Day 1331 I can hear the jingle bells

I forgot how difficult puppies are. My weekend was spent consistently aggravated by the silky demon. Whenever you think you’ve had a breakthrough, they break you. Needless to say, training Moose wasn’t easy but the end product made the blood, sweat and tears (many tears) worth it. Being and Aunt/Uncle is great, because you can give them back. Let’s start the penultimate day of the year.

Salads:

Chickpea + sweet potato with mango + lime pickle dressing

Sicilian styled aubergine pasta

Soup: Lightly spiced broccoli

Day 1330 Training day

This weekend I will be looking after the silky demon (the brother of the silky peanut). He’s adorable, loving but he’s not the best at socialising with his own kind, i’m sure many of you can relate. I will endeavour to show this puppy that not all dogs deserve to be viciously barked at. Hopefully Moose will help me with some training but thus far he’s just staring at me as if to say ‘why do you invite these cretins into our space?’.

Menu:

Split pea + cauliflower,

Mushroom + tomato pasta

Soup: Sweet potato + ginger

Day 1329 You changed your tune

I pottered into work a little bitter from the night before but the day has consisted of the sweetest string of customers. A soothing tone to heal my embittered mind. I’m expecting a few more familiar faces through the doors today, a spot of excitement to get me through the mundanity of the grind. The merriment is seeping into my skin.

Salads:

Peri peri cauliflower

Sumac rice

Cauliflower + cashew pesto pasta

Soup: Vegetable madras

Day 1328 Creating my naughty and nice list

I want to achieve so much in our time off but while the deli is open I can’t process the list of tasks I want to conquer. I’m relying on January dragging so I can attempt to start the year on the right foot. For now, I will let the demons whisper in the back of my mind and get on with the day to day. I will have plenty of time to break down when we’re closed.

Salads:

Winter veg chickpea curry

Lemon + turmeric rice

Tomato + basil pasta

Soup: Tuscan tomato

Day 1327 Watch and learn

I like to observe, not only is it a fun pass time but it’s useful too. My observations tend to catch people off guard, like the way I remember your order, your likes, dislikes and quirks. My observations also help me greatly when I travel. Through this I managed to plan one of the most seamless weekend excursions one could experience. Venice was a wonderland, i’m itching to return to the city on water, I wish to feel that floating feeling once again.

Salads:

Beetroot goulash

Lemon + dill rice

Sausage + ham pasta

Soup: Lightly spiced vegetable

Sandwich: Fennel salami, Asiago cheese, Jalapeno relish + tomato

Day 1326 Marco Polo, here we come

I have had after school activities everyday this week, it’s been swell but it leaves me mentally vacant in the morning. This isn’t a bad thing, it’s actually quite pleasant, peaceful even. The activities are set to continue this weekend as Deli squad will be venturing to Venice for our Christmas dinner, I can taste the pasticcini as I type. I simply can’t wait for what will be a beautifully chaotic adventure.

Salads:

Braised chickpeas

Chicken + tarragon rice

Baked veggie pasta

Soup: Spiced sweet potato

Day 1325 My furry alarm

My dog did something quite incredible this morning. He woke me up. I slept through 4 alarms but the 5th one was accompanied by the whimpering of my dog, a sound that for some reason brings me out of heavy slumber. It could have been a fluke, but I think Moose has levelled up. That would be amazing.

Salads:

Coconut chickpea + sweet potato

Edamame + crispy shallot rice

Sicilian style aubergine pasta

Soup: Leek + potato

Day 1324 I like to dwell

Some days I can put all of the worlds atrocities to the side and enjoy the blissful ease of the day to day, other times my brain is reluctant to be anything but angry. The lead up to Christmas doesn’t help much, endless, mindless consuming is a foot and many are due to receive their bonus for another year of tapping away at their keyboards like good little minions, detached. The world keeps turning, slowly burning but at least the Christmas lights are pretty in the winter darkness.

Salads:

Chilli non carne

Spinach + herb rice

Mushroom ragu pasta

Soup: Med veg lentils

Day 1323 Don't bother looking forward

It’s going to be a full throttle week. Between the Christmas catering and personal vendettas, this week will throw everything at me. Am I prepared? Of course not, but am I intrigued to see how the days unfold? You bet I am. For now, we’ll just get through Monday.

Salads:

Med veg lentil

Leek + dill rice

Sausage + ham pasta

Soup: Tuscan tomato

Sandwich: Spicy salami, gorgonzola, Onion relish + tomato

Day 1322 Over the hump

I was uninspired yesterday. It felt like trying to start a fire in the woods and when there was a flicker of warmth rain would come and dampen flame. Luckily I work in an establishment that provides a plethora of foods for me to eat my feelings. I slept heavy last night, woke up late this morning but there is optimism on the horizon in the form of a black coffee and mince pie.

Salads:

Mushroom cacciatore

Lemon + rosemary rice

Tomato + basil pasta

Soup: Indian spiced cauliflower + potato

Day 1321 Because I knew you

I was an angry kid, this might be surprising because obviously nowadays i’m a bundle of joy (lol). It’s been a journey to get here but I didn’t do it alone. One of the characters that helped to shift me into the light is celebrating 30 years on this earth but now she lives on the other side of the world. Nevertheless today is her day. I will listen to ‘For Good’ on repeat and remember the good times in an effort to blur the never ending misery that is life.

