tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-84191121464030871432024-03-14T08:17:06.806+00:00Nothing is as certain as the UnforeseenPaul and Dawn's Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11955619133642407043noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8419112146403087143.post-32150074343964779672024-03-09T14:46:00.001+00:002024-03-09T14:57:16.118+00:00<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Eighteen years ago today we arrived back in England after spending seven years in Dunedin, Florida. And what a journey we've had since then. </span><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">We spent 9 years living in Hertford, and have lived here in Cornwall for over 8, now. We became vegetarians and then vegans. We took up running for a few years completing several fun runs (including the Bupa 10k in London, two 5ks in Bournemouth, and a 10k in York, to name a few. </span><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Dawn had three jobs spending over half this time at City University. I spread my time over four jobs with the last 3 plus years at Cornwall Council. We even opened an award winning vegan cafe called The Cornish Vegan in Truro.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div style="text-align: justify;">Sadly we lost Dawn's mum, Brady, my Dad, my brothers George and Dave, and Tiny, too. Unfortunately we've lost too many down the years. They are all in our in hearts, and always will be. </div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div style="text-align: justify;">All in all it just goes to prove that <i>Nothing is as certain as the unforeseen. </i>Life doesn't stand still, and we must never forget that. You need to embrace change when it comes along and cherish the time we spend with those we love. That's what we've tried to do. And also what we'll try to do for the next eighteen years.</div></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpuxnzDHu9t6qaULx17XZy59KguYTYyxwcI0WX9uTHfxIf11za2PhAsao1FVPwXpQwP0kzRTTpaHSwkYP5afYY8ym3bOb-8D1RnlS5Zx_4DpgCSoFt6fIVmrmJwbPtdZiK3SKoW_DOwmXcvkDeio4NqDEWatytv9d_3qJE7YO1KT0TQhFQfvOryPvcHsM/s1963/Mar%202006%201%20.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1963" data-original-width="1309" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpuxnzDHu9t6qaULx17XZy59KguYTYyxwcI0WX9uTHfxIf11za2PhAsao1FVPwXpQwP0kzRTTpaHSwkYP5afYY8ym3bOb-8D1RnlS5Zx_4DpgCSoFt6fIVmrmJwbPtdZiK3SKoW_DOwmXcvkDeio4NqDEWatytv9d_3qJE7YO1KT0TQhFQfvOryPvcHsM/s320/Mar%202006%201%20.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is me after on 9th March 2006 arriving at Gatwick Airport.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNmBLSqrfr687ug9tpMDNGwEcI8ngWLhby_9bBlXu4FFLBThg656D_ue0AZqdvHUrgfaiGXSdAKFHqnqhCQF_ZOhKSdo4E7g3dcQRf_nVhSzQEJCPf8zmJTGCNzm_7Z3VFfSvjdfdMGthXSCrQsZ6V0jJWvKRMBBvgK_AKN8OCkKipXSi94LU-2A0gbEg/s3066/Mar%202006%203%20%20%20%20.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2044" data-original-width="3066" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNmBLSqrfr687ug9tpMDNGwEcI8ngWLhby_9bBlXu4FFLBThg656D_ue0AZqdvHUrgfaiGXSdAKFHqnqhCQF_ZOhKSdo4E7g3dcQRf_nVhSzQEJCPf8zmJTGCNzm_7Z3VFfSvjdfdMGthXSCrQsZ6V0jJWvKRMBBvgK_AKN8OCkKipXSi94LU-2A0gbEg/s320/Mar%202006%203%20%20%20%20.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Poor Tiny had to travel in the plane hold. Thankfully it didn't take her long to settle down once we arrived at our rental in Winchmore Hill.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK-mFCO9FF7tVhS1tfwpfhXQx78K95cJwwh9mYwfwcYq32cJosglricKyXVadJZQw1ZIi4-CzfBXCpy3Cubjejqulx2Mnir12RqAylafOtPPYr2bsrXmVfDkIZPzsX_R2dS_27cEkMDErFwobgEwetZPm_et_QQWc4uSumi45uD9QM7kJmSCYRXHJUrt8/s3101/Mar%202006%202%20.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2068" data-original-width="3101" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK-mFCO9FF7tVhS1tfwpfhXQx78K95cJwwh9mYwfwcYq32cJosglricKyXVadJZQw1ZIi4-CzfBXCpy3Cubjejqulx2Mnir12RqAylafOtPPYr2bsrXmVfDkIZPzsX_R2dS_27cEkMDErFwobgEwetZPm_et_QQWc4uSumi45uD9QM7kJmSCYRXHJUrt8/s320/Mar%202006%202%20.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">The following Sunday, 12th March 2006, we enjoyed a nice lunch with Dad and George at The Coronet in Holloway Road. Gone but not forgotten, we both cherish memories like this. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /> <p></p><p><br /></p>Paul and Dawn's Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11955619133642407043noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8419112146403087143.post-66513370526745991322024-02-26T18:17:00.006+00:002024-02-26T18:24:55.704+00:00How to spend Mondays<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifIRnJBeIxr6YR06_dRGBAq6_qiUiVgImDDnOJv5j7ms5VDPcLUOKD7UCz_5coGnUdRHIGHupBpl3a7-ZGWuB1yDi9eDfVHzAesYWEOOGdzLER4q9erHW7i0v9N-gLPlXoDdpDsVWOLiy_SWFPVX2Y_nIJmB6hDtbHk0MIDvS9NXzDByw2qo4-O511bLE/s2348/Feb%2026%20-%202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1767" data-original-width="2348" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifIRnJBeIxr6YR06_dRGBAq6_qiUiVgImDDnOJv5j7ms5VDPcLUOKD7UCz_5coGnUdRHIGHupBpl3a7-ZGWuB1yDi9eDfVHzAesYWEOOGdzLER4q9erHW7i0v9N-gLPlXoDdpDsVWOLiy_SWFPVX2Y_nIJmB6hDtbHk0MIDvS9NXzDByw2qo4-O511bLE/s320/Feb%2026%20-%202.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>What a healthy lunch! Cherry tomatoes, avocado and roasted garlic on some home made pan grilled wholemeal bread, with a side of kale chips coated in home made 'vegan parmesan'; made with nuts and nutritional yeast.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAHsavEX7PHWE1DvBOvKj-qBv73xVGltl-f9qHK3HEYgpiWd1HRbBIQSzz7Pf2KrnezwjIyUE_tMO2uxHfPn4-IhwMePe-QAXCLvK-fty_sqWUmeiuB8WUJHbpqHkZnQuZoJKXsnBdpP5tL7-8OXhevac-htDwXwiW3_Hac30M_tokQVwndnDsz-c5MBo/s3806/Feb%2026%20-%201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1529" data-original-width="3806" height="129" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAHsavEX7PHWE1DvBOvKj-qBv73xVGltl-f9qHK3HEYgpiWd1HRbBIQSzz7Pf2KrnezwjIyUE_tMO2uxHfPn4-IhwMePe-QAXCLvK-fty_sqWUmeiuB8WUJHbpqHkZnQuZoJKXsnBdpP5tL7-8OXhevac-htDwXwiW3_Hac30M_tokQVwndnDsz-c5MBo/s320/Feb%2026%20-%201.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Thankfully the rain that kept us indoors yesterday moved out today and we were able get out for our walk. Today we headed to Mexico Towans and home via the North Quay and King George V Memorial Walkway. We didn't venture to our happy place because of the 45mph+ winds. However, the view from the steps up to the Haven site was good enough to enjoy the view of the three miles of golden beach, white caps and crashing waves. <br /><p><br /></p>Paul and Dawn's Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11955619133642407043noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8419112146403087143.post-38962208227484825042024-02-14T17:57:00.003+00:002024-02-14T18:15:33.390+00:00Happy Valentine's Day to my wonderful wife<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4ybijPGq59m4ivvhMcNRv1E8eJumlC8hQ8qBEwkGv1BcKSwJ9DBaLWTeRfpVac9h-mQkRMC7fuEY7AEJppuVrElYD-mbkD9rrRFUEF4D7N9-ngKR15FAPs2QEpTVtvpOWIJToME_CDsj0K6IUmAwHILZucUsW6a-KOOSJAF2XVCkB6YAT8Th2fMZ8txo/s3779/VAL%20DAY%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2164" data-original-width="3779" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4ybijPGq59m4ivvhMcNRv1E8eJumlC8hQ8qBEwkGv1BcKSwJ9DBaLWTeRfpVac9h-mQkRMC7fuEY7AEJppuVrElYD-mbkD9rrRFUEF4D7N9-ngKR15FAPs2QEpTVtvpOWIJToME_CDsj0K6IUmAwHILZucUsW6a-KOOSJAF2XVCkB6YAT8Th2fMZ8txo/w407-h233/VAL%20DAY%202.jpg" width="407" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">When we celebrated our first Valentine's Day together, back in 1997, we had to buy generic cards that never really captured our true feelings or sentiments. All we could do was pick from a rack in a local card shop and hope it was at least close to what we wanted to say. Thankfully 28 years later there is something called Etsy. There you can find a card that not only has the image that you want on the front, but you can even get them to include your own words, so that it says exactly what you want to say.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgccqceO6gK6RzDIo7DJzcV_L0wtW3c8a0m-SCqtJeebagB7RfHQcxbj8ZaxoQg0pJefro96ZVj0PXwa6P1u9yytaYCq2FAlOhXlfwyGk5NnGVxFe1l856091xBNM_Pf4-COPbuAqR7X9B3iU8erA1D5Hu2Za8aP-QZdh4tFypScA6l3gEroATMOiNwKX0/s3226/VAL%20DAY%201.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3226" data-original-width="2679" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgccqceO6gK6RzDIo7DJzcV_L0wtW3c8a0m-SCqtJeebagB7RfHQcxbj8ZaxoQg0pJefro96ZVj0PXwa6P1u9yytaYCq2FAlOhXlfwyGk5NnGVxFe1l856091xBNM_Pf4-COPbuAqR7X9B3iU8erA1D5Hu2Za8aP-QZdh4tFypScA6l3gEroATMOiNwKX0/s320/VAL%20DAY%201.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><p><br /></p>Remembering 1997, we had our fist Valentine's Day meal at Farringdon's restaurant in Islington, London. Today, we had a homemade pizza and we couldn't have enjoyed it more had we been served out.<br /><br /><br /><br /> <p></p>Paul and Dawn's Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11955619133642407043noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8419112146403087143.post-77637833879983992842024-02-12T14:41:00.003+00:002024-02-12T14:54:16.855+00:00Weather perfect for our daily walk<p>The sun was shining and today we really enjoyed getting out of the house for our daily walk. It took us through Phillack Church graveyard and over the Mexico Towans to the sand dune we have affectionately called "Our Happy Place". The following image doesn't really do the view justice. To the west from Carbis Bay to St Ives the sun reflected off the white buildings against the hilly backdrop. To the east Godrevy Lighthouse stands proud off the headland at Gwithian. In between the blue sea, which was calm today, complements the golden beach and tall Mexican grass on the Towans. The word Idyllic really does capture the view, even if this picture doesn't.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkISbn1MeV2UDInzo3ZyGW2QIZQaH2gStNGEKXBAlKnfjckErl-LbzRlQLZYygvqDAeYeo3_He-UswEmFjupUDvuC2qKbvw0h0MsQcMStDcgIGlIvJWg0nZgmL9rKMGAGUblz6F8qvDyMEmPnXffnQ6eoGtQAxXYBBKrOXK1fDJPfdmRa02q8M0CklOts/s5504/20240212_103127.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1648" data-original-width="5504" height="187" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkISbn1MeV2UDInzo3ZyGW2QIZQaH2gStNGEKXBAlKnfjckErl-LbzRlQLZYygvqDAeYeo3_He-UswEmFjupUDvuC2qKbvw0h0MsQcMStDcgIGlIvJWg0nZgmL9rKMGAGUblz6F8qvDyMEmPnXffnQ6eoGtQAxXYBBKrOXK1fDJPfdmRa02q8M0CklOts/w624-h187/20240212_103127.jpg" width="624" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>After a rest at "Our Happy Place" we made our way through the Haven campsite to the South West Path and on to the North Quay and back home via the King George V Memorial Walk. Sadly the view of the North Quay development is depressing. It currently looks like what it is - a building site. Worse still is that as the developer has gone bankrupt it's going to look like this for a while. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg5Q3cdFVkcyeoYNI3n2fMoBtGObsHR-mA-zZrBgrICX08LY3ajgHsjiDsiW1hMgziEgMK0IHMT0KKo1KbHCXQvCAjkUd1VOiifk8b2_JHqT4BD-d8Y95YOYhFkvyFykVy8Em26RyvCvoAq74_b9P47CL9r1Z0nwzARB4Kpg_smEte3EM2s6GyGb2gYtw/s2202/2024%20-%204.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1468" data-original-width="2202" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg5Q3cdFVkcyeoYNI3n2fMoBtGObsHR-mA-zZrBgrICX08LY3ajgHsjiDsiW1hMgziEgMK0IHMT0KKo1KbHCXQvCAjkUd1VOiifk8b2_JHqT4BD-d8Y95YOYhFkvyFykVy8Em26RyvCvoAq74_b9P47CL9r1Z0nwzARB4Kpg_smEte3EM2s6GyGb2gYtw/s320/2024%20-%204.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuxCTNRwoxJLLABhuluSmjfMpArZHYgY8rWWdfpValDAMmKyl8ykrEiYLaQRAg9JeEkfaO_QoultBVTx0tfsnz2oxEozMoFPdWN1y2hkjLZhUoyCSN6IiZIffuCewfqa-Yiii1LSThEccGFRqRKNSFeQD2_AJFOZkCpWaPoHpX8FA9C3KW9ojzn4hL71o/s2202/2024%20-%203.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1468" data-original-width="2202" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuxCTNRwoxJLLABhuluSmjfMpArZHYgY8rWWdfpValDAMmKyl8ykrEiYLaQRAg9JeEkfaO_QoultBVTx0tfsnz2oxEozMoFPdWN1y2hkjLZhUoyCSN6IiZIffuCewfqa-Yiii1LSThEccGFRqRKNSFeQD2_AJFOZkCpWaPoHpX8FA9C3KW9ojzn4hL71o/s320/2024%20-%203.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Thankfully they completed the first phase back in 2021. Unfortunately for the locals as they weren't what you could call affordable housing they stay empty most of the time and only used when rented out to holiday makers.<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0FkapGbTCbq7yyG2B26MmOplYXpHW2Gd4Q1k6AlQSg0XZZPL3z8qGQhNYO7TIN799MAcKaG3l4nn9ISFsigDXKSe1Yyz4OavHK01Jc4FJvvCj8I6jfcFD2JCauD8aX_6jwWIKFTJo5UJweabjZ3mLWVdOmbwqbES9WJpTRlI2znvZeiUgLi0hE3iC8vM/s2202/2024%20-%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1468" data-original-width="2202" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0FkapGbTCbq7yyG2B26MmOplYXpHW2Gd4Q1k6AlQSg0XZZPL3z8qGQhNYO7TIN799MAcKaG3l4nn9ISFsigDXKSe1Yyz4OavHK01Jc4FJvvCj8I6jfcFD2JCauD8aX_6jwWIKFTJo5UJweabjZ3mLWVdOmbwqbES9WJpTRlI2znvZeiUgLi0hE3iC8vM/s320/2024%20-%202.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br />Thankfully with Spring around the corner, or we hope it is, the walk along the Memorial Walk was a little more pleasant than usual. The warmth of the sun sparked the yellow petal daffodils into life adding a little more colour to our day.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWh_YWyyjiaQDPgjKKWOn5_TZchEg97Kd_wYinUpXbKfCuJIJcZCyLSYsYTjD793wPrgq69P1U-cvOVsIr1MvhT7L_Wk58WvQzkQqNdnfcq0xX9zEEi2OUiY2Vqh3iajD196-TeB4_q5rxKBval5rJdFJxS9wY0pPDSxolf9CP91JSx6zRllgjJvUEgJw/s2724/2024%20-%201.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1816" data-original-width="2724" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWh_YWyyjiaQDPgjKKWOn5_TZchEg97Kd_wYinUpXbKfCuJIJcZCyLSYsYTjD793wPrgq69P1U-cvOVsIr1MvhT7L_Wk58WvQzkQqNdnfcq0xX9zEEi2OUiY2Vqh3iajD196-TeB4_q5rxKBval5rJdFJxS9wY0pPDSxolf9CP91JSx6zRllgjJvUEgJw/w382-h254/2024%20-%201.jpg" width="382" /></a></div><br /><br /><p><br /></p><p> </p><p> </p></div>Paul and Dawn's Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11955619133642407043noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8419112146403087143.post-302996910750895852024-02-02T13:12:00.007+00:002024-02-02T13:51:40.469+00:00Reinstating our Blog<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-G9HKYZS6CLtnRjq5XqgiCuJTUyeQYSHmIZSVAHkqx1d1QvkaBcmbaDaHFQ-P8Pmg5Zbbd4ZRNGih6VSo9Tjh9yzOdd3EYP9_piAX2_FrsOWh1Y6l5vumK-Xq4QQAbAUW9M7T_cW9DRU36HrYfvTQoipo-oxKBQFQAXCHbyGMSIqZlchJYbhlkFpFunI/s2088/P&D%20TCV%20040820.