tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49844753915894996242023-11-16T03:23:12.767-08:00A Cheery ChickenCooking, Creating, Crafting and CakingAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05426082345150347257noreply@blogger.comBlogger125125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984475391589499624.post-51194001107072007442015-09-12T12:33:00.000-07:002015-09-12T12:33:02.787-07:00A Dismal Day OutLast Sunday, we went on a Dismal day out to the seaside.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxm73DCrfbst-6SmBRva7y00B_3cSsO-TE8f2LTnWmxZbJG32SiehkmS7nQ1wKcyIrUGPJQUGfGX4U8TTtZAjWlzCZ9_c9-L3VtZ8Gt_1ZNojSMphA62LWyUbZUNSD43mPuaK-PUMdR0U/s1600/IMAG1249_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxm73DCrfbst-6SmBRva7y00B_3cSsO-TE8f2LTnWmxZbJG32SiehkmS7nQ1wKcyIrUGPJQUGfGX4U8TTtZAjWlzCZ9_c9-L3VtZ8Gt_1ZNojSMphA62LWyUbZUNSD43mPuaK-PUMdR0U/s640/IMAG1249_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Dismaland is an art installation set up in an abandoned Lido in Weston-Super-Mare by the street artisy Banksy.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9ofdyQNGAteZq-L4t_DtvGv834c_F_dECYfk3G8uaUlc8i3FvG626oJ9gGOOo_zNoj-1-uO_IGRCsy5bcHDxQa2X4nrToRznyeOQlemBDrVO74rQiomeiqQemBT-2nLvd8XANB7Yd6Yc/s1600/IMG_6347.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9ofdyQNGAteZq-L4t_DtvGv834c_F_dECYfk3G8uaUlc8i3FvG626oJ9gGOOo_zNoj-1-uO_IGRCsy5bcHDxQa2X4nrToRznyeOQlemBDrVO74rQiomeiqQemBT-2nLvd8XANB7Yd6Yc/s640/IMG_6347.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9ofdyQNGAteZq-L4t_DtvGv834c_F_dECYfk3G8uaUlc8i3FvG626oJ9gGOOo_zNoj-1-uO_IGRCsy5bcHDxQa2X4nrToRznyeOQlemBDrVO74rQiomeiqQemBT-2nLvd8XANB7Yd6Yc/s1600/IMG_6347.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a>There are lots of interactive pieces<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwJlFIJ45G0avGAvzdt94UzYf1ejH3ruG_HQp1gfP5GTIcFzocE5B_rDJ3aWIjW7UWg7yCVl-a3VI9fv-TrllogXg6aMjsJxOOo8609y9QOqlhibpQiOdVcG1GQxmozsP_Pyfix2S2MN4/s1600/FB_IMG_1441568708541.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwJlFIJ45G0avGAvzdt94UzYf1ejH3ruG_HQp1gfP5GTIcFzocE5B_rDJ3aWIjW7UWg7yCVl-a3VI9fv-TrllogXg6aMjsJxOOo8609y9QOqlhibpQiOdVcG1GQxmozsP_Pyfix2S2MN4/s640/FB_IMG_1441568708541.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwJlFIJ45G0avGAvzdt94UzYf1ejH3ruG_HQp1gfP5GTIcFzocE5B_rDJ3aWIjW7UWg7yCVl-a3VI9fv-TrllogXg6aMjsJxOOo8609y9QOqlhibpQiOdVcG1GQxmozsP_Pyfix2S2MN4/s1600/FB_IMG_1441568708541.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwJlFIJ45G0avGAvzdt94UzYf1ejH3ruG_HQp1gfP5GTIcFzocE5B_rDJ3aWIjW7UWg7yCVl-a3VI9fv-TrllogXg6aMjsJxOOo8609y9QOqlhibpQiOdVcG1GQxmozsP_Pyfix2S2MN4/s1600/FB_IMG_1441568708541.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"> </a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM9_OYtmhKJO585116FvXYc6RqdfqSY0DS-jYKw6a-urAQQIGkzi4XsA0u0EOhkY6qQrpXkeJs1xRplTwnrtMGCszeIBE5ZiujMulfdhKCY4sAVXALLnJlY8FbqqQbVSE2bEMW6QphPdE/s1600/FB_IMG_1441568698163.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM9_OYtmhKJO585116FvXYc6RqdfqSY0DS-jYKw6a-urAQQIGkzi4XsA0u0EOhkY6qQrpXkeJs1xRplTwnrtMGCszeIBE5ZiujMulfdhKCY4sAVXALLnJlY8FbqqQbVSE2bEMW6QphPdE/s640/FB_IMG_1441568698163.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
And some 'traditional' fairground games, staffed by exceedingly rude and dismal staff!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1KzVhxwCiVPLIP068ve0tKMu1kljDlwab8uLjdKHJBjcpwNVCgR6Dn-PxIg-S0td4lM3-mqbYY3lwEzQNySBpUBCxd0dUEutdviW8W-Sv0UE6ep3II58I0rnZnbPPfzE7kyfY__aEWAk/s1600/IMG_6279.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1KzVhxwCiVPLIP068ve0tKMu1kljDlwab8uLjdKHJBjcpwNVCgR6Dn-PxIg-S0td4lM3-mqbYY3lwEzQNySBpUBCxd0dUEutdviW8W-Sv0UE6ep3II58I0rnZnbPPfzE7kyfY__aEWAk/s640/IMG_6279.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Mixed up with several mini exhibitions . . .<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2BRa0W4Wo-jFalWawsBK3PC4DppwtE0bZIgHviUClBjGA7uckgN1O4DpMnlLjZZ3CzlfMpBtEOEOjqoXzd7jIxa8Gjiy2IacMS5mMsLtPkvI00u_rdpegGwhsaXyZ4VqBlI9uy0ssRxo/s1600/IMG_6259.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2BRa0W4Wo-jFalWawsBK3PC4DppwtE0bZIgHviUClBjGA7uckgN1O4DpMnlLjZZ3CzlfMpBtEOEOjqoXzd7jIxa8Gjiy2IacMS5mMsLtPkvI00u_rdpegGwhsaXyZ4VqBlI9uy0ssRxo/s640/IMG_6259.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijZQsw42zsOp5L-mnHzgFxYLjkhhsZxYxrihZ9OpBuDMl0muBtyRW_EnQDZTh5OZzLg_qJxslcUFBPq1sz73R3TdBJO7NTVTOfk4NOse1kvKDp4XMZZJJP9O-C5oD1MUEoubyNohixTjs/s1600/IMG_6304.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijZQsw42zsOp5L-mnHzgFxYLjkhhsZxYxrihZ9OpBuDMl0muBtyRW_EnQDZTh5OZzLg_qJxslcUFBPq1sz73R3TdBJO7NTVTOfk4NOse1kvKDp4XMZZJJP9O-C5oD1MUEoubyNohixTjs/s640/IMG_6304.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
. . . and some amazing large pieces.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTE-bPBj8TcXYRpEHqlkzivHtLkem0a4vYy69CSWlfJAMMWFSgqb2ND6TfkozLS7pulRqLQpPUA4T8Oz9u9-lamANF3IJpMVwA3ee9hKfXDOFP8IPBmSXNKiEj0nux-oU4vRyTZ-do2r4/s1600/IMG_6290.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTE-bPBj8TcXYRpEHqlkzivHtLkem0a4vYy69CSWlfJAMMWFSgqb2ND6TfkozLS7pulRqLQpPUA4T8Oz9u9-lamANF3IJpMVwA3ee9hKfXDOFP8IPBmSXNKiEj0nux-oU4vRyTZ-do2r4/s640/IMG_6290.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFggyXllo09Qi5S1Ex3MlCI5Ci_w1PSQ7lYQAa52fF2ZsIMUu6S7L-gGs7UntmdZeqMBFnf3WCzVBI9-8lSpawvUGt4B6YTTXJ9a50qLFslsYqDWUZezcOrSW2mhVlibcP-fpzE1O43ro/s1600/IMG_6305.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFggyXllo09Qi5S1Ex3MlCI5Ci_w1PSQ7lYQAa52fF2ZsIMUu6S7L-gGs7UntmdZeqMBFnf3WCzVBI9-8lSpawvUGt4B6YTTXJ9a50qLFslsYqDWUZezcOrSW2mhVlibcP-fpzE1O43ro/s640/IMG_6305.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6libzyoHvJceQEr60Vsz415jS7K0TTFGQJO_eBEHOJEEfrcSIiyUMBBY8hLuzFiVigcOoRgn3hCWtnuIFYeASMtrrnGWEsrOgvVfZ3k6DjEe9zUYwR0KyhmqC-9gkCz_z2PvgQIX8EWU/s1600/IMG_6292.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6libzyoHvJceQEr60Vsz415jS7K0TTFGQJO_eBEHOJEEfrcSIiyUMBBY8hLuzFiVigcOoRgn3hCWtnuIFYeASMtrrnGWEsrOgvVfZ3k6DjEe9zUYwR0KyhmqC-9gkCz_z2PvgQIX8EWU/s640/IMG_6292.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
There was even an embroidered car!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiia3Cj2P8iuT3dmx0KIL5HqvW58zo77Lv5Hjxz4kgDNE8iGaWT3Q1oMKfB8pVyM-gJXwpOnQNOPkgoyZEHWyA-QYJ7NDduA36t235r_uPUWfsf-nBh7vesBGOgh0ULhoRZ-oRknHbVZB4/s1600/IMG_6307.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiia3Cj2P8iuT3dmx0KIL5HqvW58zo77Lv5Hjxz4kgDNE8iGaWT3Q1oMKfB8pVyM-gJXwpOnQNOPkgoyZEHWyA-QYJ7NDduA36t235r_uPUWfsf-nBh7vesBGOgh0ULhoRZ-oRknHbVZB4/s640/IMG_6307.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I discovered some amazing new artists, like Laura Lancaster<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL5Y8_AqvU2msuUvdmte5PLMGch5sunHt_GpnbXKjPdZHtKKli_87fJbmwId2u7wsVz1eiC-ysphmdLX75j77T3SOK50Bprm6vmlTYH_CZEzaMrPUydoNTmmL16B6849WApOO9nWU1Hps/s1600/IMG_6311.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL5Y8_AqvU2msuUvdmte5PLMGch5sunHt_GpnbXKjPdZHtKKli_87fJbmwId2u7wsVz1eiC-ysphmdLX75j77T3SOK50Bprm6vmlTYH_CZEzaMrPUydoNTmmL16B6849WApOO9nWU1Hps/s640/IMG_6311.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
and Neta Harari Navon<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixRbFddeYIyctnDGzyZrd74J0qmFS-Zle1bP_UxJcXkW4s18NT8xLLKRnClvIIwUg59n71Z89sjscv8fOKjz8g63vRSugg37QJSEnnbvRVhaRymZnKbmbUEqfJM2uE_diKe_KBDB3aZUA/s1600/IMG_6313.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixRbFddeYIyctnDGzyZrd74J0qmFS-Zle1bP_UxJcXkW4s18NT8xLLKRnClvIIwUg59n71Z89sjscv8fOKjz8g63vRSugg37QJSEnnbvRVhaRymZnKbmbUEqfJM2uE_diKe_KBDB3aZUA/s640/IMG_6313.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Dismaland is only open until the 27th September. The next batch of tickets go on sale at 10am on the 16th. They sell out in the blink of an eye, so I suggest you get over to the <a href="http://dismaland.co.uk/" target="_blank">Dismaland</a> website in plenty of time, and keep hitting refresh.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3L2rKgW0mBszwjQnSfmrTpw9ByAv1OL1FWckk3iy0eKg3ronBVghgupSsjcFd5bgcQhsf-Fv-yYQpRXCc_b1pUgWbyUgVv-v9xTqlU1TSnnvycYzBXcHWzf4iAK__YJv1YvwV1im2_r0/s1600/IMG_6340.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3L2rKgW0mBszwjQnSfmrTpw9ByAv1OL1FWckk3iy0eKg3ronBVghgupSsjcFd5bgcQhsf-Fv-yYQpRXCc_b1pUgWbyUgVv-v9xTqlU1TSnnvycYzBXcHWzf4iAK__YJv1YvwV1im2_r0/s640/IMG_6340.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05426082345150347257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984475391589499624.post-27057848774125503812015-08-07T03:19:00.002-07:002015-08-07T03:19:19.877-07:00Pinterest Recipe Round-UpI've been trying lots of new recipes lately, most of them from Pinterest. I'm aiming for healthy, and clean eating ~ cooking from scratch with healthy wholesome ingredients. Most of them have been blimmin' marvellous, and I thought I'd share some with you.<br />
<br />
These crustless mini quiches tick all the boxes ~ quick, easy, healthy and delicious. Apparently they freeze well too, but they've always gone too quickly in my house to get close to the freezer! I added a slice of crisply cooked bacon, a spring onion (both finely chopped) and a li'l sprinkle of cheese to mine.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyQH72joud6x3MjX1s6JSh25yMA4TZrt6c2WU797Gx6G3EMEHX-MtuG2uGiSM7vXS9GNfI8MFjTeVYiU3t1OcAncjg6CWaA87SxhHfJrW2y0Orl9UWqSA4G6fWNL6kxnXa2z5Xov4wCb0/s1600/Mini+quiches.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyQH72joud6x3MjX1s6JSh25yMA4TZrt6c2WU797Gx6G3EMEHX-MtuG2uGiSM7vXS9GNfI8MFjTeVYiU3t1OcAncjg6CWaA87SxhHfJrW2y0Orl9UWqSA4G6fWNL6kxnXa2z5Xov4wCb0/s640/Mini+quiches.jpg" width="526" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Find the recipe at <a href="https://michellesmithrdsecrets.wordpress.com/2013/07/08/crustless-mini-quiches/" target="_blank">Appetite For Life</a> </div>
<br />
<br />
This Chicken and Wild Rice soup was another winner. Cooked in the slow cooker, I found this creamy thick soup made 11 portions ~ more than enough to stash some in the freezer for work lunches, or for a light supper. I made mine with wholewheat flour, though I think next time I might try and lower the amount of roux (flour / butter mixture) at the end, to help keep calories down.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ9KPv4_2ZanTs4XwD5crufxuXrmYA-s9WMYn-GmPCxe92Oz9t6CUTmF8E_EMhVx6gAFpC7QoXUb39lB172yVWRBPzoKP_V2VMKiUpkASkMszaQivpFO3Ckp7RcK_MtmNhghEUuXH3jiQ/s1600/Chicken+rice+soup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ9KPv4_2ZanTs4XwD5crufxuXrmYA-s9WMYn-GmPCxe92Oz9t6CUTmF8E_EMhVx6gAFpC7QoXUb39lB172yVWRBPzoKP_V2VMKiUpkASkMszaQivpFO3Ckp7RcK_MtmNhghEUuXH3jiQ/s640/Chicken+rice+soup.jpg" width="444" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Find the recipe at <a href="http://www.littlespicejar.com/creamy-chicken-wild-rice-soup-slow-cooker/" target="_blank">Little Spice Jar</a></div>
<br />
<br />
