Today is Friday, the day I use to close the week at work, and after 12 I start planning Shabbat. What would be served for dinner, remembering or checking up when is candle lighting time.

I go out to buy my basic Shabbat ingredients, which usually is: 2 x challah, sometimes more candles, hummus, onions, chicken, and vegetables. Kosher wine, I like the Rashi brand, which will be for Kiddish as well as Havdalah

My usual Shabbat dinner fare consists of a roast chicken, with chopped up onion, garlic and a chutney sauce. The chicken is slowly cooked in the oven, covered in the onion and chutney sauce.

Together with this is serve roasted vegetables and potatoes or rice. Yummy.

Then I start running out of time, getting ready is always exciting and anticipating Shabbat makes me giddy. There is much to do with a limited amount of time.

Bath, dress, set the table (usually whilst singing Shabbat songs), checking in on the food. Then just before going to shul, light the candles. Phew, Shabbat has started and now I can join my fellow Jews in worship.

Most Erev Shabbat is spent at shul, always lovely, catching up with friends and family, because my shul feels like we are all a tight knit family.

Mmmmm, I cannot wait to start again this afternoon.

Shabbat Shalom!