Sophia Lindop - A Unique Food Experience

In love with Life!

I have been in bed for a few days.  On one of these I watched the Oprah show - she was showing clips from past episodes, telling tales of what happened after these shows.  One of these clips was of George Clooney - after the show she opened the floor and invited the guests to ask him questions.

One lady asked him about his newly acquired home in Italy...  He became thoughtful and 'confessed' that he had had a love affair with Italy for a long time and felt compelled to buy a home there.  He told everyone that, on the first day in his new home, he was standing at the window, looking down at the street below.  It was around 17h00, and a group of construction workers were walking home.  He said that they looked like any other construction workers anywhere in the world - no shirts on, hard-top yellow hats on the heads, covered in dust - but what he noticed was, that most of them had loaves of bread, and bunches of flowers in their arms, and a bottle or two of wine in their hands, and they were all laughing and chatting as they walked home.  And he ended with this profound statement: "Italians celebrate Life!"

A letter for Paddy

My Dearest Paddy,

What a special day this is for us - four years of ecstasy!  Happy anniversary, my Love!  It has been a dream come true to be married to my best friend.  I am honoured to have you in my life!  You are an incredible man - your integrity and loyalty, kindness and dedication is both comforting and inspiring.  You truly are a gentle man, and I bless the day I met you!!  Thank you for your love, your commitment, your friendship and your unwavering belief in me and in us!  Thank you for giving me the space to fly, and for watching with a smile as I flap my wings!  You are a one off!

May we celebrate M-A-N-Y more anniversaries together!  I look forward to growing old "disgracefully" with you!

I love you with all of me!

Yours always,

Fia

April Fools' Day

Have you ever fallen prey to an April Fools' Day prank?  I must be honest, I haven't had any good ones done to me.  Oops!  With the friends I have, that bit of news might prove to be detrimental!

Ever wondered what it is all about?

Never a dull moment!

We had a wonderful impromtu dinner with Neal, Tara, Jon and Leah last night.  We tried a new recipe that I was given by a friend.  At first I thought it was a joke - you basically "sit" a chicken on a half-filled can of beer, then cook it in the Weber.  So, while it cooks, the beer steams and adds an amazing flavour!  We named this recipe "Chicken Elliot" (for reasons best not divulged), and we also prepared "Chicken Malcolm" (because I rubbed it with the most awesome spice that my very special friend, Malcolm, gave me on Friday evening).  Then I prepared the most amazing potato bake, and I roasted vegetables.  We ended the meal with a yummy fruit cobbler!  Aaaah, life is perfect! 

Makeovers

Ode to a hairdresser

How do I thank thee, Oh hairdresser of mine,

For making me look so utterly divine? 

For handing me back my spunk and flair,

Especially each time I admire my new coiff of hair!

Freedom

We arrived home at 02h30 this morning after a delightful dinner and evening with friends.  So, needless to say, we slept in, and after a late breakfast feast (because Paddy's goddaughter is visiting and the three of us love enjoying food together), I decided to watch the last third (I have been watching the movie in stages over the past few days) of Shawshank Redemption with Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman...  What a movie!  I am inspired every time I watch it!  Remember where Andy (Tim Robbins) escapes, and in the next couple of days Red (Morgan Freeman) and the gang are working in a field, and Red says something to the effect of : "Sometimes I need to remind myself that some birds aren't meant to be caged - their feathers are just too bright.  And when they fly away, the part of you that knows it was a sin to lock them up, does rejoice..."