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1392" data-original-width="2088" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-G9HKYZS6CLtnRjq5XqgiCuJTUyeQYSHmIZSVAHkqx1d1QvkaBcmbaDaHFQ-P8Pmg5Zbbd4ZRNGih6VSo9Tjh9yzOdd3EYP9_piAX2_FrsOWh1Y6l5vumK-Xq4QQAbAUW9M7T_cW9DRU36HrYfvTQoipo-oxKBQFQAXCHbyGMSIqZlchJYbhlkFpFunI/s320/P&D%20TCV%20040820.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p><br /></p>Today I came across this blog that I hadn't updated in over ten years. I guess I had forgotten about it because Facebook had became my 'go to' platform to keep in touch with people. I will admit it did a good job. But perhaps now it's time to go old school, and go back to updating our blog again. So here goes. I will start with a photo that we had taken the day we sold The Cornish Vegan back in August 2020. <p></p><p><br /></p>Paul and Dawn's Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11955619133642407043noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8419112146403087143.post-74695420002499483962012-03-25T20:22:00.001+01:002012-03-25T20:24:22.681+01:00Mother's Day 2012 and more.....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV_SDdDNz-YykvxkHQhe_3Khqf8inhyphenhyphenLJbIs0q75-Rk652vo0tf_1exEiZk-dPaeejH_cRmTdQw9s6hPdRd2XYgvaE0xpFhB7_LWkP0CCJep__uP3E5GXmsrOmEBmC78zgN6MJDeaMm6Y/s1600/Mar004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV_SDdDNz-YykvxkHQhe_3Khqf8inhyphenhyphenLJbIs0q75-Rk652vo0tf_1exEiZk-dPaeejH_cRmTdQw9s6hPdRd2XYgvaE0xpFhB7_LWkP0CCJep__uP3E5GXmsrOmEBmC78zgN6MJDeaMm6Y/s320/Mar004.JPG" width="320" /></a>Last weekend Dawn and I had a ride up to St Pancras and Islington Cemetery to visit my parents' grave for Mother's Day. Even though we lost Mum over fifteen years ago, it was still an emotional occasion. Visiting the cemetery now reminds me that not only is Mum no longer with us, but also that Dad and my eldest brother are no longer around either.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif9zPSNOnrn7TjvPdPbErkbwudfGaSK3d5wV1kmVurZHlLFKUjK1fNSMwfeNhxehtdDjTRN5e-tZMQMKpmsUrV4mpLBZBihascRABgmTsLQCkNGUr3hCL8CUXtSvqg5Ey-m31UZhxK8I4/s1600/Mar015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif9zPSNOnrn7TjvPdPbErkbwudfGaSK3d5wV1kmVurZHlLFKUjK1fNSMwfeNhxehtdDjTRN5e-tZMQMKpmsUrV4mpLBZBihascRABgmTsLQCkNGUr3hCL8CUXtSvqg5Ey-m31UZhxK8I4/s200/Mar015.JPG" width="133" /></a>We only lost Dad and George in the last eighteen months and it's still hard to accept that they are both gone. We had always worried what would happen to George when it was Dad's time. We never dreamt that he would go first. I'm also sure that his heart attack also played a part in Dad's time too. I think he stayed around to be there for George and with George gone, Dad felt he could go too. He hadn't been well for quite a while and went downhill pretty quickly after George was gone.</div><div style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Our visit to the cemetery also gave me a chance to clean up my great-grandparents' grave too. I'd found it on my previous visit and it was pretty overgrown. Clearing away the moss, weeds and even a few branches from trees close by made me think about our mortality and those we leave behind. Over the last 15 years (while I have been in England), I have made a point of paying my respects on special occasions like birthdays, Mother's and Father's Days and anniversaries. But what about my great grandparents? How did their grave get so overgrown? They had three sons who each had children. My grandfather being one of them. And they had grandchildren, too.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVNcmFs9KT64OijicLoCQJdpimTtSv8A9rS51n4Ptn3hXk8ZTm4Kl7lkRP5GeCtOeSdicDnc1tv5EnBsK1mWrEnCOsKFwUDKiubT9tMQg8E7Yyr-XFb96TcsnNNgqqd-Nu_8sdvB8BQHU/s1600/Mar020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVNcmFs9KT64OijicLoCQJdpimTtSv8A9rS51n4Ptn3hXk8ZTm4Kl7lkRP5GeCtOeSdicDnc1tv5EnBsK1mWrEnCOsKFwUDKiubT9tMQg8E7Yyr-XFb96TcsnNNgqqd-Nu_8sdvB8BQHU/s200/Mar020.JPG" width="200" /></a>But at least there was a memorial stone for them. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">My grandparents (who passed away in 1936 and 1957 respectively) were both buried without a memorial stone. When I first visited their grave in the 80s , it came as a shock to stand over their last resting place with no visible sign that they were either buried there or had existed. Thankfully, as their grandson, I was able to take ownership of the grave and get a small stone laid. There was a place for Dad too, but he bought a grave for him and mum. So when George died, it was decided to lay him to rest there and we got a new stone like Mum's.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div>But spending time around these memorial stones made me think about our future. And not only ours, but others like us. There were hundreds of graves with memorial stones completely overgrown having not been visited by loved ones in years, if not decades. Which I found extremely disturbing. How many generations must past before these memorials to our descendants become neglected? Visiting my parents' grave gives me comfort, but what will happen when I am no longer around? <br />
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</div>And what will happen to me? I think I'll get cremated and have my ashes spread on the beach at Hayle. This means that I'll have no overgrown memorial stone. No grave for family to grieve over either. I just hope this is the way in the future. So I'd better lose some weight, get some exercise in and make sure that I look after myself more than I have been of late.Paul and Dawn's Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11955619133642407043noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8419112146403087143.post-23929080909006883832012-03-08T13:42:00.073+00:002012-03-08T18:29:28.289+00:00Pico de Gallo<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Many moons ago the range of cuisine that adorned my dinner table was limited to meat and two veg. Foreign food was limited to either home-made spaghetti bolognese made from canned mince meat, tomato puree and bay leaves; a pizza; or a curried take-away from the local Chinese shop. No wonder the Brits had a reputation for eating bland food. Today my stomach cringes at the thought.</span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then I met Dawn and my taste buds were exposed to pleasures they never knew existed. In addition to Chinese, there was now Thai food with its coconut milk curries, spicy Indian jalfrezi, paellas, risottos with creamy rice, frogs' legs, raw and fried oysters, crawfish, pulled pork, cornbread, and an assortment of vegetables I'd never heard of let alone eaten. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">However, it was Mexican food that really opened my eyes to the concept that food could be pleasurable, nourishing and eye candy. And the one dish that captures this more than other is Pico de Gallo. This simple salad (or salsa, as it is better known) combines a handful of diced ingredients and spices and can compliment an enchilada or taco or another Mexican dish you choose. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The refreshing tomato and lime juice bring the taste buds to life, while the red onion gives you a bite, the jalapeno adds heat, and the cumin and coriander takes you to exotic lands of warmth only dreamt about on a cold winter day in England. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Best of all is that there is no cooking involved. All you need to do place diced the tomatoes and red onion in a bowl. Add a finely chop a jalapeno (remove the seeds if you don't want too much heat), squeeze in the juice of a lime, stir in the minced garlic and ground cumin and leave in the fridge for an hour or two (the longer the better) for all the flavours to mingle.</span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><em>Credit for this recipe must be given to my mother-in-law, Brady Kerr.</em></span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF4O9RoEFniRrlWxicuuCNyiE5-TmjEfB1UlQpiBV6rbdo0BeeThW4keS4Qbe0D8w7Pau9uO-CKEn9goQr31mmdtklwXC44wUE17qgKeo3Ks9XB_KBqo6mv_zWuPfl71vcAUY34_73c94/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF4O9RoEFniRrlWxicuuCNyiE5-TmjEfB1UlQpiBV6rbdo0BeeThW4keS4Qbe0D8w7Pau9uO-CKEn9goQr31mmdtklwXC44wUE17qgKeo3Ks9XB_KBqo6mv_zWuPfl71vcAUY34_73c94/s320/photo.JPG" width="320" yda="true" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong>Ingredients</strong>:</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">6 Roma </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">tomatoes or two large regular tomatoes diced<br />
1/2 red onion diced</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 jalapeno pepper seeded and minced<br />
3 tablespoons chopped fresh coriander<br />
1 tablespoon lime juice<br />
1 clove garlic minced<br />
1 tsp ground cumin<br />
Salt and Pepper to taste</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div>Paul and Dawn's Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11955619133642407043noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8419112146403087143.post-67017671395261158212012-03-07T05:48:00.014+00:002012-03-07T06:23:28.274+00:00Paying respects<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinCcpTtVwZ25eoGjTC76G5FHwL8o6I5-gcv8O0uD7bc0B3isSbTli6uFdWxRWDIFMN1NluRE0m70R4vTmyv3zs4-EBJuDd1WC1t8erznAPv3Adj3TWUqEVR2WhhXcGBl6l7A7lX7penDI/s1600/March02.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinCcpTtVwZ25eoGjTC76G5FHwL8o6I5-gcv8O0uD7bc0B3isSbTli6uFdWxRWDIFMN1NluRE0m70R4vTmyv3zs4-EBJuDd1WC1t8erznAPv3Adj3TWUqEVR2WhhXcGBl6l7A7lX7penDI/s200/March02.JPG" uda="true" width="132" /></a>Last week while I was at home during the day on my own, I idled away some of my time watching a film on TV while our contractors got on with renovating our hallway and dining area. Little did I realise how emotional this film would get me, or that it would lead to me going to Islington & St Pancras Cemetary in North London yesterday. The film title isn't really important, or even the story. What is, though, is that it reminded me once again how much I miss Dad. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Usually I jump in the car and head down the A10 and around the North Circular, give or take. And it takes just over an hour on a good day. But with my weight increasing with each loaf of bread and cake I bake, I thought it would be better to let the train take the strain and walk the rest. This time it took three trains to make the same journey. Hertford North to Finsbury Park and Finsbury Park to Kings Cross using the overground network and then the tube to East Finchley and 25 minute walk from there.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPyZo9EHvMHxTP57013so5Fo29qiQBKPg6meT929s-7NtKdykJXCRnLzUBi7kBP-horyh4twjCerrSBgkR1saAX9tZODgT5BKgEPQZrHRFqD44Qptu2Au2hgfmNAzFHJBiKQ_WbnYpALo/s1600/March01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPyZo9EHvMHxTP57013so5Fo29qiQBKPg6meT929s-7NtKdykJXCRnLzUBi7kBP-horyh4twjCerrSBgkR1saAX9tZODgT5BKgEPQZrHRFqD44Qptu2Au2hgfmNAzFHJBiKQ_WbnYpALo/s200/March01.JPG" uda="true" width="132" /></a><br />
Arriving at Dad & Mum's grave, I was pleased to see that their stone had been put back. It had been over a year since we laid Dad to rest and it wasn't nice laying flowers on the soil where they had been buried while the memorial stone lay five feet away.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>I then made my way to my brother George's grave about fifteen feet away. A day does not go by where I don't look at his photo next to our television set and think about about him and how tragic it was that he left us at the young age of 57. Writing this I am just half a dozen years away from his age, which really puts it into persepective.<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
