I haven't really cooked in forever. I love to cook, for me it's an extension of art. Painting, Sculpting – MAKING. But since my difficulties with my back I haven't been able to really stand up long enough to cook anything. Today I did and I can't say how good it felt. One of the few things I Really miss about Australia is Turkish Pide.
There was a little restaurant in Hamilton, back in Newcastle that made the best Turkish Pide - And I do mean EVER. For 8 years now I have been dreaming of going home and having a good Pide, 8 years is a long time not to visit home, let alone crave. So I thought to hell with it, I'll make one. Close my eyes and give it a go.
I looked online for a decent recipe but all the good ones are in Turkish lol funny that. And the others were just a basic bread mix and that isn't what I remember, so I thought Id wing it. That’s the best bit about cooking for me, Winging it. Experimenting. Throw this in and that in and praying. It's where the pleasure is for me.
I'm rather happy with the results. I think next time round I might try experimenting with some sour dough techniques. The bread was close but not quite. I threw in a lot of yoghurt into my yeast culture and that seems to have helped the texture a lot. Nearly there. It felt so good to cook something New again and play in the kitchen. Mark liked them – and they can hold near any filling, so I dare say They will become a weekend staple. This one is filled with potato, chicken, onion, tomato, cheese, and a lil parsly. It was soooo good!
Eat yer Heart out JoJo. Mmmmmm yummmo!
Well it's the end of another year Hogmanay has yet again joined us here in Edinburgh and for the first time I actually regret not being squished between hoards of over excited bodies of semi to hideously drunkards in Princes Street. Biffy Clyro is the music feature in the gardens this year and I do so love Biffy. It also looks like for the first time in many years that there is no rain to be seen, no hail or snow. Clear weather. Shock Horror! I have lived in Edinburgh for 9 years now and never done the Hogmanay thing. Smart eh. I did however go to the German Markets over Christmas and play with the camera, exposure times and pretty lights. 
It's been a strange year in many ways. Sure it went fast, sure I have accomplished little. But in many ways It's been a learning curve and what feels like the final step in that “kick up the arse and adapt” stage. It's taken 3 or so years but I'm finally learning to acknowledge my health and the things I can't do and the few things I can with moderation. 
I hope that next year will be a year of discipline, art and not being so hard on myself. Every year I set myself Firm Goals and then feel bad for failing them. This year I'll do no such thing, just acknowledge a general hope to get through a list I would like to acomplish and take baby steps. Health and Chronic pain will not dominate my life. 
