BS: Does my English look big in this?

Subject: BS: Does my English look big in this?
From: Sleepy Rosie
Date: 17 Dec 08 - 06:44 AM

Define 'Tra'. 'folk music' how? Discuss. If I put pins in my eyes, would it be fun? Cheeky starving Cokney cherubs! Lummy lawks. "Shovel your shit mister?" Where's my heritage, I want it and I want it NOW!!

Subject: RE: BS: Does my English look big in this?
From: Paul Burke
Date: 17 Dec 08 - 06:49 AM

In one experiment, to prove that colour was caused by pressure on the eye, Newton slid a darning needle around the side of his eye until he could poke at its rear side, dispassionately noting "white, darke & coloured circles" so long as he kept stirring with "ye bodkin."


Wikipedia

Subject: RE: BS: Does my English look big in this?
From: Paul Burke
Date: 17 Dec 08 - 06:50 AM

Looks like you should go easy on the Co-Codamol tablets BTW.

Subject: RE: BS: Does my English look big in this?
From: GUEST,lox
Date: 17 Dec 08 - 06:58 AM

Not big, just poorly constructed ;-)

Subject: RE: BS: Does my English look big in this?
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 17 Dec 08 - 07:01 AM

Newton lived in the next village to me, and went to the Dame School in my village before going up to King's in Grantham.

Terrible for graffiti, he was. There's sundials scratched into stone church walls all over the bloody place ascribed to him, and he was constantly scratching pictures into the plaster at home. Little sod. Clearly had an obsession with sharp objects.

Subject: RE: BS: Does my English look big in this?
From: Will Fly
Date: 17 Dec 08 - 07:53 AM

Newton was worth a Mint when he died...

Subject: RE: BS: Does my English look big in this?
From: catspaw49
Date: 17 Dec 08 - 07:57 AM

Personally, I never gave a fig for him...........

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: Does my English look big in this?
From: Joseph P
Date: 17 Dec 08 - 08:03 AM

YOUR village? ;-)

Subject: RE: BS: Does my English look big in this?
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 17 Dec 08 - 08:24 AM

What happened to the other two, Olivia, and John?

Subject: RE: BS: Does my English look big in this?
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 17 Dec 08 - 08:37 AM

Yes, Joseph, I own it. My official title is Lady Muck, and my duties consist of Swanning About.

Kindly doff your hat and curtsey simultaneously next time you speak to me. Or just caper.

Subject: RE: BS: Does my English look big in this?
From: Sleepy Rosie
Date: 17 Dec 08 - 10:28 AM

"Not big, just poorly constructed"

I can definitely blame that on my heritage, it occurs in the female line.

Oh, whatever happened to ye grande old tradition of whalebone corsets? >Sighs wistfully...<

Subject: RE: BS: Does my English look big in this?
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 17 Dec 08 - 10:41 AM

Rosie, I believe I understand your feelings.

Long ago I read a book about language which introduced a valuable new word. That word was 'metastatement.' When we are talking about something, we are making statements. If we talk about the talking, we make metastatements. Examples of metastatements:

You have such a cute accent!
It's not what you said, it's how you said it.
She uses too many big words.
Professor Jones is indulging in hyberbole.
The subject of an infinitive is in the objective case.
      (He wants ME to make stollen again.)

Here at the Mudcat, we get posts about songs. Those are statements.

Then we get posts about 'is that song folk?' Those are metastatements.

Now we've had a thread asking 'Why do people get so het up when they talk about whether a song is folk?' That is a metametastatement.

Pretty soon nobody will sing or play anything anymore, we'll all be wrangling via computer. Sad, innit?

Subject: RE: BS: Does my English look big in this?
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 17 Dec 08 - 11:02 AM

I wish someone would make me stollen. Extra marzipan, please.

Subject: RE: BS: Does my English look big in this?
From: Jack Blandiver
Date: 17 Dec 08 - 11:05 AM

Make Stollen? Surely the traditional English way is to buy it from Lidl...

Subject: RE: BS: Does my English look big in this?
From: Kampervan
Date: 17 Dec 08 - 05:11 PM

Isn't there some irony in buying stollen?

