Sunday 14 July 2013

Before I go...

...just a quick post to make sure I haven't got much of a back log by the time I'll return from Yorkshire next Sunday.

Here's a bit of a random collection of things that I did this past week:

My downstairs neighbour (the family Lucky lives with) is from Calabria (southern Italy). The other day, he knocked and brought me a calabrese specialty, telling me exactly how I should prepare it. The fresa (I think that's what he called it) is a ring of hard bread, sliced in the middle. To enjoy it the classic way, all you need is some olive oil, salt & pepper (garlic wouldn't hurt, either), a bit of water and fresh tomatoes.
Open the tap and quickly wet the bread ring. Don't soak it, just let the water go over it once. Put the ring on a plate. Now, slice and dice the tomatoes (no need to peel them or boil or fry them or anything). Pour a bit of olive oil on the bread ring, which by now has had a few minutes time to soak up the water. I used a brush to spread the oil evenly on the ring, but of course you can simply just dribble it on directly from the oil bottle. Next, add the tomato bits, salt and pepper to your liking, and if you have some fresh basil, that will make it just perfect. Let it all sit there for another 5-10 minutes, and enjoy!
When I was younger, for 10 years I spent nearly every summer on Sicily with what was then the family I had married into. I do recall that, occasionally, we'd have something similar, only that we called it ciambelle.

On Tuesday, after work I met up in town with my sister. We browsed a clothes shop we both like, and I found two bargains I simply could not pass on: two dresses I can wear both for work and play, depending on how I'll team them up or down. 



If you have been reading my blog for a while, you'll know that I can not resist a nice dress - especially not if it's at a really good price! This one was already reduced (summer sale), and because my sister has a customer's card at that shop, it was reduced even more at the counter. The brand is the same as the polka dot dress.

Last night at 8.00, I ran my hometown's CityRun. That's 10 km, which is the longest I ever run - usually, for my leisure runs out on the fields, I do a maximum of 8,5 km. I wrote about the CityRun before; this year, my gym whose team I usually run with did not set up a team, which meant I did not have to wear their tent-like t-shirt :-) Instead, I wore what I like best for running:

It was a good run. Without really giving it "everything" (what for?), I completed the 10 k in 57 minutes, two brief stops included when I had to re-tie my shoes. It's not a great time; last year, I was 2 minutes faster, but who cares? I did it, and I had fun doing it!

And now, I'll pack my little red suitcase and leave. Read you all again next Sunday!

24 comments:

  1. I always love chatty posts like that from you Meike.

    I hope that you have a wonderful week - the weather should certainly be good - and look forward to hearing about all the places you visit. Travel safely.

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    1. Thanks, Graham! Yes, a friend told me they are having the hottest summer in Yorskhire since 1903! I hope it'll last for another week.

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  2. Have a wonderful journey and a happy holiday, Meike! I like that recipe (summer must be tomatoes, fresh basil and fresh mozarella) and think you look great in your new dress!

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    1. Thank you, Kristi! I had a great time and am now back home, going to start the process of catching up with everyone here in blogland tonight and tomorrow, I guess.

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  3. Bon Voyage and now its time for Roast Beef and Yorkshire pudding! (and maybe some of that great English Ale)
    xx
    julie

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    1. Can you believe I did not have one single Yorkshire pud this time, Julie? Excellent meals all the time, but none of the "classics" - not even fish & chips...

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  4. That tomato and bread dish is very appealing. We enjoy good quality olive oil and fresh basil from our garden, yum.

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    1. Fresh herbs from your own garden are the best, aren't they!

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  5. The bread ring looks delicious! You look very elegant in the dress, I love the shoes by the way!

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    1. Thank you, Caramella! I love them, too, and was glad to know I had just the right colour in my wardrobe.

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  6. Congratulations on the run and enjoy your visit to Yorkshire!

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  7. Well, the weather looks set to last so far, Meike. I'm sure you'll have a great time, whatever it does. 'See you' back here next week.

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    1. It was fantastic, John! Never had an entire week of uninterrupted sunshine on my Yorkshire holidays, I think.

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  8. LOve the dress, and I think that is good time for a run. You should be proud!
    Good luck on your trip. Have fun and take lots of photos!
    I did a review of the book I had told you about before, about vision and perception. It's a rubbish of a book review, but hey, that's me for you! Make sure you read it when you get back! :-)

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    1. Kay, I have just been transferring 281 pictures from my camera to the computer - you'll get to see LOADS over the next few weeks, I promise!
      Will have a look at your blog and all the other ones I am following soon.

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  9. That's a very smart-looking dress, Meike - or I should say, it looks very smart on YOU because you have the right figure for it :)
    The bread and tomato dish is a joy to the eye, probably to the taste as well!

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    1. What a nice compliment, thank you, Monica!
      The bread and tomato tasted just as good as it looked.

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  10. I absolutely love the dress! It looks beautiful on you!

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  11. Wow! I've never been a runner (although I have the long legs for it) and I admire anyone who is! Well done!! And your dress is really stunning looking on you. Plus, the food ... well, you know how I feel about food! :) Happy Travels! xoxo Silke

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    1. Silke, I discovered running as "my" sports rather late, when I was already 41. And I know you get plenty of exercise yourself, like everyone does who has a dog.

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