tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62096832024-03-07T08:54:47.368+00:00The Arts and Crafts CupboardBeckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10393549178402523433noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6209683.post-70059316471790122702014-07-28T14:00:00.001+00:002014-07-28T14:02:48.033+00:00First gardening results 2014<div dir="ltr">
Enjoying having more space to garden in with our courtyard garden. It's all still a little hit and miss, learning some things, getting frustrated by others. Next year should be even better!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuIiqnrfXfgafX2VCY8gkMT3huulM_47TONVu0XCP-R3hxGO-7FlMs8EGOgS2whG9B1yZXNpKjIRMyFNxzcUp7VIS3AApEHSjJsnEGZUQIdwutKwa_rdBvILrO8Bpiy4y71oLDuQ/s1600/20140728_143227.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuIiqnrfXfgafX2VCY8gkMT3huulM_47TONVu0XCP-R3hxGO-7FlMs8EGOgS2whG9B1yZXNpKjIRMyFNxzcUp7VIS3AApEHSjJsnEGZUQIdwutKwa_rdBvILrO8Bpiy4y71oLDuQ/s640/20140728_143227.jpg" height="400" width="300" /> </a> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZFNPdv0EiK-IOAwAYm6-rV7-OnyUAurs7qi6K4l5CsMd4dEV1iw09OXg0zwhRf4IhcwYSX6j2ybQJwM60DchJuZ8_cBfMgJjc8aJqSNaoIC6wp33RQIPoh-OFNRPcWU2jd6znbg/s1600/20140722_094817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZFNPdv0EiK-IOAwAYm6-rV7-OnyUAurs7qi6K4l5CsMd4dEV1iw09OXg0zwhRf4IhcwYSX6j2ybQJwM60DchJuZ8_cBfMgJjc8aJqSNaoIC6wp33RQIPoh-OFNRPcWU2jd6znbg/s640/20140722_094817.jpg" height="300" width="400" /> </a> </div>
Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10393549178402523433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6209683.post-37761150260359769132013-02-05T23:56:00.001+00:002013-02-05T23:56:07.730+00:00My First Food Swap<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2QaE0Cm2gthPn1wk7SJWx9_ckIZvuWdru-ku5d-xuBGn6unDUgosXlXoZ-TCj1WYTDvrnVsO-J7iT4Wb_8Fcl97ygm3U6ZijEcxTQ5z5cS0FFvvOjaH9X8tJjobq8-jjyi1WW4Q/s1600/DSCF0523.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2QaE0Cm2gthPn1wk7SJWx9_ckIZvuWdru-ku5d-xuBGn6unDUgosXlXoZ-TCj1WYTDvrnVsO-J7iT4Wb_8Fcl97ygm3U6ZijEcxTQ5z5cS0FFvvOjaH9X8tJjobq8-jjyi1WW4Q/s320/DSCF0523.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Food swaps are something I've seen mentioned in the blogs of American crafters before, but apart from the odd one in London, I'd not heard of any in the UK. So imagine my joy when a local allotment group I follow on Facebook announced one happening in the very city I live in!<br /><br />A group called <a href="http://www.applesforeggs.com/" target="_blank">Apples for Eggs</a> were putting on a food swap and I was determined to attend! I recruited my fellow baker/food enthusiast <a href="http://unalphabetica.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">SGx</a> and we set to working out what to make. It was a bit difficult doing research online for it. The majority of food swaps I could find mentioned were ones held in the US, and they seem to take their food swaps very seriously over there! A lot of the things being exchanged were of a quality you'd expect to be paying for, not at a food swap. I didn't think we were ready for that level yet. So, bumbling along through things as I normally find myself doing, I came up with this humble selection of goods:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj5ddeSEptp0yQetuCQ_5qpDe3AAJF_EVyXd2ao9CkMARXKbq5_8DdwS76riqz4JDURuhx5DCVZzv2NlycCJ78ntR4TRr1A5uoHWdtGW7Agg7QiWcSQK4BfgeuS-e5qSt1p4fn2g/s1600/DSCF0510.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj5ddeSEptp0yQetuCQ_5qpDe3AAJF_EVyXd2ao9CkMARXKbq5_8DdwS76riqz4JDURuhx5DCVZzv2NlycCJ78ntR4TRr1A5uoHWdtGW7Agg7QiWcSQK4BfgeuS-e5qSt1p4fn2g/s320/DSCF0510.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br /><br /><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
That's jars of lemon curd, plates of chocolate muffins and tubs of granola.<br />
<br />
<br />
Once we arrived, we found a place to display our wares and filled in a form for each thing we'd brought with us. After set up there was about an hour for people to mingle about and bid on your items with theirs. (e.g. if I found something I wanted to take home I'd bid one jar of lemon curd or "anything from my table"). Then there was announcement saying it was time to swap.<br />
<br />
Now I'm sure this bit works fine when you've got a group of outgoing individuals (not to cast asparagus, but I'm sure it works a it better in America), but I found this bit took a bit of getting used to, we were really only getting into the swing of it by the time everything was swapped. This part of the afternoon required you to be brave and go up to people with one of your items to offer in exchange for theirs. There was a lot of awkward interactions with people and missing out on things I had my eye on due to my being too slow and doddery. But I definitely learnt a lot from it. People were by far more interested in savoury things, the cake market was a bit saturated to say the least. Interesting preserves (someone had made some apple curd, and it was SO GOOD) and different taste combinations went down best. It was also a good idea to have lots of tasters for things, which I foolishly thought I could get away with not doing.<br />
<br />
At the top of this post you can see the goodies I came home with. A fair few jams, some reallllllllly good flapjack, a jar of SGx's delicious passata (she was totally eyeing up my chocolate muffins all afternoon, so we swapped :D ) And some dried apple slices. Hmmm...<br />
<br />
Overall the food swap was lots of fun, very interesting and enlightening. It's lovely to see what people outside your normal baking circles (i.e. Ma and SGx!) create, lots of new ideas.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi30NPmk6WlByL1yYoSKcCCxLBx9lY1WR3fzVszenV5dAeK-XXz1mRoLZEjKeKx87-KzqaGqbpuZaRrObqA_eK4S5BsX95PnAsCMYJrsTK09_2ykKv1vhVxQ9QUpzSQbq4N53X0kQ/s1600/IMAG1728.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi30NPmk6WlByL1yYoSKcCCxLBx9lY1WR3fzVszenV5dAeK-XXz1mRoLZEjKeKx87-KzqaGqbpuZaRrObqA_eK4S5BsX95PnAsCMYJrsTK09_2ykKv1vhVxQ9QUpzSQbq4N53X0kQ/s320/IMAG1728.jpg" width="190" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /><br /><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
It was even covered by the local newspaper! <a href="http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/video/1885008088001/?ref=vidshare" target="_blank">Here's the video link.</a> You can see me about a third of the way through, scratching my face and looking generally a bit shifty....<br />
<br />
<br />
There's another food swap in the works for York due in early spring apparently, with things like seedlings and cuttings being swapped as well this time. I've already started with my game plan, I've got what I hope are some good ideas for things to swap. I just need to work on being more outgoing and I should have a winning food swap formula!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10393549178402523433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6209683.post-62139588453436325342013-02-05T23:02:00.001+00:002013-02-05T23:02:07.718+00:00Christmas Gifts 2013After the success (I hope anyway!) of making all my Christmas gifts to friends and family last year I thought it would be a good idea to repeat it again this year. Although this time with bigger projects. But the same amount of time.... Err... yes. Despite my best efforts, and having started planning and picking out projects as early as September, the actual making of the gifts didn't end up starting until mid-November. Oops! I did manage to get most of them done though, which was some sort of miracle.<br />
<br />
So here's a selection of the gifts I made, unfortunately I forgot to take pictures of some of the things I made, but this will give you the gist I'm sure!<br />
<br />
One of <a href="http://planetjune.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=11_15&products_id=188" target="_blank">Planet June's succulent crochet collections</a> in a cardboard presentation box<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9by66H-7S57nkqchivGCEU79cIyViqobSYSSJ1U2YGecyyBR9V7DMKuTmJSS-Y9XOClIeXOn7-CGag-FuI-IUm8MY1eoJJ3uZuSAcNkXf6EtABuO04h1KO5dTs3csb5GrNdQkGQ/s1600/DSCF0673.JPG"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9by66H-7S57nkqchivGCEU79cIyViqobSYSSJ1U2YGecyyBR9V7DMKuTmJSS-Y9XOClIeXOn7-CGag-FuI-IUm8MY1eoJJ3uZuSAcNkXf6EtABuO04h1KO5dTs3csb5GrNdQkGQ/s200/DSCF0673.JPG" width="150" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifsxzIX3qU9WU1AdWVz2HkpNZ7iHOt2As7fk8JxvwLu4ka_XdbhS9PLG5GvNEOLz2sGf-ZPQRZxKs3ndPCnqtU8Stc582cpl_h_qrBn7is4odmnRKyQTHaWUaqvw4z8TqfUAbwzg/s1600/DSCF0675.JPG"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifsxzIX3qU9WU1AdWVz2HkpNZ7iHOt2As7fk8JxvwLu4ka_XdbhS9PLG5GvNEOLz2sGf-ZPQRZxKs3ndPCnqtU8Stc582cpl_h_qrBn7is4odmnRKyQTHaWUaqvw4z8TqfUAbwzg/s200/DSCF0675.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxKJT4UbeVSLzw9RN51VNLPM-0imLl6XDKC6nQpWCja2mgDjqOWeNxYwlfBcnOHhEt3mcugkpZGH5c2yfLaiIzGiGC8TVuuN6KDTjYMFWcEYQzFyh8nERT8GlHxlwRFi7ZEnoWIg/s1600/DSCF0682.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxKJT4UbeVSLzw9RN51VNLPM-0imLl6XDKC6nQpWCja2mgDjqOWeNxYwlfBcnOHhEt3mcugkpZGH5c2yfLaiIzGiGC8TVuuN6KDTjYMFWcEYQzFyh8nERT8GlHxlwRFi7ZEnoWIg/s200/DSCF0682.JPG" width="150" /></a><br />
(And nicely wrapped up of course, that's part of the fun)<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpdEY5N1VxKoTIuveA7kX__Y2rQttpEJ3puPXY4kPcW0ppf0w-eaalffLVNJ0gr1ijrQP3y-jtLAiZuq-ABvQ9Sf42CZDG25W3UpuCw2B1iSbN0mON1m3l6ZwLOa8KUEB8SfBWYw/s1600/DSCF0491.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpdEY5N1VxKoTIuveA7kX__Y2rQttpEJ3puPXY4kPcW0ppf0w-eaalffLVNJ0gr1ijrQP3y-jtLAiZuq-ABvQ9Sf42CZDG25W3UpuCw2B1iSbN0mON1m3l6ZwLOa8KUEB8SfBWYw/s200/DSCF0491.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
And a hand carved stamp set.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxSHmW3oBlAmU4Bbhz0sLuSCGSMzuH3eNfmDjeLHfI6gYg246iGshhb5OUwvh6clkcKxtUbk6RB6snTJAxPcTtkHy_5bD1azh0nmx9gT-NCnPZBJf2QNxZwLVxyEjvHXQDEG52hg/s1600/DSCF0601.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxSHmW3oBlAmU4Bbhz0sLuSCGSMzuH3eNfmDjeLHfI6gYg246iGshhb5OUwvh6clkcKxtUbk6RB6snTJAxPcTtkHy_5bD1azh0nmx9gT-NCnPZBJf2QNxZwLVxyEjvHXQDEG52hg/s200/DSCF0601.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
A pack of hand made stitch markers</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></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/AVvXsEhoOI4O3K1-VHd4e-D2dsQK63fNEpZ3dhcGcyRnKMn4EjFhr1lahd2ETMb9zfFB9wuWQffxRba7ERp4rTbiNuUjiHwA3OYNdAvb6U6YXqk8MN8X5NouK2J4edVdXqqQLASjy9ie9g/s1600/DSCF0607.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoOI4O3K1-VHd4e-D2dsQK63fNEpZ3dhcGcyRnKMn4EjFhr1lahd2ETMb9zfFB9wuWQffxRba7ERp4rTbiNuUjiHwA3OYNdAvb6U6YXqk8MN8X5NouK2J4edVdXqqQLASjy9ie9g/s200/DSCF0607.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
A pair of rice filled hand warmers (<a href="http://beeinmybonnetco.blogspot.co.uk/2012/01/hotcold-bags-tutorial.html" target="_blank">tute here</a>)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIlgYdWyBIDYBQTfk3IIpR8pJhCltO-ymIkjovb1nCfu3-Pb_s1dyAOOtrXeLBONMLnNqgGp5OZVDTRkDqG08uQFzUpgigNtx-h2C13jve_Y670PcdREx4XUDcjRqb7jOExuU5jA/s1600/DSCF0645.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIlgYdWyBIDYBQTfk3IIpR8pJhCltO-ymIkjovb1nCfu3-Pb_s1dyAOOtrXeLBONMLnNqgGp5OZVDTRkDqG08uQFzUpgigNtx-h2C13jve_Y670PcdREx4XUDcjRqb7jOExuU5jA/s200/DSCF0645.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
A knitted rugby ball, adorned with the England rugby team's rose logo (painstakingly cut out of felt then each piece individually hand sewn on, more fun that it sounds actually!)<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBklowsj3vw1pih_syW-YaW03pf5YHo5zJkUwDvtaZ7Vp4a29YvbIs22fJHimwnXAX-ELbHfBVXv_yeuV1euMJUH33QTwNAt1l5a0sKXF4Qi3H796WJAvEJYVYOK91r6WjJzR44w/s1600/IMG_20130113_1718431.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBklowsj3vw1pih_syW-YaW03pf5YHo5zJkUwDvtaZ7Vp4a29YvbIs22fJHimwnXAX-ELbHfBVXv_yeuV1euMJUH33QTwNAt1l5a0sKXF4Qi3H796WJAvEJYVYOK91r6WjJzR44w/s200/IMG_20130113_1718431.jpg" width="150" /></a><br />
<br />I made two pairs of socks for various people, although not without major frustration! One pair needed just a tiny bit more yarn than I had in the right colour (this was one of the late presents, so time was of the essence), so they ended up like this! And the other I tried to knit part of whilst in a pub (tut) and had to frog back this much (*sob*) But in the end they were ok! I used <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/scotland-yard-socks" target="_blank">this pattern</a> for them. A nice straight forward heel turn, and an easy pair of socks to knit, as long as you're paying attention!<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOrYowUGPc74kKyZO9Ib_CxlR34OWm3_cMPed9BDEL_2SY4u0i6qN-yHVnC9A_Jdkopsu-Carrdh00ak0KPUhfcIEbIoWURAv1CA_IrHWZfb4zvHIMoRVJCTFzoKpPPYRq6oRZpQ/s1600/DSCF0576.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOrYowUGPc74kKyZO9Ib_CxlR34OWm3_cMPed9BDEL_2SY4u0i6qN-yHVnC9A_Jdkopsu-Carrdh00ak0KPUhfcIEbIoWURAv1CA_IrHWZfb4zvHIMoRVJCTFzoKpPPYRq6oRZpQ/s200/DSCF0576.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWohpdw1lYbhcNNjW04URqspsNbQHYGY-fc_rujL3jf9oCzBedUkAkppbsEUa3dOIV8lmuAjkky5FrFlIpyLtYUbrtgDEAkuVibTyapeS4jnhEkvGKSnv41pznOYaEGzm75IYOMA/s1600/IMAG1868.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWohpdw1lYbhcNNjW04URqspsNbQHYGY-fc_rujL3jf9oCzBedUkAkppbsEUa3dOIV8lmuAjkky5FrFlIpyLtYUbrtgDEAkuVibTyapeS4jnhEkvGKSnv41pznOYaEGzm75IYOMA/s200/IMAG1868.jpg" width="119" /></a><br />
<br />
This little <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/62385871/pdf-amigurumi-pattern-kitty-in-totoro?ref=pr_shop" target="_blank">amigarumi Hello Kitty/Totoro</a> was another late gift, although in my defense I had no idea it was so awkward to find safety eyes! (<a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/situer" target="_blank">I found mine here</a> in the end, good price and sent as quick as you'd expect for something coming from China to the UK)<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOrYowUGPc74kKyZO9Ib_CxlR34OWm3_cMPed9BDEL_2SY4u0i6qN-yHVnC9A_Jdkopsu-Carrdh00ak0KPUhfcIEbIoWURAv1CA_IrHWZfb4zvHIMoRVJCTFzoKpPPYRq6oRZpQ/s1600/DSCF0576.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdNsh_G077tecOKsZTgs607lFgJmM0NZ-h71QefVsJ8vEoq7uxq5kOHoS6R6RIzU4QoJz-bn1YPwgz7cbVWNb_EPVDmp4z5fgQPhJBmFDt0KPkrOxepRZwmsz58y0cDY5H0-0SwQ/s1600/IMAG1869.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdNsh_G077tecOKsZTgs607lFgJmM0NZ-h71QefVsJ8vEoq7uxq5kOHoS6R6RIzU4QoJz-bn1YPwgz7cbVWNb_EPVDmp4z5fgQPhJBmFDt0KPkrOxepRZwmsz58y0cDY5H0-0SwQ/s200/IMAG1869.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
And finally le Boof's patience paid off and he got his cardigan I'd been promising since July. Not strictly a Christmas gift, but it was finished in my big crafty post-Christmas spell when I was trying to get everything promised to people done! It probably would have been finished though if this hadn't happened. I've not had much luck with flexible needles finer than 5mm :S<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNWaC6e6W46rZehp_rTHSbfyZHzEmwo4yyXWfEf7VLTOWcDxLi7OJ53uuhJTE9QKsa6Ww9fYkXHsr_C3sjBpkjiqbWhjkTGVvg9ZEiqwc8unpFKOulp1Hhyphenhyphen7oAQZvZJF9UdInXyQ/s1600/IMAG1828.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNWaC6e6W46rZehp_rTHSbfyZHzEmwo4yyXWfEf7VLTOWcDxLi7OJ53uuhJTE9QKsa6Ww9fYkXHsr_C3sjBpkjiqbWhjkTGVvg9ZEiqwc8unpFKOulp1Hhyphenhyphen7oAQZvZJF9UdInXyQ/s200/IMAG1828.jpg" width="119" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
As well as hand crafted gifts I did a few small food hampers. These included:<br />
<br />
<br />
Peppermint creams (made with Ma's traditional Christmas recipe)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWn4tGGl9PtRsAMrDXOJyFgiaHTI92coD4VrY8i0B7nDk8SgQw1AJaYhcvsI7cDKpgNNbwEVx5KWzqbsKiO3xfsVsglXfn9qF_6ln57aNXX42ZmUdbQzTOIMRmTxU322UEtw-SHA/s1600/DSCF0623.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWn4tGGl9PtRsAMrDXOJyFgiaHTI92coD4VrY8i0B7nDk8SgQw1AJaYhcvsI7cDKpgNNbwEVx5KWzqbsKiO3xfsVsglXfn9qF_6ln57aNXX42ZmUdbQzTOIMRmTxU322UEtw-SHA/s200/DSCF0623.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKfhfryPwhf02rhpGwBc4eDXykWp7y3FB47XBKvvgNzBsxhHXq4wO5MbvxnjQ3ZvhSL9qfwX82qOutd8_kN33BjIpFol-HKox1kmQeM8iRqKpLft1dLFu9lyky27mulBiDi0lIdQ/s1600/DSCF0631.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKfhfryPwhf02rhpGwBc4eDXykWp7y3FB47XBKvvgNzBsxhHXq4wO5MbvxnjQ3ZvhSL9qfwX82qOutd8_kN33BjIpFol-HKox1kmQeM8iRqKpLft1dLFu9lyky27mulBiDi0lIdQ/s200/DSCF0631.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Butter tablet fudge, which came out nice and crunchy (yay for achieving my first proper <a href="http://www.exploratorium.edu/cooking/candy/sugar-stages.html" target="_blank">hard-ball set</a> on a sweet!)<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXKxboEtmD9qmj7faVKkwLnQM9ftFd_Op0-6oI7ZaWE7q-pf8jEeaTiaQrgRZuyXEOeTaQhVwOVxAUd0kWR9ZmugXWRS9H0EDvldDvJVZhO-cqgIpz7ClYDMmKVDUnoaGf03YRjA/s1600/DSCF0689.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXKxboEtmD9qmj7faVKkwLnQM9ftFd_Op0-6oI7ZaWE7q-pf8jEeaTiaQrgRZuyXEOeTaQhVwOVxAUd0kWR9ZmugXWRS9H0EDvldDvJVZhO-cqgIpz7ClYDMmKVDUnoaGf03YRjA/s200/DSCF0689.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
A gingerbread house, which I got the icing just right for this year. No mugs holding up my gingerbread walls while they set!<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOfj01ErFB0hpu7d3PBveet6dpFTH-8v_Lukw6s-JYk619JeI062Q963mPd_9PiINnESyDXfPI1O2DDw5HMwhVH2JLSEM7CQ9Rujznp_zvrCcOXQQ4a7iDRYfvRYbMBEUjrgscAA/s1600/DSCF0694.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOfj01ErFB0hpu7d3PBveet6dpFTH-8v_Lukw6s-JYk619JeI062Q963mPd_9PiINnESyDXfPI1O2DDw5HMwhVH2JLSEM7CQ9Rujznp_zvrCcOXQQ4a7iDRYfvRYbMBEUjrgscAA/s200/DSCF0694.JPG" width="150" /></a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
I've got lots more lovely Christmas things to share with you, but that'll be for another post methinks!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10393549178402523433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6209683.post-10984650719617129652012-09-18T20:31:00.001+00:002012-09-18T20:31:31.574+00:00Fleece and Knitting SocietyAlmost a year ago now, having moved 300 miles away from all our friends and family, I was very very glad to discover that the university that BF's attending allow non-students into its societies. I joined up to several, wandering round with le Boof at the Fresher's Fair, but the main one that interested me was their Knitting Society. They turned out to be a fantastic group of people, welcoming and supportive, exactly what you're looking to stave off the homesickness! The long and short of this now is I've ended up being a driving force in what's happening in the society next year. As a non-student there are a fair few restrictions on what I can do within the society, but I've been working closely with this year's committee, and next year is shaping up to be super exciting for KnitSoc. <br />
<br />
Once we'd managed to get ourselves a logo sorted, one of the first things I put myself forward for was screen printing T-shirts.<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyC5sf7gEcySoy6Xp53ha5AbXhII4ypUSwP-5Jp-CDOZ9vz0WWSyoE8hR5nSHgC1atFI0b7B_M4GlFBzNFon22-3QWXUCLh_MHz3xcCSI-Rv0pAGGqp78Y1o1azIyFgpDKvaQOsg/s1600/DSCF0188.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyC5sf7gEcySoy6Xp53ha5AbXhII4ypUSwP-5Jp-CDOZ9vz0WWSyoE8hR5nSHgC1atFI0b7B_M4GlFBzNFon22-3QWXUCLh_MHz3xcCSI-Rv0pAGGqp78Y1o1azIyFgpDKvaQOsg/s320/DSCF0188.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
