The World’s Top 10 Most Amazing Sea Slugs

The World’s Top 10 Most Amazing Sea Slugs

All my younger years were spent outside, in the garden generally playing on my own. (I was never a people person when I was young) and sorry to tell you this, but I was also one of those kids that loved all things slimy! For me, slugs and snails but no puppy dog tails were my friends, they were always happy to be on me, leaving their slimy trail on my arm. But now as an adult I understand that, it was in fact quite gross, and I also understand that slugs are hated by gardeners and most adult minds! Poor slugs. But it seems that the slugs that live in the sea are far more amazing than their ground based counterparts could ever be, so grab a snorkel as we take a trip to the oceans and seas to find out what is…

The World’s Top 10 Most Amazing Sea Slugs

The World’s Top 10 Most Amazing Sea Slugs

10 – Cyerce nigricans (source)
seaslugforum.net: Although most species of Cyerce, and the related genus, Polybranchia , are cryptically coloured, Cyerce nigricansbreaks the rule. It is one of the ‘icon’ species of the Great Barrier Reef, often being used in tourist posters and brochures. As with many brightly coloured sea slugs this species produces distasteful secretions, and the cerata are easily cast (autotomy)when the animal is disturbed.Distasteful secretions and autotomy are two common defensive strategies sea slugs use against predatory fish.

The World’s Top 10 Most Amazing Sea Slugs

9 – Nudibranch (source)
seaslugforum.net: Nudibranchs live in oceans all over the world. These often brilliantly-colored animals are related to snails and slugs, and there are thousands of species of nudibranchs. There are two main types of nudibranchs – dorid nudibranchs, which have gills on their posterior (back) end, and eolid nudibranchs, which have obvious cerata (finger-like appendages) on their back.

The World’s Top 10 Most Amazing Sea Slugs

8 – Nembrotha Kubaryana (source)
seaslugforum.net: This relatively large species, sometimes growing more than 5 inches long, seems to range in color. Essentially black with green pustules, or green longitudinal ridges, there is a bright orange border to the foot and around the oral lappets. In some specimens the rhinophores and gills have orange markings but in others, these are green. In Western Australia the black background region can have pinkinsh orange spots or elongate marks.

The World’s Top 10 Most Amazing Sea Slugs

7 – Chromodoris lochi (source)
seaslugforum.net: Of these whitish species with three black lines, the most characteristic feature of Chromodoris lochi is the plain coloured gills and rhinophores which range in colour from a translucent straw colour to dull orange or pink.

The World’s Top 10 Most Amazing Sea Slugs

6 – Chromodoris reticulata (source)
seaslugforum.net: The animals perform dual sexual roles during copulation. They give sperm to a mating partner while simultaneously receiving sperm, which they store for later insemination. Scientists observed sex between sea slugs that they had captured during scuba dives and held in a tank. After each coupling, which lasted between dozens of seconds and a few minutes, every slug discarded its penis – a thread-like organ that it projects from its side into a partner’s vagina.

The World’s Top 10 Most Amazing Sea Slugs

5 – Nembrotha Cristata (source)
seaslugforum.net: Similar in size and colour to Nembrotha kubaryana, its main point of difference is the green border to its foot. It also feeds on a green compound ascidian which Willan & Coleman (1984) identify as Eudistoma olivaceum. Perhaps this is a biological difference from Nembrotha kubaryana, which is shown feeding on a blue solitary ascidian.

The World’s Top 10 Most Amazing Sea Slugs

4 – Elysia crispata (source)
seaslugforum.net: Large elysiid, up to 50 mm long and 30 mm wide with prominent parapodia which are very folded at the edge, with both primary and secondary semipermanent folds. The parapodia on each side fuse just in front of the pericardial hump, to form a barrier between the head and the pericardium. The green colour in E. crispata is much more localised in certain areas of the body than in E. clarki. The dorsal surface between the parapodia of well-fed E. crispata is generally green, interspersed with much larger white spots which, unlike those of E.

The World’s Top 10 Most Amazing Sea Slugs

3 – Hypselodoris apolegma (source)
seaslugforum.net: Hypselodoris apolegma differs from H. bullocki mainly in colour. The background colour is a rich pinkish purple with a white border to the mantle. At the edge of the mantle the border is solid white but inside this is a region of varying width in which the white forms a reticulate pattern gradually merging in to the pinkish purple. The rhinophore stalks and the base of the gills is an intense purple, the rhinophore clubs and the gills are orange yellow. I can find no anatomical grounds to place this ‘species’ in the genus Risbecia.

