Mini Wonders in July

Coffee is great. Like chocolate, only different. For example, it's only an indulgence if you have say, more than two or three cups during a 24 hour period. And like I was pointing out just the other day, it's a great source of calcium. If you drink your coffee milky like me, that is! Try the purple and black bag of Tesco's finest fair trade ground coffee - Guatemalan, spicy and fruity. You will be happy you did! 

Window seats are also wonderful. (I'm not talking about sitting in the back of a plane, but about the ones in houses. Or apartments - like mine. Probably best when they have cushion material on the seat part, but when they don't just drag your couch into position for a comfy place to relax and have a view. When looking out from the low position on my couch, the car park is just out of view, leaving only the best parts of the pretty green hill visible. It brings in so much daylight (hence the terrible photo). 

Cheers to that! Now, shall we sit and have a drink? Please join me for a wee bit of craic. 

What's the difference between melted chocolate and cocoa powder in a cake recipe? I tried both ways and ate the results, (obviously, otherwise how on earth would I know?). According to my experiment you will have a lighter, fluffier crumb with cocoa, and a more dense, silkier texture with melted chocolate. Now what about grated chocolate, eh? 

Clear skies over Europe. 

It's just too bad photos out of a plane never do the actual view justice. 

But the clouds were giving us a gift yesterday, so I'll share that with you! 

East London and the river Thames. You could actually pick out the parliament/Big Ben area, Westminster Catchedral and bridge over to the London Eye (more to the west). However the refraction off the moisture in the air with the angle of the sun made a proper photo of that area impossible. 

The mouth of the Thames into the North Sea is on the left, and the shortest gap in the English channel straight ahead. It's only about half as far again as it is from Tswassen to Active Pass, (in case that reference means anything to you). Totally swim-able! Lol

This is the north coast of France, looking south west. The cities of Outreau and Boulogne-sur-Mer are below. The inlet approximately in the center of the photo is at Étaples, and the larger one further along is La Baie de Somme, Dieppe is basically unidentifiable in the distance beyond that. 

This farmland outside of Lille looked like a painting to us. 

The Alps were the most impressive part. Zurich is off the other side of the plane so you mainly see Vierwaldstättersee and the Swiss Alps. Could we add this area to the list of best places to live??? I think so. We flew past Davos, a small town of elite fame including an annual hockey tournament as well as the location of the annual congregation of leading power houses in economics and politics, plus it has a renowned ski resort. If you were so rich and influential as to go to the Davos conference, I think you'd arrive by helicopter. Otherwise you'd have to drive like the rest of us earthlings. 

Or parachute? 

Venice is that brown blob in the middle. A strange city arrangement and incidentally not very bright at night. 

Feeling a bit like we were on the Truman Show, I tried to capture the texture of the sky in this photo. 

It looks like paper mâché. About 48 degrees north, about 11pm local time, mid Europe. 

Noctilucent - Mesospheric Cloud, Type 2

There is little information about this type of cloud formation as it occurs only in summer, when cooling in the mesosphere (approximately ten times the altitude of cirrus cloud - the highest cloud in the tropopause where our weather exists) is the lowest. What's special about a Noctilucent formation is you can only view this cloud during twilight, and here we were lucky enough to see it! The condensation nuclei are said to be particles of meteorites. 

I took a walk on a path called Dungonnell Way. It's up toward the north east. I think I must have read the miles as kilometres so it ended up being longer than I'd expected. Over three hours is a long walk. Therefore I should have had lots of time to take pictures with my phone to show you, but I only brought my camera... So we will have to wait for those shots. What's definitely worse is I walked the full distance in Wellyboots, due to two otherwise impassible stretches, so I'm still feeling my poor tootsies three days later. But like most things, there was a silver lining. I was thinking of walking with my dad, so I started singing some of the silly songs we used to sing on walks such as this. Do you know 'Good Ol' Mountain Dew'? It's an old favourite. My rendition certainly keeps the bears at bay, banjo or no banjo (bear country or not). Anyway, as tradition had it, and all that time(!) I made up new verses. Six to be exact. One may just be about you. ;) 

Ice cream cake. Chocolate-coconut ice cream cake. 

I wish you could see the edible gold dust I added as a finale. 

Citrus crazy! 

Happy Canada Day!

That means red, right?!

So... I had to retry this whole red velvet cake thing for the occasion. This time with more cocoa.

As it turns out (unsurprisingly) more chocolate makes for better flavour. Unfortuneately, the red colour goes a bit more brick with the additional dark brown ingredients. 

Looks cute, I think! 

I'm afraid I veered away from the land of Sweetapolita, because I was in search of two things: 

All oil and more chocolate. 

I found a suitable recipe, tweeked it and though it may not be the best recipe for red velvet out there just yet, it worked well. My Canada Day is now complete with red cake!

