Obama Pardons Thanksgiving Turkeys 2013. Obama Pardons Popcorn. Presiden...

Entire 2012 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

Charlie Brown's Thanksgiving Day

Thanksgiving explained

Thanksgiving Day's parade

Carys's lesson on carbon footprint and Initiative 10/10

10/10

Sarah's lesson

BBC'S CHILDREN IN NEED

Robbie Williams presents Lynne's story:




McBusted:

Writing task samples

I'm posting a formal email and a formal letter that have been written by two of your course mates. Please, read them as good examples of the written task you were asked to do after unit 1.

Formal email

To:	Jonathan Swift [j_swif@gmail.com]
Fom:	management@gullivertravels.com
Subject:	New building opening ceremony

Dear Mr. Swift,

I am writing on behalf of Gulliver Travels and Co. Ltd.

As you will probably know the company is currently moving to a new, more suitable building on the outskirts of the town. This fact was recently reported by the local TV channel. Along with this piece of news, an interview with you as a former employee of our firm was broadcast, which was a pleasant surprise, since the records of the HR department were sadly lost.

The opening ceremony will be held on  1st of December. Among some of the activities that will take place, we have planned the unveiling of a commemorative plaque to celebrate the effort and devotion of the people who have been part of this company. We would be most grateful if you agreed to make a speech during this occasion.

Whatever you decide, we are willing to enjoy your presence, so, please find attached the invitations for you and your company.

The person in charge of the organization of the event will contact you in order to make the necessary arrangements. Nevertheless, should you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to let me know.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely,

Lemuel Gulliver

CEO

Letter of complaint

45 Red Street,

Oxford

9 November, 2013

Energy system,
22 Queen Street,
Oxford

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am writing to you about a mp3 player (serial number 0063) which I bought on 29th

from Energy store for £49.99. I enclose copies of the receipt and guarantee.

Your website claims that this product has a foolproof function which helps counting your 

steps as you walk or run and at the same time calculates how many calories you are losing. 

However, when I used it I noticed the more I walked, the more the numbers decreased instead 

of increasing. Moreover, as I was charging it, the mp3 exploded and damaged my computer. I 

enclose photos of the evidence.

When I took the mp3 back to Energy store, not only did the manager refuse to refund my 

money, but said that she would not exchange it for a new one.

I would like you to refund my money as soon as possible and I suggest that you pay 

compensation for the damages in my computer. Unless I receive a satisfactory reply within the 

next two weeks, I will have to take legal action.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours faithfully,

C.M.

History of English

Pompeii-BBC Documentary

It's got Dutch subtitles, but it's the only link with the whole documentary, easier to watch than posting every part separately.
Enjoy it!

Garbabe Island

In Flanders Fields by John McCrae

Mayor of London Boris Johnson launches London Poppy Day 2013

Stop the Badger Cull

Watch this video again to follow up Carys's lesson on the badger cull:

Just do something against killing badgers in England

Here you are the link to follow up the group against the badger cull.

TB freeengland

This is the link to watch the video and follow up Carys's lesson on the badger cull.

Pumpkin pie

Read the recipe and watch the video below. Give it a try, it's really easy and tasty. You still have Thanksgiving Day on Nov. 28 to impress your friends or family whith some American little touch!

Step 1: You will need

Step 2: Preheat the oven

Set the temperature to 180ºC or gas mark 4.

Step 3: Roast the pumpkin

Tip the chopped pumpkin into the roasting tin and cover it tightly with aluminium foil. Put the tin on a low shelf in the oven and bake for about 30 minutes (this is the first stage of creating the pumpkin puree).

Step 4: Prepare the pastry base

Gently lay the pastry crust on the pie mold and carefully press it down to form the shape of the pie. Remove any excess pastry from the edges. Now using a fork, lightly jab the bottom of the base various times. This will prevent the pastry from rising.

Put the parchment paper over the top of the pastry and pour the beans on top to weigh it down.

Step 5: Bake the pastry

Place the pie mold in the oven with the pumpkin and bake for 20 minutes.

Step 6: Remove from the oven

When the pastry crust is golden brown, take it out of the oven. Test the pumpkin to see if it's done by piercing it with a fork. It needs to be completely soft to make the puree. Remove it from the oven and discard the foil. Take the beans off the pastry and leave it and the pumpkin to cool.

Finally, raise the temperature of the oven to 210 degrees centigrade or gas mark 6.

Step 7: Make the pumpkin puree

Spoon the cooked pumpkin into the jug and using the hand blender, blend into a puree.

Step 8: Prepare the pie filling

In a large bowl mix the brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, lemon zest and salt. Now, whisk the eggs, add them to the other ingredients and stir. Pour in the pumpkin puree and cream and stir well.

Step 9: Bake

Pour the filling into the pastry crust, almost to the top. Carefully place it into the centre of the oven and bake for 15 minutes. Lower the temperature to 160ºC and bake for a further 35 minutes.

Step 10: Remove from the oven

When the pie is fully cooked remove it from the oven and allow it to cool and set.

Step 11: Serve

The pie can be eaten warm or cold and served dusted with icing sugar and with a dollop of whipped cream.

How to make pumpkin pie

recipe for pumpkin pie

Ingredients:

• 850 g pumpkin, chopped
• 350 ml cream
• 190 g brown sugar
• Half tsp salt
• 3 eggs and 1 egg yolk
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• quarter tsp nutmeg
• quarter tsp allspice
• the zest of 1 lemon
• 1 short-crust pastry base, ready made

• 1 roasting tin
• 1 spoon
• 1 fork
• 1 pie mold
• 1 jug
• 1 hand blender
• aluminium foil
• parchment paper
• about 500g of beans to weigh down the crust

News on the environment

From The New York Times.