The World’s Top 10 Most Amazing Sea Slugs

2 – Philinopsis gardineri (source)
seaslugforum.net: The Aglajidae are all carnivorous hunters, and species of Philinopsis are usually found burrowing in sand or sandy mud. There are two groups of species at present placed in the genus Philinopsis. The “typical” group, represented by Philinopsis cyanea , have a large partially eversible buccal bulb which is used to catch the bubble shells and other opisthobranchs which are their prey. Philinopsis gardineri represents the second “atypical” group which have a long muscular, tubular buccal bulb.

The World’s Top 10 Most Amazing Sea Slugs

1 – Glaucus atlanticus (source)
seaslugforum.net: Glaucus atlanticus and its close relative,Glaucilla marginata, live in close association with what Sir Alistair Hardy described many years ago as “The Blue Fleet” – the siphonophores such as Physalia, Velella, Porpita and the other associated animals including the “Violet snails” of the genusJanthina. All these animals float on the surface of the ocean being carried by the currents and the winds. Most of us are only aware of their existence when days of onshore winds blow great fleets of them on to the beaches, causing pain and angst for swimmers.

The World’s Top 10 Most Unique Egg Fryers

Toast Top Egg Shaper

I love my eggs! Scrambled, fried, poached, boiled anything as long as it’s cooked well. This post all started last week when for the first time in my life (as far as I can remember) I had the much talked about but lesser seen double yolk! For me it wasn’t just a double egg yolk, it was a sign of a great day ahead. I felt on top of the world, lucky even and ended up having a great day. But it seems that I might have been missing out on adding a little sunshine to my morning breakfast everyday because I have been having boring old egg-shaped eggs and I could have been having one of these amazing shapes….

The World’s Top 10 Most Unique Egg Fryers

Rude Shaped Egg Fryer

10 – Is that a ?!?…..Yes it definitely looks like a (CENSORED)  (£4.99)–(source)
I just had to include this one because it is one of the most different shaped egg fryers there is! While it is a little too rude for my own tastes I am sure some people will not only find it amusing, but also a great gift for a close friend. (phew! Made it through this one without a rude word typed)

Skull and Bones Egg Fryer

9 – Did pirates really say “arrrr”? (£4.50)–(source)
Well if they did they would give the one hook and 1 thumb up to this rather fun Skull and Crossbones egg fryer. I looks cool and certainly does bring a smile to any budding pirates breakfast plate.

Duck Shaped Microwaveable Egg Maker

8 – Perfect for duck eggs!  (£2.10)–(source)
Officially cool! That is what I think they are anyway, if this had been a metal fryer rather than a microwave one I would have ranked it higher, but then again I have never had microwave eggs! (Maybe I should give them a go!)

Toast Top Egg Shaper

7 – Egg shape on toast or toast shaped on egg?!?  (£3.36)–(source)
There is one word to sum up this shape and that is “perfect!” It not that expensive, brings a smile to the face and I think that it is the best thing since sliced bread! Or maybe that is exactly what it is!

Moustache Egg Fryer

6 – “Sorry to bother you but i mustache you a question!”  (£4.99)–(source)
Sean Connery would be very happy with this one indeed! But for me, this rather fun looking novelty egg fryer gets right under my nose! Hahahahha…sigh…I will get my coat.

Heart-Shaped Egg Rings

5 – “I’m pouring my heart out here!” (£4.99)–(source)
This would have been a great one for Valentines day, but maybe you have the perfect partner that you want to give your heart to each and every morning! So why not do just that with this rather sweet looking heart-shaped egg fryer!

Hello Kitty D-Cut Frying Pan

4 – Goodbye egg, hello kitty! (£19.99)–(source)
Perfect for whipping up some Caturday eggs is this rather fun looking “Hello Kitty” Frying pan! While it might not look great when the eggs are cooked in it (that is what I suspect anyway) I do still think that this is great fun and well worth being number 4.

Plum Flower Shaped Cook Fried Egg Mold

3 – The Morning Flowers (£3.11)–(source)
Why not wake up with some sunny side ups, with this great “flower shaped” egg fryer. I can’t really talk about anyone else but this would certainly make me smile!