RED VELVET CAKE

Whisk together:

2 1/2 cups Flour

5 tbsp Dutch Process Cocoa 

1 tsp Salt

In separate bowl, (the bowl you'll end up having all the batter in) mix until combined:

1 1/2 cups Sugar

1 1/2 cups Oil

Add one at a time, mixing thoroughly:

2 Large Eggs

 

Mix in:

1 tbsp Red Velvet Emulsion

1 tsp Vanilla

Add flour mixture and buttermilk, alternating flour/buttermilk/flour/buttermilk/flour:

1 cup Buttermilk

In a small cup combine:

1 1/2 tsp Baking Soda

2 tsp White Vinegar

Then mix into the batter (about 10 seconds)

Split between three 8" pans or two 9". Bake at 350 degrees F until done. 

 I wanted to cover the whole cake in icing, meanwhile I wanted a light enough texture throughout. I chose to fill the cake with a stabilized whipped cream and cover the outside in cream cheese icing - then add a bit of crunch on top. Honey comb and chocolate = Crunchy bar.

The texture is important! 

Oh Canada, it was delectable! 

Slieve Bearnagh

The vastness and power nature holds nurtures my awe for the incredible planet earth. 

It's majestic and silent ways are both sublime and consoling. 

Here I am, pleased I've made it to the summit of Slieve Bearnagh. It was decent weather. Some light rain and glimpses of blue sky. Of course I got wet in the mire under a dry looking clump of heather just as I was getting started out, but that was minor. The inspiring view from the top was clear and crisp and well worth the four hour trek. Nothing taller than heather grows as you begin to truly go upwards, but there are many tiny, cheerful wild flowers. There are interesting outcroppings of rock on this particular peak, as well as it's section of the wall. Quite a few others, all locals judging by their voices, joined me in the peacefulness of the outdoors. 

More photos later when I transfer those from my camera, including from the summit. 

The panorama is only from part way up. 

I think I might be becoming Northern Irish-

I did manage a sunburn when there wasn't even any sun...!

A few dabblings here and there in the pursuit of artistic happiness brought me to experiment with a wee naked cake and some fondant. I'm really fond of this cake trend, both coloured and natural. They make a fine canvas for fresh fruit and flowers, though obviously won't hold in the moisture the way a covered cake can. Looking forward to decorating a bigger one some day soon. 

Fondant is fun, but better when proper tools are on hand, and best when you've figured out how to control it under prevailing levels of humidity. The clean lines it creates are very stylish and posh and something I'd like to master, simply to comfortably add it to my repertoire, though truly, it's the look, texture and taste of a nicely frosted cake I love best. 

It makes me laugh that these are referred to as 'buns' rather than cupcakes, but that'll do. ;)

Nothing Cheers Me Up Like Making Cake

If I've got the time to bake and frost a cake, it will always brighten my mood. And if, like below, it makes other people happy, too, I know it's a very cheerful endeavour. 

Who doesn't like making your friends smile? 

I wish I'd taken a close up photo of the cake, but alas I did not. 

The flower decoration worked very nicely albeit I wanted little sprouting carrots to appear out of the top. They aren't quite ready yet this season I'm told. Next time carrot cake. Next time.

Loving this current naked cake trend. Quick yet super pretty. 

The flowers could include leaves, fruits, or nuts... Endless possibilities!

Exercise boosts my mood. Especially when this is what my route looks like. Jealous? 

I have been since I left two years ago. Glad to back on track! 

Or what about homemade rustic bread? Delicious and happiness inducing. Yum!

This loaf represents my first bread baking in Northern Ireland. 

Quite successful but will try a little less liquid next time. 

The air here is just so full of humidity and I ended up with too much stickiness for my new rising basket for round loaves - recently acquired, care of another Elfi, and someone who likes Elfis. :) Thank you!

Another thing to make me glad, deep in my soul, is the beauty of the natural world.

And finally, after being to Corfu, Greece five times, I've had the pleasure of seeing it during the day! 

Above is actually Albania, below is just a little closer to the destination, from a slightly more south facing perspective. Behind the ridge you see on the closest part of Corfu, is a bay. On the far side of the bay there is a slightly browner patch, about halfway between the horizon and the main bolt of the window wiper. That's the airport of Kerkyra! (Albania is the land to the left.) 

What puts a spring in your step? I would love to know! 

But most importantly, do whatever it is and be happy :)

The Last Weir

It is important to realize the gratitude for what life gives us and 

for those ways of living which make life extraordinary. 

Sometimes these thoughts float through my philosophical head, unaccompanied by an event. 

More often, not.

Death, however often forces one to think, and now I must consider the meaning of life, 

as it were to Nigel, my nephew, my wonderful nephew, so full of joy for life. 

The kind of person I wish the world were made of... 

