Monday 31 August 2015

A weekend in a field

What comes to your mind, when you think about a bank holiday? Maybe it's never ending rain or maybe it's the traffic that just doesn't move. Well somehow that's what happened in our bank holiday weekend. Though it was worth it. I know, you think I've somehow gone mad. Well to sure you all folks, I haven't gone mad. I went to a show in Guildford called 'wings and wheels.'

Friday day was a bit eventful. I thought I can get myself sorted than help my parents to get the camping stuff in the car. Then set off, obviously read my book in the car. Get the tent out and everything in order then time for a quick wander. Well you know life. You try to plan what happens than life throws something back to you. Right!

You want to know what happened? Are you really sure you are ready? Friday morning I didn't get up till 11:00am least it's in the morning. Time to read my book. Put the oven on well more preheat the oven went to my friend's house. You can guess which friend. To give her a helping hand on the letter head. Then it was time to put my fish n chips in the oven. Time to read a bit of my book. Ate my luncheon then made  cup of coffee then pack my things then just about to come downstairs then my parents came back from work. Then Mom noticed that two of the plates are not in the crate so off I went to Tia's (This was the friend that I gave a helping hand on the letter head.) To ask if I can have the plate back. Forget my phone so couldn't let my parents know it will take a while to get the plate back. Got the plate and found the other plate in the cupboard. Then it was time to get everything in the car. It amazes me how much stuff you need to bring for camping but not just that how it fits everything in. It was a bit cramped in the back so no reading a book. Found a pitch in a middle of a field. Got the tent up and everything we need from the car in the tent. Time for a drink and explore the campsite well more a field. Then time to make dinner in moon light. Nope that was not a exaggeration. So that is what life throws at you.

Time to get wet

Saturday morning was great. Glorious sun beaming down from the sky to our backs. We watched plans. Some of them you could hear before you see them. Then it was time to grab some lunch one foot in the tent it started pouring with rain. When you are in the tent, the tent makes it a lot worse then it is. After a wonderful lunch we walked towards the show. You could hear the Vulcan before you see. Unfortunately we were surrounded by trees, some trees had a bit of space between each trees so if we were lucky we
could peek through and see the Vulcan.

Time to see some planes but the rain just wouldn't go away. Did you know that rain is evil? Time for red arrows. Our spirit was not dampen by rain, red arrows did a fantastic display. As always! 

Time for sun!

What is that yellow circle thing, in the sky? Never came across that before Shhh before you scare it away. So Sunday was a bit like Saturday spotting planes in the sky and trying to identify them before the commentates did. Further more walk around the show ground were we didn't explore Saturday. Guess what! I got another book, not just an ordinarily book a singed book. 

Photos time for plans

Wing walkers
Tiger turbulent team 









Chinook helicopter







Photos of the red arrows








Time for cars


Trouble makers car


Follow the leader but cars version

Purple Royce Rolls
So that was summary of the wet bank holiday weekend. Is that the rain stopped, I see there. I better do some weeding in the backyard. 

Wednesday 26 August 2015

Did I say not get used to two poems?

Writing block!


I can not write a poem; my brain feels fried.
It can do no more.
It is as though all my creativity has been trapped, isolated in a room without a door.

I fell no inspiration, no ideas are coming to mind.
And as I type on the laptop, I can form no words on the lines. 

When I think I'm finally on to something it quickly leaves my brain.
Leaving me frustrated and thinking this is all in vain. 

So I'm sorry if you wanted to hear a poem that surprised or shocked
but I just can't give you one, for I have 
WRITER'S BLOCK!!!!

I don't think I need to tell you my inspiration for the poem.  You can work it out by the title and of course the poem itself.  

If you really can't . Then read on. I got no inspiration to write a poem that's not too deep. Last week you had a deep poem. This blog is not meant to be depressing.  

Your third Wednesday in a row for two poems. It's coming a tradition to have two poems in one writing Wednesday post. Normally the poems link to each other this time it doesn't. Also it's a bit deep than normal, so if you aren't into deep things. Then wait for next writing Wednesday.

The ugly and the beauty in real life


Betrayal
Love
Loyalty
Respect

These all part of real life.
All part of everyday life.
Part of the life we live.
Part of life that shall never change.

Real life is no game.
Real life is dangerous.
Real life brings pain.
Real life brings fear.
Real life isn't easy.

Real life is the world and the world is real life.
Real life is full of sorrow and hate.
For real life brings joy and happiness.
.
Also brings betrayal and death.
Real life is precious and won't last for ever.
So Enjoy real life as long as you can .
Before its gone and never comes back

I'm having a very hard time in life, and been wondering what it would be like when things that are hard are no longer with us. And this poem was result. Just because your life is hard at the moment doesn't mean it will last. It's a lot easier to say then actually believe. The important message I'm trying to say is enjoy real life as long as you can before it goes. 

Next writing Wednesday poem should be a lot more brighter. 

Friday 21 August 2015

Have I been busy?

Welcome to my new title of 'Brilliant Becca Bakes.' How is it on people phones now? Don't worry I won't be changing my title anymore. I might change the link, but I will tell you next time. So you can easy find my blog.

It wasn't intentional that ever since I landed in the UK after my wonderful time in USA I have been making cakes or cookies. There are so yummy and delicious.

All I wanted to do on Monday was to catch up with my great friends Tia and Lawrence. You know where you have tea or coffee or for Tia's case she would have hot cocoa. Then you have to have a bit of cake. Right? So let's make cookies and cakes.

That is exactly what we did. With lots of laughter involved, and talking about random things plus eating the delicious things that just come out of the oven.

