Robert Andrew Woolmer 1948 - 2007

It is with heartfelt sorrow that such a charismatic, popular, and talented thespian in the shape of Bob Woolmer should die so suddenly at the age of only 58, but to have been 'murdered' is truly devastating news to his family, relatives, friends, fellow students of the game, cricket fans and in fact all sports fans in general.

I ask you, will International competitive sport ever be able to fully recover from this tragedy.

The truth about why he was murdered is still unclear, however there are numerous rumours flying around, as one might suspect under the circumstances.
We are all aware of the corruption/match fixing allegations coinciding with the imminent release of his book, as put forward by many a journalist this past week.
But if it does turn out that corruption has played a part in his death, then how can we the public ever trust the outcome of any sporting event in the future to have been truly genuine.
Most of us like a flutter, as it adds to the interest of the event in question, and as in all sports there are always going to be shock results and outcomes.
Cricket is in the spotlight this next week, but next week it could be football, horse racing, golf, tennis.....whatever.

In professional sport 'greed' is the root of all evil.
People, human beings like you & I will always be susceptible to the lure of making money, even if you already have plenty. It may seem improbable that you will be suspected let alone caught. Who will know if you are not giving your best, not trying your hardest, not bothered if you win, lose or draw - if you can cash in big time.

Nobody.....until one day it all goes wrong, as inevitably it will, and you and/or your family are caught up in something bigger & more dangerous than you can handle!
You may not even have been involved directly. You may have been an unsuspecting pawn in a real life crime.

Mr.Woolmer may not have been involved, but he may have been aware of certain instances where match fixing was apparent in the sub-continent.
Knowing too much about something may turn out to have been instrumental behind his 'murder.'
Information & knowledge are powerful tools and may have proved in this instance to have been as dangerous as taking part in the practice itself!




Sincere and heartfelt condolences go to his wife, Gill and sons Dale and Russell.

He will surely live in the hearts of his cricket fans in England, South Africa, Pakistan and all over the world.



Bob Woolmer
Career History:

1968: Debut for Kent.

1972: One-day international debut for England.

1976: Selected as one of Wisden's five cricketers of the year.

1977: The Centenary Test in Melbourne and England went on to take the Ashes 3-0.
Bob signed for Kerry Packer, and the establishment is not amused.

1984: He retired from first class cricket.

1991: Appointed Director of Coaching at Warwickshire County Club in England.

1994: Warwickshire won 3 out of 4 trophies and were runners up in the NatWest series.
He was appointed coach of South Africa

1994-1999: South Africa won 71% of its one-day internationals, and 10 out of 15 Test series under Woolmer.

2004: Appointed Pakistan's coach.

2007: The Pakistan team crashed out of the World Cup after being shocked by debutants Ireland. Found unconscious in his hotel room in the West Indies and later died in a hospital in Jamaica.



**Please do not make failures and successes on cricket fields a matter of life and death.

London BAR King - 'The Tattershall Castle'

As I sit here writing this post the sun is shinning, and in doing so it is also showing up my 'dirty looking' apartment windows.' On reflection I don't remember having seen my window cleaner for a good two months now, maybe more!
He is always banging on your door if you owe him a few quid, which doesn't bother me surprisingly, as he is quite a character and a betting man too.
He often gives me a horse to back which is a dead cert, although as everyone who enjoys a flutter knows - there is in fact no such thing.
However he bets big boys dosh and he wouldn't give you a donkey to back unless he had heard a whisper for it from someone on the inside.

The seasonal good weather means only two things to many. Firstly, the gyms are packed with once a year male members trying to lose their man-boobs, before they dare to unveil there shiny white torsos for the first time in six months, along with that group of fitness obsessed middle-aged women, who have been going to the gym 3 or 4 times a week forever, in the feint hope that once more this Summer they can get away with wearing a belt for a skirt and a crop top to expose their belly piercing!
Grow old gracefully I say, and that's coming from my goodself, a once upon a time gym fanatic and qualified fitness instructor.

What is it with women that when you ask them what social activities they enjoy the 'gym' is always in the top three, with the other two being swimming and pilates!

The 'gym' was once upon a time a home from home for men, where they could go to effectively preserve their masculinity and lift some weights in between chatting to other guys of the same ilk about 'man' things.

Secondly the tanning salons are empty as people try to achieve the 'real deal' even in April.

But in my world good weather means the opportunity to enjoy a bevy outdoors in the sunshine, be it in a beer garden or your own garden.
In my eyes take the opportunity now....who knows when we will see any good weather again....tomorrow, in a week, in a month!

Alternatively how about having a glass of something ON The Tattershall Castle.
Moored on the Thames, this refurbished old paddle steamer is a good place to go if your looking for a change of scenery and venue.
Drink up on the deck while the heat of the sun allows, whilst enjoying the panoramic backdrop of the London Eye, Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, then toddle off down below as the sun sets and it starts to cool off.
For those looking for a 'big night in' there is also a night club on board which stays open into the early hours.
Ideally located, 2 minutes walk from Embankment tube station, 5 minutes or so from Charing Cross mainline station, and only a 10-15 minute walk from the boat itself into the West End or Soho.

'The Tattershall Castle' makes for a great meeting place. It's very informal and relaxed, and with the sun on your back, a beer in your hand and the great views of London, it is a must-go venue for an early evening or post-work libation.

Acai-Blu Red Rain Energy Drink Review

I finally found it, the last of the Red Rain flavours. I got this bad boy at Wal-Mart for $4.97 CAD per 4 pack. Yes, the rumors are true, you can get 4 packs of Red Rain for only $4.97 CAD and 4 packs of Red Bull for $6.97. There are also 4 packs of Guru regilar and sugar free for the same low price of $6.97 for a 4 pack. That is so cheap - $5 for 4 cans. Why the hell am I buying these from the local 7-11 for $2 per can? I should just go to Wal-Mart once per week and get 2-3 packs of these.

