Baking Day

 I don't particularly enjoy producing an evening meal, night after night, for a family who don't all like the same dinner.  I'm afraid I'm not one of those accommodating chefs who will make three different dishes on demand. 

But what I do like to do is bake - it's what I do to relax and to help me unwind after a busy day.  I love the alchemy of taking a bunch of simple ingredients and turning them into something delicious.  I also prefer to provide the family with food that is simple and not full of additives.

So today I made Chocolate Chip Muffins and Flapjacks




These are regulars in our house, as everyone likes them. 

I prefer shortcake or Victoria sponge or malt loaf or 101 other things.  But if I made those, I would eat them all too and then I'd be the size of a house! 

Pizza dough is also a good antidote to a stressful day. 

It only takes half a dozen ingredients:

500g strong bread flour

teaspoon of salt

325 ml warm water

couple tablespoons of olive oil

couple of teaspoons of sugar

56g sachet of quick yeast

Put sugar, yeast & oil in water & mix,  add salt to flour, add wet ingredients to dry.

Mix together & knead for a bit - the longer the better really. 

All that kneading is very therapeutic.  Leave it to rise for about half an hour. Then knock back and divide into four.

Spread on a tomato sauce

 

and add cheese.  Because I make the bases quite thin, they only take about 10 minutes to cook in a hot oven.

The cooked pizzas went before I could take a photo, but looking at the empty plates I know the girls and their guests were happy with tea!

Let me know if you'd like the the recipes for the muffins and flapjack.

What's in the bag?

Mum, the girls & I went shopping at the weekend. 
We were on a mission to complete the next stage of the attic make-over

Younger daughter knew precisely what she wanted

 

This is exactly what she was after!

The next time you see this material, it will in the panels of her wardrobe.  There should also be enough left to make a couple of covers for the cushions on her bed.

What's in the box?

On Friday there was a knock on the door and these two boxes were delivered.

Oh!

 I hadn't ordered anything, but it seems my husband had....




What's in the box?

Vegetarians might want to look away now



A lamb - neatly portioned in joints, chops and mince

53lbs to be exact.

 

The bonus is, I can be sure this lamb had a happy, free-range life. 
It has no artificial additives, flavourings or preservatives. 
And it was looked after by a happy* shepherd (my husband).

Yum yum - lamb is my favourite.  



*occasionally

.

Salsa and Five-minute Coleslaw

Coleslaw and Salsa are two of my favourite salad things. 

To put together a quick salsa ....

 

Chop ripe tomatoes

 Add half an onion, red or white, which ever is knocking about.  Add zest of a lime and the juice.

 

Add lots and lots of chopped coriander (my most favourite herb in the WHOLE WORLD)

 

Finally, add a good dash of Tabasco
 

Mix it all together. 

Coleslaw takes five minutes to make if you are lucky enough to have a food processor and is worth the effort even if you don't!

Chop half an onion

Blitz about a third of a cabbage.  I use white or red - again, which ever is in the fridge

Grate a couple of carrots - a one minute job with the help of the food processor

 

Mix with plain yoghurt and mayonnaise, season well with salt and black pepper

 Delicious and so good for you.

Ta Dah

We've finished the attic make over. 


The girls were very keen to do the painting and as the carpet was to be replaced anyway, I let them loose with the emulsion.  Older daughter painted about half of one wall before declaring in a theatrical style that she was simply exhausted and would be hospitalised if she were to continue.  Younger daughter had a vested interest in continuing, as the room will be her bedroom when finished, and stuck at it for a lot longer.  Given that a child of ten displayed more stamina than me, I felt obliged to continue, although I secretly agreed with older daughter.   Fortunately I had to stop to prepare dinner and my husband completed the task over the next couple of days.





Younger daughter had a very specific design idea for a wardrobe and shelves.  Lucky her dad used to be a joiner.  A bit more time in the garden ....

and job done





The open panels in the wardrobe doors will be lined with material.


The carpet was laid on Monday.  I wish I had taken a photo to capture just how revolting the old carpet was - both colour and condition - but you can get a flavour of that from the previous posts.

Ta dah - here is the finished room








It is a fabulous room now.  The pale walls and carpet make it feel much larger and the extra windows give great views and loads more light.  Younger daughter couldn't wait to move in and we carted all her belongings upstairs the moment the carpet fitter left. 

Older daughter's wish was fulfilled and she had her bedroom to herself once again.  She was sweet enough to admit that she actually missed her little sister being there.   

Girls, a word of warning from your mother, you have NO EXCUSE now for untidy bedrooms.

Wedding flowers

The Bride & Groom, and their little girl, left for their honeymoon on Sunday evening,

so rather than let all the beautiful flowers go to waste, they sent them home with their guests.

  

They are well-travelled blooms

 

My lounge now smells gorgeous

 

If it weren't for my lovely chickens, I could grow all of these in the garden

Oh well!

My Big Fat Cornish Wedding

Sometimes, weddings can be a bit boring - lots of standing around and making small talk, which to be honest is not something that my husband does.  If it needs saying, he'll say it, otherwise why waste words?
Well this wedding was absolutely lovely. 

 

We woke up to a day of sunshine and heavy showers.  The Bride had gone to her mum's house to get ready and the Groom, who is a laid-back sort of man, was in the garden with a cuppa and a roll-up.  His sartorial preparations were to change into a suit and tie 5 minutes before we were due to leave.  Due to the persistant rain, I was on the verge of changing my smart black heels for a pair of wellies, but vanity prevailed. 

My husband had been asked to be Best Man and in a similar style prepared his speech the night before.  I would have been lying on the floor having palpitations at the thought of addressing a roomful of people but he is not phased by this. 

 

The ceremony was to be held outside and as we gathered and waited for the Bride, the heavens opened!  Fortunately, she was running late and by the time she made her entrance the rain had passed over. 
She looked beautiful. 
The vows were made, and I managed not to cry.



This is where they said their vows, with family and friends looking on, keeping an eye on the rain sweeping in across the hills.



Just as the signatures were drying, the rain came down again.  Perfect timing to retire indoor for a glass of bubbly



The Wedding Breakfast was held in an ajoining barn which must have been a couple of hundred years old.  The Bride had spent the previous day filling every spare corner with flowers





and the tables were set with hand-embroidered tablecloths and a jam-jar of garden flowers at every place.

 

Garlands were hung over the double barn doors



and the whole place was filled with their amazing fragrance
.
The speeches were next, and toasts made.  The Groom was visibly moved, so I cried!  Husband stood up to give his speech, which was extremely good and very well recieved.  Just the right amount humour, nothing too lewd, and a toast to the bridemaids. 
Well done you.

Time for the disco.  At this point I could upload a video of the Groom dancing but he would never speak to me again, so I won't. 

We had a great evening and met some lovely people.

Many, many congratulations to our dear friends.