These went down very well! I used my little Speedball screen printing starter kit (<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Speedball-Super-Fabric-Screen-Printing/dp/B00251JO8G/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1347992907&sr=8-1" target="_blank">here</a>), with the photosensitive emulsion, the same I used to make <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUpme4OqKw03NASfBCs23lS5bY9L9XAwfoKEZTB0AFFVaVu8KXrpbZDTZy0XjowjWRiME11RZOCJC-YcwjmzB4Gb6NOxnD3w6AypdNG9qySO01iwEuaX3JIliRPOZiwLzUD4h79w/h120/Pic+060_.png" target="_blank">these T-shirts</a> last year. It's very good for detailed images, and thanks to all the testing I ended up doing with exposure times last time it only took the one attempt to get the screen right! (A good photo-tute on <a href="http://www.instructables.com/id/Photo-emulsion-Screen-Printing/" target="_blank">screen printing with photosensitive emulsion</a> here)<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkKP4fGBHIah-_c0NWl3MjGEjkAh7TMslsnZaVzgsOvK4buBR-swman-v1ajl9THLGN4zK70vU-qvKsI1b3p6ja6dWOaWKcANXyLU5kidAo8I1eZPYZbYX6xl_6k86-wFcu2THTQ/s1600/IMAG1509.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkKP4fGBHIah-_c0NWl3MjGEjkAh7TMslsnZaVzgsOvK4buBR-swman-v1ajl9THLGN4zK70vU-qvKsI1b3p6ja6dWOaWKcANXyLU5kidAo8I1eZPYZbYX6xl_6k86-wFcu2THTQ/s200/IMAG1509.jpg" width="119" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Exposing the screen</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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/AVvXsEjfxmcy1l24SpAOnIw6gSVWUhyjNGy_6H4Td5QLfJqc_jYia2XWtAsQ-K1fZaO2a-SeMKhhNiej-BAWYEHfR4AXMSxOAax6WmeXCUL450YdcpEMUb3stLXFpnnITLO_CeGk77W84w/s1600/IMAG1510.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfxmcy1l24SpAOnIw6gSVWUhyjNGy_6H4Td5QLfJqc_jYia2XWtAsQ-K1fZaO2a-SeMKhhNiej-BAWYEHfR4AXMSxOAax6WmeXCUL450YdcpEMUb3stLXFpnnITLO_CeGk77W84w/s200/IMAG1510.jpg" width="119" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ready to start printing!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
We then decided stash bags would be a pretty good idea. I've just today finished the first batch of fifty!<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNN_bcb7WWhn5kpkI1HCzpXE_RkHO-ZhFxt1QyyyRrSNmjW1LWiCbAbepvs-ftNBLlyL-TuMTCa0S-rueHJZYfAHsgPxQ5C-N0oSA28MFTV1KGDXRfKFRA3Cp605HBf6e2VGfYdA/s1600/DSCF0405.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNN_bcb7WWhn5kpkI1HCzpXE_RkHO-ZhFxt1QyyyRrSNmjW1LWiCbAbepvs-ftNBLlyL-TuMTCa0S-rueHJZYfAHsgPxQ5C-N0oSA28MFTV1KGDXRfKFRA3Cp605HBf6e2VGfYdA/s320/DSCF0405.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">KnitSoc stash bags!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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/AVvXsEinafWZJ2JbmP75aY0MSEIVHmIN1xxS6ymppo4pwrymhnUBsHq7-QEMmcU9h9yQbG-z0m1C0-vXlmlyeZ6QpZ9InuPpWAt3SzUzOHVt8pPvk3Z09a1xhvTI4Fq8zM-hnmrdJlKnbg/s1600/IMAG1573.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinafWZJ2JbmP75aY0MSEIVHmIN1xxS6ymppo4pwrymhnUBsHq7-QEMmcU9h9yQbG-z0m1C0-vXlmlyeZ6QpZ9InuPpWAt3SzUzOHVt8pPvk3Z09a1xhvTI4Fq8zM-hnmrdJlKnbg/s320/IMAG1573.jpg" width="191" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just a few to start... well, fifty.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Another project I've thrown myself into, mainly because of my involvement with the knitting society, is making my own wool from scratch! The fleeces were from Freecycle again. A very nice lady in a village not far out of the city takes care of unwanted animals, and in amongst her menagerie are four sheep. Three <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hebridean_(sheep)" target="_blank">Hebridean</a> and one <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southdown_(sheep)" target="_blank">Southdown</a> (I think). She was giving them their yearly shearing and decided to offer the fleeces on Freecycle. I eventually decided this was a good idea (le Boof was not so sure to begin with) and once they had been removed from the sheep, went to pick them up.<br />
<br />
The first thing I did was ignore all the advice and instructions on how to clean sheep fleeces I'd been reading online and chucked one into the bath. No, I could not tell you why I did this. Once I'd salvaged it from the bath (thankfully it hadn't fleeced very much) I sat back and made a plan.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Tj4_vJFmPFIrOnttc_BrdLIyYGjZUu92k10t2ruMuGfp4itlgYxb9fFxiECcssOfNfoKZvL8Rf1nYBUz8V2Vo54VnIfRl2h8XaccUDZMHwekglFpOTcrHxP3oPBsuab7UIHQwQ/s1600/IMAG1587.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Tj4_vJFmPFIrOnttc_BrdLIyYGjZUu92k10t2ruMuGfp4itlgYxb9fFxiECcssOfNfoKZvL8Rf1nYBUz8V2Vo54VnIfRl2h8XaccUDZMHwekglFpOTcrHxP3oPBsuab7UIHQwQ/s320/IMAG1587.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A bath full of not poop, but wet fleece :S</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
The method I went for in the end was:<br />
<br />
Pick over the fleeces for the bigger bits of hay and plants pieces (and poop D: ), split them into small bits and put the pieces into net wash bags <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Childs-Caraselle-Zipped-Laundry-22cms/dp/B001MJRSI0/ref=sr_1_3?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1347995796&sr=1-3" target="_blank">like these</a>. Then fill a bath tub full of water (I went for coolish water. There are various different methods I read up about online, but starting the fleece in a cold bath reduces the amount of effort involved, I felt), and add a bit of shampoo (nice cheap stuff worked fine). The fleece can soak for two hours, then drain the bath and repeat this step once more. Finally drain the bath again and give the bags of fleece a final one hour soak in clean water. Give the bags a good squeeze then pop them in the washing machine on a single spin. Just the spin though mind, any spraying of water onto the fleeces and you'll get felting. Which is exactly what we don't want for spinning fleeces! Once spun, hang out until dry.<br />
<br />
I found this process to get the fleeces clean enough for me. They still smelt a tiny bit like sheep, maybe after it had had a shower, but the sheepy smell staying means some of the lanolin (sheep sweat, gross, but useful for spinning!) is still on the fleece, but this helps when it comes to spinning the fleece.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnhttDyitDEwaLlc-gaL9rIhOzYI5Iwg6EFPsbiVj_uQ48M9H5OO9iJaV0q3oIHWXjMJxO2lfWB1R5cCT9AzxU3nNeTErkO-ngWhxyS7UMKNXfpSYWPYkhAOKZuxOAvJyza4OI1Q/s1600/DSCF0376.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnhttDyitDEwaLlc-gaL9rIhOzYI5Iwg6EFPsbiVj_uQ48M9H5OO9iJaV0q3oIHWXjMJxO2lfWB1R5cCT9AzxU3nNeTErkO-ngWhxyS7UMKNXfpSYWPYkhAOKZuxOAvJyza4OI1Q/s200/DSCF0376.JPG" width="200" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgosiZf_ZEczX9HF6rKhGTrQ1Zu0KrFF4pk95d9w3ceSdBulM17vmpC6-AD6PrbYKv5b9u80CE-uKh24ZXSL1Ov07ah6ijPr4if3NxkKgNIs7QRwKUVjuilUe1InbrU_KUEDTU2Lw/s1600/DSCF0383.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgosiZf_ZEczX9HF6rKhGTrQ1Zu0KrFF4pk95d9w3ceSdBulM17vmpC6-AD6PrbYKv5b9u80CE-uKh24ZXSL1Ov07ah6ijPr4if3NxkKgNIs7QRwKUVjuilUe1InbrU_KUEDTU2Lw/s200/DSCF0383.JPG" width="200" /></a>
<br />
<br />
So now the vestibule in he flat is full of boxes of fleece. They are now waiting for either myself or the knitting society to invest in some <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carding" target="_blank">carders</a>. Carding is the next step in the process of making yarn from fleece. It aligns the fibres of the wool, therefore making it easier to spin.<br />
<br />
I've already got myself a <a href="http://www.joyofhandspinning.com/HowToDropspin.shtml" target="_blank">drop spindle</a> ready for spinning, and recently attended a spinning class at a local yarn/fabric type shop and managed this -<br />
<br />
<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/AVvXsEg2qoD5XT7cnz8C9c7edXcRm79-qGBZIIys6JvNhHRvQzL70ELpDxUKoWfG2FNUbUae_saq3R4sH7uqzGTY7QNMX9nB53muhTpVrym5UgQwfuPbtPHBThtxTtnTPr_xoqeLhCFlMg/s1600/IMAG1497.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2qoD5XT7cnz8C9c7edXcRm79-qGBZIIys6JvNhHRvQzL70ELpDxUKoWfG2FNUbUae_saq3R4sH7uqzGTY7QNMX9nB53muhTpVrym5UgQwfuPbtPHBThtxTtnTPr_xoqeLhCFlMg/s320/IMAG1497.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
The majority of it however will be going to the knitting society so we can offer the chance to spin wool to our members, which is pretty exciting (and relieving as it means I won't be having to deal with it all!)<br />
<br />
<br />
Welp there's loads more to mention about my KnitSoc adventures, but that will probably do for now!<br />
<br />
<br />
<i>Currently listening to <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cjKcmZGhUrQ" target="_blank">Cough Cough by Everything Everything</a></i><br />
<i>Currently playing (obsessively) <a href="http://www.technicpack.net/tekkit/" target="_blank">Tekkit</a> (A Minecraft mod pack)</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10393549178402523433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6209683.post-27234944171816227682012-09-13T21:45:00.001+00:002012-09-13T21:57:56.645+00:00It's been a long, long, long time.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFap8iS0YRPSdvUj4uo5t4vtsRUQnL3YRt391sxAWBX9gLfENfc5D4rdZh1EyhR5Vlh32V76wy1c8CyiiIA_GTFZ_Fbc1dXw5vzgpJ5OflhjA9-a-S_PUAkcllIjsa-O-cBWXOUg/s1600/IMAG1658.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFap8iS0YRPSdvUj4uo5t4vtsRUQnL3YRt391sxAWBX9gLfENfc5D4rdZh1EyhR5Vlh32V76wy1c8CyiiIA_GTFZ_Fbc1dXw5vzgpJ5OflhjA9-a-S_PUAkcllIjsa-O-cBWXOUg/s400/IMAG1658.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<embed flashvars="audioUrl=https://sites.google.com/site/artsandcraftscupboard/home-1/The%20Beatles%20-%20Lon%2C%20Long%2C%20Long.mp3" height="27" quality="best" src="http://www.google.com/reader/ui/3523697345-audio-player.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="400"></embed><br />
<br />
Ok, so first off I have unintentionally initiated a bit of a Beatles bender just by naming this post. So here's the song that started it for you.<br />
<br />
But yes, it has been a very long time. I would like to say something dramatic like life's gotten in the way or I've been very busy, but to be entirely honest, I just got out of the habit of writing on my blog. It happens. I've not been idling about though, I have done many things in these long five months. Many small enough not to warrant looking back months and months to comment upon.<br />
<br />
<br />
One thing that is definitely worth a big mention however...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdWtVFoZSGY8oGY5mt6GLG6_cQRuXVxDai-iWboaMr857U0ivkYJzjaTieT-ZhjOvgUPARR1bv-X6tE_xN5OfEOS_HLJhrdGbJ-MFwyWhwSOoWFF8k2h5Prj_Qne-rHzc_T5j9dQ/s1600/IMAG1653.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdWtVFoZSGY8oGY5mt6GLG6_cQRuXVxDai-iWboaMr857U0ivkYJzjaTieT-ZhjOvgUPARR1bv-X6tE_xN5OfEOS_HLJhrdGbJ-MFwyWhwSOoWFF8k2h5Prj_Qne-rHzc_T5j9dQ/s320/IMAG1653.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Yes! It's a knitting machine! Of course you all knew that.<br />
<br />
A very kind couple were offering it on <a href="http://uk.freecycle.org/" target="_blank">Freecycle</a>. They were moving house and emptying out their garage and attic, and weren't sure if it had all the pieces, so were offering it for FREE. Whelp. It has all the pieces, plus a ribbing attachment, and all the various bits and bobs it needs to operate fully! Not only that but the couple also gave me a HUGE posh briefcase full of fantastic 80's pattern books, instruction manuals, blank punch cards and punchy thing to make my own patterns. Then, as if that wasn't enough, the next day I received an email asking me if I'd like the box of yarn cones they'd just found in their attic to go with the machine!! It was an EVEN HUGER box of cones, I could only just lift it and fit it into my poor little car!<br />
<br />
On first getting it set up, I experienced a bit of new-toy-at-Christmas syndrome. I was certain I'd put it all together correctly, but whatever I tweaked it wouldn't work properly. So followed many a "humpf" and "argh", until I gave up and trawled through the internets to try and find a solution. I eventually discovered it was something called a <i>needle retainer sponge bar </i>that was causing my problems. It should be a nice plump bit of sponge holding the needles down so that they catch the yarn as it's drawn across. However on inspection, the one in my machine was as flat as a pancake! They can be fairly expensive to buy replacements, but thanks to <a href="http://knittsings.com/how-to-make-a-knitting-machine-needle-retainer-sponge-bar-part-1-remove-the-old-and-clean-for-new/" target="_blank">this very useful tutorial</a>, it barely cost a thing. (DIY ftw)<br />
<br />
So now I've been working my way through the various techniques in the getting started manual.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghQTBYq3O3B91xQu3Qbs5EwCFj_HDh4uvFyv46VIvj6eyghZF7qytRCquviztXNdapoKTulwE0I5RSrD2foOCCZ4Tr_KuHKejjKYymSmjE4pgh9OC1IOzVwS1fkgzuGYDSkH5j0w/s1600/IMAG1652.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="119" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghQTBYq3O3B91xQu3Qbs5EwCFj_HDh4uvFyv46VIvj6eyghZF7qytRCquviztXNdapoKTulwE0I5RSrD2foOCCZ4Tr_KuHKejjKYymSmjE4pgh9OC1IOzVwS1fkgzuGYDSkH5j0w/s200/IMAG1652.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two colour skip-stitch knitting</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFcDRuRemhZeHeq55yOIRpTHHPGgvdxPKZ9I1znu8pnOQ8H9iGI64FWBzLCP_CW8jPrefF8JJUtnPYtj9RXqHh6_CCYSK-AoJgT4x4s26uiN_lAf5qKBmg8OZzgFWI1zMHSfNjjg/s1600/IMAG1650.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="119" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFcDRuRemhZeHeq55yOIRpTHHPGgvdxPKZ9I1znu8pnOQ8H9iGI64FWBzLCP_CW8jPrefF8JJUtnPYtj9RXqHh6_CCYSK-AoJgT4x4s26uiN_lAf5qKBmg8OZzgFWI1zMHSfNjjg/s200/IMAG1650.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plain knitting, I was so proud!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVeMzH0tyvixMPOnNpFiycscZbKljf-OhmXE4_i_LLuCy1K9RnZEkLfujF7FYN6l7Y3SRjAFchbQgi5iX_hQ384VHqETPrm2mNSGRt5wUW7vrHJwxtDKDiVOMsgCnz8WX8Beqbkg/s1600/IMAG1651.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVeMzH0tyvixMPOnNpFiycscZbKljf-OhmXE4_i_LLuCy1K9RnZEkLfujF7FYN6l7Y3SRjAFchbQgi5iX_hQ384VHqETPrm2mNSGRt5wUW7vrHJwxtDKDiVOMsgCnz8WX8Beqbkg/s200/IMAG1651.jpg" width="119" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Skip-stitch knitting</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
It's a proper old school punch card machine, which, although means there are certain restrictions on things like pattern width, is fascinating to watch and learn the inner workings of. It's piqued le Boof's interests too as punch cards are a very (very very) basic form of programming! (He's a computer scientist fyi)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRssMsRgIJVviVyn6hIFQ0TvmR0iSpP1y9tEi1xt8dej5UaM-FXl1s_w0gdCw9eWbf1Do7C72-WDmGa1VWr-7UzwNPsir9XiAm8bQGFQFOr73WK0l7b5XeZ9_IH5Udp6ucLMGOyQ/s1600/IMAG1649.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRssMsRgIJVviVyn6hIFQ0TvmR0iSpP1y9tEi1xt8dej5UaM-FXl1s_w0gdCw9eWbf1Do7C72-WDmGa1VWr-7UzwNPsir9XiAm8bQGFQFOr73WK0l7b5XeZ9_IH5Udp6ucLMGOyQ/s320/IMAG1649.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Needless to say I was dead chuffed when I finally got it working!<br />
<br />
This contraption, however, I'm still figuring out. It's the ribbing attachment that also came with it. The knitting machine itself can only knit one way, so no ribbing. This adds another bed, the other way around, which enables you to do it. Not a great deal of luck with it yet though! It also puts the dinner table out of action as that's the only surface large enough to fit it on :S<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha94SOMjunzOPTRP_Da8r6I9Qw_pUWuoDHwmjIDZEU8i4NFDRkZI6Uk4hk1LcbO8oA6lQLi3barWSsPSsUsGLCk4GiewRu2fck4ciOOoebOoIcoip6_3Cgto-GmOyi7HNoEcDQDw/s1600/IMAG1663.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha94SOMjunzOPTRP_Da8r6I9Qw_pUWuoDHwmjIDZEU8i4NFDRkZI6Uk4hk1LcbO8oA6lQLi3barWSsPSsUsGLCk4GiewRu2fck4ciOOoebOoIcoip6_3Cgto-GmOyi7HNoEcDQDw/s320/IMAG1663.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I've made plans for my first pullover, just have to get up the courage to start a garment on it!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Oh yes, by the way, the picture at the top of the post is an old steam roller we spotted in town the other week. It had been used in the 1960's to flatten the roads in York and had been brought back to it's old stomping grounds by the lovely people who had restored it. It was utterly fascinating to see! <a href="http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/9910881.Vintage_steamroller_returns_to_York_s_streets/?ref=mmsp" target="_blank">Here's an article about it in the local press.</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i>Currently obsessed with: <a href="https://movies.netflix.com/WiMovie/Arrested_Development/70140358?locale=en-US" target="_blank">Arrested Development on Netflix</a> (Netflix is so good!)</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10393549178402523433noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6209683.post-61082423342603082642012-04-05T23:09:00.001+00:002012-04-05T23:09:01.479+00:00My Adventures With Pinterest, and My Busy, Busy Week.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgldDIajFoIOQjaOCaCopa4sSHXu4MBX7oEC0D5fxNbup4Craxprs6atr3u9ukamA9J-3NtqCe-6dCw9p-6w84n_cUBAVzaa7okpvvvpnuq20dejcycpWVA8JivDnoLir3S_wHCuA/s1600/DSCF9757_.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgldDIajFoIOQjaOCaCopa4sSHXu4MBX7oEC0D5fxNbup4Craxprs6atr3u9ukamA9J-3NtqCe-6dCw9p-6w84n_cUBAVzaa7okpvvvpnuq20dejcycpWVA8JivDnoLir3S_wHCuA/s400/DSCF9757_.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
First off, I organised my paper stash the other day. Let us take a minute to fully appreciate the beauty of it. Mmmm.... paper.<br />
<br />
I deny any accusations of having an unhealthy obsession with paper. *stroke*<br />
<br />
In other news....<br />
I have no problem at all with owning up to having spent a little bit too much of my time on Pinterest of late. My craft related productivity has been the highest since I last had space to craft (probably not far off a year ago now), I've made lots of useful things and discovered many new (to me) wonderful craft and food blogs through it. Can't recommend it highly enough for <a href="http://i.imgur.com/kl2ih.jpg" target="_blank">inspiration</a>. And a super long to do list! Mine's miles long now. Some things I have got crossed off in the past week though are:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUhWNzbT5EAKwEZ32NpmITcOIJI5bMj7MgjCB_Om32c4tDiy5TYJOe8E9Pf3WTjwUqn-p9JU6rIK2b4x9tWLEgQ4EljkkSPksZdtmYuIRiMewc5Zz-LK_hyphenhyphen-8voLZGVEo-NYdkKA/s1600/DSCF9771_.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUhWNzbT5EAKwEZ32NpmITcOIJI5bMj7MgjCB_Om32c4tDiy5TYJOe8E9Pf3WTjwUqn-p9JU6rIK2b4x9tWLEgQ4EljkkSPksZdtmYuIRiMewc5Zz-LK_hyphenhyphen-8voLZGVEo-NYdkKA/s200/DSCF9771_.png" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<a href="http://i.imgur.com/kl2ih.jpg" target="_blank">Polymer clay plant marker</a>.
