#carolyn's dish is just 'fish'

[millicentcollins]

looked up the vintage ds 70s cookbook and this is taking me OUT

[stardust-swan]

How to Be a Real Life Mermaid 🌊🧜‍♀️🐚

The Look

🐚 Wear sea foam green, aquamarine, teal, ocean blue, soft grey, lilac, periwinkle, emerald, pale gold, white, deep blue, and turquoise

🐚 Pick flowy fabrics such as taffeta, chiffon, linen, silk, muslin, and sequined fabrics that resemble fish scales

🐚 Choose garments like maxi dresses, flowy skirts, bandeau off-the-shoulder tops, tank tops, soft scarves used as tops, shell clutches, woven bags, and pretty beaded sandals

🐚 Accessorise with jewellery made from pearls, sea glass, seashells, turquoise, aquamarine, opals, gold that resembles the sun glinting on the sea, and silver that reminds one of the metallic sheen of fish scales. Examples of accessories you can wear are bangles, anklets, layered necklaces, and pearl earrings

🐚 Makeup Ideas: eyeshadow in nudes like a sandy beach, greens and blues like the sea, or lavender and pink like a coral reef, shimmery highlight, dewy skin, coral pink lipstick, and seashell pink lipgloss

🐚 Hair Ideas: loose curls that look like ocean waves, fishtail plaits, green and blue hair dye, pearl hairclips, and sea salt hairspray. Brush your hair with a pretty wide-tooth comb.

The Lifestyle

🐚 Listen to songs such as Martha's Harbour by All About Eve, No Ordinary Love by Sade, Come Into the Water by Mitski, Pearl Diver by Mitski, Mariners Apartment Complex by Lana Del Rey, and Call of the Sea by Claudie Mackula (a longer mermaid playlist is here).

🐚 You can also listen to the sounds of the ocean, like whale song or waves crashing on the beach

🐚 Watch movies and TV shows such as Aquamarine, Splash, The Little Mermaid, H20: Just Add Water, Mr Peabody and the Mermaid, Miranda (1948), Mermaid Melody Pitchi Pitchi, Ponyo, Barbie in a Mermaid Tale, Barbie: The Pearl Princess, Neptune's Daughter (1914), A Daughter of the Gods (1916), Queen of the Sea (1918), Venus of the South Seas (1924), and Magic Island (1995)

🐚 Read books, fairytales, and poems such as The Little Mermaid by Hans Christian Andersen, The Mermaid Handbook by Carolyn Turgeon, Mermaids: The Myths, Legends, and Lore by Skye Alexander, A Daughter of the Sea by Amy Le Feuvre, Undine by Friedrich de la Motte Fouqué, The Mermaid by Alfred Lord Tennyson, and The Sea-Child by Katherine Mansfield

🐚 Mermaids are renowned for their beautiful siren song, so sing sweetly and brightly as often as you feel like it

🐚 Make your self smell like the ocean by using a deodorant like Old Spice Deep Sea, and perfumes like L by Lolita Lempicka, Acqua di Gioia, Salt Air by Skylar, Fleur de Corail by Lolita Lempicka, Seahorse by Zoologist, Nymphéas by Kismet Olfactive, Salina by Laborattorio Olfattivo, Alien Mirage by Mugler, Very Sexy Sea by Victoria's Secret, 20,000 Flowers Under the Sea by Tokyomilk, Nebbia Spessa by Filippo Sorcinelli, Tiziana Terenzi's Sea Stars Collection, Chant d'Extase by Nina Ricci, Sirena by Floris, Squid by Zoologist, and Orto Parisi Megamare (be aware that the latter two suit a dark siren who lures men to their deaths more than a sweet mermaid princess).

🐚 Make your home smell like the deep sea too, with sea salt scented diffusers and candles such as Yankee Candle Sea Minerals, Yankee Candle Seaside Woods, or Jo Malone Wood Sage and Sea Salt

🐚 Home Decor Ideas: silk sheets in blue, grey, and sea green, seashell jewellery trays, homemade terrariums, jellyfish embroidery, seashell candles, beaded curtains made from string and shells, paintings of maritime scenes, glass vases filled with layers of sand, seashells, and faux pearls, seashell shaped soap dishes, rattan furniture, woven baskets, treasure chests to keep your valuables in, mermaid figurines, a seashell or jellyfish mobile, a bowl filled with seashells, a glass bottle filled with ocean water or with a love letter inside to replicate a message in a bottle, mosaics with marine motifs like seahorses and shells, even an aquarium with colourful fish if you are able to care for them

🐚 Spend lots of time around near bodies of water, swimming in it to connect with your inner mermaid, or just walking in it and feeling the sand beneath your feet

🐚 Collect seashells and pretty pieces of sea glass thar wash up on the shore

🐚 Watch synchronised swimming, or even learn it yourself

🐚 Go diving, snorkeling, or mermaiding

🐚 Visit aquariums to see beautiful exotic fish and learn more about the ocean

🐚 Do your best to be sustainable; make the world a cleaner place for your fishy friends to live in. If possible, attend a beach clean-up group local to your area to help pick up litter

🐚 Carry a haircomb and hand mirror with you at all times (you can hotglue seashells and faux pearls on the back of the mirror to make it even more like a mermaid's treasure)

🐚 Watch documentaries and read books on the ocean, marine life, and nautical myths and legends

🐚 Enjoy snacking on seaweed soup, coconut water, and Guylian seashell chocolates

🐚 Take luxurious baths with dead sea salt, seaweed masks, small white bath bombs that resemble pearls, a coconut scented candle, and calming music

[childrenofthenightt]

That’s The Way (Chapter 2)

Pairing: Jimmy Page x Reader

Word count: 3.3k

Warning(s): mentions of cheating, cursing

Author’s notes: Hey y’all, welcome to Chapter 2! Thank you so much for all your positive feedback and responses. A little heads up: Jimmy is not in this chapter...since this is a slow burn, he’ll be introduced in Chapter 4, but it won’t be long, I promise. Just sit tight! As usual, please enjoy, happy reading, and send us messages if you have theories, comments, music recommendations for the playlist, or if you want to be added to the tag list :)

Chapter 1

---------

Evening of 4 May 1965

Walking into the kitchen, Y/N slid into a seat between her brothers, Tommy and Charlie, just as her mum was placing platters of that night’s dinner on the table. A sinking feeling in her stomach plagued her all day, as she knew that she would be interrogated  intensely by her family about the previous night. More importantly, she knew that if they felt that any of the musicians had viewed her as a possible love interest, she’d be in big, big trouble.

“Dad, can you pass me the vegetables, please?” Y/N asked her father, sitting a few seats down from her. If the girl hadn’t been glancing down at her plate to avoid eye contact, fighting the gut feeling that the inevitable would soon occur, she would have seen him glance at her from over the frames of his glasses.

“Sure, dear,” he replied, briefly looking up from the newspaper he was reading as he gave Y/N the dish. The clanking of utensils on plates was all that could be heard until Charlie broke the seal by asking the dreaded question.

“So Y/N, how was the concert last night?” he asked, raising the glass of water in his hand to his lips.  Y/N couldn’t blame Charlie for asking, because he had no idea what had happened, but she knew that this conversation could go south fast. Tommy’s hums of laughter quietly escaped his lips, and Y/N nudged his arm from under the table, giving him a glaring look that sent daggers from her eyes. It screamed, “Shut up!”, and another bout of giggles was the only response.

Tommy knew the outcome of last night because of what Carolyn had babbled to him on the car ride home, and was doing everything in his power to tease his sister.

“Why are you laughing, Tommy?” Y/N’s mum asked, finally taking a seat between Charlie and Lillian.  Silence settled over the table as all eyes locked on to the oldest daughter, and Tommy evilly smiled at Y/N, who only glared at him again. “No reason. Actually, I think Y/N should tell you instead.”

Y/N huffed as she put the dish of roasted chicken, generously seasoned and herbed, back in the middle of the table. She painted on a smile before answering, “It went pretty well. Brilliant show.”

“That’s it?” her dad asked, folding up the newspaper, knowing his daughter was downplaying it.

“Yeah, Y/N, that’s it?” Tommy added. Y/N knew he was taunting her, but the rest of the table did not pick up on it. From under the table, Y/N’s leg begins to bob up and down, and she bites her lip, debating whether or not to tell the whole story. It’s obvious they’re not going to be happy…

“My God, Tommy,” With an exasperated sigh, Y/N, very annoyed at her brother’s pushing, throws her hands up in unwilling acceptance. “Fine, Carolyn and I were invited backstage, and we met the band.”

The table audibly gasped, the loudest of course being Lillian, who looked disappointed, almost devastated at the revelation. Her lips turn down in a sulk, and she rests her cheek, almost permanently flushed with youth, on a fist. “You promised me you wouldn’t let any boys mess with you, Y/N!”

Y/N reached her hand across the table to hold her sister’s in an attempt to coax her. “They didn’t, Lil. We just talked for a while. I just made some new friends last night, that’s all.”

Lillian’s frown turned upside down, content that her sister was safe, a naïve smile that Y/N felt a little guilty about. She, along with Charlie and their parents, didn’t know that most members of the band had shamelessly flirted with her and invited her back to see them again. Tommy was the only one aware, and Y/N made him promise to keep the whole rendezvous a secret. Carolyn had brought the flirting to Y/N’s attention on the car ride home, because in the moment, she didn’t think much of it.

“If they’re mean to you, I’ll be mean to them, just for you!” Lillian exclaims through a mouthful of mush, and the table burst into laughter, shaking their heads in amusement.

“How did it go?” Y/N’s mum asked, cutting into her chicken with a knife and fork. For the first time over the course of the whole dinner, Y/N broke into an unadulterated smile at the memory. “It was really nice, genuinely. They  were all so sweet to us, and we just bonded over music and stuff.”

Y/N’s mother quirked her brow. “No ‘you know what’?”

“No Mum, nothing explicit. It was good, clean fun. Seriously.”

“Alright, I hope you’re telling the truth… I’m happy you had a great time.”

“She is telling the truth, Mum,” Tommy quipped through bites of roasted potatoes, “I can attest to that.”

Y/N’s mum smiled, but her dad piped up with some two-cents of his own. “Musicians are a tough crowd, Y/N. Very fickle blokes, their attractions change all the time. You can’t get too attached to them, dear,  you’re just a small fish in a very big sea.”

“I know, Dad,” Y/N replied, trying to sound understanding. She couldn’t lie to herself, though. The Yardbirds made her feel very special last night, and disappointment was lurching in her stomach at the comment. As much as her father’s words stung, she harbored a small feeling of hope that they truly enjoyed her company and meant what they said.

After everyone finished dinner, and Charlie and Lillian left the table to go play in another room, Tommy, wallet in hand, walked over to his mum, who was washing the dishes with the help of her husband.

“Hey Mum, I’m gonna take Y/N for ice cream,” he whispered, glancing at Y/N who was sitting in a chair in the living room, almost unconsciously playing with her fingers and staring out the window with a pensive countenance.

“Okay, love. Just bring something home for Charlie and Lillian,” she replied. Tommy walked over to Y/N, tapping her shoulder. The girl looked up at him, confused.

“I’m taking you for ice cream. Let’s go,” he said, already walking towards the door. Y/N grinned, then chased after her brother to the car.

~~~~~~~~

27 June 1965

Y/N and Carolyn weren’t able to attend as many Yardbirds gigs as they would’ve liked in the end of May and beginning of June, as they had exams at school. Now that they were over, Y/N could be fully immersed in the travelling British rock and roll circus for the greater part of the summer.

The girls agreed to make a venue change tonight: instead of going to the Marquee, as they usually did, they decided to go to the Crawdaddy Club. Y/N hoped Jeff, Chris, Paul, Jim, and Keith would remember them by their faces instead of just their clothes, because there was no need to wear school uniforms anymore.

Carolyn decided to drive to this particular gig, probably because she was expecting the two of them to go backstage again, as having her own car would grant them more time with the band then that first night at the Marquee.

The Crawdaddy Club was architecturally and aesthetically different from the Marquee; there were no chairs or booths, so standing was the only option, and the boundary between the stage and the audience was virtually nonexistent. The ceilings were low and beamed, and the stage backdrop had a painting of a measure of music. Y/N thought that particular touch was a bit cheesy.

Carolyn and Y/N walked in together, squeezing past the army of fans already hoarding the front of the stage. They managed to find a spot by Jeff’s side of the stage, his amps towering a few feet from where they stood. Thankfully, they were able to see most of the stage, including Jim’s drum riser in the back. The conversations among all the audience members were deafening, but Y/N heard a loud whisper within her periphery that she could just make out.

“Pssst! Y/N!” a familiar voice whisper-shouted, which was followed by a wave.

It was Jeff, widely smiling with his guitar slung over his shoulder. He was walking out the backstage door, meticulously making sure the door wouldn’t harm his guitar in any way. He then waited near the stage steps to go on, which the girls discerned could be any minute now.

“Oh my God, Jeff!” Y/N replied excitedly as she walked over to the steps. She made her way through the crowd, a lot more ungracefully than she would’ve hoped.

“It’s so cool to see you at some place other than the Marquee,” Jeff said. He looked genuinely happy that she was there. Maybe Y/N’s dad was wrong about these “fickle musicians”.

“We’re happy to be here! I’m so sorry I couldn’t make any more since the last time… exams and school and all.”

“Oh, that’s where you were! I hope you got good marks,” Jeff playfully grinned, “because you ought to mind your studies, Miss Y/N. Sam was starting to think he scared you off and that you didn’t want to come back.”

Y/N scrunched her nose in a confused way, as if to say “who?”, which resulted in a soft chuckle from Jeff.

“‘Sam’ is Paul’s nickname.”

Y/N nodded in understanding with an endearing smile. “Oh, okay. That’s definitely not it, then. I was just stuck with exams and graduation, that's all. Be sure to tell him that.” A wink punctuates the end of her sentence, and, gearing up to respond, Jeff is interrupted by a sharp noise next to him. Mere seconds later, another familiar face entered the scene, walking out of the door. Chris Dreja, also with his guitar slung over his shoulder, warmly smiled at Y/N as he closed the door behind him.

“Hello, Y/N. It’s so lovely to see you again,” he greeted. She noticed that he had a substantially deeper voice than the other four, something she hadn’t the last time they met since he was talking with Carolyn and Keith.

“Hi Chris! Same to you,” Y/N grinned.

“No uniforms this time I see,” he teased, discreetly scanning how stunning he thought she looked.

Y/N laughed. “Yeah, I’m off from school for the summer so there’s no need anymore, thank God. Now I can attend your shows more frequently, and wear a decent outfit too!”

“That’s great to hear. We do love your company.” Y/N beamed at his comment, unconsciously tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. Chris’ eyes track the movement, and he couldn’t help but feel a little guilty. He thought Y/N was beautiful, but he had a wife and a child on the way. He also felt a little jealous that Paul and Jim had their eyes on her, but there was not much he could do about it. If he was cunning and quick enough to steal Y/N before they had the chance, though, and if his wife never found out…

Quickly regaining his wits, he remembered why he was sent out. “Jeff, Keith needs you backstage again.”

Jeff groaned. “What? I thought we were starting, like right now!”

“I know, I know. We were supposed to, but he wants everyone backstage again for some reason.”

“Ugh, this is why he can’t fucking be in charge,” Jeff replied, clearly annoyed. Then, as Chris was heading backstage once again, Jeff pulled something out of his pocket, a knowing smile on his face.

“Here, love, have this. You’ll be needing it after the show,” he said, placing a card with a lanyard attached to it into Y/N’s hands. Y/N smiled giddily.

“Thank you. Good luck with that meeting, and good luck in the show, even though you don’t really need it,” Y/N replied playfully.

“Oh, I think I need it more than you think I do,” Jeff smirked, disappearing behind the door.

