Yippee “PI” yay day!!

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Today is “pi day”, and was established by American math geeks to honour the mathematical constant pi.  As you may recall from those long distant geometry lessons, Pi is the ratio of the circumference of a circle as against its diameter.  No matter the size of the circle, pi is always the same!

This year, March fourteenth (which was also Einstein’s birthday) not only shares pi’s first three numbers, but when the digital clock strikes 9:26:53am, we will have, if only for a brief second, a time representation of Pi’s first ten digits, making it a SUPER PI DAY!

To mark this once in a lifetime event, it was only right to bake a wonderful pecan pie!  The recipe was modified from a Martha Stewart chocolate and bourbon variety, substituting half of the treacle for maple syrup, and adding a large glug of vanilla.  Fabulous!

Pecan Pie Recipe 

Basic Pie Dough

3 cups plain flour

1 tsp salt

1/2 cup unsalted butter (cold)

1/4 cup ice water

1 tbsp sugar

Filling

1/2 cup melted butter

3 tbsp plain flour

2 large eggs

1/4 cup treacle

1/4 cup maple syrup

1 tbsp bourbon

1 tsp vanilla bean syrup

100g dark chocolate chopped

1 cup chopped pecans (plus extra for decorating)

INSTRUCTIONS:

1.    Make the pie dough in a food processor by pulsing flour, salt, sugar and cold butter until they are like breadcrumbs.  Add the ice water and pulse again.  Refrigerate dough in two parts for at least 1 hour.

2.    Roll dough and cover a 9 inch pie plate.  Blind bake (cover with parchment and weight down using beans or pasta) for around 15 minutes at 180 Celsius (fan) or 375 degrees Fahrenheit.  Remove parchment and cook for further 5 minutes.  You do not want the pastry to brown.  Let cool on a wire rack for at least 15 minutes.

3.    Make the filling by stirring together all ingredients except the pecans and chocolate.  Once combined, add the pecans and chocolate.

4.    Pour into prepared pastry case and bake at 150 Celsius (fan) or 350 degrees Fahrenheit for around 40 minutes until set.  Let cool on a wire rack.

HAPPY PI (3.141592653) DAY!

*Awesome tumbler available from The Fowndry*

http://www.thefowndry.com

The Colour Purple – International Women’s Day 2015

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On this year’s International Women’s Day, I am thankful for the sacrifices made by those strong women of our past, as I would not be a successful lawyer today without their tireless efforts.  In September this year, I will have been in the legal profession for ten years, and the opportunities for women have certainly improved, at my firm at least, within this period.

However, whilst women are now occupying a greater percentage of high profile positions across the country, women continue to face prejudices and challenges in their personal lives and throughout their career journeys.

Everyone recognises that inherent sexism in society will take time to filter out completely, but it is important that we all continue to push forward in the footsteps of those campaigners like Emmeline Pankhurst so that a future where true equality exists becomes a genuine reality.

Here are some of those women who have inspired me over the years:

  • Audrey Hepburn – 1950’s movie star and humanitarian
  • J K Rowling  – author and one of the most successful self made woman
  • Hilary Clinton – politician.  Former Secretary of State and looking to be America’s first female president
  • Angelina Joile – movie star and humanitarian and champion of women’s rights worldwide
  • Sally Ride – first American women in space
  • Kate Spade – my favourite fashion designer.  Has been a huge influence on my personal style
  • Coco Chanel – 1920s designer who redefined male styles for women
  • The Queen – the ultimate role model, having served the British public since 1952

Let’s all take the time today to recognise those women who inspire us, and keep fighting for equality!

