Savoir Vivre or what?

Yes- Christmas is over and 2012 is lurking- and yes- I should have updated the blog. But hey ho- I meant to start from scratch and chose the posh one- well- the one we used to have and which I cannot longer access- but the I thought- why? Ayla's thoughts are relating to the sim- or the people- so I might as well just concentrate on this her. So yes- you will hear more often from me- and not just cooking recipes- facts- news- gossips- the lot.
Well on the news side? We have extended the stables. I always found them very atmospheric- but now- wow- I just love it- could sit here all day and nibble cheese and drink wine. Linus, the stable cat is still a bit apprehensive and does not know for sure yet if this is all his kingdom or if he has to share.
Oh well- we had a bit of a Christmas disruption as somebody decided take our training field apart- without prior notice- but we are back up and running thanks to Canary's huge effort and she also put a cart track up- 1000m higher- oh wow- most beautiful- and fun.
I will write about this more shortly- but honestly- after our full sim crash with more than 50% damage- who thinks we could be shocked??
Gosh-it was some year-but the team we have is ace- and I amlooking optimistically in the future. As it is my day off I am having another glass of wine now- yeah- I know- it's only lunchtime- but hey- ther stables are in France :-)

And while I keep crashing.....

...."I might as well finally write down one of my all time favourites", Miss Ayla thought

Red onion Tarte Tatin

2 1/2 lbs red onions
25g/1 oz butter
1 tsp caster sugar
6 thyme sprigs
1 tbsp fresg thyme chopped
1tbsp balsamic vinegar
salt and freshly ground black pepper

For the pastry
75g/3 oz plain flour
50g/2oz plain wholemeal flour
50g/2oz soft butter
25g/1oz cheddar cheese
1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves chopped
2-3 tbsp cold water

Preparation:

1. Pregeat the oven to 170C/350F/Gas 4 and preheat a solid baking sheet too
2. Begin by preparing the onions, which should have their outer skin removed and then be cut in half lenghthways from stern to root. Then place the pan over medium heatand, as sooon as it is hot, add the butter and the sugar, then as soon as the butter begins to sizzle, quickly scatter the sprigs of thyme in, then arrange the onions on the baseof the pan, cut side down. Afrter the onion halves have been placed in the pan to cover the surface, all of these left over need to be cut in wedges and fitted in between to fill all of the gaps. Bear in mind that what you see when you turn the tart out, is the cut side of the onions.
3. When the onions have all been fitted in, give them a good seasoning of salt and pepper, then scatter over the chopped thyme and sprinkle in the vinegar.Now turn the heat down under the pan and let the onions cook very gently for about 10 minutes.After that cover the pan with foil and place it on the baking sheet on the shelf just about the centre of the oven and leave it there for the onions to cook 5- to 60 minutes.
4. While the onions are cooking make the pastry. This can be done in a food processor. When the mix resembles fine crumbs, gradually add enough cold water- about 2 to 3 tbsp- to make a soft dough. Then put the dough into the fridge, wrapped in ccling film for 30 minutes to rest.
5. As soon as the onions have had their cooking time, test them with a skewer: they should be cooked through, but still retain some texture. Then replace the pan from the oven and place it back on the hob, increasing the oven temperature to 200C/400F/Gas 6. Now turn the heat under the pan with the onions to medium as now you need to reduce the juices. This will take app. 10 minutes. Watch them carefully so they don't burn.You should be left with very little syrupy liquid at the base of the pan.
6. In the meantime roll out the pastry to a circle of about 25 cm/10 inches (most blokes allegedly know exactly how much that is )in diameter- then turn the heat off under the pan, fit the pastry over the onions, pushing down and tucking in the edges all round the inside of the pan. Then return the tart to the oven on the same baking sheet but this time on the higher shelf and give it another 25 to 30 minutes until the pastry is crisp and golden.
7. After this remove it from the oven and allow it to cool for 20 minutes before turning it out. When turning it out it is important that you have a completely flat plate or board. Place the plate/board on top of the pan, then turn it upside down, give it a good shake- and voila. Done. Lovely warm with a few shavings of Parmigiano/Parmesan- and a glass of wine of course.

I know- I should.......

