Jigsaw Journey of 2012 ..............

Hi there & thanks for swinging by. Well it's here the last day of 2012 & what an eventful year. Kids are all getting older & getting on even more so nowadays, the boys really do genuinely love each others company- I hope this gives hope to any of you reading this with a 'jigsaw' family like ours.  My only regret of 2012 is that we sold our little holiday bolt hole in Wales. Lots of reasons really: it made sense to let it go but I do miss not being able to spontaneously rush over there on Friday nights & have a fabulous weekend with the kids, body boarding, rapid riding & beach combing with the dog in tow, eating copious amounts of Bara Brith & drinking tea in absolute desolate peace with just the seagull cries to bring you back to the 'here & now'. We sometimes wouldn't see a soul all day or would venture onto the beach in a gale with our hooded anoraks, other times fall asleep on the deck listening to birdsong with the sun  burning your cheeks as the only part exposed from beneath the woollies. Scoffing fish & chips in the car because of the gale on the beach was a regular occurrence,  & I remember Margo getting the worst sunburned face as he didn't think he could get burnt in Wales! One of the main reasons we sold up was to get the finance to help get Margo & Rita off the ground as well as the fact that we would no longer have the time to go there. Some people say we're mad, ( especially our families) but we know we're not, its a passion & a dream we have to follow...............
We will  ofcourse return to the beautiful parts of North Wales over the next few years for many more breaks & holidays in between what is set to be a gruelling work schedule ( have I mentioned we both have full time careers) & one day a permanent home there ( its in the life plan) in the meantime hold on to your hats..... Margo & Rita is very nearly live, just days & weeks away 25(days) to be exact & we cannot wait.
 Margo has been  busy menu testing quite a bit. he made the most absolutely 'todiefor' baby back ribs with a Chipotle BBQ sauce, sadly they cannot go on the menu as the cooking process is a bit too complicated for Rita to deliver the quality we want to offer ,  something that has been a learning curve as we will be cooking on the streets, but maybe one for the future 7 if we can fit a Rationale in the back of Reet??  The Chilli Chocolate Muffins however are abs Totesamazeballs! and I'm sure will go down well as a sweet extra alongside the main star of the show our Burritos! we have now found a fantastic tortilla & are just putting the finishing touches to bringing you the best & freshest salsa you will ever have tasted.....Look here we're really not kidding , you can almost smell & taste the fresh cilantro from shot above. We have  secured a few gigs already & also the chance of a permanent pitch, not sure if its for us ( the pitch) as outside a  well known Cheshire hardware store, & recruiting for it is proving a problem , a bit of a chicken & egg really. None the less its good there are choices to make, all a bit scary never the less. So we're signing out after a fabulous 2012, looking forward to 2013 so much we could burst! Bring it on , pardee hard & we'll see you on the other side .
As always Thanks for reading (TFR)

Website going live in Jan!......(Sorry we never made it for the Xmas deadline).

Hello fantastic followers!! I'm feeling on top of the world atm & certainly have that spring in my step. Por qué? I hear you ask? Well there are quite a few really great things going on. After a somewhat bumpy journey at times this year- Padre ( father) has had lung cancer , & yes I am talking in the past tense as , and I kid you not  he got the all clear a few weeks ago after his radio treatment. I am so blown away by the treatment of the NHS with both Padre & Madre tbh, & we joke about them both going to Leighton Hospital Christmas Party! They have had such diamond treatment and let it be noted that thats one thing in the UK we should really be proud of. So the other stuff to be happy about? Well, I'm so glad the world hasn't ended just yet as the M&R website is only hours & days away from going live! (gosh just had an awful flashback to Philip Schofield & Sarah Greene then.....)  It’s weird for anyone who has ever started something of their own, had dreams, sleepless nights, aspirations, shed loads of ideas, frustration, inspiration........ to see all that start to turn into reality is quite surreal & the website being published & going live is all that to me. Its scary to think that we are opening the shop door & inviting you all in , & I am so nervous that it doesn't live up to expectations etc etc. That said we are a couple of normal chefs who like to eat & laugh a lot, that's why we're serving Mexican fayre really, I mean how can you have fun with a floppy pancake? lets not even go there with a hot dog! & at the end of the day, our little contribution to the world  is just Street Food right? not the fabulous stuff the doctors, nurses or surgeons do , or for that matter the work The Donkey Sanctuary does in finding a final resting place for those beautiful cuddlies. ( is that a word?) more on that in another blog or on the NEW WEBSITE ( whey hey) Soo pls keep tuning in , I will give the big trumpet fanfare to announce when we are officially live & also we have the beautiful , gorgeous sexy old bird -  H Van Rita to look forward to... 3rd week in Jan she'll be making her entrance ( she currently has the painters in....)  Anyway I just can't get Phil & Sarah out of my head & thought I would leave a little bit of history with you......... I remember watching this live with my brother one Saturday morning, I don't mind telling you we both spat our Rice Crispies out when we watched this GOING LIVE  out to the millions.........

