31.03.10 - Starry Chocolate Muffins

These are the muffins from the you want it for when??! post.

Muffins;

9oz  flour

2 oz sugar

2 tsp baking powder

2 eggs - lightly beaten

2 generous tablespoons cocoa powder

Milk - enough to make a thick lumpy batter - about one cup, more if you feel the mix is just too dry

5 1/2 oz butter melted

Oven needs to be 210 deg C.

Melt the butter gently, stir in milk and add egg

Weigh out flour, sugar, cocoa powder and baking powder and mix well.

Pour egg mix into dry mix and stir gently until just mixed - batter should look quite lumpy

Spoon mix into pre-greased muffin tins and bake 20 - 25 mins (check with a wooden skewer)

Removed from tin and cool.

Meanwhile,

Due to lack of anything remotely suitable for icing the buns, I found at the back of my baking cupboard a box of ready-roll white fondant icing (probably left over from Yule)

Roll out a chunk to about 2mm thick and use a favourite cooking cutter to make shapes - I used a star.

When the buns are cooled, make a small amount of glace icing - plain, and use that to 'glue' the stars onto the top of the buns.

Then add cocoa powder to the remaining glace icing (at this point I had to add a bit more water as it had thickened too much to 'drizzle')

Using a teaspoon, drizzle the chocolate coloured glace icing across the star, allow to dry slightly.

I then added a sprinkle of edible glitter for added sparkle.

As simple as that.

I think I might be making more for tonights knit and knatter!

Bon apetit!

30.03.10 - You want it for when??!

4.45pm - Thursday evening, I'm about to get ready to go out, Eldest is about to go off to music lesson when he absently mindedly says...............


Mum

Yes

We've got a bun sale coming up soon

When is it?

Tomorrow

Tomorrow??!!

And we have been told to make at least 12 buns

Tomorrow??!!

Yes, I told you about it

When???

Oh....... um.... about three weeks ago


Aaaaargh!!

(Last seen galloping into the kitchen, much clattering and cussing later)

Mum

What!

Do you want any help?

Thanks love, but no, it's quicker if I get them done, you better finish your homework and get ready for your music lesson, your Dad will be home from work soon

(Himself stumps into the kitchen noisely urging eldest to hurry up, followed by a whirlwind of bodies and music books and slamming of doors, leaving me to finish the buns and still get ready.)

(Some time later, late for my evening out and son and Himself back from music)

Triumphantly dishevelled I presented a tray of buns to Eldest who graciously says

Thanks Mum - good thing I reminded you.........

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(Overheard the next day in the car on the way to school)

Got my buns for the sale (shows friend)

Friend - wow - did you make those?

No - my mum wouldn't let me!

Friend - but you are s'posed to have done them

I know, but you know mums - they think they know best....................


sigh.

I do love him, honest...!

29.03.10 - recovering

Recovering from the change of hours from Greenwich Mean Time to British Summer Time - Yawn.

Recovering from over a 23 km (14 mile) long bicycle ride - creak

Recovering from a late night (homework and difficulty in lifting said creaking body off the settee)

Recovering from Youngest waking me at 2.30am to say his bed had escaped - again

But!


This creaking body actually enjoyed the outing with Evelyn! It's been so long since I actually leapt athletically onto a bicycle and sallied forth merrily. (Joke)

BCE (Before Children Era), Himself and I did a fair bit of mountain biking - not your hardcore stuff, more your getting out and riding 8 - 10 hours over hill and dale, camping in a 2 man tent then doing it all again, before returning home completely knackered ready for work (erm - not so much of the 'ready for work' more your going-to-work-for-a-rest......)

I have had a brilliant sturdy much loved mountain bike with more than enough 'grunt' for both of us, which Himself has quickly taken over kindly adopted.

So, it was with trepidation, excitement and a dose of good old fashioned fear that I stepped over this lady-like-girly-bike sans helmet and mountain bike gear and in an instant was transformed to someone off the 'Cycle Chic' website ..... And it felt good.

We started in a village just outside Lancaster and followed the old railway track, now converted to a traffic free bicycle lane. There were many people with their bikes, trundling along, I wish I'd taken photos, but I was still in the semi hazy state of ecstatic-bike ownership and the nervous still getting used to being back on a bike.

Eldest 'off-roading' to check out the daffodils

We trundled through parks and by universities; we peddled over bridges and alongside creeks until we reached Morecambe on the coast. Here we had one very quick and terrifying moment where we had to deal with traffic and despite us having right of way I had to shriek at Youngest to stop before a car added him to the fly collection on the radiator grill.

Urgh, horrible - this is why I have taken so long getting back on a bike - car drivers..................

But, once on the promenade, we returned to the genteel act of cycling amongst other cyclists, walkers, holiday makers and dogs. All in their own worlds, all enjoying the sea air and all out of their cars.

There is a certain light, a specific colour that can only be found at the coast and I find that both invigorating and relaxing.

