Blue Footed Boobies of the Galapagos Islands

 

Photo courtesy: Mick Billstein

Having only seen images such as these Blue-footed Boobies in magazines such as the National Geographic, they were a sight to behold. These beautiful birds, flocking together on the rocks were amazing. I'd always wondered how they got their strange name "Bobbie" so asked our guide. He told us the Spanish word roughly translates to "clown feet, clumsy, but funny..." Now I know.

One thing I will mention about our fabulous trip. I should have been better prepared. For instance, I'm not as young as I used to be (even though quite fit) my knees could have had some help on the hikes. If I had used walking sticks, they would have greatly helped me on the trails. 

The islands are very, very carefully monitored, controlled and protected (as they should be to maintain the invironment). A visitor will get roughly 60 to 90 minutes per island visit, so be prepared for strenuous climbing into --and out of a Zodiac several times a day. This is of course wearing a life vest for either a wet or dry landing. Remember to take a special bag to keep your phone dry as most of us use our phones for taking photographs.

To actually walk and see what Darwin saw in 1835, was a true gift. After months of sailing on HMS Beagle, one can only imagine how he must have felt seeing the islands. It is an exceptional place to visit and one I will remember for the rest of my life.   

The Galapagos Islands

 

On a recent trip to the Galapagos Islands, I had the privilege of getting up close and personal with this magnificent tortoise. He or she (never did find out--but it has something to do with their tail) is one of the Big 15 animals on the islands. I was amazed that I was able to get so close to this wonderful animal. We had been advised by the ranger we should only approach from the rear and gradually move around so as not to scare the tortoises in their habitat. This beauty was roughly 500 lbs.

Visits to the islands are carefully controlled and monitored. The guides and rangers kept everyone organized and safe. Often, we were given one hour to visit and leave...take nothing and leave nothing accept our footprints. It was such a special time to walk in Darwin's footsteps. What an adventure!  

An Untitled Piece of Art

This large original piece of art is just waiting for a suitable home. It sits in a 51" x 41" frame so it's a heavy piece. It began life as a drop cloth used for probably hundreds of paintings, most of which have been sold over the years. When I spread the cloth on the ground and stepped back, certain colors, shapes and images appeared. I concentrated on those images and expanded most of them allowing the original shape to determine where I should take the painting. The colors are subued with occasional blue, white and taupe highlights. There's also some use of permanent markers for added effect. 

Untitled is for sale at $1000 in the frame plus packing/shipping. Or $500 plus packing/shipping rolled into a tube.  For more information please contact: 

For more information go to:

Instagram: @stu_art_wall_ace

and

@groundedcafeinc

Art Sale --- 25% Off!

 

Even while working for Fortune 500 companies most of his life, Stuart Wallace has never stopped painting. His work has been exhibited in London, New York (DUMBO) Seattle, Los Angeles, Kansas City and across Colorado. Stuart's abstract paintings explore tension between raw and refined, often drawing on organic forms, physical structures, and fractured patterns. His process in rooted in movement, material and a sense of visual rhythm shaped by his own unique sensory experiences. 

For more information go to:

Instagram: @stu_art_wall_ace

and

@groundedcafeinc

30 Exceptional Places to Visit in England...Off the Beaten Track

The concept for this book began many, many years ago. As an Englishwoman living in the USA, I was often asked the question, "I've visited all the usual places of interest...I'm ready to explore the real English countryside...what do you recommend?" That question led me to collect an extensive file on the places I know best (and some I discovered for the first time) that I believed would be of interest to a visitor. Stories of Kings, Queens, Norsemen, ghosts and witches, including The Witch Finder General who became wealthy because of his special ability to find witches (for a fee from the Crown) sometimes just because they owned a cat! 

The book begins with a story of Reverend Lawrence Washington, great-great grandfather of our first President in the sleepy little hamlet of Purleigh, Essex. How the Reverend Washington lived and died both of which led to his two sons, John and younger brother, Lawrence, disgusted by their father's treatment, left for the New World. The rest is American history. Six members of the Sherman family also left seeking a new life along with the Penn family. They are all included in 30 Exceptional Places to Visit in England...Off the Beaten Track.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GZS1DP1Z

"Spine" By Stuart John Wallace

 

Stuart Wallace is never one to let a large piece of canvas go unused...he turned this piece into roughly 128" x 62." The title is "Spine" the medium is mixed paint, and the piece is stretched over a wooden frame. It was displayed at the BloBack Gallery in Pueblo for months approximately two years ago, along with several other artists. 