Square shaped egg fryer

2 – Don’t be a square! (£5.15)–(source)
Why do eggs have to be round and toast square! Well why not have them both the same shape with this rather impressive square egg fryer! Well I liked it anyway.

Urban Trend Gun Egg Fryers

1 – The Egg Hunter (£3.21)–(source)
This just brings a nice big smile to my face, do you have an action movie fan in the house? Maybe just someone who goes to a gun club, then why not start their day with a day and whip up some amazing eggs with this rather impressive gun shaped egg fryer.

How to Cope with Homesickness: Top Ten Nostalgic Puddings

. Treacle Sponge with Custard
A classic comfort food: hot, sweet and stodgy and immensely satisfying. Best enjoyed with a generous serving of 1980s evening television such as Allo Allo, Bergerac or All Creatures Great and Small (alternatively, just YouTube search advertisements for childhood toys such as Mr Frosty, The Big Yellow Teapot or The Play-Doh Mop Top Hair Shop. THIS IS WHAT THE INTERNET IS FOR). 
9. Tinned Del Monte Pears in syrup
Quick and easy to make (open tin; decant into bowl; eat with spoon – Delia would be proud). My family often enjoy adding double cream and ‘grit’ (grit means granulated sugar. Yes, in addition to the syrup. It’s all about the crunch and texture you see… Sweet tooth? What sweet tooth?)
8. Fresh raspberries
Whilst enjoying afternoon tea at a nearby hotel recently, I was actually reduced to tears by a raspberry. It was so sweet and ripe and aromatic that it swept me away on a wave of English summer afternoons. Honestly, it was so unspeakably delicious I actually cried. I’d always known that smells and tastes could be powerfully evocative, but never before had I been quite so transported by a small, furry fruit. Particularly good when enjoyed with meringue and fresh whipped cream in a carefully constructed pavlova or mashed up in a gloriously messy fool (I pity the fool).
7. Ice lollies
After considerable market research (asking my husband), I have concluded that these are some of the most nostalgic lollies for folk of my generation: the Ice Pop (more E Numbers than actual ingredients – but, my goodness, the world looks brighter when you’re riding that food-colouring high); the Mr Man lolly; the Sparkle; the Mivvi; the Mini Milk (is it just me, or have they got considerably smaller?); the Fab, the Feast, the Zoom! And the one shaped like a foot… (why on earth would anyone want to eat an ice cream shaped like a foot?)
6. Hot rice pudding (with jam)
I haven’t had this in years. I’m going to find some now. I bet they’ve got Ambrosia Creamed Rice in Lulu’s Hypermarket…
5. Umm Ali
Ooh – now, this is a clever one. For me, this is both culturally adventurous and curiously nostalgic at the same time. It’s a deliciously comforting sort of Arabic bread pudding, with layers of creamy pastry baked with pistachios and raisins. Umm Ali means Ali’s Mother, which is comforting in itself.
4. Butterscotch Angel Delight
Mix the powder with milk or, for a quick nostalgia fix, just inhale the sweet dust as you pour it out of the packet and into the mixing bowl. I’d draw the line at actually snorting it. Probably.
3. Rhubarb Crumble with fresh cream
Preferably consumed after indulging in a large roast dinner. There’s always room for a bit of homemade rhubarb crumble… Especially that bubbly, brown caramelized bit that’s stuck to the edge of the baking tin…
2. Orange Jelly
I really do get very excited about jelly. If more people ate jelly, I think the world would be a happier place. It’s just so cheerful and shiny and wobbly! I love plunging into a pristine new jelly and prying up a huge spoonful so that it makes a joyous jelly-fart. I never actually eat jelly, I sort of hoover it off the spoon. Jelly is FUN. My mum used to make jelly with tinned mandarin oranges mixed in. I thought this was EXTRA FUN.
1. A Tin of Nestle Condensed Milk
Ah now. Not a pudding in itself, you might say – a valid ingredient in fudge or a Banoffee Pie, perhaps, but not actually a legitimate dessert… Surely? How wrong you are, my philistine friend. The ultimate in nostalgic nirvana, the Ferrari of sugar-rushes. All you need is a spoon…
[With apologies to my non-British readership… I am aware that some of these brands are a bit bally British and I know that there are serious global disagreements about the meaning of jelly, jello and jam, but, as a reader of this website, I also trust in your intelligence to decipher / translate my greedy nonsense for yourself.]
Which delicious desserts would soothe the sting of homesickness for you? Please do leave a comment sharing your Pudding of Ultimate Nostalgia (acronym: PUN) …

The World’s Top 10 Best Double Dipped Strawberries

The World’s Top 10 Best Double Dipped Strawberries

As a child there is only one thing that is worst than vegetables and that is fruit! Although it has to be said I really didn’t mind it myself when I was young, but up until only very recently my little boy hated fruit. The taste of it, the feel and just about everything about it! But it seems lately he has found a little space in is heart (stomach) for one particular fruit, and that is strawberries! And given the fact that it is also my favourite fruit I have decided to bring you….

