Things that make me smile :)

*The unexpected kindness of friends* the generosity of strangers *  the wonderful encouragement from creative folk * the love and support from my family * the gift of friendship * the laughter of my boys * the love of a good man * the taste of a delicious chocolate brownie* the delights of walking out on the moors before going to work*

These are all things that have made me smile this week - thank you xx

What has made you smile this week?

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PS:- Brownie recipe to follow

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Being Creative

As part of my Revolutions - I wanted to tackle my reluctance to draw more which due to time constraints, due to lack of confidence, due to lack of -  well, lack of 'oompff'  I never seemed to get round to.

So when  Julia from julia crossland  offered the opportunity to bloggers to 'Be Creative', I jumped at the chance.  

Then, me being me, and well, lacking that oompff I mentioned earlier, I only managed to do a quick sketch yesterday and photo-ed it today. I wanted to make the end of March deadline. 

The theme was "Garden" and I kept looking at my winter weary garden and felt no inspiration so in the end I found a photograph I took last year of the honeysuckle that drapes itself in a cheerfully untidy tangle over our fence and used that as inspiration - with that in mind, I now present to you :

Being Creative for March - Garden

I have to post my picture on a flickr group page, but seem to have bungled that!! Oh well, off to try again. :)

Did I mention I was baking biscuits?

Must be getting old and befuddled, but I mentioned yesterday that I made biscuits then forgot the all important reporting about them! Silly me :)

Right ho,  I actually have two recipes to natter about and both are oat based (a firm favourite with us)

Recipe 14/52 - classic oat cookies

115gm (4 oz)  soft butter
140gm (5 oz) light brown sugar
1 large egg - lightly beaten
1 tablespoon mild
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
100gm (3 1/2 oz) self-raising flour
75gm (generous 2 1/2oz) dried fruit
150gm (5  1/4oz) porridge oats
preheat the oven to 180 deg C (350 deg F) gas mark 4.

Chuck together the butter, sugar, egg, milk and vanilla extract into a bowl and beat well. Add the flour, dried fruit and oats and mix well with a wooden spoon. put heaped teaspoons of the oatie yummy dough on to well greased baking trays - space well apart (otherwise all your little teaspoon lumps end up as a frisbee sized oat platter!)
Bake in a preheated oven for about 12 - 15ish minutes, I have done both times and the 12 mins gives you a softer 'cookie' with crisp edges and the 15 mins gives you a crisper crunchier biscuit, either way - they don't last long. The photos below are the THIRD baking, the previous two were munched fairly quickly soon after being lifted out of the oven (.............would you like another biscuit with those third degree burns?............)

According to the recipe you can keep them in an airtight container and eat them within 5 days - hah! fat chance.

Recipe 15/52 Jam Packed Flapjacks

This one I found on the BBC website. We've had them three times and after the initial baking, I omitted the jam as we found it just too sweet.

Delish - however - each time and despite copious amounts of greasing or grease and silver foil, these flapjacks stuck horribly. When I made them in the silicone baking tray, they didn't stick....to the base of the tray or to themselves! The flapjacks just fell apart into a pile of very yummy crumbs.

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Ok, that's enough waffling about biscuits, time to go into the kitchen and actually clear up the fall out from those flapjacks, which entails an awful amount of hoovering up of yummy oaty crumbles and I don't mean with the vacuum cleaner!!

Hope you all had a lovely weekend and here's to the start of the week!!

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In which a tree eats my children, giddy dog spreads her toes and Eldest carries a heavy heart.......and I make biscuits! (14/52)

A brisk spring breeze cuts my cheek as I pull my hat down hard to just above my eyelashes. High above our heads a curlew screams a courting song while his mate whirls and wheels around echoing his every cry. The hump back hills beckon as we follow a centuries old grass-gentle path through the field. Each step takes us further into the view as we leave the car behind - it is Saturday and we are breathing - after the week I have just had, I need to breathe.

I can feel the earth beneath my feet and hear the giggles of my boys as they, like me, experience the release that only walking can bring. The dog, ball in mouth and wag on tail, trots around us, her eyes full of expectation and excitement as she invites the boys to play.

We reach our chosen spot and shelter out of the breeze while we eat sandwiches and cradle cups of tea in cold fingers. The still weak spring sunshine gently teasing us with shafts of light between the wind blown clouds. In the far far distance, almost too far to be clear, we can just make out the main road. Full of cars. Full of cars going somewhere, no where, any where.

