Some of you may have noticed that Gnome has started posting up Haikus. I think that it is a good thing and it gives us a few giggles and guffaws. Often when we find something humourous, nobody else does so this one may purely be for our own benefit. Though we would be pleased if these were received with joy and release in your hearts too. 😉
So, how did this come about? This is what happened…
I had received a pannetone cake tin from a friend and I was anxious to bake one and show a picture on my Blog. Well, that was the plan anyway. In my usual haphazard way of baking I proceeded without a recipe. Just sort of made it up. Needless to say, the baking venture went wrong. I was all in a tizz in the kitchen, getting myself into a maddening hysteria. It was one of those really, really hot days.
Gnome was hot and bothered too and was in no mood for my antics. He said rather coarsely:
“If you had actually read a recipe and done it properly, you wouldn’t be in this mess! It’s your own fault!”
Waaaahhhh!! I was none too pleased with his reply. It made me Waaaaahhhh!! even more.
When Gnome realised that his directness had only served to exacerbate the situation, his countenance suddenly changed. Anger was replaced by cool placidity. He said with unwavering surety,
“The caterpillar must grow wings in order to flutter high.”
Gnome had made a complete U-turn in our usual “chucking-a-maddy”script which shifted me off balance.
I paused in mid-flail. Arms in the air.
What an obtuse reference…it was all too funny!! We both saw the stupidity of the whole situation and cracked up laughing.
This is when we got the idea that Gnome should start writing Haikus. Often, he is viewed as too direct and honest in his words. So this is an opportunity for Gnome expression; nicely obtuse and obscure and uncharacteristically airy-fairy for an immensely pragmatic Gnome.
If you ever look through my Belize Wild Recipes section, you will know that I like “mixing it up” and revel in being non-traditional in my invention of meals. I am indeed a Rebel Cook!! ;). Anyway, I’ve cooked an Italian Style meal to eat with fry jacks. Just in case you don’t know, fry jacks are puffed up dough traditionally eaten in Belize with refried beans or eggs for breakfast. Well, I am being twice the rebel because I have modified it into Italian and Brunch!
A while back, we received a few interesting and useful gifts from a visiting friend. Since a lot of these things can’t be found in Belize, I’d like to go through them (if you will allow me to indulge). Good quality items are hard to come by in Belize so we were really pleased to receive this stuff.
Fry Jacks are puffed up fried dough eaten traditionally in Belize for breakfast. They are usually served with refried beans or eggs. I love fry jacks but I have never been able to achieve a good result with recipes found on the Internet. I mentioned this in passing to a Belizean friend and she was aghast at the fact that I had not mastered the art of Fry Jacks after all these years and promptly organised a lesson for me.
The heat is Punishing; It’s stifling hot and we are suffering in the midst of dry season in Belize. I’m not whining for nothing…it has been a real feel of 117F (47C)! Phew!! The Piggies are whining in Paradise too…with squeals, squawks and prolonged weeeeeeeeeees! Mmmm…maybe we should do a Piggie Haircut Day…anyone for a mow-hawk!! It’s not a joke by the way, we do shave their hair as an annual event..
Hope you are having an enlightening Good Friday! Well, it’s hot and we are definitely in the midst of dry season which means it is time to tap copal (Protium copal) for the resin. The most popular use for the copal blocks is as incense. To use, just break off pieces and burn over charcoal. Another use for copal is as a skin treatment for rash, inflammation and itch; copal has been used by the Ancient Maya for centuries as a traditional remedy for skin ailments. It also has natural anti-septic qualities so can be used for minor bacterial and fungal infections. Here are some pictures of fresh copal:
