Why I Won't Be Visiting the New Milkshake Cafe

When I saw that a new milkshake and smoothie cafe was opening near me, I immediately resolved that I would have to drop in and see if they're any good.  As of yet, I still have ventured into the freshly painted pink and white paradise.  The reason?  Television. 

Inside they have a large television screen which can be seen from outside (though I've never looked at what film is playing).  The other thing I can usually see is anywhere between 3 and 10 teenage boys (alright, they're probably uni students but their dress is not doing them any favours) staring blankly at it.  Apparantly there is also a gaming console inside.

Now don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong against watching a film or playing a game amongst friends.  But personally, if I'm going to a CAFE it's to chat to my friends.  I get that those boys I see probably think they are socialising but I've never actually seen them interacting with one another.  And this bothers me.  Are we so dependant on media and technological outputs that we can't even drink a milkshake without them?  I would hope that we weren't but unfortunately I have to assume the worst - everyone is 'plugged in' to phones, laptops, televisions so much of the time that it is easy to wonder how anyone managed to survive without them.  But my point is, people did survive without them.  And it's my belief that they were probably the better off for it (to an extent). 

We are all on hyperdrive all the time and it's no wonder that depression, stress, exhaustion are common among every age group (except, as far as I can tell, the elderly).  As I've said, I don't have anything against technology (hey, I'm writing a blog!) but I do think we need to remember how to function, for at least a small portion of time, without them.

So I won't be trying those smoothies or milkshakes any time soon, because I don't fancy having to compete with a film for a conversation with a friend.  It seems, for now, we will be continuing to chat over coffee instead.

What is your take on technology?  Do you think it's had a negative or positive impact on your life?

Fillings!

As you probably know, today is pancake day.  I love pancakes and have them quite often.  I won't have them tonight though as I just don't have the energy to make them, but next time I'm feeling able, you can bet I will.  So I thought that, even though I can't indulge myself I would indulge my readers with some of my favourite pancake fillings.

click for source

(Just in case you don't know, make a pancake by mixing 50g plain flour, 1 egg and 100ml milk then cook in a frying pan - if you need help go here to see Delia Smith's instructions.  I sometimes add a tsp of ground cinnamon for a bit of flavour.)

So,  my favourite savoury filling has to be spinach and cream cheese.  I haven't actually had this in a while and honestly can't remember how to make it but I'm guessing just heat some spinach and cream cheese together in a pan and presto!

When I'm being lazy (and let's face it, that's most of the time) I have a filling of beans and cheese - you'd be surprised how many things I make edible by just adding beans and cheese.

As for sweet, I'm not a lemon and sugar fan (no offence to those who swear by it).  I usually cut up a banana and slather it in golden syrup - absolutely delicious but probably not a good idea to have too often.

I've also cooked apples in some butter and cinnamon for a sweet breakfast filling (though in future I will definitely be adding a little syrup to this mix) which was gorgeous.

How do you like your pancakes?  For those of you who are feeling brave and want to try something new click here for some fantastic recipe ideas - if you do give them a go, let me know.

Chick Lit Guilt

For my final project at uni I am writing in the chick lit genre.  It's the first time I've ever written chick lit - but not because I was embarrassed to, but because I couldn't think of a new storyline.  The thing is, I read chick lit all the time.  I call it my guilty secret; although it's no longer a secret.

My point is I used to keep it a secret.  I didn't want to be judged on what I read.  Chick lit was (and still is) deemed as easy reading, unrealistic and generally a waste of time.  But I'm going to stand up and say that that is all rubbish.  Okay, so it might be 'easy reading' but sometimes that's what we need.  Fiction should be an escape from real life so who cares how realistic the story is as long as it's believable.  And I truly believe that no reading could ever be classified as a waste of time.  Despite all that, some things in chick lit have caused me to think more deeply about my life - in particular my life as a woman.

When I was younger I was under the impression that I had to have a good (high salary) job and that I had to work myself into the ground.  It is only in the past few years I have been able to shake off this idea (and honestly I have no idea where it came from as my parents are the most open people I will probably ever meet).  I have felt guilty for wanting to do housework, bake, sew and cook.  Chick lit has given me the permission I needed to find myself. 

Chick lit heroines are almost always really strong women who have reached a cross-roads in their lives.  Before, I used to consider that these women were idiots, I knew they would end up with the man and probably forsake their jobs in the process.  I think this is why chick lit has such a bad rep.  But the point is the women in these novels are strong.  I now don't think I have to follow or rebel against their example.  They have allowed me to find my own way - in love AND in life.

