A mixture of sunshine and cloudiness here, but the wind has dropped a bit. More rain is forecast, but at least we haven't had it as bad as Some Parts...
A wild windy night, with much wakefulness, but by morning the wind had dropped to the degree of blowiness that is considered normal around these parts. The day has been sunny and warm - even hot in the middle of the day.
Could have had a good day working in the garden, if it wasn't for the constant desire for sleep.
Today is the 92nd anniversary of the fateful trip to a cafe in Paisley which launched the case of Donoghue v Stevenson - the "snail in the ginger beer bottle" case.
To commemorate that auspicious day, we're having an ice cream and ginger beer float for dessert, garnished with Belgian chocolate sea-shells as the closest approximation to a snail.
I'm scratching my head wondering what's the point of a single-sex school dance ...
I suppose if one's attractions ran that way one might find it quite appealing.
One friend of mine went to a somewhat isolated boys' school his entire time before university. Coming to university, he said, was a bit like being expelled from Paradise: his erstwhile companions and their like now had access to young women. His life became much more complicated and labour intensive.
To commemorate that auspicious day, we're having an ice cream and ginger beer float for dessert, garnished with Belgian chocolate sea-shells as the closest approximation to a snail.
Sounds delicious.
A late tea here (presumably we’ve now moved on to dinner) as no 1 son was in a Zoom meeting in the kitchen. We are having smoky cheese and spinach risotto with pork sausages. I believe there is a chocolate tart in the fridge we can have for pudding.
Success on the work front, I got the data protection bit done and started to do the ethics paperwork.
I like to think I would know if there was chocolate tart in the fridge! But what a lovely experience, to not be totally sure and then discover there is.
Today is the 92nd anniversary of the fateful trip to a cafe in Paisley which launched the case of Donoghue v Stevenson - the "snail in the ginger beer bottle" case.
To commemorate that auspicious day, we're having an ice cream and ginger beer float for dessert, garnished with Belgian chocolate sea-shells as the closest approximation to a snail.
Gosh, I remember that from the Industrial Law course I did at Uni (1973-4) as part of my Engineering Degree (taught by the estimable Prof. Grime - mind you, he smoked like a chimney while lecturing!)
We’re enjoying a rather wet holiday in Yorkshire, in the village the Calendar Girls came from (not where it was filmed, though that’s also nearby). Long walks when the rain is light, Monopoly or Scrabble when the rain is heavy.
I am a little apprehensive about what the wind has done to South Wales in our absence. The BBC website states that many trees have fallen in Cardiff, but hasn’t said where they all are. I expect someone would phone me if one has fallen on my car?
Hopefully not that many, though one |(or even two!) fell on what used to be Juboraj Lakeside restaurant and there were others in Whitchurch and St Fagan's Road, We're in a windy part of north Cardiff and everything seems fine here.
Will you all stop talking about CHOCOLATE tart and those delicious Belgian seashells???
@Firenze - thanks for the flour link. I take it "strong white" would be the sort of flour I'd be after for bread-making? I usually replace a small amount with wholemeal flour, but I wouldn't buy that in such big quantities.
In other news, after two days of more-or-less incessant rain, I finally had a little amble this afternoon, and about five minutes after I got back into the house, the heavens opened.
There is obviously a kink in the space-time continuum - I don't usually have that sort of luck!
Will you all stop talking about CHOCOLATE tart and those delicious Belgian seashells???
@Firenze - thanks for the flour link. I take it "strong white" would be the sort of flour I'd be after for bread-making? I usually replace a small amount with wholemeal flour, but I wouldn't buy that in such big quantities.
You can (should) also get strong wholemeal flour for bread-making.
The kink in the space-time continuum is, as I have said before, due to some wally having messed about with the Large Hadron Collider back in 2015, or thereabouts.
Hence Trump, Johnson, Farage, Brexit, Storms, Covid-19, and all the other Hideous Things that are occurring on a daily basis...
IOW, we are currently in the Wrong Universe, but, very occasionally, the Right Universe comes back - witness your dry amblage this afternoon.
The rain is occupying the Midlands instead. I had a very wet trip to the Midwife. Now to make some tea. If I have it now I can leave enough time to have another of my absolutely delightful iron tablets later.
My favourite thing about Paris is the markets. What I really wanted this morning was the haberdashery, but they hadn't returned from their summer holidays yet. Hopefully they'll be back next week - I need to start making Christmas presents. It comes sooner than you think if you make everything yourself.
