Perspective on Life

I know that it has been ages since last I posted an entry. There have been many things that I have been meaning to share, but just haven't gotten around to it -- as you can see. The events of the past week, especially what happened this evening, compelled me to blog -- even though it is now 2.30 in the morning, and I know I don't usually post sombre happenings. In this case, I just had to get it off of my chest.

This past week has been very stressful. Four people in my life have been sent to hospital for various reasons. The most shocking of which was an old family friend, Dottie, that I have known since I was six. She had a heart attack. She's a nurse, and her quick thinking surely saved her.

Yesterday, we received a package from England. I figured it was the shirt that I had ordered from Jack Wills. However, it was addressed to Matthew. As he opened it, I then thought it was bits and bobs from childhood and the like, that his mum had sent over. However, when I went over to see what she had sent, I realized that it was a package from his friend Chris, containing items that had belonged to Chris's brother Ed.

Ed was one of Matthew's best friends who, very sadly and tragically, died three years ago. I never got to meet Ed in person, but had talked to him on the phone, online, and via text messaging. He was the sort of person you loved one minute -- as he was funny as hell, loved animals, and was very kindhearted -- but you could hate the next, when he had been drinking far and above excess, and was high on God only knows what, thus causing him to say and do hurtful things. But even when you hated him, you had to love him.

I'm not sure if Ed ever really knew or could understand just how much Matthew cared for him. Even from across the ocean, Matthew tried to help him. I think in Matthew's mind, Ed was more a brother, than a friend.

No amount of help seemed to be able to save him from himself -- though he did try from time to time to clean himself up. Sometimes it seemed that he might actually make it. . . .

In the end, it wasn't suicide that took him. Though he had threatened and tried in the past. He didn't overdose either. But, a decade of hard drinking and drugs most assuredly caught up to him, causing the trouble that took him.

Ed's brother Chris had said, three years ago, that he would be sending Matthew some things he thought Ed would want him to have. Two notebooks, two photographs, his pipe and tobacco holder, and a Swansea City scarf and jacket. It's very sad to think how these few possessions are a very accurate "picture" of his life.

Matthew plans to have the jacket framed. Perhaps we'll do a shadowbox? Either way, I know we'll hang it in our library. Ed would have wanted it that way. I can just imagine him in our library, pipe in hand, leaning up against the fireplace, spinning some hilarious, ridiculous tale.

I pray you are at long last at ease. I loved you too, you silly, wonderful, twat, you. . . .


www.cheesetimes.co.uk

Almond Cupcakes with Chocolate Almond Frosting

How I love to bake! It's a wonder that Matthew and I don't weigh a tonne each!

This evening I made Vegan Almond Cupcakes with Chocolate Almond Frosting. It was my first go with this partially "Melissa Made Up" recipe. So, I only made one batch. This equated to one dozen. Let me just say that a dozen is NOT enough. There are only six left now (It was imperative that we try them at their various stages of completion.), and I am sending Matthew off with two in the morning. One for himself, and one for his friend Kent.

Sigh. . . . It looks as though I shall need to make some more this evening. :-) Otherwise, how will I be able to share them with my folks, some of our neighbour friends, and (hopefully) a visiting out-of-town friend? :->

When I have a moment, I will post the recipe. I'd love to know what you think of these cupcakes as well. Are they really that delicious? Or are Matthew and I just totally mad for almond flavouring? I'd say both. . . .

Shoes for a Cause

Every October for the past sixteen years, QVC has held the FFANY Shoes on Sale® Event. Designers donate thousands of pairs of shoes. All shoes are half off, and the net proceeds go to breast cancer research. How awesome is that?!

Though the actual live event has passed, there are still plenty of shoes to be had online. You should check it out!

So, this is an event that I tune in to every year. I love shoes. :-) This year, I ordered two pair. However, I cannot stop thinking about these. . . .

I wonder though, do they say, "Lady of the evening?"