I still haven't tasted acai berries so I cannot say for sure if this flavour captures the taste. It does taste a lot like blueberries though, which I assume is why it is called Acai-Blu. The blueberry taste is actually quite nice - not too sweet and a bit on the sour side. There is no obvious trace of artificial flavours eventhough the back label says there are some. This doesn't taste like other fruit energy drinks, it tastes a lot like a regular Red Rain with some of its flavour substituted with the acai-blueberry one. It still has a bit of the acidic Red Rain taste, but not as much, obviously. The aftertaste is pretty good too. It starts off with a blueberry aftertaste, moves onto the regular Red Rain acidic aftertaste and finishes clean all in 2-3 minutes time.

Same energy content - 80 mg. I got a nice boost early in the morning, but I am sure I have to go for seconds in a few hours. Good thing I got a 4 pack of these for $5.

Scores:
Cost - $4.97 CAD per 4
Taste - 8.2/10
Energy - 6/10

Overall - 14.2/20...I would still buy the regular Red Rain, just because I enjoy the clean taste. This, however, is one of the better fruit energy drinks I have had because of its low sweetness level

Read about the other flavours of Red Rain - regular, cran-orange, mocha, tropical mango.

'Babes Of The Month' - Breathtaking Chest Control

I love you Betty Crocker!

When I learned how to cook, the Betty Crocker's Picture Cook Book was my best friend. My mother had purchased it in 1951 when she was a young wife. I still have the book; however it has definitely seen better days. This little piece of history has had the cover taped over and over again but I cannot rid myself of it as the worn pages remind me of cherished times. The book is bursting full of how-to's, recipes and lots of nostalgia so it will continue to reside with me as long as I have more tape to apply.

I fondly recall my ooo's and aaah's as I flipped from page to page especially enjoying the color pictures of baked goods. Learning to measure correctly and follow directions was sometimes frustrating; however the end result was always worth the effort. These are treasured childhood memories which I hold onto dearly.

When I got married in 1984 I was given the "new" Betty Crocker Cookbook and was so excited until I looked inside. The recipes had been changed so much that I barely recognized my old friend. The main difference was the fact that many of the recipes used boxed and processed ingredients like cake mixes, cans of soups and such.

Sometimes changing and improving things is really great; however I'm a firm believer in knowing how to actually cook....don't get me wrong - I've whipped up plenty of recipes using Cream of Mushroom soup; but I'm a good cook because I also know how to follow a recipe and make a homemade mushroom sauce.

I'll be sharing some recipes from my mom's old classic recipe books in the next few days, as well as her handwritten cards which were found in a little metal box (remember, recipe card boxes?).

Betty Crocker, I love you!

New Applesauce Cake

First, make thick unsweetened applesauce (below). Then prepare 13" x 9"oblong pan with grease and flour.

Sift together
2 3/4 cups sifted Softasilk or 2 1/2 cups sifted Gold Medal flour
2 cups sugar
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 1/2 tsp soda
1 1/2 tsp salt
3/4 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp cloves
1/2 tsp allspice

Add
1/2 cup soft shortening
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup walnuts, cut-up
1 cup raisins, cut-up
Beat 2 minutes

Add
1 1/2 cups applesauce
1 very large egg (1/3 cup)

Temperature: 350 degrees F (moderate oven)
Time: Bake oblong cake 45 to 50 minutes.

To make 1 1/2 cups applesauce: wash, quarter, and core 6 to 8 tart apples. Add 1/4 cup water. Cover and cook to a mush, stirring occasionally. Press through a siever or food mill.

Handwritten notes by my mom: Very tasty! Substituted 1 3/4 tsp. apple pie spice for cinnamon/cloves/allspice. Sprinkled powdered sugar on top.

TARRAGON PART 1

Tarragon is called the "King of Herbs" by the French, and with good reason. It is the main flavoring in many of the sauces that form the foundation of classic French cuisine, such as Bearnaise, rigavote and tartare. When paired with chopped sprigs of fresh parsley, chives, and chervil, you have the traditional seasoning blend known as fines herbs. This aromatic blend enhances the flavors of egg, chicken and fish dishes, and is also used as a basis for salad dressings. When using tarragon in cooked dishes, it is best to add it at the end, as heat tends to decrease its flavor. Unlike most of the other herbs, tarragon loses the potency of its flavor when dried. This may be one reason it is so frequently preserved in vinegar, which captures tarragon's essence and creates a tasty condiment that can be used in dressings, mayonnaise and as a zesty deglazing alternative to wine.

French tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus) is the variety most often used in recipes. Its flavor is sweeter and its leaves are more delicate than its relative Russian tarragon, (Artemesia dracunculoides), which tends to have coarser, paler leaves and a bitter, inferior flavor. Unfortunately, whereas the Russian variety spreads and reproduces easily, French tarragon cannot be propagated by seed but must be cultivated by cuttings and root divisions. For a healthy plant, it requires rich, well drained soil and full sun.

The true French Tarragon has the best flavor and cannot be grown from seeds as this plant will not flower. Cuttings must be taken in order to reproduce this plant which makes it more expensive and harder to find. Tarragon grows in full sun and will grow to about 2 feet or so across. It is most important that this plant have good drainage and it is a good idea to add sand or grow it in a large container to make sure the roots will not rot and die. It is perennial but you should try to bring it indoors, either a potted plant or take cuttings, to grow over the winter months as it sometimes does not come back the following spring because of wet soil.

To harvest Tarragon, remove a third of the branch and chop the leaves finely. Tarragon does not dry very well so freezing is the best method to preserve the flavor.

To use Tarragon in cooking, chop the leaves very fine to extract the flavor for cream sauces and Bearnaise sauce. Add it to tuna or chicken salads, eggs and quiches, mayonnaise's, and mustard salad dressings. It makes a wonderful flavored butter and can be combined with dill and parsley for fish.

*It is said you cannot dry it well but I get some from a health food store that sells dried herbs and the one I get is wonderful and keeps well. So if you can do that too ....test it. Perhaps home dried is not as good but larger places have quicker ways to dry than we do.

