Yummy English Apple Crumble

Ingredients:
4 large apples (any kind)
75g butter (soft helps)
2 cups of flour
1 cup of granulated sugar
a sprinkle of brown sugar
a sprinkle of granualted sugar

1. peel and slice some apples, then throw them in a dish with granualted sugar (big sprinkles of it - half a handful!)

2. to mix the crumble rub the butter, flour and cup of granulated sugar together with your fingertips until it looks like breadcrumbs

3. sprinkle the crumble over the top of the apples to cover them and then lightlys prinkle brown sugar on top

4. Put it in the oven for 40 mins at 180deg (medium heat)

(make sure it doesnt bubble over the sides as its a helluver job to clean the apple syrup off the bottom of the oven!)

Standard Visit Parents England Trip

Well, that was what I thought it would be, but it actually resulted in me destressing, playing and chatting with my kids AND my parents. No disputes, no stress, no rushing, had a really chilled visit.

I think it was mainly due to me not planning to see lots and lots of friends, I stuck to seeing the mother in law, and my sis-in-law and our mutual friend with kids the same age.

Did all the usual stuff, stocked up on Worcester Sauce, Brown sauce, Jelly and that dried cheese we like to sprinkle on our bolognaise. Couple of pairs of trainers, watches and jeans combined with a MacDo breakfast (something the French don't do) - we were set!

Great to see Mum and Dad, had a good time with Dad asking loads of questions on the PC, and for once Im able to help him - that course I bought for his birthday did him the world of good. And Mum, always my biggest supporter in life, within about a day she has made me feel so much better about some of my biggest worries.

Had a bit of a rememberance to why we left UK when a man in Superdrug cleared off with a whole shelf of deoderants before my very eyes. But overall, the vibe was very chilled, I visited Battersea park for the first time, Hylands, Maldon and the local village park - all superb places to visit in G.B.

Back in France now, was great to be hit by that HEAT!!!
yes it was great, but now hubby back from work early and Brother's family due tomorrow - kind of sorted.. kind of ready.. havent hosted for a bit though!!!

Have a car to see locally and some courses in mind for the coming year - along with WORK ideas ! yes really!

Sex and the City Film 2008

First and foremost... Thankyou Screamish..
Your comment follows: (for anyone who needs a catchup..)

"Oh yes...the European Cup...I am also suffering..tonight is Italy I think, so I'll know what to expect (another night reading a book in the bedroom)!

I CANT TAKE ANY MORE SPORT!!!!"

I almost love you already LOL - here I am wondering very little about if France will beat Italy or whoever it is tonight, and just really wondering how many other wives and girlfriends will be cleaning out their closet, washing their hair, or generally hiding in the bedroom, occasionaly making trips to the fridge and wine cellar!?

74 minutes in and i hear shouts of "aaaw gawsh" and "(some other banned words too)" as Holland (yeah i told u i wasn't even sure who was playing!) score again against France !! 3 - 1 now I think.

There is no loyalism in my house - especially toward the lazy french.. I'm pretty sure whoever France are playing, my boys are supporting the opposition - maybe because England are not in it, though they dont even get all Patriotic with England, I think in the World Cup my son supported Brazil and hubby Camaroon!!! Who really cares though? Let us not forget it is just a game with a ball.

I did hear some earlier comments, on one of my refill runs, to the tune of "he must be having trouble with his girl man, look how he is playing, i have never seen him so bad, he isnt getting anything..." or similar.. I guess thats an international cuss? hey why not blame the other sex?

Well, the good news is that I have medicine for us Football Widows:

Watched the new Sex in the City film tonight - its a MUST, I won't spoil the plot for those of you have had not yet had the pleasure, Just to say its a MUST MUST MUST - Im now wondering how to afford 400 dollar shoes every week and how I can get Carrie's new walk in - its to die for!... when you watch the film and you know my life, you will know it brought up lots of other emotions in my life about love, committment, relationships and friends.. I will watch it again for sure!

There are times I feel like Carrie, other times Miranda and often Samantha, never like Charlotte though, oh so pretty nearly perfect Charlotte!

Maybe later tonight if I get a chance to control the TV!

Get it on a torrent x An ABSOLUTE Must have for 2008! Like a LV Bag.

Weekend Investment Property Search

Another weekend jolly - thats what its like when you live in the centre of Europe, you are served by some of the best autoroutes in the world and you aren't restricted by living on an island!

I popped down to my favourite beach area of the south of france... some seven kilometre beach, just south of Montpellier, that is so wide it never feels crouded. I have been searching for the perfect property to use during the summer months, rent out, and basically to become a better growth investment than the small interest that money gains in the french banks.

Driving down Friday, and staying in a Hotel Etap - always handy, and in fact perfect accommodation for three people, as they always have a double bed with a single bunk above.

Up early and looking at a few properties - none of which were perfect for the purpose required but nonetheless the information gained from the estate agent was worthwhile.

After that, picking up a friend in a small village between Narbonne and Carcassonne, we toiled our way up the mountain hairpins to look at a car that i saw on Ebay - but alas it wasnt to be.

Had a good gossip and catchup with my friend, and a Mairie of a mountain village whom we know very well, god thats like therapy in itself. Returned to Marseille Sunday, in fact the drive back from her place took only 2.5hrs, so am making a mental note to see more of eachother in future months.

More property searching this week and hubby looking at cars.

Summary - Positive Week

I realise that flowers need watering and maybe thats just how it is for us women sometimes.

I also remembered that its good to clear out your basement - all those old bills and paperwork - rubbish really - reduced to a handy little lever arch file - phew what a clean up! After that things are easy - life seems simplified - see it big keep it simple

Spent a mad weekend on a mission searching for a beach investment property and a car. Neither is in the bag but im so much further forward having fully utilised the weekend viewing properties and going for one car (that didnt work out).