Little Bits Shop

Guess what? . . . My Little Bits Shop and official website are coming soon! Watch this space for more details! :-)

Hot

I must admit it . . . I don't like the summer. I feel bad saying that, but how can you enjoy it when it's so bloody hot and humid out?!

It was in the mid 90s (Fahrenheit) today with grotesquely high humidity. It's supposed to be in the hundreds tomorrow, and continue like this for the next few days. Now please, how can this be enjoyable?

I am like a recluse during the summer. I stay in my nicely air conditioned home and only venture out if needs must during the day. (Hmm . . . So I guess I'm more like a vampyre than a recluse.) Night doesn't get much cooler here, but at least you don't have the sun beating down on you--and if you know me, then you know the sun is not my friend. "Ghostly white" is my natural colouring, and a few moments in the sun sans sunblock equals burnt Melissa. (Not that I go out in the sun without sunblock, mind.)

This weather hinders my baking plans as well. Who wants to heat the house up even for something as delicious as almond chocolate chip cookies? Newly acquired Plum Kuchen recipe, you're on the 'back burner' for now. But wait! My mini doughnut pans will be here Tuesday. Oh please, hell-like weather, do abate! The mini doughnuts must be made!

Autumn, you cannot get here soon enough for me. . . .

Sleepy

Today is the second day where I feel like doing nothing but sleeping. I have things I need to do (finish taping off in my sewing room for painting) and want to do (finish making the curtains for the living room), but would really like to just forget everything and cuddle up with Grace for a nap.

Sunday Brunch With My Folks

My berries sank to the bottom. Not the prettiest of cakes, but it tastes divine!

I just couldn't get a good photo of this, and I didn't want to hold everyone up from eating it as I prepped it for a photo shoot.

These are Matthew's most delicious Zucchini/Courgette Pancakes! They make a lovely dinner as well. Today we had them for brunch with my folks. Yum!

In addition to the Zucchini/Courgette Pancakes, Matthew made a beautiful Breakfast Pizza (of the non-vegetarian variety--I didn't think I'd want any, but boy did it smell delicious! My folks loved it!). He also made Tomato Relish to go with it. I made iced tea, and the blogging world's tastiest recipe of the moment, Raspberry Buttermilk Cake! My mother and father brought some scrumptious peach bread.

Favourite Spots in Our Home

Wiksten Togs

Finally, I've uploaded a picture of myself wearing one of my Wikstenmade scores. How I do love them all! Yay! for Jenny and her fabulous designs!

Oh, and Yay! for Edward and his visit this past February. The new house is waiting for your next stay. :-)

Thanksgiving Rambling

Our Thanksgiving was a bit modest this year, but still nice. It was just my folks, the kitties, and me. Christine couldn't come down for it as she had to work on Black Friday, and Matthew worked Thanksgiving Day (Yay for double time!), but had the next three days off (Yay for a long weekend!).

We're not really "big" on Thanksgiving here anyway. I mean, we always celebrate it with the obligatory meal, and I usually watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade--well, some of it anyway. I always feel bad if I don't see some of it--even though, in all honesty, I do find it a bit of a bore. I don't think I could handle viewing the whole thing.

Anyway . . . I love when we actually have company for Thanksgiving--like we did in 2004 when my brother-in-law, Howard, and our friend Edward (on the right in the photo on the previous post) came to visit. That was one of the best Thanksgiving's I can remember. Not so much for the actual Thanksgiving Day part, but just because I must admit that I do like to have company, especially on holidays. Everything about a holiday seems extra cosy with company.

I think too, that Thanksgiving will be different when we have children--of the non-kitty persuasion. On top of things, Matthew's English, so, well, aside from the fact that he loves the typical meal . . . . Although, really, it should mean more to him. I mean, the Pilgrims were English. ;-)

Here was my Thanksgiving meal.



Organic peas, organic stuffing, organic cranberry sauce (Yes, we try to buy only organic.), and Quorn™ Turk'y Roast. Everything was YUMMY!