And these amazing two-ingredient 'Banana Pancakes' are divine. Super sweet and fluffy, they whip up in a matter of minutes. There were lots of suggestions for little add-ins to vary them up (ie vanilla, cinnamon etc) but I found them just perfect as it. Of course, mine looked nothing like their pictures lol!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGvy1m7Sb13doSoi5ZhrOp_MvzvrrPYzwevU-4O7qMIRCippcWHeDtDbktQ2BVdk7Wp7YKbNjBoBL_OM8ixXTedv0zV35EQ7sAfSgPPkWshYCIzLwU3CAm1SqjCJug7n4iCT3twB-wqT0/s1600/Banana+pancakes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGvy1m7Sb13doSoi5ZhrOp_MvzvrrPYzwevU-4O7qMIRCippcWHeDtDbktQ2BVdk7Wp7YKbNjBoBL_OM8ixXTedv0zV35EQ7sAfSgPPkWshYCIzLwU3CAm1SqjCJug7n4iCT3twB-wqT0/s640/Banana+pancakes.jpg" width="506" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Find the recipe at <a href="http://www.babble.com/best-recipes/two-ingredient-pancakes-just-won-weekday-mornings/?cmp=SMC%7Cbbl%7Csoc%7CPIN%7CBabble%7CInHouse%7C111614%7Ctwo%7C%7CfamM%7CSocial&utm_source=pinterest.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=SMC%7Cbbl%7Csoc%7CPIN%7CBabble%7CInHouse%7C111614%7Ctwo%7C%7CfamM%7CSocial" target="_blank">Babble</a></div>
<br />
I'd love to hear if you enjoy these recipes as much as I do!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05426082345150347257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984475391589499624.post-58977794606388362192015-07-20T05:42:00.005-07:002015-07-20T10:08:20.723-07:00Raspberry Season<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Summer is one of the busiest times of the year for me, and it all starts with Raspberry season. There is a fabulous farm near me that grows a variety of fruit and veg, and does Pick Your Own Strawberries and Raspberries! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlMIwKcmjJiid7GyT2sxJGOv6etUlO8JlWX-1EGcqfLuf3ihyzsRLvT-T3qSsvpc1YHbkDMEv0NcqfkiAQQ1lt6VIqNKh5z4E6BEucT6JNLv1yHh10q5xDbXloRSuvjXhq0zZg-x8OTtw/s1600/IMAG1044.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlMIwKcmjJiid7GyT2sxJGOv6etUlO8JlWX-1EGcqfLuf3ihyzsRLvT-T3qSsvpc1YHbkDMEv0NcqfkiAQQ1lt6VIqNKh5z4E6BEucT6JNLv1yHh10q5xDbXloRSuvjXhq0zZg-x8OTtw/s640/IMAG1044.jpg" width="640" /></a>My local farm is in Titchfield in Hampshire, but if you're not lucky enough to live nearby try Googling to find out where your closest is. If you've never been before, I can highly recommend it. It's a lovely peaceful way to spend an hour in the countryside and have a delicious and healthy treat to take home with your afterwards. I picked almost 6lbs of fruit in less than an hour! </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4a2j8VbOCTVHoW7BaxaOB9NM_jb3hN4FuAc8L4oF63y02dKPhS4a9dEWblLqO9Pi56c-5E9tjlGJY6pTDBHQqRTCRE7wnpWv7YJ0EKnA7K8aWUcbk0CdKsFdaitQNGhFy9A03q5cwc_4/s1600/IMAG1042.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4a2j8VbOCTVHoW7BaxaOB9NM_jb3hN4FuAc8L4oF63y02dKPhS4a9dEWblLqO9Pi56c-5E9tjlGJY6pTDBHQqRTCRE7wnpWv7YJ0EKnA7K8aWUcbk0CdKsFdaitQNGhFy9A03q5cwc_4/s640/IMAG1042.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Fresh Raspberries don't keep for long in the fridge, but they freeze beautifully. I made some into jam, some into a zingy fresh Eton Mess, and froze the rest for jamming later in the year.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQwJ4chyJszULoxs0i5n-6iKtSPxGUKGqn7avgy7s1tU3_yFV7Vw377KU6EINwqGUNQsYKKfQGsOi8D2kdbDpY97vwf7EqBimZpYjVwofeE_ZdYct3SpxKYZEA1AJydemZm2C6xMx7Rgg/s1600/IMAG1056.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQwJ4chyJszULoxs0i5n-6iKtSPxGUKGqn7avgy7s1tU3_yFV7Vw377KU6EINwqGUNQsYKKfQGsOi8D2kdbDpY97vwf7EqBimZpYjVwofeE_ZdYct3SpxKYZEA1AJydemZm2C6xMx7Rgg/s640/IMAG1056.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I also popped a couple of frozen berries into a frothy Limoncello Cocktail to enjoy with homemade scones. People say Wimbledon is all about Strawberries ~ for me it's Raspberries!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
To make your own Limoncello Cocktail, simply add a shot of Limoncello to any sparkling white wine and finish off with a couple of frozen raspberries. I used Crème Di Limoncello here, but regular works just as well ~ delicious!</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05426082345150347257noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984475391589499624.post-69839608553355003052015-06-08T00:12:00.000-07:002015-06-08T00:12:50.956-07:00Sometimes Things just Don't Work OutIt's ok, I'm not breaking up with you! It's just that lately a lot of my projects have gone a bit skew-whiff, which has made me <em>feel</em> a bit skew-whiff (and subsequently un-bloggy).<br />
I read a lot of make-y blogs and oddly one of the things I like to see is not just the recipes / projects they're sharing, but the mishaps they have. I like blogs where people break stuff, their kids are tearaways, and their crafting area is the living room floor with the furniture pushed to one side. I mean, I'm happy if you and Jesus are such good pals, if your husband hails from Stepford and your children from Midwich, if you have a huge, supportive, and loving family and a craft room that Martha Stewart would kill for. <br />
I just don't identify with that.<br />
<br />
I have no husband (hoorah!), my family is small and distant, and Jesus and I barely tolerate each other.<br />
<br />
This is my craft room:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlU9UKBHTx3PTzaGNPAQueYt3NC_M835j4Q2iS5gpBZWwnWGf2h-8AkGkL3M_ZoW9jKgQ-KuNQ-k0Zd0mBaU_Qwf8YX8ZIbzIvt83VsE98L96NeMKLX4zK8IASywj02iwwRjeqyp7UR9Y/s1600/c+room.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlU9UKBHTx3PTzaGNPAQueYt3NC_M835j4Q2iS5gpBZWwnWGf2h-8AkGkL3M_ZoW9jKgQ-KuNQ-k0Zd0mBaU_Qwf8YX8ZIbzIvt83VsE98L96NeMKLX4zK8IASywj02iwwRjeqyp7UR9Y/s640/c+room.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I call it my mixed media room. Friends calls it the junk room.<br />
<br />
It <em>will</em> be a mixed media room, one day. I shall have a sewing table, and a Robert's radio in a fashionable duck-egg blue, and a cosy chair in which to sit and read overly-wordy craft books.<br />
As if!<br />
But hopefully it will one day be a bit tidier, a bit prettier, a bit more inspirational. <br />
One day.<br />
And I really would like that cosy chair. Unfortunately the dog seems to have bagged that.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvVVGsGfg7SUSdykfMh2aoSrPk9ih36dxM7oXunU-qgl5gJY-9DDfa2cvYxlB6JAGOSbkr3NarCUwPlUglVjgvD7EC_UuCBrLmzfHvOGDFH6RAj-wWJUiPEB55bRUNk2DxJLC32nffkc0/s1600/2014-10-28+05.55.43.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvVVGsGfg7SUSdykfMh2aoSrPk9ih36dxM7oXunU-qgl5gJY-9DDfa2cvYxlB6JAGOSbkr3NarCUwPlUglVjgvD7EC_UuCBrLmzfHvOGDFH6RAj-wWJUiPEB55bRUNk2DxJLC32nffkc0/s640/2014-10-28+05.55.43.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Anyway, in the spirit of things Just Not Working Out I thought I would share a couple of my skew-whiff's with you, and what I did to un-skew them.<br />
<br />
This is a crazy project I started with huge enthusiasm several years ago.<br />
<br />
Quilted Curtains.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEife4mEjFtzkIDQFrUVCs60GUxldFtr8JI9WOQXmEeHTtczg3-OSj1shuDGj6JxASsn3H_0BUaCCz_Z870V5V8Tfht3RoIl9jDgs93FdV1cYtSFFvgxFSLA-jUDtivTPRZgSYogQn87VGs/s1600/IMAG0913.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEife4mEjFtzkIDQFrUVCs60GUxldFtr8JI9WOQXmEeHTtczg3-OSj1shuDGj6JxASsn3H_0BUaCCz_Z870V5V8Tfht3RoIl9jDgs93FdV1cYtSFFvgxFSLA-jUDtivTPRZgSYogQn87VGs/s640/IMAG0913.jpg" width="438" /></a></div>
<br />
Seriously. <br />
Quilted Curtains.<br />
<br />
I actually thought that would not only be a good idea, but would look good too! After doing about 90% of the work I realised what you probably did as soon as you read those two words - it was a terrible idea! So I folded them up neatly, stashed them in a bin bag and pretended to myself that I would come back to that project one day.<br />
Fast Forward a few years, to last month actually, to a warm spring evening when it occurred to me that the dinosaur summer quilt I had made for my six year old son probably ought to be retired now he's 14 years old and six foot tall. I pulled the buttons and header tape off one of the Quilted Curtains (I just can't stop saying it, as if repetition will make it sound like a slightly less crazy idea!) and removed the wadding, then bought a cheap (£3.50!) duvet cover set from Ikea. Insert wadding, hand tie at 30cm intervals and stitch the bottom closed, et voila! <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxP7rlXnYxiyD30exBj-lF-yIED_Af7UEn43zRvrxCQdxgEo-Y0-_-1NKIctejMerNqdDU-huTflaTPPpH3PYmc1E4aDPFntWFKa5bQUlRkSHaAmg73DBFLRDqyVL0PKiiyx7SR1Kaje4/s1600/IMAG0907.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxP7rlXnYxiyD30exBj-lF-yIED_Af7UEn43zRvrxCQdxgEo-Y0-_-1NKIctejMerNqdDU-huTflaTPPpH3PYmc1E4aDPFntWFKa5bQUlRkSHaAmg73DBFLRDqyVL0PKiiyx7SR1Kaje4/s640/IMAG0907.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
An actual usable item that I can actually use! And I still have the other curtain to pull apart if I want to make another quilt. The hand tufting is quite subtle, but you could always use a contrasting yarn for more pop. And the beauty of using a pre-made duvet set is that it comes with matching pillowcases for no extra effort!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVpy9VDmjjI43Ec5GiRT_f73cLVaroahyphenhyphentCAFEiGdhmGkP8zYVPfsd4L9qvEBG-Rq0-X7fy__epOS6XJi48t1IxW2DmlqjA8LECO7FIRjgIaeL9bzmE8mcslyfMPfnHm0Cztsl3rCTswI/s1600/IMAG0835.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVpy9VDmjjI43Ec5GiRT_f73cLVaroahyphenhyphentCAFEiGdhmGkP8zYVPfsd4L9qvEBG-Rq0-X7fy__epOS6XJi48t1IxW2DmlqjA8LECO7FIRjgIaeL9bzmE8mcslyfMPfnHm0Cztsl3rCTswI/s640/IMAG0835.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
The next project that didn't quite work is another bedding-related item. I wanted a hand-crocheted blankie to throw over the back of the sofa, something warm and cosy to snuggle under on a chilly evening. I found the loveliest pebbley coloured yarns, and a simple and pretty shell pattern to work from, and I set off. <br />
<br />
It was obviously going to take me quite some time, each row took well over an hour to complete, but I loved the pattern and the combination of colours and figured it would be worth it in the end. But after a few months I realised I was putting less and less time into it, and I knew what was making me uncomfortable - it was way too stiff. It looked beautiful, but it was far from snuggly. I found myself starting other projects all the time, anything to keep me from putting in any more time on the blankie, but finally, after at least 18 inches of work, I admitted what I'd been trying to avoid - I needed to unpick it.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7eTGhUAP8EpEqqQt0DzVY2NwgAp6sbdZXQrHjw_DBPxG390uFz-Xmv9XIhW4iznpqPYVDXw4umfifMC3R438VBQ0qzjPNqZb-5MQSI6DzukJCsHXVhpClUKE9JfBmKvysh5vmxAoqpNo/s1600/2014-09-02+18.25.37.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7eTGhUAP8EpEqqQt0DzVY2NwgAp6sbdZXQrHjw_DBPxG390uFz-Xmv9XIhW4iznpqPYVDXw4umfifMC3R438VBQ0qzjPNqZb-5MQSI6DzukJCsHXVhpClUKE9JfBmKvysh5vmxAoqpNo/s640/2014-09-02+18.25.37.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Unpicking crochet or knitting is always a sad thing to have to do, but when you've put in months of work it's even worse. It took hours to unpick, and I got quite tangled at times, but once I started the blankie again on a <em>much</em> bigger hook I realised I'd made the right decision. Not only was it working up lighter, softer and more fluid, each row was only taking about 20 minutes to complete! <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5M5fhKjsvFStlyy9NJEbQIe8PRSxFgEYuSYGnRMJnaDDbDGYfEoE8I5tCCUnyHhGasQDLABF6y1ohEDjwULzErucAu1WR9nKEaFtqxfcRBIkv2H5KLmNc8fS5ngKG1TH6fse2T7mshg4/s1600/IMAG0831.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5M5fhKjsvFStlyy9NJEbQIe8PRSxFgEYuSYGnRMJnaDDbDGYfEoE8I5tCCUnyHhGasQDLABF6y1ohEDjwULzErucAu1WR9nKEaFtqxfcRBIkv2H5KLmNc8fS5ngKG1TH6fse2T7mshg4/s640/IMAG0831.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
