Summer holiday - Week 1

I will be posting a weekly log of my life/adventures/boring bits over the 6 week holiday as a quick record to look back on as I will need to jog my memory as I have an urge to make a scrapbook, yikes not done that for a while!

Here goes for week 1

• Monday - Bike hunting for Walter (will explain in another post)
• Tuesday - Evening bike ride stopping off for a quick half pint then onto park for chips and cricket
• Wednesday - Went to numerous garages to look for a new car
• Thursday - Ian's birthday. Went for a lovely meal and then to cinema to see Dark Knight Rises
• Friday - Shopping and quiet day relaxing around the house
• Saturday - Afternoon Tea with Sarah at a diobolical garden centre (post to follow)
• Sunday - Gardening, watching Olympics and then onto a neighbourly Bar-B-Q

My 6 week Summer holiday has got off to a nice steady start and considering we are not taking a holiday this year I need to make sure I 'do' a few things away from the home.  I am planning a few trips on Lilibet and hopefully weather permitting the first one will be this weekend.

Have a happy Tuesday.  Be back soon

Lynetta Xx

Week 27 - Pavlova

Quote from book -  Originally from Australia this is the perfect summer dessert with lashings

of whipped fresh cream and berries or fruits.  I love the rustic look of it, so don't try too hard

to make it look perfect. - Home Bake Eric Lanlard.

Faff Factor = 6

Bake = 7

Keeping Up Appearances = 8

Total score = 21/30

Phew, I finally managed to make a Pavlova.  I have tried to make this dessert at least 3 times before using different recipes but finally had success with Eric Lanlard, thank you Eric :-)  And thank you too for giving me permission to not produce a perfect looking dessert.

First off the negative - having Ken on speed #5 for 15 minutes whisking the egg whites was a little noisy and faffing about waiting for the meringue to cool before I could construct was nail biting as I didn't know how the middle would turn out.

Now the positives - happy that it rose a little and didn't crack too much, very happy with the middle as it was all soft and gooey just as we like it and very very happy it tasted divine.

It didn't last very long too!

I am so glad I persevered and made this pudding and I suppose you are going to ask if I will make this again (especially Jack as it is one of his favourite desserts and previously it's ended up an Eton Mess as I didn't want to waste the ingredients) well the answer to this is yes, I would give it another go just to see it was not a fluke that I managed to make a Pavlova, but that will probably not be until I get invited to another Bar-B-Q where I have to supply a dessert.  Do I hear any offers?

Off to watch the Olympics for a bit :-)

Toot Toot

Lynetta Xx

 

 

Happy Birthday Old Man!......

It was Ian's birthday on Thursday, reaching the grand old age of 44 - mind you I shouldn't say anything as I am a little bit (a lot a bit) older. 

I left the day completely free and leaving any decisions and plans up to Ian on what he would like to do. Oh dear, I don't think I will do that again at one point we were going to go to Ikea!  Ian struggled to decide on what he wanted to do and in the end we went out to dinner and to the cinema to watch The Dark Knight Rises, a great film and highly recommend you to watch it.

Even down to the cake he struggled to make a decision and finally decided he wanted me to bake a Victoria Sponge, nothing fancy and no chocolate! However, me being me I could not leave it at that and decided to make mini sponges with fresh strawberries and cream, delicious if I say so myself.

Here's my boys waiting to go into the film.  Love you both :-)

and Happy Birthday once again :-)

TTFN

Lynetta

Xx

Smells.....

Why is it the smell of Coconut body cream always remind me of holidays?  Even Ian walked past me today and said that's what I smelt of too. 
Just a thought on Thursday :-)
Lynetta Xx

Meet Lilibet!

I've got her home at last, my lovely Lilibet :-)  It was a tough choice but I finally decided on the Claud Butler model when I went out shopping for my new bike the other day.  I didn't realise how many other companies are making vintage/retro bikes other than Pashley.  I've covetted a Pashley for a long long time but really could not justify the expense so was really happy to have a choice of other bike manufactuers. 