Sheep bleat reassuring replies to their lambs as they call out incessantly. Small cat sized lambs on wobbly knobbly kneed legs. Still bearing umbilical cords, still placenta stained they lean against their mother's legs as they warily watch us as we stride by.

We reach a field we last visited several years ago. A sentinel tree stands tall and inviting. And, like they did last time we were passing through, the boys listened to the invitation - this time, it was a bit of a squeeze as they pushed into the open mouth. The last time, they both fitted into the cavity. How they have grown........

The tree had regurgitates the boys and we walk down into the valley,  slipping quietly in then out of a sleepy hamlet where we are escorted by what appeared to be the only living creatures. A rather handsome cockerel and his henny harem watch us with intense beady eyes. 





We leave the village and it's feathered bouncer and find ourselves alongside the River Wharfe. Although, today it meanders lazily over water worn stone slabs, the evidence of winter storms is everywhere. Our gritty pathway continues riverside where our previously delicious solitude is now interrupted by other walkers. Old dodderers to fleece-clad yompers, family groups nattering to serious booted and suited walkers striding self-importantly as they clutch walking poles and water proof maps. We retreat from the massing humanity and find ourselves a quiet shore edge where we eagerly drink  tea and munch on much needed chocolate biscuits.






Ahead is a narrow wooden suspension foot bridge that will swing and bounce with every step we take. We laugh as we anticipate giddy dog's approach to crossing this strange moving bridge. She lowers her head, spreads her toes and shuffles wide legged across.
















We chat, the boys play, giddy dog gets tired, she is getting older, as we all are, and her muzzle bears the tell-tail (sic) signs of greying. We stop so the boys can skim stones on a stretch of almost mirror calm water when after a while, Eldest who is now sitting on the river's edge finds a stone he wants to take home. He calls me over - it is more akin to a fossil filled boulder than the 'stone' he hints about and I am suitably impressed with his find and take a picture in lieu of taking the boulder as it seems far too large and heavy.

We set off, Eldest lags behind as Youngest skips ahead full of energy and chatter. I look behind and see Eldest is still lagging, I call. He smiles a reply and speeds up a little. Our walk continues away from the river, back into fields and farms. Back up hills and towards the car. Eldest is now struggling to keep up. We investigate.............the 'stone' now nestles happily in his haversack. We carry on up the rutted track, Eldest doing his best to seem unaffected by the huge lump on his back. I can not bear it any more and swap my pack for his and instantly wish I hadn't.

I now trudge.

As we walk through the final fields and farms, I feel relief as I can see in the not too far distance the car parked patiently waiting for us.

Later, now the boys have gone to bed, the house has taken on that  satisfied semi-sleep state, Himself takes the heart stone upstairs to weigh for me. It is 6kg (over 13lbs) ...........an awfully heavy stone heart for a slight 13 year old to carry.

It now sits on my dining room table...............



It is time for me to go to bed and I see it is no longer Saturday and is now Sunday - Don't forget that we change to British Summer time this weekend - Summer is on its way!

So- what's so good about today then??? Explain yourself!

Well............

* Glorious spring sunshine * birds singing cheerily * washing on the line * chickens sunbathing * Grannies coming in * greenhouse filling up with little seedlings * receiving the Liebster Blog award from Andrea from Apples and Pears - THANK YOU!

This award is nominated to blogs with under 100 followers, which I am very pleased to accept - thankyou Andrea! 

It now comes to me to pass on the award to some lovely blogs.

It is always difficult as there are so many other wonderful and inspirational blogs out there in blog land and finding fresh and unique blogs  that deserve a second look at is quite hard. 

But, with that in mind and in no particular order - I would like to now nominate these deserving blogs: 

"ook?!"

narkey markey

Deben Days

Gwnio's Adventures

McGreen Experience

Thank you ladies, for inspiring me, making me laugh and generally making my day :)

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Show and Tell

Been rather busy recently with this and that and the other! But now, with a moment to spare, I thought I'd share what  crafty things I've been getting up to with a little bit of hooky happy time :)

A birthday pressie - now hanging on a white day bed, made in a silky ice blue cord.


Good grief that fibre was difficult to handle! It was a wilful thread, easily unravelling itself, sliding off the hook and refusing to behave, until, when finished it look so pretty I forgave all it's foibles and fell in love love love with it. 


