Today is World Food Day.
And I am writing this while eating a nice and warm bowl of soup, thinking of all those who will not be eating today. Look back to Coluche's quote from yesterday.
Aujourd'hui est la Journée Mondiale de l'Alimentation.
Et j'écris ceci alors que je mange un bol de soupe bien chaud, en pensant á tous ceux qui ne mangeront pas aujourd'hui. Jetez un oeil á la citation de Coluche que j'ai postée hier.
Monday, October 16, 2006
Sunday, October 15, 2006
Easy Pea(zy) Soup
Tarragon and Pea Soup / Soupe aux Petits Pois et Tarragon (ESTRAGON, Merci Sandrine !)
I surprised myself with this recipe. I did not think it would taste THAT nice. It is also quick to make and is fairly cheap.
Je me suis surprise moi-meme avec cette recette. Je ne pensais pas que ce serait si bon. C'est aussi rapide á faire et est peu onéreux.
==> Frérot : ton légume préféré, je crois que tu adorerais !
Ingredients:
2 tsp butter / 2 c. café beurre
1 onion, finely chopped / 1 oignon, finement haché
2 leeks, finely chopped / 2 poireaux, finement émincés
2 TBSP rice / 2 c. soupe riz
500 g frozen peas / 500 g petits pois congelés
1 litre water / 1 litre d'eau
1 veg stock cube / 1 cube bouillon de légumes
1 tsp dried tarragon / 1 c. café estragon déshydraté
salt & pepper / sel & poivre
Melt butter in a saucepan. Add onion, leeks and rice, cover and cook for ~10min. Add the peas, water, stock cube and tarragon. bring to the boil. Cover and simmer for ~35 min. Transfer to a blender and process until smooth. Return to the saucepan and heat through. Season to taste.
Faire fondre le beurre dans une casserole. Ajouter l'oignon, les poireaux et le riz. Couvrir et cuire pendant ~10min. Ajouter les petits pois, l'eau, le cube de bouillon et l'estragon. Faire bouillir. Couvrir et laisser mijoter pendant ~35min. Passer au mixeur. Retourner dans la casserole et réchauffer. Assaisonner.
I surprised myself with this recipe. I did not think it would taste THAT nice. It is also quick to make and is fairly cheap.
Je me suis surprise moi-meme avec cette recette. Je ne pensais pas que ce serait si bon. C'est aussi rapide á faire et est peu onéreux.
==> Frérot : ton légume préféré, je crois que tu adorerais !
Ingredients:
2 tsp butter / 2 c. café beurre
1 onion, finely chopped / 1 oignon, finement haché
2 leeks, finely chopped / 2 poireaux, finement émincés
2 TBSP rice / 2 c. soupe riz
500 g frozen peas / 500 g petits pois congelés
1 litre water / 1 litre d'eau
1 veg stock cube / 1 cube bouillon de légumes
1 tsp dried tarragon / 1 c. café estragon déshydraté
salt & pepper / sel & poivre
Melt butter in a saucepan. Add onion, leeks and rice, cover and cook for ~10min. Add the peas, water, stock cube and tarragon. bring to the boil. Cover and simmer for ~35 min. Transfer to a blender and process until smooth. Return to the saucepan and heat through. Season to taste.
Faire fondre le beurre dans une casserole. Ajouter l'oignon, les poireaux et le riz. Couvrir et cuire pendant ~10min. Ajouter les petits pois, l'eau, le cube de bouillon et l'estragon. Faire bouillir. Couvrir et laisser mijoter pendant ~35min. Passer au mixeur. Retourner dans la casserole et réchauffer. Assaisonner.
Lentil croquettes
This is fabulous! For best results, you need to make this 6 hours before eating, or even the day before, otherwise the mixture falls into pieces and your croquettes will have no shape at all.
Cette recette est fabuleuse ! Pour de meilleurs résultats, vous devez préparer les croquettes 6 heures à l'avance, sinon la préparation s’émiette et vos croquettes n’auront aucune forme.