<br />
Very useful as my brightly coloured lolly sticks markers were starting to suffer from being sat in wet soil. These make my plants look classy instead of like a small child is growing them.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnfe2N3nt_no8uB8CHd6mHavm4hyphenhyphenEGLCR8TttoDQmSdsm5sjlOmb0Y77q0IRMEd1nFIVM0xNSmiBA-tdxh2m84bBLzAlvFAyCdz-kQ6zwDYGN5F5Nj9j035wHaY3s0Thg3IrPtDg/s1600/DSCF9828_.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnfe2N3nt_no8uB8CHd6mHavm4hyphenhyphenEGLCR8TttoDQmSdsm5sjlOmb0Y77q0IRMEd1nFIVM0xNSmiBA-tdxh2m84bBLzAlvFAyCdz-kQ6zwDYGN5F5Nj9j035wHaY3s0Thg3IrPtDg/s200/DSCF9828_.png" width="150" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Inspired by <a href="http://entermyattic.blogspot.co.uk/2011/12/aqua.html" target="_blank">an image from this blog</a>, I finally made something to brighten up one of the corners of our front room. I spent many, many hours playing with my Cuttlebug cutting the shapes and then abusing the needle on my sewing machine by using it to sew them all together. It's currently awaiting further additions, hence the dangling red thread on one end.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-U6vqOZYd1ouJ3UoS0M3kLGJsEoZoytTP6GzBSXwDbF0A8iRYRfusoODi467ynKDDEaJ_NwKT91gcap7Jmi17bJvlL3kJJLSKWs-kV_1VOuUUwDjKbIoAEa_Ml70AwdhTXwS__Q/s1600/DSCF9829_.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-U6vqOZYd1ouJ3UoS0M3kLGJsEoZoytTP6GzBSXwDbF0A8iRYRfusoODi467ynKDDEaJ_NwKT91gcap7Jmi17bJvlL3kJJLSKWs-kV_1VOuUUwDjKbIoAEa_Ml70AwdhTXwS__Q/s200/DSCF9829_.png" width="200" /></a></div>
Sat bored watching a film (I can't just watch things, unless I'm falling asleep. I have to be doing something at the same time), I decided to have a go at <a href="http://www.craftstylish.com/item/2546/how-to-weave-on-a-cardboard-loom" target="_blank">making a cardboard loom using these instructions</a>. Still a work in progress atm, it's eventually going to be a small mat for something. Maybe not a place mat, cheap wool isn't normally too heatproof I don't think.<br />
<br />
I've also had a go at making a <a href="http://ajourneytoadream.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/helpful-yet-simple-diy-for-spring.html?showComment=1332868588728" target="_blank">watering can from a plastic milk container</a>, which has become an invaluable part of my gardening equipment. I've got lots of large pots with plants in now and trying to water them all with my little <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/dotcomgiftshop-Green-Dinosaur-Watering-Can/dp/B0038WHRJY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1333666513&sr=8-1" target="_blank">dinosaur watering can</a> would take years. This is great, although don't try and punch holes in the lid with something pokey instead of a hot needle like the instructions say. I thought I was being clever by not reading the guide properly. Didn't work, the smooth holes mean that the water comes out in a proper watering can style sprinkle and not one big stream (yes, despite the multiple holes). That'll learn me.<br />
<br />
I've attempted to make a <a href="http://thehousethatlarsbuilt.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/diy-friendship-bracelet-chair-cushion.html" target="_blank">friendship bracelet seat cusion</a>, with limited success. I was using strips of material from some old t-shirts which turned out to be not quite long enough, meaning the cushion ended up being stretched a fair bit. But the parts where I still had plenty of fabric to work with look good, so it had the potential to come out looking like the one in those pictures. Albeit far, far more offensive colour-wise (I was using near fluorescent green, pink and orange fabric).<br />
<br />
Having recently come into ownership of a <a href="http://i.imgur.com/htjVy.jpg" target="_blank">lovely table and chair set for the balcony</a>, I made myself some <a href="http://skinnylaminx.com/2011/01/18/hanging-succulent-garden/" target="_blank">plant hangers using this tute</a>. I used just bog standard cotton kitchen string to hang some of the smaller pots on the balcony from the railings to free up some floor space. I'll pop some pictures up if I remember to take some when it's not pitch black out.<br />
<br />
So that's about it for things what I nicked off Pinterest. For now. Expect further updates.<br />
<br />
When I wasn't busy getting stuck in string or stroking my paper collection this week, I made THE. BEST. HOT CROSS BUNS. EVOIRB. E-V-O-I-R-B. Modesty aside, it was a <a href="http://nutsaboutfood.wordpress.com/2011/04/14/super-soft-and-fluffy-hot-cross-bun-recipe/" target="_blank">fantastic recipe, found here</a>. I wanted to get a good recipe so some could be taken down with us when le Boof and I go to see the fams for Easter this weekend. (Correct sentence structure? Pfft, too excitable) The first recipe was based on a fairly standard bread recipe. The came out a bit solid and went stale really quickly. These babies however. OMGoose. Once they'd cooled (enough) we had a taste. They were super soft and just perfect. They were everything I wanted from a hot cross bun. I was super excited. In fact, I've still only made the one batch but I can't stop raving about them. Unfortunately for le Boof he's pretty much the only person I've seen all week, so it's been mostly aimed at him (although I'm fairly certain he wasn't listening most of the time, so I guess it's ok.) I can't recommend this recipe highly enough. It's a bit more labour intensive than the first I tried, it's probably best left for when you've got an entire day/evening set aside for breaded goods based tinkering. Or if you're a work from home seamstress who is easily distracted. *ahem*<br />
<br />
<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/AVvXsEiHrq9jkSkznDPupkfLVBeoyl7tvO3q8bc2ZuwHP4EIHgYC9s82DyPU9r2Jo-j5gob3NYv0HLLQoamiluye3r3ayNGbuHB9o64yPWP-clFvsRgLh-naovNWyJ_04_QqsiKMBdr4fw/s1600/DSCF9803_.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHrq9jkSkznDPupkfLVBeoyl7tvO3q8bc2ZuwHP4EIHgYC9s82DyPU9r2Jo-j5gob3NYv0HLLQoamiluye3r3ayNGbuHB9o64yPWP-clFvsRgLh-naovNWyJ_04_QqsiKMBdr4fw/s320/DSCF9803_.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkwLXdJWEoz01HzPQalhVqbo4F7kJhPtLVs3DZAzJzNzH28qSOEBUx7KILzc1EH8HWf9M7igWOs4aTnbb2HTYzKiksjQn1p-QkmvhnBcfH4GPQsQzKflmoMD5c5Atp41eHyKRwPA/s1600/DSCF9809_.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkwLXdJWEoz01HzPQalhVqbo4F7kJhPtLVs3DZAzJzNzH28qSOEBUx7KILzc1EH8HWf9M7igWOs4aTnbb2HTYzKiksjQn1p-QkmvhnBcfH4GPQsQzKflmoMD5c5Atp41eHyKRwPA/s320/DSCF9809_.png" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /><br />
I'm making the proper batch tomorrow, here's hoping I can keep them from le Boof long enough to get them all the way down South!<br />
<br />
And finally, golly, there's a lot more to be blogged, but this'll be the last thing for now, postable birthday cakes. Two of the lovely ladies that I worked with when we were down South had their birthdays last week. So when the delivery man came to pick up my finished box of sewing, I snuck in a tin of cupcakes.<br />
<br />
<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/AVvXsEijrV-CFIkKMoAeVnjc_XVXClMOc7UpfI2j1El8ZMakyT8AzwlAUY8G7j8gXY1zEBt4OF0BBqA_agSAjcLYJLP7OXlMdBqRc7-Fpcmsw9GDooscOZw-eM59fob8D_242NTOZskX-w/s1600/DSCF9751_.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijrV-CFIkKMoAeVnjc_XVXClMOc7UpfI2j1El8ZMakyT8AzwlAUY8G7j8gXY1zEBt4OF0BBqA_agSAjcLYJLP7OXlMdBqRc7-Fpcmsw9GDooscOZw-eM59fob8D_242NTOZskX-w/s320/DSCF9751_.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKeWMKS_yel7V0tgX6cgf6uDvM35-xP82cHAIfK6aL8UfhGcqTHuFjA8IeOG8hWkJL9Skxly6vZyf_wqA_jdhH8SfabZI2lIMR9TUzd-D08S_fS6V3EmGWVyQ59BweTW8-bKfcCw/s1600/DSCF9748_.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKeWMKS_yel7V0tgX6cgf6uDvM35-xP82cHAIfK6aL8UfhGcqTHuFjA8IeOG8hWkJL9Skxly6vZyf_wqA_jdhH8SfabZI2lIMR9TUzd-D08S_fS6V3EmGWVyQ59BweTW8-bKfcCw/s320/DSCF9748_.png" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
The main challenge with this was making sure the cupcakes didn't rise too much so they wouldn't fit in the tin. I tend to have issues with my cupcakes being tall, but I just about managed enough small ones to spell out happy birthday! They were vanilla sponge with a hole scooped out the top, Ma's home-made strawberry jam plopped in then a thin bit of the scooped out cake put back on top to keep the jam in place. Iced with glace icing, piped on letters with the same in purple and finally, edible glitter. Yay! Off they went with the courier man.<br />
<br />
Unfortunately it took a week for them to reach their destination. I was fairly certain it was a next day delivery thing, but I have been assured they were still yummy when they were finally received yesterday. Oh well.<br />
<br />
<br />
<i>For anyone who has played <a href="http://www.thinkwithportals.com/" target="_blank">Portal 2</a> all the way through - <a href="http://rain.nxe7.com/" target="_blank">here ♥</a>. If you know the background, it's quite emotional. Such a fantastic game, and a great song.</i><br />
<br />
<br />Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10393549178402523433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6209683.post-24218878108266992162012-04-02T00:30:00.000+00:002012-04-02T00:36:31.949+00:00Fruity cakes and more bunting.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUbUjEOjXunI_wqsInPpgadim_EaYhKuICm_2I5IkZDvwgOrePbl1-LQ98HS91DUop4YKBkO3zCvi0O-q24nFcRdNfqWg_pawUcyox8OBDcUh0hqndmMbw7iQfK2bOlCtqdunhcg/s1600/DSCF9703_.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUbUjEOjXunI_wqsInPpgadim_EaYhKuICm_2I5IkZDvwgOrePbl1-LQ98HS91DUop4YKBkO3zCvi0O-q24nFcRdNfqWg_pawUcyox8OBDcUh0hqndmMbw7iQfK2bOlCtqdunhcg/s400/DSCF9703_.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
I've always been more into veggies than fruit, but when I do my twice weekly (ish) grocery shop down the high street, I do try and buy a few bits of fruit in an attempt to nudge le Boof and I closer to our 5-a-day. However more often than not, said fruit will sit for a little while in the fruit bowl, full of potential, then start to go a bit past it's best, and of course then there's an excuse not to eat it. This week though I decided enough was enough. I rescued the three apples and one banana from certain bin-based doom.<br />
<br />
And put them in cakes.<br />
<br />
Well, we're still eating them, just maybe in a slightly less healthy fashion than I had first intended.<br />
<br />
So for me, a humongous apple cake, and for BF some banana muffins (actually a banana loaf recipe that I was too lazy to bother with the loaf tin for so they went into muffin cases).<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxy2Mck5w29yc9l54vO6V4sMr-P6P7jBRkjxXmoVQs7JFTLG7D45Veh3pTBFxnit2duqZL7mvMskxKY8SarPk_liCI5AwJ7LEIWtfHf3mW9zmAtIIppheLXHdBR_qh-1BtJFILjg/s1600/DSCF9700_.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxy2Mck5w29yc9l54vO6V4sMr-P6P7jBRkjxXmoVQs7JFTLG7D45Veh3pTBFxnit2duqZL7mvMskxKY8SarPk_liCI5AwJ7LEIWtfHf3mW9zmAtIIppheLXHdBR_qh-1BtJFILjg/s200/DSCF9700_.png" width="150" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOj_JimWO0ojPjbZUkglxBJLpZzRyLYz1DJ8baDOcjGnpIptUosSACOHwtZF5hpxNZE2YjhKRIliHwagxsKyNcgE4D2TDLIxqu6hsxN8opxo0eRoBJ_KuMDo5i2_eru8sKyCzcWQ/s1600/DSCF9695_.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOj_JimWO0ojPjbZUkglxBJLpZzRyLYz1DJ8baDOcjGnpIptUosSACOHwtZF5hpxNZE2YjhKRIliHwagxsKyNcgE4D2TDLIxqu6hsxN8opxo0eRoBJ_KuMDo5i2_eru8sKyCzcWQ/s200/DSCF9695_.png" width="150" /></a><br />
<br />
The banana loaf recipe was from my wonderful <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Hummingbird-Bakery-Cookbook-Tarek-Malouf/dp/1845978307" target="_blank">Hummingbird bakery cook book</a>, the one I always seem to turn to when I'm at a loss for what to bake. As for the apple cake...<br />
<br />
<fieldset>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN1cw8eEj9SrDh2EffVzwTJL_x3gzwIKrejl7wE673YQHc74rhXHtxOMeLeC_58T71wPyU8GTgkHKYYitIEQXkIfPigBV9hAwz-vDfZ1yoOYyy8LYGNfh9oAQ8R2VwBNzXwTR8HA/s1600/DSCF9685_.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN1cw8eEj9SrDh2EffVzwTJL_x3gzwIKrejl7wE673YQHc74rhXHtxOMeLeC_58T71wPyU8GTgkHKYYitIEQXkIfPigBV9hAwz-vDfZ1yoOYyy8LYGNfh9oAQ8R2VwBNzXwTR8HA/s200/DSCF9685_.png" width="200" /></a>450g cooking apples (although I used half eating, half cooking this time and it came out fine)<br />
<table border="0"><tbody>
<tr><td>Juice of 1/2 a lemon<br />
225g butter<br />
280g caster sugar<br />
4 eggs<br />
2tsp vanilla essence<br />
350g self raising flour<br />
2 tsp baking powder<br />
A little Demerara sugar (or similar) for sprinkling on top
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
1. Set the oven to 180°c<br />
2. Peel, core, then thinly slice the apples<br />
3. Squeeze the lemon juice over the apple slices<br />
4. Beat the butter and caster sugar together, then add the eggs one at a time.<br />
5. Stir in the vanilla essence then sieve in the flour and baking powder.<br />
6. Line a large, deep baking tray with greaseproof paper, or grease one well with oil or butter.<br />
7. Spread half the cake mixture evenly across the base of the tin, then layer half the apple slices on top.<br />
8. Carefully cover that with the rest of the cake mix and finally arrange the last of the apple on top, and to finish, sprinkle with (lots) more sugar.<br />
9. Bake for 40-45 minutes, leave in the tin for 10 minutes to cool once it's out of the oven.</fieldset>
<br />
<br />
When I was not eating cake (as part of my 5-a-day), I managed to finish this; bunting for the university's knitting society which I am part of. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7_Wp19AJYRo9dnnVmQ3G4RW0LbRNpYY8BfQJmosdI6ux9dRQAhsQgITwFfqigohTjOfLpZYiRVqsPrbU_jsgbH9VN5ZKXHPx2fxDS-5o-mZxzSxGaFzetrC4hH2SfVe_yMZm98A/s1600/DSCF9722_.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7_Wp19AJYRo9dnnVmQ3G4RW0LbRNpYY8BfQJmosdI6ux9dRQAhsQgITwFfqigohTjOfLpZYiRVqsPrbU_jsgbH9VN5ZKXHPx2fxDS-5o-mZxzSxGaFzetrC4hH2SfVe_yMZm98A/s320/DSCF9722_.png" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioQxVm0JlzS5lsbriBHRVuTa6CbfWWrCXMeH4TV9H-733HDSzJSzoB9LiEHZ_PeRcrPG4xREcIAA0NUn8O8Fr4NXb_rjYxjfzHJrRsDBVZYgiTZpBiDGVbYyBRntdEM28DoszCdA/s1600/DSCF9729_.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioQxVm0JlzS5lsbriBHRVuTa6CbfWWrCXMeH4TV9H-733HDSzJSzoB9LiEHZ_PeRcrPG4xREcIAA0NUn8O8Fr4NXb_rjYxjfzHJrRsDBVZYgiTZpBiDGVbYyBRntdEM28DoszCdA/s320/DSCF9729_.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
I used <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/knitted-bunting-flags" target="_blank">this pattern for knitted bunting triangles</a> I found on <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/" target="_blank">Ravelry ♥</a>, but changed the amount of cast on stitches to fit the embroidered pattern... which was a <a href="http://www.yarntree.com/036alpht.htm" target="_blank">cross stitch pattern for the Times New Roman font</a>, that just so happened to translate nicely to knitting embroidery. I did try knitting the letters in as I went, but it ended up being more trouble than it was worth. I'm still new to colourwork with knitting. Someone with more experience (or not, who knows) might have had more luck, but for me it came out looking sloppy. The embroidering however came out rather nicely, even if I say so myself. I used a <a href="http://knitting.about.com/od/knittingskills/ss/duplicat_stitch.htm" target="_blank">duplicate stitch</a>, which took a bit of getting used to, getting the embroidery yarn to sit directly on top of the stitches, but I got it in the end! Very pleased with this, it shall be adorning all future KnitSoc tables for various events.<br />
<br />
In other news, I have recently become obsessed with <a href="http://pinterest.com/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a>. It's kind of social networking, but more than that. You set up "boards", collections of things that you like the idea of or that inspire you, or that you just plain like the look of, then whenever you come across something on the internet that falls into one of these categories you can "Pin" it, and add it to one of your boards. You can also follow other people's boards, and they can follow yours. There's lots of pictures of things people want for their weddings, and cute puppies, and pictures of attractive/famous young men and women, but personally I have found it incredibly inspiring. In the last week I have been more productive, arts and crafts wise, than I have been since we moved up here. All the things I have made need an entire blog post of their own, so I'll leave that until next time, but for now, <a href="http://pinterest.com/dreamip/" target="_blank">here's my collection of boards</a>, enjoy! <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<i>Just watched Fight Club for the first time (yes yes, I know) so song for this post is</i><br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qrdpliMfoAM" target="_blank"><i>Pixies - Where is My Mind</i></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10393549178402523433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6209683.post-47762705026837807202012-03-23T23:11:00.002+00:002012-03-23T23:16:01.139+00:00My Balcony Garden<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixUQIdksLD2gydadFh_jMVeIztEDS6ti2kR3RHvNpwFnVg7D_V4WR5eCzIw20iP8GM67zVUO98DPlPNaeYt167g9T0Jl6lCg5HBPQa-FtPCCQmHRNsHRbX8kipAIgIsDNVLGPdwA/s1600/DSCF9737_.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixUQIdksLD2gydadFh_jMVeIztEDS6ti2kR3RHvNpwFnVg7D_V4WR5eCzIw20iP8GM67zVUO98DPlPNaeYt167g9T0Jl6lCg5HBPQa-FtPCCQmHRNsHRbX8kipAIgIsDNVLGPdwA/s400/DSCF9737_.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Well before we knew we had secured the flat (it took a good long month from us saying we wanted the place and were ready to put down the deposit to secure it to the various owner type people getting everything in order and finally taking our money *breathe*) we were well aware it came with a delightful balcony. And as such, I was well aware I would fill our little outside space with as much greenery as I could as soon as I could.<br />
<br />
When I left my seamstressing job down south with a lovely group of ladies, they knew of my plans for a balcony garden and for my leaving gift they bought me a fantastic selection of gardening bits anf bobs, this was my starting point for my gardening. I then spent the chilly months of January and February buying up seeds (I managed to get most of mine massively discounted because they were last year's. Packets of seeds for 39p ftw.), as well as pots and other gardening bits and pieces. Then on my week long visit down south to see family and friends I bought a huge amount of soil (£10 for 3 x 60 litre bags!) and what is proving to be possibly one of the best things I have ever bought, a mini, plastic greenhouse. Similar to <a href="http://www.thompson-morgan.com/garden-supplies/greenhouses-and-equipment/mini-patio-greenhouse/kww2086TM" target="_blank">this one here</a>, but under a tenner!<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggB0v8zrfrUH_4NUb39y7Pv7U_TPZS4xcQyqwtwZovtcaDw1FCYDM98lBZXvAxMI5AnxFnVzTEw1447pdIa8jdjGXiFxzILj-X2DmcImPZn0-bGu89plzAo9wjhiz_6rLEUDnH3A/s1600/DSCF9736_.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggB0v8zrfrUH_4NUb39y7Pv7U_TPZS4xcQyqwtwZovtcaDw1FCYDM98lBZXvAxMI5AnxFnVzTEw1447pdIa8jdjGXiFxzILj-X2DmcImPZn0-bGu89plzAo9wjhiz_6rLEUDnH3A/s320/DSCF9736_.png" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
