I'm a Chitlin

Shamlessly stolen from "Broomhilda", thanks sweetie..

Redneck Astrological Signs

Okra December 22 - January 20
Although you appear crude, you are actually very slick on the inside. Okra have tremendous influence. An older Okra can look back over his life and see the seeds of his influence everywhere. Stay away from Moon Pies.


Chitlin January 21 - February 19
Chitlins often come from humble backgrounds. Many times they're uncomfortable talking about just where they came from. A chitlin, however, can make something of himself if he's motivated and has plenty of seasoning. When it comes to dealing with Chitlins, be very careful. Chitlins are best with Catfish and Okra.
Remember that when marriage time rolls around.

Boll Weevil February 20 - March 20
You have an overwhelming curiosity.
You're unsatisfied with the surface of things, and you feel the need to bore deep into the interior of everything. Needless to say, you are very intense and driven as if you had some inner hunger.
Nobody in their right mind is going to marry you, so don't worry about it.

Moon Pie March 21 - April 20
You're the type that spends a lot of time on the front porch. It's a cinch to recognize the physical appearance of Moon Pies. "Big" and "round" are the key words here. You should marry anybody who you can get remotely interested in the idea.
It's not going to be easy. This might be the year to think about aerobics. Maybe not.

Possum April 21 - May 21
When confronted with life's difficulties, possums have a marked tendency to withdraw and develop a "don't-bother-me-about-it" attitude. Sometimes you become so withdrawn, people actually think you're dead. This strategy is probably not psychologically healthy, but seems to work for you. One day, however, it won't work, and you may find your problems actually running you over.

Crawfish May 22 - June 21
Crawfish is a water sign. If you work in an office, you're always hanging around the water cooler. Crawfish prefer the beach to the mountains, the pool to the golf course, the bathtub to the living room. You tend not to be particularly attractive physically.

Collards June 22 - July 23
Collards have a genius for communication.
They love to get in the "melting pot" of life and share their essence with the essences of those around them. Collards make good social workers, psychologists, and baseball managers. As far as your personal life goes, if you are Collards stay away from Moon Pies. It just won't work. Save yourself a lot of heartache.

Catfish July 24 - August 23
Catfish are traditionalists in matters of the heart, with one exception: Whiskers may cause problems for loved ones. You catfish are never easy people to understand. You prefer the muddy bottoms to the clear surface of life. Above all else, Catfish should stay away from Moon Pies.

Grits August 24 - September 23
Your highest aim is to be with others like yourself. You like to huddle together with a big crowd of other Grits.
You love to travel, though, so maybe you should think about joining a club. Where do you like to go? Anywhere they have cheese or gravy or bacon or butter or eggs. If you can go somewhere where they have all these things, that serves you well.

Boiled Peanuts September 24 - October 23
You have a passionate desire to help your fellow man. Unfortunately, those who know you best - your friends and loved ones - may find that your personality is much too salty, and their criticism will probably affect you deeply because you are really much softer than you appear. You should go right ahead and marry anybody you want to because in a certain way, yours is a charmed life. On the road of life, you can be sure that people will always pull over and stop for you.

Butter Bean October 24 - November 22
Always invite a Butter Bean because Butter Beans get along well with everybody. You, as a Butter Bean, should be proud. You've grown on the vine of life and you feel at home no matter what the setting. You can sit next to anybody. However, you, too, shouldn't have anything to do with Moon Pies.

Armadillo November 23 - December 21
You have a tendency to develop a tough exterior, but you are actually quite gentle. A good evening for you?Old friends, a fire, some roots, fruit, worms and insects. You are a throwback. You're not concerned with today's fashions and trends. You're not concerned with anything about today. You're really almost prehistoric in your interests and behavior patterns. You probably want to marry another Armadillo, but Possum is another mating possibility.

And another one that is so true...spooky!!

You are pure, moral, and adaptable. You tend to blend into your surroundings. Shy on the outside, you're outspoken to your friends. You believe that you live a virtuous life... And you tend to judge others with a harsh eye. As a result, people tend to crave your approval.

The World's Shortest Personality Test

OMG This is so true....

You're the innocent girl next door. You are
friendly, cheerful, kind, and happy. You like
to spread your happiness around making people
feel warm and joyous. To do this you like to
bake cookie and muffins while giving kind
compliments. Plus you actually give apples to
your teachers. You're pure and innocent and
most likely haven't broken many rules. Everyone
loves you. How can they not?


What kind of girl are you? (with pix!)
brought to you by Quizilla

Small Post

Just a wee post before I drag myself into the land of living and shower etc..

