Buttermilk Pancakes

What you Need

• 120ml buttermilk
• 50ml skimmed milk
• 150g plain flour
• 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder
• pinch of salt
• 3 large eggs
• butter and vegetable oil for frying

What you do

• Sift the dry ingredients into a bowl, and make a well.
• Whisk the buttermilk, eggs and milk and add to the dry ingredients.
• Mix well until the mixture is a smooth batter with no lumps.
• Heat some butter and veg oil in a hot frying pan, add a ladle of the mixture.
• Once the sides of the pancake has bubbles forming, it's time to turn them (usually takes about 1 minute)
• Turn and allow to cook on the otherside.
• Serve.

You can serve these pancakes on their own with Canadian Maple syrup.
Alternatively you can mix chocolate chips into the batter, or fresh blueberries.

You can also slice a banana, and chop some pecans.  Stack the pancakes, top with the banana and chopped pecans, and pour a generous helping of maple syryp.

In fact you can put pretty much anything with these pancakes.  Bacon, Sausages, Strawberries and Whipped cream, blueberries, chocolate chips, bananas and pecans, fruit salad, anything really.

Bon Apetit!

Getting Lippy about Forced Marriages

September 19th 2009. The day I got married. The day I'd planned in my head since I was 15.

We planned the wedding within a year. We had cake tastings, looked at photographer portfolios, sampled sparkling wine. There were dress fittings and suit fittings, and we made invitations, and bought rings, and chose flowers. It was perfect, and wonderful (even if I did mess up my vows and cause the registrar to have to start all over again!) It was my wedding, my marriage, to a man I chose. A man I loved.

Unfortunatley some women do not get to choose the men they will marry. In fact some women never even set eyes on the man they will marry until it's time to say "I DO". Sometimes they are tricked into flying to another country to be married off, or sold for Citizenship, sometimes they aren't even adults, but teenage girls. They are abused, raped, and beaten. I'm not just talking about Arranged Marriages, I am talking about Forced Marriages.

Arranged marriages have deep roots in Royal and Aristocratic families around the world. Today, it is largely practiced in South Asia (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh) Africa, the Middle East, and East Asia to some extent.

To explain an arranged marriage, it's where two sets of parents decide that their children will marry. Family 1 has a son, and Family 2 has a daughter. The parents have decided on the match, and the marriage goes ahead.

Royal families practiced this for many generations, Princes were bethroved to Princesses, Kingdoms would be united, as in The Swan Princess.

Forced mariages are different. I'm thinking it's the term "Forced" that gives it away. 

This story is one of many stories that hits the headlines.  15, abused for refusing a forced marriage, sold for £10,000 so that her "husband" could become a British Citizen. Only 1 example of Forced Marriage out of thousands. Quoting the article - "Figures obtained by Newsbeat show that her ordeal is one of many suffered by an estimated 1,735 potential forced marriages involving British citizens in 2010."

If I said the name Bibi Aisha, would you know who I'm talking about?  

 

What if I showed you this picture?

 

Bibi Aisha is an young woman from Afghanistan. In 2009 she fled her husband's house, complaining of beatings, maltreatment and a life, not uncommon among women in Afghanistan, that amounted to abject slavery. She was promised to a Taliban fighter by her father when she turned 12 as payment to settle a dispute – a practice in Afghanistan that goes by the name of "baad". 

Having endured years of torment and abuse she escaped to the only place she could go to, back to her family home. Her freedom didn't last long, she was taken back to her her husband to face punishment. 

She was taken away to a mountain clearing, where the local Taliban commander issued his verdict. She was then held down by her brother-in-law, while her husband first sliced off her ears and then cut off her nose. Aisha passed out from the pain but soon awoke choking on her blood, abandoned by her torturers and the ad-hoc judiciary of the Taliban.

According to Time Magazine, the Taliban commander who awarded the punishment later said that Aisha had to be made an example "lest other girls in the village try to do the same thing".

