This has nothing to do with Scotland folks!

Want an easy alternative to the ol' cauliflower and cheese sauce staple?

Popcorn Cauliflower is the answer my friends!

This has been a recipe I have long wanted to try, since the the days of being smitten with the Surreal Gourmet's Bob Blumer. This recipe turns an unassuming head of cauliflower into a crunchy, salty, popcorny perfection.

As someone who is fond of recycling, I thought I would try another 'R' and reused a popcorn box that I hung onto after seeing Submarine in London last month. Its new purpose is my kitschy cauliflower container in times like these. I filled the bottom first and perched the hot cauliflower on top, creating the appearence of my favoutite movie munchie. I took a quick picture (or a series of seven, let's be honest) and enjoyed!

Yum, tasty cauliflower by an uber creative Canadian cook!

A picture is worth....

13 words!

Whilst on a wonder through the National Museum of Scotland, I stumbled upon this...

So when you get over here, this should explain everything!

Cup of Tea Tuesday-Don't Think, Just Shoot

*Disclaimer-Please don't stop thinking, and please don't start shooting anything that is not a camera*

They don't seen to have a good Samaritan act in Scotland

In a day where digital cameras have been reduced to pennies and everyone seems to have one right down to your grandgparents, this exhibition is a celebration of lo-fi photography by local Edinburgh artists and lovers of analogue cameras alike.

With its unique outcomes for photos, including light leaks, lo-fi graininess, unpredictable blurs, moody vignettes and magical blend of saturation and contrast, Lomograohy is easy to love, for the professional and the novice alike. Originally produced in Russia, circa 1982, and rediscovered by Austrian students in the 90's, Lomography is a throwback to the days of film cameras and processing with a shout out to do-it-yourself-ers, grass roots photographers and collectors of super trendy toy cameras. Now a world-wide revolution, the lomo camera has etched a place in our hearts as well as hipter history, due much in fact to the popularity of its highly addictive online store and cult-like following.

Hidden in the stacks of the Art department of the Central library is an ode to the original Soviet-made camera that started the Lomography revolution. I had to hunt for this exhibit, which I must admit was half the fun. I first made what I imagine is a common mistake, and went to the library confusingly/conveniently located across the street. Next it was a series of winding staircases and side doors to the Fine Art area of the library. Then with hushed voices, we awkwardly wove in amongst a full library of students, trying to appreciate the art while not disturbing the researchers. Absolutely worth the effort! What a wonderful find this activity was, and it lent itself perfectly to my own effort to capture Edinburgh in all its lo-fi glory, not to mention it was free!

Inspired by the exhibition, these are my lomo-ish contributions taken digitally on my trusty cellphone while using the brilliant Vignette app to allow me to pose as an analogue user. Lo-fi meets high-tech? Probably a bit sacrilegious I imagine for Analogue aficionados, but a fine result, and a testament to the fact that Lomography has become a cultural institution.

These rules define Lomography's philosophy and approach towards photography. Recite them, or break all the rules – whichever way, be ready to throw all your inhibitions about photography to the wind!

1. Take your camera everywhere you go
2. Use it any time – day and night
3. Lomography is not an interference in your life, but part of it
4. Try the shot from the hip
5. Approach the objects of your Lomographic desire as close as possible
6. Don't think (William Firebrace)
7. Be fast
8. You don't have to know beforehand what you captured on film
9. Afterwards either
10. Don't worry about any rules

If you like photography, Edinburgh, supporting local artists, Lomography, free things or all of the above, this exhibit is a sound investment for your afternoon art fix.

For more Photos of Edinburgh NOT by me for a change, try these links:

Lomocations

The pictures that come up when you type 'Edinburgh' into the Lomography website search bar

The Lomo Magazine update about the Edinburgh Exhibit

Or if you want to join the Edinburgh Lo-fi Photography group who are the fine folks who put on this show

One might say Edinburgh is my muse lately, lets see what happens when I apply the 'Lomo-Rules to live by'

erin x edinburgh

This is a picture of yours truly,caught in the act, falling in love with Edinburgh!

Sunday on a stroll of underground Edinburgh, my husband snapped this shot. I was admiring a stone arch; one of many making in George IV bridge, but one of few visible from a city having been built up around said bridge. I was taking a moment to appreciate my find. I was enjoying something so much older than myself. I was imagining how many other eyes have looked upon this with apathy or admiration.

