Saturday 9 March 2013

Saturday Snippets (7)


I can't believe a whole week of March has already gone.  So what can I look forward to this month?

     "Windy days and dancing daffodils.

     Finally being able to get out into the vegetable patch and plant potatoes.

     The clocks changing so we can get back to lighter evenings.

     Spring flowers brightening the landscape after the winter gloom.

     Longer days and leaping lambs.

     Being able to open the windows in the barn and having a big spring clean."

Life around here is much the same.  Starman still has the cold of the century. The spanking must have sapped his energy because he proceeded to go rapidly downhill and spent the rest of the day, plus all of yesterday, in bed!  He managed to get up and stagger downstairs for meals and high dosage vitamin C, but then he staggered back up and has been lying in state with every remote control imaginable within reach, plus his tablet, phone, glass of water, ipod, kindle.... the list is endless!

However - we are delighted to tell you all that the bone scan was completely clear, and he just heard this week that he has been accepted on to the prostate cancer trials at the Royal Marsden in London, and that due to its success this trial has been extended!  Although we are trying to carry on with life in a normal way, this sort of thing does tend to linger at the back of your mind, so this has made the outlook a lot more positive for us.

And he got up and showered as normal today, ate his breakfast eggs on toast, and has even ventured briefly outside (got rained on) and then rushed back in to the comfort of the fire and sofa!

Saturday Joke  (sorry, it's a bit rude!)

Paddy and Colleen were making passionate love in Paddy's mini van when suddenly Colleen, being a bit on the kinky side, yells out "Oh big boy, whip me, whip me!"

Paddy, not wanting to pass up this unique opportunity, obviously did not have any whips on hand, but in a flash of inspiration, he opens the window, snaps the antenna off his van and proceeds to whip Colleen until they both collapse in ecstasy.

About a week later Colleen notices that the marks left by the whipping are starting to fester a bit, so she goes to the doctor.  The doctor takes one look at the wounds and asks, "Did you get these marks having sex?"

Colleen, a little embarrassed that she has slept with Paddy (let alone that she allowed the kinky boy to whip her) eventually admits that, yes, she did.

Nodding his head knowingly, the doctor exclaims, "I thought so, because in all my years as a doctor, you've got the worst case of van aerial disease that I've ever seen."

Outside this is what it is doing:




Raining, raining and more raining.  Apparently it's going to snow later this afternoon, and already some of the raindrops resemble sleet.  Such excitement!  I would really prefer my afternoon to be like this:



I love getting feedback about my recipes and I promised another showstopper this week.  This torte is extremely rich and I would strongly advise 'special occasions only' and just small slices.  (Are you listening HOHs!  Pay attention!  Small slices means small slices!)

The Famous Chocolate Truffle Torte  (Serves 10)

450g dark chocolate (70-75% cocoa solids)
5 tbspns liquid glucose
5 tbspns  dark rum
570ml double cream, at room temperature
75g amaretti biscuits, crushed finely with a rolling pin

To serve:  

cocoa powder
chilled pouring cream
some extra amaretti biscuits

A 23cm cake tin, lined with a circle of baking parchment and the base and sides lightly brushed with groundnut oil.

1  Start off by sprinkling the crushed biscuits all over the base of the tin.  Next break the chocolate into sections and put them in a heat proof bowl together with the liquid glucose and the rum.  Sit over a saucepan containing 5cms of barely simmering water, without the bowl touching the water - it will take between 5 and 10 minutes to become melted, smooth and glossy.  Stir, then take off the heat, and leave the mixture to cool for 5 minutes or so, until it feels just warm.

2  Now, in a separate bowl, beat the cream to the 'floppy' stage.  Fold half into the chocolate mixture, and then fold that mixture into the rest of the cream.  When it is smoothly blended, spoon it into the prepared tin.  Tap the tin gently to even the mixture out, cover with clingfilm and chill overnight.

3  Just before serving, run a palette knife round the edge to loosen the torte, then give it a good shake, and turn the whole thing out on to a serving plate (don't be nervous about this - it's very well behaved).  To serve, dust the surface with sifted cocoa powder and a few amaretti biscuits and, if you like, mark the top into serving sections.  Have some chilled pouring cream to go with it, if you have any, a couple of tablespoons of amaretti liqueur will make a wonderful addition to the cream.