With the help of the American military, aid workers took her to a women's refuge in Kabul run by an Afghan-American organisation, Women for Afghan Women (WAW). There she remained, under the care of trained social workers, until August 2010, at around the time the Time Magazine cover appeared.

These 2 seperate cases, both horrific, both very real, are more common than people realise.  Not every story makes it into the news, on to the web, into the public eye.

These women had no choice.

I got to choose my husband, for love and companionship.

These women got forced to marry strangers and were abused and scarred in the process.

Thousands of women (and men) each year are forced into marriages.  It's unfair.  It's unjust.  It needs to be stopped.

For 100 years, International Womens Day has been active.  Women working for equality and fairness.  

This March 8th, show your support, for these two women and thousands more who don't get a choice.  Get Lippy.  Have your say.  Show your support and help highlight these issues, so that more people are aware of them, in the hopes that one day every woman, no matter who she is, where she lives or what her religion is, has the choice. 

 

Until we are all equal, none of us are equal.

credit where credits due? apparantly not.

Today has not been a good day. In fact, the last 4 days have not been good days.  Ever since my bank screwed up my account reference for the estate agent we are using to rent the flat that we found.

My complaint has been escalated, and I've spent more money than I care to actually think about right now, on phone calls to the bank.

The gist is the estate agent won't accept my bank statements.  My bank has screwed up my reference, mainly because the person who initially dealt with it didn't read it properly.  Fast forward to today, and Jill, a minion of the bank tells me that the check they do is based on my credit history, file and report, and that basically I have a bad credit history.  In actual fact I have accounts with the companies that compile credit histories, and every 3/4 months, I log in to said accounts and check my records.  Make sure stuff isn't on there that shouldn't be on there, etc etc.

I logged in this evening, and from what I can see, my credit scoring is above average, my file is unblemished, and my history is pretty good shape (no bloodshed or wars).  I never make late payments, or forget to make payments.  I don't constantly apply for credit.  I have a reasonable salary coming in, on a regular basis.  I run my account well (according to every person I have ever spoken to at my stupid bank) so for the life of me, I cannot understand why the bank have chosen to tell my estate agent that I cannot afford to make rental payments each month.

I'm confused.  I feel lost and overwhelmed and upset.  And angry.

We've started packing, and buying things for our new flat, our first home together, that's all ours and not shared with anyone.  We've paid the money, signed the agreement.  There is just this one reference that's blocking us.  Standing in the way of us having a home together and I don't understand why.  After my bills are paid, I have a lot of money left over, in fact enough to cover the stupid rental cost of £347.50 for my share of the rent, with money left over.  I don't understand.  It doesn't make sense.  and no one will explain it to me.  Instead I get crappy unhelpful responses from a bank that clearly doesn't care about its customers.

I've requested for a 2nd request, this time for just my amount of the rent.  If that comes back the same as the last one, then that rope?  the rope holding this package together? it's snapped.  we will have lost our new home, and a sizeable chunk of money.

I havent felt like this in a long time.  I hate it.  I'm anxious.  I'm upset.  I'm stressed.

I know life isn't fair, but for just one moment, just one, give me a break?
I think I deserve one.

Get Lippy with ActionAid UK

Get Lippy on International Womens Day

On the 8th of March, the world at large will be celebrating International Womens Day.  It has been celebrated every year since 1911 and each year gains more support and strength.  For a fair few number of years now, the United Nations has held an annual IWD conference to coordinate international efforts for women's rights and participation in social, political and economic processes.  Women everywhere SHOULD be equal. 

Because if we aren’t equal everywhere, we aren’t equal anywhere.

It's time to shine a spotlight on the struggles women are facing today in the developing world and to build solidarity to tackle the urgent challenges ahead. We must work towards a world where women and men, girls and boys have equally good chances in life, free from want and free from fear.  Where everyone is equal.

This year I am teaming up with ActionAid UK to Get Lippy by sending a message of support to women in developing countries who will be speaking up for their rights on the 8th of March. I'm hoping that you'll all Get Lippy with me.

