B-town Blues

Hello Visitors!

noreply@blogger.com (Duni) — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 07:01:00 +0000

Thank you for stopping by!

Please note this is my old blog, which will not be updated. Please visit my NEW blog at:

http://lovelypurses.blogspot.com

Sorry for the inconvenience.

best,

Duni

Please visit my new site!

noreply@blogger.com (Duni) — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 10:41:00 +0000

For regular updates on what's happening in my life and also showcasing my latest creations, please visit:

http://lovelypurses.blogspot.com

Thanks for stopping by!

Attention Entrecard Advertisers!!

noreply@blogger.com (Duni) — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 15:29:00 +0000

This blog is no longer active (please see previous post), therefore please don't advertise here anymore. Sorry for inconvenience caused! Feel free to advertise on my other blog http://lovelypurses.blogspot.com.

Thank you.

New projects for 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Duni) — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 08:09:00 +0000

Well, I hope everyone had an enjoyable Christmas and holiday season. I want to thank everyone for the wonderful Christmas and New Year's wishes! Thank you so much and the same to you and your families of course!

The last few weeks have been crazy for me work-wise. I've had last-minute translations to do, loads of new students to tutor and my new blog showcasing my bags has really hit it off. Not to mention sewing assignments and selling/marketing my bags.
My hubby mentioned that I seem to be spending my life in my home office; indeed I haven't really been out and about at all lately and I admit, I do feel somewhat drained. This is having a negative effect on my creativity, and believe me, I love designing and sewing bags! This is something I do not want to give up. No way.
So, for 2009 I'm going to be making a few adjustments - starting with this blog. I've written well over 100 posts since I started B-town Blues last summer. I've 'met' wonderful bloggers in the blogosphere, made friends, read interesting sites, scanned other blogs for information. I just love blogging. It has opened up a whole new world to me...unfortunately I only have so much time per day and since I want to concentrate more on my creative blog, I will put this blog to rest. In fact, this is the last post! I apologize to the 3 or 4 loyal readers ☺ who have been reading along. Don't worry, I'm not going to disappear entirely. You are very welcome to visit me at

Further, I will be working on my very own website - I've already bought the url - where I will be selling my bags. I believe this will greatly enhance my visibility, popularity and image, and it will be more convenient for local customers to buy off my website, instead of searching for my shop on the handmade selling site that I am currently using.
So, this going to take up yet more time...

Attention Entrecard Advertisers - please don't advertise on this blog anymore, I am going to be taking it down soon. I will keep up the site for those that have been approved already. Sorry for any inconvenience caused.

So, with mixed feelings, I'm going to be saying goodbye now. I wish everyone a wonderful new year, peace, joy and happiness! Hope some of you will come visit me at Lovely Purses!

Duni

A much needed break...

noreply@blogger.com (Duni) — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 10:13:00 +0000

Hello everyone,

I just wanted to let you know I'm taking a break from blogging over the holidays. Thank you for stopping by and perhaps even reading one or two posts of mine ☺ Thanks to all commenters. I wish everyone a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year!

See you back in 2009!

One lonesome tree

noreply@blogger.com (Duni) — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 09:43:00 +0000

I woke up this morning to find an awful racket outside my window.
Can you guess what happened? Me neither.

When I looked outside there was a worker climbing up into our huge beech tree in the back garden! I had forgotten all about the tree. The city horticulturist had inspected the tree last year and found it to be diseased. It supposedly presented a hazard, so the city ordered it taken down.
They are at it with their chainsaws as we speak. Poor tree. If they keep going at this rate it will be completely removed by midday.
The view out to the back will be entirely different, now that the tree doesn't protect us from the curious eyes of our neighbours.
What a start to the week. Sigh.

Entrecard - serious error

noreply@blogger.com (Duni) — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 16:06:00 +0000

I can't log in to Entrecard. I'm sure other EC users have noticed there's a bug in the system. So no EC dropping for me today. I hope they fix this problem soon!