The World’s Top 10 Best Double Dipped Strawberries

The World’s Top 10 Best Double Dipped Strawberries

10 – The American way (source)
While obviously I am not an American I thought I would included these rather beautiful red, white and blue strawberries as they just looked too amazing not to share.

The World’s Top 10 Best Double Dipped Strawberries

9 – The Chocolate dribble just made me…dribble! (source)
What I really liked about these ones is the stark contrast in colours with the double dip! The milk chocolate and white chocolate just makes these a screen lickable moment!

The World’s Top 10 Best Double Dipped Strawberries

8 – Taste the rainbow! (source)
While these are not as professional looking as most the others, these look amazing to eat, colourful and very simple to make with our little ones! So why not try to have a go yourself it could be fun!

The World’s Top 10 Best Double Dipped Strawberries

7 – The show curtain effect! (source)
Well talking of shows, these amazing double dippers certainly put on a good show themselves with a fairly simple to follow recipe and just look simply amazing.

The World’s Top 10 Best Double Dipped Strawberries

6 – Mix it up! (source)
What I really liked about these ones is that it shows you can mix it up a bit, do your own thing and make them look a little messy because lots of messy ones together makes them all look perfect. That and the amazing clash of colours and styles.

The World’s Top 10 Best Double Dipped Strawberries

5 – Bridal Fruit?!? (source)
Used in great effect during a Lavender & Purple Bridal Shower are these rather stunning looking ones and with the contrast in both colours and taste it makes this look highly enjoyable indeed.

The World’s Top 10 Best Double Dipped Strawberries

4 – Things will be all white on the night! (source)
Sadly the source link for these doesn’t go to the recipe like the others, but it is not hard to get the main idea they are trying to show everyone, the contrast with the yoghurt dipped strawberries and the multi coloured double dip makes these stand out rather nicely.

The World’s Top 10 Best Double Dipped Strawberries

3 – The only fruit you will go nuts for! (source)
This time the second double dip is in fact nuts! The taste contrast between the strawberry, the chocolate and the nuts would probably be just about enough to make you put on weight just by looking at them, but boy do they look stunning!

The World’s Top 10 Best Double Dipped Strawberries

2 – Please be my valentine! (gift that is) (source)
With Valentine’s Day just gone these rose effect, double dipped strawberries were a big hit on my blog post yesterday (SEE HERE) and might just well make for being the perfect gift anytime of the year! Well lets face it, there isn’t that many flowers out there that would taste as nice as these!

The World’s Top 10 Best Double Dipped Strawberries

1 – Dressed for desert! (source)
What can I say about these other than WOW! They look stunning, probably taste better than life it’s self and also bring a little touch of class to the world of fruit. NOM!!!

The World’s Top 10 Best Alternative Roses You Can Eat

The World’s Top 10 Best Alternative Roses You Can Eat

When it comes to Valentines day I feel sorry for the females (and some men) of the world because just what do you give a man for Valentines day?!? Money? Gifts? Chocolates? Or maybe you should give them flowers!?! Well I don’t want any of those I like food! And here is a golden rule to follow this valentines day: The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. So join me as I take a look at some roses that I really would like to receive…

The World’s Top 10 Best Alternative Roses You Can Eat

The World’s Top 10 Best Alternative Roses You Can Eat

10 – The Cupcake effect. (source)
While I couldn’t make a cupcake that looks this good in a million years I do appreciate a good one, and these rather beautiful Cup Cake Roses are simply the best I have seen.

The World’s Top 10 Best Alternative Roses You Can Eat

9 – Just one Roseetto, Give it to mmmeeeee!!!  (source)
An Ice-Cream in the shape of a rose?!? There is only one word that covers this and it is WOW! Only in Paris that is for sure, although I did see someone making them at a seaside resort in Devon, UK once. (but not half as good as this one)

The World’s Top 10 Best Alternative Roses You Can Eat

8 – The aphrodisiac of flowers (source)
It is a man’s biggest choice on valentine’s day, which to get, Chocolates, flowers, both?!? Well why not get some chocolate roses and then you have both covered in one tasty gift!

