Posted: 10-01-2025
Christmas Time, Mistletoe and wine - except as some of you may know I omit the wine. This can however be quite difficult because so many festive foods do contain alcohol, to me this is obvious but this usually is a minefield for anyone who has not had this concern. I am used to looking out for ingredients in foods, chocolates, sauces and I know I do not have any desire for dealcoholised alcoholic drinks. This latter aversion is both association with feeling ill, as well as not wanting to 'emulate' something that might lead me back even after over 11 years.
So what does my Christmas look like? It looks like a normalish day, with a lovely meal, chocolates, sparkling water, lovely teas - I do like fruit infusions and a quality coffee or three, decaffeinated ground coffee being very useful.
Do I eat Christmas pudding, no because this tends to be soaked in spirit same for white sauce I do not. I have found alcohol-free versions of Christmas Pudding and indeed Christmas Cake to be dry and disappointing. So each year I have something different, this year I realised the ideal solution was right under my nose in the form of Cartmel Sticky Toffee pudding. This localish delight is sweet, sticky, a real treat and available to buy in many local as well as some national shops.
Sticky Toffee Pudding is likely to be repeated next year, this year I chose to serve with Haagen Dacz vanilla ice cream, next year I may try it with a luxury vanilla custard. Followed by home made (not by me) mince pies, and handcrafted chocolated (a gift) my Christmas Day meal left me replete and happy.
I hope you enjoyed your Christmas Fayre as much as I did.
Posted: 20-10-2024
How many times have you heard this phrase 'Once more unto the breach', until two minutes ago I thought the word in the phrase is 'into' not 'unto' but a quick search into the origin changed that. Why has this come into mind, after all the original context and meaning is about challenges. As an outcall specialist having just packed for an outcall requiring significant travel, hearing the mid-storm weather outside and knowing my 'scenic' couple of hours route to get me partway it does feel as if I will indeed be going into battle. I have often been known to say the actual booking is the easy part, it's the making arrangements, receiving confirmation and possibly the deposit beforehand, the getting to the door can be the client or myself plus any preparation myself and him need to make.
I have spent much of this afternoon selecting not only clothing, toiletries, make up, away from home work-out kit, but a few speciality items I am taking to introduce him to something he is intrigued about. I have also made sure I have fitted in my usual fitness training, personal activities, packed 36 hours work of food, drink and home comforts for my time away from base. My preparations started a couple of days ago, with the seeds of a plan, making sure my gel nails are freshly applied - nothing worse than a nail losing it's covering when away from home. Lingerie, clothes shoes located and ideas for the other items falling into place. I also checked the main body of my route, arrangements for parking whilst in the area. My client had given me some information but I needed to work out a few other details. Thinking ahead I have selected some items for the next day of commitments after I return - after a long return journey my priority will be a cup of sleepy tea, night-time beauty regime, followed by my head falling onto the pillow as soon as possible. This may seem like a lot of effort I guess it is but it gives me a wider range of experience, some great scenery, and opportunity to get to know other areas. This does come at a cost time and travel-wise but I make sure this is covered in my fees.
This is a small insight into what goes on 'behind the scenes' whilst I am very open to outcalls both near and far, giving plenty of notice and information about your desires or requirements when you make your booking means I can prepare and plan for our booking wherever that may be.