In only a few short weeks I had a finished blankie, ready for snuggling under just as the weather turned a bit nippy.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3bO1G1sSuoaok_5FayRLhLKjIldpe9jH6W_gbhHTll_IyrJNQASR1pkBH62jhZHxXiGEaQdR0qWh__LYQu6RtcOhoomjJeYZWpVzfsNnTOwk8ZhWjp923KETtD71fEi95mTwWfJ9Cn6E/s1600/IMAG0937.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3bO1G1sSuoaok_5FayRLhLKjIldpe9jH6W_gbhHTll_IyrJNQASR1pkBH62jhZHxXiGEaQdR0qWh__LYQu6RtcOhoomjJeYZWpVzfsNnTOwk8ZhWjp923KETtD71fEi95mTwWfJ9Cn6E/s640/IMAG0937.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I was gutted when I started unpicking all my hard work but it really did work out perfectly in the end, and I used half the amount of yarn I expected too ~ there's enough left over for a couple of matching cushion covers now.<br />
<br />
After I finish this cup of tea . . . <br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05426082345150347257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984475391589499624.post-18984913737889443352015-05-30T10:57:00.004-07:002015-05-30T10:57:47.602-07:00Chewy Peanut Butter CookiesI love peanut butter, so when I saw this recipe on Pinterest I just had to give it a go. As usual I tweaked the recipe a little, mainly because I didn't quite have the right ingredients, but if you see the original post on <a href="http://lucyjanecakesblog.com/2013/03/25/old-fashioned-chewy-peanut-butter-cookies/" target="_blank">Lucy Jane Cakes</a> blog you can see how little I changed things. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOId-ORWjBU2MrEzl9wRS8SvYWmWnKBsn8YIIm8nnyYsdTnuHMgfZISltLWa0Hre6M_Ecm8zryfAf5hUvqxIIHJSNR-hbKf33yBmzqi7l1_qrg697NCyTSjDQ7WFXdBhXVVePR4LKLivs/s1600/IMAG0826.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOId-ORWjBU2MrEzl9wRS8SvYWmWnKBsn8YIIm8nnyYsdTnuHMgfZISltLWa0Hre6M_Ecm8zryfAf5hUvqxIIHJSNR-hbKf33yBmzqi7l1_qrg697NCyTSjDQ7WFXdBhXVVePR4LKLivs/s640/IMAG0826.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Here is my version:<br />
<br />
<br />
2 1/2 cups plain flour<br />
1 tsp salt<br />
1/2 tsp. baking soda<br />
1/2 tsp. baking powder<br />
8oz softened butter<br />
1/4 cup packed dark brown sugar<br />
3/4 cup demerara sugar<br />
1 cup granulated sugar<br />
1 cup crunchy peanut butter (approx. one whole jar)<br />
2 tsp. vanilla extract<br />
2 large eggs<br />
<br />
Pre-heat oven to 180C / 350F / Gas4. <br />
<br />
Mix together flour, salt, baking soda, and baking powder in a large bowl and set aside.<br />
Beat the butter and both sugars together until light and fluffy, then mix in peanut butter. Add vanilla and eggs, one at a time. Mix together flour, salt, baking soda, and baking powder, then add to the butter mixture and gently mix until just incorporated. Scoop up a desertspoonful of the dough, roll into a ball and place a couple of inches apart on a baking sheet.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTxbQTKIy1WMcLRvPjnyU5gSxBKR43L4HeOw-07VxqjBjzAF5eYWJTzaoMDLmFRXBP73JH0j1FYpsfMt6XozIufHWCEPe4beAll35GgQ1MOazcEELjK0FcAZYhMjzHvSueqsLmCtn2s2k/s1600/IMAG0825.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTxbQTKIy1WMcLRvPjnyU5gSxBKR43L4HeOw-07VxqjBjzAF5eYWJTzaoMDLmFRXBP73JH0j1FYpsfMt6XozIufHWCEPe4beAll35GgQ1MOazcEELjK0FcAZYhMjzHvSueqsLmCtn2s2k/s640/IMAG0825.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
<br />
Using a fork dipped in cold water, make a cross in the dough. Bake for 10-12 minutes until the edges are barely golden brown ~ go for undercooked rather than overcooked, as that gives you that lush chewy centre. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgQztmtOuTQkc3MbFjrH1e5UezehUDI6_ijYicH7Etpdb35xfvlScFjqhEbVz0k-nk8rlIdU29aa_fyLKyvT5o8uuf7CZhdIrEC6SZ937G6pxW2IkyULShNocfai4QCvleeOM_ScyaigI/s1600/IMAG0819.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgQztmtOuTQkc3MbFjrH1e5UezehUDI6_ijYicH7Etpdb35xfvlScFjqhEbVz0k-nk8rlIdU29aa_fyLKyvT5o8uuf7CZhdIrEC6SZ937G6pxW2IkyULShNocfai4QCvleeOM_ScyaigI/s640/IMAG0819.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
<br />
Cool on a wire rack and then enjoy!<br />
<br />
I made about 40 cookies with this recipe so I think I would halve the recipe next time. <br />
<br />
Or would I . . . <br />
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05426082345150347257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984475391589499624.post-62584336602024398442015-04-02T07:58:00.000-07:002015-04-02T07:58:58.351-07:00Easter Nest Fairy Cakes<br />
Yesterday was April Fool's Day, and I had the best time pranking people at home and at work. <br />
<br />
I taped party poppers to my son's bedroom door . . .<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc3KE06n7f3GApd0x1wVDCkSmgkZQNx4wVJvmfRDWQkHKi6sKNCT-p_4Psj-0N9LJDpWN9kBTVtaQCho-B_08t8DPXF1sR7nq_lxhCcIJk59i8dG9TteQCmMhqmTY7e7ZeX5YVQw2aFHc/s1600/pop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc3KE06n7f3GApd0x1wVDCkSmgkZQNx4wVJvmfRDWQkHKi6sKNCT-p_4Psj-0N9LJDpWN9kBTVtaQCho-B_08t8DPXF1sR7nq_lxhCcIJk59i8dG9TteQCmMhqmTY7e7ZeX5YVQw2aFHc/s1600/pop.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
blocked the sensors on several office meeces . . . <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOIZhgnlbbcMuritsI0UbSKtimMpFk9ld8E0CT8eG3gF4DKeGnr4gc_MbJ9ZHz3jBj64AVlyW_Heq08oAsTkK94167yuXMWPuz4LAwn0bHsWxY3DD31E5mDoDRARuRQhGZe2BujUPA7h4/s1600/afool.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOIZhgnlbbcMuritsI0UbSKtimMpFk9ld8E0CT8eG3gF4DKeGnr4gc_MbJ9ZHz3jBj64AVlyW_Heq08oAsTkK94167yuXMWPuz4LAwn0bHsWxY3DD31E5mDoDRARuRQhGZe2BujUPA7h4/s1600/afool.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
and perhaps cruellest of all, emailed everybody saying there were Brownees in the kitchens . . .<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKqVmdvRMzBkPjjM2x_0phWtv-aZaxGyHNci0ibSi6iEXfofaNs2WXXtuo99D3pyFR_DrsVCV6s1KwYPPS4NjEJeqpN-72ljbc0AEJaa99IvyUz65VPcP7dVWYkmnheeiIQa795Ax9pII/s1600/brownee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKqVmdvRMzBkPjjM2x_0phWtv-aZaxGyHNci0ibSi6iEXfofaNs2WXXtuo99D3pyFR_DrsVCV6s1KwYPPS4NjEJeqpN-72ljbc0AEJaa99IvyUz65VPcP7dVWYkmnheeiIQa795Ax9pII/s1600/brownee.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Geddit? Brown 'E's?!<br />
<br />
That last prank made some people a bit sad, myself included! We do so love cakes where I work and find any excuse to bring them in, homemade or shopbought.<br />
<br />
A birthday? Cake!<br />
<br />
A particularly profitable month? Cake!<br />
<br />
A Monday? Cake!<br />
<br />
So to make up for such a cruel trick, I promised to bring some real proper actual cakes in today.<br />
<br />
And I did.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsSS5ZYh7HAInewi7nwLFE9Jb29J80VwvlTpu6Nd7LL7RgI2leBKsv0s-JW1OYYQqxieY01z03TV0NbmZ6V2PoPmGfBT0TgsuL8y1od9BmZi4R9uoCa14LskqK-OTGuOyz1x0ikc8D2f0/s1600/eggnest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsSS5ZYh7HAInewi7nwLFE9Jb29J80VwvlTpu6Nd7LL7RgI2leBKsv0s-JW1OYYQqxieY01z03TV0NbmZ6V2PoPmGfBT0TgsuL8y1od9BmZi4R9uoCa14LskqK-OTGuOyz1x0ikc8D2f0/s1600/eggnest.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
I used the cake recipe from my <a href="http://acheerychicken.blogspot.co.uk/2015/03/hortons-clover-cakes.html" target="_blank">Hortons Clover Cakes</a>, but made a chocolate buttercream instead by substituting 25g of the icing sugar for cocoa powder and leaving out the green colouring. All you do is coat the top of the cakes with buttercream then pipe a raised swirl around the edge of the cake. Pop in a few mini eggs and you have some delicious little edible nests.<br />
<br />
Happy Easter!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05426082345150347257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984475391589499624.post-38264594787206482342015-03-29T09:29:00.001-07:002015-03-29T09:38:33.133-07:00Creamy Broccoli SoupEvery time I go into a shop I make a beeline for the sales rack / reduced cabinet ~ as a single parent I like to make every penny count! So when I found my local shop selling off Broccoli heads for 7p I snapped them up and hurried home to whip up a nice healthy soup.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh70ADJBnpuVXb6PQ8CXw0MS4Y4CeY_TRmtfjdtJXXSvC-yVNGqL5qOLRRCQ4G57RSMLdt_i0Fm68KjOwlZEBQ1gGVO6aE9SNcpmClm6Q2jF3JSORH5V9jCj-g_QoVy-yr-G7GWRzns0g8/s1600/IMAG0571_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh70ADJBnpuVXb6PQ8CXw0MS4Y4CeY_TRmtfjdtJXXSvC-yVNGqL5qOLRRCQ4G57RSMLdt_i0Fm68KjOwlZEBQ1gGVO6aE9SNcpmClm6Q2jF3JSORH5V9jCj-g_QoVy-yr-G7GWRzns0g8/s1600/IMAG0571_1.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Creamy Broccoli Soup</div>
<br />
1 tbsp. olive oil<br />
1 onion<br />
3 cloves garlic<br />
1 potato<br />
1 head of broccoli (approx. 350g)<br />
900ml stock (2 x chicken + 1 x vegetable oxo)<br />
approx. 100ml milk<br />
<br />
Heat the oil in a pan. Dice the onion and sweat gently until soft, adding the garlic for the last minute or so. Chop the broccoli into small florets and chop the broccoli stalks into small dice. Peel and chop the potato into small chunks. Add the broccoli and potato to the pan with the stock and simmer for about 15 mins. Blend until smooth and add milk to reach the consistency you like.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgapgksRMOtoS1rRqG84TVLaQWotRBiiKe8LDg-LKos3ufZQh0K_pcBNmh6qw9Xrq5db-8WFbUo1P8gqxHCx3hHyBOE6gt3MFyNePpTWSh-uEvaewhTcaw79cImRMa6Oy0hLeMX1VQAk10/s1600/IMAG0575.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgapgksRMOtoS1rRqG84TVLaQWotRBiiKe8LDg-LKos3ufZQh0K_pcBNmh6qw9Xrq5db-8WFbUo1P8gqxHCx3hHyBOE6gt3MFyNePpTWSh-uEvaewhTcaw79cImRMa6Oy0hLeMX1VQAk10/s1600/IMAG0575.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
This recipe makes 5 portions at 103 calories each, meaning you can easily afford to crumble a few salty Ritz crackers into it.<br />
<br />
Divine!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05426082345150347257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984475391589499624.post-11042186115899148152015-03-22T11:07:00.002-07:002015-03-22T11:07:41.711-07:00Fabulous Fat-Free Fruit LoafI've not been doing very well on my diet. Admittedly I've not been trying particularly hard, but I have SUCH a sweet tooth I really struggle. I've been trying to up my exercise levels ~ mainly by walking more, but I also bought a mini-exercise bike for under my desk at work! I get some funny looks when I'm peddling away but hey, I'm used to that ;)<br />
<br />
I still need my treats though. And although this cake isn't as low-cal as I would have liked it's packed with fruit and fibre, and absolutely fat-free!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLRPdu9yeM3vy9fwrfp-QXb2M_aGOIblZdtmbKe9Ct-QY4VMrYmsd0jrMXmFnoFob5cyRoMhHFJd6T9tfmH-eGQM-JtmxDKElreRtlf42wsaEuSZ7ujdKOLFeVcuoR0OcGUBPEkcy1T9Q/s1600/Fruit+Loaf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLRPdu9yeM3vy9fwrfp-QXb2M_aGOIblZdtmbKe9Ct-QY4VMrYmsd0jrMXmFnoFob5cyRoMhHFJd6T9tfmH-eGQM-JtmxDKElreRtlf42wsaEuSZ7ujdKOLFeVcuoR0OcGUBPEkcy1T9Q/s1600/Fruit+Loaf.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
