Easter Break

I pressed the pause button and took time out from thinking about changing jobs and moving countries. 


Started Good Friday morning with a huge spring clean. I gave away 4 bags of books, bags, vases, lamps and threw out 2 bags of very old clothes. I found time in between to use my new egg pan, making a perfect fried egg, grilled mini portobello mushroom, grilled tomato, seasoned with basil for lunch. 


In the evening, I went out with Karen to Barrafina for tapas. We had a nice time sitting at a table outside in the 25 deg sunshine, catching up over a bottle of Basa Rueda Blanco. Karen talked about her forays into gardening and her work. We tried to guess the relationships of the guys sitting next to us (3 men and 2 very pretty little girls) since we were in Soho. One of the guys is clearer the Dad. After dinner, we watched Flare Path - a play with Sienna Miller in it at the Royal Haymarket. From the back of the nose bleed section! It was so empty there that despite being dressed up, we found enough privacy to stretch out, take off our shoes and put our feet up. Had to squint but I could tell Sienna was struggling a bit, I think. The other female actress was good though.


On Saturday, I went to Maidstone Kent for a walkabout. Then went to TK Maxx to look up possible deals for kitchen ware. Gave up in the end and went grocery shopping at Lewisham market instead. I bough some veg (the pound per bowl types) to split with Karen and then went to Karen's place to cook a stir-fry dinner. We watched Kick-Ass on DVD, it was hilarious. 


On Sunday, I took things to the Cancer Research shop in the village. The farmer's market was open today, although it is Easter, albeit it was a smaller market then usual. I bought half priced organic fresh salad, 4 organic chicken thighs and a loaf of bread. Thinking I will cook dinner for Eugene. Turned out he was too busy to come to Blackheath, so I met him in Soho after my 3.30pm church service instead. Hillsong rolled out the big guns for the easter service. I was very impressed, I think the West End should send some people to Hillsong to get some fresh ideas on how to put on a show. 


And Monday was the best day. I was tired from all the activity and decided to do nothing today. I just spent the day at a slow pace. Put some things - my heaters (i have 4!!, how does one person have 4 portable heaters?) and my elliptical trainer - on ebay. (Ebaying as a seller for the first time!). It took a while to work out how Ebay and paypal works though. I distracted myself from the drone of signing up on Ebay by making a classic tortilla and Nigella's Chicken with 40 Cloves of Garlic. The tortilla was dry, I overcooked it as I was worried about flipping it over too early and having it collapse on me. The chicken was good though, i improvised and added lemon which I think on hindsight that the dish did not need. The juice was fantastic with the artisan bread. I had a very nice day by myself watching Come Dine with Me, while working out how to Ebay, reading my cookbooks and cooking. The sun set late today, it was bright till past 8pm. I grabbed the opportunity to squeeze in a 40min run around the heath at 7pm. Came back just in time to eat dinner and then watch the MasterChef 2011 final. John Torode and Greg Wallace brought the 3 finalists to Australia, where they have to cook with Aussie ingredients - Barramundi fish, Aussie crayfish, crocodile and kangaroo meat. Note to self - do not try to make ice-cream on the day of the dinner party, always make it before. The breakdown of an ice-cream machine 1 hr before the party is not possible to salvage.


This will be one of the last quiet weekends before the big move and I really appreciated the pause. 

A successful start

Now Joseph had been taken down to Egypt. And Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him from the Ishmaelites who had taken him down there. ² The LORD was with Joseph, and he was a successful man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian. ³ And his master saw that the LORD was with him and that the LORD made all he did to prosper in his hand. ⁴ So Joseph found favor in his sight, and served him. Then he made him overseer of his house, and all that he had he put under his authority. ⁵ So it was, from the time that he had made him overseer of his house and all that he had, that the LORD blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake; and the blessing of the LORD was on all that he had in the house and in the field. ⁶ Thus he left all that he had in Joseph’s hand, and he did not know what he had except for the bread which he ate.

CG KitchenAid

Helped out at Ms M's dinner party yesterday. The most sedate Hen night I've ever seen. A bookbinding workshop from 4pm to 6.30pm, followed by dinner at 7pm, with a quiz (a quiz?) between main course and dessert. The most laughter from the evening was drawn from the subversive messages written with sugar alphabet sprinkles on the pudding.


Menu for the night:


Alphabetti Spaghetti on Stilton Cheese-Filled Pastry Cups with Homemade Garlicky Tomato Sauce


Vietnamese Rice Paper Roll with Sweet Chilli Dip


Filo-wrapped Asparagus with Hollandaise Sauce


Squid Ink Goats Cheese Ravioli with Sauteed Courgette Quills Served with Cream and Truffle Salt.


Quiz???!!!


Puff pastry books with lemon cream, laced with Passion Fruit and Subversive Messages - 'Never Obey', 'Yes, Why Not?', 'Hag'


The cooks had fun at least.

