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Friday, January 30, 2009
I Cross My Heart - George Strait
Hmmm seems to be working, ENT and line space are all snuggly buggly again.
As I was saying , before I was so rudely interrupted, I have a new Award.
If you have a mind to view it, check out the last post please as I am not going through another "discussion" with Miss ENT and her petty little pouts!
I am required to disclose personal information, otherwise LA will withdraw my nomination...I think :)
The rules: I have to tell you ten honest things about myself in writing and then tag ten people to pass it on.
Honest things should be easy, lies are way trickier (little boogers)
*coughs politely*
1. I ate a worm when I was around 3 years old. Mum had a conniption. Dad was quite proud of the fact that I used a knife and fork.
2. I wanted to be an Archaeologist, then a Vet, then a Lawyer ended up managing a home for Seniors. Guess all my dreams came to fruition?
3. I have no self control when it comes to Chocolate. I'm manic. It's scary.
4. I have a lovely back. So saith SB when I asked him what he liked best about me. Now there's "honest" for ya!
5. I miss Scotland. Every day. Not enough to go back though.
6. I talk to much. I also listen pretty well though so it kinda evens out.
7. The seaside is my happy place. We lived in a coastal village. I love the smell and sounds.
8. I won the "Burns Federation" Award every year in Primary School ( 1st - 7th Grade) We had to memorise an assigned Burns poem every year then recite it to members of the federation who came to the School. I still have them and yes I still love Burns.
9. I love being pregnant. I do it very well. The births, not so much!
10. I saved SB approx $9,940 last week.
Option 1. Face lift = $10,000
Option 2. Haircut = $ 60
I had a haircut. I am a good wife.
It now leaves me to bestow this Award to the following :
( Hate me if you must)
There you go my people, all nice and big , so that the old, the drunk and the hungover can see
themselves...love you all mmmmwwwwaaaahhhhh
Get In Line - Barenaked Ladies
I've won an Award! OH HAPPY DAY !
The lovely, lascivious, lusty, libidinous, lots of L words actually for LAcochran
has deemed me fit to be a recipient! As you can see I have big friggin gaps between the lines. This just occurred and has now apparently decided to rectumfy (not a typo) itself! Jeebus H ! No wait. I'm holding the lines together as long as I don't hit "Ent" at the end of a sentence. I need Tech Support here peoples!
See! that's WTF is happening when I hit EN friggin T. I can either continue with one VERY long punctuated (badly) post or one requiring flippin BRACES! What to do?
Ok I can make executive decisions about my own blog. I'm going to post this because I was "chuffed tae the knickers" that I managed to get a picture of my Award up here but in doing so I have totally confused my line space person who I assume resides within this "program" is that what it's called? No matter, he is obviously discombobulated and having issues with "Miss ENT" who I think may be withholding favours due to the sudden appearance of an Award. ENT can be so bloody minded at times. I need to take time out to council them. I shall return when the dysfunctional pair have worked through their present issues...
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Throw The 'R' Away - The Proclaimers
I have no idea how that happened.
I take no credit whatsoever although I do have a veritable Thesaurus of cuss words.
The Child Iseult uses words that I have to sneak away and google - definition.
WT, just the other day used "serendipity"
Who the hell uses Serendipity?
WT, that's who.
Where am I going with this?
Oh yes...
I just need to shut up.
Why? Well, here's the quandary.
Spellathons. Sponsored Spellathons to be more precise.
WT had 120 words, on a list, that she had to be able to spell for the big Spellafeckinthon today.
WT - Mommy will you read my words so I can practice?
Me- Sure ( I CAN read after all)
WT - Ok, lets start!
Me - Where
Me - No darlin, WHERE
WT - I told you WEAR
Me- No babe, mommy said WHERE
WT - And I told you WEAR
Me - Ok listen W H E R E
WT - Oh you mean where?
Me - That's what I've been saying!
WT - No mom you've really not!
Me - Have too!
WT - Hold on ( calls The Child Iseult downstairs)
WT - Ok Mommy say it to TCI
Me- Ok smartypants. TCI spell where please!
Me- *expletive* (mumbled of course)
WT - Told ya, told ya! (giggling insanely)
TCI - WT don't ask Mom to do your spelling, I had the same problem, she talks funny.
Me - WHAT
WT/TCI - You do Mommy!
Me - I do?
WT/ TCI - Yes.
WT - It's okay Mom, it's not your fault that you can't pronounce words properly. Your accent does have a certain nuance though (smiling with pity?)
Nuance? Who the hell says Nuance?
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Don't Stand So Close To Me - The Police
I dropped her off at 6:15 for a final "rehearsal", rushed back home, rounded up the rest of the people I share a house with aka "the family" then headed out for a 7p.m. musical extravaganza.
The hall was crowded.
No seats left, standing room only, which was actually fine because 4th Grade Strings were right in front of us...initially.
In troop 40+ nine year olds bearing Violins, Violas with a couple of Cellos being carried by heavyweight dads.
They all take their seats.
The music teacher cues them to stand. Not the Cellists, obviously!
SB has the video camera honed in on WT, cue music.
Some feckin 7 foot Gorilla wearing a Bubble Hat elbows his way right in front of us.
A Bubble Hat, that's what I call them.
He then proceeds to hold his Video Camera up in the air.
He was in the FRONT!
SB and I are short.
Even if I had sat on SBs shoulders, the Gorilla guy, arms upraised, would have had a good few inches on us.
SB was a bobbin and a weaving under the Gorillas OXTERS, trying to "capture the moment"
He was feckin hilarious, mumbling cuss words, bobbing in and out.
Put Rocky to shame he did.
Rudeness personified = Gorilla Bubble Hat Eejit!
Determined Daddy = SB
WT was wonderful, I cried. I do that...
D'ats ma gal.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Little Miss Fit - Donna Summer
I've been taking the "horse sized" vitamins religiously.
Drinking water, lots.
Decaf coffee.
Riding the horses and walking the dogs.
Going to bed at around 9:30 Sun - Thur.
Eating ( even green stuff fit only for bunnies)
Punching the crap out of my speed ball, I'm getting quite fast!
And for what?
It's now week four and the results so far ;
Adult acne ( never had a pimple for decades)
Sleeplessness ( waking three/four times a night to pee , that'll be the water!)
Sore biceps, triceps and any other "ceps"
Then to top it all this bluddy flu, thing, virus, cough, sneeze, more mucus than I knew the human body was capable of producing.
I was so much healthier before my health kick.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Favourite Things - The Sound of Music
Saturday - Burns Supper with 19 guests.
Sick as a Dog.
Had to cancel lessons all weekend.
Sunday, Yep, still sick.
The Burns Supper went really well but I was "scunnered", all the effort and really too sick to enjoy it.
A few glasses of white wine ( didn't even touch the uisge beatha)
and it was goodnight from me! Feck.
Oh well, next year...
Monday today, all day, kids are off school! What a surprise.
I now have a runny nose ( not bonny) and a cough. Headache and shivers have subsided but I feel weak
Lovely Lilu has designated my letter.
I got D !
Ten things I like/love starting with the letter D.
Starting with booze is always an idea. Did I say "good idea?" No I did not. Just an idea.
That's what we used to call "Clubs" back in the day...
Who doesn't enjoy shoving the odd Duck or two!
Ducklings are easier for the wimpy-dinks!
I'm back to my Disco Days...life was good
My own Fiddle
And Banjo!
I had to get a horse on the list somehow!
"D" indeed!
7.DOUGLASS, Sara
The Crucible Series was very good.
Managed to sneak in a pony and "The Duke"...god I'm good!
Dino is the bomb!
Dick and emmylou get me, sniff
Hope you enjoyed!
Friday, January 23, 2009
That's Amore - Dean Martin
Had to take a re-sit.
The whole debacle raised a wee red flag in the pit stop of my single, functional, brain cell.
Cast your mind back, dear reader, to 1981.
If your too young, go Google!
The Royal Wedding.
Chuck and Di.
Di fluffed her words.
Read the first line of the third paragraph...confirmed.
Were they ever really married?
Are Willy and Harry illegitimate?
I have serious doubts as it is, as far as Harry is concerned.
