Tasty Thursdays: Shepherd’s Pie

Posted on May 5, 2011August 2, 2013 by Marcia Mayne

After my first visit to London, I returned home and cooked Shepherd’s Pie almost every week! I couldn’t get enough of it. It’s quite simple to make and very tasty.

Here’s a recipe I found on epicurious.com

Ingredients

1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 large onion, peeled and chopped
1 large carrot, peeled and chopped
1 pound ground lamb (or substitute half with another ground meat)
1 cup beef or chicken broth
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 teaspoon chopped fresh or dry rosemary
1 tablespoon chopped Italian parsley
1 cup frozen peas
2 pounds russet potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
6 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/2 cup milk (any fat content)
Kosher salt to taste

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F.

2. In a large sauté pan over medium-high heat, heat the oil, then add the onion, carrot, and meat. Cook until browned, 8 to 10 minutes.

3. Drain the fat and add the broth, tomato paste, and herbs. Simmer until the juices thicken, about 10 minutes, then add the peas.

4. Pour the mixture into a 1 1/2-quart baking dish; set aside.

5. Meanwhile, bring the potatoes to a boil in salted water. Cook until tender, about 20 minutes; drain.

6. Mash the potatoes with the butter, milk, and salt.

7. Spread them over the meat mixture, then crosshatch the top with a fork.

8. Bake until golden, 30 to 35 minutes.

Shepherd’s Pie (graceandlife.wordpress.com)
Shepherd’s Pie (stacysenick.wordpress.com)
Meal plan April 30 to May 6, 2011 (iblogplus.wordpress.com)
Meatless Monday~ Shepherd’s Pie~ (bludressboutique.wordpress.com)

Eye Over London

Posted on May 4, 2011July 10, 2011 by Marcia Mayne

My sister kept saying that she’d wait for me to arrive so we could take our 84 year old aunt on the London Eye. But by the time I got to London, our aunt was beginning to have difficulty getting around.

Maybe it was a good thing as it took more than 45 minutes from the time I picked up my ticket to the time I climbed aboard the ‘pod.’

But it was worth it. This is what I saw:

One of the 32 oval pods that take passengers high above London.

Houses of Parliament seen from the London Eye

Haven't been able to identify this building

I think our aunt would have loved this.

The ride on the London Eye was smooth, the view breathtaking. Just before each pod returned to home base, it discharged passengers and took on new ones. Each ride took about 30 minutes.

Some facts about the London Eye:

Designed by husband wife team of David Marks and Julia Barfield
It was opened in March, 2000
Hosts 3.5 million visitors annually
At 443 feet (135 meters), it is the 4th tallest structure in London
It is the world’s largest cantilevered observation wheel

If you’re not afraid of heights, next time you’re in London, make sure you check out the London Eye.

Enjoy the view!

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Lacock, a Proper English Village

Posted on May 3, 2011July 11, 2011 by Marcia Mayne

Established in 1232, the village of Lacock was given to the National Trust in 1944 by Matilda Talbot. It is best known as the location for the television series and movies, such as Pride and Prejudice, Emma and Harry Potter.

I can see why.

Houses are made of natural stone.

I didn’t notice until our tour guide, David, pointed out that there was no electricity in Lacock. No electricity, no electrical wires snaking through the air.

Lacock Bicycle — Bicycle outside King Johns Hunting Lodge

When King John (1167-1216) hunted in the forest outside of Lacock, he stayed at his hunting lodge. The lodge is now a tea room, restaurant and bed and breakfast.

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Tudor Day Trip to Lacock Abbey (bowoodclass.wordpress.com)

Woohoo, I’m Versatile Blogger. Thanks, Judith!

Posted on May 2, 2011May 17, 2025 by Marcia Mayne

Woohoo, I’m a Versatile Blogger!

My fellow blogger, Judith Baxter at Growing Younger Each Day just nominated me for a Versatile Blogger Award. Thanks Judith!

I wasn’t sure what or who a Versatile Blogger was but I would soon find out. This is actually a very cool thing. It’s also the first time I’ve been nominated for anything since I began blogging in earnest late last year so it’s very special to me. Once again, thank you, Judith.

I just discovered Judith and my eyes lit up when I saw that she was a life coach. (Life coaching isn’t a job for just anybody – she went way up on my respect meter.) I also enjoy reading her posts. Check her out here.

So what’s the Versatile Blogger Award?

It is an opportunity for a blogger to recognize fellow bloggers who they admire and enjoy.

Next, the bloggers who’ve been nominated have to link back to the blogger who gave them the award

Share 7 things about themselves

Choose 15 other bloggers to pass the award to and inform them that they’re passing the award on to them.

So here goes.

