Trustworthy's Brunch in a Rush!!

Trustworthy's Kitchen Play List:

Gary Moore - With Love [Remember]
Alice In Chains - Angry Chair
Clapton - Swing Low Sweet Chariot
Ministry - Psalm 69
Bjork - Crying
Nirvana - Paper Cuts
Nerina Pallot - Patience
Kiling Joke - the Wait
Trustworthy and Us - Promophobic
The Music - Inconceivable Odds
The Doors - People Are Strange
Tricky - Hell Is Round The Corner
Moby - Go!
Gina Sicilia - As Long As You're Here


　
Hey peeps.

Thanks as always to Red for inviting me today :) x

This is a quick brunch-style scramble I literally threw together one morning before work.

Trustworthy's Brunch in a Rush!!

There was no prep other than chopping a tomato and onion (the mushies and spinach were chopped and frozen :) ), and opening and draining a tub of medium tofu.

I heated up the wok to a highish temp, around 8 out of 9 on a double ring, added a few splashes of canola. I added the toms and onions, then the frozen chopped veggies. With the tofu in the pack still, I roughly sliced into it with a butter knife and tipped about half of it into the pan. The tomatoes quickly gave it a red hue.

After about a minute I put my toast on, whilst stirring the scramble to a nice looking colour.

The toast popped...nuttelex spread....brunch done!

　
Easy, quick, almost lazy.

A bit like this post hehee.

Joking, of course, I am honoured as always to be here. I'm thinking next time a GF lasagne, one which I haven't made in a while. Lips smacking, and half-drunk from the wine (that I won't add to the sauce ;-) ) already!

Till soon, love Etc,

T xx

Guest Host Trustworthy: Chilli Tacos and Sour Cream (Vegan & GF)

Trustworthy's Kitchen Play List:

The Ting Tings - That's Not My Name
PJ Harvey - Big Exit
A Perfect Circle - Freedom Of Choice
Gossip - Yr Mangled Heart
ELP - The Great Gates of Kiev/The End
Led Zep - I Can't Quit You Baby
The Dodge Brothers - 42 Days
Chelsea Wolfe - Fang
John Barry Orchestra - 007
Mogwai - Death Rays
Depeche Mode - Dirt
Shapeshifter - Warning
Soundgarden - Rusty Cage
Tina Dico - Sunrise

Well hey peeps :)

Big thanks to Red for inviting me back again...love being here :)



T's Chilli Tacos and Sour Cream (V&GF)

Us vegans have (as we damn well should!) a great knack for lobbing together veggies out of the fridge and producing something beautiful and nutritious in a matter of minutes. Something that expedites this process is chopping freshly washed and chopped produce and bagging and freezing it. If you're single and work until you are falling asleep as soon as you cross your threshold, often cooking does seem like a task...amirite?

For this dish, most of the prep was done. So, short of chopping a fresh onion (these don't freeze well lol...mango and onion ice cream isn't a pleasant flavour!) and perhaps a half-block of tofu, tempeh, or seitan (chopped into small cubes, which can be marinaded if desired) this is a very quick dish indeed.

Put your oven on, for the tacos, but don't put them in yet. Next, in a hot-oiled wok, add the chopped onion. When they are good and sizzling add your (I don't like to call it 'main' protein...perhaps we'll just call it PVP - ugh, but then that sounds industrial! Blimey, by the time I've debated this between us I could've just written tofu/tempeh/etc hehe) and then add a few shakes of a packet of Taco mix...you know from those boxes you get in the supermarkets, pre-prepared. I never use the whole sachet and they keep for a while. Beware, toasting spices like this can be quite caustic on the throat and eyes. Stir fry for about a minute, the raid your freezer for your pre-chopped veggies....go hard! Capsicums, chile pepper, zucchini/courgette, kale, mushrooms.. hell I even freeze almond meal in small chunks. Drain a tin of kidney beans too, if you like, and add half. Stir it all round, get everything coated and shiny, the colours just starting to glow. Then add juice of half a lemon and deglaze the bottom of the pan....the spices are now at their most concentrated. Now add a can of diced tomatoes, and stir to cover the bottom of the pan.

Hot, hot, hot!

Now you can arrange your dry tacos in your oven, either using the silly little baffle they give you and arranging them in a fan on a tray, or hanging them gently over the rods of your oven shelf. By the time you've done that, the wok will be good and bubbling, and you can reduce the heat a tad. You only have a few minutes before the tacos get too well done and get very brittle, or of course burn altogether.

