Yes. It has been a long time...

... but I am back!

I am sure it is not only me, but 2012 has been a busy year, both at work and at home. In these times, work is hard, busy and also with an ever-present risk of redundancy. Home life continues apace, supporting children with homework and also with the quest (and pressure) of trying to maintain a quality home-life.  And what about me?

Anyway needless to say we have not starved. Neither have we been eating processed or ready made meals.  I have discovered a lust for frugality, not just in these austere times, but also through an almost zealous dislike for waste (especially when so many go without).  But my baking skills have not improved!

I have continued to cook from recipe books. I have also resisted buying new books as per the original principle of this blog.  I have also cooked from my magazines, supermarket recipe cards and occasionally from the Internet.  I still love formal dining, even if it is just me, A and our daughter.  This includes using the linen napkins. I have them so I'm gonna use them - no "saving for best" for me (otherwise they would never get used which is also a form of "waste").

My culinary journey will embrace Britain's finest, as well as from other countries. I will continue to cook seasonally, and free-range / organic as possible - but also keeping an eye on cost.  Sadly our allotment did not produce much this year which means relying on shopping for vegetable more than usual.

So I hope you stay with me, and share your thoughts and comments on this blog.

Where has the time gone!!?? Time for a fresh start.

Oh dear, what a delay in posting on my blog.  I hope I haven't lost you!  Lucky I didn't make this a new years resolution.

What with commitments at work and home, Christmas and New Year arrangements, and life in general - I have not posted anything lately. I am rather behind.  It is difficult to fit everything in and there are periods of time when something has to give and be dropped, albeit temporarily.  Usually it is the gym!  Recently it was both the gym (any excuse) and my blog.

I have started back at the gym this month and now it is time to discipline myself with keeping the blog up to date.

I look back from when I started 10 months ago at how my ideas, writing and content have developed and think, "I am getting there". I enjoy rambling on and enjoy trying to make something interesting out of something so mundane.  I still have more ideas to incorporate into my blog and I am determined to carry on with it.  I just wish I could do it more often and admire those who can blog each day, especially when they lead such busy lives as well.

Anyway, this was just to let you know that I am still here, and I am still cooking (to varying degrees of success)!

Watch this space!