Seven things about me

It’s still very difficult to talk about myself because there are so many other more interesting things and people around me. Seriously.
I registered my blog 3 years before I posted anything. Now, I can’t go a day without posting something. (Who said I had no discipline?!)
I love art, books, music and travel. True story: I had minor surgery recently and my doctor told me afterwards that while I was under the anesthesia, I carried on a long conversation with them about books and art. (I’m an avid reader and in my other life, I’m a book publicist.)
I love Masterpiece Theatre and I never tire of watching Keeping up Appearances, As Time Goes By, Ms. Marple, Hercule Poirot with David Suchet. My ‘new’ fix is M1-5. My guilty pleasure is The Young and the Restless and General Hospital (soap operas). And for competition and armchair travel, I love the Amazing Race.
I realized how good my French was when I was able to tell off someone in French. (It would get even better if I practiced more.)
I’m looking forward to owning a backyard, a dog and parrot – exactly in that order. Oh, and a garden near the ocean.
I’d love to spend a year traveling to sacred places around the world. You could call it my personal year of living dangerously?

The 15 Bloggers I’m Giving a Versatile Blogger Award to:

In no particular order, these are the blogs I look forward to reading everyday for inspiration, for humor, for their refreshing content.

Drumroll, please!

My Versatile Blogger Awards go to —

Tony Newboult – Tony’s my first blog buddy. He blogs about music but right now he’s doing the A-Z Blogging challenge.
First Year of Freedom – Despite the differences in our ages, I love reading Mozes Sanchez’s posts. Mozes, who’s in high school, blogs as First Year of Freedom. Reading his posts is like looking over his shoulder at high school life.
Wander Woman – There’s so much power in this name. Carla’s posts are an interesting mix of travel and everyday stories. Always fresh, and refreshing.
Hakea – I depend on Narelle to bring me the good stuff. She’s also made me add Australia to the list of countries I want to visit.
Heather‘s stunningly sumptuous photographs are a feast. And her posts are just as sweet. She inspires me to be a better photographer.
Queen of Zoom – I love reading Theresa’s posts about her family and her view of the world from the back of a motorbike. I’m taken back to my teenage years riding on the back of my uncle’s bike.
Polly’s Space – Polly’s photos are powerful, her writing gentle. Check her out and see what I mean.
Journey Through a Writer’s Life – Cheryl’s poems move me by their simplicity. Don’t be fooled, writing poetry is hard work. She just makes it look easy.
Pass the Douchey channels my irreverent and decidedly liberal political side. I wish I could be as eloquent and as prolific.
Marge Mercurio’s latest series of posts is focused on using the internet to find goodies. Please check out the really cool things she’s found.
Grown up for Real – You know just by looking at a blogger’s page whether you’ll like what they post.
D. Rene does it all – career, a blended family, home.
My English Thoughts – Isabelle is bold and gutsy to write a blog in a language not her own just so she can learn. I wish I could be as gutsy and write at least one post in French! Read hers here
Wandering Around – John is the kind of traveler/blogger I hope to become – one of these days, hopefully not too long from now.
Leeswammes – I live books. Judith blogs about and reviews books. Nuff said!
Amusing Elephant – Anyone who loves Sunday Brunches is worth reading. Jasem writes about food and life in India.

Now, do the same and pass the Virtual Blogger Award to some bloggers you admire!

Thanks for stopping by.

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Soulful Sundays: Phoebe Snow – RIP

Posted on May 1, 2011July 11, 2011 by Marcia Mayne

Phoebe Snow via nme — Phoebe Snow - photo courtesy of nme.com

RIP Phoebe Snow.

This song, Poetry Man, reminds me of my days at university, sitting in the backyard in late spring/early summer drinking wine and having lazy conversations.

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Phoebe’s voice is languid and unbelievably rich.

Enjoy!

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Phoebe Snow…r.i.p. 04/26/11 (eturner7215.wordpress.com)
Harpo’s Blues…. (nachalooman.wordpress.com)

Weekly Photo Challenge: Round

Posted on April 30, 2011July 11, 2011 by Marcia Mayne

Why I Won’t be Watching Today’s Royal Wedding

Posted on April 29, 2011July 11, 2011 by Marcia Mayne

I’m happy for Kate Middleton. Really, I am.

She’s found the man of her dreams, a prince no less. And today, watched by family and friends, and millions of people around the world, she will walk down the aisle with him by her side.

She’s lucky. Only a few women get to have that fairy tale come true.

I’m happy for her family, too. By dint of hard work, they were able to turn an idea into a lucrative business earning them millions in the process.

That put them on firm footing financially so that they could afford to send their daughter to a good school where she was able to meet and snag her prince.

And so today, as they celebrate their good fortune and destiny revealed, I am pleased for them.

But that happiness is tempered by the reality nearly 3 million Britons are out of work, that services including medical and mental are being cut and libraries are closing.

And if that isn’t enough, they will be picking some of the tab for the 48 million dollar wedding. (It costs British taxpayers nearly 67 million annually to keep the royals in the style to which they’re entitled. So, even with the family promising to pick up part of the tab, it’s still taxpayers’ money.) Add that to the 10 million dollar that the designation of today as a national holiday will cost and the tally rises.

Even though I don’t live in Britain, when I look at these numbers, I find it difficult to be celebratory.

And it seems I’m not the only one. Reports say nearly 80% of Britons claim they don’t care about the big day either.

Can we blame them? Come April 30th, they’ll still be out of work and watching their standard of living continuing to deteriorate.

