I had a guest for dinner yesterday. My friend and I usually take turns in cooking and it was mine. I did my version of a Thai stir fry, since it's quick and easy, healthy and rather delicious. Find the recipe below. We had a good chat about my books and his plans to go to Chile. He plans to stay there, teaching on a voluntary basis for six months. It's a win-win situation: the kids get to learn English and he can improve his Spanish. I'm grinning a little, since I know that the accent will differ from the Castilliano he has learned and is used to. In Chile, they pronounce words differently. I know that because I took private lessons by a person who lived in Chile for 25 years. Yes, I do speak Spanish, a bit rusty at the moment, but I adapt quickly.
And it's not the only thing he needs to get used to. The food is another one, hence the slightly hotter stir fry I cooked yesterday. He told me he doesn't like chili, but I sneaked some in and he loved it. A good start, no?
So here the recipe for you:
Meat of your choice, thinly sliced, or prawns Spring onions chopped, inch long Yellow and red peppers thinly sliced baby corn green beans or mangetouts Garlic to your taste chili to your own taste, I use the red medium one
Heat the wok with a little oil, throw in the meat and stir for a minute, then throw in the vegetables and chili, stir for another 15 seconds, then add the garlic, make sure it doesn't burn since it gets bitter.
Add half a glass of white wine, then a few dashes of soy sauce and some drops of fish sauce. Add a little bit of salt. Pepper is not needed since you have the chili. Stir for another minute on low heat and serve with rice or thin egg noddles. If you like it, sprinkle some roasted sesame seeds over it.
Enjoy.
Here's another man who enjoyed his food tonight:
Spring greens with grated butternut squash, a few pieces of pineapple...Unfortunately, I started filming when he was almost done...
In actual fact, I began my new year writing. Yes, that's right: writing. Since I have been on antibiotics for over a week, I thought I could use this time to hit my target and I did. At 21.57pm on New Year's Eve, I walked over the 56k line, laughing. The very good news is, that I'm only about 16k away from finishing this wonderful book. I plan to have it done by end of January.
Then, after a short break, I launched into my newest short story, a rant about couples. You want to see a little excerpt? Sure, here it is:
In hectic, you grab your shopping bag, head down the stairs, open the door and collide with something that stands firmly where a hole should be. A little bewildered, you stare at the couple who stare at back with the same expression.
'Sorry,' you mutter under your breath and squeeze yourself past them. Not that they would move, it's one against two bodies, so you pull the short straw. Doesn't matter that it is your entry they block or not. And it is not even sheltered, so god knows why they choose it.
At the supermarket, you fetch a basket and begin your way around the shelves. It's packed today and you have to manoeuvre around children, elderly people and those who act like tanks: stopping to change directions unpredictably.
Not to forget the couples in love. They come to a halt, not to look around or discuss, or point at something, no, they just stop to snog. As if the supermarket was the most romantic place to do that. 'Show offs,' you mumble.
Their trolley is filled with three things: a bottle of wine, a baguette and some cheese. Because, if you are freshly in love, you can live of that feeling only, right? But why would they take a trolley that blocks your way, then?
If the shop wouldn't close, they'd probably still be in here tomorrow, stopping every five meters to engage in another long snog. They loose all sense of time and the read world. You curse inwardly, then take the right direction to the check out. The next disaster ahead.
Ugh! While queuing, you unintentionally went into some kind of trance, only to be woken out of it by this guy slapping the wobbly arse of his missus. Could do with some cycling, you think, then turn your head away to avoid getting sick.
I wish everyone a great and successful year. Health, happiness and the most important: love.
I usually don't reflect on the year that has passed, but this year, I feel I need to do it. Much has happened, good things and not so good things. Overall, it was an okay year which certainly can be topped 2011.
What I'm really glad about is, that I met so many lovely author friends I keep in touch with regularly. Some, I met again, some I met for the first time. I have sort of, finished my collection of comical short stories, that seem to have found a home, I have started a new novel, which will be finished 1st of March 2011 the latest. That is my deadline and I've learned that I stick to them usually. Well, then it needs to go through the editing-process, but I will love it, since I really love this book.
My editing-business received wonderful comments and I'm really proud to have such loyal clients who don't get tired to recommend me.
One of my close friends left me, going back to Spain, but he is blossoming there and it was the best thing he could ever do, so I'm happy for him.
