Month: November 2020

The Kingdom Under the Sea – Book Review

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This was an absolute favourite of mine growing up by Joan Aiken, the stories are wonderfully illustrated by Jan Pienkowski, which made it stay in mind long after the book was put down. Both writer and illustrator have inspired me very much with this collection. The whole book is a delight, and I can only hope to bring this kind of enjoyment to a reader with my own books one day.

These stories are all Eastern European fairy tales with a strange surreal quality to them, all vividly brought to life by a great writing style and silhouette style artwork to accompany.

As you would expect from original fairytales, there is a dark twist or theme running through them including a queen being bricked up alive in a wall!

I recommend this if you like a bit of dark, strange and the surreal.

The Kingdom Under the Sea and other stories by Joan Aiken and illustrated by Jan Pienkowski.

(c) K Wicks

A creepy read (A Parallel Abyss)

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I haven’t had much feedback for this one yet, other than it was compelling, they were hooked from the first page and the story unfolded at breakneck speed. I take that as encouraging. This was an odd story to write because unlike my first book where I knew the whole story and just had to put pen to paper, this one unfolded before me. I suspect that is why it comes across as happening at breakneck speed because that it is how it is meant to be.

I don’t actually know how to slow it down to be honest. And when I have re-read it through, I get so engrossed in the story, the excitement and the fear of where it’s going, that I am completely distracted by it. Good if I want to escape with my own book, but not so good perhaps for the reader? Chapter one is available below if anyone wants to take the plunge…

A Parallel Abyss – Chapter 1

I also have colourful bags available for sale as well as copies of my books if anyone wants to buy them directly. Or bags available at Rebubble and books at Amazon.

(c) K Wicks

Swallowtail

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Another wonderful find in Spain for me was stumbling across a swallowtail caterpillar quite by accident. I had already seen the butterflies but had no idea this is what they start as – I usually try and identify all the insects I take photos of and this one was easy.

It was quite the find, and over a few months I was lucky enough to find another. Even though they are so bright, they blend in so well.

It’s amazing to think they start as eggs, turn onto caterpillars, then turn into a chrysalis, then into a wonderfully beautiful butterfly. A four stage life process of being different things in each. Awesome.

Once butterflies start landing and staying for a few minutes, it is very difficult to get me to move, I get obsessed with getting a shot. But my overall excited energy usually disturbs them and I have to make a big effort to clam down and keep as still as possible. So I’m pleased I got any of them at all out and about on walks.

(c) K Wicks

Open door

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I spent time looking at this painting growing up as it was on the wall at my grandparents. It impressed on me as you would say. So years later when they asked if there were any ornaments or art I would like to have, I picked this one and a few others.

My eyes enjoy this painting very much. It’s done with an airbrush (I think) and the artist tag is Medina. That is all I know.

(c) K Wicks

Tongue out Tuesday

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This face cheers me up no end every day, so in case anyone needs a cheer up in these dark and strange times, I give you some happy Maya face.

She is a naturally happy dog.

Loves sunshine and playing in the garden.

Running around the park.

And generally just being an adorable little madam.

Happy Maya face.

(c) K Wicks

Puff pastry

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Ever since my local bakery incident last year ‘nobody likes a mouldy turnover‘, I have taken it upon myself to be a bit more proactive in the kitchen and try not rely on the high street for things – even before everything went into lockdown.  A few incidents in recent years made me realise it was on a declining path and they had already lost my business mostly through their own doing – Death of the High Street

I make my own short crust pastry for things now and again, but have never attempted puff. I have seen it done on the TV and to be fair, and thought I might get round to it one day, but since discovering the pre made packs, have to admit that I probably never will make it myself now.

I am getting to enjoy all my favourites again and I know how fresh it is and what went into it. Makes a difference.

So far we have apple turnovers – 

Apricot Danish

And now have got the hang of corned beef pasties.

You may think that the pasties look suspiciously like the same shape as the turnovers, because they do. I didn’t see the need for the pasties to be round and it would waste some of the pastry. Waste not want not as they say.

I am aware though that suddenly upping your pastry intake can have a detrimental effect, so am trying to hold it down a bit, not bake constantly because then that means lot smore eating. So a bit more walking and a few more salads and I can justify it over the winter months.

(c) K Wicks