Tash

Well the ones my mum made always came in a pudding shaped bowl

*smirks*

I've got Tracey on msn messenger here BEGGING me not to answer this question!! Oooo she of little faith....... It's an english dessert Maureen. Kind of suety/spongy with currants in it. Very tasty with custard. See Tracey, I did it without a smirk.....*giggles*

I agree!! I always find Philippa Gregory's books an education. She really does her research thoroughly. I'm embarrassed to admit that I didn't even realise it was her parents that hired Christopher Columbus!! Fancy that! In fact, I'd never even thought about him having been hired. I guess I just assumed that he'd done his expeditions off his own back. I'm on the hunt for any books about her parents or the Moors now and if I come across anything, I'll let you know

It also made me want to learn more about her parents. Her mother sounded like an amazing woman.

I've always loved playing around with making my own soups, and whenever I have a cold, feel like I'm getting one, or am bunged up, I make this one. It never fails. The peppers give you a wonderful source of vitamin C and the garlic and onion are reknowned for being good bug fighters. Ingredients 1 green pepper (cored, seeded and chopped) 1 yellow pepper (cored, seeded and chopped) 1 red pepper (cored, seeded and chopped) 1 onion (chopped) 2 cloves garlic (chopped roughly) 2 tins chopped tomatoes Salt (to taste) Black Pepper (to taste) Cayenne Pepper (to taste) Throw all the ingredients into a saucepan, bring to the boil. Boil some water in a kettle and cover ingredients (don't overdo the water else you'll lose the texture and flavour). Leave to simmer for 15 minutes then take a hand blender (or pour it all into a food blender) and blend. That's it. Easy wasn't it This soup will last 3 day in the fridge. I've never tried longer, but there again, mine never sits around much more than 2 days anyway! I prefer to keep this soup thick as it has a lovely texture even when blended. I also use slightly more cayenne pepper than most people would as I like to get my nose streaming! You could of course use fresh tomatoes instead of tinned, however, if you're feeling like poo, do you really want to be standing there skinning and seeding tomatoes for hours to get enough to equal 2 tins worth? Nope, me either.

Birthday: 15th May 1972 (It was a Monday) Age: 33 Starsign: Taurus Single/Married/Other? Married to Chris (3 years) Children? 3 cats and a husband Where do you live? Ramsgate, Kent, UK Do you work? Nope but before I stopped working I was an I.T. recruitment consultant *shudders* Favourite author? eeeek just one? Philippa Gregory/Peter James/Dean Koontz/Richard Laymon/Virginia Andrews/Martina Cole/Minette Walters.....I could go on....ooo and I have to mention Karin Slaughter here; I'm hooked! Favourite book? Host by Peter James How did you get here? I was chained to Tracey *nods*

Ramsgate Ramsgate is part of what was the 'Isle of Thanetos' or 'Island of Death'. It was one of the islands of chalk left when the sea broke through to form the English Channel in 6500 BC: the others are now beneath the sea. It was left separated from the mainland by what became known as the Wantsum Channel until the deposition of silt from the River Stour and the build up of shingle which was occurring along the coast have now practically joined the Isle to the mainland. Ramsgate is most known for being a harbour town in the South East of England which dates back to Roman times. It was originally built as a port of refuge for vessels sheltering from storms. The harbour was given the 'Royal' title back in 1821 when George IV sailed from Ramsgate to Hanover and back. The hospitality given to him by the people of Ramsgate was so good that he decreed Ramsgate Harbour should have the right to add 'Royal' to its name. It stands today, the only Royal harbour in the United Kingdom. It is also a member of the ancient confederation of Cinque ports. It was used during the Napoleonic wars and more famously, was the disembarking point for the thousands of soldiers who escaped from Dunkirk beach. In fact, one of the boats used for evacuation during that time is still moored there for people to view. The harbour serves not only local fisherman and yachtsman from all over the world but also hosts many events throughout the year. From speed boat races, French markets and the Heineken Race of the Classics (old classic Dutch ships from 15 - 55m in length), it can draw crowds in from the most distant of regions. For those beer lovers, we even have a beer festival this year Ramsgate is also home to St Augustines Abbey. Its dedication commemorates Augustine, the first archbishop of Canterbury, who landed at Ramsgate in AD 596 and brought Christianity to Britain. Ferries run from just down the coast from the harbour, on a much less frequent basis than nearby Dover. The crossings are for freight, however, they do accommodate a reasonable amount of public also. If crowds are not your thing, a leisurely trip more suitable than a flying sail from a hectic port, then a 4 hour crossing to Ostend in Belgium can be a wonderful day out. I personally find the actual town of Ramsgate very small for shopping. A new shopping centre was recently added to the nearby Westwood Cross which is a much more preferable place for the seasoned shopper, however, Ramsgate still offers a wide range of stores, restaurants and bars. There are plenty of historical things around to learn about Ramsgate, aside from the harbour history. We of course have the Maritime museum, but also a Motor Museum, underground town tunnels http://www.undergroundkent.co.uk/ramsgate_tunnels.htm, an original (although restored) Viking ship just along the road at Pegwell and...... Jacobs Ladder http://www.kent-opc.org.uk/Pictures_Of_Kent/Ramsgate/ramsgate.htm#Jacobs_ladder Just off our coast towards Deal are the famous 'Goodwin Sands', well worth a read up about. http://www.doverpages.co.uk/goodwin.htm For more about Ramsgate: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ramsgate (the part about the 2nd officer of the Titanic I find fascinating) http://www.tourism.thanet.gov.uk/pages/ram_intro.aspx

