poppyshake

Masterchef - the Professionals

Never The song choices are odd aren't they? I think I remember one of the pro's saying that the songs aren't always chosen by either them or the celeb but then Sophie did say she was a massive Madonna fan so maybe that was her choice, I can't see Susanna picking Smooth Criminal though for an AT Also what's maddening is the amount of songs that have been used before .. with all the songs in the world to choose from .. why repeat songs? .. unless the band get a say in it Yep Abbey's hair should have been sorted in rehearsals (but sometimes I've seen them with rollers in .. or is that just in a run through?) it looked uncomfortable for her. Had to laugh at your Michael Flatley reference Claire .. there was definitely a touch of that about it. I think Darcy's votes aren't always coming from her head .. Alesha and Arlene were the same .. and there's Karen Hardy too who somehow thought Nicky Byrne's Rumba was brilliant Hormones always come into it somewhere People always speculate that Artem is perhaps not allowed to be too chemical with his partner for fear of upsetting Kara but I don't think it's that .. it is a difficult thing I guess to be so intimate with someone you hardly know and some are going to click more than others. If Sophie does get to the final and does a showdance .. I doubt we'll see Bacofoil part 2 .. she'd never allow it. Brendan should choreograph a nice Fred & Ginger number .. or maybe something kooky but nothing circus like or too arty. I'm getting a bit ahead now

You are obviously on the permanently naughty list Alan has a habit of putting things in his car and driving around with them. Sometimes he puts them in his locker at work but I don't think there's room in it for these. He's not above resorting to padlocks even though I've told him I won't peep because I've ruined Christmas day by doing that before and it taught me a lesson. Still ... I would like to just to have a squidge of them I'm going to try again .. catch him unawares It's such a useful place and you will be certain of getting things you want My mum was annoyed though because she got something from my wishlist .. but it didn't remove it and my sister almost got it but luckily checked first. This happens especially with things which are not from Amazon (though you can still put them on your wishlist) but it's also happened with books before now. Mum contacted them and they said only I could remove it from my wishlist so she had to tell me to do it before anyone else got it. Will you be feeling particularly frisky in the New Year then Hayley?

I think, from what I've heard, Sophie has the public vote .. though obviously Susanna has a large share of it too. It's definitely going to be a lady I did like Artem with Kara .. the dances were brilliant and unsurprisingly (considering they are still a couple now .. at least I think so) the chemistry between them sizzled. Since then I haven't really enjoyed him. Yes he's arrogant but I can't really think of a male pro who isn't. Pasha doesn't seem arrogant .. or Anton .. and I didn't think Ian or Matt Cutler were but other than that .. Brendan, James, Artem and Vincent are all more than a bit in love with themselves and think they know best .. imho. Not sure about the newbies .. I like both Kevin and Alijaz but it's early days. Kevin seems very nice but then he's engaged to Karen Hauer so I prefer the femal pros .. though not Karen .. and not particularly Kristina or Ola either I really miss Flavia and Natalie Lowe this year but like the new girls.

.. he said no

So am I Deborah .. but if it turns out to be a joke .. I am keeping those two Abercrombie books I've bought him I've also got him Breakfast with Lucian (Freud) and I'll have to give it to him because it won't be remotely useful to me .. I'll be disgruntled though .. if he gets books and I get a practical joke .. it would serve me right though for being an awkward minx .. yes I do believe I've put myself on the naughty list this year. I think I will make him all his favourite food from now to Christmas He's a man so he won't suspect a thing It won't change what's in the parcels but it might make him head to Waterstone's for a softener I'm going to ask for a clue .. he can only say no

I've been thrown into a depression that even mince pies can't lift me from Thanks Gaia Yes .. they are very easy on the eye/ear Perfect relaxing reads.