Black forest cookies





These delicious (to assure you this word is not my favorite word, honestly) chewy cookies are totally irresistible-so they won't last won't last long. The name 'black forest' traditionally refers to a mix of chocolate and cherries, and there are packed full of both.

Lawrence's creation with marshmallows and cherries in the middle

Ingredients

Vegetable oil or butter for greasing
80g butter, softened
200g caster sugar
1 medium egg, beaten
1 tsp vanilla extract 
165g plain flour
35g cocoa
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp bicarbonate of soda
90g glace cherries, halved
60g dark chocolate grated

Equipment

Two large baking parchment
Two large baking trays

Method

  1. Preheat the oven to 170°C Fan/Gas Mark 5. Grease two large baking sheets and line with non-stick baking parchment.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, beat together the butter and sugar until pale and fluffy.
  3. Add the the beaten egg, and vanilla extract and beat into the mixture.
  4. Sift in the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder and bicarbonate of soda, and beat in well.
  5. Now add the the cherries and grated chocolate (just mind you fingers) and stir into the mixture until evenly distributed.
  6. Form balls of mixture roughly the size of a golf bowl and place on the baking parchment, well spaced apart. The mixture will be really sticky, so before handling the dough, briefly run your hands under the cold water tap so they are damp, and then the mixture won't stick to them.
  7. You could always put marshmallows on top or even cherries. If you fancied. 
  8. Bake the cookies for 12 minutes until they are crispy at the top and edges and the chocolate have melted. When you remove them from the oven, they will still be soft. Leave on the sheets for around 20 minutes to firm up before transferring to a wire rack to cool fully. Can you wait 20 minutes before eating them? We couldn't.
  9. Store in an airtight container and eat within 7 days. Once cool, these cookies can be frozen in sealed freezer bags for up to 3 months.
This recipes makes 12-16 cookies.

Black bottom cupcakes

Why choose between chocolate and coffee when you have both? These two-tone cupcakes look great. And with different flavors top and bottom, they definitely taste twice as nice!





Ingredients

250g butter,softened
250g caster sugar
4 medium eggs, beaten
250g self-raising flour
1 heaped tbsp cocoa powder
1 tbsp espresso powder

Equipment

Muffin or fairy cake tray (s)
Paper cases

Method

  1. Preheat the oven to 170°C Fan/Gas Mark 5. Line your muffin or fairy cake tray with the appropriately sized paper cases.
  2. In a large mixing bowl. Beat together the butter and sugar until pale and fluffy. 
  3. Add the beaten eggs to the butter and sugar mixture a little at a time. Beat well after every addition.
  4. When all the egg has been added, sift in the flour and gently fold into the mixture.
  5. Now, take a second mixing bowl and transfer half the mixture into it, ensuring the batter is divided evenly between the two.
  6. Sift the cocoa powder into one of the bowls. Gently fold in until it is well mixed through. Add the espresso powder to the other bowl of mixture and again, mix in gently and evenly. 
  7. Now spoon the two mixture into the cake cases, starting with the chocolate mixture and dividing it evenly among the cakes. Then add a smaller spoonful of the the espresso mixture on top, again dividing this evenly among the cake cases.
  8. Bake for 20-25 minutes for muffins and 16-18 minutes for fairy cakes, until they are risen and the sponge springs back when pressed lightly with your finger. Allow to cool fully on a wire rack
  9. Store in an airtight container and eat within 3-5 days. Once cool, can be frozen n sealed freezer bags for up 3 months.
I don't think I need to tell you how much this recipes makes as you could count how much there are in the picture? So what is the answer? You got the answer right! If you said 12. Well done you deserve a cake.

Homemade jam

Make the most of fruit gluts and try to make make your own jam. Especially when you can go blackberry picking, I did some blackberry picking at my grandparents house. It can't be fresh than that. Homemade jam is so delicious on homemade bread or even scones. How about Victoria sponge cake? 



Ingredients 

651g blackberries 
651g granulated sugar
knob of butter

Method

  1. Put the fruit into a preserving pan or large heavy-based saucepan. For blackberries, add 50ml of water and 1½ tbsp of lemon juice;  Bring to the boil.
  2. Lower the heat. For blackberries, simmer for 15 minutes. The fruit should be soft.
  3. Tip in the sugar, stir over a very low heat until the sugar has completely dissolved. Raise the heat, bring to a full rolling boil, then rapidly boil blackberries for 10-12 minutes,  don’t stir though – until the setting point of 105C is reached.
  4. Remove from the heat, skim off any excess scum, then stir a knob of butter across the surface (this helps to dissolve any remaining scum). Leave for about 15 mins so the fruit can settle. Pour into sterilized jars, label and seal.
This recipe makes three of those jars in the picture and a half of a normal one. 

Snake in a hole

This dish is a bit of fun-it's the kind of recipe that makes the kids laugh, and ultimately we're all big kids at heart Don't be mistaken by appearances, it's super delicious and I know you folks are going to make it and love it. It's a cross between a roasted meatloaf and meatball, surrounded by our favorite Yorkshire pudding that cooks up around it and, if that's not enough, it;s finished with a kiss of sweet onion gravy. 


