Would you ever change your first name? And if so, what would you change it to?
I don’t mind Tanya so I wouldn’t bother changing mine, but if I was choosing a name for myself I’d pick something a bit old-fashioned… something that makes you picture someone in the corner of a library with their nose stuck in a book. Like Edith, or Anna, or Ruth.
I blog as myself rather than anonymously – although I started doing so just by default. I’ve gotten used to most of my life being on the internet and it was only months into blogging (probably when I posted about the libido fairy) that I thought “hmm, maybe I dont want everyone knowing who I am and where I live and what I eat for breakfast”. But its a bit late now!
I know lots of people who use pseudonyms to blog as well as nicknames for their kids – and I think its smart. I’m not planning on starting over again so that I can do the same though. I don’t think I write about anything that would cause my kids great embarrassment later in life, and I also think I should have leeway to write about my life and my experiences (even when it includes innocent 3rd parties).
Do you blog anonymously or as yourself? And why?
Post a Day 2011 topic #136 is how do you decide who to be friends with?
See, a few years ago I’d have said I choose friends who:
1. Read.
2. LOVE good food
3. Have strong opinions, even if they don’t agree with mine
4. Are low maintenance. I hate those “you didn’t remember XXX anniversary” or the “you haven’t called in 3 days” conversations.
5. Are open-minded
Now… pretty much anyone will do, as long as they aren’t a raving bigot. The more friends the merrier.
Post a Day 2011 topic #134 was “If you got a tattoo, what would it be?”
Thing is, I have a tattoo… and I am spending a good deal of time and money, not to mention pain, to get it removed.
So I wouldn’t get a tattoo.
I admire other people’s tattoos a lot though, especially the full sleeve or back pieces. I like large single artworks rather than bits and pieces. And I like tattoos that have meaning (not silly things that were picked to annoy your mother when you were too young and stupid to know any better 
).
Do you have a tattoo?
My brother, sister and I all have names out of Dr Zhivago (which, I’ve never read). I’m not wild about my name – but who is? It sure could have been a lot worse… I believe for part of her pregnancy my mother wanted to name me Serenity (how funny would that have been!).
For our own kids, I’d always loved the name Isabella. It was classic, and besides… just look at Isabella Rossellini. Of course after our daughter was born and named someone sent me a link to Isabella Rossellini doing whale porn (dont ask, go see for yourself) and then – completely unrelated I’m sure – every second female child in the Western world ended up being named Isabella.
When we were expecting a second child I wanted a name that wasn’t popular. I loved Hebrew names, DH likes Irish names. Our son ended up being Emmett Declan (so clearly I lost that battle). I love that I haven’t yet met anyone else with the same name.
What is the story behind your name? How do you feel about it?
Post a Day 2011 topic #112: Should schools control what kids eat for lunch? Some schools in Chicago now ban lunches from home for health reasons - kids either eat the school food, or nothing.
I hate feeling as though the government is interfering in my home life – especially because I know they don’t stay up to date with the latest research and tend to be a bit alarmist about things. I would prefer schools offer healthy lunch options but not stop parents from sending in lunches for their children (made up of whatever they choose).
I can see why they think restrictions like this are helpful but it makes me dig my heels in and feel a bit rebellious.
If I knew our school offered healthy lunch options I’d be very happy to have my child eat there instead of taking a packed lunch – but don’t try force me into it.
Today Post a Day 2011 asked “What do you want to accomplish with your blog? What is it for?” and I think I’ve answered this in the “About” section but I’ll do it again!
I started the blog just as a space of my own. I’m always a little surprised when other people read it (and delighted when they comment). This blog is my selfish space!
Originally I thought I’d just say whatever I felt like but I’ve fast realised that a lot of friends and family are reading so I try to be mindful of that when I post.
Freshly Ground
Another Post a Day 2011 topic – If you could see any music act in history, who would it be?
I find it so hard to just pick one!!
If I could go back in time it’d be the Beatles without a doubt. But for more realistic dreams I’d love to see Freshly Ground perform live again. I’ve been lucky enough to see them live twice and they are amazing.
Or Skunk Anansie who played the best live gig I’ve ever been lucky enough to see.
Or the Rolling Stones who were due to play in Bangkok when I was there but cancelled the concert 
Or Green Day who I imagine’d be amazing live in concert.
Who would you pick?
Fancy that – post a day 2011 has a topic about bacon… I’m going to limit myself to 10 minutes on this one because I could quite easily wax lyrical about bacon for days. I LOVE bacon… crispy is better and I especially love bacon fat (I know, its gross but I can’t help it).
My current favourite recipe using bacon is this one for potato scones, I’ve amended it just slightly…
Potato Scones
Ingredients
2 medium to large potatoes
1 egg
1 sheet ready rolled puff pastry
3 tbsp milk
1 heaped cup grated cheese
1 spring onion finely chopped
4 slices of bacon
Salt
Pepper
Method
First peel the potatoes and boil them until they are cooked. Then mash lightly with milk and set aside to cool.
Get your pastry sheet out, so it thaws in time.
Turn the oven to 180°C
Chop and fry the bacon.
If you don’t have or don’t like spring onion you can use half a finely chopped brown onion.
Add the egg and cheese to the mashed potato then season with salt and pepper and add the onion and bacon/ham.
This is the filling and it’s ready to put together.
Put the filling mixture on a sheet of pastry and spread it evenly over all the sheet except for a strip 2cm wide along one edge. Brush this strip with a little milk, then roll up the pastry and filling from the side furtherest from the milk-brushed strip towards it.
Cut the rolls of pastry and filling into slices about 2.5 cm thick.
Cover your tray with baking paper (the fat from the cheese will leak). Lay the rolls on it and brush with egg/milk.
Bake for 20 mins.
Enjoy!!
If you could pilot any vehicle, what would it be?
For me it’d either be a vintage Porsche Speedster… or a paraglider 
.
One day when I have a midlife crisis I may just end up in one or the other!