George's grave and memorial stone is also a reminder to the tragedy that was my own father's childhood. My grandfather purchased the grave for three people when my Dad was just a child. This was because his wife, my Dad's mother and my grandmother, passed away when my Dad was just 8 years old. Married on Christmas Day, my grandfather lived for another 21 years with this festive day weighing heavy on his heart. Adding insult to injury, the family could not afford a memorial stone when either of them passed away.</div><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH9wwBmZyxc9ZByVKzSapacFyYFgWc6gDZ67Kbsv-iMi4ZkQ9E90rfThLidZXjFtgNGRX622Vugk7z3KGInF-B1tkYd_AMFx8DDNIHkM7RBiEyff0RXUvIuLV_PiKA1omsE2DCzxVMHqc/s1600/March05.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH9wwBmZyxc9ZByVKzSapacFyYFgWc6gDZ67Kbsv-iMi4ZkQ9E90rfThLidZXjFtgNGRX622Vugk7z3KGInF-B1tkYd_AMFx8DDNIHkM7RBiEyff0RXUvIuLV_PiKA1omsE2DCzxVMHqc/s320/March05.JPG" uda="true" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How I found my grandfather's grave</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div align="justify">Standing over Dad's grave, I remembered how he used <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLu11MyaupeCOazXpc6q1nEP3CeQi5n1ya3wW-w2SJtB_ffnN4zyenGLMqt8BuNUfTkRKWreFQa37JxJFmmKoY3g2Qjy1q7d8FJinbHbWK3YrAEq8Nh61I-BW1Xujs_z4ja2mS6Q_3k38/s1600/March07.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLu11MyaupeCOazXpc6q1nEP3CeQi5n1ya3wW-w2SJtB_ffnN4zyenGLMqt8BuNUfTkRKWreFQa37JxJFmmKoY3g2Qjy1q7d8FJinbHbWK3YrAEq8Nh61I-BW1Xujs_z4ja2mS6Q_3k38/s320/March07.JPG" uda="true" width="320" /></a>to tell me his grandfather's grave was at the other end of Randall's Path. I'd seen it over 20 years ago but couldn't find it the last time I'd looked. But something told me to try again from this end of the path. </div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify">I recalled the headstone was like a bible and checked the first one I came across without success. However, when I came across the second, I knew that this was the one. However it was covered with moss with weeds. After a little effort I was able to scrap some of the moss off to confirm my gut feeling. My great grandfather George White.</div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify">With the moss cleared, I was able to make out the soft lead letters. And again I was reminded of the tragedies that the previous generation of Whites had endured. </div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify">Next to my great grandfather's name were the names of his two wives who passed away less than 3 years apart. My grandfather's mother passed away a few years before his father and step mother within a year of him. She had inherited his estate which had included the dairy business and several houses. However she took her own life before the estate was distributed.</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">As sad as this is, the greatest tragedy was for the two generations of grandchildren who never had the chance to know their grandfathers. My father lost his grandfather when he was four. And my brothers were 4 years, 2 years and one year old respectively when my grandfather passed. As for me, I hadn't even been born.</div>Paul and Dawn's Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11955619133642407043noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8419112146403087143.post-55258904083230692192012-01-15T20:48:00.001+00:002012-01-15T20:50:33.385+00:00Remembering Dad, Sunday 15th Jan 2012<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQGF4n6aiZTSaP7ExcWIgFYDy9qMBwRGnz6sFw2SYT1wDUPa61ENUo8DzkvxvdLSg3tNuvLZV90qtigiGQee_d7VoGSzK10-hG3-JIzngesxBxXoQMDB5zAG2LsayWlHu8GpkiGprG2Hw/s1600/2012Jan023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQGF4n6aiZTSaP7ExcWIgFYDy9qMBwRGnz6sFw2SYT1wDUPa61ENUo8DzkvxvdLSg3tNuvLZV90qtigiGQee_d7VoGSzK10-hG3-JIzngesxBxXoQMDB5zAG2LsayWlHu8GpkiGprG2Hw/s400/2012Jan023.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"></div>Yesterday was the anniversary of the day we lost Dad, or should I say Dad meeting Mum again. Life goes in cycles, so I shouldn't harp too much on a single day. But I will never forget that morning at the Marie Curie Hospice in Hampstead. Of all the events I have been privileged to attend, I honestly feel that being there that morning was at the top. Before we lost Mum, she asked me to be there for him. So I was happy that to his last breath I had made an attempt to keep my promise.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDc07k_HM9HZsx3cy6HD0nBI8uBgBPooMNY0d2_ERJbi2f1CzotODn90z2eC1EkiIprWokQx_zPGuiHfmkTqDFn7vEbZ2INl6t7-TjU11JN0zmZBqsNLoVNurmvsg8kLwIIesunWRFaEY/s1600/2012Jan035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDc07k_HM9HZsx3cy6HD0nBI8uBgBPooMNY0d2_ERJbi2f1CzotODn90z2eC1EkiIprWokQx_zPGuiHfmkTqDFn7vEbZ2INl6t7-TjU11JN0zmZBqsNLoVNurmvsg8kLwIIesunWRFaEY/s400/2012Jan035.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
After we had laid some flowers on Mum and Dad's grave, and also my brother George's (who would have celebrated his 59th birthday Tuesday week), we headed over to Hampstead Heath for a walk. As kids Mum and Dad would often take us over the heath for a walk on a Sunday afternoon. But we rarely ended up over West Heath. So Dawn and I drove to Jack Straw's Castle and made our way to the Pergola. Here there were long corridors of trellises built on the earth that had taken out of the tunnels that had become the Northern Line on the London Underground.<br />
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From here we spent a good hour or so wandering through woodland that was open and sparse with the trees barren of leaves that in the spring would create a blanket of green. But even in the winter months the view of this natural landscape was beautiful. Incredibly Dawn reminded me that despite having lived in London for eight and half years (either side of our time in Florida) she had only been to the heath once before. And that was when I took her there when she first arrived in London over 15 years ago.<br />
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Hampstead Heath is more than just woodlands. It has several large meadows, as the map calls them. Above you can see the fields in front of Kenwood House. This, I will add, was not on our planned route. We took a little detour (we're still not sure how) and ended up a little off course. Let's just say we enjoyed the walk rather than using the "L" word or that someone misread the map.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Below is the fabulous building that is Kenwood House. Somewhere in my collection is a photo I had taken during one school trip in the late 60s. I can picture myself posing with my classmates. We (all boys) knelled and stood like we were a football team after a kick around on the heath. We were no more than 8 or 9 and all thought we would be footballers one day. Kenwood House was also the destination of one of the many trips we took with Dad and George after we had returned from Florida. Memories I will cherish for as long as I live.<br />
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Anyone that knows us knows that at some point during the day there will be food on the agenda and that the camera will also be present. We did try to grab a bite at Spaniards Inn where we once celebrated Father's Day with Dad. But it was way too crowded and we couldn't be bothered to wait for a table. So we headed towards Hampstead High Street and grabbed an Indian instead. I know that Dad would probably not appreciate this type of food. But I think he would of the rest of the day. RIP Dad. We miss you.<br />
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These are just a handful of the photos we took today. If you want to see the rest please feel free to click on the link below to see the best of the rest.<br />
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.2742994206559.132909.1008582883&type=3&l=ed54ced1a9" target="_blank">More Photos</a>Paul and Dawn's Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11955619133642407043noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8419112146403087143.post-4704787755045615752012-01-09T20:29:00.000+00:002012-01-09T20:29:51.983+00:00LM Burgers on Holly Bell's Walnut BreadOver the last few momths my obsession with cooking vegetarian food has grown to include baking. In fact, baking bread has been a dream of mine for quite a while. And thanks to Holly Bell and a Kenwood Chef Santa got me for Christmas, it's now become a reality. Holly, The 2011 Great British Bake Off finalist, maintains a blog called <a href="http://www.recipesfromanormalmum.com/" target="_blank">recipesfromanormalmum</a> with loads of recipes and frequently tweets with her many followers of which yours truly is one. This was how I came across her recipe and decided to give it ago. And to my delight it came out perfect first time. I have since tried it a few more times and each time the bread has got better and better. I'll giver you a link to her page shortly. But here is what I do to end up with a loaf like this.<br />
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<u>Ingredients :</u><br />
500g Strong White Bread Flour<br />
50g Soft Dark Brown Sugar<br />
60g Chopped Walnuts <br />
13g Easy Bake Dried Yeast<br />
5g Salt <br />
250ml Milk (I use soya) <br />
60g Unsalted Butter<br />
4 Tbs luke warm water<br />
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<u>Method:</u><br />
1. Put the flour, salt and sugar into the mixing bowl of your mixer and with the dough hook combine the ingredients by using the lowest speed for a couple of minutes. I usually stop the machine half way to scrape the sides. <br />
2. Melt the butter in a saucepan over a medium heat until it starts to turn brown, then pour into a measuring jug.<br />
2. Warm the milk in the same saucepan until it is about blood temperature, then pour this into the measuring jug, add the water and then stir to combine. <br />
3. Ensuring that the milk mixture is not too hot, add the yeast to the milk mixture and stir.<br />
4. Allow the milk mixture to rest for around 10 minutes. This will allow the yeast to go to work and will result in a bubbly froth on the top.<br />
5. Again turn the food mixer on to its lowerst speed. As the dough hook stirs the flour and sugar mixture, pour the milk mixture into the flour. After about 2/3 minutes the mixture will become sticky; at this point add the chopped nuts while the mixer is still stirring the flour and milk mixture.<br />
6. After about 4 minutes the dough should have formed around the hook. Stop the machine and press the dough with your finger. The indention should bounce back and the dough should not be sticky. If it is still sticky, give it another minute or so.<br />
7. Now pull the dough off the hook, roll into a ball in your hand and place in a large bowl.<br />
8. Cover the bowl with cling film and a tea towel and place in a wamr place away from droughs.<br />
9. Allow the dough to double in size. This should take about an hour. Maybe a little longer if the room is cold.<br />
10. Now punch the dough while it is still in the bowl to deflate the ball. Remove the dough and roll into an oblong shape in your hands by folding from the ends.<br />
11. Lightly grease a 2lb loaf tin (or as I do, place a silicon loaf liner in the tin.)<br />
12. Place the dough into the tin (or liner).<br />
13. Again cover the tin with cling film and tea towel and allow to double in size (around 45 minutes).<br />
14. About five minutes before the dough is ready, turn the oven on 240 degrees.<br />
15. Once the dough has doubled in size, remove the cling film and tea towel and place in the middle of the oven.<br />
16. After about 10 minutes, I turn the oven down about 20 degrees and turn the loaf around.<br />
17. Bake for another 25 minutes and then remove. The bread should look like the loaf above.<br />
18. Tip onto a wire tray and allow to cool. You're done bar the slicing, buttering and eating.<br />
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If you want to follow Holly's recipe, click on the link <a href="http://www.recipesfromanormalmum.com/2011/03/10/walnut-bread-for-not-so-adventurous-toddlers/" target="_blank">here.</a> Even if you you're happy with my interpretation, please check it out anyway. Her narration alone is worth the visit. And my apologies for tweaking Holly's method. As Dawn knows, I never ever stick to the recipe. But thankfully it works. Apologies Holly.<br />
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Anyway, once you have baked the above bread, you can then create your open-faced veggie burger dish with sliced tomatoes and caramalised onions.<br />
To make my open-faced burgers for two, you'll need the following:<br />
A box of Linda McCartney's Mozzeralla 1/4 pound burgers, a large juicy tomato (sliced), a large onion (sliced), your favorite mayo, some ketchup, olive oil and butter (or margarine). Not to mention four slices of walnut bread.<br />
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1. Heat the oven to 180 degrees (160 fan).<br />
2. Place the frozen burgers on a baking dish and cook for 20 minutes, turning once half way through.<br />
3. While the burgers cook, drizzle a couple of tablespoons of olive oil into a hot pan and add the sliced onion. After a few minutes, turn the heat down to medium and add a knob of butter and allow the onions to caramalise. I usually turn the onions with a spatula every few minutes and add a couple of tablespoons of water every seven minutes to keep the moisture in the onions. Then season with salt and pepper before removing from the heat.<br />
4. Just before the burgers are done, throw the four slices of bread under the grill and brown lightly on one side.<br />
5. Lay the bread toasted side face down on a plate and spread some mayo over the bread.<br />
6. Slice the burgers in half and lay a slice on each piece of bread.<br />
7. Lay the sliced tomotoes on the burgers.<br />
8. Spoon the caramlised onions onto the sliced tomtatoes.<br />
9. Top the onions with a dollop of ketchup and enjoy.<br />
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Give it a go and see how it comes out. And please drop me a line, as I'd love to know what you think of both the bread and the meatless burgers. Healthy and tasty. Definately a win-win.Paul and Dawn's Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11955619133642407043noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8419112146403087143.post-11203630685594042242012-01-08T17:43:00.002+00:002012-01-09T04:38:11.354+00:00A day in the kitchen, Sunday 8th January 2012On New Year's Eve I completed a list of things for my 2012 to-do list. Some would call it resolutions, but seeing as these normally end in failure, I called it my to-do list. This means that things will usually get done. However, not always in the time frame that I had planned. Two things on this list related to food. To be honest, many related to food. But for the purpose of this blog posting, the one that reminded me that I was going to <strong>cook</strong> a new recipe every week and the one that said <strong>bake</strong> a new recipe every week were the ones I was referring to.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7pzM0oaLaorvVKSMFVzWRLGTsvlR3a_Vc8swVRUJXtNLbYsKXdx1MFbHlTOYNLk91dD64DepR44f89Y8Daj316QRjTJoEmg108XgRO-bzFVD_yl0XA1XP0dQ_xctAv9aMGOJwvS09vNQ/s1600/2012Jan021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7pzM0oaLaorvVKSMFVzWRLGTsvlR3a_Vc8swVRUJXtNLbYsKXdx1MFbHlTOYNLk91dD64DepR44f89Y8Daj316QRjTJoEmg108XgRO-bzFVD_yl0XA1XP0dQ_xctAv9aMGOJwvS09vNQ/s400/2012Jan021.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
The new recipe of the week was last night's dinner. The sausages were Linda McCartney's, the greens were just cooked in vegetable stock for around 10 minutes and the black eyed peas had been a new recipe on the 1st (but were leftovers I'd got from the freezer). The macaroni cheese was my new recipe. Dawn's mum swore that this was the best she'd ever had, so I gave it a go. It completed the meal and was good. We have leftovers this evening.<br />