Ingredients

120g plain flour
2 large eggs
100ml semi-skimmed milk
4 sprigs of fresh rosemary
2 slices of stale bread
500g minced beef
1 heaped teaspoon wholegrain mustard
1 sweet potato
Olive oil
2 red onions
1 beef stock cube
Balsamic vinegar

Method

Preheat the oven to 200°C/400°F/Gas 6. Put 100g of flour into a jug with a pinch of salt, whisk in the eggs, then gradually add the milk until you have a smooth batter, and put aside. Pick the rosemary leaves and put half into a food processor, then blitz with the bread to make breadcrumbs. Add the beef, a pinch of salt and pepper, add the mustard. Peel and coarsely grate in the sweet potato (this will keep the meatloaf really juicy) and pulse until combined. Shape into the a snake about 4 cm thick (be as realistic as you like) drizzle with a lug of oil and rub it all over. Place in an extra-large oiled roasting tray. (roughly 30 cm X 35 cm) Roast for 20 minutes)

Meanwhile, to make the gravy, peel and slice the onions and put them into a pan on a medium heat with a lug of oil. Cook for about 15 minutes, or until softened, stirring regularly. Once soft, stir in the remaining flour , crumble in the stock cube and pour 500 ml of water. Bring to the boil, then simmer for 20 minutes, or until you're happy with the consistency. Season to perfection, add a splash of balsamic, to taste and keep warm. If you want mashed potato then peel them but them in the pan with boiling water with the lid until there taste right to you or until you can stick in a fork. Then drain the water out, put a dash of milk if you like. I think it is easier to mash the potato with a bit of milk. Oh and put some butter in as it makes the potato more fluffy. 

When the time's up on the oven, slide out the snake tray, scatter in the remaining rosemary leaves and quickly and carefully pour in the batter. Return to the oven for around 25 minutes, or until the Yorkshire is golden and puffed up-don't be temped to open the oven while it's cooking. Serve the tray in the middle of the table, pour the gravy around the snake and serve with a pot of mustard and steamed seasonal greens or big bowl of peas on the side.

The recipe for snake in the hole should serve 4-6 people. Or two hungry adults it was so tasty. 

Mom and Dad don't get used to me making cakes and cookies every week. Though you might get more homemade jam, it's so easy to make and more healthier for you. Please let me know if you are going to make any of things I mentioned on this post or other post I did. By using the comments downstairs. 

So do you think I have been busy this week? I think I have. 




Wednesday 19 August 2015

Where have I been?

Howdy, y'all my fellow folks

Does that give you any hints. Oh, you don't want to know where I have been. You want to read what I have been up two for past several weeks. Well y'all are in luck.

Long flight

Time for the ten-hour flight. You might think Boring, I say no! Not really as I mostly slept on the plan until it was morning in Texas time. Therefore, I do not get jet lagged. Then read my book still Alice and wrote some poems in my notebook. Before I know I landed in Texas. Thank goodness, that Sarah and Robert had a piece of paper with name that says ‘Rebekah’ otherwise, I wouldn’t recognize them. We then drove to Ruth and Oswald’s house. This was about three thirty. I unpacked my suitcase then it was time to play golf. You want to know who won! Drum roll please. Are you sure you are ready? IT WAS ME! Yep, you read right, I won golf. I think that deserves some dinner. Don’t you?



Unexpected adventure 

I was hoping for a relaxing day in, Sarah and Ruth went in town to get Ruth’s bike service while Oswald was making breakfast. Robert and I were fast in sleep until Ruth come back saying ‘Time for breakfast then cycling’ goody for breakfast. Are you saying cycling in 30 degrees heat?  YUCK! However, when you think about it you can explore Houston with zero emissions, which means you are not polluting the world. The bike tour passed through some of the most fascinating and historic places in the city filled with lush and beautiful natural scenery and urban landscaping. The tour lasted tour hours though it was worthwhile as we went to Sabine Promenade located along the Buffalo Bayou Park. Since we cycled two hours in the 30 degrees heat, we got reward with the amazing cheeseburger at Stanton’s City Bites. In the late afternoon with a game of, heads up? 

Bacon and cheese burger

Biggest museum in USA!

Ruth and Oswald always come to this museum when they have guest in there house or  when their friends and family come to house sit they tell them to come to the biggest museum in USA. I can understand why. Oh I did not tell you what museum it is, it’s museum of fine arts. I love going to art gallery. Unfortunately none of my friends does. My Mom does and I tend to go with her, which does not happen. Enough of the sorrow, least I’m going to the museum.

There are three bits to the museum of fine arts there is main campus where the art collections and exhibitions are presented primarily in the Museum’s two main gallery buildings: the Audrey Jones Beck Building and the Caroline Wiess Law Building. Connected by the underground Wilson Tunnel, these two locations also house the café, shop, library, Kinder Foundation Education Center, and Brown Auditorium Theater. 

We also explored many exhibitions there is one I would like to share with y’all, which is the Cosmic Dialogues: Selections from the Latin American Collection. 

A highlight is the reinstallation of La ciudad hidroespacial (The Hydrospatial City) by Gyula Kosice (born 1924). An audience favorite at the MFAH in 2009, this immersive, room-sized display is Kosice’s utopian vision of space architecture. The Hydrospatial City epitomizes the Argentinean artist’s pioneering use of innovative materials such as Plexiglas and illustrates his fundamental preoccupations with water, space, and the human condition. At a time when few paid attention to the physical depletion of the planet, The Hydrospatial City—begun in 1946 and completed in 1972—was both a sounding alarm and a poetic manifesto for survival in space.

Kosice’s masterpiece is displayed in dialogue with a selection of light-based structures by other Argentinean artists active in the Kinetic art movement in Europe. Cosmic Dialogues also draws from the Museum’s extensive holdings of masterworks by German-born Venezuelan artist Gego (1912–1994). In the 1960s and 1970s, she developed a structural method for drawing in space with a series of flexible, hanging net sculptures made of stainless-steel wire. Her work contrasts with examples by contemporary artists, such as Argentina's Gustavo Díaz (born 1969) and Mexico's Pablo Vargas Lugo (born 1968), who are concerned with issues of light and space.

