Explain Yourself

This weekend has been an exercise in patience. Two of Patrick’s schoolfriends have been staying with us, and “school” is the operative word. It seems that when we’re around those who knew us best at a certain point in life have the ability to always take us back to that point. My husband is one of the most gently confident people I know, but something about old friends seems to take him to a place where he needs to explain his life choices.

Explaining why you’ve left London, moved to “the country” (the London-centric term for anywhere with a population under half a million) and got a Land Rover and a dog is difficult. They’re things that you do because you like them – because they make you happy. There are other reasons, but nobody wants to be negative about the place that people live to their face. Because paying three-quarters of your take-home to live somewhere with crime, litter and both poverty and wealth rammed in your face every day is somewhat soul-destroying. Because my face seems to be at the same height as the average commuters’ armpit.

I gave up women’s magazines some time ago for a couple of reasons. One was the absurd fawning over celebrities. Every issue would feature an interview with a celebrity who was “surprisingly” the nicest person ever, and oh-so-naturally beautiful without a hint of make-up. I kid you not – they would rehash the same actual article week after week,  changing only the name and a few personalising details. The main reason, though, was the unattainable lifestyle that they were pushing. A group of local, identical-interest girlfriends with whom you go drinking most evenings; a designer wardrobe with no mention of a career; a rich, successful boyfriend and acrobatic sex life (presumably after the drinks with the girls); holidays to far flung exotic climes or the Italian Riviera.

Living in a big city feels like living in one of those magazines. Where I am now, having designer labels and the fact that I’m not out every night doesn’t cross my mind until I have them dangled in front of me. The line “you can’t miss something you never had” isn’t quite it – more like you can’t miss what becomes irrelevant.

I’m happy here. It’s just difficult to put it into words, and any attempt sounds like protesting too much.

Anyway, it’s a new week, so I’m setting some goals.

1. Walk 10 miles.

2. Speak to my local Slimming World representative and get signed up for meetings!

3. Finish all the work I need to do for clients A1 and M1.

4. Book a doctor’s appointment! I know they won’t see me for two weeks, but I’m impatient and want to get started.

5. Have a total wardrobe clear-out.

6. Finish off our thank-you cards from the wedding. I’m 2/3 of the way there.

7. Buy all the copies of the Sun I need to get our £9.50 trip to Disneyland Paris! I swear I don’t buy that filth normally, but it’s too good a deal to miss.

8. Write up another honeymoon post.

Busy week! Is anyone else weirded out by the big picture of Jimmy Wales at the top of the Wikipedia page at the moment? He just looks so… sincere.

Is there anyone in your life who makes you feel 14 again?

Disney Food Blog Cross-Sections

Those of us who know and love Walt Disney World shudder when they hear “But I couldn’t go on holiday and just live on burgers and chips!” We know all about the top-quality steaks, fresh and flavoursome seafood, and extensive wine cellars, but there’s no harm in indulging in a little junk every now and then.

AJ over at Disney Food Blog provides excellent reviews of restaurants and food events all the time, but the thing that truly sets it apart and gets me through these lettuce-laden pre-wedding times is this…

Ohhhh… Yes. Not only does AJ write about and photograph some of the most nommy naughtiness around, but she actually cuts them in half and shows us the gooey, sugary innards. Yum! Above is the White Chocolate Chip Brownie, available at Disney’s Hollywood Studios’ Starring Rolls Café.

For those who love the kitschness of American chocolate bars, this one is a treat – the Butterfinger Cupcake, again from Starring Rolls. Would you like some cupcake with your two kinds of butter icing?

If all this sweetness is starting to give you toothache, here’s a savoury number from Disneyland’s Naples Restaurant, part of the same restaurant group as the hotly-anticipated Via Napoli in Epcot’s Italy. The Arancini with red pepper dip is like nothing I’ve ever seen before, and I definitely plan to try that creamy, cheesy, crispiness when we’re on our honeymoon!

Carrying on down the peanut butter route… How gorgeous does this look? It’s a Chocolate Peanut Butter Cupcake, again from the legendary Starring Rolls Café.

Next up – the German Chocolate Cookie, in all its glorious coconutty goodness. Yes, that’s a word. Contrary to popular belief, German Chocolate Cake, this inspiration for this cookie, actually has nothing to do with Germany. It is named after Samuel German, the Englishman who created the chocolate used in the recipe, which was thought to originate in the American South. This beast of a cookie can be found at Goofy’s Candy Company, and – between you and me – I think it kind of explains the shop’s proprietor’s quirky smile!

Would you believe that I’ve actually lost weight on every single trip to Disney World? Something about clocking up 20,000 plus steps every day, I’m sure!

Big thanks to AJ – all photos were used with written permission from Disney Food Blog. For more yumminess and great food reviews, check out DisneyFoodBlog.com

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