The World’s Top 10 Best Alternative Roses You Can Eat

7 – The quickest roses in the World! Because they are scones! …I’ll get my coat. (source)
Some skill required but still worth a go are these amazing Rosewater, Raspberry and Almond Friands. They look stunning, probably taste amazing and you can make them yourself with the step by step instructions in the source link! I Love it!

The World’s Top 10 Best Alternative Roses You Can Eat

6 – Valentine’s day is the only day that you will get to see my melons!  (source)
How does a fruit sculptor show his girlfriend how much he loves her? He makes this amazing piece of artwork from an edible watermelon! It just looks too good to eat but I would.

The World’s Top 10 Best Alternative Roses You Can Eat

5 – Bye-bye, miss american pie… (source)
Not a lot else to add to this jaw dropping Rose inspired apple pie, other than the fact that it does need some skill to make, but if you fancy having a go there is a step by step guide in the source link.

The World’s Top 10 Best Alternative Roses You Can Eat

4 – Double Dipped in love! (source)
“Simply Beautiful” That is just one way to describe these epic looking  ”double dipped” strawberries that have been made to look like a bunch of roses. Tasty and Beautiful, sounds a lot like me!

The World’s Top 10 Best Alternative Roses You Can Eat

3 – Crunchy Love Flowers! (source)
These rather impressive “Fried Won Ton Roses” looks incredible and nothing short of it. While there is step by step guides on how to make them in the source link I suspect they are anything but easy, but who cares when they are most probably a taste sensation!

The World’s Top 10 Best Alternative Roses You Can Eat

2 – Don’t read this! LOOK AT THEM!!!…drool. (source)
What you are drooling over is in fact puff pastry wrapped sausages! And they are just about the most amazing thing I have ever seen. And given the fact that there is a step by step guide in the (source) link I will be trying to make these today, OH YES! But there is one better than this…

The World’s Top 10 Best Alternative Roses You Can Eat

1 – Everything looks amazing when it is made with Bacon!  (source)
Are you really seeing roses that are made with Bacon?!? You better believe it! And best of all the source link takes you to step by step instructions on how to make them! Win, win and double win. Now if only I knew which one was the bacon grill?!?

The World’s Top 10 Best Images of Cats in Boxes!

The World’s Top 10 Best Images of Cats in Boxes!

Many people seem to comment about a line I have in my “ABOUT” page, it says that my main bragging right is that I can have fun with a paper bag! I really can, but what it really means is that I can see the best in anything and anyone. It might look like a paper bag to you, but to me it is a parachute for Action Man, something to keep some lose bits in or maybe just something to blow up and pop. But it seems cats are exactly the same! Give a cat a bag he will play with it for hours. But give them a box and suddenly it is nothing short of the best gift ever! And so on this cold Caturday here in Wales, UK I bring you…

The World’s Top 10 Best Images of Cats in Boxes! 

The World’s Top 10 Best Images of Cats in Boxes!

10 – “And for 50c I will scratch your eyes out!!!” (source)

The World’s Top 10 Best Images of Cats in Boxes!

9 – Pack them, Wrap them then stack them! (source)

The World’s Top 10 Best Images of Cats in Boxes!

8 – Those Cat traps I put down seem to work a treat! (source)

The World’s Top 10 Best Images of Cats in Boxes!

7 – I have £10 on number 6, he looks like a winner! (source)

The World’s Top 10 Best Images of Cats in Boxes!

6 – Oh good! My crazy cat person starter kit has arrived. (source)

The World’s Top 10 Best Images of Cats in Boxes!

5 – “What is this ‘Pussy Wagon’ you speak of?!? Do you want a lift or not?!?” (source)

The World’s Top 10 Best Images of Cats in Boxes!

4 – Forget the chicken, forget the darn egg, it was me! I was here first before them! (source)

The World’s Top 10 Best Images of Cats in Boxes!

3 – “Why is it that I wake up with a sore neck sometimes?!?” (source)

The World’s Top 10 Best Images of Cats in Boxes!

2 – “Don’t think I can’t here you laughing from under here, what are you doing?” (source)

The World’s Top 10 Best Images of Cats in Boxes!

1 – Box love = true love! (source)