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curiouswombatBurns Night went very well. My speech was well received - I did include the bit about the debate on what sex a computer is.
Also a little about remembering Mrs Burns senior as we celebrate 250 years since she gave birth to her eldest - Robert himself. I included a bit about
Why the men always seemed to be sent downstairs to boil water -
1. It kept them out of the way.
2. It gave them something to do that was,probably, within their capabilities.
3. When all the work was done the midwife and the mother could do with a cup of tea.
As you can tell, it was not the most serious of speeches!
I also included a small vignette about
choosing a new cooker.
This was from life - because, guess what, my oven showered me with sparks and flames when I went to cook tea the other night. It was quite spectacular - somehow my kitchen appliances rarely die quietly, they always seem to go out with a bang. When attemps were made to resuscitate it, it proved to be quite dead.
After some discussion we decided to replace rather than repair, as it was likely that other parts might fail too, and we can afford a new one at the moment.
So we decided what we liked best about the old one, and what we liked least. D-d was included in the discussion, by phone.
We decided the worst things were that the grill pan has to be removed if you want to shut the top oven properly, and cleaning both the oven doors and around the knobs is a bugger - it never looks clean for more than a day.
I would like to keep the multi-cook function on the larger oven, so that I can slow cook without the fan. I want an easy timer, as I use it to do casseroles in the winter.
I saw a wonderful one - look - it is touch control - no knobs!
Then it occured to me that actually S2C might not cope with a cooker without knobs. D-d agreed that this might be a technological step too far - remember he cannot yet manage to even open a text, let alone send one, despite being so computer literate.
So I took him to a local dealer yesterday before he went to bed, to look at one. He likes the grill pan...
We think given time, and possibly writen instructions, he might eventually be able to use the hob, make cheese on toast, or bake a pizza - which is about all he needs! So I am going to go back and get a shiny cooker WITH NO KNOBS TO CLEAN AROUND! Oh - and very easily removed inner glass panels on the doors so I can easily keep them clean.
Of course, going back to Burns Night, the high spot is as much the food as the speeches.
We had split yellow pea soup, followed by the traditional haggis, taties and neeps, then pot roast pheasant with vegetables, and an oatcake, raspberry and cream confection for sweet, finished with coffee and mint chocolate shortbread. After that I really needed to go and lie down rather than listen to some excellent speeches, and then give mine!
For all you doubters - which I was for many years - haggis is really quite delicious. Especially with a tot of good single malt whisky.
If you have time to read, especially those of you of a scientific bent - you might enjoy this article on the very serious maths.ed.uk site about "Applications of ultrasonography in the reproductive management of Dux magnus gentis venteris saginati."
Bearing in mind that "Dux magnus gentis venteris saginati" translates literally as "great chieftain o’ the puddin’ race"...
The link was passed on to me by my friend D in Skye. When I get to work tomorrow I have promised to pass it on to the Speaker of The House of Keys - who is an expert on addressing the haggis. Honestly.
Also a little about remembering Mrs Burns senior as we celebrate 250 years since she gave birth to her eldest - Robert himself. I included a bit about
Why the men always seemed to be sent downstairs to boil water -
1. It kept them out of the way.
2. It gave them something to do that was,probably, within their capabilities.
3. When all the work was done the midwife and the mother could do with a cup of tea.
As you can tell, it was not the most serious of speeches!
I also included a small vignette about
choosing a new cooker.
This was from life - because, guess what, my oven showered me with sparks and flames when I went to cook tea the other night. It was quite spectacular - somehow my kitchen appliances rarely die quietly, they always seem to go out with a bang. When attemps were made to resuscitate it, it proved to be quite dead.
After some discussion we decided to replace rather than repair, as it was likely that other parts might fail too, and we can afford a new one at the moment.
So we decided what we liked best about the old one, and what we liked least. D-d was included in the discussion, by phone.
We decided the worst things were that the grill pan has to be removed if you want to shut the top oven properly, and cleaning both the oven doors and around the knobs is a bugger - it never looks clean for more than a day.
I would like to keep the multi-cook function on the larger oven, so that I can slow cook without the fan. I want an easy timer, as I use it to do casseroles in the winter.
I saw a wonderful one - look - it is touch control - no knobs!
Then it occured to me that actually S2C might not cope with a cooker without knobs. D-d agreed that this might be a technological step too far - remember he cannot yet manage to even open a text, let alone send one, despite being so computer literate.
