My other half and I have been wondering about buying a house for quite a long time now. We would like to have our very own space, our refuge. We would like to have that special place to build up family memories, to see our children grow, to grow older together. We dream of each room in it: which colour the walls will be, which kind of handles the kitchen units will have, whether or not blue is a good colour for the boys’ bedroom. Decisions, decisions.
We have been visiting some properties. Masses of properties actually. Some nice, some not really, and some that should have made the estate agents feel embarrassed of showing. Over the last couple of years we haven’t found that house that has made us think "that´s the one". Until a couple of weeks ago, when we visited one that ticked all the boxes, including maybe the most tricky one: the budget.
So we started the ball rolling and have come across the most painful, tedious, bureaucratic and long-winded process ever.
Every single tiny decision takes ages and involves another five decisions that need to be made. Lots of perfect strangers ask you the most personal questions in order to assess a thousand and one circumstances and how they may impact every possible future scenario. How the hell am I supposed to know when I am going to retire? Eek.
Looking at those mortgage leaflets with pictures of happy bunny couples makes me feel sorry of them. I bet they were taken before they applied for their mortgage. Nothing is straightforward, and although I can see the reasons, it is absolutely infuriating. I just want to buy a house, for goodness sake!! Is it really necessary to have a 3 hour phone call to repeat exactly the same questions which I filled in on the paper forms yesterday, after being assessed through the online application two days ago providing you with exactly the same information time after time?
It make you think that the rent you are paying is absolutely fair in order to pay them back for the years he spent in trying to buy the house you are living in.
Not to mention the improvements to be made to the house. Because, of course, it would be too much to ask having just one single person to do all the jobs at once... but of course you need a plumber, a decorator, an electrician, a carpet fitter, a carpenter, etc. And they cannot just come and do their bits when you want them to, of course they can’t. Once you are absolutely fed up to the point of thinking about demolishing the house with a massive bulldozer, then you need to cordinate the jobs to be done in order and taking into account everyone´s agendas so the tiles are done before the towel rail which is done before the carpet but after the painting.
I wonder if by that time you are so absolutely overwhelmed by the full process whether or not you still want to move in?
This week´s recipe is a traditional home cooked recipe that will make you feel at home no matter whether you rent, share, squat or own your house.
WHAT YOU NEED
Serves 4
4 Aubergines
2 Potatoes
1 Onion
150gr Chestnut Mushrooms
100gr Pate such as Duck Pate
50gr Grated Cheddar
2tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1cup White Wine
A bunch of fresh chives
Salt and Pepper to taste
WHAT YOU DO
Cut the bottom and the stalk of the aubergines and keep them aside. With the help of a tablespoon, empty the aubergines carefully not to damage the skin. Grate the flesh.
Wash, peel and cut the potatoes into small cubes. Wash and cut the mushroom into pieces. Peel and chop the onion. Finely chop the chives.
In a medium pan heat the olive oil. Add the onion and stir fry until golden brown. Add the potato cubes and stir continuously on a medium heat. Season with salt and pepper. When the potatoes are soft and tender, add the aubergine and the mushrooms and cover with a lid. Stir from time to time and cook for around 10 minutes until tender.
Turn the heat up to high and add the white wine. Stir continuously. When the wine has completely reduced, add the pate cut in cubes and stir. When the pate starts to melt, take the pan off the heat and sprinkle the chives in the mixture.
Heat the oven to 200C.
Put the aubergine skins on an oven tray. Fill them with the mixture and top with some grated cheese.
Place the tray in the middle of the oven for around 10 minutes.
Serve warm and enjoy.
We have been visiting some properties. Masses of properties actually. Some nice, some not really, and some that should have made the estate agents feel embarrassed of showing. Over the last couple of years we haven’t found that house that has made us think "that´s the one". Until a couple of weeks ago, when we visited one that ticked all the boxes, including maybe the most tricky one: the budget.
So we started the ball rolling and have come across the most painful, tedious, bureaucratic and long-winded process ever.
Every single tiny decision takes ages and involves another five decisions that need to be made. Lots of perfect strangers ask you the most personal questions in order to assess a thousand and one circumstances and how they may impact every possible future scenario. How the hell am I supposed to know when I am going to retire? Eek.
Looking at those mortgage leaflets with pictures of happy bunny couples makes me feel sorry of them. I bet they were taken before they applied for their mortgage. Nothing is straightforward, and although I can see the reasons, it is absolutely infuriating. I just want to buy a house, for goodness sake!! Is it really necessary to have a 3 hour phone call to repeat exactly the same questions which I filled in on the paper forms yesterday, after being assessed through the online application two days ago providing you with exactly the same information time after time?
Not to mention the improvements to be made to the house. Because, of course, it would be too much to ask having just one single person to do all the jobs at once... but of course you need a plumber, a decorator, an electrician, a carpet fitter, a carpenter, etc. And they cannot just come and do their bits when you want them to, of course they can’t. Once you are absolutely fed up to the point of thinking about demolishing the house with a massive bulldozer, then you need to cordinate the jobs to be done in order and taking into account everyone´s agendas so the tiles are done before the towel rail which is done before the carpet but after the painting.
I wonder if by that time you are so absolutely overwhelmed by the full process whether or not you still want to move in?
This week´s recipe is a traditional home cooked recipe that will make you feel at home no matter whether you rent, share, squat or own your house.
WHAT YOU NEED
Serves 4
4 Aubergines
2 Potatoes
1 Onion
150gr Chestnut Mushrooms
100gr Pate such as Duck Pate
50gr Grated Cheddar
2tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1cup White Wine
A bunch of fresh chives
Salt and Pepper to taste
WHAT YOU DO
Cut the bottom and the stalk of the aubergines and keep them aside. With the help of a tablespoon, empty the aubergines carefully not to damage the skin. Grate the flesh.
Wash, peel and cut the potatoes into small cubes. Wash and cut the mushroom into pieces. Peel and chop the onion. Finely chop the chives.
In a medium pan heat the olive oil. Add the onion and stir fry until golden brown. Add the potato cubes and stir continuously on a medium heat. Season with salt and pepper. When the potatoes are soft and tender, add the aubergine and the mushrooms and cover with a lid. Stir from time to time and cook for around 10 minutes until tender.
Turn the heat up to high and add the white wine. Stir continuously. When the wine has completely reduced, add the pate cut in cubes and stir. When the pate starts to melt, take the pan off the heat and sprinkle the chives in the mixture.
Heat the oven to 200C.
Put the aubergine skins on an oven tray. Fill them with the mixture and top with some grated cheese.
Place the tray in the middle of the oven for around 10 minutes.
Serve warm and enjoy.
Your other half... I like this expression!. Reading your post today I feel very identified, It's exactly how I feel at the moment!... But I'm pretty sure all this process is worthy... Anyway, always we'll have some delicious aubergines to share together, wherever we'll be. xx
ReplyDeleteWe will always have aubergines :)
ReplyDeleteY es, I also think it is worthy. And after all that stunning work, you will look to your green-orwhatevercolour- and...just smile...:*
ReplyDelete