Photos of the exhibition 





























Park time

Since later in the afternoon we were going to have three-hour car journey so Sarah can see her other sister Poppy in Dallas. Ruth thought about going to the parks have a walk. We explored the park called the Hermann Park. I love the Japanese gardens there were so spectacular. You got to admit? 














The picture above was Ruth's favorite bit of the garden!





Brays bayou 
Whereas others liked the brays bayou so do I. 

Here is an interesting fact. Houston’s 2,500 miles of bayous and waterways are an integral part of its landscape giving the city its nickname “The Bayou City.”  One early planner of Houston’s park system noted that the banks of Houston’s bayous were natural parks already. The banks of Brays Bayou in Hermann Park provide a natural setting for people and wildlife. The bayou runs for 31 miles, flowing eastward from Fort Bend County, through Hermann Park, to its confluence with the Houston Ship Channel, taking waters into Galveston Bay. 

Then it was time for the three-hour journey to Dallas. It was originally only going to be Sarah, Robert oh and do not forget me. In addition, Ruth and Oswald came too. We had dinner out at Meso Maya. 

Walking tour

This is the first time I ever came to Texas mind Dallas. So we had a bit of a car journey then we did a walking tour. It was good where we learned about the historical locations and exciting sights in the great and historic city of Forth Worth! 

In the afternoon, we did scavenger hunt there was bits we already discovered but it was good to review again and test our memory. 

The adventure begins near the historic courthouse and takes you on a well-designed course among historic monuments, down through the streets of Fort Worth, among great artwork, the Water Gardens and other hidden gems of the city. There were a lot of walking involved but it had numerous stops along the route to complete challenges and decipher clues. 

We used Robert’s smart phone as ‘the guide’ which allowed us the participants to start when  we want and we determine our pace as we had some coffee and water not forgetting our ice creams plus a fantastic Texas BBQ.  

The car journey back to Poppy’s house, with all the new information I learned and they walked me to sleep as I slept in the car. 

Then in the evening, we had a cup of tea. In addition, we played games. You had Blake, Robert and Oswald playing mind trap. With Blake being the quiz master, well more reading the questions. Whereas Sarah, Poppy, Ruth and me a referee playing scrabble.  Drum roll please. The winner was Oswald and Sarah. 

What is the recognizable landmark in Dallas? 

Reunion tower
Y’all should know this, it as to be the reunion tower. Reunion Tower is not just about seeing what is below from hundreds of feet in the air. It’s about expanding your horizons. That is not all we did, went to the Sixth floor Museum at Dealy Plaza. 


Amazing view of the city! 






















So that was the morning. You can guess what we did in the afternoon. Indeed it was the Sixth floor Museum at Dealy Plaza. The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza chronicles the assassination and legacy of President John F. Kennedy; interprets the Dealey Plaza National Historic Landmark District and the John F. Kennedy Memorial Plaza; and presents contemporary culture within the context of presidential history.




At last a relaxing day

Well today is Sunday, so that means going to church. We went to Poppy and Blake's church the North Dallas community Baptist church and everyone made us very welcome. After we had church, we had a lovey roast dinner by Poppy and Sarah and I made a cake. Unfortunately when I decided to take a photo of the cake, it disappeared by magic. However, since it was very tasty I will make it again when I’m in the UK and this time I will I take a photo. If you want to know it was the Hummin' bird cake, I believe it's very popular in USA. 

After a lovely cake and cup of coffee, it was time for an afternoon walk around the Dallas Klyde Warren Park.
















Extreme day out

If you are scared of heights then don’t do bungee jump. Right! Oh, I so wish it was as simple as that. I saw everyone enjoyin' it. So I went out bad is it to conquer one of my fears. Yep! I did all the things you could do in the zero gravity park. 

After all Texas about going big. So let’s the fun begin. Or more let you adrenaline going. 

Let’s start with something tame. :Let’s start with the skycoaster. This sends you soarin' through the air at 60mph. On this ride, you pull your own ripcord, so the thrills don’t start until you’re absolutely ready for it. Well that is if you didn’t put Robert in charge. And he didn’t count to three to one. 

Time for bungee jump, I was the last person to do. If I was O.K. doing the skycoaster then I should be fine doing the bungee jump. That’s the logic. I absolutely  hated it was, jumping from seven-story permanent Air Bongo tower, a platform which is designed specifically for bungee. I much prefer siting in something and close my eyes so you can’t see anythin' and just feel. Than the others go ‘some classic thrills never go out of style.’ Thanks a lot. That helps. NOT!!

Time to scare Rebekah even more. You thing bungee jump was horrible. No, think again. We then went onto a scary thing called skyscrapper. Where else in Dallas can you whip 165 feet into the air at fighter jet speeds? It’s only happenin' at Zero Gravity Thrill Park. Why did I say yes I would conger my fear? So I went with Sarah on this thing was 165 foot propeller. Before long, the massive windmill picks up serious speed, up to 60 mph in just seconds. By the time Skyscraper reaches maximum velocity, you’ll be subjected to an incredible Four G’s of force. That’s more than a space shuttle takeoff!

As you come down from the adrenaline rush, we slow it up and treat you to a mesmerizing view of the Dallas skyline from 165 feet off the ground.

