FOOD MEME

Been putting this off, have been tagged twice, so today I will do the Food meme, tomorrow the Education meme.
FOOD MEME sent to me by Top champ
Rules:1. Add a direct link to your post below the name of the person who tagged you.
Include the city/state and country you’re in.
Nicole (Sydney, Australia)
velverse (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)
LB (San Giovanni in Marignano, Italy)
Selba (Jakarta, Indonesia)
Olivia (London, England)
ML (Utah, United States)
Lotus (Toronto, Canada)
tanabata (Saitama, Japan)
Andi (Dallas [ish], Texas, United States)
Lulu (Chicago, Illinois, United States)
Chris (Boyne City, Michigan, United States)
AB (Cave Creek, Arizona, United States)
Johnny Yen (Chicago, Illinois, United States)
Bubs (Mt Prospect, Illinois, United States)
Mob (Midland, Texas United States)
Yas (Ahwatukee, Arizona USA)
Alicia(Idaho Falls, Idaho, USA)
Tug (Hell, Colorado, USA)
Bond (Memphis, TN, USA)
Topchamp (Glasgow, UK)2.
Queenie (Nottinghamshire, UK)

List out your top 5 favorite places to eat at your location.


NOTTINGHAMSHIRE UK

I would be cast into the pits of bad-parents, if my first choice wasn't where my son is the Development Manager

RED HOT-WORLD BUFFET and BAR.

Red Hot Buffet is open everyday of the week. lunch and dinner. Serving all the classic and popular dishes from India, China, Japan, Italy, Mexico and Thailand.

At any one time there are a selection of 110 items available from starters, salads and main courses to home made sweets produced by the in-house pastry chefs (my last birthday cake he made for me was to die for). The amazing thing is that you can go around the different counters and try the already prepared dishes or sample the fresh food that the chefs are making at the live cooking stations and this can be done as many times as you wish!!!

It's a food lovers paradise, where not only is it a fixed price you can also mix and match some of the greatest cuisines of the world, in fact you could spend all your time eating a selection of starters or by interacting with the Chinese stir fry chef who will rustle you up a stir fry from the ingredients you've chosen that are available. This adds an extra dimension to the usual restaurant concept, not only being able to watch the chefs cook, but to be able to interact with them.
At RED HOT they pride themselves on a quality and variety of everything they do. This is greatly reflected within there food. Not only do they select the best chefs from around the globe; they also provide them with the best ingredients. Every morning their outlets receive a full delivery of fresh produce. All the ingredients of their cuisines are no more than 24hrs old, the proof of this is in the quality of the cuisine. the possibilities and variety is literally endless!
As well as the piping hot main courses there is a salad bar and there the philosophy again is to offer outstanding variety with over 16 different salads, but also to support the local economy by sourcing all of there ingredients from the surrounding areas, again delivered on a daily basis. Due to the fresh nature of their cuisine no preservatives or additives are ever included.
Must also tell you, not only is the food special at RED HOT, but so is the drinks menu. The wines reflect the ideals of the restaurant, by being as global. A cocktail list toooooo large to mention hic!World beers and a great selection of spirits. I have eaten at the Nottingham and Northampton restaurants. I have a feeling of great pride when I look at the decor and design, knowing my son was responsible for this.

To sum up the concept of RED HOT- Encapsulating the excitement of RED HOT is a contemporary but global decor that contains five live cooking stations that allow individual interaction with the chefs, or you can sit back and watch them producing as many speciality dishes as possible for you to enjoy. All this is complemented with great service, value, drinks and world music (don't think I will be cast into the pit of bad parents now, but it is all true)....

Second, 4 WOOD STREET

A delightful place for ladies that lunch. Slightly on the expensive side, but impeccable service and a delightful menu. All produce is organic, and they work their dishes with the seasons. There is a private dining room that you can hire for private functions, which is fitted out with yew regency furniture. Wonderful for celebrating family occasions, they say the table seats 16 but I feel that 12 would be a more comfortable number. Not only is the food exquisite, they serve my Pimm's how I like it with strawberry's....

