Obsessions and Guilty Pleasures

The thrifty and nifty Nixdminx has tagged me for a meme. The great thing about these tags is they offer an opportunity to stop for a while, take a breather and share some of the otherwise ignored details of your life that simply pass by unrecognised. Even better you get a chance to find out about other folks too.

The rules of the meme. Respond and rework. Answer questions on your own blog. Replace one question. Add one question. Then tag 8 people. So here goes.

1.What are your current obsessions?
Collecting vintage jewellery and wondering how to inspire other Suffolk residents to go Zero Waste. That's what I call sparkling ambition!

2. Which item from your wardrobe do you wear most often?
A black and white print dress that I bought from Phase Eight about four years ago. It's still going strong but is in strict competition with a beautiful blue peacock feather print skirt that I bought three weeks ago at a charity shop for just £4.50.

3. What’s for dinner?
Chicken stir fry, with fresh chillis and cous-cous cooked by Mr A, followed by delicious strawberry ice-cream from a local farm.

4. Last thing you bought?
Three gorgeous ReSACKel bags made from beautifully printed rice bags, only available from www.myzerowaste.com. Worth a look!

5. What are you listening to?
A copy of a compilation CD that I made for Mr A for Christmas, with downloaded music from Napster. Includes Tainted Love by Soft Cell, Whole of the Moon by the Waterboys, the Nolans' I'm in the mood for dancing and Abba's Dancing Queen. I think you get the picture. Eclectic, nostalgic and fun.

6. Do you have a pet and if not, why not?
Two white cats with black splodges and three chickens.

7. Favourite holiday spots?
St Ives, Cornwall. It's romantic, an artist's paradise and is a key contender as one of the best UK seaside destinations. Also, Leysin in the Swiss Alps, utterly breathtaking.

8. Reading right now?
Just finished Remembrance by Theresa Breslin, a most wonderful book that brings the first world war to life, following the lives of 5 young people, highlighting their courage and ambitions. It's the best book I've read in a long time. I am now ready to pass it on, so if you would like it let me know in the comments. First person to ask gets it. But beware it's a real tearjerker.

9. 4 words to describe yourself.
Optimistic, cheeky, happy and a dreamer.

10. Guilty pleasure?
Watching Kirstie's Homemade Home.

11. Who or what makes you laugh until you’re weak?
The panel on Have I got News for You. Such a fabulous tonic to a serious world.

12. First spring thing?
Daffodils and narcissi.

13. Planning to travel to next?
Off to York to see Ruby hopefully in June, (shh, I haven't told Mr A yet) followed by a family holiday to Switzerland in the summer.

14. Best thing you ate or drank lately?
A glass of Chablis with dinner just now. OMG....and the chocolate cake I made last Monday. Geez, I made chocolate cake. I couldn't believe it. It's only taken me 40 years!

15. When did you last get tipsy?
At the MediaGuardian Innovation Awards celebrations in March. The champagne was flowing. I was with great friends and I just couldn't help it.

16. Favourite ever film?
Hard to choose: Goodbye Mr Chips - happy, sad and poignant or the Ladykillers, a very funny Ealing Comedy that just makes you laugh all the way to the bank. Damn it....the Ladykillers wins hands down. Who needs new movies when you can just recycle the old ones eh!

17. Care to share some wisdom?
It's no good recycling if you don't buy products made from recycled materials. Switch to recycled products where possible, close the loop and drive the demand for a greener economy.

18. Favourite song?
Porcelain by Moby. Makes me tingle every time.

19. What's your favourite meal you make without sticking to a recipe?
It's got to be Sweet and Sour Balti Chicken, which I picked up from a Balti recipe book. The book has since been lost after is was loaned to a friend. Good job the memory cells work because here it is. Combine two tablespoons each of greek yoghurt, tomato puree and mango chutney in a bowl, with a teaspoon of garam masala and add to a wok of hot corn oil. Bring to a high temperature and mix well before adding strips of chicken. Throw in some freshly-chopped chillis and cook for five minutes before adding water to dilute. Leave the chicken to simmer for 10 minutes or until fully cooked. Stir in a tablespoon of cream and a handful of chopped coriander. Serve with rice that has been boiled with cardamom pods

20. Who would play you in a movie of your life?
Please let it be Dawn French, she'd eat The Rubbish Diet alive and despite the serious nature, it really has been a bag of laughs.

21. Facebook or Twitter? Other or Neither?
Twitter! I think it's great for finding out new information and sharing brief snippets of news.

So which bloggers shall I pick for a game of tag? Erm let's see.....who haven't I visited for a while who I'd love to catch up with and might be up for a round of tag?

I think it just has to be Jo Beaufoix, Fiona over at A pot, a thought and a smidgeon of dirt, Sam at Feel the rhythm inside, Layla at Layla's Experiments, Katy at Aiming Low, my long-lost evil twin Katyboo, Grumpy old woman, and Picklesmum.

Yes ladies....you're it and I'm coming to get you!
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