I test rode the Raleigh but found that a little too low down but when I had a go on this one I knew she was mine:-)

I'm sure you are thinking why call her Lilibet?  I can thank Ian for helping me choose the name.  She is the Windsor model, it's the Jubilee year and Lilibet is the childhood family name for Queen Elizabeth II so found it only fitting to use a vintage name for a vintage looking bike.

Want to see her again?

Beautiful isn't she :-)

I've got Ian into the vintage bug now and can proudly announce he is the owner of Walter (I'll explain that one in another post as I've yet to take photo's)

We are now off for a little ride and will be stopping at a pub for a light meal and a pint on this glorious sunny day and I'm already looking at going further a field in the next couple of days by taking the train to the coast so I can ride her along a promenade....how English would that be :-)

Toodle Pip

Lynetta Xx

How does your garden grow?

Do you like my new sign?  A little bargain in the sale for £5,  I love a bargain :-)  I've only a little postage stamp of a garden.  The back is no more than 20ft x 35ft and I've been working on it for a few years now.  A couple of years ago the neighbour at the end of our garden finally chopped down their mahooossive willow tree and finally it let some light into my little patch and my plants have been able to bloom and grow.

We just need to tend to the fence now and it'll look 20 times better.  I'll put that on my list of things to try and achieve over the summer holidays. 

I've always wanted a garden of herbaceous plants where you cut them right back in autumn and watch the garden come back to life in spring.  It's amazing to watch over a 4 week time frame how quickly it all comes back to life.  Mother Nature :-)

Last year our adjoining neighbour decided to pave 75% of her front garden.  This was such a shame as the front gardens were planted to compliment one another with a border running under the windows and a lovely green lawn.  Since she paved her driveway my front garden just didn't feel right so I decided to cut more of a border going up the side of the lawn to meet their swooping planted 25%.  I'm pretty pleased how it's growing.  I've been taking cuttings from the back garden, my mum's garden and another neighbours garden to fill in the border.

This is the view as soon as you step out the front door. I know it's not as professional as some of my neighbours gardens as I'm no expert gardener by any means and lose quite a few plants year after year but secretly I'm chuffed it's turning out OK.

Even my jubilee plant pots are still happily blooming and yes I'm still flying the flag. 

Blooming marvellous.

Lynetta Xx

What shall I do today?

Last Friday saw the end of term and the start of the Summer Holidays.  I've now got 6 weeks off and do you know something, I get rather bored.  I know some people would relish working in a school and getting all the time off from work and yes I enjoy half terms, Easter and Christmas but the summer holidays I struggle.  I think it's because I like routine and it takes me a little while to get into the swing of things. 

Only 3 things I enjoy about the summer holidays are

1) No 6:00am alarm calls

2) No lunch boxes to make

and

3) Spending a little more time with Jack and Ian (even though Jack does his own thing now)

Do you see all this chocolate?  This is only one third of what parents give the office at the end of year.  I do feel very lucky to work in a school where I am valued and appreciated and

where my Headteacher sends me a gift and thank you card with messages like this :-) (don't worry it was all in good spirits).

Now what shall I do today?

Happy Monday's

Lynetta

Retro

The other night I had my works 'do'.  It's a little boring as it's the same sort of thing every year.  You put your name down on a list to say what you will bring to the party being either savoury or dessert.  A lot of the teachers at my school like the finer things in life but myself and my work colleague are more down to earth kind of gals. 

When we were looking at the list noticing some lovely dishes like mini salmon en croute and chicken with spinach roulade being put down myself and Julia looked at each other and said 'Retro?' 

Nothing like a sausage on a stick I can tell you.  And Julia, well, she out shone everyone on the savoury table:

making a wonderful cheese and pineapple hedgehog.  Way to go Julia, whooo hooo.  and I'll let you into a little secret - both my sausages and Julia's hedgehog were one of the first things to be eaten up!

So all I can say is never judge a book by it's cover as they are not so refined as I first thought and we had a good old laugh about it too.

Laters

Lynetta Xx



Late night shopping!

Ooopss,  a little sneaky bit of internet shopping late at night on Thursday resulted in a lovely little package being delivered this morning.  Don't you just love technology :-)

I've bought myself a lovely dress and a skirt - which is highly unusual for me as I'm a jeans and trouser girl, but decided I would like to be a bit more feminine in my old age.  The dress is a typical A-line dress however I need a cardigan and some shoes to complete my typcial English look.  I've got a vision in my mind to look like this, all I need is the bike with the wicker basket and I'm ready to go. 