I really really didn't want to part with this little heart bunting, draping it all around my house thinking that where every I placed it, it looked just right! But with a heavy heart (my own) I passed it on to it's new owner.....she was so delighted that I stopped wishing I'd kept the little bunting. 
Will I make another for myself? Will I heck! 

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Another gift for a friend - this time to say thank you-for-watching-over-our-hens-while-we-were-away. 


A felted crochet hook holder. The colours  were dictated by the fabric inner - a personal choice by our friend and I wanted the patterning to appear like flashes of painterly colour. I had such fun making this. 

The exterior of the roll

The hook bag shyly unrolling to reveal the inner fabric

I love the macro facility of my camera, you can get up close and personal with fleece and see the fibres in the cord. I know, that technically, this is felting not crochet but seeing there are links, I have let it slide! 


I was really enjoyed making the felted hook roll and delighted with my friend's response, I think I might be making more! 


Well, the sun beckons and I am intrigued by the unusual warmth and brightness of the great outdoors! So armed with a bowl of oats, fruit and yoghourt - I'm off out for a spot of breakfast (yes I know it's late) before I go to work :)




Have yourselves a sunny and happy Tuesday xx

Kyōyū kyōyū - share

Just over a week ago, I, like most of the world watched in horror as the events in Japan unfolded. The devastation was beyond belief and seems to be increasing on a daily basis.  So many lives have been lost, homes destroyed and belongings gone. There has been so much sadness and loss.


I want to share some warmth and love with the Japanese people who have suffered so much as they try to come to terms with the earthquake and tsunami.

With that in mind, I am going to make blankets and am asking for help in making crochet and knitted squares. If you would like to join in please contact me through my email on my profile with  'Kyōyū kyōyū - share' in the subject line.

I have started a separate blog called  Kyōyū kyōyū - share where any one who joins in will be listed along with their country and a blog link (if you have one) and where I will also keep you up to date with progress of the blankets.

I know it is only a small token effort on my part compared to the pain and loss being felt over there, but, like said, I really really need to do something to help - and I hope you can join me

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Weekend round up and recipe number 11/52 and 13/52

Saturday, we walked in the Yorkshire Dales. It was wonderful, the fresh spring air, the crisp breeze and the gently warming sun.  We sat and drank in the view as we drank our tea. There was hardly any one about so we, in splendid isolation, revelled in the wild beauty of it all.

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Made some Jam-packed flapjacks (from BBC food) only have one to say about them - they didn't last long! Going to make them again. I did my usual and adapted the recipe slightly to our tastes and what was available in the store cupboard. (11/52)

Also tried two more different recipes and put them together for tonight's evening meal.

Lemon spaghetti 

This was a brilliantly simple and quick dish and Himself tucked in only pausing to hmmmm hmmmm as he chewed. Might be making this one again too :)

• 12oz/350g dried spaghetti
• juice of one lemon ( the recipe called for a large lemon, I used a smallish one and found this to plenty)
• good glug of olive oil
• seasoning

• cook the pasta in salted boiling water to taste, drain well and return to the pan
• mix the oil and lemon juice and salt and pepper
• pour onto the spaghetti, toss well and serve in warmed bowls.

I would be quite happy just to eat that dish with a bit of salad, but Himself likes a 'little something' extra so I made a creamy mushroom sauce to plonk on the top of the spaghetti.

I sliced mushrooms and gently fried them in a bit of butter and olive oil, then sprinkled flour on, stirred until the flour coloured slightly then added some milk to make a 'white sauce'. I then sliced thinly some garlic and chucked that in the simmering sauce. Added lots of black pepper and when cooked I served it on the spaghetti. It didn't stay on our plates for long! Nom nom (as Colouritgreen says when she has a yummy recipe!) (13/52)

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Japan - I will let you know what I doing tomorrow xx 

12/52 and Red Nose Day baking

Last night, after the marathon baking sesh, the boys went off to music. Once they returned, they rolled up their sleeves, washed their hands and iced each and every bun. 

Then, this morning, I helped Youngest to carry into his school, one small tub and 6 large tins full of chocolate iced buns. Success!


 I suspect there won't be a single one left this afternoon - oh well, back to the kitchen......

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Last night, after all that baking and icing, the last thing I wanted to do was cook an evening meal. However, Himself has permanent hollow legs and looked rather forlorn at the prospect of nothing to eat.

