Rolf Harris, Pieminister and a Birthday surprise

Thank goodness that Friday is here! With two early starts and late nights at the beginning of the week I was so glad when Thursday arrived it meant the start of my annual leave. I need some time to recuperate after quite a busy couple of weeks.

Today I have a couple of important and exciting appointments to attend and then I am being whisked down to London for a night in London for my 27th birthday on Monday. I’ve got no idea what Alfie has got planned, it’s al very hush hush! However, he has told me that he has booked us a mini-break in Rome for this weekend! Excited isn’t the word!

After watching Eat.Pray.Love it made me fall in love with Italy all over again and we both got the urge to travel. Unbeknown to me my lovely husband was booking a trip to Italy as my birthday gift. I’m a very lucky lady indeed.

This week there has been lots of delicious food on my plate especially at breakfast time:

Super Fluffy Socca Pancakes made with vanilla and topped with mixed dried fruit, chopped apples and drippy almond butter. This was awesome and kept me full for hours after my weight training session in the gym yesterday.

This cold weather has had me craving oats. I made a huge bowl of creamy oats during the week with an egg white whipped through it and topped with blueberry conserve and more drippy almond butter.

Monday’s breakfast was the perfect way to beat the back to work blues after a fantastic weekend. We had some leftover apple crumble in the fridge that made a wonderful breakfast with some coconut milk poured over it. I also had a simple green smoothie on the side made using a banana, spinach and almond milk, yum!

Looking at all these pictures it’s nice to see how much variety I get each morning from my breakfasts. I loved this plate of scrambled eggs, bacon, chopped apples, cinnamon and peanut butter.

Of course I haven’t just been eating breakfast all day, although I’m sure I could given the chance. =)

Sweet potatoes have been a life save for taking to work with me for lunches. This particular baked sweet potato was topped with Greek yoghurt and almond butter with some salad on the side.

Last night I decided to cook with some of the left over veggies that needed using up before the weekend. There was mushrooms, roasted kabocha squash, peppers and left over roast chicken which I made into a red Thai curry with some steamed greens on the side.

During last weeks grocery shop I bought some Boursin fig and walnut cheese. After seeing goat’s cheese stuffed into dates on other blogs I just had to give it a try. Holy yum, this was freakin’ amazing and I’ve had it twice this week already!

Yesterday me and Alfie popped into town to so some shopping. There is a lovely market in Oxford with lots of quirky eateries. We decided to have lunch at the award winning pie shop called Pieminister. I decided to have the fish pie with mushy peas and gravy. Alfie settled on a very rich venison pie with mash and gravy.

This pie was so good! I was stuffed afterwards though and had to walk it off. We ended up in an art gallery which was exhibiting Rolf Harris’ new Wildlife collection. The are seriously incredible pieces of art. I’ve never really paid attention to what a talented artist Rolf Harris is, amazing!

What are you getting up to this weekend? Any exciting plans? I’m so looking forward to this weekend. I’m all packed and ready to go, bring on the pizza, pasta and gelato!

Do you like to eat the same things for breakfast everyday or do you like a bit of variety in the mornings?

24 Comments

Bec - Half Baked on March 22, 2013 at 10:11 AM

Such variety in your meals! I am really boring with breakfast – same thing every day, for months on end. It’s just how I do things haha.
- Jemma Andrew on March 26, 2013 at 9:57 AM
  
  Sometimes I have similar things for breakfast too especially when I find something that I love and at busy periods.
Tamzin Pettitt on March 22, 2013 at 1:57 PM

I’ve been on a bit of a smoothie kick this week but I usual try to keep breakfast varied.

Have an amazing time this weekend!! X
- Jemma Andrew on March 26, 2013 at 9:57 AM
  
  I had an amazing time, thanks Tam!
Rachel @ Eat, Learn, Discover! on March 22, 2013 at 3:06 PM

I love keeping variety in my meals – but breakfast and dinner especially. I have no problem eating the same lunch salad over and over. I often draw a blank when it comes to what to make for breakfast and I’m super hungry!

I’m SO jealous you get to go to Italy for your birthday. I’ve been there twice and I’m absolutely in love. I’m also super jealous that you can just go to London for a night. I think I need to move to Europe.
- Jemma Andrew on March 26, 2013 at 9:58 AM
  
  I love Italy and it was so beautiful. You should come and visit sometime.
Maria on March 22, 2013 at 7:18 PM

Have an amazing time!
- Jemma Andrew on March 26, 2013 at 9:57 AM
  
  Thanks!
Lauren on March 22, 2013 at 10:22 PM

Hope you have an amazing trip! I usually plunk for a smoothie or oats for breakfast though I do mix it up now and again! I’m working all weekend (7 days in a row 🙁 ), so nothing exciting for me!
- Jemma Andrew on March 26, 2013 at 9:57 AM
  
  Aww I hope you got plenty of rest after your busy weekend!
Kristy @ Southern In-Law on March 22, 2013 at 11:36 PM

Yum! All of your eats look amazing!

This weekend I should have had my fiancé here – but his planes have been delayed 2 days in a row and I’m not sure when he’ll be back 🙁

I usually eat different things for breakfast – but if I find something really good, I often get in breakfast ruts haha
- Jemma Andrew on March 26, 2013 at 9:59 AM
  
  Sorry to hear about your fiance. I hope he makes it back soon so you can spend some quality time together.
Claire on March 24, 2013 at 8:49 AM

Your meals always look so beautiful Jemma! Have a great trip!
- Jemma Andrew on March 26, 2013 at 9:56 AM
  
  Thanks Claire.
AnnaTheApple on March 24, 2013 at 7:39 PM

Oh wow that’s so lovely of Alfie! How sweet. And definitely some tasty breakfasts there! Love the crumble and coconut milk for breakfast.
- Jemma Andrew on March 26, 2013 at 9:56 AM
  
  Thanks. The crumble was such a treat for breakfast!
LilyLipstick on March 24, 2013 at 9:12 PM

Your fluffy pancakes look so good! I am trying to bring more variety to my breakfasts, especially at weekends when I have more time to experiment. x
- Jemma Andrew on March 26, 2013 at 9:56 AM
  
  I think it is nice to have the time to experiment a bit more at the weekend.
Hannah @ CleanEatingVeggieGirl on March 24, 2013 at 9:26 PM

A trip to Italy sounds fabulous!! What an awesome birthday gift!
- Jemma Andrew on March 26, 2013 at 9:55 AM
  
  I know I’m very lucky, it was awesome!
nourishmovelive on March 25, 2013 at 8:48 AM

Wow…how exciting! Sounds like Aflies a sweetheart 🙂 Hope you’re having/had a fab time, Rome is beautiful…coffee and pastries are staple there…perfect! Boursin and dates sounds interesting, might have to give them a try soon. x
- Jemma Andrew on March 26, 2013 at 9:55 AM
  
  I had an amazing time and definitely made the most of all of those delicious pastries!
Eleanor@eatinglikeahorse on March 26, 2013 at 6:40 AM

Bless Alfie, what a love! Hope you had the best weekend and happy birthday for yesterday!
All this food looks incredible, especially the pancakes and the apple crumble, delicious 🙂
- Jemma Andrew on March 26, 2013 at 9:54 AM
  
  Thank you! He is a sweetheart and we had an amazing time in Rome!

Rolf Harris, Pieminister and a Birthday surprise

24 Comments

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