This next bit...this is the Trustworthy Secret Recipe...well secret between you, me, and those that read this hehe. This really tops it off...quite literally. Get a tablespoon of tofutti cream cheese, about a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar, and a few slops of canola oil. Mix these in a small sauce bowl, until its all creamy. Now you have vegan sour cream! Add salt if you like, but it really is the yums.

(The not so secret ingredients, eh? lol ~R~)

So hopefully you made that a few days ago (hehe) otherwise this kind of ruins the spontaneity which is kinda the angle I'm going for here lol. I keep forgetting, of course, that you've still got to clear up after...

Anyway, now the chile, tacos, and sour 'better than' cream will be ready, and you can stuff your hot tacos with the chile, top with the white stuff, maybe grate your favourite vegan cheese over the top, and certainly chop some coriander and throw this on too. Squeeze some lime, crack a beer and you have a great Top Gear dinner lol.

　

Till soon,

Love etc..

T x

Guest Host: Trustworthy's "Happy Chicken"* Nuggets (Vegan & GF)

Trustworthy's Play List:

Steven Wilson - Cover Version III
The Black Keys - Nova Baby
Beth Hart - Isolation
Ladytron - Deep Blue
Joan Jett & The Blackhearts - Wooly Bully
Gotye - Out Of My Mind
Massive Attack - Better Attack
Metallica - Wherever I May Roam
Them Crooked Vultures - Gunman
Goldfrapp - Deep Honey
MGMT - Electric Feel
Porcupine Tree - Way Out Of Here
Muse - Madness
Florence and The Machine - Heartlines


Well hey peeps :)

　

Red is taking a well deserved rest day, and has asked me to drop by and say hi.

　
My kids are not vegan (not for want of trying!) and I occasionally have to relent and heartachingly buy non-vegan stuff for them to eat. But, thankfully, one treat they do enjoy greatly is the chickpea and rice nuggets I make. In fact the recurring compliment is always, "More spices please, daddy!".

This is an evolving and organic recipe (organic in the sense that it's evolving...if YKWIM!) and you should enjoy experimenting with the various flavours and coatings, but my base method is always the same. My measurements, however, are somewhat, ummm...liberal. ;-)

 

Trustworthy's "Happy Chicken"* Nuggets
Vegan and GF

You will need:

For the 'nugget'

Approx 1-can's worth of chick peas (if using dried, as I do interchangeably with canned, soak them at least overnight...measurement is the final swollen soaked amount or thereabouts)

A half-inch covering of the bottom of a small saucepan of rice (approx 2 medium servings cooked amount) - use whatever rice you wish.

A stock cube, or a couple of teaspoons of powdered stock (optional - and can be used in one or both of two ways; either added to the rice water and allowed to soak into the rice, or added to the blended mixture)

Canola and/or flaxseed oil (TIP: flaxseed will add omega 3s)

A few teaspoons Psyllium husks (for bulk and fibre)

For the coating

Coconut cream - fattier and stickier the better - poured into a bowl

Cornflakes and/or rice bubbles

Herbs and Spices - your freedom of choice! For this particular venture I used: mustard seeds, fennel seeds, smoked paprika, sweet paprika, cumin, coriander leaf, oregano leaf, crushed black pepper, rock salt crystals

Turn the oven on to preheat between 180 and 200. Ready a roasting/baking tray with a little oil in it.

You can cook the rice (with or without stock) and chickpeas as you go and get the spices etc ready, or you can cook them the night before (easier to work with, and wastes less water because you don't have to rinse-cool them). Let's assume you've cooked them already ;-)

First thing you do, is use half of what you've cooked. This is purely down to the size of my blender! Add the chickpeas and rice to a blender. Add a tablespoon of the oil you've chosen to use. This will aid in the lubrication and blending. Pulse and stir, patiently, for a few minutes, adding oil where necessary.

Rice and Chickpeas awaiting the big blend

When a fairly even paste is achieved (lumpy or smooth - again entirely up to you), scrape from the blender jug into a bowl. You can add the stock cube now if desired. The paste will be fairly sloppy (as shown in the picture) but now you add the magic ingredient - psyllium husk.

Good and pastey...

Add slowly and keep stirring until a wet sticky dough is achieved, that can be shaped into small, no bigger than golf-ball sized, balls. Once this is achieved, put aside or in the fridge (fridging will aid in the shaping later, but may be a bit more sticky).