NOTE  The torte does freeze well, but since you can also make it a couple of days in advance, this doesn't really seem necessary.





March, being Question and Answer month, if anyone has any questions to ask me, please ask them in the comments section below, or send me an email to:


amistarsong@hotmail.co.uk


I'll do my best to answer them, but you just might get some funny answers!



I did warn you!  

And if one of your questions is "Have you ever been skinny dipping?"  Well, it's for me to know and you to wonder about!  (LOL!)

31 comments:

  1. Wonderful news for you and Starman ;)
    Keep him out of that icky weather today and both of you stay warm!

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    1. Thank you Tricia. It's snowed on and off all night, and now it's a mixture of sleet and rain. Such is life!

      Hugs

      Ami

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  2. Great news for the to=wo of you

    Hope Starman gets better soon

    Bob

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Bob. He is, at long last, on the mend!

      Hugs,

      Ami

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  3. I'm so happy to hear your spirits are liftig, Spring is coming and Starman IS going to get well! Good stuff!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you Sara. You know just what it's like when there are health problems, and the cold has made everything temporarily worse. But at last he is up and around!

      Hugs,

      Ami

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  4. Ami,
    Sending your cold weather to me, well I have become used to that. But please, please don't send that "Cold of the Century".
    Starman in bed is a typical HoH, likes to control everything and have everything within reach of his hands!
    Glad about the result of the scan and the acceptance on to the trials.

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    1. Of course Bas, you are my nearest neighbour! What are neighbours for?! LOL!

      I wouldn't want anyone to get the colds that are going around this side of the North Sea! And Oh I do like Holland in the spring!!!

      Starman is up and around today and acting normally for the first time in a week. I'b better start watching my tail - it could get scorched again!

      Hugs,

      Ami

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  5. So happy about the scan results and the experimental treatment. If you don't stop tempting me with these delicious recipes I am going to have to seriously hurt you. lol

    Enjoy the day even if it is snowing because it is making the ground ready for the potato planting.

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    1. Yes we are glad as well Sunny. When it is as cold and grey and miserable as it is here at the present time, you just throw all diets out of the window! So if I'm going down, I'm taking you bunch with me!

      My potatoes are all in little rows in the garden shed just awaiting the day when I can pop them in the ground. There is nothing in this world like spring lamb, new potatoes and mint sauce!

      Hugs,

      Ami

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  6. Oh Ami, that is so good about the bone scan. The royal Marsden does some fantastic work, how great to be there for treatment, good luck to you both. Love janxxx

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    1. Thank you Jan, I hope you are right. We're just waiting for a date now.

      Hugs,

      Ami

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  7. I am so happy as I already said. Things will brighten soon.
    I am also trying hard not to be tempted by your recipes. GRRRRR.It is a good thing I cannot convert the measurements. My brain does not want to do that...!

    Questions....questions.....hmmmmmmm.I may have a few.....but would they cause trouble??? lol

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    1. But Minelle, I want you to be tempted by my recipes. Every recipe I print on my blog I make at home, some on a regular basis. This is why I will never be sylph-like again! Don't you kitchen scales have 'both' types of measurements? Sorry. I'll print both in future.

      The questions I like best are the ones that cause trouble! Ask away!!!

      Hugs,

      Ami

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  8. Hi Ami,

    Thanks for another yummy looking recipe, as well as the cute joke!

    SO great to hear that Starman's bone scan came back clean and that he will be able to participate in the experimental treatment! Wonderful!!! Wishing him a speedy recovery with that stubborn cold of his. Looks like he is all set up to continue his recovery in style! The good news is that you won't have to run around and fetch all of those things for him! :) Hugs!

    <3 Katie

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    1. Thank you Katie. He is up and around at last, so I hope things will soon be back to normal. I laughed at your last sentence, because that is the one area where I am pretty much submissive and always have been - I always fetch and carry after my men folk. In return, though, to be fair, they always look after me when I need protecting from the evils of this life, such as cars that go wrong/have punctures etc, appliances that break down, fires that need lighting.... shall I go on? LOL!