Third, SALTWATER.

I am a great lover of fish and this has to be the best stuffed sea-bass I've ever tasted. After you have eaten your meal, you can take your drinks out onto the balcony and view Nottingham from a height. Sipping your brandy looking at the City Hall lit up at night, can be quite romantic!!

Fourth, THE LOCAL TANDOORI

A short drive from my home, we are welcome as friends on our arrival. The owner always comes and has a chat with us. After dining there for 14yrs, experiencing their changes of staff and fixtures and fittings, I must admit I feel like one of the family. I have ventured outside of my comfy zone with their menu, but always return to my favorite 'chicken tikka masala'. Rich and creamy, a portion of pialu rice and a shared pashwari nan, heaven..

Final one, SMITHY'S CHIPPY

A short walk from my home is a fish and chip shop. Sometimes there is nothing that will calm that hunger need, but the great english fish and chips. Sod the calories, this man's batter melts in your mouth. I have tried to coax the recipe out of him, but other than telling me there is ale added to the mixture, his mouth remains closed. He did tell me once that if I ever did manage to coax the formula out of him he would have to eat me.......

Well that's that tag done, I won't tag anyone but if you want to share your eating habitual with the blog world go ahead.

Tina has tagged me for the Education meme, I will do that tomorrow. Starving hungry now I've done that tag, lets go have a look whats in the fridge!!!!

55 FLASH FICTION

Perspiration cascading down his brow, he gripped her hand so tightly.
She whimpered and moved it away.
“Nearly there” the voices around him said. With one last exhausting struggle he bent his torso forward for a final glance. Then the tears fell from his eyes.
“Well done lady, it’s a girl” he heard them cry.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Well that was my frail attempt at 55 Flash Fiction. I was informed by G-Man that it needs to have a plot, a central character, and 55 words, and oh yes I almost forgot. It has to be posted on a Friday.
Easy one would think.
My biggest problem is that I do ramble on, often using five words were one would suffice. Maybe that's how I came by my title. Actually I did enjoy doing it, why don't you give it a go!!!

Hurray, the weekend is here and I'm off to the coast. Heres a 39 DIM FACT, of what I'll be doing

Walking on Sand.

I like the feeling

I get when I walk on sand.

Wet or dry.

It's the soft, moulding texture,

wrapping around my feet,

falling through my toes.

Sun-blazing, toe spreading, hazy days!

I love them...

SHARING.

Yesterday, I posted a poem by Ron Carnell. I have admired his work for a while, and discovered him through 'Passions in Poetry' site.
He was the founder of this and the only one now maintaining it. He lives at the moment in Michigan, U.S.A.
He is a retired business owner and computer programmer.
Whilst I love the classics of Shakespeare, I also admire many other poets. Most of whom are now long gone in their physical form, but who have left their legacy.

I find Ron Carnells work refreshing and of this age. He writes about many of the horrendous world events that have happened in my life time.
He has an honesty about his own life, marriage, friendship and deceits. These being just a few of the personal emotions he shares within his poetry.
His introduction's to the poems are as intriguing and thought provoking as the poetry itself.

The poem I posted yesterday 'SHE WEARS A MASK', was about a stripper. He met her on a 'stag night out' with his friends.
Her name was 'Celeste', and during the night he ended up moving away from the group to converse with her on his own.

Apparently when she discovered he was also a photographer, their relationship took on a whole new meaning.
He said he was fascinated by her, and when he discovered that 'Celeste' wasn't her real name (this is done in order to protect her), his fascination became even more of a mystery.
At the end of his introduction of the poem, he tells you it was eight months before she would let him know her real name, something it would appear he was proud of.

If you would like to read more of his poems, click here RON CARNELL.
I would welcome any feedback you feel about his poems....