Toast your chosen spices. I use a flat saucepan on a medium heat, just be careful that smoke can appear very quickly, so watch it and stir often. When you've toasted them so the aroma is released, transfer to your pestle and mortar and crush them together.

Awaiting the pestle treatment...

Add a handful of rice bubbles and cornflakes (rice bubbles will go very fine, so do not use a naked flames around the dust!) and crush and mix together. Try to get the cornflakes to be coarse. They'll give a great crunchiness. Once you've achieved an amount of this coating that'll cover about a quarter-inch of the bottom of a medium-sized deep tub...pour them into a medium-sized deep tub!

Now, get your nugget mix ready at one end of your workstation (first in line from whichever direction is most comfortable for you), then the bowl of coconut cream, next the coating tub, lastly the roasting/baking tray.

Using a dessert spoon, spoon out an amount of mixture, shape using the palm of your other hand, and drop into the coconut cream. Repeat until you have about five or six in the bowl (too many at a time will make the next part too 'wet').

Trust me...they will soon be nuggety..lol

Then remove them one at a time from the bowl, draining to let the excess run off, and drop into the tub of coating. Shake the tub to evenly coat the nugget, then remove and place on the tray. Push down gently to make your classic nugget shape. Repeat these steps until either the baking tray is full of evenly-spaced nuggets or you run out of mixture. You may need additional trays!

Nuggets awaiting the oven...

Now whack the tray in the hot oven for about half an hour, or until when touched, the nuggets are no longer 'loose' and hold their shape when moved.

And now, ignoring the blatant mess in the kitchen, serve with french fries and oodles of ketchup or brown sauce or just whatever the heck you like! Or serve as a great addition to a Sunday roast - fresh or chilled and reheated. Cold ones are great in packed lunches - for kids as well as adults ;-) . As usual, enjoy, experiment...love being vegan!

Till soon,

Love etc..

T x

　

(*Happy chickens because none die!)

Brunch: Guest Host Trustworthy's Breakfast With Bite (Tofu Scramble)

Trustworthy's Kitchen Play List:

Jimmy Somerville - Small Town Boy
Steven Wilson - Belle du Jour
Def Leppard - Animal
Aerosmith - Line Up
Kenny Wayne Shepherd - Strut
Led Zep - Achilles Last Stand
Gary Moore - Empty Rooms
FNM _ A Small Victory
Tina Dico - Magic (acoustic)
Miranda Sex Garden - The Wooden Boat
Muse - Plug in Baby
Sensible Pets - Mobius
Flo - What The Water Gave Me
PJ Harvey - We Float

　

Hey peeps :)

Red has kindly asked me back again and I am very happy to be returning.

　
I would love to make some wonderful excuses for my prolonged absence...like a trek to Everest base camp, a philanthropical tour of the Middle East, or time spent building bikes for the homeless kids of Vancouver...but unfortunately no, I simply have been a lazy tart! lol. And I offer a tip of the hat and a warm hug and handshake to any of you that do any of those awesome things :)

　
I have, for the last fifteen years, had some ongoing, sporadic but chronic stomach ailments that have evidently stumped the doctors I've seen. Tests have been inconclusive (yada yada), but one of the results is I have been, for the last couple of years, trying to lead a gluten-, or at the very least wheat-free lifestyle. Until a couple of weeks ago where I said "You know what? I can't pinpoint anything that is actually causing me the affliction." and took an executive decision to start eating bread again. Crusty, soft, delicious bread. In fact the whiter and crustier the better, it seems, as it's the browner, healthier, wholegrain-ier stuff that appears more likely to set me off. And that first sensuous bite into the brittle surface of a tiger-tail loaf (aka french stick with marmite rubbed on the crust) was drool-makingly naughty.

I've now started - not every day, but some - having a scramble on toast of a morning. And this latest combination is rapidly becoming a favourite of mine.

I did my usual morning sweep of the fridge...withering mangoes...check....shrinking tomatoes...check...left-too-long-before-freezing leafies...check...oooh, a sweet potato, some kale, an OK tomato, a green capsicum, and some tofu that's just about alright! Excellent!