I also seem to match my environment- cobblestones, sky and me- grey! But not my outlook today!

Enjoy the stories of this Sunday Stroll, coming soon...

edinburgh x erin

Back in the Burgh

Blogger sabbatical ends tomorrow!

I have been super busy in the Burgh and Blogger.com is back in business!

Can't wait to show you what I have been up to!

Lots of my massive mini-essays and picture posts to come, as well as some Scottish folklore and a whole lotta foods!

write on, erin x

Cup of Tea Tuesdays-Wednesday Edition

This artist is just my cup of tea!

I feel a kindred spirit with Nigel Peake, an Irish Architect who "grew up in the middle of nowhere" and is currently based in Edinburgh at the School of Architecture here.

His newest book In the Wilds 'chose me'.

I had gone down to a favourite shop of mine at 39 Candlemaker Row, Analogue Books, which has recently moved from its home of ten years on historic Victoria street. It is neraly impossible to walk out of Analogue empty handed as it is the kind of store it seems they have stocked just for you. I remember feeling so low this winter that I shook the shop girl (the owner one in the same) had insisting the store was a sanctuary that transported me back to Main st. where I had felt most at home.

Upon flipping to a random page, I was already certain this book would be coming home with me-I needn't see more. It is a rare and special happening when a book speaks so strongly to your senses and sensibilities such as this one did to me that day. Nature in a form I had never seem it take. I connected with the clean white pages, and linear nature scenes. Over 100 pages of hand drawn interpretations of rural life in pencil, ink and shades of pastel watercolour.

Peake created this collection by memory; his muse was three months in the Irish countryside the winter of 2009.

Everything in his book seems so familial to me-the fields, the pine cones, the cross-sections of timber, the rustic structures, the jumble he titles 'The corner of the yard'. This book is everything I miss about the way of life of my youth. It makes me want to call my Dad in Canada, it makes me want to meet this Nigel Peake person.

His other subjects/books have included Sheds, Maps and Strom-inspired by a week in a cabin in Norway.

One can purchase his lovely little book on his website www.nigelpeake.com or check out his blog, which happens to be a little less wordy than mine!

I leave with this,

"I cannot identify the name of every bird song, type of tree, or field condition,

but I do have an appreciation and the inherent joy

of the things around me." Nigel Peake

edinburgh x erin

Take heed

blog blergh

My blog is a Blogger account, which has been down, along with everyone else's that uses the service! Sorry for the lack of current posts y'all. Unfortunately with the maintenance my posts, and once again-everyone else's, have been removed or deleted. Until things with Blogger sort themselves out, I am going to take a brief hiatus, so as to not loose anymore work!

this will just mean I will have many new adventures to share when you see this next:like Balkan-o-rama tonight and EuroVision tomorrow!

sorry for the sad news

go blogger tech team, i believe in you

oh i do hope my posts come back

erin x

What is this? A liquor store for ants?

Those have to be at least 3 times bigger!

This picture really would have been much more effective had I put something in the frame to show some scale! These things are tiny, I'm telling you. Maybe it's a supplier for Scottish mini bars.

Leith, when all you need is a little liquor!

edinburgh x erin

What I do with Myself

Today I donned my toque and my gumboots (translation: knitted hat and wellies) and went out into Edinburgh ready for rain. One might notice I did not mention an umbrella, and you would be correct, but this is an intentional choice. Don't be tempted to bring your favourite, fashionable brellie to Edinburgh, or it will end up in a tangled mess, much like your hair after being to the Burgh. Umbrella carnage isn't worth the risk, and besides, Edinburgh rain does not fall down but rather sideways so you might as well either resign to getting soaked or save your pennies (pences?) for a good Gor-Tex and get on with your day.

In an effort to not carry a cumbersome purse, I stuffed a couple cameras in my pockets along with a tiny notebook to record my adventures and a green pen that is made out of corn and comes with a dandy little calendar that rolls out at my convenience. I separated my keys from the keyring because I take 'packing light' seriously and started off down the street.

I didn't make it far, but that was all part of my plan. I went into a Second hand book store (aka charity book shop) that had a window display featuring Scottish authors. At one point I looked outside and noticed it had rained, but when? And that is when I realized I had spent the good part of an hour rummaging at the front of the store, oblivious to, well, apparently weather and probably everything else as well.

