When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be. – Lao Tzu
Show where you go to get your groove back is the challenge.
Mostly this is the place where I feel the air blow through me and clean out all that has crowded in.
It sets me right again with the world.
I head for the sea.
Feeling very happy…the following photo got 2nd Prize in our biennial Arts & Murals Festival which just took place in Katikati. First time I have ever gotten anywhere in this competition. And with one of my favourite shots. Thinking of framing it and keeping it.
Summer lovin’…maybe not as it is winter here, but there was still a whole lot of frisky business happening.
This video…watch until the end. It had me laughing out loud at the end.
I have heard a lot, and read a lot, about taking photos during the ‘Golden Hour’ just after sunrise and before sunset. Recently I caught an article about the ‘Blue Hour’, which led me further to investigate. The Blue Hour is about a 15 minute time frame before sunrise and after the sun has set. I gather it is used a lot for landscape photography, especially cityscapes where the additional lighting from urban life makes for some great shots. Living rurally means I have to make adjustments. Yesterday I was out on the harbour during the blue hour.
So I clicked away at one of my favourite subjects. Birds. I am actually pretty happy with what the ‘blue hour’ lighting did for the images. Next time I get to the city I will be out and about in the blue hour to see what I can do then.
I would really like your thoughts on these.
I will admit although happy with these there is one that really makes me happy. I want to try some more ‘blue hour’ shots with nature in the future. Now the kiddywinkles are gone it should be easier.
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This is my version of a recipe that was adapted from another version by a chef at the Auckland Heritage Hotel. It tasted amazing. I did not have a straight up muffin tin so they were not as high I think. Next time I might investigate using baking paper in the tins and making them higher. I also want to try making them with lemons, limes or grapefruit.
Ingredients
First off you have to put the orange in a pot and cover it with cold water. This was interesting as the orange kept floating higher and higher in the pot. Eventually I gave up and just hoped for the best. Then stir in the 1/4 cup castor sugar and slowly bring it to the boil. Cover the pot and leave it to simmer gently for about 1 1/2 hours, turning the orange occasionally.
Then go and have a nice glass of wine with a friend while you chat and wait for the 1 1/2 hours to pass. Or you could watch a good movie together.
Now it is time to take the orange out and let it cool. Once cooled chop the orange in to segments and get rid of any pips.
Make sure you have an audience who will cheer you on as you continue to make this masterpiece.
Get a frypan, add water and bring it to a simmer. Add the apple cider vinegar. Now crack open three of the eggs and poach until they are just cooked. Don’t ask me what that means. I like mine a little runny still.
Then take the eggs out and allow them to cool down. If you like them a little runny like me…for God’s sake…don’t drop any. At least try not to. However, if you do stay calm. Do not let the BIG GREEN monster out. You will regret it.
Next step…have another glass of wine. Especially if you dropped one of the poached eggs.
Now we get to the serious part…preheat your oven. About 160%C. Lightly grease your muffin tin [a 12 muffin muffin tin]. Make sure the Muffin Man has left home first.
Put the ground almonds and sugar in a nice BIG bowl. Yes people, you need a BIG bowl. Take it from me who spent a lot of time wiping down benches and clothing from NOT using a BIG bowl.
Add the chopped orange segments, the remaining five eggs and the three [hopefully you still have three] poached eggs.
Turn on the beater and go for it. Do not worry if there is any heckling in the front rows.
I told you you need a BIG bowl. I am NOT kidding.
You have to beat the mixture until the mixture becomes smooth. Divide the mixture between the 12 muffin holes.
Bake for 40 minutes.
It is now time to have glass of wine number three. A bold full bodied one is recommended here.
Take a wooden skewer and test the muffins.
If it comes out clean you are done. Turn out on to a wire rack and cool. This is the time to take a rest.
This is great if you top it with one of the following.
Then grate either some orange peel or dark chocolate over.
Last step…pour another glass of wine and eat. And remember you are a super hero…
Now…just because this is funny…hamsters are insanely good at falling over ‘dead’, but OMG…the parrot at 50 seconds in, I nearly wet my pants laughing !!!!
Before we get settled watching this amazing Honey Badger…just a reminder that today is Earth Day. To learn more about the history of Earth Day and what it means today click on the image below to visit National Geographic News.
When I first saw this I could not stop laughing at how time and time again this Honey Badger foiled all attempts to keep him in. He used tree branches, so they got rid of the trees. Then he piled up the rocks against the wall so they took away the rocks. He was not foiled at all, he made his own rocks from mud and piled those up.
I dare you not to giggle at this wonderful creature.
Just shows you doesn’t it…there is ALWAYS a way if you want it bad enough.