We know Diana had sexy time with James Hewitt
And then along came Prince Harry!
Hmmm, looks like the "Royal Family" are in a wee bit of a quandary.
And if young Willy is indeed a "Fitz",
because Mommy screwed up her vows, then when Auld Lizzie meets her maker, Andy will be King ( Charley has NO chance by the way) who's lineage I also question!
No NOT Dino for goodness sake...
Lizzie and Jerry, who knew?
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Music Makes The World Go Round - Eddie Jefferson
When we arrived in the U.S. and A , Slick Willy ( I'd take Monica's job anytime by the way. Ooops...did I just write that?!) was moving over for G.W.
Ok I'm all distracted now thinking about "Bill".
*Deep Breath*
Sheesh ...BREATH! See, my thoughts are all "blowing" in the wind!
Gives self a time out.
Sitting in the naughty chair.
Poor wee chair. How can a chair be naughty? Unless it breaks when you sit on it. In which case you probably need to loose weight. Chairs are very accommodating. I like chairs. Chairs like me. I don't over stress them.
*clears throat*
What I wanted to say was, GW has been President for the duration of my stay here.
I don't know much about U.S. politics but I do know music!
In my humble opinion the last 8 years can be likened to THIS
Our new President Obama on the other hand THIS
Out with the old and in with the new!
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
What A Day - Talking Heads
I'd never heard tell of such a word until I arrived here in the US.
I'm watching it all on TV even as I type.
Wow, it's some spectacle!
Makes me wish I was a citizen...seriously
Our Prime Ministers have a rather different "first day" at work.
Show up at No10.
Go for a wee cup of tea with Queen Bess at Buck Palace.
Shoot the sh#t with her for a wee while, topics including but not limited to, Corgis, head scarves and the benefits of Fox Hunting.
Says "TaTa" to Lizzie and then off to the B.B.C. studios.
Sits in make-up till the 5'o clock news.
Goes on air to say "Hiya"
Back to No10 for a Bovril and then to bed.
Meanwhile the populace goes about it's daily business...
Monday, January 19, 2009
Green Grow The Rashes O' - Robert Burns
The kids managed a whole 2 weeks at school without a break...off today of course. *sigh*
Anyhoo without further ado, I give to you, "The Lassies"
Green Grow the Rushes O'...aye Burns loved the lassies!
Lacochran brings to mind a Rose, her beauty, elegance and prose
Her Blog is quite a sight to see, most days I laugh so hard I pee!
There is another side of course, her schizo twins' personal discourse
I love the fact her psyche's torn, each Rose indeed does have it's thorn.
Another I'd like to recall, My Name is Mommy says it all
The daily tales about her life are full of laughter tears and strife
She cleans and cooks and all of that to keep her family intact
And still finds time to write and share and be my buddy too, so there!
Now moving on to Here I Am, who's cute and really is quite glam
Loves nothing better than to play and tries to do it every day
She's honest, trustworthy and kind and all good things that spring to mind
She is my friend and she is fine, especially when she's on the wine!
Once more the youngest is the last, our bonnie Lilu is a blast
Her love of all the fugly critters, endears us to her as she twitters
Her TMIs make me laugh loud, that girlie sure can play the crowd
With B she has a special link and man o' man can that gal drink!
I have to say that I am proud, to be part of the Lassie crowd
These Wummen, fiesty, loud and strong are not afraid to bear a thong
And now the Laddies have to rise and if your shy we'll close our eyes
Please shout out just before you swallow "Tae the Lassies"
more tomorrow...
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Parcel O'Rogues - Robert Burns (The Bard)
The build up to it is almost as hectic as Christmas.
The "Boys" took off at 8a.m. on a Haggis hunting road trip.
There's a Scottish butcher, a 4hr round trip away, who sells the wee critters.
Meanwhile, I'm working on "The addresses".
The Host ( that would be SB) addresses the Lassies.
The Hostess ( ME) responds with an address to the Laddies.
Typically the addresses are general.
Not at our Burns Supper though, oh no.
Each attendee is addressed individually.
I'm really quite the little "Dittymeister".
It occurred to me that I should honor my fellow Bloggers who will not be here to celebrate with us.
And so without further ado, The Laddies!
I'd like to start with Bilbo a contemplative guy
When Blogging about Boobies he really isn't shy
He loves to go out dancing, he finds it quite a treat
In fact he played wee Mumble in the movie Happy Feet!
Retirement, beer and BBQ's refer of course to Mike
With Boobie posts and videos he's really quite a tyke
He likes to share a joke or two with all his Blogger pals
And he's always quite "supportive" when it comes to us, the gals!
When it comes to magic, John is our shining star
He keeps us entertained without a visit to the bar
He's faithful and he's honest and really likes a laugh
With John we mind our P's and Q's lest we be sawn in half!
Moog dear Moog what can be said he really is quite mad
His pictographic genius and poopy posts are "Bad"
He's always motivational and his posts make me quite giggly
Especially my hero, who is know as MrWiggly
And now for dearest Gilahi, a hippy through and through
He's always entertaining and keeps his music true
I know that he will raise a glass to "Rabbie" on the night
And if he stays true to his Clan he'll end up talking shyte!
The Abbot of Unreason loves telling us a tale
He's eloquent and funny so he really cannot fail
We know he loves to bicycle, his maps he keeps in store
And his Great Uncle Leadbelly keeps us coming back for more
The youngest Laddie , Narms his name is very cute and funny
With all the lassies he is game an energizer bunny
Sport and music play a part in many of his posts
I think he'd have no problems drinking 40 thousand toasts!
And so it's time dear Ladies to be upstanding with your glass
To all our Blogger Laddies, lets toast them all en masse
Please follow my example as we drink a DRAM for them
What would the Blogoshphere be like without our lovely men!
Tae the Laddies! Such a PARCEL O' ROGUES!
No heaving a sigh of relief Lassies, your NEXT!
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Scotland The Brave - Traditional
Lot's of things to be honest but a few in particular.
I have no clue if they apply to the rest of the US, but the Cali Commandments include:
1. Thou shalt not "Double Dip"
2. Thou shalt not say the "C" word.
3. Thou shalt not use the word "Toilet"
4. Thou shalt not use sarcasm.
5. Thou shalt not sit down on a "toilet" without first placing a piece of tissue on the seat.
It makes me wonder how I survived 30+ years in Scotland.
According to CA rules I should have been pushing up Daisies decades ago!
You may not like it, but here's how it works "where I come from"
1. At a party, chances are you'll be dipping more than a Tortilla Chip by the end of the night.
Therefore double dipping is like foreplay.
2. The big bad "C" word is used as a term of endearment. I kid you not.
i.e. Oh sha "c" ah havenae seen ye aroond fir a while.
3. A toilet is a TIOLET. I don't want a "rest" or a "bath"(room) I want a pee, in a TOILET!
4. Sarcasm rolls off the Scottish tongue beautifully.
We cannot survive without it.
It's part of our staple diet.
5. I had to take "toilet tissue" 101.
For the life of me I could not figure out WTF to do with the lovely, "shaped to fit"
pieces of tissue paper which reside in their own wee metal container, in every public toilet.
I tried , god knows I tried. As I recall, my training needs were identified following this:
GF and I at the mall ( setting the scene for you here)
Me - I need to pee
Her - ok
We go into the "toilets"
Me - shit I forgot my nail scissors
Her - What do you need scissors for?
Me - To cut the perforations on the tissue...duh!
Her - What? You cut the perforations on the TP ?
( there's another one for you T effin P)
Me - No ya eejit. The perforations on the tissue you put on the seat.
I've tried tearing the centre out but it just ends up ripping. So I use scissors.
Yes, well, you can imagine her reaction *sigh*
My Scottish Granny used to say " Ye have tae eat a ton o' dirt afore ye dee"
(tae=too, afore=before,dee=die)
Go Granny...ya auld "c"!
Wow. sarcasm AND endearment in three words.
You can take the woman out of Scotland but you can't take Scotland out of the woman!
Shedding a wee tear here...i cannot lie
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Love Machine - The Miracles
He did, very kindly, give me some insights into his lifestyle, so that I might better select an appropriate video.
Mentioning retirement, lawnchairs, traffic watching?, beer and BBQ's.