#PaintItPurple
#MakeItHappen
#InternationalWomensDay
#IWD2015

 

 

Happy Saint David’s Day 2015! – Discovering the New World

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Today is St David’s Day, and the people of Wales are celebrating the life and times of their Patron Saint, St David.   I was also interested to hear that all across America, “Welsh Americans” were celebrating this National event over the weekend.   We are all familiar with “Irish Americans” and “Scottish Americans”, but I have to say that I had not really thought a great deal about how my own country, Wales, had influenced and shaped this great nation.fullsizeoutput_746c

The links between the U.S. and Wales (Cymru) go back right to the very beginning of America’s history.  As we all know from the history books, Christopher Columbus “discovered” America in the fifteenth century.  But it is widely acknowledged, however, that over three hundred years before Columbus embarked on his legendary voyage to the New World, a Welsh prince, Madog ap Owain Gwynedd, arrived in America’s Deep South to set up the first Welsh colony there, and subsequently lived among the local indigenous Cherokee tribes for generations.  (NB: The first peoples to travel to America were the Norsemen in the tenth century, but there is little evidence they ever colonised the mainland of North America). 

It is also noteworthy that five out of the first six US presidents were of Welsh descent, and Thomas Jefferson was granted the honour of drafting the Declaration of Independence – the poetic rhythm of the language used in that historic document expressing his rich Welsh heritage.   The Welsh’s influence on the American nation continued, as James Maddison was also one of the Founding Fathers and was the principle author of that other notable work, the U.S. Constitution.    More recently, Barrack Obama became the first ever serving President to visit Wales, when he attended the Celtic Manor in Newport alongside other world leaders for the 2014 NATO Summit. 

As many as two million Americans refer to themselves as Welsh Americans (compared to a population of only 3 million in the land of hymns and arias), with some 135 people in Ohio professing themselves as being Welsh speakers.

In recognition of this long-standing, and understated relationship, I wanted to try some new flavours for my Welsh Cakes this year, and adding a taste of the states seemed like an obvious choice.

The humble Welsh cake received worldwide recognition in 2012 when Mitt Romney ‘s wife, Ann, treated reporters with these Welsh delights during the US Presidential campaign.  Her generosity sparked controversy, however, as people argued over what the “right” way was to make these little unassuming cakes.  The two varieties I trialled this year are a blueberry and lemon style cake (representing the American affinity to breakfast muffins) and a PB&J Split variety (which brings together my love of the Jam Split Welsh cake and the US imported idea of peanut butter and jam on toast).  I also supplemented regular milk for buttermilk, another nod to classic American baking.  Recipes are set out below, together with a link to my post last year.

I am sure my recipes will be received with displeasure by many Welsh cake purists, however, it is important to appreciate that the Welsh cake is all about nostalgia, and whether you prefer one recipe over another will largely depend on how your mother or grandmother used to make them.  For all you purists out there, I ask only one thing: that you open your mind to the wonderful versatility of this traditional treat.  I promise you, you will be pleasantly surprised!

WELSH CAKE RECIPES

Blueberry & Lemon

Ingredients (makes plenty):

  • 350g self-raising flour
  • 2tsp baking powder
  • 175g unsalted butter
  • A pinch of salt 
  • 115g golden caster sugar
  • 100g dried blueberries
  • Zest of 1 lemon
  • 25g white chocolate (grated)
  • 2tbsp buttermilk 
  • 1 egg (beaten) 
  • Extra caster sugar & glitter for dusting

Peanut Butter & Jam Splits

Ingredients (makes plenty!):

  • 350g self-raising flour
  • 2tsp baking powder
  • 175g unsalted butter
  • A pinch of salt 
  • 95g golden caster sugar
  • 1tbsp peanut butter
  • 1tsp vanilla extract
  • 1tbsp buttermilk 
  • 1 egg (beaten) 
  • Peanut butter and jam for filling and extra caster sugar & glitter for dusting

 Method (for both versions):

