Browse our Members Blogs, Podcasts and Articles
Watch this Blog Notify me by e-mail any time a new post is made to this blog.
Every month there's some issue that pops up and I endeavor to provide answers to peoples pressing questions
December 2010 Posts
Archives
Well, at long last I have the Itinerary for Egypt Jordan and Israel. I will be selling it in 3 parts.. or options... Egypt: 18 days for US$3225.00Jordan: 8 days for US$1095.00Israel: 3 days for US$460.00Flights approx. NZ$2985.00 Registration....NZ$500 to cover group tipping, a small fee to myself for my work, a DVD of the tour and a book I produce on the tour. The accommodation is mostly 4* but staying at Mena House, 5* Nile Cruise and Evason Ma'in in Jordan. (Both these hotels are expensive but why not!). Covers all breakfasts and a lot of meals. Private 50 seater coach with Egyptologist, tours and entrance fees. A VERY extensive tour that also includes a PRIVATE entry into the Kings Chamber on the 11th November at 12 noon - 1pm and also private 6-8am entry into the Sphinx enclosure for a dawn meditation. The above costs for the tours are WHOLESALE and at aprox US$0.72 in the NZ$1.00 equates to NZ$10,500 all up. (3 countries). This is a twin-share room, but can be a single at an extra charge as usual. Todays rate is US$0.7600 ( Dec. 7th) Extras needed would be an insurance plan, and spending money... Bookings are taken now but filling up fast. Registration fee is needed NOW...with a $100 deposit for the flights, the rest around June. 50% of the tour money and the rest on arrival.... Email me for the full itinerary: speedwell [at] xtra.co.nz Join me on my 6th return to Egypt and experience the magic of this place.
I have an amazing recipe for a fantastic easy-peasy, yummy-tummy Christmas cake.I have had so many requests for it, decided I will pass on my best kept secret to you... as my gift... (I give this recipe out only to a few....)
So here it goes...
Into a large pot put;
Options... any old jam, a GOOD glug of sherry or alcohol, extra Cherries etc. Bring to the boil so the fruit absorbs all the liquid if possible. then add;
Place in a square tin or whatever, lined. Then wet your hands and run over the top of the cake. Sprinkle raw sugar over the top which gives a nice crunchy glazed top, or ice. Bake at 175 – 180 for an hour or until cooked. Can make this into a nice Christmas pudding also….or sliced and fried in butter as my father would say!
A lovely rich moist cake that lasts about 3 days in my home…..but hell, the scales sure show that the cake is not made of air! Enjoy. Keeps about a week, depends on the alcohol though.
This is the last thought for this year. It has gone by so fast that maybe when it is stated that our 24 hour day has become more like 16, I have to agree! The usual Christmas panic we put ourselves through is of our own choice, yet on the day, the smiles and joy as gifts are unwrapped, makes it all worthwhile. Talking to my hairdresser the other day, she said she is a Jehovah's Witness and so therefore every day is a gift (the present)... and I have to agree. Why do we do this? The cost and financial burden it places on us all... I suppose it once again boils down to choice. Would it not be neat if every day was Christmas!
I have collected a bootload of groceries from my meditation group to drop down to the Salvation Army. Throughout the year we give cash to City Mission, Christchurch Earthquake Fund, Cancer, you name it and it does make one feel just as good as opening up a gift from under the tree. If it could only be Christams all year round, then we would not have crazy drivers on the road, stressed parents and a flow throughout the year of shopping. Would it not be neat to celebrate ones beliefs when it suits. But then, I suppose it would be like taking away the tooth fairy from a toothless child who places his/her precious tooth under the pillow and learn that dreams do come true! The childs face on Christmas morning when the lights are turned on and all the beautifully wrapped gifts lay underneath! I suppose we all need some pampering, like the kids giving me a voucher for a massage and facial for my birthday....the joy I had for 90 wonderful relaxing minutes! And my man sure looks good in that shirt I bought him for his birthday! Yes, Christmas is what we make of it... stress... then that is our choice. Or laid back... a basic BBQ and invite friends around to help cook the steak. Yes, that is my idea of Christmas and then giving a friend a nicely wrapped bottle of wine and flowers. Yes, I think I can handle the stress a little each year, as the positive aspect of Christmas has to outweigh the negatives. Well, better go and make the Christmas cake that is going to be given to a dear friend for her gift this year! Oh, I have an amazing recipe for a fantastic easy-peasy, yummy-tummy Christmas cake. I have had so many requests for it, decided I will pass on my best kept secret to you... as my gift... (I give this recipe out only to a few....) in the meantime......... May Christmas and the New Year bring everything you want and remember, have a safe and wonderful holiday season. See you next year....YES...2011 and on November 11th we well be toning in the Kings Chamber, in Egypt... yehaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa.... energyyyyyyyyyyyy...:):):):)Come and join me! God BlessGail