Whilst lawn chairs and traffic watching are all very interesting, Mike omitted to tell me that retirement, beer and BBQ's appear to be VERY closely related to the following.
No imagination required.
Heeeeeeeeeere's Mikeeeeeee!
What can I say ?
Go Mike!
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Girls Just Wanna Have Fun - Motley Crue
I'm becoming quite the "Social Butterfly" this new 2009!
(Which reminds me, my Sunday girls (students) gave me the most beautiful Fairy (I collect them) for my Birthday! She's pretty darned Foxy for a Fairy and I LOVE her!)
Monday I went for Coffee with an old girlfriend.
No, not "old" like me, in fact quite the opposite, looking all young and yummylicious.
I mean "old" as in long ago or shall I say erstwhile?
Erstwhile, now there's a darned good word that you don't hear much of these days!
Too many good words being displaced, disappearing, misplaced?
Shoot, I'm ranting again.
So Monday was wonderful, we're only a tenth caught up ( what do you expect, we only had a couple of hours!) and I can't wait to move on to 2/10, 3/10 etc,etc
Today, I had yet more luverrly ladies for company.
My "Taylor Swift" farrier, gave all five equines, pedicures.
Not kidding, she really does look like Taylor Swift! LOL
She is a dear friend as well as being one helluva farrier!
My best buddy came along as arranged and had her lesson.
She did a great job, on the most Left Brain Extrovert horse that ever was!
This evening, I took WT to her Hippity Hop Class and met yet another gorgeous "oldie".
We've arranged to go for coffee on Friday!
Aren't I "Miss Popularity"?
I'm a happy camper, there's nothing quite like not being in touch with a friend for a long time and then, all the years lost, quietly slipping into oblivion, as you reconnect and resume the friendship.
With January 25th fast approaching, SB called today, to inform me that he has ordered 20 tons of Haggis...well maybe not 20 tons but a LOT!
I'm hoping all of "my girlfriends" and their families will attend!
Consider yourselves invited.
No pressure to eat the Haggis ladies...
Open invite also to all fellow Bloggers in my Blogiverse, who knows? you might even like it!
Monday, January 12, 2009
The Look - Roxette
Yes, my darlings, it's "Double Entendre" Monday with perhaps a "wee" boobie to titillate your taste buds.
Friday night was great. My BFF took me out for a birthday dinner. We were supposed to go to the Movies afterwards but decided the local bars were more appealing.
Until we realised everyone was under 30...I didn't have my glasses on.
In the spirit of a good time we decided to play Narms Would ya?
The results were somewhat disturbing to say the least.
We had left the house at around 7p.m. as happily married heterosexuals and by 11p.m. we had both somehow "gone gay"
I have no idea what happened.
My heart goes out to the young single girls in a town filled to capacity with droop dead ugly guys...typo but I'm going to leave it hanging.
Onwards and attempting to go upwards.
I'm jumping on LA Cochran and Lilus' recent posts.
OMG you look just like...
I have frequently been told over the years, that I resemble the following:-
I have mentioned previously my hirsuteness, have I not?
My short forehead, long cheek bones and abnormally large nostrils
The fact that I can sun bathe on my tummy and still get my nipples burnt!
My athletic abilities
I cannot deny the uncanny resemblances.
Friday, January 9, 2009
When a felons not engaged in his employment - Gilbert and Sullivan
Usually to the detrement of myself.
Sadistic little scoundrels.
At my Birthday Dinner last night WT started harping on. Come on Mommy tell us a story.
Story? Story? I'll tell you a Story!
As I have probably mentioned WT is indeed her Mothers daughter...
From as young as I can remember singing ,dancing, acting, then a bit later learning to play an instrument has been a huge part of my life.
Permit me to set the scene.
4th Year at High School, I'm 16 years old and have been in the School Drama Club for 3+ years performing in various plays, recitals etc. This year the School decides to have a 5th and 6th year production of Gilbert and Sullivans "The Pirates of Penzance".
I am elated to be auditioned and then to be selected as one of the "girls" in the Chorus.
General Satnley's daughters. I am the youngest!
No expense spared, the School hires our costumes from a Theatrical Company in London.
The show is advertised in the local newspapers, it is to run for 4 nights.
Opening night. Full house.
The Curtain goes up.
Pour o pour the pirate sherry...game on!
The "girls" are in the wings, we are the fifth number.
Enter stage right, skipping and singing, "Climbing over rocky mountain"
All is well, we are good, the audience loves us.
The Pirates, Mabel and Frederic have done their bit and it's time for the grand entrance of
"The Major General"
We "girls" all run to the front of the stage, waving and shouting "Papa,Papa"
This we do, only to be met by a very loud voice from the audience yelling
"Fiona, Fiona it's mum, I'm over here!"
Stunned silence. Giggles, louder giggles. Uproarious laughter both on and off stage.
That day dear reader, that gray day, was the day I imbibed my first alcoholic tipple.
Suffice to say this tale of utmost mortification elicits a good old giggle from my kids.
Entertainment becomes entertaining.
Break a leg?...if I had been able to dismount that feckin stage my "MUM" would have had two!!
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Happy Birthday to You! - By Me!
It's that time of year again.
This morning was quite the "affair" with cards and gifts from SB and the "scoundrels"
Scoot - Happy 21st Birthday Mommy
The Child Iseult - Happy 21st Mom.
WT - Happy 21st Birthday Mommy.
SB - What???
Me - Our children are VERY well trained!
SB - So I see * astonished *
So, another 21st Birthday, wait, Typo.
So, it's my 21st Birthday.
Need I say more?
Actually, yes!
I'll throw in a "Booby Sunday" ...game is on with my dear friend BILBO THE BOOBMEISTER
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Swing Life Away - Rise Against
I can't remember the last time I had no comments.
(one private, for which I thank the sender from the bottom of my heart)
Since I don't want to loose the few readers I have, let me move on !
Scotland's favourite pastime.
After drink of course.
Hence the term 19th hole. The Bar in the Clubhouse. Only hole I've ever played!
Just so that you know GOLF as a word, dates back to medieval Dutch.
The origin of the game itself, can be best revealed HERE
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Come Fly With Me - Frank Sinatra
The savoir faire of this seasoned mother, was taken aback by the realisation that I have done no research, reading, updating on the subject of Autism for quite a while now.
Well that's just what I thought!
Well I could rant and rave about 1 in 150 babies being diagnosed, yet according to medical and political criteria it's NOT an epidemic.
Hell, I could wax lyrical for days on "my" thoughts and opinions.
The truth though is quite straightforward.
Scoot is Scoot.
And quite the Scoot he is!
WELCOME TO HOLLAND was given to me by a Child Psychologist a few months after Scoot was diagnosed. At the time, and for many, many, years later I could not afford any comfort from it.
Now, as his 14th Birthday approaches, Holland is the best place on earth.
Monday, January 5, 2009
Message in a Bottle - The Police
Not that there is THAT much wrong with it.
Fully clothed, sporting a Parka, ball cap and shades it's actually quite admirable, given it's longevity.
Problem is I don't eat.
My first and last meal of the day is dinner.
Coffee - free feed. All day.
After the twins were born 13+ years ago I gave up on Breakfast and Lunch.
It has it's up sides. I've never been over 110.
However, I do "get it" that it's no way to treat an aging body...I use the term "aging" loosely here by the way!(wee D.E )
Also there is no point in spending time putting together "audio" music posts for your pleasure and entertainment if SB is going to be "going solo" cos I've fainted with lack of sustenance! ( and another?)
Plus, he can't sing for shit, so it would be guitar solos *sighs*.
Plus, he has no self motivation so you'd probably never hear a feckin string strum!
All that in mind, I decided - Breakfast - Rice Crispies and a granola bar for lunch.
RDA - 8 x 8 oz Water.
Today leaves me feeling a tad bloated.
Rice Crispies and Granola must expand, who knew?
Not to mention the fact that I'm feckin drowning in the Oceans of H2O.
I can't swim worth diddly. It's a bit worrisome.
I decided to buy some Vitamins!
Cos THAT'S what Americans DO.
I've never taken a vitamin in my life but when in Rome and all that.
