Homemade Hummus

For everyone who enjoys making their own Hummus, this particular method was featured on Rick Stein's Mediterranean Escapes. It's a little bit more involved than the way most of us usually do it, but worth every bit of effort I'm sure.

Doesn't that look delicious. As Mr Stein says; Hummus Royaaaale.

Fax.

Did you ever have a Fax machine?

Yesterday I was sorting through mountains of very old Fax letters that I'd sent to various people (why I kept them I have no idea), and I came across a few that I thought I'd keep; the above is a good example. Most of the others involve strange drawings.

I quite liked Faxing, at the time it seemed very 'sophisticated'. It made a recognisable noise as it came through, delivered a hard copy, and usually prompted an immediate response.

My last Fax machine got blown-up in a storm. I was expecting some rather 'smart' dinner guests when a bloody great bolt of lightning hit the house. There was a huge BANG with lots of sparks, all the lights went out, and with my friends arriving any minute I was left with no power and a smoking Fax machine. At the same time I lost all my spot bulbs, plus an old fashioned but working 'music centre'. I suppose it could have been worse. 

The Fax is a thing of the past nowadays, I don't miss it; frankly Email is so much better.

p.s. I can't even remember what the disaster was!

Firecrest.

                                   

I was recently being conscientious and saving the nation's water supply (having an outdoor pee), when this tiny bird settled on a branch just a foot away from my nose.

I'd never seen anything like it before, and immediately consulted my bird book.

It's a Firecrest. The bright orange crest on its head raises up when singing or searching for a mate.

I'd not even heard the name Firecrest before, let alone seen one. When I consulted Wiki I found that it's also knows as the COMMON Firecrest, and is widespread throughout Europe. Well, you could have fooled me!

You learn something every day. Nice isn't it!

Scotland; post referendum thoughts.

                                     

Following his defeat in last year's Scottish referendum, Alex Salmond resigned his position as First Minister. He has been replaced by Nicola Sturgeon (above).

The poor woman must be giving daily (if not hourly) thanks to the god of 'No' for having kept Scotland within the union; even though she herself was/is a 'Yes' voter.

With the price of oil dropping by the day, Scotland's economy would have been in the gutter before the Hogmanay bells had finished tolling, had they abandoned England's generous cash flow.

She might have dreamed of a 'Yes' vote then; but she'll be giving thanks for the 'No' vote for the foreseeable future.

And there was I, so looking forward to watching all the chaos.

Galette des Rois.

Visitors to France will be aware of a certain 'pastry' that appears in the shops just after Christmas.

The Galette des Rois is a flaky pastry filled with almond paste frangipane. The Galette also comes complete with a hidden fève (the French equivalent of a sixpenny piece in a plum pudding), and a paper crown for the finder.

The Galette is traditionally eaten at Epiphany (no idea what this is) which falls on the first Sunday after January 1st.

I'm not a sweet eater, but a slice of  almondy Galette with my afternoon cup of Lapsang is essential at this time of year.

If you happen to find yourself in France just after Christmas; I recommend.... Delicious.

We buy ours from the bakery, but supermarket versions (such as above) are just as good. 

Just William.

It seems to be common amongst regular long-haul flyers that they end up with coughs, colds, and general chesty complaints; Wills is no exception.

Not only did he spend much of his pre-Christmas time with us, coughing, sneezing, and drinking gallons of honey/lemon concoctions, but he also subjected himself to inhaling vicious smelling Tiger Balm infusions (above).

Not being 100% compos mentis when booking an hotel for his return journey to Germany, he also managed to confuse Orléans with New Orleans, and inadvertently  booked an overnight stay 4,800 miles away from where he wished to be. Luckily, after some difficulty, this was later rectified.

Wills being veggie, we happily survived without any meat for over a week. I don't think it would have lasted if he'd been here for Christmas day. 

Anyway his trip was a success, even if he did overstay in Europe and miss Bunny's first Christmas (and his first as a married man). Luckily the lovely Kellogg is very (?) forgiving. 

Next time he visits he should be accompanied by the rest of the family..... We can't wait.

Wills is now back in Australia. 

p.s. Do you know how many languages your children speak? Imagine my surprise when I heard Wills speaking German when booking his Dusseldorf Hotel room; I had no idea!

New Year's Honours

                           

Each year I hold my breath, chew my fingernails, and say a small prayer to the God of Gongs, hoping that I will get a call from Her Majesty asking me to come and collect some gong or other (that I've so obviously deserved for the past several years)..... But still nothing.

What I really want is a simple Knighthood... Sir Cro of Lumberjack... but frankly any old thing will do. 

And if you were thinking that she'd at last seen the light (above), it isn't mine. It was my late Father-in-Law's. 

Hey ho; there's always next year.