Author: LCchaosandhome
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Pics associated with what we learned about cats “because” of cats. Ruby’s lessons.
Ruby’s ABC of life available with Brave For The Other available on Gumroad. (see links on site)
Pic: Every day have gratitude you have the privilege of touch Pic: We stopped by a stream and Ruby seemed infatuated with his surroundings. Pic: Quotes talking of the changes we saw Ruby go through when we ventured out. -
The Ultimate One-Pot Creamy Garlic & White Wine Chicken Bake
There is something truly magical about a one-pot meal that looks like it took hours of professional French training but actually only requires about 15 minutes of hands-on work.
This Creamy Garlic & White Wine Chicken Bake is exactly that. It’s a “set it and forget it” kind of luxury. By using bone-in chicken thighs, we ensure the meat stays succulent while the skin gets that perfect golden sear. The sauce is a rich, velvety blend of dry white wine, chicken stock, and double cream, finished with a crispy Parmesan lid that will have everyone fighting for seconds.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
• Minimal Washing Up: Everything happens in one oven-safe pot (a casserole dish or Dutch oven is perfect here).
• Deep Flavours: We use the rendered fat from the bacon to sauté the veg—flavour efficiency at its finest!
• Crowd Pleaser: It’s fancy enough for a dinner party but comforting enough for a rainy Tuesday night.
🛒 The Shopping List
The Main Event
• 6 Chicken Thighs: Bone-in and skin-on.
• 4 Rashers of Bacon: Smoked or unsmoked.
• 1 Medium Brown Onion: Or 3-4 shallots for a sweeter profile.
• 4 Garlic Cloves: Freshly minced.
The Veg & Aromatics
• 225g Mushrooms: Button or chestnut, sliced.
• 2 Medium Carrots: Peeled and chopped into rounds.
• 1 tsp Thyme: Dried or a few fresh sprigs.
• 2 Bay Leaves: Remove before serving.
The Liquid Gold
• 350ml Dry White Wine: Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio work best.
• 250ml Chicken Stock: Low-sodium is a great option.
• 250ml Double Cream: For that signature thick, decadent texture.
The Crunchy Topping
• 50g Panko Breadcrumbs: For extra crunch.
• 40g Parmesan Cheese: Freshly grated.
👩🍳 Step-by-Step Method
1. Prep and Sear: Preheat your oven to 180°C (160°C Fan/Gas Mark 4). Season your chicken thighs generously with salt and pepper.
In a large oven-safe pot, fry your chopped bacon over medium heat until it’s beautifully crispy. Remove the bacon and set it aside, but leave that liquid gold (the bacon fat) in the pot!
2. The Soffritto: Add your onion and garlic to the bacon fat. Sauté for about 3–4 minutes until they are translucent. Throw in the mushrooms and carrots, cooking for another 5 minutes until they start to soften.
3. The Deglaze: Turn the heat up to medium-high. Nestle the chicken thighs back into the pot, skin-side down first, searing for 4–5 minutes per side until golden brown. Pour in the white wine and chicken stock. Use a wooden spoon to scrape the bottom of the pot to release all that flavour.
4. The Slow Bake: Stir in the thyme, bay leaves, and the crispy bacon. Bring the liquid to a gentle simmer, pop the lid on, and slide it into the oven for 40–45 minutes.
5. The Grand Finale: Remove the pot from the oven. Stir in the double cream to transform the pan juices into a rich sauce. In a small bowl, mix your breadcrumbs and Parmesan. Sprinkle the mixture over the top and pop the pot under the grill for 2–3 minutes until the topping is bubbling and bronzed.
The Final Bite
There you have it—a rustic, soul-warming classic that proves you don’t need a sink full of dishes to create a masterpiece. Whether you’re gathered around the table for a Sunday family feast or just looking for a bit of midweek indulgence, this creamy chicken bake is guaranteed to hit the spot. There’s nothing quite like the sound of that first “crunch” through the Parmesan crust into the velvety sauce below.
So, pour yourself a glass of whatever wine is left in the bottle, grab a big spoon, and dive in.
Happy cooking!
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Thought for the day 27.06.2026
Do you remember life before the internet?
I remember life before the internet .. people used to talk and read books !! Life was a slower pace. People cared about each other, they had conversations with the neighbours and had time for to check in.