I am now the owner of the following:
Cholesterol Free, Fish Oil 1000mg. (The amount of feckin water I'm consuming, I may as well throw in some friggin fishes!)
Wellness Formula, Herbal Defense Complex. ( Get ye back, ye complex Cilantro, Basil, Parsley , Sage, Rosemary and Thyme feckers, back I say)
Women's Formula, Multivitamin and Mineral ( I'm sure sucking an orange and gnawing the odd bit of fossil fuel would have the same results, but whatever, I want to embrace the American way)
I lined up my newly acquired "meds"
Read the destructions ( not a feckin typo! )
Opened the bottles.
My keyboard is stammering here.
Tipped a vitamin into my palm.
Feckin eye popping experience going on ( just when the left one had settled down!)
Eye MUFFINS are NOT good!
These things are Feckin HUGE.
The pills I'm on about now. ( The eyes are a law unto themselves)
It's ridiculous!
I'm not enamoured with swallowing at the best of times (DE)
And get this...
You don't just get to gag down one of these puppies, naaaah too feckin easy!
Naaaah, let's really get that good old gag reflex WORKIN' baby!
THREE, THREE of each, DAILY.
That's nine...
I feel faint just thinking about it.
I've seen smaller Horse Pills.
And I'm a glass of water short. Nine pills. Eight glasses.
I've just previewed this and have only one final statement to make on this
( should have been Double Entendre Monday, got a couple in I think) Post.
Thank feck friggin swearing was NOT on my "resolution" to be friggin good list!
Oh and I must practice my swallowing techniques...
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Takin' Care of Business - Bachman -Turner Overdrive
We have the equipment.
We have begun practicing.
In fact we dedicated the whole of last night to it.
There were a few false starts...I will not lie
There were some timing issues.
There were moments of total unity and bliss.
SB did get a wee bit carried away with himself at times...I will not lie.
I got a tad giggly at one point.
We need to do A LOT more work prior to ...
Got a bit "ahead" of myself for a moment there.
Note to self - save that one for "Double Entendre" Monday.
All this we do for YOUR entertainment dearest reader.
We are on the verge of giving birth!
I'm too excited to keep it a secret any longer.
We are going to have a brand new SB and wee me BLOG!
Not just any old Blogaroonie though.
We are miked up, amped up, and almost ready to start giving you a weekly song!!!!
We may even take requests!
We're working on a few songs right now and ironing out some "issues" but I promise you, this will be, "occurring"
I'll keep you all posted on the progress.
This is SO much fun...
I Luv u SB xxxxx
Bye the way "occurring" is my number one word this year.
Check out GAVIN and STACIE
Nessa rocks my boat!
She's always asking "what's occurring?"
Unfortunately NOT on bluddy youtube. Grrrrrr
Uncle Bryn is just friggin hilarious. Love it.
Oh, afterthought, don't want anyone getting "all numpty" about the clip!
If you are offended then...mmmmmm sorry?
Friday, January 2, 2009
In The Eye - Suzanne Vega
Saturday nights Party left SB and I presumed dead.
Alcohol poisoning will do that to you...just a friendly warning.
Sunday - ? ( I assume it happened)
Monday - Occurred, this I know because two totally unrelated events stuck in my
still intoxicated brain cell.
1. GF visited. Took advantage of my delicate condition and signed me up for
a trip to Victoria's Secret Sale...need I say more? THAT'S how bad I was.
2. Left eye swollen, red puffy.
Me - did you feckin punch me last night?
SB - Whaaaaa? *barf* I dinnae think so *barf*
Me - Well there's something weird going on!
SB -* arf * ( a wee barf = arf )
Tuesday - Occurring but not "happening" with the exception of the now "Cyclops" left
eye. And Yes I also am renound for my hirsuteness...
Wednesday - Soberish. Left eye has now taken on massive proportions. Starting at eyebrow, swollen to half way down cheek! Feckin HUGE. I need medical help.
I call my GF to cancel "Victoria". No way I'm going "there" with two droopy boobs and a feckin droopy eye!
I luv luv luv my GF. ( She has historically taught me to function in this US and A including but not limited to ordering a sandwich!) she talked me through calling K#$*er to make an appointment to see a Dr.
I followed her instructions to the letter and was eventually (35 mins listening to some elevator music) told to apply a hot/cold compress. WTF?
Kaiser Incompetent Klingon - If it's a stye then a hot compress. If it's an infection then you need to use a cold compress.
Me - so which should I use?
KIK - Is there a pimple?
Me - Eye acne?
KIK- can you see a pimple?
Me -It's a huge bulbous appendage...no pimple
KIK - Hmmmmm
Me - So can I see a Dr?
KIK - OH NO. Not until Friday. Earliest.
Me - But it's Hogmanay and I have a THING where my eye should be!
KIK - Tell you what, do 5 mins hot then five mins cold compresses, that should cover
all bases.
Me - Ehhmm thanks? *hang up*
It's Friday, ET looks like a feckin supermodel compared to wee me.
What was my left eye is now a mushy, red, swollen blob.
I look like a stroke victim.
Is the eye stye a 2008 epidemic? I'm feeling for the gal above. She is my soul mate.
Poor baby.
So begins 2009.
I'm entering it with "one" eye wide open, the other...not so much


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Ciara Torres-Spelliscy is an Associate Professor of Law at Stetson University College of Law. Her research focuses on corporate governance, election law, business ethics, and constitutional law. She is the author of Corporate Citizen: An Argument for the Separation of Corporation and State. She works in Gulfport, Florida.
Her research has been funded by Stetson University College of Law.
Associate Professor of Law
Location: Gulfport, Florida.
Contact Information:
Email: email@example.com
Phone: (917) 208-0256
Listen to Ciara Torres-Spelliscy here:

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Tournament draws best teams from Atlanta, Chicago and Dallas to Disney; nationally-ranked players Morgan Brian and Bryane Heaberlin to play
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (Dec. 22, 2010) — America's best youth soccer clubs which feature some of the country's elite players will take the field during Disney's Soccer Showcase presented by Chelsea Football Club Dec. 27, 2010- Jan. 3, 2011 at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.
This year's showcase features boys and girls teams from the top two clubs in the country as ranked by Soccer America magazine. The boys showcase (Dec. 27-30) includes teams from the No. 1 ranked Baltimore Bays and the No. 2 ranked CASL (Raleigh, NC); while the girls showcase (Dec. 31-Jan.3) features teams from the No.1 ranked Dallas Texans and the No. 2 ranked Eclipse Select (Chicago, IL). In all, 10 soccer clubs among the top 25 ranked boys clubs and nine clubs in the top 25 girls clubs will be competing among 560 teams. The eight-day event is expected to draw nearly 30,000 athletes, college coaches and fans to the complex, making it the leading college recruiting event in the country.
'The tournament encompasses all of the best elements teams, players and coaches are looking for including world class facilities, elite competition and fantastic weather—and all at the world's No. 1 destination for family vacations and youth sports.'
—Patrick Dicks, Disney Soccer
Top performers in the boys showcase will also be selected to Disney's Soccer Showcase All-Star Team and have the opportunity to train overseas and compete against international competition.
Here is a breakdown of the top teams competing from some of the country's soccer hotbeds:
Three high-ranking Dallas clubs will be bringing boys teams to Disney including the No.11 Dallas Texans, No.18 FC Dallas and No. 21 Solar. The Solar SC U16 squad (Dallas, TX) will also take on international competition as they face the Chelsea FC Academy Team in their opening game on Dec. 27. The academy team features players who eventually work into the Chelsea FC first team, the defending English Premiership League Champions. The game will stream live on ESPN3.com at 6:30pm.
This year's boys' showcase also features the top two teams in the country as ranked by gotsoccer.com in the boys U18 division. The No.1 ranked Alpharetta Ambush and the No. 2 ranked GSA Phoenix, who are both Atlanta-based soccer clubs will be competing in the men's open division.
The Chicago Fire Juniors, the Chicago Fire's (MLS) official youth club, will bring teams in all boys divisions, including the No.12 ranked U15 boys team.
