A different location but many of the same topics trying to record everyday life.
1. my hotel room – nice big bed
2. walking beside the lake near my hotel
3. mad traffic on the way to work
4. my desk
5. lunch at the office canteen – rice, dahl and pakora
6. the local money – taka
7. the Parliament building is surrounded by water
My first impressions, from a week in Dhaka. It is a big city with a huge population so there is always bustle. Traffic jams are frequent and most drivers rely on their horn rather than traffic rules. As well as packed buses there are engine and cycle rickshaws – all competing for road space. There are lots of building under construction, although many seem to have people camped out in the partly completed buildings. There are also lots of trees and the place is very green and lush.
I’m enjoying the food – mostly what I would think of as Indian such as samosa, pakura, curries and lots of rice. And constant tea drinking. Bananas are also abundant as they are grown locally, most other fruit is imported – I was offered a choice of French or Australian apples. Many things are sold on the roadside – food, water, tea, roasted nuts, popcorn – I even saw candyfloss (cotton candy).
I started off playing with layering textures using different effects, using a photo I took at the beach near home last week. I liked the kind of vintage, worn, old look so stopped playing.
Then I wondered if I could carve a word into the wood and played with those effects.
Then I remembered that the prompt from Inspiration Avenue this week was to use some words which included hope,wish, dream and to have a vintage feel. So that is where I went. I like the result, not a wow, but a good feel, so I’m pleased especially as I just started out playing.
If you have come here from the fabulous and creative Rinda at Gallo Organico, welcome to the hop, if you don’t know 
I think the first recipe that I knew from memory was for a basic ‘weight of an egg sponge’. For each egg use 2oz (56g) each of self-rising flour, sugar and butter. We put them all in a bowl and then mixed with the handheld beater until all mixed.
When I was a kid, I remember helping to make cake at the weekend. We made a big batch of the basic mixture and then divided into three bowls. Some would be made in a round tin and some would become cupcakes. I was allowed to choose the flavour, topping and shape for one of the batches. Some of the favourites that I remember are:
* adding drinking chocolate or cocoa, sometimes with some coffee too with melted chocolate on top
* adding ginger in syrup to either the cake or the butter icing
* mixing in desiccated coconut then putting red jam and coconut on top
* mixing in raisins and some spice
* adding some lemon or orange juice and zest and then making icing with the same juice
The cakes were baked at 180C (350F/Gas 4). Check at 20 minutes or earlier if you smell burning. It is ready when the cake has moved away from the side and when you gently press the top it bounces back instead of retaining a dimple. Put the tin on a wire cooling rack and wait until it is cold before removing from the tin and icing.
Butter icing uses 2oz (56g) soft butter, 4 oz (120g) icing sugar (approx) and 1 tablespoons of a liquid flavour such as coffee or orange juice. Add the icing sugar in batches, stirring well until it tastes nice and will hold its shape. Spread over the cake.
Hope you enjoyed my memories of baking as a child, I certainly did. Now hop over to Elizabeth at emhowl.
[cake graphic from Scrapsisters – with some tweaking]
1. paper, glue, creative fun
2. visited Impressionist exhibition on its last day
3. rather grey and empty by the sea
4. listening to the radio via the internet, so easy
5. street lights are still on when I get up (7.30)
6. my only Halloween bite this year – bat biscuit from the baker
7. flying again
So all you sleuths out there – yes I’m off travelling again. Last week I had my packing list and immunisation, I’m away for Halloween and I’ve been in a plane. I won’t tease you and make you wait til next week to know where I am now – in Dhaka, capital of Bangladesh, doing some work with the Electoral Commission. I’ll share photos when I’ve been here for more than a few hours.
Deb asked last week how I will display my year of photos. I’m putting them into a week a page template which I will have printed as a square photobook. Here is a double spread example – the colour of the background and round button change for each double spread.
Be sure to come back on Sunday for travel opportunities in blogland with the Let’s Eat Blog Hop
On Saturday I went to an exhibition at the Art Gallery of Impressionist paintings with a garden theme. A good range of painters and lots of lovely colours, composition and technique. On the way home I was thinking about what it would be like if we saw things in the way that the Impressionists painted. So when I got home I went straight to the computer and created this. Continually delighted by the things that Photoshop overs. The garden in the photo belongs to my parents.
My goodness, only 11 weeks to go until the end of the year
1. So many wires with my new computer set-up
2. The flowers I see out the window from my office
3. Autumn trees by the river
4. Collecting a visitor at the inter-city bus station
5. The lady who I help in ‘computer buddy’ made me an apple pie
6. Getting my packing list done
7. Vaccinations up to date
I must admit that pink is not my favourite colour but when it is used for Breast Cancer Awareness then I se it in a different light. As I’m sure is true for most of you, I know several women who have faced the diagnosis and treatment. I admire the courage of them and their loved ones as they deal with it all. When these friends are not close by it seems that all that we can do is send good wishes their way.
Background uses a photo of my local river. Clock is from Anna Aspnes; flying heart from Nicole Young’s Storybook Dreams Page kit; font is papyrus
Prompted to create on this theme by Inspiration Avenue – check them out on Sunday for all the other interpretations on pink
Real progress on my office / craft room space this week (and some will show in next week’s collection).
1. Hibiscus decal on office wall
2. Started knitting a bed throw in purples
3. The wonders of Skype for keeping in touch
4. Feeding frenzy when I throw my stale bread
5. Washing up
6. Office space ready for the electronics
7. Enjoying the recreation pond area
[yes I just spotted the typo too]
The prompt on The Sunday Creative this week was ‘nostalgia’ so I used the magic of Photoshop Elements that will render a photo as a pencil drawing – such magic at my fingertips! I took the photo last year on a small island in the Pacific Ocean called Niue.
The ongoing work on my flat, local events and the weather make up this week’s offerings.
1. assembling IKEA units
2. Doors Open Day – the view in Quartermile
3. Porty Autumn Fair
4. the tree at the end of the road
5. my crafting space is taking shape
6. driving over the Soutra was foggy
7. coming back it was clear and the turbines were visible