Trsutworthy's Breakfast with Bite

I peeled and chopped up the sweet tattie and blanched it for a few minutes in boiling water (to a still firm texture when poked with a fork), whilst caramelising some onions with the tomato in a wok, and slicing and seeding the capsicum (pepper to my Northern Hemispherers). Dice the tofu into bite-size bits and turn up the heat on the wok. Throw it in along with the drained sweet potato. Get the tofu and taters seared on a couple of sides, put two slices of ciabatta in your toaster, then throw in the capsicums. Shake for a minute or so until they start to glow a bright green, then tear up a large leaf of curly kale and throw that in too. While that's wondering what hit it, pour on some hot piri-piri sauce (I happened to have some Nando's bottled stuff...yes this particular one is vegan) and let it sizzle while you spread your favourite vegan marg on your just popped-up toast - an olive one works particularly well (I use nuttelex brand, all varieties). Then scrape the lot over your toast and enjoy with a fresh, strong cup of breakfast tea.

The zingy hit of the piri-piri will wake you better than any espresso, and you'll have a ton of energy from the endorphins released :) Make one of my famous (in this house. to me. hehe.) smoothies to go out the door with and you'll be right until at least lunch time.

Till soon,

love, etc.

T xx

Moments of the Week...

Rocket & Roses HQ Play List:

Frank Sinatra ~ All This & Heaven Too
Evanescence ~ Lithium
The O.T Quartet ~ Hold This Sucker Down
Zac Brown Band ~ Where The Boat Leaves From
Thunder ~ Welcome To The Party
Adele ~ Best For Last
The Zutons ~ The Railroad
Christoph Von Dohnan ~ Mozart Jupiter
Meredith Brooks ~ Back To Eden
A Perfect Circle ~ Crimes
Bruce Springsteen ~ The River
UB40 ~ Guilty
Halestorm ~ I'm Not An Angel
UB40 ~ Cherry Oh Baby

Happy Friday one and all! I haven't done one of these posts for a while and as I didn't have a foodie post to write for today, I thought why not do a mash up of things? lol. So I hope it entertains you for a little while. Would be happy to hear what your 'moments' would be...

Thought of the Week

OK...I know it's a little sappy but regardless, it is very true. And I have experienced this a few times this week.

Yum of the Week

Photo courtesy of Trustworthy

This is guest blogger Trustworthy's Boost with Bite scramble. He served this tofu scramble over ciabatta bread this week for his breakfast and sent me a photo. I have been enjoying tofu fritattas for breakfast this week and it was nice to see the lovely man was enjoying a tofu yum fest too! Hopefully he will be writing a post about it very soon...

Movie of the Week

Trustworthy and I usually meet up on a Saturday afternoon and have an international movie moment. lol. This week we had a midweek moment and I finally watched As Good As It Gets. And Trustworthy was right about this movie. It had great acting..many laugh out loud moments and a great story.

Happy Moment of the Week

Regular readers of my little blog will be aware that ML spends a portion of working life travelling around Europe. This week ML has been in Brussels, Belgium and not been well either, with the Salicylate and Nickel condition. So my happy moment was when a very sadly ravaged ML walked in the door and promptly fell asleep on the bed.

Smiles of the Week

There once was a girl who had a little curl, right in the middle of her forehead. And when she was good, she was very, very good. But when she was bad..she was horrid. No wait!!! That's another story! lol. Ooops.

OK so there was once a baby girl born in a maternity ward that was filled with baby boys. She was this little bundle of curly blonde hair, little pink lips and cute as a button. But she had parents who could not decide upon her name..so the enamoured nurses and midwives started calling her Cherub until her actual name was decided. Yep, that bundle was indeed me...and although my parents did give me an actual name..my Mum called me Cherub for many years after. So I've always had this tie to the little Cherub..especially Cheeky Cherubs...and when i saw this Bert and Ernie style Cherubs..it made me smile so much.

Tune of the Week

I was sat chatting with a mate this week when this tune played on my iPod. Music is very emotive for me. And as the first few bars started to play I was taken back to a moment in my past when a good friend had sent me this tune. I won't share the whys or what for's..but the tune has been playing in my head ever since. And it's a very bittersweet feeling. Do you ever get tunes like that?

Truthful Moment of the Week

Right..bummer, eh? But it doesn't make it any less true for me and no doubt many other thousands of people who are dealing with chronic long term illness every day of their lives. This week has been quite a bad one and on one day this week this quote summed up my feelings eloquently. Thankfully these lows do pass...but at the time...you really doubt it. This is my truth...

TV Moment of the Week

How happy was I when The Killing Season 2 came through the post box this week. I am very addicted to this Danish drama. The acting and story lines are first class. And I confess I am desperate to learn Danish now because I love the sound of it. I have learnt Thank you...but that's it so far. I know some people run screaming from anything subtitled but not me...I love it.

Art of the Week

'Windswept' Artist unknown.