~~~~~~~~

Just minutes later, The Yardbirds came out and played their set, which lasted a couple hours, and didn't fail to stun the crowd. Y/N and Carolyn received a lot more smiles of recognition than the last time at the Marquee, since the boys knew who they were now. The only similarity to last time was the electrified fans who were completely immersed in the music.

Jim McCarty, in particular, looked at Y/N a lot more often throughout the show than he did last time. She caught him a couple times, which was really embarrassing on his part, but not the entire time, much to his pleasure. He didn’t think it was possible, but it seemed that she had grown even more beautiful than last time.

Was it absence that made his heart grow fonder? Possibly. Was he in love? Yet another possibility. Did he know for certain? Perhaps, but he wasn’t exactly sure yet.

Besides focusing on the music, Paul’s mind was elsewhere. He was planning on asking Y/N out on a date with him sometime this coming week. He hoped she’d accept, since she did an awful lot of blushing and giggling around him when they met in May, but he didn’t want to get his hopes up. Paul was concocting the perfect formulation of words so that she couldn’t refuse the offer. She looked like the type of girl who would enjoy a nice dinner date, and he would do anything to make that a reality for her.

Chris’s mind was the opposite of Paul’s: he didn’t want to think about Y/N because in the event he did, he knew he would mess up a chord or two on the guitar.

God, he thought, she was perfect. Purely enchanting.

Jeff was just happy, almost giddy, that he’d found a new friend in Y/N. He knew she was special, and he hoped she trusted him, because some people in this business could be very sleazy. She was different from all the girls a lonely musician would find on the road. Y/N was the type of girl that Jeff wanted to see after a thousand and one nights touring, catching up and sharing stories over a pint. Sure, he had a steady girlfriend, but something about Y/N was comforting, friendly, and trustworthy. Just what he needed in a friend.

The set was similar to the one at the Marquee, but with little variations here and there, still holding the audience under a trance. After the performance’s conclusion, Y/N rummaged through her pocket and showed Carolyn the backstage pass given to her by Jeff, to which Carolyn squealed with delight. Y/N took Carolyn’s hand and walked with her to the door, showing the security man her prized relic. At once, they were granted access, and they skipped and trotted and leapt down the hall in excitement.

When the pair got to the correct door, Y/N took a deep breath and knocked a couple times; momentarily, they were greeted by a smiling, but sweaty, Jeff Beck.

Y/N didn’t care. “Brilliant show, my friend,” she gushed, giving Jeff a congratulatory hug.

“Thank you,” he replied gratefully, reciprocating it with a beaming smile, “security didn’t give you trouble I hope?”

“No, we were fine, thankfully.”

“Good to hear, good to hear. Well, come on in!” Jeff exclaimed, getting out of the way of the doorframe, “do you fancy yourselves a drink?”

Y/N and Carolyn walked into the room, starstruck once again by all five of The Yardbirds being in one place. This time, some members of the road crew, management, and lighting company were there as well, chatting and planning among themselves. They all greeted the girls amicably, and grabbed some chairs and arranged them in a similar formation to the Marquee.

“Um, yeah, sure, if you don’t mind,” Y/N accepted as she sat down, throwing a kind “thank you” over her shoulder at the roadie that had brought her chair over, voice a little lost in amazement at the current happening.

“Here, I’ll get it,” Jim said with a smile, “you stay put.”

“Thank you, that’s so sweet,” Y/N grinned appreciatively. She could feel herself warming up to these guys, as she didn’t feel as nervous as the last time. But a little twinge of it was still there, rippling through her stomach.

Jim was turned away from Y/N getting the drinks, so she wasn’t able to see him blush. He found it unbelievable, the effect she had on him.

The whole group was sharing conversation and laughs over drinks for almost three hours, but it was almost as if time did not pass. They talked about music, books they liked, restaurants they recommended, places they’ve travelled to, philosophy, history, the environment, conspiracy theories...you name it.

Y/N and Carolyn stood up from their seats, as a cue to the party that they had to leave soon. Paul, who again was sitting next to Y/N, tapped her shoulder. Turning to face him, Y/N could see the flush on his cheeks, and the way he was almost curled into himself.

“Hey Y/N, can I ask you a question really quick?” he asked, much more nervous than he sounded a few seconds ago.

“Yeah, sure,” she smiled. Y/N, taking his outstretched hand, found herself being whisked away by Paul to a corner of the room, near a row of vanities attached to the wall. She hoped that the others were all too distracted talking, so that no one would notice her and Paul’s absence.

Looking at each other, face to face, the two smiled happily, as though there wasn't a care in the world.

Paul then took a deep breath, his expression turning more anxious. “Okay…” he exhaled, “here goes.”

“You don’t have to be nervous,” Y/N chuckled, “it’s just me.”

Paul’s face softened a little, gazing down at her. “But you see, that’s the whole point. It’s you. I have every reason to be nervous.”

Y/N’s face cascaded into a red flush, her lip quivering in the hopes of concealing a foolish grin. Paul reached down and grabbed Y/N’s hands, holding them in his own as Y/N’s heart started racing at what felt like two thousand miles a minute.

“I just wanted to preface this by saying that I, uh… I have been absolutely bewitched by you, and I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you since the night at the Marquee,” he began. Y/N melted with every word, but at the same time, she felt as if she had been electrically shocked. When she looked into the twinkling depths of his eyes, she couldn't help but swoon.

“So,” he continued, “I was wondering if you’d like to go out with me sometime. If you’ll let me, of course.”

Y/N was at a loss for words, composure, and any sort of rationality. She never thought, in her wildest dreams, that a musician in a world-renowned band would fancy her. Just able to restrain an awestruck grin, she finally gave in.

“Yes,” she replied, happily breathless and dazed, “I would love to go out with you.”