Christmas at the Cupcake Cafe by Jenny Colgan Amazon's Synopsis: Issy Randall, proud owner of the Cupcake Cafe, is in love and couldn't be happier. Her new business is thriving and she is surrounded by close friends, even if her cupcake colleagues Pearl and Caroline aren't quite as upbeat about the upcoming season of snow and merriment. But when her boyfriend Austin is scouted for a possible move to New York, Issy is forced to face up to the prospect of a long-distance romance. And when the Christmas rush at the cafe - with its increased demand for her delectable creations - begins to take its toll, Issy has to decide what she holds most dear. This December, Issy will have to rely on all her reserves of courage, good nature and cinnamon, to make sure everyone has a merry Christmas, one way or another. Review: I really enjoyed listening to Meet Me at the Cupcake Cafe so was instantly interested in visiting it again .. but this time at Christmas This is the time of year when I don't want to listen to anything too involved or complicated. I'll probably be listening when baking and walking to and from the shops so anything that can help calm is an asset and preferable to gin As with her other book, the chapters start with recipes (and this is where an actual paper copy would come in handy because just listening to them is not much help .. unless you can do shorthand ) Christmassy ones this time which are, for the most part, very tempting .. though there is one for a rubbish cupcake which is full of chemicals and additives (a little sideswipe directed at the cupcake chains.) I'm not remotely interested in making those but I expect I have eaten a few Now, it has to be said that the story is a little bit clichéd .. probably more so than the first book .. and it has a plotline to rival one of those made-for-TV Christmas movies that are just slightly corny. However I do particularly like this set of characters and I like Jenny's sense of humour too which stops anything from getting too sentimental or ridiculous. Also it's Christmas and I can do corny then without much difficulty You probably do have to be into cupcakes in a big way to seriously enjoy it Great, escapist, comfy, cosy, fluffy, reading .. festived out to the max 4/5 I wouldn't be surprised if there were more sequels .. some ends didn't seem quite tied and I think it's proving to be a popular series. I really enjoy the narration so would probably visit again. I've just noticed that she's also written Christmas at Rosie Hopkins' Sweet Shop .. hmmmm that would be a follow on to Welcome to Rosie Hopkins' Sweet Shop of Dreams which I also listened to earlier this year .. I am tempted but it may have to wait until next year now.

Have read quite a bit of Lighthousekeeping and am really enjoying it (so should be able to help out on the RC soon frankie ) .. perfect tale to cosy up with. Also read a few more stories from Around the Christmas Fire including Christmas at Cold Comfort Farm which, though I've already read it this year, is an absolute joy and Dulce Domum from The Wind in the Willows which I also know and love. Makes you all jingly belly Hope you enjoy A Christmas Carol Hayley

Hmmm .. I'm not so sure At least I'm prepared .. sort of I think it's pretty difficult to get hold of hardback copies of CBTD (haha .. I've just checked ) .. they would have to be second hand copies and have come from different sources (and I would have noticed all those different parcels coming through I think .. I'm a bit of a rottweiler with the post ) but then I'm only assuming they're hardbacks .. they could be large format paperbacks that just look quite solid. I think I am over thinking this

Mixed bag wasn't it? I didn't think anyone deserved a 10 but then, there weren't many handed out. I'm normally as embarrassed as anything by the male celeb Rumbas .. but really liked Patrick's because he was very manly about it I didn't think Ashley was too bad at Salsaing at all .. perhaps a bit awkward at times but he can shake it. I didn't like Susanna's AT .. though the music choice was dire and hard to do a smouldery AT to .. what's more I didn't like Kevin either (Lord .. I hated the MJ moves .. seemed so out of place in an AT.) There was too much skirt wafting in Natalie's Paso but that was Artem's fault so why Len would lay into her like that I don't know (other than he's a miserable old ) I thought she danced .. what she was given .. well. Really didn't like Sophie's Tango .. she's too floppy. Her head moves were not snappy at all and I still have a problem with her feet. The thing with Sophie is .. her level is about the same now as it always was .. infact I think her wow dance came early. Abbey I really liked again, there are still problems but the gapping was improved and she does glide so well. She feels the music and can interpret that through movement which is always an asset. Her hair was driving me nuts though (but that dress was amazing.)

It sounds like you had a great day Chrissy .. it does help get into the spirit when you have an early celebration like that. I had a lot of things planned for December baking wise but I always forget that when it comes there's a zillion other things to do. I seriously need to make some rocky road this week or else Christmas might as well be cancelled .. I must have it on the run-up (or the walk-up as I prefer to call it ) Tomorrow I have got to look out my swiss roll tin which hasn't been seen since probably around 2004 .. it's never been used in this house so it's whereabouts are unknown. It's probably stacked somewhere with other tins .. possibly right at the bottom .. so it's bound to get noisy. I have ridiculously promised someone a chocolate log for next weekend .. why did I do that? Marcia you sound so sorted .. I need some of your composure and organisation skills Could you mail me a chocolate log by next weekend?

Thanks Gaia .. I do too .. you will know if there's not .. even before I tell you

You have to be quite troublesome for it to work and I'm sure you could never be that Kylie Are you sure? And now we need to know the details .. I shall pop to your bookblog to check for clues The thing is, he could have hidden them as a complete surprise but he wants me to stew over it I can see I'm going to have to practice my 'yeah .. I knew that' face .. very difficult when you're thinking murderous thoughts

He is isn't he .. or perhaps he isn't Is this his way of getting his own back Janet? I have been quite merciless with him over his wretched recommendations No .. surely not .. .. he knows that after turkey wrestling, indigestion and too much booze (and this is at 9am ) I haven't much of a sense of humour left .. he doesn't want to end up wearing his dinner

I'll make it for you .. read it!!