  • Put the flour and baking powder in a large bowl and rub in the butter until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs.
  • Add salt and mix well.
  • Add the sugar, the blueberries, zest and the grated chocolate. OR Add the sugar only if making PB&J version
  • Mix together the buttermilk and beaten egg and add to the mix. OR If making PB&J version, also mix in vanilla and peanut butter with the buttermilk and egg.  
  • Add wet mix to the dry mix and combine to make a firm dough.
  • For Bluberry version, roll out the dough on a lightly floured work surface to a thickness of 3/8th an inch and cut into desired shapes.  I used mini cookie cutters.
  • Roll more thinly for the PB&J flavour as these will be sandwich versions.  For star shaped cakes, dollop a small amount of jam and peanut butter onto two pieces of dough, and sandwich together.  For larger or more rounded cakes, spread fillings to the near edges.
  • Grease the baking stone or frying pan. Cook the cakes for about three minutes on each side then cool on a wire rack.   Dust with caster sugar and glitter (I used copper). 
  • Serve on a slab of fabulous Welsh slate.
  • Best to enjoy these on the day you make them, but they will keep well for a few days in an airtight container.  

DYDD GWYL DEWI HAPUS I BAWB!

( Happy St.David’s Day to all!)

For traditional recipe, see last year’s post:  https://geekchic-hq.com/2014/03/02/happy-st-davids-day-introducing-the-wonderfully-versatile-welsh-cake/

Last Guardian of the Iron Isles

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img_7697The Gower peninsular in South Wales has an abundance of beautiful hikes.  Some of the better known hiking landmarks of the area include the gorgeous Three Cliffs Bay and the iconic Worms Head tidal island off Rhossili Beach.

Whiteford Sands is one of the more unusual destinations of the Gower, in that its most notable feature is man-made, rather than natural.

Iron-born

The lonesome silhouette on the horizon of the beach is what is believed to be Britain’s last remaining wave-washed cast iron lighthouse, and stands more than 13 meters above its craggy glacial moraine base. It was constructed in the mid nineteenth century, and guided the estuary’s many seafarers away from the clutches of the Drowned God and his treacherous rocky shoals until it’s decommissioning in 1921.  This magnificent structure is accessible only at low tides.

The Hike

The hike starts from the small village of Llanmadoc, North Gower, and the first part of the trail takes you through a fantastic pine woodland and dune nature reserve (Whiteford Burrows), which was historically used as an MOD firing range.  The dense greenery opens onto a fabulous two mile stretch of pristine sand, with the lighthouse sat mesmerisingly far away on the horizon.  The walk itself is easy, but waterproof boots are needed to cross the many waterways and rock pools as you traverse the sands towards the beacon.

After spending some time admiring the victorian architecture of the lighthouse, re-trace your steps down the beach and head back through the nature reserve.

All told, it’s about an 8k round trip, and the small village shop in Llanmadoc serving wonderful homemade cakes is worth stopping by.  If you fancy something more substantial, or if the weather is particularly chilly, then the Greyhound Inn, Oldwalls, is highly recommended.  This traditional pub sells traditional pub grub, including some Welsh specialities, and a well-earned sip of a local brew (try Gower Gold, Gower Power or Gower IPA) can be savoured in front of one of the venue’s roaring open fires.

The Kraken

Tales from the Six Kingdoms: “A lion doesn’t concern itself with the opinion of sheep”

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The 2015 Six Nations Championship kicked off in true George R.R.Martin style on Friday night as Wales’s mind games failed to rattle Robshaw’s men at the Millennium Stadium.  

 

DSC_5052DSC_5068The BBC’s homage to the HBO fantasy blockbuster, Game of Thrones, was well timed in readiness for the biggest opening clash for a decade.

The scene was all set for a repeat of the 2013 showdown spectacular (Super Saturday 2013 – Capitulation in Cardiff), but Lancasters’s Lannisters made sure this was not the case for the tournament’s opener.  Gatland had played the Game of Thrones and lost: his claims of a fatally maimed English pack proved wildly exaggerated, as England showed its prowess in depth, exposing only a one dimensional Wales flock.

