Friday, October 16, 2009

Net Worth

The net was down all morning yesterday. That didn't bode well for my fidgety, cabin feverish brain. Having had flu no, really? You've had flu?? Why didn't you say something??, I've felt unable to concentrate on reading and I've not wanted to stray too far from the couch; my compulsion to give away the telly to the first passing stranger has become ever more pressing as watching the box this past week has been my ultimate source of non entertainment.

I have a love hate relationship with television, watching certain programmes and then switching off for days on end imposing a self-inflicted ban.



The computer by default, is my friend in my time of need. I get to read all my favourite blogs and watch endless stupid but highly amusing youtube clips as sent to me by various friends, cousins and strangers and write drivel in the hope that someone, somewhere, finds it vaguely interesting. So, with the net down, I was down. There are only so many paper hamsters one can cut out and colour with the kids... I paced the carpet, wondering what on earth I was going to do to amuse myself and then I realised: I must be better. Not fully, operationally working better but better nonetheless.

I applied a little mascara, a little rouge to hide the grey pallor and gingerly took my first steps outside for 10 days bar the docs which doesn't count. The kids came, picking up other children along the way I'm the pied piper of Glasgow and dropping them at the park while Brian and I slowly wandered round the loch. It was a beautiful day, sunny and clear, with a hint of autumn crispness in the air. The bright reflections from the water and the brilliant colours of the leaves all cheered me up no end as did the very small glass of wine Ann insisted I have when we dropped off the boys. Look, her husband's a doctor, he said it would make me feel better, who am I to argue.

Brian was given a shopping list for the week's menu and came home having gotten everything except grapes and with a cost of only £31.28. I made roast chicken for everyone and a superfood salad for myself. I am determined to be back to full working health in a few days and thought I'd kick start it with this:


Superfood Salad
Handful Spinach, Watercress and Rocket
1 orange, peeled and segmented
Teaspoon pine nuts, freshly toasted
Sprinkling golden linseeds
Cucumber slices
Baby tomatoes
1 small yellow pepper
Thin slices apple

Arrange lovingly on a plate, once salad leaves are dressed.

Dressing:
1 part olive oil, half part honey, drizzle balsamic, sprinkling herbs, squeeze of orange, pinch salt and pepper. Mix well and toss salad leaves in.
Delicious and very, very good for you me. Smoked chicken, spicy/crispy chicken or goats/feta cheese would be lovely with this if looking to add a bit of protein.

This weeks menu:
Roast Chicken
Beef Stew with Yorkshire Pudding
Salmon Patties
Sausage and Mash with onion gravy
Roasted Vegetables on Toasted Homemade Bread
Chicken & Rice Soup / Chicken Noodle Soup
Lentil and Vegetable Soup
Curried Stir Fry with Spiced Potatoes
Baked Potatoes with tuna and superfood salad
Leftover Pie!

Scones
Mini fruit loaves
Buns

12 comments:

Sumandebray said...

Today it is quite difficult to sit back and think about the time when there were no internet and no google!
The net could be used to ones advantage but the TV is a total waste of effort!!! (well maybe not!)
But net or no net ... the mouth watering food is omnipresent!

Zuzana said...

I hate when the net is down. Funny, about a year ago I wrote a post about how difficult it was for me to spend one evening without TV, radio or net, when we lost our connection during a 24 h period.;) I have come to rely on the Internet and the cable almost every day.
Hope you are having a lovely weekend.;)
xo

mylittlebecky said...

that looks super delish and i LOVE pignolis! mmmmm, i even have most of the ingredients at home, score for me!

glad you're felling better!

Maria said...

Hi Helen, I'm getting more food aware the more I read your blog. I must tell you I love salads. Preferably raw ones, but it's not every vegetable I like to eat in it. If I have, tomatoes, onions, cucumbers, bread (& cheese for the protein) I have a meal!

Claudya Martinez said...

I've missed you!

That's one good lookin' salad.

Grannymar said...

When I was growing up we had no computersa or TV, yet it amazing that I have become addicted to my laptop. Now if the power is off I feel like I have lost my right arm!

Tasty looking salad.

Drew said...

Hi! I hope the blog award I left for you over on my blog cheers you up!
Feel better!

Anonymous said...

Helen, thank you so much for visiting our site and for leaving such kind words! You definitely placed a HUGE smile upon my face!

Tabitha
A Fiveoh4 Uplifting

Anonymous said...

Do you know, I can see a book deal coming your way and I don't mean that to sound creepy (although it probably does)! I like the way you put things together - both words and food.

I have to tell you, I'm deeply envious of your food bill in comparison to what the same would cost here. We're, what? 100-200 miles off the south coast of England and yet if you look at the cost of groceries you'd think we lived mid-Pacific!

Glad to hear things are looking up on the health front. :)

The Blonde Duck said...

I need lessons from you in the grocery bill dept.

Helen McGinn said...

Sumandebray, a life without the net would be intolerable, considering the state of tv! Thank you for your kind words.

Protege, even when I have time to read, I find myself 'taking a break' and somehow floating over to the computer with my cuppa! *L* Had a good weekend, hope you had a lovely one too.

mylittlebecky, thank you hon, what are pignolis though? I need to know! *G*

gaelikaa, I'm becoming more like that. Add some olive oil and olives and I'm in heaven!

Unknown Mami, it's good to be back. I've missed you too! So looking forward to Sundays in My City this week.

Thanks Grannymar and thanks for visiting.

Bakergirl, thank you hon! I'm delighted.

Tabitha, I'm glad, you are one amazing girl.

angelcel, wow, thank you, nothing creepy about such a lovely compliment, m'lass! I used to spend three or more times what I spend on shopping bills but there is something wonderful about being frugal, apart from the money you save; the imaginationary in me comes alive! *L*

Hi Tonya, lovely to meet you.

The Blonde Duck, with your wonderful imagination, you could do the same. I love your storied, btw.

Anonymous said...

"I would have gone crazy with no net". OMG!!
I'm feeling feverish already. :0)

*Lovely Salad*

I'm glad your feeling better Amiga!!

~Amor, Familia Y Cultura~
Betty