Paul, ecstatic with her answer, beams down at her as she launches into his arms in a sweet embrace. He asked for her phone number and address, and, spotting a nearby miniature legal pad, she wrote everything down, signing it with a cartoonish smiling face and a heart.

~~~~~~~~

After Y/N and Carolyn had said their goodbyes and left the Crawdaddy Club, the five musicians were left alone in the backstage area, to relax after such an electric show. Jeff and Keith approached Paul, who was collecting his belongings in the corner of the room.

“Did you do it?” Jeff asked, face a picture of feigned nonchalance as he took a sip of his beer.

“Yes, I did it,” Paul grinned, bending down to grab something of his that had fallen on the floor.

“I guess she accepted by the look on your face,” Keith observed, a sardonic smirk on his handsome features.

“You’d be correct,” Paul replied.

“You wanker,” Jeff shook his head disapprovingly, “why would you bloody do that? You’re gonna break her heart!”

Paul’s expression quickly turned unimpressed. “Because if nobody here tells her, she’ll never know.”

What Paul had failed to tell Y/N was that he had a wife, with whom he shared a home. He felt bored, with all the travelling and the touring and the nonsense, so he wanted a lovely, intelligent young woman like Y/N to “keep him company”.

He knew he wasn’t in love with Y/N. Sure, he fancied her immensely, thought she was ethereal, but his heart truly belonged to his wife.

“Congratulations, Sam,” Keith said sarcastically, “you just potentially ruined a friendship with a very pretty bird.” It was clear that Jeff and Keith cared very deeply about Y/N and her happiness, because she was a great girl.

Paul rolled his eyes, annoyed. “You lot have to do me this solid and don’t say anything to her. It’ll work out fine. Oh, and spread the message to Chris and Jim so they don’t spill the beans either.”

“You fuckin’ owe me, Sam,” Jeff warned, already walking backwards towards Chris and Jim, “you owe me big time.”

---------

Taglist: @blood-on-blood @reincarnated70sbaby

[youaremylittlesunshine]

Eve/Villanelle Fanfic Rec List

A very very long list of my favourite Eve & Villanelle multichapter fanfics that are still in progress.

Quid Pro Quo by Fixy (E) 

Divorces are sad and expensive and time consuming, so it helps when your solicitor isn’t all that bad.

Or!

A divorce au featuring ‘I fell asleep on my arms’ Eve and business attire Barbie

https://archiveofourown.org/works/21637660

Imagine Me And You (And Our Parents) by imunbreakabledude (E) 

“Eve, we are all adults here.”

“It’s hard to take that seriously when you have your hand in my pants.”

-

The chemistry between Eve and Villanelle is obvious and immediate, so it's awkward when they find out their parents are getting married.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/22864576

Babysitting Grief by uncreativerabbit (M)

Set after the events of episode five. Eve is stunned when Konstantin approaches her outside a pub on a dreary London day, frantically offering her the world in return for a favour only she can do. Eve is reluctant until she realises that she is the only person in the world for the job. Struggling through both her emotions and Villanelle's, she learns about the why - why Villanelle is like she is, why she is drawn to her inexplicably, and why that bus moment actually happened

https://archiveofourown.org/works/24139228

The Long Way Home by Spayne (M) 

Villanelle is forced to take the long way home.

Eve thinks that perhaps that isn’t such a bad thing.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/24943183

Twisting Vines by Kai_ROz (E) 

“You can’t be serious, Bill.”

“I’m perfectly serious. She’s one of the biggest names in the business, a positive word from her would go a long way to getting this place back on the right track.”

“I don’t want or need anything from her.”

“If you say so. But I think you’re making a mistake.”

“So be it. There will be plenty of time for me to rub her stupid, smug review into her stupid, smug face.”

https://archiveofourown.org/works/24578872

Define Normal by Jean Genie (LetYourselfGo) (E)

How do Eve and Villanelle end up living a not-so-normal life together in a chateau in the south of France nine months after realizing that they can't walk away from one another? A lot of traveling, shopping, kissing, fucking, dancing, laughing, crying, coping, topping, bottoming, murdering, and some truly fabulous food and drink.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/24889048

Specialities by villanellesgun (Teen And Up Audiences) 

Eve is an established Trauma Surgeon working at St. Thomas’ Hospital in Central London, England.

Villanelle is a second-year registrar and has transferred to St.Thomas due to an incident at another hospital.

Villanelle still hasn’t completely decided on her chosen specialty, despite the pressure from her peers and consultants, but there’s one thing she is sure of -- Eve.

And Villanelle always gets what she wants.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/24766636

The Miseducation of Eve Polastri by Justanothergirl (M)

My own take on "What happens after the bridge scene."

Rating changes in Chapter 5.

Also, Villaneve is canon, y'all. Let's drink to that.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/24717658

now we walk by behindthec (M)

“Stay until you hate me.” Post 3x08.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/24498097

lost on you by charizona (E) 

“Eve,” Villanelle says. “I can’t stop thinking about you.” There’s a pause, then a breathless laugh. “So I waited a socially acceptable amount of time to call you.”

Eve fights a smile. “It’s been, like, five hours.”

“I am social,” Villanelle argues, “and I’m accepting it.”

OR

A very loose, very chaotic Mr. and Mrs. Smith AU.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/24528724

are you bored yet? by crowdyke, Toucanna (M)

They stare at each other for a long time. Thirty seconds after the Season 3 finale, Eve and Villanelle answer the question "Where do we go from here?"

https://archiveofourown.org/works/24597121

Albuquerque by oksana1 (Not rated) 

“Eve,” the woman enunciated the name like it was fine art, tongue slipping around each sound with care. She had a cheshire cat smile, and she was suddenly closer, too-close, elbows propped up on the counter, inches away from Eve’s face, “so you are Eve, and you sell artifacts.”

OR

Eve sells antiques in New Mexico. Villanelle is a collector with very specific tastes

https://archiveofourown.org/works/24671413

From The Same Star by almostafantasia (M)

In a world where your soulmate’s initials appear on your skin after you meet for the first time, Eve’s life gets turned upside down when the single letter ‘V’ appears on her abdomen on the same day that a senior MI6 official gets assassinated just down the road from where she works.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/24544438

At The Cliff's Edge by filthy_nebula (M)

Eve is living in self imposed isolation along the coast. Oksana washes up one morning after a storm. Cue uneasy domesticity, secrets lives, and confessions in the rain à la Notebook (2004).

https://archiveofourown.org/works/19732525

The Heat of the Moment by imunbreakabledude (M)

Olympic boxer Oksana Astankova is looking to break into MMA.

Sought-after manager Eve Polastri is looking for a brand new fighter to coach from the ground up.

They'll beat the crap out of everyone in their way.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/23262682

Death Wears McQueen by HenryMercury (E)

Reporting on Fashion Week isn't the investigative journalism Eve Polastri signed up for.

That is, until a runway assassination and a one night stand throw her into the path of Oksana Astankova—the unbearably hot new Editor of Villanelle Magazine.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/24404530

Love at First Swipe by estvillanelle (M)

The tinder AU no one asked.

Eve's being catfished.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/24451078

these mortifying ordeals by coldmackerel (M)

it only takes one summer to: retire, go on holiday, try fishing, get half-stabbed to death in the aftermath of a fallen global crime conglomerate, fake your death, get nostalgic for an ex, show up unannounced, get answers.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/23364403

Two wrongs make a right by Vracs (E)

Just two morons on a mission to take down the bad guys and get in each other's pants.

No but seriously, it's a little story of give and take, hard and soft, until they finally meet somewhere in between.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/24026908

Notting Hill by Wrongplaceperson (Teen And Up Audiences)

Eve Polastri is the owner of a quaint little bookstore in London.

Villanelle Astankova is a Hollywood superstar.

Villanelle lives in Beverly Hills. Eve lives in Notting Hill.

Their lives couldn't be more different

They meet when Villanelle visits Eve's bookstore one morning.

Will this meeting change their lives?

Notting Hill AU

https://archiveofourown.org/works/24647626

what we deserve by lisewrites (M)

“But I deserve to be kissed nicely. I want you to kiss me nicely Eve.”

https://archiveofourown.org/works/24717211

You, Me and The Twelve by HardSeltzer (Teen And Up Audiences)

Eve and Villanelle are competing CEOs fighting for the biggest deal. Who will come out on top? Or will they just end up on top of each other?

https://archiveofourown.org/works/24361501

darkest minds by deletetheadjectives (M)

Almost two years after Rome, Eve is living a bitter life as a dish washer in London—the only job she could get without proper identification when Carolyn made sure Eve Polastri was dead to those who knew her.

Following a tip from an unexpected source, Eve learns of Villanelle’s location: working as a waitress in a diner in the Middle-of-Nowhere, USA.

And so Eve’s plans for revenge start to form…

https://archiveofourown.org/works/20825711

My Darling, I Am Yours (And You Are Mine) by Trufreak89 (M)

“Shh. It’s okay.” She tenderly tucks a strand of the woman’s hair behind her ear. “I’ve got you, Eve. I’m going to look after you… You’ll see.”

https://archiveofourown.org/works/18965383

She's (Not) Afraid by villanellessuit (M)

Villanelle sticks by her 'no dating rule' until a certain curly-haired woman makes her a coffee on her way to work one cold morning.

or

That one where Villanelle is a rich interior designer and Eve is the owner of an unsuccessful coffee shop.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/24668410

and i like the way you kiss me (don’t know if i should) by taare (Teen And Up Audiences)

Having Eve this close again is intoxicating.

Eve, for her part, is looking directly at her, breathing hard, eyes wide open, closing the distance between them.

And then Eve’s lips are on hers, and her eyes are still open — Villanelle knows, because her eyes are open too — and she does not know what to make of this new sensation because how do you react when what you’ve been chasing for the better part of a year (and maybe your whole life?) finally catches up to you?

—

If Episode 3 had ended the way we all wanted it to.

I can't, I won't. by p28 (M)

POST 3x08. Sooooo not only do we get survive 3x08 but now we also have to survive until s4 so rip us clowns.

"I can't, I won't."

"Aren't you quite the romantic?"

https://archiveofourown.org/works/24505006

Powerful Beyond Measure by Kai_ROz (E)

After their encounter on the bus, Villanelle knows she has the upper hand and wants to make her next move ...

OR

Villanelle is a chaotic idiot when it comes to Eve.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/23925631

First Comes Marriage... by melvncholymvmi (M)

'"So," Hugo asked, grinning as wide as the Cheshire cat, "how's the sex?"

"I have had better." Villanelle responded with a shrug as she stared Eve down.

"Baby, you've never had it as good as me." Eve replied, grip on the crystal tumbler tightening.

"We will see."

Fuck, she hadn't meant that the way it came out. Or had she?'

OR

The Proposal AU where Villanelle's visa expired and Eve needs her to stay.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/23685679

Say Something Before I Go Crazy Now by KillingVillanelle (Not rated)

"I was wondering if we could switch to weekly sessions?" Villanelle asks, biting her lip to contain a smirk.

"Why?"

"Well, with this movie and stuff. I'm worried it might stir up some stuff and you are so good at helping me. Only if you can fit it in your schedule."

"I can. Anything to help you," Eve says, not hiding the way her eyes traveled down to Villanelle's lips.

"Anything?"

Or the one where Eve is a very ethical and rule following therapist and Villanelle is her most challenging client to date.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/22281589

Enemies With Disregard by yotoob (Not rated)

It's probably easier for them to not be in the same room, at least for a while.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/19163476

Home by emdash90 (M)

The interior design slow-burn romcom AU literally no one asked for.

OR!

Newly single and (begrudgingly) ready to mingle, Eve trudges her way through the unspectacular world of online dating as she takes on an 8-week interior design reno with Konstantin's niece at the helm.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/21538177

Oceans Brawl by emdash90 (M)

When time slinked forward, glacially, endlessly, and Eve had run out of ways to keep herself distracted, her attention diverted, her thoughts desperately anchored to anyone, anything else — there she was.

Waiting to bulldoze through the delicate balance of sanity she had managed to piece together, grain by grain, since Villanelle had set her world alight with a douse of gasoline and a match tossed carelessly over her shoulder.

or

Thrown in opposite directions in the aftermath of Rome, Eve and Villanelle find their own ways to cope with the fallout. But with the Twelve knocking on both of their doors, it's only a matter of time until these two are reunited — whether they like it or not.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/20129578

Ghost of Murder's Past by Aerstes (M)

TAKES PLACE AFTER THE SEASON 2 FINALE SO SPOILERS BEWARE. Eve is recovering in the hospital. A familiar face begins to appear while she sleeps. I have no idea where this story is going...

https://archiveofourown.org/works/19021294

If she belonged to me by songforeverystory (M)

Post Season 2. Eve is recruited as Villanelle's handler. Neither are very happy about it.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/19860391

Now I Don't Feel Those Kinds of Things by saltandsunscreen (M)

“Do you two know each other?” Elena asks, passing Eve a fresh cup of coffee. “You and the new lawyer, I mean.”

For a second, Eve imagines telling her everything. Saying, remember that night Niko left last year, and I thought we were really one? Well, I went out, got drunk, met her, and we fuc--

Eve can’t even make her pretend-self confess it all to Elena, not under the stark fluorescent lighting of their office. She can’t come up with a good lie, either -- a whole two seconds after seeing Villanelle again, her brain is still busy numbly cataloguing her every too-fast breath and rushed heartbeat. “Uh, I’m pretty sure we ran into each other at a conference, once?”

“Oh.” Elena pauses. “I wish I had her jacket. Her outfit is amazing.”

Eve’s smile would probably be a little less fake if she could entirely convince herself that she’s also thinking about Villanelle’s clothes, and not what’s underneath them.

But she and Niko are trying, right? So she smiles harder.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/19113304

[harryandmeghan0-blog]

It's Cultural & Culinary Delights For Harry and Meghan In Rabat!

New Post has been published on https://harryandmeghan.xyz/its-cultural-culinary-delights-for-harry-and-meghan-in-rabat/

It's Cultural & Culinary Delights For Harry and Meghan In Rabat!

For their final day in Morocco, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex carried out several engagements in Rabat celebrating young people and Moroccan culture.

They kicked off the busy day with a visit to the Royal Federation of Equestrian Sports.

From there, the Duke and Duchess visited Villa des Ambassadors in Rabat for a cooking demonstration. 

The couple were joined by renowned chef Dar Moha. Harry was already familiar with his work as he visited his restaurant in Marrakesh before the royal wedding.

The couple saw how traditional Moroccan cuisine is supporting young people and teaching children from under-privileged backgrounds a new skill. Meghan is passionate about food bringing people and communities together. During the launch of Grenfell cookbook Together, she said: “This is more than a cook book and what I mean by that is the power of food is more than just the meal itself it is the story behind it. And when you get to know the story behind the recipe, you get to know the person behind it and help us celebrate what connects us rather than divides us. That is the ethos of Together.”

It seemed only fitting for the group to prepare one of the recipe’s from Together. They chose the pancakes with honey and almond butter by Cherine Mallah (which reminds me Shrove Tuesday is next week).

When Harry sampled one Meghan laughed and said “Big bite”, Harry replied “It’s a bit late now”.

[embedded content]

 They sampled an array of dishes including spicy creations and a pigeon pastilla which Meghan called “delicious”

A group of young chefs from Hadaf.

‘Hadaf supervises 85 people suffering from moderate or mild developmental disabilities, many of whom come from disadvantaged backgrounds.