On the girls' side, the nation's No.1 players to watch in both the 2011 and the 2012 recruiting classes as ranked by topdrawersoccer.com will be playing. Morgan Brian and Bryane Heaberlin, both US U17 Women's National Team players and Florida-based club soccer products, will be competing in the U18 division. Brian, a midfielder with the Ponte Vedra Storm, is the all-time leading scorer in US U17 Women's National Team history while goalkeeper Heaberlin will compete with the Clearwater Chargers.
Brian and Heaberlin are a part of an elite list of high-school-aged soccer players coming to this year's showcase. Walker Zimmerman, who is competing with the GSA Phoenix out of Atlanta, is ranked No. 14 by topdrawersoccer.com in the top 100 players in the 2011 boys recruiting class.
Some of the country's best youth soccer talent has competed in Disney's Soccer Showcase including Jozy Altidore (Villareal, Spain), Clint Dempsey (Fulham FC, England) and Oguchi Onyewu (AC Milan, Italy).
The showcase set a new record last year with more than 900 college soccer coaches attending, including coaches from major programs including North Carolina, Notre Dame and Wake Forest.
"Disney's Soccer Showcase has become the premier college recruitment tournament in the country," Patrick Dicks, Disney Sports area manager said. "The tournament encompasses all of the best elements teams, players and coaches are looking for including world class facilities, elite competition and fantastic weather—and all at the world's No. 1 destination for family vacations and youth sports."
About ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex
ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, which hosts more than 350 events a year, is the leading multi-sport venue for amateur and professional sports in the nation, accommodating 70 different sports and athletes from more than 70 countries. Designed to take youth sports to the next level, the 230-acre facility features multiple competition venues, including Champion Stadium, the HP Field House, the Jostens Center, the Hess Sports Fields, a track & field facility, a tennis complex and a baseball/softball sportsplex. It is also home to the ESPN Innovation Lab, a real-world testing ground for the ESPN Emerging Technology Group that develops ground-breaking on-air products like Ball Track and ESPN Snap Zoom, as well as development of its new 3-D television channel. In addition, the complex features 56 high-definition cameras and 40 high-definition video screens, including three jumbo screens, which can capture and display footage from any event taking place at the complex. The camera and video screens, as well as a 20-zone audio system, are controlled through the state-of-the-art HD and 3-D Production Center with direct links to ESPN facilities in Bristol, Conn., New York and Los Angeles. For more information, visit www.wdwnews.com for press releases, photos and videos. Follow us on Twitter at @DisneySports.
About Chelsea Football Club
Founded in 1905, Chelsea Football Club plays in the English Premier League and supports the development of soccer at all levels around the world. Nicknamed The Blues, Chelsea's First Team plays at Stamford Bridge in West London.


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It's bright lights and the big city for some! The Institute of Business & Medical Careers announces that six employees will be attending this year's National Association of Private Sector Colleges and Universities (APSCU) Annual Convention and Exposition.
This year's event will be taking place at Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada on June 20-22, 2012.
IBMC will be sending the following staff members to attend, where they will be present at a multitude of workshops and informative seminars that discuss trends in the education realm.
- Ann Cross, Regional Director of Career Services
- Michelle Blomfelt-Jabs, Student Retention Manager
- Trish Bowen, Greeley Campus Director
- Barbara Kearns, Longmont Campus Director and Accreditation and Compliance Director
- Holli Milenski, Marketing Manager
- Eric Thompson, Fort Collins Campus Director
APSCU is the premier source of crucial information and public policy recommendations that promote access to career education and workforce development.
In addition, Ann Cross was selected to speak at this year's APSCU event by an elite committee. She will present "They're Hired! Proven Placement Programs and Practical Tools to Increase Graduate Employment" for the Career Services track of the session.
The APSCU Convention & Exposition is a rich learning experience, bringing together 60 topical concurrent sessions in ten educational tracks on the subjects driving career education today with "big picture" plenary meetings and leading speakers and consisting of more than 1,500 CEOs, presidents, deans, executives and emerging leaders in the higher education.
For more information, on the 2012 APSCU Convention and APSCU registration information, visit http://www.apscuconvention.org.
IBMC has business programs, medical training, legal classes and massage therapy courses at campuses in Fort Collins, CO; Greeley, CO; Longmont, CO and Cheyenne, WY.


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I was wondering if anyone who has a spare minute could read and rate my review of Dragons of the Valley on the Waterbrook Multnomah website. If you can, thank you very much!!
Here is the review again:
Honestly, I wasn't expecting a lot, and my expectation was right, in a way. The plot wanders, and it's hard to tell where it will go next, even though you think you know where it will end up. A lot of time often passed between chapters, without being hinted at, and that was confusing. The only character not revealed much was Tipper, even though she was the main character in the previous book, Beolomondore taking that spot in this volume.
The other characters, however, were where I was wrong. I really, really enjoyed them! They are what drove this story. Wizard Fenworth's absent-minded way of things kept me laughing, Hollee's cheerful inquiries brightened my mood, Lady Peg's meandering, critical speech bewildered and fascinated me, and Rayn's antics had me wishing I had a minor dragon of my own! If you don't mind a vague plot, and prefer good and interactive characters, this is the book for you!
My rating: 4 stars


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Communities that allow video gambling at liquor establishments have not seen an increase in crime and criminal activity, according to a limited survey conducted by the Darien Police Department.
Darien Police Chief Ernest Brown told the City Council last week that's what the 13 suburbs contacted said about video gambling. "One suburb actually told us they reported higher than expected revenues (from the machines)," he said.


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Portraying Life
The minute she steps into the room, you notice that the woman is as vibrant as her paintings! Jaye Portigal is having her first solo exhibit in a place that is full of heartwarming memories, the former Antico Martini on Somerled reincarnated into Prime BBQ restaurant.
The Côte Saint-Luc born artist has herself enjoyed many professional lives before reaching this point. A classically trained artist with a bachelor in Fine Arts with honors at Concordia University, after years of being a successful entrepreneur, this year, Ms. Portigal decided to be fully committed to earn a living as an artist. « In my various business ventures, I was surrounded by actors and artists, immersed in a creative atmosphere. » She also never stopped being involved in the visual arts and perfecting her technique by studying with Rita Briansky, Shirley Katz, David Moore to name a few.
« I've lived elsewhere. But my heart belongs to Montreal! » When she retraces the artists who most influenced her, immediately Jaye thinks of Emily Carr, the Group of 7… « But the most influencial for me remains the Beaver Hall Group. » This home-grown artist definitely remains true to her roots.
« I'm not your typical artist. I admit I'm a square peg. » For artists like Jaye, social medias are a fertile option to conventional means of reaching an audience. And Ms. Portigal is very active through the multiple platforms available online. « I love that through them I can discuss art with painters I admire. But it's also wonderful to have people find you online, check out your work and contact you to commission a piece. »
Family life
Jaye has had many paintings commissioned, which can be found in private collections all over Canada, in England and from Philadelphia to L.A. Although they are imbued with realism, her portraits bring something more, something whimsical, to the canvas. « If you want an exact replica, a photo will do nicely! » says the painter.
And then she starts telling you the beautiful stories of how some of those commisioned pieces came to be. Her joy to be able to translate with colors and brushes someone's life or the role of a certain dog in their owner life, is contagious. Such is the tale of a dog she painted in its owner's garden. When years later, the couple moved from that place and the dog's health was waning the owners found solace in the painting as they reconnected with happy days now gone.
Present and future
When asked where she sees herself 5 years from now, Jaye spontaneously replies: « In my own studio, not worrying about a thing and doing what I love! » Quite a program.
Jaye Portigal brings texture and movement to painting. And maybe her major in animation partly explains how she achieves this effect and creates paintings that feel they are coming to life. Her portraits are singular representations of people, pets and places as they colorfully tell stories that rejoyce our eyes and our hearts. The canvas is where her talent unfolds as she realizes her dreams today, tomorrow and for years to come.
Anytime, have a peek at ther virtual Etsy shop at www.etsy.com/ca/shop/MixofWhimsy.
And as she is quite the connected woman, she is also active on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.
Facebook Art Page:


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Kitchen Fittings
No 96 Factory Bargains Centre has been servicing the greater Sydney, in particular the Sutherland Shire and St George area for more than 20 years.