WHITE BEAN AND TARRAGON SOUP serves 4

8 ounces Great Northern white beans
2 Tablespoons olive oil
1 medium onion, diced
1 small fennel bulb, diced, about one cup
2 teaspoons grated lemon peel
2 cloves garlic, minced
7 cups chicken stock
1 Tablespoons fresh tarragon leaves, chopped
3 Tablespoons thinly sliced ham, julienned
salt and pepper to taste

Sort through the beans to remove rocks and other items. Put in a container and cover with four inches of water. Soak overnight. Drain off the water.

In a stainless steel pot heat the olive oil. Saute the onion and the fennel until golden. Add the grated lemon peel and the garlic. Cook for one minute to release the flavors. Add the stock, cover the pot and reduce the heat to a simmer. Cook the beans until soft, about one hour. Stir in the tarragon, reserving 1/2 teaspoon to use for garnish. Add the ham, stirring to blend all flavors. Add salt and pepper to taste. Ladle into decorative soup bowls and garnish with the remaining tarragon.

Bread and Butter Pickles

 Ive made this on and off thru the years, they are pretty good.

BREAD AND BUTTER PICKLES

8lbs. cucumbers
2lbs. white onions
1/2c. salt (I used coarse kosher salt)
1 qt. white vinegar
2c. sugar ( I used organic)
2 tsp. celery seed
2 tsp. turmeric
1 tsp. dry mustard

Cut unpeeled cucumbers and peeled onions into slices about 1/8in. thick. 

Arrange in layers in a large kettle or bowl, sprinkling each layer with salt.

 Let stand for 3hrs. then drain and rinse well.

 Bring other ingredients to a boil in a large pot. 

Add drained vegetables and stir to coat with seasonings. Bring to a boil again.Pack into hot, sterilized jars and seal.

 Process in water bath 10min.

I didn'tmake the full recipe this time..........I only had 5lbs of cukes but Idid make the full amt of juice for it and used it all. Also be aware turmeric stains everything so if you spill the juices wipe it up fast.

Banana Cake

Makes 18 servings

One of our family favorites! This Banana Cake is a fabulous way to use up very, very ripe bananas—in fact, the blacker the banana peels...the better the recipe tastes. This is a very moist cake which is easily made in a sheet pan so it works great for potlucks or picnics. It is very delicious! I have made this with all white flour; an alternate with all wheat flour and this way with a mix of both ~ cooking is about experimenting so have fun!

Ingredients

Sift together in large bowl:
1 cup Whole Wheat Pastry Flour
1 cup All Purpose Flour
3 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons baking soda
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon allspice

Mix in:
1 cup Splenda Granular
1 cup Brown Sugar
1 1/4 cups Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Beat In:
1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
2 cups Bananas, Mashed

Add In:
4 Eggs, one at a time

Beat In:
1/4 cup flaked Coconut
1/2 cup chopped Walnuts

Directions

Spread batter into 12x18 pan which has been sprayed lightly with Pam™.

Bake in preheated 350 degree oven for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Allow cake to cool. Cut into 18 squares and serve.

Frosting options:

•  Frost with your favorite cream cheese frosting and 1/2 cup of chopped walnuts; 
• Sift Splenda Powdered Sugar* over the top;
• Serve unfrosted with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or dollop of Cool Whip

Nutrition Facts: Serving Size 71.0g
Amount Per Serving
Calories 269,  Calories from Fat 167

% Daily Value* Total Fat 18.6g  29% , Saturated Fat 2.9g  15% , Trans Fat 0.0g , Cholesterol 41mg  14%, Sodium  188mg  8% ,  Total Carbohydrates 23.4g  8%,  Dietary Fiber 1.8g  7% , Sugars 10.1g,  Protein 3.7g,  Vitamin A 1% ,  Vitamin C 3%,   Calcium 6%, Iron 6%

* Based on a 2000 calorie diet - Nutritional details are an estimate and should only be used as a guide for approximation.

Hijinks Energy Mixer Review

A few weeks ago I reviewed 5150 energy mixer and was quite pleased with the results. Over the last few days I have been testing another energy mixer - Hijinks. This one is a little different and does not instructions on how to mix it. It is completely up to you. You can even shoot it if you wanted to. Since I only had 1 of these bottles, and it contained only 200 mg, I only tried it with a couple of beverages.

Tea

Of course it had to be tea - my morning drink. Like with 5150, I added this to a mug full of strong Earl Gray Royal, whose flavour is so strong, it can cover almost everything. I poured half of the bottle and stirred. There was absolutely no change to the aroma and the taste barely changed. There is a dull undertone, which resulted in a slightly bitter aftertaste, but that was it. The mixer is barely noticeable even at half a bottle.

Orange Juice

I poured myself a 12 oz glass of orange juice and added only half of what was left in the Hijinks bottle, which was 1/4 of the entire mix. There was no change to the taste, so I added the remaining liquid. Again, there were no changes to the taste, which was great. I guess the orange juice flavour was strong enough to overpower the caffeine bitterness.

With the tea, the mixer worked a bit slow. I barely felt anything in the first 30 minutes and then it slowly and gradually started to kick in. It took about 50 minutes for me to feel the full effect of Hijinks, but the good news is that it lasted for a few hours and the energy boost was clean, very usable. There were no jitters or any other negative sides, such as a crash at the end.

The mixer performed a bit better with the orange juice and I felt a boost in energy right away from the from the juice. That gave Hijinks enough time to do its thing and get absorbed by my body. The rest of the effects were similar to that of the tea.