AAF

I have gotten over museums now. Don't even know how to spell the word properly. Having been inducted into the Affordable Art Fair two years ago, I am now a big fan of the art of my class. There is something about walking through 200 art galleries in one afternoon that really builds a passion. And this is 'relatable' art. I know which pieces I liked better than the rest and why and how they are different. AAF should stand for Relaxed, Unstuffy, Inviting. I love.

Potential

I wrote the following on 19th Aug 09:


" i have been having a recurring nightmare. jack nicolson playing his character in the film "as good as it gets" saying to me - what if this is as good as it gets?

i've always been drawn to biting off more than i can chew, in the hope that in that process, i personally grow larger (not physically larger of course!) to accomodate that new goal. mostly, i have done this at work, at the expense of other things, i admit. but life is life and so far i have not thought that it was anything other than, well, as good as it can get. more importantly, i had the belief which i took for granted that the best is yet to come.

i can't help feeling lately, what if the best is already past? how do i make it better? Am i meant to do more, be more, achieve more? can i? if i do, does it make life better?

perhaps this is the kind of mid-life crisis that only single people get? do married people feel more fulfilled? do parents feel more fulfilled? what about other people whose whole life are absorbed by a larger desire, like aung sun su kyi? does she feel fulfilled? 

how do we know that we've done our best to achieve our potential?"


What response have I got now, two very tough years on: 16th April 2011 - don't be a pillar of salt, keep expanding!

Why I am Leaving

It's not you, it's me.

Desired things, Miracles, Blessings

Desiderata:

Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.


As far as possible without surrender

be on good terms with all persons.

Speak your truth quietly and clearly;

and listen to others,

even the dull and the ignorant;

they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons,

they are vexatious to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others,

you may become vain or bitter;

for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.

Keep interested in your own career, however humble;

it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs;

for the world is full of trickery.

But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;

many persons strive for high ideals;

and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself.

Especially, do not feign affection.

Neither be cynical about love;

for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment

it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,

gracefully surrendering the things of youth.

Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.

But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.

Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline,

be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the universe,

no less than the trees and the stars;

you have a right to be here.

And whether or not it is clear to you,

no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,

whatever you conceive Him to be,

and whatever your labors and aspirations,

in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,

it is still a beautiful world.

Be cheerful.

Strive to be happy.

Author: Max Ehrmann, 1927




And this is me....Replace the word 'universe' with something like god or god's plans and pretty much then that describes how i relate to it but it would be different for others naturally. 

Though I like the God version better as it means there is the possibility that something that is beyond the human capability can happen. Nothing is fully within our control, nothing human guarantees to put us in the right place at the right time, favor with people is a fickle thing. If there are no miracles to expect, how would God qualify himself so? Anyways, still intending to maintain my reputation for sanity and logic, i have to say though that my family and I have experienced many miracles in the last few years, especially in the last year - feeding on his faithfulness. Even now when it seems that one door has firmly shut, the ceasing of manna from heaven is only so because it's time to enter the Promised Land.

Wild Cat Nero D Avola

My BYO offering at the puttanesca dinner party tonight is Sicilano Wild Cat Nero d'Abola 2008. It rounded off the pasta really nicely. So nice I forgot to bring my leftover half bottle home from Kilburn.


Waitrose review: "Generous black cherry and damson fruit, and an enjoyable textured finish. An organic Nero d’Avola, the signature red grape of the vineyards of Sicily, offering an authentic yet fruit-driven example of this remarkable variety. Try matching its intensity with hearty stews or a rich ratatouille."


The menu tonight:


Starter: Salad of Gorgonzola with Celeriac and Black Olives, seasoned with olive oil, lemon juice and lemon salt with parsley garnish. Served with fried mushrooms on bruschetta.


Main: Rigatoni with Puttanesca Sauce topped with a sprig of basil leave.


Dessert: Chocolate tarte with honeycomb bits on top served with cream.


The starter and dessert were amazing. I think my puttanesca was more authentic, this puttanesca wasn't sufficiently strong, tasted more like just plain tomato sauce.


I hit it off with the norwegian and german guests sitting at my table though. They were delightful to talk to. The Norwegian threesome was a family. They are here on holiday and was grateful to come to an interesting culinary experience that is London. Norwegian food is boring - or so they say. The Mom - named Unn, has a perpetual smile on her face and she makes everything she say seem so interesting and so true. The son is rather interesting having been part of the UN military police in Lebanon during the war, he makes very bad jokes though. Daughter-in-law is a keen cook. The Munich-based couple were so studious, they studied everything and seems like they make a point to read about every experience before they go off and do it. They read a whole book about oslo before even visiting. Mr Munich is deep into his Sherlock Holmes vintage books and memorabilia. Ms Munich has been studying Chinese for 2 years. Just your regular London dinner party crowd then.