One side of the Scottish Section of this Bookshop

I found so many treasures including a box of old postcards from the war, a classics section, and a bin of leaflets donated by Historic Scotland-filled with black and white ariel photos of my Scottish surroundings.

I spent an enjoyable hour of my life and nine pounds in the book shop, and then when I went home I found out all the money is donated to children's charity!

My book booty

This seems a good day to indulge you in a literary link. This Bookshop Guide is like a treasure map to me, and will provide you with...maps of many book -pushers, but also bookshop details as well as reviews from fine citizens such as myself. It can be your guide to great afternoons spent in bookshops here in Edinburgh or all over Scotland!

Because you should get lost in a book, not in a new city!

It rained three more times today, sandwiched between spurts of warmish sun, contrasted with the constant presence of that oh-so-reliable Edinburgh wind. I took pictures all morning and popped into interesting shops to wait out the rain when need be, all the while my once faithful umbrella got to rest in my handbag at home.

edinburgh x erin

Hello! This is where personal blog meets travel guide!

Whether you are in Edinburgh on exchange, here on holiday or just passing through, chances are you may need some Pounds to fill your purse at some point.

This is a wee map to help you find the locations around Edinburgh where you can exchange you currency!

But what on earth is the best rate right now?

This happens to be a link to the current exchange rates! How handy, a currency converter at your convenience.

I hope this will be helpful to you while you tour Scotland's capital looking for places to spend your loot. If you do choose to exchange your money in Scotland you may receive either Pounds printed from Scottish banks or English notes. Both options spend the same, but you might get some strange looks if you bring your Scottish money into England. Cashiers have to accept it on account of it being legal tender, but you might get some suspicious looks none the less.

No1 Currency

www.no1currency.com - 11 Glenfinlas Street, Edinburgh - 0800 953 0221

International Currency Exchange

www.iceplc.com - Waverley Station, Edinburgh - 0131 558 1387

No1 Currency

www.no1currency.com - 207 High Street, Edinburgh, Midlothian - 0131 220 0080

Enjoy your weekend and come visit soon!

edinbugh x erin

Potato-Po-tah-toe

Has this every happened to you?

You are in a self checkout at the local store purchasing a tasty zucchini for your dinner, but wait, you click on "Z" for zucchini and nothing shows up! You panic, you look around feverishly while the line of seasoned self-checker-outers starts to wind down the aisles behind you, shuffling as they get restless and watching over you shoulder as you hunt for the damn zucchini button! Finally you eyeball one of the overworked staff members who looks at you confused, quickly presses the letter "C" and informs you in a tone reserved for such situations that this is not a zucchini, despite popular belief, but a courgette!

This is actually a re-enactment of my everyday life. Language has become something that sometimes alienates me, and in my short time here in Scotland, most commonly in the grocery store. Also, you will be corrected if you call this place that contains the groceries a grocery store because the term commonly used here is supermarket.

I have compiled a short list that I will add on to as new terms to know arise. Assimilate faster? Maybe. Increase ease of shopping? Perhaps. Learn and respect the language of the county, and its country-people, you are residing in? You bet. Not get made fun of and start to cry at the checkout only to be not consoled because it is a 'self checkout' and the kind ladies that you have known for you entire life behind the till are all but obsolete so you just have to imagine that this machine can feel your pain and put your tear stained zucch...courgettes into your tote bag and go home to you apartm...flat? Here's hoping!

In no particular order, and in Canadian-to-UK only out of coincidence:

zucchini-courgette

eggplant-aubergine

bun-bap

hotdog-frankfurter

cilantro-corriander

dish soap-washing up liquid

cookie-biscuit

homogenized (4%) milk-full fat milk

arugula-rocket

ground beef-mince

molasses-treacle

jell-o-jelly (I guess they haven't heard of a guy by the name of Bill Cosby)

super fine sugar-caster sugar

instant noodles or ichiban-pot noodles

bacon-streaky bacon, or else you get thick back bacon that is meaty, not crispy

oatmeal-porridge

And just to add insult to injury, while I was posting this I discovered my spellcheck is British too because it won't accept zucchini as a word either!