All along the front are sea bird sculptures,

the best, in my mind,

were the ones in the centre of the roundabouts,

however, I was not about to stop for photographs

whilst Youngest was playing 'squash' with the traffic

At the end of the promenade, we turned inland and followed the track along a canal which wound its serene way through villages and fields. Swans and geese silently floated on the water whilst narrow boats puffed and chugged their occupants through the waterway.

Bikes cast aside in favour a mug of tea

We crossed over the Lune Aqueduct , not one for those without a head for heights.

But, oh so beautiful.

Evelyn and giddy dog on the Lune Aqueduct

All my boys on the Aqueduct

We carried on, time was not waiting for us and we still had to get back to the car. Hunger, homework and showers were on the cards.

The last of the afternoon honeyed sunlight on the Aqueduct.

And, final view - of Evelyn and the River Lune.

This Sunday was lovely and the behind tender - but it was worth it :)

27.03.10 - a new best friend

I have a new best friend.
How fickle am I?

Her name?


Evelyn.

We only met this morning and spent the afternoon together.
We are going out again tomorrow.

She is beautifully old fashioned yet totally modern.

I like that in a girl - I kinda hope I'm a bit like that.

Old fashioned values with modern eco-friendly out look.

And my new best friend?

Well, she's quite special................

It has been a lovely afternoon - my knees only creaked marginally

and the callouses on my behind have not yet appeared - there is time,

there is still time!

I will post more of our adventures, for we plan to have lots of them.

25.03.10 - gentle hints..

frog spawn

Lambs lettuce seedlings

radish seed-leaves

ornamental ribes first leaves and flowers

Sedums looking like tiny fleshy cabbages

A dusky hellebore

All subtle, gentle, welcome hints that spring in on her way.

And, some one who's enjoying the warmth -

She's not the only one :)

24.03.10 - I am

I am.

And I have all the visual proof - I am a fully paid up member of motherhood.

The evidence is clear........
The plastic skeletor doubleheaded axe - in the bath

The abandoned sock on the stair, waiting to be reunited with it's other half - if only we knew were it was lingering,

The permanently rumpled cushions and settee, despite my frequent straightening,

The toy cars littered everywhere,

Usually situated next to the toilet - ready for an impromptu game,

The bow and wooden sword forgotten on the lawn,

The art work and sticky fingers adorning the walls.

The just stepped out of rugby boots at the back door

The comforting pile of teddies, knitted toys and other fluffys all vying for space on the beds,

The kisses and the unexpected I-Love'You's that pull at my heart,

The toys locked in mortal combat just waiting to be stepped on with bare feet, 

The dried lumps of toothpaste lingering rock hard on the basin, toothpaste that never reached the teeth it was meant for,

All these little things are badges of motherhood, oh there are many many more. Some good, some bad, some very forgettable and some burned forever in my memory,

I am lucky to have these badges, even more so as I had never intended to join this club.

I am glad I did.

I am.

23.03.10 - recipes new and recipes old

Chickpea cakes - for Cat and GZ

2 x 400gm tins chickpeas, drained
1 leek - roughly chopped (could substitute for spring onion)
goodly handful of parsley - chopped
generous teaspoon paprika
generous teaspoon ground coriander
generous teaspoon ground cumin
Salt and pepper to taste
a little oil to fry

Chuck all above ingredients into a whizz-type processor - of which I do not have, I use a hand held whizzy thing and it works just as well.
Whizz until most of the chickpeas form a paste.
Chuck out onto a floured surface and with floured hands (and in the case of 'cooking-with-children' = floured children)
Flatten to about 1cm-ish/1 inch (the chickpea stuff not the floured children)
Cut out little cakes - I used a biscuit cutter about 5cm across.

Fry said little chickpea cakes both sides until lightly brown then put on a baking tray and stick into a pre heated oven (200C or 400F) for about 10 minutes.

Watch them disappear like hot (chickpea) cakes!

The spices and seasonings are to our tastes, if you like it hotter or spicier then just chuck in more or less if you don't. Enjoy!

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Old Nick's Ginger and Apple Cake - for Sarah

Melt together -
6 oz dark brown sugar (any variety really - just darker the better)
4 oz black treacle (ooh getting darker by the moment)
4 oz syrup or honey (got to counter balance all that darkness with a bit of light!)

Cool, then add -
5 oz plain yoghurt
2 eggs - lightly beaten into the yoghurt first

Then add -
8 oz plain flour
1 heaped tablespoon ginger
1 heaped teaspoon mixed spice
1 level teaspoon ground coriander
1 level teaspoon ground cumin
1 level teaspoon baking powder

Stir well then -
grease your favourite baking tin
Chop one cooking apple into goodly chunks - I left the skin on - lay onto base of baking tin
pour on the ginger mix

Cook at -

150C /300F for approx 60 mins or so, check with a skewer (if it comes out clean - its ready)

Cool slightly then -
tip out onto a rack
lightly dust top of cake with icing sugar

When I made this cake, I doubled the mix (I had just bought a new cake tin and it is huge! it would be silly not to fill it :)  ) Hope you like as much as we did. 