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</div>This week's new baking task turned out to be two-fold. The first was from an EAT IN magazine. I had asked Dawn to list dishes that she would like to me to try and this Cranberry & Sunflower Nut Muffin was on her list from the January/February 2012 edition. The cake tray, by the way, was Mum's. I think it will get plenty of use now.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUtWtbX9dEL_5JbtyyOz95SORKbm0flfr7wRBNBMl_3fx6g56xGAOBmm0gj5mNSUkHubNadvpegMia7jaYS3t2lLMlr9Fbzkyk8pAB6HdZxl8JQ837GD05aP-aJNNlGa0_ipxo3yFcxg4/s1600/2012Jan019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUtWtbX9dEL_5JbtyyOz95SORKbm0flfr7wRBNBMl_3fx6g56xGAOBmm0gj5mNSUkHubNadvpegMia7jaYS3t2lLMlr9Fbzkyk8pAB6HdZxl8JQ837GD05aP-aJNNlGa0_ipxo3yFcxg4/s400/2012Jan019.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
In rummaging through the fridge, I noticed that I had a carton of buttermilk and asked myself, "How could I use this?" The response was cornbread. Usually I bake a cornbread in an iron skillet, but over the weekend I picked up the Hummingbird recipe book and noticed their corn meal muffins. Hence the above. I used my own recipe and added some chopped shallots and grated cheese. Can't wait to try this out later.<br />
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In the middle of all this, I also threw lunch together. Sauteed an onion and sliced red pepper, grated some cheese and we have a quesadilla. I did also make some guacamole from scratch. But the chips were Doritos. Can't take the credit for these.<br />
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The afternoon started by baking a loaf of Holly Bell's Walnut Loaf. This my third attempt in eight days and I can vouch for Holly's claim that this is easy to bake. I will also confirm that it tastes better than the one we used to get from one of the large retail chains. Oh yea, that's another food to-do. Make all bread eaten in our house from scratch. Buy no prepared bread from the store. If you're interested in Holly's recipe, you can find it <a href="http://www.recipesfromanormalmum.com/2011/03/10/walnut-bread-for-not-so-adventurous-toddlers/" target="_blank">here.</a><br />
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</div>My penultimate stint in the kitchen was to bake some biscuits. I'd been reading <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Great-British-Book-Baking-ebook/dp/B00433SVOW/ref=sr_1_5?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1326043146&sr=1-5" target="_blank">The Great British Book of Baking </a>(from the 1st GBBO series) and came across what I thought was an easy recipe I could fit in with the rest of the baking and cooking I was doing today. The result was the above plate of Somerset Easter Biscuits. <br />
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</div>So this is what I did today. I'll be back in the kitchen shortly to dish up last night's leftovers with a corn muffin each. I don't think I've done too bad considering I'd not really tackled baking until recently. And like they say, practise makes perfect. So I'll be doing plenty of practise from now on.Paul and Dawn's Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11955619133642407043noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8419112146403087143.post-22921965260713439222012-01-07T19:59:00.002+00:002012-01-08T17:28:33.015+00:00Hertford - A walk into town, Saturday 7th January 2012Following our walk to Ware at the end of last year, Dawn and I promised ourselves that we would make more of an effort to get out and explore Hertford by foot. We've spent far too much time with our backsides fixed to the car seat instead of enjoying the benefits of living outside the capital. So this morning when we headed into town for a handful of groceries, we decided to walk in. And as we needed to pick up some parcels from the sorting office, we went the long way past County Hall instead of along West Street.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWDJj9BWd9mWqj5xzRtUVzpLTlbgnTEu-DTOVhIx27LyNyiet2ZRUT8rRCVESWTNcj8w99kHlDS6h_TpeFTKBInywcLtGH5xxQ1zX-xez4SX5VQqcvZwUxvFm1-uvfugt8AUltUKj_9Yw/s1600/2012Jan005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWDJj9BWd9mWqj5xzRtUVzpLTlbgnTEu-DTOVhIx27LyNyiet2ZRUT8rRCVESWTNcj8w99kHlDS6h_TpeFTKBInywcLtGH5xxQ1zX-xez4SX5VQqcvZwUxvFm1-uvfugt8AUltUKj_9Yw/s400/2012Jan005.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Our walk took us around the back of All Saints Church with its large graveyard. According to its website, there was a meeting of the Church Synod in 673 AD, so there was likely a church in the town then. And All Saints was one of two churches listed in the Doomsday Book, the great land survey of 1086. The current structure dates back to the 1890s. The most interesting fact is that Charles Bridgeman held the office of organist there for a record 78 years from 1792 until 1873.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvVP-eVzm7nvGzIHvC-UowuSBHKtMdBHR9fHVr0FCGV8L90qlxgFMjLETq_TTrrTwmooeOwZQLsHNKzHdEbYvaiBosp3cGBfZIjJj41U-6l5_vwX06028vCxS317nxNvCxy0vIZMv0g_Y/s1600/2012Jan007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvVP-eVzm7nvGzIHvC-UowuSBHKtMdBHR9fHVr0FCGV8L90qlxgFMjLETq_TTrrTwmooeOwZQLsHNKzHdEbYvaiBosp3cGBfZIjJj41U-6l5_vwX06028vCxS317nxNvCxy0vIZMv0g_Y/s400/2012Jan007.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
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The River Lea is an important landmark in Hertford and many locals get great pleasure from feeding the swans and ducks at the back of Waitrose and Starbucks on the south bank and The Old Barge pub on the north. Although we usually grab a double tall soy latte most weekends from the coffee house that kids seem to get the most pleasure of. Not to mention the countless dogs whose walks seem to end up along this path.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1QEb0PZdIFwBKZn6XrdDNOaBwsaDppKeEnAdBdpS0hbyW8RZIe0t3EXaLtqbB6qPXcW4f-TmaXzMt6JySS4hQApeW0iU-_u4mhKFLWiVOSLnxDy0mPijum9SOpb5Ci80l157PXB_Nn6s/s1600/2012Jan009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1QEb0PZdIFwBKZn6XrdDNOaBwsaDppKeEnAdBdpS0hbyW8RZIe0t3EXaLtqbB6qPXcW4f-TmaXzMt6JySS4hQApeW0iU-_u4mhKFLWiVOSLnxDy0mPijum9SOpb5Ci80l157PXB_Nn6s/s400/2012Jan009.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Like many provincial towns, Hertford can boast a farmers' market. However, this is only once a month. But at least on the other weekends there are always half a dozen regulars that pull out their stalls and give the locals a chance to pick up some fresh produce and baked goods from somewhere else other than chains.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgYh2Q4rVw9CjnXLOsVn06OHByRzgkczsNbJzIocTX3Fwk2BUv6cLx5Ajdn2oqVw2hPHXW-OXx1WQRbXzzYm_N961e3VTDwL9vb17BdxVc6ZDzdssf9HOUkAxVjNzumF7V47YwjWJ7kiA/s1600/2012Jan013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgYh2Q4rVw9CjnXLOsVn06OHByRzgkczsNbJzIocTX3Fwk2BUv6cLx5Ajdn2oqVw2hPHXW-OXx1WQRbXzzYm_N961e3VTDwL9vb17BdxVc6ZDzdssf9HOUkAxVjNzumF7V47YwjWJ7kiA/s400/2012Jan013.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
The best part of the walk, however, was the short walk along West Street. Leading into Hornsmill, it captures many characteristics which are typically English. There is Bridgeman House, which is a two story brick building dated back to the first half of the 17th century. This short road has many quaint buildings, including a quaint pub and terraced houses which are typically British. There is also Hertingfordbury Park, the home of Hertford Town Football Club and AFC Hertford. The latter were actually playing today as we walked past. Not only could we hear the small crowd, but could also see the players on the field. Quintessentially English is the West Street Allotment (above) where locals grow their veggies surrounded by a handful of fields where we you can always see horses. Today, like most winter months, they were grazing in a field with blankets on their backs to keep them warm.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid-TD0Il2NrpMP3PY9crX-tMQReS2DgIorkShOaHU5UOEQDAfxuQqseKX3TD8P78m7sOh9Xo06UsGlyuaH4kfFL0W2nZCz7j6K-An_JG4US4Cl58vDH9OZHNzATWp68VzS3tIhwkQlTBs/s1600/2012Jan001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid-TD0Il2NrpMP3PY9crX-tMQReS2DgIorkShOaHU5UOEQDAfxuQqseKX3TD8P78m7sOh9Xo06UsGlyuaH4kfFL0W2nZCz7j6K-An_JG4US4Cl58vDH9OZHNzATWp68VzS3tIhwkQlTBs/s400/2012Jan001.JPG" width="266" /></a></div><br />
The final leg of our walk, which was around three and half miles there and back, took us over a little brook that runs parallel to Brickendon Lane. It doesn't appear on the local maps, but it always seems a fitting end to our walk into town. The other side of the bridge is a row of terraced houses that is the local neighbourhood where we live.Paul and Dawn's Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11955619133642407043noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8419112146403087143.post-35534363885301781882012-01-05T19:29:00.000+00:002012-01-05T19:29:07.572+00:00Our Walk to Ware, Friday 30th December 2011<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G8V7ilpnRQs/TwIanaRRB0I/AAAAAAAAAIQ/8oLPbKBnkHI/s1600/Ware019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G8V7ilpnRQs/TwIanaRRB0I/AAAAAAAAAIQ/8oLPbKBnkHI/s400/Ware019.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Our Christmas was a wonderful time full of food, drink, presents and best of all each other's company. However, all this good living was taking its toll on our weak bodies. We needed some E stuff. You know, exercise. We had enjoyed our first vegetarian Christmas dinner and all the goodies I had baked, but our bodies were feeling sluggish. Which is why we decided to to get out of the house and have a nice leisurely walk. As we were dropping the car off for its annual MOT and service, we decided to have a walk along the River Lea to Ware. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wHUvl9ESlHI/TwXnoQz0rnI/AAAAAAAAAIc/P7bt8_ZXoBo/s1600/Ware010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" rea="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wHUvl9ESlHI/TwXnoQz0rnI/AAAAAAAAAIc/P7bt8_ZXoBo/s400/Ware010.JPG" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">We've lived in Hertford over five years and this was the first time we had made the three mile walk along the tranquil river. Why it had taken so long neither one of us could explain. But what we could confirm is that it wouldn't be the last time. Admittedly it was a little fresh and a few days before New Year, so not many others were walking along the path. But even had there been, it could not have detracted from our pleasure.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NHL-JNfrTk0/TwXoKHr1bVI/AAAAAAAAAIo/m_W9uS7Nezg/s1600/Ware023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" rea="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NHL-JNfrTk0/TwXoKHr1bVI/AAAAAAAAAIo/m_W9uS7Nezg/s400/Ware023.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Walking along the path we came across many runners, walkers, cyclists and fishermen. Even parents and grandparents walking their grandchildren in prams or carrying them on their shoulders. However, best of all was seeing doggies racing along with their loved ones without a leash or chain to restrict their pleasure. Even with the river just a feet away, they had full trust that man's best friend wouldn't run off or jump in the water. That is with the exception of the dog in the photo above. We thought that these two were together, but just past the building in the photo, the path split and they each went their own way.</div><div align="justify" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3UIjk6LlN9k/TwXosbCYLMI/AAAAAAAAAI0/VyxiiMCDXVM/s1600/Ware028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" rea="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3UIjk6LlN9k/TwXosbCYLMI/AAAAAAAAAI0/VyxiiMCDXVM/s400/Ware028.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">We also saw some horses and some cattle. The cows were roaming freely in one of the fields without a care in the world. A path crossed through the middle of this field and you could get right up close to them. They were like gentle giants with a cute patch of curls above their forehead. As you could expect, both of us kept on asking each other how could anyone eat one of these. They were so adorable. We also saw a few horses and countless ducks. Many of the latter would follow us hoping that we had some food for them.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qhstLZ38NNw/TwXpS4hm3iI/AAAAAAAAAJA/46XaBJkrkGA/s1600/Ware022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" rea="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qhstLZ38NNw/TwXpS4hm3iI/AAAAAAAAAJA/46XaBJkrkGA/s400/Ware022.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Another frequent site were barges moored along the waters edge. Most were brightly painted and one was even decorated for Christmas with lights and tinsel. And each of them had been named after a special person or place. This one didn't leave much to the imagination either. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-15aaHgh5NEE/TwXpr4ncz9I/AAAAAAAAAJM/HfCRhHRe2bU/s1600/Ware045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" rea="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-15aaHgh5NEE/TwXpr4ncz9I/AAAAAAAAAJM/HfCRhHRe2bU/s400/Ware045.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">After a stop in Ware for a cup of latte, we returned to Hertford and grabbed some lunch in The Old Barge. The six mile round trip (including coffee break) didn't take more than about three hours, so it didn't take too long. It also built up a little appetite, so we shared a vegetarian chili and some fries. Dawn washing hers down with a pint of Carlsberg, whilst I had half a Thatchers.