Me, Eurovision 2011, the final links and so long, farewell...(you can sing the rest)

Well it’s time to say goodbye. I have decided to call it a day...blogging wise that is. The poor attempt I have been making this year does not make a well written (or received) blog. And it was time to close off that (almost) 5 year chapter that simply has run its course. And it’s not that I do not want to write or share anymore. There was never a specific reason why I started to blog other than a creative outlet. It was always about things I liked and I thought it would evolve over time like an organic diary or collection of observations. And it did. And I was very proud of some of the entry’s I wrote. Especially (but not limited to) the History of OZ TV...documenting my year of cookery (and I suggest anyone who has ever burnt toast to give it a crack – you just need time to cook – not skills, you get that over time but alas I digress for the last time) all that CAMP shit that I think makes grey dull life pink and funny, oh and my reviews of the Eurovision – so much fun!

Ok so I decided not to do Eurovision posts this year as slowly the crazies, loons and all that European colour has faded away in recent times making it a duller song competition. But then of course there was Jedwood from Ireland ( I could bloody hit that Louie for fuelling that sad mental fire). But there was some great songs this year from Hungary, Serbia ( I can’t stop playing the 1960’s sounding Caroban – it’s just a happy uplifting song and yes the Serbian version), Austria and Switzerland. It didn’t surprise me that Dana International (Israel) didn’t move past the semi finals – I mean really Darling Ding a Dong was a song back in 1970’s from Holland. And crying out loud Europe if you are a small former soviet/eastern Bloc country only speaks your language just SING IN ENGLISH! Actually it didn’t work for Blue this year so ignore me. Baku next year (Christ).

Before going I have found 2 excellent sites to share:-

Rule knitannia - The well stitched in time knitting blog from my old mate, the very talented Eddie in London Town – cushions, crowns and (iced) confections ( to name a few knitted creations) What not to love!

http://ruleknitannia.blogspot.com/

Everything is Terrible – unlike its title this is one of the best collections of camp, bizarre shit and plain funny clips from the net – I so love it:-

http://www.everythingisterrible.com/

In closing, I still can’t believe I made it almost 5 years. I would have never seen that coming. Neither in that time Apple making essentially a mini handheld computer (that makes calls) that has become part of 21st life. Face book, twitter, four square, linked in (etc) are the new media and social interaction. Google is the new scary giant, so then is India and China. The Australian Dollar is worth more than the US Dollar (and the average house price in Australia is over half a million AUD in most capital cities) but our AUD buys less than before. America finally getting a black president. Australia getting a female Prime minister. Kate and Wills getting hitched (Oh didn’t she look beautiful and who thought of trees in the abbey – fabulous). Life is changing so fast and it’s sometimes it gets scary. But it’s also gets better. As I'm getting older and I'm appreciating the weekend and randomn days off much more, laughing with your mates, a well needed hug from your partner and a home cooked meal - for me it would never be superseded by what a corporation or technology can boast.

So that’s it. Thank you for all for reading and feedback (though I would have happily welcomed more!). So as I’m listing to Nina from Serbia singing Caroban again (it’s on repeat and Andy’s away on business so no complaints) it’s only right to say Do viđenja prijatelj (Goodbye friend).

X b aka the classic eccentric (Brett).

Invisible...

I got this sent to me the other day...if you need help look between the first two on the left

52 Recipes - The entire list

Here is the full list of the recipes I cooked in 2010

JAN
4.1 1 Lobster Thermidor - The internet -Seafood
11.1 2 Indian Lamb kebabs - Indian in 6 Cookbook-Indian
18.1 3 Lamb Kofta - The internet -Greek
25.1 4 Pea & Prawn Linguini - Gourmet Traveller Cook book -Pasta/Seafood

FEB
1.2 5 Berry Trifle - A & B special -Dessert
8.2 6 Tandoori Chicken - Indian in 6 Cookbook -Indian
15.2 7 Dahl with Spinach - Indian in 6 Cookbook -Indian
22.2 8 Spanakopita - Gourmet Traveller (Mar 2010) -Greek

MAR
1.3 9 Sago Gula Melaka - Food Safari- Malay/Dessert
8.3 10 Slow Cooked Greek Lamb - The internet -Greek
15.3 11 Olive fetta & onion tart - The internet -Greek
22.3 12 Orange sugar puffs - Gorgeous Cakes Cookbook- Dessert
29.3 13 Hot Cross Buns - Gourmet Traveller (Apr 2010)- Baking