Whilst I'm posting about some of my loves, I would also like to share with you a site I found quite by accident.
I have mentioned before my fascination with elephants, not just a respect for their magnitude, but also their mental attitude towards life's happenings.
When I'm browsing the net, anything which identifies elephants, I'm there to investigate.
On this occasion I clicked my mouse onto the most incredible photographic journey of elephants and other wildlife that I have ever experienced.
Without a doubt if I can get an opportunity to visit this exhibition, I will be there.

If you would like to see this work/journey, make sure before you visit, you have at least fifteen minutes to spare, and if possible the audio on to hear the words and music.
Click here on ashes and snow, once there go to Explore site.
I really hope you enjoy the experience, again I would love to hear your thoughts and views.

SHE WEARS IT LIKE A MASK...

Not a great deal happening here at the moment. No theatre, no shows, sigh!!
The physio- therapist has just left, after fitting all my equipment and adaptations. I will do a post about these another day, feel sure they will provide some laughs along the way.

One of my favourite poems is - SHE WEARS IT LIKE A MASK. by Ron Carnell, so I thought I would have it on my blog.

She wears it like a mask
Each time she comes to me,
A shroud to cloud my eyes,
A veil I cannot see.

But her mask is just a ruse,
An aspect of her game,
It hides the girl behind
The fiction of her name.

That name is but a symbol
Of the role she plays for me,
A promise unfulfilled
A hope of what could be.

Removing all between us,
Clothed only in her name,
Her touch is my illusion,
Setting heart and loin a flame.

A mirage within a dream,
A ghost of fragile youth,
She is fantasy. And fire.
A beauty born of truth.

Her name is but a name,
A symbol, just a mask-
Concealing what I see,
Revealing what I ask.....

SUBSTITUTE....

Yippee! The computer is working again, fingers, eyes and legs crossed that I get to complete my post before it shuts down again.
I have a laptop, but I am waiting to go wireless, hopefully this will be sorted out soon.

Thank you my blogging buddies for all your support, with my quit smoking boo-boo.
On track now, just trying to find a substitute to replace the cigarettes. The candles don't work the wax makes a real mess of your clothes...
Last night I was having another sleepless night. I found it hard to focus on one of the books that I'm reading, I couldn't concentrate and kept reading the same line. Then I saw a book a friend of mine bought me at Easter. Its called 'Chocolate Surprise'. He bought me the book because he knows I'm not too keen on chocolate (really), give me savories every time.

The book is full of naughty recipes, hints and trivia.

Apparently before you can officially be considered a chocoholic, you need to have done all of the following:

*Eaten a chocolate digestive biscuit
*Eaten a real white chocolate biscuit
*Consumed a glass of chocolate liqueur
*Quaffed a chocolate milkshake
*Relaxed with a chocolate malt drink
*Swallowed a strawberry dipped in chocolate whole
*Read the book 'Like Water for Chocolate'
*Washed your hair with chocolate shampoo
*Make a chocolate fondue
*Brought a chocolate fridge magnet
*Used a white chocolate body moisturizer
*Used a chocolate bubble bath
*Worn an 'I love chocolate T-shirt'
*Eaten frozen hot chocolate
*Burnt a chocolate candle
*Used a chocolate mouse mat
*Made a chocolate mousse body mask
*Owned a copy of the book Quilts for Chocolate Lovers

Now here are some more facts, but for official chocoholics only.....
You can inherit a sweet tooth from your parents. Research shows that there is a genetic reason why some people crave sugary food.

Prehistoric humans sought energy- rich, highly nutritional foods such as fruit, rather than bitter-tasting poisonous plant material. This ancient genetic preference may be behind our love of chocolate.

Chocolate contains over 300 chemicals and it is not known how all these affect humans.

Chocolate can be beneficial to the skin when applied topically.

A 2005 survey in the UK discovered that 71 percent of those asked were willing to divulge their computer password in return for a chocolate bar.......

Guess what I think I found my substitute/new addiction..