Alice In Wonderland, Tsunami, Pronunciation,

Sunday night I watched Alice and Wonderland, the Johnny Depp version. Wasn’t sure about it, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. It wasn’t a true version of the story, but nevertheless contained many of the characters. Johnny Depp was the Mad Hatter who had a much bigger role than he does in the book. I particularly loved the Cheshire Cat, they really did a good job with it. Much better movie than I expected, I was quite prepared to turn off the TV. Mind you it was on a channel with ads which did not add to the enjoyment. I hadn’t really noticed before, but he’s not a bad looking guy. Alice as a child was a real beauty, but as a grown up she fell somewhat short I felt. Pity.

Just came across an article by CBC News which says the Japanese are going to help pay for the clean up of Canadian and American shores caused by the tsunami early last year. Really, that’s very good of them – I know its their junk, but it wasn’t exactly their fault. There is a large build up of debris accumulating on our shores and the Canadians already sank a Japanese fishing vessel which was unclaimed. Its going to be a very expensive proposition to clean it all up and the clean up on their own lands must have cost/be costing a hell of a lot of money.

On Facebook there is often a lot of ‘Grammarly’ comment such as emphasizing the use of their and they’re as well as other similar sounding words, but something that has been bugging me lately is the pronunciation of words by adding an extra letter such as realty being said as realaty and remnants as remanants. Some people seem to have terrific trouble saying a word with two consonants when really its easy ‘real ty’ and ‘rem nants’. I recently heard remanants on a TV weather report talking about  Hurricane Isaac and I wanted to grab the speaker and shake her and I notice even people who work for realtors tend to say realator. I don’t refer to it, but boy would I like to.

As you know, I like quinoa very much, so I thought this recipe sounded pretty good. Not yet had a chance to try it. I didn’t know what pepitas are, they are apparently the edible seeds of a pumpkin. I would imagine they would be very crunchy once toasted. In case you are not sure how to toast them, sauté them lightly in a dry non stick fry pan. Same with nuts.

Quinoa With Latin Flavors

WebMD Recipe from EatingWell.com

Cilantro, lime and scallions lend a bright finish to delicate quinoa. This versatile side pairs well with seafood, poultry or pork.

• 1 cup quinoa
• 2 teaspoons canola oil
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 4-ounce can chopped green chiles
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 14-ounce can reduced-sodium chicken broth or vegetable broth
• 1/4 cup pepitas, toasted
• 3/4 cup coarsely chopped fresh cilantro
• 1/2 cup chopped scallions
• 2 tablespoons lime juice
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

1. Toast quinoa in a large dry skillet over medium heat, stirring often, until it crackles and becomes aromatic, 3 to 5 minutes. Transfer to a fine sieve and rinse thoroughly.
2. Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and cook, stirring often, until softened, 2 to 3 minutes. Add chiles and garlic; cook, stirring, for 30 seconds. Add the quinoa and broth; bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to maintain a gentle simmer, cover and cook until the quinoa is tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed, 20 to 25 minutes.
3. Add pepitas, cilantro, scallions, lime juice and salt to the quinoa; mix gently and fluff with a fork.

Have a great day

Words. Problems.

I have always been interested in words and love acquiring new ones – last night on Jeopardy I came across a good one which I don’t remember ever hearing before – enantiomorph – meaning mirror image. Fascinating word. Satima, if you are reading this, is this a new one to you? An ezine writer invented a word I love, franticulate, I hope it will creep into the dictionary because I think it is such a descriptive word. He used it to describe his excited dog. Lewis Carroll managed to coin chortle which is now part of the English language, galumphing was another. Both words came from his poem The Jabberwock from Through the Looking Glass. Two of my other favourite words are cacography which refers to bad handwriting and deltiology which is used as the official name for collecting postcards. My handwriting is certainly bad and I once had quite a collection of postcards from all over the world which explains how I came across those two words.

I seem to have another problem with my recent operation, I am suffering from pretty major edema in my right leg so I have to keep the leg elevated. Right now I am sitting with my feet in the air and typing on my laptop. Not easy I promise you. Last night my lower leg looked something like a tree trunk. I phoned the surgeon’s office and they told me this is not unusual and that the humungous bruise that I have on my inner thigh could spread as far as the knee. Delightful. I can’t even access all my programmes ‘cos I don’t have all my passwords handy. So, this is all you this is all you get from me today.

Easy Peanut Butter Cake

Ingredients

1-2/3 cups (10-oz. pkg.) REESE'S Peanut Butter Chips

1 tablespoon shortening (do not use butter, margarine, spread or oil)

1 package (about 18 oz.) regular white or yellow cake mix (not pudding-in-mix type)

PEANUT BUTTER WHIPPED CREAM FROSTING(recipe follows)

HERSHEY'S Syrup

Chocolate curls (optional)

Directions

1. 1 Heat oven to 350°F. Grease and wax paper-line two 8-or 9-inch round baking pans.
2. 2 Place peanut butter chips and shortening in medium microwave-safe bowl. Microwave at MEDIUM (50%) 1-1/2 minutes or until smooth when stirred. Prepare cake mix as directed on package; blend in melted chip mixture. Pour batter into prepared pans.
3. 3 Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes; remove from pans to wire racks. Cool completely.
4. 4 Frost with PEANUT BUTTER WHIPPED CREAM FROSTING. Refrigerate until serving time. Serve with syrup drizzled over top and sides of cake. Garnish with chocolate curls, if desired. Cover; refrigerate leftover cake. 10 to 12 servings.
   PEANUT BUTTER WHIPPED CREAM FROSTING
   1-2/3 cups (10-oz. pkg.) REESE'S Peanut Butter Chips
   2/3 cup milk
   3 cups miniature marshmallows
   2 cups (1 pt.) cold whipping cream
   1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
   Stir together peanut butter chips, milk and marshmallows in 2-quart saucepan. Heat over low heat, stirring constantly, until chips and marshmallows are melted and mixture is smooth; cool to lukewarm. Beat whipping cream in small bowl with electric mixer until stiff; fold in vanilla and cooled peanut butter chip mixture. About 4 cups frosting.
   Variation: Cake may be baked in greased and flour 13x9x2-inch baking pan. Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center of cake comes out clean. Cool completely in pan on wire rack. Frost with 1/2 recipe PEANUT BUTTER WHIPPED CREAM FROSTING.

Have a great day