Wood Turning Wednesday Edition

This will sadly not be a weekly feature on account of this wednesday being my last wood turning class. I had to say goodbye to a great group of fellow adult learners after twelve weeks of 3 hour classes each wednesday night. This is a picture of me, as I spent most wednesday evenings: covered in wood chips, nose full of sawdust, usually with a scarf to keep said wood chips and sawdust out of my bra, safety goggle on- creating a tell tale red line around my full time goggles, hair tied back to prevent from a tragic/recent accident, steel toed boots on-not required-but on because my dad taught me safety first plus they made me taller which made for better leverage on the lathe. I also wore plaid on this particular occasion and my favourite sitka spruce necklace from Granville Island as it seemed fitting.

I turned this little pine tree using various chisels on a wood turning tool called a lathe. I learned this new skill as a result of always admiring wood turned bowls but never being able to afford them. I am not able to attend school over here in Scotland much to my chagrin, so this evening class served as a substitute; teaching me important lessons I could not have learned while sat in a classroom.

Such lessons include but are not limited to as follows:

1-Sexism does in fact exist despite what you may have heard

2-Grown men will be part of a baking circle if pressured

3-The gruffest looking men had the softest centres

4-A skew chisel can break your heart

5-Women make great wood-turners

6-Working with your hands to create something from raw material is very rewarding

7-A motley crew of people from different backgrounds, countries, socio-economic groups and sexes can all be united by the vulnerability of learning something new

8-Most people don't know what wood turning is

9-Scottish wood workers don't stop for coffee...they stop for tea and are very serious about this!

10-There is a direct correlation between the strength of the Scottish accent and the dirtiness of the joke

Wood turning was something that was both terrifying and addictive to me. I got a sore neck and several new callouses and I love every minute of it! It is a craft I intend to continue: developing my skills and locally producing beautiful, functional wood products. I tried something new and it "turned" out I liked it! It is one more life skill I have in my arsenal and can't help but think the confidence I have gained as a result of this class might just be the incentive I need to try something else!

I wonder what?

erin x wood-turning

'Cup of Tea' Tuesdays

This twiggy tea plate has two tiers and combines pretty china with a touch of the outdoors. The best part is, Toot Toot (the sound made by me whilst tooting my own horn), I made it myself with some sticks I found while walking in the Meadows! It is perfect for serving tea to our guests; it satisfies the traditional function of a tiered serving plate while reflecting our personal style and creating conversation.
If you are feeling like your home could use a woodsy touch, you can make this fine tea plate yourself.

This is my twiggy tea plate in action at breakfast this morning! I served up some fresh baked scones with Scottish strawberry jam and clotted cream from Devon, in the south west of the country. This meal would be called a Cream Tea, so you can ask for it by name when you are travelling over here. This is a fail safe recipe from Darina Allen, an Irish traditional chef that I am obsessed with. I found this recipe in her book, my bible, The Forgotten Skills of Cooking a definitive modern guide to traditional cookery skills.

We made only a third of this recipe and still had a feast of scones!

Mummy’s Sweet White Scones

The smell of freshly baked scones coming out of the oven was one of my earliest memories, and then there was the squabbling over the sugar tops with my brothers and sisters!

Makes 18-20 scones using a 72 cm (3inch) cutter

900g (2lb) plain white flour
170g (6oz) butter
3 free range eggs
pinch of salt
55g (2oz) castor sugar
3 heaped teaspoons baking powder
450ml (15floz) approx. milk to mix

Glaze
egg wash (see below)
granulated sugar for sprinkling on top of the scones

First preheat the oven to 250C/475F/gas mark 9.

Sieve all the dry ingredients together in a large wide bowl. Cut the butter into cubes, toss in the flour and rub in the butter. Make a well in the centre. Whisk the eggs with the milk, add to the dry ingredients and mix to a soft dough. Turn out onto a floured board. Knead lightly, just enough to shape into a round. Roll out to about 22cm (1inch) thick and cut or stamp into scones.* Put onto a baking sheet – no need to grease. Brush the tops with egg wash and dip each one in granulated sugar. Bake in a hot oven for 10-12 minutes until golden brown on top. Cool on a wire rack.
Serve split in half with home made jam and a blob of whipped cream or just butter and jam.

Egg Wash
Whisk 1 egg with a pinch of salt. This is brushed over the scones and pastry to help them to brown in the oven.

My tip- Don't get your egg was on the sides of the scones or they won't rise as well. Just on top!