Subject: RE: BS: Does my English look big in this?
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 17 Dec 08 - 05:22 PM

Sainsbury's Taste the Difference stollen is rather fabulous, actually.

Kampervan: yes.

Subject: RE: BS: Does my English look big in this?
From: Sleepy Rosie
Date: 17 Dec 08 - 05:24 PM

That's good to know. I'm a bit anaemic at the mo'.

Subject: RE: BS: Does my English look big in this?
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 17 Dec 08 - 08:50 PM

Ruth Archer was hinting that I make her a stollen with extra marzipan.

Sorry, Ruth. I'm from Milwaukee, and people from Milwaukee don't put marzipan in the stollen. Too many Lutherans, maybe.

But if you want a cup of good coffee...

Subject: RE: BS: Does my English look big in this?
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 17 Dec 08 - 09:03 PM

Damn - i guess I'll have to go back to Sainsbury's to replace the one we've already eaten, then...

Subject: RE: BS: Does my English look big in this?
From: Amos
Date: 17 Dec 08 - 09:09 PM

IS that the answer to the question, then?



A

Subject: RE: BS: Does my English look big in this?
From: Ythanside
Date: 17 Dec 08 - 09:45 PM

Irony stollen (like every other offering she bakes) happens to be my good lady's speciality.
Apparently, she had just the one cooking lesson as an adolescent, which may be reduced to 'When it's brown it's cookin', an' when it's black it's cooked.'
No surprise, then, that no-one in this household has ever suffered from anaemia, and that any tanning of the epidermis hereabouts is not due to sunburn but is actually rust.
But don't tell her I said so. :-)

Subject: RE: BS: Does my English look big in this?
From: Bee-dubya-ell
Date: 17 Dec 08 - 09:57 PM

In one experiment, to prove that colour was caused by pressure on the eye, Newton slid a darning needle around the side of his eye until he could poke at its rear side, dispassionately noting "white, darke & coloured circles" so long as he kept stirring with "ye bodkin."

Use of the term "darning needle" in the above quote is questionable. It gives the impression Newton was poking a sharp needle in his eye. However, he calls it a "bodkin" which is a needle with a rounded, not sharp, point. Bodkins are commonly used for sewing ribbon into eyelet lace. Click for pic.

Subject: RE: BS: Does my English look big in this?
From: Sleepy Rosie
Date: 18 Dec 08 - 05:47 AM

Once Upon a Time in Thee Land of Merrie Olde Englande Mrs. Layde Muck was Swanning About eating Goosgog Pie, Lardy Da Cake and stumbling over funny looking little brown people.

"Oh Yuck!" she thought "These terrorists are cluttering up my lawn sumfing rotten." So she called that nice Nick Berry from Heartbeat round.

"Ello ello ello, what's all this then?" he said, and waving his magic form wot he got off the government, promptly put all the serfs and gypsies and other funny looking brown people in a 'safe place'.

"Ta for that love!" said Layde Muck, removing an emaciated clod of serf from her dainty carriage wheel. "Always happy to oblige M'am!" said nice Nick Berry (who was also the local BNP representative), "Gawd save the Queen M'am!"

"What a common sychophantic arsewipe" thought Lady Muck and smiled condescendingly (just like 'ordinary' people!)

Earlier, a thought provoking art installation at Auschwitz had clashed embarrassingly with her pretty Gingham frock.

"Just say the magic words "Hollohoax, Hollohoax Go-away you inconvenient evidence of genocide. Come again another day!" winked nice Nick Berry conspiritorially.

And after saying the magic words Ladye Muck had a nice cuppa Yorkshire Tea and gazed upon a culturally soothing print of The Haywain (Comfortably Reassurring)
to make her feel all better again.

"Isn't it Bloody Brilliant that we invaded India!?" she mused nostalgically. "Cor an old fashioned cuppa rosy lee, just what a mucker needs!"

Meanwhile the Famous Five were having a lovely picnic With Rupert and debating what exactly 'De-constructed Post-modern Discussions about Folk Music were all about?'

"Shut up you tosser!" said Rupert, "Nahh, YOU fuckin' shut-up!" said Dick. And everyone was having a spiffing time until Ladye Muck (who had eaten too many boiled eggs) interjected with a terrifically loud fart.

