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Pink, Blue, Lilac From puredawn ^Pro in Beautiful (17 days old)

Judging by the light, I think my laptop must update its own clock. That's good to know, as it would probably take me an hour to work out how to change it manually! I seem to have lost my ability to ha… more

First time in ages! From puredawn ^Pro in Beautiful (41 days old)

Well, I haven't been on here in so long, I wasn't sure if I had the right address A little like visiting an old friend, wandering up to the door and tentatively knocking, lest they may have moved. … more

Void left by Floyd From WannabeTVChef ^Pro in wannabeTVchef.blog (53 days old)

Void left by Floyd TV viewers and amateur cooks everywhere were morning the lose of TV chef Keith Floyd, who died on Monday. He was a trailblazer who took television cookery out of the studio and on l… more

Coffee shops From puredawn ^Pro in Beautiful (84 days old)

I was just in Tchibo in town. They have a coffee shop and shop shop combined, which is closing down- so that's a good idea then- so I popped in and bought a trivet. Actually, it's 2 trivets in one: a … more

The Joy of Mothering teens From puredawn ^Pro in Beautiful (84 days old)

Everybody warned me about the teenage years! When my children were younger people looked at me with sympathy and horror while saying:"I wouldn't want to be you when they're all teenagers!" I have 6… more

Hi From varshakale in LET US TURN HISTORY INTO HERSTORY! (103 days old)

Hi everybody...how are you… more

From puredawn ^Pro in Beautiful (114 days old)

Well, it's Monday, sunshiny and lovely. For one of my girlies it's an emotional few days, as she finishes primary school on Wednesday. Her next school will be fantastic, but all her friends are going … more

Kumquat Meringue Pie with Passion Fruit Couli© Kevin Ashton 2006 From WannabeTVChef ^Pro in wannabeTVchef.blog (120 days old)

Lots of chefs use kumquats just for decoration, because they don't seem to know how else to use them which a shame. Originally from China this oval shaped miniature type of orange is eaten who… more

Woman seeking...... From puredawn ^Pro in Beautiful (147 days old)

Sometimes, even with understanding, dispondency falls like a grey cloud, hovering a few inches above our heads, threatening rain. I look up at my cloud, tempted to shake my fist at it, scare it away; … more

The joys.... From puredawn ^Pro in Beautiful (156 days old)

I was rather taken aback this morning, upon checking my Facebook, to see that my status declared that I "need sex!" One if the delights of having teenagers in the house, I suppose, the gleeful tamperi… more

SATURDAY From puredawn ^Pro in Beautiful (157 days old)

It is a relief to sea the sunshine; during the night I woke to hear heavy rain outside. The girls' Dad is coming today, and it will be good to be able to play outside, maybe at a park or the beach. On… more

Bang Bang From puredawn ^Pro in Beautiful (158 days old)

Well, it's Saturday, and I seem to be going to town with some little girls. It's a little cooler today, so it should be fine. It's been a strange week. I had a dream on Monday that my youngest daug… more

Blog From puredawn ^Pro in Beautiful (161 days old)

Some time ago I lost the will to blog. I would sign in, read a few blogs, turn to mine and sit by the blank white box, wondering what to do. There seems to have been a form of writers block. I supp… more

World Championship Cookery From WannabeTVChef ^Pro in wannabeTVchef.blog (172 days old)

I mentioned earlier this year I was writing several articles about the Pastry World Cup and the Bocuse D’or for various magazines on both sides of the Atlantic including the spring edition of Yes CH… more

Starnge Dreams From puredawn ^Pro in Beautiful (174 days old)

Morning again! I actually awaoke at 5, and battled the daylight back into the land of nod. Strange dreams of journeys have been intriguing in the extreme. In one, my friend and I were in a camper van… more

Yesterday From puredawn ^Pro in Beautiful (175 days old)

I met up with a friend yesterday, for lunch. We used to be very close, but went through some traumatic times. It sometimes feels that the only way to break free of the pain of the memories is not to m… more