So I took him to a local dealer yesterday before he went to bed, to look at one. He likes the grill pan...
We think given time, and possibly writen instructions, he might eventually be able to use the hob, make cheese on toast, or bake a pizza - which is about all he needs! So I am going to go back and get a shiny cooker WITH NO KNOBS TO CLEAN AROUND! Oh - and very easily removed inner glass panels on the doors so I can easily keep them clean.
Of course, going back to Burns Night, the high spot is as much the food as the speeches.
We had split yellow pea soup, followed by the traditional haggis, taties and neeps, then pot roast pheasant with vegetables, and an oatcake, raspberry and cream confection for sweet, finished with coffee and mint chocolate shortbread. After that I really needed to go and lie down rather than listen to some excellent speeches, and then give mine!
For all you doubters - which I was for many years - haggis is really quite delicious. Especially with a tot of good single malt whisky.
If you have time to read, especially those of you of a scientific bent - you might enjoy this article on the very serious maths.ed.uk site about "Applications of ultrasonography in the reproductive management of Dux magnus gentis venteris saginati."
Bearing in mind that "Dux magnus gentis venteris saginati" translates literally as "great chieftain o’ the puddin’ race"...
The link was passed on to me by my friend D in Skye. When I get to work tomorrow I have promised to pass it on to the Speaker of The House of Keys - who is an expert on addressing the haggis. Honestly.
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no subject
Date: 25/01/2009 06:01 pm (UTC)I heard about Burns' birthday on the radio this morning and thought of all my pals over there.
no subject
Date: 25/01/2009 06:10 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 25/01/2009 08:21 pm (UTC)But the internet and plain-old context suggest that it first meant fancy going-out-on-the-town clothes.
no subject
Date: 25/01/2009 08:45 pm (UTC)Like my Aunty Marion here...
no subject
Date: 25/01/2009 06:02 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 25/01/2009 06:18 pm (UTC)Our current one has a ceramic hob - I wouldn't go back to gas or electric rings, it's an old version of one like this one. (http://www.currys.co.uk/martprd/store/cur_page.jsp?BV_SessionID=@@@@1475961609.1232907304@@@@&BV_EngineID=ccdcadegfkjjdefcflgceggdhhmdfok.0&page=Product&fm=4&sm=4&tm=0&sku=239046&category_oid=-30559)
Go on, go mad, buy your Mom a new kettle!
no subject
Date: 25/01/2009 06:41 pm (UTC)I got a new one (http://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/c184/index.cfm?pkey=xsrd0m1|16|||0|||||||kettle&cm_src=SCH) recently myself; I was actually thinking of getting her one too. The red would go in her kitchen!
I don't have built in appliances in my kitchen either. I love how they look, but my kitchen is just soooo small. I am going to put in a built-in microwave above the stove this winter though which will free up some counter space!
no subject
Date: 25/01/2009 08:04 pm (UTC)It is one of the big differences between the US and UK - we'd never think of putting the hob on for a kettle, Ii don't know anyone who doesn't have an electric one!
no subject
Date: 25/01/2009 08:39 pm (UTC)It is one of the big differences between the US and UK - we'd never think of putting the hob on for a kettle, Ii don't know anyone who doesn't have an electric one!
I actually don't know anyone with an electric kettle! I suspect it's a coffee vs tea thing. I don't have room in my kitchen for any more gadgets-- all my space it taken up with coffee maker, grinder, air-tight storage thingy for the beans... :D
We don't have a lot of serious tea drinkers. Most people just microwave the cup and drop in a bag. I like tea sometimes, but I tend to use a kettle and pot. I hate it when my mugs get superheated. The handmade arty ones don't heat evenly!
no subject
Date: 25/01/2009 09:00 pm (UTC)I would always put the kettle on to heat the water to rinse cooked rice, or cooked pasta, or even just to get the water to boiling quickly to put into a pan to boil the rice in the first place. A fast-boil kettle should get a pint from cold to boiling in about a minute.
I have one friend who heats water in a mug in the microwave - but it always seems a waste of power to me!