..as I promised add my onion tarte recipe- but I am not in the mood.
I will probably send it in a notecard- or- in the next entry- tonight I think I have to deal with emotions. Hurt, betrayal, loss......
I am at an age where yiy have been there, done that, have the t-shirt- but when it happens again- it is not less painful- maybe even worse because you thinnk that this time you chose your friends wisely- and you waited a fair bit before you opened up.Wrong- you are never safe.
Miss Ayla turned to Higgins and petted his big head. "I know why I prefer you" she thought.
A lot of things to consider- is it worth bending over backwords to please other people and to create an environment- or should I just retire from it all and have a lovely private life with the Captain? Come out of our enclosure whenever we feel like and build to our hearts contempt? Or finally explore our private side? On the other hand- there are some really nice people that come together regularly on a casual and relaxed basis- and for them it is sure worth. Miss Ayla shook her head. " I have to wait for the Captain" she thought. It needs to be talked over.Yes- it is a beautiful sim- but at the end of the day- the people who use it are the ones who breath the life into it.
Does friendship always have to hurt?

Thumbs up!

The move is done- and all looks bright and shiny. Miss Ayla looked across the water and smiled. And all the lovely friends still by her side- she had not really expected this. " I have to find a way to thank all of them" she thought. It is time though for now that things settle and the peaceful atmosphere that always was an attribute around the Chateau would take over again.
But it looks like this is already happening- quite a few lovely gatherings with old and new friends had already brightend her mind. It is time to enjoy the long evenings in fron of the fire- and perpare for Christmas. "I need to look for Granny's book" Miss Ayla thought- it was probably still in one of the removal boxes. "Yes- time to get moving again" she thought " and tomorrow i will start cooking again.
With a little jump she got up and made her way to the pier where she hoped to find Higgins. "Oh," she thought, "I would right fancy a glass of champagne and a dance".

end of a chapter

When one door closes another opens” and “ Things happen for a reason”- Miss Ayla remembered her own motto very well. Still- once the situation arises it is not that simple. Seeing her Xaara- well- not here’s anymore- being transformed into a cold plain platform made her cringe. Her mind drifted in memories. The moment she stood on the hill- overlooking Xaara for the first time, the moments when she was in tears- convinced that she would never manage to get a building placed within this landscape- the breakthrough and the idea for the set-up. Miss Ayla smiled- she actually does not actually plan a sim- she feels it and it grows from there.

Discussions with Proc that usually ended laughing on the beach, dancing in the moonlight, making love under a waterfall-trying ideas. Xaara grew-the relationship ended- too much work. “Yes”, she thought, “Xaara came at a price. Only a few days earlier she had to learn that Proc had died but in parts of her builds he would live on- Miss Ayla would make sure.

She leaned back and overlooked the vineyard. The gallery- she was not sure anymore if it was a good idea back then to offer the outlet to them, which finally ended up in being a quarter sim. Well- it probably was, she thought as she met a lot of nice people- a handful of true friends- yes it was. “At the end of the day” she thought “I can recreate my dream anytime and anywhere- it is inside of me and therefore nobody can destroy it.” The thought made her smile. She softly petted Higgin’s head and he looked up at her with a sign of relief feeling she was not as troubled anymore. “Let’s make the best of what we have here” she said to Higgins- “Let’s cut out the ugliness and preserve the friendliness. Let’s make this a home for the friends we know and those we have not met yet.” With these words she turned and made her way to the kitchen where a nice pigs ear waited for Higgins and she reached for the wine before she turned to Grandma’s big old handwritten cooking book and looked for inspiration.” Time to get back on track” she thought.

