Food

Hello Lovelies! How are you? I am back from a week away with my ‘B’ boys! Classically we went away to a hot country at the very same time as our country decided to take on un-natural heat. But we all know that a ‘holiday’ is about the memory making more than the weather. So nothing lost/missed.

There was plenty of hooky nonsense time, some in the vein of ‘commissions’ other bits a pieces which were just a ‘me’ indulgence. When I have finished that particular project I will do a little show and tell. In the balmy evenings sitting on the terrace with hook and yarn in hand it was a battle of wills to stay outside straining in the lowering light or avoiding those nasty little insect bites! My poor husband, hardly a rock-n-roll holiday companion.

Anyway on our first full day we ventured out yet again to experience the colour and texture of the local market. I love it so much.

The seasons are so much ahead of ours. The smells and tastes were incredible.

I have to say that there is nothing like a walk in the market to get my colour juices flowing. This week I want to share a few captured views which really got me excited. I hope you are enjoying some Spring warmth too x

With the run up to the Olympics and Jubilee, the shops are going what can only be described as ‘Blighty-tastic’. I think there is some real humour mixed in with it all. Currently I am finding it all a bit cheery. In the very British store, Marks and Spencer even the packaging for cakes and biscuits are making me smile. I had to buy this blue biscuit tin. I love the illustrations.

A friend of mine bought the pink one, so pretty. Little B then benefited from his Mother’s madness when she was compelled to buy these cakes.

I wonder if any of these will become collector’s items in the future? Well, I’m afraid the contents have already disappeared.

Hello my lovelies! How are you? Sorry it has been a LONG time. I felt I needed to have complete break from all things ‘computer’ on our Easter holiday. It was good to live in the moment and really be away from it all. But it is nice to be back. Firstly let me do a little ‘show and tell’. Before I left work for the break, my boys had hatched a little plan. They spent a couple of hours working away to bake me these fabulous cupcakes as my Easter pressie. How gorgeous! The funny thing is, they are Red Velvet cupcakes. I have never made them because I always suspected that they were very difficult to make – but fortune favours the brave! They tasted fab and were a great alternative to an Easter Egg.

We then left for our little break away. Yet again we visited the totally gorgeous Lake District, which was in its full Spring glory. (I will share some landscape shots with you later). Anyway on Easter Sunday the Easter Bunny had tracked us down to our holiday cottage. I happen to know he got up very early to hop cautiously around the garden leaving an assorted array of brightly coloured eggs in lovely hidden places. I specifically know that he left a couple of quite large chocolate eggs, a few medium sized ones and a number of little cute eggs hidden in the crevices of stone walls.

When Little B woke up, he pressed his face to the window and was able to spot quite a few in the flower borders. But things took a rather curious turn. By the time we had dressed and donned wellies, the egg haul looked rather different. Gone were the large eggs, gone were at least 5 medium eggs and all that was left were the hidden tiny eggs. Little B flew around saying, ‘I am sure I spotted one here!’, Mummy then flew around after him, mentally totting up what she imagined the Easter Bunny had placed. It was Big B who spotted the discarded wrappers on the garden walls and in the flower beds. What the Easter bunny gives, the Easter Magpie taketh away! There must be a bird somewhere with a very grumbling tummy. Ah well, even the most romantic parental ideas don’t work exactly to plan. We certainly weren’t bereft of chocolate – thanks for the thought Easter Bunny, you certainly tried your best.

I have mentioned before my on-going pursuit for the ideal Banana Bread. I am not quite sure why I am always looking for new recipes. I am perfectly happy with one recipe or Lemon Drizzle cake, but always on the look out for new ways to mash up a banana. We had a little domestic weekend – really lovely. There was much pootling and some catching up of chores, but in a nice comforting way. Whilst my boys got on with a game of Ludo at the kitchen table, I tried out a new recipe which had been signposted by the wonderful Lucy  at Attic 24. It includes apricots and raisins (ah the not for the Banana Bread purist) and comes from a Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall recipe. It is scrummy and enjoyed by all, but the quest continues. If you think you might have the ultimate cheeky Banana Bread, please do tell me