Wednesday 18 January 2012

Blueberry Breakfast

I'm normally quite the Cupcake fan, there small and perfectly delightful! I don't really go for the Muffin, i can find these abit heavy and stodgy... don't get me wrong sometimes stodgy can be a good thing and much sought after, but not when it comes to cake, so it came as a bit of a surprise when i had a hungering for Muffins! Blueberry muffins to be more exact.


So as i had everything i needed, i made the mixture up, put it into the cases whacked them in the oven for about 20mins and got myself ready for my Saturday evening. When they were i done placed them on the rack and left them, come Sunday morning it was a prefect muffin and brew moment! they where lovely! so much better than the shop bought ones,always the case i know, but i feel bad for over looking these cousins of the cupcake!


I followed Paul Hollywoods Recipe

Ingredients

  • 110g/4oz plain flour
  • 110g/4oz butter
  • 65g/2½oz caster sugar
  • 2 free-range eggs
  • 1½ tsp baking powder
  • 125g/4½oz blueberries, or equivalent in frozen blueberries
  • pinch nutmeg
  • double cream, to serve

Preparation method

  1. Cream the butter and sugar together then slowly add the eggs, mix for three minutes. Add the flour, baking powder, nutmeg, stir to combine, then refrigerate for at least an hour, preferably overnight.
  2. Place a spoonful of muffin mixture into each muffin case, filling each to just over half way. Stud each muffin with about eight blueberries.
  3. Bake in an oven set at 200C/400F/Gas 6 for 20 minutes, or until golden on top. Serve with cream.

Tuesday 10 January 2012

A Little patch for me to grow....

Hello you lovely lot.


I know its only January, but thoughts for Summer are already arising. As we've got a little outside space i want to use it to its full potential. Firstly it needs to be cleared of the broken up bits of slate that someone thought was a great idea to use instead of gravel (just as bad) in gardens, no offence if you happen to like this look, but i really don't. We're going to lay down some decking and build some vegetable boxes, In the communal hall theres a window that not only over looks the patio area but is the 1st thing our neighbour see's, so I'm going to put a trellis to cover it and grow a mixture of sweet pea (these were my granddads favourite) and runner/broad beans. so i can't see there being any complaints, number 3 will open their door to pretty flowers rather than seeing my washing. I've also got plans to grow a nice variety of herbs such as basil,mint, lemon balm, chives and that kind of thing, i also want to get a raspberry bush or lemon tree and grow strawberries. i want my garden to be full of aromatic scents,so that  when dusk starts to full on those summer nights  the gentle smell of lavender and jasmine  fill my sense's. I've noticed that we don't get a lot of birds or bugs (well apart from slugs and woodlice) coming into the garden, even though i put out some bird feed its not been touched. So i think alot of Bee/Butterfly attracting plants might be in order too, i love watching these little things fly around doing there thing. I want to also have a go at growing peppers, chills, tomatoes, carrots, celery and potatoes! ambitious? perhaps but hey why not? if it goes wrong theres always next year. Plus after reading "The Edible Garden: How to Have Your Garden and Eat It" by Alys Fowler and her dream of making a difference to how we get our food, and how we relive some of the strain on mother earth by not importing or exporting foods, it kinda brings out the Eco warrior in me, I want to compost, i want to get a water butt, but most of all i want to eat fresh homegrown food and enjoy the bounty that my hard work achieves, knowing that I'm not adding to the carbon foot print, Lee's Nan does alot of veggies so I'm sure i can exchange with her and maybe friends too. Its all rather exciting and of course i can't help but browse the Internet for ideas. i must mention that yes i want a garden for foods, smells, colours and my own little space, but also i want to use it for entertaining, out of all my friends with flats, we've got the only garden, so I'm hunting for floor pillows, collecting jars for tea lights and trying to decide what sort of BBQ to go for!


I didn't mean to go on for quite this long, the next coming weeks/months I'll show you our progress on the revamping of the patio and my attempted to grow flowers and veg.


Loves and sparkles

Wednesday 4 January 2012

Happy New Year

Hello!!!
I hope you all had a lovely festive time and that you are looking forward to the new year just as much as me.

In 2011 I experienced some big highs and devastating lows. Although,these things have taught me that if you want something then reach for it, grab it tight and don't let anyone tell you what you should do. life is to short and should be enjoyed. If this is the only life we have, wouldn't you rather have lived it trying new things, seeing new things and even tasting new things. As they say the world is your oyster.

While dining and chatting on news years day, Opa asked us all what we wished to achieve in 2012, the teens wished for success in there exams, the adults wished for a speedy recovery of Lee's Step Mum who's been unwell for sometime, but finally getting ever closer to sorting it. which i too am hoping everything turns out well. when the question was asked of me.. well i didn't really know.. of course i hope that my loved ones be healthy and happy, but what do i want for myself? I'm just not sure. Last year was a big year like i said the high was flying the nest and setting up home. the low was Emmaliese passing away. I guess I'm happy to enjoy the ride and take everyday as it comes. maybe a few mini breaks here and there, improve the flat and just enjoy being with friends and family. Until something comes along i'll deal with it when it does.
I'm thankful for everything in my life and i never (well try not to) to take things for granted.
Here's to 2012.
xXx