I'm really tempted to buy one of those "no junk mail" signs. Honestly, you won't believe the amount of junk mail that gets pushed through my front door on a weekly basis. You know, local free weekly paper stuffed with the usual rubbish.  This week's inventory includes a couple of Indian restaurants booklets, one massive pizza restaurant voucher, a local shopping centre Christmas voucher, 3 Chinese restaurants leaflets, 4 envelopes for the home-owner, a state agents card, the local neighbour newspaper, 2 booklets with local services advertising, a couple of invites to join different religions, and a leaflet about a credit card I definitely can't afford. And exactly 23 copies of the same letter from Virgin Media. Twenty three. And that´s only this week.

Victoria Sponge Cake

This week I would like to talk about talent. Talent is one of those things that is quite obvious for everybody while you don´t know you have it.

The reason is simple: it takes you very little effort to do what everyone else seems to find absolutely amazing. This is why people tend to undervalue their talents.

Gin, Rhubarb & Strawberry Crumble

I have started running again.

Yes, I´m incorrigible.

But this time there is something different that is keeping me extra motivated (and extra hooked): a mobile app that tracks my runs and gives me statistics of how I'm doing compared to my previous runs and, most important, compared to my friends. 

And here is the crux of the matter. Yes, because the problem of running is that you are normally not competing against anyone but yourself. And how boring is that. If you cannot left someone biting the dust after a run, what's the point?

Parsnips & Mascarpone Soup

A couple of weeks ago we decided to join a local organic vegetable box scheme. Basically, you pay a fixed amount of money every week and they send you a box full of seasonal, fresh and organic vegetables, milk and eggs.

I was a bit unsure about it, as I like shopping and choose whatever I fancy eating that week.

However, after a couple of weeks receiving it, I must admit it has been absolutely brilliant. Every Wednesday, a surprise box is waiting for me in my front door. Everyone gets really excited while we discover what veggies have we been given this week. Not to talk about the slugs hunt around the kitchen!

Pumpking & Pecan Squares

Pumpkin carving can be a lot of fun, but much of the pumpkin can go to waste if you're not creative. The flesh is often used to make a puree for a pie or some other treat, but you may wonder what to do with the stringy pumpkin guts. When carving a pumpkin for Halloween, don't throw out the pumpkin guts; put them to some unexpected uses around the house.

Read more : http://www.ehow.com/info_8483194_uses-pumpkin-guts.html

Pumpkin carving can be a lot of fun, but much of the pumpkin can go to waste if you're not creative. The flesh is often used to make a puree for a pie or some other treat, but you may wonder what to do with the stringy pumpkin guts. When carving a pumpkin for Halloween, don't throw out the pumpkin guts; put them to some unexpected uses around the house.

Read more : http://www.ehow.com/info_8483194_uses-pumpkin-guts.html

Following last week´s post, I have been quite reluctant to get too involved in any the shocking Halloween activities going on around us. However, I wanted to find some a bit more appealing activities as the boys were really keen on doing something together. 

Today we´ve dressed up and have took part in 1k Halloween Fun Run. I was a bit skeptical about it, but I must admit it has been absolutely great! Lots of runners most of them dressed up with home made costumes. Lanterns, spiders, witches and a run through the park in a lovely autumn evening. The boys have done amazingly well, running nonstop all way long. They´ve been given a medal and a banana with a phantom face. And we´ve come back home happily tired and feeling proud of ourselves. 

Seriously Spooky Stuffed Peppers

I don’t particularly like Halloween.

Halloween decorations are tacky and expensive. Who enjoys having plastic versions of maimed bodies around the house?

It is definitely my least favourite holiday of the year. And a tradition I really don’t get.

Without going through why I believe the original meaning of the whole thing has been completely distorted from a season of reflection and remembrance into yet another commercial strategy. One that gives people (as if we need it) another reason to consume compulsively.

And if I don't give you something to consume, you are now welcome to egg my house.

Okay, no please don’t.

Apricot & Stilton Wholemeal Buns

I can't stop thinking about my next holidays. I love browsing through the airlines websites and play with different combinations of dates and destinations. I read travel blogs and I wonder whether their authors make a life of it or just have enough money to travel around the world constantly.

I wish I could do that. Like spending 3 months going all over Latin America, from Buenos Aires to Rio, meeting new people, making new friends, relaxing in a lost paradise in Brazil or celebrating All Saints Day in Mexico. Or going to Japan for a geek Studio Ghibli route, eating sushi and enjoying the amazing cherry blossom season.