I keep seeing this book on my travels so I'd be interested to hear what it's like also

Ahh, that's a very good point. Does anyone know her order of books so that I can get them right also?

I have entombed in my 'to read' pile also Maureen. First time I've come across this author but she has some great reviews.

I've seen the west end musicals: Cats 4 times Starlight Express 2 times I would love to see: Phantom of the Opera I love musicals and would be happy seeing them all but for some reason people kept treating me to Cats lol....Not that I'm complaining. It changed everytime I saw it and I've loved each visit.

1. Favourite main meal ~ Dover sole smothered in a white wine, garlic and prawn sauce 2. Favourite starter ~ Mussels in garlic, wine and cream 3. Favourite dessert ~ Trifle 4. Favourite pizza topping ~ Vegetarian hot one....chillis, peppers, mushrooms, cheese, tomato 5. Favourite bread ~ seeded 6. Favourite vegetable ~ Brocolli 7. Favourite fruit ~ Galia melon 8. Favourite cheese ~ Nice strong, stick your cheeks to your teeth, cheddars 9. Favourite takeaway ~ Jamaican 10. Favourite chocolate bar ~ Snickers 11. Favourite sandwich ~ Crab meat with lettuce

My step-dad and I were always big fans of James Herbert and would always be nagging the other to 'hurry up and finish' any new ones he brought out so the other could read it. However, we have both felt that his recent ones were not 'up to scratch' for him. It has become a struggle to maintain interest and I agree that his endings are far from what they used to be.

You're not the first person I've heard say that Maureen and I'm now beginning to wonder if, before my husband, I dated nothing but martians! :shock: The 'bear in cave' theory, in particular, I found very true of my past boyfriends.

Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus is one of my favourite books Maureen. I found it hilarious and very close to the truth in many aspects.

I love Mandasue Heller Jake. I only recently started reading her books after seeing a recommendation from Martina Cole and I agree, they are similar. The Game is a great one of hers.

We studied: Of Mice and Men To Kill a Mockingbird Various Shakespeare Animal Farm I think there were more but I'm not 100% sure as I studied drama also and covered some there.

This sounds like the sort of reading I would enjoy. When I've worked my way through my list, I'll look out for her books

They're making a film??!!! YAY!!! Ooo I can't wait for that!

Excellent choices Kell!! Hannah the Fool was a character so full of depth and warmth I would have loved to have known her!!

She's not like any author I've ever read Inanna, but I'm sure you would find her work very easy to get into. The first book I read of hers was The Other Boleyn Girl, which is all about Anne Boleyns elder sister Mary and her relationship with Henry VIII. I would recommend starting with this book as it was the one that got me hooked.

I buy all my favourite authors books as a priority. I don't think I've ever bought a book based just on its cover. When I find an author I like, I try to get hold of all their work. This is an expensive method as I find more authors all the time!! Author recommendations are something I go on alot also. Having read some reviews here today, I think my author list could be expanding somewhat....I'll blame you lot when the bank statement comes in LOL

The Wideacre trilogy was brilliant!!! I've yet to read a book of hers that I don't like to be honest! I couldn't wait for The Constant Princess :oops: My hubby did want to get it for me for Xmas but I had already pre-ordered it from Amazon and I read it as soon as it got here! The Wise Woman was a great book too For those who aren't familiar with this womans work....shame on you! *giggles* No seriously, you may find this a help....if you click on her 'book' link at the top, you can read the first bit of each book http://www.philippagregory.com

Oops, and yes, I have several Jean Plaidy books, although I don't find them as readable as Philippa Gregory. Did I mention I like her? *giggles*