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My Week In Pictures - Lockdown 3.0 Week 4

My Week In Pictures – Lockdown 3.0 Week 4

31st January 202131st January 2021 - tara Leave a comment

Hello all and happy Sunday. It’s been an odd week don’t you think? I overheard someone say on a zoom group class I was taking earlier that she was suffering from lockdown fatigue. Maybe that’s a thing because I most certainly for the best part of the week have been feeling a bit low. IRead more

Quick Spiced Lentils - Dahl Inspired

Quick Spiced Lentils – Dahl Inspired

29th January 202129th January 2021 - tara Leave a comment

It’s that time of year that calls for comfort food. It’s cold, it’s grey and on the most part pretty soggy outside. So I reach for gentle spices and recipes that make me feel warm from the inside out and incredibly satisfied. Food that feels like a big hug from your Nanna, do you knowRead more

My Week In Pictures - Lockdown 3 Week 3

My Week In Pictures – Lockdown 3 Week 3

24th January 202125th January 2021 - tara Leave a comment

It’s been a funny old week here. Firstly, I have been on my own as Steve has been working away. Don’t panic! It’s all within the Covid laws – testing and a work bubble has been created. Professional musicians are allowed to rehearse which has meant that for the whole week I have been atRead more

Peanut Butter Mousse

Peanut Butter Mousse

20th January 202120th January 2021 - tara Leave a comment

I don’t know about you but I eat peanut butter every day in some form. Be it spooned onto my morning porridge, whizzed into a smoothie, whipped into frosting, or simply on some toasted sourdough after I finish my online ballet classes. For me it provides comfort plus it helps it’s darn delicious. It’s theRead more

Saturday Brunch

My Week In Pictures – Lockdown 3.0 Week 2

17th January 202117th January 2021 - tara Leave a comment

Hello all. We seem to have made it through another week in lockdown so let’s give ourselves a pat on the back for that. it’s challenging and we are all doing a great job. However we get through the week and whatever we do is alright. If you want to spend a day in your PJ’sRead more

Buffalo Cauliflower Bites

Buffalo Cauliflower Bites

16th January 202116th January 2021 - tara 1 Comment

I don’t know about you but when it’s cold outside I want to eat spicy food; something with a bit of zing and kick. This recipe has been on the back burner until now purely because I hadn’t received a cauliflower in my weekly organic veg box delivery but as soon as I saw theRead more

My Week In Pictures - Lockdown 3.0 Week 1

My Week In Pictures – Lockdown 3.0 Week 1

9th January 20219th January 2021 - tara Leave a comment

Here we go again! Lockdown 3.0 started on Tuesday here in England. I did manage to get one evening in of live ballet classes with my primary-school-age children before resuming online from Tuesday which was lovely. A chance to reconnect with the children albeit briefly. Obviously, with lockdown 3.0 I haven’t been out and aboutRead more

Let It Be Sunday - My Week In pictures #4

My Nine Best Things Of 2020

30th December 202030th December 2020 - tara Leave a comment

2020 has been challenging for all. Work has been sparse for some and non-existent for others. Loneliness for many has become a real issue. There have been constant challenges thrown our way that has meant we have had to adapt and adopt new ways of thinking, working, socialising and exercising. For me, 2020 has givenRead more

Pigs In Puff Pastry Blankets - A wonderful Party Canapé

Pigs In Puff Pastry Blankets – A wonderful Party Canapé

22nd December 202022nd December 2020 - tara Leave a comment

(Ad) I was recently sent some sausages from my friends at HECK. These aren’t any old sausages though. Of course, they are delicious, we know that, but these sausages are doing good at the same time. With each packet, purchased HECK are contributing to a very worthwhile campaign to combat homelessness. I wanted to highlightRead more

Let It Be Sunday - My Week In pictures #4

Let It Be Sunday – My Week In pictures #4

20th December 202020th December 2020 - tara Leave a comment

Wow! Another week where our worlds get picked up and thrown down thus jiggling all plans once again. I guess in reality I was expecting a u-turn on the Christmas rules. It had to happen but why with less than a week to go? Why not last week when people could switch up/cancel plans/food deliveriesRead more