It never ends

...but that's a good thing- in a way. The past few weeks had proved busy, sometimes hectic- but successfull. "what an interesting and lovely mix of people are finding their way to Xaara lately!" Miss Ayla thought.
But there was the Zexpo to come. Miss Jorden and Miss Ayla had just finished their set-ups there the other night and Miss Ayla thought it really looked good. She was looking forward to showing off Xaara to all the different people and to browse the set ups of all the other exhibitors (Miss Ayla almost wrote "exhibitionists" here).
With amazement she learned the other day that Higgins had obviously opened his own photo business- "Hmmmm" she thought "Can't really blame him" Miss Ayla was aware that the poor dog must be feeling neglected.
"Time to think about setting some time aside for fun", she thought and was suddenly aware of the fact that she didn't even have a home on the three sims. She shook her head in disbelief and sighed.
"There will be time to think about that soon! she tought. leaning back in her chair- "time for coffee".
And as she thought she deserved a treat she decided to make it her special Irish Coffee.
Brew a strong black coffee and keep it hot
Put a good serve of Irish whiskey into a glass and add 2 teaspoon of brown sugar
light a candle (There are better constructions where you can put the glass in and turn it over a flame) but it works with a candle too- just make sure you don't burn yourself as the glass gets hot.
Heat up the whiskey in the glass by twisting and turning it over the candle until the sugar kind of caramalizes.
Pour into a warmed coffee mug and fill up with the coffee, top with whipped cream (Most delicious when sweetened) and enjoy.

Yessssss- I am so clever- it almost hurts! Now- as if Miss Ayla hadn't enough to do- she managed to demolish the Chateau on Saturday night. meant to remove a beer- and removed the complete left wing-rrrrraaaaaah!.


Ok- started from scratch and trying to see the positive side- there is always room for improvement.


In the meantime Higgins roamed the courtyard slightly worried as they hadn't seen any of their friends for a while- now- in Higgins case the worry was also about the good food he was used to- and while she was so busy he was confined to dogfood- uuuargh.


They had a short visit though from Monsieur Percival and Miss Kim, which was quite amusing- even for Miss Kim, it seems- though she was chased around by Monsieur Percival and captured all the time- but they disappeared in the new Highway Man's Bar and and had a couple of drinks before they continued there chase.


Monsieur Aidan who was also present to discuss the new design of the upper floors seemed rather intrigued himself- s

and then there are.....

the days, when Miss Ayla felt she was the loneliest person in SL.

The Pageant is over- phew.....

What a night! And all these fabulous people! The contestants were wonderful- all of them- and Miss Eles won :-)
Miss Ayla decided that she would have to create a special bouquet for each of them- but that would have to come later.
Miss Jorden was a gem- as usual- even if she occasionally kicked Miss Ayla's bum- Miss Ayla chuckled. Even Monsieur Michiel had left Alanis alone for the evening. Miss Ayla felt truely honoured- and without Monsieur Battle's active support we would never ever had this interesting audience.
Miss Ayla thought that she also would have to think about some nice gifts for the judges- Miss Tima, Miss Lilas, Miss Forceme and Monsieur Bouncing-she sighed- a lot of work coming up- but the kind of work she liked.For now it was all about the gala next week- and oh- she already knew that there had to be a few nice surprises involved- and then- Miss Aggie. Miss Ayla smiled. She was grateful for having such a good friend, who then happened to be a gifted photographer and took care of the picture during the event- wasn't she busy enough herself? Miss Aggie was to get married soon- and it was to happen on Xaara. Miss Ayla knew exactly what she had to prepare for this- but today was today- and Miss Ayla was happy but exhausted- and it showed. So Miss Ayla took a stroll through the vineyard with Higgins and rested when she arrived at the pier. She sat down on the warm planks, listened to the waves and let the morning sun softly stroke her face- she instantly felt the peace and quiet. Hmmmmm- she said to Higgins, who was far more interested in the big blue fly that was annoying him for a while- we will be bad today- bad, bad bad. Not that Higgins was interested.
"Come on, old boy" she said to him- "let's go home- you'll like my plan"- and they strolled off again through the vineyard, slowly and leisurely with no worry in the world.
Back home, in the kitchen, Miss Ayla took 3 bowls out of her cupboard and and started her activities-mixing, whisking, shaking chopping- trying- raising her eyes to the sky with a smile- or maybe more an extatic grin- then she put the result into the fridge where it would stay for several hours- meanwhile she had Higgin's full attention.
Miss Ayla's "I treat Myself" Mousse au Chocolat

3 eggs
sugar
100g dark chocolat
200 ml whipping cream
Cointreau or Grand Marnier
some white chocolate leaves (or whatever you fancy as a garnish)

Break up the chocolate in small pieces into a small bowl or a big cup
put this cup into a pan with boiling water and melt the chocolate under stirring it
put it aside but keep stirring in between so it doesn't clot- you can add a tablespoon of water in between

Separate the eggs. Whisk the yellow with 3 tablespoons of sugar with a handmixer until the colour becomes almost white- put aside.