Google Translator Bug??/ From WannabeTVChef ^Pro in Bugs (177 days old)

In the last several weeks there seems to be some serious bugs involved in the new editor. Whilst trying to cut and paste text into a new article the text appeared not in the edit box/blog but in the … more

Tip Of The Week- Licorice-Liquorice From WannabeTVChef ^Pro in wannabeTVchef.blog (183 days old)

We all have food memories from our childhood; they can be some of our most evocative glimpses of our young lives. I'd like to share one of mine with you; perhaps for some readers it will remind you … more

Monkfish chunks cooked with Onions, Peppers and Sherry by Mitch Tonks From WannabeTVChef ^Pro in wannabeTVchef.blog (194 days old)

As promised here is a sample recipe from Mitch Tonks wonderful new cookbook Fish His recipes are easy to follow and will produce delicious results! I'd like to say a special thank you to Mitch a… more

Book Review: Fish the complete fish & seafood companion by Mitch Tonks From WannabeTVChef ^Pro in wannabeTVchef.blog (197 days old)

In my 30 plus years as a chef I have never found such a useful and interesting seafood book as Fish written by Mitch Tonks. It clearly gives the reader sound advice (with pictures) on how to bu… more

Happy Memories From puredawn ^Pro in Beautiful (230 days old)

At the weekend I returned to the town where I was born and drove along the main A229, which runs through the middle. Along the way, certain landmarks caught my eye, and brought very clear memories of … more

What's it like to be a Chef? part 2 From WannabeTVChef ^Pro in wannabeTVchef.blog (232 days old)

Answering the question “What is it like to be a chef? Is one I am asked quite often and a question that is a complex one to answer. I have written on this subject before and will post a link at … more

Life's Great Adventure From puredawn ^Pro in Beautiful (236 days old)

Change is one of life's few constants. We are, after all, on a journey and,though we may choose our routes and speeds to a certain extent, the start and end points are more or less fixed. Even if we c… more

That Still Small Voice of Calm From puredawn ^Pro in Beautiful (237 days old)

It was my daughter's birthday yesterday. I had meant to bake a cake, but as my youngest was off school with a sore throat, I really didn't get around to it. We had a Mr Kipling Giant Fondant Fancy, wh… more

Happy Monday From puredawn ^Pro in Beautiful (240 days old)

What a beautiful day it is! It is somewhat strange to see people out in t-shirts and flip-flops, however; it may be sunny but it is still rather cold. The old people, resplendent in hats and scarves, … more

CARROTS From puredawn ^Pro in Beautiful (246 days old)

Alex had an audition in London last week for the Musical Theatre Academy, a new organisation. I was as pleased as punch when the letter arrived to herald her success, as was she. However, the 2 year c… more

White Chocolate Cake with Roasted Peaches (serves 6)© Kevin Ashton 2008 From WannabeTVChef ^Pro in wannabeTVchef.blog (248 days old)

I wanted to combine peaches and chocolate in a dessert, but felt dark chocolate would be too bitter and milk chocolate would simply not work. I reasoned if I were careful to make sure neither the… more

The freedom to dance From puredawn ^Pro in Beautiful (251 days old)

There was a dance club after school today. We could watch it through the window that divides the hall and the reception area. The 10 and 11 year olds were learning a routine to "We're all in this toge… more

Chicken with Pasta and Pesto Sauce (serves2-3) © Kevin Ashton 2008 From WannabeTVChef ^Pro in wannabeTVchef.blog (257 days old)

During the warmer months I grow 1-2 basil plants in my kitchen window. I just buy a living plant from the supermarket and with a little love it grows and grows and gives me enough basil for most o… more

My Life-Update February 2009 From WannabeTVChef ^Pro in wannabeTVchef.blog (264 days old)

My Life-Update The numbers of readers to this blog continue to grow and this week we past the 1,000 visitors mark on three separate days and my daily average now stands at 1,017. With my total page-… more