Had a lovely postie day today, got my secret exchange from Stitch and Stash this morning..:-) Some gorgeous gold braid thread and some gold needles - happy happy bunny :-)

Swale Mental Health rang this morning and cancelled my 11 appointment with Steve..woohoo! Thank gods I dont have to see him this week. Was not looking forward to it at all.At least that is one problem out of the way, now just have to not think about tomorrow's appointment. :-(

Ooooh one thing I have been very surprised on, the amount of people that have ME/CFS, BiPolar and Depression that I know, or read about. I am beginning to wonder whether if you have something specifically wrong with you, do you send out certain thoughts etc, that draws others with the same thing to you? Interesting thought!!

Ok off to shower as Dave will be home soon - he disappeared off with some cans and glass shelving to see a mate of his.

Update..I think..

Well so far so good healthwise. Had a few aches yesterday, had to literally go up the stairs on all fours as I couldnt put that much weight on my legs - the tops of my legs were really aching something rotten. And I couldnt bend down to pick anything up from the floor or the bottom of the fridge/freezer. Still after some painkillers and a decent sleep I wasnt so bad today. Just have to bear with it..not a lot I can do about it.

We spent the weekend at D's parents - gods what an interesting weekend that was..groan!!! I always get so blooming bored there, and when we do watch the t.v. they chatter through it non stop so you dont even get to watch the programme you are watching..it drives me mad!!!

Sorted out the computer at their place..Oh joy that was fun..NOT!! First of all I couldnt get the damn thing to work, rang up the help line and they were as much use as a pig in a space suit. Anyway I decided to heck with it, and took a screwdriver to it. Took it apart, took everything out and literally put it all back together again piece by piece. And guess what!!! IT WORKED!! Gods only knows what was wrong with it, probably hadnt been put together properly. Anyway got all the Norton stuff installed and Office, so MIL was a happy bunny. Then had the lovely task of teaching her how to use it and the programs. Finally got it through to her how to use everything..and she was really pleased with it all.

Did end up having a few words with D though, he will insist on interfering - and he has admitted to me he knows absolutely nothing about computers.

Me, D, Inlaws and my BIL (Chris) all went out for a lovely meal in a really swanky hotel on Eastbourne seafront. Felt a bit jittery when we got there as there were loads of people in the dining room, but calmed down eventually. Felt a bit underdressed though as there were all these people in there dressed to the nines, with their posh clothes, dinner jackets and pearls on. Must have thought we were a load of ruffians..lol. It was a gorgeous dinner - wild boar pate, with toasted brioche and plum chutney for starters, roast beef and yorkshire pudding with buttered swede, rosemary roast potatoes, minted new potatoes and broccolli for the main course, and then hot pineapple upside down cake with cream for pudding. I was in heaven :-)

Then had a leisurely walk back to the car. Dave spotted a Chevrolet Kalos so went over to have a nosey. Thank gods a policeman never came past, as D was pearing in at all angles..lol. Think he liked it :-)

Didnt stay long once we got back to the inlaws, which I was pleased about.

Dave is off work all this week, which I am finding a bit of a strain. So far we have had a row in Argos over a filter jug, a row over gods knows what and D not talking to me for some reason or other. And its only Tuesday, well Wednesday now.

Got the dreaded wonderboy Steve the CPN coming today (Wednesday) which I am not looking forward to. This could be why I am a bit uptight the past couple of days. Will be glad when he has gone. Haven't got a lot to tell him, and I havent really been going out on my own to new places. Well I went with Dave at the weekend, so does that count..lol. We will see what he has to say.

Have to see Wendy (therapist) on Thursday morning, then am hoping to go on a spending spree in Bluewater afterwards. Dave has said he wants to go, as we are going to Costco after the meeting. So shall combine Bluewater with that. :-) Yep there's Lakeland in there so I want to see what new things they have. :-)

Wow I've written a blooming novel..lol. Think I better stop now...

Eeeks its nearly 5pm

And I am still here in night wear..omg!!

Ok I have an excuse, I didnt get any sleep last night at all due to the oppressing heat and also having had my first therapy session during the day - so my brain was a wee bit overactive even though my body wasnt!! Anyway I crawled into bed at about 4am and slept till I got rudely awoken by DH telling me that he only had one day left at work today till he is on a weeks holiday. Yeah like I really wanted to know that dear!!! He went off to work happy in the knowledge that he had imparted that useless information to me and I turned over and went back to sleep, or at least tried to with a dog sticking his feet in your ribs. Well I must have finally dropped off till about 10.15am when M rang me for a chat and then wondered why he wasnt getting much conversation from me. Basically I was trying desperately not to fall asleep. So after about 10 mins of useless chatter from M, I went back to sleep. Then I got woken up again at 12.15 by yet another phone call from M apologising for waking me up earlier..doh!! What part of "let me sleep" did you not understand..lol.

