Tara's Busy Kitchen (and other stories)

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Happy Chinese New Year!

15th February 2019 1600 × 1067 Happy Chinese New Year!

Happy Chinese New Year!

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As we enter the second week of isolation and third

As we enter the second week of isolation and third week of social distancing in the UK it makes me think back to lunches out, embracing my friends, tea dates, impromptu catch ups, drinks .. the list goes on. Heavens, I even miss the monotonous daily chores in town. Visiting the bank, the post office the food store. I miss the good old days! As a child I remember my beloved Nanny talking about the “good old days” and thinking how could times be better? But now I realise what she was talking about. I feel that feeling and I will never take anything for granted ever again. One thing that will come out of this will be our resilience. Our ability to adapt in a crisis. I am so proud of all my friends and family who are adhering to the rules and following guidelines. Yes, I miss you all dreadfully but imagine the fun we will all have together once this has passed. I get excited just thinking about it. In the meantime we must stay at home, protect the NHS and save lives. 🌈 Photography @chloeuptonstudio .
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#friendship #friend #goodtimes #memories #bestfriends #bff #best #amigos #happiness #crazy #goodtime #normal #love #girl #instagood #photo #photography #life #dessert #foodgasm #yum #tasty #sweets #baking #happy #instagram #smile #photooftheday #day

My daily walks have turned into kitty cat hunts. I

My daily walks have turned into kitty cat hunts. If I walk near the quay I look out for Mungo and if I am near the University it’s Campus Cat I hunt out. Well, this is Campus Cat. To be honest this photo doesn’t do either of us justice but I was so happy to catch up with him. He’s a very happy chap and always ready for cuddles. I sat down next to him and he jumped aboard for a tickle under the chin and a lovely smooth. What’s more, we found a half full packet of Dreamies (a branded cat treat that cats go mad for) nearby so fed him a few. How sweet is it that someone left some Dreamies for any passer by to give him couple? It’s simply adorable; that’s what. Cats do make me happy.😻
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#catsofinstagram #cats #catstagram #instacat #kitty #kitten #catlover #猫 #meow #catoftheday #ねこ #neko #gato #고양이 #ilovemycat #catsagram #catlovers #kittens #bestmeow #animal #petstagram #pets #ねこ部 #cats_of_instagram #ネコ #lovecats #cat_features #katze #animals #cutecat

I think we all deserve a little treat don’t you

I think we all deserve a little treat don’t you no matter what that may be? A little sweet treat with a morning coffee or a breath of fresh air whilst the sun is shining. I have no idea what day it is or how many days in lockdown we have had but I do know that it has taken its toll on a lot of people’s morale. I hear from my friends who are struggling emotionally and are worrying about work and money. It’s a tough time for us all but we are all in it together and we will come out the other side. Being on the end of a telephone call, FaceTime or Zoom can make a world of difference to how we feel. Yesterday I felt a bit pants but took myself out for my daily walk and came back feeling so much better. I bumped into a few people I knew (figuratively not actually and kept the appropriate 2m SD rule) and caught up on news. The fresh air, the smell of cut grass and the sun on my face and those little batters all contributed to lift my low mood. I have been taking solace in the kitchen making vegetarian delights that I wouldn’t normally have the time or inclination to make. I have baked cakes and left them on doorsteps of my nearby friends. Knowing I can share a little with them despite the face to face contact has been a godsend. I love cooking for people and entertaining so I guess this is my little way of still doing that. I hope you are all continuing doing your bit. Limit your time outside to protect our NHS heroes and key workers. We can do this! We are all in it together. Today I feel positive. 💪🏻😊👏🏻👯‍♀️
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#positive #positivevibes #positivity #mindset #energy #positivethinking #lawofattraction #success #quotes #gratitude #positivequotes #wisdom #vibes #selflove #inspire #positivethoughts #quote #goodvibes #motivate #abundance #mind #spiritual #quoteoftheday #cake #share

Simple pleasures.. you just know that this is goin

Simple pleasures.. you just know that this is going to be everything you wanted it to be. Salty, fried haloumi, tangy yet sweet tomato and that punch from the olives that makes this dish one of my all time favourites. We all love different things and combinations when it comes to meal times don’t we. I appreciate this night be good he’ll for some but I am a veggie queen. Any veg, raw or cooked and I am there. Throw any cheese into the mix and some irresistible crusty real bread and I am yours forever. What foods can you not live without? Share in the comments. 🙏🏻💚 Photo @chloeuptonstudio from our lunch date @comptoirlibanais 🍅
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#foodgasm #yum #eat #foodpic #dinner #foodpics #lunch #breakfast #foodphotography #foodlover #tasty #hungry #foodblogger #dessert #healthyfood #cheese #foods #cooking #olive #eeeeeats #foodies #eating #homemade #chef #tomato #foodblog #nomnom #delish #feedfeed #fresh