Serves 4 people: / Pour 4 personnes
Ingredients:
225 g split red lentils / 225 g lentilles corail
1 green pepper, finely chopped / 1 poivron vert, finement émincé
2 garlic cloves, crushed / 2 gousses d’ail écrasées
1 onion, finely chopped / 1 oignon, finement émincé
1 tsp garam masala / 1 c. café garam masala (épice indienne)
½ tsp chilli powder / ½ c. café piment en poudre
1 tsp ground cumin / 1 c. café cumin en poudre
2 tsp lemon juice / 2 c. café jus de citron
2 TBSP chopped unsalted nuts / 2 c. soupe noix, noisettes, cacahuètes, etc écrasées
600 ml water / 600 ml eau
1 egg, beaten / 1 oeuf, battu
salt & pepper / sel & poivre
3 TBSP plain flour / 3 c. soupe farine
1 tsp turmeric / 1 c. café curcuma en poudre
1 tsp chilli powder / 1 c. café piment en poudre
4 TBSP veg oil / 4 c. soupe huile végétale
1. Put lentils, pepper, garlic, onion, garam masala, chilli powder, ground cumin, lemon juice and nuts into a large pan. Add the water, bring to the boil, then simmer gently for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally until all the liquid has been absorbed.
1. Mettre les lentilles, ail, oignon, garam masala, piment, cumin, jus de citron et noix dans une grande casserole. Ajouter l’eau, faire bouillir puis réduire et faire mijoter pendant 30 minutes en remuant de temps en temps jusqu’à ce que tout le liquide soit absorbé.
2. Remove the mixture from the heat and stir in the egg. Season to taste with salt & pepper. Leave to cool COMPLETELY.
2. Enlever la préparation du feu et bien y mélanger l’œuf. Assaisonner avec sel et poivre. Laisser refroidir COMPLETEMENT.
3. With floured hands, form the mixture into 8 shapes. Combine the flour, turmeric, chilli powder in a plate and roll the croquettes into the flour mixture to coat. Fry with vegetable oil in a frying pan until heated through and golden brown. Serve with fresh vegetables.
3. Avec des mains enfarinées, former 8 croquettes. Mélanger la farine, le curcuma et le piment dans une assiette et rouler les croquettes dans la farine pour les recouvrir complètement. Faites-les ensuite frire à la poêle avec l’huile végétale jusqu’à ce que les croquettes soient chauffées et dorées. Servir avec des légumes frais.
Saturday, October 14, 2006
Coluche
Coluche was a great man. Here is one of his famous quotations:
Dieu a dit : " Je partage en deux.Les riches auront la nourriture,les pauvres l'appétit. "
God said: "I will equally share the world into two parts. The rich will have the food, and the poor will have hunger."
This is an electoral poster published in 1981 when he announced his candidancy for president. He was forced to drop out because of media and political pressures.
As we are approaching winter, it is worth mentioning that Coluche was the man who set up the "RESTOS DU COEUR" (Restaurants of the Heart). I remember collecting tins and clothes every year at school for the Resto du Coeur, so that they could supply homeless people with shelter and food.
On the subject I think there is a law in France which says that a landlord cannot evict their tenant, even if they don't pay the rent, between 1st October and 30th April. I should check this out but I think it is the case.
Dieu a dit : " Je partage en deux.Les riches auront la nourriture,les pauvres l'appétit. "
God said: "I will equally share the world into two parts. The rich will have the food, and the poor will have hunger."
This is an electoral poster published in 1981 when he announced his candidancy for president. He was forced to drop out because of media and political pressures.
As we are approaching winter, it is worth mentioning that Coluche was the man who set up the "RESTOS DU COEUR" (Restaurants of the Heart). I remember collecting tins and clothes every year at school for the Resto du Coeur, so that they could supply homeless people with shelter and food.On the subject I think there is a law in France which says that a landlord cannot evict their tenant, even if they don't pay the rent, between 1st October and 30th April. I should check this out but I think it is the case.
Children of Men
Children of Men
This film is amazingly good. Really well done.
Based in the UK in a not-so-far-away future, when, for unknown reasons (pollution? drugs? genetics?), the human race has become infertile and is bound to disappear.
Military law prevails in the country. All other nations have fallen into anarchy.
A disillusioned bureaucrat is forced into an underground resistance movement to protect a young and heavily pregnant woman.
Spoiler-warning:
This film is scary and beautiful. The most poignant and heartbreaking moment was the scene when Kee has just given birth and tries to escape a building being bombarded by tanks and attacked by soldiers armed with automatic weapons. Kee walks down the hall and all these people cannot believe their eyes when they see the new-born baby. Then suddenly the soundtrack stops: and in a dramatic silence, she walks down a staircase crowded by the soldiers, who, when they see her, shout 'CEASEFIRE'.
There are many things in this film providing food for thought. I really recommend it.
This film is amazingly good. Really well done.
Based in the UK in a not-so-far-away future, when, for unknown reasons (pollution? drugs? genetics?), the human race has become infertile and is bound to disappear.
Military law prevails in the country. All other nations have fallen into anarchy.
A disillusioned bureaucrat is forced into an underground resistance movement to protect a young and heavily pregnant woman.
