Bienvenue 2009!

Another New Year has come and gone..... to me, 2009 will mean a new beginning and hopefully learning some new and exciting skills in the City of Lights. 

Just before I headed back to the big smoke, I was lucky enough to corner my Mum in the kitchen who was on hand to show me how to make some of her delicious biscuits. They were easier to make than I had expected but still required the right amount of elbow grease mixed with a little baking finesse. We started off with a batch of orange, chocolate and almond and a few days later, progressed onto walnut and maple (many thanks to Mum for painstakingly cracking, peeling and air-drying the large bag of walnuts needed for the recipe!). Initially, I thought the first batch were the nicer of the two but now having had several tastings (the rations I brought down are dwindling rapidly!), I am now being converted to walnut and maple, which is one of Mum's favourite. I think it has something to do with the fact that the maple flavour really matures a few days after baking and it matches perfectly with the walnuts. All in all, very yummy and in the words of my Mum's old teacher, Darina Allen.....just simply delicious!

Christmas 2008

Another year, another Chrimbo. Its nice to be back at home and be able to spend some time with the family and friends.

The last week or so has involved a lot of cooking and eating (as is the habit at Christmas) and the highlights for me were Mum's velvety butternut squash soup, delicious roast rib of beef cooked by my bro and mince pies made by yours truly (the best looking and tasting I've made to date). I wish I had the time to do more baking but alas, it hasn't happened - I shouldn't fret though as I think this will be the last thing I complain about in 2009!

Unfortunately, I didn't manage to take pics of the soup or beef, only of the mince pies plus a fruit cake which Mum made and I iced. It was the first time that I had decorated a proper cake and use the skills that I had learnt from Squires during the summer. Not bad for a first time, I thought but I will definitely require more practice! Fingers crossed also that this time next year, I will posting pictures of more professional looking cakes and goodies! :-) 

Last day at work

After 8 years, I can't believe the day has finally come! No more commutes on the District Line, getting suited and booted, credit committee.....nada. To be honest, it was like any other day in the office - quiet, our share price continuing to tank.... its probably a good time to be quitting the banking industry with the never-ending doom and gloom surrounding it at the moment. I guess I'm lucky enough to be in a situation where I can quit, some folk don't have that luxury and just have to stay put.

I had my last lunch in the City with my bro (some yummy Japanese at Feng Sushi) - there's only one Chan left now in the world of high finance but I've no doubt that he'll make it! :-)

I'm now looking forward to heading home for Chrimbo and embarking on my new culinary adventure in the New Year. Its exciting times ahead and I'm glad to have finally found something that I am passionate about, a feeling that I haven't had in a long time.