OU course

With my first 4 assessments scoring in the 80s, I found out today that I have enough points to pass the first part of my OU course without doing any more Tutor Marked Assessments. Tempting though it is to save myself for the end of course assessment (40% to pass!), I think I'll do the other 3 TMAs as well!

Up Helly Aa 2009

Well, for the first time since I was 18 I have been to a hall for Up Helly Aa. I started to dip at 5am but rallied but was wide awake to see the Jarl Squad at 6am. John and the boys had a great day, to quote Craig "When can I do it again?"

Some images below, others on my webpages: Jaydee's pages

David and Ruth

Kirsty (on right) and her friend Michelle

Craig in the centre of a group of hairy men! David is second from the right in the front.

John and me.

Guizer Jarl Stephen Mouat

Marching with torches

Burning the galley

Hey, Hey the Gang's All Here!

David, Kirsty and David's girlfriend Ruth are now all here for Up Helly Aa. The house is full of young adults and Craig is already being reminded what being the youngest is all about! The volume level is up and everyone is talking at the same time, it's great and at the same time I want to go SHHHH!

This song on youtube came at just the right time:

The Mom Song

Photos of my pseudo vikings will follow as the week goes on, stay tuned!

I Felt the Earth Move!

Well it's not every day you get woken up by an earthquake! At 5.32am this morning a bang and shaking woke John and I up (can now officially say that Craig will sleep through an earthquake!). Checking the house showed nothing had exploded, neighbours' lights confirmed other people had woken up too - and the terminal lights seemed to indicate no explosion in that direction.

It has been confirmed as an earthquake of 3.3 magnitude. Fits in with my OU course - spooky!

British Geological Society info

buying and baking

Been back to Glass Kanvas' ebay shop and bought some ear rings and another pendant. I really love his glass jewellery and bought several pieces as Christmas presents.

Making a microwave 'steam' pudding today and had to come online to find the cooking time. Mine has ginger preserve in it and ginger and golden syrups on the base. Thought you might like to see the recipe as it's a quick and easy pudding that tastes soooo good!

Ingredients (basic sponge)

4oz (100g) butter/marg
4oz (100g) sugar
2 eggs, beaten
4oz (100g) SR Flour
1 tsp baking powder
2-3 tbsp milk (if needed)

Beat all ingredients together and add sufficient milk to dropping consistency. Pour into greased microwavable bowl, cover with cling film or greaseproof paper, leaving small gap for steam to escape, and zap for 3-4 minutes on HIGH (based on 800W) ... leave to stand for a couple of minutes after.

BE CAREFUL REMOVING CLING FILM AS STEAM WILL STILL BE PRESENT!!!

Lots of Variations Possible:

Syrup sponge - place 2 tbsp golden syrup in bottom of bowl before adding pudding mix.

Ginger sponge - add a tsp of ground ginger with flour (nice combined with syrup!) or add chopped ginger to the sponge

Chocolate sponge - replace 1oz/25g of flour with cocoa powder, can also add choc chips

Dried Fruit - add a handful of sultanas/raisins/cranberries/apricots, etc to pudding mix.

Upside down fruit sponge - add slices of pear, apple or pineapple etc (peeled and cored) in bottom of dish before adding pudding mix (mix and match fruits with flavoured sponges, eg chocolate, ginger)

Jam Sponge - place 2 tbsp jam of choice in bottom of bowl before adding pudding mix.

Lemon Sponge - add 2 tbsp lemon juice in place of milk and grated rind of half a lemon to pudding mix.