Spoiler-warning:
This film is scary and beautiful. The most poignant and heartbreaking moment was the scene when Kee has just given birth and tries to escape a building being bombarded by tanks and attacked by soldiers armed with automatic weapons. Kee walks down the hall and all these people cannot believe their eyes when they see the new-born baby. Then suddenly the soundtrack stops: and in a dramatic silence, she walks down a staircase crowded by the soldiers, who, when they see her, shout 'CEASEFIRE'.
There are many things in this film providing food for thought. I really recommend it.
Friday, October 13, 2006
Results
I feel better now:
1. Because it was somebody's birthday in the office, so I had a muffin at tea-break + a banana, and am now eating leftovers of the risotto I made a couple of days ago.
2. Because I have drunken 2.5 pints of water since this morning and replaced the fluids I lost yesterday.
3. Because I have just received the results from my last OUBS assignment and I passed with distinction! I am very happy about it because I worked hard for it. Even declined B's birthday party invitation so that I could study.
We will go out to the cinema tonight, to watch Children of Men. I find the plot interesting. I hope the film will be good.
1. Because it was somebody's birthday in the office, so I had a muffin at tea-break + a banana, and am now eating leftovers of the risotto I made a couple of days ago.
2. Because I have drunken 2.5 pints of water since this morning and replaced the fluids I lost yesterday.
3. Because I have just received the results from my last OUBS assignment and I passed with distinction! I am very happy about it because I worked hard for it. Even declined B's birthday party invitation so that I could study.
We will go out to the cinema tonight, to watch Children of Men. I find the plot interesting. I hope the film will be good.
Blood donation
I went to my regular blood donation yesterday. And it did not go too well. The donation itself was fine: I felt OK and it did not hurt at all. But when I sat at the table to have a drink to recover, I felt faint, possibly due to the fact that I could see a few drops of blood through the plaster. So I suddenly fainted and it took me ages to recover.
Because I did not feel great we decided to walk home rather than cycle. Trave left his bike at work in the town centre and pushed mine all the way home. We were almost there but I felt weak again.
Once we got home, I started bleeding quite badly, fainted again... It took hours for the blood to really stop bleeding.
I gave blood before 6pm and the wound/needle hole was still not sealed up at 11pm. I also had a very bad night, having nightmares about dripping blood and threatening needles. And I feel really tired this morning. Luckily, I finish 2 hours earlier on Fridays.
No cycling to work for me this morning. I called a workmate yesterday night and asked him to give me a lift this morning.
In any case I am glad that this was not my first donation, or I don't think I would have given blood again.
Hope I will feel better next time!
I DON'T WANT TO PUT ANYBODY OFF. GIVING BLOOD SAVES LIVES AND IS VERY IMPORTANT.
DO SOMETHING AMAZING TODAY: GIVE BLOOD!
Because I did not feel great we decided to walk home rather than cycle. Trave left his bike at work in the town centre and pushed mine all the way home. We were almost there but I felt weak again.
Once we got home, I started bleeding quite badly, fainted again... It took hours for the blood to really stop bleeding.
I gave blood before 6pm and the wound/needle hole was still not sealed up at 11pm. I also had a very bad night, having nightmares about dripping blood and threatening needles. And I feel really tired this morning. Luckily, I finish 2 hours earlier on Fridays.
No cycling to work for me this morning. I called a workmate yesterday night and asked him to give me a lift this morning.
In any case I am glad that this was not my first donation, or I don't think I would have given blood again.
Hope I will feel better next time!
I DON'T WANT TO PUT ANYBODY OFF. GIVING BLOOD SAVES LIVES AND IS VERY IMPORTANT.
DO SOMETHING AMAZING TODAY: GIVE BLOOD!
Monday, October 09, 2006
Raymond Devos - Caen
This is one of the numerous wonderful play-on-word sketches from late stand comedian Raymond Devos. One to challenge even those mastering la Langue Française.
Caen
Caen
J'avais dit: "pendant les vacances, je ne fais rien !... Rien ! Je ne vais rien faire ".
Je ne savais pas où aller.
Comme j'avais entendu dire : "A quand les vacances ?... A quand les vacances ?..."
Je me dis: " Bon !... Je vais aller à Caen... " Et puis Caen !... ça tombait bien, je n'avais rien à y faire.
Je boucle la valise... je vais pour prendre le car... Je demande à l'employé :
- Pour Caen, quelle heure?
- Pour où ?
- Pour Caen !
- Comment voulez-vous que je vous dise quand, si je ne sais pas où ?
- Comment ? Vous ne savez pas où est Caen ?
