FOOD: What I Ate Yesterday

Yesterday was actually a bit of a naughty day, with regards to food. Not only was it a Bank Holiday, it was also our 5th Anniversary of being together. We don't really celebrate it as such, mainly because the Wedding Anniversary takes over from this one, but it's nice to see that date on the calendar and reminisce a little. So, we actually decided to go out for tea, hence the naughty food.

Breakfast
Chris found some leftover bacon in the fridge that needed using up so he made me a bacon butty. Of course, I opted for brown sauce, it is by far superior to tomato ketchup. The bacon was from the premium range in Co-Op and we tend to go for wholemeal/seeded bread.

Apparently, that wasn't enough for me, so I had a shredded wheat with a drizzle of honey and semi-skimmed milk. This was washed down with a glass of semi-skimmed milk and a half a small tumbler of orange juice.

Lunch
We actually ate breakfast quite late and had a productive afternoon of  doing the food shop and a few odd jobs around the house. I was still pretty full from my huge breakfast so I just kept myself hydrated with a few glasses of water.

Tea
We decided to eat out quite early and headed to The Stable in Newquay. The Stable is a pizza, pie and cider restaurant situated right on Fistral Beach. The atmosphere is always really relaxed here and boy do they know how to make pizzas! If you are a fan of the more authentic, thin crusts then this is the place to go!

To start with, we shared a garlic and mozzarella pizza bread. This is my favourite type of garlic bread.

I then went for their monthly special which was chicken, field mushrooms and wild garlic drizzled with a wild herb aioli. The wild garlic may look like spinach, but don't be fooled! It was actually quite strong and peppery, but really enjoyable.

We weren't planning on having a dessert but when I saw chocolate brownie with clotted cream on the menu, I just couldn't resist. It was every bit as wonderful as it looks. I opted for a pint of lemonade as I needed to quench my thirst, but they have self service tap water available with bottles and glasses that we also helped ourselves to.

Snacks
So I was planning on having an apple and a yogurt when we got home, but this plan went out of the window when I remembered we had got some Cadbury's chocolate fingers on offer from ASDA. Don't worry, I only had around 5! I also kept myself hydrated with more water throughout the rest of the evening.


Are you a pizza fan? What are your favourite toppings? Feel free to let me know below in the comments.

LIFE: Turning 30

Obligatory Birthday Car Selfie

For some people, turning 30 is the scariest most horrible thing that could happen to them. "Oh my word, I can't believe I'll be 30 this year, aaaaah!!" The amount of times I've seen this status coming up on my social media has really surprised me. Why does turning 30 mean their world has ended?

I personally don't find the age 30 to be life changing in any way. I celebrated my 30th on the 1st April. (Yes, I am an April Fool!) Did I wake up feeling any different to when I was 29? ...No! My outlook is that age really is just a number. I spend most of my time feeling either 19 or 85, depending on whether I am goofing around or in granny mode. So, anyone panicking at turning the big 3 0, please don't worry, just treat it like any other birthday!

Yes I Still Insist On Having My Photo Taken With My Birthday Cake

That is exactly what I did! I am quite silly when it comes to birthdays. I haven't grown out of the childhood glee of opening a present and blowing out the candles on a birthday cake. I know this could change next year when we have a baby of our own, but deep down, I really don't think it will! I don't expect much really, just some nice food, spend some time with the husband and if I get a present (inexpensive is fine) then I'm a happy lady!

Me Being Daft With My Birthday Cake

Well, I really was truly spoilt this year. Not only did Chris get me two bunches of flowers, but he also got me the Kate Spade watch I had been lusting over. Nearly a month later, I still can't get over how shiny and beautiful it is. He also surprised me by taking me out to lunch to Nathan Outlaw's restaurant at St Enodoc Hotel in Rock, Cornwall. We actually settled for the set lunch menu and every course was sublime. As I couldn't drink alcohol, with me being pregnant, it seemed pointless going out. Luckily for me I got to choose how we spent the evening. I decided on snuggles on the sofa, popcorn, ice cream and watching a rom-com together. Perfect! So, turning 30 may not be a huge milestone for me, but it doesn't mean it shouldn't be celebrated... just like every other birthday I will ever have.

The Most Beautiful Watch That I Ever Did See

Do you love or dread your birthday? Does getting "old" weigh on your mind? Let me know in the comments below.

Very Exciting News!

So, I know I know, it's been a while blah blah.. but there is a very important reason why I have been absent since my last post. Yep, you've guessed it, it was probably the opening photo that gave it away? WE ARE HAVING A BABY!!

As you already know, the only baby we have in our lives is the seriously spoilt Alfie the cat. Yes, I am one of those crazy cat ladies who humanises their cat. It's fine though, I've come to terms with this fact. I'm not going to lie to you, amidst all of our gleeful squeals of excitement, we are slightly worried at how jealous Alfie may get when the little one arrives. To be fair though, once the baby is crying at all times of the day and night, I'm sure the jealousy will fade away into something that is more describable as annoyance.