100g dried apricots<br />
100g dried dates / prunes<br />
150g sultanas<br />
60g all-bran cereal<br />
1 cup cold tea (I used earl grey)<br />
3 tbsp. carob syrup (or maple)<br />
1 egg, lightly beaten<br />
150g sr flour<br />
1 tsp cinnamon<br />
¼ tsp mixed spice<br />
110g dark brown soft sugar<br />
1 apple, peeled and grated<br />
<br />
Chop apricots and dates to roughly the same size as the sultanas. Combine fruit, All-Bran, tea and syrup in a large bowl and set aside for about an hour. Preheat oven to 170C / 340F / Gas 4. Line a 21 X 11 cm loaf tin with greased baking paper. Mix the flour, spices & sugar together. Beat the egg lightly and stir into the fruit, then add the dry ingredients to the wet and stir to combine. Add the apple and mix together. You should have a gloopy dropping consistency ~ if the mixture is too thick, add a splash of milk. Pour into the prepared tin and bake for 1 - 1 1/2 hours or until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean.<br />
<div class="clearfix">
Cool in tin for 20 mins or so before removing to a wire rack to cool.</div>
<div class="clearfix">
</div>
<div class="clearfix">
</div>
<div class="clearfix">
This is lush as it is, but it's pretty darn good spread with butter too ~ although that kind of defeats the object of a fat-free cake! You can use different kinds of dried fruit if dates and apricots don't float your boat. You can also freeze slices which means there's always some handy for your lunch bag.</div>
<div class="clearfix">
</div>
<div class="clearfix">
I've added this to <a href="https://www.myfitnesspal.com/" target="_blank">My Fitness Pal</a> for those of you who use it ~ if you cut the loaf into 12 slices there are 196 calories and less than a gram of fat per slice. </div>
<div class="clearfix">
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05426082345150347257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984475391589499624.post-23399524833117711692015-03-05T08:28:00.000-08:002015-03-05T08:28:52.600-08:00Horton's Clover CakesMonday 2nd March was Dr Seuss day, and to celebrate we had a charity Bake sale at work. I had a bit of an ambitious idea but luckily it worked (they oh so often don't!) and so I get to share it with you.<br />
These were inspired by my favourite Dr Seuss book ~ Horton Hears a Who.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJCtDZjz2rsR-H0aOEYxV5cyMgike8fOvLuFwYSyDe4k71BRt4qW7tshLV_qwy9DMbBBPn-mjsLElHdFybKkf1JOvlMtokxR3QkVfx6VxHmb9Rkwch5VsJOCeMAf1A_85ev-0Mb_qs4a8/s1600/Horton_Hears_A_Who_(80).png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJCtDZjz2rsR-H0aOEYxV5cyMgike8fOvLuFwYSyDe4k71BRt4qW7tshLV_qwy9DMbBBPn-mjsLElHdFybKkf1JOvlMtokxR3QkVfx6VxHmb9Rkwch5VsJOCeMAf1A_85ev-0Mb_qs4a8/s1600/Horton_Hears_A_Who_(80).png" height="275" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Luckily there were no Whos living on my Clover Cakes, though they would have had to shout pretty damn loud to stop me from eating them lol!<br />
<br />
Here's how you make them:<br />
<br />
200g self raising flour<br />
25g cocoa powder<br />
225g sugar<br />
1/2 tsp salt<br />
100g margarine<br />
150ml milk<br />
2 eggs<br />
1/2 tsp vanilla essence<br />
<br />
75g butter<br />
150g icing sugar<br />
1/2 tsp vanilla essence<br />
1/2 tsp green food colouring<br />
<br />
12 wafer roll biscuits<br />
candy floss<br />
<br />
Preheat the oven to 180C / 350F / Gas 4<br />
<br />
Mix the flour, sugar, salt and cocoa together then rub in the margarine until you have a texture like coarse sand. Beat the eggs, milk and vanilla in a jug then add to the dry ingredients and beat well. Divide into 12 cupcake cases and bake for approx. 25 mins. Allow to cool.<br />
<br />
Beat the butter, vanilla and colouring together until softened then gradually add the sifted icing sugar and cream together. Ice your cakes, then add the clovers by gently moulding a chunk of candy floss onto a wafer biscuit and 'planting' it in the centre of your cupcake.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQO1V01lZgObh3xVsauhyphenhyphen-_5YU33QI3wxK6VW-8GyGgdGtwGn3YiaPoNjiYDR25kaIkCnMqefLH5ASpDlXh1jkEQIFakDdzPb_BaVBtCeu47nBT1yRWAJ16zMVYNwFgfQrjT2X5yhWjFo/s1600/Horton+Clover+Cakes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQO1V01lZgObh3xVsauhyphenhyphen-_5YU33QI3wxK6VW-8GyGgdGtwGn3YiaPoNjiYDR25kaIkCnMqefLH5ASpDlXh1jkEQIFakDdzPb_BaVBtCeu47nBT1yRWAJ16zMVYNwFgfQrjT2X5yhWjFo/s1600/Horton+Clover+Cakes.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Voila! Easy to make but pretty impressive to look at, and darn tasty too.<br />
<br />
Tip: You can make (and ice) these cakes the day before your party or event, but don't add the clovers until you're ready to serve ~ candy floss doesn't last too well in the open air, it will start to shrink and harden back into sugar.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05426082345150347257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984475391589499624.post-57963913565115859792015-01-10T01:53:00.001-08:002015-01-10T01:53:33.355-08:00Perfect PorridgeCan you believe I've made it to the ripe old age of (almost) 43 and I'm only just discovering the simple pleasures of homemade porridge?! <br />
I've always loved Ready Brek, and in the last couple of years I was won over by the Oats So Simple flavoured sachets, but it's literally only this week that I've realised how quick, easy and deliciously filling simple porridge oats can be. <br />
<br />
This is the image that got me started:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://aspoonfulofphotography.blogspot.co.uk/2014/03/earl-grey-porridge.html" target="_blank"><img alt="A Spoonful of Photography" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnMQMnAq3wdOfhsBW10KLTWzUamEMRKa0UE2kjxiXapU8DB-PaZNT8AooLzLuRlblc0nim3bPdMC05-6Xugxit0E-D4mOJnEDiu0QsoqU7ZzDk8w4SiIS8zHS-3ImGgLGFQy0FawoP8Rs/s1600/earl1.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
Earl Grey Porridge, from A Spoonful of Photography (click on the image to go to her beautiful blog)<br />
<br />
Porridge appeals to my "bung it" method of cooking ~ you really don't need to measure anything at all! I'm still trying lots of different variants, but here are some of the yummiest so far:<br />
<br />
<br />
<strong>Earl Grey Porridge</strong><br />
<br />
Make a small cup of Earl Grey tea. Put about 1/3 cup of oats in a bowl. Pour the cup of tea onto the oats and microwave for approx. 2 mins. Stir through as much milk as it takes to achieve the consistency you like, then sprinkle with Demerara sugar or honey.<br />
<br />
<br />
<strong>Creamy Yoghurty Porridge</strong><br />
<br />
Put 1/3 cup of oats in a bowl and add about the same amount of water. Microwave for approx. 2 mins. Stir through a 120g pot of yoghurt and top with a few fresh berries.<br />
<br />
<br />
<strong>Cham Porridge</strong><br />
<br />
Cham is a cosy bedtime drink we often make in our house ~ you basically add a dash of cinnamon and a teaspoon of honey to a mug of milk and warm it in the microwave. It's a lot healthier than hot chocolate while still being a tasty treat. <br />
To make Cham porridge, put 1/3 cup of oats in a bowl, add a dash of cinnamon then the water. Microwave for approx. 2 mins. Stir through as much milk as it takes to achieve the consistency you like then drizzle with honey and sprinkle on a few juicy sultanas.<br />
<br />
<br />
So there you have three delicious low-cal variants on a classic breakfast. What are your favourite toppings? I'd love some more suggestions!<br />
<br />
<br />
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05426082345150347257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984475391589499624.post-24936229862393574172014-12-24T07:29:00.001-08:002014-12-24T07:29:21.721-08:00One Last GiftI've not made many gifts this year, moving house and extra hours at work have thrown me all out of kilter, but last night I took a little time to make a rather special something for which I will receive no thanks but the pleasure of doing a kind thing. <br />
Just recently our house seems to be attracting ladybirds, I'm constantly finding them crawling about on the ceilings and walls! After doing a bit of research I discovered the sweeest thing - Ladybirds cuddle together to hibernate!<br />
<br />
<em>Cuuuute!</em><br />
<br />
I found a great tutorial on the <a href="http://www.uksafari.com/spottylodgers.htm" target="_blank">UK Safari</a> website on how to make an insect hotel (for free!) and this is what I made:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy-0h-wAXO0sjb0WkBcSdRYo7lD4hBPtDRHR1FaIi0sLZYo1NKKrPjwUwIq52Cuazx4-yBAimCWhjYSf-uR0BJmt-gb2BeX-mqu8_gK4YFqZ2qx_yuDsRFbdvZUg5nFtzxaWkhMcqg3XY/s1600/Ladybird+house.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy-0h-wAXO0sjb0WkBcSdRYo7lD4hBPtDRHR1FaIi0sLZYo1NKKrPjwUwIq52Cuazx4-yBAimCWhjYSf-uR0BJmt-gb2BeX-mqu8_gK4YFqZ2qx_yuDsRFbdvZUg5nFtzxaWkhMcqg3XY/s1600/Ladybird+house.jpg" height="640" width="360" /></a></div>
<br />
It took less than half an hour. Naturally I tweaked mine a little (well it is Christmas!) by lining the inside of the bottle with some spare gift wrap. I hope it keeps them safe and warm all winter.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm64F3h-VJA4yyJRb0vSR2Bga_nwtnk11tTJIsVXE2E3Ya7n91YSg3llWi0hcFHEZQetsJs9-FZn32ROzgby8QpVo3Er_6NxyDd9QG9ZaXJOcm68fKVQnjIt-gWLohdfT9P6v7c0YQ0JU/s1600/Ladybird+inside.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm64F3h-VJA4yyJRb0vSR2Bga_nwtnk11tTJIsVXE2E3Ya7n91YSg3llWi0hcFHEZQetsJs9-FZn32ROzgby8QpVo3Er_6NxyDd9QG9ZaXJOcm68fKVQnjIt-gWLohdfT9P6v7c0YQ0JU/s1600/Ladybird+inside.jpg" height="640" width="360" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><strong>Wishing you All a Very Merry Christmas!</strong></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05426082345150347257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984475391589499624.post-24843787651672905572014-12-12T11:29:00.002-08:002014-12-12T11:29:08.330-08:00Christmas CraftsOh dear, I've been neglecting you again haven't I?<br />
I'm sorry. I've been very terribly awful at managing my time lately. I really must buck up! Life has got a bit kerfuffely again and I am just not managing to keep up with all my grand schemes and dreams. <br />
