Tasty Food

"Rib-eye is a great cut of meat."

I was in the mood for some chomps and found myself heading over to the store. I eyed out the steaks I wanted, then looked for the margarine. I relly need some margarine. It's important. There was none on the refrigerated sections or near the butter, so I went on looking on the other shelves. I couldn't find it near the oils, but I got distracted and started looking for grape seed oil and chocolate marshmallows, neither of which were present either. Thinking about the status of margarine, I recalled that it is a synthetic material constructed out of plastics and has been declared a biohazard, so I took my search further into the aisle with bleach. Still, no sign of it. I called it quits and picked up the steaks with some other stuff and left.

I don't know if you know this about me, but I am a master griller. I am the best at applying heat to steaks through use of grill machinery. After dumping on steak rub and grilling, I let it rest for a few minutes, not because I thought it was a good idea, but because I needed a short break before eating them. Briefly, the idea crossed my mind to heat up some potatoes or maybe broccoli, but I may have just now made up that I thought of it for story and character development purposes.

[Here's the Food]

WISDOM OF THE WORLD - WEEK 23

Thanks to Scoil Naomh Padraig school for the image.

The Dalai Lama’s Outlook on Life

1. Take into account that great love and great achievements involve great risk.
2. When you lose, don't lose the lesson.
3. Follow the three Rs: Respect for self, Respect for others and Responsibility for all your actions.
4. Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck.
5. Learn the rules, so you know how to break them properly.
6. Don't let a little dispute injure a great friendship.
7. When you realize you've made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.
8. Spend some time alone every day.
9. Open your arms to change, but don't let go of your values.
10. Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.
11. Live a good, honourable life. Then when you get older and think back, you'll be able to enjoy it a second time.
12. A loving atmosphere in your home is the foundation for your life.
13. In disagreements with loved ones, deal only with the current situation. Don't bring up the past.
14. Share your knowledge. It's a way to achieve immortality.
15. Be gentle with the earth.
16. Once a year, go someplace you've never been before.
17. Remember that the best relationship is one in which your love for each other exceeds your need for each other.
18. Judge your success by what you had to give up in order to get it.
19. Approach love and cooking with reckless abandon.

5 MINUTES WITH - TERESA MCLAUGHLIN

Teresa McLaughlin lives in Drumfad, Linsfort. Along with her husband Peter and her family, she is running their new company Inishowen Quad Safari. The business started just five weeks ago and is proving to be a massive attraction for tourists and locals alike. There are three tracks depending on your level of experience, ranging from a level surface for the novice, to humps, hollows, trenches and lots of water for the more advanced rider. Open all year, Inishowen Quad Safari is a must for all thrill seekers. They do individual tuition or groups. You can find out more on 087 664 6346

What music do you like?
I like most Country and Western music. I listen to Steven Lynch on Highland radio in the afternoon; he plays both Irish and American Country music.

What would you never throw away?
I don’t very often throw clothes away. I have “Maybe” pile and a “Dump” pile of clothes in the bedroom. Neither of them get thrown away very often….

What book are you reading?
Ugly by Constance Briscoe. It’s a true story about a girl who was abused by her mother. When she was thirteen her mother walked out leaving her with nothing. It is a story of how she survived her terrible start in life.

What was your favourite childhood game?
We used to make our own hopscotch squares on the road and I always enjoyed skipping as well.

Have you been to the cinema recently, what did you see and was it any good?
The girls wanted to see Sex in the City but we ended up going to see Prom Night instead. The tag line is: It's Midnight Everyone's Ready To Go Home...But Someone Has Other Plans… You can probably guess it’s a bit of a horror…It’s more fun watching these films with an audience in the cinema.

What is your idea of a good night out?
A good meal and a dance. The last time I went out was to the Laurentic, the new bar that has opened in Linsfort. The food and meal were excellent and the band playing got everyone moving.

Most embarrassing moment of your life?
I was in the front of our car with my father driving and I was keeping a sheep calm by holding it in the back seat as we drove home. My dad drove around a corner and the front passenger door flew open. I fell out of the car…. It was my pride that suffered the most…. The sheep was all right though…

Have you a favourite TV programme?
I really enjoy Casualty. For some reason I enjoy the realism.