Because that sort of thing never happened in Merrie Old Englande, the Famous Five looked faintly perplexed and pretended to observe a rare species of buzzard in the distance.

Then Ladye Muck started to get bored. So jumping up she clapped her delicate white hands thricely and cried:

"Traditional English folk music! Jesters! Real English ales and cheeses!"

And then the magic Green Man and the BNP and lots of posters from Mudcat (including the viral wheezing author of this post) all suddendly gatecrashed the picnic, and got thoroughly blasted on real ale and top-notch cider.

A brilliantly traditional 'knees up mother brown' with funny old fashioned English fiddles, and singing and stuff, was had by all.
And no-body mumbled anything about standards or crib sheets or nothing!*
What larks!

Thee Ende.

* at which point Layde Muck woke up, and realised it had all just been a beautiful dream...

Subject: RE: BS: Does my English look big in this?
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 18 Dec 08 - 06:14 AM

This is, in fact, a typical Sunday afternoon in mye vyllage. but you forgot the BNP border morris side who come dancing...


(I really wish I was making that bit up.)

Subject: RE: BS: Does my English look big in this?
From: Peter T.
Date: 18 Dec 08 - 09:39 AM

Were there male and female unicorns?

yours,

Peter T.

Subject: RE: BS: Does my English look big in this?
From: Sleepy Rosie
Date: 18 Dec 08 - 10:41 AM

Only at Miraculous Christmas time Peter T. When it snows proper Christmas snow like wot it used to in the 'good old days' (when it was better than it is now.) Then the bonny blue-eyed gentle baby Jesus sayeths: "Gawd bless us! Every one!", and throws away his little crutches. And everone spontaneously burns all their rap and hip-hop music in a flaming pyre along with 'books' and other troublesome stuff. While the local BNP councellor looks on with his true British heart fairly bursting with National pride!!!

Only then will there be male and female unicorns Peter T, only then....

Subject: RE: BS: Does my English look big in this?
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 18 Dec 08 - 10:55 AM

At least you have Daleks. We don't even have Daleks.

Subject: RE: BS: Does my English look big in this?
From: Sleepy Rosie
Date: 18 Dec 08 - 01:46 PM

Ahh, indeed Leeneia. And it's the purifying power of the Darlek overlords, that make all our traditional wonders possible...

Subject: RE: BS: Does my English look big in this?
From: Bert
Date: 18 Dec 08 - 03:11 PM

Goosgog pie!!! Aaah! Mmmmm! yummy.

Subject: RE: BS: Does my English look big in this?
From: Sleepy Rosie
Date: 18 Dec 08 - 06:06 PM

Goosgog pie... Yummy indeed.
I know Bert. Tis indeed true. Though gimme gooseberry fool if you really want to be my best friend.

Tough being a post-ironic working-class theistic Englishy-type-stuff-loving Essex-bint innit?

Goosgogs is good, as is elderberries, sloes covered in bloom, hips n haws and other autumn hedgerow thingummys.

Subject: RE: BS: Does my English look big in this?
From: Spleen Cringe
Date: 18 Dec 08 - 06:32 PM

Rowanberry Jelly

Subject: RE: BS: Does my English look big in this?
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 18 Dec 08 - 06:43 PM

???

Subject: RE: BS: Does my English look big in this?
From: Spleen Cringe
Date: 18 Dec 08 - 06:51 PM

Makes: 1.4 - 1.8kg (3 - 4lb)

900g (2lb) Rowan Berry
900g (2lb) Crab Apples
1.8lt (3 pints) Water
Sugar

Pick over the rowan berries, removing any stalks, wash if necessary, drying well.

Wash the whole crab apples, removing any bruised parts.

Place the fruit and just enough water to cover into a heavy bottomed saucepan.

Bring to the boil and simmer, covered for 20 - 25 minutes, until tender.

Strain through a jelly bag or muslin cloth, allow about 4 hours for this, do not squeeze as this will cause the jelly to become cloudy.

Measure the volume of the liquid, add 450g (1lb) of sugar for each pint (600ml) of liquid.

Place the sugar in an ovenproof bowl and put it in the centre of a pre-heated oven for 10 - 15 minutes.

Place the juice back into a heavy bottomed saucepan, add the sugar, stirring until fully dissolved.