Large pieces of Stuart's work are not unusual to find. Some years ago, he was commissioned to paint a large piece for Starbucks Coffee for use in one of their coffee shops. For that painting...he never used paint of any kind instead chosing Starbucks coffee brewed and cooled and then painted it directly onto the  canvas. He used various strengths of coffee from dark to blond, often leaving the background white to indicate the swirls of cream. A photograph of that particular artwork will be posted soon. Or you can go to his site below.

          To see more of Stuart Wallace's artwork, please go to Instagram: @Stu_art_wall_ace

 

The Sacred Return: When Life Remembers Itself

The Sacred Return: When Life Remembers Itself is a contemplative poetry collection that invites readers into stillness, presence, and inner awakening. Through spacious, reflective verse, Linda Hildebrant offers not instruction, but a gentle remembering—that the sacred has never been separate from who we are.  She is also the creator of the website SacredBeyondWords.com which displays more of her writings.

https://shop.ingramspark.com/b/084?params=IUOiJxnhReVY60djLmb4Tlnc7QQrtl6U5jhL45byB5q

Toad in the Hole

I know it's a strange title and I haven't any idea how it got it's name, but it's delish. I make it quite often with either pork chops or Bratwurst. It's a fun thing to serve to my American friends who look at it and are mystified; they've never seen such a dish before. I serve it with lots of mashed postatoes, fresh veggies and gravy. Basically, it's a Yorkshire pudding batter but used differently. 

Ingredients  

Four pork chops (boned) or 5-6 Bratwurst

1 cup all-purpose flour

pinch salt

1 egg beaten

Two cups milk/iced water.

Method

Set oven to 350 and place chops or sausages in a 9 x 12 pan with salt/pepper/oil and roast for approx. 20 minutes so they're half cooked. In the meantime make the batter. Put flour and salt in a bowl and whisk about half the egg and milk/water mixture to a paste. Put it in the fridge to keep cool. 

After about 15 minutes, whisk in the rest of the liquid into the batter and place back in the fridge. Now set the oven temperature to 450 degrees. It will need to be really hot! When the oven reaches temperature, take the chops/sausages out and pour the batter over them immediately. Place back in the oven for approxmately 30 minutes until golden brown. 

The Ancient Art of Pollarding/Coppicing

 

Pollarding is an ancient pruning system involving the removal of the upper branches of a tree enabling a longer life and controlling the shape. It was first mentioned by Propertius in the 1^st century, BCE. It has been a common practice throughout medieval times and still used today as we can see from this photo I took recently in England.

Homemade Vegan Bread

 

• 

A very close friend of mine recently bought a bread maker and made these wonderful vegan loaves for me. I am not vegan myself, but we have a dinner party soon, and one of our guests (who is vegan) will be bringing her own Beef Wellington and no doubt other dishes too. Our guest never wants us to "make a fuss over  her" but instead discreetly places her own food on the table alongside everything else. When I mentioned this to my friend (the bread maker) she promptly made us these vegan loaves; one using wheat and the other using white flour. Not that my friend stops there, she's also made me Black Russian and saffron and raisin bread too. That's the kind of friend we all want!

Grab a Granny!

I saw the title "Grab a Granny" years and years ago on the front of a textile shop in England. It was such a wonderful outreach program that is both beneficial to grannies and younger children for obvious reasons. As a child growing up in England, girls and boys learned to knit in primary school (when we weren't poking each other with the needles) but learning the art of knitting is good for dexterity, following instructions, concentration, etc. How many times have we heard the expression: I wish I'd taken more interest when my grandmother (or mother) tried to show me how to knit? I understand from the news that adult women are learning to knit in an effort to calm their nerves after a long day at work instead of having a glass of wine. Of course, you can do that too! It's just a matter of taste. 

I found the above free pattern (as well as many others) by typing my request on the Internet. Lots pop up, so good luck. Give it a try and go to your grannies and ask for their help. I bet you'd be surprised at what they know.   

Big Bear Baked Potatoes

I had the pleasure of visiting Big Bear Baked Potatoes last week with two girlfriends...and what a treat! The potato was baked to perfection and the toppings were wonderful. Great food for the price and delivered by the boss, Eddy. He knows what he's doing--- and he does it really well. He's been open just over a year, but you wouldn't know it by the constant stream of customers. Most of the potatoes he uses are locally grown, but he also buys from around the country too. Good luck, Eddy.

Tel: 720-970-2327 Closed on Sunday and Monday. 

Bubble and Squeak

This is a dish served usually the day after Christmas with ham, turkey and stuffing. I'm really not sure how it got its name other than it maybe due to gastronomical reasons...'nuf said. However, it's a great way to use leftover potatoes/brussell sprouts. It is delicious and has a flavor all its own. This is how I make it.

Mash about two cups of potatoes with one cup of brussel sprouts in a bowl. Add seasonings of your choice and form into patties. Saute the patties in a frying pan with oil until golden brown. Serve with leftover turkey/ham or make them for any meat dish.

Kustom Kookies by Lex

Alexis (Lex) started a very successful baking business over a year ago. Lex loves what she does, but she especially loves the look on clients’ faces when they see her baskets of freshly baked cookies. She specializes in all sorts of designs from Thanksgiving and Christmas gifts, birthday parties, showers and just about everything else. Soon, she hopes to branch into offering cakes for those special occasions, but in the meantime, her Kookie business keeps her very busy. By the way, they are delicious!!

For more information you can contact Lexi directly at:

Lexisnyder17@gmail.com.

          

Chicken Pot Pies

 

I can’t even imagine how many pies I have made in my years…but they are a staple to my family. Served with lots of fresh veggies and mashed potatoes (of course!) they are always a hit. You can buy ready-to-go pastry, a rotisserie chicken and even a package of white sauce mix to cut down the prep time, but here goes with the Full Monty. I usually make two and freeze one. They freeze well.

Pastry

1 cup all-purpose flour

½ cup Crisco

½ teaspoon salt

Mix all ingredients together with a fork and enough cold water to bind the dough together. Sprinkle flour on a worktop and knead the dough lightly using your fingertips (the coolest part of your hand) and cut into two pieces. Roll pastry the pastry out until about the thickness of a quarter and line a 9” pie pan. Be careful not to stretch the dough otherwise it will shrink during baking. Prick the bottom of the pastry well. Set aside with the other half of the dough.

Filling

2 cups of cooked chicken (made easier by buying rotisserie chicken)

1 cup of mixed vegetables of your choice (cooked)

Two cups of thick white sauce (see below)

Method

Mix chicken, vegetables and sauce together in a bowl with salt/pepper to taste. When cool, place in the pie pan. Roll out the second piece of pastry to roughly the same size as the pan. Damp the edges of the pastry in the pan and place the second piece of pastry on top. Cut off any excess pastry. Using a fork, bind the two pieces of pastry together or “cut and fluke” (look it up)

Coat the top of the pie with beaten egg or milk and bake in a hot oven 400 degrees for about 30 minutes until golden brown. Decorate the top if you wish with cut outs of spare pastry.

Sauce: Place ¼ cup of butter and ¼ cup of cornstarch together in a medium saucepan and stir over a low heat for approximately 3 minutes until blended. Slowly add 1 cup of chicken stock and half cup milk to the saucepan and stir continuingly. This should make a thick sauce. If you want to add a little double cream, it will be even better.

Note: Place the pie on a baking sheet so that is it does boil over…it’s easier to clean up.

Steamed Syrup or Jam Pudding

Sorry everyone, but you’re going to have to convert from ounces to cups. I just use my scales…but that’s up to you. This recipe is quick, easy and a traditional English dessert. Served with Bird’s English custard (should be at your local grocery store) or easier yet with a scoop of ice-cream, it’s delicious! You’ll need a Pyrex bowl to cook it in. Ask your mother or grandmother, I bet they have something you could use.

Ingredients

6 oz self-rising flour or use all-purpose adding 1.5 level teaspoons of baking powder

4 oz butter or margarine

4 oz sugar

2 eggs beaten

A little milk (about 4 tablespoons)

¼ cup of Jam of your choice

Method

In a large bowl, cream the sugar and butter or margarine. Add the beaten eggs slowly so they don’t curdle (you can add a little flour to stop this happening.) Gradually add the flour and a little milk to give a soft dropping consistency.

Grease the bowl. Place the jam in the bottom and drop the pudding mixture on top. If you’re lucky enough to have a lid for the bowl, use it, otherwise make a lid with extra strong baking foil.

In a large saucepan, bring about two cups of water to the boil. Carefully place the pudding into the saucepan and cover with a lid. The water should come only about a third the way up the side of the basin. Steam for about 1.5 hours over a low heat. You may have to replenish the hot water. When cooked, turn the pudding upside down and enjoy.

Note: Traditionally, syrup is used in this pudding. Tate and Lyle syrup is wonderful in this recipe. World Market has it on their shelves along with Bird's English custard powder.   