OTOH - oh joy! Oh happiness! Oh bliss! Quetsches are in season, and cost a mere €4.40 per kilo on the market. (For those not in the know, a sort of plum that are purple on the outside and orange on the inside and very delicious.) As we speak, a questche tart is in the oven for tonight's pudding. It also contains CREAM, and VANILLA and CINAMMON. Sorry, no reservations available on account of Coronavirus quarantine restrictions.
Strong flour is available in white, brown and wholemeal. The wholemealiest loaf I make is 50/50 with white. I should fire up the bread maker and make one for the weekend - it's getting the weather for hearty toast.
Meanwhile the kitchen fitter's been to measure up and the Works start mid-September. Oh joy.
I have a cold and am feeling a bit fed up and miserable. I'm sure that's all it is, as the symptoms don't match with Covid. It's very annoying as son is coming home tomorrow to belatedly celebrate his birthday, and there is prosecco from our jaunt to the prosecco region of Italy in the fridge to welcome him. At the moment lemsip seems more appealing.
My husband has gone to talk to a very brave local councillor about a new 'low traffic neighbourhood scheme'. It has the potential to be nice for three already fairly quiet local roads and make our busy road much busier than it already is. We disagree with the idea but admire the fact he is willing to stand in the pouring rain and discuss it!
Ah, my son has been in touch with his Councillor about a similar scheme in his part of south-east London. There is a feeling that the posh roads are going to benefit, with the traffic being funnelled into the poorer areas.
Ah, my son has been in touch with his Councillor about a similar scheme in his part of south-east London. There is a feeling that the posh roads are going to benefit, with the traffic being funnelled into the poorer areas.
OTOH - oh joy! Oh happiness! Oh bliss! Quetsches are in season, and cost a mere €4.40 per kilo on the market. (For those not in the know, a sort of plum that are purple on the outside and orange on the inside and very delicious.) As we speak, a questche tart is in the oven for tonight's pudding. It also contains CREAM, and VANILLA and CINAMMON. Sorry, no reservations available on account of Coronavirus quarantine restrictions.
What you call quetsches are, or a plum very similar to quetsches, sold here as Italian plums. And yes, they are excellent - one of my favourite fruits. Many years ago my father was in hospital for knee surgery, and in recovery his roommate was another Finn, for whom my father acted as translator. Finns treat coffee the way the English treat tea - an excuse for an afternoon pause with some pastries, etc. My father's hospital was a convenient, pleasant 20 minute walk from my flat, so I was able to visit daily. One afternoon I showed up, and my father said, rather cheerily, that I had just missed Ritva (his roommate's wife) - and she had brought excellent korvapuustit (sort of croissant-shaped, fluffy but not flakey cinnamon buns with rock sugar on top) for coffee that afternoon. It turned out she did this every day, always bringing some for my father, as well. I felt that the implication was that I had been inadequately attentive. The culinary glove had been thrown down. After dinner that evening I set to work, sleeves rolled, dark imprecations on my tongue, and made a quetsche crostata. The following day I showed up with slices of plum crostata for the two inmates. The day after that I was there when Ritva arrived, giving me an icy hello. It became a grudge match, each day upping our respective game. I never showed up without some sort of pastry after that: plum crostata, Finnish almond tarts, spice cookies, apple tarts, whatever. The inmates and my roommate were very happy while Ritva and I duked it out.
Thanks for the links and advice, @Boogie and @Firenze - I probably won't be doing much about it until I've got my own place, as S. doesn't eat much bread apart from toast for breakfast, and doesn't want me cluttering the place up with the bread-machine.
You don't need a bread maker! Just this evening I baked my first ever yeast bread - a boule! I'd give it a B+. (Nice crust, even crumb, good flavour.) I required a measuring cup, wooden spoon, large bowl, tea towel. I set the dough to rise on top of the fridge while I cleaned the counter and made a pot of tea.
I find a bread maker great for kneading, though. I don’t know if it is made worse because I’m very short (like piglet) but I don’t have much upper body strength and find kneading hard.
I’ve managed to get back to doing some work again. Wednesday I did my data protection application, yesterday I finished the two different ethics application forms and today I am writing my participant information and consent. It’s finally coming together. Need to get in contact with my supervisor today.
Off for a walk before work.
You don't need a bread maker! Just this evening I baked my first ever yeast bread - a boule! I'd give it a B+. (Nice crust, even crumb, good flavour.) I required a measuring cup, wooden spoon, large bowl, tea towel. I set the dough to rise on top of the fridge while I cleaned the counter and made a pot of tea.
I use the bread maker for the kneading then bake it in the oven. My arms and hands are no longer strong enough for a good knead, due to arthritis, so the bread maker is the best of both for me. My bread is very consistent and perfectly risen.
It’s a super little one pound bread maker. When I realised Morphy Richards had stopped making them I bought another on eBay in case it conks out!
