Cheap Thrill #13: A Winter Walk - lucky for us!

So Christmas is over, I feel fat and sluggish and kind of down. Even though I haven't had the ‘joy’ of going back to work, I’m still experiencing that post Christmas malaise that is unique to January. Time for a cheap thrill methinks.

Definitely made for walking!

On Thursday I should have played tennis, but for the second week running, the courts were frozen solid. In serious need of some fresh air, I dragged my husband on a winter walk. We are lucky enough to live in an amazing part of the world, where we have the choice of both countryside and coast. 

Dangerous sausage rolls nearby!

If we walk along the beach, we usually end up in a fine cafe, eating sausage rolls so, in the interest of our waistlines, we opted for a countryside walk.

Much safer option!

Burgh Castle is just a short drive away and has a lovely circular walk, with some glorious views. As my husband is a volunteer guide there, it also affords him many opportunities to display his extensive knowledge of the Romans and their engineering feats! Despite this, it really is an enjoyable way to spend an hour or so. 

I think the view across to the Berney Arms Mill is one of my all time favourites, and a marsh harrier swooped across as we were standing near the river - stunning.

Stunning view with important added life philosophy!

It wasn't a long or strenuous walk, just beautiful and calming. I felt so much better when we came home, especially as we rewarded ourselves with home made soup and hot drinks! 

Not any old reward, a hygge reward!

So, if you are feeling jaded, drag yourself out for a walk. Wrap up warm and go. It costs nothing, will blow the cobwebs away, and the thought of hot chocolate when you get home will make it all worth while!

Enjoy being a stirrer! Cheap Thrill: #12

Life, as Christmas draws nearer, gets more and more frenetic, even if you haven't got to plan the Christmas play and manage children who struggle to cope with the necessary changes to routine that go hand in hand with the festivities - why would they want to go to school in a Christmas jumper when everyone knows that you go to school in your uniform? 

Despite being retired, I still find myself writing this in the middle of the night:

1. because I can't sleep
2. because my husband is snoring and
3. because in the morning I have to bake sausage rolls and banana muffins for a girly gathering tomorrow evening!

So, my latest cheap thrill involves taking time to relish and enjoy nourishing my family, whilst sneaking a few cheeky minutes to myself. Yes, I give you…risotto! 

Roast squash, sage, chestnut and pancetta risotto (thank you Jamie Oliver!)

I love risotto. It is so comforting to eat and can be made from the simplest of ingredients, which I usually have in my store cupboard. Now I have to admit to oven baking risottos on occasion, but for maximum creaminess, nothing beats the traditional method of slowly adding hot stock to rice and stirring gently until it is absorbed.

Watching the magic happen

For me it is a labour of love which cannot be rushed and is truly mesmerising and cathartic. I turn on the radio, stand at the stove and stir. My mind wanders as the rice releases its starch and I unpick my troubles or worries and they seem to evaporate with the steam. (A glass of wine to hand is also mesmerising and cathartic, but maybe thats another cheap thrill!) 

I am fascinated by the way the texture of the rice changes as the starch seeps from it, and it is up there with bread making in ticking my ‘earth mother’ boxes. All in all, it takes about twenty minutes to make, but in those twenty minutes I have to stay by the stove and pay it close and loving attention - no multi-tasking, no trying to fit in checking my bank balance or ordering another Christmas present - just carefully stirring the pan, waiting for the magic to happen. Bliss. And I am not alone - we visited my daughter last week who made us a delicious meal. ‘I love making risotto, Mum, it’s so therapeutic.’ Great minds!

Lovely lemon and prawn risotto

So next time you’re stressed and wonder where you're going to find a minute to yourself, try making a risotto. Not only do you sneak some time, you also get to provide a delicious meal for your family or friends! Joy, pure joy!