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(Ad) The 3 stages of ice cream happiness.. swipe l (Ad) The 3 stages of ice cream happiness.. swipe left. So happy in the knowledge that a short train journey away there is top quality gelato. Listen up ice cream lovers, @cafepatisserieglacerie opens up tomorrow selling delightful French patisserie and gelato hand made on the premises! If you love sweet treats this has to be on your list of go-to places.
Cheers to the weekend! It’s definitely wine o’ Cheers to the weekend! It’s definitely wine o’clock.🥂
Today wasn’t the best day so I’ve decided to p Today wasn’t the best day so I’ve decided to post some pics from Easter weekend that have lifted my mood no end🐣So thankful for the glorious weather that enabled us to enjoy our outdoor festivities.
Happy Easter. How lucky have we been with the weat Happy Easter. How lucky have we been with the weather? I don’t think we could have wished for better, particularly as all socialising has to remain outside for now. Steve and I have managed to sit outside everyday this week for either lunch or dinner (sometimes both) and it’s been great. Today I invited the family over to join us and it couldn’t have been a nicer day. I hope you have all managed to spend a bit of time with your nearest and dearest this Easter weekend. Here are a few snapshots of the Easter lunch I prepared for the fam all recipes from @skyemcalpine book A Table For Friends. The star of the show had to be the Torta Pasqualina. A beautiful pie filled with spinach, ricotta and eggs. Definitely something I shall add to my permanent repertoire.
Being able to socialise outdoors with friends and Being able to socialise outdoors with friends and family is totally ace. Here’s a pic of my risotto primavera and some pretty epic vino from @pullo.shop - Happy Easter all. 🐣
(AD) I have been a regular purchaser and eater of (AD) I have been a regular purchaser and eater of @latuapasta after discovering them via Instagram a couple of months ago. Being a lover of all things Italian and anything made with truffle I was instantly drawn to their filled pastas. This family business pre-pandemic hand made and hand folded pasta for the hospitality industry supplying some of the top restaurants in the UK. Since March 2020, like many businesses, they have diversified and now deliver nationwide to your homes. I think I am on my third delivery now and can safely say I am hooked. Every order has been sent swiftly in eco-friendly packaging and delivered to my door in a matter of days. The pastas can be stored in the fridge or to prolong their life can be frozen. Ideal if you take advantage of their free delivery option when you spend £30. If you want a few recommendations can I suggest you try the beetroot and goats cheese ravioli with walnut pesto and the black truffle tortelloni with truffle butter to start with.. I have literally tried every truffle option, the beetroot gnocchi with sage butter and the tortelloni filled with lobster and crab doused with lemon butter. 🤤 Listen, it’s all good so whatever you order I think you will be pleased. 
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Yesterday’s lunch was kindly gifted by @latuapasta - I sampled their Buona Pasqua Easter Feast with a couple of vegetarian alternatives. 💚
A moment of reflection on this fine Saturday.🪟 A moment of reflection on this fine Saturday.🪟 Spring seems to have made a return as I gaze out of my window this morning. I am more than happy about that.🌷
Yesterday felt like spring as I tiptoed through th Yesterday felt like spring as I tiptoed through the tulips. Today, not so much! ☔️
This photo taken a year ago to the day marks the f This photo taken a year ago to the day marks the first anniversary of the start of the first UK lockdown. The first of my daily lockdown walks, the fear of the unknown and that point truly believing that in 3 weeks it would all be over. How naive was I, were we? I want to take a moment today to remember all the people who didn’t make it through and think about the families that have been left heartbroken. I will think about how different life is now. A lot has happened this year that has been incredibly positive too. Things that most probably might not have happened without that first lockdown. Steve and I discovered our new home on one of our daily lockdown walks in an area of Exeter that we would never have known existed without being spurred on to exercise outdoors. I started my online ballet fitness business @myballetfit (pretty much to the day in fact) and have managed to create a wonderful online community with a whole bunch of people all over the world. The fear I felt before taking my first Zoom class and the euphoria I felt when it was over will be memories I will never forget. Turning a negative into a positive has become my motivation in life. That first class was the making of me and I am so glad I took that initial leap. Whatever memories you have from this past year, both good and bad, take a moment to pause and reflect today. 🤍
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© Tara Smith 2020