- Si vous ne me le dites pas !
- Mais je vous ai dit Caen !
- Oui !... mais vous ne m'avez pas dit où !
- Monsieur... je vous demande une petite minute
d'attention ! Je voudrais que vous me donniez l'heure des
départs des cars qui partent pour Caen !
- !!...
- Enfin !... Caen !... dans le Calvados !...
- C'est vague!
- ...En Normandie!...
- Ma parole ! Vous débarquez !
- Ah!... là où a eu lieu le débarquement !... En Normandie !
- A Caen...
- Là !
- Prenez le car.
- Il part quand ?
- Il part au quart.
- !!... Mais (regardant sa montre)... le quart est passé !
- Ah! Si le car est passé, vous l'avez raté.
- !!... Alors... et le prochain?
- Il part à Sète.
- Mais il va à Caen ?
- Non il va à Sète.
- Mais, moi, je ne veux pas aller à Sète... Je veux aller à Caen !
- D'abord, qu'est-ce que vous allez faire à Caen?
- Rien !... rien !... Je n'ai rien à y faire !
- Alors, si vous n'avez rien à faire à Caen, allez à Sète.
- !!... Qu'est-ce que vous voulez que j'aille faire à Sète ?
- Prendre le car !
- Pour où ?
- Pour Caen.
- Comment voulez-vous que je vous dise quand, si je ne sais pas où !...
- Comment !... Vous ne savez pas où est Caen ?
- Mais si, je sais où est Caen !... Ça fait une demi-heure que je vous dis que c'est dans le Calvados!... Que c'est là où je veux passer mes vacances, parce que je n'ai rien à y faire !
- Ne criez pas !... Ne criez pas !... On va s'occuper de vous.
Il a téléphoné au Dépot.
Mon vieux !... (regardant sa montre):
A vingt-deux, le car était là.
Les flics m'ont embarqué à sept...
Et je suis arrivé au quart.
Où j'ai passé la nuit !
Raymond Devos.
Sunday, October 08, 2006
Citizen Kane
We watched Citizen Kane yesterday (with a bottle of Minnervois, Collines du Paradis, a red wine which I can only recommend).
I liked the film. But I keep thinking that I have missed something. I am no cinema connoisseur and although I liked it, I would not rate it as one of the best film I have ever seen. A recent survey rated it in the top 10 of all-time movies.
Is it because of technical innovations, use of photography, light, etc...?
Please tell me what I should have looked for and did not see!
I liked the film. But I keep thinking that I have missed something. I am no cinema connoisseur and although I liked it, I would not rate it as one of the best film I have ever seen. A recent survey rated it in the top 10 of all-time movies.
Is it because of technical innovations, use of photography, light, etc...?
Please tell me what I should have looked for and did not see!
Vegetable jalousie
As a French person, I first questioned the name of that dish: vegetables and jealousy? Was is linked to some ancient tale of a farmer who poisoned a rival? After some research (funny what you can learn from a recipe) I realised that some shutters/blinds were called jalousie and the look of the dish could vaguely remind somebody of them.In any case the jalousie I made a few days ago did not look at all like a jalousie, looked even a bit messy, but not so bad that I could not post it!
for 4-6 people:
500g puff pastry (I buy ready-made puff pastry as I find it quite time-consuming to make)
1 egg
2 TBSP butter or margarine
1 leek, shredded
2 crushed garlic cloves
1 red pepper, sliced
1 yellow pepper, sliced
50g mushrooms, sliced
75g small asparagus or French beans
2 TBSP plain flour
6 TBSP veg stock
6 TBSP milk
4 TBSP dry white wine
1 TBSP oregano
Fry the leek & garlic for 2 min, add the remaining vegetables and cook for 3-5 min.
Add the flour and cook for another minute.
Remove the pan from the heat and add the stock, milk and wine. Return to the heat and bring to the boil until thickened. Stir in the oregano and season to taste.
Roll out half of the pastry to form a 38 x 15 cm rectangle.
Roll out the other half to the same shape but a bit bigger all round. Cut diagonal slits across, leaving 2 cm margin along the edges.
Transfer the smaller rectangle onto a backing tray.
Spoon the vegetables evenly on top of the smaller rectangle, leaving 1cm margin around the edges. Brush the edges with the beaten egg and add the bigger rectangle on top, pressing firm together to seal.
Brush the jalousie with egg to glaze and bake in preheated oven @ 180-200 degrees (Celsius) for 25-30 minutes.
Serve immediately with fresh vegetables.
SI QUELQU'UN VEUT LA RECETTE EN FRANCAIS, N'HESITEZ PAS A LAISSER UN COMMENTAIRE ET JE LA POSTERAI.