When I went for a walk it was light pleasant drizzle but I came back just over an hour later in a monsoon. I actually enjoy walking in the rain and the lake on the appropriately named wetlands reserve looked beautiful between showers.
Strong flour is available in white, brown and wholemeal. The wholemealiest loaf I make is 50/50 with white. I should fire up the bread maker and make one for the weekend - it's getting the weather for hearty toast.
Meanwhile the kitchen fitter's been to measure up and the Works start mid-September. Oh joy.
We have two teens and a tween. We get through a breadmaker loaf each day.
I have had a thrilling afternoon going to the tip. The worst bit was the very slow roads to get there. At least I don't have to try and fit some very big cardboard boxes in my recycling bin now, and I also got rid of the old microwave. (Despite not officially being supposed to, the man at the tip kindly took it from the boot so I didn't have to lug it to the right place.)
Raining all day here, and bouts of thunder.
My workload when somewhat lighter than expected, as the person I need a signature from is on leave so I can’t meet my original deadline and can give myself more time.
Friday night takeaway this week is a Mediterranean set feast for 4 from a Turkish place.
I'm with Boogie - the machine does the dough, and I get the pleasure of shaping it, then baking it in the oven for the lovely smell.
Heavenlyannie's right - if you're not very big (or have small hands), kneading really isn't much fun. I'm more than happy to let the machine do it for me.
ION, I was outbidden on the flat in Dunfermline, so no bluid-red wine for me. I'm a wee bit disappointed, but maybe something will come up a bit closer to where everyone else is - I was a bit worried that I'd be so far away that nobody would come and visit me. Having said that, in the areas of Edinburgh that I can afford, they might not want to come anyway ...
Sorry about your property disappointment, Piglet. I hope The One that's meant for you turns up soon.
In spite of this morning's TV weather forecast showing thunder & lightening all along the channel coast from Selsey Bill to North Foreland it has been a lovely sunny day here - well, most of the time. A couple of short sharp showers between 05:30 and 07:00, and another sometime about 3pm freshened the garden, although I suspect that no amount of rain will repair the damage done to my climbing beans by the wild weather earlier in the week.
Our west-facing windows were so coated with salt that I could barely see out if them but, happily, the window cleaner came today and now I have a clear view out to the front garden. I doubt that will last long, but I will enjoy it while it lasts
Comments
A mixture of sunshine and cloudiness here, but the wind has dropped a bit. More rain is forecast, but at least we haven't had it as bad as Some Parts...
Could have had a good day working in the garden, if it wasn't for the constant desire for sleep.
Have a look at Real Foods before you do.
To commemorate that auspicious day, we're having an ice cream and ginger beer float for dessert, garnished with Belgian chocolate sea-shells as the closest approximation to a snail.
One friend of mine went to a somewhat isolated boys' school his entire time before university. Coming to university, he said, was a bit like being expelled from Paradise: his erstwhile companions and their like now had access to young women. His life became much more complicated and labour intensive.
Sounds like most marriages, IMHO...
A late tea here (presumably we’ve now moved on to dinner) as no 1 son was in a Zoom meeting in the kitchen. We are having smoky cheese and spinach risotto with pork sausages. I believe there is a chocolate tart in the fridge we can have for pudding.
Success on the work front, I got the data protection bit done and started to do the ethics paperwork.
O! That this might be True™!
Don’t all dribble at once.
Rather like God, in fact.
I am a little apprehensive about what the wind has done to South Wales in our absence. The BBC website states that many trees have fallen in Cardiff, but hasn’t said where they all are. I expect someone would phone me if one has fallen on my car?
Chocolate caramel tart ....
Heavenly indeed!
😋😋😋
@Firenze - thanks for the flour link. I take it "strong white" would be the sort of flour I'd be after for bread-making? I usually replace a small amount with wholemeal flour, but I wouldn't buy that in such big quantities.
In other news, after two days of more-or-less incessant rain, I finally had a little amble this afternoon, and about five minutes after I got back into the house, the heavens opened.
There is obviously a kink in the space-time continuum - I don't usually have that sort of luck!
You can (should) also get strong wholemeal flour for bread-making.
Hence Trump, Johnson, Farage, Brexit, Storms, Covid-19, and all the other Hideous Things that are occurring on a daily basis...
IOW, we are currently in the Wrong Universe, but, very occasionally, the Right Universe comes back - witness your dry amblage this afternoon.
