Ooh Finally!

It has arrived. Yes, the long awaited Simon Hopkinson cookbook, The Vegetarian Option.

From the first moment I read the words on its very first page till page 105 – where I am right now, the chapter where he talks about Aubergines & Peppers, I have not taken care of anything in our household. The picture below shows the spot from which I have not lifted my behind since Saturday – my loyal reader will recognize it from a former post in which I gave a small house tour.

Okay, I shall not exaggerate, of course I have done the little necessary things for my fellow inhabitants, but I can assure you, more hours were spent in this tiny angle in my comfy sofa than in the kitchen, where one can normally find me. All under the excuse that I, and the kids as well to be more accurate, have been ill the whole week (Yes, the M-Flu according to an Online-Flu-Check, where I could mark 6 out of the 9 symptoms we all had) and that my body is still in its recovering mode and therefore needs the required rest. So please. Ahum.

TILL NOW!!! I haven’t finished reading the beautiful written novel, uh sorry, cookbook yet, but I can not wait to buy all the necessary ingredients and start cooking away.

May I please, please quote a paragraph from his introduction, just to give you a small impression:

Here it is:

…..“One evening in the late summer of 2007 and probably a Sunday, I found myself rummaging around in the salad drawer at the bottom of the fridge. Unusually for me, the interior was relatively bare, but all I wanted to eat, anyway, was a bowl of something quick to cook; not really substantial, though nourishing. Two items, slightly the worse for wear, caught my eye: a lone courgette not yet limp and a packet of ready-sliced runner beans, past their sell-by date by 3 days. There was also the remains of a bunch of parsley. So, I set to work.”……….

From here he continues to describe how he prepared these leftovers into a delicious dish that did not need any accompaniment whatsoever.

“…although I suppose a piece of good bread might have been better employed than my tongue, but, as I was attempting to not eat bread at the time, the bin was bare.”……

Sigh. And that my friends was just the introduction!

What more can I say about this delightful book. Again, I just can’t put it away without feeling utterly bored. I so much feel the urge to read it till its very last page. So, till now this book reads as a novel, rather than a dry cookbook. And reading through the recipes, I haven’t seen one, yet, that didn’t seem appealing to me.

Bare in mind that I am not at all a difficult eater. Occasionally I would decline a large piece of meat, but that has more to do with the fact that (now from this point some of you would be able to chop my head off, so I hereby do apologize in advance) I am a Part-Time-Vegetarian, depending on the quantity of meat I might have eaten during a certain time frame. Back to the book please…

There is no need for any fancy exotic hard to get unknown vegetable and or spice and I don’t have to be in the possession of expensive kitchen utensils either. It’s all right here around the corner or already in my humble kitchen. Some of it. One thing though, the pictures are not really that sophisticated as I might have expected or let me say, hoped for, but,…..BUT!!!, that doesn’t diminish the value of its Golden content. Armed with a bunch of tips, secrets, stories and anecdotes from his travels and day trips, one or two addresses of his favourite shops and or farmer, names of restaurants and chefs, all is mentioned in one hell of a story telling way.

Yet another fan this amazing food-writer can count in and she will definitely buy his other books as well.

Thank you Mr. Hopkinson, XXX, Carmie.

Simon Hopkinson

Picture 1 is from here, 2 is from me and 3 from here.

PhotoPoem

*

"November comes
And November goes,
With the last red berries
And the first white snows.
With night coming early,
And dawn coming late,
And ice in the bucket
And frost by the gate.
The fires burn
And the kettles sing,
And earth sinks to rest
Until next spring."
- Clyde Watson

I wish you all a comfy and cosy weekend!

XXX, Carmie.

Photo is from me.

Artichokes and Flappen.

Well, I did make the pappardelle last weekend (Sorry, no photo. I still need to buy a new camera), but unfortunately the Artichoke did not turn out that well. The next time I might boil the artichoke for a couple of minutes in hot water. According to the recipe I had to chop it in thin slices and immediately cook it in olive oil. The colour did turn into a golden one, but it still remained a bit to hard to chew on. Alas…..next time! I can’t wait for the books to arrive – unfortunately I received an E-mail today that my order is on its way, excépt for the Hopkinson cookbook!