So at that point I thought I was being "told" to get up so I got up and curled up on the sofa downstairs under the ceiling fan, a free standing fan and a desk fan. With the patio doors wide open and the l.room window wide open - AND the phone unplugged. I was going to catch up on some sleep whether it killed me.. :-) So slept through till about 1.30ish then woke up, thought I would ring Barbara for a chat - then dozed off again. So now I am fully refreshed and wide awake yet still in nightwear cos its cooler.

Will go and have a shower then see if I can persuade Dave if we can have fish and chips for dinner as I really do not want to cook in this heat..

Before I go, on the weathercheck website the temeprature was hitting 41deg (108F) at midday today..ack that is waaaaaaaaaaay too hot!!!

Oh and I might even see if I can play around with a few more skins for this blog, but not sure yet. Got to see if I can keep the same layout but a different skin and colour etc...

Therapy...hmmm who thought of this..

Ok so here I am after my first therapy session, or to put it in the correct context Cognitive Behaviour Therapy..eww sounds like some sort of bug..lol.

Well what can I say, I have a lovely therapist and she is very blunt and straight to the point which is definately something that I need, so I can see we are going to get along really well. She already has a knack of getting stuff out of me that I dont want to talk about..hmmm now why do they always manage this.??

I am definately going to have to stock up on a good supply of tissues at this rate though, I got through a whole packet of pocket tissues in an hour..damn my head hurts now!! I knew crying was no good for you..:-(

I am officially a fruit loop!! Its official..lol. No honestly I am nuts..I definately need therapy according to my therapist. I must be nuts to put myself through this pain and heartache each week.. Have got weekly sessions at the moment and the whole time will be a year!! Ugh a year of having my head battered virtually..hope I actually come out the other side feeling better. Have been assured I will, just it will be hard work and intense..yippee!!!

Now for the clincher - why do you get asked daft questions like "What do you want out of this therapy?", doh! I mean if I knew that I wouldnt be there would I? This is my "homework" for the week - I have to think of positive goals...eeeks!!

On another note the weather here is still in the very high 80's, possibly 90's :-( I hate it, my cats hate it, the dog hates it even the darn loaf of bread hates it..(Dont ask!!)

Oh well on to the weekend when it should be a lot cooler..:-)

Spring!!

From Monday Madness website
1. What season are you in right now? Spring/Summer

2. Do you celebrate anything special this time of year? Wedding Anniversary in June and Midsummers Eve

3. Name 3 things that come to mind when you think of spring (or your current season)? Lambs hopping and skipping in the fields, freshly picked strawberries and Jersey Royal new potatotes with lots of butter and mint.

4. In the current season, about how many hours of the day are daylight hours? 18 hours

5. Do you do any 'spring cleaning?' Yes, it also includes steam cleaning the carpets, airing the furniture cushions.

6. Do you wash your own car or take it to the car wash? Afraid to say I dont wash my car myself, I normally take it to the car place nearby for a wash and polish.

7. Do you hang your laundry out on a clothesline on nice days? I love nothing better than to see washing hanging outside blowing dry.

Weather here is unbearable

Its too hot to do anything, too hot to go on the computer - heck its too hot to even move. Temperature hit 32 deg, not sure what that is in Farenheit, all I know is it was blooming hot.. ok just done a check and its 89.60F, to me that says 90degF...ack thats HOTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT!!! No wonder I am meltin here.

They are forecasting a heat wave like today was for the rest of the week..:-( The only good thing out of this is the washing will be done and put away before the weather turns again.

And as you can see I am not a heat person, HATE it with a passion. I much prefer it when it is colder, and I mean cold. I think I was a polar bear in a previous life - I could quite happily live near the North Pole :-)

So I am leaving this blog for a couple of days, until the weather cools down - then I will update it. Although if something pressing comes up then I will blog..lol.

Faery Garden

Fairy Garden



4" pot of blue fescue grass
4" pot Gerbera Daisy (cream or white)
a six pack of Nemesia (they look like tiny snapdragons)
medium size color bowl
potting soil

Arrange it so that the Gerbera Daisy is in the back and the blue fescue is in the front, fill it in with the Nemesia plants and if you want, add some small leafed English Ivy or little violas- depending on the size of your bowl.