I found this piece during a visit to Pinterest. I cannot find the artist responsible for this beautiful creation but I wish I could because I have a feeling I would love their other works too. I love the use of the colours and graceful lines. I am enchanted with this piece. And if you recognise this and know who the artist is..please drop me a line so I can give credit where it's due.

Live Music Memory of the Week

Thunder ~ Until My Dying Day

I could fill a Tumbler with images of the memories I have attached to this gig..this band..and this song. For me..it's rock heaven.

Reclaimed Happiness of the Week

When you are on enforced rest..and very bad at it...you find yourself easily going stir crazy..and suffering from bitch cabin fever. So I spend a lot of time listening to music, watching music, watching movies, TV shows and reading. Yesterday afternoon whilst cruising my iPod I found that I had 30 Pod cast plays to listen too. Something I used to do whilst cooking....and so got comfy and started to listen to one. And I had forgotten how much it relaxed me. I won't forget again...lol. Sad how something that makes you so happy can just be forgotten..

And finally...yes...you're right...it's the tattoo moment..lol

Tattoo of the Week

Not for everyone...but I loved the placement, the black and grey mix and the beauty of the design.

Thanks for stopping by and I hope your Friday is an awesome one and sets your weekend up well for you..

~R~

NB: All images and links were found online and I take no credit at all for their creation but send out thanks to all those that did. Thanks ~R~

 

 

Guest Host: Trustworthy...Veganroni Update

Trustworthy's Play List:

Porcupine Tree – Collapse The Light Into Earth
Max Sedgley – Happy
BJH – Dark Now My Sky
Pink Floyd – Keep talking
Bloc Party – Like Eating Glass
Portishead – Magic Doors
Porcupine Tree – Intermediate Jesus
Bach – VI. Gigue
Underworld – Good Morning Cockerel
St Etienne – Only Love Can Break your Heart
Chopin – Nocturne Op. 62 No.1 in B Major
Clint Mansell – The Last Man
Static D – Someone Else
Lissie - Stranger

Hey peeps

This first post in a little while is a quick update to the veganaroni experiment.

This mix comes courtesy of my good friend JLP, from Rhode Island, so big thanks to her. Apparently, fennel seeds are the key.

So the spice mix was this:

Sweet paprika

Smoked Paprika

Mustard seeds

Fennel Seeds

Crushed red pepper

Chilli powder (I substituted both of these for dried chilli flakes)

2 cloves of garlic (although I’m not too hot with garlic so I only used one lol)

Good quality dried oregano – the kind that tastes absolutely yummy!And not like dried grass.

 

 

I crushed all those up in a pestle roughly just to mix them (I actually toasted the dried powdered spices first, too, to really bring out the flavour).

I then put some thin tofu slices (drained and squeezed, if they don’t break apart)into a glass dish and mixed the spices with the olive oil. You will have noticed I hardly ever use exact measurements – I find experimentation and just winging it works every time. A general recommendation is about a tea or tablespoon of each spice, but not too much of the ones you don’t want to be overpowered by. Smoked paprika tends to break through a lot of the other stuff so maybe hang back on this a bit. Use as much oil as you like or don’t like. It needs a bit to not be dried out during baking and to taste ‘fatty’, but you don’t
need to over do it.

 

 

 

Cover the dish in two opposite-running layers of clingfilm (otherwise your fridge will stink of garlic) and place in the fridge for as long as you wish, nominally half a day, giving you time to make some awesome gluten-free base!

Then slice and use on a pizza as you would any other topping, and bake until crispy – this will take a bit of trial and error, and it may be a good idea to bake the vegaronis first. Doing it this way, letting them cool and chilling them for a bit back in the leftover marinade will also improve the texture.

 

 

 

Please enjoy and continue the experiment! I am going to try it with tempeh next, for a richer base flavour.

Till soon,

Love, etc

Trustworthy 

Guest Host:Trustworthy ~ A Spicy Experiment (V & GF Pizza Topping)

Trustworthy's Play List:

Anna Nalick - Citadel

Led Zeppelin - Black Dog

Fever Ray - When i Grow Up

Faith No More - Faster Disco

Jacqueline du Pre - Sicilienne Es-Dur

NIN - Sanctified

Cat Power - The Greatest

Porcupine Tree - Voyage 34: IV

Bjork - Pagan Poetry

Nirvana - Lounge Act

Gorillaz - Feel Good, Inc.

