Things that make you go mmm...

I hate January and February. The post-Christmas lull when everything seems more dull, more grey. Mostly those 2 months just pass in a hazy blur and I finally come to in mid March when the weather starts looking brighter and the world starts to come out of hibernation. However, this last January I discovered something that gave me a little artificial Spring in my step. This revelation came from www.americansweets.co.uk. When I first ordered a package of long forgotten goodness such as Lucky Charms, Tootsie Rolls and copious amounts of Wonka sweets (runts, nerds and the like) it was like lifting a dreary fog. Irrational excitement to taste all those artificial flavours and colours! I actually thought while eating my first bowl of Charms that they were Joy. In a dish.

I am much more of a sweet than a chocolate person- parma violets, drumstick lollies, sherbert dips...love anything like that. I've also gone on to make a few orders since and have enjoyed such delectations I've never had before such as Twinkies, Oreo Cakes, Junior Mints. And a lot more. Which is unfortunate for my waistline. But the good thing with the multipack bags of Tootsie and Wonka is that each pack is only treat size and easy to limit. I'm actually counting calories at the moment to try and get rid of some excess baggage, I've struggled with my weight for as long as I can remember.

Besides my sweet tooth, I love to cook. Baking is very therapeutic for me, I find it a great relaxant. Especially when I was at uni...it was nice to come home and do something practical, to make something other than words on a page. All straight forward things like cookies, scones and cakes. I've also started cooking more seriously in the last few years, experimenting with things I've never cooked with before. I found out I can't stand goat's cheese too. It just tastes a bit...goaty? I have many cook books and have made some very delicious meals. My bible for everyday food is Jamie's Ministry of Food. I also think some of the recipes featured on Masterchef and Come Dine with Me are very innovative and great to try if you're an amateur. Even though I have a love-hate relationship with food, it will probably always fascinate me. Unless it's celery.