SOURCE: Unknown

Still feel like shite

Well its not been a good couple of days now and yep this is definately a flare up. The annoying thing is I havent had a flare for such a long time I almost forgot how crippling it is. Maybe I had been deluding myself that everything was okay. But nope this has certainly made it even more clearer - I cannot do the things I want to do.

The really weird thing is that it's mainly down my left side. My neck hurts like hell, my left hand is numb and my hip is hurting too. I also want to sleep a lot at the moment too.. grrr!!! Cant I do anything right - jeeze all I want is a normal life.

You know even the computer hasnt had any appeal to me, which is bad..lol.

Can't even say I have been stitching as I havent - oh well c'est le vie!!!

Hopefully by the weekend I should be a bit more mobile - well I better be as Dave has said he is going to take me to a psychic fair on Saturday up at Iwade. And I am really wanting to go.


Also its the dreaded day tomorrow - one year since J and I split up. I have been trying so hard not to think about it, but every so often it pops into my head. Still I suppose it doesnt help its also my 16th Wedding Anniversary..!! Last years celebration was totally ruined because of what happened early morning over the phone. I was incapable of anything but crying. A year on I'm incapable of anything except hobbling..lol. Well I suppose its something that I can laugh about it, time is a good healer, its true what they say. I still wonder what he's up to, and how he is. But that is only natural I suppose. But life goes on!!

Gods if I was capable of going out tomorrow I would just disappear for the day somewhere, I would dearly love to go to my special place in Bysing Woods. Just to sit by the lake and watch nature go by. Maybe if I dose myself up with painkillers I might be able to drive there. I think that might be a plan - especially as I havent been there since J and I went there 4 years ago.

Update of stitching

Just put this on my stitching photoalbum :

I stitched this for Eyrun on ITP for the Birthday Exchange this year. Its a Gail Bussi design from JCS magazine.

Feel like shit

Went to bed early last night feeling like I had been run over by a steam roller. Every bone in my body ached and my glands in my neck had decided to swell up. Took a couple of painkillers thinking I would be okay this morning..but alas no!! I woke up feeling worse, and it was an effort to actually raise my head from the pillow.

Got up thinking that if I was up and about I would feel better, wow that was a big mistake. So after trying to sweat it out in the bath, to no avail. I am now going to do the bit of housework that I had decided to do today anyway, and then curl up on the sofa with my stitching that I am doing.

For Everything There Is A Season

"For Everything There Is A Season"
By: Anon



For everything there is a season
And a time for every matter under the sun
A Time to be born and a time to die
A time to plant, And a time to pluck up what is planted
A time to kill and a time to heal
A time to breakdown and a tme to build up
A time to weep and a time to laugh
A time to mourn and a time to dance
A generation comes and a generation goes
but the earth remais forever
For everything there is a season
And a time to every purpose under heaven

Just something for my Patchy, who I have been thinking of alot today

"Angel Wings"
By: Debbie Kontos



Something brushing against my cheek,
I feel your presence and
say if your here little boy, Speak.
Silence to others for only can I hear,
it's good to know that you are so near.
I miss you my friend
but I know in my heart,
you earned your angel wings,
it broke my heart.

There is nothing I could do
because in the end,
God makes the final decision,
it takes time for a heart to mend.
So please don't leave because
even though you I can't see,
I know that you're with me
because you have angel wings

Just a little thing I saw while I was checking out the meme's list..

Tickling

1. Are you ticklish? It depends, on what mood I am in.

2. Where are you ticklish most? My feet, and the back of my neck

3. Do people often take advantage of your ticklish-ness? Nope, they normally know to leave me alone..

4. Do you get angry if people try to tickle you? Most definately. The only people I have ever let tickle me are those extremely close to me like family and lovers.

5. Do you ever try to tickle others? No I havent tried this. I suppose it wouldnt be fair on the person in case they didnt like it or something like that. I always go along with thinking that cos I dont like it then I wouldnt do it to anyone else.

Cooking and Baking...


1. Do you like to cook? Yes I do, I have always enjoyed it ever since I was a child when I used to watch my nan bake.

2. What's your fave meal? Suet bacon and onion pudding with thick onion gravy.

3. What's your fave meal to make? Stew and Dumplings

4. What's your fave dessert to make? Fruit pie or Fruit crumble

5. Do you eat the cookie dough? Ewww no way..lol

Update finally..