I think I'm pretty much up on top of things again now (at least I hope I am!) and so after I've marzipanned the cakes tomorrow, I think I might curl up on the sofa with a Christmas movie and try some of these festive crafts I found on Pinterest:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnnvSspThMxIk4L1istpfF0CuuZS3fQkRzWEmZ-mFS22LhWP86yCrg4swnHPlYmiQSkI46Yr14WITWsTQVnOqj1ucRAO3IQSvhNC71ON3Qlf8Pe7ocLuVc-o2IvEebVVdpDDjqcIHYWOiY/s400/pom+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnnvSspThMxIk4L1istpfF0CuuZS3fQkRzWEmZ-mFS22LhWP86yCrg4swnHPlYmiQSkI46Yr14WITWsTQVnOqj1ucRAO3IQSvhNC71ON3Qlf8Pe7ocLuVc-o2IvEebVVdpDDjqcIHYWOiY/s400/pom+3.jpg" height="640" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Pom-pom wreath from <a href="http://wipkits.blogspot.co.uk/2011/12/pom-pom-wreath.html" target="_blank">Wipkits Blog</a>.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://images.coplusk.net/project_images/135227/image/full_eiszapfen2b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://images.coplusk.net/project_images/135227/image/full_eiszapfen2b.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Upcycled icicles from <a href="http://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/icicle-ornaments-from-plastic-bottles-2" target="_blank">Cut Out and Keep</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.stowandtellu.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Rustic-twig-and-cardboard-Christmas-tree-ornaments-8-858x1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.stowandtellu.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Rustic-twig-and-cardboard-Christmas-tree-ornaments-8-858x1024.jpg" height="640" width="536" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Twig Trees from <a href="http://stowandtellu.com/rustic-twig-christmas-tree-ornaments/" target="_blank">Stow and Tell U</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
What do you think of them? I think they all look quick, easy and super-cute ~ I can't wait to try them! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
You can follow any or all of my boards on Pinterest <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/cheerychicken/" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05426082345150347257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984475391589499624.post-37246312324399653962014-11-22T11:05:00.001-08:002014-11-22T11:13:27.143-08:00Bread Pudding<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I don't often have a lot of stale bread around the house, but this week I happened to be in the supermarket when they were reducing sell-by-date loaves to 12p to clear them! I'm not a huge fan of defrosted bread, and besides I don't have a lot of space in my freezer at the moment, but none of that matters, because my favourite way of using up stale bread is, of course, cake-related . . . </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Bread Pudding </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSrJzl9Ndzw8KVd6WdEgeixodaip-F3TiEd7z0-his3MITsjlhO-RxO8LX1bN1fAYxJHQK-hwkcrIPgG5qF8TSNUOeMMOp-U1aHljUs082uR1qtIFMQLKJtPlM00iJdeitzjQN5VgAcVM/s1600/b+pudd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSrJzl9Ndzw8KVd6WdEgeixodaip-F3TiEd7z0-his3MITsjlhO-RxO8LX1bN1fAYxJHQK-hwkcrIPgG5qF8TSNUOeMMOp-U1aHljUs082uR1qtIFMQLKJtPlM00iJdeitzjQN5VgAcVM/s1600/b+pudd.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
450g stale bread<br />
225g sultanas<br />
100g Demerara sugar<br />
2tsp mixed spice<br />
2 eggs<br />
milk<br />
granulated sugar for topping<br />
<br />
Tear the stale bread (crusts and all!) into roughly inch squared pieces, put them in a bowl and cover with cold water. Leave to soak for about an hour.<br />
<br />
Preheat oven to 170C / 325F / Gas3<br />
Grease a 8" square tin<br />
<br />
Drain the bread and squeeze the excess water out. Don't worry too much about getting every last drop out, just do your best ~ I tip the whole lot into a sieve and squeeze handfuls as I transfer the bread back into the bowl. Add the sultanas, sugar, spice and eggs and give it a good mix to ensure the ingredients are evenly distributed. Add just enough milk to make a soft dropping consistency, then turn into your tin and bake for about an hour to an hour and a half.<br />
Allow to cool in the tin for a few minutes then turn out onto a rack to cool. Sprinkle generously with granulated sugar and serve cut into thick slabs, either warm with custard or cold with a nice cup of tea.<br />
<br />
You can use any kind of bread for this. If you never have much bread left when your loaf is going stale, simply save the slices you do have in the freezer until you get the amount you need.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05426082345150347257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984475391589499624.post-23429960581886473152014-11-16T12:53:00.002-08:002014-11-16T12:53:53.007-08:00Shepherd's PieIt's that cosy comfort-food time of year ~ hoorah!<br />
<br />
I've wanted to share this recipe with you for a while but thought it might be tricky. This is one of the most bung-it-in dishes I make, I never weigh any of the ingredients, so how can I share it? Then I figured what the hell, I'll just tell it like it is and let you try my way of cooking. Everybody has their own spin on a Shepherd's Pie anyway so feel free to tweak away to your heart's content. Here's how I do it:<br />
<br />
250g mince (beef or lamb)<br />
onion<br />
gravy granules<br />
baked beans<br />
peas<br />
sweetcorn<br />
brown sauce / Worcestershire sauce<br />
potatoes<br />
butter<br />
milk<br />
<br />
Preheat the oven to 180C / 350F / Gas 4<br />
<br />
Start off by filling a pan with chopped peeled potatoes, and boil these until they're cooked.<br />
<br />
While the potatoes are cooking, brown the mince. I often cook mine from frozen, flipping the block of meat over as each side browns and scraping the cooked part off with my spoon. So long as you cook all the meat through this is fine. While the mince is browning, finely chop your onion and add it to the pan. Once all the meat is cooked and the onion has softened, drain the excess fat ~ not down the sink!!! It will congeal in the pipes somewhere and cause a horrible blockage! I usually line a bowl with kitchen roll, drain the fat into this and throw it in the bin when it's cold.<br />
Add a mugful of gravy to the meat and onions. I use about 3 heaped teaspoons of beef gravy granules. You want a nice thick gravy because you don't want your meat mixture to be too runny. You can add a crumbled beef oxo cube too for an extra oomph of flavour if you like.<br />
Next I add a handful (yes, literally!) of peas, a handful of sweetcorn, about half a small tin of baked beans, and either a big squeeze of brown sauce, or a generous splash of Worcestershire sauce.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBRyjL4gzy-Zt6jiwQOR_na5LwB5hoj2bWH8SnkDsHpoD8Iqrjn3hqNUUZ0EQAuNoYMNdkedw7WSievHwPQSvWbjFgRoKTclgQv7dfpggqOc3PuT4A1uEThNqsBHoC3ituJZTTju6UfD8/s1600/s+pie+meat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBRyjL4gzy-Zt6jiwQOR_na5LwB5hoj2bWH8SnkDsHpoD8Iqrjn3hqNUUZ0EQAuNoYMNdkedw7WSievHwPQSvWbjFgRoKTclgQv7dfpggqOc3PuT4A1uEThNqsBHoC3ituJZTTju6UfD8/s1600/s+pie+meat.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
When the potatoes are cooked, drain then mash them with a generous knob of butter and enough milk to make a creamy mash.<br />
Half fill an ovenproof dish with meat mixture then top with spoonfuls of mash, this is easiest to do if you go around the edges first then fill in the middle. You want the mash to be about 4 - 5 cm (1 1/2 inches?) deep. You may well have made more mash than you need but that's ok, homemade mash freezes well and is a godsend to have stashed in your freezer for those days when you're short on time.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDi2Mgakf_ZUBh8BFgdpVgiEeP4BKl2yP9hawJB1ToWRyRBjOmtRBZ-qYXglxcjBljwrf0HnDyHD3gylR7zuQqQ4xq3PGGbIgARFjps4kpNJA_HWJr75TdyMjvnGmLU9EtTW8kmr9sslY/s1600/s+pie+build.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDi2Mgakf_ZUBh8BFgdpVgiEeP4BKl2yP9hawJB1ToWRyRBjOmtRBZ-qYXglxcjBljwrf0HnDyHD3gylR7zuQqQ4xq3PGGbIgARFjps4kpNJA_HWJr75TdyMjvnGmLU9EtTW8kmr9sslY/s1600/s+pie+build.jpg" height="478" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Put the pie on a baking tray and cook in the centre of the oven for about 20 - 30 mins until the mash is golden and the gravy is bubbling up around the edges.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTXqyPJcFxuBjqAk0VjYuBYfaKIf2FElCb2WkDeK1UN0vsh5tJgwDLeMRFi_icxw4g9snFp-aeMlGdUDBD0sw2-dlh7c5IM4Faec5KC6FDaU2Bw-NruYEb5TFY2EursD0rpjCcpBD7RuM/s1600/s+pie+served.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTXqyPJcFxuBjqAk0VjYuBYfaKIf2FElCb2WkDeK1UN0vsh5tJgwDLeMRFi_icxw4g9snFp-aeMlGdUDBD0sw2-dlh7c5IM4Faec5KC6FDaU2Bw-NruYEb5TFY2EursD0rpjCcpBD7RuM/s1600/s+pie+served.jpg" height="476" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
How lush is that? Just the thing for a cold autumnal tea. The quantities I listed makes roughly 3 or 4 portions. I usually make one large pie to share then two individual pies for the freezer. Unless I've done a lot of taste testing, then there might just be one individual pie . . .<br />
<br />
Oh, and if you're wondering ~ a Shepherd's Pie is made with lamb mince, a Cottage Pie is made from beef. <br />
And they're both delicious.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05426082345150347257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984475391589499624.post-19906123399529574332014-11-04T11:01:00.001-08:002014-11-04T11:01:51.490-08:00Cheesy Bacon LoafOh dear, it has been a while hasn't it ~ a whole month! I'm sorry! I blame my lack of ability to take decent photos, I've made some yummy things I'd like to share with you but I've found it really hard to get a good shot now it's getting dark so early. <br />
Well today I decided I wasn't going to let that stop me. <br />
I found this recipe on Pinterest and it looked lush! Except the<a href="http://www.callmepmc.com/2014/08/bacon-jalapeno-popper-cheesy-bread/" target="_blank"> original recipe </a> had jalapenos in ~ yuk! It was also rather higgledy-piggledy ~ using cups, ounces <em>and</em> grammes. So I did my usual trick of tweaking here and there, and Oh My what a result!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSPxKywqejvAAEKn7_AG5UoC_kBlcXwFWjTg71rlfaHpVR-mWkTGi16BTt6fLxy8Eotkx2hGosCNciIZOexUC68DeIqrjEJFVH-w4YNC3sPsemwJ7wPlQfzFEJtynkVCrlyXMAf3gYh2U/s1600/Cheesy+Bacon+Loaf+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSPxKywqejvAAEKn7_AG5UoC_kBlcXwFWjTg71rlfaHpVR-mWkTGi16BTt6fLxy8Eotkx2hGosCNciIZOexUC68DeIqrjEJFVH-w4YNC3sPsemwJ7wPlQfzFEJtynkVCrlyXMAf3gYh2U/s1600/Cheesy+Bacon+Loaf+2.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I've made savoury 'cakes' before (cheese and bacon too) and they can be a bit odd ~ your eyes see a cakey texture so your taste buds expect sweet. But this one really worked. It has a gently savoury flavour and a moist spongy texture with a lovely crunchy crust. Give it a go, you won't be disappointed!<br />
<br />
Cheesy Bacon Loaf<br />
<br />
6-8 slices back bacon (1 x 225g pack)<br />
340g plain flour<br />
2 rsp baking powder<br />
1/2 tsp salt<br />
4 tsp sugar<br />
150g cream cheese<br />
150g grated cheddar<br />
250ml buttermilk (or 250ml milk soured with 1 tbsp. lemon juice)<br />
2 tsp vegetable oil<br />
<br />
Preheat the oven to 180C / 350F / Gas 4<br />
<br />
Grease a loaf tin (mine was about 7 x 4")<br />
<br />
Grill the bacon and chop into roughly 1cm chunks. If you're not using buttermilk, mix the lemon juice and milk together and let it stand (to sour) while you mix the other ingredients.<br />
Mix flour, baking powder, salt and sugar in a bowl.<br />
In a separate bowl, beat the cream cheese to loosen it a little then mix in the bacon and cheddar, then the buttermilk and oil. Add the liquid to the dry ingredients and mix until just combined. Turn into your loaf tin and bake in the centre of the oven for about 45 mins until golden brown on top.<br />