It is currently my pride and joy. I have planted so many different things, I'm starting to wonder if I really do have enough space for everything once it gets closer to harvesting things.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoKoO9iJ7uR3u9tVf72e0K7ePIMrTGKAnZT9Y4M8a5ZkAqWi4Dw3Bks1NnHJxkUmj6SPEHqGzz5aj6KPUGCed7XMRHwW78-jnDSX5L_6STmTyNb3O99U15EYoRx-wO4_hPRCwHiQ/s1600/DSCF9732_.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoKoO9iJ7uR3u9tVf72e0K7ePIMrTGKAnZT9Y4M8a5ZkAqWi4Dw3Bks1NnHJxkUmj6SPEHqGzz5aj6KPUGCed7XMRHwW78-jnDSX5L_6STmTyNb3O99U15EYoRx-wO4_hPRCwHiQ/s200/DSCF9732_.png" width="200" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ-XvsYRShFdbF9R8IGrCGXAwxnxwL7zRqp7sku7fxWW8m-jB_TBA6UW8ruMRcrvxiQfkwvM7kf9q28TliN3EWeIAwf2x1KkZeQcyHIGpcXfB_DEZVgekdsqPlUYwXrw5t3totFg/s1600/DSCF9731_.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ-XvsYRShFdbF9R8IGrCGXAwxnxwL7zRqp7sku7fxWW8m-jB_TBA6UW8ruMRcrvxiQfkwvM7kf9q28TliN3EWeIAwf2x1KkZeQcyHIGpcXfB_DEZVgekdsqPlUYwXrw5t3totFg/s200/DSCF9731_.png" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoq7h0MJmJK391I0ST60YnqNVm0kSwoZOb-fLIwdCiJH_Lqj0EpVqHSbhjA4cfwSrKdPmXEJUACQjxvemYuWvblk5AIyAy4S3ZRPozzP4Z9n4iqWmi37D4qEP83VM49Lacvicsqg/s1600/DSCF9734_.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoq7h0MJmJK391I0ST60YnqNVm0kSwoZOb-fLIwdCiJH_Lqj0EpVqHSbhjA4cfwSrKdPmXEJUACQjxvemYuWvblk5AIyAy4S3ZRPozzP4Z9n4iqWmi37D4qEP83VM49Lacvicsqg/s200/DSCF9734_.png" width="200" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFOp3Bfm4K7E4mZJQ-Z9vP5g4p6Emv_GrrEORXFgYOkeNrxB9ipU6tzBPx6xICTFGUz5Xy8c9smJTJ9ueY0CbynvdFM2hbNfzFFSZbfJ4wTcMMDPcqMoQ8pRmR110f2WDnf0n2vQ/s1600/DSCF9733_.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFOp3Bfm4K7E4mZJQ-Z9vP5g4p6Emv_GrrEORXFgYOkeNrxB9ipU6tzBPx6xICTFGUz5Xy8c9smJTJ9ueY0CbynvdFM2hbNfzFFSZbfJ4wTcMMDPcqMoQ8pRmR110f2WDnf0n2vQ/s200/DSCF9733_.png" width="200" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Pretty much every thing's shooting up too. All apart from the strawberries, which have finally poked their tiny little lazy plant heads up above the soil, but are seemingly reluctant to grow into anything larger and that might potentially grow me some strawberries. And the coriander, that just doesn't seem interested. It's still got time though, I've not given up on the little seeds yet.<br />
<br />
I've got radishes, which will go into their final pots this Sunday (Sunday is gardening day), purple sprouting broccoli and peas which are also close, tonnes of carrot plants, tomatoes, spring onions, pak choi, various herbs in a small grow bag on the bottom level along with two tubs of rocket and salad leaves, and butterhead lettuce.<br />
<br />
Gardening for me is not just the joy of growing something from a seed and (hopefully) enjoying the fruits (veges?) of my labours, but about family ties and memories. One of the most important veggies I've planted, for me, are the runner beans. I've planted three beans which are a few generations down from the same that my Grandad grew rows and rows of on his plot of land at my grandparents' house, a place which holds strong and fond memories from my childhood. The generations in between were my parents' plants. I can't remember a year where we didn't have a glut of runner beans in the summer. And I love them, especially the first crop of the year, young and tender beans, absolutely delicious just on their own. Maybe a little gravy. Nom.<br />
<br />
I've gone for a few flowers as well, poached eggs plants and nasturtiums. Both because they remind me of my parents' house. The drive out next to the front garden was, until recently, a thing of
dread for anyone trying to navigate it (or just me and delivery men in
vans). There was about a foot wide ditch between the edge of the drive
and the lawn and it was inevitable I would end up in it in my car, more
often than not (back wheels right in there, on a front wheel drive car
D: ). During the winter this was a horrible boggy ditch of doom, which I
got properly stuck in more than once (Pa having to come out of the
house to angrily rescue me). But in the warmer months it became a
beautiful patch of vibrant poached egg plants.<br />
<br />
The gardeny part of the front garden was always covered in nasturtium plants, I used to play with the cabbage white caterpillars that would smother the patch for a month or so of the year, then once the caterpillars had all found somewhere cosy to chrysalis-up (or had been eaten by something), the plants would go mad and threaten to take over the path as well as the garden. And the smell, it was so strong, especially in caterpillar season. Recently, however, my parents got the lawn (and the dreaded ditch) paved over, turning the area which was garden into lawn. Some of the nasturtium plants were put into pots and now live in the back garden, and I brought some seeds from the plants up to York with me, which are now growing into my very own nasturtium plants.<br />
<br />
And sunflowers. There are no reasons whatsoever for me wanting to grow sunflowers other than they grow tall and awesome. And potentially delicious if I harvest their seeds (that sounds a bit sinister, but yeah.).<br />
<br />
Other than my seedlings I've got my violas, which are just about surviving the greenflies that have appeared from nowhere.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguzoa9NNC_WrOvYNz64OI74gcr4smz2e5LfKlEpZ0Eu2lD5z2XPkG05KsC1fte-dK1l8C0gmm0OIJ27fhK9MYOWKtao_LNoVk3BwVMjQi_9NAW5EaJupFVYzB3T1Y-2G93iFF0nw/s1600/DSCF9735_.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguzoa9NNC_WrOvYNz64OI74gcr4smz2e5LfKlEpZ0Eu2lD5z2XPkG05KsC1fte-dK1l8C0gmm0OIJ27fhK9MYOWKtao_LNoVk3BwVMjQi_9NAW5EaJupFVYzB3T1Y-2G93iFF0nw/s320/DSCF9735_.png" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
I bought these not long after we moved in, in November I think it was. These have been flowering solidly since then! Dedicated little lovelies. They smell fantastic too.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguv2SK2L1_4wyLN6AlIBOkFrC6S25G8Uv7hYfdwNWwTDYLdGzH5hEmVLbAWxAgQhbUxpDmFKhMVd8dd2xvAgxF9ilrk6KxnUmoDH_1uPz4CmhSMyRK2wK53TOT0ddEI2koG2Xg0Q/s1600/DSCF9738_.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguv2SK2L1_4wyLN6AlIBOkFrC6S25G8Uv7hYfdwNWwTDYLdGzH5hEmVLbAWxAgQhbUxpDmFKhMVd8dd2xvAgxF9ilrk6KxnUmoDH_1uPz4CmhSMyRK2wK53TOT0ddEI2koG2Xg0Q/s200/DSCF9738_.png" width="150" /></a></div>
Honourable mentions go to my avocado plant, which has started to sprout again, to my relief, after I chopped all of it's leaves off!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKfn5VD7KFZFDFYLJP4ip6qrGKbwNga6SJ6okmzFW8sjbZJirt6T6RCgpAuGA-sNUx-NpQCTq4BH8rKLZPOejOECdSfw77WbfQg1TVkXLDYs5g8BpTMHNEndjYfbOzJAhzLWDVKA/s1600/DSCF9742_.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKfn5VD7KFZFDFYLJP4ip6qrGKbwNga6SJ6okmzFW8sjbZJirt6T6RCgpAuGA-sNUx-NpQCTq4BH8rKLZPOejOECdSfw77WbfQg1TVkXLDYs5g8BpTMHNEndjYfbOzJAhzLWDVKA/s200/DSCF9742_.png" width="150" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_5RJYPrCUi2aJoj_hrzIAlFuanedsyaNooX6m8kIL-ClbR1_y4uiT0UGjgtMEZ5b9ajDG1p_-7B8viuT1FJXE42CNciKDNfmc_RqgoX50gK5cY29WLsptJYAaAX9V0sVSpw76qA/s1600/DSCF9739_.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_5RJYPrCUi2aJoj_hrzIAlFuanedsyaNooX6m8kIL-ClbR1_y4uiT0UGjgtMEZ5b9ajDG1p_-7B8viuT1FJXE42CNciKDNfmc_RqgoX50gK5cY29WLsptJYAaAX9V0sVSpw76qA/s200/DSCF9739_.png" width="150" /></a> My lemon plant, which I grew from a seed I found sprouting inside of a lemon at my last pub job, over a year ago now. That's got sprouts now after I chopped the top off. (I think my harsh pruning habits must come from my Pa.)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmJtMqZAJM4B_PP7LE2viAcV2TZzXV5hiw7dgDeMRcJmKTwruiEKF4c-eC6OijbOHjs6i17z7mBXWGIgQwIz-0lea8JUdeRaAcnx5AUTMTTM4JWHku600mkk1OkkcFhru2dUNheQ/s1600/DSCF9741_.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmJtMqZAJM4B_PP7LE2viAcV2TZzXV5hiw7dgDeMRcJmKTwruiEKF4c-eC6OijbOHjs6i17z7mBXWGIgQwIz-0lea8JUdeRaAcnx5AUTMTTM4JWHku600mkk1OkkcFhru2dUNheQ/s200/DSCF9741_.png" width="150" /></a></div>
And last but not least, my carrot plant. Which you would be correct in thinking it is just a top of a carrot. Le Boof hit the nail on the head by saying gardening taps into my nurturing nature. I saw one of the carrots starting to sprout in the fridge, which of course meant I had to chop the growing bit off and stick it in some soil! There will be millions of carrot in the flat when I'm finished, I swear.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
So there we go. There were going to be several other things mentioned in this post, but I've probably waffled on enough for now. Back to cake and yarn next time!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Two songs by one of my favourite bands ever:<br />
The song that first got me interested in them, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PgfX8BZfHhc&list=PLE4E65B45D55A4BAD&index=8&feature=plpp_video" target="_blank">Wild Beasts - Assembly</a><br />
One of the songs from their latest album, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZaevasFRUg&list=PLE4E65B45D55A4BAD&index=11&feature=plpp_video" target="_blank">Wild Beasts - Bed of Nails</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10393549178402523433noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6209683.post-65489277947773005972012-03-20T18:44:00.000+00:002012-03-20T18:44:33.587+00:00Mother's Day 2012<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-RMWdIYns_NsOeDbL5fwfmdIlbg7pf9PtjIUk5iwLWLClb2ldzL6Pkae8Bd6dsyrYzjeEFEGkyFh8gw6IDFqWREYHyuaUcJvykMDZDVCdeR_Lew3JmZqskbhsltOVjDaiHXrQ-w/s1600/DSCF9674_.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-RMWdIYns_NsOeDbL5fwfmdIlbg7pf9PtjIUk5iwLWLClb2ldzL6Pkae8Bd6dsyrYzjeEFEGkyFh8gw6IDFqWREYHyuaUcJvykMDZDVCdeR_Lew3JmZqskbhsltOVjDaiHXrQ-w/s400/DSCF9674_.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Due to the big ol' move, this year was the first year I was away from my Ma for Mother's day, *sad face*. So at the beginning of the week I set out to make a wonderful gift package as a substitute for my presence. I started with the traditional list of things: chocolate, flowers, gift and card, then had a good think about how to achieve these goals with my powers of arts, crafts and baking. (And yes you would be correct in thinking I really should get round to making myself a cape some time soon.)<br />
<br />
For the flower part of the gift (and also the card part) I found a <a href="http://www.oddknit.com/patterns/flowers/gerberas.html" target="_blank">jolly good gerbera knitting pattern</a> (ma's favourite flowers being gerberas), which knit up very nicely. Although having chosen yellow for the petals I had to put up with lots of people asking why I was knitting a string of tiny bananas. A small sacrifice however. I made myself a card from two A4 pieces of nice lilac card stock and then made a paper hinge (folding a long thin piece of paper in half length ways and sticking the two outer faces on one edge of the bits of card). I then poked holes close to the sides of the stem and tied it to the card with the same colour wool and cut out a leaf shape from green card and stamped it with my letter stamps and acrylic block (such useful bits of card making gear).<br />
<br />
So once Ma's done with looking at it as a card she can remove the flower on it's own and put it somewhere as a lasting memory of what a good daughter I am (really!) :D<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0IaKPfwapY5YBWa3D9qf-pgdI_k6mSS8q5R4iTduxnSiqW4odutk8Y7IFHYuR1H0570onFEISr5dfG9MpBYOvpWsrOTUFwbaA3Ss53lQoFX_qabNmtYNdqX9kTA8DYMlln1m4mg/s1600/DSCF9646_.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0IaKPfwapY5YBWa3D9qf-pgdI_k6mSS8q5R4iTduxnSiqW4odutk8Y7IFHYuR1H0570onFEISr5dfG9MpBYOvpWsrOTUFwbaA3Ss53lQoFX_qabNmtYNdqX9kTA8DYMlln1m4mg/s320/DSCF9646_.png" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
The gift part of the, er, gift, was two <a href="http://apocalypseknits.blogspot.co.uk/2010/08/chichester-pig.html" target="_blank">little knitted piggies</a>. I made three smaller ones for Ma for Christmas, she liked them so much I decided to add to the family that now lives on the printer in my parents' house. It's a fairly straightforward pattern, but as it's done on DPNs and with double knitting wool it can be a little fiddly. A good one for practising bobbles though.<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmyDyz5Mxs_l9NYnfBb6wIIZ9tmNzyCaT4MFzT8Rg4xKF0fuqFYlxdMoI9jdPcyExtRPufLSxmX4HIUdtqOIATOvLIcrAAwjXmkH5_AScd8BestST5XOmGp73bBzRaGe_IHu4Xyw/s1600/DSCF9648_.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmyDyz5Mxs_l9NYnfBb6wIIZ9tmNzyCaT4MFzT8Rg4xKF0fuqFYlxdMoI9jdPcyExtRPufLSxmX4HIUdtqOIATOvLIcrAAwjXmkH5_AScd8BestST5XOmGp73bBzRaGe_IHu4Xyw/s200/DSCF9648_.png" width="200" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinCBsgAveUPsybL6riIrDellnIWy7vO8CDMV2ZaTc6i0GGN8jEMe7RGMJFQFTVOIQilAtJL1R3H-VDPcVfXsfiEscMJCNxF1envaZNJIK0QysPszsfm5QgSoQMXIf2cuXVR6optA/s1600/DSCF9652_.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinCBsgAveUPsybL6riIrDellnIWy7vO8CDMV2ZaTc6i0GGN8jEMe7RGMJFQFTVOIQilAtJL1R3H-VDPcVfXsfiEscMJCNxF1envaZNJIK0QysPszsfm5QgSoQMXIf2cuXVR6optA/s200/DSCF9652_.png" width="200" /></a>
<br />
<br />
And finally in the Mother's Day Gift Pack 2012 (now it's official title), the <span dir="auto">pièce de résistance, was a small batch of these <a href="http://www.goodtoknow.co.uk/recipes/519903/chocolate-truffle-cookies" target="_blank">chocolate truffle cookies</a>. Unfortunately, not all of them could fit in the box I had in mind to send off, so some were left over. And.... tasted. Repeatedly. Omnomnom! They are gorgeous. I think maybe a recipe best saved for a special occasion, they're terribly more-ish and I can't imagine they rate highly on the health meter, even for cakes and cookies. They come out of the oven crisp on the outside and soft, ever so slightly chewy and melty in the middle.</span><br />
<br />
<span dir="auto"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuqHkTEa_rqIBBmkFl48Rr3jcf5d3yeP-5Tsl6GSgUPOfYON-0A0zs6qtTmQEo_CwC1mu_1Yf-3YTsITDA8HElUewrNB13-eSgNTHxFJFdIFFilsiKrgEBJysIgWYouioBsyAdOA/s1600/DSCF9656_.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuqHkTEa_rqIBBmkFl48Rr3jcf5d3yeP-5Tsl6GSgUPOfYON-0A0zs6qtTmQEo_CwC1mu_1Yf-3YTsITDA8HElUewrNB13-eSgNTHxFJFdIFFilsiKrgEBJysIgWYouioBsyAdOA/s320/DSCF9656_.png" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIVgHmQFxWYUUX7KF29UgviiRhIJuceRIJrv9hdkpLsBulAe12Udc9PYKSa6qkU8Pz8ZWF8_jZ_ka7-m2GCKBja2GoiWfbDGthSs9Fl4FeXyefD1ARNkgc6XRyNw5ZlcxSFaB-Yw/s1600/DSCF9668_.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIVgHmQFxWYUUX7KF29UgviiRhIJuceRIJrv9hdkpLsBulAe12Udc9PYKSa6qkU8Pz8ZWF8_jZ_ka7-m2GCKBja2GoiWfbDGthSs9Fl4FeXyefD1ARNkgc6XRyNw5ZlcxSFaB-Yw/s200/DSCF9668_.png" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgII6m_5QpVuHY0ViN_5CTVo5pmKOkCT4p80aYZivaMpAjlSDJpaqR-CV5WjXd1EbderWmTBEYdTyY3BZbUz1zq-isk4eBEHlinB5L8nkodUtBPZXGUS6zeYjNsNzECbJeXy8if2Q/s1600/DSCF9666_.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgII6m_5QpVuHY0ViN_5CTVo5pmKOkCT4p80aYZivaMpAjlSDJpaqR-CV5WjXd1EbderWmTBEYdTyY3BZbUz1zq-isk4eBEHlinB5L8nkodUtBPZXGUS6zeYjNsNzECbJeXy8if2Q/s200/DSCF9666_.png" style="cursor: move;" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
So there we are. I packaged these bits up in a box and packaging le Boof and I had previously been sent things in from our parents (yay, recycling!) and pottered off to the post office.<br /><br />My brother managed to hide it away until Sunday and dadah! it's like I was there in person. Well nearly, it's hard to send wittiness and charm through the post. *ahem*<br />
<br />
<br />Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10393549178402523433noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6209683.post-3787541274514721762012-03-07T22:48:00.002+00:002012-03-07T23:04:11.959+00:00The Story of the Citrus and Chilli Cosmic Cake and My Very First Cake Competition<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZZqrlSeR5MDooYY5RpHnqbIwqurECObjcqnC864eGsOduAGnh5lUxi4UkVcZdx99P85gcki_RDF6PGvq1yx8X5dCHlg8GIGtWnOskictlPyIDDazpOhbPC-AuCYcmg_N3kgS11g/s1600/DSCF9601_.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSo28_bkHK6rgd-fDWtJuDKqn3kWykUS3BBXzrM69W5zFsB7vYV0KLGUdvWAeyEQCdZg4gqNSlbE_9A3WLUqxCkozpuJ2kZc33yS1JN_pxtQr8uEMvsAU18WPBDLaa56gJt-FdRA/s1600/DSCF9575_.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSo28_bkHK6rgd-fDWtJuDKqn3kWykUS3BBXzrM69W5zFsB7vYV0KLGUdvWAeyEQCdZg4gqNSlbE_9A3WLUqxCkozpuJ2kZc33yS1JN_pxtQr8uEMvsAU18WPBDLaa56gJt-FdRA/s400/DSCF9575_.png" width="400" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Ok, first off, sorry for the humongous gap in time between now and my last post. Turns out making money to pay all the bills people keep sending us takes up a lot of one's life. Anyways.<br />
<br />
So myself and le Boof are members of the university's gaming society, FragSoc. They host three LANs (if you don't know what a LAN is, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LAN_party" target="_blank">please read this</a>) a term, which is great fun. Sixty to ninety people sat in a massive room for an entire weekend playing games, eating junk food and consuming an unhealthy amount of caffeine. When I first joined I had heard rumours of baking competitions and the weekend just gone they finally held one. <a href="http://i.imgur.com/s4B7Q.jpg" target="_blank">YUS</a>. First ever baking competition, dead excited.<br />
<br />
So planning began. A long, late-night discussion with BBF (best baking friend - <a href="http://unalphabetica.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">find her here</a> amongst other places) followed, on what could best fulfil the four criteria the cakes were to be judged on: taste, appearance, ingenuity and "appropriate use of caffeine". I wanted something interesting, something that no one else would think of. Chilli cake was a route I was intrigued by, and chocolate and chilli was the obvious recipe to go for, but it had already been done in previous competitions. Of course the next step is lemon and chilli (??) I have no idea where that came from but it stuck. As far as getting caffeine into the cake was concerned a lot of previous entries had, in my eyes, cheated, and just ground up pro plus tablets and popped them in the cake batter. I did not wish to cheat. So the idea of incorporating energy drink into the cake somehow was added to the list of insanity.<br />
<br />
Eventually I came to my final decision. I would make a citrus chilli cake with an orange energy drink and chilli drizzle and the same energy drink in an orange buttercream icing. And it would be magnificent.<br />
<br />
