Matchbox Meanings

This is what i've currently been putting together for my last project of the year. The brief asked us to pick a 'new word' that has been included in the revised  Oxford English Dictionary, and design a way of introducing it into society. I chose the word 'Staycation' and developed the idea of 'matchbox meanings' that would be sold in pubs and bars as a way of getting the word into public use. I've had enough of fiddly matchboxes for now. 

Quails' Eggs

My Dad came home with a box of quails' eggs this morning, with the intention of turning them into minature scotch eggs (from a recipe found in Coast magazine). They made me think of the lovely scene from Brideshead Revisited

where Charles goes to have lunch with Sebastian.

The thought of ripe strawberries and a cold bottle of wine in the sun is a lovely one. Have a lovely Sunday.

Coughlin's Law

I felt a little like Tom Cruise at work this weekend. It's been decided by some higher power that we are to serve cocktails, so a happy hour was spent being taught 14 different (but irritatingly similar) concoctions. We've been instructed to memorise each cocktail so we don't have to look them up when a customer orders one. I wondered whether devising a Tom Cruise style poem to remember the ingredients and names of the drinks would be a good way of ingraining them in my mind. You know the poem...

Last Barman Poet

I am the last barman poet.
I see America drinking the fabulous cocktails I make.
Americans getting stinky on something I stir or shake.
The sex on the beach, the schnapps made from peach,
The Velvet Hammer,
the Al-La-Bam-A Slam-a!

I make things with juice and froth: 
the Pink Squirrel, the 3-Toed Sloth. 
I make drinks so sweet and snazzy:
The Iced Tea, The Kamikaze, The Orgasm, The Death Spasm,
The Singapore Sling, The Dingaling.
America you've just been devoted to every flavor I got.
But if you want to got loaded,
why don't you just order a shot? 

Bar is open.

Asparagus

One of my favourite vegetables is about to come back into season! I think asparagus is one of the tastiest veggies there is, and ridiculously simple to cook too. Probably my favourite way is to steam until the stems are tender (but still have some bite) and then serve with melted butter, salt and pepper. YUM. My old flatmate was very proud of the fact that his hometown of Evesham held its very own festival dedicated entirely to British grown asparagus. How do you like to cook yours?

Fresh Air

There is something I find very satisfying about drying washing on a washing line. I think because to me it symbolises a sort of stability in nice-ish weather. If it can stay dry long enough to dry my washing, it can stay dry enough to do all sorts of spring like activities. Also I love how fresh it smells when you take it in (as long as there hasn't been a poorly timed bonfire affair in the neighbours' garden).

Pretty Packaging

 A flatmates' birthday is cause for celebration, and an excuse to wrap things up prettily. The card i bought had a beautiful 4 tier sponge cake on it, filled with cream and berries. I decided to have a go at copying it, with interesting results, and burns.  I've had to use wheat-free flour so the sponges haven't risen as much as i'd hoped but i think you get the general idea.

Home Again

I have returned home from a whirlwind tour of my new favourite city, Rome. We had perfect weather, and got to see everything we'd hoped to in that space of time, eaten far too well, and drank some rather nice vino. The best thing I learnt is that if you give the language a go and look like you're trying to make some effort, the locals enjoy this and are extra nice, and in our case, throw in a load of free stuff. I think my favourite bits of the holiday were the coffee and pastry breakfasts, and the day we did the Colosseum and ruins. I would very much like to return one day.

For the time being, i really must get on with the vast amount of work that's built up over the Easter hols, it's hanging over my head like a rather threatening looking cloud that seems disinclined to shift. Right, off i go.