 Thanks for tuning in & speak soon.....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bfKredivMU

 

This time next year?

Hello World,
Well Rita is currently in the garage having a full rub down & sexy purple paint job! (yes I said paint job!)  Look at some of the sexy Mexican pics on this blog & they are what she will be wearing, We think  she'll be very eye catching & our intent  was to ring a  change from the traditional Mexican rainbow colours (altho lovely) hopefully the Mex ladies will not upset the other ladies we love -the ladies that lunch of course! (especially on Burritos!) Things are hotting up@ M&R & we look to be out there trading end of Jan (yes the worst time of the year!) Not quite sure how we timed it that way, but hey we did , & some things just can't wait - right?  Since reading Bransons book in the summer which finally gave us the kick we needed it has been 120 mph (or 160kmph depending on where you are from) With so much happening almost every day I can't help thinking" I wonder where we'll be this time next year?" The pic abovesays all of that & one  I love, both Mark & Daisy looking out to the horizon of Hell's Mouth ( a great surfers beach nr Abersoch N.Wales) It was taken last summer, the boogie board was the last one left (the others snatched by our teenagers)  Its an apt pic as Daisy Doodle is indeed looking to the sky for inspiration too. Worth of note is to say this was the last time the shark board was ever seen alive & in one piece.................. R.I.P  Sharkey:-(  All that's left to say is tune in the next week or so & we should have the website up & running. There will be shed loads of offers on there, so it'll be worth keeping in touch. Tune in next year & who knows?? Maybe Del Boy could be right!
Catch up soon & thanks for reading.

Linking to Sky Watch Friday

Linking to Our World Tuesday

Like The Stranglers? You'll love this!

Wowzers!, if you like The Stranglers & like Burritos , you're gonna love this. Hugh Cornwell with Mariachi Mexteca perform Golden Brown..... enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zy8Y3R4dXyc&list=UL

Our World Tuesday

Anyone have a harp for sale?..........

Life is quite mad atm , as well as perfecting the chipotle sauce, Margot is perfecting the violin playing!  Check this fantastic Mariachi Band out! Listen to this with a Burrito in your hands, perfect!

Its a Dogs life..........

Daisy at Doggy day care Party!

Morning World!

 

I must say its certainly a frosty one today, but doesn't that mean its going to be darn sunny later -I hope so as today is Saturday whey hey! Saturdays generally mean a day off from the 'day job' & a host of weekendy stuff to do.  On the list of 'Nice things to do at the weekend as well as making me feel good about myself' is taking the Doodle - Daisy for a good run out. Yes like many dog owners who have to work in the week I suffer with regular pangs of guilt as the twice daily outings she soo loves don't always happen. That said she is showered with love & even goes to 'Doggy Nursery' on Wednesdays where she plays with her canine chums & even attends Birthday parties .....I kid you not , photographic evidence above!  Anyway Saturdays also bring much research  & prep for the opening of Margo & Rita.  I'm sure you've noticed the absence of a website??  Well there was one a few weeks ago , but I managed to corrupt it after spending at least 3 days work on it......... aargghhhghh.  After only just coming out counselling  its now time to get cracking & get one up & running, should be next week in fact ( Heather, you listening?) So I look forward to seeing you on there too, where we have a few very exciting plans for you . As well as being able to get in contact with us on there , we will be asking you to sign up which will entitle you to 'Opening Offer Freebie deals' & there will also be competitions so please keep tuning in & watch this space. While I was working the other evening I caught Daisy Doodle on film, so funny! still trying to load up on here tedum tedum tedum , anyway must get cracking , who said it was a dogs life?............................. till next time M&R x