I ABSOLOTY HATED BUNGEE JUMP. Anythin' else can not be bad. Oh there was the nothin’ but net. I like the name of it, but not the ride. It lifts you to just below the top of the 16-story tower … and then simply let you go! That’s right – no bungee, no parachute, no straps. Just you, a 130-foot drop, and the safety net below. 

One more thing, before I can relax and say to myself what a good dream I had. Blastoff it wasn’t a dream it was all real. Though I wish it was a dream. So last ride was called Blastoff. You’ve seen rides that shoot you into the sky before, but you’ve never seen anything like the Texas Blastoff. Extreme thangs to do in Dallas may not get any crazier than this! Think of it like a giant slingshot. The Texas Blastoff rockets you and a friend straight up 150 feet into the air with the speed of a Top Fuel dragster – zero to 70 in 1.2 seconds! But rather than fly straight back down, the four-bungee apparatus takes you on a topsy-turvy free fall. Be prepared for twists, turns and flips!

My adrenaline rush has finished for today. Thank goodness for that. I thank its time to go to sleep and say what a great experience I won’t ever do again unless it’s in my dream. 

So what was my best thing out of this extreme day. My answer to that was nothing. But since everyone said come on there must be one thing. So I said O.K. it was the skycoaster it was just like a giant swin' just more scary. 

For y’all people who like the adrenaline rides here is the video. Please let me know if this video works or not in the comments downstairs. 

Read a book day!

Poppy fancied making the best American breakfast. Made pancakes then Sarah smelled some burnin' goin' on in the kitchen so she went and give Poppy a helpin' hand. Since you don’t know Sarah is a fantastic baker. So she rescued Poppy’s pancakes, they really weren’t that bad as Poppy made than out to be. So after out lovely breakfast made by Poppy with a helping hand of Sarah.. Sarah and I are going home, while Ruth Oswald and Robert wanted to explore more of Dallas. 

I read my book the whole way. After we got back to Ruth’s house Sarah unpacked and read our books. I also packed my other things in the suitcase as I'm going home tomorrow. (Sad face) Then made a mocha cupcakes they are so tasty. Friends backs in the UK watch out, you may be cake out again. 

Time for a long flight again

I was suppose to be back in UK on 19th August I'm a bit early due to the circumstance in life. 

Back to the flight. I sat next to a lovely lady called Phillipa with a 18 son called Toby For some reason Toby wasn't comfortable on Phillipa lap. So I offered if you want Toby can come and sit on my lap. Don't know how this happened but when we started to take off he just fell asleep on me. It was a bit tricky to read my book though I somehow managed until Toby kept fidgetin' than I talked to Phillipa. 

I came back home Thursday early afternoon about 2:00. I did made cakes the some ones that Sarah and I made. As they are so delicious. I was greeted with the rain once again. I wish there was a thang called holiday sick as you sometimes get home sick. I already missed USA. I would love to live in Seattle near the Alki beach. 

So do you know where I been now? Of course Texas

Inside An Addiction

What I feel they may never understand,
it's not like its difficult or hard to comprehend.

But it's what lies behind my every pull,
I've done it so much sometimes I don't even know.

Where'd it all go wrong,
Did someone curse that day.
Little did I know it would take my everything away.

My love, my joy, my truth, my hope,
the day I began you, I blindly signed that oath.
The oath that strangles and tears me apart,
ripping piece by piece, till there's nothing but my heart.

The heart that feels every single thing, no mouth to use,
nothing but sting.

When people look at me, what do they see?
a girl? a friend? a masterpiece?

Knitted together with letdowns and lies,
hiding inside feelings continue to rise.

But my! that masterpiece, look but do not touch!
You can care about the outside,
but isn't that enough?

Well no one likes and undercover mess,
so I just stay right here...
and try to live my 'best'.

I have an an disorder that I am battling again and just want to rant it out what I was feeling then out of no where this came out of the blue. It surprises me that people look on the outside than them middle. I just kind of wrote this starting off on my disorder and how it's more than just pulling out hair then I just kind of ran with that into I don't know. Comments would be nice though! I wanna hear what it make YOU feel!

This wasn't the poem that I was going to do for today. So last week you had two poems and said don't get used to do it. Remember that? Guess what? You again would get another poem. 

Perfection-itis

Where do I start
I reach to grab something
but I can't start without finishing 
can't start if I don't know how to finish
I can't do anything, nothing
just do something and one thing
Well, if I do one thing
I do everything
and I can't do everything
I can't even do this thing
for I do nothing.

So I'm trying to knit which I learned while I was in USA. I got back home try to do some knitting but I either doing pearl knit or knit stitch and have no idea how to pearl I just do. I don't even know what I am making so this is annoying. Or when I made cakes with my friend this week everything as to my perfect from measuring ingredients to arrange them when they go in the oven. 

Hope you like eiihter one of these poems, sorry it's a bit deep than normal.

Monday 17 August 2015

Time to catch up!

I looked at my blog and noticed it's lacking my weekly updates since I have been on holiday. You need to wait a bit longer before you get to read my amazing adventure. Until then you can admire my cooking post that will be uploaded. Let's start with the dinner for three.

Tia and I met up on Friday, the same day where I made dinner for my parents. We walked to Camberly to drop my CV off at baby gear then it was time for breakfast at McDonalds. Who can't say no to McDonalds?

Dad phoned me, and asked me what I'm cooking, I had no idea what I'm making. Since we was near Tesco's and Waitrose I might else well go and see if they have any recipes that I like and then go online and see the ingredients. So we looked high and low in Tesco's books and went to the cafe and get a drink and look online. Still nothing. 