After half a day of playing around with a lemon drizzle cake recipe and and quite a lot of crushed chilli flakes, I found a good balance, and to my intense relief, it actually tasted really nice! Next was the drizzle. I boiled down some of the energy drink (Relentless Inferno for those who know what it is &/or are interested), and again chucked in a load of crushed chilli. That... well, that was best not consumed on its own to be frank. But on the cake, it definitely added (more) kick!<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGS8By697U8an-ksmo-qFXRMMNy2kSFy66sT8zBdgoM1hxFRXquJ23CNTIp2a_M6cdyElrAbqB5trDJHsRbpgR9wTS2mRmjzai0qFQKfNPg8UoZICOFI3DYqh1CzC_oDxHtkYkXQ/s1600/DSCF9561_.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGS8By697U8an-ksmo-qFXRMMNy2kSFy66sT8zBdgoM1hxFRXquJ23CNTIp2a_M6cdyElrAbqB5trDJHsRbpgR9wTS2mRmjzai0qFQKfNPg8UoZICOFI3DYqh1CzC_oDxHtkYkXQ/s200/DSCF9561_.png" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fairly innocuous lemon drizzle mix</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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/AVvXsEi4RiuqyliHxg7QH4Zppg5-sxBdUYPtkqsZblDKaay11BHX69hFQeemtamBNGbM0o5akTMZpsUZEevP8Wj2T10n6e6ieSEqynaW9n_2DrWw9zQRQDHG6aV1Mx4pwWKxTN8UyAX-8g/s1600/DSCF9563_.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4RiuqyliHxg7QH4Zppg5-sxBdUYPtkqsZblDKaay11BHX69hFQeemtamBNGbM0o5akTMZpsUZEevP8Wj2T10n6e6ieSEqynaW9n_2DrWw9zQRQDHG6aV1Mx4pwWKxTN8UyAX-8g/s200/DSCF9563_.png" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Slightly less innocuous chilli flakes</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1SXZgYkrkPs3c3c6-MaXy_HbOb9fqh0fgKewu2V1JBZPhrP2Tdx1mo95m1Lu9HcWQVUpMZRilC0h41Tuq8DKkTseTV5fNIgVEkVivGN1NFkLbY4nWnGEy-H7Vh0f6DgSfARAKoQ/s1600/DSCF9565_.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1SXZgYkrkPs3c3c6-MaXy_HbOb9fqh0fgKewu2V1JBZPhrP2Tdx1mo95m1Lu9HcWQVUpMZRilC0h41Tuq8DKkTseTV5fNIgVEkVivGN1NFkLbY4nWnGEy-H7Vh0f6DgSfARAKoQ/s200/DSCF9565_.png" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Batches ready for varying amounts of chilli</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table 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/AVvXsEg2ALL9hqlOPGUiiK8te3t1PC0PGgtJmCuJ_FSEu3Y4-QmGwPpHNOgIHCjcplohyx6qHxTNRmcrpkbhvt9HDpIlbpgAgZLKoyI_ehw5oy53y2UitCnLK_MTk5Z0LKFW5iTvU01-Aw/s1600/DSCF9572_.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ALL9hqlOPGUiiK8te3t1PC0PGgtJmCuJ_FSEu3Y4-QmGwPpHNOgIHCjcplohyx6qHxTNRmcrpkbhvt9HDpIlbpgAgZLKoyI_ehw5oy53y2UitCnLK_MTk5Z0LKFW5iTvU01-Aw/s200/DSCF9572_.png" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chilli batter and the control mix (sans chilli)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
Then came the day before the LAN party, and the competition. Three
batches (and not small batches either) of cake mix, two cans of energy
drink, a lot of naked lemons and oranges, a hell of a lot of chilli
flakes, and a fair bit of arts and crafts later I had my cake finished.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid5JdXU-3996cOmoYA4iH5GE9ILnvdf9LXziACx8sWXNlQHjmv9TdeO-uMTJYJsmrW8ALmCVrTi08LK-QTNVm97H0Vy3bHc4W1o24m_L_WYQtOZsRcOfc59_8vdqk_LOO97YP0GA/s1600/DSCF9589_.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid5JdXU-3996cOmoYA4iH5GE9ILnvdf9LXziACx8sWXNlQHjmv9TdeO-uMTJYJsmrW8ALmCVrTi08LK-QTNVm97H0Vy3bHc4W1o24m_L_WYQtOZsRcOfc59_8vdqk_LOO97YP0GA/s200/DSCF9589_.png" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two of the three cakes used</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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/AVvXsEjQW7uqQ2efrBcoX73OnJh8AblTKaPKNXsidWT1avhrvu54HR0ivxsi2z53nGiXQ0hOhtp1QcLQhLZ6B8_pc-v7jeD69mpmsifMSm_WkRcuH_zucFSe_LtUjYVM2uLcq0ylSSYlqQ/s1600/DSCF9576_.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQW7uqQ2efrBcoX73OnJh8AblTKaPKNXsidWT1avhrvu54HR0ivxsi2z53nGiXQ0hOhtp1QcLQhLZ6B8_pc-v7jeD69mpmsifMSm_WkRcuH_zucFSe_LtUjYVM2uLcq0ylSSYlqQ/s200/DSCF9576_.png" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Relentless and chilli drizzle being reduced</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
It was. Magnificent.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpKBBVdzltLcvr6VMfetFniVQr6BtWdukR4jCdfBNMM8bT_9jHb85Vx5Hmw76uBulac5WmCVjHfjM34Sk_8tYsHoZI39Vxi4li9ln7nNUPIkHPHKFQvcQ2Scpk5-YCanpuB382YA/s1600/DSCF9590_.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpKBBVdzltLcvr6VMfetFniVQr6BtWdukR4jCdfBNMM8bT_9jHb85Vx5Hmw76uBulac5WmCVjHfjM34Sk_8tYsHoZI39Vxi4li9ln7nNUPIkHPHKFQvcQ2Scpk5-YCanpuB382YA/s400/DSCF9590_.png" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Final Cake!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy-cU635iy3g6ng26j9Y2SFXY8v57HGmf8XWH41N6Q40V3uyfeikr9_V1iALzGF0GRukZ1JOFaBRoitYrHdpv54bYU7L20gyCn7eEbRqkoPErCK8o3h84DD5Q5SE3PyIb3pMWnig/s1600/DSCF9594_.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy-cU635iy3g6ng26j9Y2SFXY8v57HGmf8XWH41N6Q40V3uyfeikr9_V1iALzGF0GRukZ1JOFaBRoitYrHdpv54bYU7L20gyCn7eEbRqkoPErCK8o3h84DD5Q5SE3PyIb3pMWnig/s320/DSCF9594_.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
The space invader design was le Boof's idea. It's used in the gaming society's logo and of course is iconic within computer gaming, so was a no brainer once it'd been suggested. The night before I made the cake I made a bespoke cardboard base for it and drew out the logo in 1 1/2 inch squares, then covered it in a couple of layers of cling film. Once the cakes were made I cut them up into the same size squares and put them together in the space invader pattern, like giant edible pixels! To top if off I went crazy with the space dust edible glitter, although you can't really see it in the pictures. *sad face*<br />
<br />
Just for funsies I also popped the left over Relentless and chilli drizzle in an empty (and clean) vanilla essence bottle and brought that along, then left it casually by the side of the cake. During the judging this got passed round the more laddish of the LAN attendees who were shotting it from the tiny lid and then shaking their heads and gasping!<br />
<br />
I came third in the competition in the end, it was incredibly nerve racking! It was judged by the chair of the society, a guy who had come along to represent the society's new sponsor and another member of the society (society society). I was beaten by an admitted really impressive Nyan cat cake which was beautifully decorated and was a seven layer rainbow cake inside. I doff my hat to them, it tasted good and looked incredible, but despite that they only came second. I can't say I would have awarded first prize to the cake it did go to, but I'm not grumbling. Here's what I won! Yay! Prizes for baking!<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/AVvXsEhZZqrlSeR5MDooYY5RpHnqbIwqurECObjcqnC864eGsOduAGnh5lUxi4UkVcZdx99P85gcki_RDF6PGvq1yx8X5dCHlg8GIGtWnOskictlPyIDDazpOhbPC-AuCYcmg_N3kgS11g/s1600/DSCF9601_.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZZqrlSeR5MDooYY5RpHnqbIwqurECObjcqnC864eGsOduAGnh5lUxi4UkVcZdx99P85gcki_RDF6PGvq1yx8X5dCHlg8GIGtWnOskictlPyIDDazpOhbPC-AuCYcmg_N3kgS11g/s320/DSCF9601_.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">*Fanfare*</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
So there we go. It was great fun doing it, although I can't now even think about eating lemon drizzle cake, I'm sick of the sight of it. I enjoyed my first dabble into experimenting with baking. I think I'd do the basic cake again, not all the energy drink business, that was mainly to get in some caffeine. I'll pop the recipe at the end of the post, it's definitely worth trying out if you like a little bit of spice in your food (prob not for the faint hearted though).<br />
<br />
This also means I am now no longer just one of the girls at the LAN (max 4-6 girls to min 50 odd boys usually), I am the girl that made the crazy but surprisingly tasty citrus and chilli cake. (oh, and the girl that's good at TF2 - my team totally won the tournament.)<br />
<br />
---------------------------------<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Citrus and Chilli Cake</span><br />
<br />
320g Caster sugar<br />
3 eggs<br />
Zest of 2 lemons and 1 orange<br />
350g plain flour<br />
1tsp salt<br />
250ml milk<br />
1/2 tsp vanilla extract<br />
250g butter<br />
4 1/2 tsp crushed chilli<br />
<br />
+Pre heat oven to 180°c<br />
+Cream butter and sugar together<br />
+Stir in eggs<br />
+Add zest, vanilla extract and crushed chilli<br />
+Sieve in flour, baking powder and salt <br />
+Stir milk in, a bit at a time until you've got a nice batter mix<br />
+Pour batter into cake tin<br />
+Bake for roughly 30mins, dependent on what shaped tin you're baking in<br />
(Original recipe this is based on was for a lemon drizzle loaf, that said to bake for 1hr 15min, although I put mine in a brownie tin, which took considerably less baking time)<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10393549178402523433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6209683.post-91029154685534880622012-02-12T21:03:00.003+00:002012-02-12T21:03:27.020+00:00Croissant Bread and Butter Pudding<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmdtqLOvUusTQcEYkJ8HaVaG_w5gKA-NjaXaNMdxgXTsIlaK645B15jISczykMHnB1HNZIm3dsd_LP0Q6E29YIRrwrRCp3iO5f97zNRTGeTcDQJK_GaaqCMOQxkNYE7Ec99-jtGg/s1600/DSCF9486_.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmdtqLOvUusTQcEYkJ8HaVaG_w5gKA-NjaXaNMdxgXTsIlaK645B15jISczykMHnB1HNZIm3dsd_LP0Q6E29YIRrwrRCp3iO5f97zNRTGeTcDQJK_GaaqCMOQxkNYE7Ec99-jtGg/s400/DSCF9486_.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Have far too many "left over" croissants? Need to find a way to make them a little more unhealthy/delicious? <br />
<br />
I have the answer you are looking for: Croissant bread and butter pudding. <br />
<br />
Ok, so there are definitely many perks to working in the food shop I work in now. Sad little left over pastries. "Oh noes! We'll never make it the weekend, take us home and eat us quickly!"<br />
<br />
One particular Saturday evening I was lucky enough to come home with these babies<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4fZ4Bm2vne73gzNzZlZu-iJcu6ncgGI9E-fHzb3JEoTMNxmhLByYpMuq4og3zLHG_mS1ljFi7zZ4sbWzFuaqzzU6VpbPXQots7xJOaCkWhvcm43zZSOuvV_peETP9uSg8CeyfOw/s1600/DSCF9475_.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4fZ4Bm2vne73gzNzZlZu-iJcu6ncgGI9E-fHzb3JEoTMNxmhLByYpMuq4og3zLHG_mS1ljFi7zZ4sbWzFuaqzzU6VpbPXQots7xJOaCkWhvcm43zZSOuvV_peETP9uSg8CeyfOw/s320/DSCF9475_.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
The ones that survived the initial onslaught of the bearded food hoover (and, being honest, me) ended up in this recipe. This also works fine with stale croissants, if they ever last that long.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Croissant </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">Bread and Butter Pudding</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLae1afvCfuRl4EJ_BkqlEHci_0YnmSXA5EVNDjZcgk-tJDKnrBNRYfDau0J-QCsIxp6YiuIu712NrbIbO0IYn9wsZQy0Y1D06eNKdulCi8DP6ZyTCiwQLoBSzBSjVve6GNznFdQ/s1600/DSCF9477_.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLae1afvCfuRl4EJ_BkqlEHci_0YnmSXA5EVNDjZcgk-tJDKnrBNRYfDau0J-QCsIxp6YiuIu712NrbIbO0IYn9wsZQy0Y1D06eNKdulCi8DP6ZyTCiwQLoBSzBSjVve6GNznFdQ/s200/DSCF9477_.png" width="150" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
2 eggs<br />
200ml milk<br />
75g caster sugar<br />
3 croissants, cut into cm slices<br />
50g raisins<br />
tsp vanilla essecnce<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
1. Beat the eggs, milk and caster sugar together.<br />
2. Arrange the sliced croissants, slightly over lapping each other to cover the base of oven proof dish.<br />
3. Sprinkle the raisins over your layer of croissant, then pour in the egg mixture.<br />
4. Let this soak for 30 minutes.<br />
5. Bake for 25-30minutes at 180°c, until golden and crunchy on the top, gooey on the bottom.<br />
<br />
(Armadillo? No. *ahem*)<br />
<br />
<br />
This is so quick and easy to make, and tastes SO GOOD. Yes, good enough to warrant random use of capital letters. I didn't think of it at the time, but this would definitely benefit with a sprinkle of ground spice of some description, maybe a little cinnamon or even mixed spice. I popped a couple of portions of it in the freezer too, which came out fine after a reheating.<br />
<br />
<br />Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10393549178402523433noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6209683.post-75272509630342199862012-02-05T23:02:00.000+00:002012-02-05T23:02:00.960+00:00Project Round Up II<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggIgogLsFVURbl0fdiZPN2LWk5Ow9sF6X4pJKqg-87DB0aT2CLYWEs8l-tV-uEbNH9D38Pd4-UFGXY9I-xCDPaxe3JAmDBdgpbJ1hWHEfNp6KwrvfTcP9Lr91T-ZY9xjz0SPonIA/s1600/DSCF9428_.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggIgogLsFVURbl0fdiZPN2LWk5Ow9sF6X4pJKqg-87DB0aT2CLYWEs8l-tV-uEbNH9D38Pd4-UFGXY9I-xCDPaxe3JAmDBdgpbJ1hWHEfNp6KwrvfTcP9Lr91T-ZY9xjz0SPonIA/s400/DSCF9428_.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Despite the obvious inconveniences that go with anywhere in England being covered in a thick layer of snow, I am, and probably always will be, very excited by it. I missed it coming down yesterday as I was stuck in work all afternoon, so after dinner le Boof and I went out for a walk around the city (big unflattering (but practical!) jacket on and big old camera in tow). It was wonderful walking round our new home city, seeing our first snowfall here and how it changes the landmarks we're slowly getting used to. York's a beautiful city without the snow, but there were some breathtaking views on our short walk.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPmFW7bpr9eYcyiFOYvUtzfJZj0Eohb15qHXNVPg3UthMEHKDZMM8wOLkShyphenhyphenTeUXuCZTlBOxqtCq8eqLokjK6srXE-fagVmHpl7CnFKxTbQcL_n4Jiox7BdbDVaA3pWeTFv6RXBQ/s1600/DSCF9398_.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPmFW7bpr9eYcyiFOYvUtzfJZj0Eohb15qHXNVPg3UthMEHKDZMM8wOLkShyphenhyphenTeUXuCZTlBOxqtCq8eqLokjK6srXE-fagVmHpl7CnFKxTbQcL_n4Jiox7BdbDVaA3pWeTFv6RXBQ/s320/DSCF9398_.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
It feels all the more appropriate to be sitting in most evenings and knitting myself a jumper when the weather's so uninviting outside. My current project is a pullover for myself, made with the selection of wool my Ma bought me for Christmas. The pattern is <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/caitlin-pullover" target="_blank">Caitlin Pullover by Pam Allen</a>, which I found on <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/" target="_blank">Ravelry</a> (srsly, if you knit/crochet and aren't on Ravelry already, why??) It's the first colour work project I've properly got into (I did start one with 4 ply wool on circular needles, but haven't so far got past the ribbing at the hem...). I've got the front and back done, and the picture above is of half a sleeve. Just the yoke, which repeats the colour work pattern from the sleeves, and the other sleeve to go. Crossing my fingers it's a good fit!<br />
<br />
<br />
I got back from work one day last week and had an urge to get something crossed off my crafty to-do list. After much deliberation I chose to make a vase of crocheted flowers for our dining table. Off I went into the city (the novelty of being able to just wander into a city from where we live is going to take a very long time to wear off (I'm a bit of country bumpkin if that's not already been made apparent)). First I went around the charity shops looking for a vase, and found this beauty:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmFQJcnqO78zR8NqymRg6F6MeAGlOYiiKgwLR6EzXKteCxl5itGMRotpM4x26tfAPfkQt_n_cBEWqMJWJlJgTjxDNW_2a7JRvkrOoQIiwpGFCx5fstRFfFHRH48u90zvkBuXyfFQ/s1600/DSCF9413_.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmFQJcnqO78zR8NqymRg6F6MeAGlOYiiKgwLR6EzXKteCxl5itGMRotpM4x26tfAPfkQt_n_cBEWqMJWJlJgTjxDNW_2a7JRvkrOoQIiwpGFCx5fstRFfFHRH48u90zvkBuXyfFQ/s320/DSCF9413_.png" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Only 99p too! Love charity shopping. The only problem was persuading le Boof that just because it may have had a previous life as a beer receptacle, doesn't mean he should automatically have a right to steal it from me. It is my lovely vase now. Nothing can be done about that. Also, it's now full of these, making it somewhat more difficult to store beer in:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwBByr2OGqbLc_b4lT5UuchwaERaETF-7rKY-0NSZUoG2SFofFjuV95Ip1QNKsclxE0RZHGlpEzUOY8kjfCs1EXVnomGHiRUKEiph5BhVLunp9r1uMGM8lr9UQKPCJcdMy3iMknQ/s1600/DSCF9411_.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwBByr2OGqbLc_b4lT5UuchwaERaETF-7rKY-0NSZUoG2SFofFjuV95Ip1QNKsclxE0RZHGlpEzUOY8kjfCs1EXVnomGHiRUKEiph5BhVLunp9r1uMGM8lr9UQKPCJcdMy3iMknQ/s320/DSCF9411_.png" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
I will make a few more eventually, but three was my limit for that one evening! The pattern for the flowers comes from this book, with I-cord made with a knitting dolly, stuffed with a pipe cleaner for the stems.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i.imgur.com/jqxvS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="199" src="http://i.imgur.com/jqxvS.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
I've mentioned it before, I know, but it's one of my favourite knitting pattern books. The closer it gets to spring the more I can see myself using it, making the flat look lovely for the nice weather. <br />
<br />
<br />
As far as edible things go, I am continuing my quest to find a good, relatively quick and easy loaf to make on a regular basis. I've made all of our bread pretty much since we moved up here to York, something I'd never done previously, and I'm slowly getting to grips with how different things affect a loaf.<br />
<br />
On the cake front, this week's cake was lemon and almond muffins.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd1PFfb0Qzl-_TPWtvJKgUcZKf5CFEA3C2PWgFWl5vZ4D5r_eSrCHUL0Ilt_C3k3chKO9kWCdwA5m1vDUhGYiaTPdjfLJJGdvCQVZeY7m6J-w36X7CLsA8c8pxFhMzTp1n0pWENQ/s1600/DSCF9473_.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd1PFfb0Qzl-_TPWtvJKgUcZKf5CFEA3C2PWgFWl5vZ4D5r_eSrCHUL0Ilt_C3k3chKO9kWCdwA5m1vDUhGYiaTPdjfLJJGdvCQVZeY7m6J-w36X7CLsA8c8pxFhMzTp1n0pWENQ/s320/DSCF9473_.png" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Trust me, they are far more interesting to eat than to look at! <br />
I found the recipe <a href="http://www.cookingafterfive.com/cookingafterfive/2010/11/13/the-saturday-post-lemon-buttermilk-muffins.html" target="_blank">here</a>, after doing a search for more cake recipes to use up some buttermilk I've had in the fridge for too long now. (Don't worry, still within it's best before.) I tweaked it a little bit to suit what I had available:<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Lemon Buttermilk Muffins</span><br />
250g plain flour<br />
1/2 tsp baking powder<br />
1/2 tsp bicarbinate of soda<br />
1/4 tsp salt<br />
250g caster sugar<br />
55g unsalted butter<br />
1/2 lemon's worth of zest and juice<br />
1 egg<br />
1/2 tsp almond extract<br />
235ml buttermilk<br />
Sliced almonds to garnish<br />
<br />
0. Preheat your oven to 180°c<br />
<br />
1. Mix the sugar and butter until light and fluffy.<br />
2. Add in the egg, mix well.<br />
3. Stir in the lemon zest and juice and the almond extract.<br />
4. Sieve the flour, bicarb, baking soda and salt into the bowl, mix well.<br />
5. Pop in your buttermilk, mix again (there's only so many ways you can say stir in).<br />
6. Spoon your mixture into muffin cases, then bake for 20-25 minutes, or until springy when prodded.<br />
7. Leave to cool on a cooling rack, then devour.<br />
<br />
Very good snacking muffins these, not too sweet, so good any time of the day. Especially with a nice cup of tea when it's dead chilly out.<br />
<br />
<br />
P.S. Le Boof and I went to see one of my favourite bands last Friday. I love love love them. Check this out. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v5FW8Xo8ENo" target="_blank">The Black Keys - I Got Mine</a><br />