 

The battle started well for the hosts, as Webb put Wales ahead of the charge with an early, unexpected, try.  England fought back, giving Joseph his first opportunity to cross the finish line for his country.  The last attack was all Wales, with Biggar’s drop goal sounding the end of the first forty minutes.  At half time, the stadium was electric, as the visitors trailed 16 points to 8, a deficit never before overcome at Cardiff.  But the anticipated fall-out failed to materialise in the second half, as England’s 13 points remained uncontested.  With Wales’ mis-tackle count the biggest of the weekend, it was only fitting that the most crucial of all tackles made in the game came courtesy of the Welsh post, denying Haskell his fourth try against his favourite rivals.

      Final score: Wales 16 – England 21.The game had it all.  Blood, Fire and Ice, but there was no ignoring the fact that Wales had been out-classed in the Cardiff chill.  Next Sunday, Wales will go beyond Hadrian’s Wall to face the Northmen of Murrayfield, their hopes of Grand Slam and Triple Crown victories having been decimated at the first assault.  

Let the battle for the realm continue…DSC_5071

 

Super Bowl XLIX: Embrace your inner #LeftShark

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Super Bowl 49 marked the end of a decade-long Championship drought for the New England Patriots, as the Seattle Seahawks squandered their chance to clinch a second successive Super Bowl title.

DSC_4941The post-season showdown in Arizona proved to be an all-round explosive extravaganza, as spectators witnessed the score-line see-saw between the East and West coast contenders.  The battle raged on until the bitter end, and the final minutes of the game certainly did not disappoint.

A spot of juggling by Jermaine Kearse miraculously transformed a would-be fumble into a 33-yard gain for the Seahawks, and the Brady-Belichick partnership was all but ready to head home empty handed.  But an ill-judged, and ill-fated play-call by Carroll saw a one-yard, and two-timeout advantage for the raptors, surrendered, as Rookie, Malcolm Butler, stole the ball and the glory, leaving the World Champions incredulous, and four points shy of the title. 

It took a while to take in what had just happened.  No one could believe it.  The distraught faces staring out from the Seahawks’ sideline, however, said it all.  There could be no denying that Seattle’s Skittle-junkie, Marshawn Lynch, was the obvious choice to lead the Legion of Boom’s final charge into the end zone, but it was the Patriots who were left counting their luck stars and stripes that the Beast Mode had been overlooked for the game’s most decisive set-piece.  This change in game plan can only be described as a classic case of Left Shark vs Right Shark syndrome.   I will explain…

A Cautionary Tale

As those of you who watched the splendor that was the Pepsi Half Time Show will know, Left Shark, was (arguably) the better half of a Shark duo supporting Katy Perry’s dazzling 12-minute performance.  The unintended star didn’t care that he was out of sync against his impeccably co-ordinated right-hand counterpart (a.k.a. Right Shark (of course!)), and instead embraced his shortcomings by continuing to revel in his imperfect and endearing dance routine for the duration.  He knew he would never be a Right Shark, but continued with high spirits, nevertheless.  DSC_4929

Unlike the Patriots, the Seahawks were never going to win the Lombardi Trophy on precision play, and their Super Bowl dreams were dashed the moment they dismissed their tried and tested physicality in favour of an uncharacteristically “Right Shark” game plan.  And so, if you take only one thing away from this blog today, let it be this:  We can’t all be a Right Shark.  Embrace your inner #LeftShark. 

Tailgate

Whereas the game itself was full of fights, flukes and fireworks, our 2015 Super Bowl party was a more understated and elegant affair.  A gorgeous bouquet of vintage poppies, punctuated with tiny patriotic flags represented the New England contingent, with the lime and navy of the Seahawks represented in candle format.  The token green Skittles a nod to Seattle’s heavyweight, Lynch, and his perchance for the magical “go-faster” pellets of his youth.

Football brownies completed the programme, displayed, once again, in my favourite vintage pie plates.