Energy Blend (1,100 mg):

• Taurine
• Caffeine
• Inositol
• Glucuronlactone
• L-Carnitine

Other Ingredients: filtered water, sucrose, sodium citrate, phosphoric acid, sodium benzoate

Scores:
Cost - $3.00 from the King of Caffeine
Taste - depends on what you add it to and how much of it
Energy - 6/10 to 8.3/10

Overall - 6/10 to 8.3/10...overall score might be influenced by what you add it to and in what quanitities

'Quote of the Week' - Gordon Strachan

May I thank 'Mr Celtic' for a comment he made this week that was so simplistic, yet true that every walking, talking living doll that has ever been out on the lash can relate to it.
I was greatly touched that the 'Sweaty Sock' should include me (and you) when he addressed the point in question to his players and staff alike.
Cheers Gordon!

He said:- "Going out drinking doesn't help team spirit. When you drink you just tell lies and talk rubbish"

I say:- Guilty as charged.
As a consequence may I suggest this weekend that we all celebrate our inclusion into the lifestyles of the football emporium by talking nonsense whilst necking copious amounts of liquor, starting with a wee dram of finest Highland Malt Whisky in honour of Mr.Strachan, even if it does stunt your growth.
God Bless you all!

Holiday Survival Week ~ Quick & Easy Appetizers

I've compiled some Quick & Easy Appetizer Ideas for you ~ I've made most and sometimes easy is best! Don't tire yourself out so much that you don't have time to enjoy the holiday festivities.


Tortilla Roll 'Em Ups. Spread a thin layer of your favorite cream cheese spread on large flour tortillas (you can use plain, herb, sun-dried tomato, or spinach-flavored). Top with thin layers of turkey or roast beef, thinly sliced tomato, and baby spinach leaves. Roll the tortilla up very tightly, similar to a jelly roll. Chill rolls for about 30 minutes, then cut rolls into slices, creating small finger sandwiches. Note: These are really easy & fun to make ~ get the kids involved.

A Little Blue. Fill baked miniature phyllo dough shells with a small dollop of softened cream cheese. Top with a bit of crumbled blue cheese and a sprinkle of snipped tart dried cherries. If you like, sprinkle with candied pecans or almonds.

Where's the Shrimp? Who doesn't love shrimp? For a super-easy appetizer, thaw cooked frozen shrimp (or steam, saute, or boil your own raw shrimp). Place bowls of dipping sauces on a platter (such as tartar or cocktail sauce or aioli), then surround the bowls with the cooked shrimp.

A Taste of the Mediterranean. Purchased hummus and some yummy crackers or pita chips are an easy way to either keep hunger at bay until dinner or to supplement an appetizer spread. Select a couple of different flavors, such as roasted red pepper, roasted garlic, or black olive.

Dip This. Every party needs a dip, but here's an option that's a little bit more gourmet. Purchase garlic- or basil-flavored oil or make your own variations by stirring herbs, garlic, or grated Parmesan cheese into olive oil. Pour the oil into small dipping dishes and serve with chunks of focaccia or baguette slices for dipping.

Twisted Salsa. Here's a fun salsa variation that's almost a meal in itself. Combine drained canned black beans, thawed frozen corn, chopped roma tomatoes, sliced green onions, chopped cilantro, chopped green pepper, and chopped avocado. Toss the mixture with some lime juice, salt, and pepper. If you like, you can also add chopped garlic, sliced black olives, chopped jalapeno peppers, or anything else! Serve with tortilla chips, or just give guests a spoon to dig in!

Relish the Ease. Prepare a relish tray like no other! On a platter, artistically arrange roasted red peppers; green, black, or specialty stuffed olives; cheese cubes; sliced meats, such as pastrami, ham, or salami; marinated artichoke hearts; smoked sliced salmon lox; marinated or fresh vegetables; and pickled peppers. If you like, serve the relish tray with hard or soft breadsticks.

An Apple a Day. Prepare a platter with sliced apples, pears, and/or grapes, crisp bread or crackers, and your choice of cheese, such as blue or brie.

Simply Salmon. With a pastry bag, pipe flavored cream cheese (such as chive) on cucumber slices. Top each cucumber slice with a small piece of purchased smoked salmon. If desired, garnish with fresh chopped chives.

Serve Them Up

Here's a great look for a casual holiday buffet table. Simply roll napkins and arrange them in a vase, basket, or bowl. The napkins will add color to the table and be handy for guests to pick up.

Pictures & descriptions compiled from www.bhg.com

Crystal Palace Squad List - 2010/11

Goalkeepers:

# 1.Julian Speroni
# 13.Lewis Price
# 35.Charlie Mann

Defenders:

# 2.Nathaniel Clyne
# 3.David Wright
# 4.Claude Davis
# 5.Patrick McCarthy (Captain)
# 6.Adam Barrett
# 17.Jack Holland
# 18.Lee Hills
# 19.Julian Bennett (on loan from Nottm Forest)
# 20.Edgar Davids
# 22.Anthony Gardner (on loan from Hull)
# 24.Charlie Holness
# 26.Matthew Parsons

Midfielders:

# 7.Darren Ambrose
# 8.Neil Danns
# 10.Owen Garvan
# 11.Andrew Dorman
# 15.Kieron Cadogan
# 21.Kieran Djilali
# 23.Nathaniel Pinney
# 25.Alassane N'Diaye
# 28.Stuart O'Keefe
# 30.Alex Marrow (on loan from Blackburn)

Strikers:

# 9.James Vaughan (on loan from Everton)
# 12.Calvin Andrew
# 14.Sean Scannell
# 16.Wilfried Zaha
# 29.Jonathan Obika (on loan from Tottenham)
# 32.Pablo Counago (on loan from Ipswich)

# Subject to change.

PANCAKES!!!!!!!

I always liked going to the International House of Pancakes. When my kids were little and their dad would be on the road, I would take them to have breakfast for dinner. They just thought that was so cool and loved going. They still talk about that today. Now my bf and I like to go once in awhile when I dont feel like cooking. A few months ago tho I tried a different pancake that they make. They are called the Country Griddle Cakes and are made with cream of wheat. They have different texture, sort of chewy and yet light. We went there recently and found out they have a new menu and they are no longer on there! So I went hunting online to find a copycat recipe. I made it today for breakfast with some bacon and YUM it was a success so here it is for you.

