Accrington Stanley....'Ooo are theyyyy?

Today was Todstock, and so it followed fairly obviously that we went to Accrington for at least a large chunk of the day :) There we picked up another preloved bargain from a lady in Church (this is an area within Accy, she wasn't the Vicar's wife or anything) of this fantastic Fisher Price rainforest baby mobile

It moves around and the leaves sort of flap and it plays soothing rainforest sounds (or Bach, Beethoven or Mozart) no disrespect to the classics but I like the rainforest sounds best :) anyway, I'm sure Little b will love it and we saved £30 on the price of it new from Mothercare.

From here we went down the road to Oswaldtwistle Mills which is possible the weirdest place I have ever been in. Part museum/part garden centre/part low-fi department store...it had a chiropodist next door to a psychic....???! We bought some blue and white stripey towels for the b and wandered round in bumbling disbelief, Jon appeared to be the only tall person in the mill and spent some time helping the more stumpy end of the population get their rubberised sandals with flashing heels (don't even try and comprehend....I was there and I struggled). We then called into an Asda by a lake (interesting feature) and collected the free huggies newborn pack I'd been sent vouchers for and came home in a huge downpour.

Once home I made some quick flatbreads to go with the carrot and cumin soup I made last night and then some simple focaccia with the rest of the dough. We also had our first stab at hot cross buns sans white crosses and they turned out brilliantly; as with the flatbreads I got the recipe from the River Cottage bread handbook again (my current favourite) and can very much recommend it, though next time I would certainly add much more spice and zest as I like my buns spicy ;) we also made up a bolognese sauce with extra pepper, mushroom and celery and then I had a wee rest while Jon did his magic with the bechamel and made a wonderful lasagne.

Mine

Well I *was* checking for bargains on the jo jo maman bebe site....but Boo had other ideas.....(!)

Stripeycat

I think I might have found Little b's first toy...

***Update - Jon has just bought him :) ***

Lunch

This afternoon I had a visit from my oldest friend Ellie. I saw her and her lovely Mum last week and this time we had a l o n g lunch spent in the gloriously sunny beer garden at The Ram Inn.

Manchester Wedding

On Saturday we attended the wedding of my old housemate and university chum Claire, she married her long time partner Justin at Manchester town hall with a reception at the Radisson Edwardian on Peter Street. It was a blisteringly hot day with blue skies and there was a festive air about town with the Jazz festival and Comic-Con taking place in Albert Square and at the G-Mex respectively.

Stunning Town hall

Pillars, busts and arches

The bride and groom

Claire with her bridesmaids Alison and Wendy

A Brompton quartet - Bec, Claire, Wendy and Maz

After a long reception and three course lunch I was dead on my feet and so we finally called it a day around 6.30pm and headed to the air conditioned sanctuary of our room at the Radisson.

We had fabulous showers in our wet room/bathroom, snuggled up in the complimentary robes and ordered room service whilst watching the skies darken over Beetham tower. A blissful combination of wedding and relaxing hotel stay, and probably our last 'treat' before little b is born.

The following morning we had a lovely cooked breakfast in the Alto and got to chat with Claire and Justin before they went off on their honeymoon to Italy. Then we were collected from the door by G who had also, ever so kindly, kitty-sat and brought us over to Manchester on the Saturday morning *Thankyou Scrib*

For my best friend and his Mom

Scrib, I love you and am thinking of you today and always.

Mrs G, thank you for giving me this wonderful man,

who I am so proud to call my best friend.

I only wish I had met you in this life,

but I know you are there waiting for us with my Mum and Dad in the next.

Lemony Snickett

Or Lemon drizzle cake to be more precise.....

INGREDIENTS

225g unsalted butter , softened

225g caster sugar

4 eggs

finely grated zest 1 lemon

225g self-raising flour

FOR THE DRIZZLE TOPPING

juice 1 1/2 lemon

85g caster sugar

Heat oven to 180C/fan 160C/gas 4. Beat together the butter and sugar until pale and creamy, then add the eggs, one at a time, slowly mixing through. Sift in the flour, then add the lemon zest and mix until well combined. Line a loaf tin (8 x 21cm) with greaseproof paper, then spoon in the mixture and level the top with a spoon.

Bake for 45-50 mins until a thin skewer inserted into the centre of the cake comes out clean. While the cake is cooling in its tin, mix together the lemon juice and sugar to make the drizzle. Prick the warm cake all over with a skewer or fork, then pour over the drizzle - the juice will sink in and the sugar will form a lovely, crisp topping. Leave in the tin until completely cool, then remove and serve. Will keep in an airtight container for 3-4 days, or freeze for up to 1 month.

Visit from Mrs P

My oldest friend Ellie brought her Mum over to see us today. Mrs P has sadly been battling cancer since last autumn and after a 3 month remission earlier this year is once again undergoing chemo. Not that she lets this stop her for one minute and I have never met such an inspirational and feisty lady. Knowing how much I have been missing Mum of late she made it her mission to visit and I am so grateful for the effort she made.

Keep on keeping on you remarkable lady.xxxx

How I wish you were here...

Dearest Mum and Dad,

I do so miss you.xxx

Countdown to birth...

Tap Cat

Jasper...I love my sink

Favourite TV tonight...

BBC2 Thursdays...Love them.

GTT

I had my glucose tolerance test this morning. Euughh. Having fasted for 12 hours I had blood taken and then had to drink a large medicine bottle full of a clear syrupy drink. I believe they call it glucola, though it tastes sod all like coke. If I had to describe it then I would say it was like flat, thick, lemonade with the aftertang of something very synthetic and dodgy. I got it down as quickly as possible but had to fight damn hard to keep it there. I haven't felt that sick since the first trimester. It also made me hot and fuzzy and my poor metabolism must have been wondering what the bloody hell had hit it. Thankfully, the nurse let us go home - being that we live nearby and because I promised to sit and do nothing (I'm really good at that). So I had two hours listening to Cabin Pressure clutching my sick bowl and half dozing with the window open and blowing very welcome fresh air in my face. Jon whisked me back just in time for the second blood test and nursey was mercifully swift as I sat there swaying slightly. Finally, we had some food, and, even more important, a big mug of tea :)