Weekending - Every raincloud has a silver lining.

As a precaution I am writing this in my sunglasses...and no, I don't have a hang-over. The weekend had a bit of a bumpy start. A migraine came over me Friday evening with all the needle in the eye flashing-light dizziness...and returned again mid-morning Saturday making me physically sick. 'A' thinks I must be allergic to Almond milk...but I think it's because the recession has hit me. Friday was my last day at work and I seem to be either, 'over' or under-qualified for everything I apply for. I just hate going for interviews (I know everybody does)...that's if I ever get another one...and I'm only looking for part-time work. I loved my job, hadn't been doing it very long and don't want to have to start something all over again. Thankfully after lots of chamomile tea and rest in a darkened room and a bit of pampering from 'A' involving supper of barbecued sea bream with beetroot salad  I was woken at 5:30 am Sunday morning by the barking of deers and what sounded like a screech owl, sans migraine.  Hurray...

I got up at 6 to make breakfast and picnic sandwiches from left over spatchcock chicken that he'd also barbecued the night before...all set to help H sell some of the copious amount of books and things that she's acquired over the years and can't quite squeeze into her shelves now that she's back home for six months.  We went to a local car-boot sale. The sun shone, our table was pitched next to the edge of a cornfield and she sold lots of her things. Even a sudden heavy shower half way through that soaked us to the skin...(it literally did...making us work like mad ants throwing everything back into the car) didn't put us off. We just got everything out and setup the stall again. The sun shone brightly, dried our clothes and we all came home with rosy cheeks from the sun and rain...Oh and a few new treasures...

I got to thinking that maybe losing my job was the nudge I needed to get me back to being much more creative.  Somebody has already asked me for knitting lessons...another to knit them a sweater, the felting projects I had been making for a stall with sister B at The Medicine Garden all seem to be coming along well so far...

...maybe every raincloud does have a silver lining...and I'll even get my ink and brushes out again too...




Food:

Food this weekend was all down to A.  Simple barbecued sea bream.  It didn't need anything even salt to enhance that lovely creamy white meat. It must have been naturally salty from the sea. Cooked on charcoal until the skin was charred and crunchy and the meat tender. 

Chicken halved by cutting along each side of the back bone.  Removing it and then opened out, pushing the bones to spatchcock. You can link to a video to see how to do it here.  He then cooked over charcoal. Eaten with crusty french bread and salad and big juicy gherkins. Then with mayonnaise and grainy Dijon mustard and sage and onion stuffing on H's favourite German linseed bread for picnic lunch next day.

On Sunday he cooked Persian istanbolli polow.  Using lovely fresh green beans that were a kind surprise gift from a friend's allotment. You can find the recipe here. I don't usually eat red meat but indulged in a little of this tasty food that is  mostly rice and vegetables and thick Greek yoghurt.

Ps...It was totally impossible to write this wearing sunglasses...I couldn't see a thing...so I had to give up...I don't recommend trying...

I'm linking over to Amanda's the habit of being today...why not join in too...