Australian owned and operated , we pride ourselves in having the best value for money and the most competitive furniture prices in Sydney. Our furniture is manufactured both here in Australia and overseas from a range of timbers, each with their own beauty and character.
Please contact us for more information.


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Thank you for purchasing JetElements for Elementor. This documentation consists of several parts and covers the entire process of installing and setting up JetElements plugin from scratch. You will also find information on how to enable and customize JetElements addons.
What Is JetElements Plugin?
JetElements is a plugin that adds extensive modules for Elementor live page builder, allowing to build different kinds of content with easiness and efficiency.
With JetElements You can add various custom blocks to your website's page layout, containing additional modules, which are not included in the standard Elementor page builder elements bundle.
Use JetElements to extend Your content with 19 diverse modules, devised especially to add timers, pricing tables and advanced sliders to Your website's pages.
JetElements Overview
- Advanced Carousel module displays slides in an attractive way. You can display from 1 to 10 slides at one time using Advanced Carousel module, set versatile animation options, create vivid backgrounds, enrich slides content with clear typography. With Advanced Carousel you can create as many slides as you need to.
- Advanced Map module is the perfect solution if you need to display a map on your website, and add pins to it to locate the places. You can add multiple pins, change map style, enable switching from satellite to map view. The module is easily customizable and has friendly user interface.
- Animated Box module creates an attractive info block on the website's page, which consists of two sides, that switch from one to other. You can add icons, buttons, titles and content to the animated box. Every element is easily customizable.
- Animated Text module was specially devised to deliver your ideas in the form of attractively animated text. With the help of ths module you can add animated words and phrases to your website's pages, customize them, and add plain text to complement animated text.
- Banner module allows you to add custom banners to your website's content. The module has multiple style settings, that include animation settings. It provides you with the means to customize banner background, title and content.
- Brands module helps you to showcase brands and companies on your website's page. You can add brands, visualize them using brand logos, apply links to them, and customize them in the matter of several clicks.
- Button module will assist you in creating buttons with your custom text and links, eye-catching icons and versatile hover effects! With this module you can easily add a button whenever you need it and style it up according to your vision!
- Circle Progress module allows you to display progress in the attractive form of circle progress bar. The module has versatile style settings, such as content style, value type, etc.
- Countdown Timer module is a helpful tool if you need to embed a timer with a countdown to your website's page. The module has multiple settings, such as digits color, font settings, and custom background for the timer.
- Download Button module will assist You in creating versatile buttons that will allow the visitors downloading files in one click! You won't need to install additional plugins to add this kind of functionality to the website! All You need is to use Download Button module and have the file stored in the Media Library!
- Headline module is the perfect tool for creating stunningly beautiful headlines in order to decorate the website's pages with attractive textual titles. Its content is fully flexible, as well as its multiple style settings, devised to assist you in creating really beautiful headings within minutes!
- Image Comparison module is the perfect tool that will assist you in creating slides with image comparisons in an attractive and stylish way. From now on you wield the power to showcase the results of your work in an engaging Before and After form!
- Instagram module mpowers you to showcase Instagram publications on yuor website's pages in an attractive way, with text captions, meta information (the number of likes and comments). You'll be able to style up this module according to your vision in order to make it the truly outstanding part of your website!
- Images Layout module displays images using different eye-catching layout types, such as Masonry, Justify or List. Add images and customize layouts in several clicks to get the stunning results and adorn Your website pages with beautiful imagery!
- Posts module is a multipurpose tool, that can create attractive post grid layouts, sort posts by categories, IDs or the date of publishing. This module is also helpful when creating post sliders and post carousels.
- Pricing Table module is helpful beyond measures when you need to showcase the prices and services your company provides in an attractive and clear way. The module has multiple options, versatile customization settings, and is easy to use.
- Scroll Navigation module has multiple style and content settings, allowing to set icons, use labels, define the elements position, background type, and there is so much more for you to customize to make the module look its best!
- Services module is devised to add attractive services blocks to your website pages in a smooth and easy way! Use it to showcase the services provided by your company. With Services module you can manage the service title, description, and there are still lots of style settings you can manage.
- Slider module is invaluable if You need to liven up Your website page with a bright and attractive slider! This module is easily customizable, has multiple navigation options. It provides profound content and style settings, which make working on slider as simple as it can be!
- Team Member module is the perfect solution when it comes to displaying your team members, and if you need to introduce your team to your website visitors. There are multiple content and style settings, that can be changed at will!
- Testimonials module is useful beyond compare when it comes to adding your clients' positive feedbacks to your site. Feel free to style up the testimonials and add the beautiful testimonials carousel right to your web page in several clicks!
- WooCommerce Recent Products module helps you to showcase the products on your website's page and sort them using custom order.
- WooCommerce Featured Products module helps you to display featured products in an attractive way on your website's page, and sort them using custom order.
- WooCommerce Sale Products helps you to display sale products on your website's page, and sort them using custom order.
- WooCommerce Best Sellers module is extremely helpful if you need to show the most sold products on your website's page, and arrange them in columns.
- WooCommerce Top Rated Products module can be used if you want to showcase the products that have the highest rating according to the customers reviews. With this module you can set the number of products to show per page and the number of columns in which the products will be organized.
- WooCommerce Product module can help you to display custom products on your website page in a classy way.
- Contact Form 7 module helps you to display your existing contact forms. You have to create a contact form using Contact Form 7 plugin before placing it to your website's page.
You have to install and activate Elementor page builder plugin before using JetElements! If You haven't installed Elementor, please, navigate to Elementor Installation tutorial.


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> Subscribe to
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March 17, 2010 –
Comments (1) |
Posted as a reply to the recent "Weekly Walk of Shame" fool column: http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2010/03/10/weekly-walk-of-shame-apple.aspx You know, it's interesting. I use an ad-blocking proxy, Privoxy (dot org), which pretty well disables online ads without affecting the rest of the page content. Browser plugins like Adblock and AdAware perform a similar function. I use this function on my favorite websites, like the NY Times and the Fool, even though I know that doing so explicity breaks those sites' business model. It's a classic cooperate-or-defect scenario; I'm a defector.For every 100 ads that get blocked, there's probably 1 ad that I would have enjoyed seeing, and maybe 1 in 1000 I would have clicked through and bought something.It's true, however, that when I want to buy something or price comps, I no longer walk down to the corner newsstand, buy a paper, and open to the classified section. I just use the Internet. The amount of time I spend pricing and seeking goods has decreased exponentially, and I can get more good stuff for less money. Everyone knows that this is what the Internet is good for.The holy grail of advertising these days is to use technology to deliver that 1-in-1000 ad to the correct person, the one who wants to buy it. Scattershot saturation of ads is the least efficient but most effective way to do it - show the ad to a million folks, and even if only 1 of them clicks through you may still win. But that encourages the development of ad blocking, making everyone lose.Apple is famous for giving people what they want before they even know they want it. If anyone can patent and deliver the relevant technology to make this work - to make ads another value-added proposition - it's probably AAPL. Or GOOG. No wonder that rivalry is heating up. [more]
March 15, 2010 –
Comments (1) |
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/16/business/global/16rating.html [more]
March 12, 2010 –
Comments (13) |
I have had, over the course of my life, the opportunity to come in contact with maybe 40 or 50 pretty remarkable people; people whom I met and felt they had great intelligence (180+ IQ), great work ethics, great personalities, and a great ability to be competent and well-rounded in nearly any endeavor they set their mind to. I met some of them at college, some through the Internet, some in my medical and other postgraduate education and training; some i met socially, and some I met over the internet. [more]
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The bees are looked after by someone from the Hard Rock Cafe, vegetables from the garden are used to make soup for the homeless, and the wild flower section of the garden was dontaed by Bez from the Happy Mondays. Who knew all this was going on right above our heads! Bees are such fascinating creatures and so essential to our environment. Friends of the Earth are currently campaigning against the governments decision to use bee harming pesticides in the UK, you can read more about it by clicking here.
So in honour of our bee themed meeting I decided to make some honey flavoured cupcakes with cute little bees on top! To make the bees I started by rolling chunks of golden marzipan to make the bees bodies. I laid them onto baking paper.