Well although its gone midnight and I really should be in bed I thought I would do the update that I was going to do ages ago.. So here it is.its not in any particular order though :-)

The week hasnt been very eventful really, havent been out that much. Well actually I only went out once and that was to the post office and then I got the shakes while I was walking back and when I got home I was sweating buckets. So this is not good me thinks, I just hope its not the start of agrophobia that my CPN is saying I could be getting..I doubt it..lol

Stitching wise, thats been as eventful as watching paint dry..lol. I've only really picked up the odd bit now and again, I've mainly been reading or watching t.v. Or worse still actually doing housework..lol. I know terrible isnt it..:-)

Was a dozy klutz the other day, and Dave says its one of my classics. I had prepared the dinner so that it was all cooked and ready to dish up for when Dave came home. Casserole was in the oven cooking nicely and I had put the rice in the steamer to steam away. So it came to dish it all up, casserole all cooked and on the counter, went to dish up the rice only to find that I hadnt turned it on at the main switch..doh!! I was left with a steamer full of uncooked rice and water. Dave thought it was hilarious but me, oh god I threw a fruit loop The end of the world had come as far as I was concerned. Anyway while I was mopping up my tears Dave took control and did the rice in the microwave and dished up dinner. So all was not lost on that front. Just I lost it..:-(

CPN, finally got to talk to Dave whilst he was at work and had a good talk about me. Dave did fill in Steve on what a good performance I can put on when he comes round - like I am cleaning like mad for the day before he arrives, I literally have to drag myself out of bed and shower, get dressed and do my hair. Just because the house is clean, tidy and I am smartly dressed and have done my hair does not mean I am not crying inside. He told him that I have been putting a mask on for people for over 10 years now, and I have got nearly everyone convinced, that when I am happy, smiling and bubbly I am fine. He hoped that Steve was a good enough CPN to see through this mask. They've talked about trying to get me out a bit more, even if its just to the end of the road as I will become an agrophobic if I am not careful. Although how that can happen I dont know as I do go out, just when I want to, not when someone tells me to. If someone pushes me to go out I dig my heels in deeper and its even harder to get me outside. The good news on that phone call, as if there was any..lol. Was that Dave was actually doing a good job careing for me, and he would be getting some leaflets through regarding carers and support groups for him. And in the eyes of the mental health team he is my official carer..wow as if we didnt know that..

Oh while I was up the village popping into the post office, I did pop into the newsagents there and was surprised to see that they have nearly every craft and stitching magazine going. So I think I might have to put a permanent order for one or two of them, but havent quite decided which yet. But its nice to know that a little poky newsagents in a village sells all magazines going..lol

And why did I set up paypal to go from my bank account..lol. Worse move I ever did, I have had a stash spend up this afternoon getting some Dinky Dye threads and some Kates Kloths threads too. As well as buying several Just Cross Stitch magazines on ebay..at this rate I am going to be broke before I even get my benefit money..lol.

While I was out in the garden during the week I spied these flowers growing in the concrete path just between the front grass and drive:



They are a gorgeous blue and totally come from nowhere, but we think they have either been dropped by the birds or the seeds were lying dormant till Dave decided to lay the bark in the borders.

Little bit of info about Harebells

The Harebell (Campanula rotundifolia)
Family - Campanulaceae
Type - herbaceous perennial
Related - Canterbury Bells, Carpathian Bellflower, Peach-leaved Bellflower
Also known as The Bluebell of Scotland
Found in: - Britain (harebell), Finland (kissankello), United States, Germany (rundblättrige glockenblume), Norway (blåklokke), Denmark (blå-klokke, liden klokke), Iceland (bláklukka), Sweden (liten blåklocka)

Found in dry, grassy banks and downlands. The flowers are scentless but are visited by butterflies and bees, including the very small Harebell Carpenter Bee which shows a preference for their pollen and nectar. Thrives in poor, dry soils and flowers July-September.

Folklore
The flower of witches, who used its juice as part of their flying ointment. Its associated with seeing fairies, goblins and earth spirits. It was also thought to be associated with the devil and to bring bad luck, but it also was used by witches to transform themselves into hares. This was the fairy plant of the south-west of England; in the Isle of Man the 'fairies' thimble'; the bluebell of Scotland (also the Devil's bell). Clumps of this thick and pretty ground cover were once thought to offer shelter to the fairies.

Other Info
Stamps - the harebell has appeared on Swedish stamps as it is the Central Ostrobothnia (Keski-Pohjanmaa) provincial flower.

Art - one of Cicely Mary Barker's famous flower fairies was the Harebell Fairy

Hmm think that is it really, see told you it was boring..lol

Oh Spike, our resident blackbird, almost came in through the patio doors the other morning - he is certainly getting bolder. But he doesnt look any sleeker - he still has bits sticking out all over the place.

Before I forget we watched Shawn of The Dead tonight, and it was absolutely hilarious. I was amazed at how funny it was, even Dave thought it was funny. It was actually nice to sit and watch a film on t.v. without the computer being on and me being distracted. :-)

Haven't blogged - oops..

