Twitter Weekly Updates for 2009-10-25

• RT: @therecipeblog: RT: @williamcooks: Make Your Own Home Made Pizza Dough #food http://bit.ly/32BNTO #
• RT: @frombecca: RT @KACharles RT @TelegraphNews 25 best book to film adaptations http://bit.ly/1VhT9W #
• @RecipeGirl My daughter can explain better , but in effect you need to go to links, add the link, then add the links widget to your sidebar in reply to RecipeGirl #
• Is it possible to manipulate the market so that the euro zone loses market placement due to high prices on the international market? #
• #FollowFriday #FF @therecipeblog, @MaryMoh, @laurasrecipes, @styledragon (because she is an awesome designer) #
• Since I love Chickpeas, this is def worth a try sometime soon! RT: @FoodiePulse: Spicy Chickpea and Spinach Curry Recipe http://bit.ly/czszz #

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Mizmoe’s rambling post

Autumn has arrived and with it rain, electrical storms, fog and snow … though not all at once. The news reported the first snow of Autumn, the cameras were in a Spanish home to show its occupants with the heaters turned on full and the lady of house sitting on the sofa wrapped in blankets sipping hot chocolate, hands wrapped around the mug, shivering!

Dare I say it without being sent back to UK in shame … the Spanish are just a wee bit soft. In this area the temperature in the daytime is around 22 to 23 degrees Celsius. This morning I was looking out over the car park to see a Spanish couple with their kids walking to their car with the shopping, all wrapped up in warm clothing wearing boots. Soft! I think so, at least just a little, on the other hand I was really cold last night, shivering with blue toes and hands, the temperature … 14 degrees Celsius. Nuff said! Goodness knows what will happen when, or if, I ever return to Scotland.

This morning Eliza awoke, made a “girlie” little squeak and flicked the cockroach that was on her bed onto the floor. It was huge, in the way that only cockroaches can be huge, and yet so small! My turn came when the cockroach approached my feet, “I can’t get up” I screached, before finally managing to raise my bum off the chair, then running … well hobbling really … for the safety of the kitchen. Eliza placed a plastic container over the cockroach, I managed to get something underneath the container before opening window and evicting said bug. Yuk, I hate Spanish bugs, they seem so much bigger than any I have ever seen before. Again, yuk!

I am quite brave really. When I was 8 years old my friend and I were walking up the main road in our village, two bullocks escaped from the field opposite and chased us down the road, we both ended up sitting on top of vicarage wall, the bullocks rammed the wall over and over again, they became bored, moved on, and we escaped to our homes and told our parents of our encounter. Mine didn’t take much notice, but later told me the farmer had to shoot both bullocks as apparently they had “gone mad”. Brave, I think so.

Two years later I was again climbing walls, escaping from school through the “back door”! I fell, landed on my bum, my teeth went right through my bottom lip. My mother was horrified but as usual calm, when she finally got around taking me to the doctors that evening, it was too late to stitch. Did I learn my lesson and not climb walls that were well over 6 feet high, did I heck, I remain a “tom boy”. Even though I cannot get up to my old tricks, it is still there deep in my heart, a tom boy till the day I die. I never had any sense of danger either, always take risks in the sea and rivers. There was a wooden half moon bridge over the river near my home, my friend and I went onto it to play, despite the fact that there were many large gaps. If Mum had known about my antics, she wouldn’t have let me out of the house. In the holidays after swimming was over, I left the house and did not return until dusk. We had so much more freedom that today’s children. In a way I pity them, must be like prison, or so it seems to me. It had its down side though, this freedom, my best friend drowned in the river where I played. I loved him then, and I love him now. Still think of him 51 years later. His Mum lost two children in 11 months, her eldest daughter and youngest son.

A couple of winges

I feel that the exchange rate for the UK is being manipulated by “person or organisations or maybe even governments unknown”, perhaps ready to take the UK into the Euro Zone. Make the UK more competitive. Since we came to Spain my income has dropped by a large percentage, ie when we arrived the rate was one euro 47 cents per pound, and this remained fairly constant. Now … the exchange rate is fluctuating “wildly”, at Christmas we received 99 cents per pound, now it is around one euro seven cents. I am not really complaining, one takes the rough with the smooth. What really annoys me is the people who trade in currencies and make money out of us “poor unfortunates”. Does anyone else think this is just … wrong, criminal even!

I ready an article in the local English press from a “young woman“ who thought that people like myself who go to live abroad should not receive our pension or any other payments, ie we should not take money from a system that we were not paying into! Wrong … I still pay a large amount of tax into the UK system on my UK income and they do not pay for my health care while I am in Spain … my choice. I worked for 42 years, paying both tax and national insurance, sometimes with more than one job, I find it annoying that a woman who hasn’t worked anyway near the number of years I have and who has contributed less to society to date should open her “big mouth” and spout about something she knows absolutely nothing about. Not all ex pats live off the state! I worked for my state pension, I paid into a private pension scheme, and the money I am “given” is pay back for my years contributing to the economy. Many of the expats I know actually pay into the Spanish system. So … get a life and find something other than expats to winge about. Oh yes, one other thing this woman complained about … cold weather payments … I do not receive “cold weather payments” and know of no one here who does, though I am sure they are around somewhere.