Bring to the boil and cook rapidly for 10 - 15 minutes until the setting point is reached.

Skim the surface if necessary, allow to cool slightly then pot.

My pleasure to share this with you, Richard...

Subject: RE: BS: Does my English look big in this?
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 18 Dec 08 - 07:22 PM

I've decided to put some of the blackberry brandy I made this year into out Christmas chocolate truffles...

Er, of course, what I mean is that the village urchins will be doing this whilst I pour scorn upon their efforts and recline on the chaise longue...

Subject: RE: BS: Does my English look big in this?
From: Sleepy Rosie
Date: 19 Dec 08 - 07:26 AM

Cheers for clearing up the mystery for us Spleen.

I love jellys and chutneys and jams. Never tried Rowenberry Jelly though. And I haven't made any preserves for a long time. Ruths postings on the 'Cat have I must say, rather made me want to find my old jam pan out and hit the hedgerows. It's probably all a bit late for gathering things now unfortunately. Though I do have some very healthy herbs in the garden, that would make for good oils and vinegars.

Has anyone ever brewed herbal beers or wines?

Subject: RE: BS: Does my English look big in this?
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 19 Dec 08 - 07:40 AM

RB

I think Rosie's OP is a fever induced response to what's going on in a number of threads. If you read her in other threads and her 18 December post in this thread I suspect it will all come clear.

She's a very clever and quite poetic little doll, is our Rosie.

Rosie.... is you feelin better now? Can't wait to meet up wiff ya.

Subject: RE: BS: Does my English look big in this?
From: Sleepy Rosie
Date: 19 Dec 08 - 07:57 AM

Nah, I'm still feeling rubbish thanks.
I never usually get ill as it 'appens, so when I do get poorly, of course I like to make the most I possibly can of it ;-)

Ditto VTam about meeting up, though I aughta say I will be spending a few days with my Dad after Xmas - poor old fella. So may not be back in time for the Stokes trip that you offered. I was going to mail you about it today actually. Sorry about the late update.

RB - we are just having a bit of silly fun and mucking about here - thinly veiled as 'satirical comment'.

I haven't got the botherdness to engage in some of the more 'grown-up' debating at the 'mo, so thought I'd make a little sandpit of my very own to play in. Dog poos and all ;-)

Subject: RE: BS: Does my English look big in this?
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 19 Dec 08 - 08:09 AM

Bummer about the being sick thing. I finally feel human again though I still have occasional coughing fits.

Too bad about the 28th. Hope you have a good visit with your Dad.

There is a Crayford Arms event (southeast London) in planning stage in April. But hopefully something will come up before then.

Take care of yourself.

Subject: RE: BS: Does my English look big in this?
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 19 Dec 08 - 08:26 AM

Ah. Satirical comment indeed. Perhaps.

Subject: RE: BS: Does my English look big in this?
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 19 Dec 08 - 10:05 AM

Do I want to know what part of a goose a goosgog is?

Is goosgog jelly anything like calves' foot jelly?

If we're not careful, somebody will start a thread debating whether or not it is England's national jelly.

America doesn't have a national jelly, but my family has a family jelly. It's elderberry.

Subject: RE: BS: Does my English look big in this?
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 19 Dec 08 - 10:52 AM

America got Bill Cosby... there's always room for Jello. insert goofy chuckle.

Subject: RE: BS: Does my English look big in this?
From: Amos
Date: 19 Dec 08 - 11:30 AM

I suspect England's national jelly is a different sort. At least, when I was there in the Sixties...




A

Subject: RE: BS: Does my English look big in this?
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 19 Dec 08 - 12:09 PM

The National Jelly here at Casa Crumpet (we are an independent republic, pop. two) is quince, though I also have a fondness for medlars when they can be found.

Quince cheese is a jelly, not a cheese. But you eat it with cheese. This is also true of damson cheese.

Just saying.

Subject: RE: BS: Does my English look big in this?
From: Sleepy Rosie
Date: 19 Dec 08 - 02:42 PM

Bluddy 'ell Mistress, can't we at least stick to fantasy make-believe complete bullshite?

