The weekend started on Saturday morning with some light plumbing duty at the back garden. Two of the gutter drains were blocked and the water was overflowing to the stone patio. I also noticed the shed back wall had collapsed, but I decided to save that piece of information for a better day.
Husband is always in charge in these situations. On goes the kettle (?) and a pair of plastic gloves left over from his beard colouring kit. I assist by handing him tools, fetching things, obviously looking decorative and giving valuable advice which is always gratefully received and never does he tell me to go back in the house with my advice and close the door behind me.
This time an added and pleasant duty was to keep hoicking up his superhero pyjama pants that kept falling. His gloved hands were dirty so he couldn't lift them himself. Working seamlessly with me happily in charge of the overall decency of our DIY operation both drains were cleared in no time. Anyone in need of similar services contact us at 0800-SEXYPLUMBER.
The rest of the weekend was less exciting, although we did visit this awesome museum in Euston called Wellcome collection, a disturbing and inspiring mixture of medical science, art and history and a special exhibition on dreams and consciousness called States of Mind. Some of it, like the installation with an old man repeating some words in TV with a child's voice coming from behind a curtain I had no patience for. I've come to realise that the word installation means "Piece of turd that someone with no talent is trying to position as art and someone with no brain is willing to exhibit" and that's why we have places like Tate Modern where the last time (a long time ago I admit - I see no reason to go back) I saw a video screen with a man masturbating into a boxing glove. I rest my case.
But back to Wellcome Collection though. I loved a lot of it, like the film clips from sleep labs of people with parasomnia, the scary but interesting paintings etc. There is also an impressive collection of forceps which kind of makes you squeeze your legs together and wince whether you have had children or not. Probably a more pronounced squeeze and wince if you have.
Anyway we both loved it and despite the gruesome nature of some of the exhibits we enjoyed a lovely afternoon tea with sandwiches, cakes, scones, jam and clotted cream afterwards.
Also lots of nightmares last night as a result. Particularly husband (cries watching Cinderella, so quite expected). Apparently a woman who's hand was on fire kept chasing him. And also he got a new job. In a crematorium.
The rest of the weekend was less exciting, although we did visit this awesome museum in Euston called Wellcome collection, a disturbing and inspiring mixture of medical science, art and history and a special exhibition on dreams and consciousness called States of Mind. Some of it, like the installation with an old man repeating some words in TV with a child's voice coming from behind a curtain I had no patience for. I've come to realise that the word installation means "Piece of turd that someone with no talent is trying to position as art and someone with no brain is willing to exhibit" and that's why we have places like Tate Modern where the last time (a long time ago I admit - I see no reason to go back) I saw a video screen with a man masturbating into a boxing glove. I rest my case.
But back to Wellcome Collection though. I loved a lot of it, like the film clips from sleep labs of people with parasomnia, the scary but interesting paintings etc. There is also an impressive collection of forceps which kind of makes you squeeze your legs together and wince whether you have had children or not. Probably a more pronounced squeeze and wince if you have.
 |
| Ouch |
Anyway we both loved it and despite the gruesome nature of some of the exhibits we enjoyed a lovely afternoon tea with sandwiches, cakes, scones, jam and clotted cream afterwards.
Also lots of nightmares last night as a result. Particularly husband (cries watching Cinderella, so quite expected). Apparently a woman who's hand was on fire kept chasing him. And also he got a new job. In a crematorium.
Today I prepared some food for husband to heat up next week. I will be around, but probably working long days, so it's good to have something in the fridge for him to heat up. One of the dishes I made was a classic Chicken Cacciatore, I only added some sweet potato in case husband doesn't have the energy to cook some rice or pasta to go with it, so it works as a one pot meal. Lots of recipes add tomatoes to the dish, but apparently tomatoes don't belong to the original version.
Lots of red wine and fresh herbs makes this just full of taste and delicious.
Lots of red wine and fresh herbs makes this just full of taste and delicious.
Chicken and sweet potato cacciatore (serves 4)
Oil
500g boneless chicken thigh fillets
Salt
Pepper
1 onion
Pepper
1 onion
2 cloves of garlic
250g mushrooms
1 tbsp chopped fresh thyme
1 tbsp chopped fresh rosemary
2 bay leaves
1 large or two small sweet potato
1 tbsp chopped fresh thyme
1 tbsp chopped fresh rosemary
2 bay leaves
1 large or two small sweet potato
1 1/2 cup of red wine (or more)
1 cup of chicken stock
Season the chicken pieces well with salt and pepper. Heat oil in a frying pan. Add the chicken and brown on medium heat until nice and brown on all sides. Remove to a plate.
Chop the onion and mince the garlic. Add the onion to the pan and sauté on medium heat for a few minutes, add the garlic and sliced mushrooms and continue sautéing for about 5 minutes.
Chop the herbs, peel and chop the sweet potato and add to the pan. Add the chicken back to the pan. Add the bay leaves, red wine and chicken stock. Cook on low heat for 30 minutes stirring a few times while cooking. Check the seasoning, and serve with pasta of your choice.
1 cup of chicken stock
Season the chicken pieces well with salt and pepper. Heat oil in a frying pan. Add the chicken and brown on medium heat until nice and brown on all sides. Remove to a plate.
Chop the onion and mince the garlic. Add the onion to the pan and sauté on medium heat for a few minutes, add the garlic and sliced mushrooms and continue sautéing for about 5 minutes.
Chop the herbs, peel and chop the sweet potato and add to the pan. Add the chicken back to the pan. Add the bay leaves, red wine and chicken stock. Cook on low heat for 30 minutes stirring a few times while cooking. Check the seasoning, and serve with pasta of your choice.