“It all started with my daughter, who has a mental disability,” says Amina Mseffer, president of the association. When she could not put her daughter at school because people were scared to have a disabled person with the other children, Mseffer said, she decided to put her in a special institution. But this was expensive, and stops when the person is 21 years old.

So she joined forces with relatives and friends and in 1997, they created Hadaf, which means “goal” in Arabic, but also stands for “Association of parents and friends of mentally disabled people.” Help and donations have come from official institutions, companies and even the Moroccan king and private donors, including nearby mosque-goers.

In 2005, Hadaf set up a social-professional center in the Hay Nahda neighborhood of the capital Rabat, housing various workshops and courses including jewelry making, sewing, decorative painting and carpentry.’

The couple met representatives from the organisation.

The Mail Online reports:

‘Inside they walked around the stations and chatted to the young cooks, aged between nine and 18, stopping to try mince and onion pastries (Harry) and Harira – a spicy chickpea soup (both). Chef Moha handed them each a decorated ceramic bowl to try and they each took a sip. ‘C’est delicieux,’ said Meghan in French. ‘What’s in it?’ asked Harry, before joking, ‘It’s a secret recipe!’

One child said something in Arabic to the chef, who turned to the Duke and said: ‘He finds you a very good person. ‘He is a good person,’ smiled the Duchess, putting an affectionate hand on her husband’s arm. 

‘Harry and Meghan took up the offer of a meal for ‘the whole family’ from top chef Moha Fedal, who hosts the North African nation’s version of Masterchef. He told the couple: ‘I hope to cook for you next time,’ as they joined him for a cookery demonstration with underprivileged children in the capital Rabat.

The Duchess replied: ‘The whole family next time.’ The chef said: ‘You come with your baby to Marrakesh next time��� referring to the fact that the prince is believed to have visited in 2018, just before his wedding. 

‘We would love to,’ said Meghan. ‘Come with your baby and I will cook for all three,’ he told Harry as he joined them. The Duke – clearly inspired by the delicious spread he had sampled – replied: ‘We will cook for you!’ 

The Duchess gave Chef Moha a copy of Together. She wrote: “Chef Mohar. Wishing you continued success and congratulating you on your incredible work in engaging the community in cooking. All the best. Meghan”.

In return, He gave her his book Le Vrai Goût du Maroc.

A group photo.

For their final public event, the Duke and Duchess met young entrepreneurs supporting youth empowerment at an arts and crafts market in the Andalusian Gardens in Rabat.

It was a quick change of clothes for Meghan.

They enjoyed a traditional musical performance upon arrival.

The beautiful Andalusian Gardens provided the perfect backdrop for the engagement.

Omid Scobie shared these stunning photos on Twitter.

Harry and Meghan’s names in Arabic.

As they viewed local arts and crafts, the Duchess was given a necklace. Of course, Harry was on hand to assist…

They were given an array of items including a bronze plate representing British – Moroccan friendship.

Meeting local craftspeople.

Royal reporter Rebecca English noted Meghan was particularly impressed by one pair of shoes.

The couple discussed sustainability. More from the Mail:

‘Harry spoke as he and the duchess met entrepreneurs in Morocco who have started companies aimed at tackling the country’s social, economic and environmental problems. Talking to Youssef Chaqor, who runs a recycling company called Eko-Geste, Harry said: ‘You need to put more pressure on the big companies.’

He said that while big companies might give money to environmental projects, ‘they are still producing single-use plastic bottles.’ He added: ‘Go to the source!’

Looking at a stand which featured wallets and shoes made from cured fish skin, the duchess told PhD student Nawal Allaoui: ‘It’s very clever.’ Meghan asked what happened when it got wet, but she replied: ‘It’s waterproof.’ Harry congratulated her on moving away from snakeskin and crocodile skin.

Meghan said: ‘It’s really amazing not to use exotics like that, and instead use something sustainable that would otherwise go to waste. But they still have a fashionable impact.’

Victoria Murphy shared a look at some of the young entrepreneurs.

Many of the people they met are working to address youth unemployment and involved in creating new initiatives.

People reports:

‘Silver craftsman Sakhi Driss had a photo of Harry’s father, Prince Charles, on display from when the Queen’s son visited his store in Fez. Driss said of Harry, “He asked when the visit was and where was the picture taken.” At one point, Harry jokingly shielded his eyes as the sun reflected off one of the silver pieces – and Meghan learned that it takes about six days to make one tray.

At one of the first stops in the fabulous walled gardens high above the coast with the Mediterranean sea, they were handed two embroidered foot cushions – which will perhaps come in useful in their new home, Frogmore Cottage in Windsor Castle. “They were interested. They asked many questions. It was a great pleasure to see them,” Ismail Boudrous from the social enterprise says.’

This video opens with footage of Harry and Meghan meeting two darling little girls.

[embedded content]

For Meghan’s looks today she opted for a mix of new and old pieces. This morning’s engagements saw the Duchess in casual attire including a striped sweater and black jeans.

The Duchess wore her hillside green J Crew Field jacket. Meghan’s had the piece since 2016 and was photographed wearing it several times in Toronto before the engagement.

After numerous searches, Michelle from Perth Fashion identified Meghan’s breton top as the Equipment Lucian style.

Meghan wore the Stuart Weitzman Brooks Suede Boots (with thanks to UFO No More). The almond toe boots are available in very limited sizing at Saks Fifth Avenue.

And accessorised with her Ecksand Tresses yellow gold earrings.

For the afternoon’s engagement, Meghan changed into a more formal look. Initially it was thought Meghan’s dress might be a re-purposed Givenchy piece, however it turns out she wore the Loyd/Ford Pleated Dress (with many thanks to eagle-eyed reader Jennifer). 

The pleated chiffon dress is currently reduced from £432 to £324 at ShopBop. It’s also available in pink.

You can see the thin strap on Meghan’s dress in the photo below.

The Duchess wore the Artizia Babaton Keith jacket she debuted for a polo match in 2016. It is described as “This take on the tailored blazer does away with a standard collar and plays with architectural tailoring. The Japanese basketweave fabric is textural and fluid, emphasizing the weighted drape.” It retails for $198.

Meghan wore her Manolo Blahnik Carolyn Black Satin and Velvet Polka Dot Slingback Pumps.

And accessorised with the $200 Gas Bijoux Onde Drop earrings (with thanks to UFO No More and Meghan’s Fashion). For US shoppers they are discounted by $50 with code FASHION at Neiman Marcus.

Harry and Meghan will meet with the King this evening. I expect we’ll see photos.

Source: http://madaboutmeghan.blogspot.com/2019/02/first-look-meghan-casual-for-equestrian.html

[dakardreamsofsheep]

Snapshots of My Daily Life and Routines in Senegal

It took me a little while to settle into my rhythms, I’d say a good two months. Having routines that I can occasionally break is my happy place. Having taught for two stressful COVID years, the sudden freedom to arrange my days felt bizarre. I tried to never let the wonder die down, though we humans are just so freaking good at adjusting our baseline levels of happiness. Generally, many of my days would go like this:

Wake up, tea and stretching on the terrace, writing in my gratitude journal. Going downstairs, loading my surfboard on the bike rack, wheeling it out of the sandy alley and towards the parking lot. Saying hello to Bashir selling coffee, Nombu selling breakfast sandwiches, Abdalla opening his variety shop, Babacar selling sunglasses, Lamin idling his taxi. A ten minute bike ride to one of two shoreline spots, a bit on the paved road but mostly cobblestoned alleys and dirt streets. Construction piles, herds of animals and puddles changed overnight, so the route was always a bit different. If the tide was right and waves were good, I’d start out surfing, occasionally with a friend but usually hitting the water solo. There were almost always other surfers in the water, and if I didn’t get an early enough start one of the three surf schools would show up with a half dozen students. I rolled my eyes but up until the very end I’d classify myself firmly as a beginner.

Getting tossed around in the waves does wonders for the creative juices. Mostly it shook my mind blank, left a tabula rasa for writing. It’s the opposite feeling as when I finish a stretch of doom scrolling, that unpleasant sinking tunnel vision. After I dried, I’d head upstairs to the second floor of a surf shop and cafe. It looked out over the water, and was always perpetually under a bit of construction. The narrow staircase was hidden and the shop itself was set back from the main beachfront venue, so in my whole year there only a dozen or so people ever joined me there. It was the perfect writing spot, and with no phone or internet connection I could pace around with my small, over sugared cafe touba smelling of cloves, until I sat down to hit my daily word limit. Lunch was usually not ready in the shops until about 1 PM, so I could take my time getting back. Since I never brought my phone, lunch plans were serendipitous unless I’d organized something the night before. There were three little restaurants who made excellent versions of mustardy yassa, peanut tomato maffe and the Senegalese national dish, thieboudjiene (rice and fish). Often I’d run into Carolyn at one of the shops, or if I dropped my things off at home, we’d head there together.

In the afternoon we’d have French class, between which I’d sneak off for another workout, or playing on the beach. Intensive language learning is such cognitive exercise you’ve gotta do something to shake it up between classes. In the latter half of the year after French classes ended I’d replace it with a delicious siesta.

Nighttimes varied. Tuesday we’d host a weekly art night at our house, Fridays Shabbat, Thursdays date night with Carolyn out and about somewhere. On Wednesdays one of my friends MC’ed a little open mic show at a beach cafe nearby, where we’d laugh and dance and go outside to look at the waves when it got too hot. I met two of my best friends there, actors and dancers who came up with a new piece of performance art for the dance floor every week.

Candidly, nighttimes were also some of the more challenging for me. Carolyn had her dance community locked in at least three nights a week until the wee hours, but in my unplanned days I sometimes found it hard to motivate myself for a big night out, or even a walk around the village. It wasn’t for a lack of people available, but getting caught in a now familiar Ryan-trap of my own devising. I’d be conflicted about hanging out with American or European friends during my time in Senegal, but my Senegalese friends wouldn’t START their night until at least 11 PM or later, when I thought of getting up early to surf or write. If I could talk myself out of the non-issue I’d usually end up having a lovely time out, or if I could make peace with the slower pace of a sabbatical year have a lovely time staying in.

After the first month of shopping trips to the big markets, I rarely went downtown, and met a goal of almost exclusively getting around on my bike. Mostly that meant staying around the neighborhood, since Dakar is the opposite of a bike friendly city. I could bike ten minutes in either direction to a surfing/writing spot, or put on my wetsuit and swim to Ngor Island to see friends, or just walk to any of my usual haunts in NGor. It was a dreamy commute, and I’m sure as my life revs back up to normal American professional patterns next year, it will seem a dreamy routine.

[easyhairstylesbest]

The Best Diet And Fitness Tips Kate Middleton Swears By

Karwai TangGetty Images

Kate Middleton has been living in the public eye for more than a decade and the whole time she’s just been so…consistent. Her hair always looks amazing, her style is on point, and, of course, she looks super fit. While Kate doesn’t talk a lot about what she does in the food and exercise department, several insiders have shared that she works hard to be healthy. Here are the Duchess of Cambridge’s top health tips, so you can steal them for yourself.

Advertisement – Continue Reading Below

1

Try to cook regularly.

Kate makes most of the meals for Prince William and the kids herself, British chef Carolyn Robb, who worked at Kensington Palace for more than two decades, told Racked. “Kate does quite a lot of the cooking,” she said.

2

Go for a smoothie first thing.

For breakfast, Kate likes to make a smoothie with spirulina, kale, matcha, spinach, romaine, cilantro and blueberries, according to the Daily Mail.

3

Have healthy competition.

According to the Daily Mail, Kate is competitive with her sister, Pippa. “Kate is an exercise junkie. Pippa and Kate take their toned physiques extremely seriously,” a source told the newspaper.

4

Get into planking.

Kate is big into doing planks. “It tightens her muscles,” a source told the Daily Mail.

5

Mix up your planks.

Kate actually does three different planks, a source told the Daily Mail. “There are three elements, the basic plank, the side plank and the prone sky dive.”

6

Push yourself.

Kate doesn’t just do a few planks and call it a day—she goes hard. A source told the Daily Mail that she can hold a plank “for 45 seconds or longer” and she repeats them “at least ten times each.”

7

Give CrossFit a try.

Kate is apparently big into CrossFit, per the Daily Mail, which focuses on a combination of resistance training, weights, running, and squats.

8

Set aside some solid time for exercise.

Kate works out every morning for an hour, the Daily Mail says.

9

Use your body weight.

Kate has all kinds of equipment available to her, but she’s big into bodyweight exercises, the Daily Mail says.

10

Work out like a kid.

Kate is known to do skipping as part of her workout, according to the Daily Mail.

11

Try out rowing.

Kate likes to put in some time on the indoor rowing machine during her regular workouts, according to the Daily Mail.

12

Do intervals.

Interval training is a great way to work different muscle groups in one workout, and Kate is all in with it. The Daily Mail says she does “intense” interval training.

13

Mix up your diet when you’re pregnant.

Kate struggled with extreme morning sickness during all of her pregnancies, and she ate a plant-based diet of avocados, berries, and oatmeal to help with nausea, Cooking Light reports.

14

Use an exercise ball.

Kate whips out a Swiss gym ball to work her abs, the Daily Mail says. “George is highly amused whenever he sees [his mother on it],” a source told the newspaper.

15

Go for fresh fish.

Kate likes to regularly have ceviche, a blend of raw fish marinated in fresh citrus and spices, the Daily Mail says.

16

Get a workout buddy.

Kate and her sister Pippa regularly work out together. “They worked hard in the gym at Kensington Palace,” a source told the Daily Mail.

17

Don’t forget to warm up.

Kate makes sure to do cardio warm-ups before she dives into her workout, a source told the Daily Mail.

18

Work your hips.

It’s easy to forget your hips when you’re working out at the gym, but Kate incorporates hip raises to target the area, a source told the Daily Mail.

19

Do a few different lunges.

Kate doesn’t just do basic lunges: She adds diagonal and reverse lunges to her workout mix, the Daily Mail says.

20

Don’t skip the crunches.

Kate doesn’t have a flat stomach by accident: She likes to do stomach crunches, per the Daily Mail.

21

Focus on your legs.

While Kate does plenty of cardio to work her legs, the Daily Mail says she also does squats and calf raises to strengthen her lower body.

22

Try inversions.

Kate is a big fan of bridges (where you balance your body on your hands and feet), the Daily Mail says.

23

Don’t forget about the classics.

According to the Daily Mail, Kate does good, old-fashioned push-ups as part of her workouts.

24

Hit the slopes.

Kate loves skiing, and is apparently even better at the sport than William, who has been skiing since he was little, the Daily Mail says.

25

Go swimming.

Apparently Kate loves swimming at her family’s pool at their country home, Anmer Hall. “She and Pippa enjoy strenuous make-up-free aqua aerobic sessions and larky water polo with William and Harry,” a source told the Daily Mail.

26

Go for a run.

Kate runs as often as she can, the Daily Mail says—and sometimes she’ll take her dog Lupo along with her.

27

Get into yoga.

Kate uses yoga to calm her mind and stretch out. Oh, and she “adores” it, according to a Daily Mail source. Apparently Kate is big on seated poses (known as asanas).

28

Keep your posture in mind.

Kate likes to do Pilates, a source told the Daily Mail, “which has helped her posture since having children.”

29

Match sweets cravings with healthy stuff.

When Kate wants something sweet, she mixes up berries with almond milk. “Her organic diet is rich in antioxidants and she adores salads and bowls of seasonal fruits,” a source told the Daily Mail.

30

Take it easy with booze.

Kate likes wine, but doesn’t go overboard. “A 6 p.m. glass of brutally chilled Chardonnay is sufficient,” a source told the Daily Mail.

31

Load up on raw foods.

Kate enjoys noshing on things like watermelon salads, gazpacho, goji berries, tabbouleh, and ceviche, the Daily Mail says. “Kate already has the perfect figure but her motivation is to achieve radiant skin,” a source told the paper.

