With biscuits and candies from the European section of the regular grocery store, we spread out on the bed to watch the Opening Ceremonies of the Olympics. But we never saw the cows and sheep, only spotting the Clydesdales among the merry maypole revelers (did anyone else think Hobbits?). I liked the four children's choirs from England, Scotland, Wales, and N. Ireland, as well as "Jerusalem." Sis and Bud enjoyed the fireworks but had a lot of questions about the Industrial Revolution--"Why would they build factories and tear up the grass?" Indeed. Interesting, as much as they've called it a celebration of Britain's gifts to the world (literature, music, healthcare, and industry. And humor.), I wouldn't say the aesthetics of the factories and downtrodden workers actually made it look like a celebration of the Industrial Revolution; perhaps more an acknowledgment. Of course, the significance of all the personages--Kenneth Brannagh, Simon Rattle, Mike Oldfield--save one, Harry Potter creator (and one of the only woman, save the hearing-impaired drummer whom we knew from "Sesame Street"), J.K. Rowling, were lost on them. They (well, all of us) didn't get the giant baby, but we did like the focus on children's literature--but where was Winnie the Pooh?? (or Tolkien? Or Narnia? Or Peter Rabbit?). They found the 100' Voldemort entirely too upsetting and were glad that Mary Poppins got rid of him. And you gotta love a country that celebrates its healthcare system, with real dancing doctors and nurses no less! And they were good. The kids didn't know Rowan Atkinson or "Chariots of Fire" but did appreciate his lightening up that section. And Bud loved the fart!
Wait, I forgot to mention HRH The Queen. But describing the mini-movie with James Bond and her very own corgis (it's been confirmed--those were her dogs and her actual page!) and especially the parachuting trick cannot be improved by my descriptions! Talk about playing along.
We put them to bed after "Chariots of Fire" and watched the rest of it today. Bud loved the music, though I'm not sure he cared much about the little love story. Mama and I recognized the 80s music (No Wham!? No Boy George? No Elton? Much less that British creator of famous and successful musicals, Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber??!! Hopefully in the Closing Ceremony.) and some of the classics but none of the tv clips save Hugh Grant and Andie Macdowell. Of course, we didn't know the inventor of the world wide web either (well, Mama might have). I did like his "This is for everyone" message though--inclusive, like the rest of the ceremony.
We raced through the parade of nations, stopping for Greece, China, Thailand, the United States, and Team GB, really liking how they planted their flags on the mock-up of Glastonbury Tor. The speechifying and such were so-so but the torch coming in via Beckham and motor boat and then the cauldron being made of little cauldrons representing each nation was beautiful, especially being lit by young athletes!
After Paul McCartney, we began to watch some sports: cycling road race (too bad about that crash), handball, volleyball, beach volleyball, table tennis, boxing, women's basketball, fencing (they liked that a lot), and swimming. All while eating tasty British food we bought at the British shop a ways away: beef and onion pies, beef and potato pies, Cornish pasties, Colliers cheddar cheese, Branston pickle, Fentiman's Rose Lemonade. And we have a bunch more for later this fortnight, including a variety of chips (prawn, anyone?) and candy (Aero, which Sis likes).
We also pulled out our travel books and talked a bit about England--where it was, some of the history, what they might know from there. Shakespeare was Bud's first contribution, then "the mother of Queen Elizabeth the first, who was beheaded by the man with all the wives" and "that's where the Pilgrims left from" and "They had so many taxes that the Americans left." And "They had the Middle Ages!" There was also Robin Hood, King Arthur, Stonehenge, Hadrian's Wall, castles, sheep, and discussions of my three visits there, twice with Mama. We promised we'd try to take them there before they were 10. I think that's when I called and left a message for you, Lambeth, my friend in England--are you going into London or staying well away for the next two weeks?
Tonight for dinner, being not very hungry, we had scones, jam, and clotted cream! Which I prepared from a recipe from Nigella Lawson . . . while wearing my Jubilee apron! (Bud thought I should get the tea towel that said, "Stay Calm and Drink Tea," even though he announced that he'd rather "Carry On" than "Drink Tea!")
God save the Queen!
-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Lily's Scones
3 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp salt and tbsp caster sugar if you prefer a sweeter scone
2 tsp baking soda
4 ½ tsp cream of tartar
1/4 cold unsalted butter, diced
2 tablespoons margarine or more butter
1 1/3 cup milk
1 large egg beaten for egg wash
Preheat oven to 425F. Sift the dry ingredients together and rub in the butter thoroughly. Add the milk and stir very briefly. Knead lightly together on a floured surface. [It's important not to overwork scone dough] Roll out to approx 1 - 1 1/4" thickness and then cut into 12 scones. Wash with egg wash. Bake for 10mins until wonderfully soft and slightly golden. Best eaten warm!
Variations: 3 oz. raisins, sultanas or cherries with zest of 1/2 an orange; OR 3 oz. mature cheddar and pinch of mustard powder
'Lily's scones' from Nigella Lawson's How to be a Domestic Goddess
Makes 12
'Lily's scones' from Nigella Lawson's How to be a Domestic Goddess
Makes 12
