The Winds of Change

Change is good - apparently.  For me, as much as I like to think of myself as a free spirit, a 'go with the flow' kind of gal, the truth is, I'm not.  I like to know where I am and what I'm doing and when I'll be doing it.  I'd be the first admit it, I'm stuck in a rut, or as I like to think of myself in a more kindly fashion; a creature of habit.  But enough's enough.  I'm bored with my rut.
Is it too late for a New Year's resolution I wonder?  Can I just add to my ever-growing list now, or must I wait until next year to change my ways?  Maybe I can begin this very minute?  And you, the reader, can witness the transformation in front of your very nose (or computer screen)?
Right, here we go.  I will embrace change.  I will take every opportunity that comes my way, wherever it may take me.  I will travel to faraway lands ...starting with Lidl, to buy some Serrano ham on offer this week. Well we all have to start somewhere don't we!

The End is Pie

It seems that our pie supply has run dry.  I'm suffering from Pie Withdrawal symptoms and may need Pie Therapy. If I'd never tried the Steak and Kidney, or the Game Pie, or the Steak and Ale Pie or the Chicken and Mushroom Pie, not only would I be half a stone lighter, but I would never have been seduced by the nectar of the gods, Pie.
The trouble is, once you've tasted Pie, you just want more.  Your appetite becomes insatiable, you have Pie cravings - quite simply, you cannot go on without it.
If you think I'm bonkers then you've never tasted Kews Pies. With their melt in the mouth pastry, the delicious tender pieces of  steak and kidney enveloped in a hearty gravy, the creamy mash and oh my god, did I mention the minty mushy peas? Who needs Mr Grey when I've got Mr Kew? Except I haven't. It's all gone pie the wayside, and pie the way, I'm sure I'm not the only one suffering.  I bet if I started a Pie-tition, never mind reinstating Clarkson, how about reinstating my Pie Shop? Yes. Now there's a thought. 

I Love Nora Ephron

I've been ill in bed for two days now, and I must admit, they are probably the best two days I've enjoyed consecutively since I went to Barcelona with my sister last year.  That particular trip followed several bad days leading on from my birthday which I'd rather not talk about.  Yes I know it was me that brought it up in the first place, but still, in case you were thinking of mentioning it, I'm just saying, I'd rather you didn't.
It probably seems a bit odd that I should be enjoying what ought to be a mind-numbing, self-pitying period of illness-induced confinement to my bed, but in actual fact it's been rather nice.  Ok, here it is, the reason why I'm particularly perky despite my malady - it's all because of Nora Ephron. Revisiting the 'birthday' which should not be mentioned, for said 'birthday', I was the ungrateful recipient of a big fat hardback, The Most of Nora Ephron. The last time I read a book this big was probably during the heady days of o-levels when I had time and patience to lose myself in my joy of reading. There was little revision that summer, as I recall, but many happy days spent in the back garden, sprawled on a blanket on the grass, reading anything OTHER than the books I was supposed to be reading, which as far as I was concerned were a little too dull for my extravagant tastes. I think that once I'd finished all the Mills and Boon paperbacks in Barkingside library I ventured onto hardbacks covering such diverse subjects as ; analyzing your dreams, how to become a journalist and how to be an illustrator as well as quite a few Daphne du Maurier's who I fell in love with after I saw the film, The Frenchman's Creek. Heady days!
These days the only hardbacks I manage to peruse are usually penned by such literary names as Delia or Nigella. It's life, I suppose. Who has time to read these days? Exactly.  Which is why it's been such a joy, such a nostalgic visit to my misspent youth, just to lay in bed and read a whole book. And not just any old book, but a Nora Ephron book - I love Nora Ephron. And even better, I get sympathy and food brought to me at regular intervals. It's just like being sixteen again, but even better! No exams at the end of it ...