A Tuesday introduction into the British tea culture which you will find abroad!

enjoy

Flake 99

flake 99:"Ninety-nine n. (also 99) Brit. an ice cream cone made with soft ice cream with a stick of flaky chocolate inserted into it (as 99 a proprietary name in the United Kingdom); (formerly) an ice cream wafer sandwich containing a similar stick of chocolate; a wafer cone or chocolate stick for an ice cream (disused)."

Why have I chosen to define Britain's favourite summer seaside vacation treat? Due much in fact to the prompting of my husband to taste his 'motherlands' ice cream of choice, I discovered a sordid past to the origins of the name of the aforementioned soft serve snack.

So what's in a name?

First off with a warning-Do not assume 99p is all you will need to purchase your ice cream cone because the origin of its name by no means reflects on its price. My introduction to Flake 99 cost me two pounds fifty! A 99 is soft ice cream in a cone with a Cadbury Flake bar protruding out of it. Sounds simple enough, but the reason for its name sake has been lost over history, so if you really must know-you will be left wanting.

A Flake is a half milk chocolate- half air, layered stick that comes in original size and a '99' specific size for the purpose of lending itself to an ice cream treat. Not having the emotional attachment my British husband does to this product of his youth, I find it resembles a twig or worse yet a a little log of dog poop. Sorry fans of the Flake, I tell it as I see it. The Flake 99 was introduced as early as the 1920's and won its way into the hearts of the UK, still present as the main attraction of ice cream trucks today.

Was it named after the location of a high street shop in Portabello, Edinburgh where it may have originated ten years before Cadbury launched their version?

Is the flake in question 99 mm long even though it is marketed in a country that wouldn't have used the metric system back then?

Was it in reference to the King of Italy's elite guard consisting of 99 soldiers and a prevalence of Italian ice cream purveyors? I am not making this up friends!

Are there 99 layers of chocolate or do the layers consists of patterns that resemble tiny nines?

Nobody really knows for sure, but apparently the 99 is as fun to speculate about as it is to eat.

The Flake 99 is available at ice cream trucks everywhere, taking into consideration I am located in the UK, and in a pre-packaged form marketed by Cadbury. Why not save a tree and eat a cone instead?

I think Shakespeare may have had it right that sometimes it doesn't matter what things are called, but rather what they are. So take the opportunity to try this traditional treat for yourself when you arrive. And enjoy!

edinburgh x erin

Sunday Stroll or Steve Zissou and the "c" word

Today the sun was out so we hopped on a bus bound for Edinburgh's answer to the suburbs: Cramond. Daypasses for the bus cost 3 pounds 20 pence and so began our 50 minutes bus ride. Cramond in fact isn't all that far from the Edinburgh city centre (or downtown for all the Canadians), four miles to be exact, but we wove through little villages lined with brick walls and bursting with the type of greens that can only mean Spring in Scotland. The bus ride was worth the adventure in itself and I loved seeing areas of the city I have not ventured into yet. An exodus of people piled off the bus at our stop and wound there way down to the waterfront pub where our walk was to start.

Any warmth the sun may have been giving off was quickly blown away with the wind off the Firth of Forth along with our hairdo's and ice creams. We started by walking along the causeway that leads to Cramond Island, which is only accessible at low tide. It was no where near low tide so I took this picture of my husband Steve Zissou, known amongst his piers as Lumberjack, and ran back to shore before the sea spray did any more damage to my ice cream.

Our three and a half mile journey was on a multi-use paved path several meters wide. We were joined by folk on bikes, many a playful pup as well as both wind surfers and kite surfers braving the white-capped waters. Surprise! Castle sighting! I am not pretentious, Scotland just has the most castles per capita (not a fact), so spotting one has become a bit of a daily occurrence (I have to pass by one on my way to work, wierd eh?). These little fellas in all their fairytale splendour pop up more often than gas stations, or petrol station as they are called here and certainly make for incentive to keep your head up on hikes.

Moving along...

This walk reminded me of the sea wall in Vancouver, BC, but in the place of North Van we saw the Kingdom of Fife across the water where we had been camping two weeks prior. The golf courses to our right eventually became blocks of flats, and by late afternoon we arrived at our bus stop in Granton.

One last look over our shoulder just past Granton docks!

So our gloriously sunny stroll, from Edinburgh to Cramond to Granton and back again, came to an end. Our day ended with another wonderful bus ride, this time through New Town, and traditional fish and chips eaten in the Meadows.

Check next week for another Sunday stroll in Scotland and a review of our local 'chippie' too!

Edinburgh x erin