31 December 2010

Breathe The Air, Relax And Just Be

What have I learnt through my attempts to understand the matrix that we call life, if anything?  What have I learnt by seeking to comprehend ideas that are beyond the wit of man and certain beyond my ken like the origin of species, creation, time, ma...

30 December 2010

Axel’s Universe And Some Silly Thoughts About Time

Even though I never wear a watch, I am surrounded by time everywhere.  I have, also, always been fascinated by the idea of time – What exactly is time? What does time mean? Why does it go forwards as a natural progression and not backwards or sideway...

29 December 2010

Axel’s Universe, And Some Thoughts On The Universe, Creation, Apples And Bits Of String

Having re-thought the origin of species, I became ridiculously ambitious and decided to really go for it and started to tackle Life, The Universe and Everything...

28 December 2010

Towards An Updated Theory Of The Origin Of Species

In my previous blog, I posted a stream of consciousness on evolution that suggested that perhaps evolutionary theory as currently presented was too simplistic and not necessarily a complete mechanism for the origin of species.  Therefore, I owe it to...

27 December 2010

Axel’s Earth, Or Too Many Answers, But Not Enough Questions

Recently, I was at the Sage in Gateshead listening to brass band music, and I did what I often do when listening to live music, I shut my eyes to listen to the sounds and I was struck again by how the music sounds different when your eyes are closed...

26 December 2010

We Are All In the Matrix

The matrix shimmers.  The world shifts an iota and your eyes refocus. 

24 December 2010

The Positive Side To The Destruction Of Steenbergs' Office

Our initial feelings on the flood in Steenbergs office were of despair, as we received another body blow at the end of this tough year.  Strangely, it has not been trading that has been the issue with sales going up, but rather just things, operation...

19 December 2010

What A Terrible 24 Hours

It has been one of those 24 hours that we could really have done without.  We have been staying up at my parents in Northumberland to celebrate Christmas with my parents, sister and brother and their families, which was lovely. 

15 December 2010

Recipe For A Warming Winter's Rabbit Casserole

Rabbit used to be the chicken of England with everyone eating rabbits that live in copious amounts around the countryside.  I am not sure why chicken took over from rabbit in our nation's hearts, but it might be as simple as the fact that it is easie...

11 December 2010

Recipe For Stir Fried Pigeon Breast

11 December 2010

Countdown To Christmas

It is that time of the year again when I start panicking that I have not got everything ready for Christmas.  What have you forgotten?  No presents bought that is for sure, but the thought and desire is there.  Soon, I feel myself say, there's still...

06 December 2010

Recipe For Traditional Steamed Ginger Treacle Sponge Pudding

Ginger is a wonderful spice, warming and earthy in flavour with a comforting aroma. For me, it is redolent with memories of warmth indoors with an open coal or wood fire while the outside is heavy with snow. It is also so versatile with the spice b...

29 November 2010

Recipe For Lamb Biryani (Based On Madhur Jaffrey Recipe)

It has been snowing since last Thursday and the long range forecast indicates that the weather will not get any better for the rest of the week; a gritter has just gone past our house in the snow.  Everywhere looks pretty and white, with that eery mu...

23 November 2010

Rich Hot Chocolate Recipe

I have been trying to create a hot chocolate product at Steenbergs and as part of my research I came up with this really rich hot chocolate recipe.  This Hot Chocolate Recipe is something to relax with and enjoy at home, since Sophie calls it "a hug...

21 November 2010

Recipe For German Stollen

My mother is German, our family coming originally from Eastern Germany; in fact, my maternal great great grandfather's family were from even further east in modern Poland, being a headmaster for a school in Gdansk. 

20 November 2010

Two Mugs Given As Presents

It was my birthday recently and  I had cheesecake for my birthday cake, which was a great idea.  I was, also, given two mugs by my children: on the first was written "My train of thought was 15 minutes late" and on the second "I've learned so much fr...

14 November 2010

Traditional Mincemeat Recipe

I am winning with Christmas food preparations this year, which seems unbelievable considering how little time I seem to have to do anything at the moment;. I am running about one week behind last year.  However, as a man who cooks, I do actually find...

13 November 2010

Two Simple Recipes For Chocolate Puds - Chocolate Mousse (Part 2)

Even better than Chocolate Rice Pudding in terms of return on effort is a quick and simple chocolate mousse, which always seems to get a big thumbs up from whoever tastes it, even though it is perhaps one of the simplest things to make.