The smells of winter....

I am a "Smell" person. Most of my memories of people or things involve some sort of smell. Little things like every time I walk past a pub I am transported back to 1972 to the good ship SS Orsova where our family spent 6 weeks travelling across the ocean from Canada to Australia. The smell of coconut takes me to my teen years when we spent every waking moment at the beach completely covered in suntan oil. The smell of pipe tobacco reminds me of my grandfather... Lavender reminds me of my sweet Aunty Joan ... I could go on..

One of the things I love about winter is all the different smells. The smell of rain completely relaxes me, I absolutely love it. My family's favorite winter smell is of a huge pot of stew or soup bubbling on the stove. I decided this year to get myself a pressure cooker. I have never used one before, but I have been doing a bit of research and was really impressed that they can cook a soup or a stew in about 40 minutes. I do tend to get a little over excited when it comes to appliances but this time I have reason to be! This little sucker is probably one of the best things I have ever bought.


I got some lamb shoulder from Woolies and browned it in a little oil with some onion. I then added some fresh mint, chicken stock and honey - cooked it for 15 minutes then added some spuds, carrot, peas and corn cooked for another 20 minutes and wallah! "45 minute Honey-mint Irish Stew" (... yeah, I am better at making up recipes than I am at making up recipe names!) The lamb just melted in our mouths and it was so full of flavour and so moist and tender.

And all those stories about them being hard to use was rubbish! The new ones are a piece of cake! It was a bit pricey, even though I got it on sale, but I am sure it will pay for itself ïn no time. You can use cheaper cuts of meat as they tenderise really quickly and it will definately cut down the gas bill.

Here are some of my other favorite smells. My little collection of 'parfum'. I loooove perfume, it is my guilty pleasure. I have been wearing Ysatis by Givenchy since 1987, and my kids always tell me that is the smell that always reminds them of me... a few of my other absolute favorites are Hypnose by Lancome, Midnight Poison by Dior, Agent Provocateur's Maitresse, Happy Spirit by Chopard. A new favorite that Doug bought me for Easter is Calvin Klein's Euphoria... And I know, for shame, I have two bottles of 'Miami Glow' by JLo.... Aaaahhh, I can't help it, it is a gorgeous, beachy, summery, fruity, coconutty bottle of yumm!! ....It isn't available any more so I also have a stash of it in my drawer :)!!!!



Last but not least a picture of my new little 'ladder shelf' - isn't it cute! I put it next to the new mirror that the kids got me for mother's day. Like I need any more shelves for any more stuff :)!



Hope you are all well, will be back soon!
Hugz
Jenxoxoxoxoxox