It's just one of those odd cultural differences - like top loading washing machines...
no subject
Date: 26/01/2009 12:52 am (UTC)As for haggis, I've never had the opportunity to try it. I do think that most things would taste better with a good single malt whisky.
no subject
Date: 26/01/2009 08:40 am (UTC)Haggis is really just the Scottish version of sausages or meatloaf, it has just acquired an air of mystery! But it is tradition to get a tot of Laphroaig with it at our particular event, to 'toast its health'.
no subject
Date: 25/01/2009 06:03 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 25/01/2009 06:20 pm (UTC)With your culinary interests you might be interested to know that the wife of the main speaker told me that one of her neighbours back home in Scotland makes haggis lasagne...
no subject
Date: 25/01/2009 06:43 pm (UTC)It's a shame because the oven went wrong and I was all excited about a new kitchen gadget and then Mr Cee managed to fix it... :(
Sounds like you had a good time!
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Date: 25/01/2009 07:06 pm (UTC)Mr Cee managed to fix it... :(
A husband of a not terribly technical bent has, just occasionally, advantages!
no subject
Date: 25/01/2009 08:00 pm (UTC)I slay me.
no subject
Date: 25/01/2009 08:07 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 25/01/2009 08:06 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 25/01/2009 08:14 pm (UTC)My current one does too - but it is 'double glazed, but with a gap between the two layers. So steam and grease gets between the two layers, and it has slowly become opaque, no matter how I try to clean it. The new one has a removable inner glass layer, so I can take that out and scrub it, and clean the inside of the outer one at the same time, so that I can keep the glass clean.
no subject
Date: 25/01/2009 10:46 pm (UTC)A few years ago, on Christmas Day, my oven went...away. I had to go next door and borrow my neighbors! Not fun!
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Date: 26/01/2009 12:05 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 25/01/2009 10:50 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 26/01/2009 12:07 am (UTC)Mind you the first time I did it I was a bit more organised!
no subject
Date: 26/01/2009 08:19 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 26/01/2009 08:44 am (UTC)Our main speaker was a captain on the Stranraer to Larne ferries, and interesting as well as, blessedly, not too long! The other speeches can be fairly bereft of Burns, or full of quotes, it is up to the individual speakers. Me - I was somewhat scathing about his womanising but didn't quote a word of his verse!
no subject
Date: 25/01/2009 10:53 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 26/01/2009 12:08 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 26/01/2009 12:05 am (UTC)Anyway, I hope you enjoy your lovely new cooker! [I'm in the process of buying a house, which is why -- instead of being on line -- I've been spending most of the last few days crouching under the table, shaking.]
Your Burns Night sounds like a lot of fun, though Burns remains a mystery to me :-)
ETA And you were brave, giving a speech!
no subject
Date: 26/01/2009 12:12 am (UTC)Buying a house? Yay! Congratulations - even though it is scary!
I am very like Quentin Crisp when it comes to dusting - although I do sometimes do it when I take the Christmas decorations down...
I have to admit I enjoy the Burns Supper more than the Burns poetry...!!
no subject
Date: 26/01/2009 02:04 am (UTC)Burns Night always sounds like so much fun, especially when you write about it.
no subject
Date: 26/01/2009 08:50 am (UTC)If it's a fast boil kettle it will have a powerful element in it - I think ours has a 13amp fuse in.
Burns Night is a good excuse to get all dressed up and eat well!
no subject
Date: 26/01/2009 02:13 am (UTC)I like your stove; it looks really convenient to use. I'd go for the gas version if they had one though. I've never been a big fan of electric stoves because of the time they take to react when you change the temperature. Not keen in the price though! *meeps*
no subject
Date: 26/01/2009 08:56 am (UTC)I could get a new cooker for a around £300 - but then it wouldn't have the ceramic hob, or a basic ceramic one for about £500 - but as the electronic display rather than knobs is a new thing, it is expensive. But just at the moment we can afford it, and I would dearly love to not have to clean around and behind knobs!
no subject
Date: 26/01/2009 10:08 am (UTC)I surely can't argue with you there! :-)
haggis
Date: 26/01/2009 06:38 am (UTC)Interesting icon!
Re: haggis
Date: 26/01/2009 08:59 am (UTC)You know you seem to be the only person who has noticed the icon - I cropped it from a much larger picture of somewhere over 100 naked people standing in snow, because it is such a fun image.
Re: haggis
Date: 26/01/2009 05:26 pm (UTC)We see something similar every year at Burning Man!
Re: haggis
Date: 27/01/2009 08:39 am (UTC)Re: haggis
Date: 27/01/2009 07:33 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 27/01/2009 05:53 pm (UTC)The new cooker looks great, and I'm sure S2C will master it with a little tuition.