Getting things done around the house

We are on zero waste again although to be fair we rarely waste anything but it does end up with us having some eclectic mixes so last night we had some spicy Mexican wings pared with some cheesy mac bites, coleslaw and a really lovely salad of cherry tomatoes, onion, basil and black pepper with a drizzle of olive oil and balsamic vinegar.  I think the salad was my favourite bit although the wings weren't too bad either!!!

We had earmarked today to get the spare bedroom sorted.  This room is fundamentally used as John's dressing room and/or a dumping ground and it is very cold in there because we only heat it when someone is using it (and it is directly next to the swimming pool and gets little to no sunshine).  I do keep a dehumidifier going in there all the time to ensure the room isn't damp because the first year we were here it was terrible and we spent all the time touching the bedding trying to work out whether the things were damp or just bloody cold.  So we have decided that we will sleep in there at the weekends so that at least for two days out the week it will have some regular warmth in there which should help the whole fabric of the room.  John and I were going to do it together but John has taken joint custody of Arodes John's little chainsaw which AJ has not used for three or four years.  John was determined to get it working even though it took hours and there were a fair few expletives during the process but he persevered and he got it working - as I just knew he would!!  Anyway he got his job sorted and I got the bedroom sorted and it is all ready and waiting for us now!

We had a latish 'brunch'  - this is our new favourite!!!  We had a crumpet topped with a stack of grilled village halloumi, crispy streaky bacon shards and a 'proper' poached egg which I did in a pan and which is the first time I have ever managed to make one which looked good enough to eat.  Apparently the secret is, if you are not using super fresh eggs, you place the egg in a sieve to get rid of any string white before you cook and then you don't get so much guff.  It was bloody delicious and I even treated myself to a mere smidge of Branston Sauce even though I am now on my last bottle and I really dont know if I am ever going to get this again over here.

Tonight's supper was a triumph.  When we had gone to Paps earlier in the week the lovely avuncular Romanian butcher firstly rushed to get me two fresh livers for the cat and then when I asked for pork neck steaks ignored the ones sitting in the cold shelf in favour for getting a complete fresh new joint and chopping me off three absolute corkers - total price €2.74!!!  I used my one word of Romanian mulțumesc which means Thank You and he grinned from ear to ear.

I had some pears which were past their best and a can of out of date pear cider and I managed to find a recipe which included them all - Creamy pork and pear cassoulet.  I got it ready and bunged it in the slow cooker and left it going all day.

Who knew that pork and pear would make such a delicious combination and the pork was absolutely melt in the mouth!!!  I shall definitely be making that one Sunday when Mum can come up.  The restrictions are changing on Monday which means that she will be able to come to us or we to her but only within a three hour period so we are suggesting she comes up to us on Wednesday to visit the cemetery and have a snack lunch with us and then on the Sunday we will shoot down with some lunch.