7 random things

I've been tagged. OK, here are 7 random facts in a hurry before I have to go to work. Yep, working on a Sunday....sigh.

1. I enjoy what I do for a living. I find it challenging and (dare I say it)...satisfying.

2. I'm scared of worms. To the point that I hate picnics (won't sit on grass) or walking on grass (even with shoes on) in case those bastards come out. I think my fear stems from rainy days in primary school when they used to come out in the drains....*shudder*

3. I'm not an easy person to get to know. I'm a very private person. Mr K-E says I'm "stand-offish". It doesn't mean thatI'm unfriendly.....just...guarded.

4. I can burn up that dance floor. Men (and women) watch in awe.

5. I hate any kind of stupid "styled" facial hair. Especially the "tufts" - little triangles that people (mainly New Zealanders, it seems) cultivate under their bottom lips. Goatees are for goats.

6. I have dry skin.

7. I find bookshops really relaxing.

Application

I sent in my application for a promotion this evening. I'm confident but "many a slip twixt cup and lip" as the saying goes.

And Mr K-E adds - pride comes before a fall. Gee, thanks honey. Now I feel anxious.

Eeek.

We are heading off to Japan in two weeks; the interview will probably be as soon as I get back.

*fingers crossed*

Digital TV

Well, we finally got ourselves a set-top box so we are a digital household at last. Mr K-E finally cracked after years of dodgy reception and went down to Maplin on Saturday to get a digital receiver.

Now Mr K-E can drive me even more crazy.....flicking through dozens of channels before he decides that there is nothing on TV and wanders off.

Me (sitting with laptop in front of the TV): Stop that! It's making me nuts. Just watch one thing.
Mr K-E: Why do you care? You're blogging anyway.
Me: Just stop it OK. It's really distracting.
Mr K-E: Jeez, you sound just like my mother.

Gggrrrrr.

Gorgeous Goulash

It's been ages since I've done a food post, so I thought I'd blog about our Sunday night dinner i.e. Delia Smith's Braised Beef Goulash with Smoked Pimenton.

I really like this recipe and it's perfect for a chilly winter's evening. It's a pretty standard beef stew, except for the magic ingredients - smoked pimenton, which is smoked paprika from Spain. It comes in two types, sweet or hot. Delia uses both types in her recipe and they make the kitchen smell so delicious and smoky.

I added some button mushrooms to the recipe for extra yumminess.

The whole point of making a stew or casserole is to make a delicious meal out of cheaper, tougher cuts of beef, but it takes organisation to start cooking hours before eyou you actually want to eat. This recipe calls for 2.5 hours of "stewing" - after two hours, you have to stir in some sliced peppers to cook in the final half hour. I guess if you put them in too early they get too soggy.



Then just before serving, stir in some sour cream....mmmmmm. The photo doesn't look that appetising, but believe me, it was delicious.

Watching the World Cup

Somehow all my plans for mid-week blogging went out the window. Now it's Saturday and Mr K-E is watching the Rugby World Cup Final. I am squiffy. Too much Grolsh too quickly. Even a giant bag of Kettle Chips (Honey Barbeque) didn't help.

Oh dear, England are behind. Over and out.

Shoes

So, I told Mr K-E I was going shopping. I needed some comfortable, practical shoes or boots; suitable for actually walking around in all day.

This what I came home with.

Mr K-E despairs. Ultra high heels, purple and snakeskin. How practical is that? I told him - thanks for my anniversary present :)

In the meantime, I still need some practical shoes.

14 - 9

Mr K-E is very happy. England has beaten France in Paris to enter the Rugby World Cup final.

I still can't believe it. Normally for most big games (football, rugby, cricket, whatever) England start well and then things start to go wrong, and before you know it, Mr K-E is holding his head in his hands groaning No, no, no.....

Mr K-E says I don't care what happens now. We've beaten the French and that's all that matters. Silly man.

I am watching the post-match analysis now and the England fans are singing Oasis' Don't look in anger. Is that a rugby song?

And also on a good note, she's back. Woohoo!