Ian knows how much I've always wanted a step-through bike so we are going out to look for one later today.  Exciting times.

I'll keep you posted. Toot toot.

Lynetta Xx

Week 26 - Guinness gingerbread

Quote from book -  I adore the deceptive plainness of gingerbread.  It is a definitively unfancy, and yet the flavour is so rich, and its deep-toned tang so subtle.  Here the tang is a little more emphatic as sour cream and liquorice-evocative stout give heady lift, but still this is - for all the treacly sugar and pungent spices - gentle and cosy-making though almost alarmingly addictive - Nigella Lawson Kitchen.

Faff Factor = 8

Bake = 7

Keeping Up Appearances = 8

Total score = 23/30

Blimey, talk about waffle on about a cake which is basically a ginger traybake.  Only joking Nigella, I am just a little envious of your ability with words to make your food sound so tantalisingly delicious you would want to bake something from your books everyday.

This is the second time I've tried to bake this cake.  My first attempt was such a disaster in both looks and taste it has taken me over a year to give it another try.  The method for this cake is pretty simple where you heat up the butter, syrup, sugar, Guinness and spices then whisk in the dried ingredients followed by sour cream and eggs. 

At least this time the cake did not sink in the middle but I did need to add on a little more cooking time than stated to get the cake fully cooked.  Or so I thought, sadly the middle of the middle was still a little undercooked for my liking but I could not leave it in the oven any longer as the edges were starting to get over cooked.  After cutting I had to discard the 2 middle squares but that is a little sacrifice you have to pay I suppose.

Personally I didn't like the taste of this cake, it was too sour for me and I think it had a little bit too much Guinness and not enough ginger.  Others who I palmed this cake onto didn't think so and said how good it was which in all fairness it was it was just not sweet enough for me.  I did think it would make a lovely cake to have with custard though.

I've decided not use this recipe again and will be trying another ginger cake one later in the year to get a comparison, because as you know I like to compare. :-)

I've also realised that I am a little behind with my challenge.  At the end of June I should of been at 26 weeks and here it is nearing end of July and I'm only at that point so to my reckoning I'm about 4 weeks behind. Looks like I'll have to double up over the summer holidays considering I have a little more time and may try some more pastry recipes.  I'm thinking fruit tartlets at the moment so I better get some books out to decide the recipe to use.

Off to have a read.

Toodle Pip

Lynetta Xx

 

Olympic Torch

OH WOW, I feel so lucky.  At school today we were visited by Susan Tomsett who was an Olympic Torch bearer in Bognor Regis yesterday.  She bought in her torch to show all the children but there was no escape from me before I could have my picture taken.  The Head was a little embarrassed about my enthusiasm and excitement I showed I can tell you but as I was unable to get to see Reading's procession due to work commitments I think I was let off a little when I started to pose!

In Susan's presentation she informed the children of why there are 8000 circles, why it is shaped with 3 sides and why it is gold.  If you want to know more look HERE and anyone who knows me will know I love little details like this.

Reluctantly I handed back the torch to Susan and I know I will remember this little moment of my life and feel very happy I was able to hold an Olympic torch.

TTFN

Lynetta Xx

This is my garden......

You see this pot of flowers? they have all been cut from my garden on Sunday afternoon.  This makes me very happy.

I've only got a postage stamp of a garden and with the wet weather it is struggling to get going this year but a few plants I do have are blooming away to give me this wonderful small pot of flowers.  Thank you Mother Nature, you have a wonderful way of cheering me up.

Have a happy day

Lynetta Xx

Week 25 - Hollywood Scones

Quote -  A simple recipe for soft and fluffy scones that are perfect with jam and plenty of clotted cream

Paul Hollywood Recipe HERE

Faff Factor = 7

Bake = 9

Keeping Up Appearances = 9

Total score = 25/30

For this week's bake I wanted to tease the sun out of the sky and convince it it is summer time here in the UK (is anyone else really fed up with all this wet weather?) and there's nothing like a freshly baked scone with jam and clotted cream. Please Mr Sunshine come out and play we all want you to visit us!