But, let me show you the result of what the kids made and still love to make, when they get the chance. The picture was taken several months ago. It all happened behind locked kitchen doors with a lot of laughter and way too much sugar.

Drum roll please…

Appelflappen

(Puff paste filled with apple slices, raisins, cinnamon and sugar)

***

You have a lifetime to work, but children are only young once. ~Polish Proverb

XXX, Carmie.

Corner View “Water”

Let me introduce you to Earth Water and let them do the talking here.

Earth Water was founded on the simple concept, ‘If you had the chance, would you change the world’.

It is Earth Water International's mandate to give 100% of our net profits to the United Nations Refugee Agency to provide clean drinking water to millions of refugees around the world.
Everyday 6000 people die because of the lack of drinkable water, most of these deaths are among children. For this reason our shareholders are every man, woman and child living around the world without the most essential element needed to sustain human life: clean fresh water.
In order to get our money to where it is needed the most as effectively and efficiently as possible, Earth Water International has secured the cooperation and support of the United Nations Refugee Agency, who is currently at work in over 110 countries. The UNHCR possesses the infrastructure, personnel and expertise to ensure that the money from the sale of Earth Water directly benefits those who need it the most. History has judged time and time again the importance of the work carried out by UNHCR. We at Earth Water are proud to support their efforts.

By drinking Earth Water, you are saving lives.
Water for Water; it’s just that simple.

Thàt simple ;-)...

XXX, Carmie.

Click here for more information about Earth Water

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A Delicious Option.

As I was going through the latest November edition of House and Gardens, my eye fell on a mouth-watering picture of a plate with Pappardelle served with Artichokes and Sage. Hm…in my mind I looked in my cupboard. Yes, Pappardelle I have, Artichokes and Parmesan are in my fridge – what a coincidence - and there is enough lemon, garlic and pepper. I only need to buy the Sage. That I could do today.

Good, next page.

Pumpkin Soup, with double cream (check), garlic (check) and Gruyere or Beaufort cheese (tiny problem). Oh dear, but this sounds good as well. Gruyere or Beaufort…….let me see…Yes, I know where to buy one of them. Wow, this is fun!!

Page 191.

Spinach Mousse with Parmesan Cream, ‘smooth and seductive, this dainty little dish is deceptively simple to make and would be a delectable starter’…….I might as well buy some Spinach as well.

Page 193.

Beetroot Jelly with Dill and Horseradish Cream??!!

Okay, that’s it!

This book is on its way, right into my kitchen!!

And this weekend I’ll (try to) make all of the above…. ;-)

Product Description (from Amazon.com)
All too often, the vegetarian option is an afterthought on a restaurant menu or the vegetables are relegated to a side dish at home. Here, for the first time, Simon Hopkinson focuses entirely on cooking mouth-watering recipes without meat or fish. Using fresh good-quality produce and combining appropriate ingredients in season are key to Simon Hopkinson's cooking. Invitingly, throughout the book, ingredients that go together are paired together: aubergine & pimento; tomatoes & olives; pappardelle & porcini, peaches & plums, for example. Vegetables feature strongly, of course, but there are also plenty of original ideas and gorgeous recipes for herbs, pasta, rice, pulses, eggs and dairy, fruit - and cocktails! Simplicity, practicality and sensitivity are the essence of Simon's cooking, and his recipes are a joy to make. But there is so much more to appreciate in this highly original book as the author's evocative writing brings his food to life on every page. Superbly photographed by Jason Lowe, The Vegetarian Option is not written exclusively for vegetarians, but as a fresh source of inspiration for all genuine food lovers.