<br />Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10393549178402523433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6209683.post-39013784504913162222012-01-26T21:04:00.001+00:002012-01-26T21:05:06.077+00:00Lurgie-Fighting Cupcakes!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIxxKPL7fH8jmvjs4yy4k0T3yFBFWYiaSiI47SaE7rwR-IuVQW2b8UgPvRO8pqG0UHa8U1dT43VoL5wNo_viW846GVWWAevEVIDyzcNKT5GU00dQjcVYiKz6Dd4ObirnjaM-SXGA/s1600/DSCF9328_.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIxxKPL7fH8jmvjs4yy4k0T3yFBFWYiaSiI47SaE7rwR-IuVQW2b8UgPvRO8pqG0UHa8U1dT43VoL5wNo_viW846GVWWAevEVIDyzcNKT5GU00dQjcVYiKz6Dd4ObirnjaM-SXGA/s400/DSCF9328_.png" width="400" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Despite having had the lurgie for the last couple of days, and making it the excuse I gave to myself for not updating sooner, I seem to have gotten quiet a lot of things done/made. I wonder whether it might have been my unconscious mind walking me into the kitchen to bake without me realising it.<br />
<br />
First off I bought some more seeds, and have planted my first crop *fanfare*<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigcBB6se3xak5jZhKk2k2ZvvfWkwIlXXaESJxrSlwj_A2I9N6F5QJEmnn1ywoUblMKvFk8uSNw_g9FWyMO0rE4qZEkOOHm-KQXvXSwLS7hkBsJ6f_smkr1uUwBqWgZ-9m0gToLtA/s1600/DSCF9310_.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigcBB6se3xak5jZhKk2k2ZvvfWkwIlXXaESJxrSlwj_A2I9N6F5QJEmnn1ywoUblMKvFk8uSNw_g9FWyMO0rE4qZEkOOHm-KQXvXSwLS7hkBsJ6f_smkr1uUwBqWgZ-9m0gToLtA/s320/DSCF9310_.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Ok, so it's only sprouting seeds, but still. Next up will be my strawberries.<br />
<br />
I've been eyeing up <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Gardman-tier-mini-greenhouse-propagator/dp/B000UX6HHM/ref=wl_it_dp_o_npd?ie=UTF8&coliid=I2NSZ3Y7GGHUI4&colid=1E3ROD94EQUH6" target="_blank">mini greenhouses</a> recently. As we don't really have a lot of space to be used up by seedlings in the flat (sadface) I think it might be a good idea for the balcony. It would mean I could start planting things earlier without worrying about the mean Yorkshire temperatures stopping them from germinating. Having gone through all my seed packets and making a chart to compare when things can be sown, there won't be any more proper planting until March. Next I need to make a space plan and work out what can fit in where on the balcony and what containers I will need (as many hanging baskets as possible!).<br />
<br />
<br />
As we all know, Vitamin C is one of the best things to take when you're suffering with a cold. I decided it would probably a far more efficient way of getting vitamins into my body by putting all the vitamin C into...<br />
<br />
....cupcakes of course!<br />
<br />
These babies are carrot cake with orange zest and raisins in. Take that, cold! (I do feel better now so they must have worked).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFeNVt6Vfi0TrFjulO-3DyE1-wbAh-WuNHU8ITAaX-lbvHxOa_52NuBmf_UhwlQpacPhCQQjpaV-bz5RAJPJjs7JCWOQCc49HB_bJatX0Mawzsme9PRdjU-ekXu_B556IYMntRpA/s1600/DSCF9313_.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFeNVt6Vfi0TrFjulO-3DyE1-wbAh-WuNHU8ITAaX-lbvHxOa_52NuBmf_UhwlQpacPhCQQjpaV-bz5RAJPJjs7JCWOQCc49HB_bJatX0Mawzsme9PRdjU-ekXu_B556IYMntRpA/s320/DSCF9313_.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Usually, the main problem that arises when I have a desire to make carrot cake is that le Boof does not like nuts. Especially in his cake. To him, each little tasty nugget of walnut (or pecan omnom) would be a tiny little nugget of betrayal. Which is a shame because I love nuts in my carrot cake, I like the contrast between super spongey cake and crunchy nuts. However, with the recipe I found for these cupcakes (masquerading as muffins, although only in size. Let's be honest, no one can be satisfied with a cupcake sized portion of cake.) walnuts are replaced with raisins! Fantastic! I love them, le Boof loves them, he said the raisins worked really well in them. No more colds for us. We'll be packed full of vitamin C any time I've baked a batch of these!<br />
<br />
The <a href="http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/3229/yummy-scrummy-carrot-cake" target="_blank">recipe I used to make them is here</a>, but I used a proper carrot cake icing: <span style="font-size: large;">180g cream cheese, 50g icing sugar and 90g butter </span>instead of the <strike>dribble</strike> drizzle they suggest in the cake recipe.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjumdSLwXGXPWCUtdmj2qUuv9h6jMXUly1LZKL-qrlHqGksgAfrqVrkW16fxc21Ob4HPOdOUZX24iiuHZwRdxig5Wh62Y0H_gutnpbyo2EZW7EHOxv272ZUn7iCheBGF0UTftkcOQ/s1600/DSCF9377_.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjumdSLwXGXPWCUtdmj2qUuv9h6jMXUly1LZKL-qrlHqGksgAfrqVrkW16fxc21Ob4HPOdOUZX24iiuHZwRdxig5Wh62Y0H_gutnpbyo2EZW7EHOxv272ZUn7iCheBGF0UTftkcOQ/s320/DSCF9377_.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
I've been meaning to make a needle case for all my knitting needles for a while, my <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knitting_needle#Double-pointed_needles" target="_blank">DPNs</a> in particular. My first attempt ended awfully. I honestly couldn't tell you why I thought it might be a good idea to try and make something with nice neat straight lines with two different types of stretchy material, but that got put away in the oddbits material bag quick swiftly (after fiddling with the things for about an hour). Whilst in the oddbits bag I found a nice sturdy piece of material and I knocked one up in a matter of minutes.There's no particular reason for the snail, just that it's been hanging around in the bottom of my sewing box for years now, and I finally decided to give it a home.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0VUTjB209TTz9UMrM8sldO_PdZrUsMLLdD2DFP3N1CPyf4oM4OxedFFt-kqYp8_S8G0nnAiVPg0a7ipDnWsIYFoSLAaZrjPZVMAXSPKbpNtGPfKNTxvSkfGX2JMPa9XnQmTnvTw/s1600/DSCF9360_.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0VUTjB209TTz9UMrM8sldO_PdZrUsMLLdD2DFP3N1CPyf4oM4OxedFFt-kqYp8_S8G0nnAiVPg0a7ipDnWsIYFoSLAaZrjPZVMAXSPKbpNtGPfKNTxvSkfGX2JMPa9XnQmTnvTw/s200/DSCF9360_.png" width="200" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgub933tLI79cjX131icc6pjMvqm3aZM9gltf5L8Hv54T8W41xCyJujM3-qmrtFOxVWVbmgxtO9CGUKXifhEDQ2Ta5geuEAVLrHsD0Bn90Kr9Ktxp-rO10Juf2uyY6NzB0tCeY4kQ/s1600/DSCF9356_.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgub933tLI79cjX131icc6pjMvqm3aZM9gltf5L8Hv54T8W41xCyJujM3-qmrtFOxVWVbmgxtO9CGUKXifhEDQ2Ta5geuEAVLrHsD0Bn90Kr9Ktxp-rO10Juf2uyY6NzB0tCeY4kQ/s200/DSCF9356_.png" width="200" /></a>
<br />
<br />
I was planning to make some kind of rough tutorial for this, but I got so excited about making it, and it actually working, that I completely forgot to take pictures of each step. I'm planning on making another for my normal needles so hopefully I'll remember then and get a tute up.<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3d6IqOM4w9CjQeETtzuJIiKt7t5x7yvBm9e387t7MYEyBv9a-yy372n7UjPknTWqciZh4oByj-BucYkpT2YJWe-74Z3qWKyNRbLqW4VBStxDNKNT3tJX-vrAhga6J4WdLcSxelw/s1600/DSCF9371_.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3d6IqOM4w9CjQeETtzuJIiKt7t5x7yvBm9e387t7MYEyBv9a-yy372n7UjPknTWqciZh4oByj-BucYkpT2YJWe-74Z3qWKyNRbLqW4VBStxDNKNT3tJX-vrAhga6J4WdLcSxelw/s200/DSCF9371_.png" width="150" /></a><br />
<br />
And finally; slowly but surely the bunting is spreading round the house. The bathroom was the latest target.Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10393549178402523433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6209683.post-5062154024507172862012-01-21T02:07:00.001+00:002012-01-21T02:16:43.259+00:00New Curtains and Homemade Quiche<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjljstKc7bCtLo82ZYfLjpF6ld3pPmfERY_SpQeiWcaET1RYt-ZNnGqFjO5wG2P0KZpBLYdCjWb7XgBnL0DO9OxP5zhli1X07kD1GlFsAT2r-I8zwZ3flTF_DEk4l9yqSj2bsgsYA/s1600/DSCF9293_.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjljstKc7bCtLo82ZYfLjpF6ld3pPmfERY_SpQeiWcaET1RYt-ZNnGqFjO5wG2P0KZpBLYdCjWb7XgBnL0DO9OxP5zhli1X07kD1GlFsAT2r-I8zwZ3flTF_DEk4l9yqSj2bsgsYA/s400/DSCF9293_.png" width="400" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
I think today has to have been one of the more productive days I've had recently. Inspired by the fact that we've been given the green light to put up picture hooks in the flat (a big deal for me, sad as it sounds, as it means I can now start making the flat feel more homely (empty walls are sad walls)), down came the butt-ugly bathroom curtain that has been terrorising me since we moved in. The picture below doesn't do it justice. It's an unpleasant fabric to start with, and it's all browned and hand badly and a-symmetrically. I don't know why I hadn't done it sooner, it took £2.20 and maybe an hour tops to do. Admittedly it doesn't go with the décor, but I can live with that.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieFEsAlqlePLA6x21OMqVGqvGXES5MkzZhU6F3-vBE-nXoBONLGEwJ0EpZsCsReGuyGE3xvqJeBdGrZ3nLXhc0N8TdwHjggjTqsYdougHWlaId8mAlKn1bk_g51Tg1zoasQ7cS2A/s1600/DSCF8664_.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieFEsAlqlePLA6x21OMqVGqvGXES5MkzZhU6F3-vBE-nXoBONLGEwJ0EpZsCsReGuyGE3xvqJeBdGrZ3nLXhc0N8TdwHjggjTqsYdougHWlaId8mAlKn1bk_g51Tg1zoasQ7cS2A/s200/DSCF8664_.png" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before = Blech</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOutokihuGy8xszHm_dZoKQlhCy8d-4J_-eEou9wovgonV6g1Mz-I3Qp-WWHpHtBC7BjJzBvFOIZnQursTDjBkT54PSTzBdHHdWMRP-J_o-6UR8fOpz13lmyfRtcjVWLt5pFKxNg/s1600/DSCF9261_.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOutokihuGy8xszHm_dZoKQlhCy8d-4J_-eEou9wovgonV6g1Mz-I3Qp-WWHpHtBC7BjJzBvFOIZnQursTDjBkT54PSTzBdHHdWMRP-J_o-6UR8fOpz13lmyfRtcjVWLt5pFKxNg/s200/DSCF9261_.png" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After = Phew!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Yep, that's a towel. Well, two towels. All it took was a bit of this stuff (curtain hanging tape maybe? I'm not sure what it's called)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjef9jCl0xiqOGHKwopxwkmX4WZVrxTGb-t9tXJu0Hl01yHVwtWxbGwEGe2vNTC6vz5myAhz_qRb8Oxe1ulkPQ5Tgcjlannctb1opfxsOnnwZXS4WjrXyfvtQdyXsb7MovebehRhg/s1600/DSCF9244_.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjef9jCl0xiqOGHKwopxwkmX4WZVrxTGb-t9tXJu0Hl01yHVwtWxbGwEGe2vNTC6vz5myAhz_qRb8Oxe1ulkPQ5Tgcjlannctb1opfxsOnnwZXS4WjrXyfvtQdyXsb7MovebehRhg/s320/DSCF9244_.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
It took two ticks to sew this to the top of the towel. Then I just used the hooks that were keeping the uber-ugly "curtain" (it really only roughly resembled a curtain) "up" (barely) to hang it. I did have to sew another towel to the bottom to get it to be the right height, and the second curtain wasn't actually the same width as the first towel, but it was definitely worth it! Not only is this far easier on the eye, but it should hopefully help insulate the bathroom a little, it is by far the coldest room in the flat.<br />
<br />
<br />
Once I had defeated that task, I moved onto dinner. I decided yesterday I wanted to make a quiche. So I did. As seems to be the case more often than not recently, I tend to look through several recipes for the same thing, take a few pointers from each, and then ignore most of what I've just read and make it up as I go along.<br />
<br />
This is the results of today's baking adventures.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7tE_p0NmG1vBxvKLSqtffRblWdCpQvGusZPX3f5n-QjfGGnxaW7XWpetwuWYmJ0sSLCyBm9lZLFwvlA1joNOFI34w-C8vHsT42lcL_oCHWIWvlWYpNl4M9HnVvzZKw_lg85FPLw/s1600/DSCF9307_.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7tE_p0NmG1vBxvKLSqtffRblWdCpQvGusZPX3f5n-QjfGGnxaW7XWpetwuWYmJ0sSLCyBm9lZLFwvlA1joNOFI34w-C8vHsT42lcL_oCHWIWvlWYpNl4M9HnVvzZKw_lg85FPLw/s320/DSCF9307_.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
A completely made-from-scratch quiche. And it's dead easy. And you don't need silly things like double cream that I never have in the fridge unless it is for a specific recipe.<br />
<br />
Here's how I made it.<br />
<br />
<fieldset>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi17Fs7oVrT3CaAV4_laizwmoFfc0MHbX8XkPxXk8fWHsp-PhPLvpqxz5pmAHb_Jx3wJQsm1P5SG_nH_gk2x3VncSG-aZtIKT0Tu5RwVq9EZHbL_MwHx9JbK9rESZRXbLXzWdpIAQ/s1600/DSCF9290_.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi17Fs7oVrT3CaAV4_laizwmoFfc0MHbX8XkPxXk8fWHsp-PhPLvpqxz5pmAHb_Jx3wJQsm1P5SG_nH_gk2x3VncSG-aZtIKT0Tu5RwVq9EZHbL_MwHx9JbK9rESZRXbLXzWdpIAQ/s200/DSCF9290_.png" width="200" /></a><i><span style="font-size: large;">Bacon, Leek and Mushroom Quiche</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">for a 20cm flan tin (3 respectable sized portions)</span></span></i><br />
<br />
<i>For the pastry</i>:<br />
2oz butter<br />
4oz plain flour<br />
<br />
<i>For the filling:</i><br />
2 large eggs<br />
1 rasher middle bacon (or 2 of streaky)<br />
1/3 leek<br />
3 medium mushrooms<br />
150ml milk<br />
<br />
1. Make the pastry by rubbing the butter and flour together (so much easier with <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Kitchen-Craft-Pastry-Blender-Stainless/dp/B0001IWUQ8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1327108603&sr=8-1" target="_blank">a pastry blender</a>). Then when it's roughly breadcrumby, start adding small amounts of cold water until you can squish it all together into a soft dough. It doesn't want to be sticky, just soft.<br />
<br />
2. Roll out the dough fairly thin, then carefully lay it over your flan tin (<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Premier-Housewares-Diameter-Non-Stick-Fluted/dp/B005CNNZI4/ref=sr_1_1?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1327108745&sr=1-1" target="_blank">with removable base preferably)</a> and press it gently in. Cut off the excess pastry round the edge of the tin then prick the base with a fork.<br />
<br />
3. Cover and pop in the fridge for 30 minutes.<br />
<br />
4. Set your oven to 200°c and put in a baking tray to preheat.<br />
<br />
5. Line the chilled pastry with greaseproof paper then fill with either <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Tala-700g-Ceramic-Baking-Beans/dp/B000PVHDHM/ref=sr_1_2?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1327109466&sr=1-2" target="_blank">ceramic pastry beans</a> or just plain old rice (I was surprised how well using rice worked, I had always put off making blind baked pastry cases due to my lack of baking beans). Then pop it onto the baking tray in the oven and bake for 20 minutes.<br />
<br />
6. Meanwhile, chop up your mushrooms, leek and bacon and fry them until cooked.<br />
<br />
7. Whisk together the eggs and milk and season. I put in a teaspoon of mustard powder, some salt, pepper and mixed dried herbs.<br />
<br />
8. Take out the pastry and remove the rice and paper. Cook for 5 minutes.<br />
<br />
9. Brush the pastry with the eggy mix and bake for another 2 minutes. This will just form a bit of a layer to stop the pastry going really soggy when you put the eggy mix in next.<br />
<br />
10. Take out the pastry again, leaving the baking tray in the oven. Turn the temperature down to 190°c.<br />
<br />
11. Spread the bacon, leek and mushroom evenly across the pastry then pour over the eggy mix.<br />
<br />
12. Bake for 30-35 minutes. Leave for about 5ish minutes then NOM.<br />
<br />
<br />
<i>Goes well with:</i> Sweet potato chips. Chop up half a sweet potato per person into chip sized chunks. Put them on a baking tray and slather with olive oil. Cover in pepper, garlic salt and dried mixed herbs. Mix it all up so the potato chunks are evenly(ish) covered then put in the oven at about 200°c for 20-30 minutes. (Give them a prod at 20 mins, if they're soft through they're done)<br />
<br />
<i>What I have learnt:</i> Don't think it's clever to put as much of the eggy mix in the pastry case as physically possible. It will go everywhere and make your flan tin stick to the baking tray and then make you drop your lovely quiche on your camera.<br />
<i><br /></i></fieldset>
<br />
This came out far better than I could have hoped for. On taking the pastry out ready for the filling to go in I thought it was looking quite soggy, but it crisped up nicely. Le Boof thought I had bought it from a fancy quiche shop or something and then even after I corrected him it took some persuading to made him believe I had made the pastry case too. This pastry recipe is the one I use for all my savoury pastry needs and it never disappoints. I took out a book from the library a while ago about cooking during WWII rationing, a book full of wonderful, sensible and hearty meals, and this was the recipe they suggested for making pastry. I'm not a big fan of clichés, but if it ain't broke...<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Ooh, and finally, I know I've waffled on a fair bit already, but I have for a while been on a mission to find a good chocolate cake recipe that goes well with a chocolate buttercream icing (a lot of recipes I've tried have been too sweet). I made some this week, and they're my favourite so far. <a href="http://www.goodtoknow.co.uk/recipes/145695/Classic-chocolate-cake" target="_blank">It's a recipe for a chocolate cake</a>, but I just put the mix into muffin cases. Also, I discovered that although it makes it far faaaarrr too stiff to pipe, freezing chocolate buttercream icing makes it taste even better. If that's possible.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgap1RrV0SDfAGf9ABDUKahs3ivwQbwuNe45EHE3CItdHisI4_cWBSwff-TKQq-R-HP4Ltilc8xGOz36V3Yp2iHrxW8Fx6_56L3JrQJOtGLDw8DH3keHE5ScqXt7C9X6vHiFuya9A/s1600/DSCF9267_.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgap1RrV0SDfAGf9ABDUKahs3ivwQbwuNe45EHE3CItdHisI4_cWBSwff-TKQq-R-HP4Ltilc8xGOz36V3Yp2iHrxW8Fx6_56L3JrQJOtGLDw8DH3keHE5ScqXt7C9X6vHiFuya9A/s320/DSCF9267_.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhMHR6qGn7PnX-C7vDoilk9PvcE1TNVdUU25U3t2sVmNVzvRV4LSmeaZeJImpZEWlLy6PIOCjOou1lrnDt1pDr2m6fCjxNB5Pq5ecYwt8ovs9eZKxMGuzIgh1f1zMRs8IyobuXQQ/s1600/DSCF9278_.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhMHR6qGn7PnX-C7vDoilk9PvcE1TNVdUU25U3t2sVmNVzvRV4LSmeaZeJImpZEWlLy6PIOCjOou1lrnDt1pDr2m6fCjxNB5Pq5ecYwt8ovs9eZKxMGuzIgh1f1zMRs8IyobuXQQ/s320/DSCF9278_.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<i><br /></i><br />
<i>Song what I have been reminded I really like:</i> <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fs9vRtZsMz0&ob=av2e" target="_blank">The Count & Sinden featuring Mystery Jets - After Dark</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10393549178402523433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6209683.post-49555620424197430602012-01-19T23:20:00.000+00:002012-01-20T00:00:57.078+00:00Project Round Up<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL2Qxip06-uM4r75gLllKwm_iGiqKJqaM3jRkCSjY-pe1TMSXLKDFWSyfqIRCHQWZt_XqUsDtE3zMZv6PwoMT6Bnq76ZUtj2b9-1fs_TvAVBGqYTsemMrZrE1AuEE1MnMwQth7-A/s1600/IMAG1208.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL2Qxip06-uM4r75gLllKwm_iGiqKJqaM3jRkCSjY-pe1TMSXLKDFWSyfqIRCHQWZt_XqUsDtE3zMZv6PwoMT6Bnq76ZUtj2b9-1fs_TvAVBGqYTsemMrZrE1AuEE1MnMwQth7-A/s400/IMAG1208.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