Saturday, October 07, 2006
More full moon information
Amazing how taking a picture of the moon can raise your interest in the subject!
This is what I found in WMUR.com on the subject:
"January: Full "Wolf" Moon (American Indian - from wolf packs roaming in the dead of winter.) Also known as "Old"
February: Full "Snow" Moon (American Indian - because it's a common month for snow)
March: Full "Worm" Moon (American Indian -- from earthworms coming to soil surface during Spring thaw) Also "Sap", "Sugar"
April: Full "Pink" Moon (American Indian--from profusion of pink wildflowers)
May: Full "Flower" Moon. Also "Planting" sometimes used.
June: Full "Strawberry". Also "Rose" used by some.
July: Full "Buck" Moon. Also "Thunder" is sometimes used (American Indian - because July often features strong Thunderstorms)
August: Full "Fruit" Moon. Also "Corn"
September: Full "Harvest" Moon/
October: Full "Hunter's" Moon.
November: Full "Beaver" Moon. (American Indian - From the busy beavers building their winter homes) Also "Frost"
December: Full "Cold" Moon. AKA "Oak""
And the following table gives more variations on names: (source http://www.fabandpp.org/cotm/moons.htm)
This is what I found in WMUR.com on the subject:
"January: Full "Wolf" Moon (American Indian - from wolf packs roaming in the dead of winter.) Also known as "Old"
February: Full "Snow" Moon (American Indian - because it's a common month for snow)
March: Full "Worm" Moon (American Indian -- from earthworms coming to soil surface during Spring thaw) Also "Sap", "Sugar"
April: Full "Pink" Moon (American Indian--from profusion of pink wildflowers)
May: Full "Flower" Moon. Also "Planting" sometimes used.
June: Full "Strawberry". Also "Rose" used by some.
July: Full "Buck" Moon. Also "Thunder" is sometimes used (American Indian - because July often features strong Thunderstorms)
August: Full "Fruit" Moon. Also "Corn"
September: Full "Harvest" Moon/
October: Full "Hunter's" Moon.
November: Full "Beaver" Moon. (American Indian - From the busy beavers building their winter homes) Also "Frost"
December: Full "Cold" Moon. AKA "Oak""
And the following table gives more variations on names: (source http://www.fabandpp.org/cotm/moons.htm)
| Month | Set #1 | Set #2 | Cherokee |
| January | Old | Wolf | Cold |
| February | Snow | Snow | Bony |
| March | Sap | Worm | Windy |
| April | Grass | Pink | Flower |
| May | Milk | Flower | Planting |
| June | Rose | Strawberry | Green Corn |
| July | Thunder | Buck | Ripe Corn |
| August | Green Corn | Corn | Fruit |
| September | Fruit | Harvest | Nut |
| October | Harvest | Hunter's | Harvest |
| November | Frost | Beaver | Trading |
| December | Long Night | Cold | Snow |
| Month | Ottewell | Wiccan | Others |
| January | Moon After Yule | Wolf | |
| February | | Storm | |
| March | Lenten | Chaste | Crow |
| April | Egg | Seed | Moon of the Red Grass Appearing |
| May | | Hare | |
| June | Flower | Dyad | Honey |
| July | Hay | Mead | |
| August | Grain | Wyrt | Sturgeon |
| September | | Barley | |
| October | Hunter's | Blood | |
| November | Hunter's | Snow | |
| December | Moon Before Yule | Oak |
Les 12 (13) Pleines Lunes
Hier soir c'était la Lune des Vendanges. Chaque pleine lune a un nom différent comme suit :
Solstice d'hiver - Equinoxe de printemps / Winter Solstice to spring equinox
Lune des Pluies
Lune des Neiges
Lune des Vents
Lune des Bourgeons
Equinoxe de printemps - Solstice d'été / Spring equinox to summer solstice
Lune des Semailles
Lune des Fleurs
Lune des Moissons
Solstice d'été - Equinoxe d'automne / Summer solstice to autumn equinox
Lune des Chaleurs
Lune des Orages
Lune des Vendanges
Equinoxe d'automne - Solstice d'hiver / Autumn equinox to winter solstice
Lune des Brumes
Lune des Morts
Harvest moon
Yesterday was harvest moon. Apparently, each full moon has its own name and the one following the autumn equinox is called the harvest moon, because it allows farmers to harvest later in the night before winter comes.