IHOP Cream of Wheat Pancakes or Country Griddlecakes
1/ 1/4c. flour
1 1/2c. buttermilk (or make the sour milk version of it)
1/3c. cream of wheat, dry
1 egg
1/3c. sugar
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1/4c. vegetable oil
1/2 tsp. salt
Heat a skillet over medium heat. (I used my electric griddle).In a large bowl, combine all ingredients until smooth. Pour the batter by 1/3c. portions into a pan coated with cooking spray and cook pancakes till brown.
Makes about 10

I didnt have buttermilk here so I made the sour milk equivlent of that and I cut back a bit on the sugar only using 1/4c. instead of 1/3c.

The bf proclaimed them awesome and I have to agree so I guess Ill be making these more often. BTW whenever I make pancakes or french toast I freeze the extras. A quick zap in the microwave and Ive got an instant breakfast. I never toss the leftovers away. I know my dog wishes I would tho . I frequently add vanilla to my pancakes when I make them but today I did them just as you see. I asked the bf if he thinks it needs it and he says they are perfect just like this. Dont mess with perfection!

Alan Ball 1945-2007

I am not about to write about the late great sadly departed Alan Ball as if I knew him as a pal or followed his football career closely, for he was a 'World Cup Winner' 12 months before I was even born. However I have read much about him since his tragic death in the early hours of Wednesday morning to feel that without a doubt he more than deserves a succinct journalistic memoir in order to pay my respects.

Alan Ball's loss is as much England's loss as football's loss, judging by all the column inches devoted to him by the press since he collapsed of a heart attack at his Hampshire home on the 25th April at the age of just 61.
Ball will always be remembered for the part he played in England's only World Cup triumph. He was the youngest member of the team that lifted the Jules Rimet trophy at Wembley in on the 30th July 1966.

Born on Victory Day, 12th May 1945, Ball overcame early rejection in his career when Bolton told him he'd never be big enough to play football.
He joined Blackpool in 1962, and six weeks after the World Cup, Everton paid a then record fee of £110,000 for the all-action aggressive midfield maestro. He then helped the Toffees win the League Championship in 1970 before being transferred to Arsenal in 1971 for £220,000, another record fee at the time.
In 1975 Ball won the last of his 72 England caps, skippering England to a 5-1 demolition of Scotland at Wembley.
He signed for Southampton in 1976, before joining the North American Soccer League in 1978.
In 1980 he returned to England and had brief spells with Blackpool, Southampton and Bristol Rovers before hanging up his boots in May 1983 after 975 first-team games.

His managerial career never touched the heights he enjoyed as a player. He managed seven clubs in 19 years including Southampton, Manchester City and Pompey.
Despite the ups and downs he never allowed his enthusiasm for the game to waver. He loved football and he loved life.

In 2000 he was awarded the MBE for services to football.

Ball's other sporting passion was horses. He was a racing aficionado. He would talk endlessly about horse racing, and could often be spotted among the crowds on a summers day at Goodwood or on freezing winter days at Fontwell.

Off the pitch Alan was a devoted family man. He was married to his childhood sweetheart Lesley for 37 years. They had three children - Mandy, now 39, Keely, 35 and son Jimmy, 31.
Tragedy struck the family in 2004 when Lesley died of cancer aged 57.
Alan Ball had also suffered personal tragedy back in 1982, when his father died in a road traffic accident.

Alan Ball was a gentleman, a real man's man and his place in the folklore of the game and the heart of the nation is secure. He will be sadly missed.

Sincere condolences go out to his family.

Alan Ball - Rest In Peace.


*England's current players will wear black armbands as a mark of respect for Alan Ball in their first game at the new Wembley against Brazil on the 1st June.

Livewire Energy Chews Pomaberry Review

So today I trying something that has been sitting on my desk for weeks now...or was it months? Yes, Livewire Energy is an energy chew and this one is supposed to taste like pomaberry...whatever that is. Perhaps a combination of pomegranate and berries.

The chews come in a matchbox-like container with 8 chews with some decent graphics, a nice layout and enough information on the back.

Taste

The chews are fairly sticky and smell pretty awful like fake chocolate with a distant hint of grapes and cake icing. The chews are, well, very chewy and don't taste much like berries of pomegranate. The taste reminded me a lot of thick cake icing, which I am not a huge fan of. Sure, there are hints, but I was expecting a burst of flavour like Mamba or Starburst chews. The finish is a touch bitter and you can really taste the energy ingredients. This isn't the worst tasting energy chew, but it sure isn't the greatest one.

Energy

The energy blend is 120 mg and contains a few different ingredients, but how much is the caffeine portion? The official website states that each chew has as much caffeine as a label-free energy drink, which looks a lot like a Red Bull. I am going to say that there are 80 mg in each chew.

I started to experience some effects within 15 minutes and in another 5, I started to get jittery. In another 5, I was fully awake and very energetic. I was surprised how well this chew worked. The energy lasted for over an hour, a lot like drinking a can of Red Bull or equivalent. Though the label says that one chew provides energy for up to 3 hours, you have to keep in mind that I am quite used to caffeine.