32

Have a go-to dish.

Kate loves to make roast chicken. “In the evenings she indulges her hobby of cooking William’s favorite supper, roast chicken,” royal expert Katie Nicholl wrote in Vanity Fair. “That’s their idea of the perfect night,” a source told Nicholl.

33

Spice up your food.

During a 2016 tour of Canada, Kate shared that she likes spicy foods, and really likes cooking curries, per the Mirror. (BTW: William shared at the same time that he can’t handle too much heat in his food.)

34

DIY your own condiments.

Kate makes her own chutney, a spicy condiment that originated in India—and she’s made it for the queen. “I was thinking, ‘Gosh, what should I give her?'” she recalled in the ITV documentary, Our Queen At Ninety. “I thought, ‘I’ll make her something.’ Which could have gone horribly wrong. But I decided to make my granny’s recipe of chutney.”

35

Consider the Dukan diet.

Kate is reportedly really into the diet, which limits carbs and focuses on lean proteins, vegetables, and healthy fats and oils.

37

Get outside.

From running, to swimming, to tennis, to walking the dog, Kate likes to take her fitness outside when she can.

38

Get into tennis.

Kate likes the sport so much that she has a tennis coach, Vanity Fair says. She also likes to play with her sister, Pippa.

39

Go for regular walks.

Kate likes to take her dog Lupo on walks three times a day when she’s able, according to Vanity Fair.

40

Lift weights.

Kate is big into doing weight-based exercises, according to U.K. paper Express.

Korin Miller Korin Miller is a freelance writer specializing in general wellness, sexual health and relationships, and lifestyle trends, with work appearing in Men’s Health, Women’s Health, Self, Glamour, and more.

This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io

Advertisement – Continue Reading Below

The Best Diet And Fitness Tips Kate Middleton Swears By

[exhaustedketomomma]

Every now and again you come across a recipe that looks so decadent that you just HAVE to make it. Well this is now my second time making Fish Saltimbocca and I can safely say I’m still in love 😍 the cod is flaky, the prosciutto is crispy and the brown sage butter is heavenly..Carolyn Ketchum @fooddreamer out did herself on this dish and it’s lick your plate fabulous. Only change I made was added more sage since I’m a sucker for a good sage butter! If you are interested in making it, it’s in her cookbook “The Everyday Ketogenic Kitchen” which has some great recipes in it and I love that she offers dairy free options. Stay #ketostrong my friends! . . #exhaustedketomomma #ketoweightloss #keto #ketomeals #ketolifestyle #ketorecipes #ketorecipe #ketodiet #ketofriendly #ketolife #ketofoodie #ketofoodporn #ketoforlife #ketodinner #ketoaf #ketoliving #ketomom #ketomomlife https://www.instagram.com/p/CGOA_WwJDnq/?igshid=pdmjlg8dnhtn

[alan-and-suzi]

Friday 17th July 2020

Alan social distancing....

We were up fairly early, had breakfast and read the news online. I put the final coat of varnish on the outdoor seat pads today and we had a Correos delivery of silver foil from Muck and Brass. Just waiting for the glue and then I can get on with Betty’s bottom. We went out about 11.55am and walked along Ramon Gallud to the bus stop, never seen so many people begging. Usually we see only one or two but today we saw three different men playing violins and several other people sitting or walking along asking for money, it was only a 5 minute walk. Coronavirus has put a lot of people out of work here. We caught the G bus to San Luis where we met Chris and Carolyn for a drink in Lunas Bar, we sat outside and it was very pleasant. We had tapas too, a Russian salad, a hot dish - broccoli, cheese and bacon and another hot dish of meatballs.

After that we walked back up the road to Chris and Carolyn’s place where we chatted inside for a while and then we had a swim in their pool. I did lots of lengths but it’s not a big pool. We then sat outside in the shade chatting before Chris gave us a lift back home at about 5pm. A very pleasant afternoon. When we got in Alan made us dinner of fish cake, green veg and wedges, yummy 😋. We did daily challenges, I listened to a few more Christmas songs and worked out who could sing what a bit more and then we chatted and read until bedtime.

[healthyworthyofficial]

Low-Carb and Keto Air Fryer Recipes

posted by Kalyn Denny on March 7, 2020 Many individuals individuals are having fun with the fast cooking instances and tasty leads to the Air Fryer, and right here’s a set of Low-Carb and Keto Air Fryer Recipes! And whether or not or not you’re watching your carbs, you’ll discover some nice choices right here; take pleasure in! PIN Low-Carb and Keto Air Fryer Recipes to attempt some later!

Have you gotten infatuated with the Air Fryer but? I confess I used to be a little bit of a sluggish adopter for this new cooking software. But for some time now I’ve been having fun with simple dinners from the Air Fryer, and I saved noticing fascinating fascinating concepts from different bloggers as nicely. So I made a decision to go looking out the perfect Low-Carb and Keto Air Fryer Recipes I might discover, and then write a round-up publish as a useful resource for all the opposite low-carb or Keto eaters who're additionally followers of the Air Fryer! This assortment of fantastic recipes has low-carb and Keto Air Fryer rooster, beef, pork, fish, shellfish, greens, appetizers, and snacks, so hopefully there’s one thing right here you’d prefer to attempt making in your air Fryer! And Air Fryer cooking is at all times quick, which helps you get dinner on the desk after a protracted day. All images are copyrighted to the weblog that posted the recipe; simply click on the recipe title underneath any photograph or within the hyperlink lists to see the whole recipe on that web site! And blissful Air Fryer cooking everybody!

Which Air Fryer Do I Use?

I’m loopy concerning the Cuisinart Convection Air Fryer Toaster Oven which is the one I take advantage of on a regular basis. This air fryer has a bigger basket, which lets me match loads of meals, and I discover this mannequin very simple to make use of. I additionally just like the comfort of getting an air fryer that stays out on the counter. (Air fryer hyperlinks are affiliate hyperlinks. Use Air Fryer Recipes to see the opposite Air Fryer recipes on this web site.)

Low-Carb Air Fryer Chicken Recipes

I promise that these Low-Carb Herb-Marinated Air Fryer Chicken Thighs from Kalyn’s Kitchen are a tasty low-carb and Keto dinner you’ll make over and over!

If you’re cooking for youths, I guess these Keto Air Fryer Chicken Tenders from Beauty and the Foodie are going to be a success!

Air Fryer Chicken Fajitas from Little Sunny Kitchen sound so good and there’s a home made fajita seasoning on this recipe as nicely!

I’m all about EASY and these Easy Air Fryer Chicken Breasts from Low-Carb with Jennifer sound like an ideal dinner while you don’t have time to fuss!

More Low-Carb Chicken 

Air Fryer Chicken Wings ~ Basil and Bubbly Air Fryer Pecan Crusted Chicken ~ Two Sleevers Air Fryer Fried Chicken Wings ~ Dr. Davinah’s Eats Air Fryer Chicken Tikka Kabob ~ Piping Pot Curry

Low-Carb Air Fryer Pork and Beef Recipes

I haven’t made pork chops within the Air Fryer but, however Keto Air Fryer Pork Chops from All Day I Dream About Food are making me drool! Carolyn tops the pork chops with browned butter, for an Air Fryer meal that appears like a winner!

Air Fryer Steak Bites and Mushrooms from The Dinner Mom sound superb, and that is prepared in 15 minutes!

The Best Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin from Low-Carb with Jennifer sound simple and tasty for a family-friendly low-carb dinner.

Jen says these Amazing Air Fryer Brats from Whole Lotta Yum don’t want any prep, which is definitely an incredible high quality for an Air Fryer recipe, proper?

More Low-Carb Pork and Beef

Air Fryer Bacon ~ Sustainable Cooks Juicy Air Fryer Pork Chops with Rub ~ Whole Lotta Yum Air Fryer Steak with Garlic Mushrooms ~ Lighter Kitchen Air Fryer Kofta Kabab ~ Two Sleevers

Low-Carb Air Fryer Fish and Shellfish Recipes

Easy Low-Carb Air Fryer Salmon with Mustard-Herb Sauce from Kalyn’s Kitchen is so good, this may be my favourite Air Fryer recipe thus far. And you recognize I'm all about EASY and this salmon can also be tremendous fast!

Low-Carb Air Fryer Fried Fish with Dijon Mustard Sauce from The Endless Appetite sounds completely scrumptious, and Natalie says this sauce can also be good on pork chops and rooster.

If your loved ones likes fish, I promise these Easy Low-Carb Air Fryer Fish Sticks from Kalyn’s Kitchen are a simple dinner possibility you’ll make over and over. And don’t skip the home made tartar sauce; it solely takes a minute to make!

Spicy Air Fryer Shrimp with Mustard-Horseradish Sauce is the latest Air Fryer recipe on Kalyn’s Kitchen, and that is scrumptious served chilly as an appetizer or scorching as a spicy primary dish!

More Low-Carb Fish or Shellfish

Air Fryer Keto Shrimp Scampi ~ Two Sleevers Tandoori Fish Tikka ~ Spice Cravings Air Fryer Keto Crab Cakes ~ All Day I Dream About Food Keto Coconut Shrimp within the Air Fryer ~ The Endless Appetite

Low-Carb Air Fryer Vegetable Recipes

Easy Air Fryer Asian Green Beans from Kalyn’s Kitchen do have just a few carbs, however if you happen to use portion management these can be a tremendous facet dish possibility!

I really like crispy roasted Brussels Sprouts, so I do know I’d love these Crispy Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts from Home Made Interest!

Asparagus is a splurge on for on a regular basis dinners, however while you need one thing particular this Easy Low-Carb Air Fryer Asparagus with Lemon and Parmesan from Kalyn’s Kitchen is totally superb. And did I point out EASY!

Air Fryer Vegetable Kabobs from Recipes from a Pantry appear to be a veggie facet dish you’ll need to make over and over!

More Low-Carb Vegetables

Air Fryer Stuffed Okra ~ Piping Pot Curry Air Fryer Low-Carb Garlic Mushrooms ~ This Old Gal Air Fryer Bang Bang Cauliflower ~ Joy Filled Eats Easy Air Fryer Fried Radishes ~ Recipes from a Pantry

Low-Carb Air Fryer Appetizers and Snacks Recipes

Keto Bacon-Wrapped Brussels Sprouts from Everyday Keto sound superb for an appetizer any time of 12 months!

I feel these Air Fryer Fried Pickles from Joy-Filled Eats can be an absolute hit for game-day or get together eats!

Keto Air Fryer Zucchini Fries from Beauty and the Foodie sound like one thing that will positively be a success!

Air Fryer Garlic Ranch Chicken Wings from This Old Gal sound like one thing that will be superb for game-day meals, and I’d eat this as a low-carb primary dish as nicely!

More Low-Carb Appetizers and Snacks 

Keto Air Fryer Onion Rings ~ Lighter Kitchen Air Fryer Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers from Keto Cooking Christian Greek-Style Air Fryer Chicken Wings ~ Erica’s Recipes Air Fryer Stuffed Mushrooms ~ Spice Cravings

posted by Kalyn Denny on March 7, 2020 Don’t Miss a Recipe! subscribe to obtain new recipes by way of electronic mail: We are a participant within the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate promoting program designed to offer a method for us to earn charges by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated websites. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Source link Read the full article

[backroadblues]

May 25th, 2017 - La Spezia - Liguria, Italy We got back into the hotel relatively early at 10:00PM. Trent and Caryolyn are a little tired. After we parted ways when Elisa wasn't feeling well, they continued on to Vernazza and then on to Monterosso. They did a lot of walking and window shopping. Nothing "spoke" to Carolyn, insisting that she had to bring it home with her. So they too headed back into La Spezia by around 6:30. Elisa and I had spoken with them about having dinner in Monterosso, the largest of the Cinque Terre towns, so we assumed that is what Trent and Carolyn would do when we split up. At 7:00pm, Elisa and I prepared to go out to get a quick bite to eat at a Chinese or Japanese restaurant. Just as we were about to depart, Trent texted me indicating that they were back at the hotel. So we told them we were planning on going out and they said they would join us and be ready by 7:30pm. We strolled down the main pedestrian corridor of the town of LaSpezia. This is a very nice feature of most towns in Italy and other parts of Europe. As we stroll down we notice there La Spezia is a very diverse city. We see many different nationalities. We see Africans, Moroccans, Indians, Asians and many others - all interacting and conversing in Italian. We see kids playing, not soccer / football, but instead they are playing cricket. Not your typical Italian pass time. The diversity is partly due to the fact that La Spezia is a city of over 100,000 people and it has been a major seaport throughout its long history. Sea ports have long been a melting pot for the different cultures that share the Mediterranean. By 8:15 we find ourselves in a Japanese Sushi/Bento restaurant. After we finish our meal, we discuss the logistics for tomorrows main event. It will be an authentic Italian cooking class. We will be meeting with Chef Sylvia of Osteria del Corte. This restaurant has been praised for over 7 years in a row. They specialize in Ligurian cuisine but also offer a wide range of other Italian cuisines. We are to meet at the Central train station in La Spezia, where someone will be holding a placard with our name on it. We are to be there at 10:00. By 10:15, Alessandro, Sylvia's husband and partner in the restaurant meets us. He leads us on a short walk back to the restaurant. On our way he speaks of the City of La Spezia, how it is he and Sylvia came to open their restaurant, their 4 kids and life in this part of Italy. It was a great way to get to know our hosts for this cooking adventure. When we arrive at the restaurant, we meet Chef Sylvia. She is already busy in the kitchen and has a staff of 4 Sous chefs hard at work. They are making preparations for the days menu. It is now 10:30 and she dispatches us with her husband to go to the local open air market, which is a short walk away. The tells us that the city has had an open air market for centuries. It used to be at another location in the city that was much smaller. He says that La Spezia was a small town of only 7000 residents for hundreds of years, when in the 1870's an Italian Naval base was opened very near the city. Between 1870 and 1879 the city would grow to over 100,000 people. That is when they had to move the market to its present location. The tour of the market is really amazing. There are countless stands with a colorful assortment of fruits, vegetables and flowers. Carolyn cant help but notice the beautiful plums at one fruit stand and she picks one up to show Trent, Elisa and me. She immediately garners the "international eye-roll" from the seller and many other customers. Finally Alessandro explains - "pleeza no toucha da frutta - unlessa you gonna buya eet". Carolyn is now mortified and she promptly puts it back and wipes her fingerprints off of it. Alessandro stops at many stands buying fresh fish, herbs, vegetables and some mortadella. He explains we will use the mortadella in a traditional Ligurian dish - stuffed mussels. Apparently this part of Italy is a huge provider of mussels to Italy and other countries. We make our way out of the market and we really enjoyed the shopping experience. When we get back to the restaurant, Chef Sylvia get aprons for each of us. This is a private cooking class for just the 4 of us. Its a good thing, because the tiny but modern lay equipped kitchen is full to capacity. Our first mission is to take the mortadella and to begin dicing it up into small bits. This is then mixed with parmesan cheese, parsley and eggs. That moisture is set aside - this will be the stuffing for our mussels. Next we must clean the mussels. Chef Sylvia shows us the tiny tendrils that extend from the flat side of the mussel and how we must pull it down toward the front of the mussel and break it free. These tendrils are what the mussels use to attach themselves to the seabeds where they are grown. While we do this, one of the Sous Chefs has filleted some nice young cod fish. Chef takes the fish bones and the fish heads and adds it to a stock pot, adds water and sets it on the stove to boil. We then go on to shelling and deveining the shrimp. Chef Sylvia take the shrimp heads and adds it to the stock pot where she is making the fish stock that will be used when we make our risotto. To the stock she adds some herbs, and salt and lets it boil. Wile the fish stock is boiling, Chef Sylvia shows how to stuff the largest of the mussels which are still alive and raw. We must use a knife (dull) to insert near the base of the mussel on the flat side and slide the knife around the top of the mussel reaching and cutting the animals main mussel that allows us to open the mussel. We then stuff the mortadella, egg and cheese mix liberally into the mussels. Once stuffed, the mussels are layered into a medium sized pot that has a tomato sauce concoction inside. The sauce has been prepared with some tomato paste, herbs of onion, garlic, shallots and onions. The stuffed mussels are pressed into the tomato sauce. There are so many they are layered on top of one another. She then used a small plate to press the mussels into the sauce so that they are covered. She leave the plate on top to act as a lid while she simmers them in the sauce on the stove. As the fish and the stuffed mussels continue to cook, Chef Sylvia show us how to prepare our main course. It is a very simple dish where