My Ethnicity

Have you ever wondered where in this world that you have come from?  I have asked myself repeatedly why I am attracted to the things that I am.  Great Britain has always fascinated me. From the time I was a young teenager, I have loved a place that I have never visited.  The plush countryside with winding narrow roads, picturesque seaside jaunts, with castles galore intrigued me. I spent hours reading Dickens & Jane Austen, watching Masterpiece Theater, and trying to imitate an accent that just didn't sound right coming from my lips. 

Each day since I mailed my DNA sample to Ancestry, I have waited in bated anticipation for the results.   From my youth there were rumors on both sides of the family that we have Native American blood running through our veins. There is nothing in my appearance nor of my forebears to indicate that no Indian has ever got themselves mixed up with us. My pale skin and green eyes are ever before me as an indicator. Jesse James has come up a few times, but who wants to be related to a murdering outlaw?  I wouldn't be proud of it and I'd never speak of it if the rumor was true.  

Thursday was the magical day.  I came home very late and checked my email. The results were in and were waiting for me to open like a gift in my inbox. With anxious fingers I clicked the link to open the email. To be honest, I was surprised by the mix. I am 40% West Europe, 37% Great Britain, 13% Iberian Peninsula and the rest is a mixture of Ireland, Greece, Italy, Finland, and NW Russia.  

So, I should have asked Santa for a Viking or a man in a kilt instead of a cowboy. Meanwhile, the search goes on for finding my link to across the pond. I am so close. 

Book of Kells: The worlds most beautiful book

The "Book of Kells" is also call the book of Columba, this book is considered one of the most beautiful books in the world. The four volume set contains the Four Gospels written in Latin during Medieval times.  Luckily, it now can be seen on line if you are not able to make the long journey to Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland.  The text was written on calf skin, which I am sure was an arduous task.  

Portrait of John

After a Viking raid in the 9th century the book was moved to Kells, Ireland. Then in the 11th century it was stolen and the cover was torn off.  It was in possession by the Catholics in the mid 1500's and then returned to Ireland in the 17th century. The lavish beauty of the artwork is mesmerizing even though I cannot read the text. It is really worth looking at it.  I would surely enjoy seeing it in person. 

KellsFol292rIncipJohn

Here is the link to view the Book of Kells at Trinity College website. 

Authentic Irish Meal...Corned Beef with Cabbage

Today Ireland celebrates St. Patrick's Day. The traditional meal is corned beef with cabbage, potatoes, and carrots served with cream and horseradish sauce.  The thing about cooking this meal is how does one really keep the cabbage wedges together?  My cabbage wants to visit the other vegetables in the pot.  What can I say?  I really like this meal and really should cook it more often than once a year.  Here in America we call this comfort food.  I call it delicious and pass the platter please.

Ingredients:

1 4-5 lb corned beef brisket

1 1/2 to 2 cups of water

1/4 tsp or garlic powder or 3-4 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 tsp pepper or to taste

3 carrots, peeled and quarterd

3 onions, peeled and sliced

1 head of cabbage cut into wedges

6 medium red-skinned potatoes, with or without skin

Place the corned beef, water, garlic, and pepper in a large heavy pot with a tight fitting lid.  Bring to a boil and simmer for 1 1/2-2 hours or until the meat is tender. You can also cook in a pressure cooker to save time. Cook for about 30 on medium heat and check for tenderness, then cook an additional 20 minutes until the meat is tender.  Add the carrots, and onions 30 minutes before the meat is done cooking. Then add the cabbage and potatoes and cook an additional 30 minutes or until the vegetables are tender.  This will serve about 4-6 people. Enjoy!

Horseradish sauce:  1 cup of sour cream and 1-2 tbs horseradish, mix together and then serve

Cooks note:  The corned beef can be cooked the day before and then stored in the cooking broth.  All vegetables should be cooked the day it is to be served. 

Conical Houses of the East and Elsewhere!

Did you know that one half of the world's population on six continents, lives or works in buildings that are constructed of earth?  This is quite a substantial sum of people living in simply made structures. 

The above picture is beehive houses in Syria.  Can you imagine living in a home like this.  No windows to speak of and no indoor heating or air conditioning. However, I have heard that they can be very cool in the summer when the air outside is stiffling.

Then there are the conical houses of Haran, Turkey.  I rather like this view.  It looks clean and inviting.  I can imagine myself sitting outside with a glass of mint tea and talking with neighbors.

The first recorded beehive or conical houses were recorded about 3,700 BC.  In Aleppo, Syria there is an entire village of these type of homes.  Where did the idea to build one of these gems originate? 

Do you think that travelers would see one of these homes and take the idea back with them to build for themselves?

Would you belive that these huts were made without mortar?  Yes, and they were lived in by monks in Skellig Michael, Ireland.

Native Americans had their own version of the conical hut, but not made with mud or stone but animal hides.  My home is quite simple and needing a thick coat of paint.  Anyway, a home is your castle or maybe a hut.