Miss Vixen's Kitchen .

Should you,:-
a ) want to be healthy, b) prepare an interesting meal with ultra minimum time effort and expense. Or maybe both. If so look above and read on .

Starter :- seaweed salad with sesame sauce and kimchi ( optional )

Main course :- One pkt Ruccola (rocket salad ) washed and dried,with 100g shrimp , 4 or 5 chopped cherry tomatoes , three chopped sun dried tomatoes, tbsp pine nuts , 3 chopped spring onions, half sliced avocado, lime juice , balsamico cream dressing to taste AND 6 fresh scallops . ( lightly season then cook for 1 min each side in a little hot butter or olive oil .)
It's simplicity and simply delicious .

Vivre la Musique , Vivre la Culture.

To date , this week has been one round of music ,books and art . On Sunday there was the great parade at Berlin's Carnival of Culture. It was packed and oh so lively, with great food , music and fun for all . Monday marked the start of the VI .International Organ Improvisations Festival at the Kaiser Wilhelm Gedächtnis Kirche in Berlin. With a different programme each night , plus organ workshops during the day it's been a time challenge but worthwhile . Then a packet arrived containing Book Of Clouds by Chloe Aridjis. This lives up to the reviews and all I can add is ..if you don't know Berlin, buy this book , read and you'll be arranging your flight. If , on the other hand ,you are familiar with this unusual city ,buy the novel, read and note " yes it is just so ". A sensational work ,it's already had me miss stops on the UBahn . Last night down to the Kleine Weltlaterne for more music .Otto Hamborg and the Very Special Viertakter , were but three yet dynamic as ever. Two small takes from their programme .Will add more to YouTube . Tonight ..... a French organist is playing so, vivre la France ,vivre la musique,vivre la culture! Et vivre Berlin .

The Elegance Of The Hedgehog.

The most wonderful film I've ever seen . Based on the book,'The Elegance Of The Hedgehog' by Muriel Barberry ,it's simply beautiful and no words can describe the superb casting , acting and camera work. I wont spoil it for you but report that here is a movie where one is drawn in and experiences every emotion. Set in an elegant Parisian apartment block it centres around the lives and interaction of three characters who live there. Renee a middle aged woman, and Paloma ,a twelve year old girl. Both misfits within their respective 'worlds' they have much in common and then along comes Mr Ozu a Japanese man. Never a fan of blockbusters, it's small films such as this that do it for me. Having seen the original version with German subtitles this much I can say .. I'll view again. Look out for it and let me know your views .For sure , the characters will remain with you when the movie is over . Well they have with me since hedgehogs and foxes have a special relationship ! Happy cinema going .

The Magic of Mist

When, with the best of intentions,you set about your long overdue work, it's great. When however ,you find yourself side tracked by the magical appearance of mist ,beware. For many it's merely low cloud ,others a curse since this silvery grey chiffon shroud swirls around obliterating the sky,sun.and landmarks. To this 'club' I do not belong. Not so much a thief, rather a talented window dresser, mist had slowly enveloped Berlin's steely structure,the Funkturm, to create a spectre. See the viewings for May Day weekend and compare . No panoramic view from the top today but a trigger to my favourite childhood story ,The Bowl Of Mist. "A hill full a hole full but you cannot get a bowl full."
Which leaves me with two thoughts :-

a)The joy of seeing something again is often enhanced by our temporary loss.

b) I wonder if the Berlin Tourist board would try a first by creating a Mist Dome made using this landmark .