Fructose Malabsorption

noreply@blogger.com (Duni) — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 15:09:00 +0000

More and more people in Europe are suffering from fructose malabsorption, in many cases a hereditary condition. Alternative health practitioners, however, believe it to be stress-related - along with unhealthy eating habits.
Fructose malabsorption is not an allergy. Basically, the afflicted person cannot properly absorb the fructose found in fruit, some vegetables, sweets, chocolate, processed food, (and many more), due to an enzyme deficiency.
Most people with this condition suffer from bloating, stomache ache, cramps, diarrhea, vomiting, feel sick, and lack of appetite.
Naturally, one would have to switch to a fructose free diet. Not easy. Eating an apple may already cause symptoms. So, eating an apple a day, does not always keep the doctor away ☺
People who are sweet-tooths find the switch extremely difficult, becoming depressed as a consequence. There is a way around this, if you're willing to experiment with dextrose and know how to bake. For all FMA sufferers, try this recipe:

Nutcake

250 gr ground hazelnuts
250 gr flour
10 gr baking soda
270 gr dextrose
100 ml milk (may be lactose free)
140 ml strong, black coffee (cooled)
little bit of corn oil

how to:

mix the nuts, flour, baking soda, dextrose. Add milk, coffee and oil if consistency is too dry. Spread in 30 cm rectangular baking tin and bake at 200°C for ca. 50 minutes until golden.
Cool.
Then remove from tin and cool on a rack. Cut into slices.

ps - try not to eat all at once!

Wishing everyone a relaxing Sunday...

noreply@blogger.com (Duni) — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 10:10:00 +0000

click to enlarge

...and peaceful 2. Advent.

My hubby found this pair of dolls in a local shop and bought them for me. They were the last ones! Aren't they cute?

Enjoying a vegetarian Christmas meal

noreply@blogger.com (Duni) — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 11:18:00 +0000

Over the holidays most people will have eaten more meat than is good for them. There's the family Christmas dinner and lunch, dinner with the in-laws, the office X'mas party and so on.
How about serving up a vegetarian meal for your family this year?
A vegetarian Christmas meal does not have to be boring, and your body will thank you for it afterwards. Here's a recipe you could try:

For the starter: Fresh Basil-Mini- Mozzarella en brochette (on a skewer)

150 gr Mini Mozzarella
8 Cherry Tomatoes
quarter piece yellow capsicum
quarter piece cucumber

marinade: 1 onion, 1 chilli pepper, garlic, juice of a half lemon, basil, oregano, 100 ml olive oil
salt and pepper

half the tomatoes, cut capsicum and cucumber in small pieces. Place the cheese, tomatoes, capsicum and cucumber on skewers. Set aside.
For the marinade chop onion, garlic, pepper finely, add lemon juice, oil, herbs and spices and marinate the cheese skewers for one hour. Serve with fresh baguette.

main course: Fresh Ravioli with Creamy Herb Sauce

buy 300 gr fresh ravioli preferrably stuffed with porcini filling from your local delicatessen. If you're up to the challenge you can make the ravioli yourself :)

2 shallots
garlic
1 TS olive oil
1 cup dry white wine
a quart ltr of cream
150 gr creme fraiche
basil, parsley, chervil - fresh if you can get them
200 gr button mushrooms,
salt & pepper, butter

Cook the ravioli in a pot of simmering water until they rise to the top. This doesn't take long.
Meanwhile, dice the shallots and garlic and sauté in olive oil. Pour in the wine and cook until liquid is reduced. Add the cream and creme fraiche. Reduce. Add salt and pepper. Pour sauce through a sieve into a small pan. Stir in chopped herbs and heat through.
Drain ravioli and add to sauce. In another pan stir-fry mushrooms in a little butter.
Distribute ravioli onto four plates and top with mushrooms.

Dessert: Apple Tarts with Vanilla Ice Cream

(makes 12)

300 gr Apples, lemon juice
Vanilla pod
1 TS brown sugar
a pinch of cinnamon
100 gr butter and 100 gr sugar
3 eggs, salt
125 gr flour, backing soda
ready bought vanilla ice cream

Into a bowl cut apples into slices and add lemon juice. scrape the inside of the vanilla pod into the bowl. Add brown sugar and cinnamon. Stir until well coated.

Heat water in a double boiler and place butter, sugar, eggs and salt into a double boiler and beat until creamy. Take off heat and continue stirring, until mixture has cooled. Add flour and baking soda carefully, pour into muffin cups and top with marinated apple slices.
Bake in oven at 180°C for ca. 35 minutes.

Serve with vanilla ice cream.

The recipe serves four, except for dessert which can be eaten for breakfast the next day. Yummy!

Enjoy...

Top 3 Entrecard Droppers for November

noreply@blogger.com (Duni) — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 12:44:00 +0000

Here are my top three droppers - THANK YOU

and visitors...why don't you stop by these blogs; they're worth a visit!

1. Wine at Five

2. Brick for Jade

3. Chronic Chick Talk

Have a good week!