OTOH - oh joy! Oh happiness! Oh bliss! Quetsches are in season, and cost a mere €4.40 per kilo on the market. (For those not in the know, a sort of plum that are purple on the outside and orange on the inside and very delicious.) As we speak, a questche tart is in the oven for tonight's pudding. It also contains CREAM, and VANILLA and CINAMMON. Sorry, no reservations available on account of Coronavirus quarantine restrictions.
Please...pretty please...may I have the scrapings of the dish??
https://www.shipton-mill.com/
Strong flour is available in white, brown and wholemeal. The wholemealiest loaf I make is 50/50 with white. I should fire up the bread maker and make one for the weekend - it's getting the weather for hearty toast.
Meanwhile the kitchen fitter's been to measure up and the Works start mid-September. Oh joy.
My husband has gone to talk to a very brave local councillor about a new 'low traffic neighbourhood scheme'. It has the potential to be nice for three already fairly quiet local roads and make our busy road much busier than it already is. We disagree with the idea but admire the fact he is willing to stand in the pouring rain and discuss it!
Mm, sounds about par for the course!
What you call quetsches are, or a plum very similar to quetsches, sold here as Italian plums. And yes, they are excellent - one of my favourite fruits. Many years ago my father was in hospital for knee surgery, and in recovery his roommate was another Finn, for whom my father acted as translator. Finns treat coffee the way the English treat tea - an excuse for an afternoon pause with some pastries, etc. My father's hospital was a convenient, pleasant 20 minute walk from my flat, so I was able to visit daily. One afternoon I showed up, and my father said, rather cheerily, that I had just missed Ritva (his roommate's wife) - and she had brought excellent korvapuustit (sort of croissant-shaped, fluffy but not flakey cinnamon buns with rock sugar on top) for coffee that afternoon. It turned out she did this every day, always bringing some for my father, as well. I felt that the implication was that I had been inadequately attentive. The culinary glove had been thrown down. After dinner that evening I set to work, sleeves rolled, dark imprecations on my tongue, and made a quetsche crostata. The following day I showed up with slices of plum crostata for the two inmates. The day after that I was there when Ritva arrived, giving me an icy hello. It became a grudge match, each day upping our respective game. I never showed up without some sort of pastry after that: plum crostata, Finnish almond tarts, spice cookies, apple tarts, whatever. The inmates and my roommate were very happy while Ritva and I duked it out.
Thanks for the links and advice, @Boogie and @Firenze - I probably won't be doing much about it until I've got my own place, as S. doesn't eat much bread apart from toast for breakfast, and doesn't want me cluttering the place up with the bread-machine.
I’ve managed to get back to doing some work again. Wednesday I did my data protection application, yesterday I finished the two different ethics application forms and today I am writing my participant information and consent. It’s finally coming together. Need to get in contact with my supervisor today.
Off for a walk before work.
I use the bread maker for the kneading then bake it in the oven. My arms and hands are no longer strong enough for a good knead, due to arthritis, so the bread maker is the best of both for me. My bread is very consistent and perfectly risen.
It’s a super little one pound bread maker. When I realised Morphy Richards had stopped making them I bought another on eBay in case it conks out!
We have two teens and a tween. We get through a breadmaker loaf each day.
And have the house fill with warm fragrance of baking bread? No, I don't think so.
I was thinking of popping up the hill to the chippy, but I'll just stay in and eat CHEESE instead.
My workload when somewhat lighter than expected, as the person I need a signature from is on leave so I can’t meet my original deadline and can give myself more time.
Friday night takeaway this week is a Mediterranean set feast for 4 from a Turkish place.
Heavenlyannie's right - if you're not very big (or have small hands), kneading really isn't much fun. I'm more than happy to let the machine do it for me.
ION, I was outbidden on the flat in Dunfermline, so no bluid-red wine for me. I'm a wee bit disappointed, but maybe something will come up a bit closer to where everyone else is - I was a bit worried that I'd be so far away that nobody would come and visit me. Having said that, in the areas of Edinburgh that I can afford, they might not want to come anyway ...
Tell him about the 5:2 diet. You can enjoy the bread on the 5 days.
I’m losing a pound a week on it and can have my weekend wines too! 🍷
I make bread on my 2 days. I enjoy thinking ‘I can eat it tomorrow’. ☺️
In spite of this morning's TV weather forecast showing thunder & lightening all along the channel coast from Selsey Bill to North Foreland it has been a lovely sunny day here - well, most of the time. A couple of short sharp showers between 05:30 and 07:00, and another sometime about 3pm freshened the garden, although I suspect that no amount of rain will repair the damage done to my climbing beans by the wild weather earlier in the week.
Our west-facing windows were so coated with salt that I could barely see out if them but, happily, the window cleaner came today and now I have a clear view out to the front garden. I doubt that will last long, but I will enjoy it while it lasts