On a different note, I am patting myself on the back for having gotten the Christmas cards done last evening, and having posted them today! This is the earliest that that task's ever been done. Now I can mark that off of my list. :-)

Tomorrow is another round of house hunting. My mother and I (Matthew is working) are going to have a look at two possibilities. I have high hopes for both--at the moment anyway . . . .

For now, it's back to some pressie making finishing touches and perhaps a bit of package wrapping.

Friends

Yay! Guess who's coming to visit?


Is it the 27th of January yet?

Cooking

Believe it or not, I cooked tonight. If you know me, then you know I don't usually do this much--although I am trying to do so more. I must say, having a chef for a husband is a wonderful thing (I highly recommend you find yourself one.) and something that makes a wife a very spoilt woman--that is, when he is actually not at work, and in your own kitchen cooking for you.

I must also add, that even though I am deemed "a chef's worst nightmare," because I am a vegetarian who--more often than not--eats vegan, I am beyond fortunate to have a chef husband who is incredibly skilled at preparing vegetarian and vegan meals that are simply amazing! I'm talking of meals that are not just pasta and some veg. He does delicious things with Quorn™ , like mock General Tso and fajitas. Those are just two of my favourite meals, and they don't even scratch the surface of Matthew's cooking prowess--with or without Quorn™. You name it, and he can make it for you vegetarian or vegan style (or carnivore style)--and the taste is phenomenal!

However, we are talking about my having cooked tonight. Melissa, the novice. The baker. The one that Matthew says he wouldn't want in his brigade because I am too bloody slow. It might have taken some time, but I made Pav Bhaji tonight. I found the recipe by way of Ellybeth's flickr site, and it is indeed "awesome." I forgot to put the fresh cilantro on it though. Oops! Well, since Matthew's home tomorrow, maybe he can make something for tea with it? ;-)

Christmas Presents and House Hunting

Okay. Today I have burnt up over an hour at Knit Picks deciding on--well, trying to decide on--yarn for this for my sister for Christmas. Now, I have to tell you, when I received this magazine last year, I immediately fell in love with the Earth Stole. That, and just about everything else in the magazine. I always LOVE Rowan's patterns.

I digress, I thought the Earth Stole would be a superb gift for my sister. However, as is usually the case with Rowan lovelies, the price for the yarn that they call for, Kid Silk Haze, is astronomically high in the amount that one needs to complete the project--a whopping $189. For a seasonal item? A stole? As much as I love Christine, that's a bit mental.

So, I'm at Knit Picks because they have lovely and well priced yarn--even if there isn't anything quite as sumptuous as Kid Silk Haze. I have found two, yes, two good substitutes. However, now that I've gone through all of this bother, I am not so certain about this pressie idea. Why am I doubting myself after I have been mulling this idea over for a year? Grr!

I think I'm going to go for it. I mean, Matthew and I had it all planned to get the Wii Fit for Christine, but then my folks swooped in and bought it--knowing, I might add, that we were going to purchase it for her. :-P

So, this has left us without a clue. I mean, usually she's a rather easy person to gift--not so this year. Perhaps it's because we've all sort of realized this year that there isn't really much we want or need. Truly, we did have a discussion about this very topic.

My folks always ask us for an idea list. Mine has eight ideas on it, three of which are books, two DVDs, a set of dishes, and the usual (but always coveted) "I've-run-out-of-ideas-for-you-mother-and-father" gift cards--J.Crew and Superbuzzy this year.

Honestly though, I don't need any of these things. The only thing that Matthew and I really need, is a kitchen table and chairs. That's the one thing that we don't have for the new house--when our house hunting finally comes to fruition.

Hmm . . . I seem to have gotten off track slightly. Now I'm thinking of how I need to check to see if there are any new houses up for sale in the area we are looking.

Right then, I'm off to purchase yarn and to check housing listings. Wish me luck on both accounts!

I leave you with this picture, taken at a house we were viewing . . . .


Update: As soon as I finished this post, my mother rang to inform me that she had just spoken with my sister, and had asked what she might like for Christmas. An iPod or other MP3 player or this . . . .