I melted a few blocks of dark chocolate in the microwave and painted the bees stripes and eyes onto the marzipan bodies using a brand new paint brush. You could probably also do this with a cocktail stick.
I pushed flaked almonds into the bees to make the wings.
Soon I had a swarm of marzipan bees! I made 30+ cupcakes for my WI meeting, but I'll give you the recipe for 12 cupcakes, then you can double and triple it as you need.
To make the cupcakes I started by creaming 150g butter, 50g honey and 100g caster sugar.
I added 2 eggs, the zest of one orange, 3 tbsp orange juice and 1 tsp orange extract.
Finally I mixed in 150g self raising flour.
I baked the cupcakes on 180C/350F/Gas Mark 4 for 15 minutes until golden brown. I got a new oven recently and it bakes things super fast so you may need to leave them in for 20 minutes depending on your oven.
I made some buttercream by mixing 150g butter, 50g honey, 400g icing sugar and 1 tsp orange extract. I piped it onto the cupcakes when they were fully cool.
Finally I added the super cute marzipan bees! I loved the final effect, the little 'bees' looked so adorable. I got some really lovely comments when I presented them at the meeting and was pleased to see them all fly off the table!
I'm entering these into Belleau Kitchen's challenge Simply Eggcellent, this month the theme is cake.
It's also National Cupcake Week at the moment, which is great timing to share this recipe!
Sponge recipe adapted from Rowse Honey.
Products from Amazon.co.uk
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Honey & Orange Cupcakes
- 120 g Golden marzipan
- 6 blocks of Dark chocolate
- 50 g Flaked almonds
- 300 g Butter
- 100 g Honey
- 100 g Caster sugar
- 2 Eggs
- 1 Orange
- 2 tsp Orange extract
- 150 g Self raising flour
- 400 g Icing sugar
To make the bees, roll chunks of golden marzipan into an oval shape. Lay them onto baking paper
Melt the dark chocolate and paint the bees stripes and eyes onto the marzipan bodies using a small paint brush or a cocktail stick
Push the flaked almonds into the bees bodies to make the wings
To make the cupcakes, cream 150g of the butter, 50g of the honey and the caster sugar together
Add the eggs, the zest of the orange, 3 tbsp of the orange's juice and 1 tsp of the orange extract. Mix well
Fold in the self raising flour
Bake the cupcakes on 180C/350F/Gas Mark 4 for 15-20 minutes until golden brown. Leave to cool completely
Make the buttercream by mixing 150g of the butter, 50g of the honey, the icing sugar and 1 tsp of the orange extract together until smooth. Pipe it onto the cupcakes
Finally add the marzipan bees


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The Honeychurches were a worthy family, but he began to realize that Lucy was of another clay; and perhaps—he did not put it very definitely—he ought to introduce her into more congenial circles as soon as possible.
"Mr. Beebe!" said the maid, and the new rector of Summer Street was shown in; he had at once started on friendly relations, owing to Lucy's praise of him in her letters from Florence.
Cecil greeted him rather critically.
"I've come for tea, Mr. Vyse. Do you suppose that I shall get it?"
"I should say so. Food is the thing one does get here—Don't sit in that chair; young Honeychurch has left a bone in it."
"I know," said Cecil. "I know. I can't think why Mrs. Honeychurch allows it."
For Cecil considered the bone and the Maples' furniture separately; he did not realize that, taken together, they kindled the room into the life that he desired.
"I've come for tea and for gossip. Isn't this news?"
"News? I don't understand you," said Cecil. "News?"
Mr. Beebe, whose news was of a very different nature, prattled forward.
"I met Sir Harry Otway as I came up; I have every reason to hope that I am first in the field. He has bought Cissie and Albert from Mr. Flack!"
"Has he indeed?" said Cecil, trying to recover himself. Into what a grotesque mistake had he fallen! Was it likely that a clergyman and a gentleman would refer to his engagement in a manner so flippant? But his stiffness remained, and, though he asked who Cissie and Albert might be, he still thought Mr. Beebe rather a bounder.
"Unpardonable question! To have stopped a week at Windy Corner and not to have met Cissie and Albert, the semi-detached villas that have been run up opposite the church! I'll set Mrs. Honeychurch after you."
"I'm shockingly stupid over local affairs," said the young man languidly. "I can't even remember the difference between a Parish Council and a Local Government Board. Perhaps there is no difference, or perhaps those aren't the right names. I only go into the country to see my friends and to enjoy the scenery. It is very remiss of me. Italy and London are the only places where I don't feel to exist on sufferance."
Mr. Beebe, distressed at this heavy reception of Cissie and Albert, determined to shift the subject.
"Let me see, Mr. Vyse—I forget—what is your profession?"
"I have no profession," said Cecil. "It is another example of my decadence. My attitude—quite an indefensible one—is that so long as I am no trouble to any one I have a right to do as I like. I know I ought to be getting money out of people, or devoting myself to things I don't care a straw about, but somehow, I've not been able to begin."
"You are very fortunate," said Mr. Beebe. "It is a wonderful opportunity, the possession of leisure."
His voice was rather parochial, but he did not quite see his way to answering naturally. He felt, as all who have regular occupation must feel, that others should have it also.
"I am glad that you approve. I daren't face the healthy person—for example, Freddy Honeychurch."
"Oh, Freddy's a good sort, isn't he?"
"Admirable. The sort who has made England what she is."
Cecil wondered at himself. Why, on this day of all others, was he so hopelessly contrary? He tried to get right by inquiring effusively after Mr. Beebe's mother, an old lady for whom he had no particular regard. Then he flattered the clergyman, praised his liberal-mindedness, his enlightened attitude towards philosophy and science.
"Where are the others?" said Mr. Beebe at last, "I insist on extracting tea before evening service."
"I suppose Anne never told them you were here. In this house one is so coached in the servants the day one arrives. The fault of Anne is that she begs your pardon when she hears you perfectly, and kicks the chair-legs with her feet. The faults of Mary—I forget the faults of Mary, but they are very grave. Shall we look in the garden?"
"I know the faults of Mary. She leaves the dust-pans standing on the stairs."
"The fault of Euphemia is that she will not, simply will not, chop the suet sufficiently small."
They both laughed, and things began to go better.
"The faults of Freddy—" Cecil continued.
"Ah, he has too many. No one but his mother can remember the faults of Freddy. Try the faults of Miss Honeychurch; they are not innumerable."
"She has none," said the young man, with grave sincerity.
"I quite agree. At present she has none."
"At present?"
"I'm not cynical. I'm only thinking of my pet theory about Miss Honeychurch. Does it seem reasonable that she should play so wonderfully, and live so quietly? I suspect that one day she will be wonderful in both. The water-tight compartments in her will break down, and music and life will mingle. Then we shall have her heroically good, heroically bad—too heroic, perhaps, to be good or bad."
Cecil found his companion interesting.
"And at present you think her not wonderful as far as life goes?"
"Well, I must say I've only seen her at Tunbridge Wells, where she was not wonderful, and at Florence. Since I came to Summer Street she has been away. You saw her, didn't you, at Rome and in the Alps. Oh, I forgot; of course, you knew her before. No, she wasn't wonderful in Florence either, but I kept on expecting that she would be."
"In what way?"
Conversation had become agreeable to them, and they were pacing up and down the terrace.
"I could as easily tell you what tune she'll play next. There was simply the sense that she had found wings, and meant to use them. I can show you a beautiful picture in my Italian diary: Miss Honeychurch as a kite, Miss Bartlett holding the string. Picture number two: the string breaks."
The sketch was in his diary, but it had been made afterwards, when he viewed things artistically. At the time he had given surreptitious tugs to the string himself.
"But the string never broke?"
"No. I mightn't have seen Miss Honeychurch rise, but I should certainly have heard Miss Bartlett fall."
"It has broken now," said the young man in low, vibrating tones.
Immediately he realized that of all the conceited, ludicrous, contemptible ways of announcing an engagement this was the worst. He cursed his love of metaphor; had he suggested that he was a star and that Lucy was soaring up to reach him?
"Broken? What do you mean?"
"I meant," said Cecil stiffly, "that she is going to marry me."
