A mystery

It might be a symptom of this time of the year or something we don't understand but Jan received a card the other day with a note on the back saying don't open until the 30th.
We were both intrigued but not wishing to spoil whatever was in store we waited until 30th. When Jan opened it the puzzle deepened. The envelope was postmarked Swindon and neither of us knows anyone that lives there (or thereabouts) and the birthday card was signed Pat. Jan knows a couple of Pats but they don't live in Swindon and Jan's birthday is in March. So Pat, if by some coincidence you are reading this, thank you and Happy New Year.

For lovers of certain German supermarkets

Probably best if you turn up the sound.

So true

Just in case you didn't see this.

Ah, that's better

It all started some time ago.
Luke (Jan's youngest) made some chipotle paste and left us a jar. To say it was strong was an understatement, it was mind blowing and neither Jan nor I like it.
He's visiting at the moment and offered to make something with it that he thought we might enjoy. If you like chilli (con carne) and fancy giving it a lift, try this. Mix two teaspoons of chipotle paste with a crushed garlic bulb, five tablespoons of soft brown sugar and the juice of a lime. You can vary the quantities to taste but this amazing sauce will take your chilli to a whole new level. Drizzle over the chilli prior to eating.
It comes from a cookbook by this lady. Recommended.

Season's Greetings

Ripley Castle

Now there's posh.
The abundance of christmas markets continues to impress and we are dutifully working our way round the nearest.
Today was Ripley Castle just north of Harrogate. We got there about 10.30 and, judging by the carpark, it was already packed. It was so busy that it made browsing the stalls a bit uncomfortable however it was warm and dry inside the huge, chandeliered, red carpeted marquee.
The ladies on the door were dead posh, all big hats and fur, as were some of the stallholders, so we had a bit of a giggle as we pushed our way around and through the crowds. The first area was dedicated to food. Most of it excellent and also available by mail order. The next area was much more mixed ranging from clothes to bric a brac but some of it was interesting.
If we go again next year we'll book tickets in advance because they were about half the price of tickets on the door.

Montezuma's

We were queueing for the checkout in Lewis and Cooper the other day and Jan noticed some chocolate for sale (aren't they clever like that) and asked if I fancied trying some Montezuma's milk chocolate with chilli and lime. My initial reaction was 'I'm not sure about chocolate and lime' but instinctively said, 'OK why not.' We got it home and have to say that it was delicious and we both liked it so much that I checked where else you could buy it. I found their website here.
Which then got me thinking about how entrepreneurial we are in this country. We've both been amazed at the abundance of cottage industries (particularly here in Yorkshire) that we've come across since we've been back in the UK and as Jan said "young folk today quite often get a bad press but there are lots of them out there who are working hard and using their brains and we should support them." I couldn't agree more.

Woolworths - alive and kicking

This is not the Woolies that I remember!

What if.................

What if the Hokey Cokey is really what it's all about?

Surprise, surprise

The surprises are coming thick and fast today.

DFS have got a sale on and Tom Daley is gay.