Springing back to life

I stumbled accross this much neglected blogger account and decided to start writing on it again. Why not? I went through the effort of making the pretty banner and I've been sort of inspired waching Julie and Julia with my mum.

The funny thing was reading my last blog post, I do live in halls now - something I never thought was going to happen. Due to a change in career choice I started university all over again and now my cork board dreams came true. Funny thing is, I haven't done much with it. A leaflet with printer prices, a couple of forgotton to-do lists and an exam timetable: it isn't really all I thought it would be. However, what I have appreciated is the people I've met, the unique experience of living with people you've been chucked together with is terrifying and confusing...but it's a learning curve I'm glad I experienced. I am about to move out of halls in precisely one week and I am a little sad about it but thank goodness I will never again be a fresher! (fingers crossed).

My pinboard

I don't live in halls, and as only first years can live in them, I never will. But it's not the dirty kitchens or noisy neighbours that make me jealous of my friends, not even really the readily available supply of social interaction and tom-foolery. No. I am jealous of the rectangular piece of cork board attached to the walls. Ever since I was younger I have had a desire to customise my room, in fact every room of the house, a desire I assume was fuelled by many days spent watching 'Changing rooms'. Yes, Carol Smilie, Laurence Llewelyn Bowen (yes I googled that) and Linda Barker flashed up on my tv screen on a weekly basis telling me to paint my furniture and drape material all over the walls. So naturally, I dreamed of one day owning my own abode to decorate as I wish. And now, renting a flat, my dreams are still not fufilled. Aside from Changing Rooms not being on tv anymore, I am not even allowed pictures on the walls. So a corkboard to customise to my hearts content felt like a haven to my creativity. My only option was to buy a corkboard from WhSmith (half price get in!) and stand it up on my chest of drawers. As of yet, I only have a few photos up there an bits of rubbish I thought might look good pinned to it. It's a little pathetic yes, but it makes me feel like a student, and also starts to fufill my Changing Rooms dreams.

Charity Shop Glamour

Recently I decided to jump on the student bandwagon of raiding charity shops. Although I was doubtful I'd actually find anything, my friend and I both managed to pick up at least 4 items to try on in Cancer Research UK. No, we didn't find any vintage but did get a few high street brands such as Miso, New look and H&M - but for a fraction of the price. My friend even managed to find a formal dress to wear for a wedding. What did I get?

This top:

for £3.75!

Bargain, and it makes you feel good :)

Corned Beef 'ash

Good ol' Yorkshire corned beef 'ash. It's one of the simplest but tastiest things to make, doesn't need many ingredients and is sooo comforting.

Picture to come next time I decide to make this.

Ingredients:

Corned beef - I always use Princes
Carrots
Onions
Potatoes
Gravy Mix (Bisto works great!)

How much veg you use is completely up to you, when I make a batch its to serve two and I'll usually just use two of each veg.

Prep:

Peel the veg and roughly chop everything! (Except the gravy granules :) )

To cook:

1. Boil veg till soft
2. Add the corned beef and simmer for another 5-10 minutes
3. Mix in a few tsps of gravy granules to taste and keep cooking till it starts to bubble.


Serve!

Option 1: Dish up in bowls and eat with bread and butter - like a soup.

Option 2: After boiling veg, drain off some of the water to create a thicker mixture - this gives you more of a stew. Then you can put it in Yorkshire puds!