased a top...

Oh so silent blog

I know I have sent a couple of alarm bells ringing with my lack of blog posts the past few days. So am just updating to say I am still here.

There are some things that when I just don't want to blog about. Too hideous. Too private. Suffice to say I am getting lots of good care and things are slowly improving. Ironically it is the side effects of a tablet to reduce the side effects of the chemo that have caused so much drama.

People are being very kind. Jonny is well fed, which is such a blessing. To not to even have to think what he may have for dinner each night. If only I could join in the eatng more. The food looks good just no tum for it. Very basic diet for me right now.

I have offers of people to come and sit with me. They keep saying they don't mind how I am. The trouble is that I mind. It bothers me.

I know I need to get over myself but it is a step at a time. This is happening to me. And it is for me to know what is right and helpful and what isn't.

Weekend getaway

I have been really looking forward to getting away this weekend. We both so need a change of scene and the country side location looks beautiful. There are some things that doctors can't prescribe but you just know will do you good.

I was getting even more excited yesterday as I was feeling well. Eating and digesting normally. Which has taken a long time to settle. So I have been rather put out by a nasty reaction to a toasted turkey sandwich I made myself for lunch today. I spent the afternoon in bed. And elsewhere. This is getting so bloomin tedious. Now I am worried I will be spending the entire weekend inside the our hotel room bathroom.

Let's be positive. It could have just been one of those things. And careful choices over the next 24 hours should hopefully mean I don't have to order a slice of toast for my dinner in the nice restaurant tomorrow night.

We are still very much going. And we WILL be having a lovely time. There is more to me than my tum.

Jazz Night

I had a night out last night. I can count the nights out I have had this year on one hand. So it was all quite exciting.

I went to a jazz night at the Bedford in Balham with a couple of friends. Now I am not really one to listen to jazz much at home. But live it is amazing. My friends friend had organised the event, so we had reserved seats right at the front. The pianist was incredible. Such talent. And the vocalists pretty awesome too. The lead vocalist was Liz Cole. You should check out her stuff:

http://www.myspace.com/lizcolemusic

It was great to be out and doing something "normal," whatever that is. And also brought back a few memories. As Jonny and I went on one of our very early dates years ago to a comedy night at the Bedford.

I was in a good mood last night anyway. I have confused the hospital in a good way as my red cell count has gone up rather than down, so no need for a blood transfusion right now after all. They can't really work it out. But no complaints from me.

Sleep Please

I am getting so fed up with my sleep problems. And getting fed up with them probably doesn't help.

I don't think I helped myself yesterday. I had an unscheduled trip to the hospital in the morning to try and sort my anaemia problems out. And then a GP appointment mid afternoon. This meant I didn't get my afternoon rest until 5 ish. I fell promptly fast asleep until gone 7. And this probably didn't help me try to get off for a good nights sleep a couple of hours later.

But this problem has been going on far longer than one night.

For those who have never encountered insomnia I can only imagine it sounds ridiculous. If you are tired, surely the body will just go to sleep for some rest. But that is the whole point. With insomnia the switching into sleep mode just doesn't happen. This leads to over tiredness in the night which makes the problem even worse.

I have some reflexology booked for later on today. That seemed to help massively last week so here's hoping it does the trick for me again tonight. That and a soak in some lovely bath oil my friend dropped round yesterday.

Not only am I totally fed up with my sleep problems. I am also thoroughly bored with going on about them.

The GP I saw yesterday described my whole situation as a "bugger." I was rather taken a back. But couldn't help finding myself agreeing with him. Quite frankly it is.

Cheats Easter Simnal Cake

I haven't posted any recipes in ages. This is a cheats version based on one that Nigella does for the traditional Easter simnal cake. I just do it this way and it is super easy. If you are a marzipan lover this cake is divine.

For those who don't know, it has 11 balls on the top. One for each apostle. Apart from Judas who isn't allowed on the cake.

Ingredients:

175g butter or margarine
100g golden granulated sugar
75g white granulated sugar
230g white self raising flour
3 large organic eggs
500g good quality mixed dried fruit
Dash of milk
75g glace cherries - sliced
Pinch ground Cinnamon
Pinch ground ginger
Pinch All Spice
Approx 750g shop bought golden marzipan
Couple of tablespoons of apricot jam

Method:

Preheat oven to 160

Grease and line a deep spring form baking tin.

In the food mixer blitz the butter, eggs and sugar until smooth. Add the flour, milk and spices and blitz. Stir in the dried fruit.

Roll out about 400g marzipan and cut out a layer of marzipan to go in middle of cake. Put half the mixture in the tin. Put in the marzipan layer. Top with remaining cake mixture.

Place in oven for approx two hours. It is done when it is risen and a skewer test is clear. Leave overnight in tin to cool completely.

The next day remove from tin and remove all the lining paper.

Roll out another marzipan circle. Also roll 11 little apostle balls. Melt some apricot jam and smooth over top of cake. Place your cut circle on top. Fix your apostle balls with either a little of the jam left in the pan or some egg white.

Done. Even if you don't like marzipan it is a great centrepiece to have around over the Easter weekend. I'm not sure ours will last that long.

Glazed Painted Cupcake

Here is my finished glazed cupcake that I had much fun with a couple of weeks ago when I went pottery painting:

I am really pleased with it. And you can keep things inside too. Maybe a cupcake I can eat..