Christmas Shopping

noreply@blogger.com (Duni) — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 09:36:00 +0000

In a previous post I wrote about the insanity revolving around Christmas and gift giving. I am so glad to be exempt from this hassle, because I tend to buy gifts throughout the year. Whenever something catches my eye and I know it would be perfect for a friend or someone in the family I go ahead and buy it. It's then kept for safe-keeping until that person's birthday or another 'traditional' event, such as Christmas comes up.
Naturally, most of my female friends receive one of my handmade gifts, which is all the more appreciated, because when I made it I only had them in mind. This is a truly unique gift. Not only do I love choosing fabrics which I know they will like, the whole designing and sewing process becomes that much more enjoyable! I usually plan these gifts well in advance. Now, isn't that a much more relaxing approach to Christmas?
All I need to think about is what I'll be cooking for Christmas dinner. I usually pre-order the meat for the main course well in advance. Then I just need to pick it up a day before or so. Desserts can be made a day in advance, too. So, instead of slaving away for hours in the kitchen on Christmas Eve (we celebrate on the 24th) I can reduce that time to about two hours and enjoy sitting at the dining table with my family instead.

Walking your dog in the snow

noreply@blogger.com (Duni) — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 08:04:00 +0000

(image courtesy of wikimedia)

My BIL and his family have a chocolate retriever about one-and-a-half years old. He's huge and needs to be exercised daily regardless of the weather. But what if there's a half metre of snow outside (not that we get that much anyway)? Well, it's okay for a dog to walk in the snow, but make sure he doesn't eat too much of it! This is harmful for a dog's stomach. And dangerous if road salt has been sprinkled on it! It's best to keep to areas that have not been treated with road salt. When you get home it's a good idea to wipe the dog's paws and perhaps apply a bit of salve.

Happy walking!

I need more time!

noreply@blogger.com (Duni) — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 08:06:00 +0000

I have been neglecting this blog somewhat - but only because my other blog is keeping me busy, busy, busy. Not only have I been selling my bags like crazy, I received an award yesterday too! So, apart from my regular work I am working on new bag designs, sourcing fabric and sewing non-stop. Then there's all the promoting to do. Help! I need more time!
A good friend of mine reminded me to come up for air once in a while. She's so right. I've been neglecting the chores around the house too, and I haven't done any exercise in weeks! I feel so guilty. Hubby hasn't complained or anything (bless him), although I have caught him eyeing the laundry basket wondering when I'll get round to washing the underwear...
So I have made a deal with myself.
I will restrict promoting to one hour per day. I will get up half an hour earlier to go through my exercise routine. From now on Monday will be Laundry Day, and on Sunday I will just relax, go for a walk, okay, maybe jot down a few new design ideas...
Keeping fingers crossed, hoping this new self-imposed regimen will work ☺

White

noreply@blogger.com (Duni) — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 10:14:00 +0000

This is what our back garden looks like today.
This is a rare sight for us, because the region where I live doesn't usually have this much snow. We get rain.
I had to go out this morning to run some errands and I found it really uncomfortable wearing my contact lenses. I have astigmatism. This combined with the heater on all day makes for really dry eyes. As I mentioned in my previous post: I really don't like snow!
The weather service broadcast more snow for tomorrow, which will turn into rain later this week. That's fine by me!

It's snowing

noreply@blogger.com (Duni) — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 07:20:00 +0000

Last night we've had our first snow - and when I woke up this morning it was still snowing. Mind, up here in the north-west we only get the slushy kind of snow! The thin layer usually disappears into a wet slick by mid-afternoon.
I'm not really a fan of snow. This is partly due to the fact that the kids I tutor take this as an excuse to stay home. So in a round about way the snow has a negative effect on my bank account! Not to mention the extra work involved clearing the footpath in front of our house. We wouldn't want anyone to slip and fall and break their ankle. That could have a negative effect on our bank account too. We will have to stock up on road salt - speaking of which, this stuff is so aggressive that it worked a hole into the soles of my loafers last year. I have since bought a pair of boots with thick rubber soles, which make me look like Bob the builder from the knees down, but at least I'll be able to walk the short stretch to our car without risking wet feet!

What does Christmas mean to you?

noreply@blogger.com (Duni) — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 09:31:00 +0000

Although most people in this town are staunch Catholics, it always amazes me how materialistic everyone starts to act, especially around the Christmas season.
I was talking to a few of my students about what they liked most about Christmas, and most of them replied 'the gifts'.
Indeed, I've seen plenty of harrassed-looking mothers dashing in and out of the only toy-shop in the town center loaded down with bags full of cheap plastic in the shape of barbie dolls and playmobil - all undoubtedly made by tiny hands in the Far East.
I've seen even more harrassed-looking fathers heaving stereo's and flatscreen T.V.'s and huge PC's into their family van. Yep, kids are so demanding these days.
When I think of Christmas I have fond memories of sitting round the dining table eating my mum's delicious home-cooked meal, having pleasant conversations, laughing a lot, and yes, of course I was excited about what my parents might have bought me, although I never demanded anything. I was always happy with anything they bought me. We weren't showered with gifts - all the more to appreciate what we did receive. Till this day I appreciate everything that is given to me, regardless of its value in the material sense.
Sometimes all I need is a hug and I'm happy.
♥