The missing, the knowing, the sadness, the loss, and the feelings of absolute sympathy I have for my brother and sister-in-law. All so intense. 

This will hurt forever. 

But this is also a time to reflect upon Nigel's enthusiasm and passion, and to apply oneself with his same principles. He was focused, happy, committed, positive, enthusiastic and busy taking on the world with a gentle sort of unfailing passion that passed goodwill subtly to those around him.

I feel so grateful for the time I spent with Nigel, and for all the time everyone else spent with him, most recently, his friends in Brisbane, who've all contributed to making these 21 years of his life wonderful. 

This is a moment of dusk and also a moment of dawn - a novelty of June. 

I promise to bear this painful time and create in myself a person of the same principles so I can forever hold you in my heart. 

How sad we all are to be without you Nigel!

Happy Orange Chocolate Birthday!

I really loved the Millionaire's cake I made for my birthday last year when we got home from San Francisco. But, another birthday offers another cake choice... I wanted chocolate, of course, but I thought why not add a little orange just for interest sake and to add a little complexity of flavour? 

So I added orange in three ways: 

Zest in the whipped cream filling, juice in the frosting and Triple Sec in the ganache. 

It turned out to be deep and dark and chocolate-y with just the right amount of orange. 

And I thought, why not and a tier? Who knows I might want to eat a lot of cake? Or share it! 

As you may have guessed I took inspiration from the Sweetapolita Bakebook, however in the form of components only in order to create this specific cake. Anyway, it was sooooo tasty! Wow! 

And I loved the tier. How fun :)

I took some photos with my camera I hope will turn out well. However in the mean time I'll thank my iPhone and Justin who thought to take a few photos, too. 

This Mylar balloon really speaks for itself. Awesome, right!?

Of course, roses for Miss Rose herself. This colour is addictive. 

I'm drying them now to see if I can save some of their beauty. 

I finally finished folding and stringing up my paper stars to make my otherwise barren bedroom walls exciting with a banner-mobile - arguably it's actually six. 

It may have a bit of a dorm decor look, but I am in Templepatrick, not at home. 

However I'm rather pleased with the effect. 

Even if I have artistic qualities, when I use the other side of my brain a whole lot, I find it somewhat difficult to flip back into the creative mode. It takes time, patience and inspiring supplies to channel my inner artist. In the end I'm very happy with the effect and my choice of colours (some created specifically with oil pastels) as well as the layout in the 'constellation'. 

I love that it is the first thing I see when I wake up, if I cannot see Jordan. 

P.S.

I'm thinking a slightly orange flavoured cream cheese icing could make a smashing carrot cake. 

Any takers?

Plane Business

Sometimes so much technical reading and attention, as much as I do enjoy it in a way - I do like to think it makes me more aware and possibly intelligent, too - plus some of it is actually interesting especially when it can be put to practice... really makes me yearn for some artistic action. 

The other side of the brain. Whatever. My whole brain hurts from studying!!!

The place where I'm living is rather devoid of character. It's plain. 

Ready to be dressed up a little. By me, for me. 

My first wee project, to put a little me in my home away from home, was to give an amazing card 

I received a showcase. It's the dark blue in the center with the biplane on it. When you open it it folds out into a paper plane... Now you know the secret of what's hanging on my wall :)

More decor soon I hope. I was totally inspired by the wife of a colleague, Leona. 

Their place looks like they've really moved in and the accent colour is red. 

What's not to like? Oh and she likes to cook real food. 

The two are totally entertaining and make a perfect couple to have in the next building :)

And speaking of planes... Here is the island of Menorca as we approach it from the north. Not so impressive as it's sister island Majorca (or Mallorca) because it's not got a mountain range on the north coast, but the coves are just as bright blue. It's a more family oriented destination, which I know for certain because we had 45 children and 10 babies on board (!) and the island certainly has fewer visitors as the airport is quite quiet. The airport is called Mahón after the nearby city. 

Canadians just do not take their children on holidays the way they do in the UK - for better or for worse I suppose - that's another discussion all of its own ;) What I can say though? With (only) four flights at the beginning of the European season, our passengers are so nice and well behaved. I went to Ibiza (party island of the world in case you're not familiar) the other day and we had to move the plane a few feet after we initially parked. After an announcement and us coming to our final parking position, I opened the door and everyone was sitting and so quiet, that when I spoke I'm certain the passengers in row 32 could hear me. Ahhh, the darling Northern Irish! 

Above is the south of France, looking toward Montpellier with Istres and Marseille on the other side of the plane. Paris was once again overcast. I'm still waiting for my chance to see the Eiffel Tower... 

                               

Hello sprinkles! 

The quins dreams are made of... or perhaps the quins of 31st birthdays...!

Right! More on that shortly, too. I've only got two days to go!