Your personal actual real-life English hedgerow experience based 'Cheese V. Jelly' talk, is perfec' doin' me 'ed in - it is to be sure! Begrrah n awl that!

>curtsey, dribble quaintly, curtsey<

Subject: RE: BS: Does my English look big in this?
From: Sleepy Rosie
Date: 19 Dec 08 - 03:41 PM

Ooopsy daisy, Traditional English Folk Music Made Me Do It Honest Guvna! ;-)

Subject: RE: BS: Does my English look big in this?
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 19 Dec 08 - 08:33 PM

it was Jim Moray's Lucy Wan
made me do it, and no mistake guv'nor.

Subject: RE: BS: Does my English look big in this?
From: Gurney
Date: 20 Dec 08 - 03:55 AM

Ms. Rosie,(may I call you Sleepy?) ALL beers and wines are herbal. You may be confused because some of the major American breweries pass their beers through chevals in the process.
I've made elderflower and elderberry wine in the distant past, but I assume you mean making it from the body of the plant, not the fruit. It would have to be something containing starch or sugar, I think, otherwise it would be merely flavoured with herbs.

Leeneia, if you mean America doesn't have Daleks, that's right, but you did, I've seen the episode. The Doctor got rid of them.

Subject: RE: BS: Does my English look big in this?
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 20 Dec 08 - 04:06 AM

hhmmmm... Daleks in America. Sounds like a good name for a monster rock band.

Subject: RE: BS: Does my English look big in this?
From: Georgiansilver
Date: 20 Dec 08 - 05:45 AM

And as for Newton... he was never the same after the apple fell on his head!!!!
I too have made Elderberry wine and nettle beer...... in the days when I lived in the country.. sadly too long ago. They were definitely herbal.... and definitely high in alcohol content!!!!!

Subject: RE: BS: Does my English look big in this?
From: Sleepy Rosie
Date: 20 Dec 08 - 08:56 AM

Gurney, call me Sleepy by all means :-)

As to Herbal Beers, I was thinking about the kinds of ancient herbal ferments that were I think quite diverse and common at one time in Europe, long before the (hops, barley, malt) beer that we recognise now had become the standard brewing formula.

While some may have been included in bulk, I guess overall you are correct, that many of the herbs would have been included as additives for their flavouring or medicinal properties.

And on a very rubbishly connected tanget, here are two of my own favourite recipes for stuff made with honey wot are both brilliant:

FRESH GINGER BEER

Between 1/4 lb and 1/2 lb Fresh Ginger Root (I like mine hot)
Rind and Juice of Two Lemons
1/2 doz Whole Cloves
1/4 lb Runny Hunny

Zuzz or grate the ginger.
Add everything else.
Pour over 2 pints boiling water.
Leave till cool.
Chill. Serve 50/50 with sparkling water.

(Alternatively dilute 50/50 with boiling water and drink hot with a drop of whiskey...)

HONEY LEMON CURD

6 Eggs
Juice and Rind of 3 Lemons
6 oz Runny Hunny
4 oz Softened Unsalted Butter

Beat eggs and lemon juice together. Strain into a heatproof bowl. Stir in grated lemon rind, honey and butter.
Place in a double boiler on the stove and stir over a low heat until thickened.
Pour curd into warm sterile jars and top with wax discs. When cold seal, and store in the fridge. Use within a couple of weeks.

Subject: RE: BS: Does my English look big in this?
From: Georgiansilver
Date: 20 Dec 08 - 10:34 AM

I have found Sleepy Rosie... that no matter how much I have tried to emulate others by following their recipe for such wonders.... mine never tastes the same or seems of the same consistency... why is that??? Things that my Mum... God rest her soul... used to make.. I have tried and tried but to no avail to copy her recipes and get the great results she did.... so very frustrating. Your recipe for Honey Lemon Curd looks great... guess I better try it. Thank you. Best wishes, Mike.

Subject: RE: BS: Does my English look big in this?
From: Sleepy Rosie
Date: 20 Dec 08 - 10:56 AM

Georgiansilver, have you ever baked bread? I know this sounds a bit daft, but I've often found that men who seem to be incapable of other more strangely alien 'kitchen mysteries', for some reason take to bread baking like no-ones business! I know one older gent who feeds himself and his lady wife with all kinds of interesting breads. While she has her magic way with preserves. Something of a perfect match. There are possibly some 'natural laws' which are better left untampered with by the progresses of enlightened rational thought... ;-)
The Lemon Curd will go off much faster than other types of 'preserve' (well it's not a preserve at all), so if you do try it, make sure you have people to give it too, or puddings and scones to eat it in.