Allow to cool for a few minutes in the tin then turn out onto a wire rack.<br />
Cut a nice thick slice and enjoy!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ3ugQXL_MDO-eDk4mrxDW08BjrZ4ENeVisKvzYBC1gtlmCe7iNx0Z5MFdIrn_4QnrX2Ve2656rt0cb0M7bIMr_6QNaH94-MHeOYKc8DQQHWFS9BcvJoZ4Hm3stxuA2jgvbTiuzcFMUGQ/s1600/Cheesy+Bacon+Loaf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ3ugQXL_MDO-eDk4mrxDW08BjrZ4ENeVisKvzYBC1gtlmCe7iNx0Z5MFdIrn_4QnrX2Ve2656rt0cb0M7bIMr_6QNaH94-MHeOYKc8DQQHWFS9BcvJoZ4Hm3stxuA2jgvbTiuzcFMUGQ/s1600/Cheesy+Bacon+Loaf.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
This would make a lovely breakfast, or a hearty snack. I'm pretty sure the guys at work will enjoy a slice too, if there's any left in the morning!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05426082345150347257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984475391589499624.post-39020923042474751552014-10-03T13:54:00.000-07:002014-10-03T13:54:34.455-07:00Neapolitan Core Cupcakes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Last week I hurt my shoulder in a minor DIY mishap involving a bag of sand which turned out to be a <em>lot</em> heavier than expected. As I slumped on the sofa, merrily medicated on co-codamol, a wondrous idea came to me ~ I would make cupcakes the like of which the world has never seen before.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Well, the world may have seen something like this before, but I've certainly never made them. I tweaked and twisted an old tried-and-true recipe and came up with these . . .</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Neapolitan Core Cupcakes</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLwGOIKvYJB_2meH86W1GY3hROSaXBrBBTfzLtEsKAY-lslW1vINVJWIbtr2bmA0lOoTwWPFE_lN4ZNZTM71EHLgayQ0JjL9rc8HwV0hQTspUNRZTIaZDVoUTaDzhtlJRhmtrd5CIZzus/s1600/neapolitan+frost.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLwGOIKvYJB_2meH86W1GY3hROSaXBrBBTfzLtEsKAY-lslW1vINVJWIbtr2bmA0lOoTwWPFE_lN4ZNZTM71EHLgayQ0JjL9rc8HwV0hQTspUNRZTIaZDVoUTaDzhtlJRhmtrd5CIZzus/s1600/neapolitan+frost.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Wanna know how to make these lush babies? Here's how:<br />
<br />
185g self raising flour<br />
225g sugar<br />
1/2 tsp salt<br />
40g cocoa<br />
100g margarine<br />
2 eggs<br />
150ml milk<br />
few drops vanilla essence<br />
<br />
125g cream cheese<br />
25g butter<br />
325g icing sugar<br />
1 tsp vanilla<br />
1/2 tsp strawberry flavouring<br />
few drops red food colouring<br />
<br />
Preheat the oven to 180C / 350F / Gas 4<br />
<br />
Sieve flour, sugar, salt and cocoa into a bowl then rub in the margarine. Beat the eggs and milk together in a jug with a few drops of vanilla essence. Pour liquids into dry mixture and beat well. Fill each cupcake case two-thirds full and bake for approx. 25 mins until risen and springy to the touch.<br />
Allow cakes to cool completely then remove a core using an apple-corer or small knife, don't cut all the way to the bottom but make a nice deep well.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjbi9tqFo5fWsqkFlntd9kwjW_r3Gab9acktUzH9D_b7WTtSCVQklLLXObO-yivyRBUYRllLR7o1wsG4zSgxu_UNiO1lcq2DBwclu5bf4YdS5Ft-fzijR6PFjw3KD-WWPutokNrNKpQeQ/s1600/neapolitan+core.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjbi9tqFo5fWsqkFlntd9kwjW_r3Gab9acktUzH9D_b7WTtSCVQklLLXObO-yivyRBUYRllLR7o1wsG4zSgxu_UNiO1lcq2DBwclu5bf4YdS5Ft-fzijR6PFjw3KD-WWPutokNrNKpQeQ/s1600/neapolitan+core.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Cream together the butter and cream cheese. Sieve the icing sugar and beat in a bit at a time ~ this quantity makes a fairly loose icing so if you'd prefer it a bit firmer add a little more icing sugar until you get the consistency you like. <br />
Put approx. one third of the icing into a separate bowl, add the strawberry flavouring and the food colouring. Mix well and pipe into the cores of the cupcakes, leaving a small blob peeping out.<br />
Add the vanilla essence to the remaining two thirds of the icing and mix well. Pipe swirls around the top of each cake, surrounding the pink strawberry core. I then piped an extra strawberry rosette on top of the core blob to top it off nicely.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqye8r6Ff0pgtPh56iOZko2XlPgpLj_mqFoyWRYUNiOc3dYoOHiyRKgi7gKBVp0CeNjuEY5TFpfSjv4gBdiHv3nvlbB-7l2SWOwDeARMos7GleN6FPJxiNu7LVqlOTafVYsx2wDCEgv0A/s1600/neapolitan+teatray.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqye8r6Ff0pgtPh56iOZko2XlPgpLj_mqFoyWRYUNiOc3dYoOHiyRKgi7gKBVp0CeNjuEY5TFpfSjv4gBdiHv3nvlbB-7l2SWOwDeARMos7GleN6FPJxiNu7LVqlOTafVYsx2wDCEgv0A/s1600/neapolitan+teatray.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Sadly, red food colouring these days is pretty lame (I don't know <em>what</em> they've done to it, but it ain't very red) but it still provides a nice contrast to the white vanilla. If you can't find strawberry flavouring (another thing that seems to have disappeared lately) you can always make a batch of icing from my <a href="http://acheerychicken.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/strawberry-clouds.html" target="_blank">strawberry clouds</a> recipe. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="left">
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05426082345150347257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984475391589499624.post-78660162496781636322014-09-26T08:38:00.000-07:002014-09-26T08:40:00.118-07:00Lacy Switch SurroundI fitted a new light switch when I decorated my pretty pretty bedroom, but it looked so blank and bare all on its own. There are lots of switch surrounds you can get to help define your switch and protect the wall from grubby fingerprints, but I do so love to find alternate uses for things, and so I set my heart on a paper doily.<br />
<br />
I knew the crisp lacy whiteness would look lovely against the dove grey wall, and it ties in nicely with the lace window coverings I mentioned <a href="http://acheerychicken.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/lovely-lacey-window.html" target="_blank">here</a> a while ago. I found these doilies in <a href="http://www.lakeland.co.uk/Homepage.action" target="_blank">Lakeland</a> after quite a search for the most perfectly pretty lacy ones. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjigFCrLSBGJAzGUlnaze-Lt2DiKAykOjhhZCnBVrwEmRwM81FFErF7fefEXi_6Znl-gwFjtsuS_-S7TkCPNad06l4aCoLe5IER689IYfV4bgJIo_zhOmSNlpCB8O0RdJqVs9x_6Aircjk/s1600/doily+switch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjigFCrLSBGJAzGUlnaze-Lt2DiKAykOjhhZCnBVrwEmRwM81FFErF7fefEXi_6Znl-gwFjtsuS_-S7TkCPNad06l4aCoLe5IER689IYfV4bgJIo_zhOmSNlpCB8O0RdJqVs9x_6Aircjk/s1600/doily+switch.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
It goes without saying that you must be extra careful around electricity. I turned off the power at the mains to unscrew the switch from the wall. After cutting out the centre of the doily I was just about able to slip it over the switch. I had to make a little snip in the doily but it doesn't show when pasted down. You can use spray adhesive to mount your doily but I prefer wallpaper paste ~ I find it sticks better, it's repositionable, and it's easy to remove if necessary. But I say again ~ be careful around electricity!!!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05426082345150347257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984475391589499624.post-85567768033953709522014-09-21T11:42:00.000-07:002014-09-21T11:42:29.513-07:00Monkey In The Hole!This is a recipe I've been meaning to make for such a long time and just hadn't got around to it. I'm sure you've all heard of Toad In The Hole, right? That delicious British dish of sausages cooked in a tray of huge puffy batter? Well this is the pudding version of that ~ Monkey In The Hole. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ8arF2W6fh2Qmz3bURRzmWj4z86_ldbQ5B-p8Ae2IlRoBH-SCZYZ0_Os1cXqDQ2F4g-NXcqwFWpNNgxMd8pzOTDdJ1ssapxygxVt30BAU6FARzZFtsXv6j6SZ94J_O7vR5EnO-QniOvQ/s1600/monkey+in+the+hole.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ8arF2W6fh2Qmz3bURRzmWj4z86_ldbQ5B-p8Ae2IlRoBH-SCZYZ0_Os1cXqDQ2F4g-NXcqwFWpNNgxMd8pzOTDdJ1ssapxygxVt30BAU6FARzZFtsXv6j6SZ94J_O7vR5EnO-QniOvQ/s1600/monkey+in+the+hole.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span id="goog_1176719531"></span><span id="goog_1176719532">I know, you can thank me later. For now, here's how you make it:</span><br />
<br />
4 bananas<br />
4 eggs<br />
200ml milk<br />
200ml plain flour (about 140g)<br />
<br />
Preheat the oven to 220C / 425F / Gas 7<br />
<br />
Put a knob of lard (or tablespoon of oil if you prefer) in a small roasting tin and put on the top shelf of the oven to heat up.<br />
<br />
Put the eggs, milk and flour in a jug ~ you want equal quantities of each so it's easy to increase or decrease as appropriate ~ and beat thoroughly. You can leave the batter to stand for half hour if you have time but it doesn't matter too much. Peel the bananas.<br />
As soon as the fat is smoking hot put the bananas into the roasting tin and pour the batter quickly over. Bake for about 20 - 25 minutes until the batter is puffed and golden.<br />
<br />
Serve drizzled with caramel or toffee sauce, or golden syrup, and a scoop of vanilla ice-cream.<br />
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05426082345150347257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984475391589499624.post-41085566478571806372014-09-17T13:25:00.001-07:002014-09-26T08:40:30.228-07:00Lovely Lacy WindowWhen I was designing the look of my bedroom, I did a lot of research for alternative window dressings. There are some beautiful ideas out there, but a lot of them were just impractical for a bedroom. I'm not bothered about blocking light, I rarely struggle to get to sleep, but I do like my privacy ~ bare windows freak me out, but I find net curtains can be a bit frumpy, while plain muslin or voile blocks a little too much light. Then I came across a fabulous idea on Pinterest ~ covering your windows in fabric using only cornflour?!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdv7MmBA2ykiW516o5DdFhiyLhYP-T_XQ4QQ3yG9CGu2uokK7lXVzqk0zOaFfogpnS4tMlLoBszlZH3PxQ249rDKzBVpR925wZ97u7AbZAy1jBcuDKtSoactubZiPbzGLISDFrjjY0AMU/s1600/cornflour.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdv7MmBA2ykiW516o5DdFhiyLhYP-T_XQ4QQ3yG9CGu2uokK7lXVzqk0zOaFfogpnS4tMlLoBszlZH3PxQ249rDKzBVpR925wZ97u7AbZAy1jBcuDKtSoactubZiPbzGLISDFrjjY0AMU/s1600/cornflour.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Yes,<em> that</em> sort of cornflour! <br />
<br />
It turns out it's not just for thickening stews and sauces, it's also brilliant for a funky new way to dress your windows! (it also turns out that it doesn't matter if yours is 4 years out of date!)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixVQN_QmZIRF47jT0HWsLcUMy5GPKljU7DR8T8D9ZnPDui6OqKDgKa35TblW8ZliOB7rvtRONRby7q0maM2NjgXoFgp1R3AYIgRFLzXEeW9Uvc-7ARxhlDvbDwny8RtqrXFjDLRINuEd0/s1600/window+lace+curtain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixVQN_QmZIRF47jT0HWsLcUMy5GPKljU7DR8T8D9ZnPDui6OqKDgKa35TblW8ZliOB7rvtRONRby7q0maM2NjgXoFgp1R3AYIgRFLzXEeW9Uvc-7ARxhlDvbDwny8RtqrXFjDLRINuEd0/s1600/window+lace+curtain.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I didn't know how well this might turn out but for such a cheap and easy project (Ikea do a beautiful lace for only £1.50 per metre) I figured it was worth a try. Fancy giving it a go yourself?<br />
