2025-02 Worth Remembering

Adam Grant:

The purpose of negative emotions is not to cause misery. It's to prevent mistakes.

Outrage is a signal to speak up.
Anxiety is a prompt to prepare.
Guilt is a reminder to repair.
Disappointment is a cue to persist.

Pain reveals principles. Where we hurt is a clue to what we value. 

Jefferson Fisher:

Communicate to:

1) untie the knot of / unravel the argument, not to win the argument. This is how you can connect with the person.

2) have something to learn, not something to prove. Ask questions to see where you can fill in.

3) remember that the person you see is not the person you are talking to. You don't what this persons has gone through. Every person has a surface and a depth.

Philippa Perry:

So many wise advises from this piece on: how I matter in any area of my life

There are two levels of perceptions, based on facts and emotional reality.

Removing all external labels such as mother, daughter, wife, employee, we need to be seen as who we are as a whole person, I, not an it.

The deepest kind of mattering comes when we give and receive undivided presence, not from external validation.

Explore where you can invite more authentic connection into your life, through conversations with close friends, where you let them into this feeling instead of keeping it to yourself. It could mean making space for moments of being seen, for example, allowing yourself some vulnerability with others and engaging more openly with your children. The aim is not to add more responsibilities, but to notice where those deeper moments of presence can already exist.

You matter, not because of how many people you help, or what roles you play, but simply because you are you.

2025-01 Worth Remembering

Shane Parrish

Two rules to help you be consistent with exercise this year:

    1. Show up.

    2. You can quit tomorrow.
    Repeat.

**

Don't Forget:

Be reliable.
Do your job.
Speak for yourself.
Outcome over ego.
Focus on the details.
See challenges as opportunities.
Go to bed smarter than when you woke up.

Paul Graham

To write well you have to think clearly, and thinking clearly is hard.

In preindustrial times most people's jobs made them strong. Now if you want to be strong, you work out. So there are still strong people, but only those who choose to be.

It will be the same with writing. There will still be smart people, but only those who choose to be.

2024 Reflections

2024 is a year of self transformation. Early this year, I have made a conscious decision to read more and make my reading work for me. It started by taking notes when reading a book. What does each chapter say, what I think of the writing, who would be interested in the topic. By being a more "proactive" reader, my memory retention is getting better when it comes to book reading. I finished 6 books in 2024, taking notes for three books. Book reading enriches my mind like no others. Perhaps I have more time to think over a longer length of time? I will continue reading in 2025 and improve my memory retention of books I read. 

There are big changes in the way I conduct myself this year. Probably for the very first time I realise a deep desire in me regarding where I want to go professionally and I put effort into it. That means interacting with people more, upwards and downwards. Speak out more and think strategically more. Behave in a way that you want to be seen. Yes, I've made it to the goal and gained more. I discovered that I am surrounded by many people who like me and want to help me. I feel so honoured, humble and grateful at the same time. People from work or outside work whom I'd lost touch until this year. I do feel that the world is rallying behind me when I set out a goal to achieve. Thank you.

As I have been also promptly reminded by Morgan Housel in "Same as Ever":

Everything worth pursuing comes with pain. The trick is not minding that it hurts. Endure the pain when necessary rather than assuming there is a hack, or a shortcut, around it.

and to remember that:

Advantage has a shelf life. Keep running is the only way to stay competitive.

I can't assume job done now I've reached my initial goal. I have to continue doing what I have been doing, reading or otherwise to make sure enrichment in life continues for me. And that's my 2025 wish and goal.

To all of you out there, may your 2025 be full of excitement, hard work, passion, caring, loving and fun. Happy New Year.

2024 Christmas Dinner

 

Starter

Smoked salmon

Main

Rump of Beef with a Mustard and Bone Marrow Butter 

Chestnuts and Brussel Sprouts

Pigs in the Blanket

Dessert

Bûche de Noël 2024

2024 Christmas Eve Dinner

We've gone down the easier route this year by ordering the main dishes from M&S for both 24th and 25th. I deserve a good rest after what's been going on this year. Grateful but feeling drained.