How do you relax?
I enjoy a long soak in the bath.

What job did you want to do when you were a child?
A hairdresser. I don’t know why, I just fancied it.

Where would you like to go for your holidays?
One of my daughters is in San Francisco so I try to get there as often as possible.

What famous people would you invite around for dinner and why?
The fine singer, Charlie Landsborough and actor John Wayne. My cooking isn’t the best though so I would probably take them out to a restaurant…

Favourite animal?
Toby, our one year old Jack Russell. We have had him since Christmas and he is totally spoilt.

What couldn’t you live without?
I couldn’t live without tea….

Biggest fear?
I am not that keen on snakes, but as there aren’t any in the wild in Ireland I don’t think that is much of a problem.

The world’s most irritating invention?
Alarm clocks. We have one that has different sounding ignition noises from John Deere tractors. On the hour, every hour, it would chime up with the sound of an old classic engine being stared. It has ended up in the shed.

What is your idea of a good night in?
Watching a film and having a Chinese meal.

World’s most useful invention?
The car. It is a must for people living in rural areas.

Personal philosophy?
Mother knows best.

FIRST ATTEMPT AT YOU TUBING

Sandwich Test

I like combining things like mustard and cheese, so I did that along with chicken and cock sauce on a small tortilla. I was thinking about adding lettuce or a vegetable but then I came to my senses and decided not to make it taste bad on purpose.

[Half-eaten Sandwich]

STAINED GLASS WINDOWS - BERLIN

Idea Sprouts

I've been getting a lot of mail from readers lately, concerned about a lack of food being eaten. The truth is that I have been eating food, but there has been a terrible accident: I was developing my instant film in a darkroom and I messed up, ruining all the pictures. I managed to save one though by throwing my body in front of it.

[Food Picture]

I probably could tell you about some of the food since I don't have pictures, but I can't because revealing my methods and procedures would get me kicked out of the secret cooks organization.

Also, I'm thinking to expand and have more fun internotes, which would include exciting true stories, food experiments, videos of me being cool and playing the guitar, contests with prizes for readers, and supercool hand-drawn pictures. So yeah.

WISDOM OF THE WORLD - WEEK 22

Thanks to Scoil Naomh Padraig school for the image.

Relax Your Efforts

Once Abbot Anthony was chatting with some of the other monks and a hunter who was after game in the wilderness came upon them.

He saw Abbot Anthony and the brothers enjoying themselves and he was most disapproving.

"How come you are sitting about enjoying yourselves? Aren't you men of God? Have you no work to be getting on with?"

Abbot Anthony looked at the hunter straight in the eye and said, "Put an arrow in your bow and shoot it."

This the hunter did. "Now shoot another," said the elder. "And another..and another.and another."

Eventually the hunter stopped and turned to the abbot with annoyance, "If I bend my bow all the time it will break."

Abbot Anthony replied: "So it is with the work of God. If we push ourselves beyond measure, the brethren will soon collapse. It is right, therefore, from time to time, to relax our efforts."

Desert Fathers

5 MINUTES WITH - DANNY GALLANAGH

Danny Gallanagh is sill on a high after getting married to Pauline a few weeks ago. They enjoyed a romantic honeymoon on the volcanic Greek islands of Santorini. Originally from Perth in Western Australia, Danny has been running his highly successful outdoor pursuit business for four years. The Inishowen Surf School teaches locals and tourists the art of catching the waves on the rock free beaches of Culdaff, Ballyliffin and Clonmany. You will be in safe hands as Danny is also a part-time lifeguard at the leisure centre in Buncrana and a swimming teacher. If you fancy trying out surfing the you can contact Danny on 087 777 3323 or check out the website on http://www.inishowensurfschool.com/


What music do you like?
At the moment I am listening to Jack Johnson and Groove Armada. I also enjoy good old-fashioned rock.

