Eggnog

With this Eggnog recipe I am taking part in the event organized by Manu Catman @ManuCatMan, one of the vets at La Ribera Veterinaris and also a passionate of the ephemeral art of  cooking, as he shines on his blog with his delicious recipes. If you want to check them, just visit his webpage www.cocinandoconcatman.com.

The idea of creating a gastronomic event as a preparation of Christmas was born in the head of Patricia@PatrixDQV , whose blog http://dimequeesviernes.blogspot.com you cannot miss it either. The event #calendariodeadvientogastronomico started flowing on twitter and quickly many people thought that it was a fantastic idea. So we started our personal countdown. 

Since Advent started I have been teaching my students both the religious meaning of the celebration, if you want to know about it click here, and also the historical origins of
St.Nicholas and Christmas carols  

Let's go ahead with the recipe

Ingredients

3 eggs 

1 egg yolk 

55 grams sugar 

a pinch of salt 

1/2 litre of milk 

a little bit of vanilla extract 

1 pinch ground nutmeg 

1 pinch ground cinnamon 

60 grams of cream

1.

Fit butterfly into Thermomix bowl. Add eggs, the egg yolk, sugar and salt to bowl and beat on speed 3 for 30 seconds or until blended and frothy.

2.

Keeping the butterfly in place, add milk, vanilla, nutmeg and cinnamon. Beat again on speed 3 for about 20 seconds. Then cook for 10 minutes on 70 degrees, speed 3.

3.

Set aside until it gets warm and add the cream. Whip the mix for a minute speed 3 without removing butterfly. Let it cool and put it in the fridge. 

4. Very important step: Enjoy it while listening to your favourite carol!

If you do not have a Thermomix, mix everything and put in casserole at medium heat, stir it constantly, without letting it boil.

Spanish version.

Ingredientes

3 huevos

1 yema de huevo 

55 gr de azúcar 

Un pellizco de sal  

1/2 l de leche

unas gotas de extracto de vainilla

1 pellizco de nuez moscada

1 un pellizco de canela molida 

60 gr de nata

1. Coloca la mariposa en el vaso; añade los huevos, la yema, el azúcar y la sal y mézclalo a velocidad 3 30" hasta que se mezcle y haga una espuma.

2. Deja la mariposa y añade la leche, el extracto de vainilla, la nuez moscada, (a mi personalmente me encanta, pero un exceso mataría el resto de sabores) y la canela (también tuve mi época "Un toque de canela", tras haber visto la genial película griega del mismo nombre o en griego Politikí koutsina. Mézclalo de nuevo a vel. 3, 20" y cocínalo 10 minutos, 70ºC, vel 3.

3. Déjalo que se enfríe un poco y añade la nata. Bate la mezcla durante un minutos, vel 3 sin quitar la mariposa. Déjalo enfríar y ponlo en la nevera.

4. Por último: disfrútalo mientras escuchas tu villancico favorito; personalmente disfruto con These Are the Special Times de Céline Dion.

Si no tienes Thermomix, mézclalo todo en una cacerola a fuego medio, removiéndolo constantemente sin dejarlo hervir.

Esto no hubiese sido posible sin la participación de:

1.- Cocinando con Manu Catman "Vasitos de Crema de Turrón con Migas de Salmón y Champiñones"

2.- Dime que es viernes "Copos de nieve dulce con Chocolate Caliente"

3.- Los tragaldabas "Fudge"

4.- Nancycatessen "KougelHopf"

5.- La Cocina de Nessi "Pan de Calatrava"

6.- Los Blogs de Maria "Tartitas de tocino de cielo sobre tarta de queso"

7.- Simplemente, mi cocina "Pan de Cádiz"

8.- El vagón de cola "Mohnstrudel"

9.- Magdalenas de chocolate "Bundt Cake de Turrón"

10.- Tartas Galletas y más "Triffle de Turrón"
11.- KinyCookies "Galletas de Turrón"

12.- Encar's Bakery "Tronco de Navidad"

13.- En tu cocina y en la mía "El hombre de coco"

14.- Lesgines "Gambas al vermut"

15.- Biscayenne "Muffins de compota navideña"

16.- Artschocolates "Pastel navideño de profiteroles"

17.- Tengo un horno y se como usarlo "Galletitas de gengibre"

18.- Pimientos Verdes "Cupcakes Navideños"

19.- La Gulateca "Canelones mar y montaña"

20.- Los blogs de Maria "Chupachups de pollo rellenos de sobrasada sobre agridulce de trompeta"

21.- Laurilla Fondant "Cupcakes de fruta escarchada y buttercream de turrón"

22.- Teaching English by Fran "Eggnog"

23.- Garbancita I+D "Timbal de judías verdes con langostinos y frutos secos"

24.- Carla Bulgaria Roses Beauty "Muffins de Chocolate y Turrón"

By the way.... Good luck with "El Gordo" lottery!!

El gordo. talking about money. 2nd conditional

View more presentations from franmcamacho and enjoy this delicious eggnog!Teaching English by Fran | CarolsTeaching English by Fran | St. Nicholas

Roald Amundsen

Today, 100 years ago, Norwegian Roald Amundsen, arrived at the most southern point of the Earth.

