Body Pump

For some reason the people who put together the Body Pump programs love E-Type. Since moving to the UK I only ever hear his music if I am at home and he happens to have been to Allsang pa Skansen or if I am doing Body Pump. Especially back tracks.

This is living

I have laid careful plans for this Saturday. Starting with hair cut and highlights at Tony & Guy. After that a stroll through town and a spot of shopping (Ollie & Nic sale should be coming to an end soon, slash those prices!).

In the evening I have lined up a facial from Lush, hair oil treatment from FabIndia and of course some lovely food and wine. AND most importantly - Eurovision: Your Decision.

Roll on the weekend!

Back in the UK

Its quite nice being back home. Not only is the house clean and tidy thank to the new cleaner, the dish washer has been plumbed in and the camelia is flowering in front of the house. But the main reason is that I can work less. Its so quiet in the office in Stockholm that I end up working the whole day, not good. So its nice to be back here where I get interrupted, can go and chat to people and generally waste some time.

I am not worthy

I got my Valentines present last night. I am ashamed I ever doubted JD would get me something wonderful if I didnt get flowers. I have been given the most beautiful watch, a Georg Jensen designed by Koppel. It is 32mm in diameter, has a white face with black slim moving bits and the only embellishment is a date at the bottom. Steel backed with black leather straps.

I love it. Oh, and of course I love JD as well. Although I suspect I shall not receive any presents for any birthdays, anniversaries, christmases for the forseeable future.

Flat hunting

Am in Stockholm and its all very exciting. JD has a new flat that we found him last week, he moves in on 1st Mar so I wont get to see it til my next visit. But because I so enjoyed hunting for a flat for him I have offered to help his collegue who is also looking, I am quite positive we'll find him something, but am also sure he will by then be wanting to strangle me as I am sending him emails every five minutes and am expecting him to pick up and be all excited about a studio flat viewing in 20 minutes - when he probably just wants to get on with work. Life is tough, but I like it.

Kitchen 3

Oh isnt it pretty?

Dinner tonight

Fry finely chopped carrot, celery and onion in oil. Then add one litre beef stock and 1/2 bottle wine, herbs (thyme, rosemary, parsley). Boil for 30 minutes reducing the stock, then sieve off all vegetables.

Tie string around two round steaks (150 g each) and tie onto a skewer balacing over the pot, the steaks should be in the wine reduction but not touching the bottom of the pan. Cook for 7 minutes and then let rest for a few minutes, serve with salad and roast potatoes and salt / pepper meat to taste.

Beautiful.

Love

Valentines day was spent working and hoping in vain that there would be a bouquet of flowers turning up from the absent one. But nothing arrived, no card, no flowers, no nothing.

But EL arrive and we had a lovely dinner from Riddle & Finns, a sea food platter with locally caught seafood, served with a bottle of champagne and finished with beautiful chocolate mousse.

The tiler had not turned up as it turned out his car had broken down. Top tip - let your customers know if you are not going to show... So he has promised to be back on Sat and sort it all out.

Tiles trouble

When JD went off to Stockholm I started organising the tiles. As I didnt like the 1o day wait at Topps Tiles I went to Homebase and found some I liked but felt were a bit prizey. So I went on line and googled tiles and found some great looking tiles, purchased and started waiting.

After a week the tiles turned up and it seems either the company has a fantastic photographer or the photo was of some other tiles. So panic ensued. After mulling it over, showing the tiles to Heidi and in the end sending a photo to JD who confirmed we cannot have them on our wall.

So I went to Focus. Nothing. Then to Wickes. Nothing. Then to B&Q. Something, but unfortunately no boxes left, not even on the high up shelves that I made the B&Q employee go through. So back to Homebase, where I started. The tiles still there so I bought a box and sent a photo of it to JD who OK'd it. So this morning I went back and bought the rest.

Now all I need is for the builder to actually turn up and do the tiling. Maybe tomorrow...

Should not paint

Just got an old Swedish kitchen sofa delivered and it looks lovely in the living room. The good news is that I wont be repainting is because so far 5 persons have told me that you shouldnt as they retain their value if you dont / lose value if you do.

Now personally I dont think it has a lot of value as its in the wrong country and also as its hopefully going to be with me for a while.

New year. New cleaner

New cleaner - house is looking good! Message left was brief and normal.

Kitchen 2

I think the kitchen walls will remain white, it looks quite ok. And painting is dull. Not that I have done any really, just a bit of cutting in, JD has done the rest. But I am bored for him. So we are leaving it white.
Now just need to get the tiles purchased, dishwasher should turn up tomorrow. Hopefully before 1 so I can go to the pub and watch the rugby.