Meal Planner and Shopping List

I'm a lucky lady. This week I have been bought TWO cookbooks by two separate, darling friends. This makes me super-duper happy! (T'other was Hugh's Three Good Things). Both in their own different ways, beautifully thoughtful gifts.

I have already made a successful rhubarb and custard jelly...

...and some not so successful lavender marshmallow. Tastes good, but didn't quite set (I believe, because I scrimped and used powdered gelatine instead of leaf gelatine). Not a complete disaster, as I just whacked it in a couple of jars and changed it to marshmallow spread!

So now I am sat on my new (to me) green sofa and I am going to browse through the books and plan our meals and shopping list for the week or so ahead. I knew I could get used to spending my time alone wisely and enjoyably :)

Meals

• Mackarel, oatmeal, rhubarb (Three Good Things, page 210) plus green salad
• Smoked haddock, sweetcorn, batter (Three Good Things, page 224) plus new potatoes plus homemade tartare sauce
• Smoked haddock, spinach, béchamel (Three Good Things, page 227) plus poached egg
• Beetroot, mozzarella, balsamic (Three Good Things, page 145)
• Fennel, lemon and king prawn risotto (http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/1089640/fennel-and-lemon-risotto
• Egg, toast, anchovy (Three Good Things, page 123)
• Tuna and sweetcorn pasta bake
• King prawn, cherry tomato & avocado salad
• Olives, capers, tomatoes (Three Good Things, page 113)
• Fennel, apple, goats cheese (Three Good Things, page 22)
• Courgette, cheese and penne spoufflé (Veg Everyday page 23) 
• Honey-baked rhubarb (Everyday page 30)
• Macaroni Peas (Veg Everyday page 264)
• Pasta with green, garlic and chilli (Veg everyday page 261)

To Buy

Cyder vinegar

Mezze to impress(e?!)

Dinner

Grilled aubergines with honey and chilli (Hugh)

Saag paneer (http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/paneerwithspinach_86756)

Patatas bravas (Hugh)

Salmon / broad bean dip with salad leaves (http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2012/jun/01/peas-broad-beans-recipes)

Guacamole?

Breadsticks?

Chorizo in red wine

Breakfast spread

Breakfast cheesecake with macerated strawberries and blueberries, balsamic and pepper (Hugh)

Grilled halloumi and tomatoes with honey chilli dressing (Hugh)

CAB Introduction

I spent a fascinating afternoon being introduced to the role of gateway assessor at my local CAB today. I had such a massive smile on my face by the end - I have never been in a situation that felt so 'me'. I am genuinely excited about the opportunity. Just need to apply and get trained up now!

I enquired thinking it would be great to get the face to face contact with people experiencing the welfare state, while I'm learning about the theory and history at uni. However, it looks like it might be even more relevant than I thought - as the introduction included a part about social policy, and how the patterns we see with clients are fed back to head office who then lobby government. They didn't use the word lobby...

Anyway, my research and journey with the CAB starts here. This is their 'evidence cycle' (taken from http://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/index/policy.htm)

I wonder if there are any work experience opportunities with the policy team...

Work experience ramblings

I am starting a University in October, and I'm trying to get 'ahead of the game'. I'm applying for work experience, and I'm aware I need a clear idea of what I want to get out of a placement in order to really gain some understanding.

So.

Questions

I imagine that the LSOA of the claimant is being captured by the database. Who looks at this information, and what is done with it?

What are the timescales for dealing with particular enquiries?

Are there any statutory guidelines to adhere to or are these decided by the local authority?

Is there any automatic information sharing with other departments, for example adult social care?

Is the paperwork sent out to claimants in clear, plain English?

What allowances are made to ensure paperwork is accessible to all?

Who deals with the complaints received and how is this data analysed?

What is the most common reason for complaint? Does this differ by year / quarter? Is there a pattern?


Letter sent 


Dear Sir/Madam,

I am due to start a Social Policy degree at Bristol Univeristy in October 2013. I am keen to start exploring career options, henceforth I am due to complete a three day work experience placement with North Somerset Council Revenues and Benefits team in July. I will be spending a day with; the service centre receiving housing benefit and council tax support enquiries, housing benefit processors, and finally the council tax and enforcement team. I am hoping to gain an understanding of the enquiries received, and the procedures the staff follow to solve them.

To broaden my understanding, I would like to take part in a similar opportunity within neighbouring local authorities. Can you please advise if this is possible, or who I need to contact to apply for work experience within Bristol City Council?

Yours Faithfully,

Holly Young


Somerset County Council - Emailed 10th June 2013
Bristol City Council - Web enquiry 10th June 2012

So long!

I haven't posted for a very long time. I have been inspired by setting my almost 6 year old up with her very own blog.

I am VERY excited by the thought that she will have somewhere that, if she chooses to continue it, will record our little lives for her to look back on. I suppose it's the book 'Any Human Heart' that has in turn inspired me to set her up. So shouldn't I do the same? Record my life and ramblings for the benefit/interest of my future self and family.

I'm still happy! Now a Town Councillor and very much on a learning curve about that. Soon to become a school governor at Worle School, a local secondary school and will be on an even steeper learning curve then! I'm an almost qualified childcare practitioner, I'm a Mummy, I'm a lover. I'm a daughter. But I see myself as much more of the list above. I wonder if most sons and daughters do?

Life goes on doesn't it? Reading back my last - Imbolc - post, I have no recollection of my words but the feelings they describe seem familiar. That circular feeling of up and down, up and down... satisfaction and compromise. And there the ramblings shall end for now.

Damn you William Boyd. What have you unleashed exactly?

Imbolc.

Sat on my sofa at the top of a rollercoaster, a hill, a beginning?
Just another normal day, normal night, normal life.
I watched the mist clear, watched it roll down the hill, cover it all.
Then disappear.
The sun doesn't pierce, it appears. Fog to light. Confusion to glee.

Repeated epiphany.

February 1st 2011 - A day to remember

Why?

A happy Emelia.
Just saying yes, not no.
What's the rush?
SO fortunate.
Surrounded by love.

It has just been a lovely day! No stress getting to school started it nicely. I strolled down to the creche I was working at and spent a lovely three hours making small children I have never met before laugh. What a privilege.

After work, I wondered back in to town and bought Emelia a 'magical maths' workbook - a book she has already started to enjoy. Went to Loves cafe and treated myself to a jacket potato and cup of tea while I read some more of 'The Spirit Level'.

Bought my friend a book I hope she will get a lot out of.

Picked Emelia up from school, went and bought bits for tea from Tesco, some strawberries for the walk home. Spent time together smelling the different shower gels, annoyed other shoppers in the queue behind us while Emelia scanned our goods through the self serve checkout.

Came home, jumped in the shower and then in to our PJ's. Snuggled on the sofa while Emelia ate more strawberries. Did some washing up when Mark got home so he could make us a stirfry. Helped Em through the first Magic Maths task while he cooked. Ate together. Put some washing on while Emelia got ready for bed. Read Tabby McTat. Sang Tabby McTats song a fair few times.

Now I'm sat here, TV on while Markerson is at his Sustainable Weston meeting.

Probably sounds decidedly - dull?

I am full of smiles and I absolutely love my life!