Roald Amundsen, born in 1872 near Oslo, Norway, left his mark on the Heroic Era as one of the most successful polar explorers ever born. His career of adventure began at the age of 15, originally studying medicine, but dropping out to go to sea where he soon moved his way up to the rank of mate. His first experience in the Antarctic was with Adrien de Gerlache's 1899 BELGICA EXPEDITION. He became the first to travel the Northwest Passage, in his ship Gjoa in 1903-06. After this expedition, plans were assembled to drift across the North Pole in Nansen's famous FRAM, but news arrived of Peary's successful attainment of the pole which caused Amundsen to make new plans(covert plans)for an expedition to the Antarctic and the subsequent capture of the South Pole. On December 14, 1911, Amundsen and four others stood at the South Pole, a month before Robert Scott. This expedition was an incredible masterpiece of organization. Here is the story of R. Amudsen's expedition...if you want to read more click here

Teaching English by Fran | Shidhulai Swanirvar Snagstha (Bangladesh)

Teaching English by Fran | La Pepa

Forever - Chris Brown - A Capella Cover - Mike Tompkins

Juan Abel is offering us the enjoyment of this song, Forever by Chris Brown - A Capella Cover featuring Mike Tom, plus a few exercises:




A) Fill the blanks with the words in brackets:
(chance-light-dance -rhythm -dance-heart -driving-fun- night)
It’s you and me
Moving at the speed of _____ into eternity
Tonight is the night
To join me in the middle of ecstasy


Feel the melody and the _____ of the music around you, around you
I’ma take you there, I’ma take you there
So don’t be scared, I’m right here, you’re ready?
We can go anywhere, go anywhere
But first, it’s your _____, take my hand


It’s like I waited my whole life, for this one night
Its gonna be me, you, and the dance floor
Cause we only got one _____
Double your pleasure
Double your fun
And dance forever ever ever
Forever ever ever (x6)
Forever on the _____ floor


Feels like we’re on another level
Feels like our love’s intertwined
We can be two _____, breakin’ the rules
Me and you, you and I
All you gotta do is watch me
Look what I can do with my feet
Baby, feel the beat inside
I’m _____ you take the front seat
I just need you to trust me (girl, girl, girl)


[Chorus]


Beautiful lady, no ifs, and, or maybes
I’m releasing my _____, and its feeling amazing
There’s no one else that matter, you love me
And I won’t let you fall girl, let you fall girl
I won’t let you fall, let you fall, let you fall
[Chorus]


B) Translate the next sentences:
-I won’t let you fall girl
- Feel the melody and the rhythm of the music around you
- It’s like I waited my whole life, for this one night
- I just need you to trust me


C) Correct the next sentences:
It’s you, and me, move at the speed of light into eternity.
Feels like we am on another level


D) Correct the lyrics:
I’ma take you there
Its gonna be me, you, and the dance floor
We can be two rebels, breakin’ the rules
All you gotta do is watch me




Teaching English by Fran | Give It All Back
Teaching English by Fran | Higher

Human Rights

Human Rights day

Cyrus Cylinder is claimed to be the earliest Human Rights Charter

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which was adopted by the UN General Assembly on 10 December 1948, was the result of the experience of the Second World War. With the end of that war, and the creation of the United Nations, the international community vowed never again to allow atrocities like those of that conflict happen again. World leaders decided to complement the UN Charter with a road map to guarantee the rights of every individual everywhere. The document they considered, and which would later become the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, was taken up at the first session of the General Assembly in 1946.  The Assembly reviewed this draft Declaration on Fundamental Human Rights and Freedoms and transmitted it to the Economic and Social Council "for reference to the Commission on Human Rights for consideration . . . in its preparation of an international bill of rights." The Commission, at its first session early in 1947, authorized its members to formulate what it termed "a preliminary draft International Bill of Human Rights". Later the work was taken over by a formal drafting committee, consisting of members of the Commission from eight States, selected with due regard for geographical distribution. (un.org)

Here you are a simple webquest. 

1. What is the first human rights declaration adopted by the United Nations? 

2. When was the Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted?

3. Where was the Universal Declaration adopted?

4. Who were the key contributors to the drafting of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights?

5. How many articles does the Universal declaration of Human Rights contain?

6. When is Human Rights Day observed?

7 How many countries are members of the Commission on Human Rights?

8 Where does the United Nations Commission on Human Rights meet and for how long?

9 How many women have chaired the annual sessions of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights since its first meeting in 1947? Who are they?

10 To whom does the Universal Declaration of Human Rights apply?


11. Why is the Universal Declaration of Human Rights important to you?




Watch this great  video of the story of Human Rights

Teaching English by Fran | Black History Month
Teaching English by Fran | International Day against Homophobia

Months and days of the week

For my students who are revising their basics, a Boney M's song about the month of the year, just now when this year is about to finish. Enjoy the song and pay attention to the pronuntiation.