Call to TV Makers!

One of my favourite actors, Tim Roth is now starring in a series entitled “Mienteme”, I have watched the first four shows and find it riveting, a programme to rival “Perdidos”. It is about a company who are employed to ascertain when people are lying, Tim Roth is fantastic, as always.

I do not enjoy most TV series, mainly because of the shouting, violence and swearing, which for me is now becoming boring. Then there is the fight scenes which so false I often find myself laughing and then turning the tele off to do something more riveting like wash my hair.

The fight scenes are unbelievable. And all this from American TV, but one German TV programme is fast rivalling them for their ludicrous scenes.

I did not think I would ever become part of the “let’s make movies that are life like” brigade.

If the movie is portraying a character who has “super human” abilities, then these scenes are okay. But ordinary cops chasing down criminals, come on guys, give the movie going public and TV audiences a break and lets have something different, more real. If Britain can do it, so can the USA.

How about a “real” looking fight scene. Not all of your audience are people who enjoy movies with characters who can be beaten to a “pulp” and then get up and beat their rival.

Some of us still want actors who actually act and don’t just play themselves. Men who don’t just show off their six pack and think that’s all they need to do. Women who don’t just pose showing off their surgically enhanced boobs, chin implants, super white teeth, hair extensions plus half of Boot’s make up countery slapped on their face, but without a shred of talent. What difference if the actor is just a bit ugly, some of the sexiest actors around are not toned and beautiful, short … big nose … receding hairline … irregular facial features, whose “lunch box” isn’t the first thing you notice when he walks on stage in his too tight pants looking a little “pained”.

Please please please … give us something different!

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2009-10-18

• RT: @stephenfry: Just heard the very sad news about dear Stephen Gately. He was loveable and sweet natured and will be hugely missed. #
• I have come to understand that fiesta means little more than lots of parades, copious food and a warehouse full of fireworks. #
• @travelblggr I know the feeling – it drives me nuts! in reply to travelblggr #
• RT @topicaltuesday Its topical. Its Tuesday. Its: Topic #25 Commercialisation of Pink October http://bit.ly/4BFy4h #pinkoctober, #p4o #
• #threesweetsonly Liquorice (no sugar, hard), Midget jems, Marzipan fruits #
• @fembat Was it the vast quantity of chocolate consumed recently that inspired you to name a theme "chocopress"? in reply to fembat #
• I believe I have lost my appetite, and gained an elephants. I want to eat ALL the time. #
• #FF @MaryMoh, @therecipeblog, @williamcooks #
• The trouble with the world today is that there are too many of us trying to force their opinions on others. #

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Christmas 2009

Last year we went home to the UK to join the extended family for Christmas. This year we are staying in Spain and have decided on a rather different dinner from roast turkey and trimmings. We rarely eat red meat and have decided that this is what we want … so it has to be lamb with mint sauce, I fancy trying mint and apple jelly but will “test drive” it before the big day. Home made tomato soup with parmesan crisps to start and boozy orange cheesecake for dessert plus, if we have any space left, cheese and crackers and to end black coffee and mint thins! My idea of heaven.

On New Year’s Eve, we are thinking of going traditionally Scottish and having Haggis, tatties and neeps followed by Cranachan, this is the only recipe I have for this dessert and I am unsure whether we will be able to find raspberries as fruit is available only during the season in Spain, if not I fancy Stone Cream with a little fruit compote, I found this recipe written in an old book, luckily I wrote it down in my folder … my mother threw the original book away which contained a host of old recipes, now sadly lost.

Cranachan … 2 oz medium oatmeal,12 fl oz double cream, 2 tbsp Scottish honey, 2 tbsp Drambuie, 10 oz fresh raspberries

Put the oatmeal into a dry frying pan and toast over a medium heat, keeping the oatmeal moving, until golden brown. This will take between 10 to 20 minutes, leave the oatmeal to cool. Whisk the cream until it is just starting to form fairly stiff peaks, then stir in the honey, Drambuie and oatmeal. Gently fold in the raspberries leaving some for decoration. Chill for at least an hour before serving. Place into tall stemmed glasses and decorate with a few raspberries. I know we won’t be able to get the white raspberries of Scotland, but I understand it is very good made with these berries. I had thought of changing the recipe to include a really nice Whisky liqueur, the same that is in the boozy orange cheesecake, we shall have to see.

Stone Cream … 2 sheets gelatine (or 10 gm powdered gelatine), 2 fl oz hot water, Whites of 2 fresh free-range eggs, 1 rounded tbsp white castor sugar, 10 fl oz double cream, 3 drops of vanilla extract, 8 fl oz whole milk, a little Sherry or Orange Liqueur … to taste

Serving suggestion: raspberry or bilberry compote

Melt the gelatine in 2 fl oz of hot water. Whisk the egg whites until they begin to thicken and then add the sugar gradually while continuing to whisk. Whisk the cream and vanilla extract in a large bowl until softly peaking, gently add the milk and sherry or orange liqueur and finally stir in the egg whites. Add the gelatine slowly whilst gently whisking. Cover and place in the refrigerator.