</div>Paul and Dawn's Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11955619133642407043noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8419112146403087143.post-55723675357722746952012-01-01T18:16:00.000+00:002012-01-01T18:16:21.396+00:00New Year Breakfast Tradition<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As a child growing up in Holloway, North London to a Protestant father and Catholic mother, my brothers and I rarely had a breakfast during the week. We did, however, have fried porridge and bacon on a Sunday. And on Christmas Day we would have a special breakfast. I have no idea where it originated, but I grew up calling it mushrooms and bacon. And since meeting Dawn, I moved this meal to New Year's Day, as we have another tradition for our Christmas breakfast. Also this year, as we became vegetarians last year, I had to find an alternative to the streaky bacon that went with this dish so well. </span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GxYdwdb0GIg/TwBc5PPLRpI/AAAAAAAAAHg/EjYRp-ddIvA/s1600/2012-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="266" rea="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GxYdwdb0GIg/TwBc5PPLRpI/AAAAAAAAAHg/EjYRp-ddIvA/s400/2012-001.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><u>Ingredients</u> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">300g Organic button mushrooms</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">80g Organic salted butter</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">375 ml Organic full cream milk</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">200g Smoked Tofu (found at Waitrose)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2 Tbs Olive Oil</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1/2 tsp salt</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Tsp black pepper</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As you can see from the ingredients, it may feel like you've busted a New Year resolution with the first meal of the year. But we feel it's worth the pain. It's a rich meal that you won't want to repeat too often in the year.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kwS63YgQfM0/TwBd-peOGiI/AAAAAAAAAHs/FZ0i6jC-g2I/s1600/2012-002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="266" rea="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kwS63YgQfM0/TwBd-peOGiI/AAAAAAAAAHs/FZ0i6jC-g2I/s400/2012-002.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Making this meal is as easy as it gets. First pour the milk into a saucepan and add the butter. Then slice the mushrooms (in large chunks, not too thin) and add them to the milk. Add the salt and pepper, stir, and then bring the milk to a boil. Once the milk has boiled, reduce the heat and let the milk simmer for around fifteen minutes.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--yrDHjiXVJ0/TwBe4AOGE5I/AAAAAAAAAH4/rFC2dxK5OdU/s1600/2012-004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="266" rea="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--yrDHjiXVJ0/TwBe4AOGE5I/AAAAAAAAAH4/rFC2dxK5OdU/s400/2012-004.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">While the milk is simmering and the mushrooms are soaking up all the juices, add the olive oil to a frying pan and then slice the tofu into thin slices (about 3-5mm in thickness). Once the pan has heated up and the oil is hot ,add the tofu and cook it until it is nice and crispy on one side (this should take no more than 3-4 mins). Then turn the tofu over and repeat for the other side. Once both sides of the tofu have been cooked and are now crispy, drain any excess fat on a kitchen towel.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Finally, cut the tofu strips into three even pieces (around 2 cm long) and add them to the mushroom and milk mixture and remove the sauce pan from the heat. The meal is now ready to dish up.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mYIoqnanyY4/TwBgVg54wCI/AAAAAAAAAIE/tZBr7Fy-mtU/s1600/2012-005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="266" rea="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mYIoqnanyY4/TwBgVg54wCI/AAAAAAAAAIE/tZBr7Fy-mtU/s400/2012-005.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now all you need to do is ladle the milk, mushroom and tofu mixture into a bowl and serve with some home-made bread. This year we had a couple of slices from a walnut loaf I'd made yesterday with the new Kenwood Chef that my personal Santa got for me. This too tasted fantastic. However, the credit for this needs to go to Holly Bell. I used her recipe and it can be found on her website by clicking on this </span><a href="http://www.recipesfromanormalmum.com/2011/03/10/walnut-bread-for-not-so-adventurous-toddlers/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">link.</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">. </span>Paul and Dawn's Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11955619133642407043noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8419112146403087143.post-23729179655617097012011-12-31T19:13:00.003+00:002011-12-31T19:19:26.986+00:00Good-bye 2011 - Happy New Year 2012Tonight another year comes to a close and a new one starts. But it's more than just another night of Auld Lang Syne. Tonight we take another step away from a path that so many years ago promised so much, but for some delivered so little.<br />
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Over the years I faced many crossroads - crossroads that gave me a choice of destination or just a different route. But what I didn't realise was that I could never retrace my steps and start again no matter which option I chose. The path of life is a perpetual journey forward where we wander along taking detours and crossing intersections and picking up the proverbial baggage along the way. Sadly, if we're not careful, we lose sight of where we started and who we met along the way.<br />
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Which is why tonight my thoughts are of each and everyone I met on my way. No matter who you are or how fleeting our meeting, you all have left an impression. I know that I don't know where most of you are or how you have fared on your journey, but I want you to know that you meant something.<br />
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The reason I say this is that I took some of you for granted. Naively I thought you would be around for ever and you're not. Your journey with me ended, some prematurely, some sooner than I had hoped.<br />
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So, as I toast a new beginning, I'd like to raise a glass to you all. Each and every one of you have left me memories of who I was and who I have become. Thank you from the bottom of my heart and until we meet again. Hope everyone has a happy and most healthy New Year.Paul and Dawn's Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11955619133642407043noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8419112146403087143.post-35648115652581576832011-12-23T17:45:00.005+00:002011-12-31T19:23:20.389+00:00Christmas Letter<style>
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</style><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10.5pt;">Christmas 2011</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10.5pt;">Dear Family and Friends, </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10.5pt;">We knew last Christmas was going to be difficult as it was our first without George and Tiny. So we arranged to take our Christmas dinner up to share with Dad. However, as with 2009, it wasn’t meant to be. Dad called Christmas morning to tell us that he had to cancel as he was off to the hospital again. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We spent Christmas afternoon at the Whittington, where Dad, just as he had done the previous year, opened his gifts laying in a hospital bed. Only this time there was no George.</span></div><br />
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10.5pt;">Boxing Day didn’t get any better. We awoke to see several missed calls on our cell phones from my niece. She had tried to reach us because my brother Dave was in hospital receiving the last rites. He had been rushed to hospital with breathing difficulties. Thankfully, by the time I called Denise back, he had seen off the worse and looked like he would be ok. </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; tab-stops: 186.75pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10.5pt;">These two events would cast a dark shadow over 2011. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dave spent the best part of six months to and fro the hospital, including several stays following relapses of his condition. But thankfully, despite the severity of his condition Christmas night, he has been fighting back and was able to enjoy a vacation on Cyprus for the first time in years.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; tab-stops: 186.75pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10.5pt;">In Dad’s case, we weren’t so fortunate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His condition deteriorated considerably and on January 14<sup>th</sup> he passed away peacefully at Marie Curie’s Hampstead Hospice. Thankfully his granddaughter Hayley was able to visit with him the night before we lost him, and I was able to spend his last night by his side at home and was by his side when he left us to be with Mum the following morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As at George’s funeral, it meant so much that I was able to do the eulogy, as did my brother Phil.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I’ll never forget the sound of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">You Were Always On My Mind</i> as we followed Dad’s casket out of the small chapel at the cemetery to lay him to rest, before having a celebratory meal in his honour at his favourite haunt, The Gatehouse, with Phil and Jean, Denise and young David, Donnaghda and Hayley.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10.5pt;">Sadly Dad wouldn’t be the only loss the family would suffer this year – Rita and Jean both lost a brother each too.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; tab-stops: 186.75pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10.5pt;">The next few weeks the family focused on emptying Dad’s flat. Dad had lived there for 49 years, so clearing it out before handing back the flat to Islington Council proved to be extremely emotional and brought an end to the White family’s link to Holloway that went back over a hundred years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then I had to sort Dad’s estate. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As much as we would trade it for having him and George back healthy and happy, what they left behind would certainly make a difference in our lives.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; tab-stops: 186.75pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10.5pt;">With no Tiny or Dad, we decided to get away to Dublin at the end of March so we could spend some time with my brother Dave, his wife Rita, and niece Denise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unfortunately we missed out on seeing my nephew, as young David caught a plane to Australia minutes before we arrived to spend 12 months living Down Under.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had a great time there visiting around O’Connell Street in town, and spending time with our family – the highlight being a magical mystery tour to Johnnie Fox’s in the mountains where we got lost, were given directions and re-directions from the strangest of locals, and ended up roaring with laughter with tears streaming down our cheeks. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; tab-stops: 186.75pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10.5pt;">By the time we headed back to Hertford, and following months of deliberation, we decided to become vegetarians, with both of us eating meat for the last time in Dublin before returning home. The result was better than we had expected – both of us now free of stomach problems. Better still was that I also lost over 30 pounds in the first six months.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; tab-stops: 186.75pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10.5pt;">On April 29<sup>th</sup>, the world watched William and Kate get married.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But my son Paul had bigger news of his own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With Lisa, they became proud parents on April 30<sup>th</sup> of a baby boy they named Jamie. A week or so later, my daughter Hayley also had news of her own – she was moving out of the family home to live on her own.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; tab-stops: 186.75pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10.5pt;">May brought a memorable 14<sup>th</sup> wedding anniversary vacation in Cornwall where we ate fish for the last time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, I had fried fish and chips several times, with the last from Loggans Fish Bar in Hayle, the evening we celebrated my 50<sup>th</sup> birthday following a return light plane flight from Lands End to the Scilly Isles where we enjoyed a memorable day never to be forgotten. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; tab-stops: 186.75pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10.5pt;">One other major event this year is that incredibly Dawn swore allegiance to Queen Elizabeth II at Hatfied Town Hall on May 9<sup>th</sup> to become a British Citizen and now has a UK passport. By the way (in case you wondered), Dawn still has her little blue American passport. She never gave up her American citizenship; she has dual.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; tab-stops: 186.75pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10.5pt;">This summer also saw me re-ignite a friendship with Denis and Tracy after thirty years. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had even been asked to be his best man at their wedding 30 years ago; however the 80s took our lives in different directions and we lost contact. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; tab-stops: 186.75pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10.5pt;">On the work front, Dawn has continued her environmental efforts at City University, and thankfully didn’t have to stay away as much as in previous years. In my case, I continued my rear guard action where I worked. We lost the environmental certification I had worked so hard for us to get and following many redundancies, including my assistant, I have been left to do everything accounts related on my own. Oh yea, there was even a month when I was three weeks late in receiving my monthly pay.