For the Christmas just gone (it seems to close still to say last year) I set myself the task of making everyone's presents. Mainly for financial reasons but also because it's something I've always wanted to do. Before I have ended up maybe making a couple of things and then running out of time. This year I was finally successful, so for an entire blissful week before Christmas I spent all my free time either knitting or baking.<br />
<br />
Even when I've not made everyone's Christmas presents, there's always plenty of things to get done and to focus on leading up to the big day, so when it gets to the week after I feel direction-less and uninspired.<br />
<br />
I don't know what happened this year.<br />
<br />
It's like I've been taken over by some kind of arts and crafts (baking and gardening too) spirit and completely forgot that not only did Christmas come and go in a flash, but I survived coming back up to our flat in the cold North after spending a wonderful week surrounded by family and friends.<br />
<br />
So far I have made my first (wall hanging) quilt, made the first few of many decorations for our flat to make it look pretty and less dilapidated inside (peeling wallpaper and weird greasy marks on the walls need covering up!). Not only that but I've also secured myself a part time job up here, which is fantastic, and I've got a fairly good idea of what my planting plan will be for the balcony in the spring.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi15k_QWhOPln96uMNsFesD3GUBJ5ii8L6vmZG799GofvwrunXWaBF0OL-OoqfzruLn8kUayLonQIoCpQbtAnBYZkuxA0CuJXfo3wZt-LsZ48_XyeiIrYXYHlbZ3yTNiOamybIECg/s1600/DSCF9173_.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi15k_QWhOPln96uMNsFesD3GUBJ5ii8L6vmZG799GofvwrunXWaBF0OL-OoqfzruLn8kUayLonQIoCpQbtAnBYZkuxA0CuJXfo3wZt-LsZ48_XyeiIrYXYHlbZ3yTNiOamybIECg/s320/DSCF9173_.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some colourful crocheted bunting. I think there'll be more of this.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br /><br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOtFliuuWxo1jGmkxBnUhGqsOXYlsfDDhScfMfrL4BI66ZG0QnZewRtiDScof31STbhlNiB98wsfOsjszj5cvY3HIw1oDhvYfPK466bSMNN0BO8aSPVD4CBlI0R1p-q_0wjIqBxA/s1600/DSCF9241_.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOtFliuuWxo1jGmkxBnUhGqsOXYlsfDDhScfMfrL4BI66ZG0QnZewRtiDScof31STbhlNiB98wsfOsjszj5cvY3HIw1oDhvYfPK466bSMNN0BO8aSPVD4CBlI0R1p-q_0wjIqBxA/s320/DSCF9241_.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A nice wonky wall hanging quilt to keepthe door buzzer<br />
phone company</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="left" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGCjwpQHt1tVcrD9mQkwQ_MLt7dKFZyM37JsAZY-K-hUzymmpNkk14Qv2MhhhnAr9tjgmSiySY99PjZYBX9WvER_kYAWm3VGNfqSi7fQ5KYQAHh0tglbkcsFylQO16p_i1S4O37A/s1600/DSCF9235_.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGCjwpQHt1tVcrD9mQkwQ_MLt7dKFZyM37JsAZY-K-hUzymmpNkk14Qv2MhhhnAr9tjgmSiySY99PjZYBX9WvER_kYAWm3VGNfqSi7fQ5KYQAHh0tglbkcsFylQO16p_i1S4O37A/s320/DSCF9235_.png" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bringing the outside in. I might continue this<br />
theme through into the kitchen.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAbCMx-Bb2RqOcy-So78Quo22WmN01xhtS2ac_YN3ni5jbkCkvkPpzBhWqDfLVKgu9LsluTVQFT5EIwRTfmt37opIOosbx3F38BKROj6s-8bp-0ud3drXSUwxu0eA-HpbmYaSx2g/s1600/DSCF9179_.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
I bought my first batch of seeds for the spring last week, there's a few more things I want to get seeds for but I'm mainly there with them I think (there's only so much space on the balcony!). Due to the space restrictions, i.e. only having the balcony as my space to grow things in, I'm going to try some ideas like <a href="http://takeitlikeit.blogspot.com/2009/05/planting-upside-down.html" target="_blank">putting plants in the bottom of hanging baskets</a> as well as the top. So I could have my strawberries or tomatoes growing from the bottom of the basket and maybe peas or flowers growing out of the top. I'm going to invest in some <a href="http://www.gardencentreonline.co.uk/Garden-Care-Planting-Growing-Bags-Strawberry-Herb-Patio-Planter/4627-PD/default.html" target="_blank">stacking plant pots like these</a>, maybe for herbs or smaller plants too. Basically cramming as much into our little balcony as possible. Oh, with space for a small garden table and two chairs too. I'll let you know how that goes.<br />
<br />
<br />
<i>This is the most beautiful blog: <a href="http://rosylittlethings.typepad.com/posie_gets_cozy/" target="_blank">Posie Gets Cosy</a></i><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10393549178402523433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6209683.post-17313675709528588462012-01-15T19:57:00.001+00:002012-01-15T20:01:31.832+00:00Mission Fishy Fishy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV71FwAbyCDX5w2oXgdvszhwB4_uhKwCk6ghngFC2gT8c-xrBB5i_9VyCzVPX98BjN2vmRrVA3a9FfhM2cxYh8c-gdLHOiEfCOHgw_N-3uTai8O_L_35GIMeR_zLWJxTsX8VcN3w/s1600/DSCF9228_.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV71FwAbyCDX5w2oXgdvszhwB4_uhKwCk6ghngFC2gT8c-xrBB5i_9VyCzVPX98BjN2vmRrVA3a9FfhM2cxYh8c-gdLHOiEfCOHgw_N-3uTai8O_L_35GIMeR_zLWJxTsX8VcN3w/s400/DSCF9228_.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Today is the day. I will be cooking a fish dish, from scratch, for le Boof and myself.<br />
<br />
I'd like to think I have mastered the fish finger (out of the packet). But I've never cooked a meal containing fish. This is probably due to the fact that it usually takes me a year to eat anything with fish in, due to a slight anxiety about finding a bone in a mouthful of food. However, I think it might well be time I got to grips with this fear, as I approach the quarter of a decade mark (*sob*). Also I think le Boof and I have settled into the habit of eating too much red meat. Chicken is an option, although just breasts are too expensive to have frequently, and I've not explored the route of getting an entire chicken and getting hundreds of meals out of it, so things like diced pork and beef mince seem to be what our meals consist of most often.<br />
<br />
I did some research when we were first settling in up here on where there were fishmongers in the city, and I'm sad to say it seems like there's only the one. Le boof and I checked it out yesterday, it's part of the daily market that the city has (which is another lovely thing about living here). They had only a small selection of fish, but I think they may have been closing down for the weekend by the time we got there. I had read up on what I thought I would go for, using <a href="http://www.channel4.com/4food/recipes/popular-ingredients/fish-and-seafood/fish-inspiration" target="_blank">this very useful webpage</a>. I'm very keen on the idea of not going for the main three fish that seem to dominate the market, and to instead use this guide to pick out something less common. After some deliberation we went for a couple of fillets of <a href="http://www.channel4.com/4food/on-tv/fish-fight-extras/pouting" target="_blank">Pouting</a>. Which apparently is a fairly bland tasting fish! Yay. Oh well. I shall see it as a challenge.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUYDD6Sy2_5-rHTfXN_McOeRUSt8vA5DZLQP4a9tf14IopPVmhtKzsVQoLwDbAovMsYbimAoT9Tc8He7s2_WJSCZq7NGOYEGp0J8G3b8CAfPOa9IT1BeaEWuNB7QdSEsY9oK_wYg/s1600/DSCF9222_.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUYDD6Sy2_5-rHTfXN_McOeRUSt8vA5DZLQP4a9tf14IopPVmhtKzsVQoLwDbAovMsYbimAoT9Tc8He7s2_WJSCZq7NGOYEGp0J8G3b8CAfPOa9IT1BeaEWuNB7QdSEsY9oK_wYg/s320/DSCF9222_.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
For pudding we have jelly! Orange for me and blackcurrant for le Boof.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
-----------------------------------------<br />
<br />
OK, so dinner has now been cooked and consumed. It was one of the quickest main meals I've made in a while. We used <a href="http://www.morrisons.co.uk/Food-and-Drink/Recipes/Index/C/Crusty-topped-pouting/" target="_blank">this recipe for crusty topped pouting</a>. I was on fish duty while le Boof made a <a href="http://wegottaeat.com/chef_linzi/recipes/mustard-creme-fraiche-and-white-wine-sauce" target="_blank">wholegrain mustard, crème fraiche and white wine sauce</a>.
For our veg we fried up half a large leek in butter until soft, boiled
up some taters and cheated with the peas by microwaving them. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjooEjropkscx6BgzPj5XNy6SymBEJPS-iCRXcgm5O7IDntmYzTk7fAWhCE1C-BoB5VfnV53IZiDD49-fkXC4_aBtoest8ln-OLkKcLknWv2ANuGcvIbMV88f3bIVXRo5csolBJDA/s1600/DSCF9232_.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjooEjropkscx6BgzPj5XNy6SymBEJPS-iCRXcgm5O7IDntmYzTk7fAWhCE1C-BoB5VfnV53IZiDD49-fkXC4_aBtoest8ln-OLkKcLknWv2ANuGcvIbMV88f3bIVXRo5csolBJDA/s320/DSCF9232_.png" width="240" /></a> I was very pleased with the outcome of the meal. You grill the fish, which only takes about 4 minutes on either side. This is great for me, I can't eat anything that's too greasy, so no traditional fish and chips! The fish would have been quite bland on it's own but the recipe says to season both sides of the fish and the breadcrumb topping has plenty of herbs in. The sauce complimented it nicely and the leeks went well too.<br />
<br />
Mission = success!<br />
<br />
Next mission: pick a different fish and explore different methods of cooking it.<br />
<br />
<br />
P.S. Jelly was just about ready by the time we got to puddings, although needed a bit of help coming out of the moulds!<br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggfdEV70a3IpzT7SfYRfM7AFfpL_YXpY5AfAAMC5iyw6Ab-QxBYO_oMXAtS6P-MQB7BcId1ew7Oqyxc_MXPZItlX8edpPcdb0hwmoAF8Lq1iyH4f8wAQjW_WBxZT_utBmuWoIeGA/s1600/DSCF9233_.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggfdEV70a3IpzT7SfYRfM7AFfpL_YXpY5AfAAMC5iyw6Ab-QxBYO_oMXAtS6P-MQB7BcId1ew7Oqyxc_MXPZItlX8edpPcdb0hwmoAF8Lq1iyH4f8wAQjW_WBxZT_utBmuWoIeGA/s200/DSCF9233_.png" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My beautiful jelly</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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/AVvXsEgIMpsqxs0pkMxxctfmpq77-rRW_9gLw2ykCcaH26lqpGACg23Z88SB8MUz48_pjlJfv-wSaCqxonag2Yuow4I79sjMf_mUdENiBSiR7W1xCs2E27DZKAeYY-IxM7HRNk1X5r1iIw/s1600/DSCF9234_.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIMpsqxs0pkMxxctfmpq77-rRW_9gLw2ykCcaH26lqpGACg23Z88SB8MUz48_pjlJfv-wSaCqxonag2Yuow4I79sjMf_mUdENiBSiR7W1xCs2E27DZKAeYY-IxM7HRNk1X5r1iIw/s200/DSCF9234_.png" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Le Boof's jelly...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
P.P.S. It turned out to be cheaper to get a full bottle of white wine for the sauce than a tiny little one, <a href="http://ducksoven.blogspot.com/2011/03/how-to-keep-white-wine-for-cooking.html" target="_blank">this is a very good idea</a> as neither of us really drink white wine.<br />
<br />
<br />Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10393549178402523433noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6209683.post-69834226590115092722012-01-15T00:08:00.001+00:002012-01-15T00:25:03.182+00:00The Mystery of the Rhubarb Triangle<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></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/AVvXsEgfM6rU-TbGn2mLaeoUEtdwmHaPZhvgvWdUozacl_-HphlRwRbOjjE6iarew0FIPqu_5ioicJzlOyRj0FH_BF05k31eZvZCN7DkK2lLKVq_asiguMCHirIGRr5p_H7n00RsgAWcRg/s1600/DSCF9206_.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfM6rU-TbGn2mLaeoUEtdwmHaPZhvgvWdUozacl_-HphlRwRbOjjE6iarew0FIPqu_5ioicJzlOyRj0FH_BF05k31eZvZCN7DkK2lLKVq_asiguMCHirIGRr5p_H7n00RsgAWcRg/s400/DSCF9206_.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Being a huge fan of anything rhubarby (real rhubarb though mind, none of these rhubarb flavoured sweeties, blech!) I was most thrilled to find our local greengrocers stocking it already, and even more thrilled to learn that we are now living in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhubarb_Triangle" target="_blank">The Rhubarb Triangle</a>.<br />
<br />
With plans of making <a href="http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/1263686/rhubarb-crumble-muffins" target="_blank">these rhubarb crumble muffins</a>, I bought myself a modest three sticks (sticks? Stems? (Ah, "petiole" apparently. Thank you Wikipedia.)) of rhubarb on grocery day this week and went happily about my way. Only today, realising I needed some buttermilk for the recipe, did I pop back into the greengrocers (they do buttermilk in the greengrocers! Fantastic!) to find they had a large bunch of rhubarb for 50p because it was nearly starting to go floppy. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/W00t" target="_blank">W00t!</a> Rhubarb galore for me! After the lady behind the counter had triple checked with me that it was
buttermilk I wanted and hadn't picked it up thinking it was milk, I headed home and made myself some of the muffins.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</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/AVvXsEgD4_4ixzs3Zp3C0PR82OIopopyn08mpoODMapf8tt0TkymMmFBTXIxPp8OwC5Irnkj_ncnBkkY5j9QKz7oViBE10ZJRoSfJorb4s89_jgPOrDvbWyz6KW7IvIixHYo4kPI6Fpkig/s1600/DSCF9209.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD4_4ixzs3Zp3C0PR82OIopopyn08mpoODMapf8tt0TkymMmFBTXIxPp8OwC5Irnkj_ncnBkkY5j9QKz7oViBE10ZJRoSfJorb4s89_jgPOrDvbWyz6KW7IvIixHYo4kPI6Fpkig/s320/DSCF9209.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
And very nice they were too! Even if I say so myself.<br />
<br />
Le Boof's already nearly eaten his share. He's not a fan of overly sweet cakes, this recipe is perfect for him. The rhubarb gives the muffins a lovely fruity tartness, that the sugar in the recipe tempers but doesn't overwhelm, and the crumble topping comes out nice and crunchy. Fresh out of the oven they'd be wonderful with some vanilla ice cream as a dessert. They were lovely and squishy with the rhubarb bits all nice and juicy without making the cake soggy.<br />
<br />
Having made the muffins I still had about 700g of diced rhubarb left. Oh, what a shame.<br />
<br />
I had a look at a few rhubarb crumble recipes, but I couldn't find just one that had everything I felt I required from a crumble recipe at this particular time. So here's my mish mash of recipes.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvv4fd0p0kk8Ty7xUDWy4QLzabNbE-EKZHFpIQ2sYNy3JOqqO9diJcb_6mJ7v6wD2lUA4mFLagP-syeA9HLLEmgs7WHLyXSQrCXv0r3_63Afvq6zQBGfkQevww0utC_pq1GFXhpA/s1600/DSCF9212_.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvv4fd0p0kk8Ty7xUDWy4QLzabNbE-EKZHFpIQ2sYNy3JOqqO9diJcb_6mJ7v6wD2lUA4mFLagP-syeA9HLLEmgs7WHLyXSQrCXv0r3_63Afvq6zQBGfkQevww0utC_pq1GFXhpA/s320/DSCF9212_.png" width="240" /></a></div>
<i><span style="font-size: large;">Rhubarb and Ginger Crumble</span></i><br />
<br />
<br />
<i>For the fruity bit:</i><br />
700g rhubarb, diced<br />
25g caster sugar<br />
As much fresh ginger as you can handle, grated<br />
2 tbsp golden syrup<br />
<br />
<i>For the crumble:</i><br />
175g plain flour<br />
55g oats<br />
140g butter<br />
85g caster sugar<br />
<br />
<br />
Preheat your oven to 170°c<br />
<br />
<br />
1. Mix all the fruity bit ingredients together, then set aside. The chunk of ginger I used was about the size of both of my thumbs
next to each other. I don't know why thumbs are so often used to measure
fresh ginger, but it seems safest to stick with it.<br />
<br />
2. Put all the crumble ingredients together in a bowl, roughly chop up the butter with a knife then get your hands in, rubbing the butter into the dry ingredients until you've got something resembling breadcrumbs. It doesn't have to be too fine.<br />
<br />
3. Take a pie dish and pour in the rhubarby mix. It will be quite juicy by now.<br />
<br />
4. Tip in half the crumble mix on top of the rhubarb and pat down, then put the rest of the mix on top loosely. Sprinkle with a teaspoon of granulated sugar, some cinnamon and some ground ginger.<br />
<br />
5. Cook for 40-45 minutes.<br />
<br />
6. Omnomnomnom. (Maybe leave to cool for a couple of minutes, with all that hot syrupy goodness beneath the calm crumbly topping it'll be a bit more like a lava crumble, straight out of the oven.)<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR2LfmKGtZL05Uh1E2To_QSKEE3ToqPMKWqJ_lAEKhy2j0l15e9wizgCf9DVeR-GhYv5advzDOc-Uf1dX6ygv_uvQR2Ma99QMxyaLYHO6nAXoXA7qkXQfr533E93R4O1z18A3j9A/s1600/DSCF9211_.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR2LfmKGtZL05Uh1E2To_QSKEE3ToqPMKWqJ_lAEKhy2j0l15e9wizgCf9DVeR-GhYv5advzDOc-Uf1dX6ygv_uvQR2Ma99QMxyaLYHO6nAXoXA7qkXQfr533E93R4O1z18A3j9A/s200/DSCF9211_.png" width="200" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2hHSmD-wHI4MfHrI3Io9NP4015aj_qwJo1G_pxN4RPv1_oq4UKcexDP4hKIkb0o3guWBixx79JFnbwBFysgaip6iWq9N1-Dh2qf0d25IHi218QEwc4Wq7CRuKcl1dbVQFUI2DBQ/s1600/DSCF9221_.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2hHSmD-wHI4MfHrI3Io9NP4015aj_qwJo1G_pxN4RPv1_oq4UKcexDP4hKIkb0o3guWBixx79JFnbwBFysgaip6iWq9N1-Dh2qf0d25IHi218QEwc4Wq7CRuKcl1dbVQFUI2DBQ/s200/DSCF9221_.png" width="200" /></a><br />
<br />
This is actually going in the freezer. I've portioned it up ready for when I have a pudding hankering. However, as the chef I did have to give it a taste, but otherwise, in the freezer it goes! (EDIT: some has been lost to the great bearded food hoover I live with)<br />
<br />
I've tried making crumbles with fresh ginger in before, but always just chopped it up really small. This did the trick, but it was more tiny little land mines of heat than an overall heat. Grating it sorted that though. This crumble is incredibly warming, you can taste the ginger but it's a little more subtle, and it compliments the tart rhubarb wonderfully.<br />
<br />
Shall definitely make again. Possibly until both the freezer and my tummy are full.<br />
<br />
I've now got to find some more interesting rhubarb recipes. I plan on heading over to the green grocers just before closing time on a Saturday for the foreseeable future to take full advantage of any more large quantities of cheap rhubarb!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<i>If you've not heard it before, check out:</i> <a href="http://grooveshark.com/#%21/search?q=dear+reader+replace+funny+with" target="_blank">Dear Reader - Replace Why With Funny</a><br />
<br />Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10393549178402523433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6209683.post-18671591720322713052012-01-12T18:04:00.000+00:002012-01-12T18:04:24.817+00:00Don't Panic!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil4b5eENcY1Wj2L3oH6xbGGr22EJx29cAD__ldlfBtMyXq2f4Uptn1kcyy9eGbxrUeC48dGmhjtOL1J__geERTxHF9p3xJHe5VaoX5RaRbvxK8nonYfR2Yh3WoYMdosQkr8qFrKA/s1600/DSCF9167_.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil4b5eENcY1Wj2L3oH6xbGGr22EJx29cAD__ldlfBtMyXq2f4Uptn1kcyy9eGbxrUeC48dGmhjtOL1J__geERTxHF9p3xJHe5VaoX5RaRbvxK8nonYfR2Yh3WoYMdosQkr8qFrKA/s320/DSCF9167_.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
OK, so my brief lapse in posting was mainly due to the fact that I thought I was a goner.<br />
<br />
I thought I had broken my internets.<br />
<br />
Scary times. However, with le Boof on the case we eventually discovered it was a USB hub I had recently plugged into my PC that was a bit dodgy that had mucked about with things. All is now back to normal, panic is over and I can get back to sharing all the crafty things I have been doing to avoid doing real work. *ahem*<br />
<br />
<br />