Haven't blogged for a few days..have no fear will be remedeying that later today :)

Doughnuts

Ok cos I have just found out its Doughnut Day I thought I would do a brief thingy on Doughnuts. So I have just googled doughnut and after scouring through loads of stuff - wow Yahoo certainly has a comprehensive search engine. Anyway back to the doughnuts - I have come across this piece from "Wikipedia" So I hope you are all sitting down..lol

Doughnuts can be made using a yeast-based dough (raised doughnuts), or a special type of cake batter. Cake doughnuts are often covered (on top) with a brightly coloured glaze icing or chocolate. Some doughnuts are dredged in cinnamon sugar or powdered sugar, while others are filled with jam or custard, briefly soaked in a sugary flavoured solution, or glazed. Some doughnuts are made with apple cider (the non-alcoholic kind) and are common at cider mills and farm markets. Many kinds of doughnuts are eaten warm.

Doughnuts have become a part of North American popular culture. The cartoon character Homer Simpson is especially fond of doughnuts, while popular mythology has American police officers addicted to them. There are entire chains of retail stores devoted to the selling of fresh doughnuts to eager customers, eg. Dunkin' Donuts, Tim Hortons, Winchell's Donuts, Country Style and many other chain stores. Krispy Kreme is distinguished by having neon signs, known as "hot lights", to inform customers when hot doughnuts are available - fresh off the assembly line.

Other sweet fried pastries very similar to doughnuts include churros and fritters.

History

Doughnuts have a disputable history. A traditional story says that they were introduced into North America by Dutch settlers. This version is satirized in a The Simpsons episode, in which Mr. Burns complains of them as "ethnic foods". Another story credits the invention of the doughnut hole to a Danish sea captain named Hanson Gregory.

Washington Irving's reference to "doughnuts" in 1809 in his History of New York is believed to be the first known printed use of the word.

Doughnuts are also mentioned in the Little House on the Prairie series of books by Laura Ingalls Wilder. Before the "newfangled" ring shape became common, doughnuts were often made as twisted ropes of dough. When placed into a pot of boiling fat, they floated until the lower half was cooked, then rolled themselves over to cook the other side. Ring doughnuts had to be flipped over by hand, which was more time-consuming. The twisted-rope type is called a cruller in some parts of the U.S., but cruller also refers to a particularly airy type of ring doughnut, usually glazed.

"Doughnut" is the more traditional spelling, and still dominates outside the US. At present, "donut" and "doughnut" are both pervasive in American English, but only "doughnut" is listed in Thorndike and Lorge's (1942) "The Teacher's Word Book of 30,000 Words." It is unclear when the "donut" spelling first took hold, but frequently it is attributed to Dunkin' Donuts, which was founded in 1950. To the contrary, Mayflower Donuts pre-dated Dunkin' Donuts, and there are sparse instances of the "donut" variation prior to WWII. For instance, it is mentioned in an LA times article dated August 10th, 1929. There, Bailey Millard complains about the decline of spelling, and that he "can't swallow the "wel-dun donut' nor the ever so 'gud bred'."

American president John F. Kennedy, during a 1963 visit to Berlin, declared "Ich bin ein Berliner" which was mistranslated as "I am a jelly doughnut". The mistranslation has been exaggerated and become an urban legend.

Jelly doughnuts, known as Sufganiot in Israel, have become a traditional Hanukkah food in the recent era. Partially because they're cooked in oil in remembrance of the miracle of the oil, and also because of the sweetness of the holiday.

Types

In Denmark there are Æbleskiver or Krapfshen (also called Aebeleskiver, Ableskiver or Ebleskiver) which are fried in a cast-iron copper-coated pan with individual recesses for each doughnut called a Munk Pan, and have a slice of apple inside.

In the Channel Island of Jersey (situated between England and France) there is a variety of fried pastry item called the Jersey Wonder which is supposed to be prepared when the tide goes out and unlike most 'traditional' UK doughnuts it is neither coated with powdered sugar, nor filled with jam (in French these doughnuts are referred to as mèrvelles).

A type of doughnut was recorded in the 19th century (http://freespace.virgin.net/roger.hewitt/iwias/newsapr2.htm) on the Isle of Wight, UK, with a different recipe from the type made in mainland Europe.

In Poland the round jam-filled doughnuts eaten especially - though not exclusively - during the Carnival are called pa;czki.