If you want to know more about IWD, you can visit www.internationalwomensday.com

If you want to know more about ActionAid UK's Get Lippy campaign you can visit www.actionaid.org.uk  

I'll be featuring a few blog posts between February 21st and February 28th and on IWD, March 8th, I'll be posting also.

You can also follow the Get Lippy Campaign on Twitter by using the hashtag #GetLippy

and they did it again.

Remember when I wrote about this?
Oh yeah, and this too?

Well, yes, yes I shit you not, they have done it again.
This time with a reference to confirm I have money entering my account each month.

As you know the hubs and I are about to rent a flat.  We've paid the money, signed the agreement, and all we need now are the references.
Every reference has been perfect until my bank entered into the equation.
They are currently the last string on the rope that is holding this package together, and that string my friends is about to snap.  and as it snaps it will hit me in the face and I'll most likely see red.

Instead of confirming to the estate agent that I have money entering my account each month to cover the joint claim of a rental, the bank have written back with this -

"From the information we have available, we are unable to confirm the customer would be able to meet the commitment you are suggesting"

My head?  It imploded.

Invisible, Imaginary money?  I has it!

After 7 phone calls, and a lot of civilised ranting and complaining. I have been told that my complaint has now been escalated.  It will take 5 working days to confirm they know about my complaint, and then they will investigate.
I move in 17 days.
17.
1.7.
17.
SEVENTEEN!!!

The last string, it is wearing out, and with it my patience, and my sanity and my ability not to go into the tool shed, grab a shovel and beat the crap out of someone.
(last sentence for imagery only, not actually going to happen!)

I've done all I can do now.
This blows.
LloydsTSB, you blow too. 

Bite Me.

Todays Picture - Valentines Day

Spiced Butternut Squash & Carrot Soup

What you Need

• 4 large carrots
• 1 medium sized butternut squash
• 1/4 of a red chili
• 3 large cloves of garlic
• 2 large onions
• olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon of paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon of chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon of tumeric
• 1 teaspoon of cumin
• 1 litre of vegetable stock
• 500ml water (optional)
• 100ml double cream (optional)
• salt and pepper
• parsley (to garnish)

What you Do

1. Heat some olive oil in a pan.
2. Chop the onions, carrots, squash, garlic, and chili.
3. Once oil is heated, add the chopped vegetables into the pan and cook on a medium heat until soft.
4. Add the spices to the pan and continue to heat for a further 5 minutes.
5. Add the vegetable stock and bring the pan to the boil.  Allow to boil for 20 minutes.
6. Add the hot water if neccessary.
7. Once the vegetables are soft and cooked through, season with salt and pepper, and the blend thoroughly with a handheld blender.
8. Add the double cream and stir well.
9. Dish into soup bowls and garnish with a sprig of parsley.
10. Serve and enjoy!

not shown - sprig of parsley

Bon Apetite!

Sign here, and here, and here.

So it's almost official.  Almost.  So close that I can taste it.  Almost.

Yesterday we received the Tenancy Agreement, on our own home.  Yeah Yeah it's not buying, but in this climate and the "help" you can get from the goverment, you can't afford to buy a house unless a) you're rich, b) rich relative leaves you lots of money or a house, c) you win a substantial amount on the lottery or d) you rob a bank and don't get caught.  In all honesty, none of those apply to us.

In able for us to buy we would need a deposit down-payment of a minimum of £20,000 to secure a mortgage.  We then would need another £5,000 for costs, plus probably another £6,000 for decorating and possible refurbishment.  If only I could just bend over and pull £31k out of my rear.  whatever.

So, the flat, apartment, whatever you want to call it.  It looks like we has one!

It's big, and comfy, and I can't wait to move in.  All we need to do is sign, hand over the money, and off we go.

Oh yeah, we also need furniture. But that's ok.  I don't mind sitting on the floor for a bit.  It's character building.

And The Winner Is......

Recently I ran a competition in partner with CNS, an online UK retailer.
The competition closed yesterday, and today I have picked a winner.

I took everyones comments, put them into my little pot and gave it a good shake, then I drew the winner.

That Winner is sarahlouiseclark.