So we went to Tia's to see her friend. I then got asked to bake a cake for Tia's Mom. And Tia's brother girlfriend. I told you to be careful if you share your cakes around with your friends. Never mind I enjoy making cakes especially giving to it to someone else. 

So got Tia's friend Jess. Then to my house it was, where we made my dinner well more prepared it and then it was Tia's turn to make the cake. I only supervised and to give Tia the guidance when she needed it or Tia asked me a question.

Dinner for three




So you what to know what made? Well I made a spicy lamb casserole with mash and cornbread. I would say next time I will make it, just have casserole and the cornbread. 

Ingredients you would need for the spicy lamb casserole

1 tablespoon oil to fry
1 onion, diced
1 clove garlic, finely chopped
300g lamb, cut into cubes
1 tin of 400g chopped tomatoes
1 fat chili (if you don't like spice too much or don't have chili one teaspoon of chili powder is fine)
400g cchickpeas, drained
1 tablespoon ground coriander 
1 tablespoon tomato puree
1 tablespoon sugar
salt and pepper 

Ingredients you would need for cornbread

Vegetable or sunflower oil, for greasing
65g self raising flour
2 tablespoons baking powder
1 tablespoon salt
220g fine ground polenta, or fine cornflour
2 tablespoons caster sugar
25g butter, melted
275ml milk
50ml plain full-fat yogurt
2 large eggs, beaten 
1 tablespoon dried chili flakes (optional)

Recipe for spicy lamb casserole


  1. Preheat the oven to 180°C fan oven 200°C/Gas 6
  2. Heat the oil in large pan. Fry the onions and garlic for 3-4 minutes, until the onions begin to soften.
  3. Add the lamb and cook until the meat is no longer pink and beginning to brown.
  4. Add the rest of the ingredients and bring to the boil. Season with salt and pepper.
  5. Transfer the contents of the pan to a casserole dish and place in the oven for 1 1/2-2 hours. Stir a couple of times.

Recipe for cornbread


  1. Preheat the oven to 200°C Fan/ Gas Mark 7. Grease a 20Cm square baking tin, line with non-stick baking paper and set aside. 
  2. Sift the flour, baking powder and salt into a large bow, add the polenta or cornflour and the sugar, and stir together well.
  3. Pour in the melted butter, milk and yogurt, and stir in well.
  4. Finally add the beaten eggs and stir to combine 
  5. Pour the batter into the preheated tin and bake for 18-22 minutes until it is lightly golden and springy to the touch.
  6. Leave to cool in the tin for 20 minutes to firm up, and then remove, cut into slices and enjoy while still warm.
  7. Enjoy the cornbread while it's still warm. If you have some left over the day after, you can put some lemon curd on it and it is very tasty. 

Best of all enjoy with your friends and family. 


Wednesday 12 August 2015

How to solve you biggest problem while playing Scrabble?

Are these actual words and not made up!?

Actually answer to that question is YES! I looked in the Dictionary and to my surprised 'luncheon' is a posh/formal way of saying lunch. There's is two, two words such as 'LE', 'PO.' To my very surprise they are also words.  LE means forming names of appliances or instruments. PO means  chamber pot. 

I decided to tell my inspiration first before the poem. So you understand why this poem is a bit longer than my normal ones. Well if you know me, you probably know that I get carried away especially on my assignments. Poor lectures for marking my work. 

Anyhow, enough of me rambling on. 

I been playing scrabble recently with Sarah and her sisters and never understand how they won. This is because they use two words when they can't get a word. So I looked up on the internet of two words and made a poem about them again with the help of the internet. Playing scrabble inspired me to write this poem. Hope you enjoy. 

Take a deep breath.  

The most important lesson for aspiring Scrabble nerds
is to memorize the whole list of two-letter words.

There’s one hundred and one, just like the Dalmatians,
but instead of pooches they’re pronouns, prepositions, exclamations.

And rather than skinning these pups, à la Cruella de Vil,
you’ll play with them daily—it's your opponents you'll kill.

Some of these words are obvious, others uncanny
But master them all and you just might beat Granny.

AA, pronounced “ah-aah,” is cindery lava,
the word's from Hawaii but you may find some in Java.

An AB is a muscle found on magazine covers,
an AD in the mag says Virginia's For Lovers.

AE thing is one thing, the word's oldish and Scottish;
AG means agriculture, the word's academic and oddish.

AH expresses surprise, like "Ah, look at those!"
an AI is a sloth who's just got three toes.

AL is not just Pacino, it's an East Indian tree,
and AM is not just talk-radio, it's a form of "to be."

AN is an indefinite article, I just said it twice,
and AR is the letter that starts the word "rice."

When you use an example, you can use the word AS,
and AT tells you where, such as "At Alcatraz."

We make the sound AW when we see kittens sneeze,
or when lumberjacks insensitively AX stately trees.

AY one might say, to say "I agree."
BA is the Ancient Egyptian idea of the soul, basically.

To BE is to exist, to have actuality;
a BI is a guy or girl with bisexuality.

BO is a pal, like "Meet my bo, Jackson."

"BY the way," one might say, "he's looking for action."

DE, from the French, means "of" as in "from;"
DO, like the deer, is the first tone you hum.

ED is education, it's just shorter this way,
And EF is for F, like "What the ef word did you just play?"

EH…it's like…I don't know...like an expression of doubt?
The EL train (think el tren elevado) is a pain to wait for when it's raining out.

EM refers to the letter; the same goes for EN.
ER is…hesitation; use ES to start "sen." (A former Japanese currency.)

