Day 358 - "No Cote Required" Revisited

My parents never fail to surprise me.

The title of the blog refers to the fact that last night I was going to meet the parents for a bon voyage / early birthday meal at Cote (we are creatures of habit!!) - but without prompting Mum phoned and said "We want to change venue to that Thai place (Sucheera) we went to for your birthday, and I want what Sarah had - and we fancy a pre-meal drink in The Townhouse"

I wasn't going to argue as that sounded like a bloody good idea to me - so hence "No Cote Required" - that was the title of Day 43's blog, and where as last time I didn't need my coat while sitting outside of the restaurant, this time we actually really didn't need Cote!  And Ma it was a Pad Thai!!

So I was at the Townhouse just before 6 - beat the parents (miraculous!!) and sat down with a pleasant pint, the folks soon turned up and a nice hour was enjoyed before we headed off to Sucheera.

This photo opportunity had to be taken advantage of!!!

Prawn crackers, starter combo platter, Penang curries and a Pad Thai - all very delicious and washed down with a very reasonably priced Sauvignon Blanc!!

As my parents are usually at home and tucked up in bed by 8:30 I texted Nat to see if she fancied a little Wednesday drink after the meal at 8:15....Nat phoned and said yes and within 10 minutes she appeared (7:20).....only after she arrived like a whirling dervish amidst the mains being served did she realise that she hadn't read the time on my text.  But this is Nat, a breath of crazy fresh air and she was more than welcome - except that I had to share the Sauvignon with a 3rd person!!

Then we had a nightcap along Camden Road before my frustrating hiccups sent me to bed!!!

Day 357 - Sunshine, Sea, Shorts & Shires Part 2

Part 2....

Before our meal we had a wander through the lanes, had a cheeky pint, spotted some street art and I bought some vintage orange shorts - quite understated and subtle don't you think!?  Bring on the Kerala beaches :-)

As I had booked us a table at the Vegetarian restaurant called Food For Friends, Melissa was a tad concerned that Emma's love of meat would be an issue!!!  But with a tasty cocktail in her hand made with gin, elderflower and prosecco (my god it was good!!) - Emma perused the menu and opted for the vegetable curry - and she loved it - even telling us she could be converted!!  It was a very good meal and this restaurant never fails to deliver - I opted for the roast potato gnocchi followed by a deconstructed passion fruit cheesecake....delicious!!  Two vegetarian meals, two days in a row - what is happening to me!!? 

After the meat free dinner we walked along to Concorde2, the venue for The Shires and got in the very small queue.  When the doors opened with serious intent I marched to the front of the stage and got my space...

John and Jacob opened for The Shires, and they were fab.  Two guys, reminiscent of the Everley Brothers with a Nashville twist - it was just them with guitars, a trumpet, a harmonica and fabulous vocals.

Then came the headliners - Crissie & Ben aka The Shires.  They were amazing, beautiful harmonies and I just love their songs!  They have a perfect mixture of toe tapping tunes and heartfelt ballads, their latest single called Statelines is beautiful!!  I really hope they get the recognition they deserve as they are sooooo good!!

Well there it is my day in the sea air with my two dear school friends and the lovely "Country Cathy"!!  Lets do it again soon chicks :-)

Day 356 - Sunshine, Sea, Shorts & Shires Part 1

So to my sunny Sunday by the sea with the Brighton Belles!!  Part 1...as it was a pretty full few hours!!

Just after 2 myself, M to the Tiffin (as Nat calls her), Emma-Jayne and Cathy rendezvoused on the side of a busy road in Brighton - then we wandered to find the venue for the evenings musical event!!  The main reason we were there was to see The Shires in concert - to my excitement as we walked past the venue Crissie from the band was standing outside, I got a photo from a distance but was too shy to go say hello!!

We then wandered along Madeira Drive and found ourselves amidst a vintage Austin Owner's Club gathering - fab old cars, people in throwback attire and a wandering band!!

Shortly afterwards I got married to my school sweetheart on Brighton pier - it was very romantic and emotional and not at all tacky.....the bridesmaids looked stunning as Pamela Anderson and a spiky haired drowning guy!! And there we are on honeymoon.....

After the silliness on the pier I carried on with the childish behavior, sorry!!  But I was so pleased with my photo bomb....poor Emma posing for a lovely shot - and in the background is "Silly Tree"....but what a perfect bomb :-)

Tomorrow night, would Emma like the vegetarian cuisine?? And did The Shires deliver!!?

Day 355 - Spotify Synched!!

Three nights in a row ending after midnight, getting too old for this malarkey!!

Anyone else had that weird thing happen when a song finishes in the car, you hum another intro and that song comes on, that happened on my drive to work this morning - bit freaky as the playlist was on shuffle and has over 200 tracks!  Lady Antebellum finished, I hummed the intro to Luke Bryan's "I See You" - and that country stomper came on!!  I'm so Spotify synched...

So back to Friday night and with the Spotify playlist in full swing - there was dancin, laughter and just plain silliness....just the way we like it!  Why oh why did I think a red wine nightcap was a good idea after numerous pints of Kozel!?

We also had FNC debuts on Friday - the Bromley family made their eagerly anticipated appearance and went down a storm.....they were whizzing about that dance floor, hurry back Pauline & John :-)

Happy belated birthdays SPS & NRH!!!

Day 354 - Veg Prep!!!

So last night was my vegetarian dinner party, and even though it all ended up in a good place.....things didn't go according to plan - with a last minute culinary change mid cooking!!

Cutting up veg takes forever....and I really shouldn't have spent that hour soaking up the rays in Dickie's sun drenched garden - but when tempted with a sunny Stella, I really couldn't say no!!

But I was in the kitchen at 4 and in my mind 3 hours prep was ample....wrong!  Grilling peppers, whipping cream, cutting hundreds of beans and preparing my pie....turned into a race against the clock!!

To cook I donned my rather vile Hawaiian shorts, really only meant for my eyes only....but I was frantically mashing up the guacamole when the girls arrived....as I apologised for my appearance they took a vote that I should remain in my tasteful shorts!!! I wasn't going to argue as they are rather comfy!!

So guacamole was served alongside red pepper and walnut dip, and while the ladies dipped I went to make the chips - to only realise I didn't have enough oil....I stood vacant for a few minutes before clarity hit and I threw the spuds on a baking tray with some oil and herbs and shoved them in to roast....

The sweet potato, mushroom and broccoli pie in the vintage mugs were a hit, as were the pistachio coated green beans....and luckily my roast chips did the job!!!

After so much whisking my cream didn't go firm into soft peaks and remained liquidy...so instead of a mousse like topping - my strawberries were covered in a vanilla cream!!  But luckily the ladies didn't mind :-)

After a Masterchef meltdown and limp cream, I left the kitchen and became acquainted with a delicious bottle of red!

Thank you ladies for great company and Mel the coasters are fab!!

Day 353 - Hawaiian Dancin Chef!!

Another busy day and again just a photo....more to follow!!

I know...what a hottie!! Not many people can pull off Hawaiian shorts with ballroom shoes :-) 

Day 352 - Party Time!!!

As with any good party with a stonking party playlist....words are limited!!!

Nightly night....