I remember seeing it for the first time when you would dial it up and hear it ringing through the modem . It was like something out of Star Trek ! How could all this information come through a telephone ??
The internet has changed society .. not always for the good . It has created a throwaway society and people out for that quick dopamine rush. Old fashioned values such where the family would sit around the table has decreased and kids don’t read books, they scroll. I remember drying flowers as a child, making book marks and perfume out of petals . Games of make believe
There are the good features of the internet – knowledge is at our fingertips, we can shop online, research on line and it is an unbelievable source of research
But I miss the simplicity of life before it, not every event was filmed, no showing off what fabulous holiday you could afford, life was more real and authentic .. I miss those days!
C xx
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This boy is deeply, undeniably loved.
The 189 miles we covered scratched boldly at the door of eccentricity. When onlookers saw Ruby—a beautiful, inquisitive, and elderly tuxedo cat—standing proudly at the helm of his pram, his sturdy little shoulders adorned in a blue blanket patterned with clouds, I believe they instantly made an assessment: this boy is deeply, undeniably loved.
He brought pure joy to every village we passed. It felt as though people came from the four corners of the earth just to tell us how beautiful he was and how much we had brightened their day.
Pic: “Breathing life into Ruby with our walks” The bittersweet irony of it all was tinged with a quiet sadness. This fabulous creature had spent his life as a sheltered house cat, yet here at the very precipice of his existence, when his precious time was running out, strangers were reaffirming what we already so deeply knew: it was an absolute blessing to have him. Thank you for stopping by and sharing in this memory.
If you have a cat that has received a similar devastating prognosis and you are walking through the dark corridors of grief yourself, please know this: three weeks after his passing, this journey is the only thing that makes sense to me. Grief happens, and grief is simply the receipt we pay for love. Ruby was indisputably loved. In truth, I wept more over his passing than I did over the loss of my own mother. Whether I should be embarrassed to confess that, or proud to admit it, is entirely up to you, the listener, to decide.
There is one more thing I must say. Someone was running parallel with me on every single step of this 90-day odyssey. It was the lady who is no stranger to genius ideas. As we sat entirely broken-hearted on a bench in Stockton Heath, she designated that light would break through our darkness. She promptly ordered the pram and that fateful blue cloud blanket that shielded Ruby’s shoulders on every single outing. Wrapped up with a hot water bottle, completely intrigued by the world, he would sit at the helm. I am immensely proud of Carolyn and myself for the fierce tenacity we employed to make that happen for him.
On the devastating day Ruby passed, I instinctively hid the pram before Carolyn got home, fearing it would utterly break her to see it empty. But later that afternoon, on a sudden impulse, I brought it back out of the “Zen Den” we had created for our cats. We placed little Moon inside and took her out. Unlike Ruby, she cried all the way to the park. I filmed that first bittersweet journey. On the way back, she grew quiet. Thwarted by raw emotion, I couldn’t bear to look at the video that day. When I finally watched it the next morning, I was amazed. She was so vibrant, so utterly intrigued. That night, after returning home, she shed all her usual inhibitions and mental torment. She was totally angelic, sleeping peacefully on our bed. We have never seen her so remarkably playful, and we were completely enamored by her transformation.
I believe the profound lesson here is that house cats, when allowed to safely experience the great outdoors in a pram, are liberated from the constraints of four walls. It is enormously invigorating for their spirits. Because of this, we intend to get two prams and embark on a grand 1,000-mile journey with our lovely cats, Millie and Moon, seeking sponsorship from various partners along the way. It is through sharing these extraordinary stories that faith is born in the absolute beauty of our pets. We believe we should always remain hyper-aware of the luxury of touch—and how, when we reach for them or they reach out a paw to us (just as Ruby always did), that connection alone is a reason for boundless gratitude.
Pic: Not a day goes by without a thought. -
Book Review: The Paris Apartment by Lucy Foley
The Verdict: A readable mystery that makes for a good holiday escape, even if a slower pace and surface-level characters keep it from matching the heights of Foley’s previous hits.