When ready to serve, place a layer of fruit compote in the bottom of a pretty glass, spoon the cream mixture on top, sprinkle with grated dark chocolate and flaked almonds

Am I straight laced? Maybe so

Over the past few weeks there has been a lot of attention on TV re the problem of prostitution here in Spain. Young women being arrested by the Civil Guard, over 80 in one area of a large town. Women advertising in the local press and boasting of a 24 hour services. One English couple I knew started an “adult holiday” service for men and brought in women from South America, Russia and Eastern Europe. The number of murders where young women are the victims grows and paedophilia seems to be on the increase with very young children going missing, most never found, or being “groomed” on the Internet. I don’t know how other people my age and older feel, but from being of the opinion that I was fairly broad minded, I now believe I may be rather straight laced, old saying that one. I have always thought that prostitutes provided a valuable service and during my time managing public houses, I met many who were fantastic woman who could find no other way to make a living. The skills they utilised being the only ones they had, their feelings, not mine. My partner at the time said they were in it for the easy cash. I thought him an ignorant stupid man, very intelligent, but sexist.

Respecting Privacy

I have never understood how people could become involved in a TV show or with an individual character, until now as I find my fascination with Perdidos a little overwhelming at times. It brings to mind a close friend who talked constantly about “Eastenders” and “Dirty Den” and refused any invitations for “outings” on the nights this show aired. While I do admire actors for their skill, I do not look up to them but I do see how easy it would be to do so. Neither do I criticise those people who do have an innocent crush on a famous person or fancy themselves in love with a character, we all have our dreams!

One another subject, away from Lost, is the constant media intrusion into the private lives of actors, perhaps it is “part and parcel” of an actor’s life, but doesn’t it seem sad when this same media attention makes talented people take their own lives and turn to drugs and alcohol so that they can get through the day. Question, isn’t it time entertainers had private lives too, and shouldn’t children of famous parents be protected, not only from “fans” but from parents who would think of using them as a “publicity tool” to promote their own fame. The aah factor!

PERDIDOS

The new season of Lost has started, the first two episodes were all that I had hoped for raising questions that may remain unanswered. I am again unable to “tear myself away” from the tele. Usually I find myself bored 5 minutes into a movie or TV series.

The first question that springs to mind is “Who is Jacob”. Jacob seems to be the power behind Ben, but for some reason has moved Loche into that position leaving Ben to move the island through time and or space, then leave never able to return? All together now … aww!

Ben is my favourite, partly due to the actor´s fantastic portrayal of this complex and fascinating character.

I find Jack irritating, miserable, slightly unstable but on the plus side, he did get his friends off the island.

When I have nothing to occupy my mind, and according to my daughter and other family members I do have a very low boredom threshold, I find myself coming up with unusual scenarios ie all of them are dead but somehow a select few have been chosen to populate the island. Or perhaps … whenever someone “dies”, that is dies on the island, another “copy” of that person is produced, or maybe there is more than one character, ie Ben for example.There are other theories, but to post these on my blog would openly declare me insane, though this last paragraph may already have done that.

Finally, will the 6 return to the island of their own accord?

Finally … again, has anyone else noticed the similarities in body language, expression and voice between Richard and Ben, and is this similarity just another figment of my “vivid imagination”. Or have the actors similar acting styles.

The ultimate chocolate cake recipe

Like many chocolate addicts I have been looking for the chocolate cake recipe that turns out a cake which is moist, rich and totally fulfilling. I thought I had found it after years of searching through cookery books, on the web and doing a little work myself on my various cake recipes.

Reading the introduction to this “best in the world” “wonderfully moist cake” I became really excited … and then quickly came down to earth with a Big Bang (one of my favourite TV shows by the way). It started with “take a half packet of chocolate cake mix”, that´s me gone.

I do appreciate when I don´t have the time to make a cake that some cake mixes are OK, but they are not the best cakes in the world. I am told that for them to be moist and keep longer they use Tapioca Flour as it absorbs more moisture.

The most disappointing cakes I have eaten have been in restaurants where they boast of a master chef whose speciality is baking … bland, sometimes sad, tasting of anything but the ingredients that are supposed to be in there, really just boring and horrible. The best cakes I have had were made by my Father in Law who was a “master baker” and a friend at the Coal Board who made the most beautiful light and tasty cakes, she was neither chef nor master baker, just a home cook like myself, and last but not least, my daughter.

For me … IMHO … cake making and baking in general is part of getting all the ingredients together, mixing, baking, adding icing/frosting/ganache topping if you must, and eating said cake. All steps give me lots of pleasure, just seeing something you have worked on take shape. I just love baking, though I cannot do it at the moment as here in Spain many houses do not have ovens. I like a simple cake without adornment with a quenelle of cream, rich thick creamy cream not single or whipping cream. I eat so little of it that the occasional treat can include Cornish or Devon Clotted Cream, but I digress …

The search for my untimate chocolate cake continues …