she takes parchment paper, lays down a bit of olive oil on it. The then lays on the thin cod filets on top of the olive oil, she sprinkles a little salt on them, then covers them with minced fresh tomatoes. She adds more olive oil alone with garlic and parsley. She sprinkles a little more olive oil on them and folds up the parchment paper and seals it tightly. These will be baked in the oven and served as our main course in the parchment paper. We then move on to starting the risotto dishes. She places a lot of butter - 1/3 of a cube of butter - easily 4 tbsps into each of our sauce pans. As the butter begins to melt she adds the garlic and shallots. We brown it a bit and then comes the rice - Carnaroli rice is best for risotto because of its starch. We then brown the rice with shallots and garlic. Before the garlic and parsley can turn brown (and bitter) she adds just enough fish stock to cover it. The steam comes billowing up at us - two people on each side of a very unique double sided stove. The stove top is induction type stove. The entire surface can ace as a heating element when a pot or pan with enough steel on it is placed on it. What is neat about the stove is that the surface remains cool and the heat is entirely transmitted into the pan. This keeps the tiny kitchen relatively cool. - Enough about the stove, as the steam billows up, we must stir. Each time the fish stock begins to boil down we must add a little more fish stock. We do this for 15 to 20 minutes - that's a lot of stirring. Towards the end, she tells us to stir less so that the risotto can begin to firm up. She tasted mine and tells me I'm a good stirrer - I bet she tells all the fat guys that. Then she adds a little salt and the mussels, shrimp and some calamari that the Sous Chef has cleaned and sliced. She adds all the sea food in and we now stir a bit more vigorously so that it can cook in the hot rice. She says we are now done and we will get ready to eat. She show us how to plate the risotto, clean the rim of the dish, garnish it with a flourish of minced parsley. After an hour of cooking with Sylvia we now wash our hands and make our way to the dining room. As we sit down It is now about 12:20 and the restaurant is now also open for lunch to the public. I'm sure Chef Sylvia is happy to have us out of the kitchen because it looks like she will be busy with the streams of people coming into the restaurant. We are seated at a table of distinction, in the center of the nicely decorated restaurant. We sit at our table with our cooking aprons on, which certainly distinguishes us from the other customers in the restaurant. The waiters serve us locally sourced white wines to go with our locally sourced meal. The wine is wonderful - just the right amount of dry to go with the right amount of sweet. It will complement our meal nicely. We are each served the risotto dishes that each of us has prepared. It is fantastic. The rice is perfectly cooked - not too soft and mushy but also not too "al dente". The seafood is so fresh tasting and we all love the risotto dishes we have made. Then comes the huge platters of stuffed mussels. It is a really unique dish. It is unusual to see sea food combined with meat and cheese when in Italy, but this traditional Ligurian dish is enjoyed by all of us. Then comes our main course. We are amazed that such a simple dish can be so good and it is all about the freshness of the ingredients. We are happy to take our time dining enjoying the fact that we had a hand in making this feast and learning from Chef Sylvia along the way. After our large lunch we enjoy a light desert and coffee. We almost feel like Italians. The entire day was such a treat. It is now about 2:00 and we decide to head back to the Hotel and relax a bit. Around 4:00PM we decide to head into a nearby seaside town Porto Venere (Port of Venus). Alessandro, has shared with us that this little seaside town is the hidden gem of the region. He says, "it is a carpet of tourists in all of the Cinque Terre during the high season - the local people will instead go to Porto Venere). Now that all of us have recovered from the amazing lunch we prepared, we decide to take a taxi the 10 miles to get to Porto Venere. It is a good thing because parking here is very difficult and the road very narrow and winding. When we get there, we are blessed with a cool breeze, sparsely populated street, many nice shops with Italian handcrafts. We spend many hours walking the streets and shopping. We get to the old church at the end of the point of land that Porto Venere occupies and we are treated to some of the most amazing views. It is said that Lord Byron was so taken with the beauty here that he dove into the gulf below to swim to one or the neighboring islands. The gulf is now forever know as the Poet's Gulf. The Church was constructed in 1250 - 1279 on top of the remains of a much older Roman church that dates back to 700AD. Parts of the old church remain plainly visible along with the more modern church built in the 13th century. The views from the church are amazing. We make our way back into the little town and do a bit more shipping. We walk along the sidewalks that line the street that runs parallel to the water. We are again surprised at how few people there are here, when we had just spent time in nearby Cinque Terre and its hordes of humanity. By 8:00pm we decide to have a "light dinner" at the Royal Sporting Hotel. The Maitre'd leads us to a lovely outdoor table with an amazing view of the water. We decide to bypass starters and pasta. Some of us have the filet of beef prepared in a green peppercorn cause. Elisa has a gluten free pasta (amazing) along with a bowl of pea soup. We top our meal off with a fantastic Italian Barolo - Pio Cesare 2009. We savor every drop of it along with each bite of our meal. The service at the restaurant is fantastic as was the food and the view. Once again, we declare it one of the best meals we've had on our trip. Our Maitre'd has called a taxi for us to take us back to our hotel in La Spezia and we all decide that the next time we want to come to Liguria, we will bypass Cinque Terre and stay in Porto Venere. After we return to the hotel, we all reflect not he very special day we had here in Italy. The cooking class was very entertaining. It is a little pricey, but I highly recommend the experience to anyone considering a trip to Italy. Hopefully, your restaurant and Chef will be as friendly, entertaining and talented as Chef Sylvia. Another unforgettable highlight of our trip. Tomorrow we will be heading to Lake Como where we will be staying in the small town of Bellagio. We will be staying at the Bellagio Hotel - I here they have an amazing fountain in front of the hotel - oh wait, that's the one in Las Vegas. The one we will be staying at has a beautiful lake in front of us. That's all for now. Ciao!

[lipwak]

VHS #471

7 ACLs: Lucinda Williams, Old Crow Medicine Show; Wilco; Alison Krauss and Union Station; Calexico; Aimee Mann, Iron and Wine; Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings, Carolyn Wonderland; Lyle Lovett & Friends: A Songwriters Special w/ John Hiatt, Joe Ely, Guy Clark and Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival from 2007

*** Lucinda Williams, Old Crow Medicine Show

1 hr

2007 Lucinda Williams

See the whole thing here: https://youtu.be/R51QPLZ9vHs

Righteously

Honeybee

Joy

Unsuffer Me

West

Old Crow Medicine Show Gospel Plow (https://youtu.be/-E-660DQq0I) Not this clip.

Fall On My Knees (https://youtu.be/Xjb0buprxqY) Not this clip.

Big Time in the Jungle (https://youtu.be/cGHmBGnhVWM) Not this clip. We're All in This Together (https://youtu.be/dPLom6s2OtY) Not this clip. Minglewood Blues  (https://youtu.be/7JzO0FCCirw) This clip. Wagon Wheel (https://youtu.be/YH0CnjXqCLE) Not this clip.

***

Wilco

1 hr

2007

You Are My Face (https://youtu.be/e0O89XxpLOg) Not this clip. Handshake Drugs (https://youtu.be/RSpA51ompgI) Not this clip. Side With the Seeds (https://youtu.be/o6e1ihapvYc) Not this clip. Via Chicago (https://youtu.be/0Wzwu4ogNR4) Not this clip. Impossible Germany (https://youtu.be/yo2XgcBV8_Q) This clip. Sky Blue Sky (https://youtu.be/75pzxg_SCX4) Not this clip. Too Far Apart (https://youtu.be/rVcvGkVRQNo) Not this clip. Hate it Here (https://youtu.be/7FQ_zVVG8Wg) This clip. Walken (https://youtu.be/TYHO_RPxKR4) Not this clip. I'm the Man Who Loves You (https://youtu.be/LGF-5sjGaF4) Not this clip. On and On and On (https://youtu.be/AcUo9M9rfH0) Not this clip.

***

Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival

47:28

2007

some edited selections

Earl Scruggs - Foggy Mountain Breakdown (https://youtu.be/b_x17hn8YPY) Not this clip.

Doc and Merle Watson - Deep River Blues (https://youtu.be/oMC7gag_ftc) This clip.

David Grisman Bluegrass Experience - unknown instrumental

Chris Smither - Leave The Light On (https://youtu.be/a2gv892zkp8) Not this clip.

Teddy Thompson - I Wish It Was Over (https://youtu.be/W9Lo8tKa93c) Not this clip.

Gillian Welch - Miss Ohio (https://youtu.be/HAgeN3I58NI) This clip, almost...

Del McCoury Band - unknown instrumental (https://youtu.be/gF8WigKGec8) Somewhere in this audio-only clip.

Hazel Dickens - America’s Poor

Charlie Louvin - Great Atomic Power (https://youtu.be/z-uL1mXigKU) Not this clip.

Jim Lauderdale - Lost In The Lonesome Pines (https://youtu.be/Yb7sDtzO8a8) Not this clip.

Jorma Kaukonen - San Francisco Bay Blues (https://youtu.be/sJNSqNLxHrQ) This clip.

the subdudes - unknown song

Dave Alvin and The Guilty Men - Dry River (https://youtu.be/e9nCcF1oJtg) Not this clip.

Robert Earl Keen -  Amarillo Highway (https://youtu.be/U1XwqjiasDw) Not this clip.

Steve Earle & Alison Morrer - Days Aren't Long Enough (https://youtu.be/HOA-ojibw6k) Not this clip.

Emmylou Harris - Get Up John (https://youtu.be/t8reu3HGoKc) Not this clip.

***

Alison Krauss and Union Station

27:12

Restless (https://youtu.be/wppwRjGecvA) Not this clip. This Sad Song (https://youtu.be/rx4TKj5XXGc) Not this clip. Unionhouse Branch (https://youtu.be/aeLeacn6QoI) This clip. Goodbye Is All We Have (https://youtu.be/B480sX0_kfg) Not this clip Wouldn't Be So Bad (https://youtu.be/IXZF4ynPEwI) Not this clip. Rain Please Go Away (https://youtu.be/ZTzJYUpi2P8) Not this clip. My Poor Old Heart (https://youtu.be/d0AzB5g_6Nw) Not this clip. Gravity (https://youtu.be/pDziivJiSkQ) Not this clip.

*** Calexico

~1/2hr

Paul Niehaus on pedal steel...

Across the Wire (https://youtu.be/tkryXbJ14dE) Not this clip. Not Even Stevie Nicks (https://youtu.be/faifByxBG7w) Not this clip. (Same shirt on the lead singer though…) El Picador (https://youtu.be/O5bhm5TNOWs) Not this clip. Sunken Waltz (https://youtu.be/uIam7NlTJ-s) Not this clip. Letter to Bowie Knife (https://youtu.be/mvwVRpZvUYw) Not this clip. He Lays in the Reigns (https://youtu.be/pI8GjJk2Tlo) Not this clip. All Systems Red (https://youtu.be/qAB8jcFsStY) Not this clip.

***

Aimee Mann, Iron and Wine

~ 1h

2008

Aimee Mann Stranger into Starman/Looking For Nothing (https://youtu.be/EKPxiFMvatM) This clip. Freeway (https://youtu.be/TQF5CXV9cos) Not this clip. Little Tornado (https://youtu.be/X41x6DV6QxI) Not this clip. Borrowing Time (https://youtu.be/-voWPgbTz6w) Not this clip. Deathly (https://youtu.be/Aejc1cIiFa8) This clip.

Iron and Wine Paul Niehaus – pedal steel again...

Each Coming Night (https://youtu.be/DKI-11Bk-UE) Not this clip. Love and Some Verses (https://youtu.be/88XEqDJKss0) Not this clip. Upward Over the Mountain (https://youtu.be/MhZcm5dBZ1A) Not this clip. Boy With a Coin (https://youtu.be/NTE6nJPuer8) Not this clip but the same band. Trapeze Swinger (https://youtu.be/sFzEZ3fG1Nc) This clip.

***

Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings, Carolyn Wonderland

54:42

2008 Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings

How Do I Let a Good Man Down? (https://youtu.be/lLbvyRYGcLc) This clip. Mean Man (https://youtu.be/Vt7PAnu8wVM) Not this clip. Fish in the Dish (https://youtu.be/Jo5howi6_Yg) Not this clip. 100 Days, 100 Nights (https://youtu.be/yuNv7_iIRRY) Not this clip. Got to Be the Way It Is (https://youtu.be/YWiIg4kHogw) Not this clip. w/ dancing!

Carolyn Wonderland Still Alive & Well (https://youtu.be/OJV1Lrou55U) This clip. Long Way to Go (https://youtu.be/1mFFkHdwVKo) Not this clip. Bad Girl Blues (https://youtu.be/XdD-4K2zHG8) Not this clip. I Found the Lions (https://youtu.be/7eb0SAMMO9o) Not this clip. Walk On (https://youtu.be/m2OLKaLD5Lk) This clip. Judgement Day Blues (https://youtu.be/7b4fJRPnZT0) Not this clip. ***

Lyle Lovett & Friends: A Songwriters Special w/ John Hiatt, Joe Ely, Guy Clark

selections only

27:12

See the whole thing here: https://youtu.be/RAB6WR3JVSE

Joe Ely - All Just to Get to You John Hiatt  & Joe on harmonica - Memphis in the Meantime Lyle w/ the others on background vocals, Hiatt does lead gtr  - My Baby Don't Tolerate Joe Ely - For Your Love John Hiatt - Drive South Lyle - Step Inside This House, intro only.

[tripstations]

Go loco: top 10 autumn city breaks in Europe by train | Travel

Nîmes, France

Quickest journey from London 6½ hours by way of Paris Most cost-effective Nov fare with Eurostar £168 return

With its remarkably well-preserved Roman amphitheatre plus its new museum of artefacts, to not point out nice outlets and eating places, Nîmes makes an excellent autumn vacation spot. The crowds have gone and though the extreme warmth has rescinded, the encircling hills lure the summer season temperatures, making it heat sufficient to sit down out on a restaurant terrace and watch the world go by.

Make your first port of name the amphitheatre – Les Arènes (entrance €13, together with the opposite two Roman points of interest talked about beneath). Discover the inside corridors (vomitories), then climb to the highest of the terraces to see the amphitheatre (133 metres lengthy by 101 huge) in its full glory. The highest tier additionally presents views of the encircling hills (seven, similar to Rome), together with Mont Cavalier, the best level of the town, on which the Roman Tour Magne, constructed by Augustus, stands sentinel.

Reverse the amphitheatre, discover the Musée de la Romanité, which opened in 2018 and holds an enchanting assortment of artefacts, from giant and beautiful mosaics to statues and glassware that survived 2,000 years buried in sarcophagi. There are interactive displays, too, which assist carry the historical past to life. The museum’s personal structure can also be spectacular – from its glass mosaic-tiled facade that represents the ripples of a toga, to the completely different ranges throughout the museum that mean you can view the displays from above.

Subsequent cease must be Nîmes’ outdated city: the warren of streets that runs north of the amphitheatre is punctuated with sunny squares, cafes and eating places, together with unbiased boutiques for garments, jewelry and homewares. Cease for lunch at Le Classic, the place you’ll be able to devour bistro classics on its pavement terrace. Skip dessert although, as a result of the most effective ice-cream and patisserie on the town is a couple of steps away at Maison Villaret, which was established in 1775. Attempt its speciality, croquants – delicate almond biscuits flavoured with orange water. Nîmes can also be well-known for one more sort of biscuit, caladons, with almonds and honey.

The outdated city opens out right into a grand sq. the place La Maison Carré, the one surviving intact Roman temple in France, stands proud on a plinth with vibrant white pillars. Inside, there’s a screening of the movie Nemausus, the Founding of Nîmes.

Close by, the Jardins de la Fontaine are the city’s respiration house: these ornate baroque gardens function terraces, statues and decorative ponds, in addition to the stays of the city’s unique water supply, housed within the stays of the Temple de Diane. Up the hill behind it’s the Tour Magne.

For dinner, L’Imprévu serves seafood and Italian-inspired dishes and has a terrace on one of many metropolis’s liveliest squares, Place d’Assas.

Instance journey Take the 09.24 from St Pancras, crossing Paris to Gare de Lyon for the 14.07 to Nimes, arriving at 17.05. Returning, the 07.58 will get to Paris Gare de Lyon at 10.53, then throughout Paris to Gare du Nord for the 12.13 to London, arriving at 13.30.

Keep at cosy, fantastically adorned La Maison Rousseau B&B (doubles from €105pn). It’s in a peaceable spot and a simple stroll to the primary websites. Carolyn Boyd

Angers, France

L’Apocalypse Tapestry (1375) in Angers. {Photograph}: Alamy Quickest journey from London 5 hours by way of Lille Most cost-effective Nov fare with Eurostar £95 return

Although it isn’t as well-known as different cities of the Loire, Angers makes probably the most of its distinctive place on the River Maine, simply earlier than it joins the Loire, with riverside eating places and enchanting cycle trails, in addition to artwork deco structure, distilleries and an imposing chateau on the coronary heart of the town.

Château d’Angers is an effective place to begin. This mighty fortress is surrounded by 17 towers which punctuate its mighty 2½-metre thick partitions. For excellent views of the town and river, stroll round its ramparts, which enclose a tiny winery and gardens. Inside, the rooms and displays inform the story of the Dukes of Anjou who held courtroom right here within the 14th and 15th centuries and had been nice patrons of the humanities. The principle draw, nonetheless, is the 104-metre Tapestry of the Apocalypse illustrating the E book of Revelations. It took seven years to finish within the late 14th century and its six-metre-high panels, which depict 90 scenes, are fantastically lit in an atmospheric gallery. The chateau’s personal restaurant serves good hearty dishes with mains from round €10.