Subject: RE: BS: Does my English look big in this?
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 20 Dec 08 - 01:11 PM

Rosie, your lemon curd recipe is quite similar to the filling for my lemon merengue pie...

which is a good way of using it up quickly enough, as it happens...

Subject: RE: BS: Does my English look big in this?
From: Georgiansilver
Date: 20 Dec 08 - 01:23 PM

Yes Rosie I have baked bread... sad to say I made a beautiful Cottage Loaf.. I knew it would be perfect when I put it in the oven..... the bread was wonderful but I failed to shove something down through to bind the two parts together... so they separated in the oven.
Please don't say "Just like a man" as I was on a Child Care course and two of the women did the same thing.....
Best wishes, Mike.

Subject: RE: BS: Does my English look big in this?
From: Sleepy Rosie
Date: 20 Dec 08 - 04:13 PM

Don't worry Georgiansilver, I'm not a secret sexist, just teasing!

I'm a right sucker for 'famhouse' style baking. Love it. And when it's all grey and cold outside even better. Tearing fresh brown bread open, all steamy from the oven and smearing on proper salty butter - 'specially Cornish butter... Oooh enuff, I'll be doing one of those sultry slo-motion food ads for Marks & Sparks next.

Ruth - I like lemon merengue pie best when made with a biscuit crumb base instead of pastry. Plus it eliminates ones soggy bottom so to speak.

I wonder what fascists eat for breakfast? I bet it's Turnip Pottage with Larks Tongue Pie. Plus of course a nice cuppa Yorkshire Tea.
A proper British breakfst! We aught to send them some recipe suggestions...

Subject: RE: BS: Does my English look big in this?
From: Gurney
Date: 20 Dec 08 - 05:51 PM

Sleepy, I imagine that the earliest fermented drink would be wine, since the grapes ferment where they fall -ask any hedgehog- but beer as we know it was brewed in ancient Egypt, so the provenance is good. Flavouring with hops? No idea. The first recorded beer brewed in NZ, maoris not having a written language at the time, was flavoured with manuka leaves for bitterness, since it was brewed by english seamen.
The 'Earth Children' series of books contain some passages mentioning beer and wine that the author includes as being produced in the stone ages, herbs and foods too.

Subject: RE: BS: Does my English look big in this?
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 20 Dec 08 - 06:58 PM

"Ruth - I like lemon merengue pie best when made with a biscuit crumb base instead of pastry."

You're talking my language. I'll PM you my recipe (with biscuit crumb crust), straight from the pages of Country Living...

Subject: RE: BS: Does my English look big in this?
From: Georgiansilver
Date: 20 Dec 08 - 07:03 PM

The subject of food... on which we seem to be deliberating......
My Aunty.. in the wilds of North Devon... when I was just a little whippersnapper... used to make apple dumplings...... Cored cooking apples, with home made dried fruit mincemeat in the middle, surrounded by her own delicious pastry and baked until beautifully soft inside and wonderfully tanned on the outside.... served of course with... yes... what else could one have with it in North Devon.... but real Devonshire Cream.... not the clotted stuff... the fresh cream...YUM!!!!!

Subject: RE: BS: Does my English look big in this?
From: Sleepy Rosie
Date: 22 Dec 08 - 12:18 PM

Dunno if people have seen this, but the combo of Terry Gilliam and The Brothers Grimm sounds like a bluddy scrummy combo worth finding out about...

I hope there will be lots of unexpurgated rape, unmarried tabloid ("Nations darling Prince Willy, lured into sex-trap by big-titted tart with hair extensions" expose) sex and pregnancies and traditional fairytale Wicked Stepmother stylee hot shoes and blindings. Roll over Hello....

Subject: RE: BS: Does my English look big in this?
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 22 Dec 08 - 01:47 PM

Lots of blindings are compulsory. And cutting off of heels and toes. Have you ever read Sexing the Cherry?