Even in paperback form it's deceiving .. I mean it looked quite thick but I was thinking 500 pages or so .. still at least it was worth the effort. Hope you are able to tackle some more of it soon Marie .. I thought it was great from start to finish but it really picks up pace towards the end

Yes a dog lover he has to be .. a book lover he does not. You can get by easily with a non-book lover .. though hardly anyone is that anti .. usually they're just not quite as obsessed as us lot Chances are your enthusiasm would rub off on him anyway There's no point in having a 'my ideal girl/guy' list is there? For a start I don't know if we actually do know what's best for us .. just go with the flow .. if you like the flow and see where the flow takes you Life didn't pan out as I expected .. I think I panicked early on and made some bad choices. Then I couldn't have children so that threw me into a tizz but .. though there have been tough times .. I don't feel I'm unlucky now or wish that things were different .. quite the contrary I think I'm very fortunate indeed. Equally I have friends my age who are single and they are loving every minute of it. Be happy in what you do .. that's the main thing

Anyway .. what do you think these might be??? Alan did them up this morning and let me glance at them for five mins .. though no touching They look like books .. they all seem to be the same size and there's six of them so possibly a set of something. They're larger than a normal paperback so I'm guessing they're hardbacks though I can't be sure. He's hidden them away now I wouldn't snoop but he's taking no chances ... I'm excited now I think .. there weren't any sequels to Carter Beats the Devil were there? I'm puzzled actually because I haven't hinted for six of anything

Oh Julie I do hope it's going to be your sort of thing I will keep my fingers crossed you enjoy it I think, despite the empty pockets, that Christmastime is a time for giving to yourself as well as everyone else .. after all you absolutely know what you want so there's no guesswork involved We need little rewards

I'm really liking it so far .. perfect reading for this time of year I could give lessons in it .. I think though that Alan views books like sedatives if he throws the odd one my way then it might keep me calm and happy for a few more weeks

It's great isn't it Hayley? .. and so nice that the same copy has been read by four BCF membies Have at last finished A Fraction of the Whole by Steve Toltz after starting it in February (I left off when ill and went right back to the beginning again as couldn't quite remember the storyline.) It's 710 pages of brilliance Will hopefully start Lighthousekeeping by Jeanette Winterson later today and also carry on with Round the Christmas Fire .. have read seven of the short stories/extracts so far.

It is growing on me all the time

Your favourite read of the year? I'm going to say The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern but, just to redress the balance a little (though his bottom would still be grazing the floor ) Titus Groan by Mervyn Peake Your favourite author of the year? Erin Morgenstern. Your most read author of the year? Roald Dahl. I set myself the task of reading him this year and, so far, have read 12 of them Your favourite book cover of the year? This one .. of course The book you abandoned (if there was more than one, the one you read least of)? I didn't do either .. though I should have. The candidate most likely was The Sound and the Fury by William Faulkner .. my head chanted 'abandon' every minute .. but I ignored it The book that most disappointed you? Death Comes to Pemberley by P.D. James also The Turn of The Screw by Henry James .. I thought I would love it The funniest book of the year? I definitely do 'do' funny but I haven't read many funny books this year. I enjoyed the humour in Where'd You Go Bernadette by Maria Semple and Caitlin Moran's Moranthology. Your favourite literary character this year? Two animals .. Misha the penguin and Bob the street cat Your favourite children's book this year? Matilda by Roald Dahl (also The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her own Making by Catherynne M.Valente) Your favourite classic of the year? The War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells. Your favourite non-fiction book this year? Probably Van Gogh: The Life by Steven Naifeh and Gregory White Smith. Your favourite biography this year? A Right Royal B*****d by Sarah Miles (also My Animals and Other Family by Clare Balding) Your favourite collection of short stories this year? I haven't read them all yet but as I really enjoyed the title story so I'll say .. Christmas at Cold Comfort Farm by Stella Gibbons but I'm really enjoying the Vintage Classic collection Round the Christmas Fire at the moment Your favourite poetry collection this year? I only read one poem and didn't enjoy it Your favourite illustrated book of the year? It has to be one of Quentin Blake's Dahl books .. probably James and the Giant Peach Your favourite publisher of the year? Probably Vintage again. Your favourite audiobook of the year? Les Misérables by Victor Hugo read by Frederick Davidson. Your favourite re-read of the year? A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens (and I'll probably say it every year ) also enjoyed The Hobbit

It's got to be worth seeing Smaug on the big screen