Sarah you'll need to give me your email address so that I can send you your £25 gift voucher.  Please drop me an email at becca [dot] j [dot] masters @ googlemail [dot] com. 

Congratulations!

To all the other entrants, apologies.  I wanted to pick everyone, but I only had 1 gift code.  But stay tuned as I will be running more competitions in the future!

Give Away!

It's Give Away Time!!

I'm giving one lucky reader the chance to win a £25 gift voucher code to use at any of the CNS Online UK Stores.  Need some new Cookware?  A new TV Stand?  New Wardrobes or Chest of Drawers? 

http://www.csnstores.co.uk

http://www.allmodern.co.uk/

http://www.cookwarebycsn.co.uk/

http://www.furniturebycsn.co.uk/

http://www.lightingbycsn.co.uk/

http://www.tvstands.co.uk/

If you'd like the chance to win the £25 voucher code then just leave a comment below saying hello and telling me why you want to win.

The Winner will be picked at random on the 9th of February.  Unfortunately the competition is only open to UK entrants, due to CNS only shipping within the UK.

I will be running more competitions, that will be open worldwide, so please stay tuned.

Todays Picture

Imbolc Lamb Stew & Chive Dumplings

Imbolc Lamb Stew & Chive Dumplings: Serves 4 - 6 750g Diced Lamb 750ml Cold Water 2 Medium Onions (Peeled & Chopped) 3 Medium Carrots (Peeled & Diced) 4 Medium Potatoes (Peeled & Diced) 100g Frozen Peas 1 Tsp Salt & Pepper 1 Tbs Parsley Chopped Chive Dumplings 125g Self-Raising Flour 1 Teaspoon Butter or 45g Suet ½ Tsp Salt 1 Tbsp Chives - Chopped Milk

Method  Place the lamb in a saucepan, cover with water, add the peeled and diced carrots and potatoes, chopped onions, salt, pepper, bay leaf, and parsley. Bring to boil; reduce heat and simmer for an hour or until lamb and vegetables are tender. Adjust the seasoning and add the peas then simmer for further 10 minutes. Drop dumpling dough by heaped dessert spoonfuls on top of hot bubbling stew. Cover tightly; cook 15 – 20 minutes.                         Chive Dumplings: Sift together flour and salt. Rub in butter/suet, stir in chives. Add enough milk to make a soft, sticky dough.

Imbolc Eve

Tis Imbolc Eve!!

There are eight main Sabbats : Samhain, Yule, Imbolc, Ostara, Beltane, Lithia, Lammas and Mabon.  The Wheel of the Year.

 Imbolc represents the return of light into the world.  Usually celebrated starting at sundown on February 1st continuing through the day of February 2nd.
Imbolc means in the belly of the Mother as that is where seeds are beginning to stir in Spring. Imbolc is especially sacred to the Celtic Fire Goddess, Brigit, patron of smithcraft, healing, midwifery, and poetry.

Imbolc, also called Oimealg, (IM-mol'g), by the Druids, is the festival of the lactating sheep. Derived from the Gaelic word "oimelc" which means "ewes milk". Herd animals have either given birth to the first offspring of the year or their wombs are swollen and they're ready to give birth. 

 
The changes in the seasons reflect our lives - changing through birth, maturity, old age and death.

Imbolc is regarded as the first day of Spring. Life is beginning to stir again.  Bulbs are beginning to shoot and new lambs are born - the cycle of new life returns to the earth. Imbolc marks the rebirth of nature and fertility.  Nature is awakening from her winter rest - the long winter darkness begins to break as the daylight hours begin to get longer. Christians celebrate this festival as Candlemas.

Imbolc is a 'fire festival'.  Particular attention was paid to the hearth fire and keeping it alight, a lot of Wiccans/Pagans will light candles during this festival.

Spring cleaning comes from the habit at Imbolc of getting rid of unwanted clutter and preparing for the new season, physically and mentally.
Now is the time to finish old habits and make a fresh start, and realise the world is full of new opportunities. 

Happy Imbolc to All and Blessed Be.