Subject: RE: BS: Does my English look big in this?
From: Sleepy Rosie
Date: 22 Dec 08 - 02:17 PM

I know, what women will do in the name of beauty these days! Poor old Posh must go through post traumatic nightmares after visitng the salon. Some good imagery from Gilliams Brazil on that theme...

Sexing the Cherry is one I haven't read, though magical realism always strikes a chord. On a similar tangent I do enjoy most of the books by Angela Carter. Lots of feminine psychological insight and ambiguous fairytale themes.

Subject: RE: BS: Does my English look big in this?
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 22 Dec 08 - 02:24 PM

Rosie, your recipe for ginger beer intrigues me. Now, when you say 'fresh ginger root,' are you referring to smallish, dry tan roots that we slice up and use to flavor Chinese food?

They don't seem especially fresh. But are you calling them fresh merely to distinguish them from candied ginger?

Subject: RE: BS: Does my English look big in this?
From: Gervase
Date: 22 Dec 08 - 02:30 PM

A friend brews beer with bog myrtle as the bittering agent instead of hops - before the 15th century it was commonly used, apparently, and can often be found growing on old monastic sites and other places where brewing was commonplace.
It makes for a delicious drink; you can still taste the malt, but the myrtle gives a refreshing sharpness without being quite as bitter as hops.

Subject: RE: BS: Does my English look big in this?
From: SINSULL
Date: 22 Dec 08 - 02:41 PM

Smucker's is the national jelly of the US.

I am
Fond of jam
But sometimes fill my belly
With jelly.
At ginger beer
I leer
Ginger not being native
To where I live.

Subject: RE: BS: Does my English look big in this?
From: Sleepy Rosie
Date: 23 Dec 08 - 02:45 PM

Leeneia, if you are posting from the USA, I wouldn't know how ginger root is usually sold there? But in the UK, you can get ginger root in a variety of forms: Ground Spice, Whole Dried, Fresh Root, Candied in Syrup, and Crystalised! Crystalised and covered all over in golden crunchy demerara sugar is probably my bestest favourite. And a wonder chopped in sticky gingerbread. I also think there is some kind of ancient English law about having to have hot custard all over your gingerbread. But it might just be one that I made up for eating gingerbread in my house. Can't quite remember...

We can get it (less easily) in *small dried knobbly root* form from good wholefood outlets. This is the most 'fresh tasting' form of *dried ginger* and can be grated with a very fine grater, to be used in the stead of ready ground dried ginger. It looks something akin to a lumpy fibrous little knot of grey brown tissue and is used similarly to a whole nutmeg. Mmmm, sounds yummy don't it ;-/ but it's by far the best dried version of ginger to use for gingerbread, IMHO!

The ginger I'm describing, looks tan and lumpy on the outside. But is yellow, wet and fibrous within. It contains a lot of liquid, similar to other fresh roots. We have it in fresh root form from the greengrocer, same as you might get something like horseradish root, or other fresh knobbly roots like jerusalem artichokes. In this form it is wet, fibrous and starchy within, and 'bleeds' juice when cut.

I've never made a more traditional ginger beer, which is some ferment containing yeast, sugar and ginger spice and is formed from what I think is called a 'ginger beer plant', like a yeasty creature you feed in your airing cupboard!

Sounds all a bit too much like dangerous fairytale beasties in the flesh for me.. ;-) Have I rambled enough nonsense yet..? Mmm yeah.

Subject: RE: BS: Does my English look big in this?
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 24 Dec 08 - 01:49 PM

I don't like the (mis)leading question in the thread title. Us men never know how to answer. If we say yes then you complain about us saying your English is big and if we say no you assume that your English looks big in something else. Bit like 'when did you stop beating morris dancers, Miss Sleepy?'

Goosgogs are also used in beermaking and a well known Scottish brewery (can't remember which) is now making a beer called, if my alcoholic haze is correct, Grozet. Manchester brewers, Marble Arch make a wonderful ginger beer as well but enough talk of nectar.

Just one other point it's JAM not jelly. Unless it is jelly, in which case only pour a quarter of the boiling water over it that is says. Then top up with any spirit of your choice. Goes down great at kids parties:-D

DeG