Hello to the small amount of you who are kind enough to read my ramblings, I really do appreciate it and I want to apologise for dropping off the face of the earth the past few weeks. Life got a bit crazy hectic, and then I had a come down struggling with fatigue the last couple of days but I am back, to tell you about it all and to virtually feed you with some recipes straight from my kitchen, (and by my kitchen, I actually mean my mum’s).

So what has happened since my last post? Well, I will tell you. I received my university results on the 1st of July, which was also my mummy’s birthday. We started the day with baked eggs, a large platter of fresh cut fruit, and some freshly baked croissants (straight from the freezer, sorry not sorry). It was far to hot to be making pastries in this heat.

I got my results at midday, and received a First Class Honours, I was really pleased, but at the same time with no job, it all felt a bit underwhelming, but I guess that is just me and my nature. We went out for dinner that evening to Zizzi’s, we sat outside and it was a lovely end to a hot day, I had pizza, slipped down with a few G&T’s and some ice-cream. We even slipped down a tiny slither of mum’s birthday cake made by me, which is basically the most decadent, rich chocolate brownie cake your lips will ever meet.

The rest of the week I spent cooking for a party to celebrate at the weekend. It was a joint party for my mum’s birthday, and my sister and I finishing university, whom which I am extremely proud of – love you sis! We had pulled pork, which didn’t actually pull but was still as tasty with my Apple & Thyme sauce, my Sticky Soy & Honey Sausages, Marinated chicken, salad and homemade bread rolls. For dessert, which is what our household is famous for I made black forest gateaux (which I will admit had me in tears; I was stressed okay) another chocolate brownie cake, a Mascarpone and Berry Tart; which I will make again and post up the recipe, Pavlova with mango and blueberry and a Lemon meringue, which I actually need to get the recipe for off my mum, because if something ever happens to her then I don’t know what I’ll do! The party was full of all the things I love – cooking, food, family & friends.

It was then time to fly to Amsterdam, with my fellow university buddy, who I am also very proud of for getting a first. It was an early flight Monday morning, up at 3 am. We both agreed that hopefully one day we will be rich enough to afford the reasonably timed flights. We filled our trip with lots of standard things like a canal cruise, the Van Gogh museum, and a two and a half hour queue in the pouring rain for the Anne Frank house. We also travelled to a town called Leeuwarden, to visit our friends that we met in Latvia, in November last year. They showed us some sights and took us to a pancake house on a boat. Yes, you heard me right – all the dutch things.

After coming back I’ve been getting back into my gym routine, and pretty much struggling with my lack in energy as well as cooking up ideas for you all to enjoy so again my apologies for the delayed posts. As promised, I will be posting some dip recipes – perfect for summer BBQ’s and a couple of Ice Cream ideas!

Stay tuned,

A girl with an appetite for all things creative,

Maria x