The Vegetarian Option by Simon Hopkinson

Corner View “My Dream”

To meet

Ryan Korban (ryankorban.com)

or

Sir Terence Conran (www.conran.com)

;-)

Do visit the other dreamers in Blogland over here:

jane, ladybug-zen, ian, bonnie, esti, sophie, cele, modsquad,caitlin, joyce, ani, kim, a day that is dessert, natsumi, epe, kaylovesvintage, trinsch, c.t., jeannette, outi, ritva, francesca, state of bliss, jennifer, dana, denise, cabrizette, bohemia girl, isabelle, amber, a girl in the yellow shoes, mister e, janis, kari, jgy, skymring, elizabeth, allison, lise, cate, crescent moon, erin, otli, ida, caroline, lisa, dorte, kimmie, la lune dans le ciel, nicola, malo, vanessa, britta, april, b, kyndale samantha, karen, kristina, goldensunfamily, sophie, janet, mcgillicutty, aimee, sunnymama, jenell, britta, juanita, pamela, inna, daan, myrtille, cris, ibb, susi, jodi, lily, gillian, athena, pienduzz, latisha, clairette, kelleyn, iris, demara, mus, ninja, guusje, di, sammi, theresa, cherry b, victoria, kathryn , lisa, liza, juliette, braja, mulot, anne, lucy, leonor, elizabeth, helene, dominique, shokoofeh

Photo's are from the selby and southbankcentre

Just go!

My mum is here for a few days. Not to see me of course, but the spoil the kids. She made that very clear to me.

Therefore we, my hubby and I, will take this opportunity of having her here. And my mum really doesn’t need…ahum…want any input from our side as long as she’s around. “Let me enjoy my grandchildren, the both of you just have to go…oh...and have a nice time!”

..Right!

So, we have planned to make some long city walks in the evening

picture is from here.

enjoy a (few) relaxed and/or romantic dinners.

picture is form here.

and enjoy the children’s sparkle in their eyes of having naughty grandmother around. Because Mummy ain’t the boss anymore. Oh, I can’t wait!!

Wishing you all a nice weekend and enjoy the moment. (and be grateful for every single breath).

XXX, Carmie.

Ps: Of course my mum is here to see us all, but dear Lord, you should see her with the kids. -Thank you Mum!! XXXX, Carmela.

I watched this video a 100 times

And I’m not exaggerating. Just can’t get enough of this adorable cute baby and his facial expressions. The laughter of his parents cracks me up, but his “Evil Look” is absolutely hysterical.

(If you think it wasn't funny, watch it again. I promise, he'll make you smile eventually!)

Have a nice day, XXX, Carmie.

Corner View “Love”

For my family

-16th of May 2009-

My two beautiful sweethearts dancing on “Fly me to the moon” ( F. Sinatra), while my dear husband prepared our lunch.

**********

Because She Would Ask Me Why I Loved Her

by Christopher Brennan

If questioning would make us wise
No eyes would ever gaze in eyes;
If all our tale were told in speech
No mouths would wander each to each.

Were spirits free from mortal mesh
And love not bound in hearts of flesh
No aching breasts would yearn to meet
And find their ecstasy complete.

For who is there that lives and knows
The secret powers by which he grows?
Were knowledge all, what were our need
To thrill and faint and sweetly bleed?

Then seek not, sweet, the "If" and "Why"
I love you now until I die.
For I must love because I live
And life in me is what you give.

**********

jane, ladybug-zen, ian, bonnie, esti, sophie, cele, modsquad,caitlin, joyce, ani, kim, a day that is dessert, natsumi, epe, kaylovesvintage, trinsch, c.t., jeannette, outi, ritva, francesca, state of bliss, jennifer, dana, denise, cabrizette, bohemia girl, isabelle, amber, a girl in the yellow shoes, mister e, janis, kari, jgy, skymring, elizabeth, allison, lise, cate, crescent moon, erin, otli, ida, caroline, lisa, dorte, kimmie, la lune dans le ciel, nicola, malo, vanessa, britta, april, b, kyndale samantha, karen, kristina, goldensunfamily, sophie, janet, mcgillicutty, aimee, sunnymama, jenell, britta, juanita, pamela, inna, daan, myrtille, cris, ibb, susi, jodi, lily, gillian, athena, pienduzz, latisha, clairette, kelleyn, iris, demara, mus, ninja, guusje, di, sammi, theresa, cherry b, victoria, kathryn , lisa, liza, juliette, braja, mulot, anne, lucy, leonor, elizabeth, helene, dominique, shokoofeh

Poem: Joy.