Keane - Somewhere Only We Know

PJ Harvey - When Under Ether

Tina Dico - Losing

Well hey peeps :-)

It's great to be back again, and again my warm thanks to Red along with my heartfelt wishes for a swift return to wellness.

So, this time you join me at the start of an experiment. A journey :-)

When I was omni, my favourite pizza topping was pepperoni. Or peperoni. However the word is spelled! My omni daughters still love it, and my conscience grates every time I buy some. So I decided that I'd start a journey to develop a vegan tasty alternative.

My first inspiration was this: Zucchini/courgettes slices, infused with spices.

 

Step 1 - Prep

Chop a few slices of zuke and roughly crush some black peppercorns. Grind some sea or rock salt onto a wooden board and rub both sides of the slices into it. Then insert the peppercorns deep into the flesh of the zuke.

 

Step 2 - Get them good and covered

Here's the Christopher Nolan bit...an experiment within an experiment lol. I was wondering whether for the next bit if I should use oil, or not. So here's what I did. I took a small glass dish, and sprinkled a fair bit of smoky paprika, salt, chilli flakes, and ground cayenne pepper.

 

Step 3 - Get em moving

I then added the zukes and shook them around until they were covered, then wrapped the dish and placed in the fridge until the evening. I decided not to use oil...so I'm passing that part of the experiment over to you! Please feel free to marinade in whichever oil you choose...and let me know the result. 

 

Step 4 - Get em coated

Once you've made your pizza base.....

 

I personally use a Laucke GF Bread Mix
For UK readers you can purchase this
at Lakeland.co.uk
 

.....you can add the zucchini slices however you wish and also your choice of vegan cheese - I used a salt marinaded tofu and grated that over the base. I also checked halfway through cooking and found I needed to drizzle some oil over my half of the pizza - the other half was for my daughter and was omni-fied!

 

Step 5 - Before baking....

This experiment, for me, did not evoke peperoni at all, but was still a great pizza topping!

The finished pizza...delicious...

I have a few more ideas and will share these with you soon :-) . Together, I'm sure we can discover the perfect peperoni replacement lol!

Until soon. Love, etc

T :-)

 

Emotions and Music

Hello folks...yes I am still alive. lol. Thank you for being patient. Today's post is based around a poster I found online at Pinterest and I found it inspired me to work a blog around it. It's a joint effort between myself and the lovely Trustworthy...so thank you fella. I hope you enjoy our selections and would be happy to hear what your choices would've been...so leave a message if you can or drop me an email...anytime. Enjoy! ~R~



Music, music, music...thank the rock gods for music! lol

Music is Heartache

Pearl Jam ~ Black  (Trustworthy selection)

Pearl Jam's classic Black

This is a beautiful song and I couldn't agree more with T on this...it's the final lines..."I know someday you'll have a beautiful life, I know you'll be a star in somebody else's sky. But why, why, why can't it be, can't it be mine?" 

U2 ~ With or Without You

The heartbreaking With or Without You

What person hasn't felt something to this lyric and haunting melody? The pain of heartache is perfectly summed up in this song...in my opinion.

Thunder ~ Don't Wait for Me

Truly sad and beautiful
Don't Wait for Me

Mr Morley's lyrics are a pure joy to me...even if they are making me cry..lol. This fine song is a perfect example of the heartache felt when working through a breakup. Perfect. Danny sings the hell out of this...I was right down at the front for this gig and happily admit..I was in tears...dammit. lol.

Led Zeppelin ~ Tangerine  (Trustworthy selection)

Tangerine

A great tune by the rock legends Led Zep...the music link is a full lyrics one. If unfamiliar with this song you will quickly see why T chose this one. Questions that go through you mind when thinking of past loves...

Chris Cornell ~ Arms Around Your Love

Arms Around Your Love

For me...the first time I heard this Cornell song I was stunned. A song about being a fool in love and then having to watch, feel and absorb all the emotions that come with watching them moving on without you. Heartache and reality check all in one song..lol. Great!

K.D Lang & Roy Orbison ~ Crying

The awesome Crying

So as a child...when I heard the original version of this..I would cry. A child!! No where near a heartbreak...*shaking head*. Many many years later when I was going through a heartbreak this version played and the combination of the legend that is Orbison and the very beautiful voice that is K.D completely floored me with heartache...I love this version by far over the original and any other cover of it. Urgh...lol

Doris Day ~ Love Me or Leave Me

Love Me or Leave Me!

As a small child watching a movie matinee with my Nan I remember watching this movie and the build up to this clip was such that when she sings this song...you couldn't help but hear and feel her pain and heartbreak...

