That Blog

According to the Most Popular Baby Names of 2009 list, released by Social Security Administraition in the USA, the most popular baby names in the U.S. right now are Isabella and Jacob. As in the Twilight series Isabella Swan and Jacob Black!! And, in keeping with this Vampire trend, the fastest rising baby name in 2009, was Cullen, as in Edward Cullen. Does this concerning interest in the supernatural mean we might need to start being on the look out for people shimmering in the daylight over the next few years??

It seems that, when the supernatural doesn’t inspire, people are looking to the White House for help (is that any better??)…because, the fastest rising name for girls was Maliyah, apparently inspired by first daughter Malia Obama (the Malia spelling also leapt up). Obviously, the Hollywood aspiration can’t be disregarded, as Isla, the Scottish name of actress Isla Fisher, made the second-biggest jump for girls.

Newcomers to the Top 10 List are Mia for girls and Jayden and Noah for boys, with Elizabeth, Christopher, and Matthew falling off. Marley, was a fast faller…perhaps parents have realised that naming your child after a reggae star or a very badly behaved labrador is not a good start to anyone’s life.

The full Top 10 list for 2009 is:

Girls:

1. Isabella
2. Emma
3. Olivia
4. Sophia
5. Ava
6. Emily
7. Madison
8. Abigail
9. Chloe
10. Mia

Boys:

1. Jacob
2. Ethan
3. Michael
4. Alexander
5. William
6. Joshua
7. Daniel
8. Jayden
9. Noah
10. Anthony

I imagine you would have to have more than a passing interest in the supernatural and “the impossible” to believe that a similar list might be available from SA Home Affairs.

Pity. Would be interesting to see our local name trends.

I was at the Biscuit Mill this weekend and decided to try out one of the products from the CookMe stall.

I went for the Risotto #1 Mix, which is basically Mushroom risotto. Jeepers, this stuff is delicious!! All you really need is some veggie stock and then if you want to, a glass of white wine (if you are willing to add it to food rather than quaff it!). Follow the simple instructions and hey presto, you have a SUPER yummy risotto in no time.

I was told that the preparation process for the packaged goods manages to preserve most of the flavours, nutrients and colours and I can really say that that wasn’t just marketing speak…it looked and tasted awesome.

They have quite a few different flavour risottos as well as cous cous and pasta sauces, so I will definitely be paying another visit to that stall!

Check out the website www.cookme.co.za to find out where else you can get your CookMe treats!