Until next time…

I can’t believe the season has already reached its conclusion – it seems like only yesterday we were enjoying the sunshine at the inaugural pre-season game at the Levi Stadium in Santa Clara in August for the clash between the 49ers and last year’s runners up, the Denver Broncos.  The Levi Stadium will have the honour of hosting Super Bowl 50, and Super Bowl 49 has certainly set the bar high for next year’s contest!  DSC_8938

Kit Cat’s Cathedral Christening

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The 17th January 2015 was a special day for my family.  It was the day my niece (who shall be known as Kit Cat in this piece) got baptised in the almighty grandeur that is St Paul’s Cathedral, located right in the heart of the City of London.DSC_4664

History

The cathedral as we know it today, is the brainchild of prolific master-builder, Sir Christopher Wren, whose Neo-Classical design was consecrated in 1697 after the previous cathedral was decimated during the Great Fire of 1666.  It sits at the highest point of the city of London, on Ludgate Hill, and is one of the most iconic of London’s multitude of great monuments.

A Family Honour

Having the opportunity to be a part of this landmark’s history was all to the credit of my amazing mother, Vanessa, a retired physiotherapist, who was honoured by the Queen with an MBE in the 2010 New Years Honours List for her services to amputee rehabilitation.DSC_4091

The Main Event

Unlike the wedding of Charles and Diana in 1981, or the funerals of the a Duke of Wellington and Winston Churchill in 1852 and 1965 respectively, the ceremony itself was held in the Chapel of the Order of the British Empire ( a.k.a the OBE Chapel), deep below the city’s ancient streets, in the cathedral’s crypt. Little Kit Cat was baptised in the glorious font with a beautiful gold-plated shell, serenaded by the tune of Cwm Rhondda on the magnificent subterranean organ.

The After-Party

The aptly named Wren Suite, provided the best canvas ever for my preparations for the after-party, with gorgeous masonry combined with a fabulous domed crypt area.

We set up a focus table with crisp white linen, wooden place mats and an array of delicate pastel flowers.  My trusted mini suitcase was brought out of storage as the card box, and the Fuji Instax proved another hit. Small candles and a ceramic white elephant were used to subtly refer to the classic children’s favourite Bible story, Noah’s Ark.

The catering team at Harbour & Jones were wonderful – the afternoon team was served in the circular crypt and my fairy lights looked divine draped over the immense silver chalice that sat at the round table’s centrepoint.

Following afternoon tea, the contingent headed down Fleet Street to the Punch Tavern for some well-earned, goldfish-bowl sized G&Ts, and a late evening meal near the Smithfield Market. 

It was an AMAZING day!

Thank you to all the family and friends who made the journey to the Capital to share in Kit Cat’s big day!

HAPPY NEW YEAR! So Say We All!

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HAPPY NEW YEAR FOLKS!

fullsizeoutput_760fThis year, we were invited to a letter “G” party by our good friends Matthew and Jenna.  A pretty tough one, but we ended up choosing a Battlestar Galactica uniform (XO Saul Tigh) for James, and a Gum-ball machine outfit for me.  fullsizeoutput_663d

The gum-ball machine costume, whilst easy, was time consuming, and if you are ever making this costume yourself, please do leave yourself enough time to glue each of the pom-poms onto your dress!!  It takes longer than you think.

Other costumes included a Gladiator, Ruud Gullit (I have to confess I had no-idea who this was (he is a footballer, if you didn’t know already), but it was a great costume!), Goddess, Gnome and Gandalf

Our hosts served a delicious platter of Italian anti-pasta; a gorgeous Nigella Festive Feast of chicken and couscous (adorned) with pomegranate seeds; plenty of bubbles; and a lovely white chocolate and mint mouse served in a selection of tourist shot glasses.  We also played charades and the “post-it-on-your-forehead” name game, which got progressively funnier as the evening progressed!  The London fireworks closed the evening by heralding in the New Year with its usual explosive splendour.

Thanks guys for organising such a fabulous evening!

Wishing everyone a prosperous 2015!