True inner joy is self - created.

It does not depend on outer circumstances.

A river is flowing in and through you carrying the message of joy.

This divine joy is the sole purpose of life.

What is joy?

It is a bird that we all want

To catch.

It is the same bird that we all love

To see flying.

The ever mounting flame

Of my heart's aspiration - cry

Is the source of my life's

Ever - increasing joy and delight.

- Sri Chinmoy -

To my beloved friend(s) in Allahabad (India), miss U.

Photo is from here.

Have a nice weekend!

I’ll start mine with one of my favourite drinks:

Spritz

From Wikipedia; The Spritz is a wine-based cocktail commonly served as an aperitif in northern Italy, especially in the Veneto region and surrounding areas. The drink is prepared with white wine or Prosecco wine, a dash of some bitter liqueur such as Aperol, Campari, Select or Cynar. The glass is then topped off with sparkling mineral water. It is usually served over ice in a lowball glass (or sometimes a martini glass or wine glass) and garnished a slice of orange, or sometimes an olive, depending on the liqueur. The drink originated in Venice while it was part of the Austrian Empire, and is based on the Austrian Spritzer, a combination of equal parts white wine and water.

Sounds good, doesn’t it?

XXX, Carmie.

The really beautiful image is from here.

Corner View (Souvenir)

Verona has been named a UNESCO world heritage site due its large number of historical buildings and monuments. Verona has its own amphitheatre, the Arena, which is the third largest in Italy. The Arena was constructed early in the first century AD, and still retains much of its original architecture. Summer is a great time to see one of the concerts or operas held in the Arena. (copied from here).

So, what would be one of the must have souvenirs from Verona??

Your Arena opera ticket.

Never ever visit Verona without having seen an opera.

.….never ;-)

Enjoy your Corner View today at:

jane, ladybug-zen, ian, bonnie, esti, sophie, cele, modsquad,caitlin, joyce, ani, kim, a day that is dessert, natsumi, epe, kaylovesvintage, trinsch, c.t., jeannette, outi, ritva, francesca, state of bliss, jennifer, dana, denise, cabrizette, bohemia girl, isabelle, amber, a girl in the yellow shoes, mister e, janis, kari, jgy, skymring, elizabeth, allison, lise, cate, crescent moon, erin, otli, ida, caroline, lisa, dorte, kimmie, la lune dans le ciel, nicola, malo, vanessa, britta, april, b, kyndale samantha, karen, kristina, goldensunfamily, sophie, janet, mcgillicutty, aimee, sunnymama, jenell, britta, juanita, pamela, inna, daan, myrtille, cris, ibb, susi, jodi, lily, gillian, athena, pienduzz, latisha, clairette, kelleyn, iris, demara, mus, ninja, guusje, di, sammi, theresa, cherry b, victoria, kathryn , lisa, liza, juliette, braja, mulot, anne, lucy, leonor, elizabeth, helene, dominique, shokoofeh

XXX, Carmie.

(click on the images to see where I've copied them from).

Do come in.......

Last week my friend Valeria came over for a coffee. And this sweetheart took some wonderful pictures in my house. (My camera is broken and after two months my mother still has no clue how our new apartment looks like…).

Here are just a few of the many pictures she took.

*

I adore Orchids, but I’m having a hard time keeping them alive. With most of the plants by the way.

*

The same flower in black and white.

*

This is my favourite place in the living room. Right on this spot I love to sit and read or fall a sleep when the kids are (finally) in bed.

*

Family pictures are a must in my house, the lovely shell was a present from Valeria and the Cristal I bought years ago as a decoration/toy for the kids. When it catches the sunlight, it illuminates the walls and ceiling with wonderful rainbow colours.