Energy Blend (120 mg):

• Caffeine
• Taurine
• Panax Ginseng

Ingredients: sugar, corn syrup, soy lecithin, palm oil, glycerine, malic acid, natural flavors, niacin, calcium d-pantothenate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, sucralose, fd&c red#40, thiamine hydrochloride, cyanocobalamin, fd&c blue #1

Scores:

Cost - $4 from the King of Caffeine

Taste - 5.8/10

Energy - 6/10 to 10/10

Overall - 11.8/20 to 15.8/20 depending on how many you eat

Crock Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup

I awoke to the lovely sound of rain pounding on the roof this morning.  Once my eyes finally made their way to the open position it appeared that it was still dark outside, not from the time on the clock, but by the dark thick clouds which loomed overhead. After coaxing the puppies to go outside (okay, I had to actually get bundled up and walk out in the drenching rain with them to assure them that they wouldn't melt if they got wet!) I sat at my laptop with a steaming cup of coffee. It immediately hit me that we needed a crockpot recipe for dinner...something to warm the insides, was easy (I'm all about easy!) and not expensive (I'm all about inexpensive!) so here we go...Crockpot Chicken Tortilla Soup.  The original recipe called for making your own tortilla chips which seemed overkill.  I will probably toss my tortilla chips into the oven on low for a few minutes before serving (okay, forget heating up the oven for that, how about just tossing in the microwave for a few seconds?).  I'll be getting this going in a few minutes after I return from the freezer to grab the frozen Costco chicken breasts (best quality, best price); hopefully I won't melt!

Prep Time: 30 Minutes
Cook Time: 8 Hours
Ready In: 8 Hours 30 Minutes
Servings: 8

"A quick, no-fuss version of chicken tortilla soup! All you do is put everything into the slow cooker, and turn it on. Then garnish with corn tortilla strips!"

Ingredients:
1 pound frozen chicken breasts
1 (15 ounce) can whole peeled tomatoes, mashed
1 (10 ounce) can enchilada sauce
1 medium onion, chopped
1 (4 ounce) can chopped green chile peppers
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups water
1 (14.5 ounce) can chicken broth
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 bay leaf
1 (10 ounce) package frozen corn
1 tablespoon chopped cilantro
Corn tortilla chips

Directions:
1. Place chicken, tomatoes, enchilada sauce, onion, green chiles, and garlic into a slow cooker. Pour in water and chicken broth, and season with cumin, chili powder, salt, pepper, and bay leaf. Stir in corn and cilantro. Cover, and cook on Low setting for 6 to 8 hours or on High setting for 3 to 4 hours.
2. Shred the chicken with a fork (can be done right in the crockpot)
3. To serve, sprinkle tortilla strips over soup.

Garnish with shredded cheese, splash of fresh lime juice, a tsp of sour cream and chopped avocados.

***A can of black beans thrown into the crockpot would also be delightful!

Recipe is adapted from original located at Allrecipes.com

'Best Bet' - Championship Betting Tips with Betfair

Hi, my name is Tom Mallows, online sports writer with Betfair.
I am guest writing on this blog where I shall be previewing all the weekend games in The Championship along with a selection of Premier League fixtures

In addition, I will also be looking in detail at some of the weekend's LIVE TV games.

Every fortnight, I will bring you all the latest odds, preview the biggest matches, and hopefully try and win you some cash with my 'best bet' football tips.

This weekend sees seven fixtures in the Championship and six tasty looking fixtures in the FA Cup Fifth Round involving Championship sides. Here's my pick of the action:


Watford v Chelsea
Saturday 14th February KO 17:30 LIVE ON SETANTA

Both these sides have had their troubles recently. 1984 finalists Watford, in the Premier League just two years ago, now find themselves struggling at the wrong end of the Championship. Manager Brendan Rogers will be facing the side he left earlier in the season to take over at Vicarage Road.

Chelsea meanwhile have endured a mini-crisis of their own, slipping behind in the title race and sacking boss Luis Felipe Scolari this week after just five months in the job. Guus Hiddink is widely tipped to take temporary charge – but not in time for Saturday.

Current Match odds:

Watford 9-1 Draw 4/1 Chelsea 5/2

Scorecast:
Watford 1-0 24/1 2-0 84/1 3-0 319/1

Chelsea 0-1 13/2 0-2 6/1 0-3 10/1

Draw 0-0 14/1 1-1 10/1 2-2 26/1


My ‘best bet’ prediction:

Chelsea may have their troubles, but I think they will have too much quality for Watford. It won’t be easy through, so my football betting advice would be to back a low scoring away win.
2-0 Chelsea win @ 6-1.


Swansea v Fulham
Saturday 14th February KO 12.45 LIVE ON ITV1

This has all the ingredients for a cup upset. The Premier League side who struggle on the road travel to a lower division side high in confidence and fresh from knocking out Premier League Opposition in the last round.
Roberto Martinez has done a great job with Swansea. Not only has he guided them to the FA Cup 5th round but his side look well set for a late promotion charge, couple this with their attractive attacking brand of football, they are a tough proposition for anyone at the moment.

Fulham boss Roy Hodgson has invested wisely to help the club into mid-table following last seasons last-gasp relegation escape. But the team still has a poor away record and that could count against them on Saturday.

Current Match odds:

Swansea 7/4 Draw 5/2 Fulham 15/8

Scorecast:
Swansea 1-0 8/1 2-0 14/1 3-0 35/1 2-1 11/1

Fulham 0-1 8/1 0-2 17/1 0-3 47/1 1-2 11/1

Draw 0-0 6/1 1-1 10/1 2-2 18/1


My 'best bet' prediction:

I smell an upset here, and an opportunity to make some cash. A 2-0 home win carries some decent looking odds.
Swansea 2-0 Fulham @ 14/1.

The best of the rest:
Fancy a sections list this weekend?
A multiple bet can win you some 'serious' cash.

Here are my tips for this weekend’s matches:

Home Wins:

Birmingham v. Notts Forest
Bristol City v. Southampton
Preston v. Norwich
Arsenal v. Cardiff

Away Wins:

Doncaster v. Sheff Wed
Derby v. Man Utd
Charlton v. Plymouth

Draws:

Burnley v. Wolves
Ipswich v. Blackpool
Sheff Utd v. Hull

My Tip Of The Weekend:

I fancy Chris Coleman's Coventry to spring a FA Cup surprise against Blackburn at Ewood Park. Sam Allarydce's side are deep in a Premier League relegation battle and may take their eye off the ball on Saturday.
Blackburn 1-2 Coventry @ 20/1.

Go to Betfair for all the latest football betting for this weekend’s FA Cup games, plus all the latest Cheltenham odds for the Festival in March.

