bigfoodiemama

I really want to have dinner with Barack and Michelle ! I am happy for them to come to mine, but would equally, be only too delighted to travel over to their place. I could bring dessert, or a starter and would of course bring a bottle. Which version of the previous three items would I bring though ? I suppose I should start withe the starter. For that I think I would go for Jamie Oliver's Christmas Salad, with clementines,prosciutto, rocket, mozzarella and a citrus dressing ( ie. fruit,meat, dairy and veg....very balanced !)It would travel well and I could just put it together in the White House Kitchen on Michelle's choice of nice plate ( seeing as they have a whole room devoted to them ). If she asks me to bring dessert, needless to day I will try to satisfy both myself and Michelle and the boys ie. Barack and GASP. GASP will want either Pavlova or Apple Crumble and I think I will go for the latter, as I doubt they ever get a proper " stick to your ribs" pudding. I...

Right, here we go again ! Sunday, I had decided was going to be a family day out, to the Food and Wine Christmas Show. I was keen to go for a few reasons, 1. Food, 2. Wine, 3. Santa and 4. the chance to see my cousin the Pastry Chef of The Cake Stand ( not necessarily in that order).I donned the new underwear (again) under some warm clothing...just in case ! My plans were nearly thwarted by 2 inches of snow and the AA advising people not to travel unless absolutely necessary. I had a job convincing GASP of the "absolutely necessary" part of a Food and Wine Show, so I used language he would understand and said " this is my Leinster Final".....job done !Off we set with enough stuff in the car should we have to sleep in it overnight, but the M1 was clear keeping a smug smile on my face....until we hit Dublin ! The city was immersed in 3 inches of snow and the roads were a disaster but since we'd got that far , we ploughed ( literally) on to the RDS. Items 3. and 4....

So, here I am sitting watching X Factor, when I am meant to be at the evening reception of my cousins wedding. OK so last night the five year old threw up ( in the toilet) but was well for the rest of the evening and this morning so it was all looking good. One of the seven dwarfs had kindly agreed to baby sit, GASP kindly slept in this morning so I could have the post Sauvignon Blanc lie in tomorrow. The new GOKtastic dress was hanging on the outside of the wardrobe, lace top hold ups purchased and most importantly, the new ( expensive) underwear wrapped in tissue paper(shows the expense level!) was laid out in the bed with love and admiration.I am one stone lighter than 6 weeks ago ! GASP kindly volunteered to go to mass this evening so that I had no rush to rise in the morning. The exfoliation was complete, the tan perfect, the nails about to go on and then at 5.50 eldest son puked on the sitting room carpet. Gratefully her puked the week before the carpet cleaner is booked to come ...

GASP is on the doghouse ! Interestingly enough I don't think he is aware of the fact, but needless to say my tone and expression will make it evident in the very near future . OK from the start. Thanks to Weight Watchers I have lost 12 pounds in weight and a dress size. I am truly thrilled with my progress and think I am fabulous ! ( I think this most of the time thank God so I am even more fabulous than usual) The person I most want to be fabulous for is, in fact ,GASP. We are invited to the evening of a wedding in a few weeks, my first posh night out in forever so I am really looking forward to glamming up my new figure. I have arranged the babysitter already and was going to wear an LBD I nicked off the Mad One. This evening I tried it on, in front of GASP only to find....to my delight....that it is too big. Normally I would have it taken in by the Seamstress but as it belongs to the Mad One, that would be a bit chancy. GASP in a moment of " oh my God no, she is going to wa...