Cornish Pasties

 For those of you who have never baked a Cornish Pastie...why give them a try? They are a traditional dish in the United Kingdom and a favorite enjoyed every week. It's a good way to use leftover cooked beef, and they freeze well. Served with mashed potatoes, fresh vegetables and gravy it becomes not only a healthy meal, but and a good way to stretch the dollar, too. In fact, over the next few weeks, I will be including several recipes for budget meals. With the situation as hard as it is these days...we could all do with a little extra help with our pennies.

Shortcrust Pastry 

Two cups all-purpose flour

 3/4 cup Crisco

1/4 teaspoon salt

Cold water enough to bind

Method

Combine flour, salt and Crisco in a bowl and blend together with a fork. Add about 1/4 water or just enough water to bind it all together. You can do this by adding a couple of tablespoons at a time to be sure it doesn't get too wet. Turn the dough onto a floured board and knead gently for a minute using only your fingertips (the coolest part of your hand) - dust the worktop liberally with flour and roll out the pastry until it's about 1/2" in thickness. Using a small plate as a guide (about 6") cut rounds of pastry. 

Filling

About 6-8 oz cooked beef 

One small raw chopped onion

One small raw chopped potato

Salt and pepper to taste

Enough thick gravy to combine the filling (made or purchased - I use the gravy from the roast meat mixed with a little cornstarch)

1 beaten egg to brush on the pasties

How to make the pasties

Mix beef, onion, potato, gravy and salt and pepper in a bowl. Once combined, place about 1/4 cup of filling into the middle of the pastry circle. Dampen the edges and bring them vertically (so they resemble the photograph) be sure to pinch the ends together first so the gravy doesn't spill out. Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment or foil (in case the gravy spills out) and brush with beaten egg. Bake in a hot oven 400 degrees for approximately 30 minutes until golden brown. 

Note: Remove from the oven and place on a rack. Using a toothpick, pierce each pastie to allow steam to escape otherwise the pastie might get soggy...and we want them to be crisp. Good luck!

Food in the United Kingdom During the 50's

 Pasta was not known to the average British housewife

The word “Curry” was used as a surname

A takeaway was a math problem

A pizza had something to do with a leaning tower in Italy

Bananas and oranges would only appear at Christmastime

Crisps were plain, the only choice was whether we used a little blue bag of salt that was twisted in the bag, wrapped in greasproof paper

Rice was a milk pudding and never part of our main meal

A Big Mac was something we wore during heavy rainfalls

Brown bread was only something poor people ate

Tea was made in a teapot using leaves not little tea bags

Coffee was Camp… it came in a brown bottle

Cubed sugar was considered “posh”

Only Heinz made beans

Fish didn’t have fingers in those days

Eating raw fish was called “poverty” not Sushi

None of knew what yogurt was

Healthy food consisted of anything edible

People who didn’t peel potatoes were called “lazy”

Indian restaurants were only found in India

Cooking outside was called camping

Seaweed was not a recognized food

“Kebab” was not even a word--let alone a food

Sugar got good press in those days and was considered white gold

Prunes were only used for medicinal purposes

Surprising enough, Muesli was readily available, but it was fed to cattle

Pineapple only came in cans…we had never seen a real one, only pictures

Water came out of a tap, if somebody suggested bottling it and charging more than petrol…they would have been a laughed out of the room

BUT THE ONE THING WE HEVER HAD ON OUR TABLES IN THE 50’s WERE OUR ELBOWS!

Note: I cannot lay claim to this article...don't know where it came from but perhaps it made some people chuckle.

Best Fish and Chips in Denver

Okay, I understand that we all have different opinions of what fish and chips means to us...but I can honestly say (as an Englishwoman who knows her fish/chips) that every time I have eaten at GB Fish and Chips, I've thoroughly enjoyed it. You can eat it there or have takeaway. They also offer a wide range of other English items: Sausage rolls; Cornish pasties, English bangers and of course -- pickled onions! A wonderful assortment of beers is also available. The restaurant is located at 1311 Broadway, Denver.  

Clarks Shoes -- 200 Years in the Making

This year, Clarks Shoes celebrate their 200 year anniversary. I'm happy to say I have been a customer for more than 60 of those 200 years. I remember having my feet measured (length and width) over 60 years ago in a small town in England. Those shoes fit perfectly! Then, when I had a family of my own, I took my three sons to Clarks for their school shoes. Brown or black leather brogues for winter...sandals for summer. 

As the photograph suggests, I still wear Clarks Shoes. I've had these for many, many years and they still look and feel great. The leather and craftsmanship speaks for itself. Well done Clarks Shoes!