In an absolutely fat and grease free bowl do the same with the eggwhites- mix with 3 tablespoons of sugar until absolutely stiff.

Then take the whipping cream from the fridge and mix with 2 Tablespoons of sugar until firm.

take the chocolate, stir again and add a good dash of Cointreau or Grand Marnier, stir and pour the chocolate into the egg yolk mixture, carefully stir it together.
Once it is well mixed take the egg white foam and carefully fold it under the chocolate/egg yolk mixture- when done add the cream and carefully stir again.
You now have a rich, dark but still fluid mixture.
Fill it in glasses or small bowls and put in the fridge to rest for at least 4 hours.
Before serving garnish to your taste.

Higgins will have a small serve too. Miss Ayla cleaned the kitchen, changed into her bikini and went to the beach- hey- it is Sunday!

Lazy Saturday Morning

After all, Miss Ayla thought, it wasn't that lazy at all- she had already completed her routine tasks but for some reason Miss Ayla felt a bit tense. Maybe it was because of the pageant night? "Stupid", Miss Ayla thought- it is all in Jorden's capable hands and she sighed and looked around and smiled-"What a wonderful and crisp morning, here at the Marina" she thought and her eyes wondered to Monsieur Battle's yacht. "What a wonderful place to be on a Saturday morning and maybe have breakfast on deck" she thought. Knowing what a warm and friendly man Monsieur Battle is and also one of her best friends she smiled and looked around. "I'll greet him with a breakfast" she decided.
Miss Ayla strolled to the very impressive yacht and notice that a bottle of champagne was already on the table. "We better put that back in the fridge for a couple of hours" she decided and walked to the pantry and had a quick look through Monsieur Battle's fridge. "Ah- sour cream he has- and onions and potatoes and coffee- great"
She strolled off to the hills below the Chateau and hummed- "What I need now are some nice rip oranges and I'll pick the here" she decided. Miss Ayla chose them carefully- only the biggest, brightest and ripest wandered into her basket- they smelled like pure summer.She strolled back through the gentle hills and enjoyed the early rays of sunshine that wer touching her through the branches of the orange trees. Miss Ayla stopped at the fish mongers on her way back where she was greeted friendly and one had a leisurely chat.Maurice, the fish monger promised to come up with something special these days as he knew that Miss Ayla just adored a good fresh fish. Miss Ayla bought 4 big slices of lovely and juicy smoked salmon and returned to the yacht.
The salmon wandered into the fridge and Miss Ayla turned to her oranges. She found a press and squeezed them and filled the aromatic juice into a big glass jar and put it into the fridge. She laid the table thoroughly with champagne and juice glasses and fine porcelaine plates that were decorated with lilac hydrangea blossoms. "Now- that looks friendly" she thought and returned to the kitchen, where she took out the potatoes and started to peel and raffle and mix and dice- "so- all prepared" she thought. "When Monsieur Battle shows up I can start the cooking"
Miss Ayla smiled a little cheeky smile- grabbed a glass and nicked a good serving of champagne. "The world is round" she said and went to the upper deck do enjoy the morning sun in style.

"Wake me up" a la Ayla
3 large potatoes
1 small onion
1 small egg
pepper and salt
4 slices of smoked salmon
2 tablespoons of sour cream
dill (fresh as garnish)

Peel the potatoes and raffle them.Press them dry through a kitchen towel.
Raffle the peeled onion very finely and mix with the potatoes, mix in the egg and add salt and pepper to taste.
Stir well and let it rest for 10 minutes- or keep in the fridge until needed.
When you are ready to cook heat some oil in a non-stick pan.
Add the potatoe dough in portions- means- maybe two tablespoons of dough per piece and bake little pancakes. Flip over when one side is golden brown and fry the other side. When done drop them on a plate and keep warm in the oven. Do so until all the dough is gone.
Serve them warm on the plate with 2 slices of salmon on top, garnished with a generous dollop of sour creme/creme fraiche and a little twig of dill. You might want to add a slice of lemon.

and as the night closes in...

