My Christmas Recipe List

Hey everyone! I hope you’ve been having a good few weeks. I have been out of sorts lately. December is not my month – I’m not too big on Christmas. I do the usual stuff and J and I have our family over for lunch which proceeds into afternoon tea and evening drinks. We don’t mind at all, but I cannot deny that by the end of the day I’ll be totally zonked out. It is a quiet day, and I make sure to plan ahead. This year I’m still going through lists and things, and year after year I feel like I’m falling behind. However it all turns out all right in the end so I’m not going to worry. I decided it’s just not worth it.

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Roast Pork Loin with Caraway Seeds, Lemon and Garlic

While apologising profusely for not posting a recipe, or anything else really during the past few days, I can say that the busiest time of the year for me has officially started. It began a few weeks ago to be honest, but only now I am feeling it. It – as in what-the-heck-I-don’t-know-what-I’m-doing type of thing. What’s worse is that Christmas food is at the bottom of my list, and that almost never happens. I have, with the help of my lovely mum, put up some decorations, tree and all, but as much as I have decided not to stress about the trivial things, I’m stressing more as a result. Does that happen to you too? Mind you I cannot complain too much you know – I am prepping for a simple meal and I just have to see that I have all the ingredients I need. That’s all. However as much as I’m trying to put on my Nigella anxiety-lessening supercape, I’m failing miserably. But things can only get better. (No, I’m not quoting D:Ream.)

Barista Masterclass at Costa Coffee Malta

So less than a month from the International Coffee Day event it was time to head off to a Barista Masterclass at Costa Coffee in Balzan. With my camera of course, and J. You could say that J did all the work this time together with another ten or so coffee enthusiasts. I went along and took loads of pictures which is what I love best. I promised solemnly though that next time I’ll leave my camera behind and follow some instructions myself.

International Coffee Day Event at Costa Coffee Malta

One thing I thought I was going to miss after moving back to Malta was the coffee culture. I genuinely thought I would be disappointed. The thing is I could never find the good stuff during my various visits to see friends and family here. Only recently I’ve been to a place where the coffee just didn’t cut it. Honestly I would have been much happier if I just ordered a glass of still water, instead of wasting a few euros drinking tasteless mud. It was undrinkable. Having said that I would advise you never to order an espresso from a pub when you’re in England. There could be good ones you never know, but I wouldn’t risk it if I were you. Ah, memories!

Cosmopolitan Cocktail and this blog’s 5 Year Anniversary

Just for curiosity’s sake I decided to go through C&T‘s archive and verify the date of my first post. I smiled when I did because coincidentally it was the 6th of January, 2011. I can’t believe I have been doing this for five years. What started as a hobby is now what I love to do best. It all started from simply posting my bakes of the week on Facebook to having a nameless and structureless little blog, to what Chorizo & Thyme has become today. I thank everyone for being here with me, reading my thoughts and recipes, and commenting. Reading your comments and your messages is so uplifting.