10.12

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C A F F E I N E   I N   R E D   C U P S  .

Earlier in the week, I spent a day working at Jason’s office in Guildford. It always seems to be more of a rush than we expect it to be, trying to get two of us out of the door on time in the morning, and this day was no exception.

Bags were packed full of laptops and cables and cameras and hard drives, Teddy was parked on the back seats of my car, makeup was applied on the hoof (by me of course, not Jason…), and we made it into Guildford centre only *mildly* stressed about how late we were running.

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Halfway through the day, tempted outside both by the bright sunshine and the fact that neither of us had eaten breakfast that morning or had lunch to hand, we headed up the high street in search of a little energy boost.

It came in the form of red cups, filled with the sweetest of coffees.

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Coat || Fair Isle knit || Brogues


We drank our coffees whilst walking Teddy along the river, discussing what gifts to buy for our family members this Christmas, and sharing memories of Ted as a pup to try to remind ourselves of what it’s going to be like going back to having a puppy in the house again come the end of December.

Speaking of which, have I even mentioned here yet that Jason and I are adding a springer spaniel puppy to our family at the end of this month? We’re so very excited! But nervous too, because you know…puppies are hard work!

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It’s becoming something of an annual tradition, these mini midweek Christmas coffee dates. Remember the last one? :)

I kind of love that this blog allows me to go back and revisit the same tiny, insignificant things Jason and I were doing in previous years.

It reminds me to take note of how quickly our lives seem to be changing and progressing at the moment, and to appreciate the small moments just as much as the big milestones we’re reaching.

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So today, on this not to sunny Thursday mid-way through a disappointingly mild December, consider me thankful for happy hours spent by the river in my favourite town, for spaniels (both little and large), for gingerbread lattes, and most importantly, for that man of mine who I still can’t believe I get to call ‘husband’. <3

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08.12

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T H E   U L T I M A T E   F E S T I V E   B R E A K F A S T

Would it be presumptuous of me to say that this recipe could just be the answer to all your Christmas morning dreams? It would be, wouldn’t it…

Instead, let me say this- forget scrambled eggs and smoked salmon, or crumpets and toast, or even a Full English- this panettone french toast is what Jason and I will be eating at approximately 8.30am on the 25th of December this year.

And that’s a fact!

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Panettone French toast really is the most festive breakfast imaginable- Christmas on a plate, you might say!

Thickly cut slices of sweet, fruit-flecked panettone are soaked in a cinnamon and vanilla infused egg mixture, then gently fried in butter until golden and fluffy.

The slightly dry cake becomes soft and pudding-like when cooked up French-toast style, and the addition of a little cinnamon to the proceedings adds a little ‘spice’ to balance out all that sweet.

And, what’s *most* important to know, is that the recipe is simplicity itself! Have I convinced you yet?

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Jason and I always pick up a panettone whilst buying our Christmas tree each year, to be eaten over the course of that happily festive day.

But now that this recipe’s become such a household favourite?

I think we might need to start buying more than just one…

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The ingredients as below produce 4 halved slices of French toast- enough to serve two people. The recipe is easy to multiply though- for every portion of French toast (i.e. 1 round slice, or 2 halved slices of panettone), you’ll need 1 egg, 40ml of milk, and 1.8th tsp each ground cinnamon and vanilla extract.

Ingredients ::
2 thick round slices of shop-bought Italian panettone
2 eggs
80ml, or 1/3 cup semi-skimmed milk
1/4tsp ground cinnamon
1/4tsp vanilla extract
Jam/fruit compote/syrup/icing sugar to serve.

- Take a good quality shop-bought Italian panettone, and cut two 1inch round slices- one slice per person.

- In a wide, shallow bowl, whisk together the egg, milk, cinnamon, and vanilla extract. Don’t worry if the cinnamon is a little lumpy- it won’t matter a bit!

- Soak the panettone in the egg mixture one slice at a time, until between the two slices, pretty much all of the egg mixture has been absorbed.

- Heat a small knob of a butter in a large non-stick frying pan, then gently fry each slice of panettone in turn for a minute or two per side, until puffy and slightly browned.