In Australia, the jam-filled, caster sugar-coated type of doughnut is traditionally sold hot from caravans at carnivals such as country shows and local markets. They are famous for having a tastiness that is proportional to the degree of delapidation of the caravan from which they are sold. They have been known to burn the mouths of the unwary - for this reason, in some areas the 'feeding of the unwary tourists' has become a thoroughly amusing spectacle.

In Malaysia and Singapore there is a traditional ball-shaped doughnut-like snack, made with glutinous rice flour, coated with sesame seeds and stuffed not topped with a variety of fillings, such as ground peanuts, bean paste and kaya. There is a Malaysian machine which makes, among other things, "Kaya Balls (http://www.ffs.com.my/products/otherpro.html)" whose recipe and description seems to indicate pretty conclusively that they are a very doughnut-like snack (although they are ball-shaped rather than toroidal) with coconut (Kaya) being the primary flavouring ingredient and they seem to be baked rather than fried. The machine also makes "corn balls, red bean balls, blueberry balls and custard balls" (which might also be considered to be varieties of doughnut-like items) and the maker also has another machine dedicated to making Elephant Ears and Frying Saucers.

In Italy zeppole

* Chiacchiere and also lattughe in Lombardy
* Cenci and also Donzelle in Tuscany
* Frappe and also Sfrappole in Emilia Romagna
* Bugie in Genoa and in Piedmont
* Crostoli in Venice and in Trentino

In France and in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA, there is a fried pastry called a beignet which is sometimes described as a French doughnut but, as with other 'variants' of fried sweet pastry, the beignet typically has its own distinctive characteristics (shape and texture) which are sufficient in the minds of some of its devotees to object to Beignets being referred to as doughnuts.

Spain, Mexico, Chile, Argentina and Brazil have the churro, which may not generally be thought of as a doughnut, but has similar characteristics. A churro is a thin cylinder of deep-fried pastry with a characteristic 'ridged' surface, due to being extruded through a star shaped hole. It is also popular in the US where it is sometimes referred to as a Spanish Doughnut or Mexican Doughnut. A sweet Turkish 'fluted fritter' (which seems to look similar to Churros) is called Tulumba Tatlisi. The small, twisted variety of churro looks nothing like the large, un-twisted stick-like churro.

Another contender for the title 'Mexican Doughnut' is the Bunuelo, also known as the 'Mexican Fried Cookie' which is essentially a round, cookie-shaped doughnut, often shallow fried, rather than deep fried.

A Spanish variety of the doughnut are called Porras and are often served for breakfast, especially in Madrid).

A Middle Eastern and North African variety are called Sfinges or Sfingi.

In Germany, the doughnut equivalents are called Bismarcks or Berliners and don't have the typical ring shape but instead are solid, usually filled with jam. (German doughnuts are sometimes called Berlin Doughnuts in the USA.) +

In the Netherlands, there is a type of pastry item called Oliebollen which is referred to in recipe books as Dutch Doughnuts (or occasionally as 'Dutch Donuts') which contain pieces of apple and/or dried fruit like raisins, and is traditionally eaten as part of new year celebrations.

Another well known Dutch fried pastry recipe refers to Poffertjes which are prepared in a similar way to Danish Aebleskiver, but the Poffertje pan has more numerous recesses.

In the Hudson Valley (which includes the Catskill Mountains) in New York State, USA, a doughnut is sometimes called an olicook, which derives from the Dutch Oliekoeke or 'oil cake' (sometimes also called olykoecks).

Another creation popular in the USA which is made with 'fried sweet pastry' is funnel cake where the pastry dough is extruded through a funnel into a pan of hot oil and allowed to 'criss-cross' in the oil in the pan until the string of dough produced fills the bottom of the pan in a kind of tangled random spaghetti-like arrangement which is deep fried as a plate sized 'cake' rather than being the 'individual snack' that a doughnut is. Funnel cake is a dish which is associated with carnivals and funfairs like 'candy-floss' (cotton candy).

Other doughnut variants with different shapes are: bear claws, elephant ears, yum yums, Frying Saucers taiyaki and long johns

Some non-sweet fried items with different ingredients to 'wheat-flour based pastry' are referred to as doughnuts, such as vadas which are from India and are made with lentils (and look like ring donuts) and also 'potato doughnuts' which are sometimes made in the US.

Also there is the Native American Indian Frybread (which is fried pastry but not necessarily sweet or with a doughnut-like texture, but there are many variants of frybread, some of which are much more doughnut-pastry-like than others). A similar treat is found at festivals in many U.S. areas called fried dough, which is simply a doughnut-like treat made from a large lump of dough fried in oil.

