Here's a recipe I need to think about long and hard...

Beeramisu

I grant you it's made with porter, which is somewhat sweet, but it's still a little unnerving to read this recipe. The blog I found it on is a really reliable source of good recipes so I might consider it. But it makes too much for just me and I'll need a lot of volunteers to help taste it because I don't want to waste this much food if it's nasty.

And I'm afraid I can't mail it out of town. Sorry...

1 pound mascarpone cheese
1 cup confectioner's sugar
2 eggs beaten (hs note: leave these out if you are worried about eating raw eggs, it's still tasty)
1 tablespoon vanilla
3/4 cup heavy cream, whipped
48 ladyfinger cookies (hs note: I used less, one 7 ounce package)
6 ounces (3/4 cup) Porter beer
1/2 cup brewed coffee, the stronger the better
1/2 cup cocoa

In a large bowl mix together the mascarpone, sugar, beaten eggs and vanilla. Fold in the whipped cream. Set this mixture aside.

In a shallow dish stir together the Porter beer and the brewed coffee, Dip the ladyfingers cookies into the coffee mixture (hs note:if you are using regular non-Italian ladyfingers make it a quick dunk).Don't let the ladyfingers get soggy. Arrange them in a single layer in a glass casserole dish (hs note: 8x8 is prob. fine). Spread 1/2-inch layer of mascarpone mixture on top of the ladyfingers. Sprinkle with1/4 cup cocoa. Repeat this for the second layer. Cover and chill in the refrigerator for at least two hours before serving.

Serves 12

Well, aren't we just the misunderstood people....

So the Sudanese President pardoned that British schoolteacher whose students named their teddy bear "Mohammed." And yet, "Approximately 40 protestors held a demonstration outside the British embassy in Khartoum, with banners opposing the decision to release her and demanding her execution."

This, ladies and genlemens, is what happens when fundamentalists of ANY religion get power in government.

A passing reference in the referenced article to something said by one of the British peers who worked for the teacher's release gives some hint as to how this was arranged, and I'm betting common sense and decency had nothing to do with it all:

'Lord Ahmed reaffirmed that Sudanese-British relations would not be put into jeopardy as a result of the teddy bear saga.
Lord Ahmed stated that, “We hope that British aid to Sudan continues and relations between our two countries will not be damaged by this incident - in fact, this should be a way to strengthen relations.”'

Get it? Huh? Huh?

We really need to kick some people in their economic balls.

Colorado Springs is next....

I iz a laydie now!

(this is entirely SCA related and if you're not interested in SCA, just skip on down to older stuff...)

Okay, the Russian title is Boyarina and I'm not sure what the Eastern European Jewish title would be, but one way or another I have earned my first (and most likely only) title in the SCA. It was such an anti-climactic moment, especially as I already knew about it and was kind of expecting it. Instead of happening in a formal SCA setting, it was after dinner in a crowded Mexican restaurant. I'm not sure who was more embarrassed, myself or Aedan who had to act as herald and make the whole announcement sound formal after eating a huge burrito. Actually, it was so me... Baroness Jill was adorable (she and Baron Alfric just are adorable...) and when we had trouble getting the necklace on me because of $#%$## hair was in the way she giggled.



There is going to be a better picture of my scroll later and one of the necklace as well, but right now the only thing I have is my camera phone and it doesn't work all that well. It's a stunning scroll and I must have it framed as soon as possible, but for the moment it's safe in its envelope.




According to the An Tir "Handbook"

Award of Arms - the lowest level of armigerous rank awarded by the Crown generally to those who have become recognized integrated participants in the Society. The Crown of An Tir has granted Principality Coronets the privilege of bestowing AA's to subjects of Their Principalities in the name of the Crown. Those who have achieved an Award level rank are given the title of Lord or Lady.




And there it is, my friends. And I'm full of nachos and laughs and good feelings and on that note I think I'm heading for bed.