Miss Ayla sat back on her terrace and listened to the sound of the crickets. She worried a bit about a very dear friend of her's.
Monsieur Michiel always leands an ear to the sorrows. Not just to Miss Ayla- but to all who come to him- and there are many. On top of that his beloved. Miss Sylvia, is being kept away on matters of the business, which sure troubles poor Monsieur Michiel.
Miss Ayla sighed deeply and leant back in her swing. The sweet scent of the roses on her porch was softly caressing her senses. She looked down and shook her head. "There is not a lot we can do" she said to Higgins, who just grinned at her chewing something horrible that he found on his walkies and that Miss Ayla didn't even attempt to identify.
"Time for the evening glass of White" she decided and went to the kitchen- as her eyes found Grandma's foliant again.
Miss Ayla returned to the terrace with her wine and the book and she started flicking through the pages.
" Ah" she thought "ah- here is something" She smiled as she had an idea. S she got up again and went into the kitchen to check her stock and then went into her garden and picked a few things.
"This might be helpful" she thought.
So she chopped and diced and stirred and simmered and hummed and had wine and a chat and a laugh with Higgins who had meanwhile joined her in the kitchen.
One and a half hours later she giggled- and somebody watching her could have thought that there was a chance that she might be slightly sozzled- which was not completely wrong.
She tasted her soup and smiled, chopped up some fresh parsley and tasted again. "This should be it" she said to Higgins who licked his chops.
Miss Ayla filled a lovely ceramic bowl with the soup she had just prepared and sealed it with a lid- then she set off with Higgins to the gallery, where she hoped to find Monsieur Michiel.

The Soup for a Strong backbone
1000 g of lean stewing beef
1000 g of diced onions
lots of vegetables of the season- but what always goes well is a mix of cauliflower,carrots,runner beans, celeriac,bell pepper,turnips- and in the winter even Brussel sprouts. (Grandma never gave measures and Miss Ayla always plays it by ear)
Salt, pepper, a generous dollop of hot mustard- oh- and a tin of diced tomatoes and at least a litre and a half of hearty beef stock.
- Haet a little oil in a big pot with a heavy bottom, put in the meat and let it brown nicely, add the onions, add some salt and pepper, add the onions and stir until the onions have a nice gold colour too, add the tinned tomatoes and stir thoroughly, then add the vegetables one by one- stir again and add some broth until just covered. Reduce heat and let it simmer, keep stirring in between and fill up broth. It takes about 1 hours and a half. Taste and add salt and pepper to taste. Add freshly chopped parsley before serving.
Miss Ayla finally reached the gallery- looked around and noticed that Monsieur Michiel was not in. she left the bowl on the bench with a little note, wishing him an extremely strong backbone, and silently left with Higgins.
"What a good day we had, Higgins" she said " Let's go home and see if the Captain comes to see us tonight".

The Walk

Another glorious morning on Xaara and the sun was glistening on the deep blue waters. Miss Ayla stretched and called for Higgins, her four legged best friend, to take him for a walk.

Miss Ayla decided that she would take the way to Deep Blue and along the pony track as it would give Higgins plenty of time to sniff for rabbits in the little forest and have a run on the beach.

The warm morning sun made Miss Ayla feel happy and optimistic and had somebody watched they would have noticed a little hop now and then.



Miss Ayla came to pass Miss Jorden’s house. She stopped for a moment and smiled. A truly big house with a truly warm atmosphere. Miss Jorden had said back then she had a little cottage to put up there- well- that’s some cottage, Miss Ayla thought and giggled.



Miss Jorden started to work for Miss Ayla a while ago- and she had become a true and trusted friend. Someone to share the joy, the success and the worries and a lot of laughter too. Miss Ayla thought again how lucky she was to have friends and wonderful people at her side.



Looking at the house and thinking of her friend, Miss Ayla thought it was time to show Miss Jorden her appreciation. But what is an appropriate gift if you want to show a friend how much you care? Miss Ayla sat down on the bench and looked across the water to the Chateau. “Help me, Higgins” she said- but all she got in return was a wrinkled forehead and a goofy look.