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; tab-stops: 186.75pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10.5pt;">This year we also became Apple fans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dawn received an iPad for Christmas last year and I picked up a new iPad2; then when our cell phone contracts ran out, we replaced our Blackberrys with a couple of iPhone 3GSs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also got more into baking and now bake all our own bread.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; tab-stops: 186.75pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10.5pt;">In October we saw Vanessa Redgrave, James Earl Jones and Boyd Gaines in the London stage production of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Driving Miss Daisy</i>. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What a treat that was!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; tab-stops: 186.75pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10.5pt;">Best of all was a celebratory week in New York to celebrate the 15<sup>th</sup> anniversary of meeting at the top of the Empire State Building. We visited Ground Zero, Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, The High Line, Top of the Rock and the Empire State Building again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We got a recording of us doing the news and weather during an NBC studio tour and saw <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Jersey Boys</i> on stage. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And the vegetarian food we ate in New York was excellent. We ate at the famous vegan restaurant, Candle 79; Katz’s Deli (made famous by Meg Ryan in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">When Harry Met Sally</i>); the Boathouse in Central Park (recommended to me by Jo Wheatley, this year’s winner of the Great British Bake Off); and The River Café, in the shadow of the Brooklyn Bridge, where we had a special anniversary meal while watching the sunset over Manhattan.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; tab-stops: 186.75pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10.5pt;">On returning from New York, we had the kitchen renovated and spent 4 weeks climbing over boxes, flat packs and appliances while it was transformed into beautiful new fitted kitchen. We’ve also had the patio doors in the living room ripped out to be replaced by a door and window. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; tab-stops: 186.75pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10.5pt;">So, as you can see, it’s been a pretty eventful year for us, one filled with laughter and tears.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We hope yours has been happy and healthy and we hope you and your family have a very Merry Christmas.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; tab-stops: 186.75pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10.5pt;">Love, Paul & Dawn<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></div>Paul and Dawn's Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11955619133642407043noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8419112146403087143.post-67673790288907785352011-12-19T20:15:00.001+00:002011-12-19T20:19:04.848+00:00English Mum's Big Christmas Bakeoff<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0t51olz52I8RKJYs-ksJ-p_qXTC5v_G0KiKHfsNm7Lx3ymndg0hNVspaLQ_NAZGAJkq-LLvflN061zWDwx-izuAlL73Wmxq_Lmyz14MqcEBuLY7HeHqIj8GdpsGtuHXkS4xJsgoDfI7Q/s1600/Christmas-Bakeoff-ad1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0t51olz52I8RKJYs-ksJ-p_qXTC5v_G0KiKHfsNm7Lx3ymndg0hNVspaLQ_NAZGAJkq-LLvflN061zWDwx-izuAlL73Wmxq_Lmyz14MqcEBuLY7HeHqIj8GdpsGtuHXkS4xJsgoDfI7Q/s320/Christmas-Bakeoff-ad1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Over the last month or two I have been getting more and more into baking. Admittedly, I was chomping at the bit for about six weeks of this time while we went to New York and had our kitchen renovated. But since I got access to the oven, I have been baking at weekends. A couple of weekends ago I made a Mississippi Mud Pie for the first time. Didn't turn out to bad, even if I do say so myself. But with Christmas around the corner, I couldn't resist to enter the above Bakeoff run by <a href="http://englishmum.com/" target="_blank">The English Mum</a>. As I'd planned to bake some goodies for my colleagues at work, I was able to save time by entering my gifts as my entry. It proved a total success, in my opinion, as everyone at work loved my baking. As for the competition, just entering was enough for me.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBMZl9LeslC0ltBoC41jYOAU_hCg-i72VvwWmO-opAoEQFIyQCay5rjT7ZPOURK7NVsQZNwZN9sLFFQiulXOtx5iydsZCKxHyQSiTPpza32k4aKraOqVXA9H4xV2dgQyhyphenhyphenN6eLn1wOIGE/s1600/Xmas001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBMZl9LeslC0ltBoC41jYOAU_hCg-i72VvwWmO-opAoEQFIyQCay5rjT7ZPOURK7NVsQZNwZN9sLFFQiulXOtx5iydsZCKxHyQSiTPpza32k4aKraOqVXA9H4xV2dgQyhyphenhyphenN6eLn1wOIGE/s400/Xmas001.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Here is the entry I submitted. The chocolate cup cakes were from a recipe from <a href="http://www.recipesfromanormalmum.com/2011/10/18/quick-and-easy-cupcakes-with-truffle-icing/" target="_blank">Holly Bell</a> , the Christmas Fairy Cakes were from a recipe from The <a href="http://www.bakingmad.co.uk/recipes/cupcakes/christmas-fairy-cakes" target="_blank">Baking Mad Kitchen </a>, and the mince pies were from <a href="http://theboywhobakes.co.uk/2011/12/my-perfect-mincepies/" target="_blank">Edd Kimber</a>. The cheese biscuits at the front were a tweaked version of one of Dawn's family recipes. They are so simple. In fact, I'll probably post the recipe later.Paul and Dawn's Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11955619133642407043noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8419112146403087143.post-41350001002669208992011-12-17T20:19:00.000+00:002011-12-17T20:19:37.578+00:00Decorating the Christmas Tree<div style="text-align: justify;">This year Dawn and I will be celebrating our sixteenth Christmas together and our Christmas tree reminds us how far we have come and how much we have done since meeting that fateful day at the top of the Empire State Building in November 1996. We also have some particularly important ornaments to commemorate those no longer with us, but who will be with us in spirit this Christmas, and for all future Christmases too. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizcFeN9qR3cInvycHdkDewUyXVq20bpTQ8wkxdxM3TguGmk0k5Et9fmTlutEBVyTiozsz1TxC57ddzZgQGXLAKpWpbT8DDbL_r-wRmTVgH8Pk3UNbR5We0-vi0uMYi3Va1ocpyOu7Ii4w/s1600/WT017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizcFeN9qR3cInvycHdkDewUyXVq20bpTQ8wkxdxM3TguGmk0k5Et9fmTlutEBVyTiozsz1TxC57ddzZgQGXLAKpWpbT8DDbL_r-wRmTVgH8Pk3UNbR5We0-vi0uMYi3Va1ocpyOu7Ii4w/s400/WT017.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">This ornament with a photo of Dad has adorned our tree for a couple of years now. But this year it brought a little tear in the corner of my eye. Last year we spent Christmas Day with him opening his presents at the Whittington Hospital. We feared that it may be his last, but little did we expect that he would be gone three weeks later. Love you Dad. You can enjoy Christmas this year up there with Mum and George.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2C5SU-JVYXbTMWX98v3BnGqs5ZS8zw6SY1WgDHkpdo_ZeP0QldBlhPduJ1shYAjsvFIrRea6wlXtzZ-2wnkEcZmYbihGjnIKs9MUbqQobW4OAfpAkmy316_06f8ibSJ9-WdmGu2cXbdY/s1600/WT018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2C5SU-JVYXbTMWX98v3BnGqs5ZS8zw6SY1WgDHkpdo_ZeP0QldBlhPduJ1shYAjsvFIrRea6wlXtzZ-2wnkEcZmYbihGjnIKs9MUbqQobW4OAfpAkmy316_06f8ibSJ9-WdmGu2cXbdY/s400/WT018.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
We have many ornaments that remind us of Tiny. Many have her name etched on with our names and a date, and some have a photo of her. But this one of her in my arms is my favourite. We took her with us on a trip to the Smoky Mountains and she just loved being in the car with us and, even more, racing around the hotel room and hiding in any cubby hole she could find.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj-GIY2MlVoMwNahdXlmCpKbVwR4AaRabfk98_WHvzhvR5kjckxqyqn5JARWy5KKagkyfCRZaZYeA5_Nw9yrmC-8Esw3tSxWgnlbBT2fWCPjhoxphdn0hMfy0j9S2E30rF3kXzeRnDrFU/s1600/WT019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj-GIY2MlVoMwNahdXlmCpKbVwR4AaRabfk98_WHvzhvR5kjckxqyqn5JARWy5KKagkyfCRZaZYeA5_Nw9yrmC-8Esw3tSxWgnlbBT2fWCPjhoxphdn0hMfy0j9S2E30rF3kXzeRnDrFU/s400/WT019.JPG" width="400" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
As I mentioned, many of our ornaments remind us of our time together. This photo has captured a Scottish cushion we bought last year in Edinburgh, a wooden carving we picked up when we went to York to celebrate Dawn's 50th, an ornament with our three names on (the last we had with Tiny), and one we picked up this year when we were in New York - a cup with 'Dad' on it. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8KN8cPgIZiLGi81SOpy1CHndQC7SaWxnKw6k95YRl-gkePW6_xijaHEoEoUSLL9NpYCzgM2sq4OgBDVaCp47pPglfeloSGpYj8bbjssU4klomtjCJYS8n4CObaPLMyMnIzlAH1UGcRoE/s1600/WT016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8KN8cPgIZiLGi81SOpy1CHndQC7SaWxnKw6k95YRl-gkePW6_xijaHEoEoUSLL9NpYCzgM2sq4OgBDVaCp47pPglfeloSGpYj8bbjssU4klomtjCJYS8n4CObaPLMyMnIzlAH1UGcRoE/s640/WT016.JPG" width="425" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
This one doesn't do the tree justice. The lights are a lot brighter than they appear and you can't see the countless ornaments around the back and on the inside branches. However, I think it gives you an example of how our Christmas tree looks. Each and every ornament has sentimental value, and each and every ornament reminds us how lucky have been and are to have each other.</div>Paul and Dawn's Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11955619133642407043noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8419112146403087143.post-14002182567547874932011-12-12T19:59:00.001+00:002011-12-12T20:00:22.668+00:00Spinach and Ricotta Spaghetti<span style="font-size: 10.5pt;">If you love pasta and spaghetti, you need to give this recipe a try. It's quick, easy and good for you with the spinach and garlic. The nuts and raisins give this dish a whole different dimension and the pesto adds a little kick. The creamy ricotta cheese just pulls all the flavours together. Best of all is that this meal doesn't make you feel bloated like spaghetti bolognese.</span><br />
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<u><span style="font-size: 10.5pt;">Ingredients</span></u><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt;">150g Wholemeal pasta </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt;">140g Fresh spinach</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt;">125g Ricotta cheese</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt;">2 cloves of garlic – thinly sliced</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt;">20g pine nuts</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt;">20g raisins</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt;">2 Tbs of Pesto from a jar (or home made)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt;">1 Tbs Olive Oil</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt;">Tbs Butter</span><br />
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<u><span style="font-size: 10.5pt;">Procedure</span></u></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt;">1. Boil the pasta according to the packet's recommendations </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt;">2. Heat a frying pan over a medium heat</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt;">3. Add the garlic and pine nuts and heat for a minute</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt;">4. Add the raisins to the garlic and nuts</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt;">5. Add the spinach and cook until it wilts (turning a few times in the pan)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt;">6. Take the spinach mixture off the heat</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt;">7. Drain the pasta when al dente</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt;">8. Pour the pasta back into the saucepan</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt;">9. Add the butter and stir</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt;">10. Add the pesto and stir</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt;">11. Add the spinach mixture and stir</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt;">12. Pour the pasta and spinach mixture onto two plates</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt;">13. Crumble the ricotta over the pasta and spinach mixture.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 10.5pt;">Serves 2 </span></div>Paul and Dawn's Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11955619133642407043noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8419112146403087143.post-2090125649266884412011-12-12T19:52:00.001+00:002011-12-12T20:01:14.403+00:00Vegetable Tikka Masala<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm3YTaLAOjMtV26lu_4-00m908yAt9v_kTwMCS8IbtuPFuzRiw-gVtla682007q5iESNzvjnf7AoziP-cI3P5JtQBYxpjp1b85-BDVVVxucbwI-KRHkaH4mYuf4sxprm8z9p5_h3vmWf8/s1600/WT007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm3YTaLAOjMtV26lu_4-00m908yAt9v_kTwMCS8IbtuPFuzRiw-gVtla682007q5iESNzvjnf7AoziP-cI3P5JtQBYxpjp1b85-BDVVVxucbwI-KRHkaH4mYuf4sxprm8z9p5_h3vmWf8/s640/WT007.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
During the winter months, there is nothing better than a wholesome bowl of veggies in a rich sauce over some warm fluffy basmati rice. I've already posted my chili recipe which (after years of tampering with) I am happy with. At the weekend I found this recipe in Christmas Vegetarian and gave it a go. I added the chilies to give it a little kick, but it didn't really add much spice. You can replace the veggies here with alternative root veggies. And reduce the pasta and increase the water to change the consistency. But give this recipe a go and take it from there. <br />