ET is a past tense of to eat; the letter EX marks the spot.
FA is also sung as part of the scale. (Some folks think it's "far" but it's not.)

The Hebrew letter FE (“fay”) was long ago used by Moses.
As GO is a word referring to the game, so its plural gos is.

"HA!" blurted Adam, earlier in the Bible, when HE saw Eve evolve from his rib,
"HI," she replied, then "HM," because she couldn't ad lib.

“HO!” Adam said, easy—it can be another sound of surprise—
and Adam’s ID fought his ego. (The superego decides.)

IF, IN, IS and IT we pretty well know
But how about for sweetheart the endearing term JO?

Then there's a couple kay words that can keep back a conniption,
the first one is KA: the spiritual self—like ba, it's ancient Egyptian.

The other is KI—pronounced “chee”—is a deep concept, son,
referring to the Chinese vital life force—way before Obi Wan.

LA, a note to follow sol
LI, about five hundred yards
That, LO—attention!—will bring us up to MA, a mom, a female mom,

ME, a name a I call myself…

But in the song of course MI also a note meant.
Use “MM” to assent; and a MO is a moment.

The Greek letter MU, MY friend, should NA (not) be unknown to us,
At least compared to El Greco's real name—NE Dominikos Theotokópulos.

NO, the Greek letter NU should likewise not be a shock,
Unlike the word coined by the German Baron Dr. Carl von Reichenbach,

who came up with OD, a hypothetical life force,
which he derived from the god Odin—who of course was Norse.

From that same part of the world, not far from the Highlands,
we get the word OE, a whirlwind off OF the Faroe Islands.

“OH,” you cry, “OI, my brain is starting to swell!”
But relax, my friend, take heart, you're doing so well,

try saying an OM to help counter confusion,
for ON we go to OP, abstract art based on illusion.

OR think also of OS, another word that might be new to us,
it could refer to a bone, or an orifice of the uterus.

You might exclaim, "OW!" if like an OX,
you stub your big toe, wearing just sox.

"OY," you might cry, "come help me, PA!"

(Which reminds me to warn you not to try to play "da.")

PE, like fe, is another Hebrew letter,
tho Greek and math people prefer their PI better.

QI, Scrabble's most popular word, is just ki spelled with a kue,
and like qat (or your cat) it doesn't need U.

Back to the Von Trapps, let's not forget the tone RE,
and don't SH them yet—they have more to say:

there's also SI and SO from the scale diatonic,
and don't say TA, or thanks, to them yet, for their lesson harmonic

because we likewise have to make time for TI,
TO which the music teacher Sarah Ann Glover changed the tone si.

UH, UM…oh yeah, there's UN,
Juste comme the French, it simply means one.

There's UP and US, and UT—an old name for the first (and last) tone, do,
and WE (the funnest pronoun) and WO, which is woe.

With the Greek letter, XI, we're near the end of our song.
The Viet coin, XU, was a cent to their dong.

Congrats: YA got all the words that I wanted to teach YE
And—YO! —I almost forgot: there's ZA, which is pizza!

So now you know your Scrabblish AA, BO, QIS,
next time won't you sing with MI?

If you are not to keen on reading long poems. Or you just fancy reading another poem I did this week. Now don't get used to having two poems. You had three post in one week now two poems in one week. You lucky readers. 


Let's play a quick game of Scrabble,
I'll put down the letters T-R-U-S-T that's 5 points.
You play L-O-V-E that's 7 points, but I saw you steal that V from the pile in the box.
Play the game right or don't play it at all.
Nobody likes a cheater.

The poem above was a last game I played with Ruth and put down love but stole the V from the pile in the bag. So thanks to Ruth you had two poems in one post mind two in a week, 

Thursday 6 August 2015

Jetlag

I am up when the sun is down
The whole house is sleeping but not me
All I hear is the ticking sound
Of a clock that tell me it is time to sleep
But my rhythm is in another world
Like let's say UK
And now this girl
Can't separate night from day

So what do I do?
What I do best
I will write a poem
And then get some rest

I will try again and again
Till the morning is here
Itchy eyes tomorrow
And a yawn, I will share

But  I am on my way
CauseI feel it is time
To dream, so I say
My friends, good night!

I don't think I need to tell you my inspiration here. I think you can work it out by the poem title and of course the poem.  

If you can't.  Then read on. I'm on holiday with a different time zone and couple of nights when the whole house is sleeping I can't because my body rhythm is not working with the time zone. Other words I'm suffering from jetlag.

Sunday 2 August 2015

What a cake!

So Thursday one of my friend met up and have picnic at Crowthrone and wondered to a cafe and had hot chocolate then next discussion was what cake to make for my friend birthday so we got pen and paper to write ideas down.

Can you see where this is coming?

So the next day, I can't really say morning as I didn't get up till 12:00pm it must because I read my book far to late again. Well it is the holiday or shall I say a more well deserved break. So I got the washing to do, and the boring chores at of the way, Got one of my Mom's crockery books out came Nigella Lawson book who has a whole chapter of chocolate cakes. Asked my friend to come to mine and bake a cake. We made the chocolate Malteaser cake this recipe was from the Nigella Lawson book Feast book.

Now lets begin the fun. Well ish you know measuring the ingredients before in-case you need to pop to the shop to get anything. Mom kitchen as a few cooking things. There were only three things to get which were the Coco since I used Mom for making hot coco, butter and Horlicks. I made cakes numerous of times but never came across using Horlicks in cakes before. I also remembered the chocolate tip that Martha suggested last year, if you're making chocolate cake and use cocoa you would also need the chocolate for a more deeper chocolate flavor. 