Linking to Our World Tuesday

Breaking news!..... Adoption agreed for our Nuevo Bebé

Hello World,

Just thought I would keep you up to date with quite a few developments of late. Rita has been found & I can't wait to get her here to her new adopted home!  Shes in a bit of a state atm and a bit of an old bird dob 14/3/1973. A little gem who has made her way from the Western Med area of Le Francais here's a little more about her as written in the ad we replied to......
"This amazing Citroen HY was owned from new by a man in Rivesaltes, Perpignon, so not only has it lived its life in a perfect climate, but he also kept it in a garage. How many french keep their H Vans in a garage?! Unsurprisingly, therefore, superb sound body and original AC 109 paint"
Rita is to have a complete refit & paint job which will transform her into a sexy broad that will grace the streets of the North West for the next few months, once shes confident enough she will venture further afield  We're hoping our new baby can come out to play in the New Year but like with every 'nuevo bebé' she will have to learn to walk before she can run.  I cant tell you how excited we all are at 'Team M & R' & can't wait to get out there.  Anyway back to research while watching Masterchef on telly-  Christ that Monica Galetti is scary!  Thanks for tuning in & catch up soon x

Monday nights with Margo........( & a few others)

Hello out there & thanks for looking in,
Well I am pretty overwhelmed with the help out there for a lil ol biz like ours just starting out. I would say 99.% of all the peeps we have approached whether its our accountant, our finance guy via the trailer guy & Alan at H Van world, also 'our Heather' for getting us going on here & also Twitter. I really cant believe how everyone has gone out of their way for us, you meet some really great people along the way , i guess in these climes we all have to help each other & stick together ( oh & by the way the world never ended cos of the financial crisis, it just got a bit harder to finance your dream!) a big shout out also to  'My' Mark ( called so cos of the 17 Marks I know!), the Margo side of M&R ( Mark- on- the- go, get it?) He's working flat out in between the day job & jetting off to Ireland & being my daughters taxi,  oh yes & have I mentioned the other 3 teenage kids a Labradoodle & a Ginger Ninja cat?  Our house is pretty mad. Oh dear the cat has just hid then launched herself on the dogs back, 3 of us now bollocking the cat & separating the feline/canine kids! Anyway you ain't tuned in to hear about all this , but to be honest we are just normal folk who have a sort of normal but busy life & are really passionate about getting Rita fixed up & can't wait to meet you & serve you the freshest tastiest Burritos. 
We are finalising the details for Rita, she will be purple for sure, & very sexy ( see ladies on here)  but also fun , that's what Mexicana is all about yeh? anyway it would be great if we can build up the following on here & we can't wait to launch hopefully in Jan/Feb,  also please check us out on Twitter it would be great to have you on board as there will be some great opening offers sent to all our followers.   Thinking free drinks with Burritos , competitions & also a whopping discount to anyone who wanted to book us for a wedding or private function of any sort.  Anyway  must go as dog & cat need prising apart  again!  speak soon x

After the shock came the calm , then the storm

Ok, something happened just as I knocked off from the day job today. Basically without boring you all an important part of the jigsaw happened today and it looks like we are gonna make this into a reality. 2 things - Darren came back from France with not just 1 but 2 Lwb H'S!  plus - JUST BEFORE HIS MAIL DROPPED IN i HAD WORD THAT WE HAVE GOT THE FINANCE! after the initial shock and a few paces of the room ( mainly to grab the cat & put her out )  we sat contemplating the enormous task ahead over a tikka masala from the local , a few chats in and convincing ourselves the day job was all too much , we must be mad etc etc,....... . we decided to go for it & see if we could get some bookings. we've e mailed & filled in the forms for about 12 events tonight, its nearly midnight, i'm so tired, but so excited too. all thats left to be said is nite nite & lets see what tomorrow brings.