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<u><span style="font-size: 10.5pt;">Ingredients</span></u><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt;">1 Large potato - diced</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt;">1 Small Butternut Squash - peeled, de-seeded and diced</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt;">1 Aubergine – diced</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt;">2 Onions<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>- sliced</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt;">2 Red Peppers - sliced</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt;">2 Courgettes – diced</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt;">2 Red Chilies - chopped</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt;">1kg Tomato Passata (sieved tomatoes)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt;">6 Tbs Tikka Masala Paste</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt;">3 Tbs Vegetable Oil (used rapeseed)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt;">400g can of Coconut milk</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt;">100 ml of water</span><br />
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<u><span style="font-size: 10.5pt;">Procedure</span></u></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt;">1. Heat oven to 200c degrees</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt;">2. Toss potato, squash and aubergine in a roasting tin</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt;">3. Add 2 Tbs of oil and 2 Tbs of curry paste, then stir veggies</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt;">4. Place the roasting tin in oven for and bake for 30 minutes (stirring occasionally)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt;">5. Fry onions and chilies in a deep pot with the remaining oil until onions are golden brown </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt;">6. Add the remaining paste to the onions and chilies then stir together and cook for another 3 minutes</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt;">7. Add the tomato passata to the onions and stir together</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt;">7. Add the coconut milk to the onions and passata mixture and stir together</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt;">8. Add 100 ml of water to the onions, passata and coconut mixture and stir together</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt;">9. Simmer for 5 minutes</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt;">10. Once the veggies have been baking for 30 minutes, add them to the pot with the onion/passata mixture</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt;">11. Place lid on pan and simmer for 15 minutes.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 10.5pt;">Serve with a few sprigs of coriander over basmati rice or with some warm pita bread.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 10.5pt;">Makes 8-10 portions.</span></div>Paul and Dawn's Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11955619133642407043noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8419112146403087143.post-56519924125869700802011-12-05T19:16:00.000+00:002011-12-05T19:16:34.358+00:00Dad's Christmas Fruitcake Cookies<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw-b_zGTHqJd_qO65zdrqF8iIaFCU0vqliJ2urSoVfqttBX2U03IcazypqMk36Kgjvb3qHA22XcPULzd8bXNWOMe7i2FC9P9JctxB5ns4rSuMjylaJT9RoLP0I9xNDUho4wyLLQz08Kh4/s1600/IMG_5324.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw-b_zGTHqJd_qO65zdrqF8iIaFCU0vqliJ2urSoVfqttBX2U03IcazypqMk36Kgjvb3qHA22XcPULzd8bXNWOMe7i2FC9P9JctxB5ns4rSuMjylaJT9RoLP0I9xNDUho4wyLLQz08Kh4/s640/IMG_5324.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have been making these fruitcake cookies at Christmas for many years. In fact Dawn's been eating these every Christmas for more years than she can remember. I started with her mum's recipe and tweaked it a little, in particular changing the brandy to cherry brandy. The reason these are called Dad's now is because two years ago Dad was in hospital at Christmas and we sneaked a few up to him while he was there. He loved them. Especially the alcohol. Sadly Dad was also in hospital last year too. Our last with him. Needless to say,</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> when I bake these now I will always think of him.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0WNLSZpXr6JQkH_LxUGY5R08ARGHR_d0rZIIN1OsEfgfM__IfCySQszMzFCLHJfVI_OhcnE-t0XOzejahCoSdfNYJ_pQDQa3TsvANZxuKIlf5UfMQaW78Tdxq9uBXzbGgkuW_gHJPqB4/s1600/IMG_5320+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0WNLSZpXr6JQkH_LxUGY5R08ARGHR_d0rZIIN1OsEfgfM__IfCySQszMzFCLHJfVI_OhcnE-t0XOzejahCoSdfNYJ_pQDQa3TsvANZxuKIlf5UfMQaW78Tdxq9uBXzbGgkuW_gHJPqB4/s640/IMG_5320+copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
<u><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ingredients</span></u></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">60g “Stork” Margarine (softened)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">225g Dark Brown Soft Sugar </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">300g Plain White Flour </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">300g Glazed Cherries </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">100g Glazed Dried Mixed Fruit</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">200g Raisins</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">200g Sultanas</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">300g Pecans nuts</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">30ml Crème Fraiche</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">75ml Cherry Brandy</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1½ Tsp of Baking Soda</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">½ Tsp of Mixed Spices</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">½ Tsp of Ground Cloves</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">½ Tsp of Fresh grated nutmeg or grated ½ fresh nutmeg)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2 Medium Free Range Eggs</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Makes approximately 60 cookies</span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ5wZRmzDQbPzU9qiaZ4dEHVCJx1sfQgNLZ9qev2p1BW380li_nKU_7SkGRn00NuCFDeXbGlXy4V8HuDPudYCGWHb8VQZlqV3MsFSIg09R0gh2YKGUi_mrh4QeXarFIgYT768q5WwAkSg/s1600/IMG_5321.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ5wZRmzDQbPzU9qiaZ4dEHVCJx1sfQgNLZ9qev2p1BW380li_nKU_7SkGRn00NuCFDeXbGlXy4V8HuDPudYCGWHb8VQZlqV3MsFSIg09R0gh2YKGUi_mrh4QeXarFIgYT768q5WwAkSg/s640/IMG_5321.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><u><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Procedure</span></u></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1. Set oven to 150 degrees</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2. Measure flour into small bowl</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3. Add baking soda to the flour</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4. Add mixed spices to flour</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">5. Add ground cloves to flour</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">6. Add nutmeg to the flour</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">7. Sieve the dry mixture into a large mixing bowl</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">8. Place the margarine into the small bowl</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">9. Add the sugar to the margarine</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">10. Blend the sugar and margarine together (this won’t cream)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">11. Add the cherry brandy to the sugar mixture</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">12. Add the Crème Fraiche to the sugar mixture</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">12. Add the eggs to the sugar mixture</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">13. Blend the ingredients in the small bowl together</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">14. Pour the wet ingredients from the small bowl into the large mixing bowl</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">15. Fold all the ingredients together</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">16. Add the glazed cherries and fold into the batter</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">17. Add the mixed fruit and fold into the batter </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">18. Add the sultanas and fold into the batter</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">19. Add the raisins and fold into the batter</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">20. Add the chopped pecan nuts and fold into the batter</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">21. Keep folding the ingredients until well mixed</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">22. Lay a greaseproof sheet onto a large baking tray</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">23. Scoop dessert spoonfuls of the mixture and space evenly on the baking tray</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">24. Place the tray into the oven on the middle shelf</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">25. Remove the tray after 15 minutes or when the edges start turning brown</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">26. Slide the cookies on the greaseproof paper to the counter and allow the cookies to cool for 4/5 minutes and then carefully remove and place onto a wire rack to cool</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">27. Repeat steps 22 through 26 until all the mixture has been used up</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Before taking out each subsequent batch, remove the batch of cookies from the wire rack to a plate to free up the wire rack for the next batch.</span></div>Paul and Dawn's Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11955619133642407043noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8419112146403087143.post-7898566620107281462011-11-24T21:20:00.001+00:002011-11-29T19:14:03.394+00:00My Spicy Cornbread<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJNqut9nIlMOJBZXMXS1W8iRJ4OwH-k641PSAs98HjmCVRvYx4752TAE-OfHgXM8BMv_TcXao3uTFtddyPS0x__nsnc2SeLRNBYcAmeTNmWOl_XiqU66oGzMmHRHB3ntHnM4J5Cc_eBL4/s1600/Kit_022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJNqut9nIlMOJBZXMXS1W8iRJ4OwH-k641PSAs98HjmCVRvYx4752TAE-OfHgXM8BMv_TcXao3uTFtddyPS0x__nsnc2SeLRNBYcAmeTNmWOl_XiqU66oGzMmHRHB3ntHnM4J5Cc_eBL4/s320/Kit_022.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Dawn has spent her whole life eating cornbread and it is definately her favourite form of bread. When we met 15 years ago, I had never tasted it; now I have perfected it. This is my normal recipe. However occasionally I add some cheese. It's great with a bowl of my meat-free bean and lentil chili. Best of all is that I use Dawn's Granny's cast iron skillet, which has been around for donkey's years and is so well-seasoned.</span><br />
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<u><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Ingredients</span></u></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">284 ml Buttermilk (one carton)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">150g “Dunn Rivers” Cornmeal </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">150g Plain white Flour </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">4 chilli peppers, seeds removed and chopped</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Tsp of Bicarbonate soda</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Tsp of Salt</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">3 Medium Free Range Eggs</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">30 ml Groundnut oil</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">15g “Splenda”Sugar (or 1 Tbs of sugar)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">1. Set the oven to 200 degrees.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">2. Pour 15ml of groundnut oil into a 9 inch cast iron skillet.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">3. Place the skillet in the oven to heat the oil.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">4. Measure the cornmeal into a medium bowl.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">5. Measure the flour into the same bowl.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">6. Add the bicarbonate soda to the same bowl.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">7. Add the Splenda/Sugar to the same bowl.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">8. Add the salt to the same bowl.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">9. Break eggs into a second bowl and gently beat.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">10. Add the buttermilk to the eggs and gently beat.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">11. Add 15</span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">ml of groundnut oil to the wet mixture.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">12. Gently beat the mixture until light cream colour and smooth.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">13. Sieve the dry ingredients into a large bowl.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">14. Create a well in the middle of the dry ingredients.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">15. Pour the creamed mixture into the well of dry ingredients.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">16. Gently fold the wet and dry ingredients until completely combined.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS;">17. Stir in the chilli peppers.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">18. Carefully remove the skillet from the oven and swirl the oil around to coat the pan.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">19. Carefully pour and spoon the wet cornbread mixture into the skillet using a spatula to get it all out of the bowl. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">20. Swirl the skillet to even out the mixture.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">21. Place the skillet in the middle of the oven and bake for approx. 18 minutes.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">22. Remove the skillet when the top has turned a golden brown. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">23. Turn the cooked cornbread onto a cutting board and then turn over again onto a wire rack to cool.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">This can be cut into pieces when it has cooled, wrapped in foil and frozen for later use. If frozen, defrost in fridge and then reheat in a preheated 200 degree oven for five or so minutes.</span></div>Paul and Dawn's Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11955619133642407043noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8419112146403087143.post-19320800559193762752011-11-20T20:49:00.000+00:002011-11-20T20:49:14.296+00:00Boat Ride to Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfP0i5ZcYzzwMEZLcQGqg9Occ2YyBAkO0bXOR1BSq3Y7lwtKFz00UriN_l0oDMQRDD2jnXgzNddgWIeycu1MI5GzYDAXXfjZKP8CWp756WZqWfyFKh54ybIX2DAGsNTZrQNzEOsJIM_8A/s1600/NYC+-+St003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfP0i5ZcYzzwMEZLcQGqg9Occ2YyBAkO0bXOR1BSq3Y7lwtKFz00UriN_l0oDMQRDD2jnXgzNddgWIeycu1MI5GzYDAXXfjZKP8CWp756WZqWfyFKh54ybIX2DAGsNTZrQNzEOsJIM_8A/s400/NYC+-+St003.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Fifteen years ago we took a boat ride to the Statue of Liberty and enjoyed the memorable site of Lower Manhattan receding into the distance. So we wanted to repeat the trip this time and also pop over to Ellis Island, too. However, as the ferry pulled away from Battery Park, the physical loss became more and more apparent. The World Trade Centre twin towers were gone. The landscape that had been ingrained into our memories was gone for good.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEO-skCZPesHbm7teJCr6HhSEQ2vYl7qPDK3WYdctYdfut3qMROZhJIuJFihM9F8WxcP52ClK1IFp8Zy2PV9WZ9NnySzTMt1NOXyqt6Xb9VjI51hN22c_D11pJpX8sm4gXYeEwSeh8lLo/s1600/NYC+-+St006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEO-skCZPesHbm7teJCr6HhSEQ2vYl7qPDK3WYdctYdfut3qMROZhJIuJFihM9F8WxcP52ClK1IFp8Zy2PV9WZ9NnySzTMt1NOXyqt6Xb9VjI51hN22c_D11pJpX8sm4gXYeEwSeh8lLo/s400/NYC+-+St006.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
However, this was New York. Not only was it the city that never sleeps (and so good they named it twice), but it was full of tourists, school kids and, so it seemed, couples like we had been a decade and a half ago, capturing moments that in years to come they may look back fondly and say, "Do you remember this?"<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqyGZhsfkIjwRM9_dK7TtQCgPVxk0DJG3Gspl44sI5tJpKsDBEpBSnYX_ZFCxMAXPXbZF8RdTteDkvwYcBrf9gJehKzW5kNYtlhKQPYtSHfwyJuBDB27RnigVd-o6e7pxZzq6BhJAn2Wk/s1600/NYC+-+St016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqyGZhsfkIjwRM9_dK7TtQCgPVxk0DJG3Gspl44sI5tJpKsDBEpBSnYX_ZFCxMAXPXbZF8RdTteDkvwYcBrf9gJehKzW5kNYtlhKQPYtSHfwyJuBDB27RnigVd-o6e7pxZzq6BhJAn2Wk/s400/NYC+-+St016.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>The day we arrived in New York City was the 125th anniversary of Lady Liberty's dedication. I am sure she has had many touch ups since then. But she looked as proud and welcoming that day as am I sure she did that October day in 1886. Sadly we weren't able to visit to crown like we had 15 years before as the interior had been closed for the start of eleven months' renovation work. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhea-LMIxNFXPNuCAOyaaFJwKLVGYt_C5jh_1Z9BRV-MFHCk8R7YI1yZKCUJjKq0DHfgecp1FkBpvcgsncomY9rcU6gdGlc7oqgYbQmZhVhHODlUSGayv32UGuz5UmvtSGbPgYELNvMev8/s1600/NYC+-+St018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhea-LMIxNFXPNuCAOyaaFJwKLVGYt_C5jh_1Z9BRV-MFHCk8R7YI1yZKCUJjKq0DHfgecp1FkBpvcgsncomY9rcU6gdGlc7oqgYbQmZhVhHODlUSGayv32UGuz5UmvtSGbPgYELNvMev8/s400/NYC+-+St018.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">After a wander around the Statue and visit to the gift shop, where we bought loads of souvenirs, we boarded the ferry again for the short ride to Ellis Island. Neither of us had visited the small island that had been the first port of call for millions of Europeans arriving in the US and was the nation's busiest immigration station between 1892 and 1954 went it was closed. Incredibly, 450,000 passed through its doors before the short journey to Manhattan in that first year. And that was at a time before transatlantic jets.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4rwKKiCTvNy8TPtb797rtjNElSBCkyekzbnzn1HazSB0HbphbNZYB2gi5AqaEpV38lK4l0GDJUzeZGXJqFXkdYUHkWKz52t9U8MVrD1TEtayogMpGgS32RWUoXqvpFNHVmzhK6cp6ny8/s1600/NYC+-+St025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4rwKKiCTvNy8TPtb797rtjNElSBCkyekzbnzn1HazSB0HbphbNZYB2gi5AqaEpV38lK4l0GDJUzeZGXJqFXkdYUHkWKz52t9U8MVrD1TEtayogMpGgS32RWUoXqvpFNHVmzhK6cp6ny8/s400/NYC+-+St025.JPG" width="266" /></a></div><br />
The ferry ride back to Manhattan gave us a prime view of One World Trade Centre with a few of the old World Trade Centre buildings visible in the foreground with their distinctive green-domed tops. I don't know how long it will be before we make a trip back. I just can't wait until we can take this same ferry ride for a third time together and see the majestic building creating a new skyline that will be loved by generations to come.<br />
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If you want to see more photos from our trip click on the link below.<br />
<div><a href="http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.2421915139783.126608.1008582883&type=1&l=dfe61ad9fd">http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.2421915139783.126608.1008582883&type=1&l=dfe61ad9fd</a></div><div></div>Paul and Dawn's Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11955619133642407043noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8419112146403087143.post-2374287135774045952011-11-12T19:50:00.000+00:002011-11-12T19:50:29.111+00:00Dinner at Blossom: 187 Ninth Avenue, NYC<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFsF_JnYNHF5ilOXQkV-Mcq3W1Wy2HM6dTYHo3eA673yM2FZvV6LCZYuDulctfyHtAH8nZD0RtIrJI9ttZ2_0la4i_S-KJLQ94oRxNuiLLR8ODXWiAfwmyWnU0lhr95n_ShWtY8eLUnSs/s1600/NYC-FB075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFsF_JnYNHF5ilOXQkV-Mcq3W1Wy2HM6dTYHo3eA673yM2FZvV6LCZYuDulctfyHtAH8nZD0RtIrJI9ttZ2_0la4i_S-KJLQ94oRxNuiLLR8ODXWiAfwmyWnU0lhr95n_ShWtY8eLUnSs/s320/NYC-FB075.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After a long flight from London, we didn't fancy traipsing around New York looking for somewhere to eat, but we were more than happy to walk ten blocks to 187 Ninth Avenue to Blossom. Dawn had done a huge amount of research back home and this organic vegan restaurant had appeared in several books full of recommendations. Especially as it been voted Best Vegetarian Restaurant in 2008 and 2009 in the New York Time Out. Turning up without a reservation, we were pleased to be shown to a table for two. Being asked whether we could free up the table within 90 minutes is never a problem for us.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0bazBW4DHY8ECiuF3TyZKwLBVOhJ2oy0jBLehjP9iCsIupy5t9qxnI3E70XqrPVu66v5Nk9ebmHZm0Ac9OHjdYsquLZ3djtaPc0lIzpLrwhAjn79RwFFmjcRjSukN2s28oKzOa2ayfnM/s1600/NYC-FB041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0bazBW4DHY8ECiuF3TyZKwLBVOhJ2oy0jBLehjP9iCsIupy5t9qxnI3E70XqrPVu66v5Nk9ebmHZm0Ac9OHjdYsquLZ3djtaPc0lIzpLrwhAjn79RwFFmjcRjSukN2s28oKzOa2ayfnM/s320/NYC-FB041.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">As usual, we both looked through the menu and then came to an agreement as to what we would like to share. We both agreed on the an appetiser called Cape Cod Cake, which (as you guess) did not contain any cod. Instead, the fish flavour came from hiziki seaweed, and was made with tofu, a crispy coating and vegan tartar sauce. It tasted pretty good.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPewTEQ8lTUFfJSarQXIWyT_ND52bu5D4F66hHINgHyNklcvAMN35XoNMB1QXLJ54s42IyQ_m3Yca7gKXMlQ_6OB1m3UC0pV_lLAnlmUXcQ_OKMTuSkuhklPAawQeOhBMLbBlLnNv0pzs/s1600/NYC-FB042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPewTEQ8lTUFfJSarQXIWyT_ND52bu5D4F66hHINgHyNklcvAMN35XoNMB1QXLJ54s42IyQ_m3Yca7gKXMlQ_6OB1m3UC0pV_lLAnlmUXcQ_OKMTuSkuhklPAawQeOhBMLbBlLnNv0pzs/s320/NYC-FB042.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Dawn felt like she was spoilt for choice, but the Hickory Basted Tempeh was too much for her to resist. Coming from the South, Dawn had an affiliation with hickory, and since becoming a vegetarian, it was the closest she would get to BBQ pork. The tempeh was served on some collard greens (another of Dawn's favourites) and some roasted fingerling potatoes with a horseradish crème fraiche. Tempeh, like bean curd/tofu, absorbs all the flavours of the spices, but unlike bean curd/tofu, has a firm texture, which makes it ideal for simulating meat. Best of all is that it's not tough, fatty, or gristly like meat.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtQpFaRJexRa6fqiKY58Fwt1twhyFmDNDJVGaH553dRixqBdupGEl5DIOV-R9qpjjHAsBEguwUQQAb62hPjXdI4CkxViXwY40OcVYD0_4k7IYJ9Qr5hNrCit5vEqgBNL86gYTpUw16p08/s1600/NYC-FB043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtQpFaRJexRa6fqiKY58Fwt1twhyFmDNDJVGaH553dRixqBdupGEl5DIOV-R9qpjjHAsBEguwUQQAb62hPjXdI4CkxViXwY40OcVYD0_4k7IYJ9Qr5hNrCit5vEqgBNL86gYTpUw16p08/s320/NYC-FB043.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I, on the other hand, went for the lasagna. To give the impression of meat this time, the chef used ground seitan with a tofu marinara. Seiten, like tempeh, is firmer than tofu and perfect for this meal. Sitting on a bed of sautéed broccoli rabe and topped with tapioca cheese, this was the lightest lasagna I had ever eaten. The portions may have been a little on the small size, but we had sufficient. <br />
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We made our way back to The Carlton Hotel on Madison Avenue, contented and pleased with our choice of both restaurant and dishes.Paul and Dawn's Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11955619133642407043noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8419112146403087143.post-24832961555710706642011-11-10T20:55:00.001+00:002011-11-12T19:50:54.986+00:00Our Visit to the 9-11 Memorial on November 1stNovember 1st was the fifteenth anniversary of the day Dawn and I met for the very first time on top of the Empire State Building. But we wanted the special day to be more than just a repeat of that cold day in '96. We wanted new memories we could look back on in the years to come and visiting the 9-11 Memorial at Ground Zero definitely would do that.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0-B7AdJoH7cb1fGkCJT8mwX4vaE0kJYhnQtwJPmvT6rICo2iv7jMLI4pRPFTs_vAllHAmgw5jJu7Vpao4at2-L_9-5yHZO87ffXh4mrpDtB0i-n3xU9eOrHKZE0yDkg9nR8mqyhDqrfQ/s1600/NYC-FB029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0-B7AdJoH7cb1fGkCJT8mwX4vaE0kJYhnQtwJPmvT6rICo2iv7jMLI4pRPFTs_vAllHAmgw5jJu7Vpao4at2-L_9-5yHZO87ffXh4mrpDtB0i-n3xU9eOrHKZE0yDkg9nR8mqyhDqrfQ/s320/NYC-FB029.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Walking around the memorial fountains was extremely moving and both of us were deeply moved as we passed the names of all those who perished in the Twin Towers whether in 1993 or 2001, in the field in Philadelphia or in Washington. The overwhelming feeling we had was grief for the thousands of loved ones left behind or who witnessed first hand these tragic events.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqgRwnsigGEXHeBLNGjd_zp_rmC4FCQtb6hv1hkNO5iLEn_9DfhK_Hcqi7dmuXbYCKp3lQJm4WhtfODvJ006rMDixhyphenhyphen8xggZabpeSLT8SgP0lAkm5074xQQq0O0yT4VwCrOXCus1F5HCk/s1600/NYC-FB020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqgRwnsigGEXHeBLNGjd_zp_rmC4FCQtb6hv1hkNO5iLEn_9DfhK_Hcqi7dmuXbYCKp3lQJm4WhtfODvJ006rMDixhyphenhyphen8xggZabpeSLT8SgP0lAkm5074xQQq0O0yT4VwCrOXCus1F5HCk/s320/NYC-FB020.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
The two fountains were also a fitting memorial with ever-flowing water falls, each one with a square hole in the centre of each fountain that gave the impression that the water fell into infinity. It was as if they both had the equivalent of an eternal flame making sure we never forget.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg12T13LeiqMu7yw1ViNxXd6G0J-kBaFpJOv90MF9Dv9AQnnbky5Qcwj1YtBnIvVkrQddinuqIwAiuBGbQdKxOoNJe_8hHpx5e9udoeRnHc3M25USd5bmtnqfeXpa3pNmkGFJUaIrapWaw/s1600/NYC-FB019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg12T13LeiqMu7yw1ViNxXd6G0J-kBaFpJOv90MF9Dv9AQnnbky5Qcwj1YtBnIvVkrQddinuqIwAiuBGbQdKxOoNJe_8hHpx5e9udoeRnHc3M25USd5bmtnqfeXpa3pNmkGFJUaIrapWaw/s320/NYC-FB019.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><br />
Adjacent to the 9-11 Memorial is 1 World Trade Centre, formally named Freedom Tower, a new office building gradually rising out of the rubble that was Ground Zero replacing one of the lost towers. When we visited the site, signs said that it was halfway complete. When this 105 storey structure, which will stand 1776 feet high, is completed in 2013, it will be the tallest building in the USA and one of the tallest in the world. We look forward to one day returning to New York and visiting the top just as we did the top of one of the Twin Towers when they stood proud and magnificent at the tip of Manhattan.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3j6ckyJVtz3gTgYLIyeYE6QCG1TQwvBCYHvgYOtVmX-Ds7eKMBADd1SZS1M71PpdTyHvk1Q4GcM_-7rRkaB3Ch-z4kIp-fEEV5iO-tTdtndAb_KiLDOpUoD5JsWjhpAoaWzGFjPtptao/s1600/NYC-FB034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3j6ckyJVtz3gTgYLIyeYE6QCG1TQwvBCYHvgYOtVmX-Ds7eKMBADd1SZS1M71PpdTyHvk1Q4GcM_-7rRkaB3Ch-z4kIp-fEEV5iO-tTdtndAb_KiLDOpUoD5JsWjhpAoaWzGFjPtptao/s320/NYC-FB034.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
As we left the 9-11 Memorial we noticed at the base of 1 World Trade Centre the above. An image that seemed to prove that although many lives were cruelly taken from this world, America will carry on and will continue to stand tall.Paul and Dawn's Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11955619133642407043noreply@blogger.com0