This morning (afternoon) le Boof decided he wanted pancakes for breakfast (lunch). After whipping up a batch of batter I thought I'd get a little creative and try some pancake art (far better and more creative versions <a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/27405025@N00/" target="_blank">can be found here</a>). This is how to go about it.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRUYugjrtAtZAYd-l5Vh26ENz7Y3kHtb9Uf_0Txsa3olRzEE3dp-JqboULZ9nk2SQTgrbFVeqzcBeKj6_UE4rhnGbrXRliqj2OJ-ZbFd2sAJAWCw5oRJR-a3-KUnuM13ziLunlMg/s1600/DSCF9162_.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRUYugjrtAtZAYd-l5Vh26ENz7Y3kHtb9Uf_0Txsa3olRzEE3dp-JqboULZ9nk2SQTgrbFVeqzcBeKj6_UE4rhnGbrXRliqj2OJ-ZbFd2sAJAWCw5oRJR-a3-KUnuM13ziLunlMg/s200/DSCF9162_.png" width="200" /></a></div>
Make up a batch of pancake batter (my recipe of choice is below). Pop about a fifth/quarter if it into an icing bottle<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvxGMSKFx766rNovBh_JYZqUTxayQdpTw8MoMmtjjrFawXu_NJOY47a7Dv78B2kAxt4OEWRLcTADroyATHiQObtf-ewbf7kPOD-Ry7GQgAq9TwyPehW5oX9iwfPDDTsDzEOREOqw/s1600/DSCF9160_.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvxGMSKFx766rNovBh_JYZqUTxayQdpTw8MoMmtjjrFawXu_NJOY47a7Dv78B2kAxt4OEWRLcTADroyATHiQObtf-ewbf7kPOD-Ry7GQgAq9TwyPehW5oX9iwfPDDTsDzEOREOqw/s200/DSCF9160_.png" width="200" /></a></div>
Pop in a little of your food colouring of choice. I went for red. With your finger over the end of the nozzle, give it a good shake to get the colour mixed in evenly. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPZ3GKtbHVZQuR-2DbaWtvvMvpTkmg-Vk91p8qQ47EtCRxx8AzPJQKj95AUNfxSwUMGtyoA-DdXcCpY1em05fyrG9mpQTxOisMBsVFNuKA6cfChnH9ajo98TgIIDW0kQGWoTx_uw/s1600/DSCF9164_.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPZ3GKtbHVZQuR-2DbaWtvvMvpTkmg-Vk91p8qQ47EtCRxx8AzPJQKj95AUNfxSwUMGtyoA-DdXcCpY1em05fyrG9mpQTxOisMBsVFNuKA6cfChnH9ajo98TgIIDW0kQGWoTx_uw/s200/DSCF9164_.png" width="200" /></a></div>
Get a frying pan nice and hot. I tend to put some oil in the pan while it's getting up to heat then (very carefully!) wipe most of it away with some kitchen towel. Then pipe your message or picture onto the pan. It took me a couple of tries to get used to how fast the batter would come out of the bottle. This was fine though as it provided me with nibbles while I was making the actual pancakes. Don't forget to pipe any words backwards (this constituted most of my nibbles)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA9JlrTIDQglAYMEn2jcVPKbU7I28bHVqGgMr2rkfy1tx2GSvrU_rdX3SXhZI8S9VOF61u6iOlsXvhbs6cdjfbE0Rl_EIBK4Y8Z7QHq0vN6Ix_7_R7wetG6dU4LKkrROqNc5ylsg/s1600/DSCF9165_.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA9JlrTIDQglAYMEn2jcVPKbU7I28bHVqGgMr2rkfy1tx2GSvrU_rdX3SXhZI8S9VOF61u6iOlsXvhbs6cdjfbE0Rl_EIBK4Y8Z7QHq0vN6Ix_7_R7wetG6dU4LKkrROqNc5ylsg/s200/DSCF9165_.png" width="200" /></a></div>
Leave your piped decorations until they look just about cooked through then pour over a ladle full or so (or however much you normally put in per pancake) of your plain pancake batter. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
My recipe of choice for making pancakes is <span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">125g of plain flour, 1 egg and 300ml milk</span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
All popped in a bowl and whisked up until there's no lumps, then left for 5 minutes to settle. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This makes 8 large but quite thin pancakes. Which, when filled with things like cheese and chutney or lemon curd and sugar, is plenty for two people for breakfast (lunch), but you can always scale up for more people or larger appetites. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I remember when I was searching for a recipe for pancakes a while a go I couldn't find one without butter in it, which I've never heard of before. This one is the one my Ma's always used and therefore, to me, is how pancakes should be made.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Le Boof was over the moon at his personalised pancake. I might do them again for Valentine's day.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i>Currently playing: <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Appetite-What-You-Want-Today/dp/1841154709" target="_blank">Bastion</a></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i> (Beautiful RPG game with a commentary that follows what you're doing, a very clever take on a common gaming genre. Aurally and visually pleasing with a great soundtrack.)</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i>Must watch: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m78HYcpxcPs&context=C34e42e5ADOEgsToPDskJUDM1z1jyOX0CEYALcv6Xq" target="_blank">The Bell Song live by OKGo</a></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i> (A fantastic rendition of one of my favourite songs from their first album. OKGo are one of those bands who are forever making things fun and lovely.)</i><i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRUYugjrtAtZAYd-l5Vh26ENz7Y3kHtb9Uf_0Txsa3olRzEE3dp-JqboULZ9nk2SQTgrbFVeqzcBeKj6_UE4rhnGbrXRliqj2OJ-ZbFd2sAJAWCw5oRJR-a3-KUnuM13ziLunlMg/s1600/DSCF9162_.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10393549178402523433noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6209683.post-2729817576512247272012-01-07T19:46:00.000+00:002012-01-08T23:47:49.214+00:00New Job, Cheeky Mince Pies and Crochet Triangles<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEoccbOBLjI4XRkLxIpyqsbehMQ9lQ-2YRdxjCgRtZ5zdjo60qPknH5aF9xiuXX2alUFfr87Z9P74vKOWp3X6FZI3_TlgLuf-2suLWC2F6uF69bRnMFIf74505ngY4tePdzw4clg/s1600/DSCF9088_.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEoccbOBLjI4XRkLxIpyqsbehMQ9lQ-2YRdxjCgRtZ5zdjo60qPknH5aF9xiuXX2alUFfr87Z9P74vKOWp3X6FZI3_TlgLuf-2suLWC2F6uF69bRnMFIf74505ngY4tePdzw4clg/s320/DSCF9088_.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
After a good three long months of being in York I have finally secured a form of employment up here! Admittedly it's only a part time job, but it feels really nice to have finally been given a chance to show that I am capable of doing things. It's been very frustrating going to interviews or trial shifts where I don't actually do anything and then being turned down due to a lack of experience, when they've not given me an opportunity to show that it actually doesn't matter that I've not been doing certain jobs for very long. </rant><br />
<br />
Anyway.... So now on top of my seamstressing, I work in a lovely food shop, one with a delightful deli and all those interesting foods you can never seem to find anywhere else and all sorts of organic and local produce. The only problem with it is is the cheese counter. I want it all! All of the cheese. In my tummy. And the shop is only round the corner from the flat on our wonderful local high street, with it's two greengrocers, proper butcher, fish and chips shop and proper hardware shop. So right now I'm fairly chuffed at that, and the extra income's a plus too, of course!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq-j9uEopCEoj3PCfJJGgPz-eJQmRW7tObHgIymr6eIX2BrqpZ_P52XyRoOudAavCGxudHAh76FfEX20NnY1V-fnhJ5zr5sCQq4sJKMa1XjJa6-ePkpuVFUUyhgieXxeiJioU6lA/s1600/DSCF9083.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq-j9uEopCEoj3PCfJJGgPz-eJQmRW7tObHgIymr6eIX2BrqpZ_P52XyRoOudAavCGxudHAh76FfEX20NnY1V-fnhJ5zr5sCQq4sJKMa1XjJa6-ePkpuVFUUyhgieXxeiJioU6lA/s320/DSCF9083.png" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Shhh don't tell anyone but I may have made a naughty batch of mince pies last night. I know it's not Christmas any more but I did have some homemade mincemeat left over *and* left over mince pie pastry (admittedly safe in the freezer, but no-one needs to know that.) So yeah, here's the very last of Christmas, hidden away in a sweetie box with our last bit of my Ma's Christmas cake.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</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/AVvXsEgW1SeQTpFEESiXPEEqw58C6qv4LuCbuKmeZTG8pkc-G_Jq7WohziZGgbrz15Uwfb7xmFKMWlAdwCTbhBsp9W2K7IK5Hk6sARc9AFoO9ELuPuAjD8yee4LFeXq7xppOypptVPH99A/s1600/DSCF9086.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW1SeQTpFEESiXPEEqw58C6qv4LuCbuKmeZTG8pkc-G_Jq7WohziZGgbrz15Uwfb7xmFKMWlAdwCTbhBsp9W2K7IK5Hk6sARc9AFoO9ELuPuAjD8yee4LFeXq7xppOypptVPH99A/s320/DSCF9086.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
It's now my secret Christmas stash. As much as I love my Ma's Christmas cake, I'm finding it hard to eat the last piece, as there's such a wonderful festive smell when you open the box. I'm sure I'll have a weak day and nom it all soon. But until then, I'll just poke my nose in the box and inhale deeply.<br />
<br />
And finally, on a slightly more sane note, the crocheted triangle bunting's coming along nicely. I've been obsessively playing a game called Eufloria and making them in the evenings recently. Not quite enough to fill the house with lovely colours yet, but I've got plenty of time.<br />
<br />Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10393549178402523433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6209683.post-82221057476365817202012-01-05T20:16:00.004+00:002012-01-05T20:33:28.132+00:00TTFN Christmas*Sadface*<br />
<br />
The flat's now back to it's empty self. The bunting's coming along slowly, hopefully it'll be up for Spring. I'm also planning on sampling a few more patterns from this wonderful book<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Flowers-Knit-Crochet-Lesley-Stanfield/dp/1844484033" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="319" src="http://i.imgur.com/jqxvS.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
So the flat should be bright and beautiful again in no time. (fingers crossed)<br />
<br />
<br />
It's now been three months since le Boof and I moved up to York. He's attending uni up here and after six and a half years of being together, it made sense for me to tag along and for us to start the next stage of our relationship living together in our own little flat!<br />
My part to play is earning the money at the moment, however, as far as full time jobs are concerned, the outlook is still fairly bleak. The radio news reports keep telling me that unemployment is at an all time high and fewer companies are hiring full time staff due to the economic situation (blah blah blah, cheers radio news). Fortunately for me though, the people I worked for before the big move have kept me on their books part time, and send me up boxes of jackets to put new zips in. Which brings me, far more importantly, to the wonderful new bit of furniture I got my hands on last month.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfbXcjB-H9W3nKtuEXElbVo2_sCPXiPxIxUxE_xeky3K0yT7pAnDDWllTMBNG0zJFWXIubl1ZRogRfwj0cboZ7exK5cQ_tY9ct44HS78mROa6v0uXIf5fUbLHFkjyi0ePdz3MKZw/s1600/DSCF9079_.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfbXcjB-H9W3nKtuEXElbVo2_sCPXiPxIxUxE_xeky3K0yT7pAnDDWllTMBNG0zJFWXIubl1ZRogRfwj0cboZ7exK5cQ_tY9ct44HS78mROa6v0uXIf5fUbLHFkjyi0ePdz3MKZw/s320/DSCF9079_.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2ennVtNr5VIJcm9kuO4JqWKibOFe0v3sjUIBgygxFiv2Ed_DEKVYavmgNUTpg8VthQ3k4ts6eEJ_7vcIK8vHPpd1MCPqIpV0RWbAzMSS3voPfdKlcRrqD06CvQfhXi5Ay0n7aGw/s1600/DSCF9077_.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2ennVtNr5VIJcm9kuO4JqWKibOFe0v3sjUIBgygxFiv2Ed_DEKVYavmgNUTpg8VthQ3k4ts6eEJ_7vcIK8vHPpd1MCPqIpV0RWbAzMSS3voPfdKlcRrqD06CvQfhXi5Ay0n7aGw/s320/DSCF9077_.png" width="320" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
I received it from a very nice lady on our local <a href="http://uk.freecycle.org/" target="_blank">Freecycle</a> (if you've not discovered it yet, check out your local group, it's fantastic and ours has a wonderful community spirit to it). It's specifically a sewing table, with two small drawers on one side and the other side has a bit cut away so you can get right up close to your machine. Dead good. It's definitely made me far more focussed and productive, having a specific working area. (when I can drag myself away from the internet....) Having spent a while on craft blogs today, I'm wondering whether <a href="http://kim-toomuchtimeonmyhands.blogspot.com/2011/11/decoupage-fabric-desk.html" target="_blank">I should do this to it</a> eventually? It is a very nice bit of furniture as it is, but it's also fairly set in it's own decade, so could do with a bit of personalisation and sprucing I think. Something to mull over whilst getting to work! (Tomorrow.)<br />
<br />
<br />
<i><u>Current projects on the go:</u></i><br />
<ul>
<li>Getting everything set up <u><i></i></u>to do a run of screen printed T-shirts for the university's knitting society that I'm a member of</li>
<li>Spring bunting</li>
</ul>
<i><u>What's for dinner?:</u></i><br />
<a href="http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/3607/shepherds-pie-potatoes" target="_blank">Shepherd's Pie Potatoes</a><br />
<br />
<i><u>And finally:</u></i><br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7G0_eN36QVc" target="_blank">Lissie - When I'm Alone</a><br />
<br />
P.S. I've now added a links page, which you will find in the tabs at the top of this page. Plenty there to get your crafty teeth into!Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10393549178402523433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6209683.post-51181603186431694822012-01-03T17:59:00.008+00:002012-01-04T20:18:56.037+00:00Chutney and Balcony Gardening<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i.imgur.com/Dh3ES.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i.imgur.com/Dh3ES.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<div class="object">
<br />
Finished my spiced apple chutney last night, I’m sure it’ll taste fine once it’s had it’s 3 or so months to mature (if it makes it that long this time), however -</div>
<div class="caption">
<i>Lessons learnt:</i><br />
<ul>
<li>Do not be lazy and scrimp on the main pectin-containing ingredient, you will end up with weird mush</li>
<li>Do not underestimate how hot jam jars get straight out of the oven</li>
<li>Never trust a Kilner jar’s locking-mechanism-wirey-bit (snappy!)</li>
</ul>
For those feeling brave (actually, it’s a dead easy recipe I just seem to be able to make these things more complicated for myself!), I found the recipe here - <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/spicedapplechutney_7720" target="_blank" title="Spiced Apple Chutney Recipe">Spiced Apple Chutney Recipe</a>.<br />
<br />
To sterilise my jars, both of the jam and Kilner variety, I give them a jolly good wash in hot soapy water, then remove the lids for jam jars, the rubbery seal bits for Kilner-style jars. Pop them on a baking tray and into the oven at 120°c for 5 minutes. Once they’re out, plop your jam/chutney/curd/whatever in the jars, preferably while it’s all still hot, then seal them straight away. As the contents of the jar cools it should give a better seal.<br />
<br />
In other news, I’ve started collecting plastic milk containers to act as plant pots. As we now have a balcony, our own little bit of outside space, I’m planning on filling it full of wonderful fruit and veg plants over spring and summer. Milk containers offer a nice inexpensive option to start my plants off in, also this is a possibility -<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j299/dreamip/IMAG0507.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img align="left" alt="Milk carton gardening" border="0" src="http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j299/dreamip/IMAG0507.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
A very interesting and clever set up I saw at the South of England show last year, with some of the bottles providing water for the rest of the pots through a bit of material and capillary action! Although that might be a few steps up from what I was thinking if to start me off.<br />
<br />
I’ve decided on the following crops, all of which can be grown in containers and are therefore ideal for a tiny balcony veg garden:<br />
Pak choi, small salad carrot, spinach, tomatoes, strawberries, various herbs and hopefully runner beans, providing I can locate a nice big pot and a cane wigwam.</div>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10393549178402523433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6209683.post-21833598508394377842012-01-02T11:51:00.005+00:002012-01-04T20:19:03.780+00:00Bunting, Tortillas and Chutney<div class="caption" style="margin-top: 0px;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJeCQA9T5d1JXhGXyVDRrqWtkgzoZzT9NTzK9G_pgciCzO1ZJ9nr7xQDhLAzuVlGChoDqobUgT38ugF6-BUqk-Q5x9tz7AidCOqlT9cthZy6Frxj49LG9nXjFNw_v-S1rhYYitAg/s1600/DSCF9047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJeCQA9T5d1JXhGXyVDRrqWtkgzoZzT9NTzK9G_pgciCzO1ZJ9nr7xQDhLAzuVlGChoDqobUgT38ugF6-BUqk-Q5x9tz7AidCOqlT9cthZy6Frxj49LG9nXjFNw_v-S1rhYYitAg/s1600/DSCF9047.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
Not so much of a New Year’s resolution as something I’ve been meaning to do for quite a while now, but I’m planning to get this blog going again. I’ve got lots of things I was up to over Christmas - all outgoing gifts were entirely hand made, I’ll pop up pics and recipes/tutorials eventually.<br />
<br />
For now this was what I was up to today:<br />
<br />
First off, there’s a batch of spiced apple chutney on the hob as we speak, the far more attractive before shot is what you see above. It’s a big pot of vinegar-y smelling brown goop at the moment, however, I know from experience it will taste very nice when finished!<br />
<br />
We had home made tortillas for lunch, which were incredibly easy to make, I don’t know why I had it stuck in my head that they might take a long time or not be worth the hassle. I used this recipe - <a href="http://allrecipes.co.uk/recipe/1864/flour-tortilla-wraps.aspx" target="_blank" title="Flour Tortilla Wraps">Flour Tortilla Wraps</a>. I didn’t really fancy 60 wraps at the time, so I divided all quantities by four. That made more than enough for le Boof and myself for lunch (there’s still five of them in the fridge, waiting for when Boof gets the nibbles).<br />
<br />
Faced with the threat of having a naked flat again when the Christmas decorations have to come down later in the week (sadface), I’ve decided I shall crochet some jolly spring bunting. I’ll update with pics in a later post, as there are only two currently. <a href="http://crochet.about.com/od/motifs/a/tri5rnds.htm" target="_blank" title="Crochet Triangles">The pattern I’m using for them is here</a>, I’ve been changing colours for every new round. If you’ve never tried crochet, it’s definitely worth giving a go. Apparently it’s easier than knitting, although I’ve been knitting for much longer than I’ve crocheted for, so it’s hard for me to tell!<br />
<br />
So there we are, that was nice and painless. I just have to remember to take lots and lots of pictures of everything I do. Le Boof will be pleased!<br />
<br />
<br />
<i>Cheeky extras:</i><br />
<br />
Currently playing - <a href="http://www.eufloria-game.com/news.php" target="_blank" title="Eufloria">Eufloria</a><br />
Currently listening - <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKzgBViHUyY&feature=fvst" target="_blank" title="Gotye - Somebody I Used to Know ft.Kimbra">Gotye - Somebody I Used To Know ft. Kimbra</a></div>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10393549178402523433noreply@blogger.com0