Mr Paul Hollywood has just realeased a new book - he is such a dish and can come and bake with me anyday! - mine is waiting to be delivered but in the meantime I decided to search for his scone recipe online. 

I've only ever baked scones twice before, the first time a total disaster using a packet mix and my second attempt turned out just ok, but these - yum yum yum.  I was rather pleased with how they looked too and am now wondering if it has something to do with the flour as you use strong flour.

My scones tasted more of a bun than a crumbly scone but I'm liking that and did not turn out soft and fluffy as the description quoted but then I may have over baked as my oven is being very tempermental lately.  I made a batch of 8 normal sized scones and 6 very little bite sized ones using the 1 3/4" cutter, they were so lovely to eat, just spread the cream and jam and pop into your mouth for an instant hit.  I will have to remember to make this size again when I'm doing an afternoon tea.

If you do give this recipe a go I would recommend not to add all of the milk as it makes a very very wet dough which needed more than the 50g of flour you reserve for kneading but one things for sure I will be making these time and time again as I love the result. Let me know if you have success with this recipe too.

Happy Baking :-)

Lynetta Xx

Week 24 - Chocolate Birthday Cake

Quote from a book -  This little cake is such a simple show stopper. 

If the birthday boy loves chocolate, a more perfect cake you won't find - Jo Wheatley A Passion for Baking.

Faff Factor = 9

Bake = 9

Keeping Up Appearances = 9

Total score = 27/30

Oh, have I got a baking tale to tell you this week.  It was Jack's birthday last weekend (can you guess how old!) and I wanted to bake him his birthday cake.  It was a silly question asking what kind of cake he preferred as I knew before the word came out of his mouth it would be chocolate. 

To add to my ever expanding cookery bookcase I bought Jo Whitley's A Passion for Baking book and she has recently ran a competition on her blog for people to bake the chocolate cake. After reading all the complimentary comments on how wonderful it tasted I decided this was the recipe to use.

After the first bake I realised that two layers would not be enough to feed 10 of us at Jack's party so decided to bake another cake to add and have three layers.  Unfortunately I did not have any butter remaining, however I did have the new liquid Stork in my fridge.  Thinking it would not make any difference away I went and baked another cake.  Well peeps let me tell you, there is a difference, a very noticable difference too.

The cake I made with butter was more dense and firm, and even on tasting more of a brownie kind of texture, however the Stork cake, which is the middle layer in the photo above, was more bouncy and moist, more like an American cake when you use oil instead of butter (which alot of American recipes favour).

I couldn't fault either cake but as a preference when I bake this recipe again I will be using Stork.  I have used it once before for a vanilla cake and I really didn't like the taste so have avoided using it again but this recipe has changed my mind.  I'm no expert on the science of baking but I think it maybe the liquid is having a good counterbalance when using cocoa powder to make the cake moist (just love this word J) and not dry. 

If you can get your hands on a copy of Jo's book, treat yourself, because this cake is truly easy to make even the ganache is made differently to the norm but the taste was excellent.

And before anyone asks the Chocolate Smiley face is from Hotel Chocolat.  It was Jack's treat as he loves 70% Dark Chocolate and I thought it made the right addition to a boy's cake.

And the birthday boy looking mighty pleased.

Blow the candles and make a wish!

It is an impressive cake don't you think?

Have a great weekend.  I'm off to look and see what light and low calorie bake I can do this weekend.  All these cakes are making an unhealthy addition to my hips!

TTFN

Lynetta Xx

Away with the fairies

This afternoon I was taking advantage of the sun shining and no rain (now there's a novelty) and was just doing a little tidy up in the garden when I picked one of these little gems of a weed. 

Just a quick thought for Thursday, when you were little did your mum tell you never to pick dandelions as you'll wet the bed?  looking back what a bizarre thing to say, and, did you ever call them fairies where you blew them away to make a wish.  I did.  Oh hum, perhaps I'm away with the fairies now (nothing new there then!)

Baking update very soon.  Watch this space.

Lynetta Xx