Nexus

Black Olive & Orange Butter

I found this recipe while browsing the March issue of Gourmet. It is intended as a sauce for asparagus - I think it would be wonderful on almost any vegetable - I'm thinking potatoes, roasted carrots or cauliflower. Perhaps even a warm mushroom salad served on wilted greens.

The very simple recipe is -
Melt 2 tbsp unsalted butter in a skillet, whick in 2 tbsp fresh orange juice and 2-3 tbsp black olive paste.

That's it. Sounds fantastic.

Gourmet London

Both Saturday papers told me the March issue of Gourmet Magazine is devoted entirely to London. The magazine proclaims London is 'The Best Place to Eat in The World Right Now'. The issue is wonderful and gives me ideas for many excursions while I am there in September. Lots of great photography accompanies the articles. I was especially pleased it suggested having a picnic at Kyoto Gardens in Holland park - this was my sanctuary during my last trip. The article suggested picking up the picnic fixing at an organic shop right near the park. Hopefully I will be able to do just that.

UN Report on AIDS

I'm just listening to CBC news - there were some terrible stories tonight. Amid all the bad news was this story giving figures, just released by the UN, for an AIDS in Africa study. The numbers are stunning - I can't even comprehend. It puts the other bad news in perspective. Here is a link giving a summary of the figures. The worst case scenario - and given how we treat this catastrophe, I can't imagine it not going the 'worst case' route - indicates 80 million deaths in Africa from AIDS by 2025. That's 80,000,000. human lives.

Here's another link - this very worthwhile charity does grassroots work in Africa. Just read their 'about us' page for some basic information about the impact AIDS is having on Africa.

Vacation Planning

I love planning my vacations - it's not that I have to have everything all mapped out for me, it's just that I have so much fun researching it all. So, maybe I should change that sentence to 'I love researching my vacations'. The vacation I have in my sights now is London in September. I know it's a long way off - but it's such a good antidote to winter. Today I started getting prices together. I plan to have two full weeks in London this time. I hope to be staying at the same hotel as last time - it was a perfect place to stay - good price, two minutes from the Kensington tube station and near Holland Park which is perfect for running. There are also great shops and restaurants nearby. Just remembering all these places brings back vivid memories of my last trip. Can't wait.

Couldn't Leave It Like That

I had to get one more post in quickly ... my last post was number '666'. Didn't seem like a good idea to leave it like that too long.

Wishing To Be In Vacation Mode

Last year at this time, I was posting about spring things - an upcoming vacation, rhubarb recipes and spring running weather. Quite a different story this year ... snow storms, shovelling out and wondering if spring will ever arrive. I must admit - it was quite beautiful today and I am frustrated with myself for not enjoying this - clean, white and beautiful snow everywhere. All the tree branches and boughs covered in snow - every tiny little twig is wrapped in it. It is gorgeous - and not so cold that you can't be comfortably out in it. Winter is just so damned long.

I am longing to go away. I read about a wonderful 12 day trip to Tuscany recently. The trip is organized by an art & architecture professor at a local univeristy - she organizes this trip every year - even takes along a top notch yoga instructor for daily yoga classes. It would be a very educational trip but with lots of downtime. One of the best things - 4 star accomodation in a spa town with all meals included. I was quite tempted - the only problem - the trip is in June and I have my vacation planned for September. So in the end I will stick to my original plan of two weeks in London in September/October. But reading about the trip to Tuscany did spark lots of day dreams and a few trips to the bookstore to check out the Tuscany travel books. Maybe next year.