You can also revise the days of the week. Remember we use preposition in with the months and preposition on with the days of the week. We use in with the parts of the day, such as morning, afternoon and evening but we use at with the weekend. (on in US English). If we combine a part of the day with the day itself, for instance on Saturday morning, we use preposition on. 



Teaching English by Fran | A little bit of astronomy
Teaching English by Fran | Food

I'm yours

Salva proposes us to work with I'm Yours by Jason Mraz. First, you should fill in the gaps, but no words are provided, and then, a much more simple exercise of word categories, in which you should find in the song five adjectives and five verbs.

These are the lyrics 

I'm yours.

Well, you done done me and you bet I _____ it

I tried to be chill but you’re so hot that I melted

I fell right through the cracks, and I’m _______ to get back

Before the cool done run out I’ll be giving it my best test

And nothing’s gonna stop me but divine intervention

I reckon it's again my turn to win some or learn some

I won't hesitate no more,

No_____, it cannot wait I’m yours

Well open up your mind and see like me

Open up your plans and damn you're free

Look into your heart and you'll find ______ love love love

Listen to the music of the moment people dance and sing

We are just one big _______

It’s your god forsaken right to be loved, loved, loved, loved

+ chorus

There’s no need to complicate our time is short

This is our fate, I’m yours

-d-do do you but do you, d-d-do but you want to come ______

Scooch one over closer dear and I will nibble your ear

Bap bap bap woooooo ho ho ooooh

I've been _______ way too long checking' my tongue in the mirror

And bending' over backwards just to try to see it clearer

My breath fogged up the _______

And so I drew a new face and laughed

I guess what I'm a saying’s there isn’t no better reason

To rid ________ of vanity and just go with the seasons

It’s what we aim to do

Our name is our virtue

 + ch + bridge

Teaching English by Fran | Eurovision Song Contest
Teaching English by Fran | Save the World

Carols

If you wish to know a brief summary of the story of Christmas carols, by Mandy Barrows, click here, and if you feel brave enough to go through the whole story, you should read it in Why Christmas?.

History.com tells us about the origin of the most relevant carols and of course, about Jingle Bells, which was not composed to be sung at Christmas but on __________________ Can you find it out after watching the video?

My students are singing these carols this year

1 & 2 ESO

Jingle Bell Rock

3 ESO 

Winter Wonderland

Sleigh bells ring, are you listening,
In the lane, snow is glistening
A beautiful sight,
We're happy tonight.
Walking in a winter wonderland.

Gone away is the bluebird,
Here to stay is a new bird
He sings a love song,
As we go along,
Walking in a winter wonderland.

In the meadow we can build a snowman,
Then pretend that he is Parson Brown

He'll say: Are you married?
We'll say: No man,
But you can do the job
When you're in town.

Later on, we'll conspire,
As we dream by the fire
To face unafraid,
The plans that we've made,
Walking in a winter wonderland.

In the meadow we can build a snowman,
And pretend that he's a circus clown
We'll have lots of fun with mister snowman,
Until the other kids knock him down.

When it snows, ain't it thrilling,
Though your nose gets a chilling
We'll frolic and play, the Eskimo way,
Walking in a winter wonderland.

• The blue bird mentioned in the second verse is a symbol of summer, so this is why in the it is gone away.

• A parson in the bridge is a protestant minister, and Parson Brown is a figure of speech , i.e. a nomen nescio (I don't know the name), un tal as we say in Spanish, or Fulano, Mengano o Zetano. 
• Conspire, by the way, is just "talk" in this context.

4 ESO

Deck the Halls

• Deck the halls means "decorate your houses", 
• 'tis is a contraction of "it is" 
• Don we now our gay apparel means "wear your funny clothes".
• Troll means "sing" 
• Yule was a Celtic festival during the winter solstice in which a log must be kept burning for twelve nights, expecting that the sun will bring back its light. After those twelve days, when Celts thought the sun to be still, days will become longer and longer.
• Lads and lassies are "boys and girls"

Trinity 

Shake Up Christmas

Teaching English by Fran | Eggnog 
Teaching English by Fran | St. Nicholas

World AIDS Day

World AIDS Day is held on 1 December each year and is an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV, show their support for people living with HIV and to commemorate people who have died. World AIDS Day was the first ever global health day and the first one was held in 1988.

More than 90,000 people are currently living with HIV in the UK and globally an estimated 33.3 million people have HIV. More than 25 million people between 1981 and 2007 have died from the virus, making it one of the most destructive pandemics in history.

Today, many scientific advances have been made in HIV treatment, there are laws to protect people living with HIV and we understand so much more about the condition. But despite this, people do not know the facts about how to protect themselves and others from HIV, and stigma and discrimination remain a reality for many people living with HIV. World AIDS Day is important as it reminds the public and Government that HIV has not gone away – there is still a vital need to raise money, increase awareness, fight prejudice and improve education.

Here you are the Prime Minister's speech to support the cause and the awareness of people about AIDS.

You may also want to listen to Annie Lennox, London's HIV ambassador.

Some other songs about AIDS, 20th century's greatest tragedy.

Remember World AIDS Day is a day for reflection and fight.