Do You have a H Van we can buy?.......

Well we've just got back from a  much needed retreat and chance to get some head space..........I so want to recommend it , but so want to keep it a secret too! I'm not sure if I can bare to let you into the secret of one of the most beautiful places in the UK and such an amazing bolt hole at a reasonable cost................a few clues then....... well if you like to get away from the madding crowds ,do you like beautiful beaches, maybe a spot of kite surfing ( OK you can watch in November!) want total  peace & quiet , like to see the dog smiling his head off  with tongue parted to one side while bounding in & out of the sea and over the beautiful dunes and soft golden sand,  maybe love the sound of the locals but can't understand a word they are saying ( probably for the best) fancy a fresh lobster? then just knock on the door  with the sign saying that he'd a fresh catch in?
So the reality check after writing plans & going over recipes & financial for the 30th time has hit home, as well as being home! one of the Rug rats wants a bl***y horse now, as much as I would love to surprise her and make her dream scome true, this new venture will sap not only all spare time & energy but every last sixpence too!  Maybe one day when Margo & Rita has made it to the dizzy heights of global domination and we'll look again in the money box.............
The job in hand right now is searching out a H Van , so far we've missed out on about 5, either pipped at the post, these little rust buckets are being snapped up by the Germans, the Australians, Yankiedoodles & even a Swedish dumpling maker got the last one we were just about to haggle on. The French have cottoned on that these Ugly Cheeky Ducklings with a little bit of love & affection can be very beautiful Swans & come in any colour you care to respray them!
So world if you have or know of a potential 'Rita' ( she needs to be a bit longer than the norm, LWB & in 'fairly' good condition)  I promise I will keep you in Burritos for a full festival weekend, love you forever & may just let you in on that secret bolt hole.
Answers on a postcard please..........................

For the Love of Mexican Food, Merengue & Shot Girls!

You see we got this idea, born out of our passion for food really, & also that we wanted to create something ourselves & put our stamp on it, plus have a bit of fun along the way too, and yes pay the gas bill.

I'm Diane & my other half is Mark we are both chefs (in a former life) & the food industry has led us into lots of exiting areas over the past decade or so, and up a few garden paths too!

My love of Mexican food has never faltered, from the first time I experienced it in a lovely place at one end of Liverpool's Hope Street and used to catch the 6.48 to Lime Street to pay homage at least once a month.

Then came my regular girlie weekends to the Big Smoke, any excuse & we were down there to soak up the atmosphere and all too exciting vibe for country bumpkins like us who were generally cocooned in the sleepy & very often cold & windy villages of the North West of England. On one of our early trips we came across a Mexican restaurant which was fabulous, vibrant music, vibrant colours great service & food did not disappoint as well as the promotion girls who had shot glasses in their bullet belts draped across their tiny frames, every time you ordered a shot for a fiver ( yes a a fiver in 1983 was holy smokin!) she would shout 'ARIBA ''at the top of her voice & fire a gun ( anything went in the 80's!) sheer madness!

Then the strangest event took place at around 11.30ish, The tables were dragged to one side , the plates cleared the Ariba girls turned into cocktail waitresses , the DJ seemed to immortalise - probably out of some trap door or something! And then the doors sprung open & in came what seemed like around 250 people! (Ok the Margaritas were probably talking by then!) .

What then took place till the early hours was nothing short of 'Merengue Madness', a full blown salsa party erupted! & no one gave a damn as long as you were smiling, moving (or swaying) & having fun! It was crazy! We made it back there a few times on our girlie escapades it never disappointed in food, drink & god damn borderline crazy atmosphere. It still makes me smile when I think about it! & that’s where my passion for all things Mexicana began.

We want to create something as memorable as those aforementioned places , so hang on to your hat & come along for the ride - 'Margo and Rita' is born, we will be serving Burritos & Rice Balls from 'Rita' our 1960's Classic H Van, to start with in the North, but Rita will always travel if she needs to. She will be sexy & fun, slightly tongue in cheekyness but will draw you in with her intrigue & the smell & sight of damn good food.