Thursday 28 October 2010

The winds of change . . .



Looking out into the garden today all seems a chaos of leaves and branches blown and scattered all over the place. It's always the same after a spell of windy Autumn weather . . . it's hard to know just where to start cleaning up!

You'll often find that a day or two later though, that the wind will change direction, a new wind will blow through . . . and all those scattered leaves will be whipped up into neat little piles . . . sorta . . . and be laying against a wall or hedge in the garden . . .



Life can be like that sometimes don't you think? Sudden change can whip into our lives, bring chaos and problems that seem forbidding and insurmountable at the time. But often . . . if we wait, life will settle down, order will return and things may even be better than before.

That's the way it has been for us this year . . . it began early iin the year with lots of upset and uncertainty but has settled down now into something quite comfortable and yes . . . things are better in many ways than they were before.



Change is often difficult and can be very painful when we are going through it all . . . and we may think we'll never see the light at the end of the tunnel, but there is always light, and the tide always turns. Faith and perseverence are always rewarded, and sometimes in the most unexpected ways!

We should always, as the American aviator and explorer Richard E Byrd said, "Give wind and tide a chance to change."




Do you know what this is? It's a Russell Hobbs original K1 Kettle!! Fascinating looking isn't it!
Russell Hobbs is celebrating it's 50th anniversary by launching a worldwide search for an original K1 kettle. They are using such media as facebook, twitter and Flikr. They hope the search will allow them to build a full collection of pictures of Russell Hobbs products across 50 years, including the K1 kettle. They are asking people to tweet their pics to @russellhobbsuk and put them on the Russell Hobbs UK facebook page, email them in to russellhobbs@lucre.co.uk , or upload them to the Russell_hobbs_uk flickr group. Every picture they receive will win a 10% discount off a Russell Hobbs purchase and Russell Hobbs promises the lucky owner (s) of a K1 the full Russell Hobbs unique Heritage Collection.

Jason Steer, European Marketing Director comments: "Despite all the nice stories we hear about the newer K2 product, we sadly haven't been able to track down a working version of it's older brother the K1, and this is why we have decided to launch this competetion to find a fully operational version. We would like people everywhere to check in their relatives' attics and basements - anywhere they think one could be hidden."

Sounds fascinating to me! I hope they are able to find one and boy oh boy the person (s) that do have one are in for a real treat! I am thinking to myself if anyone at all has one, it could very well be our Angie from Can You All Hear Me At The Back! Put that Keith to work checking out the Attic, cellar and shed Angie! It will give him something to do and you never know what he may find!!!

Speaking of antiquities, I just love Brussells Sprouts. I could eat them in any way shape or form. I think they're just lovely . . . boiled, steamed, stir fried and roasted as I have done them here today. I do hope you'll try this method. Roasting helps to bring out all the wonderful flavours and natural sweetness of this lovely vegetable! Delicious!!




*Roasted Brussels Sprouts*
Serves 6
Printable Recipe

I dare say these will be the best Brussels sprouts you will ever eat. Crunchy and nuttily flavourful on the outside and creamy and delicately sweet on the inside, these are truly to die for! You can multiply and divide this recipe according to however many people you are serving. It’s a very forgivable recipe!

1 ½ pounds Brussels sprouts
3 TBS olive oil
½ to ¾ tsp of sea salt
½ tsp lemon pepper seasoning or freshly ground black pepper

Pre-heat the oven to 200*C/400*F. Pour the olive oil ontoa large shallowbaking tray with sides and set aside.

Cut the ends off the Brussels sprouts and trim off any yellow or tatty leaves. Throw them onto the baking tray and sprinkle with the salt and lemon pepper. Give them a good shake to roll them around in the oil and distribute the seasonings.

Roast them in the pre-heated oven for 35 to 40 minutes, or until crisp outside and tender inside. Give the pan a good shake every 15 minutes or so to help them to brown evenly.

Remove from the oven and taste one to see if you need any more seasoning or not. Serve hot.

*Note - You may find that if you are doing fewer than 1 ½ pounds you will not need as long a cooking time. I only did about ¾ of a pound last night and they only needed about 25 minutes.



Over in The English Kitchen this morning, some delicious Fruit Fritters!

10 comments:

  1. Hello Marie!!

    We had snow today! So the winds of change are here for sure! I hope you are doing well. Sorry I haven't been over every day. My life is feeling out of control right now. I think about you every day though.

    Have a wonderful day. Those fritters look so good.

    xox
    Jen

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  2. Marie,

    I am sorry but there is only one way I will ear sprouts and that is in coleslaw. Very finely sliced and raw they are fine but otherwise I find then overwhelming.

    Take care and enjoy your day.

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  3. The winds of change are always blowing. Each day I wake up excited as you just never know what new things may happen. It's not all good all the time but still something new and changes are constantly on the way. I do love brussels sprouts and now I think I'm very hungry for them too. I must put that on the shopping list. I hope your Thursday is a great one!

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  4. Good morning, Marie! Such lovely thoughts on change today...this HAS been such a change for you and Todd, hasn't it?! You've weathered it so beautifully, my friend!

    I hope this day is wonderful in every way! So much love and happy thoughts being sent your way this very second!

    Julie

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  5. Hi, Marie! Life certainly throws us some strong breezes sometimes... LOL! And it has been a very trying year for you & Todd in so many ways. I hope & prayer very much for you that the smoother sailing now will continue long into next year! :o) It's been a stressful year for us too, 2010 will be recalled for some trying times and challenges. But we have pulled through, and things have settled into a more comfortable groove again, which is feeling good, I must say! LOVE Brussels Sprout any way. And really like this simple, elegant preparation you have of them today, Marie. Hope you're having a good day there--and wishing you a great weekend ahead. I will be offline a bit for a few days--sharing at my blog tomorrow though. Hope we get to chat soon--look out for you on MSN. LOVE YOU LOTS ((BIG HUGS))

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  6. I am loving Fall and the wind and the leaves here in California. We don't get the seasonal change like many others...but I LOVE FALL!! I can't wait to try your brussell sprouts for me and my hubby this weekend.. the Young Adults will be out of town!!

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  7. I am loving Fall and the wind and the leaves here in California. We don't get the seasonal change like many others...but I LOVE FALL!! I can't wait to try your brussell sprouts for me and my hubby this weekend.. the Young Adults will be out of town!!

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  8. Mmmm....I love roasted Brussel Sprouts, they are so sweet. I also shred them up and stir fry for a change as well!

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  9. I love brussel sprouts , I haven't ever tried them roasted though Marie. I seriously have to do this, it sounds wonderful!

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  10. I'm not crazy about brussels sprouts Marie but this sounds pretty good. I made your meatball recipe you posted a couple of days ago and loved them! blessings, marlene

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