Monthly Task With an International Flava - No.14 Culture Challenge

Was going to call these my monthlies but not sure that's such a good idea. But basically, as well as having one off things to do, long term ongoing tasks I also have three things I'll be doing each month. For a year. So you'd think 12 things? Nope - started one month ahead of time so will now be reading 14(?) books in translation, watching 14 foreign language films and cooking Stewart - lucky thing - 14 meals with an international flava. 

I've somehow ended up with an international theme going on but considering my working background and my love of travel I'm happy with this, particularly the films. Working in an international film school for 14 years surrounded by immensely talented filmmakers and writers from all corners of the globe, it's about time I really got to grips with world cinema.

So one Saturday each month I position myself as close to my telly as possible - have to, got really bad eyesight to be honest so I need to be that close to read the subtitles.  But I'm managing. I've really been enjoying my film afternoons and I think because you seriously need to concentrate I'm actually getting more out of the films.  I will be travelling all round the world in film and have picked the 14 already. So:

April - France - Jules et Jim

May - Italy - La Dolce Vita

June - Mexico - Pans Labrynth

July - Brazil - City of God

August - South Africa - Tsotsi

September - Japan - Spirited Away

October - China - Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon

November - Wales - Hedd Wynn

December - India - Queen

January - Germany - Goodbye Lenin

February - Iran - A Taste of Cherry

March - Denmark - My Life As A Dog

April - Russia/Soviet Union - Battlleship Potemkin

May - Nigeria - Osuofia in London

That's it for this week's blog. Feel it's going to seem quiet for a wee while but that's mainly because I've got a fairly realistic schedule that I've been sticking to. But, I'll be cooking and reading and watching movies every single month anyway. See you soon!

DONE: No.33 - Bake and Decorate 50 Cupcakes

Mary Berry, you better watch out there's a new kid on the block!  Er, well, not really, it's a long time since I was a kid and yesterday was the first time in years I've been near this much icing sugar and food colouring!  But, I am SO very happy to report that I completed the cupcake task.  I hadn't really realised what I was letting myself in for with this, which is probably just as well - 5 hours in the kitchen is not what I'd predicted.  But, armed with two recipes and a ledgeful of ingredients I very enthusiastically began my task.   I even tried to look professional with an apron longer than me and a baseball cap as the nearest thing to a chef's hat.

The slogan on the apron very much sums up my reputation for cooking - it's no wonder I'm generally banned from the kitchen.  'If you can't smell burning it's salad for tea' is pretty much correct.  I even once said on a TV programme that I could burn a salad.  But, this time, 24 hours after the task I'm actually pretty pleased with the results.   I'm not going to pretend, or even try and come over all knowledgeable and professional by sharing the two recipes I used - I hadn't even heard of some of the ingredients - instead I'll show you in the easiest way possible (for me) what I did. So first of all  - red velvet cupcakes:

Then, next up, after a couple of breaks and a tinnie of Pimms, came the lemon drizzle cakes:

Have to admit that part way through I did have to send a 'please save me' email to my husband as my icing was way too runny and I didn't know what to do, thankfully he brought me another box of icing sugar and it thickened up.  I also had a problem trying to open the wee bottle of natural food colouring but stabbing the top with a kitchen knife worked pretty well.  So anyway I ended up with 50 cupcakes!  If you notice there are two missing in the photo below - we did do a taste test - had to really -  but I'd made just over 50 anyways.    Today I took half in to my work and Stewart took the other 25 in for his colleagues and I am so exceedingly happy to report that people seem to have liked them - or were too polite to say otherwise - but also, through their kindness I can report that I have a grand total of £25 received in donations that I can send on to the Brainwave charity.   This has very much exceeded expectations.  Happy days!

By the way, please don't laugh at the random, sometimes overflowing, shapes these cakes ended up - they weren't burnt and they weren't hard as bricks so I'm happy1

DONE: No.13: Collect 50 Shiny New Pound Coins and Donate to Charity

June is going to be a quiet month task wise but at least I managed to finish one ongoing thing which was to collect 50 shiny new pound coins. Started this as soon as I initially started the whole year's countdown which coincided with the new pound coins being issued. Should have thought this one through cos the Royal Mint is actually only about 20 minutes away from us, in Llantrisant. Apparently if you go on the guided tour you get to strike your own coin. Might still do it at some point.

Took me the whole two months to get the 50 coins but you don't notice a quid here and there. So finally have the full amount.

The most difficult, the only difficult thing, was trying to decide on which charity to send the money to.   So many out there I feel I'd like to support but when it came down to it, I chose Brainwave, which is a charity to support disabled children and children with specific needs and one which my brother-in-law has effectively dedicated most of his entire working life to.  And, he puts his money where his mouth is, having only last year taken part in the Welsh Velothon an excruciatingly hard cycle ride. In fact, it was his involvement in the Velothon last year which has lead me to include that as part of my own 50 list.  Nope, I'm not getting on a bike, no way, no sirree but instead I have volunteered to help man the final feeding station up Caerphilly Mountain.  That takes place in a few weeks time.

There are a couple of items on the list where I automatically also have to raise money for specific charities, but if there is any other task where I might be able to make a few bob Brainwave will be the one I'm supporting. The difference they make to a child's general standard of living is immense.  I'll probably talk more about the work they do over the next year.  If you're interested the website is: www.brainwave.org.uk