APR
5.4 14 Rabbit & Mushroom Pie - Gourmet Traveller (Apr 2010) -Game/Pie
12.4 15 Potato Gratin - The internet -Vegetable
19.4 16 Cassoulet - The internet -Main
26.4 17 Lemon Curd - The Cooks Companion -Baking

MAY
3.5 18 Welsh cakes - A &B special -Baking
10.5 19 Walnut & espresso cake - Gourmet Traveller (May 2010) -Baking
17.5 20 Lemon Meringue Cake - Nigella Lawson -Baking
24.5 21 Duck L’Orange - The internet -Game
31.5 22 Reine de Saba - Julia Childs -Baking

JUNE
7.6 23 Berry Bundt Cake - The internet -Baking
14.6 24 Fish Stock - Comfort Food (Gary M) -Stock
21.6 25 Paella - Margaret Fulton -Spanish
28.6 26 Spanish Donuts - Gourmet Traveller (Jun 2010) -Baking

JULY
5.7 27 Roasted Carrot soup - Gourmet Traveller (Jun 2010)-Soup
12.7 28 Oxtail Bolognaise - Comfort Food (Gary M) -Pasta
19.7 29 Prawn Cocktail - Gourmet Traveller (Jan 2010) -Seafood/Entree
26.7 30 Duck Liver Pate - French Cooking Class -Entree/Starter

AUG
2.8 31 Caramelised Onion Relish - French Cooking Class -Relish
9.8 32 Confit of Duck - French Cooking Class -Meat
16.8 33 Duck & Pear Salad - French Cooking Class -Entree
23.8 34 Fricassee of Chicken - French Cooking Class -Meat/Main
30.8 35 Fresh Pasta - French Cooking Class- Pasta

SEP
6.9 36 Concorde Cake - French Cooking Class -Baking
13.9 37 Lamb Ragu - The internet -Pasta
20.9 38 Chocolate Chip Cookies - The internet -Baking
27.9 39 Chilli Jam - The internet- Relish

OCT
4.10 40 Pesto - Maggies Harvest (Maggie Beare)-Pasta
11.10 41 Fruit Tarts - French Cookbook (JC) -Baking
18.10 42 Eton Mess - The internet -Desert
25.10 43 Raspb white choc.muffins - Donna Hay-Baking

NOV
1.11 44 Stuffed Vegetables - The internet-Vegetable
8.11 45 Peach Melba - Nigella Lawson -Desert
15.11 46 Passionfruit Curd - The Cooks Companion -Baking
22.11 47 Red Velvet Cupcakes - The internet -Baking
29.11 48 Borscht - Naomi -Soup

DEC
6.12 49 Coulibiac - Naomi -Fish/Pie
13.12 50 Fruit Mince Tarts - Gourmet Traveller ( Dec) -Baking
20.12 51 Roasted Duck & Cherries - Gourmet Traveller ( Dec) -Game
27.12 52 Cheese Straws - The internet -Baking

52 Recipes - December & Conclusion

So finally I completed the 2010 New years resolution...and finished all 52 recipes

December
13.12 50 Fruit Mince Tarts - Gourmet Traveller ( Dec) Baking
20.12 51 Roasted Duck & Cherries - Gourmet Traveller ( Dec) Game
27.12 52 Cheese Straws - The internet (bookmarked) Baking

Overall I thought it would have gotten easier but I found that after the initial list of recipes I always wanted to try I had to get very inspired and motivated to try others. The french cooking course was a fabulous gift from Andrew and helped for the time when we were travelling ( sort of like cooking exam cramming) so good I'm back there next month for more so I'm very excited.

Nearly of the the recipes I tried I would definitely try again. The only one I wouldn't was the Sago pudding as it was just OK but still edible. Lobster Thermidor is a very special occasion dish and well worth it. Andrew initially laughed at why I bothered cooking Hot Cross Buns until I took them out of the oven and demolished 6 each with a lot of butter. Making the conserves and stock from scratch does make all the difference so Jamie Oliver and all the rest of those TV chefs aren't lying when they recommend making your own. I have to say the slow cooking was also a highlight, especially in the winter months.

Next post I will post the lot...and if anyone needs any recipe just drop me a line...or leave a comment. It seemed like a mammoth task but was worth it. Oh and my taste buds and cooking skills are all the better for it. And I weigh roughly the same so the gym ( and Chelsea my trainer) I have to say a big thanks too.