{If you’re cooking for more than a couple of people, you might like to put the cooked French toast in a low oven to keep warm whilst you finish frying.}

- Cut each slice of French toast in half, and then serve with a dusting of icing sugar, a drizzle of your favourite syrup (I used golden syrup here, but maple, agave, or even honey would be just as lovely), and a spoonful of something fruity.

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Buon appetito, bon appetit, and…happy eating!

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Posted in BAKING, BREAKFAST, CHRISTMAS, FROM MY HOME TO YOURS, RECIPE, SWEET

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03.12

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 B A B Y   I T ‘ S   C O L D   O U T S I D E .

Oh look! It’s that cape again!

I’ll tell you, I’ve been wearing that thing pretty much non-stop lately. And I figured that, since it’s the sort of item that I once would’ve looked at and thought ‘I would have NO idea how to wear that!’, perhaps it wouldn’t hurt for me to break that rules of blogging and feature an item more than once ;)

Totally kidding. You know me and my penchant for wearing the same things over and over! Those leopard flats being a case in point…

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Tania snapped these photos for me partway through last week, right after we’d finished brunch and were having a potter around Parson’s Green.

We stepped out of the cafe and were hit immediately by a gust of wind 100 times brisker than the day’s forecast had predicted, and as our noses turned pinker and pinker in a matter of minutes as we walked along the New King’s Road.

Cold we might have been, yet still, there’s something undeniably lovely and happy-making about London during the winter months.

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Each year I forget how beautiful London looks in the cold, crisp, blue-ish light of winter, and how much I love to visit the city during the festive season.

Though the hustle and bustle of the shopping hotspots never fails to me feel ever so slightly anxious about the state of my own Christmas shopping efforts (this year, non-existant so far…), there’s a sort of hurried energy to the place that’s undeniably infectious.

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I love the lights that criss-cross back and forth between the tall buildings on Regent Street, and the blue and white snowflakes that usually sit high in the trees around Sloane Square.

I love the festive displays in shop windows, and seeing people walking along the streets bundled up in coats carrying a dozen shopping bags, and the sparkly silhouettes of Christmas trees that shine through the front room curtains of the homes that line the streets.

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Cape || Jeans || Flats || Hat

 

I remember being in London just a couple of days before Christmas last year, catching up with the girls just after Tania came back from Australia.

As I travelled across town, it seemed as though every other person making their way through the city was carrying armfuls of wrapped gifts, and dragging heavy suitcases behind them.

It felt like a scene from one of those gloriously cheesy Christmas films that we can’t help but watch each December, and I remember thinking ‘This is it, right here. *This* is Christmas.’

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I’ve always had this strange love for travelling over Christmas season, no doubt born from that most famous of Christmas songs (is Chris Rea singing in your head right now, too?), and I think that’s why that little scene caught my heart in the way it did.

In fact, I’m already starting to get fluttery with excitement about the travelling we’re doing around Christmas time this year!

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How will you be spending your Christmas day, this year? :) My Mum’s hosting this one, and I just can’t wait!

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Posted in LONDON, WORN

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01.12

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It really has been such a pleasure having Namaste from Ananya linked here on Cider with Rosie throughout the past month. There’s something special about Ana’s blog that always leaves me feeling a little calmer, a little more reflective, and always, always inspired. Ana blogs about her culture, her passion for travel, and the moments of joy in her life, all with such passion and with such beautiful writing that I know you’ll fall in love the minute you click through to her site!

So, enough from me. Over to Ana!

1. Will you tell us a little about how you got started writing Namaste from Ananya?

When I first started blogging, I just wanted a platform to express myself, particularly my Indian heritage and so back in late 2012, The Asian Destination was born! I loved sharing travel advice, sharing the meaning behind much of the Indian traditions and festivals I’d be celebrating whilst adding in a few messages of inspiration my friends have dubbed the ‘Ana Cheesy quotes’!

With experience though comes wisdom and insight. Back in 2014, I was going through a transition period in my life; I realised I was missing out on opportunities simply because I was too scared to try something different. I wanted my blog to be an authentic reflection of who I was and be able to encompass all that I loved about life…and thus, renaming it Namaste from Ananya, seemed fitting.

2. What three words would you use to describe your blog?

Personal, life reflections.

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3. Would you tell us a little about your blogging process? What comes easiest to you- the words, or the pictures?

