Madame Guillotine

What a beautiful summer we are having in the UK :)

Usually when we are promised a rare sunny weekend a mad supermarket stampede ensues, with people panic buying disposable BBQ's, stripey straws, citronella candles, burger relish, coleslaw and slabs of animal carcass to marinade and grill. We've done the BBQing now, it's out of our systems and not once did we have to escape indoors or cower underneath a gazebo cause the clouds decided to start chucking cats and dogs at us. At the moment we are living like jammy Aussies who can throw a shrimp on the barbie whenever we see fit and it's blooming great!

If the BBC weather website is anything to go by we are set for a few more days of cloudless skies and soaring temperatures before a little bit of rain is forecast.

Yesterday I told you of how parts of the park has been transformed into an arid steppe scattered with skimpy bikini & speedo clad bodies. It has also recently become our dining-room. Mark and I decided that for the duration of this glorious heatwave we'll be having our dinners on a blanket in the park.

So when Mark comes home from work in the afternoon, I stand ready with a cool bag full of goodies to go.

As we were walking up to the park yesterday we spotted something rather random...

A guillotine...maybe en route to Parliament Square, who knows?!

Needless to say it was padlocked and a girl was sitting nearby minding it. I didn't think to ask why it was there but quite often the park is used as a filming location. The girl didn't mind me posing in front of Madame Guillotine, I'm sure I wasn't the first person to do it.

Whenever I wear this skirt I feel an uncontrollable twirl need...

Tie-dye ruffle hem Hippie skirt (charity shop),  Handmade crochet top (a gift from my beloved mother), Frocktasia necklace, soapstone heart & macrame earrings, 80s sunnies (eBay), Havaianas flip-flops (gift from a Brazilian friend).

Larking about in the park with a gory guillotine in the background...
just one of life's little pleasures ;)

Speaking of little pleasures, both Mark and I are really enjoying being able to have our dinner in the park.

Yesterday I made pasta salad that we topped with a bit of grated cheddar cheese. I bought cheese topped rolls, cranberry juice and pretzels from Lidl. I also made a spicy chutney chickpea dip to go with it.

I refuse to by hummus at the supermarket cause a lot of the time shop bought ones are too bland for my taste buds. Making your own is so cheap and easy anyway.

If you want to give it a go...

*Whole can of chickpeas in brine, rinse well cause they smell a bit like cat food straight out of the can.

*Spoonful of tahini paste or more depending on your own preference.

*Some olive oil, salt and pepper.

*Freshly squeezed lemon or lime juice.

*A few cloves of garlic.

Before blending I often jazz it up with some more spices (I love paprika powder) and a spoonful of chutney, pesto, vegetarian tapenade or something else that is yummy.

I use my trusty hand-blender to mix it all into a smooth creamy paste and if it's too thick I add a little bit of tap water to get the consistency that I desire.

Easy peasy lemon squeesy with a whole lot of yummy rolled in :)

I made this GIF image after another wonderful day in the park last summer...

 I'll love you and leave you with Yeah Yeah Yeahs, enjoy :)

Take care,

Jennie

xXx