Done with errors

[On the way to school]

D: Do you like daddy’s shirt?

Child #1: Yes…..  ……………  ………………..  …………….  ……………….  ……………..  …………..  …………  …………[keeps looking at me]………….  ………….  ………….  …….. …..is it mummy’s?

Child #1:  “What does the monster do when he rolls down the hill?”

Us [together]:  “We don’t know, what does the monster do when he rolls down the hill?”

Child #1:  “He brushes his teeth.

With no water.

And no brush.”

[This goes on for a while, but this one made her chuckle for several minutes]

Child #1: “That reminds you: I’ve been good so I need a sweetie”

Child #1 [Getting ready for the bath and looking down at her legs]: “When can I get a tattoo?”

Child #1: “If you see a naughty policeman he has to DIE DIE DIE”

“This present age is the triumph of the blasé.  It’s a disgrace!  How can the blasé  be triumphing so?  They can’t possibly have a good army.” Speed Levitch

Child #2 [is rocking back and forward on her see-saw and singing softly]: See-saw, see-saw, kill-you, kill-you….

Child #1 [to me]: You’re older than you’re supposed to be.

The classic Quatre-Epices mix in just the right proportions:
1 Tbsp black peppercorns
2 tsp whole cloves
2 tsp freshly grated nutmeg
1 tsp ground ginger

This is a great spice mix from (Egypt?). Makes almost any food taste fantastic and is especially good in an egg mayo. If you can’t be bothered to make it you can buy a decent enough version of  it from a lovely delicatessen nestled in the shopping corridors of Cardiff.

1 handful whole blanched hazelnuts
½ tbsp cumin seeds
1 tbsp coriander seeds
2 tbsp sesame seeds
½ tsp chilli flakes
½ tsp sea salt
1 small handful fresh mint leaves, finely shredded

Put the nuts in the hot oven for about five minutes, until just turning golden. When cool, chop them roughly.

In a small pan over a medium heat, warm the cumin and coriander seeds until they begin to release their aroma. Bash in a pestle and mortar until broken up but not too fine. In the same pan, lightly toast the sesame seeds. Add the nuts to the mortar, and bash until they are broken up into smallish pieces. Stir in the sesame seeds, chilli flakes, salt and mint.