Though I’m rarely without a camera in my hands, I’ve always found I can express myself much more coherently through writing. That said though, in terms of blogging every post is quite different for me!

Sometimes if there’s been an event, an organisation or book that’s really resonated with me then the words usually haunt me until I’ve written them down! Then it’s a case of finding or taking an appropriate photo. Other times though it’s the other way around.

4. Do you have a favourite type of post to put together? I love your writing *so* much, it’s just beautiful!

Bless you, that’s so lovely to hear! I usually love to share what’s on my mind or what’s affected me recently. At the moment for me, time just feels to slip past these days so I have made more of an effort to try and document the little day-to-day treasures which are often overlooked or forgotten in months to come. I have your blog to thank for inspiring me to start a little Happiness Jar of my own!

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5. You write often about your love for travel. Is there a country or destination you’ve travelled to that captured your heart more than any other?

Maybe I’m heavily biased but India! I feel lucky to be able to experience India through the eyes of both an Indian and as a tourist. There is life in every corner and that’s what I love about it. Like every country, there are darker areas but the vibrancy and colour is like no other place I’ve experienced….yet! Though I go to India every year to see family, I’d love to take a couple of months to explore every inch of the place since each region is so diverse and different.

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6. What might Cider with Rosie readers be surprised to learn about you? Any secret skills or party tricks?

Sadly I don’t have any impressive party tricks to boast about unless you mean demolishing a jar of cashew butter in record speed? ;) (I recommend Meridian Cashew butter for anyone interested!) Aside from that though, most people are surprised to hear that my PhD research involves seeing a lot of placentas. My PhD is in reproductive biology and focusing on trying to prevent babies being born too early. This basically means that aside from being an eternal student, I use the placentas donated by women after their deliveries to experiment on. So if in the future any ladies reading this are approached after their delivery to donate their placenta just know the research student most probably receiving it, is very grateful!

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7. Since the year’s drawing to a close, would you share with us what your highlights from 2015 have been?

I can’t believe how fast 2015 has gone!

My 2015 highlights include:

- Some very special birthday presents – this year I asked my loved ones to write down the answer to a few questions, including: What’s the most important lesson you’ve learnt to date? What advice would you give for the future? Over the course of the year, I’ve found myself reading through them all and just feeling so warmed by such priceless words of wisdom.

- Being part of my friend’s wedding; being part of the preparation and going through the motions, her fears and hesitations made it all the more emotional to see her whole family come together from Canada to be a part of it here in the UK.

- Visiting India is always lovely but this year, one highlight was to see my cousin, after 18 months. She continues to be the ‘miracle baby’ of our family and is such a touching reminder of why I went into reproductive research!

Above all though a personal ‘acceptance’. I look back at this year and feel content, something which is pleasantly surprising for me since usually I’m quite hard on myself. I really wanted to ensure I used every opportunity to face more fears this year. Although I may not have gone travelling around the world solo or jumped out a plane (on my list after the PhD, don’t worry) what I’ve learnt in the process is that fear is relative and doesn’t necessarily mean tackling the huge fears. It might also mean just saying ‘yes’ or ‘no’ more often.

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8. And finally, it’s our old favourite Desert Island Discs! If you were stranded on a desert island, what would you bring along for the ride? You can bring two albums/CDs, two books, two films, ingredients to make a meal, and one luxury item!

It’s hard to choose only 2 books but I think I’d have to narrow it down to:

The Alchemist by Paulo Cohelo

The Nanny by Melissa Nathan is also a great favourite.

For films, I’d have to take The Pursuit of Happyness – I’ve rewatched this film so many times but I love it.

Music: Ludovico Einaudi  & Beyonce – Bit of a random mix but I love both (maybe not together though!)

Above all other ingredients, a supply of mangoes and I’d be happy!

My luxury item would be a film camera – I’d want to document at least some of time there and I like the idea of leaving the film undeveloped, just waiting to be discovered!

~ ~ ~

Thanks so much Ana for such a lovely set of answers! You can find Namaste from Ananya here, and don’t forget to follow along via Bloglovin too!

p.s. If you’d like to see your own blog featured here on Cider with Rosie, click through to the Sponsor page and book up an advert!

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