<br />
All you need is:<br />
<br />
2 tablespoons cornflour<br />
2 tablespoons cold water<br />
400ml boiling water<br />
enough lace to cover your window <br />
a plastic mixing bowl<br />
large paintbrush<br />
<br />
First measure your window and cut your piece of lace (or whatever fabric you're using) to size ~ you're better off cutting it a little larger than trying to be exact, you can trim off excess when it's dry. Iron it to ensure you have no creases, you want it to lie flat on the window.<br />
<br />
Now mix your paste. Put the cornflour in a large plastic bowl and mix to a paste with the cold water, then add the boiling water and mix well. This made a much looser mix than I expected, about the consistency of . . . um . . . runny wallpaper paste? I don't know, just don't let it worry you, it'll be fine!<br />
<br />
While the cornflour mix is cooling, clean your window. Thoroughly. I don't just mean cleaning the glass so it sparkles, make sure you get into all the nooks and crannies around the edges too, because you can guarantee any of those little bits of muck will find their way out when you're painting gloopy cornflour mixture all over.<br />
<br />
Now it's time to go for it! Put some old towels down before you start, I had lots of splodges and drips and I didn't want my new carpet ruined before it had been down a week. Paint your cornflour gloop on the window, right into the edges, then place your piece of lace on top and paint with another coat of gloop, smoothing out any air bubbles or creases as you go. Make sure everything is evenly coated right into the edges.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPKG7WE4ErMVQ1OlZw8M-BejuylwTZUY98mrBMuvf7fdcBIQ87qfv3jW3-Z0cdWWbkyY9oU4sMRtfTisUmVz2LQwfpqkaBxeBg6jO33FUcwu4q6qP3yC1G9fzDumPlxmX8ojKCkOmNBZs/s1600/window+lace+dark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPKG7WE4ErMVQ1OlZw8M-BejuylwTZUY98mrBMuvf7fdcBIQ87qfv3jW3-Z0cdWWbkyY9oU4sMRtfTisUmVz2LQwfpqkaBxeBg6jO33FUcwu4q6qP3yC1G9fzDumPlxmX8ojKCkOmNBZs/s1600/window+lace+dark.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
That's it, done! All you need to do is wait for it to dry and trim off any excess with a craft knife. The cornflour gloop gives a cloudy translucent finish to the lace which still lets plenty of light in while keeping my boudoir privacy intact ;-)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMoKWMgKE5zixV2gLM_Q6hcUbj1dr5BIsjS9ZGB9vETCTTzPIW0lasBRkqFlCPtM_m-UhT9NspF_ObnRWevcCxGW9zPlqWCiYjfMafrskgjMZmRcnfPoPUt2oqzs30X7w17alfRAbqOuE/s1600/window+lace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMoKWMgKE5zixV2gLM_Q6hcUbj1dr5BIsjS9ZGB9vETCTTzPIW0lasBRkqFlCPtM_m-UhT9NspF_ObnRWevcCxGW9zPlqWCiYjfMafrskgjMZmRcnfPoPUt2oqzs30X7w17alfRAbqOuE/s1600/window+lace.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I also had enough left over to cover my transom light (I had to look that up, "window-above-the-door" didn't sound very professional!) <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_n4Y8MeMos4Viwlxwz1DdayUUp7gG-cwe7lHMW679_LnO7fWRphkP_T12hYIB_t_V1k5cGPwN_vJ5flvKaV3xJoo347KyjqmKVVd4wISTWFjs54VCGVCSDhSiwdN1Zbyru4fd6kt75ng/s1600/door+window+lace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_n4Y8MeMos4Viwlxwz1DdayUUp7gG-cwe7lHMW679_LnO7fWRphkP_T12hYIB_t_V1k5cGPwN_vJ5flvKaV3xJoo347KyjqmKVVd4wISTWFjs54VCGVCSDhSiwdN1Zbyru4fd6kt75ng/s1600/door+window+lace.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I'm quite pleased with the effect, especially as both windows cost me less than £2 to do! But if I wasn't, or if I get bored of it, I can sponge it off with warm water, wash the lace and re-use it for something else.<br />
<br />
But you know, I think I'll be keeping it.<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05426082345150347257noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984475391589499624.post-45489021239014606082014-09-14T11:30:00.000-07:002014-09-14T11:30:24.518-07:00Beautiful Budgies<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Things have been cra-a-<em>zee</em> round here lately, and I've been very lazy about blogging ~ sorry! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I seem to have been spending every spare minute decorating my bedroom, and yesterday the bulk of the work was finally finished. I'll share some of the more hand-crafted details with you as they get added in, but for now here's a little peek at the view I woke up to this morning: </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV51c8nrU111qcQ0jJWA1I5bpOsoVRHBeLQmq1qDughOQxP8HJThfDsRanfyseN2OOQYhyFCE7xX1hDu0jS8TzY3tJojWxFRUB6w1ZEnJ86gY1oAcod3HzoIVKZ9TP2YB2U339TZRjYBQ/s1600/IMG_20140914_074843.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV51c8nrU111qcQ0jJWA1I5bpOsoVRHBeLQmq1qDughOQxP8HJThfDsRanfyseN2OOQYhyFCE7xX1hDu0jS8TzY3tJojWxFRUB6w1ZEnJ86gY1oAcod3HzoIVKZ9TP2YB2U339TZRjYBQ/s1600/IMG_20140914_074843.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Isn't in beautiful! It's Chirpy by <a href="http://www.blendworth.co.uk/catalogue/w_collection.php?cID=13" target="_blank">Blendworth</a>, a gorgeous wallpaper based on a 1950s design. As soon as I saw it I fell in love, and knew it would go perfectly with my vintage candlewick bedspreads and my love of shabby chic and handmade goodies. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4CrL26aQi-Ta1cRUvqiKJjyisYPjwqlmLfQeJJ7Bq-1i1AAyRAqtxgJ5wPMVF5cvzO9IFiHJE5awsC5X014yoqS4Hl02EoPITLu2-ds1YWd4EQ8W-yeN5QPlwfUcCIzjvk4-noVuYXHw/s1600/Chirpy_001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4CrL26aQi-Ta1cRUvqiKJjyisYPjwqlmLfQeJJ7Bq-1i1AAyRAqtxgJ5wPMVF5cvzO9IFiHJE5awsC5X014yoqS4Hl02EoPITLu2-ds1YWd4EQ8W-yeN5QPlwfUcCIzjvk4-noVuYXHw/s1600/Chirpy_001.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
It manages to be crisp and fresh and colourful all at the same time. The tones are perfect, and I love that the budgies are all roosting on blossom branches ~ it lends a tranquil air that is perfect for the bedroom. I've got lots of plans for adding personal touches and accessories, and if they work out as well as I hope then I'll be sure to share tutorials with you.<br />
<br />
Until then, I think I might go have an early night ~ it's going to be next to impossible to leave my cosy nest in the morning!<br />
<br />
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05426082345150347257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984475391589499624.post-82106346234340660442014-08-26T01:00:00.004-07:002014-08-26T01:00:51.368-07:00A Dotty InterludeI've been decorating my bedroom this weekend. But in between picking emulsion out of my hair, washing off brushes, and putting off the glosswork, I finally took some time out to do a dot-to-dot out of my new book, <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMGnJPoA2h_amcOwozqkW6cxxNch6Bc9-b_JvKcMKhINKed2SEzoS6Fvu1jiOSalWKBJ7Lq7BetkAt1mLH1IFhRglSeg6NNDf-0Mz82ACcewLYAGuBr9Y_QpM8gQuZjMFqa6ZuwZyUmDM/s1600/IMG_20140801_105510.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMGnJPoA2h_amcOwozqkW6cxxNch6Bc9-b_JvKcMKhINKed2SEzoS6Fvu1jiOSalWKBJ7Lq7BetkAt1mLH1IFhRglSeg6NNDf-0Mz82ACcewLYAGuBr9Y_QpM8gQuZjMFqa6ZuwZyUmDM/s1600/IMG_20140801_105510.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I treated myself to this book after stumbling across it in the Tate Britain gift shop. You can get also get a Cityscapes version too, and Masterpieces, and Iconic Portraits, but I went for the animals. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The dots are clearly marked in a different colour for each group of 100, and number one begins with a star - can you spot it in the picture below? </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNWO0OoFWFPOsokCsLxFuhyYQcaxTMN6tJwOn0ra1fKhassHSXBC-3oUMLO-DOpinjce0dxWbanYMr4axrjTI2ZrjligRP3-wusbGpLEbn6FikiL_aoIU_R_FPGAtmMYzRi30CCIR6BSk/s1600/IMG_20140826_084217.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNWO0OoFWFPOsokCsLxFuhyYQcaxTMN6tJwOn0ra1fKhassHSXBC-3oUMLO-DOpinjce0dxWbanYMr4axrjTI2ZrjligRP3-wusbGpLEbn6FikiL_aoIU_R_FPGAtmMYzRi30CCIR6BSk/s1600/IMG_20140826_084217.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
You definitely need to concentrate, I went wrong a couple of times but I don't think it shows. It's quite hard to see the picture evolve as you're doing it but my son could spot it from across the room, I guess it's a case of not being able to see the wood for the trees, or the cat from the whiskers?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaGy4Jc0kpPEvjk1vIInc5sBzq7EluD0xP3C_RynLBO-E6koVPHLGtSiZ0J2WIWtDHWgtIc70G-LXaXR7PtcdA0euPuuRgPsE4DGooSwJvaQm4dhceXF8IGSIBXKOBZU-uM_q3wxd3U6g/s1600/IMG_20140825_214500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaGy4Jc0kpPEvjk1vIInc5sBzq7EluD0xP3C_RynLBO-E6koVPHLGtSiZ0J2WIWtDHWgtIc70G-LXaXR7PtcdA0euPuuRgPsE4DGooSwJvaQm4dhceXF8IGSIBXKOBZU-uM_q3wxd3U6g/s1600/IMG_20140825_214500.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
If you'd like to try one of these fab books, they are available from <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_0_6?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=1000%20dot%20to%20dot&sprefix=1000+d%2Caps%2C413" target="_blank">Amazon.</a> (no fee for me ~ just spreading the love!) and probably most good book shops. <br />
<br />
Much as I would like to sit and do another, I really can't keep putting off painting the woodwork . . . can I?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05426082345150347257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984475391589499624.post-47419255299936294582014-08-17T12:16:00.000-07:002014-08-17T12:16:09.427-07:00BeeBee LoafToday's recipe was conjured up specifically to use up some bits and bobs of fruit I had knocking around. I do so love bananas, but in this weather it's not long before they start attracting fruit flies ~ and I do not love fruit flies. Not. At. All. <br />
So, how about a banana loaf? <br />
Meh . . .<br />
Don't get me wrong, cake is cake, but I always feel banana loaf needs a little something. Then I remembered I had some blueberries in the freezer! Not enough for jam, or a pie, but just enough to jazz up a banana loaf and turn it into a BeeBee loaf (Bits and Bobs, Banana and Blueberry ~ geddit?!)<br />
Blueberries are awesome. Not just because they're good for you, but who doesn't love the inky swirl you get when you stir them through a cake batter? Or the melty little pop when you bite into one? No one, that's who!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ahLULkodNsTE8Co9rChHf385IdrG8n03vFuovMm0p69pq_IcVltjDzxZWAoRm0UIoJHXXjQ-RPwpZL96cejkuvTOCxCpLVhPC1hYmhR1JOmLLhexvDiyocyIeFTaSzFW-emtSSUU_mQ/s1600/bb+loaf+cut.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ahLULkodNsTE8Co9rChHf385IdrG8n03vFuovMm0p69pq_IcVltjDzxZWAoRm0UIoJHXXjQ-RPwpZL96cejkuvTOCxCpLVhPC1hYmhR1JOmLLhexvDiyocyIeFTaSzFW-emtSSUU_mQ/s1600/bb+loaf+cut.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
175g butter or margarine<br />
175g sugar<br />
