Nuts

When I was younger, my favourite chocolate bar was called 'Cabana'

This chocolate bar was coconut with bits of cherries in all covered with chocolate.

My best friend, when she was growing up, also loved them and so for many years now we have been on a quest to find a modern equivalent as Cabanas are now sadly extinct.

I can't believe we have not found a suitable replacement.

It's like people don't want us to be happy.

every once in a while

This weekend was the dreaded Last Weekend Before Payday.

I had a couple of social things that got cancelled last minute so I ended up with a long weekend to fill.

It actually turned out really well, I did loads of jobs that jump from one to do list to another:

Sorted out a pile of magazines

Sorted out linen cupboard

Mended some torn clothes

I also managed to do some baking, wash and line dry 2 loads of laundry, and clean the house.

And, I got 2 really good nights of sleep, had 2 very long hot baths and watched a film when the rain fell down on Sunday.

I wouldn't want to do it every weekend, I think I would get bored and lonely- but every once in a while it is just what I need.

Celebrity Ghost Stories

When we were on holiday, we caught a few episodes of this:

This programme is really simple:
Celebrities tell their spooky experiences to the camera and there are little bits of reconstructions in between.
It is really simple and VERY spooky.

Apart from one particular story-

Marilyn Manson- he told a story involving him, a bully from school, an older brother, drinking, satanic rituals in an old abandoned barn and a Necronomicon.

What's that you say? A Necronomicon?

Oh yeah Marilyn (if indeed that is your real name!), of course, you just happened across an actual Necronomicon in your small town bookshop, right beside the magnetic bookmark stand.

As. If.

I personally believe that if someone sells a child a Necronomicon they should call the parents of that child to let them know:

'Hello, Mrs Manson? Just to let you know I have sold your son a book that contains untold occult powers and possibly may open a gateway to Hell, just wanted to let you know, OK bye......ooops forgot to say your newspaper bill is due.. thanks!'

I don't believe you Marilyn.
But.
If you have got a Necronomicon, please don't do any magic on me.
And.
If you do have one, I really hope it looks like the Monster book of Monsters from Harry Potter. (but not as fluffy)

Psych

 This is without a doubt, my favourite TV programme-

 It's about 2 childhood friends who run a psychic detective agency, but the psychic is a fake, he is just very observant (normally, at this point in my explanation people mention 'The Mentalist'.)
This is MUCH better than that as it is genuinely quirky and funny.

Other things I love about it:

1. It has lots of recurring jokes
2. The one liners in it are great
3. It's funny but also touching
4. I have heard that there will be a 'Clue' themed episode and that Tim Curry may be back in it again
5. It's just a really fun programme with no other agenda other than clever funny writing that lets you enjoy yourself and cheers you up.
6. It has great guest stars

Unfortunately, in Britain, we are way behind, when we were in America this summer we saw the ads for the new series to come out there, I can't wait til it comes here!

Autumn Soundtrack

I don't listen to a lot of music, mainly it's just when I am in the car (apart from a bit of Elvis occasionally)
I find that if I listen to music at home, I can easily get melancholy and a bit fed up so I normally prefer to have the TV on as background noise.
Recently ,spending a lot of time in my kitchen, doing various makes and bakes, I decided I needed a soundtrack to my favourite Autumn days.
I originally bought the Crew Cuts CD as they are in one of my favourite films (Clue) and as I have recently discovered they are PERFECT for Autumnal kitchen pottering.

Kathleen's Crab Apple Jelly

Pick Crab Apples off tree.

Top and tail them, wash thoroughly, cut out any bruised bits.

Put in saucepan with enough water to just cover

Bring to boil then simmer 25 mins

pour into muslin strainer and leave overnight.

Take the juice and measure into a measuring jug.

HERE IS THE TRICKY BIT

You need to boil the juice with sugar at the ratio of 1 part juice to 0.7 parts sugar BY VOLUME

So for example: If you have 1 litre of juice, you then need 700mls of sugar
(measure it by volume in the measuring jug, NOT BY WEIGHT)

Bring to a boil and keep at a rolling boil for about 30-40 mins.

After about 25 mins, test the jam by seeing if it solidifies on the back of a chilled spoon.

When it does, pour into sterilised jars, put lids on while jelly is still warm.

Yum.

Crab Apple

 This weekend, I was in full Autumn mode, making crab apple jelly.


I love Crab Apple jelly, it is a memory of childhood for me. We had a big Crab Apple tree in our front garden and every year, about this time, me, my Mum and my sister would go outside and pick them. You are hopefully now picturing a blissful day where we are all laughing and rosy cheeked among the leaves.
Here is how it actually went:

I would insist on wearing a huge cowl neck hand knitted brown jumper that my Mum had made me, even though September is still WAY too warm for it (this jumper was VERY thick) so, about ten minutes after we started, I would have to go in and change.

At least once, either me or my sister would let go accidentally of the branch we were pulling down to reach the apples, pinging Crab Apples everywhere and nearly having each others eye out.

My mum would stand on a chair as she is very short and one of us would have to hold the chair steady so she did not fall (boring).

After about 15 minutes, me and my sister would get freaked out that spiders were going to fall on us from the tree as we were shaking it- thus abandoning the picking to go and make a cup of tea.

Leaving my lovely Mum outside on a shaky chair getting rained on by falling spiders.

See why I love it so much?