 

Welcome to the Party, Pal! – A Die Hard Xmas

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Now I know this is quite controversial, but I am going to say it anyway: Die Hard is the greatest Christmas movie EVER!!

fullsizeoutput_7659Of course, this does not mean that I am not partial (very partial, in fact) to the more traditional fare, such as Holiday Inn, It’s A Wonderful Life or Elf, but there is something magical about watching the more alternative movies during the festive period.

I think much of this stems from way back when Christmas movie watching was dictated to us by the TV schedulers, and for a few hours every year we had to get out the highlighter and mark up the Radio Times to create a personalised viewing timetable. For as long as I can remember, Christmas has involved an evening or two with John McClane and a few more reminding ourselves of the dangers of feeding Mogwais after midnight.

And so Xmas 2014 for us was all about suspense, excitement and adventure, as we played tribute to the 1988 classic. A table styled after the Nakatomi board room table was adorned with a gingerbread Nakatomi tower, and additional nods to the movie included Al Powell’s Twinkie cakes, Ellis White Knight cola cube marshmallows and Last Exit To Nowhere Ho Ho Ho bands.

For those of you needing convincing, here are 5 reasons why Die Hard is the greatest Christmas movie:

1. ‘Twas the night before Xmas…

The entire movie is based over the evening of Christmas Eve, in the fictional Nakatomi Building (Fox Plaza) in Los Angeles.

The unlikely hero of the franchise, NYC cop, John McClane, has arrived on the West Coast to spend Christmas with his estranged wife, Holly Gennero, who is pursuing a high powered career at a Japanese corporate.

He comes bearing gifts (or gift, in the guise of a big brown bear with a large red bow), and after landing at LAX airport, makes his way to Holly’s office Christmas party escorted by Argyle, the novice limo driver.  And of course, John finds himself in the wrong place and the wrong time, as Hans Gruber and the 12 terrorists of Christmas, hijack the office shenanigans with deadly explosive effect.

How much more Christmasy can you get?!

2. Now I have a machine gun. Ho Ho Ho

And of course, it wouldn’t be Christmas without an appearance from the big man himself. Instead of a jolly fat man, however, McTiernan gives Santa a sinister twist as we witness McClane using Tony, a dead skinny blond East German terrorist wearing a tracksuit and Santa hat, as the seasonal conduit for informing Hans of his latest acquisition.fullsizeoutput_6648

3. How ’bout some Christmas music?

Michael Kamen’s score is a wonderfully eclectic mix of music ranging from classical Bach to Run DMC’s Christmas in Hollis.  As the movie’s tension grows, the music looks to unsettle the audience by interpolating traditional Christmas favourites, such as Walking in a Christmas Wonderland and Let it Snow, with accents of Singing in the Rain (used also to such a chilling effect in A Clockwork Orange) and urgent sleigh bells which together herald the most violent of the film’s action sequences.  Kaman also does a fantastic job mixing one of the greatest compositions of all time, Beethoven’s Ode to Joy from the Choral Symphony, with the vault opening scene serving as the climax to what is just a fabulous soundtrack.

4. I give you the F.B.I

Christmas is, of course, is a story founded on the worlds most well known miracle, and Die Hard is certainly not short of a miracle or two of its own.  In fact, there are countless times where our John McClane overcomes the odds continually stacked against him, including times where he overcomes the constraints of physics by hanging from gun holsters and hosepipes to escape terrorists and high explosives alike.

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5. Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow!

Although there is no chance of snow in the sunshine of Los Angeles, the end of the movie plays tribute to the snowy scenes of Christmas movies of the past as $600m of negotiable bearer bonds fall to the ground like snowflakes.  The plaza finds itself with a dusting of snow-like ash following the multitude of explosions that left the Nakatomi guiding smouldering in the dawn of Christmas Day.

Even if you do not share my enthusiasm for filing this classic with the rest of your festive favorite DVDs, I am sure no-one is going to argue that, if nothing, else Die Hard is the undisputed king of action movies.

Yippee-ki-yay, Merry Christmas!!

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