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Disclaimer
Beverley has prepared the content of Bev's World irresponsibly and carelessly. She therefore disclaims all warranties, express or implied, as to the accuracy, originality or completeness of the drivel presented on this blog or on other linked websites or on any subsequent links. She vehemently denies that the information may be relied upon for any reason. Beverley shall not be liable for inflicting laughter, shame, disgust, torrents of tears and the eventual desiccation or crashing boredom on readers.

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Saturday 28 February 2015

Ready for a busy day...



28th February 2015
Be like a sunflower, so that even on the darkest days you can stand tall and find the sunlight.
Oh I did enjoy yesterday once I'd finished all my paperwork, I went for a haircut, my hairdressers lovely, she's not one of those that asks if I'm going on holiday this year, that kind of conversation kept me out of a salon for years you know, I'm not good at idle chit chat, it's just not my personality at all, I love to talk to people but not about the weather!  Anyway I digress, I then drove to Lichfield which I've never really walked round before and didn't realise there were as many shops as there are, I may have to return another day!  I was in Lichfield because my wonderful friend had given me a voucher for my birthday to use at www.bodybeautifuldayspa.co.uk/ and oh did I spend it well, I opted for an aromatherapy body and Indian head massage, it was a lovely 90 minutes and I got to chill out on their massage chair for half hour beforehand too as I was early.  I then had a walk round the market and bought me some fruit, strawberries in February for £1 a tub and they were sweet, HOW!  I wasn't going to try and work that one out, just enjoy.  I might have to find me a market to go to more often as the fruit and veg looked much fresher. 

Got home about four, cooked mom and me egg and actifry chips then we chilled out for the rest of the day, giggling at silly stuff and having quality time together, I've been so busy the last few weeks, I've suddenly realised even though we're in the same house, I've missed my mom!  When I do get to sit down, I've been too tired to even concentrate on the tv screen, let alone hold a conversation. 

Every now and again, I have that realisation that I need to slow down and when I get it I do, so that's the plan, there are a few things I've agreed to that I still have to do but that's my lot, I need me time, mom time, my life time and it feels great to have realised that.

Having said that I'm so not ready for today (oops!), got my meeting this morning, then I'm driving to Stoke, (must sort out the address of where I'm going), for an area meeting, so I'll not be home till 6ish I reckon!  I need to sort myself this morning, I've got to pack up all the obsolete stuff to take with me and return. 

Got my Dinner planned though, thanks to massive garlic bulbs I purchased from the market and some cheap chicken legs I had from Asda on Thursday, I'm going to make 40 cloves of garlic chicken, one of my all time favourite meals.  I'm going to throw it all in the slow cooker though, I've not done that before, so we shall see if it works.  At least I'll have a meal to come home to later.  Here's the recipe;

Chicken with 40 cloves of garlic Serves 4, 13pp each



2 tbsp regular olive oil                                                   8 chicken thighs (skin on, bone in)

1 bunch (about 6) spring onions                                small bunch fresh thyme

40 garlic cloves (approx 3-4 bulbs), unpeeled         2 tbsp dry white wine

1½ tsp sea salt flakes or ¾ tsp pouring salt              Ground black pepper



Preheat the oven to 180C/350F/Gas 4.  Heat the oil on the hob over a high heat in a wide, shallow, ovenproof and flameproof casserole (that will ultimately fit all the chicken in one layer, and that has a lid). Sear the chicken, skin-side down. This may take two batches, so transfer the browned pieces to a bowl as you go. Once the chicken pieces are seared, transfer them all to the bowl.



Finely slice the spring onions, put them into the casserole and quickly stir-fry them with the leaves torn from a few sprigs of thyme.  Put 20 of the unpeeled cloves of garlic (papery excess removed) into the casserole, top with the chicken pieces, skin-side up, then cover with the remaining 20 cloves of garlic.



Add the vermouth (or white wine) to any oily chicken juices left in the bowl. Swill it around and pour this into the casserole.  Sprinkle with the salt, grind over the pepper, and add a few more sprigs of thyme. Put on the lid and cook in the oven for 1½ hours.


If I decide to go with F&H, by removing the skin off the legs, it'll be much better, I can omit the oil too if I don't bother with the searing.  I'll just add a chicken oxo cube dissolved in some boiling water to give it a bit of juice.  I'm gonna throw in a diced carrot too!  I'm totally changing the recipe ain't I, the only thing that's staying the same is the 40 cloves of garlic!  Because I don't have fresh thyme either, unless there's some on the bush outside still!

Hey ho, we're having slow cooker garlic chicken for Dinner tonight, I'll let you know how it turns out.  But first I need to shower, pack boxes, load my car, get my slow cooker dinner on and go weigh my super Saturday gang.

Ooo and a bit of breakfast too of course!

Whatever you're doing this weekend BeYOUtiful, remember to slow down to the speed of life and take time doing those things that matter to you and spending time with those people you love. xx

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