Life gets in the way

In memory of Terry, Barry & James.

You may, or may not have noticed my absence on the blog lately, again.  It's not through any fault of my own, I've pretty much had the week from organized hell.  You know those weeks where you literally say "Can it seriously get any worse/busy/terrifying?"  Well, that pretty much sums up the last couple of weeks.

After years of saving, my fiancee and I finally took the plunge and starting looking around houses.  So we had appointments with mortgage brokers & estate agents every day, Morning, noon & night, I hardly had time to cook myself a simple meal yet alone create something new.  But then we'd still have to do our regular things, on top of that.  We barely had 3 seconds to sit and reflect.

I waved goodbye to a really good friend from school as she left the wet British Shores for the sunnier ones of Australia.  I cooked us a last supper, but I was too sad to take any pictures of it.  If you're reading this Bernie, I hope you're having better weather than we are!

Then there was the tragic news of our friend, passing away at the very early age of 22.  It literally knocked us all for six.  To say it was out of the blue would be an understatement.  It devastated a lot of people, and right as we are planning our future, it contrasts all the more.  RIP James.

The weekend didn't bring much time either.  Saturday we were up early for a house viewing, then I was off to Birmingham to see the Dirty Dancing Musical for my early birthday treat (my birthday is in a month), then on returning home the shock of the week hit us both and we were both quite poorly.

Sunday didn't bring me much of an appetite.  

So whilst it's been a busy/sad/tragic week, I'm all for staying positive.  I'm sorry this post isn't food related.  But there is some good to come from it.  I've been asked to do my friends wedding cake and I've been given the thumbs up to make a birthday cake for my Auntie.

Any ideas & tips for that would be greatly appreciated.

So I've been reading A LOT this week, about struggling food bloggers trying to get readers.  I found it quite hard at the beginning too.  Then I met such an awesome group of bloggers, that I can't complain a jot.

So I'm going to do my bit.  I don't have as many followers as some might have, but I like to think that the bloggers I do talk to on here, and who read regularly would agree, that circulation & sharing is what creates these groups.

Also, to make the week a little more awesome, I've been nominated for two awards by three awesome bloggers.  I know I'm a little late putting these up, so my apologies!

The first award is from Ellen B Cookery & Sugarly Ever After.  Both of these blogs deserved the award they got, if I could send it right back to them I would. 

I'm nominating:

1) Angie's recipes

2) Lauries Cravings

3) My Creative Flavours

4) What Kate Baked

Finally the gorgeous Miss Missy @ Mess makes Food nominated me for the one lovely blog award.  Her blog blows me away with awesomeness and it's fab to talk to another British blogger.

The rules of this are as follows.

1. Link back to whoever nominated you.

2. Write 11 random facts about yourself.

3. Nominate 11 bloggers.

11 Random Facts:

1. The thought of zombies terrifies me.  Yet I'll watch zombie movies/films.

2. Right now, I'm eating a clementine.

3. And drinking a massive mug of green tea

4. I dream of opening a seaside cafe or confectionery shop

5. I'm a big believer in what goes around comes around.

6. I studied music technology for 3 years at college.

7. Me, & my two younger brothers were all born in the same week of August (just in different years)

8. I have always kept a journal.  Since I was very young.

9. I have a true love for anything old with a history.

10. I appreciate kindness more than gifts.

11. And I spend too much money on things for the kitchen I don't have yet!

Nominations:

1) Words of deliciousness

2) The Saucy Gourmet

3) The Messy Baker

4) Michele's Woman Cave

5) Awkward Kitchenette

6) Glam Hungry Mom

7) Menu By Vicky

8) Profiteroles & Ponytails

Hope your weeks have been good!  =]