So a quick look in what I call my 'lazy cook book'  I found this - 

Baked Leek and Potato Gratin. 

It was really quick and easy and filling. (So it is recipe number 12/52)

2lbs potatoes - sliced (the recipe called for thinly - mine were a bit more 'rustic' in size)

2 large leeks (or several smaller ones dug out of the garden)

7oz grated cheese (the recipe called for brie or camembert but I used cheddar)

3/4 pint cream (I used milk!!)

1. Preheat the oven to 180 deg c
2. cook potatoes in salted boiling water until slightly softened and drain well
3. cut the leeks into 1cm lengths and blanch in boiling water then drain (I actually chucked mine into the potato water as it was already lovely and hot and just waiting there)
4. turn half the potatoes into a shallow ovenproof dish and spread out to cover the base
5. chuck in most of the leeks over the potato layer
6. cover with the remaining half of potato slices, leeks and the cheese
7. pour on the milk
8. season with salt and pepper to taste

Bake for about an hour until tender and golden and smelling absolutely delish!

The recipe suggests that if the top browns too quickly to cover with some tin foil to prevent burning.

I'd accidently broken a couple of eggs after the bun making marathon so I fried those and served them on top of the gratin and the look on Himself's face when he saw that I was still going to feed him was delightful!

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**walking* baking* thinking**

Walking:

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Thinking:

Further to my last post (Japan) things have progressed, I will let you know soon x

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Baking:

At this very moment I am baking buns for Youngest's fund raising at school for Red Nose Day, the kitchen is wall to wall with chocolate buns in various stages of completion. When the boys come home tonight we will have a marathon icing session - oh the mess the mess!

I love, love, love these silicone baking cases, the colours are really cheery and bright.

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Japan

I feel that I can not waffle on today about my life when so so many people are destitute, traumatised, missing or trying to survive the awful conditions over in Japan. 

I sit in silence with my hands on my mouth trying not to cry every time I see the footage of their bewildered faces as they try to pick through their damaged environment.

I dearly want to help and am in the throws of trying to sort something out. I will let you know as soon as it is all in place - you might even want to get involved too.

That is all for now.

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Walking with oddbods ......2

Years ago - I think the boys were 3 and 5 years old. We were out walking - got to train 'em young you see!  Our foot path was meandering lazily along through farm lands as we happily strolled in early summer sunshine. We were almost finished our walk with only a few fields to go. We followed the path as it entered a little farm house huddled by winter blown trees and as we drew closer we could see a goat grazing on the toy strewn back lawn.  The stone stile dropped us directly into the back garden where we were instantly spotted by the goat.

Hello  bleated cute little goat (CLG) resplendent in shiny red collar.

 .....Nice to see you, you look good enough to gently head butt  

We all decided, that yes CLG was indeed cute and little and a goat. 

We had lessons - "boys - this is a goat, only a little one and definitely cute, now say hello, then say good bye and lets carry on with our walk".

Lesson over, boys happy, sun shining, pathway beckoning, we carried on over the farm's lawn, carefully stepping over toys and balls.  CLG trotted ahead of us bleating....

this way, this way, this is the pa-a-a-aa-aaath you need, come along now, c'mon

We dutifully followed for indeed CLG was leading us out of his garden. And yes he was correct, there in front of us was the stile into the fields. We were of course impressed with his manners and his courtesy. CLG hopped on the stile (the first warning tingle appeared) and tipped toed through and turned around baa-ing encouragement....

thaaa-aaa-a-a-t's it, this wa-a-a-ay..... this waaa-a-a-a-a-ay......

The boys squealed with delight at this but Himself and I both had simultaneous thoughts, 

*hope this cute goat doesn't come any further*

(further warning tingles were coming good and fast)

Moments later, CLG dropped down, on-the-other-side, and clipperty-clopperty trotted through the field bleating a constant stream of instructions and encouragement. We looked ahead of him and saw the path lead directly to a gate. Phew..... this was obviously  his field and could pop into his owners garden. Things were looking up.  Himself, ever the man and taking the situation by the horns (erm sorry about the pun) stood firm as I ushered the boys through the gate. Himself drawing up looking tall and fiercesome stared firmly at CLG and told him to go home. 

CLG cocked his head sideways, gave Himself a funny little goat look, and....