What would you never throw away?
Old surfboards. It doesn’t matter how damaged they are, they can always get fixed up, even if they are in two pieces. I wouldn’t throw my car keys away either, I am always looking for them.

What book are you reading?
I usually have a few on the go. At the moment I am reading a crime fiction novel by David Baldacci called ‘Simple Genius’ and ‘Between a Rock and a Hard Place’ by the climber Aron Ralston.

What was your favourite childhood game?
I enjoyed all of the usual physical games but I took up surfing at the age of ten, which took up most of my time. I would surf all day then watch the sun set on Cottesloe beach in Perth as I ate a bag of chips.

Have you been to the cinema recently, what did you see and was it any good?
Iron Man- It is a very graphic film taken from an idea from Marvel comics. It was very enjoyable.

What section of the newspaper do you turn to first?
I am a bit of a flicker when it comes to newspapers. I usually check out the sporting pages to see if I know any faces though.

What is your idea of a good night out?
I really enjoy live bands when I am out and about. It puts you in a great mood. The last band I saw was Gurnica in Roddens.

Most embarrassing moment of your life?
I was at the chip shop after surfing when Johnny (The Fish) Stevenson ran up behind me and pulled down my tracksuit pants. I was just out of the freezing cold sea and was going commando. The woman behind the counter took one look and burst out laughing…

Have you a favourite TV programme?
Heroes

How do you relax?
It has to be surfing. If I am feeling lazy then a video will do.

What job did you want to do when you were a child?
I wanted to be an artist as I loved drawing. I did go to college in Derry for two years to study fine art and I am involved with the Inishowen Artist Group, so I hope to take it up again.

Where are you going for your holidays?
We are going snowboarding in France early next year, it’s great fun.

Your idea of heaven?
To be relaxed and able to run free.

Your idea of hell?
Being under pressure.

What famous people would you invite around for dinner and why?
Kelly Slater the pro surfer who has won the world title eight times. David Attenborough could make an appearance too.

Favourite animal?
Dogs. I have a very loyal Italian greyhound called Roxy.

What couldn’t you live without?
Breakfast… It’s the best meal of the day and my knees turn to jelly if I miss it. I usually have cereal and toast.

Biggest fear?
Performing in front of a large crowd. I am getting better at it though, especially after the wedding ceremony. It was like being a film star with the paparazzi chasing you.

Biggest thrill?
Surfing the big waves.

Biggest disappointment?
When my father died when I was ten years old. It put life into perspective and I started to realise just how precious it is.

Which period in history would you most like to have lived through?
Give me the 1970’s, the birth of skateboarding and surfing…

World’s most useful invention?
The Internet. You can find really rare books. I bought one recently from America that was out of print for 40 years. It is handy for research too. I spotted a Porbeagle shark in Tallagh bay and was able to look up the details instantly.

Personal philosophy?
Be who you want to be.

INSHTRAHULL ISLAND

Dawn in Inishtrahull

.

The moon shines on the Isle of Inishtrahull,

Bejewelling nuptial tinted herring-gull,

May-fly dancing in the balmy air,

And moth returning to its daylight lair.

.

A shoal of herring breaking out at sea

Sparkle like hoar-frost on an aspen tree,

Spindrift in the shaded rocky cleft,

And raised-beach quartz that the ice-ages left.

.

The droning beetles seek the crevassed walls

To dive into when hungry lapwing calls; Earwigs,

likewise, into earthed homes,

And red-ants under scarred lichened stones.

.

An otter seeking rest on rock remote

Glistens with phosphorescence on his coat,

The snail Arborum, with his watery glue,

And bunch of pearlwort in a crystal dew.

.

The flaming sun ascends o'er Cantyre's Mull, Flings out his arms, day breaks on Inishtrahull!

D. J. O'Sullivan.

More pics

We went to Inishtrahull island off of the coast of Malin Head . The film A shine of Rainbows directed by Vic Sarin has been filming in Inishowen and they wanted some footage of seals.

Check out more about the lighthouses on the island

Wikipedia History

See images from a more recent trip to the island

OLD PIER FAHAN

5 MINUTES WITH - BRIAN TIMMINS

Brian Timmins is celebrating. His company. Inishowen Garden Equipment in Shandrum has been in business for five years supplying garden machinery and decking. Brian is usually about to give advice on the best products and materials to suit individual customers. He is passionate about good quality machinery and he likes to be hands on with servicing and repairs. He lives with his wife Mary and their four children.

What music do you like?

I tend to go for rock music. I particularly like AC-DC, the Bon Scott era from the 1970's and 80's is my favourite.

What would you never throw away?

The photographs of my family. They are a snapshot into our lives and would be really missedWhat book are you reading?My brother gave me my latest book, which I am really enjoying. It's a book by Mel Flanagan, the Irish golfer called Golf Mysteries: the Secret of Good Golf......... Mel writes well and gets straight to the point.

What was your favourite childhood game?

Football, I used to play at school and in the Boys Brigade in Ballykelly.Have you been to the cinema recently and what did you see?I took my eldest daughter to see Ratatouille. We both really enjoyed it.

What section of the newspaper do you turn to first?

I always read papers (and magazines), from back to front. I am not sure why as I don't really go for the sports pages, it's just a habit.

What is your idea of a good night out?

Good company. It's important to make sure you get home in one piece too, so arranging how you will get home before you go out is important. Many a night has been ruined waiting for a taxi.

Most embarrassing moment of your life?

I call this the wig story. I was playing bowls one day and got talking to a friendly woman. After a while I noticed a man sporting a very ill fitting wig that was jet black and clashed with his own white hair that was sticking out of the sides. I pointed this out to the woman and came out with some choice comments like "look at the shape of that man", and had a good laugh. The woman turned to me and told me it was her husband. It's times like these you wish the ground would open up.

Have you a favourite TV programme?

Anything political. I try to watch Hearts and Minds and This Week with Andrew Neill.

How do you relax?

Being out working in the garden is very relaxing. I enjoy it when the children are out there too.What job did you want to do when you were a child?I remember vividly, I wanted to drive a combine harvester. We used to sit with the driver and watch the barley going into the back of the machine.

Where would you like to go on holiday?

Anywhere at all.What famous people would you invite around for dinner and why?John Hume. He is an interesting man who worked for the people.

Favourite animal?

Cats. We have one ourselves called Boo. She is white and ghostly looking. The world’s most useful invention?Light bulbs.

Biggest fear?

I don't like heights. I watched the film Vertical Limits once and realised it's one thing going up and going down can be even more dangerous.

Biggest thrill?

My children being born.

Worlds most irritating invention?

The half crank engine. You sometimes find these in some hedge cutters and strimmers. I don't sell them and try not to work on them either, they are noisy, smoky and unreliable.

What makes a good night in?

A bottle of beer and a boxing match on the telly.

Biggest disappointment?

The loss of my grandparents a few years ago. They were very influential.

Which period in history would you like to have lived through?

The Victorian era, the industrial age. The world changed with the invention of the steam engine. It has influenced our lives ever since.

Personal philosophy?

Be patient. It will come to you.

WISDOM OF THE WORLD - WEEK 21

Love does not brood over injury.

Once a woman who was supposedly having visions of God went to a Bishop for advice. He told her: “You may be believing in illusions. You must understand, as bishop of this diocese, I am the one who can decide whether your visions are true or false.”
“Yes your excellency.”
“So you must do as I say.”
“I will, your excellency.”
“So listen: the next time God appears to you, you must perform a test by which I will know if it is really God.”
“Yes, your excellency. But what is the test?”
“Say to God, ‘Please tell me the personal and private sins of the bishop.’ If it is God appearing, he will reveal my sins to you. Afterwards, come back and tell me but no-one else.”
“I will, your excellency.”
A month later, she asked to meet with the bishop and he asked her, “Did God appear to you again?”
“I think so, your excellency.”
“Did you ask him the question I told you to ask?”
“Of course, your excellency.”
“What did God say?”
“God said to me, ‘Tell the Bishop that I’ve forgotten all his sins!”

God sees us in the present and envelops us in a boundless love.

Anthony de Mello

NEW FORUM SITE

DO YOU NEED GARDENING ADVICE?

Most of us have gardening questions that need answering at some time. Unfortunately I can’t cover all of them in a weekly article, as there just isn’t the room. To get over this issue I have teamed up with Irish Gardeners.com to give you an unparalleled gardening forum on my website www.gardening.ie. It is a very lively site with plenty of tips, advice and discussions. It’s free to join and I look forward to meeting you there…

A Meatball Sandwich

I don't have anything to say about this one.

[The Sandwich]

(note: it's smoked mozzarella and sharp cheddar)

BERLIN - BOTANIC GARDENS

Check out more photo's in the gardening.ie album

WISDOM OF THE WORLD - WEEK 20

LOVE LETTERS

A lover wooed a woman unsuccessfully for many months, suffering the atrocious pains of rejection. Finally his sweetheart relented and sent him a message to call for her the following week. The lover was so excited and could hardly wait.

Eventually the day arrived and he set off with much anticipation. When he arrived and was at last seated by his beloved, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a sheaf of love letters and poems that he had written to her over the past months.

They were passionate letters, expressing the pain he felt and his burning desire to experience the delights of love and union. He began to read them to his beloved. The hours passed by and he read on and on.

Finally the woman said, “What kind of fool are you? These letters are all about me, and your longing for me. Well, here I am sitting with you at last and you are lost in your stupid letters.”

5 MINUTES WITH DOMINIC MCDERMOTT

Dominic McDermott lives near Malin Head. He moved here 6 months ago from England with his wife Andrea Carr and their two children. The couple were married in Lagg back in 2000 and always knew they would eventually live in Ireland as they have a lot of connections here. Andrea, (who used to be a restaurant manager) and Dominic have set up a new business called Café Banba selling fresh coffee, hot chocolate and snacks from a three-wheeled Piaggio van. The van is Italian and has a tiny 200cc engine, which is just enough to get it up the hill to Banba’s crown to serve delicious drinks to the tourists who head to the landmark every day. Because the business is mobile, Dominic has also been able to cater for the large film crew on location in the area making the film A Shine of Rainbows.


What music do you like?
I like anything with a 70’s influence and used to run a disco that specialised in that era. I also enjoyed promoting a couple of bands. Melting Moments were an easy listening band and Sisters of Satisfaction who were a group of men dressed up as nuns…

What would you never throw away?
Photographs. I have taken thousands of them over the years and wouldn’t like to lose any of them. I have most of them backed up by at least 5 different methods, just to be sure.

What book are you reading?
Most of my reading at the moment is connected with the business. I am interested in the art of making coffee though and love the subculture that coffee making has - it even has its own name – A Barista, someone who is a cappuccino coffee expert.

What was your favourite childhood game?
I was in the scouts when I was younger and enjoyed a game called Bulldog. It was a very physical game, requiring a lot of running and throwing people to the floor. I am not sure if it is still allowed now though for health and safety reasons.

What section of the newspaper do you turn to first?
I am very methodical when it comes to the paper. It’s usually front to back I do have in interest in the GAA. My plumber Danny Lafferty plays for Malin town so I would look at the sports pages if they were playing to see how they got on.

What is your idea of a good night out?
Going to Farrens, the most northerly bar. I was coming to Malin for 14 years before we moved here and the first time I walked in the bar, everyone knew me. You can’t get better than that!

Most embarrassing moment of your life?
A friend of mine took me around the Mars confectionary factory to relax before I went for an interview with Cable and Wireless for a job. The buildings were very close to one another. You had to wear a hair net to go around the chocolate factory and it wasn’t until I finished the interview with the panel of executives that I realised I had a red band across my forehead where the tight elastic had been on the hairnet. I looked like I had a lobotomy. I got the job though…

Have you a favourite TV programme?
I watch Lost, I blame my wife, she put me on to it!

How do you relax?
I used to take flying lessons, which included paragliders and small aircraft. I found that very relaxing.

What job did you want to do when you were a child?
I wanted to be an astronaut as I was obsessed with space.

Where would you like to go for your holidays?
My ideal holiday is Tuscany and went there a lot when I was younger. There are 25 of us going over for my mum’s 60th birthday.

Your idea of heaven?
It would have to be Malin. We moved here from Worthing on the south coast of England and the only thing I miss are local curry houses. Its 40-mile round trip to get a takeaway!

Your idea of hell?
Commuting to work. I had to commute to London from Worthing 3-4 times a week, which could put nearly three hours onto your working day.

What famous people would you invite around for dinner and why?
Kylie - both to sing and talk to. I played a lot of her music in the discos. Barry White and Sister Sledge could come along too.

Favourite animal?
Our fluffy ginger cat Bosley, named after a character from the Charlie’s Angels series.

Biggest thrill?
People coming over from England to visit the beautiful part of the world we live in.

The world’s most irritating invention?
Although I need it, I would say it is the mobile phone.

What is your idea of a good night in?
A night in with my family, a DVD and a can of Guinness.

Biggest disappointment?
Not moving here sooner… We have been here 6 months and have enjoyed every second. I am just pleased we did it now though..

Which period in history would you most like to have lived through?
The 1970’s. I wasn’t quite old enough to experience the big discos.

World’s most useful invention?
The espresso machine and coffee grinder. Coffee loses its taste quickly when it has been ground so it needs to be made into a drink straight away.




`

Mothers Brownies

Don't worry, everything's gonna be all right. Shush, just look at me. I'll make you some of Mother's Brownies.

I actually baked this bath(sick(sic)) of brownies about a week or so ago, but forgot to internote it. I used Baker's baking chocolate, which has the recipe written on the back of the box. If you look at the front of the box, next to the name, the picture looks like a mother holding a tray of brownies. This image is also imprinted upon each piece of chocolate inside.

1.5 sticks of butter
4 blocks of unsweetened baking chocolate
2 cups normal sugar
3 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup flour

Melt the butter and chocolate, then combine them and toss in the other stuff in order. When it's together, dump into a 13x9 inch baking pan (I lined it with parchment paper) and bake it at 350F for 30 to 35 minutes. Oh yeah, the oven should probably be preheated first. That's important. When enough time has passed, take the back end of a match and poke a hole in the brownies. If it comes out clean, they should be done, so you can then strike the match as a sign of victory.

[Mother's Brownies]

These things taste pretty great, and you should eat them. Some people say brownies should cool first, but they don't know what they're talking about. Take advantage by putting the still hot brownies on a plate and then a nice scoop of vanilla ice cream next to it.

(note: me calling these Mother's Brownies and the image looking like a mother are completely unrelated)

Troy Chocolate Cake

I got a huge amount of fanmail recently about the Crispy Mister Sandwich in regard to the contest I set up. They were all mostly good attempts at the sandwich, but I think this one stood out as the best. Congratulations to the winner; you will be receiving a package of stickers in the mail along with a jam rock music cd! (note: contest void in canada)

I know I said the previous chocolate cake I made was the chocolate cake that would make all other cakes obsolete, but I like eating cake so I made this cake recipe provided by Anna of CookieMadness: Troy Chocolate Cake.

~A long time ago I made a childhood promise about cakes. Arbitrary childhood promises are the kinds of things that really define your character. For example, the classic “never change”. I however made vowed never to bake a cake again after a horrible tragedy occurred. I had baked a wonderful cake mix cake for some friends, and brought it over to one of their houses so everyone could enjoy. Unfortunately, the four sticks of butter involved in this small cake was too much, instantly killing my best friend upon impact with his mouth. Never again would I allow such a thing to happen.*~

The Troy Chocolate Cake is different in that it doesn’t involve butter in the batter. It is a cake of healing. Instead it has a bunch of mayonnaise, something you may remember from the tuna melt sandwich recipe, so it’s certain to be a success. I began working on the initial steps of mixing things together in bowls. At first, I thought to just use a cereal bowl, but using my keen powers of foresight, I recalled that the ingredients listed would not fit, so I opted for a larger metal bowl. I saw in the corner of my eye some sort of automatic electrical mixing machine, but I decided not to call upon higher powers to assist me just yet. I was getting exhausted at this point; it was time for a break. I indulged in some Breyers ice cream. Mmm, smooth and creamy.

[Mixing Things]

I took out some parchment paper to line the pan and pressed it in to fit, but it popped back up, refusing to give in. I was about to have a mental breakdown here, but I decided to pour the batter in anyway, and it turns out everything worked out fine.

[Ready for Baking]

I put it in the oven at 325 for 35 minutes, then got started on the icing. I spent time sifting the confectioners sugar which I’m sure I completely ruined the point of sifting it in the first place when I just dumped all the ingredients together at the same time and was determined to mix by hand with a spoon. The cake finished as I was about done with the icing.

[Icing]
[Cake and Icing]

The icing was kind of lumpy, but I really don’t mind. The end result is a tasty cake.

[Icinged Cake]

*Exciting True Stories may or may not be exciting or true.

Crispy Mister Sandwich

It was nightlunch time, so I went into the kitchen as normal procedure. Looking through some cabinets, I decided that I would do something with nutella. Spreading it on bread might be good. Maybe if the bread was coated in lard and fried it might be better. Frying bread was an idea I liked, but I couldn’t fit the nutella into it without being a real europoofter so I decided to go into a sandwich route. Cheese and meat is good, so I got some provolone cheese and sliced ham ready. This sandwich was looking like it might be kind of [large fancy colourful ‘L’]ame at this point, mostly because of the bread, so I cracked some eggs (you may remember I am the best at cracking eggs), mixed them with a fork and combined them with two slices.

[Sandwich Preparation]

Luckily there was just enough for all of the eggs to be absorbed fully. I didn’t know how to get this from my eggy bowl to the frying pan, so I thought to put them on a paper towel at first, but then I just brought the pan over to the table with all my cooking organization. I would put the paper towels I got ready to use later. My plan for the sandwich was to have the cheese on the outsides of the ham, so they would get melty better. It is always important to have the meal fully planned out. After layering one slice of egg-soaked bread in the pan with cheese, I put on a bunch of slices of ham.

[Sandwich Construction]

During this, I kept reassuring myself that I’ve had a previous experience with this, and I feel it would be in my best interest to add more meat than I think I need. On top of the ham, another layer of cheese, then the second bread slice. It was time for cooking process, and everything was going fine until I decided it was important that I flip the sandwich over a lot to check how it’s cooking.

[Sandwich Cooking]

The first flip was a disaster; cheese was falling out, one slice of bread slid halfway off from all the contents, and it may have been my imagination, but I thought I tore the bread in half. And while trying to fix it, I managed to burn two of my fingers from direct contact with the pan.

[Sandwich Cooking]

Realizing I forgot about buttering the pan, I snuck in some butter while lifting the sandwich up since butter is a secret ingredient. I let it cook for a while though and it was looking all right again.

[Sandwich Cooking]

When the sandwich was finished, I determined that it was overall a great success! The bread had that great french toast taste to it, the cheese was all melty and delicious, and the ham was meaty. Actually, I think the ham was way too sweet for the sandwich. I would maybe want a meat that’s completely meaty without the overwhelming sweetness for next time.

[Sandwich]

WISDOM OF THE WORLD - WEEK 19

PERCEPTIONS

A famous American psychologist oversaw a remarkable experiment. He gave all the students in a school an IQ test just before the end of the school year. After the test he choose ten students and he told their teachers, “From their tests, we have discovered that these children are mentally gifted and are bound to be top of their class next year. Please don’t tell the class as it might be harmful to them.” The teachers promised not to say anything. In fact none of the ten was mentally gifted, they had been chosen randomly.

A year later the psychologists returned to the school and tested the children again. All of the “mentally gifted” students had increased their IQ by at least ten points, with some of them rising by thirty six points. When the teachers were asked to describe these children they used words such as ‘intelligent’, ‘lively’, ‘interested’, and ‘dynamic’. It was the how the teachers saw these children and how they interacted with them that developed their potential.

Our perceptions create our reality.

5 MINUTES WITH - KATHLEEN GRANT

Kathleen Grant from Burt is a full time carer and well-known fundraiser. As well as her charitable activities, Kathleen is the caretaker for Burt Hall. An active member of the Aileach Women’s Group, she enjoys photography, quizzes and is a keen bingo player. She also never misses a GAA match at the club in Burt


What music do you like?
I love music. I turn on the radio in every room at 8 am, except the bathroom, but I am working on that….I enjoy ballads and Irish Country and Western, pan pipes and classical music. My choice of stations is the Inishowen Community Radio and Highland until 3pm. I used to enjoy Frankie Byrne on Radio Eireann, she used to help with peoples’ problems and played Frank Sinatra songs to break up the talking.

What would you never throw away?
Nothing. A tidy house is the sign of a wasted life…I have a few things that I hold on to like the ink pen I used at school. It has a wooden shaft and a nib that you would dip into the inkwells. I campaigned for the bottle banks in Burt and try to recycle most things if I do throw them out.

What book are you reading?
North by Northwest, this is a book about the life and times of Liam McCormick. Liam was the architect of the St Aengus Church here in Burt. His work is inspirational.

Have you been to the cinema recently, what did you see and was it any good?
I am very hard to please but I did enjoy the Bucket List about two terminally ill men escaping from a cancer ward and heading off on a road trip with a wish list of to-dos before they die. The thing I remember most about being in the cinema was a woman spilling her popcorn all over the floor next to me.

What section of the newspaper do you turn to first?
The headlines, then the local notes and politics stories. If the Burt boys are playing GAA, I will check out how they are doing on the sports pages.

What do you think about voting on the Lisbon Treaty?
It is important to have your say. I couldn’t wait until my 18th birthday to vote. I think everyone should use their vote, even if they spoil them.

Most embarrassing moment of your life?
There are numerous times. Two spring to mind though. I am an identical twin and my sister Breige and I dressed alike. I was in Byrne’s clothes shop in Derry and ran into a mirror thinking it was my sister. The other time was when I thought I walked into a bookshop in Carrigart. It turned out to be someone’s front room. The owner was a keen collector of books and thankfully saw the funny side of a complete stranger in his house.

Have you a favourite TV programme?
I enjoy factual and current affairs programmes. I also enjoy quizzes and a bit of reality TV like Big Brother

How do you relax?
Going out for a meal or travelling. I relax by keeping busy

What job did you want to do when you were a child?
I fancied being a hotel receptionist. I still enjoy making people feel at home.

Where would you like to go for your holidays?
I love both Westport in County Mayo and Newcastle in County Down.

Your idea of heaven?
Just give me a hotel room and breakfast in bed.

What famous people would you invite around for dinner and why?
John Bowman from Questions and Answers and the entertainer Breezy Willow- the scone maker. She prepares her scones, sings and recites funny stories (Buncrana library have a DVD of her). Josef Locke can do a bit of after dinner singing for us to end the night.

Favourite animal?
My cat of 12 years. We have never named her and just call her Puss.

Biggest fear?
Losing family members and friends…. And the price of chips going up…

What was your favourite childhood game?
I wasn’t that physical when I was young so I tended to play board games. I enjoyed working things out (and still do) There were eight of us in the family and we often played Ludo, cards and Connect 4 into the early hours of the morning.

Biggest thrill?
When the Burt Boys won the County final hurling.

The world’s most irritating invention?
The phone, especially when I am eating my dinner.

Personal philosophy?
Live and let live.

What is your idea of a good night in?
I would rather have a good night out.

Biggest disappointment?
Not getting to Fatima, the Portuguese shrine. My friend Christine suggested we go, but with one thing and another it didn’t work out.

Which period in history would you most like to have lived through?
1916 –1922 uprising. Definitely not the famine, I couldn’t do without food.


World’s most useful invention?
If I said the tin opener people would think I couldn’t cook, so it would have to be media devices such as the radio, television and computers… and the pen.