Exterior the chateau, comply with the blue line painted on the pavements to information you round a loop of the most effective sights within the outdated city. Highlights embody the gorgeous medieval Cathédral Saint-Maurice with its fantastic stained-glass home windows. Simply behind it’s the six-storey, half-timbered Maison d’Adam, inbuilt 1491 and residential to ornamental carvings of bawdy figures. A series division retailer wouldn’t often star in a metropolis’s record of must-sees, however the elegant facade and artwork deco glass roof of Galeries Lafayette will delight followers of advantageous design. For extra artwork deco, preserve following the blue line to La Maison Bleue, an house constructing inbuilt 1929 and adorned with vibrant mosaics and ornate ironwork.

Autumn is the best time to pedal alongside the Loire à Vélo biking observe, which follows the well-known river. Rent bikes at Vert Occasion Angers (from €15 a day) and cycle 8km right down to the engaging village of Bouchemaine, the place Le Noé is likely one of the area’s many guinguettes – riverside cafe-bistros that supply a number of leisure, music and actions.

Three kilometres to the east, simply exterior peaceable Sainte-Gemmes-sur-Loire village, is one other hub of exercise at Guinguette de Port-Thibaut, with excellent views over the broad river. Additional down the Loire, a 30-minute cycle away, is the Île Béhuard – an island with monastery and historic chapel on the coronary heart of the characterful village.

Angers is the house of Cointreau: the orange liqueur was created right here in 1875 and guests can tour the distillery. On the opposite aspect of city, Distillerie Giffard additionally has a customer centre, with a spread of liqueurs, together with the Menthe-Pastille that made its title.

Instance journey Although most Eurostar journeys go by way of Paris, it’s simpler to go by way of Lille as there’s a direct prepare from there to Angers. It additionally means you solely need to cross the platform to vary, fairly than crossing Paris from Gard du Nord to Gare Montparnasse, and just one change. Take the 15.04 from London St Pancras, then the 17.52 from Lille. Returning, take the 12.41 to Lille, then the 17.35 again to London.

Keep Lodge 21 Foch (doubles from €89 room solely) is a small, modern resort within the metropolis centre. CB

Biarritz, France

Surfers at Biarritz. {Photograph}: Getty Photographs Quickest journey from London 7½ hours by way of Paris (about an hour longer inbound) Most cost-effective Nov fare with Eurostar £120 return

For contemporary sea air, fabulous meals and Basque tradition, a brief break in Biarritz matches the invoice even within the cooler months. Although its wonderful golden seashores and surf tradition could counsel it’s a summer-only vacation spot, there’s lots to attract you there in autumn.

Attempt to time your go to with the Fête de la Saint Martin (8-11 November) to see the city have fun its Basque heritage by means of live shows, dance reveals, workshops, meals occasions and the Basque racket recreation, pelota.

Foodies will love Restaurant Week additionally in early November (4-10), when lots of the city’s eating places showcase their finest Basque dishes for €20 for lunch or €30 for dinner. Although you’ll be able to embrace the French Basque nation’s piquant delicacies any time of yr at Les Halles market – tuck into pintxos (Basque tapas) and sip native wine on the many stalls.

For goodies to take dwelling, discover the city’s many chocolateries, equivalent to Pariès or Maison Adam, and Rue Victor Hugo, dwelling to the last word cheese store, 1001 Fromages, and the Maison Arostéguy épicerie, which is rammed to the rafters with implausible Basque and French merchandise.

The opposite streets that encompass the market are nice for eating places, as is Rue Gambetta, main south from the market. Elsewhere, among the finest tables on the town is Le Pimpi Bistrot on Avenue de Verdun, the place chef Manu Michel’s dishes showcase the seafood, fish and charcuterie that the Basque nation does so properly, whereas close by locals’ favorite Tantina de Burgos on Place Beau Rivage serves wonderful dishes flavoured with the native chilli pepper, piment d’espelette.

The post Go loco: top 10 autumn city breaks in Europe by train | Travel appeared first on Tripstations.

from Tripstations https://ift.tt/31wfsYm via IFTTT

[suckitsurveys]

Do you own a pink toaster? Nope. I own a blue toaster, tho. Do you live by yourself? Nope. I live with my husband and our three kitties. Do you shower everyday? No. Is English your native language? Yes.

Do you like cleaning? Sometimes.

Who is your favorite character from Harry Potter? I’m not into Harry Potter but if I had to pick, Hermione, naturally. Do you hear any music now? Nope. My coworker is doing this training and his headphones don’t work so he’s fucking blasting it through his speakers and I hate it so much. Do you watch PewDiePie? No. Are you married? I am. Do you like Despacito? Ya know, I don’t hate it. Do you drink coffee? I drink lattes. Do you know any Swedish words? I’m blanking. Do you play Pokemon Go? Not super often but every once in a while I open it up if I’m out somewhere. Do you think you’re fat? I know I am fat. Did you ever color your hair pink? It’s currently pink. Super grown out and faded, but pink. Do you press Caps Lock or hold Shift for capital letters? Shift, I’m not a heathen. Do you own any pop figures? Yes. I have all the Belchers from Bob’s Burgers, Ron Swanson from Parks an Rec, and Gus from Breaking Bad. I really want Princess Carolyn from BoJack and Hopper from Stranger Things 3. Unrelated: my birthday is Sept 2nd. Do you like Dr. Phil? No. Do you prefer to be inside or outside? Outside. Do you drink energy drinks? No. Do you eat meat? Yes. Do you need to do the dishes? Yeah. Do you have any posters in your room? In our living room. How old were you in 2010? I turned 21. Are you scared of clowns? No. Who is your favorite youtuber? Grav3YardGirl. Do you have any subscribers on YouTube? I think my husband is subscribed to me? Lol. I don’t make videos regularly. I have some on there from a class I took in college but that’s about it. Do you believe in ghosts? Yes. Do you salt your popcorn? Yes, lightly. Do you like McDonalds? I do. Do you have a Steam account? No. Is the sun shining right now? Yes. What time is it? 10:18am. How much battery do you have on your phone? 100%. What device are you using while taking this survey? My work computer oops. Do you brush your teeth everyday? Yes. Do you bite your nails? Nope. Except for if one breaks and I need to even the rest of the nail out and don’t have clippers handy. Do you like gaming? Eh. What’s the first word that comes to your mind if I say: Boop! Kitty noses. What month is it? July. Do you like reading books? Yes, I just don’t do it often. Have you ever played Five Nights at Freddy’s? I’ve seen Mark play it. Do you like horror movies? I don’t hate them but I don’t seek them out. Is your favorite animal a dog? Nope. Pandas, bats, and kitties are my favorite animals. Do you have a pet cat? I have three. Do you like chicken nuggets? Yeah. I prefer chicken strips/tenders/fingers, though. What color is the ceiling in the room? White. Do you own a car? Yes. What age do you turn on your next birthday? 30. Do you like religion? No. Have you ever tried Akinator? I don’t know what that is. Do you like Grand Theft Auto V? I’ve seen Mark play. It’s okay.

Are you wearing socks right now? Nope.

Do you have a headache? Nope. Do you cry a lot? Define “a lot.” Can you twerk? Sure. Do you like dabbing? OMG that reminds me, at my grandmother’s birthday party a few weeks go my 5 year old niece came up to me out of nowhere and dabbed. Like. How does she even know what that is. Name four things in the room. A purple neon bat light, Can money buy you happiness? In this capitalist society, yes. What was the last country you visited? Only Canada and I was teeny tiny. Do you like fishing? Eh. Do you want to be famous? Sometimes. Do you have any siblings? A sister. Have you ever been to a funeral? Yes. Do you have a Spotify account? I do. Have you heard of Blizzard Entertainment? Yeah. Mark has a WoW account. Clearly Mark should be taking this survey. Do you drink milk? If I am eating something really chocolatey, yeah. I use soy or almond milk in cereal. Are you tired? Always. Do you like bananas? Yes. Are you addicted to anything? Food. Are you in love? Yes. What’s the temperature outside? 79 F Do you like snow? I do and I don’t. It’s pretty to look at but I hate driving and walking in it. And it happens too much here. Where are you from? Illinos. Would you rather Play, Pause, Rewind, Fast Forward or Stop? Uh. Do you know your phone number? Yes? What do you think of Fifty Shades of Grey? You mean fifty shades of r*pe? Do you swear in front of children? I try to watch my mouth but it slips out sometimes. Is my grammar fine? Sure.

[keijay-blog]

New Post has been published on https://cookingtipsandreviews.com/build-a-memorable-hot-chocolate-bar-for-your-next/

Build a Memorable Hot Chocolate Bar for Your Next ...

amzn_assoc_placement = "adunit0"; amzn_assoc_tracking_id = "makemoneyq-20"; amzn_assoc_ad_mode = "search"; amzn_assoc_ad_type = "smart"; amzn_assoc_marketplace = "amazon"; amzn_assoc_region = "US"; amzn_assoc_title = "Shop Related Products"; amzn_assoc_default_search_phrase = "cooking"; amzn_assoc_default_category = "Kitchen"; amzn_assoc_linkid = "51fe4d035c7af8dc5928e6f5e5b79c4e"; amzn_assoc_default_browse_node = "284507"; amzn_assoc_rows = "4"; amzn_assoc_design = "text_links";

Buttery Radish Baguette

My dad and brother are crazy for radishes, and this peppery baguette appetizer is a big-time favorite. Add a sprinkle of fresh dill or parsley on top. —Kathy Hewitt, Cranston, Rhode Island

Get Recipe

Spicy Crab Salad Tapas

I served these at a party and everyone went wild! These delicious morsels have a crispy flaky outside filled with creamy sweet crab that has a little kick. I used scalloped edge cookie cutters to cut my pastry, but you can use a small biscuit cutter. —Vanessa Mason, Summerdale, Alabama

Get Recipe

Simple Waldorf Salad

This is my go-to salad when I need a quick little something for a meal. Sometimes when I want a sweeter taste I use whipped cream instead of yogurt. —Wendy Masters, East Garafraxa, Ontario

Get Recipe

Smoked Salmon Deviled Eggs with Dill

My family is of Danish heritage, and my husband makes our smoked salmon. To use it, I came up with these dilly deviled eggs. They’re a real treat and nice addition to any meal. —Charlotte Giltner, Mesa, Arizona

Get Recipe

Cucumber Canapes

I always get requests for the recipe for these canapes whenever I serve them. They’re delicate finger sandwiches with a creamy herb spread and festive red and green garnishes. —Nadine Whittaker, South Plymouth, Massachusetts

Get Recipe

Layered Fresh Fruit Salad

People always pass on compliments when I take this salad to covered-dish suppers. It’s nice on a hot day…with a winter meal…or as a dessert! We live on a small farm where my garden gives me lots of possibilities for fresh food. —Page Alexander, Baldwin City, Kansas

Get Recipe

Oysters Rockefeller

My husband and I are oyster farmers, and this classic dish always delights our guests. It’s deliciously simple! —Beth Walton, Eastham, Massachusetts

Get Recipe

Herb-Roasted Olives & Tomatoes

Eat these roasted veggies with a crunchy baguette or a couple of cheeses. You can also double, or triple, the amounts and have leftovers to toss with spaghetti the next day. —Anndrea Bailey, Huntington Beach, California

Get Recipe

Rye Party Puffs

I can’t go anywhere without taking along my puffs. They’re pretty enough for a wedding reception yet hearty enough to snack on while the gang is watching football on television. A platterful of these will disappear even with a small group. —Kelly Williams, La Porte, Indiana

Get Recipe

Dilly Cheese Ball

The whole family devours this herby cheese spread—even my son, the chef. Serve it with your favorite crackers. —Jane Vince, London, Ontario

Get Recipe

Chicken Pot Stickers

Chicken and mushrooms make up the filling in these pot stickers, a traditional Chinese dumpling. Greasing the steamer rack makes it easier to remove them once they’re steamed. —Jacquelynne Stine, Las Vegas, Nevada

Get Recipe

Salmon Mousse Canapes

It’s so easy to top crunchy cucumber slices with a smooth and creamy salmon filling. Guests rave about the fun presentation, contrasting textures and refreshing flavor. —Barb Templin, Norwwood, Minnesota

Get Recipe

Spicy Shrimp & Crab Cocktail

I don’t usually like radishes, but I love them in this shrimp cocktail. Serve it straight up, with tortilla chips or on a bed of butter lettuce. A zippy Bloody Mary mix works just as well as spicy V8. —Heidi Knaak, Liberty, Missouri

Get Recipe

Meatballs with Cranberry Dipping Sauce

With their cranberry dipping sauce, these no-fuss appetizer meatballs make use of traditional Thanksgiving ingredients, so they’re ideal around the holiday or anytime you’re craving those favorite seasonal tastes.—Ann Baker, Texarkana, Texas

Get Recipe

Smoked Trout Pate

This tasty spread is easy to make in a food processor, and it’s a guaranteed winner at any party. The recipe is versatile, so feel free to substitute other favorite smoked fish.—Judy Walle, Toledo, Ohio

Get Recipe

Pancetta, Pear & Pecan Puffs

I was recently at a wedding reception where the menu was all small bites. Here’s my rendition of the pear pastries they served. They’re the perfect combo of savory and sweet. —Arlene Erlbach, Morton Grove, Illinois

Get Recipe

Three-Cheese Fondue

I got this easy recipe from my daughter, who lives in France. It’s become my go-to fondue, and I make it often for our family.—Betty A. Mangas, Toledo, Ohio

Get Recipe

Smoked Salmon Bites

Because smoked salmon is one of my favorite ingredients, it plays a big role here. Best of all, there’s no cooking involved. —Tom Faglon, Somerset, New Jersey

Get Recipe

Autumn Pepper Relish

This colorful pepper relish is a favorite with friends and family—everyone always asks for the recipe because it tastes great on just about everything. I like to serve it over cream cheese with crackers or a sliced French baguette. I also include a jar in gift baskets. —Barbara Pletzke, Herndon, Virginia

Get Recipe

Artichoke & Caper Cream Soup

I adore the flavors of oyster mushrooms, capers and artichokes. So after experimenting with several batches, I came up with this soup. Every year I’m asked to bring it to our office Christmas party.

Get Recipe

Roast Beef Finger Sandwiches

These simple sandwiches are ideal for a bridal shower, brunch or high tea, when the menu is a bit more substantial. The mustard adds a nice kick without being overly spicy. —Anndrea Bailey, Huntington Beach, California

Get Recipe

Pimiento Cheddar Spread

I was a theater major in college, and our director’s mother always made sure we were well fed. I was particularly fond of her pimento cheese sandwiches and tried making a similar spread for crackers. It tastes just as good as I remember! —Katrina Jameson, Brandon, Mississippi

Get Recipe

Crabbie Phyllo Cups

I always like a little extra chili sauce on top of these easy snacks. If you’re out of crab, try them with water-packed tuna. —Johnna Johnson, Scottsdale, Arizona

Get Recipe

Sesame-Beef Pot Stickers

I enjoy having these little dumplings as a late-night snack while I’m watching television. They also work well as a quick appetizer for parties. —Carolyn Turner, Reno, Nevada

Get Recipe

Mini Crab Cakes

Fresh crab is one of my all-time favorite foods so whenever I get the chance to cook with it I will often make this dish. It’s great for appetizers but you can make larger ones for a fantastic dinner with a simple salad. —Ellen Riley, Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Get Recipe

Garlic-Dill Deviled Eggs

In my family, Easter isn’t complete without deviled eggs. Fresh dill and garlic perk up the flavor of these irresistible appetizers you’ll want to eat on every occasion. —Kami Horch, Calais, Maine

Get Recipe

One-Bite Tamales

Clever little meatballs deliver the flavor and rich sauce of a traditional tamale in a bite-sized portion. They’re a delightfully different addition to a holiday spread. —Dolores Jaycox, Gretna, Louisiana

Get Recipe

Shrimp in Phyllo Cups

I almost didn’t make these appetizers for last year’s Christmas party because I was running out of time, but I knew they’d be a tasty hit. Simple to make, the cups have few ingredients and look beautiful on the plate—very gourmet! This turned out to be one of the night’s favorites, and they just flew off the plate. —Terri Edmunds, Naperville, Illinois

Get Recipe

Pressure Cooker Marinated Mushrooms

Here’s a terrific healthy addition to any buffet spread. Mushrooms and pearl onions seasoned with herbs, balsamic and red wine are terrific on their own or alongside a tenderloin roast. —Courtney Wilson, Fresno, California

Get Recipe

Sweet Pea Pesto Crostini

I made a healthier spin on my favorite celebrity chef’s recipe by using hearty vegetable broth and less cheese. To top crostini, use less broth for a paste-like pesto. For use on pasta, add more broth for a sauce-like consistency. —Amber Massey, Argyle, Texas

Get Recipe

Creamy Red Pepper Veggie Dip

I got this recipe from a college roommate. Thick and creamy with just a touch of sweetness, this colorful dip is a winner served with chunky veggies. —Lynne German, Woodland Hills, California

Get Recipe

Florentine Almond Artichoke Mounds

I always enjoyed traditional artichoke cheese dip, and for a drinks and appetizer party, wanted to create a new appetizer that was a spin on that. This original creation is a bit reminiscent of the dip recipe, and works well on a buffet. —Sherry Johnston, Green Cove Springs, Florida

Get Recipe

Calamari Salad