Review Breakdown:
Pacing: A bit slow overall, taking some time to build momentum
Character Depth: Surface-level and not particularly engaging, lacking real depth
Atmosphere: Good claustrophobic setting, but missing local Paris description
Overall Rating: 3.5 / 5 stars — A good holiday read
The Setup
Lucy Foley returns with her signature multi-perspective style, this time trading her usual remote landscapes for a beautiful, creepy old apartment building in the heart of Paris.
We follow Jess, a young woman looking for a fresh start, who shows up to crash with her half-brother, Ben. The only problem? Ben is missing, his keys are left behind, and the building’s wealthy, eccentric neighbors are all hiding secrets.
The Critique: Pacing and Characters
While the book is well-structured on paper, the execution feels a bit slow overall. The plot takes a while to get moving, and it lacks the gripping momentum you might expect from a typical thriller.
A big part of this slow drag comes down to the characters. While they are clearly defined in their suspicious roles—from the watchful concierge to the defensive socialite—they are all a bit surface-level. Without much depth or genuine emotional stakes, they aren’t particularly engaging. Instead of rooting for them or being deeply intrigued by their secrets, you might find yourself watching them from a distance.
The Setting: Where is Paris?
The book also leaves you wanting a bit more from its actual setting. For a novel with “Paris” right there in the title, it feels surprisingly isolated from the city itself.
If you dive in hoping to be transported to the romantic, bustling streets or historic cafes of Paris, you will likely wish for much more descriptive detail and local flavor. The apartment building functions more like a generic, dark backdrop than a living, breathing character.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve read a few of Lucy Foley’s books before, you will likely find this one readable, but not nearly as enjoyable or gripping as some of her others. Because of the slower pace and flat characters, it doesn’t quite have that unputdownable magic. However, if you are just looking for a straightforward, easy-to-read mystery for a holiday weekend, it still works as a good, enjoyable time-killer.
You can buy the book on Amazon
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Thought for the day 26.05.2026
What are you good at?
I’m good at trying! I don’t have skills I wish I had like being able to sing beautifullly, dance or paint – it must be wonderful to be have natural talent and be able improve on that . I can’t sing for toffee , have dreadful co-ordination and always have and my drawing skills extend to stick men!! When my girls were younger school craft projects were a nightmare and in fairness I could have made them and passed them off as there’s my talent is so immense !!
I am loving, I suppose that’s the greatest talent and I’m a mother lion who protects her pack even though they are in their 20’s.
What I do have is determination, I give everything my best shot and I’m fairly good at looking at a room and making it wow, which came in handy when I was renovating and renting houses.
So I would say you don’t have to be amazing at everything, just try your best at everything you do and you can’t go far wrong xx
C x
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The Espresso Martini Brownie: Cocktail Hour, Just Edible 🍸✨
Let’s be real—some nights call for a drink, and some call for a serious chocolate fix. But when you want to feel a bit more sophisticated? You combine them.
Meet the Espresso Martini Brownie.
This is the brownie for grown-ups. We’re talking a dark, intense, fudgy base that’s packed with molten chocolate, topped with a silky buttercream spiked with a proper hit of coffee liqueur. It’s rich, it’s boozy, and it’s the ultimate “wow” dessert for when you’re hosting (or when you just want to feel fancy on a Friday night).
Why These Work:
• The Depth: Dark chocolate and espresso are a match made in heaven. The coffee makes the chocolate taste ten times more intense.
• The Texture: No cakey brownies here. These are dense, fudgy, and loaded with chunks.
• The Finish: The frosting is basically an Espresso Martini in buttercream form. It’s elite.
The Recipe (UK Measurements)
Prep: 15 mins | Bake: 30 mins | Makes: 12 squares of absolute indulgence
The Shopping List
For the Brownies:
• 100g Dark Chocolate (Melted)
• 170g Unsalted Butter (Melted)
• 100g Light Brown Soft Sugar
• 100g Caster Sugar
• 2 Medium Eggs
• 1 tsp Coffee Extract (or 1 tsp instant coffee dissolved in 2 tbsp water)
• 85g Plain Flour
• 30g Cocoa Powder
• 150g Milk Chocolate (Roughly chopped)
For the Boozy Frosting:
• 120g Butter (Room Temp)
• 275g Icing Sugar
• 30ml Coffee Liqueur (Kahlúa or Tia Maria work perfectly)
Let’s Bake
1. Prep: Preheat your oven to 170°C (150°C Fan). Line a 20cm (8″) square tin with baking paper.
2. Whisk: Combine your melted butter and both sugars. Whisk for a solid 3-5 minutes until the mixture is pale and smooth—this is the secret to that perfect texture.