If you are anything like me, over the last few wee

If you are anything like me, over the last few weeks you will have turned to what you love doing. For me that is cooking, baking and dancing. My kitchen has been a haven for me. I have chopped, sautéed, boiled, grilled and baked my way through 9 days of isolation and I will continue to do so until this virus passes and I can get myself back out in the city with my dear friends and family. I long for lazy family lunches around my dining table with the doors wide open into my pretty courtyard garden with a glass of something pink in my hand. Just having the freedom to pop out for a cup of tea and a slice of cake with friends or hop on a train to London to see my sisters seems like a distant memory. It won’t be like this forever though and I long for the day that I can hug my loved ones. That first hug I won’t want to let go. .
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The second joy in my life is dance. Ballet in particular. It’s been so hard not being able to go to the studio to do what I love. I miss the kids that I teach and my ballet fitness ladies that I have formed a wonderful relationship with. That’s why I am thankful for a little app called Zoom. Zoom has given me a lifeline to the outside world and the job that I love so passionately. I have turned my lounge into a dance studio and am giving free ballet fitness classes daily to anyone who feels the need to exercise and communicate through their love of dance. It really has given me a daily sense of purpose and makes me so happy seeing everybody giving their all joining in. Thank you to everybody who has taken part so far and given me my mojo back. You really are making my days purposeful. Thank you so much for that. Photograph @chloeuptonstudio 💗
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#happiness #passion #success #business #ballet #ballerina #dancer #balletdancer #instadance #instaballet #dancers #flexibility #choreography #bake #baking #instabake #bakery #pastries #cake #bread #muffin #cookies #cupcake #tart #dowhatyoulove #lovemyjob

Lunchtime lockdown. What do you guys turn to to ge

Lunchtime lockdown. What do you guys turn to to get tastebuds tingling? Right now it has to be fresh salads using local produce.. I can’t wait for my @shillorganics box to arrive tomorrow so I can restock my pantry with fresh ingredients ready for the week ahead. If I had my way I would eat salads, warm bread and salted butter for every meal! Photos @angel.wade .
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#salad #avocado #vegetables #tomato #lunch #veggies #organic #vegetables #tomatoes #dinner #healthyfood #bvegan #vegetarian #salade #cucumber #spinach #greens #sandwich #salat #ensalada #cheese #healthyeating #eattherainbow #kale #lettuce

What I would give to have a delicious Sunday roast

What I would give to have a delicious Sunday roast lunch with my friends today. The sun is shining, it’s the first day of British Summer Time and at every other time in our lives it would be a moment to gather and celebrate. I guess we can still celebrate but in different ways. I may not be able to head out with friends for a roast but I can still enjoy the sunshine and the longer days. Thank goodness for my little sunny courtyard. My plans today will include my daily walk with Steve, re-making and photographing frying pan pizzas for the blog and then devouring them for lunch! .
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I also got up early and made a pantry crostata using tinned pears, frozen (but defrosted) pastry and a jar of Christmas mincemeat. I shall look forward to tucking into that this afternoon with a cup of tea. I don’t have a ballet fitness class today and I am already feeling like I am going to miss it dreadfully. I bet this time next week I will have added a sunday sesh to my timetable.🩰😂💪🏻 photograph by the talented @chloeuptonstudio ❤️
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#sunday #sundayfunday #domingo #funday #sundaymorning #lunch #dinner #hungry #yum #eating #eat #breakfast #foodpics #foodpic #lunchtime #foods #tasty #foodgasm #delish #brunch #salad #fresh #healthyfood #lunchbox #foodlover #cheese #cooking #chicken

You guys know how much I love a “statement wall”.. .
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A little find on today’s one and only venture from the house. Today has been a good day. I made scones first thing and promptly ate one and a half smothered thickly with salted butter. (No jam or clotted cream in the house so I need to rectify that pretty swiftly) I love that sweet salty vibe anyway so it wasn’t a problem, it works for me every time. After my, let’s call it, second breakfast I got myself all in a tizzy about my inaugural @revitalize.studios Zoom class. I don’t know why as I have been Zooming left, right and centre this week. It just felt different. The responsibility of doing a good job for someone else and not letting them down weighed heavily on my shoulders. What a wally I was.. i needn’t have worried. It was truly THE best hour, I loved it. What’s more, I get to do it all again later with my regular Friday ballet fit ladies.. I can’t wait! If anyone else wants to join in then drop me a DM and I will send you the link. I love Fridays. 💙
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#friday #tgif #friyay #fridaynight #bbw #doubletap #instalikes #sfs #kik #followback #viernes #happyfriday #instagramers
#graffiti #streetart #graffitiart #urbanart #graff #graffitiporn #streetarteverywhere #mural #instagraffiti #sprayart #ballet #fitness #balletfitness #barre

Back with the “tree of dreams” before the blos

Back with the “tree of dreams” before the blossom falls. I discovered this tree whilst out on my daily walk on Sunday and I have visited most days since. Today I took Steve and we picked the wild garlic that was growing underneath to make pesto, soup and frittata. Nature’s bounty is truly giving today. 🌱💗🌸
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#blossom #bloom #petals #petal #sopretty #instablooms #insta_pick_blossom #blooms #flowermagic #florals #flowerslovers #flowersofinstagram #floweroftheday #botanical #flowerstyles_gf #flowerporn #floral #flowerstagram #plants #spring #flower #blüte #blumen #fiori #instaflowers #flora #instaflower #blossoms #flowerpop #plant

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© Tara Smith 2020