Excuse me, he bleated, move alo-o-o-o-ong, move along

Himself was still standing firm, began to back away, not losing eye contact with said CLG (rapidly losing cute status), and reversed through the gate, which was duly slammed shut with a triumphant gleam in his eye. He almost slapped his hands together in a satisfied way but......

How ru-u-u-uuuu-uuuude grumbled CLG......

 .....as he 'klip-springed' up onto the wall, and gave Himself a severe looking at - at eye level. With a firm 'ignore him boys' we set off, through the field, our lazy stroll becoming a bit of a yomp. The boys thought this was excellent fun and giggled and clapped hands each and every time we hurtled over a stile or through a gate only to be raced and beaten by CLG. We were not so much as being followed as we were following him!! 

By the time we had reached the farm edge, Himself had had enough and bodily picked up CLG (definitely not cute at all now) and put him back over the final wall issuing instructions for us to get moving up the lane and get to the car. However, we were beaten to it............by a rather completely-not-cute-any-more little goat.

We had been outwitted. Himself decided that we would return the sodding goat (his words) to the farm by car. This was the pinnacle of excitement to the boys who clambered in and were helped by a horrible little goat to eat their sandwiches. It's bovidae little face grinning triumphantly at our puny human efforts to out manoeuvre this cloven hoofed creature.

Himself with white knuckle clenched hands gripped the steering wheel as we drove up the farm's lane, that !/**|> goat happily sitting in the boot with it's head leaning between the boys, all three of them chewing......

We reached the farm (for the second time) and we turfed the goat out, marched up to the door and knocked on it. After a moment or two a rather harassed woman appeared. 

"Sorry to bother you," I started, "but we were followed by your goat, right down to the bottom of the lane, we have returned it in our car.................."

She looked over our shoulders to that infernal creature, still bleating happily, still chewing the last remenants of the boys sandwiches, and said.............

"Do you want it?"

I don't think we could get off the farm quick enough...................... suffice to say, we've not walked on that path since.

walking with oddbods - 1

 A while ago, by that I mean a couple of years, we were out walking on our local hills. It is a short hop (well not so much as a hop more of a yomp) over the hill into the next valley where another rather time-static-tourist-trap village resides. It was one of those beautiful autumnal days where the sky is a brilliant blue and the trees are resplendent in fiery form. We were warmly wrapped and chatting happily along a familiar path that wraps itself around an expensively done-up barn and garden. As usual their caged dogs went ballistic, firing a volley of barks and growls at us. We chose to ignore the trappings of insecurity and visual wealth and carried on chatting when suddenly...

Hello, hi, how are you, hi, hi!

Collectively we turned to see who'd called to us in such a friendly manner when we saw a rather large pretty ginger and white  kitten - about 6 months old, with the biggest and friendliest face ever! He was on the garden wall and trotting alongside of us.

Hello back we said (first mistake)

Ooh, nice people who say hello back said Pretty Ginger Kitten

The boys did the polite thing and responded with a tickle and giggle (second mistake)


Ooh ooh purred PGK (Pretty Ginger Kitten) nice people who say hello back AND tickle

We smiled at his effusive happy demeanour, the huge feet and rather magnificent whiskers. We started to walk on. PGK looked briefly disconcerted, then with a shrug of his fluffy ginger shoulders he trotted along side us again on the wall top.

I live here said PGK this is my house and my garden!


The boys went back over to stroke PGK who was delighted.(compounding mistake number 2) By now we had gone round the garden wall and had reached the property's gate where the footpath turned to go down their lane. The boys gave PGK a farewell pat and we turned away.

Wait, hello, hellooo-o, wait wait yowled PGK don't go-o-o-o-o---ooooo-o-o-o-oooooo.......

We turned back briefly to see a rather dejected little ginger and white figure sitting on the wall next to the gate looking so forlorn. Himself and I smiled at this silly little fur-ball and as I turned forward to continue our walk, I caught in the corner of my eye, PGK tottering carefully across the gate and joining the wall alongside the lane. When................


Wait, wait, hello hello-o-o-o! shrieked PGK


We turned to see the ginger fur-ball pounding along the top of the uneven stonewall on rather large fluffy white feet, Within a few seconds he'd caught us up and with a beaming furry face yelled....


Hello, nice to see you again, as I was saying I live here and I like people,


Himself and I looked at each other again and said to the boys

'leave him, he'll stop following if we ignore him. 