The Cure ~ Pictures of You (Trustworthy selection)

Pictures Of You

Trustworthy says:
Pictures of You has touched my life at various stages...most notably when my mum and dad split up and in this last year when going through some personal stuff...

Gary Moore ~ Still Got The Blues

Still Got The Blues

What a sad loss it was when the musical world lost this man. I loved him and his talent is never forgotten here. The way he could make his guitar wail..sheesh and I have a very special attachment to this song. A classic...as is many of his tunes...Always missed Gary.

And last but by no means the least...the most excellent...

The Union ~ Cut The Line

Cut The Line...you will need tissues!!

Heartbreak/ache in every word sung by Shoulder and every melody played by Morley. The song is about being brave in the face of heartbreak. Getting to the point where you need to say goodbye to a toxic situation...and oh my goodness did I ever have to live through this moment. Perfectly written...just heartstoppingly beautifully tragic.  

Well I think it's safe to say that both myself and Trustworthy have had our share of heartache as there were a whole heap of songs we could have added to this section of this blog. So now we move on to music salvation...Phew!! lol

Music is Salvation

Evanescence ~ Bring Me To Life  (Red & Trustworthy selection)

Bring Me To Life

It will surprise you to know that I hated this song with a passion when it broke all the charts. Didn't get the whole Evanescence thing...until I was going through a particularly bad time with my health which was affecting my mood. This song played on the radio and found myself crying and finally..I got it! And now I love this song...sometimes more than others, it's painful to listen to because it reminds me how far I've got to go. But more often than not it gives me strength...gives me that spark to keep fighting.

Cello ~ Chopin: Nocturne # No 2 In E Flat. Op 9/2

Cello/Chopin beauty

This combines two of my music loves...the cello and Chopin. When I need to switch off completely or work through pain of any kind...I close my eyes and listen to the beautiful sound of the cello...or Chopin's Nocturnes. Usually the later is the piano..but sometimes I mix the two and find myself very calmed and re-energised by them.

Depeche Mode ~ Judas (Trustworthy selection)



Judas

Trustworthy says:
This song says to me...and highlights...the need to do the easiest thing is not always the right way...that to achieve what we want...especially in love...we need to walk through treacherous times together, be there for one another, ACTUALLY be there for one another rather than just SAY you will be. A condition of my love is...honesty. Take the risk, put yourself on the line...because I am...and together we will defeat all.

Thunder ~ My Darkest Hour

My Darkest Hour

Although the tale of this song is heartbreak and reaching the lowest point because of it..I find this song truly soothing. The cello and acoustic guitar lift me...Danny's vocals filled with emotions...Morley's song writing is very necessary for my soul to remain calm and this song does that for me.

The Gossip ~ Standing In The Way of Control

We should always..Stand In The
Way of Control

I first heard this song whilst I was on my honeymoon in Bonny Scotland. lol. Both ML and I jumped on it straight away with many "God I love this tune..." lol. For me it makes me feel this fire in my belly that I used to feel and reminds me that there is still so much work to be done...re-energising and uplifting like a good cup of Ginseng T!!! lol. Love them..love their music.

Brandi Carlile ~ The Story

The Story

Oh how I am a fool for this woman's work..lol. This was the first song of hers that I heard and I bought the album straight away. This song fuels me...I love everything about it..from her vocals...lyrics..the arrangement...everything. When I need a lift...I play this...I even have the video on my Pod...lol. Obsessed..lol.

Clint Mansell ~ Death Is The Road To Awe (Trustworthy selection)

Death is the Road to Awe
 

Trustworthy says:
This piece for me sums up Tom/Tommy/Tomas's journey-achieving immortality. The explosive climax as he literally becomes One with the universe gives me goosebumps and shivers.

Music is Love

Harry Connick Jr ~ It Had To Be You

It Had To Be You

For ML...and that's that. lol.

Faith No More ~ The Real Thing (Trustworthy selection)

The Real Thing

I confess I had never heard this song until today. I searched out the lyrics and they really are something...the link above has the lyrics added in so you can enjoy them too. Nice one T..

Paul Weller ~ You Do Something To Me

You Do Something To Me

From the first bar of this song...all those years ago...I have loved this tune. I'm struggling to think of a word to describe it's effect it has on me...Oh yeah that's right...SAP...lol

Ella Fitzgerald ~ Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered

Bewitched, Bothered & Bewildered

You have no heart if you don't get the legend that is Ella. So her singing such a beautiful lyric to this show tune from Pal Joey..it's a pure pleasure. I love this song because it captures the heady feeling of falling in love. No matter how old you are...it can still made you giddy.

