Plagiarism, Guy Fawkes, Emigration

With regard to the plagiarism I wrote about yesterday, it appears that Laura Eno, who wrote the Jewel of Shaylar, is re-publishing the book under a new name Diamonds and Dust and under a new pen name, River Fairchild. However, another author friend of mine has said the following “One  doesn't change the name of an already published book, not in a place where it goes by another name, because people may buy it by accident when they already have a copy. And then you don't change the author's name either--not  without saying something on the cover. It's dishonest.” So, Laura this is good advice, I hope you will take it. I know I would have been really teed off to buy the book and find I already had it. I actually like the first name better anyway.

I had totally forgotten that November 5th is Guy Fawkes Day in England, I usually make some kind of comment. I like to quote the rhyme:

Remember, remember the 5th of November
Gunpowder, treason and plot
I see no reason why gunpowder treason
Should ever be forgot.

In England we celebrate by having big bonfires and burning Guy Fawkes in effigy, not sure why him, he wasn’t the principal in the plot after all. We also let off lots of fireworks. It was an evening I always loved, especially cooking baking potatoes in the bonfire which when we ate them came out half burned and half raw.

As I said, I had forgotten for the first time since I have been in North America, which is 38 years this month, at which time I will have spent longer here than I did in my native country of England. In some respects it doesn’t seem that long, in others it seems almost as though we have always lived here. Matt came at the beginning of October to take up his job, but I followed on the 28th of October loaded up with 6 suitcases and a German Shepherd. We went to supper with English colleagues of Matt’s and despite having travelled all day, plus spent the evening out, although we arrived home at what was technically 3 a.m. for me, I didn’t sleep too well, we didn’t have a bed. We had a couple of duvets which I had been carrying, but that was it. The next day we not only bought a bed, but the salesman’s son drove it over that evening in his pickup. We were so very grateful. 

I got a very simple slow cooker recipe from a friend at bowling the other day so thought I would share it. I am certainly going to try it soon. My friend doesn’t have a computer, but having Googled it looks as though this recipe comes from Allrecipes.ca.


Pork Tenderloin in Slow Cooker

1 (2 lb) tenderloin
1 envelope dry onion soup mix
1 cup water
3/4 cup red wine
3 Tbs minced garlic
3 Tbs soy sauce
Black pepper

1. Place meat in slow cooker with the contents of the soup packet.
2. Pour water, wine and soy sauce over the top, turning the meat to coat. Spread garlic over the pork.
3. Cover and cook. Low 4 to 4 1/4 hours, serve with cooking liquid on the side as 'au jus'

Servings: 4


Have a great day

Plagiarism, Bowling, Award.

I have just notified an author that I think her book has been plagiarised. I knew I had read a similar story to that of the blurb I read today, I contacted an author friend who located the right book which it turns out I had read last April although I couldn’t remember the name of it. I wrote a message on the author’s blog to tell her what has happened. I hope it can be sorted out. As I said, I read the original last April whereas the copy has not actually been published yet although the blurb is virtually word for word the same.

Bowling on Monday was great, LOL. Actually I had the best three games I have had in months. Long may it continue although bearing in mind how well Matt did last Thursday, he had a less successful day today. That’s the name of the game though. Frustrating to say the least. I nearly fell flat on my face too, I tripped up a step and if someone hadn’t been standing there, I would have fallen.

I received an award from Father Dragon yesterday, but I am not doing the full acknowledgement today until I have had time to consider who my five nominees will be.

Here’s a nice calorie loaded dessert from Cooking.com which sounds delicious, but… I do love the taste of Maple syrup and am a sucker for Maple candy which most people find way too sweet. You could use Maple candy leaves to decorate.

Maple Tart

Source: Dessert - The Grand Finale

Serves 10

This easy-to-prep tart packs in all the sweetness of Fall. Sugary pastry leaves are fun but optional.

INGREDIENTS
Pastry
2 cups all-purpose flour
11 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons sugar
1 whole egg
1-2 tablespoons ice water
1 egg white, beaten, for pastry cut-outs
Filling
5 eggs, beaten
1 cup packed brown sugar
3/4 cup maple syrup
5 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

DIRECTIONS
FOR THE PASTRY: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Place the flour, butter and sugar in a food processor and process to a coarse meal. Add the egg and 1 tablespoon of the water and pulse until the mixture comes together. (It may be necessary to add more water, a little at a time.) Remove and wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
Roll out the pastry to line a 1-inch deep, 11-inch tart pan with a removable base. Line the pastry shell with parchment or waxed (greaseproof) paper and fill with baking weights, dried beans or rice. Bake the pastry shell for 15 minutes. Remove the weights and allow to cool.
Using a small sharp knife or cookie cutter, cut out maple leaf shapes from any remaining pastry. Line a baking sheet with parchment or waxed (greaseproof) paper. Brush the pastry shapes with a little of the beaten egg white, place on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes, until golden.
FOR THE FILLING: Combine the eggs, brown sugar, maple syrup and melted butter in a bowl. Mix until combined.
Brush the cooled pastry shell with a little of the beaten egg white and pour in the filling. Bake the tart for 40-45 minutes, until filling just wobbles when shaken. Allow to cool.
TO SERVE: Decorate the tart with the maple leaf pastry shapes and serve.

Have a great day