This is one of the seven fish dishes we serve at Christmas time. It is easy to make and quite delicious! I enjoy it served both warm and cold. Either way, it has become one of our traditional dishes each year. The recipe has been passed down to me through my grandparents, who were excellent cooks. —Paul Rinaldi, Easton, Pennsylvania

Get Recipe

Pina Colada Dip

If you like pina coladas, you’ve gotta try this fluffy fruit dip. Scooped up with a slice of fresh pineapple, it tastes just like the beloved beachside drink. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Get Recipe

Slow Cooker Marinated Mushrooms

Here’s a terrific healthy addition to any buffet spread. Mushrooms and pearl onions seasoned with herbs, balsamic and red wine are terrific on their own or alongside a tenderloin roast. —Courtney Wilson, Fresno, California

Get Recipe

Shrimp Cakes with Spicy Aioli Sauce

I made these for our staff Christmas party last year; they were such a hit that I was flooded with requests for the recipe the next day. Throughout the year, whenever I needed favors done at school, people gladly helped as long as I promised to bring them shrimp cakes! This year’s Christmas party is coming up, and I’m already being asked if I am bringing the shrimp cakes—I guess I am! —Linda Zilar, Kennewick, Washington

Get Recipe

Italian Steak Bruschetta

This recipe combines my favorite things to eat: toast, steak, bruschetta topping and delicious pancetta. It’s looks so pretty on the plate! This five-ingredient appetizer is easy to prepare but will have everyone thinking you spent a long time in the kitchen. —Devon Delaney, Westport, Connecticut

Get Recipe

Chinese Meatballs

These were a huge hit at a cookout I attended recently! You can use two tablespoons of chopped crystallized ginger in place of the fresh ginger if you like. —Pat Barnes, Panama City, Florida

Get Recipe

Smoked Salmon Deviled Eggs

Flaky salmon and creamy sauce go so well over hard-boiled eggs. Drizzle the sauce or serve it on the side; it’s great either way. —Marinela Dragan, Portland, Oregon

Get Recipe

Chutney-Topped Cream Cheese Spread

I’ve had the pleasure of introducing many of my friends and family to chutney, that sweet and savory fruit sauce. Make the spread even faster by using chive-flavored whipped cream cheese. —Michelle Torkelson, Ham Lake, Minnesota

Get Recipe

Creamy Chicken Vol-au-Vent

My friends and I have been getting together for “ladies lunches” for years. These vol-au-vents are the perfect no-fuss fancy food; they look complicated, but are actually simple and fun to make. Whenever I think of good friends and good company, I think of these savory pastries. —Shauna Havey, Roy, Utah

Get Recipe

Oyster Cheese Appetizer Log

When you say “holiday tradition” around our house, this appetizer comes to mind immediately. Every winter, I make lots of cheese logs and freeze them for when I’m expecting company or need to take food to someone’s home. The blend of smoked oysters, chili powder, nuts and cream cheese tastes good-even people who don’t like oysters may enjoy this interesting appetizer. —William Tracy, Jerseyville, Illinois

Get Recipe

Spiced Pickled Beets

With spicy, robust flavor, these pickled beets are so good, they’ll convert any naysayers! —Edna Hoffman, Hebron, Indiana

Get Recipe

Three-Cheese Souffles

No matter when I’ve made these soufflés, they have always been a success. Although I’ve never seen the centers start to fall, it’s best to plan on serving them hot from the oven. —Jean Ference, Sherwood Park, Alberta

Get Recipe

Shrimp & Cucumber Rounds

I always make these appetizers for our get-togethers. They’re easy to prepare and a snappy addition to any party. —Kelly Alaniz, Eureka, California

Get Recipe

Microwave Pickles

You can enjoy a small batch of these sweet crunchy pickles anytime without the work of traditional canning methods. They’re loaded with flavor and so easy to make. —Marie Wladyka, Land O’Lakes, Florida

Get Recipe

amzn_assoc_placement = "adunit0"; amzn_assoc_search_bar = "true"; amzn_assoc_search_bar_position = "bottom"; amzn_assoc_tracking_id = "makemoneyq-20"; amzn_assoc_ad_mode = "search"; amzn_assoc_ad_type = "smart"; amzn_assoc_marketplace = "amazon"; amzn_assoc_region = "US"; amzn_assoc_title = "Shop Related Products"; amzn_assoc_default_search_phrase = "cookware"; amzn_assoc_default_category = "All"; amzn_assoc_linkid = "b45319dac495d29e17b5eff312392025"; Source link

[mrwizard555-blog]

Guatemala 2018

Eric and I left for Guatemala on Saturday, October 20, 2018.  We rose at 4:00am and Deb, Eric and I headed to Logan.  We had an 8:30 flight to Dallas/Fort Worth and then onto Guatemala.  Eric and I do not talk a lot as both of us are rather quiet, and given how tired we both were we spoke very little on the flight to TX.  We landed at 11:30 (roughly) and had a 4 hour layover.  While there we were also to meet up with the  rest of the team.  We ate, played some cards, took a nap and waited.  I asked Eric if he was a little hesitant about what we were getting into and he said yeah.  I agreed with him but we both decided it was an adventure and we would take whatever the trip gave us.  The flight to Guatemala was pretty basic - I watched Dead Pool 2.  We met up with everyone, got our luggage, cleared customs, and hopped into our vans for the ride to the hotel, the Euro Hostal.  It was a decent place with a whole wall dedicated to license plates from everywhere.  Rooms were clean and after a meeting with the team we crashed.

The next morning we had about a 2 1/2 hour drive to get to San Lucas Toliman, which is a village on Lake Atitlan.  Leaving the Hostal we finally got a good view of the area.  There are walls along the streets on both sides.  Everything is closed off for security.  Side streets have gates and along the top of all the walls are barbed wire. It gave us a bit of a worry given how fortified everything was.  The drive out was an experience as well.  There are no rules while driving on these roads.  And as we drove up into the mountains, along mountain pass roads, we consistently pulled over to the left to pass other vehicles.  It didn’t matter if we couldn’t see 30 yards in front of us.  Eric, Fran, and I were also in the very back of the van, with a wall of suitcases packed to the ceiling directly behind our heads.  All I kept thinking was if we stop short those are crashing down on top of our heads.  But we made it without incident.

Once we arrived at San Lucas I got to see just how beautiful Lake Atitlan is.  It is surrounded - and created by - 3 active volcanoes.  The lake is 1,100 feet deep and huge.  The mountain range around the lake is beautiful and as I sat on our deck at dusk it was amazing listening to all the birds and animals in the jungle around us.  Once we got settled into our rooms we all met up and walked down to the lake, which is a fun filled meeting area for locals.  Lots of people, music, families, and food being sold.  (don’t eat the food).  We all hopped on a boat and took a ride across the lake to San Juan.  Another village with a great many shops.  But the ride was spectacular.  You got to see multiple areas/villages/homes around the lake and understand just how pretty it is.  The village was nice, but poor and run down quite a bit.  It was definitely set up for tourists as the streets were lined with shops.  With Auntie Fran leading I think we visited every one of them.  The  people here are very nice and friendly.  I’ve been told not to eat anything off of the street but I really want to try some of this stuff.  But when we visited Cancun, Dylan and Deb ate stuff from the street folks and got violently sick and it ruined their trip.  So I am not eating anything I’m not supposed to.  Once back to San Lucas we ate dinner in the church/mission, cleaned the dishes and wiped down tables.  Then had a meeting to go over all that is expected, walked back to the hotel and sorted through 10 large bags with medical supplies, preparing for tomorrows work.  My next installment will pick up then, with our first day of working the clinic and helping people.  That will be on Monday, October 22nd, my Carolyn’s 19th birthday.

Monday - October 22

We woke a little before 7:00am after a night of listening to dogs barking and fighting, and roosters crowing since about 3:30.  Eric was a bit grumpy.  We all meet at the mission for breakfast by 8:00.  We stand in a circle and someone leads us in prayer and we all sing some song, which is printed out for everyone so we all know the words.  It may sound a bit dorky, but it is actually quite nice.  Eric never leads my side.  And I can hear him singing along with everyone else.  Us newbies, first timers to Guatemala with this group, then hop onto the back of a small pickup truck, standing in the back, and drive to the local hospital.  We see this because it is tied to the same mission, as is the school we later visit, and all involved are very proud of how far everything has come along over the last 50 years, primarily lead by one priest.  Whose name now escapes me but I’ll add it in later.  The hospital is actually pretty nice, for being in Guatemala, and in 2017 served over 20,000 people.  San Lucas Toliman has a population of 17,000, so many people from neighboring villages come here for help.  The hospital recently had an x-ray machine donated to it, which was needed because the one they were using was from WWII.  It was, because they still have it and we saw it.  They also recently had an ambulance donated to it, which is actually another small pickup truck with a box built on the top.  Honestly, I think it would be too small inside to allow someone 6′2″ to lie down if needed.  But again, it is far better than not having anything at all.  After that tour we went to the local school, again 11 of us piling into the bed of a small pickup.  The school is very nice, with over 800 students.  It is private with families paying about $1.80/week (US) to send their children there.  They recently adopted the Montessori technique for teaching - which I don’t fully understand but have heard of before.

Once our tours were complete it was time to meet up with the others down the mountain at the village we were to work for the afternoon, from 1:00 to 4:00pm.  The ride down was again 11 of us piled into the back of a small pickup, this time shooting down the mountain doing roughly 50 MPH.  The driving here is a bit wild, with “chicken buses” driving faster than anyone else, passing on the left at any point in the road, not caring what could be coming in the other direction.  Eric loved it.  The village was small and very hilly.  We worked in a small 1 floor room and set up stations.  Eric, Jonathon (another boy 1 year younger than Eric and in 8th grade) and I worked the reading glasses station.  We were to test people who had a hard time seeing things close up - which for the US is mostly reading but here can be threading needles, fish hooks, etc.  Primary necessities for many.  We used a tripod with a yard stick attached at the top.  This allowed people to put their forehead against the yard stick, which was 14″ away from an eye test chart taped to the yard stick and hanging down from it.  Our interpreter, Oscar, would explain what we needed them to do, which was read the numbers with one eye at a time, downward to see how small a font they could see without any glasses.  We then tested them with varying strength eye glasses, from 1.0 to 3.25.  It was a great feeling when you watched someone put on the proper strength eyeglass and read all the way to the tiniest print.  They beamed.  It was also funny when the young girls would show up at our station.  They knew we would also give away sunglasses if they asked, but first they had to take the test.  All of them had 20/20 vision and when asked why were they there they simply asked for the sunglasses, which we gave them.  Some people we were not able to help though.  These folks had more serious issues and the glasses weren’t really going to make much of a difference.  I wanted to explain things to them but couldn’t, due to my lack of the Spanish language.  We didn’t wrap up on time, not finishing until after 5:00.  This could have been problematic because of all the supplies we bring with us, including drugs.  We wanted to be back and unloaded before dark, which did not happen tonight.  Eric and I had a chance to talk towards the end of the day, before we had to pack up.  Eric said that this made him wish he was fluent in Spanish because the people are so nice and friendly that he would have liked to talk to them, but couldn’t.  He also said this was making him look at being a doctor a little differently.  He could see how this was truly helping people and making a difference in their lives.  Along with making a lot of money, which of course he added in.  But day 1 working down here and he is seeing things a little differently.  Very nice.  Our ride back, while harrowing to me, was uneventful, thankfully.  We enjoyed dinner together, prayed and sang together again and came back to our rooms.  Everyone truly shuts down after dinner, enjoying a little quiet time and going to bed early because they are all exhausted.  For the second night in a row I”m writing this blog and Eric is snoring next to me.  I’m off to sleep too because I am also exhausted.

Tuesday - October 23rd

Similar day as Monday.  Things get into a routine here with Breakfast at 8:00, prayer in a big circle before we eat, wash dishes and wipe down tables, and make sandwiches.  Hop into the back of a small pickup truck and pray you make the journey safely.  On Tuesday I went with Larry at 8:30 to the hospital to help load all the suitcases of equipment onto one of our trucks.  We then headed back to the mission, picked up everyone else and headed to our village.  Eric was making sandwiches while I went to get the bags with Larry.  We are on different teams for these domestic duties.  Eric, Oscar (our translator), and I were on reading glasses again.  We test peoples vision, try a couple of strengths of reading glasses and repeat.  This day we were working next to a school and the schoolyard where the kids play was just outside.  So at lunchtime Jonathon, Eric, and I started kicking a soccer ball around and some local little kids joined us.  Eric and Jonathon played for a while, which was nice.  Oscar and I managed the glasses alone for most of the afternoon, which was fine.  We finished up earlier than some others so the 2 of us walked around the village.  Not really much to see, but on our way back some little kids went running by us, looking at me, and yelling “gringo!”.  It was pretty funny.  

Even though October is still part of Guatemala’s rainy season we have been blessed with beautiful weather.  It hasn’t rained on us yet.  

That night, after dinner a few of us walked to get ice cream.  We went to the local park which had a nice basketball court and some kids were playing.  Eric was so upset that he has a broken finger because he wanted to play.  The kids there weren’t very good and I think he believed he could take them.  The fair/carnival was closing down and rides were being dismantled in the streets.  The carnival doesn’t set up in some open piece of land like at home.  They set up their rides in the street and shut the streets down.  The ferris wheel was still going though and was probably the fastest spinning ferris wheel I’ve ever seen.  It was a nice day and the routine is getting to be familiar now.  Enjoyable even.

Wednesday - October 24th

We started out as usual, breakfast at 8:00.  The food here is actually quite good and I think we will be lugging a lot of the food we brought with us back home, or give it to the team who are staying another week.  A nice problem to have because the food could have been terrible, and so this is much better.

There was a mass going on during breakfast which was specifically for the hospital workers, so when the mass ended we lined up on both sides of the exit doors and clapped and thanked the workers for all they do.  They loved it.

Today at the clinic Eric and I got to work with the dentist.  This is not like a dentist at home.  There is little preventive care, if any, and the villagers only show up to have teeth pulled.  Eric’s jobs were to sterilize the equipment, which was continually used, washed, and reused all day, discard the bloody gauze, and throw out the teeth.  He also handed out free toothbrushes and toothpaste to all the patients.  He was magnificent.  He did a great job, enjoyed the autonomy of having his own tasks to perform, and didn’t make one mistake.  My job was to take temperatures of all potential patients and blood pressure of adults.  I enjoyed today’s work more as well.  I got to interact with villagers more than with the eye glasses because I didn’t have an interpreter with me.  It was a little bumpy sometimes but fun.  I actually had to take my own temperature for one little girl because she was terrified and had no idea what the thermometer was.  Once I showed it she reluctantly let me put it in her mouth and get the reading.  There were a lot of teeth pulled but very little screaming or crying, and we saw a lot of little kids.  They’re tough.  I think they live with tooth pain for so long that the thought of pulling it and having the pain be gone is a happy prospect for them.

Another harrowing ride back with 11 of us standing in the back of a little Toyota pickup, prayer, dinner, clean up, and after dinner meeting/prayer stuff again.  But then we walked back to the hotel and the Red Sox were playing game 2 of the World Series against LA.  Which I was able to watch on the 1 tv at the hotel which is in the outdoor patio area.  Team members joined me for a little while, which was nice because normally we all separate at this time.  It was even nicer because the Sox won and now have a 2 game to 0 lead on LA.  Go Sox!