FULL MOONS 2006
FULL MOONS 2007
(Courtesy of http://www.farmersalmanac.com/astronomy/fullmoons.html)
On the subject of moon... Why do we say 'once in a blue moon'? This was also answered by the Farmers Almanac:
For more than half a century, whenever two full Moons appeared in a single month (which happens on average every 2 1/2 to 3 years), the second has been christened a "Blue Moon." In our lexicon, we describe an unusual event as happening "Once in a Blue Moon." This expression was first noted back in 1821 and refers to occurrences that are uncommon, though not truly rare.
On past occasions, usually after vast forest fires or major volcanic eruptions, the Moon has reportedly taken on a bluish or lavender hue. Soot and ash particles, propelled high into the Earth's atmosphere, can sometimes make the Moon appear bluish.
Why "Blue" Moon? For the longest time nobody knew exactly why the second full Moon of a calendar month was designated as a Blue Moon. One explanation connects it with the word "belewe" from the Old English, meaning, "to betray." Perhaps, then, the Moon was "belewe" because it betrayed the usual perception of one full Moon per month. However, in the March 1999 issue of Sky & Telescope magazine, author Phillip Hiscock revealed one somewhat confusing origin of this term. It seems that the modern custom of naming the second full Moon of a month "blue," came from an article published in the March 1946 Sky & Telescope magazine. The article was "Once in a Blue Moon," written by James Hugh Pruett. In this article, Pruett interpreted what he read in a publication known as the Maine Farmers' Almanac (no relation to this Farmers' Almanac, published in Lewiston, Maine), and declared that a second full Moon in a calendar month is a "Blue Moon."
However, after reviewing the Maine Farmer's Almanac, Hiscock found that during the editorship of Henry Porter Trefethen (1932 to 1957), the Maine Farmers' Almanac made occasional reference to a Blue Moon, but derived it from a completely different (and rather convoluted) seasonal rule. As simply as can be described, according to Trefethen's almanac, there are normally three full Moons for each season of the year. But when a particular season ends up containing four full Moons, then the third of that season is called a Blue Moon! To make matters more confusing, the beginning of the seasons listed in Trefethen's almanac were fixed. A fictitious or dynamical mean Sun produced four seasons of equal length with dates which differed slightly from more conventional calculations. So, basically the current use of "Blue Moon" to mean the second full Moon in a month can be traced to a 55-year-old mistake in Sky & Telescope magazine.
FULL MOONS 2006
| January 14th | Full Wolf Moon | 4:48 am |
| February 12th | Full Snow Moon | 11:44 pm |
| March 14th | Full Worm Moon | 6:35 pm |
| April 13th | Full Pink Moon | 12:40 pm |
| May 13th | Full Flower Moon | 2:51 am |
| June 11th | Full Strawberry Moon | 2:03 pm |
| July 10th | Full Buck Moon | 11:01 am |
| August 9th | Full Sturgeon Moon | 6:54 am |
| September 7tht | Full Corn Moon | 2:42 pm |
| October 6th | Full Harvest Moon | 11:12 pm |
| November 5th | Full Hunters Moon | 7:58 am |
| December 4th | Full Cold Moon | 7:24 pm |
FULL MOONS 2007
| January 3rd | Full Wolf Moon | 8:57 am |
| February 2nd | Full Snow Moon | 12:45 am |
| March 3rd | Full Worm Moon | 6:17 pm |
| April 2nd | Full Pink Moon | 1:15 pm |
| May 2nd | Full Flower Moon | 6:09 am |
| May 31st | Full Blue Moon | 9:04 pm |
| June 30th | Full Strawberry Moon | 9:49 am |
| July 29th | Full Buck Moon | 8:48 pm |
| August 28th | Full Sturgeon Moon | 6:35 am |
| September 26tht | Full Harvest Moon | 3:45 pm |
| October 26th | Full Hunter's Moon | 12:52 am |
| November 24th | Full Beaver Moon | 9:30 am |
| December 23rd | Full Cold Moon | 8:16 pm |
(Courtesy of http://www.farmersalmanac.com/astronomy/fullmoons.html)
On the subject of moon... Why do we say 'once in a blue moon'? This was also answered by the Farmers Almanac:
For more than half a century, whenever two full Moons appeared in a single month (which happens on average every 2 1/2 to 3 years), the second has been christened a "Blue Moon." In our lexicon, we describe an unusual event as happening "Once in a Blue Moon." This expression was first noted back in 1821 and refers to occurrences that are uncommon, though not truly rare.
On past occasions, usually after vast forest fires or major volcanic eruptions, the Moon has reportedly taken on a bluish or lavender hue. Soot and ash particles, propelled high into the Earth's atmosphere, can sometimes make the Moon appear bluish.
