The Gogglebox.

Hello!

Today I feel like a list. A not in any particular order list but just a general favourites type list.

And to celebrate the fact that this morning I managed to get my TV working again I shall pick out my most favourite telly box series that I would always recommend.

 

1) A Town Called Eureka

Crazy space stuff? Robots? Science? A secret town full of geniuses hidden somewhere in America? If this sounds like your thing Eureka is for you! Obviously each episode some sort of imminently dangerous mishap occurs which the local Sheriff (who incidentally is basically the only non-genius in town) had to get to the bottom of. From a second sun appearing to metal turning to gold to travelling in time this show has it all!

2) Dinnerladies

Classic. The show never leaves the canteen which I think is fantasic. It is a prope situation comedy. Even though there are only two series the characters develop and progress and you grow to love them all more and more and despite the fact that I know all the jokes it still has me laughing every time.

3) Veronica Mars

School girl detective? Yes please. So much cooler than Nancy Drew Veronica Mars is pure awesome. Why they axed this show I'll never know but us marshmallows showed WB and now there's a movie and a book series. Honestly, does that not explain how good it is? Okay, motorbike gangs, blackmail, tasers, underhand sheriff, bad boys, good guys, babies swapped at birth? None of this selling it to you? Hmm... We're not friends.

4) Red Dwarf

Seriously, it's the best thing ever. It's a sitcom in space. It has a robot, a talking computer and a human cat. What more could you want from TV? Oh? A super catchy theme tune? No problem:

It's cold outside, there's no kind of atmosphere. I'm all alone, more or less. Let me fly, far away from here.

Fun, fun fun. In the sun, sun sun.

I want to lie, ship-wrecked and comatosed. Drinking fresh mango juice. Goldfish shoals, nibbling at my toes.

Fun, fun fun. In the sun, sun sun.

5) Poirot

Back on the murder mysteries. Only this time it's a classic. Exercise those little grey cells and hope that this is an episode with Hastings in. Because, well who doesn't love Hastings?

6) Still Game

This never seems to be on the telly. Although maybe it gets the odd repeat in Scotland I'm not sure. Follow the misadventures of OAPs Jack and Victor as they bumble on down to The Clansman to have a pint, try and avoid nosey old Isa's gossiping and argue over who has eaten the last Tunnocks tea cake. Mmmm Tunnocks tea cake. I'm hungry now.

7) Once Upon A Time

Big thanks to my friend Marie for introducing me to this. Admittedly I have only seen the first series but I started series 2 last night with the family and I'm very excited. If you like classic fairy tales, modern day interpretations of fairy tales and and somewhat amnesiac / schizophrenic theory that ties the two together then you will love this clash of fairy tale characters. Snow White's best friend is Little Red Riding Hood? Sure why not.

8) Sherlock

Obviously. Now I will admit that I found the third series a bit of a let down. It was good. But not as amazing as expected. That aside this brilliant modern day setting of the classic Conan-Doyle stories is something that has to be watched. Possibly controversial comment that I think I prefer Watson to Holmes (please don't attack me Cumberbatch Lovers). I know they are all busy busy people but do we really have to keep waiting two odd years each time? BRING BACK MORIARTY!

9) Pretty Little Liars

This is partially here so that Rose doesn't disown me a friend but also because I really do love it. Again I'm not up to date but I am catching up. If you like a high school drama (come on admit it you know you do even though your high school years are well behind you) mixed with blackmail and deceit then this is going to be right up your street. Someone's dead. Then they're not. Then they are. Then they're not. Mysterious messages from A. Who's A? Can we trust anyone? Even the main characters? No idea. Gripping.

10) The Great British Bake Off

Now I know all my other choices have been proper scripted series and whatnot but GBBO is my must watch show at the moment. I have been a fan from the very first series and despite not being that bothered about Mary and Paul (again don't hate me!) I keep coming back for more. I didn't love the last series as much as usual but I am already hooked on this one. If you like cake, TUNE IN. Plus, the format influence another show I love the Sewing Bee but a list of 11 just seems silly.

 

So, by no means a comprehensive list of the telly I love but some very firm favourites there. If only I had more spare time I would so do a binge watch day of some of these!

 

Love Charlotte x

 

Personal Bake Off

Hello!

 

By pure coincidence I had scheduled a baking day today around at the Surrogates. It just so happened that it was the same week of the bake off.

 

I'm sure they won't mind me announcing this on the internet but none of us could enter the bake off. We are haphazard. We don't have the right size tins. We ignore how many chocolate chips to put in a cake mix. I'm sorry but 25g was not going to be enough chocolate chips. That recipe was stingy. There is no point in having a stingy cake. No.

