I thought I would be hardcore this year, as this thesis has to be finished (quite important so people tell me), so I stupidly let my passport expire so that the temptation to emigrate at any point would be immediately eradicated. However, I have just realised that holidays are actually good for the mind and soul. All summer I've had to coup myself up in a library, archive or my own study when the sun is shining outside - my eyes squinting everytime I step back outside because I've developed a sensitivity to daylight like a vampire, but with glasses (although that doesn't seem to bother those vampires in Twilight - I haven't read them, should get sister to explain). I was semi-surprised to hear my supervisor say that it's good to 'switch off' every now and again, even when there is a pile of corrections for me to do. But maybe not during our supervision meetings though eh? I had to try especially hard to concentrate this afternoon, having had bouts of just glazing over when people start telling me information...ask my sister, she's been talking to me most of this evening and I defo remember falling asleep at one point. I have to admit that I am relieved, and also a little smug, that it's taken me all summer to realise I need to go away as now I don't have to share public spaces with all of those school kids. So, I've made my way back home to see my family (and get pampered) and am off for a weekend break to Woolacombe again. No Rick the Bic this time (my surf board) though as he's having a break himself at Ema's house but I will be pikeying 'Campin Gaz's board instead...
So, what's been happening with me the past couple of weeks? Well, it was my mum's birthday a couple of weekends ago and yes, there was cake. Although she likes a bit of cake, she's actually quite picky. Basically anything with apple is good, cinnamon is bad, buttery is good etc. etc. So, I made her some apple and blackberry crumble muffins:
I found the recipe in last month's Delicious magazine - yes, I am a subscriber. I believe some people call it food porn. The pictures are mesmerizing, but can lead to disappointment when your food ends up looking like roadkill even though you followed the recipe to a tee. However, I would never serve crappy-looking food, especially if it's cake. I have a reputation now don't you know? The muffins were actually really easy to make - literally mix all wet and dry ingredients separately, then combine both together into gooey mess. They were a hit with the family (reduced sugar content by half for dad), but I have no idea what they did with all 12 muffins as my dad is diabetic and can't really eat that many and then there's only my mum and sister...curious...
One ponderment did come up though - my sister automatically thought they were cupcakes, and I had to correct her, telling her they were actually muffins. 'What's the difference?' she asked. Dun-dun-duuuuun. Er, no idea. Having spent a good couple of weeks thinking about it (in between sporadic bouts of consciousness/unconciousness/glazing over) I have come to the conclusion that it's the way the ingredients are incorporated. Cupcake mixtures tend to follow the 'beat the hell out of the butter and sugar first' method, followed by alternately adding wet and dry ingredients, whereas muffins are less faffy as all dry and wet ingredients are mixed separately first, before being bunged together. Generally, the cupcake has a lighter texture to the muffin. I see the cupcake as the sprightly and sophisticated daughter of the more robust, no-nonsense muffin. Think Kate Hudson/Goldie Hawn, Miley Cyrus/Billy Ray...okay, they're probably bad examples, but you see what I'm getting at?
Oh, it's my dad's birthday today (both parents have managed to bankrupt me in the space of 2 weeks) so Happy Birthday dad even though I know you don't read this blog! He's actually asleep right now - maybe I should go poke him for laughs...?
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