Why "Blue" Moon? For the longest time nobody knew exactly why the second full Moon of a calendar month was designated as a Blue Moon. One explanation connects it with the word "belewe" from the Old English, meaning, "to betray." Perhaps, then, the Moon was "belewe" because it betrayed the usual perception of one full Moon per month. However, in the March 1999 issue of Sky & Telescope magazine, author Phillip Hiscock revealed one somewhat confusing origin of this term. It seems that the modern custom of naming the second full Moon of a month "blue," came from an article published in the March 1946 Sky & Telescope magazine. The article was "Once in a Blue Moon," written by James Hugh Pruett. In this article, Pruett interpreted what he read in a publication known as the Maine Farmers' Almanac (no relation to this Farmers' Almanac, published in Lewiston, Maine), and declared that a second full Moon in a calendar month is a "Blue Moon."
However, after reviewing the Maine Farmer's Almanac, Hiscock found that during the editorship of Henry Porter Trefethen (1932 to 1957), the Maine Farmers' Almanac made occasional reference to a Blue Moon, but derived it from a completely different (and rather convoluted) seasonal rule. As simply as can be described, according to Trefethen's almanac, there are normally three full Moons for each season of the year. But when a particular season ends up containing four full Moons, then the third of that season is called a Blue Moon! To make matters more confusing, the beginning of the seasons listed in Trefethen's almanac were fixed. A fictitious or dynamical mean Sun produced four seasons of equal length with dates which differed slightly from more conventional calculations. So, basically the current use of "Blue Moon" to mean the second full Moon in a month can be traced to a 55-year-old mistake in Sky & Telescope magazine.
Winter stew
It is not quite winter yet but the first signs are here. Despite the promising blue sky, the wind feels bitterly cold. So it was really comforting when I was working on the TMA last Tuesday night and Trave made this really nice winter stew.
This recipe will feed 4 people:
- Fry 500g finely sliced leeks for a few minutes, then add 225g diced smoked tofu, 3 sliced carrots and 3 diced potatoes. Add 2 glasses of water, a bay leaf, and herbs. Season to taste. Cook until the vegetables are tender and serve warm with some wholemeal bread.
Ce n'est pas vraiment l'hiver encore mais les premiers signes sont la. Malgré le ciel bleu, le vent est plutot frisquet. La poelée d'hiver que Trave a faite l'autre jour était vraiment la bienvenue !
Pour 4 personnes :
- Faire revenir 500g de poireaux émincés pendant quelques minutes, puis ajouter 225g de tofu fumé coupé en dé, 3 carottes coupées en rondelles, et 3 pommes de terres coupées en dé. Ajouter 2 verres d'eau, une feuille de laurier et des herbes, et assaisonner. Cuire jusqu'a ce que les légumes soient tendres et servir avec une tranche de pain complet.
This recipe will feed 4 people:
- Fry 500g finely sliced leeks for a few minutes, then add 225g diced smoked tofu, 3 sliced carrots and 3 diced potatoes. Add 2 glasses of water, a bay leaf, and herbs. Season to taste. Cook until the vegetables are tender and serve warm with some wholemeal bread.
Ce n'est pas vraiment l'hiver encore mais les premiers signes sont la. Malgré le ciel bleu, le vent est plutot frisquet. La poelée d'hiver que Trave a faite l'autre jour était vraiment la bienvenue !
Pour 4 personnes :
- Faire revenir 500g de poireaux émincés pendant quelques minutes, puis ajouter 225g de tofu fumé coupé en dé, 3 carottes coupées en rondelles, et 3 pommes de terres coupées en dé. Ajouter 2 verres d'eau, une feuille de laurier et des herbes, et assaisonner. Cuire jusqu'a ce que les légumes soient tendres et servir avec une tranche de pain complet.
Wednesday, October 04, 2006
World Animal Day
Today is World Animal Day.
We don't have any pets but there are many cats in the neighbourhood, which is nice. Well, I have a cat but it stays at my parents, with his sister. Here is a picture of the dynamic duo. Don't they look cute?
We don't have any pets but there are many cats in the neighbourhood, which is nice. Well, I have a cat but it stays at my parents, with his sister. Here is a picture of the dynamic duo. Don't they look cute?
Submitted!
What a relief, I have just submitted my OUBS assignment. I had taken yesterday and today off and that was a good thing. I have been working on it since 7:50 this morning and had not much time for a break. Until the last minute I thought I would never finish: even the online submission software refused it because the file was too big! Good thing I could 'zip' it...
Among other things Trave cooked us a nice dinner and made me hot water bottle as my feet were frozen from sitting in the cold study all day long.