Our family have known for quite a while now and we have also done the obligatory Facebook announcement post (slightly lame but it really is the easiest way to simultaneously let everyone else in our life know that, no, I'm not just piling on the pounds for the fun of it). In fact, to finally have it all out in the open is brilliant and is the biggest weight off my mind. I never thought I would be the girl who would wait until the 20 week scan date to make it public knowledge. I thought I would immediately inform the world as soon as I knew myself, but then the fear settles in that anything could happen to this tiny little bun in the oven, so you put it off and put it off until, suddenly you're half way through the pregnancy! Who knew!?!

So, I think that's it for this post. I may start doing more baby related posts, so if you want to, sit down, buckle yourself in and join us for the roller coaster ride that is the second half of our first pregnancy.

Guess Who's Back?! (Back, Back)

(Top to Bottom; Left to Right:) Lincoln Cathedral, Piccadilly Circus, The Petwood Hotel, Chris at Petwood, Plaque spotted on a house.

Hello There! It has been a while.. Heck it's been bloomin' ages. To think that I last posted in May seems unbelievable, but May it was.

2014 was probably one of the strangest years of my life. My husband Chris was on tour for 6 months (he's in the British Forces). So I spent the summer alone with the cat, just working and seeing friends and family. It was a really chilled 6 months, not a sad and depressing period, but not an ecstatically happy period either. Surprisingly time went quickly, and before I knew it, September had arrived and Chris was back for his 2 weeks R&R. We managed to coincide his R&R with our 1st Wedding Anniversary. Chris surprised me when he booked a table at Morston Hall. This is a beautiful hotel, set in the stunning location of Holt, Norfolk. The restaurant has one Michelin Star and is run by the celebrity chef Galton Blackiston. 

(Top to Bottom; Left to Right:) Champagne from Morston, One of Chris' presents from me - lyrics from our first dance, Menu from Morston Hall, Anniversary selfies at Holt.

We didn't stay in the hotel as we had booked 3 nights away at The Petwood Hotel in Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire. This is where we had our Wedding Reception after our church wedding the previous year. We travelled up there the day after our anniversary and had the best time finally getting time to explore the well established grounds; have massages in the beauty spa; spend a day shopping in nearby Lincoln and eat as much food as we could manage! We opted for one of the superior double rooms as the suites were all booked up. Our room was next door to our wedding night suite though, which I thought was great as the view of the manicured gardens was near identical!

Chris returned to his tour away and unfortunately he missed a family wedding in London by 24 hours! Not to rub it in, but I went and it was brilliant! During this time we found out that we were being posted to a new base when Chris returned in November! So, after his return in October (YAY) it was really just a month of handing in my notice at work, and getting things packed and sorted for the big move from Norfolk to Newquay! 

This has been a great move as we are now in married quarters, so I feel much more like I belong to a community, albeit a military one. Although we are further from family and I miss my friends like crazy, we are making friends here and spending lots of much needed quality time together. I was so worried about how our cat Alfie would settle in, but two months down the line he is doing fine. Having said that, the 7 hour car journey with no radio (for the cat's benefit) was quite painful for us... Well maybe for Chris as I filled the silence with my singing. It has really been worth the upheaval as Cornwall really is breathtakingly beautiful and all of the local towns are fantastic to explore. Oh..... I forgot to mention, we successfully cooked a delicious Christmas Dinner all by ourselves. Proud grown up moment!

So I think you're pretty much caught up. The following are some photos of 2014 that sum up the rest of last year...

(Top to Bottom; Left to Right:) My iPhone countdown, My birthday cake, Selfie from Chris' farewell meal at Arbuckles, Alfie deciding to go on tour with Chris, Fudge Woods - my In Law's Spaniel.

(Top to Bottom; Left to Right) My engraved wedding ring, Summer selfie, Me chillin' with Alfie, Car selfie, Surprise bunch of flowers delivered to me.

(Top to Bottom; Left to Right:) Wedding Selfie, Chris enjoying a pint a Petwood, Steep Hill Lincoln, Alfie and his cushion, Tattershall Castle Lincolnshire.

(Top to Bottom; Left to Right:) A dearly loved scrabble frame present from a crafty friend, Our purchases from Padstow Christmas Festival, Tulips, Welcome Home Chris, Alfie.

(Top to Bottom; Left to Right:) My friends surprising me with a leaving afternoon tea, Gingerbread latte, Road trip selfie, Surfers at Newquay, A leaving present on my last shift.

(Top to Bottom; Left to Right) Porth Beach, Homemade leaving cupcakes, Michael Buble Concert selfie, Bedruthan Steps Selfie, Alfie's Nose.

(Top to Bottom; Left to Right) Stuffing our faces with Cornish Pasties selfie, View over Newquay, Newquay Harbour, Christmas jumper selfie, My parents and Chris in Newquay.

How was the rest of your year? What adventures did you get up to?