So we finished measuring the ingredients out. While my friend Tia was greasing the tins I was grating the chocolate. Who needs the gym these days while you can make cake? OK you might put on weight that you just loosed. 

Tia and I helped each other during the baking process. We divided the mixture between two cake tins. This is where I thought oh no because the mixture didn't look enough to fill the cake tins. But you know the oven as magical powers to rise cakes? So we were praying that cakes would rise. While the oven was doing it's magical powers Tia and I were washing up. The boring bit. Well before the boring bit we had some some chocolate bits that couldn't be grated those managed to find a way in a mouths. Who can't resit a bit dark chocolate?

So you know the oven as magical powers? I'm afraid ours is lacking magical powers.  We put the cakes out of the tins to the wire racks and let them cool down. At last minute thing we made another layer for the cake as the first batch was very thin and we are not happy with it. This time it was just made by coco and all in method as it was the easiest and quickest. Again a quick pop to the shop for some things. 

This time the oven definitely had magical powers. It was at the top of the cake tin. So our oven as definitely proved us wrong. We let it cool down then worked out how to use my Mom's processor to make the icing. We also had a go at piping the icing. A new skill that Tia has learned. 

Now comes the bit where the cake comes to life. You know decorating the cake without eating it? Oh by the way, just watch those Malteaser's rolling off the cake to the floor. You can eat those. Five second rule.  We put chocolate fudge icing between the layers of the cake then the homemade icing around the cake. Oh shall I say that was the general idea. If time was on our side I would pipe the icing around the cake. Though time was not on our side.  


Photos time 

Making the cake 




Tia working out how to use baking parchment 

Tia cracking one of the many eggs 

Me beating the eggs and sugar

Tia folding the mixture 
Now the cake is in the oven. You know what that means don't you? Indeed it is. Time to eat the bowl not literally but lick the mixture that is left and get chocolate everywhere. Who said you can't be toddler again and get chocolate everywhere.

Time to get chocolate everywhere


Tia licking her fingers

Big spoon vs little spoon

Tia eating the bowl

me eating the ladle

Oven didn't do it's magic


Two little cakes


Time to do another layer of cake


Tia with the second cake
Now that is what I call a chocolate cake!!

Time for making icing

Tia putting the grated chocolate in the food procesor

The final touches, and the result is this!

What a cake!


Um success? 


I gathered up my poems that I either did or been given by my wonderful friends. Some who are no longer with us. Such as Martha but she wrote such a wonderful poem that I would like to share with you all.

If our relationship was a cake
What ingredients would it have?
How long do we have to bake
To get the desirable taste of love

An ounce of respect and care
A handful of faith and grace
This kind of cake is rare
So be careful not to waste

Those of you who want to have a go at this cake. Here is the recipe for the top and bottom layer.

For the cake
150g soft brown sugar (muscavado sugar is best for flavour)
100g caster sugar
3 large eggs
175ml milk
15g unsalted butter
2 tablespoons Horlicks powder
175g plain flour
25g cocoa, sieved
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda

Take whatever you need out of the fridge so that all the ingredients can come to room temperature (though it's not so crucial here, since you're heating the milk and butter and whisking the eggs.

Preheat the oven to Gas Mark 3/170C. Butter and line two 20cm loose-bottomed sandwich cake tins with baking parchment.

Whisk together the sugars and eggs until light and frothy. Heat the milk, butter and Horlicks powder in a small saucepan until the butter has melted and the mixture is hot but not boiling. Beat the milk mixture into the eggs a little at a time. Fold in the dry ingredients thoroughly. Divide the cake batter evenly between the two tins and bake in the oven for 25 minutes, by which time the cakes should have risen and will spring back when pressed gently. Let them cool on a rack for about 5-10 minutes and then turn them out of their tins.

And here is the recipe for the middle layer

200g caster sugar
200g softened butter (or out of the fridge just put it in the microwave about 30 secs)
4 eggs, beaten,
200g self-raising flour
1 tsp baking power
2 tbsp milk
I think we put about 2tbsp of Coco

Now comes the easy bit of the recipe. All you need to do is put everthingi n the large bowl, beat all the cake ingredients together until you have a smooth, soft batter. In the oven it goes about 30 mins just check to see when you put a knife if it comes clean then it is done if not in the oven for another minute until it comes clean.

Now the recipe for the icing

For the icing and decoration
250g icing sugar
1 teaspoon cocoa
45g Horlicks
125g soft unsalted butter
2 tablespoons boiling water
2 x 37g packets Maltesers
if you want to cheat you can buy a chocolate fudge icing to put between the layers of the cake

Once the cakes are cold, you can get on with the icing. I use a processor just because it makes life easier: you don't need to sieve the icing sugar. So: put the icing sugar, cocoa and Horlicks in the processor and blitz to remove all lumps. Add the butter and process again. Stop, scrape down, and start again, pouring the boiling water down the funnel with the motor running until you have a smooth buttercream.

Sandwich the cold sponges with half of the buttercream, and then ice the top with what is left, creating a swirly pattern rather than a smooth surface. Stud the outside edge, about 1cm in, with a ring of Maltesers or use them to decorate the top in which-ever way pleases you.

We put the icing around the cake using the knife. If time is on your sides and you feel comfortable using a piping bag you can pipe around the whole cake on the sides to make a more spectacular effect. Just be careful not to show your friends otherwise you will get friends asking you to bake a cake for them.

Best of all have fun being a toddler when licking the bowl.

Makes 8-10 slices.