      Hugs,

      Ami

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  9. Wonderful news!! I am so very happy to hear it!
    My question: Do you think you and Starman could have had a successful dd relationship from the start of your marriage?

    hugs
    lillie

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    1. Thank you Lillie.

      Hmmm. We have, as you know, known each other for a very long time. There were three years between the ages of 17 and 20 that we broke up, but just before my 21st birthday we got together again and have luckily remained that way till today. I was very difficult to live with Lillie when we first got engaged, then married. I had a terrific temper and didn't care who I hurt and how much. It's a real tribute to Starman that he has stayed the course.

      Over the years I have learned my role as a housewife and mother, yet continued my teaching career. At times I don't know how I coped with all the different hats I had to wear, especially as he was away a great deal. At one time he was flying to California every five weeks, and another time he virtually lived away for three years sharing a house with another company director. I had to be strong and take a leading role. That was hard to relinquish and I now know nearly brought our marriage to its knees.

      I don't know whether or not we could have had a successful dd relationship right from the start of our marriage - unless it was him bringing it to me. I was very naive and knew so little about the outside world and relationships. Starman was, and is, the only man I have ever had an intimate relationship with. We learned 'marriage' together, and made lots of mistakes along the way, but we both knew it would be hard work and had our parents' long and happy marriages as examples to live up to.

      When I think that this time last year I had never ever heard of spanking in any shape or form, I am amazed at what we do now, and delighted with where it's taking us. I especially enjoy reading about your ups and downs, because you seem to have had a similar starting point to us. I don't know where we are going or how long it will take to reach different stages in our adventure, but now we are working in harmony our lives are changing week by week, and I can see the closeness developing between us. I've observed that it's the little things that resonate, and the movement is so rightly in tiny steps. We have settled comfortably into our own quiet dynamic. We are both still learning about each other and our reactions to the control issue. For Starman, I know he is nervous of being too controlling and he is still unnerved by the thought of hurting me. It's only through practice and repetition I think he will ever get over this. He is a very slow man to anger, and always likes to consider the consequences of actions, before he acts. I am the opposite, and let my mouth run away with me! I smiled at one of your posts where you said something sarcastic, and then slammed a door. That's me to a T! So we will see what happens....

      I so wish your original postings hadn't been lost to me - I came in when you changed your blog due to a privacy issue. Also, even now, I cannot get on to your blog except through someone else's blog. I can't seem to link yours to mine so that I know when you are posting. I realise I am technically inept, but if you could email me and instruct me what to do, I would love to be able to follow you direct, and not through someone else, thus being late with my comments.

      Hugs and thanks,

      Ami

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  10. Glad to hear about your good news. How has/does illness effect your dynamic?
    We haven't been at this long enough to even get a cold and I must confess that Wes is a bit of a wimp when he's sick.
    Bea

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    1. Thanks Bea.

      The 'cold' has affected our dynamic horribly as you probably read in my previous blog. All my irritations and annoyance rose to the surface and I resumed my persona of 'bitch/troll'!! He rallied long enough to give my bottom a reminder that I had overplayed my hand, which took me by surprise and has made me watch my step. But as that is the first time he has ever taken such an initiative I can't forecast the future. It was, however, enough to make me realise that he has possibly been quietly considering his moves - like in a game of chess perhaps?! I have no idea how the cancer treatment will affect us, but we plan to live our lives as normally as possible in every way. We will cross the bridges when we get to them. We are both determine to fight this and come out on top. I don't think a few days of sickness though should have any lasting effect on TTWD. And remember, all men are wimpy when they don't feel good. They like to be nursed. Perhaps we can show our love and submission by looking after them in little ways we would previously have grumbled about?

      Hugs,

      Ami

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  11. Hi Ami, that is wonderful news about the scan and the trial! I'm so happy for you to hear this.

    Well, not that I would begrudge my northern hemisphere friends a little spring. You guys deserve it after the winter you've endured, but it does mean autumn for me :( Boo. Days are starting to get shorter already - sigh.

