Afternoon refuge

Coffee. Music. A genius. Yes, every time I read Vonnegut I have to add a new book to my favourites.

Stretford Road. Rain and sunshine. One can also call it a good description of my current mental state.

Baking accomplished and two celebrations

No, the headline is not about the gingerbread biscuits that I decided I wanted to make 1.5 weeks before Christmas; the Swedish carnations still haven't arrived. I guess they'll come when they come, there's nothing I can do about it.

It's about the bump. I wish I could have the same relaxed approach to it as to the dried flowers but my patience is being put to test at the moment, and I'm not even overdue. But this baby is ready-baked, an incredible milestone if you knew more about my medical history, and I want it here now.

I'm not doing a summary of December as I was tired all the time and crap at both cooking and blogging. Pot noodles and ready-made pizzas pretty much sums it up.

But Christmas passed and although I didn't make a majestic dinner, I did make lentil balls. And instead of cheddar and oregano I put in feta cheese and fresh coriander - a really good move. Highly recommended. Just change those two little details in the original recipe and let yourself be blown away. You're welcome.

Apart from that, I made boiled potatoes with butter and salt, a salad with roasted beetroot and red onion and fresh feta cheese, walnuts and a bit of lettuce. Dip-wise I made a Swedish Christmas must-have - 'rödbetssallad' - with 3 tbsp mayo, 1 tbsp yoghurt, 2 chopped beetroots, 1 peeled and grated apple and 1 tsp of black pepper. Simply delicious.

Yesterday was New Year's Eve and I ate like a hungry horse. Maybe my body is starting to load for labour, or maybe it's just unconscious greed as I know this is soon gonna be over...?

In the afternoon I went for a walk and when I came back Jon asked if I wanted to go for another walk and I said yes. After a nice crisp promenade to Castlefield we ended up in The Knott, one of Manchester's best pubs with their highly impressive beer selection. Oh, I'm looking forward to a pint now.

We weren't intending to eat but after seeing and smelling some of the other guests' orders we couldn't resist our temptations.

I ordered a grilled halloumi and wild mushroom burger with spiced wedges (£5.50) and Jon had a falafel wrap with hand-cut chips (£5.50). Although I am a little stunned about the amount of Manchester places serving veggie burgers of this sort, I was happy with the flavours, especially the green pesto. The salad was dressed in a nice dressing as well and wedges just spicy enough.

Halloumi and mushroom burger with wedges

We both agreed that my dish was the highlight of the two but Jon's worked well as an afternoon filler too.

Falafel wrap with chips

Later in the evening we had salad, carrots, five dips, nine veggie snack things, three cheeses and four different crackers and crispbreads. How I can even move today I don't know but apparently I can as I just started the new year by doing squats and core exercises. Hello desperate uterus stimulation and happy new year.