So while I wish the couple happiness and a long life together, I will not be watching their wedding today.

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Prince William and Kate Middleton Wedding Cake (femaleimagination.wordpress.com)

Tasty Thursdays: Steak and Ale Pie

Posted on April 28, 2011August 2, 2013 by Marcia Mayne

As I might have mentioned in previous posts, I’ll try anything. My tour of Stonehenge came with lunch so we stopped at the George Inn in Lacock. Even though I’d never had it before, I selected the steak and ale pie. It seemed pretty straight forward and most importantly, hearty. It was an all day tour and I had no idea when my next meal would be.

George's Inn Steak and Ale Pie — Steak and Ale Pie

Since we’d pre-ordered lunch, we were served as soon as we found our tables. The steak and ale pie was delicious!

I wasn’t sure how it was made but an Australian couple at the adjoining table explained that the meat was cooked first in ale — at least, that’s how it’s done in Australia — then baked.

A Little About The George Inn

The George Inn has been used as a pub since 1361. Though it’s been renovated and modernized, the George still maintains some of the vestiges from its past, such as the large open fireplace with a dog-wheel that once used for spit roasting.

I forgot to ask for a recipe but found this one on Allrecipes.com. If you try it, let me know what you think.

Ingredients

1/2 (17.5 ounce) package frozen puff pastry, thawed
1 tablespoon lard
1/2 pound cubed beef
1/4 pound carrots, diced
1/4 pound turnips, diced
1/2 pound peeled and cubed potatoes
1/4 pound onions, diced
1 cup water
1 cup bitter ale
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1/4 cup cold water
salt and pepper to taste

Directions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
Heat a large skillet over high heat. Add lard, then meat. Toss to coat meat, and saute just long enough to brown meat on all sides. Remove from heat. Place meat in a 1 quart baking dish. Add carrots, turnip, potatoes, and onion. Mix well.
Place 1 cup water and ale in a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer. Mix cornstarch with 1/4 cup cold water until smooth. Slowly pour cornstarch mixture into simmering ale mixture, whisking constantly. Continue to simmer until mixture has thickened. Add salt and pepper to taste. Pour mixture over meat and vegetables. Trim puff pastry to fit over top of filling.
Bake in preheated oven for 45 to 50 minutes, until pastry is deep golden brown.

Enjoy!

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Footie steak & ale pie (dragonfliesanddaisies.wordpress.com)

The Roman Baths at Bath

Posted on April 27, 2011July 11, 2011 by Marcia Mayne

Long before houses had indoor bathrooms, public baths were the most convenient way for people – rich and poor – to keep clean. They were not just for bathing, however, they were also a great place for socializing.

Founded in 75 AD, the Roman Baths at Bath, which are situated below street level, consist of a sacred spring from which water, as hot as 114° F (46° C) bubbles up at a rate of 257,364 imperial gallons a day, the remains of the Temple of Aquae Sulis, and a museum that houses artifacts found at the site.

The baths have been renovated and expanded many times over the years. During the Roman occupation, a frigidarium (cold bath), caldarium (hot bath) and tepidarium (warm bath) were built. After the Romans withdrew from Britain, the baths fell into disrepair. They were reopened when public bathing became fashionable in England and at the end of the 18^th century, the Georgian building surrounding the baths was designed by architect John Wood and his son, John.

The pool is no longer safe for bathing as the water still passes through the lead pipes that were constructed by the Romans.

The first thing you notice – wether in photos or as you enter – is the green color of the water in the great pool. Unfortunately, it’s not because the water is endowed with any mysterious powers, it comes from algae as the original roof that was in place during the Roman occupation was destroyed following their withdrawal.

I felt the water as it exited the spring. It was cool and buttery to the touch. It would have made for a refreshing and relaxing bath.

Some of the artifacts found in the pool are coins, a gilt-bronze statue of the head of Minerva and messages (curses) inscribed on sheets of lead or pewter that were rolled up and thrown into the spring where the spirit of the goddess dwelt.

Bath Car — A very modern way to arrive at the baths

Bath Pool — Corner of the Great Pool where the water enters

Bath Abbey view — View of Bath Abbey from the Great Pool

Bath Fountain — Cold bath (Frigidarium) - Those are coins in the water

Bath Artefacts — Pans and coins found at Bath

Bath Walkway — Detail of the original walkway

Bath World Heritage Site — Heritage recognized as a World Heritage Site in 1987

Bath is one of the best preserved examples of a Roman bath. It received more than a million visitors each year.

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Bath on Foot

Posted on April 26, 2011July 11, 2011 by Marcia Mayne

I wasn’t prepared for Bath. I knew that it was the location of the Roman Baths but I didn’t realize that the town itself was so beautiful.

These residences were designed by the architect, John Wood. Unfortunately, he died before he could see them built and his son, also named John, completed his work.

Bath Light — Lights outside in the Circus

I’m not sure what to make of this sign on Bridge Street. Mr. Duck?

Bath Levi's — Old and New Classics Meet in Bath

At first, the juxtaposition of the Levi’s sign — a modern classic — on this Georgian building bothered me. A part of me still feels like it’s out of place.