Cook books and memories

In a break from studying this morning, I suddenly had the urge come over me to create a meal that I had, had often as a child and used to love, but haven't made for literally years. It was one of my mothers, so out came the (few) recipe books I have of hers. And made an attempt to find it, of course in the first one I found, the one and only page I needed had been ripped out but anyway to cut a long story short I did find it. It was written out in a book that I had started myself when I left home of (what I hoped for - helpful recipes) that meant I and everyone that depended on me,  wouldn't starve to death! It wasn't a particularly fabulous collection, most where written post mums stroke so the amounts and even the succession of recipes weren't particularly well set out. When I left home I had absolutely no skills I couldn't cook, I had hardly even made my own bed. So for years I really struggled with the most basic of chores. Anyway I got me thinking about what mothers and sometimes fathers pass on to their children. Mum had her stroke when she was 55. I was 4 months pregnant with L and it was an incredibly stressful time. Overnight I became a parent instead of a daughter and my dad became a caregiver instead of a husband. When I look back on those days and look at the type of person I was I kind of think far out! I didn't think a lot I just reacted to situations around me. I guess you tend to when u are young you think you'll never be a situation that you are just to tired to tired to go on. I still don't analyze or linger on to much..But anyway back to the cooking Mums recipe for super sausages. She was a nice person my mum, had a bit of get up and go I think. I feel sorry I never really got to know her as an adult, her personality really died with her stroke, and I was only 22. She could still walk (just) and talk but that part of her personality (the spark I guess ) that had gone.
Here the recipe anyway,
SUPER SAUSAGES
2 TBSPS flour
1 level TBSP brown sugar
1/2 tsp nutmeg
750 grams sausage meat
1 TSPN worschester sauce
1 TBSP tomato sauce
1 TSPN vinegar
300MLS water
Shape sausage meat into patties and flatten into flour, sugar and nutmeg. Brown in hot oil until brown and sealed on both sides. Place in casserole.
Mix left over flour mix in with wet ingredients and combine pour over sausage patties and cover.
Cook for 3/4 hour at 180 celsius
 Here it is mum you loved your food and know you would have enjoyed this xx

Its one of those days

Yes actually its been one of those days for a few days now due to lack of a decent nights sleep/ dogs irritating me. You know when you get out of bed already pissed off at the world. Finished my last day shift on Tues thank god, too much, too heavy, to early.
Start my course next week have to say I am looking forward to it something different and even if I don't like it I'll have given it a go. Been baking like a mad thing also. Obsessed with it trying to eat healthy meals home made burgers tonight with Italian fries. As you can see life's been busy!John has started his new job seems to be liking it but I never get to excited. Know from experience not too!

We got a small motor for the boat J loves it although has already had a near death experience apparently. I'm just looking forward to dragging in those blue cod by the dozen (Ha ha)
The shots above are of our own paradise when the kids came to stay in Jan the weather wasn't that warm but cheeky braved the waves, just goes to show no matter what; small children still love sun, sand, and a sandcastle!

Christmas 2012

Well happy Christmas and a very happy new year, it was a busy one for us, with a trip up to Westport in the middle of it and all the palaver and expense that Christmas brings. For the first year didn't send out any Xmas cards or even put the Xmas tree up but big plans for next Christmas- hopefully the extension will be there and much more room to scratch around in.
We have been in Dunedin almost a year I start my course next month, I am looking forward to it, life down here is good but I feel that I am still waiting.... for what I don't know. This is what happens I guess when you have lived so much of your life basically at work, all your hobbies and skills have kind of gone west and you are basically left wondering, "Well what now?"

The weather is improving the sun has been warming. When we where in Nelson on Christmas eve I couldn't stand the heat (it was about 34 degrees) too hot for us. Stuck in a car with 3 dogs! Westport was nice still hot but not as suffocating. The cheekies come down this week will be fun but stressful as always can't wait to see them again and I know they are excited to come down, L is looking foreword to the break. And N will just be working on as always. My other daughter and her bf have just bought a house, she would love a commitment from him, he is sweet and good to her but OH MY GOD very high maintenance, then she can be too. I feel she suppresses too much and then it builds up like a volcano but I guess they have there intermittent eruptions!