Happy Christmas Everyone!
I hope this letter/page/mass of rambling run on sentences that might well drive a university English professor mad finds you all happy, healthy and peaceful. I pray that 2011 was a year full of only the best things in life for you, and that you have found joys, large or small, throughout the year.
My life was altered in some fundamentally profound ways this year, while at the same time many things stayed exactly as they always were.
I spent much of the year recovering from a serious health issue that saw me actually become that "fat chick in the wheelchair" after two years of international travel with my job. I came home from the Philippines with hundreds of pounds on my back, literally, and hardly the strength to get from the couch to the coffee maker. I was blessed to have an excellent doctor, fantastic health care (go Team Saskatchewan!) and the support and love of family and friends, and I began a journey of recovery. Wow, I suddenly sound like an after school special! It wasn't quite that profound. I have lost quite a bit of weight, and brought my blood sugar down from diabetic levels to something they call "pre-diabetic", whatever that means. My goal is to be able to control my sugar through diet only, and be off medication for it by next year. Now, if Ben and Jerry and Mr. Christie would just stop calling, I'd be able to do it no problem!
I went back to work this year after my health improved, and in a few short months, I have gone from no jobs to three jobs! I've been freelancing at the Leader Post and really enjoy researching for articles and interviewing clients. A sample can be found here:
http://www.leaderpost.com/search/search.html?q=Michele+Tyndall
and can I just say I now know more about the game of golf than I ever wanted to *L*
To supplement the freelance work I took a part time job as a shift supervisor at a local lounge. I work just two nights a week, usually Mondays and Wednesdays, and usually wind up doing more cleaning than serving customers. Sweeping and mopping is a great workout, with none of the ridiculous gym fees, and it's a bit of mad money so I can indulge in more than the usual rice and veggies seven days a week *L*
Finally, in September, I started working full time for Access Communications, a local cable/phone/internet provider. The company is a co-operative and non-profit, which is fantastic, and is strictly here in Saskatchewan (right now, anyway), so I won't be travelling as much,. But on the other hand, I get to talk to local folks rather than people in Texas and Florida, so that's a bonus. And I'm learning more about our province daily. I'd never even heard of Carrot River before!
Suddenly my days are full of work and for some reason I can't convince the laundry to do itself, so it's been a hectic last few months of 2011. But if it means moving towards my goal of good health, more travel (I'm desperate to go back to the U.K., and I'd love to get back to Kelowna--I've only had a chance to visit mom and dad there one time!), and maybe even saving a few bucks for a rainy day, then I'll muddle through somehow, knowing the results will be worth it. I still get to visit with friends, you all still have a standing invitation to brunch every Sunday (and we've found some awesome deals and food here in Regina this year), and I have managed to still find time to enjoy a good cup of coffee and the latest series of Doctor Who!
Favorite tv show of 2011: Hawaii Five-0
Favorite movie: Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
New thing I learned how to bake this year: Banoffee pie*
Resolution for 2012: Getting my sugar count consistently below five
Last thought: I have been rubbish this year at communicating and I really hope to remedy that in the new year. But if you are ever wondering if I'm thinking of you, know that I am, and that you-- my friend, my brother, sister, niece, nephew, friend, godson, aunt, uncle, cousin, potential ex-boyfriend--you are always in my prayers, and I know in my heart that I am so SO lucky to have you all in my life!
* Banoffee Pie (Ben’s favorite)
* 9oz (250g) gingernut (or digestive) biscuits
* 10oz (275g) butter
* 1 tin (400g) sweetened condensed milk
* 6oz (175g) caster sugar
* 1/4 pint (150ml) double cream
* 2 bananas
Procedure
To make the base, crush the biscuits into crumbs with the end of a rolling pin -- this is best done inside a freezer bag to avoid spillage and loss. Melt two-fifths of the butter (about 4oz) in a large saucepan. Once melted, take off the heat add mix in the biscuit crumbs. Press into the bottom of an 8-inch (20cm) loose-bottomed tin, and transfer to a fridge to chill.
For the filling, place the remaining butter with the sugar into a medium-sized saucepan (ideally non-stick if you don't like dish washing) and melt over a medium heat, stirring until the butter has melted, and sugar is just starting to melt. Add the condensed milk and bring to the boil, stirring continuously for 5 minutes to make your caramel.
To assemble, chop the bananas into slices, arrange over the base, and pour the caramel over the top, before returning to chill for at least an hour for the caramel to firm.
Prior to serving, whip the cream, and spoon over the top, optionally with some grated chocolate, or garnish with Cape gooseberries.
Warnings
* One pie may not be enough...
* If there are children present, it is practically impossible to keep them from licking the contents of the condensed milk tin! Be careful of the edges.
* 9oz (250g) gingernut (or digestive) biscuits
* 10oz (275g) butter
* 1 tin (400g) sweetened condensed milk
* 6oz (175g) caster sugar
* 1/4 pint (150ml) double cream
* 2 bananas
Procedure
To make the base, crush the biscuits into crumbs with the end of a rolling pin -- this is best done inside a freezer bag to avoid spillage and loss. Melt two-fifths of the butter (about 4oz) in a large saucepan. Once melted, take off the heat add mix in the biscuit crumbs. Press into the bottom of an 8-inch (20cm) loose-bottomed tin, and transfer to a fridge to chill.
For the filling, place the remaining butter with the sugar into a medium-sized saucepan (ideally non-stick if you don't like dish washing) and melt over a medium heat, stirring until the butter has melted, and sugar is just starting to melt. Add the condensed milk and bring to the boil, stirring continuously for 5 minutes to make your caramel.
To assemble, chop the bananas into slices, arrange over the base, and pour the caramel over the top, before returning to chill for at least an hour for the caramel to firm.
Prior to serving, whip the cream, and spoon over the top, optionally with some grated chocolate, or garnish with Cape gooseberries.
Warnings
* One pie may not be enough...
* If there are children present, it is practically impossible to keep them from licking the contents of the condensed milk tin! Be careful of the edges.
