Saturday 29 October 2011

Little things that cheer me up

Why is it that the little things really cheer me up?  I was lucky enough to stumble across this little project on t'internt a while ago and thought it was really lovely.  As I am a skin flint (or thrifty not too sure what you would describe me as!) I downloaded a font called Cross Stitch so I could get the pattern to try my hand at this little piece of homemade goodness.  I think it has turned out really well and was chuffed to finish it within a couple of hours, good going for me!  I'm a little undecided where to hang it, perhaps in my tent? or how about making it into a medalion for my new addition to the house Dave...........

Isn't he the most cutest adorable door stop you have ever seen, he puts a smile on my face everytime I walk through the door.  Jack named him Dave the Doorman, it's a tradition in the family to name any nik naks or fun items around the house, I'll introduce you to a few more at some point.
Two more lie in's before I go back to work after the half term break, roll on Christmas.
Have a great weekend. 
Lynetta Xx

Tuesday 25 October 2011

The Great Bake Off!

At last! I was determined this morning when I woke up that I was going to use today as a baking day. It felt just right, do you know what I mean?  When you do things and they just don't go your way you know to stop and wait for the right moment another day, well today was my day :-)  Perfect result for my Lemon Drizzle cake.  The recipe was from a Marks and Spencers Baking book I had given to me at the end of term.  I think it is more of an american recipe as it uses sour cream and sunflower oil instead of butter and milk, but the result was perfect, a light bouncy and moist sponge with a lovely sweet, not tart, lemon syrup. Yum yum yum in my tum with a nice cup of tea.
Not to leave the boys out and as the cake took an hour to bake I took the opportunity to make some whoopie pies from my favourite cook book :-)  I have made these a few times and have never been dissappointed, neither have the boys.
do you think I over loaded with the marshmallow butter cream? oh well never mind they are going down a treat.  I feel happy today my baking was a success, more so than I can say for last week, sheesh you should of heard the language!!!
Have a good day
Lynetta Xx


Monday 24 October 2011

WIP

Finally, one of the WIP (Works in Progress) finally finished.  This is my first attempt at patchwork, not perfect by any standard but I am chuffed to bits with it.  If you recognise the fabric it's from when I bought too much for my bunting back in the summer.  I still have so much left over and I'm continually thinking of ways to use it up. So to date I have made bunting, a cushion, peg bag and now the quilt.  I backed the quilt with a lovely £4 Primarni throw so it's lovely and snuggly and I will be using it for a lap blanket when camping.  Ohh I'm going to look all glam.
I'm now thinking of making a tea cosy but I really cannot start another project without finishing some of the WIP first, I'm a one for doing that, not too sure if it's boredom or that I take on too large of tasks to finish quickly but I've always been like it since a child. Speaking of which I found this photo of me at 15 (circa 1978) , yikes I do look young and innocent, ha ha ha. and check out the eye liner, used to take me ages to get it just right!
Well I'm off to make the tea and bake a cake (I've still not baked since my disaster and as I've committed with my Thought on Thursday I think I better get a move on) see you soon.
Lynetta

Tuesday 18 October 2011

Disaster!!!!

Oh dear, nobody said it was easy.....I've just had my first disaster at baking since I started this hobby back last year.  I know we can all have the odd cake that doesn't rise or is not as tasty as it should be but I was a little deflated when my cake was not a happy cake when it came out of the oven. I tried to make a lemon drizzle cake but it just didn't do what it said it would do in the book.  No need to name and shame but suffice to say the recipe is not from one of the books in the photo.  So never to be defeated I will be trying another recipe from another book and keep fingers crossed all will rise to perfection.
So hold that thursday thought.....Bake :-)
I'll be back.
Lynetta


Thursday 13 October 2011

Thoughts on Thursday.......