Okay, this post is probably coming across as long-winded and confusing.  But the general point I'm trying to make is: read want YOU want to read and don't judge anyone else.  So, what genre do you read/write? Why? Have you ever felt like it wasn't 'literary' enough?

World Book Night

I'm sure at least a few of you know that it's World Book Night tonight (at least I hope the writers among you knew).  Anyway, I found out about it too late to become a volunteer - and quite frankly I have no idea where I'd give out masses of books.  But, quite by luck, I stumbled upon Nicola Morgan's Idea.  Now, just to be clear - I agree with her that WBN is a great idea, but it's not necessarily the ONLY idea that can work.  Anyway, the gist of it is, we buy a book, write in the front and then give it someone, anyone.  The moment I read this, I thought that I had to join in.

So on Thursday I went to buy a book at my local Waterstone's...only to find that it has closed (and left me a nice little notice telling me that the closest one is somewhere you need a car to get to).  Needless to say, I wasn't impressed.  Okay, I felt a bit guilty about not using it more when it was there (but come on, I'm a student!) but I was also a little more than annoyed that when I wanted to spend my money there, I couldn't.

In true Bethany style, I devised my own plan.  I wasn't going to let the lack of bookshop in my town stop me from participating.  So I decided to give a book that I've read recently and enjoyed.  The book was 'The Summer of Secrets' by Martina Reilly:

And inside I wrote 'Given in the spirit of World Book Night March 5th 2011 - I hope you enjoy as much as I did.' 

:

I figured I'd write the inscription as this picture is really fuzzy!

And who did I give it to?  Lucy from Heaven Is a Cupcake as I know she is an avid reader.  I realise that many of you are now wondering why I gave it to a reader - the answer is simple.  Just because you read, doesn't mean that you have read everything (in fact, I would love to meet anybody who can claim this).  I hoped that it would introduce a fellow reader to a book that they probably wouldn't have picked up their own.  And the reason I chose Lucy in particular?  Because I was receiving an order of cupcakes!

So, for good measure, here's a pic of the gorgeous cupcakes she created for my friend's surprise baby shower:

Scrapbooking

Last week I found myself in a little bit of a funk, unsure of what I wanted to do with myself.  A few of you might remember me blogging about attempting scrapbooking so I thought to myself that that would be the perfect solution.  As I felt creatively stifled I realised that doing something completely new and different might help - and it did.  So here's the three pages I worked on and I have to say I'm actually quite proud of them, considering I'm a complete novice.

My three themes were coffee, cupcakes and fairies. I decided that rather than using scrapbooking to document moments in my life, I wanted to make it more about who I am.  So these are all things that are important to me, and that I feel represent an aspect of me.  

So what do you think?  Any ideas of what other pages I could do?

Snapshot

I can't believe it's March.  That means there are now days til my birthday.  And, much more scary, only six weeks until my final hand-in date.  I have six weeks left of university!

This knowledge is making me flip emotions all over the place.  I am excited.  I am terrified.  I feel lost.  I feel safe.  I am confident.  I am angry.  I am overwhelmed.  Mostly that last one.

Once again the feeling of being on the edge of something great has returned.  And I guess, this time I really am right on the edge.  In six weeks I will be able to do whatever I want.  But at the same time I am very aware that that last statement isn't true.  It should be but due to that little problem I have (M.E. feel free to go away any time now) I know it isn't.  Because I can't do whatever I want.  I can't work full-time.  I can't get a job in London.  I can't lose sleep while trying to write (okay, so I could do this but not if I want to be able to leave my bed anytime in the future).  I can't dance like I used to. 

I am aware of all the dreams I have lost.  That I have been forced to give up.

But then I remember that despite this, I am happy.  Well, I am most of the time.  I am in love.  I have dreams (even if I've had to compromise on some of them).  And I have hope.  Hope that I can survive in this world.  Hope that I am stronger than I ever imagined.  Hope that I'm not alone.

Okay, so this post has ended up in a completely different place to where it started.  But I am going to leave it as it is as it's the perfect snapshot - of a moment in time - of my life.  I am here, there and everywhere.  And hey, did you notice my new look for the blog?  It just felt like it needed a change.  SWhat do you think?

Chocolate Pots!

Sometimes I need to take a break from the monotony of my life.  So the other day I did just that...and made chocolate pots with the bf.

(I was behind the camera - and besides, lifting hot, heavy things is not really my duristiction.)

This is what they looked like before going into the oven (I forgot to take a picture of them finished).

They came out a sort of dark chocolatey mousse.  And they were very very very chocolatey to the point that  I couldn't quite finish mine (those of you who know me know that is VERY chocolatey) and completely quelled our need for chocolate for almost a whole 24 hours!