*

I love to have my presents displayed around the house. These beautiful candle holders were a gift from my friend Jenny, which she brought from her native country Sweden. Aren’t they just gorgeous!?

*

Our dining table/area. In the left corner of the mirror you see one of the many greeting cards I brought home from Palais des Beaux arts in Lille (See this post). The Cristal Versace candle holders was a Christmas gift for my husband from one of his clients. The silver bowl in the middle, my hubby saved during a big office clean up in his former company. He spotted it between old faxes and printers that were to be thrown away and immediately thought: "Hm, I think Carmela will like this one". Isn't he just something? Coming from a man that tries to stay far far far away from flea markets??

*

(I love the way she photoshopped this picture).

At the end of our corridor you’ll find this table which is stacked with House and Gardens from a long way back. The table I bought in Gent (Belgium) five years ago, I just had to buy it - although I did not know where to put it back then -. Now it has clearly found its place.

Thank you so much (again) Valeria, now I can finally send some really nice pictures to my mum (and friends).

Valeria has her own blog with some great pictures taken by her of beautiful Verona . Go and visit her at: http://veronadailyphoto.blogspot.com/

I wish you all a happy Monday!

XXX, Carmie.

Renovation is the process of improving a structure.

No, not our apartment…..

My teeth!......Today! (in 1 hour)

Do you remember this post???

Photo is from here

Corner View “White”

The today’s CV-theme immediately made me think of my husbands car. I thought he’d lost his mind when he came home with a white one. “You’ll see”, was all he said. And, yes. White is the new black for most of the (trendy) cars here in Italy.

xxx, Carmie.

photo is frome here.

****

jane, ladybug-zen, ian, bonnie, esti, sophie, cele, modsquad,caitlin, joyce, ani, kim, a day that is dessert, natsumi, epe, kaylovesvintage, trinsch, c.t., jeannette, outi, ritva, francesca, state of bliss, jennifer, dana, denise, cabrizette, bohemia girl, isabelle, amber, a girl in the yellow shoes, mister e, janis, kari, jgy, skymring, elizabeth, allison, lise, cate, crescent moon, erin, otli, ida, caroline, lisa, dorte, kimmie, la lune dans le ciel, nicola, malo, vanessa, britta, april, b, kyndale samantha, karen, kristina, goldensunfamily, sophie, janet, mcgillicutty, aimee, sunnymama, jenell, britta, juanita, pamela, inna, daan, myrtille, cris, ibb, susi, jodi, lily, gillian,
athena, pienduzz, latisha, clairette, kelleyn, iris, demara, mus, ninja, guusje, di, sammi, theresa, cherry b, victoria, kathryn , lisa, liza, juliette, braja, mulot, anne, lucy, leonor, elizabeth, helene, dominique, shokoofeh

Time management.

Take your time!

XXX, Carmela.

picture is from here

Impatient.

I’m already in the mood for X-mas shopping. Anybody else??

Don’t tell, just let me. (maybe I'm just in the mood for shopping)

For now, I wish you all a great weekend, relax, enjoy and don’t forget to smile as much as you can!!

XXX, Carmela.

(Pictures were taken by me this time.)

PhotoQuote

A grandfather is someone with silver in his hair and gold in his heart.
- Unknown

I'm so in love with BOTH of them on this beautiful picture!

Have a golden day.

XXX, Carmie

QuotePhotoQuote

Nobody grows old merely by living a number of years. We grow old by deserting our ideals. Years may wrinkle the skin, but to give up enthusiasm wrinkles the soul. ~Samuel Ullman

Only when we are no longer afraid do we begin to live. ~ Dorothy Thompson

;-) Carmela.

Photo is from http://pixdaus.com/index.php?pageno=50&tag=old&sort=tag

Comment number

4

Random numbers generated Sep 12 2009 at 8:39:2 by www.psychicscience.org. Free educational resources for parapsychology, psychical research & mind magic.

won the bracelet and the winner is:

JOYCE.

Congratulations!

You can mail me at: carmiet69@yahoo.com