Jolt Energy Gum Spearmint Review

I have been chewing Jolt's Energy Gum for months now, but still haven't gotten the chance to review it. Well, I said to myself, today is the day.

Taste

I popped two pieces of gum and gave them a good chewing. Right away the sweet/minty juices of the spearmint start to flow and fill your mouth with a fresh scent. However, some bitterness does come from the energy ingredients, but it is subtle and goes away within minutes. After that you are left with nothing but a minty and slightly sweet gum. The sweetness also goes away, but that takes time. All in all, this is one of the better tasting energy gums on the market.

Energy

The front says that two pieces equal to an energy drink, but what sort of energy drink? After a quick search on the internets, I found out that each piece contains 45 mg which is not bad. Taking two at once provides you with 90 mg, which is just a little more than a 250 mL can of Red Bull or any of the other comparable energy drinks. The rush comes in fast and I felt a jolt...hehe...a jolt...within 10 minutes. Within another 10-15 minutes, I was experiencing the entire potential of the gum and it was good. There were no jitters and I just felt peppy. I could wish for a focused sensation, but I take what I am given. The energy high lasts for over an hour, about 1.5 hours and then goes away. Once again, it is comparable to a regular, 250 mL energy drink.

Ingredients: sugar, gum base, dextrose, corn syrup, corn starch, caffeine, natural and artificial flavors, glycerin, resinous glaze, ginseng, guarana, tapioca dextrin, acesulfame k, aspartame, colors, menthol, carnauba wax, sucralose, BHT, phenylketonurics.

Scores:
Cost - $2.99 for a pack from ThinkGeek
Taste - 8.5/10
Energy - from 4/10 to 10/10

Overall - 12.5/20 to 18.5/20...it all depends on how many pieces you chew at a time.

Stoppage Time or Fergie Time?

After Manchester United's 4-3 victory in their derby match with Manchester City last Sunday, care of a Michael Owen strike deep into stoppage time, City boss Mark Hughes was left furious that the referee Martin Atkinson had added so much time on.
Was Hughes correct and is there really such a thing as 'Fergie' time?

After watching the game on television, reading various post match reports in the newspapers, scouring the net, looking up the laws of the game, reading Club messageboards and listening to several radio phone-ins, I personally feel City have a right to feel aggrieved at the amount of added/injury/stoppage time allowed.

There's been much talk about whether the time added on was or was not correct.

So lets look at what the rules say:

FA Rules:

Many stoppages in play are entirely natural (e.g. throw-ins, goal kicks). An allowance is to be made only when these delays are excessive.

The fourth official indicates the minimum additional time decided by the referee at the end of the final minute of each period of play.

The announcement of the additional time does not indicate the exact amount of time left in the match. The time may be increased if the referee considers it appropriate but never reduced.

The referee must not compensate for a timekeeping error during the first half by increasing or reducing the length of the second half.

Dermot Gallagher (former referee)

"From Euro 96 we've had this standardisation that we're going to play 30 seconds per substitution, and for excessive goal celebrations we're to play another 30 seconds - so it starts to tot up, and this is why we find the three or four minutes we have on average at most games."

Right so lets break it down:

In the second half there were no injury delays and the medical team never went on the pitch once.

There was no time wasting by either side.

There was three substitutions in total in the 2nd half. So now we are on one minute 30 seconds (30 seconds per sub).

There were four goals in the 2nd half, (before the Owen stoppage time goal and the sub in stoppage time). That's another 30 seconds for each of the four goals.
That's a total of 2 minutes following the goals. So now with subs and goals taken into account the total is 3 minutes 30 seconds.

So where did the initial four minutes come from? I make it three minutes 30 seconds. Within the given 4 minutes, there was a substitution in the 93rd minute. An additional 30 seconds for the sub in extra time leads me to a grand total of four minutes 30 seconds.
If my mathematics are correct the referee should have blown the final whistle to signal the end of the game after 94 mins 30 seconds.

Micheal Owen's winning goal was timed at 95 mins 28 secs, almost exactly one minute after the match should have finished.

Referee Atkinson I assume then takes into account the excessive goal celebrations, following Owen's goal, (which is only applied by him and is based solely on his own opinion on events and remains questionable).

However allowing a full minute following Owen's goal he eventually blows the final whistle after 96 mins 58 seconds.......almost a full 3 minutes after the originally allotted 4 mins of added time.


Fergie time - Does it exist? The Guardian examines the phenomena using statistics.

'After the controversy over Michael Owen's winning goal in Sunday's Manchester derby, the 'Guardian' has looked at all of United's league matches at Old Trafford since the start of the 2006-07 season and discovered that, on average, there has been over a minute extra added by referees when United do not have the lead after 90 minutes, compared to when they are in front.
In 48 games when United were ahead, the average amount of stoppage time was 191.35 seconds. In 12 matches when United were drawing or losing there was an average of 257.17sec.

But there is also evidence to support the suspicions of many managers, players and supporters that United get preferential treatment at home. When Owen made it 4-3 on Sunday the game was five minutes and 26 seconds into stoppage time. In total, the referee, Martin Atkinson, allowed almost seven minutes, even though the fourth official had signalled a minimum of four. Mark Hughes, the City manager, spoke of feeling "robbed". His sense of grievance will not be helped if he analyses the last three seasons.'

In 2006-07, for example, United were winning 15 times on entering stoppage time and referees added an average 194.53sec. In the four games when United were not winning there was an average of 217.25sec. The following year the disparity was greater, Opta's figures showing an average 178.29sec added when United were winning and 254.5sec when they were not. Last season it was 187.71sec compared to 258.6sec.

The pattern has continued in the first three games of the season. In the two games United have led they have played an average 304sec of injury time. On Sunday, Atkinson allowed the game to go on for 415sec.


Make your own mind up and leave me a comment. I would very much like to hear what all fans of all Clubs feel about the outcome of the Manchester derby, the statistics that seem to favour United when they play at Old Trafford and the subject of stoppage time in general.