3 eggs<br />
225g self raising flour<br />
1/2 teaspoon vanilla essence<br />
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon<br />
2 large or 3 small ripe bananas<br />
130g (about 1 cup) blueberries<br />
<br />
Preheat oven to 180C / 350F / Gas4<br />
Grease a 1lb loaf tin.<br />
<br />
Peel the bananas, crush with a fork then sprinkle with the cinnamon and vanilla.<br />
Beat together the butter or margarine and sugar, then add the eggs one at a time alternately with the flour. Stir the banana mixture through the batter until evenly distributed but not well blended ~ chunks and blobs are good ~ then gently stir in the blueberries, again barely enough to mix them through.<br />
Pour batter into loaf tin, sprinkle with a spoon or two of sugar, and bake for about 45-55 mins. Allow to cool in tin for a while before turning out onto a rack.<br />
<br />
Beware!!! If you use frozen blueberries like I did, your cake will take a lot longer to cook! After it had been in for an hour I turned the heat down to about 160C and gave it another 45 mins. Test it by sticking a skewer into the centre ~ if it comes out clean, it's done!<br />
<br />
Maybe next time I will use fresh berries . . . .<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3HNkJLq28Ev9G9e7qvj3GbPiHQ9VEx44LShNJ0aYT4aKEwZzno559s9TWoF7pCFNIUyoFx1B3s15JFvSJ6r8b3iJ9MaRb3gmjUwrRCKkeO_Md94W4wB-vyVPjBkp4BjZyO0yDdUg9Vvs/s1600/BB+loaf+slice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3HNkJLq28Ev9G9e7qvj3GbPiHQ9VEx44LShNJ0aYT4aKEwZzno559s9TWoF7pCFNIUyoFx1B3s15JFvSJ6r8b3iJ9MaRb3gmjUwrRCKkeO_Md94W4wB-vyVPjBkp4BjZyO0yDdUg9Vvs/s1600/BB+loaf+slice.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05426082345150347257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984475391589499624.post-46653738326982921762014-08-13T12:56:00.001-07:002014-08-13T12:56:49.353-07:00Magic SpaghettiMy son is a little old for magic spaghetti, but that doesn't stop me making it. We both had a craving for hot dogs tonight but I had no buns and I couldn't be bothered to go out and get some, so magic spaghetti was the perfect solution. <br />
<br />
To make your own magic spaghetti, all you have to do is open a tin of hot dog sausages and cut each sausage into 4 pieces, then carefully poke 4 or 5 strands of dried uncooked spaghetti through each piece of sausage.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjptNSgjB2UDmAZn8oKpgZdLIAzKSCgq9opmzMuSrzVfy-p2kvBMw-2kvFP7OgJWH7l2kiawJMZjjtTPz3gVE0IB5i3bX3rNqAf9IiPE6h34hKszfp1-GNm49NSJ1TgcDc4gkaVKXTgHRw/s1600/magic+spag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjptNSgjB2UDmAZn8oKpgZdLIAzKSCgq9opmzMuSrzVfy-p2kvBMw-2kvFP7OgJWH7l2kiawJMZjjtTPz3gVE0IB5i3bX3rNqAf9IiPE6h34hKszfp1-GNm49NSJ1TgcDc4gkaVKXTgHRw/s1600/magic+spag.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Cook the pasta and sausage bundles in boiling water for about 5 minutes until the spaghetti is cooked. Drain, and coat gently in a little sauce ~ I used Tesco's <a href="http://www.tesco.com/groceries/product/details/?id=277081536" target="_blank">Sweet Pepper Stir Through</a> sauce.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtdpxWf-Fchi-OJhIDm4LZUjqhz4-o5X5k8fuOZCIMlZP9ZG43K_I6gctK-XWG6JxvpdsfFNvk3XAQDisSZBnqQDYoOYr699H6v65tn2HVugwo46zQtxCYGdnMY4-55l33Iy_PAo9-HQ0/s1600/magic+spag+cooked.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtdpxWf-Fchi-OJhIDm4LZUjqhz4-o5X5k8fuOZCIMlZP9ZG43K_I6gctK-XWG6JxvpdsfFNvk3XAQDisSZBnqQDYoOYr699H6v65tn2HVugwo46zQtxCYGdnMY4-55l33Iy_PAo9-HQ0/s1600/magic+spag+cooked.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
Tada! <br />
<br />
Your little ones will love it because it's magic how the spaghetti goes through the sausage ~ you will love it because it's quick, easy and delicious.<br />
<br />
and magic . . .Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05426082345150347257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984475391589499624.post-34657527357459068602014-07-31T13:54:00.000-07:002014-07-31T13:54:21.559-07:00British Folk Art<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Yesterday I spent a lovely day in my favourite Capital City in the whole wide world ~ London!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
My friend and I finally found time to go and see the Folk Art exhibition at Tate Britain, and it was well worth the wait. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFN6PXk47CTiNiSD6nkYuEP09b_23XucNxcJR-bOiF-gxk-WsQi7FWQhB_lsAGxu-LOjVy3QjWA5WFR8wjARjdi0Sr-zd5t75ccDEJ0ToLvF8qnp-J53TSIrAExk5iMKMiLWUxyPZWmlU/s1600/folkartbanner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFN6PXk47CTiNiSD6nkYuEP09b_23XucNxcJR-bOiF-gxk-WsQi7FWQhB_lsAGxu-LOjVy3QjWA5WFR8wjARjdi0Sr-zd5t75ccDEJ0ToLvF8qnp-J53TSIrAExk5iMKMiLWUxyPZWmlU/s1600/folkartbanner.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This Chicken is not quite so Cheery ~ it was made from discarded mutton bones by Napoleonic prisoners of war!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I've long been a fan of Folk Art, it has such a comfortable appeal. Unlike the grand splendour of Fine Art, Folk Art feels achievable ~ despite the obvious talent of the artisans and crafters exhibited, the rustic homeliness of their creations feels like something you could have a go at yourself, and even if you know perfectly well that your efforts will never be quite up to their standards you also know you will end up with something to be proud of.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4S0dp1E23Hog0T5DKq8wSyGDUS-JsgOUy7xZDD4T3zi3bc2z7lidJQ1V8uc64c1l8cTHFshCES35OpPereP9mZfiFepDHc9qRDWv-SkVmojNlRwE9fnNZQT_M7_7joknCb9XKlqYQ8nk/s1600/TFA+VC+stitches.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4S0dp1E23Hog0T5DKq8wSyGDUS-JsgOUy7xZDD4T3zi3bc2z7lidJQ1V8uc64c1l8cTHFshCES35OpPereP9mZfiFepDHc9qRDWv-SkVmojNlRwE9fnNZQT_M7_7joknCb9XKlqYQ8nk/s1600/TFA+VC+stitches.jpg" height="464" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rainbow Roll of Honour</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This embroidered cloth for example ~ a neatly stitched rainbow of the names of all those who were awarded the Victoria Cross in WWI. Simple yet stunning, and inspirational in more ways than one.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhIFLgf-70ZAzhZwDC4uaXL-M7t542fECDBq9sBIvlUgSBN6ENQsie4EL1s1KL5eFVDa7fZVtG0ngO7dgEkRHivMDbSUtvAn8Auuo6AjPuD62S6Sn0FKAjNhOJqR0e7VMYhCvPaZWf6uM/s1600/TFA+thefouralls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhIFLgf-70ZAzhZwDC4uaXL-M7t542fECDBq9sBIvlUgSBN6ENQsie4EL1s1KL5eFVDa7fZVtG0ngO7dgEkRHivMDbSUtvAn8Auuo6AjPuD62S6Sn0FKAjNhOJqR0e7VMYhCvPaZWf6uM/s1600/TFA+thefouralls.jpg" height="434" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Four Alls, a traditional pub sign. This version was painted c. 1850.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Unfortunately I wasn't able to sneak many photos without the guards rushing over so I guess you're going to have to go see for yourself the intricate needlepainitngs by Mary Linwood, the carved figureheads and shop signs, the beautifully constructed patchwork quilts. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.tate.org.uk/whats-on/tate-britain/exhibition/british-folk-art" target="_blank">British Folk Art</a> will be on display at Tate Britain until 31st August. Go see it, you know you want to!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05426082345150347257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984475391589499624.post-29522401246766164742014-07-19T10:26:00.000-07:002014-07-19T10:26:08.171-07:00Apple and Raspberry CharlotteFor me, the harvest begins with Raspberries. They have a fairly short season at my local Pick Your Own farm so I try to get as many as I can ~ some get jammed straight away, most are frozen so I can make fresh jams as I sell out, and of course, some I eat fresh. This weekend I managed to save a few to add to a recipe I've been wanting to try for ages ~ an Apple Charlotte. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-iLyx3DxhLZdXw1LlD039evSTu0AlfULUQk5DdSYGWc_pSmAWSWvJGUxglqFfLuly4mBnENrpTK2oySLCWPvdpfUPQ4X6fjPv2oN1yGwSLmFfg6ONzlWAY4dCNUD6N1bfNAONhohyphenhyphenV-4/s1600/A&R+Char+close.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-iLyx3DxhLZdXw1LlD039evSTu0AlfULUQk5DdSYGWc_pSmAWSWvJGUxglqFfLuly4mBnENrpTK2oySLCWPvdpfUPQ4X6fjPv2oN1yGwSLmFfg6ONzlWAY4dCNUD6N1bfNAONhohyphenhyphenV-4/s1600/A&R+Char+close.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Apple Charlotte is a yummy pudding made with stale bread and fruit ~ kind of like a fruit pie except the 'pastry' is made from crispy buttery bread. I love it because not only is it delicious, it's also a great way to use up leftover bread and any wrinkly apples you might have lingering in the fruit bowl. Plus you don't need to weigh and measure ingredients, which appeals to my lazy disposition.<br />
<br />
Serves 2<br />
<br />
4 slices stale bread<br />
3 eating apples<br />
60g raspberries<br />
2 / 3 tablespoons sugar<br />
75g butter<br />
<br />
Preheat your oven to 180C / 350F / Gas 4<br />
<br />
Peel and core your apples, and cut into thin slices. Put in a pan with the sugar, about 25g of the butter, and about a tablespoon of water. Cover and cook gently for about 10 minutes until soft. Stir in the raspberries.<br />
Cut the crusts off your bread and butter both sides. Cut two circles for the base and top of your ramekin (you can use the ramekin as a template) and cut the other slices into 3 or 4 strips each. Press the buttered strips of bread around the sides of the ramekin. Make sure you leave no gaps and allow a little to overhang at the top and a little on the base, then press one of the circles of bread into the base.<br />
Spoon the apple and raspberry mixture into the ramekin. Fold the overhanging strips of bread over the fruit filling then top with the second circle and press gently but firmly to seal. Sprinkle with a spoon of sugar and bake for approx. 20-30 minutes until the bread is golden brown.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHpR2eWfczcCcAyIOGb5kTl5iZKvl-NiSKWwq-TZccgn6urhpq-m-F9fl4sDJ4c5xPxz4G2GM0oQmwRUAaAINd3sMUUbMkUNZW8tqc8BcJMANukuQjoH1rlyxetLmUbpjAwiwwFknP12E/s1600/A&R+Char+dish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHpR2eWfczcCcAyIOGb5kTl5iZKvl-NiSKWwq-TZccgn6urhpq-m-F9fl4sDJ4c5xPxz4G2GM0oQmwRUAaAINd3sMUUbMkUNZW8tqc8BcJMANukuQjoH1rlyxetLmUbpjAwiwwFknP12E/s1600/A&R+Char+dish.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Serve hot with vanilla ice-cream or custard.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhww-hh1XohVu5PvlVQPtQYvpv4al-2LdwwSdxvxBr4poxv1bt0DH0937RJCBfYj-mPGux20Vyg8L4dgQJ1j4BZ5eUTnB6dpxb55GaTWSr3_YlrGlwaz48pGM_Z7nLqZG27V5bC7lWNwXo/s1600/A&R+Charlotte.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhww-hh1XohVu5PvlVQPtQYvpv4al-2LdwwSdxvxBr4poxv1bt0DH0937RJCBfYj-mPGux20Vyg8L4dgQJ1j4BZ5eUTnB6dpxb55GaTWSr3_YlrGlwaz48pGM_Z7nLqZG27V5bC7lWNwXo/s1600/A&R+Charlotte.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
You can try this with any fruit of course, how about apple & blueberries, or peaches and a little sprinkle of cinnamon? The fruit bowl is your oyster!<br />
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05426082345150347257noreply@blogger.com0