I think I’ve been watching too much BBC tv lately. I’ve noticed that British slang is starting to creep into my thought process. Words and expressions like:
Bloke: This bloke asked me out on a date and then forgot to show.
Daft: Don’t be daft- of course I want fries with my cheeseburger!
Wanker: Did you see that? That wanker just cut me off!
Sacked: I was just sacked! Hmmmm….let me open up my own business…..
For F*** sake: You sent him another text message? Why would you do that, for f*** sake???
Thank goodness, I just think these things and don’t actually say them. Most people would think I’m nuts. Except for the last expression, which I say quite frequently…that I blame on Maureen and her bad Irish influence… but most people think it’s funny…it usually is…
But I am reminded of this quote:
“Watch your thoughts, for they become words.
Watch your words, for they become actions.
Watch your actions, for they become habits.
Watch your habits, for they become character.
Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.”
And I truly believe this. What ever we are thinking inside seeps out to our exterior persona…negative or positive. And once it is out it effects our decisions which ultimately results in how people see us. I think back to a Stephen Covey lesson I learned long ago: What will people say about you at your 80th birthday party? I’d like people to say that I was kind, giving and loving and funny. An influencer… An inspiration. I don’t want people to remember me having road rage and calling people wankers! For F*** sake!
As I was looking for a really cool British recipe to share, I came across this Bonfire Toffee. This toffee is served up on numerous occasions in the UK, but noteably St. John’s Eve (June 23rd) in Ireland. Apparently they have a bonfire…and with GDP season coming up, I thought I might make up a batch of this for my friends. And it calls for Treacle, which I love ( I dated this Scottish guy and his mom used it all the time)! So, while you are thinking of what not to say to embarrass yourself, make some Bonfire Toffee and impress your hens and blokes!
Mangia!
Nina
Bonfire Toffee
Ingredients:
1lb dark brown sugar
¼ pint water
¼ level tsp cream of tartar
½cup black treacle/molasses
½cup golden syrup/corn syrup
Preparation:
Butter a 9×9 square dish.
In a heavy based 4-pint sauce pan dissolve the sugar and water over a low heat. Add all the remaining ingredients and bring to the boil. Using a candy thermometer boil to 270°/140°C (soft crack). If you do not have a candy thermometer – when you drop a bit of the syrup into cold water, it will solidify into threads that, when removed from the water, are flexible, not brittle. The toffee strands will bend slightly before breaking.
Once this stage is reached (about 10 minutes maximum) pour the toffee into the prepared tin and leave to cool.
Once the toffee is cold remove it from the tin and break with a toffee hammer or solid sharp object, and the toffee will crack into pieces.
Store in an airtight tin if you can resist it long enough!
M. Nina Piccini is the owner of Dinner Bella, Personal Chef Service and Catering.
http://thedinnerbella.wordpress.com
