5 in 5 - April 2014 - THE GLASS SUN

                                         Welcome to '5 in 5' where on the 5th of

each month I post 5 photos that I have

taken in 5 minutes. 

 This month I thought I'd share photos taken on a retreat.  I'd gone outside in the sun for a brief break and there are always good photos to be had by the water.  But today I was in London and just last evening I learnt that there was a 'sun' sculpture made of glass in one of the parks.  I didn't know where this was in relation to my meeting, but as luck had it, I discovered it was walking distance.  So I set off full of anticipation and I was not disappointed!  So this month, no photos taken in the sun, but a sun sculpture instead.  I love the unexpected, don't you!

I loved how it flowed with the branches of trees

and had wonderful shapes



and even more detail when you looked closer .

And I bet it looks even more amazing at night when it is lit up.

Here is more information about the sculpture and the artist.  If you have a chance, it is well worth a visit.  And there is more of Dale Chihuly's beautiful work to see in the Halcyon Gallery nearby.

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Thank you for popping by and to everyone who has taken part in this monthly challenge.  I really look forward to seeing your photos and I hope you are inspired to get out your camera and join in. Here is the plan:

1.  Choose a location.

2.  Have your camera ready.

3.  Set a timer for 5 minutes.

4.  Take as many photos you can until the time is up.

5.  Choose 5 photos to download and share by using the link tool.
   You have until the 25th of the month to add your photos.  

And if you want to know more there are details here.

One more thing - when you use the link tool, please click on your post title.  This will show the web address. Please right click, copy and paste this as your link.  This will take readers directly to your '5 in 5' blog page and be easier for them to find.

And don't forget, you have until 25th to post your link!

IT'S DOUGH EASY!!!

I once used to make my own bread but recent attempts have failed leaving me disheartened.  So when I saw a local class I booked up and this morning I had a wonderful time!  The class was run by Ann Hood who some of you might know from the tv Masterchef programme. Her relaxed style made every one feel at ease and I knew from the outset that I was going to have fun!

 
I wasn't quite sure how we would make bread in the 2.5 hrs that we were there... in my experience just the making can take that long without baking time! But I was told we would be making traditional bread, brioche, focaccia and walnut bread. Really?! Now that sounded even more of a challenge!!  But guess what?  We didn't just make one type of each, we made:
 
Traditional bread
Garlic tear 'n share
Bread sticks (3 varieties) some rolled in lemon zest - some with seseame seeds - some brushed with honey & sprinkled with pieces of walnut
Foccacia with finely chopped rosemary added to the dough for flavour and after baking brushed with olive oil, topped with cracked pepper, sea salt, and more finely chopped rosemary
Small rolls flavoured with chill flakes and brushed with crushed ginger infused in oil
Walnut bread which we dipped into a coffee sauce (try it before you knock it!!)
and
Brioche - individual chocolate chip ones with a chocolate sauce - and a plaited orange zest loaf
We also made a Balsamic and Oil dip to go with the bread sticks and the chocolate and coffee sauces.

Who would have thought this was possible in the time given?! 
But it was.....

 

 

And not only that... I also learnt so many tips and techniques! I now know that I can freeze fresh chilli's and ginger and use them as I need. I know about flour and yeast, how to get crusty bread and more importantly a light texture. This class has really boosted my confidence and de-mystified bread making.  

But how did we make so many kinds of bread in so short time? Well, Ann has developed her own technique and she warned us it was controversial.  And it is!  Forget traditional bread making with hours for proving, knocking back, kneading and more proving. Her method is revolutionary and as they say, the proof was in the eating. Luckily I took lots of notes so I should remember most of what I learnt and the recipes will be emailed later so that I can try them at home. I also popped into Tesco on my way to buy some fresh yeast. A whole block for 0.01p! I'm ready and raring to go...

So a big thank you to Ann for showing me how easy it is to make bread and to adapt recipes. I'm so glad that I discovered this class and booked it. If you want to learn some of her tips Ann has just had her first book published.  I do not get commission for mentioning it, nor have I looked through a copy, but if it is anything as good as her class it comes highly recommended. 


Ann runs the Smart School of Cookery.     Classes are held in London and the South East and I  shall be
looking out for more to attend.

Thanks for popping by. I'll be posting again   soon about my recent sausage making experience.

There is a resurgence in my kitchen!
     

INVITING ANXIETY!

A Happy New Year to you!!  I hope it has got off to a good start and that you have good things to look forward to.

My head is popping with ideas and plans (as always) and today I am off work.  I considered a day of play and my dining room is raring to go.  Every surface is covered, left from card and gift making, unpacking from my last retreat and crop, and new projects. BUT - my urge was to be creative in a different way. I have 2 bedrooms and a cabin that have lost floors and surfaces. Believe it or not I am a home-maker, though my long hours of paid work leave me little energy or time left to have the home I want and once had. They have become dumping ground for everything we don't know where to put. And so this morning instead of surrounding myself with paper and glue and pretty things I have rolled up my sleeves and waded in to the small bedroom.  There are so many books I don't know what to do with. Many are my children's, once much loved and fondly remembered. I kept them for grand children but they too have so many books. I can be grateful for this love being passed on but they also do not have room for more. And so I need to make big decisions, what to keep, pass on, or take to charity shops. And if it were just books, perhaps the room would not be so cluttered. But I also have my Dad's LP's and other treasured belongings. Most we have parted with, but some are hard.  He died in 2008 so it really is time to make decisions.

"WHEN YOU ARE TO CREATE, YOU MUST INVITE ANXIETY IN"

                            Eric Maisel

I need my home and space back. I need to tread slowly but I need to make progress this year.  

 

"IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE CREATIVE

YOU MUST FIRST COME ALIVE"

Eric Maisel

 

I DO AND I WILL.

 

So right now it is time to get back.  It's not all work and no play though.  My friend Jill is coming round this evening so I have that to look forward to. It's always good to have a goal!