The Zucchini Bakery

Well its that time of year where everything in the garden is bursting out and you try to figure out what to do with it all. I don't have a garden this year but I have had one almost every year for the last 35. I remember going on a trip once a few yrs back. I had two zucchini plants , that's all. When I came back and checked out my garden I found 3 HUGEEEEEEEEEE and I do mean huge zucchini. When I picked them to bring in the house I could barely carry all 3. They had to have been 3ft long and as fat as a cantaloupe around. I almost tossed them in the garbage. Then I thought no .....zucchini bread! So I took the first one, peeled it, shredded it to get it ready for zucchini bread. It made 10 loaves from that one zucchini!!! I sent some to work with my ex, and we ate some but I gave the rest away. How much of that stuff can you eat? I did end up tossing away the other zucchini considering I still had a few cups left of shredded from the first one that I froze. So in honor of that I thought Id post a few more kinds of zucchini bread types to help give you ideas to use it all up.

Zucchini Dill Muffins

1 1/2 cups flour

2 tablespoons granulated sugar

3 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 tsp. fresh minced dill, OR 1/2 teaspoon dill weed

1/4 cup milk

1/2 cup butter -- melted

2 large eggs

2/3 cup ricotta cheese

1/2 cup shredded zucchini

Heat oven to 400°. Grease muffin tins or line with 12 baking cups. Lightly spoon flour into measuring cup, level off. In large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and dill. Mix well. In medium bowl combine milk, butter, and eggs. Stir in ricotta cheese and zucchini, beat well. Add to dry ingredients, stirring until just moistened (batter will be stiff).Fill prepared muffin cups 2/3 full. Bake at 400° for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from pan and serve warm with lots of fresh butter! These are great with a nice luncheon salad.

Carrot, zucchini and dill muffins

2 cups self-raising flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

2 tablespoons caster sugar

1/2 cup finely grated carrot

1/2 cup finely grated zucchini, squeezed between your hands to remove excess moisture

1/2 cup coarsely grated Swiss cheese

2 tablespoons dill, chopped

3/4 cup milk

1/2 cup extra light olive oil

2 eggs

2 teaspoons sea salt flakes

Preheat oven to 400°. Lightly grease a 12 x 1/3-cup capacity muffin pan. Sift flour and baking powder into a large bowl. Stir in sugar, carrot, zucchini, cheese and dill. Whisk milk, oil and eggs together in a jug. Add to dry ingredients. Use a large metal spoon to stir until just combined. Divide mixture evenly between muffin holes. Sprinkle tops with sea salt. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean. Stand for 5 minutes in pan before turning onto a wire rack. Serve warm or at room temperature. Makes 12

Zucchini-Lemon Muffins

2 c All-purpose flour

1/2 c Sugar

1 tb Baking powder

2 ts Grated lemon rind

1/4 ts Salt

1/4 ts Ground nutmeg

1 c Coarsely shredded zucchini

3/4 c Skim milk

3 tb Vegetable oil

1 Egg
Vegetable cooking spray

Combine the first 6 ingredients in a bowl, and make a well in center of mixture. Combine zucchini, milk, oil, and egg; stir well. Add to flour mixture, stirring just until dry ingredients are moistened. Divide batter evenly among 12 muffin cups coated with cooking spray. Bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes or until golden. Remove from pans immediately, and let cool on a wire rack. Yield: 1 dozen.

Zucchini Cranberry Muffins

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 tbsp. baking powder

2 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. salt

2 tsp. cinnamon

1/4 tsp. nutmeg

3 eggs

1 1/2 cups sugar

1 cup vegetable oil

2/3 tbsp. pure vanilla extract

2 cups grated zucchini

1 (8-ounce) can crushed pineapple

1 1/2 cups whole cranberry sauce

1/2 cup raisins

1/2 cup walnuts

Sift dry ingredients together. Beat eggs. Blend in sugar, oil and vanilla. Fold in zucchini, pineapple and cranberries. Add wet ingredients to dry. Mix just until blended. Fold in nuts/raisins. Pour into muffin cups and bake at 375 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes, or until a knife inserted in center of muffin comes out clean.

Blueberry Zucchini Bread

3 eggs lightly beaten

1 cup vegetable oil

3 teaspoons vanilla extract

2-1/4 cups white sugar

2 cups shredded zucchini

3 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1 tsp. ground cinnamon (you can use up to a Tablespoon. It just depends how much cinnamon flavor you want)

1 pint fresh blueberries, coat with some flour before adding to mixture (can use frozen blueberries for this bread, cheaper and works just fine. Quickly mix in 1 tsp. of flour with the measured out blueberries before you fold them into the batter so they won’t all sink to the bottom)

Preheat oven to 350° F. Lightly grease 4 mini-loaf pans. In a large bowl, beat together the eggs, oil, vanilla, and sugar. Fold in the zucchini. Beat in the flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda, and cinnamon. Gently fold in the blueberries. Transfer to the prepared mini ­loaf pans. Bake 1 hour, or until a knife inserted in the center of a loaf comes out clean. Cool 20 minutes in pans, then turn out onto wire racks to cool completely.
Do not eat the same day you bake it. It is much better if it is wrapped after it cools and then let sit on the counter for a day or two to mellow. Can also make one full loaf and then used the rest of the batter to make muffins. It freezes well too.

Zucchini Chip Cupcakes

1/2 cup butter, softened

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1-3/4 cups sugar

2 eggs

1/2 cup milk

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1/4 cup baking cocoa

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

2 cups shredded zucchini

1/4 cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips

1/4 cup chopped pecans

In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter, oil and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs, milk and vanilla. Combine the flour, cocoa, baking soda, salt and cinnamon; gradually add to creamed mixture. Fold in zucchini and chocolate chips. Fill greased or paper-lined muffin cups two-thirds full. Top with pecans. Bake at 375° for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in muffin comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely. Yield: about 2 dozen.