 

The day started out with attempting to make Mickey Mouse waffles.

Waffles are hard.

First thing, waffle irons are heavy and I have weedy little arms.

Second thing, we had no idea how much batter to use or how long it was going to take. They're meant to take about 5 minutes in total, flipping half way. It took about half an hour! How you're supposed to make 12 of these things (the amount the recipe stated) with just one waffle iron was beyond us. We had one each and we had to give up after just 3 each.

They did actually work out okay though though and I am taking the leftover batter home to attempt to make some more.

 

The next thing on the agenda was fruity chocolate sponge.

I say the next thing on the agenda, Rose (Little Sis Surrogate) had to take charge of this while me and Marie (Big Sis Surrogate) dealt with the waffles.

 

This was the recipe that did not have enough chocolate chips in it. It was also the recipe where we realised we definitely didn't have the right sized tins.

Now... If we just ignore the fact that it got a little bit stuck in the tin (we got it out eventually) this was very successful! It was soooo tasty. But seriously, it was the extra chocolate chips that made it.

We had to teamwork to get the next one together. ROCKY ROAD!

Pretty darn easy. Broken up biscuits and buttery syrup-ness + marshmallows and cherries I'm melted chocolate. Oh... And the remaining few chocolate chips because there's no point in wasting those now is there?

 

Possibly the easiest thing we did though was chocolate truffles. We did two kinds, just milk chocolate and ones with orange flavouring too. They were messy but really good fun to do. I'm already thinking about what other flavours I could do and ways to bag them up nicely to give away as presents!

 

And finally, the funniest one was Orange Jelly Cheesecake. Imagine a cheesecake. Mmm. Now imagine a thin layer of orange jelly on top. Mmmm. Now imagine trying to put twice as much jelly as you're supposed to on in a time that is the wrong size.

Less mmmm... More hmmmmm?

It's still pretty mmmmmm though! Maybe next time we should make it in individual ramekins?

 

Not only did we make all that amazing-ness... they provided PIZZA!

I love you Surrogates. I had the best time.

Don't hate me for saying we're not quite up to Bake Off standard yet.

 

Love Charlotte xx

 

The Bake Off Is Back!

Hello!

I hope it's not as rainy where you are. It's hammering it down here.

 

So... An exciting event took place on Wednesday. The Great British Bake Off returned and boy was I excited.

As in fact, was the office. So excited that post Bake Off conversations were actually scheduled in. This is one of the best things about the Bake Off for me. I don't watch Made in Chelsea or Eastenders or the World Cup and so on, so I miss out on quite a lot of 'water cooler' conversations. But with the Bake Off, I can join in! This is an exciting time for me.

 

So, picture the scene. It's Wednesday. It's almost 8 o'clock. I'm settled in the sofa. I am super excited. But also a little scared. It's not that I didn't enjoy the last series. I did. But somehow I found that I didn't enjoy it quite as much as the previous ones. I can't really remember why. I never found a favourite to root for and no one had a natty jumper which was highly disappointing.

 

So this year, I came to 8 o'clock with a more nervous excitement than anything else. My verdict?

I have high hopes.

I've not learnt everyone's names yet but I did like beardy guy (although my friend B joked that it could be a hygiene issue). I also liked the woman that won star baker and the woman that went out. I thought it seemed a shame because even though she had had her little cake situation in the show stopper, she challenged Paul in the signature bake challenge about the cream in her Swiss roll and this made me happy.

 

It might be controversial but I'm not a really a big fan of Paul. I appreciate that he knows what he's talking about but I don't like the way he talks down at people. I know, I know... It's a good cop bad cop thing with Mary but I just don't think it's necessary.

 

But my front runner based on this first episode has got to be Norman. This is possibly based on how adorable his dog is but also because he seemed to know what he was doing and seemed very matter of fact. No nonsense sort of chap. Fantastic!

The best part though, as usual was Mel and Sue.

There are at least three people on my office that have tried for the last couple of years to tell me I should enter. This is not happening for three reasons.

1. I am not good enough
2. If I did make it on I would 100% cry on National TV. Not on my bucket list.
3. It doesn't look fun.

Yes, you heard me right. It doesn't look fun. It doesn't look lovely and delightful a people in my office seem to assume. It looks like a massive stressful nightmare. This is not something I want to endure.

 

The only good thing I can see about going on The Bake Off would be having a laugh with Mel and Sue. Laughing at their comedy puns and experiencing the wonders of a Mel and Sue sandwich.

 

 

I look forward to seeing what this year's bunch can offer.

I shall report back as the show goes on!

 

Love Charlotte xx