3. The Base: Stir in the eggs and coffee extract. Slowly pour in the melted dark chocolate, making sure it’s cooled slightly so it doesn’t cook the eggs.
4. Fold: Sift in the flour, cocoa, and a pinch of salt. Fold it gently with a spatula until just combined. Stir through those milk chocolate chunks.
5. Bake: Pour the batter in and bake for 30 minutes. You want a slight wobble in the middle—that’s how you keep them fudgy. Let them cool completely in the tin.
6. The Frosting: Whisk the softened butter and liqueur together, then gradually add the icing sugar. Beat it until it’s light and fluffy. Spread it thick, dust with extra cocoa powder, and slice into clean squares.
Pro Tip: For the full cocktail-hour vibe, serve a single square on a dark plate with a silver pastry fork. It’s pure class.
Whether you’re serving these at a late-night party or just treating yourself after a long week, these brownies are the ultimate proof that you don’t need a glass to enjoy a cocktail. They’re dark, they’re boozy, and they’re far too good to share—so maybe keep the tin hidden. Give them a go, and let me know if they become your new after-hours obsession!
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Thought for the day 25.05.2026
What does “having it all” mean to you? Is it attainable?
To me it means peace . To be happy in one’s self, confident in who you are and being able to not let anyone upset your inner peace. Material things mean nothing it’s love compassion and treating others how I would want to be treated myself and not letting the behaviour of others change who I am.
Is it attainable .. yes it is but sometimes hard work . Be true to yourself and you can’t go far wrong xx
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Midweek Lifesaver: Mediterranean Feta & Tomato Pasta 🍝
Let’s be real—by the time Wednesday rolls around, the last thing anyone wants to do is spend an hour hovering over a hot stove. If you’re looking for a dinner that feels like a holiday in Greece but takes less time than a quick trip to the shops, you’ve hit the jackpot.
This Mediterranean Pasta is my absolute go-to. It’s vibrant, zesty, and uses those gorgeous Mediterranean diet staples we all love. Best of all? It’s a “one-pan wonder” (mostly!) that’s ready in 30 minutes flat.
🛒 The Shopping List
Here’s what you’ll need to grab from the cupboard or the local market:
• The Pasta: I’m a fan of farfalle (the little bows), but any short-cut pasta works perfectly. Think penne, fusilli, or rigatoni—basically anything that’s good at catching the sauce.
• The Veg: Get yourself some cherry or grape tomatoes. If you can find a mix of red and yellow, it looks stunning.
• The Greens: A big bag of fresh spinach. If you’ve only got frozen, just make sure to thaw it and squeeze out the water first.
• The Flavour Makers: Plenty of fresh garlic (don’t be shy!), olive oil, and a cheeky squeeze of lemon.
• The Cheese: Feta is the star here. You can buy the block and crumble it yourself or grab a pack of ready-crumbled to save time.
• The Spice Rack: Grab your Italian seasoning, some paprika for a bit of warmth, and plenty of sea salt and cracked black pepper.
👩🍳 How to Whip It Up
1. Get the water on: Boil a large pot of salted water and cook your pasta until al dente.
2. Sizzle the tomatoes: While the pasta bubbles away, grab a large frying pan or skillet. Toss in your halved tomatoes, minced garlic, a glug of olive oil, paprika, salt, and your dried herbs. Cook on a medium heat for about 2 minutes until the tomatoes start to soften and get juicy.
3. Wilting time: Throw in the spinach. Stir it around until it wilts into that lovely garlic-tomato base.
4. The Feta finish: Stir in your crumbled feta and let it get just a little bit melty.
5. The Big Mix: Toss in your drained pasta and the lemon juice. Give it a good stir for a minute to get everything coated. If it looks a bit dry, add an extra drizzle of olive oil.
Top Tip: This is a fantastic “make-ahead” meal. It keeps beautifully in the fridge for lunch the next day, and you can even freeze it!