Prevention is the best medicine

noreply@blogger.com (Duni) — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 07:47:00 +0000

For the last seven days I have been taking spoonfuls of Enterococcus faecalis bacteria. It tastes a bit like milk gone sour, but it helps to build up your immune system, especially if you're prone to upper respiratory infections.
I should have thought of taking them earlier as a preventative measure...maybe it was the cost of a bottle that put me off. It doesn't come cheap. The price of one small bottle costs 10 Euros (about 12.7 US$) and lasts approx. four days.
I guess I should be investing in my health more. Next time I'm in town I will be purchasing the pack of 3, which is marginally cheaper than buying only single bottles. I will be taking these throughout the cold months plus my usual zinc and vitamin C pills in the hope that I won't come down with anything until next Spring!

Here we go again!

noreply@blogger.com (Duni) — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 16:46:00 +0000

I am s-l-o-w-l-y crawling up the road to recovery, only to find my cat Sammy is acting strange. Maybe getting sick? He seemed a little subdued all day and his appetite wasn't as good as it usually is. Normally he chomps down his food, no questions asked. This evening he circled the bowl suspiciously and only ate the top layer. Atleast he lapped up his water; I'm thankful for that. I'll be observing him for the rest of the evening and hope that today is a one-off. If he isn't better tomorrow morning it's off to the vet with him. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
What a week...sigh.

Birthday Wishes

noreply@blogger.com (Duni) — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 15:36:00 +0000

I know I'm supposed to stay in bed. I do feel awful, but how could I not wish my good friend Y. in Cologne a VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY. May all your wishes come true!

100 posts today...and I've got the flu!

noreply@blogger.com (Duni) — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 06:52:00 +0000

Great. I had a special post planned for my 100th, but I'm in a bad way, so I'm just going back to bed with a cup of sage tea (I know, it's disgusting but it helps).

Quick - a new shop!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Duni) — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 11:24:00 +0000

Readers who have been following this blog will know that I live in a town mostly reserved for pensioners...it is therefore hardly surprising that most shops here cater to pensioner's needs. Yes, we have plenty of pharmacies, opticians and shops selling hearing aids. We also have quite a few premises that stand empty.
So, whenever there's even the slightest inkling of a new retailer opening up, there's always a frisson of anticipation in the air. Immediately everyone (under the age of 60) starts speculating. The renovation of the shop in question is followed closely. Difficult to guess what's coming. The new shop owner usually covers up the windows with old newspapers.
Last week a forlorn looking place located at a disadvantageous place in a recessed part of a road opened up 'shop'. Great disappointment. It turned out to be a school of dance. Not the hip hop, jazzy type - more the waltzing kind. For elderly people. Oh well.
I heard a new fitness club was opening up. I can already see a clutch of grannies in trainers rushing to get to the coveted step machine.

PC Problems...sigh

noreply@blogger.com (Duni) — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 07:33:00 +0000

I'm not too happy with Opera at the moment. I've been using this browser for ages and I quite like the interface. Everything worked fine - until now! Even with the updated version the pages I call up don't load completely or stop loading entirely. Yesterday, Opera completely shut down by itself...
So, I'm using Mozilla now. I will need to import all my important bookmarked sites. I wonder if Mozilla has a feature that let's me call up my favourite sites quickly (like Opera does). Can anyone enlighten me on this?

Attention all Entrecarders: If I don't reciprocate drops, it's because I can't seem to log in to Entrecard! And when I finally do, the 'drop' doesn't work. Also had to approve an advert twice - hope that worked at least! Entrecard seems to be lagging! So...I apologize in advance.

I really hope someone will help me solve my PC problem...

Happy Sunday!

noreply@blogger.com (Duni) — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 09:17:00 +0000

If my cat Sammy were a soft toy, he would look like this...

What happened to the BLOGGER tool bar???

noreply@blogger.com (Duni) — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 09:53:00 +0000

There's something strange going on with the posts here on Blogger. Since yesterday, I no longer have the 'tool bar' at the top of the 'create new post' box!?
So, how should I add links now? Or enlarge my words? Or move my text right or left?
HELP!!!
Anyone else have this problem?

ps - I haven't done any changes or switched browsers either. Cache and cookies all cleared, too.

:(