Zorro has been a nightmare, but has calmed down a lot. From hopeless case to adorable again. Though I still have to watch my hands, fingers and face when dealing with him. He's also survived two GA when he had surgery, but he is healthy, big and strong and has grown and put on a lot of weight, too.
I began with piano lessons in April and was told I'm learning extremely quick and am talented, that's a formidable compliment, I think. Unfortunately, I had to put the lessons on ice for several reasons, but I will go ahead with them next year, when I have found a new teacher. I'd rather keep my old one, but she had to give her piano away. Shame, really.
Other plans for next year include to co-author a book with a dear friend, then begin with the next book that has been screaming about in my head for quite some time now. Again, literary fiction. I have the title already. Brilliant, huh?
I hope you will get into the new year safely. See you there.
The end of my novel, that is. I'm at about 49k now and I aim at roughly 70k. It's been a long journey so far, but even if it hurt a lot of times, sitting in front of the laptop, not being able to write a single word in thirty minutes, then finish writing, a few hours later, having only written 244 words. But I'd rather write little that is brilliant, than 2440 words that are not up to my standards.
I'm very proud of this book, its uniqueness, the style and that I actually am writing it. Close to my heart, I still manage to stand back and watch the two MCs interacting. Though, I admit, there are quite a few parts where a lot of me went into it and will certainly continue to go in.
Christmas is going to be used to push it further up the word-count-ladder and I'm looking forward to it. I love the peace on those days.
Yes, I am, but only because I have a sunburn. I went to a short trip into the sun. Very short nine-minutes-trip, to be precise. Sunbed is a great thing if you are in need of an energy boost. It's good for your immune system and even better for your soul. But never overdo it! Every now and again is fine, though.
Apparently, I was the only one who used this sunbed (bed is the wrong word here, they are those stand-in thingies) yesterday and they gave me three minutes extra. When I looked at the girl a little puzzled, she said, 'It's cold in there.' 'And I'm going to burn my arse,' I replied. Nevertheless, I took the coins and turned myself into the proverbial lobster. After all I'm invited to a party on New Year's Eve and don't want to scare other guests with my ghost-like looks.
Luckily, I got home without the visual effect, but in the evening, I turned red and I felt reasonably warm. For the next days, it means fresh carrot juice to help my body with the melanin-production.
How I wished to live in a county that is always sunny....
Today, I woke up to discover it snowed like manic. Everything was covered in white, even the roads. It's freezing cold and all I'm thinking of is summer. I want summer! Since I was little I was dragged along to winter holidays, skiing and taking long walks in the snow and that for the first sixteen years of my life. I'm done with snow, really, I am. Though, I admit it looks pretty with the trees covered in a white dust and it's certainly brilliant for the children, I would rather have summer all year.
Now, that's not going to happen in London, is it? Well, lucky me, I'll go, skid would be the more accurate word, grocery shopping and then hide behind my laptop with a hot chocolate or two. Have some writing to do. Pretty pleased with what I've done so far. About 45k, which means 5k to go until end of this year.
These picture show the view from my windows: London in dirty-white.
It means star and that's what I think I am. A star cook, in fact. No, I'm exaggerating, but I recently discovered my love for home made pizza. Yes, that's right, me, the one who loves to cook never did them myself. I hate the ones available to order or them horrible things you can purchase at the supermarket. If I eat pizza, either at an Italian restaurant or made by me. Well, I made pizza once with friends of mine, but I always fear things that contain yeast and go into the oven, since I turn anything supposed to be baked into charcoal.
Tonight, I made a wonderful pizza. It doesn't take much longer than ordering one and it's much more fun.
Dough for one tray: 200g plain flour 1 small cup of warm water 1 teasp. yeast Pinch of salt Drizzle of olive oil
Mix all together and knead for at least five minutes, then cover the bowl with clingfilm and put into warm place for about 30-40 minutes. Knead again a couple of times, then roll out on a floured surface. Try to get as thin as possible.
On the pizza: Tomato puree Some passata or tomatoes Cooked ham Sliced mushrooms Sliced onions Chillies (you decide if mild or hot) Cheese (I use grated Mozzarella) Wild rocket to finish it off. Salt Pepper Oregano Olive oil
Of course you can put onto it whatever you like. Bake until cheese has melted and the dough looks crispy.
