Set in New Zealand, New York, and London this novel links generations through cello playing, while exploring issues of health and relationships. I found the overlapping of themes a little messy, but enjoyed it nonetheless.
“Following Grandma’s music score
led to New York and so much more.”
This recipe came from a friend, and I’ve found there are thousands of similar recipes for Chocolate Mug Cake on the web. The one I’ve got says:
Mix in a large coffee mug:
4 tablespoons flour
4 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons cocoa
add one egg and mix again
Add 3 tablespoons milk & 3 tablespoons oil – mix again
Add a small splash of vanilla essence and 3 tablespoons chocolate chips (optional)
Mix again. Cook for 3.5 minutes in the microwave.
I found it hard to stir the ingredients in a mug, so the second time I did it in a bowl and put the mixture in four silicone patty pans.
Little chocolate mug cakes.
It’s tastes good. And why is it dangerous? Because now we are always only five minutes away from chocolate cake!
“It’s just too easy now to make
a rapid, tiny choc’late cake.”
This is an exquisite film with a superb performance by Kristin Scott Thomas. There are lots of beautifully detailed scenes that give clues, then a heart-rending revelation. Being in French with English sub-titles adds to the intensity. I find French films satisfying because I have just enough French to be able to translate the words. Some critics say it’s a horror movie but I didn’t find it fearful. If you’ve seen it I’d love to know what you think.
“Did she commit a murder then?
Just what went on away back when?”
On a cold and frosty morning it was good to see the sun shining on the Edmonds clock tower.
North side of Edmonds clocktower showing Father Time.
This north side has the inscription ’Faith’. Other sides have Hope, Peace, and Charity. The clock, which can be seen on the east and west sides, is always about ten minutes slow. This is fine for commuters who are aware of its idiosyncrasies, but I sometimes wonder whether strangers get confused. On the north and south sides there is a medallion depicting Father Time who resembles Thomas Edmonds, the benefactor who paid for the clock to be erected in 1929.
“I wish the clock could just reflect
an hour and minute that’s correct.”
Oasis on the corner of Madras and and Chester Streets was the venue for breakfast this morning. This restaurant looks out on the river and Poplar Crescent and it was lovely to watch people walking along as the day dawned. However the chilly decor, with glass-topped tables, is not the most welcoming on a winter morning.
The service was mediocre and the food ordinary. One of my friends ordered bagels and was disappointed when they turned out to be bagel-shaped bread buns. Two of us had the full breakfast without sausage. I asked if my sausage could be replaced by extra mushrooms, was told yes, but the extra mushrooms failed to appear even after I’d reminded the waitress. Breakfast at Oasis is not a meal any of us will choose again.
“The situation can’t be beat
but it’s not where we’ll choose to eat.”
This is the poignant tale of two people finding each other. The mature couple, who’ve had other disappointments, are beautifully played by Emma Thompson and Dustin Hoffman. The film is set in London, mainly on the South Bank, and at Heathrow. I did find it difficult to believe that any bar at Heathrow would have so few customers. Definitely a feel-good movie.
“They’re lucky to have met at last
and put behind them sorrows past.”
The eggs we use come from happy, free range hens. In winter these are sometimes reluctant to lay (and who could blame them?). Today the shop had only pullet eggs, which are much smaller. Some are too tiny to fit in our egg rack – they would slip through the holes.
Big eggs at top, little eggs below.
The two at the top are standard hen’s eggs, the others are smaller pullets’ eggs. The other pullet eggs had to stay in the box.
“I know it’s truly winter when
production ceases from the hen.”
While Londoners are anticipating a heat wave, in Canterbury it’s cold! Being Sunday morning I stayed in bed until 8.15 a.m., and enjoyed getting up in daylight for once. My plan was to get out in the garden, but the temperature was minus two degrees and this was the garden’s frosty state:
Frosty Avon Loop garden on Sunday 28 June 2009
An hour later the temperature had reached zero, and I’d decided the place to be was at the computer rather than in the garden.
Apparently the name Jack Frost comes from Viking folklore. It’s derived from the Norse word Jokul meaning icicle, and Frosti meaning frost.
“I wondered why Frost was called Jack
and found it went a long way back.”
This story of a woman seeking to uncover her father’s past has many excellent scenes. 1940’s New Zealand is beautifully evoked, and the depictions of war ring with authenticity. I felt the three separate threads of the story didn’t quite hang together, but it was a worthwhile read.
“In separate times and places they
Sought comfort in a world astray.”
Seaweed teapot
This caught my eye on Waimairi beach yesterday morning.
“A teapot made from weed of sea
Might hold a salty cup of tea.”