An item called a Fudge Puppy is occasionally found on sale in the US at fairs and public entertainment events, and although it is often described as being based upon a Belgian waffle and looks like a hot dog roll smothered in caramel or cream or ice cream or chocolate or fudge sauce, there is every likelihood that varieties exist which are not based upon any waffle-specific treatment and are thus essentially 'long-johns' (that is, hot-dog-roll-shaped doughnuts) covered with the kinds of toppings which are more specific to Fudge Puppies (such as ice cream and fudge sauce) than to non-fudge-puppy doughnuts or waffles.

Now this is interesting as this is from an American point of view, so I went on the hunt for the english doughnut and do you know what? I couldnt find anything about our version apart from they are the same as the american doughnuts but with a sugary glaze..sounds about right..lol.

So there you have it..doughnuts in a nutshell :-)

Weird customs

I have come to the conclusion that America certainly has some weird customs.. Take today, its Doughnut Day..hmm now what on earth does that mean?

Well out of curiosity I did a google search and came up with this - Doughnut Day

Apparently it dates back to 1938 by the Chicago Salvation Army to raise much-needed funds during the Great Depression and to honor the work of World War I Salvation Army volunteers who prepared doughnuts for thousands of soldiers. National Doughnut Day is celebrated annually on the first Friday in June. So my thought is if the Salvation Army did this, does that mean we have Doughnut Day over here? Hmmm I dont think so...

But I bet the Krispy Kreme place in Bluwater will be offering Krispy Kreme doughnuts today. Now I wish I had known of this before the day is almost up, then I could have driven over there and got a free doughnut, as well as gone to do some shopping..lol

Thought I would update before going to bed..

Well havent really been on here much as I really haven't had the inclination to update, but I shall now while watching The Dead Zone before bed. Yep its 1.10am and I am still awake - this is getting to be a habit, and a habit I dont like.

Anyway onto the update:-

Last week I received my secret stitch from Violet. It was gorgeous - some threads, some beads, an angel brooch and a dish shaped like wings. It was so adorable :-) There was also a note to say that it was part of another surprise for next month, from something that was on my wish list. Cant wait till next month now..lol.

I have posted my secret stitch piece out so hopefully it will get to my partner very soon, post and airmail willing :-)

I dont seem to be getting anywhere with my stitching though, I keep picking up my RR's but I cant get into them. I have to finish my birthday exchange piece for In The Pink before the end of this week otherwise it wont get to my partner in time. So looks like it will be a mass stitching session. Luckily it shouldnt be too complicated - famous last words!!

I have received my birthday piece for ITP exchange, and I am being very good and havent opened it - although I am so tempted..lol. Shall be a good girl and wait.

Haven't received my coaster yet from WOCS coaster exchange, but I have been told it is on its way. Mine was received just over a week ago, so I am glad it got there all safe and sound. :-)

Had a lovely surprise in the mail this morning :-) Tammy (HolyAnaglypta) sent me a beautiful piece of antique white 32ct silkweavers evenweave, and a Sweetheart Tree Teenie Weenies chart, for sending her some american candy that I managed to get hold of sometime ago. This was lovely of her but totally unnecessary, I did it as friend to another friend :-)

There's been a fair bit kicking off on WOCS the past day or so, and yes I will admit I did get involved considering some of it was aimed at me. And it was all over a harmless query I posted up. Still it just shows that the person that did all the bitching really hasnt grown up yet. Thankfully it hasnt affected me too much, and I have had a lot of support from WOCS members, which surprised me. But I wont say I am not happy that they are talking to me again - its just a relief that the past is now the past and we can all move on :-)

The birds in the garden are still using my lawn as their own private nookie area :-) I am going to have to start charging soon..lol. I think we are going to have to nickname it THe Nursery soon as the thrush is building her nest in my honeysuckle at the bottom of the garden. Another bird is building their nest in the forsythia at the end of the garden, and another thrush is building her nest in the forsythia opposite our front door, right outside my living room window :-)

Spike, our resident blackbird, has been in the garden on a regular basis, at least once a day. He often pops his head in the door and sees whats going on :-) We called him Spike, cos he is a real scruffy blackbird, with a spikey bit of feathers sticking out on his back. But he is a real sweetie :-)

It looks like the harvest mouse has left us, thankfully. After chasing it around the living room yesterday and the dog trying to catch it, I think it gave up and fled out the patio doors while it could. I havent seen any signs of it over night, and it hasnt been staring at me in the kitchen the past couple of nights when I have been in there. Still Dave has orderd a "pest controller" that should be arriving soon, and it works by emitting high pitched sonic waves that affects nearly all pests known to man..lol. Wonder if it will work on Dave :-)

Well I think thats all to put in here, and its now 1.25am and I am heading off to bed.