Tomorrow I will have a large glass of wine to celebrate!
Night night.
Among other things Trave cooked us a nice dinner and made me hot water bottle as my feet were frozen from sitting in the cold study all day long.
Tomorrow I will have a large glass of wine to celebrate!
Night night.
Sunday, October 01, 2006
Chinese proverb
I saw this today and thought it was appropriate with the weather we're having:
"Le sage face au vent ne construit pas un paravent mais un moulin."
"Against the wind, the wise man does not build a windscreen but a windmill."
"Le sage face au vent ne construit pas un paravent mais un moulin."
"Against the wind, the wise man does not build a windscreen but a windmill."
Free Hugs Campaign
Truly inspiring. It made my day to watch this, especially since we are having a miserable, rainy, stormy and very dark October day. This was a ray of sunshine.
Here is a hug from me: X
Saturday, September 30, 2006
Books
Trave is out tonight for a most traditional English evening: BEER & CURRY!
I have studied for a bit, then read for a while and decided to add a book section on this blog. I am currently reading "Erzaehler der Nacht" by Rafik Schami. I have read it before during my first stay in Germany in summer 2000, in Waiblingen, near Stuttgart. I really enjoy reading it. It seems to be published as "Damascus Nights" in English, according to Wikipedia. I imagine it would remind people of the Arabian Nights, which I have not read yet so I cannot really judge. It is the story of a coachman who is famous across the Damascus region for the wonderful stories he can tell. One day, he is struck dumm by a wizard and his friends have to find a way to get his voice back.
I noted this quotation from the greengrocer in the book: "Fruechte isst man zuerst mit den Augen, dann mit der Nase und an letzeter Stelle mit dem Mund."
"Fruits are to be eaten first with the eyes, then with the nose and finally with the mouth."
Has anyone of you heard of BOOKCROSSING? I heard about it for the first time about a year ago, then forgot about it. I just went onto their website and realised that it is alive even in rural England towns and villages! One book has been read and passed on by over 200 people.
I like the concept of it. I shall think about releasing one in the wild some day!
I should go back to my studies. It is all very interesting but I find it difficult to concentrate after a long week at work... I want some chocolate! I think we have some Maya Gold left. I shall reward myself with a square after I have got some work done. What do you think of that? What a self-control I have here!
I have studied for a bit, then read for a while and decided to add a book section on this blog. I am currently reading "Erzaehler der Nacht" by Rafik Schami. I have read it before during my first stay in Germany in summer 2000, in Waiblingen, near Stuttgart. I really enjoy reading it. It seems to be published as "Damascus Nights" in English, according to Wikipedia. I imagine it would remind people of the Arabian Nights, which I have not read yet so I cannot really judge. It is the story of a coachman who is famous across the Damascus region for the wonderful stories he can tell. One day, he is struck dumm by a wizard and his friends have to find a way to get his voice back.
I noted this quotation from the greengrocer in the book: "Fruechte isst man zuerst mit den Augen, dann mit der Nase und an letzeter Stelle mit dem Mund."
"Fruits are to be eaten first with the eyes, then with the nose and finally with the mouth."
Has anyone of you heard of BOOKCROSSING? I heard about it for the first time about a year ago, then forgot about it. I just went onto their website and realised that it is alive even in rural England towns and villages! One book has been read and passed on by over 200 people.
I like the concept of it. I shall think about releasing one in the wild some day!
I should go back to my studies. It is all very interesting but I find it difficult to concentrate after a long week at work... I want some chocolate! I think we have some Maya Gold left. I shall reward myself with a square after I have got some work done. What do you think of that? What a self-control I have here!
Torremolinos 73
We watched Torremolinos 73 yesterday night. Not a bad movie at all. A little surprising! Here is the plot, as described by Yahoo! movies (some sources did not say enough, others too much, so I chose this one)
" An encyclopedia salesman named Alfredo Lopez and his lovely wife Carmen live in Franco’s puritanical Spain of the early 1970s. One day Alfredo’s boss at Montoya Publishers makes a unique proposition that will change their lives forever. He asks them to make their own amateur Super 8 erotic movies, which will be distributed as part of a phony “Danish World Encyclopedia of Reproduction.” At first they’re shocked, but they decide to be part of this “experiment”--the films will only be sold in Scandinavia, Carmen wants to have a baby, and they badly need the money anyway."
Both main actors are excellent. They have both played in Pedro Almodovar's films. Candela Pena in Todo sobre mi madre, and Javier Cámara in Hable con ella and La Mala educación. Both brilliant movies (if you like Almodovar!).
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)