Florence

I have nearly finished the DVD for Florence which means I'm about halfway through them. Have to hurry, the memory is fading and I have found myself looking at some of the photos of Florence thinking "where was that". Or maybe that was just Florence. 

The music has focussed around Michelangelo and the fact that he was the golden boy. And also the Medici who really did rule that part of the world for a while. 

Too Short

Life is too short to spend it doing something you don't like. Or with someone you don't love. Or dreaming about the things you'd like to do someday ....

Today

And if I had one chance to freeze time
And stand still and soak in everything,
I’d choose right now.
And if I had one night with sunshine to break through and show you everything,
I’d choose right now.

Invictus

A poem by W.E. Henley

Which I have loved for a long time. And which got me through some tough times.  

Out of the night that covers me,

Black as the Pit from pole to pole,

I thank whatever gods may be

For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance

I have not winced nor cried aloud.

Under the bludgeonings of chance

My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears

Looms but the horror of the shade,

And yet the menace of the years

Finds, and shall find me, unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,

How charged with punishment the scroll,

I am the master of my fate;

I am the captain of my soul. 

The Five People You Meet in Heaven

And the things you learn from them…

 

1.     There are no random acts. We are all connected.

2.     Sacrifice is part of life. When you sacrifice something precious you don’t really lose it, you just pass it on to someone else.

3.     Holding anger is poison. It eats you from the inside.

4.     Life has to end. Love doesn’t.

5.     Our place in life is meant to be.

 

Each affects the other and the other affects the next, and the world is full of stories, but the stories are all one. 

A few of my favourite things. Part One. MOVIES.

It’s a personal thing really but definitely on the list of my favourite movies are

·      The Princess Bride

·      The Sound of Music

·      Stardust

·      The Wizard of Oz

 

It’s also more about movie moments for me than whole movies. For example

·      Gene Kelly – just singing and dancing in the rain (Singing in the Rain)

·      Gordon McRae – cutting through the corn (Oaklahoma)

·      James Stewart – when a bell rings an angel gets its wings (It’s A Wonderful Life)

·      James Cromwell – they’re Vulcans! Live long. And prosper. (First Contact)

·      Sam Shepard – breaking the sound barrier (The Right Stuff)

·      Meryl Streep – bon appétit! (Julie and Julia)

·      Russell Crowe – home again. (Gladiator)

·      Brendan Fraser – running with the horses. (George of the Jungle)

·      Judy Garland – ding dong the witch is dead (The Wizard of Oz)

·      Robin Wright and Cary Elwes – as you wish (The Princess Bride)

·      Robert de Niro – can’t say anything more (Stardust)

·      Julie Andrews – running over the mountain (The Sound of Music)

 

And then there’s Johnny. Johnny Depp. He who surpasses all others! Which movie would I choose? Too hard but when I need a quick pick-me –up and a smile I definitely go for the final scene of Don Juan de Marco. Johnny. A beach. An open shirt. No need to say any more. 

Lemon Zesting

Note to self - zest the lemon first. Then cut in half to juice. This is particularly important when you have a paper cut. 

Apple Slice

With thanks to the late great Nanna Norma, who wasn't really my Nanna but was always a great date! 

BASE = 

1 packet vanilla cake mix (cheapest available)

1/2 cup coconut

1/2 cup melted butter *

Mix together and press into the base of a rectangular pan. The one I use is about the size of an A4 page. Bake at 180 degrees until lightly golden (about 15 - 20 minutes) 

* you may need more melted butter. The consistency you are looking for is like pastry. 

FILLING =

almost 1 large can of pie apple (or apricot or peach...etc)

Spread on base (base does not need to be cold) 

TOPPING =

200ml sour cream

1 egg

Mix together and then spread on top of apples. Sprinkle cinnamon on top. Bake again at 180 degrees for about 30 minutes.