Salads:

Peri peri cauliflower + split peas

Carrot + dill rice

Cheesy potato bake

Soup: Thai coconut chickpea

Day 1320 This little light of mine

There’s a shadow that roams around the rooms of the deli, moving swiftly in and out of sight, cooking up a storm everyday. You probably haven’t noticed the figure lurking in the corner because they don’t make themselves known. If you’re lucky one day you might get to have a small interaction with the shadow and you’ll find that they’re not as dark as you thought, but there’s work to be done so the shadow probably won’t stop and chat. You’ll never know the wonders of the shadow.

Salads:

Coconut chickpea curry

Edamame + crispy shallot rice

Sausage + ham pasta

Soup: Velvet mushroom

Sandwich: Porchetta, Provola + Jalapeno relish

Day 1319 I like the sound of that

A voice can do so much for a person. You could be as beautiful as Helen of Troy but if you sound like Mickey Mouse you probably won’t make it into the history books. Anyway, this thought came about when I heard the voice of the number announcer at bingo. A soft, sultry voice came through the PA system, the kind of voice you would want to read you a bedtime story. His face didn’t match the image i’d created in my head.

Salads:

Braised many beans

Lemon + parsley rice

Broccoli, chilli + garlic pasta

Soup: Vegetable madras

Day 1318 Worthy envy

If I was to go back and do it all again I think i’d try my hand with carpentry or mechanics. I’ve always been envious of fixers. Along the way i’ve picked up some skills but when I have to call my mechanics I'm in awe. How does one posses such useful knowledge?

Salads:

Thai coconut curry

Rainbow rice

Smokey aubergine + tomato pasta

Soup: Chickpea madras

Sandwich: Speck ham, Asiago cheese, chilli relish + tomato

Day 1317 I don't care about her

Last weekend was testing. I decided to allow myself to be a little more vacant in the mind this week. The debates in the deli have remained untamed and political but when I get to my screen my mind goes blank. However there is one lightly bitchy point I’d like to touch on, stop talking to me about Buddies. I know they’re expensive and mediocre, arguably we all are.

Salads:

Chickpea curry

Ginger + turmeric rice

Pumpkin + spinach pesto pasta

Soup: Five spiced bean + veg

Sandwich: Chorizo, Provola, Spicy peach relish + tomato

Day 1316 Is this the reason the basics have gone up in price

What would you prefer: A TV ad featuring a Hollywood actress and British comedian OR cheaper groceries? There’s a certain cesspit in our society that feels the need to outdo one another when it comes to any festivity life has to give. Somethings as essential as food providers blow tons of money each year on these ridiculous advertising campaigns. Who needs to be informed Christmas is coming and why is Kiera Knightly in a groceries ad?

Salads:

Black bean + aubergine

Miso + crispy shallot rice

Sausage + ham pasta

Soup: Velvet mushroom

Day 1315 How the mighty has fallen

My brother sent me a video of the queue for M&S on opening day, what has the world come to? I went to google maps street view to inspect the new addition but I happened to click on a spot that took me to the high street 17 years ago. Woolworths, Esca, Filmnight.com, Superdrug, Oddbins, the list of legends goes on. You might think Clapham’s great but you have no idea what she once was. You love Lina Stores, I preferred Madeline’s. Common might be your fav coffee house but you never knew Zig Zag. You simp for Margo’s but to me she’ll never top Fantasia.

Salads:

Chilli non carne

Spinach + herb rice

Leek, black olive + tomato pasta

Soup: Indian spiced vegetables

Sandwich: Parma ham, Pecorino, Jalapeno relish + tomato

Day 1314 I've become so numb

Everyone’s talking about it, i’m sure you’re tired of the exclamation but IT’S SO COLD. I watched a Youtube documentary about the coldest town in the world to try and make myself feel better. And yes, I know there are cities where snow is sure to fall heavy each year, to so many this isn’t even cold. I arrived at work looking like a makeshift eskimo. It’s cold, it’s cold, it’s cold, it’s cold.

Salads:

Chickpea + sweet potato curry

Rainbow rice

Mushroom + tomato pasta

Soup: Leek + tomato

Day 1313 These are a few of my favourite things

It’s easy to get distracted by the glitz and the glam. Yearning for materialistic items that bring instant gratification, a high rise for a short time. For me, there’s nothing more precious than a dining table, a meal, family. You can keep your fancy cars and vacant townhouses, miss me with the diamonds, pearls and tacky designer rags. I’ll take a Lasagna and glass of red, grazie.

Salads:

White bean + roast pepper

Lemon + rosemary rice

Tomato + basil pasta

Soup: Tuscan tomato

Sandwich: Garlic salami, Fontina cheese, Chilli relish + tomato

Day 1312 Waiting for tonight

I caved, I’ve opted for the full length legging. My legs feel trapped but it’s for their own good. My spidey senses are telling me that it’s going to be an intense day. I’ll attempt to not drown myself in coffee and conversation in the hopes of retaining some energy for this evening. The Dragon and I are feasting at a friends table. Might even have a glass of wine.

Salads:

Lentil curry

Spinach + herb rice

Roast pepper pasta

Soup: Thai spiced coconut chickpea