    I wish you'd stop tempting me with those delicious recipes. I can feel the inches going on just reading the recipe, let alone making it! LoL

    Hugs,
    Roz

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    1. Thanks Roz, yes it is.

      Just think about how wonderful your weather is compared with ours though! I'll bet your autumns are spectacular. I love autumn and all the colours.

      I surely hope I am tempting you with the recipes. This is a great one for entertaining. Men LOVE it!

      Hugs,

      mi

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  12. Hey Ami...late to the party...darn weather took out my internet again. :(

    Doing my happy dance for the scan results and the experimental treatment...hope Starman gets an appointment soon!

    Thanks for the joke...corny but cute. ;)

    I'm with Sunny...if you don't stop trying to make me look like a blimp by posting these delicious recipes I am going to have to help her seriously hurt you. *teehee*

    BTW, liquid glucose is light corn syrup (not high-fructose) in the US.

    Hope Starman continues on the road to recovery...ask (note I said ask) him not to overdo when he's feeling better...take it easy.

    Hugs and Blessings,
    Cat

    PS...know I owe you an email...blame it on Minelle and the weather. LOL

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  13. Glad to hear about the good news regarding the bone scan and trial. I will continue to send along healing energy.
    Thank-you for another delicious looking recipe - though like Minelle, it is good that it is too much work to translate the measurements or I will be gaining lots of weight - I can never eat just a small slice of anything!
    :-) (and I don't own a kitchen scale)...now onto questions, since you obviously are a wonderful cook...do you have any favorite soup recipes you can share? Do you ever use a slow cooker and if you do could you share some of those recipes too? I am always looking for new, healthy and easy and tasty recipes that are kid friendly, too...Thanks! :-) Hugs, Terps

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    1. I will let you have the above recipe in lbs and ozs; and also I have some wonderful soup recipes for slow cookers. Can you let me have the email address where you'd like me to send them? Next week's recipes will be healthier ones. I have put on too much weight since all this cold weather. I made a big cream cheese and butterscotch layer cake which I took to school this morning and the staff are all complaining of their expanding waistlines too! All I can say is that you'll have to do a double dose of dancing!

      Hugs,

      Ami

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    2. Hi Ami!
      Thanks so much...
      You can email me at terpsichore7@gmail.com

      I have put on so much weight...I'm not sure I can dance enough to lose it all at this point... :-)

      Hugs,
      terps

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  14. Glad you've had normal service restored!

    Just got back from an enormous pub lunch in aid of Mother's Day. Now feel a stone heavier and probably look two stones heavier!

    Light corn syrup would be fine I'm sure. On my jar it simply says glucose syrup suitable for vegetarians.

    Starman has also had an extremely large lunch, so must be improving!

    I did hear a story that someone stole Minelle's blog, and you got it back for her! I have a wonderful picture in my mind of you rugby tackling someone to the ground!

    Hugs and blessings back at you,

    Ami

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  15. Okay here is a question for you. If you could go back and change one thing about your relationship with Starman what would it be and why?

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  16. I would not be as temperamental. It was very destructive, even before we married. I often ask myself why he wanted to marry me in the first place. My father was very temperamental and I hated it, then I went on to be just like him. I used to throw things at Starman. I can clearly remember throwing a saucepan and a glass of water, and I threw a cuckoo clock down the stairs once!

    I would build things up out of nothing. I would simmer and seethe then just let fly. I just hated myself afterwards, and sometimes it was very difficult to make up because he was so wounded by my behaviour.

    Lillie asked whether I thought that if we had started Dd at the beginning whether it would have helped. But I don't really think it would if I had brought it to him. And he is such a quiet, gentle man. He has a strong in-built flex to his voice when he is reasoning with you about your behaviour. It never fails to make me feel guilty.

    I had the type of temper that we purely self-destructive TL. So if I could go back and change that behaviour I would in an instant.

    Hugs

    Ami

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  17. I am just coming off of a 4 month hiatus and discovered your blog. I hope Starman feels better soon. I look forward to getting to know you!

    ((hugs))

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    1. Welcome - but if you follow me you'll probably be extending it to a 5 month hiatus! Glad to meet you!

      Hugs

      Ami

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