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Now for something completely different.

An update on all crochet WIP (work in progress) and FOs (finished objects).......

Lil smiling tomato, a gaggle of guinea pigs, a cave man (complete with hairy chest and club) and a conference pear. (A gaggle of guinea pigs? maybe a giggle? or a gang, a glint? a ganglion? or a gathering - hmm, no sadly it's not as imaginative as that, it is a group of guinea pigs)

Aah, so my day has not been wasted.

I quite like the pear, think it needs more fruity friends  - hmm (reaches for crochet hook with thoughtful look on face..........)

21.03.10 - Spring Equinox

Spring Equinox, also known as Vernal Equinox - is considered to be the first day of spring here in the northern hemisphere - and today was wonderfully sunny and warm, definitely a springlike day.

The word equinox is derived from the Latin words aequus (equal) and nox (night).  It basically means equal night and refers to the moment the sun crosses directly overhead at the earth's equator making the hours of daylight equal the hours of darkness.

***********************

Things that make me smile............................

1. Seeing the first immature leaves of my seedlings as they push through the earth

2. Baking a cake that I've not tried before and finding it a real success

Old Nick's Ginger and Apple Cake

3. Clearing away old herbaceous chaff and finding new life shining through

A lone crocus bravely nodding and facing the sun

4. Not needing to light the fire first thing in the morning with icy cold hands but leaving it ready for the evening after a lovely day out in the garden

5. Emptying a compost bay of rich chocolate brown compost on to a waiting flower border. Then re-filling it with shreddings and prunings as I tidy the garden from it's wintery clothes

6. Finding a Mekon on the settee reading a book whilst he waits for lunch

Eldest reading in his Dad's motorbike helmet

7. Sitting in a sun-warmed greenhouse with garden-dirtied fingers wrapped around a steaming mug of Masala Chai Latte whilst listening to the boys nattering and playing happily

8. Eating a delicious meal with himself as we listen to the rain drumming down on the roof

Norwegian Pie - with a mashed potato crust

9. Listening to the giggling and good natured fun the boys can have when they are not fighting like two ferrets in a bag 

10. Collecting our hen's eggs and knowing who's laid which one.

 Left to right - Tatty-Bird, Cherry-Pie, Florence and Mrs Kiwi Johnson

These are just some of the things that make me smile.

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52 things not yet cooked up date - 

20. Norwegian Pie - unusual in that it has a mashed potato crust - very tasty and it re-heated nicely the next day, we'll have that again

21. Old Nick's Ginger and Apple Cake - and to give it extra kick it has ground coriander and cumin in it - extremely tasty and already had several requests for the recipe 

22.Chickpea cakes - a very acceptable variation on the falafel - the boys preferred this one, so I'll be doing this one again too.

All in all a gentle uneventful but generally happy week and as this day has progressed, Youngest has alternated between getting very excited and briefly anxious about next week. He is off camping for a week at an outward bound centre in the Lake District with his school.  

It will be his first big 'away' without his family. 

He will be fine - it's the outward bound centre I am worried for!

16.03.10 - the not so subtle gardener

A gentle morning of easy sunshine - the stress of college work melted as I dropped the envelope into the post box. This morning belongs to me.
As I went out to check on the hens I saw the most tantalising hints of spring colour. A crocus bravely nodding in the soft sunlight, then I delighted upon another.


I returned clutching my camera to focus on the cheerful reminder that the season of winter is fading and Spring Equinox is just around the corner. Bent double and squinting through the eye piece I could hear a furtive rustling in the undergrowth. Without moving, I peered over the top of my camera and saw this......................

Tatty-bird, 'gardening' and celebrating the renewed life of the earth that comes with spring - by eating it.


I spoke to her and she trotted over to see what I was doing. I took my pictures and stood up to usher her back to her pen only to find she had vanished. Only a quiet little grumbling cluck for me to follow. She has taken to escaping from the hen-pen and laying in the garden, I left her to it and continued taking in the soft sunshine and encouraging warmth. 

Again, a quiet movement in the winter brown leaves and Tatty-bird reappeared. I called her over to the pen and she skeddadled across the lawn and back to her hen-pack. Gate closed and other hens grumbling, I began my search for her egg. It wasn't long when I found it.  Laid just through our fence in the neighbour's garden. 

I'd better keep a close eye on this bird!

15.03.10 - when really what I would rather be doing is this...............

College work strikes again. The deadline looms which is counterbalanced by the enthusiasm waning.

I am doing a subject - that although interesting is not what I am interested in.

I would much rather be doing this....................

or this.............

or this.......

But - hey - ho, this part of the module has been completed, time to post it now then off to work.
So starts my week.