Whether you’re dodging the temptation of a takeaway or just need a win after a hectic shift, this Mediterranean pasta is the ultimate shortcut to a proper meal. It’s vibrant, zesty, and—best of all—gets you from “starving” to “serving” in the time it takes to boil a kettle. Give it a go tonight, enjoy the fact that there’s barely any washing up, and let that hit of lemon and garlic do the heavy lifting. Happy cooking!
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The Coronation Glow-Up: Why You’ll Never Go Back to the Sandwich Filler Again
Let’s be honest for a second—whenever most of us hear the words “Coronation Chicken,” our minds immediately go to a slightly sad, neon-yellow sandwich filler sitting in a plastic tub at the local supermarket. It’s a British staple, sure, but is it exciting? Usually, no.
But then, you see a plate of Hot Coronation Chicken and everything changes. We are talking about a version that feels less like a lunchtime afterthought and more like a high-end restaurant main. It’s creamy, it’s vibrant, and it’s served over a steaming bed of fluffy basmati rice.
What Makes This Version “The One”?
The secret to this “glow-up” is all about moving away from the cold mayo base and leaning into a rich, warm, velvety sauce. You get a deep golden hue by blooming mild curry powder and turmeric in a pan before adding silky double cream. It transforms the spices, taking away that raw “dusty” taste and replacing it with a mellow, rounded warmth.
But the real stars of the show? The fruit and the crunch.
• The Apricots: We aren’t just using tiny specs of fruit. We’re using bold, halved dried apricots. When simmered in the hot sauce, they plump up and become little pockets of honey-like sweetness that cut through the savoury curry perfectly.
• The Sultanas: These add that classic burst of chewiness that reminds you of the traditional 1953 recipe, but with a modern twist.
• The Toasted Almonds: Do not skip the toasting! A quick two minutes in a dry pan turns them into golden, nutty shards that provide the essential crunch against the soft rice and tender chicken.
Bringing the Cafe Vibes Home
The beauty of this dish is that it looks incredibly sophisticated but takes barely 15 minutes to throw together. It’s the kind of meal you make when you want to feel like you’ve put in effort, but you’ve actually just had a very productive session with a single frying pan.
Whether you’re hosting a quick mid-week dinner for friends or you’re just treating yourself to a “main character” solo meal, this hot version brings a sense of occasion to the table. The final pop of green from fresh coriander makes the whole plate sing.
So, are you ready to ditch the deli tub and give this royal classic the respect it deserves? Trust me, once you’ve had those warm, jammy apricots and that glossy cream sauce, there’s no turning back.
The Recipe: Hot Apricot Coronation Chicken 👑
The Ingredients:
• 2 Chicken Breasts, diced into bite-sized chunks
• 250g Basmati Rice, cooked until fluffy
• 200ml Double Cream (The secret to that glossy finish!)
• 2 tbsp Mild Curry Powder & 1 tsp Turmeric
• 1 tbsp Mango Chutney
• 6-8 Dried Apricots, halved
• Handful of Flaked Almonds, toasted
• Fresh Coriander, for that final flourish
The Method:
1. The Rice: Get your rice boiling in salted water. By the time it’s drained and fluffed, your chicken will be ready.
2. The Sizzle: Fry your chicken chunks in a little butter or oil until they’re golden.
3. The Glow: Stir in the curry powder and turmeric. Let them toast with the chicken for a minute until the spices are fragrant.
4. The Cream: Turn the heat down and pour in the double cream and mango chutney.
5. The Fruit: Add your halved apricots and sultanas. Let them simmer for 5 minutes so they get nice and juicy.
6. The Grand Finale: Pile the rice high, spoon over that gorgeous chicken, and go heavy on the toasted almonds and coriander.
Whether you’re looking to impress guests at a weekend brunch or simply want to elevate your Tuesday night “dinner-for-one,” this hot apricot version is the ultimate way to enjoy a British icon. It’s a dish that proves you don’t need hours in the kitchen to create something that looks—and tastes—perfectly royal. So, grab your finest plate, pile that rice high, and get ready to experience a classic in a whole new light. Once you’ve tasted that creamy, golden sauce paired with a jammy apricot, the deli-counter tub will be a distant memory.
Happy cooking! ✨