Just an idea that fleeted through my brain whilst at work the other day I thought about doing a Thought on Thursday. I am going to post a word which will hopefully motivate me over the following week or month, whether this will be something to do, or reflect on or even have a rant about but as I love a routine I will try and keep it up to date either on a weekly or monthly basis.  So with this in mind my Thought for Thursday is BAKE.  I've not baked for a month or two and watching my most favourtie programme, The Great British Bake, the last 8 weeks has given me some new ideas and motivation to do some this weekend.  So what shall it be?  I'm fancying a tray bake of some sorts as I purchased another book and as yet not tried any of the recipes.  Perhaps I should do a Julia and Julia and work myself through one of the books, now that's an idea!  and just so you know I do bake, here is my favourite cake of all time:
a Victoria Sandwich with fresh cream and strawberries.  I'm a simple homely girl at heart and prefer the all round goodness of this cake. 
Anyone for a slice?
Lynetta


Sunday 9 October 2011

Up the 'ol Smoke!

Oh Yes I do....!!! My sister was down with a group of friends to see a show in the West End and with them having a free day on Saturday they invited me up to show them the sights.  I wasn't going to say no to this, any opportunity to go and walk around London and I'm there.  To me it's not all about the shopping but just walking around the streets, looking at the architecture and noticing something new everytime.
First port of call was Harrods.  I personally don't really like this shop, totally over-rated, pricey and commercial, and I liken it to a posh persons Marks and Spencers but as some of the girls wanted to visit and buy some Harrod's merchandise who was I to complain, well I am their guide for the day :-).  We spent about an hour and a half in here and just to prove my point not liking the store when I was taking the picture of the Jimmy Choo's the assistant bluntley told me to 'stop' in a large voice which then caught peoples attention.  I wanted to say something back but thought better of it and she promptly told me not to take photo's again!  In fear of being escorted out the store by the burley secruity guards I politley said I would not take anymore.  She then kindly gave permission for me to take a picture from outside of the Jimmy Choo area , ha ha ha, little did she know I have a good zoom on my camera. I was a little taken aback by her outburst as I always thought they employed more refined assistants, mmmmm perhaps their policy has changed!

From Harrods we headed towards Buckingham Palace walking through Green Park.  Such a shame it was a dreary day as most of my pictures have that grey sky and when most buildings in London are of a grey stone it really don't stand out well.  We took a little pit stop having a cup of tea and cake in St.James Park as we walked towards Admiralty Arch.  Whilst sitting on the bench we watched the children feed the squirrels. The little tinkers came and took the nuts straight out of the children's hands without a glimmer of fear but the kid's loved it laughing and squealing, it was such a lovely thing to see. 

So onwards and upwards, through Admiralty Arch, along Whitehall passing Downing Street and into Westminster and then alongside The London Eye, I was so glad no-one wanted to go on as the wait must of been about 2 hours long, then over The Millenium Bridge and into The Strand.
All this walking really does make you thirsty :-)  Pit Stop number 2 outside The Sherlock Holmes Pub for a nice cool beer and people watch.
Back on our feet again, pass Trafelgar Square and into Piccadilly Circus, up Regent Street and along Oxford Street for a little shopping.  Phewwwyyyyy, what a walk (will have to work out the distance) but I know it was appreciated as everyone thanked me for showing them the sights. 
So what did I buy?  Yip, some more fluff from Selfridges Food Hall, now that's my kind of shop.
Hope you enjoyed reading about my day. See you soon.
Lynetta

Monday 3 October 2011

Indian Summer.....

in·di·an sum·merNoun

1. A period of unusually dry, warm weather occurring in late autumn.
 
Seems as though everyone is talking about the unexpected weather here in the UK so it only seemed right to document it here too.  The Met Office has recorded the hottest October since records began going from a cool 15O to a sweltering 27Oc  within two days.  We thought about going down to the coast for the last minute grab it while you can visit but that's what every man and his dog would be doing so we decided to stay at home and tidy up the garden, do a bit of guttering and window cleaning and get the outside of the house ready for winter. So that's a job jobbed as I say. Tick that one off the list because by the weekend it's going to be back to normal temperatures.
TTFN
Lynetta