We Pecan Work It Out

Or, Conrad Takes The Biscuit
Metaphorically, since we are talking about cakes.  If you recall, last week I baked maple pecan muffins, gluten free, because I felt like it.  I even took a picture that I'm not going to reproduce, because you can have too much of a good thing.
     Anyway, they were not a success thanks to the cupcake casings; the paper stuck to the muffins and either wouldn't peel off or took half the muffin with it <sad face>.  This, I reasoned afterwards, was because the paper had deteriorated after who knows how many years sitting in the kitchen cupboard, absorbing water and oils and generally breaking down.
     So!  Cast your glazzies over this -

Muffins, Round 2

     The ones without a paper casing came out of silicon rubber cupcake moulds, which worked a treat.  The paper ones required a little careful handling, but still worked well.
     Success!  I won the bitter batter battle.  Oh, and only half the muffins have a pecan on because pecans are pricey, as nuts go, and Wonder Wifey has laid claim to these, so the folks at work won't get many.  The recipe actually called for three pecans on each muffin, which would have meant about 3 bags of nuts just as topping, so I said - er - nuts to that.
     Now it's time to strap a large rocket to the back of the motley and send it soaring over the rooftops!

A Bit Of A Bash
As you may be aware already, Conrad is not entirely sure how his mind works.  It does - for the most part - and that's really all he requires of it.* Thus, when the word "Chevauchee" popped into his head last night, it wasn't that much of a surprise.
     'It sounds French,' I said to myself, somewhat disapprovingly, for the English language is good enough for anyone.  'Probably something sordid and seedy and unpleasant.'

One out of three -

     Well, one out of three's not bad. 
     "What?  What!  What is it, Conrad O Aged Scribe!  Tell us, for we are anxious to know!"
     Narrowing my eyes at what is either healthy respect or piquant sarcasm, I shall indeed explicate.
     The term is French, and dates from the Middle Ages,** and means "promenade".  It was not, however, a cakewalk.*** Quite the opposite.  It meant to devastate the lands of one's enemy by generally pillaging, looting (are they the same thing?  I'll get back to you on that) and burning, rather than bringing them to a pitched battle or laying siege to their fortified places.  Art?

English tourists at work, promenading

     I am sorry to say inform you that the French were frequent victims of this, when the English crown felt like making a point.  The Black Prince's chevauchee of 1355 was one of the most destructive ever, heh! and brought considerable hatred to bear not merely on him, but also on the cowardly French nobility who cravenly cowered in castles, rather than taking him on.  There was a fair bit of this activity even on a normal campaign; you could generally tell where an English army was in the beautiful French countryside by seeing what was on fire.

The Black Prince.
Doesn't look the kind of chap to get on the wrong side of, hmmm?

Would You Credit It
As you should surely know by now, Conrad is an anorak, although which kind, best or worst, is really in the eye of the beholder ('middling' is not an option).  Given that one of my odder habits is perusing the ingredients list on bathroom cosmetics, you can probably guess that I scan the end credits of television programs intently.  Not only that, as a fully-fledged anorak (don't forget, 'middling' not an option) I sit there with a notepad and pen.
     So!  There I was at the end of Episode 6 of "The Defenders".  Art?

Defend this!

     '2nd 2nd Assistant Director' came up.  Wait, what?  Couldn't they just call it 5th Director?  And - what on earth can they do that's so specific - put out the plates and collect dinner money?      Then there was - 'Parking Co-ordinator'.  Well, if you're filming in New York you can't just tootle about where and when you like; it would make the tourists unhappy.  Your production crew also need access to their vehicles, and those used for filming, so you need to keep track of what's where and when.

Parkin co-ordinator.  Close enough.

*  Although having it switch off occasionally would be nice.  Okay, Brain?
**  No tasteless jokes here, folks.
***  Do you see what - O you do.