Alan Bennett's History Boys, when made into a movie, used this song perfectly when being sung by a very much in love with his friend school boy. The vulnerability that the actor oozed was emotive and I will never forget that moment...ever. I couldn't find a good quality clip of that exact scene but here is a link to the recording of the actor Samuel Barnett doing his thing...click here.

David Bowie ~ Absolute Beginners



Absolute Beginners

I will always have a special place in my heart for this song. It reminds me of being a teenager and the all consuming teen love you experience. The line 'I absolutely love you...' makes me smile every time I hear it. I can feel the school uniform on me and the weight of my school bag..every time it plays..lol.

Beth Hart ~ Am I The One?

Am I The One?

Oh my! The magnificent Beth Hart. This woman rocks my music world...I love the blues and an awesome rock chick and in Beth I find both. This link to a Live performance of this song and I warn you easily offended folks..there is some colourful language but just go with it. It's an amazing performance not just by Beth but her band too. This song has everything for me...powerful lyrics, great tune..and a fantastic performance.  *swoon*...lol

Eric Clapton ~ Wonderful Tonight

Wonderful Tonight a classic

OK hush! Totally sapping out with this one but it is a beautiful song...a classic. It will always be a favourite because it reminds me of an old friend who loved the song so much..he drove me mad with it. But now I can appreciate it's beauty.

10CC ~ I'm Not In Love

I'm Not In Love

I was 3 when this was released. lol. But a few years down the line when Mum played her Top of the Pops albums I would hear this song and know exactly what it all meant. I was quite in touch with my emotive side before the age of 9. lol. I hear this tune now and it could almost be written for me...those who know me personally will know just what I mean and the rest of you lovely folks will have to take my word for it. lol.

So that was the section dealing with Music is Love and all that yucky stuff. lol.


Get Your Music On

Now this section I have taken the interpretation as...what music makes you get up and dance. So with that spirit in mind..we chose these...

Body Rockers ~ I Like The Way You Move



I Like The Way You Move

If this comes on..I'm dancing..no matter how much it hurts. I have been a dancing nut for this tune ever since I first heard it..sat having a coffee with my pal Michael...shortly before we were dancing around our office to it..good memories.

Jr Sr ~ Move Your Feet (Trustworthy selection)

Move Your Feet

All I can say to this is...lol. Why am I surprised that T chose this one? lol. But have to say listening to it and linking it etc...it made me chair dance and smile alot. Hope it does you too?

Guns N' Roses ~ Paradise City

Paradise City

Oh my goodness..how many times have I ditched my drink in rock nightclubs to get to the moshpit for this song..how many times have I danced around the house or kitchen to this song when the opening riff plays on my Pod?? How many? Way too many to even begin counting...love it..love the memories..

No Doubt ~ Hella Good

Hella Good

I cannot stay still when this song is playing...it's totally out of my control and I have to do something. I have to have songs like this in my life...good for the musical soul...

The Levellers ~ Just The One

Just The One...bottle! lol

This was an end of a rock night special...picture a hundred leather  (I know Eww but it was before the big V!) clad rockers and rock chicks all Irish jigging around the moshpit to this song..lol. So funny and so much fun so I still enjoy it to this day...(please forgive the hideous Gary Glitter presenting at the beginning of the clip)

Truth Hurts ~ Addictive

Addictive Yep so is...lol

This tune and all the others with the same groove call out to me..I have to give myself over to the hip wiggling dancing...lol. Awesome...

The Union ~ Obsession

Obsession or Possession? Could go
either way...lol

This tune makes my whole body tremble...when I saw then perform it Live...oh my. Such a great tune...great lyric...anything by these guys works for me really..lol. But their stompers like this are particulary special.

Wow..that turned into an epic blog and has nearly taken me a full day to chose, link and love every second of putting it together for you. Now I have to say...the selections for both of us would change on a daily basis...and it was so hard to keep it down to the numbers above. As I moved on to each section I would get 100 other great tunes bombard my mind. Ah well...next time. lol. If I am mad enough to do this again...lol.

Thanks to Trustworthy for his selections and for the laughs. And as I said at the beginning..feel free to share your selections...look forward to it.

Hope your week has been good so far and you all have a great weekend. Thanks for stopping by and I hope I've entertained you well.

~R~