Hand Made Food

Handmade food uses local ingredients, organic if possible, hand-made food always. It makes food for the soul. If I turn up at Handmade Food in pieces, this is the only food I know that will put me back together again. Bacon and Egg sandwiches served everyday (3 pound 25p or maybe 4 pound - can't remember). Full English breakfast every Sunday. A medley of other favourites include salad of spinach, pine nuts, raisins and pomegranetes, salmon fish cakes, frozen dinners - beef bourginon, coq qu vin, fish stew, ready-made to go!, grilled tuna steaks with basmatic rice with spices. Cheeses, olives stuffed with garlic, peppers. Olive oil, wine, fresh juice from local farms. Served up with a huge dollop of pride. I like the rustic decor too, love the way they used chalk boards as doors. The upstairs seating and outside seating areas are furnished with old salvaged furniture that still look salvaged. Above the junkyard styled dining room there is mirrored disco ball. Pull up a chair, help yourself to the water, sit next to the sink if you want - that could be the only seat available in this crowded house. Super rustic, super nonchalent, super chic.

Spring Sprung Down My Road

I live on Wisteria Lane......

:)

Blackheath

I can't get sick of taking pictures of where I live. Blackheath is beautiful. There is a rather interesting community living here, we are a laid back, grounded bunch who know we found a good place to land and prefer to keep it as secret and private as possible. No stilettos or high heels at the village pub, its sweats, sneakers, hiking boots as we've probably just been for an hour's walk around the park. The food in the village always good, nothing fancy, just really good food. Hand-made food does the most rustic simple salads, grilled meats and curries, not to mention the world's best egg and bacon sarnie on door-stop size slices of white bread. The village deli does the cutest, well presented english breakfasts. Chapters, Bella Vista and Buenos Aires are where my friends and I celebrated many an occasion. Not to mention the drinking holes - Railway, the Crown and Zerodegress. Also the local shops where people know me - the village thai -Laicram, Indian takeout - Khans', Shepherd's Foods and the little fresh veg shop and the butchers. Perhaps I should have a special piece on the blog about each. Shall try.

Food and Wine Matching

My favorite red grape is Pinot Noir - made famous by the movie 'Sideways' (starring Sandra Oh, from Grey's Anatomy!). We know from the movie that Pinot Noir is hard to grow since its skin makes it easily susceptible to rot. It is also super sensitive to light exposure, soil and fermentation techniques. It is just plain fussy. I like the wine for its lightly bodied, gamey nature. The wine when mature is at its best complex, sensual, intense, succulent all at the same time. Most of all it makes duck taste like absolute heaven. Duck and pinot noir, the best match ever. 


My food and wine match at dinner tonight was a disaster. I was indulging by making pasta puttanesca for dinner to cap off the week. The only wines I had were Jean Luc Colombo Les Gravieres Crozes Hermitage 2008 and Les Grands Cypres Vacqueyras 2007 - North and South Rhone - both bought from the wine section at Waitrose. The northern rhone wine was mostly characteristically Syrah. The Vacqueyras was really nice tasting of red fruit and quite a pronounced round taste of Grenache which I liked.




Lines from Sideways the Movie:

Maya: You know, can I ask you a personal question, Miles?

Miles Raymond: Sure.

Maya: Why are you so in to Pinot?

Miles Raymond: [laughs softly]

Maya: I mean, it's like a thing with you.

Miles Raymond: [continues laughing softly]

Miles Raymond: Uh, I don't know, I don't know. Um, it's a hard grape to grow, as you know. Right? It's uh, it's thin-skinned, temperamental, ripens early. It's, you know, it's not a survivor like Cabernet, which can just grow anywhere and uh, thrive even when it's neglected. No, Pinot needs constant care and attention. You know? And in fact it can only grow in these really specific, little, tucked away corners of the world. And, and only the most patient and nurturing of growers can do it, really. Only somebody who really takes the time to understand Pinot's potential can then coax it into its fullest expression. Then, I mean, oh its flavors, they're just the most haunting and brilliant and thrilling and subtle and... ancient on the planet. 

Morning

It's 17 deg this morning and the sun is out. 2nd day of a perfectly sunny and fair weathered weekend. Eunice and I were toasting a bagel for breakfast when looking at the sunshine out in the garden, we decided to make it a bright and early breakfast picnic. We grabbed what we could find in the fridge and the store cupboard and went downstairs in quick time, even forgetting to change out of our pjs almost. Eunice suggested we take our easels and paintbrushes out. It was great fun having bagel, speck, tahini, yoghurt and strawberries for breakfast. We even brought a glass of carmanere which we were smart enough to leave alone. Sitting in gentle sunshine, remembering the Burning Man and Glastonbury and painting.

The results of our rumination....I love having a garden: