Noeline Haylett's visit to Ghana 2010

 For more information about Noeline's work check out her website

Wisdom of the world - Week 137

Caught in the Act


When Bankei held his seclusion weeks of meditation, pupils from many parts of Japan came to attend. During one of these gatherings a pupil was caught stealing. The matter was reported to Bankei with a request that the culprit be expelled. Bankei ignored the case.
Later the pupil was caught in a similar act, and again Bankei disregarded the matter. This angered the other pupils, who drew up a petition asking for the dismissal of the thief, stating that otherwise they would leave in a body.
When Bankei had read the petition he called everyone before him. “You are wise brothers,” he told them. “You know what is right and wrong. You may go somewhere else to study if you wish, but this poor brother does not even know right from wrong. Who will teach him if I do not? I am going to keep him here even if all the rest of you leave.”
A torrent of tears cleansed the face of the brother who had stolen. All desire to steal had vanished.

San Diego Hotels

Complete your stay in this downtown historic San Diego hotel, the US Grant San Diego. This hotel was built by Ulysses Grant Jr. in honor of his father in 1910. With a 56 million dollar renovation completed in 2006, you can expect the modern conveniences and comfort mingled with historic ambiance. The hotel includes 285 guest rooms and 40 suites. Internet access, PlayStation games, CD players, plush robes, Bvlgari bath amenities, and private bars are a few of the standard services included with each room.
Find the most exciting San Diego hotels with the amenities you crave. We list hotels that offer kids' camps to keep the little ones occupied while you luxuriate by the pool. If you want to get out on the water, several San Diego hotels rent out jet skis, kayaks, sailboats and other watercraft so you can take advantage of the sparkling water of the Bay. Are you in the mood for light snacks, full-service dinners, or specialty cocktails and exotic appetizers? You can even find San Diego hotels that offer both family and cocktail cruises around the Bay.

There are several distinct areas in San Diego to choose from. Hotels near historic Old Town are perfect for business travelers and families. You'll feel like you've traveled backwards through time when you stroll past ancient adobe buildings and old-fashioned eateries. This area is also close to the San Diego Convention Center, Sea World, and the San Diego Zoo. You can also browse San Diego hotels near the downtown area as well as lodgings right on the beach.
This popular downtown luxury hotel houses the legendary Grant Grill and Lounge, the Grand Lobby Lounge, event and meeting space, family rooms, and fitness center. Parking is available at a daily rate.

Adjacent to the Old Town State Park and 3 blocks from the San Diego Trolley Station, this hotel in Old Town San Diego offers enjoyable facilities and an on-site restaurant. Best Western Hacienda Hotel Old Town features free shuttle service to the airport, Amtrak railway station and cruise terminal. After a day of exploring Old Town, guests can go for a swim in the outdoor heated pool or work out in the fitness centre. The guestrooms at the Hacienda Old Town Best Western offer amenities such as microwaves, refrigerators and coffeemakers. Guests will also enjoy free high-speed internet access and room service.

Originally the Scripps family's summer estate, this property was sold and converted into a hotel in 1958. The new owners opted for colonial Hawaiian–style architecture that's still in place today. Mahogany woods and South Pacific–inspired furniture outfit the 315 rooms. Yes, the theme can get a little stilted, especially when it comes to the luau nights, the lei-making table, and the the canoe hanging in the fake waterfall–equipped lobby. But hokey or not, the activities and the relaxed and welcoming vibe keep the Catamaran on the short list for families.


At the Surfer Beach Hotel, located on the sands of the Pacific Ocean and just minutes from some of San Diego's premier attractions, you'll enjoy contemporary, oceanfront guestrooms and suites complete with all you need for the perfect beach getaway. From beachfront activities, surfside dining to breathtaking sunsets, we invite you to discover your own personal paradise at the Surfer Beach Hotel.

Daring Bakers' Challenge - January 2011: Biscuit Joconde Imprime/Entrement

The Daring Bakers' Challenge started with a bang this 2011! Our host gave us a challenge that I couldn't resist making. It's a type of dessert that I love creating. When done with planning, patience and practice it's an elegant masterpiece - entrement!

Blog-checking lines: The January 2011 Daring Bakers’ challenge was hosted by Astheroshe of the blog accro. She chose to challenge everyone to make a Biscuit Joconde Imprime to wrap around an Entremets dessert.

Entrement is a composed  French dessert consisting of different components from dacquoise to mousse to creme brulee, anything you can think of, all put together in one showpiece work of art. For this challenge, one of the components we need to put on our entrement is a patterned joconde used as a lining. Joconde is a sponge cake that is made with almond powder, flour, eggs and powdered sugar. Patterns such as stripes can also be added to the joconde sponge by using a joconde decor paste. The decor paste has a very thick consistency, so it is really manageable to make all the patterns you can think of.

I've always wondered how pastry shops make lovely designs on their sponges especially those sleek stripes and perfect swirls. In the past, I've attempted to make my own sponge design by marbling different colored sponge cake batter; it worked out really nice, but my curiosity on how to make perfect lines still remained. Alas, this month's challenge came; answer to my long time mystery solved!

For my entrement, I made an Orange Cognac Mousse Joconde Cake with Dark Chocolate Mousse and Hazelnut Meringue Disc Center. I was so happy with how everything came out. The sketch I made translated to the finished cake. The only thing I wish is for a better pattern, but since I really didn't have much time to execute this challenge, I had to make use of what I have at home/body (I used my fingers to create my pattern). As a whole I love my cake; looking at my finished cake makes me so giddy! The taste of the whole cake was fabulous too; all the flavour components blended well perfectly. I mean what's wrong with an orange chocolate combo, plus the addition of cognac and hazelnut? The cognac and hazelnuts really heightened the whole cake's flavour profile. For me, the aesthetic of the cake looks close enough to be displayed in a pastry case in Paris. Pardon me if I'm self-complimenting, but I never thought I would have made a cake like this ever in my life.

I can't wait as to what's in store for the February challenge!

Bisou bisou,

Charlotte

RTÉ Super Garden 2011

Pic: Last years entrants

NEW SERIES OF 
'SUPER GARDEN'




COULD YOU BE A SUPER GARDENER?

Are you passionate about gardening? Is it your ambition to be a garden designer? Do you dream of winning a Gold Medal at Chelsea?

'Super Garden' is seeking 5 amateur garden designers to compete for the title of 'Super Gardener' in the new RTÉ series, to be broadcast in May 2011.

A passion for gardening is a must, as is creative flair, and the ability to design a garden to a budget and deadline.
So if you feel you have what it takes, this is what you need to do!

Email us and tell us briefly why you love garden design, and what your dream design would be. Where possible, please enclose basic plans or drawings.

Only amateur garden designers are eligible to enter this competition.


Filming will take place during the months of March and April 2011, so applicants must be available for filming during this time.

Terms and conditions apply.

Here are the before and after pics of last years winner: They didn't build it sideways, I can't get the image to behave...

Contacts :

The Super Garden Team
(01) 864 1444
Watch online:

Adult Content

I'm taking the adult content warning off my internet. As funny as I think it is -- because of how content warnings are stupid -- I found it annoying when trying to translate my internote into french with google translate. Also it probably turns people away from the internote because it's an extra step you have to go through to L@@K at it.

Wisdom of the world - Week 136

Silence 

 

“Would you teach me silence?” I asked.
“Ah!”
He seemed to be pleased.”Is it the Great Silence that you want?”
“Yes, the Great Silence.”
“Well, where do you think it is to be found?” he asked. “Deep within me, I suppose. If only I could go deep within, I’m sure I’d escape the noise at last. But it’s hard. Will you help me?” I knew he would. I could feel his concern, and his spirit was so silent.
“Well I’ve been there,” he answered “ I spent years going in. I did taste the silence there. But one day Jesus came, maybe it was my imagination- and said to me simply, “Come follow me.” I went out and I’ve never gone back.”
I was stunned. “But the silence...”
“I’ve found the Great Silence, and I’ve come to see that the noise was inside.”
Father Theophane