Thursday, August 21, 2014

Fighting the winter blues: Apple cinnamon pnacakes with vanilla blueberry sauce.

The days are getting longer and buds are springing up in the garden. While these are indicators that spring is coming, it is still REALLY BLOODY COLD. My fingers feel like they are in a constant state of chill and I have given up even pretending that I am moderating the heat in my house (it's ALL the way up ALL the time!). Today, because I crazy (and blah blah heart health maintaining fitness blah blah), I went for a swim. Who does that when it is 13 degrees outside? I clearly need some sort of professional help.

After that swim I felt cold, miserable, a little bit fitter and very very hungry. I wanted something sweet and hot but not too unhealthy, so I grabbed a bunch of stuff from the fridge and pantry and made these delicious morsels:


They are without a doubt the most divine pancakes I have ever made in my life! And, since they contain two different fruits, they are basically a health food. Plus cinnamon is an anti-inflammatory and I'm sure I read somewhere that vanilla is good for something. I am on to a winner!

 So I don't forget the recipe, I am writing it down here. Would it be bad to have it again for breakfast tomorrow? Surely something that feels so right could never be wrong...


Apple cinnamon pancakes

1 cup plain flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 granny smith apple, peeled, cored and grated
3/4 cup milk
1 tsp cinnamon
1 free-range egg, beaten

Mix dry ingredients. Add grated apple and wet ingredients. Cook over medium-high heat until golden, 3-4 minutes per side.

Vanilla blueberry sauce

1 cup frozen berries
1 cup water
1 tsp vanilla essense
1/4 cup sugar

Bring to the boil in a small saucepan then reduce the heat to a simmer. Cook until the berries have broken down and the sauce is of the desired thickness (about one hour for me but I have a very slow electric cooktop).

Thursday, August 7, 2014

Victor Hugo at the State Library

Today's post contains no knitting. This is largely because, well, I haven't done any. I have read blogs of people who have written books and completed medical degrees while churning out socks and jumpers; not so for me AT ALL. The second I get a bit busy, my knitting becomes a talisman for warding off stress and a symbol of future blissful free time (and is always, always stockinette).

However, as pointed out by Stanley Kubrick, all work and no play makes Jack completely bonkers (and kind of a boring dinner party guest), so yesterday I left my warm and cosy desk and drove into the State Library to see the Victor Hugo: Les Miserable from page to stage exhibition. The State Library always makes me happy and yesterday was no exception. Not only is it a gorgeous building, the staff are so friendly and always feels like such a vibrant part of the city. Plus, weird things happen to your photos!



I took that from the fourth floor balcony. It looked normal at the time but kind of eerie in the photograph...




Les Mis is not one of my favourite stories - I've actually never seen it in full nor read the book. I still did find the exhibition interesting, though, because of the historical context. Les Mis was a huge influence on the French Revolution and in it Victor Hugo personified the concerns of a nation. It was a time when a novel could actually change real-life events!  (and not just by inspiring people to name their children ridiculous names like "daenyres", which I know is spelt incorrectly but refuse to look up.)

It's pretty fascinating stuff.

Plus they have a bit at the end where you can dress up as a character!


I didn't do it because all of the women's clothes were very complicated and with lots of boning in the uncomfortable-looking corsets, but my friend Christian looked very dashing in his top hat and brocade jacket.

When I got home, Lucy wouldn't talk to me. She sat a metre away from me to make sure I didn't leave again, but refused any other form of interaction.


Stupid cat! It was nice to be home, though :)