The clergyman was conscious of some bitter disappointment which he could not keep out of his voice.
"I am sorry; I must apologize. I had no idea you were intimate with her, or I should never have talked in this flippant, superficial way. Mr. Vyse, you ought to have stopped me." And down the garden he saw Lucy herself; yes, he was disappointed.
Cecil, who naturally preferred congratulations to apologies, drew down his mouth at the corners. Was this the reception his action would get from the world? Of course, he despised the world as a whole; every thoughtful man should; it is almost a test of refinement. But he was sensitive to the successive particles of it which he encountered.
Occasionally he could be quite crude.
"I am sorry I have given you a shock," he said dryly. "I fear that Lucy's choice does not meet with your approval."
"Not that. But you ought to have stopped me. I know Miss Honeychurch only a little as time goes. Perhaps I oughtn't to have discussed her so freely with any one; certainly not with you."
"You are conscious of having said something indiscreet?"
Mr. Beebe pulled himself together. Really, Mr. Vyse had the art of placing one in the most tiresome positions. He was driven to use the prerogatives of his profession.
"No, I have said nothing indiscreet. I foresaw at Florence that her quiet, uneventful childhood must end, and it has ended. I realized dimly enough that she might take some momentous step. She has taken it. She has learnt—you will let me talk freely, as I have begun freely—she has learnt what it is to love: the greatest lesson, some people will tell you, that our earthly life provides." It was now time for him to wave his hat at the approaching trio. He did not omit to do so. "She has learnt through you," and if his voice was still clerical, it was now also sincere; "let it be your care that her knowledge is profitable to her."
"Grazie tante!" said Cecil, who did not like parsons.
"Have you heard?" shouted Mrs. Honeychurch as she toiled up the sloping garden. "Oh, Mr. Beebe, have you heard the news?"
Freddy, now full of geniality, whistled the wedding march. Youth seldom criticizes the accomplished fact.
"Indeed I have!" he cried. He looked at Lucy. In her presence he could not act the parson any longer—at all events not without apology. "Mrs. Honeychurch, I'm going to do what I am always supposed to do, but generally I'm too shy. I want to invoke every kind of blessing on them, grave and gay, great and small. I want them all their lives to be supremely good and supremely happy as husband and wife, as father and mother. And now I want my tea."
"You only asked for it just in time," the lady retorted. "How dare you be serious at Windy Corner?"
He took his tone from her. There was no more heavy beneficence, no more attempts to dignify the situation with poetry or the Scriptures. None of them dared or was able to be serious any more.
An engagement is so potent a thing that sooner or later it reduces all who speak of it to this state of cheerful awe. Away from it, in the solitude of their rooms, Mr. Beebe, and even Freddy, might again be critical. But in its presence and in the presence of each other they were sincerely hilarious. It has a strange power, for it compels not only the lips, but the very heart. The chief parallel to compare one great thing with another—is the power over us of a temple of some alien creed. Standing outside, we deride or oppose it, or at the most feel sentimental. Inside, though the saints and gods are not ours, we become true believers, in case any true believer should be present.
So it was that after the gropings and the misgivings of the afternoon they pulled themselves together and settled down to a very pleasant tea-party. If they were hypocrites they did not know it, and their hypocrisy had every chance of setting and of becoming true. Anne, putting down each plate as if it were a wedding present, stimulated them greatly. They could not lag behind that smile of hers which she gave them ere she kicked the drawing-room door. Mr. Beebe chirruped. Freddy was at his wittiest, referring to Cecil as the "Fiasco"—family honoured pun on fiance. Mrs. Honeychurch, amusing and portly, promised well as a mother-in-law. As for Lucy and Cecil, for whom the temple had been built, they also joined in the merry ritual, but waited, as earnest worshippers should, for the disclosure of some holier shrine of joy.
Chapter IX: Lucy As a Work of Art
A few days after the engagement was announced Mrs. Honeychurch made Lucy and her Fiasco come to a little garden-party in the neighbourhood, for naturally she wanted to show people that her daughter was marrying a presentable man.
Cecil was more than presentable; he looked distinguished, and it was very pleasant to see his slim figure keeping step with Lucy, and his long, fair face responding when Lucy spoke to him. People congratulated Mrs. Honeychurch, which is, I believe, a social blunder, but it pleased her, and she introduced Cecil rather indiscriminately to some stuffy dowagers.
At tea a misfortune took place: a cup of coffee was upset over Lucy's figured silk, and though Lucy feigned indifference, her mother feigned nothing of the sort but dragged her indoors to have the frock treated by a sympathetic maid. They were gone some time, and Cecil was left with the dowagers. When they returned he was not as pleasant as he had been.
"Do you go to much of this sort of thing?" he asked when they were driving home.
"Oh, now and then," said Lucy, who had rather enjoyed herself.
"Is it typical of country society?"
"I suppose so. Mother, would it be?"
"Plenty of society," said Mrs. Honeychurch, who was trying to remember the hang of one of the dresses.
Seeing that her thoughts were elsewhere, Cecil bent towards Lucy and said:
"To me it seemed perfectly appalling, disastrous, portentous."


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The calorie count for bone beefsteak can range from 600 per pound for fat- trimmed round steak all the way up to 1,800 or more for prime rib. What`s worse: The more you pay -- in cost as well as calories -- the less you get! Because of shrinkage, a pound of premium-priced, fat-marbled beef barely serves two, while the leanest least-fattening budget beefsteaks can serve four with the same amount of protein.
But there`s one teensy little problem: Cheap lean steak does not melt in your mouth. And chewing doesn`t count as exercise! Meat tenderizer to the rescue. Properly applied, tenderizer can turn stew meat into steak -- and you pocket the savings.
The active ingredient in commercial meat tenderizer is the enzyme papain, which is found in the papaya plant. Primitive cooks were the first ones to use ``meat tenderizer.`` They found that they could soften up any tough hide by wrapping it in papaya leaves. When you sprinkle bargain beefsteak with meat tenderizer, you`re doing essentially the same thing. Meat tenderizers are harmless to human tissue; your own digestive enzymes are many times more powerful than the natural enzyme in commercial meat tenderizer.
How can meat tenderizer save you pennies and pounds? Here`s my favorite technique for a broiled or barbecued beef round steak.
1. Choose a lean beef round steak at least 2 inches thick (anything thinner should be pan-fried).
2. Allow the steak to reach room temperature wrapped in plastic or waxed paper.
3. Unwrap, then moisten the meat with tepid tap water. Sprinkle liberally with meat tenderizer, about 1/2 teaspoon per pound. Add no salt if the tenderizer contains salt. Sprinkle with any other non-salty seasonings you prefer: onion or garlic powder, for example, or dried herb mixtures.
4. Puncture the meat all over with a fork, angel-food cutter or deep penetrating steel-tipped tenderizing device.


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What is the Buzz Enterprise Zone?
Buzz Enterprise Zone has been developed to encourage the emergence, development and growth of Social Enterprises working in North Bristol and is facilitated by Buzz Lockleaze CIC. The Buzz Zone community is made up of social businesses addressing challenges both locally and further afield. Our members are entrepreneurs, freelancers, advocates, campaigners, creatives, consultants, coaches and more.
Supporting social enterprises and non-profits
If you are looking for office space in North Bristol, we have permanent and Hot Desk options available. The Buzz Enterprise Zone provides fully serviced office space exclusively to social enterprises, charities and not-for-profit organisations.
Photocopying (B&W and colour) and full colour scanning
Outgoing phone calls including telephone conferencing
Meeting room at the Langley Centre subject to availability at £25 an hour plus VAT.
The added extras


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- Home
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When searching for the right Ft. Lauderdale dentist, look no further than Florida Smiles Dental. Dr. Peter Scerbo and his staff provide gentle care dentistry; building long-term relationships with patients, and helping them achieve a better quality of life through exceptional dental health. Treat yourself, as well as the ones you love to a dental provider that is courteous and professional. Call our office at (954) 523–6525 and schedule a one on one consultation today, meet with our exceptional team, and learn why we are the preferred Ft. Lauderdale dentist office. A great smile never goes out of style; visit our website for more information about Florida Smiles Dental at: http://floridasmilesdental.com