Olive Oil and Chardonnay Pound Cake with a Sharp Citrus Drizzle

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Baking has always seemed like a science to me: I’ve heard stories of epic fails – and tasted epic successes – so entering the arena always felt daunting. And unnecessary. Sofabrother is a great baker, my mother Glenis is too. … Continue reading 

Ladies who lunch – 90210 revisited

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If you are new to LA and have noticed that women you  just met and briefly socialized with bid their farewell with “we should do lunch sometimes”, let me break it to you: don’t count on the lunch invitation ensuing … Continue reading 

Beyond challah – finding common ground with Orthodox women

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With the corner of my eye, I saw the rabbi, standing on the side of the road, flailing his arms, trying to catch my attention. I stopped. It’s not the beginning of a rabbi joke – I was actually on … Continue reading 

Seeing what could be … Thomas Lamadieu fills the sky.

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Thomas Lamadieu is inspired by slivers of space, the shards between skyscrapers, reflections in puddles, chinks around corners. He takes the photo, adds in a few lines, shifts perspectives and what you thought you saw then is not what you see now. … Continue reading 

Extraordinary women: Anna Merz, the rhino angel

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The roar of the helicopter breaks the silence of the otherwise undisturbed plains. A man leans out and fires a couple  of tranquilizer darts into the thick hide of the rhino. Dust kicked up, grass blades flattened, a handful of … Continue reading 

“Childless at Fifty? What is wrong with you?”

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There are two questions I get asked with an annoying regularity. They come as a pair. The first is: “Why aren’t you married?” This one I despatch easily – I either go for the laugh – “still waiting for that … Continue reading 

Are we what we eat – or have we made an enemy of food?

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We have a ‘normal’ history with food in sofafamily. We sat down to dinner together every night: with instructions to finish what was on our plates. Most times that wasn’t a problem. But  there were certain things we hated. Most … Continue reading 

Thought for the week …#31

Comitted Citizens Margaret Mead

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world” Margaret Meade

Tuna, tomato and basil with peas: the no-cook, rave-review pasta sauce

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When the Nieces and Nephew come for dinner – I try to cook something they like, will eat with the minimum of fuss, that allows us to sit easily around a table and chat, that gives them good nutrition … … Continue reading 

Things that drove me nuts this week …

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There is a genius BBC series called “One Foot In the Grave”.  The Hero: newly retired, a little lost and continually having to deal with idiots – had a catch phrase: “I don’t belieeeeve it”. If you have never seen … Continue reading 

Toy Stories …. children from around the world – and the toy they prize the most.

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Italian photographer Gabriele Galimberti traveled the world for 18 months in search of toys. Not just any toys – he met children and asked them to show their favourite toys or most prized possessions. He wanted to see if, amidst all the … Continue reading 

Having it all? How a real life executive, wife and mom tries (and what we can learn)

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A few weeks ago, on the eve of the publication of Sheryl Sandberg’s “Lean In” (and the subsequent millions of words written for and against it), sofagirl and I looked back at our experiences as women in the corporate workplace, … Continue reading 

A weekend away – how to deal with rain time in McGregor

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Our friend Tracey of bellowblogs fame was feeling a bit burnt out and wondered if she might come hang out for a week or so. She is involved in an exciting new project that is occupying her time and energy – … Continue reading 

Enough to put you off chocolate for ever – terrifying Easter bunnies.

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I have a friend who is terrified of clowns.  He is a big, husky, rugby fellow – who can be brought to his knees: shivering, weeping and sweating at the sight of Bozo – whether in real life or in … Continue reading 

When it’s impossible to look away – a journey through Tyler Hick’s photos

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The last couple of years must have been rough for Tyler Hicks. The Pulitzer prize-winning photographer, who has covered wars from Kosovo to Afghanistan, and has done extensive photo reporting all over Africa, was abducted for four days in March … Continue reading 

Sweet tart: Lemon Sorbetto

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I’ve not been very successful with my ice-cream making. Mainly because I haven’t gone the gelato route and created a custard to start the process. The simple start-out recipes I have been using mean I’ve literally been freezing cream – … Continue reading 

Child’s play – recreating tragedy. Art or schlock-horror for horror’s sake?

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‘In the Playroom’ is a series of images depicting children re-enacting disasters, current events, trials and political screw ups of our times. Canadian photographer and art director Jonathan Hobin covers the gamut – the 9/11 attacks, seal clubbing, the murder of a pre-teen beauty … Continue reading 

Our medical choices – lessons learnt from Angelina Jolie

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Few things irk me more than the dissemination of useless or misleading information, especially of the medical variety. I love nothing more than to question my omniscient i-Pad on matters from cooking to disease symptoms – don’t we all? – … Continue reading 

The last Campari of the summer: perfectly bittersweet.

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I was awake early this morning – it was just after five and still dark. The nephew and nieces were asleep next door and had pinched all the blankets from my bed to wrap up against the chill whilst we … Continue reading