We don't want him following us away from his home'

So, avoiding eye contact and speeding up somewhat we carried on along the lane. For a moment or two PGK seemed content to trot along us on the wall, occasionally stopping to watch leaves whorl round on the floor when he jumped down off the wall out of sight.


Now's our chance, we speed up again and with legs a blurrrrrr we walked off quickly, smiling at how we managed to give PGK the slip.  Himself looked back and saw no sign of him at which the boys muttered their disappointment. As we slowed down to a more sedate pace we were subjected to...


Hello, there to you are, I was just in the field sneaking up, silly people thinking you could get away................


PGK was there again, on the wall, keeping up a steady stream of chatter and purr.


With firm instructions to the boys to ignore said kitten-cat and Himself making shoo-shoo flapping arm type movements, we sped up again.  PGK was not impressed at all and jumped off the wall back into the field and vanished. This time we kept up the mad pace. When.................


Hello! Wait for me said PGK in a cross little puff, his white fluffy paws a blur as he trotted quickly to keep up. 


We again made flapping shooing hands and kept up a break neck when Himself noticed that coming towards us was a couple of walkers - we sneaked a look at each other - they might be out salvation. We moved to the far side of the lane away from the wall and carried on our breathless trot with our ginger and white shadow keeping up as he shouted little hellos and wait-for-me at us.


We briefly nodded a greeting at the other walkers who looked at us slightly alarmed as we sped by but they were soon distracted by this cute and fluffy ginger and white kitten who said....


Hello, hi, how are you, hi, hi, I live here and I like people!

**mwahahaheheheheh - manic laughter 

as we saw the walkers slow down to say 

hello..............**

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walking weekend, 9/52 and 10/52

Right.

You are about to go on a walk and you have been asked to get together all the stuff you will need. Bearing in mind that there is about a 20 minute car drive first

  and  you are a 10 year old boy. 

Ok? Ready? well off you go............

• Did you remember to take your toy car? 
• And that large TransFormer and his mini-me side kick? 
• Oh yes don't forget you need to take your camera (sans batteries) 
• And your GPS (plus flat batteries and then ask mid way to walk if any one has any spare batteries..)
• And for good measure - would you have remembered to take....(wait for it....) your guitar?... I thought not.
• You would have, I suspect, not taken your gloves, or found your hat, or collected your scarf or even begun to look for your walking boots or coat.  For which, as your mother, I would have said a thing or two about your choice of equipment.

Having addressed the balance we would have got in the car, you would have a cross face and a restricted toy collection and I would have a furrowed brow. Then on the journey to our walk, our collective grumpy demeanour would have evaporated with the miles and by the time Himself had parked the car, we would be ready for our walk :)

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While we were out, I took some photos, and I thought I'd share them with you...............

The oh-so cute fisherman's cottage with it's snowdrops and daffodils. 

The happy giddy dog smiling for the camera as we walked towards Elbolton Hill (where we stopped and had lunch)

The wonderful view were we lapped up the sunshine. 

The nip in the air just about bearable as we sat eating our sandwiches 

minus our usual layers of fleeces.

Meandering drover's tracks gently falling away from the hills

leading us to quaint little villages, 

where time appears to have stood still - 

the only hint of modernity are the expensive looking shiny 4x4s littering the driveways.

A strange earth working machinery rusting quietly next to a rickety shelter, 

the vehicle reminded me of Scoop from BoB the Builder

The sunshine bright enough to gift us strong shadows which kept us company all day

Two lovely days of walking.

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We have a book club at work, where a company comes in and drops off a selection of books for us to look at and potentially buy.  I flipped through a cook book idly on Friday evening as I waited for the last patient to leave, when I spotted a couple of recipes that looked quick and easy. After further reading I found several more that really interested me, so I have put my name down for a copy. The first two recipes that caught my attention I wrote down on a scrap of paper to try this weekend and both got the thumbs up from Himself.

One was leek fritters and the other was a very quick lentil dhal - which initially tasted rather dull but with a bit of tweaking, soon improved. I will make them again I am sure, but until then I now have numbers 9 and 10 to add to my 52 recipes I've not tried before. 

Quick, easy and cheap = excellent in my book!

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Time for me to finish waffling, I am sure I could say so much more but it's getting late. So I wish you a good night and hope the spring-like sun shone for you this weekend :)
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Oh - and before I forget, I have been doing some crochet but I can't show you just yet - no, it's not a surprise, it's blogger stopping me downloading any more photos until I pay them some money!!

Ha!