 

Starter

Grilled Prawns with aioli and pickled veggies

Main

Duck with Cherry & Chestnut Stuffing (from M&S)

Brussel sprouts and chestnuts

Pigs in the blanket

Cranberry and Port Sauce

Dessert

Bûche de Noël 2024

I make - Cranberry and Orange Loaf

I've found a new Christmas tradition, my friends, Cranberry and Orange Loaf!  The festive red and the wintry warming orange scent just speak Christmas all over to me. I adapted the recipe from Joy of Baking. Have to say, recipes from this website rarely fails me. That's why it's been 25 years and going strong!

Cranberry and Orange Loaf, adapted from Joy of Baking.

Ingredients

3/4 cup granulated white sugar

1 tablespoon (5 grams) finely grated orange zest (outer orange skin)

1 large egg (50 grams), at room temperature

4 tablespoons (55 grams) melted butter (or 1/4 cup olive oil)
1/4 cup ground almond

1 1/2 cups gluten free flour

1/2 tsp xanthan gum (or 1 tsp psyllium husk powder)
1 1/2 teaspoons (6 grams) baking powder
1/2 teaspoon (2 grams) baking soda
1/2 teaspoon (2 grams) salt
1 cup of juice from the zested orange combined with yogurt
1 teaspoon (4 grams) pure vanilla extract
1 cup (120 grams) fresh cranberries, coarsely chopped (I use scissors)

1/4-1/2 cup of dried fruits with candied citrus peels

1-2 tablespoons of Demerara sugar and walnut pieces for topping

Preheat your oven to 180 degrees C. Butter and line a 9 x 5 x 3 inch (23 x 13 x 8 cm) loaf pan.

In a bowl mix sugar and orange zest with your fingers or a rubber spatula to release the scented oil. Your sugar will quickly turn orange color. Whisk the egg until frothy. It usually takes me three minutes with electric beaters. Drizzle in melted butter to the egg mixture with the beats on.

Sift in all the dry ingredients from ground almond to salt to the wet bowl. Pour in juice/yogurt and vanilla. Fold the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Lastly stir in cut up cranberries and dried fruits/candied peels. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top with the back of a spoon or offset spatula. Scatter the Demerara sugar and walnut on top.

Bake for about 35 - 40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean. Remove from oven and let cool on a wire rack for about 10 minutes. Then remove the loaf from the pan and let cool completely. This loaf is best if stored overnight before serving. It can also be frozen.

I make - Magic Peach Cobbler

I accidently came across this "magic cobbler" recipe. Looks and tastes like British sponge pudding but easier. Yum!

Magic Peach Cobbler, adapted from here

For the filling:

5 peaches , peeled, cored and sliced (about 4 cups)
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt

or 4 450g-cans of peaches (4 cups of peach slices)

For the batter:

6 Tablespoons butter
1 cup gluten free flour
1 cup granulated sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 tsp vanilla extract
3/4 cup milk
ground cinnamon

Add the sliced peaches, sugar and salt to a saucepan and stir to combine. 


Cook on medium heat for just a few minutes, until the sugar is dissolved and helps to bring out juices from the peaches. Remove from heat and set aside.

If you use canned peaches, you need a kg can, fruit and juice.  

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Slice butter into pieces and add to a 9x13 inch baking dish. Place the pan in the oven while it preheats, to allow the butter to melt. Once melted, remove the pan from the oven.

In a large bowl mix together the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and vanilla. Stir in the milk, just until combined. The batter will be thin, like single cream.

Pour the mixture into the pan, over the melted butter and smooth it into an even layer.

Spoon the peaches and juice (or canned peaches, if using) over the batter. Sprinkle cinnamon generously over the top.

Bake at 350 degrees for about 38-40 minutes. Serve warm, with a scoop of ice cream, if desired.