But the she had an idea and jumped up resolutely and walked up straight to her garden. She looked around and finally found what she was looking for. Some young and fresh and green twigs of ivy and lush white roses. With a smile she sat down in the courtyard in the shade of the old oak tree and started to braid the delicate twigs.



The Wreath of Friendship



Medium flower wire- cut to measure of your own head

Thin flower wire- cut to 3 inch pieces

Some fresh young ivy twigs

Some flowering Myrtle twigs if you can get them

Some lush white roses- cut down to a max. of 2 ½ inches- remove all thorns



Fasten the medium wire to a circle by winding the ends together. Wind the twigs around it evenly end fix them in between with the fine wire. Work in the roses evenly and push the stalk ends underneath the ivy twigs and fasten separately with the fine wire. Make sure the wire is covered by leaves and flowers.



Miss Ayla smiled and carefully wrapped the wreath and put it into a nice box. She could right picture it in Miss Jorden’s auburn hair- and if she preferred she could spray it with some hairspray and hang it for drying at one of her doors.



Still smiling she set off again with Higgins to deliver the box to Miss Jorden’s house.

Just a day.....

Miss Ayla strolled along the cobble stone path that is leading up to the Chateau. It was a lovely summer's day- but it is always summer on Xaara- well- unless Miss Ayla decides it it winter.

Miss Ayla giggled at the thought.

Miss Ayla stopped for a minute and listened to the sparrows frantically chirping as they are searching for crumbs around the tables of the outdoor café. Miss Ayla always makes sure there are sufficient crumbs.

The sweet fragrant smell of the bougainvilleas tickled her nose like a soft lovers kiss and she spun around in a twirl the silvery mane flying- just a day with no worries in the world. A rare thing to happen lately as Miss Ayla was thinking most of the time about lots of things but today she felt blessed. Blessed with a beautiful island- and most important with beautiful friends- and above all the most beautiful man ever- the captain- and best of all he loved her- and she loved him.

The mane was flying in another twirl and Miss Ayla made her way up to the Chateau.

When she entered the sunny courtyard she glanced at the pheasants ogling the vegetable and herb bench. Miss Ayla smiled- let them have their treat, she thought- I am happy- why shouldn't they.

Miss Ayla entered the kitchen and looked around- then she grabbed the wobbly little chair from under the sink and bravely climbed up to search the upper shelf. Hatschi- the dust from far too long tickled her nose as she dug out the old foliant she was looking for- hmmmm- some cleaning here tomorrow- but tomorrow is another day.

Miss Ayla looked around and decided that a glass of wine wouldn't harm while she was browsing through the heavy old book- her grandmother's tiny filigrane handwriting was pleasing her eyes.

here we go, she thought. The Captain , it seems is a sensual man and loves his food. Miss Ayla had decided to ask grandma what sort of dish would delight a man who knows most and tried it all and as Miss Ayla was going through the pages the book opened where this very old dried rose was pressed between it's pages. Miss Ayla slightly blushed- was that what you cooked for grandpa the first time? Dreamingly humming she studied the old handwriting and smiled and decided to share this with the Captain as she was sure he would absolutely love it.

German Gulasch:

1000 g lean beef (for slow cooking)

1000g onion

salt

pepper black

2 bay leaves

Duesseldorfer Loewensenf

cooking oil (I love olive oil- but for this purpose it is not getting hot enough)

Preheat a big pot with a heavy bottom. put in a bit of oil- not a lot- just to coat the bottom.

Throw in the diced beef and stir it until everything is nice and brown, as the finely diced onions (really fine)stir it, let the onions turn golden, add salt and pepper to your liking- but Gulasch shouldn't be too mild, add at least two tablespoons of mustard and stir thoroughly (I usually use more- but then you have to be careful with salt and pepper) ad the bay leaves and fill up with water or beef stock (water is sufficient) until just covered. Reduce the heat quite drastically and cook covered under occasional stiring for roughly 90 minutes.

After that the onions should be almost invisible and the beef should be melting.

Traditionally Gulasch is served with boiled potatoes that are sprinkled with some chopped parsley and red cabbage- or Knoedel- but a nice salad and some hearty roasted bread is as nice.

Miss Ayla smiled, finished her wine and took the foliant up to her room. "What a pleasant day", she thought as she toated to her friends across the vineyard.