Proud As Punch, Proving and Pilates!

Morning!

Yesterday I went to Felinfach to see the presentation my boys were taking part in at Canolfen y Felin. This was for the parents to see just how well the children had come on in their Welsh course and we saw just how confident they all were - hence the proud mum!!!

The boys were given certificates to celebrate their achievements.

They had also been making decorations for Christmas so we came home with cards, wreaths and tags and the proceeds are going towards a little Christmas party. None of the children the boys met when they went to school at Bont that first week have stayed the length of the course, go boys, so it will be fun to have that last time with the ones they have made friends with.

So that was yesterday really, apart from making a quick loaf of bread in the Rayburn at the same time as the slow-cooked chicken and rice for tea.

Today I am popping over to the Community Centre as we have a Coffee, Cake and Book swap once a month and this is the last one before January. I picked up a great casserole recipe book the first time I went. It was first published in 1965!

Whilst I'm there I'll have two loaves proving ready to bake when I get back. I am so chuffed I have not bought a loaf of bread since November 9 and am completely resolved to make all the bread we need, apart from things like wraps, but who knows; I have made japatis and panadia in the past so they could be a possibility, too.

It is my Pilates class this evening. Again, this is held just across the road. The teacher is a bit fluffy, my hubs would laugh his socks off if he knew I was standing there being asked to breath out my negative energy - don't really have much to be honest - and not very clear with her instructions some times, which can be tricky for a beginner like me. We are not sure if the class will continue after Christmas as a few people have fallen off and mentioned about the teaching methods.

Well, I'm away to have another cup of coffee. Flour etc is measured out for the bread so will get on with that, then I have a bed to make and a bit of tidying up before I head out at about 11am. I'll let you know if I come across another gem of a book!

Bye for now.xx

Inspiration for us stay at home-ers!

 Hello

I have today discovered a fantastic blog called Down To Earth.

I came across it and thought how wonderful it was to find somebody celebrating and enjoying a more simple life, homemaking etc and not being ashamed of it. I have commented on a couple of the posts and hope you will visit it some time as I feel sure you will find it inspirational and encouraging.

Yesterday I really got some use out of the Rayburn. I worked out the timings and managed to bake two loaves of bread, a proper baked rice pudding, baked potatoes and chicken kievs for the boys' and our tea. Really proud of myself because I wanted it all ready so the boys could have the bread warm when they came home and everything would be done for tea time.

What do you reckon to my loaves? Yummy with just butter or for breakfast with baked beans was lovely, too.

And I've just taken scones out of the oven ready for the boys getting home shortly.

Right, must dash as they will be home any second.

Bye for now.x
 

Honesty, the best policy!

Here's the thing, I seem to have had one heck of a week and regarding the plans I originally made life has certainly got in the way of them! 

I have come to the conclusion that, as I did not complete my baking challenge at all, I will try and make up for it in other ways so that, hopefully, you will still keep visiting to see my creating and baking. (Imagine me with a pleading face!) 

Therefore over the last couple of days I have managed to make a few new things, as well as the banana and chocolate flapjack on the first day. One was butternut squash and chic pea humous. I am basically working my way through Jamie Oliver's "Save With Jamie" which I think I mentioned I received from my niece for my birthday. This recipe is so easy and very yummy indeed. This is how the squash looks like when you have baked it in the oven,straight on the shelf, for 40 minutes or so depending on the size of the squash.

This is the finished result along with some piadina. Jamie Oliver describes Piadina as being loved by people in northern Italy and is a toasted flatbread filled with something delicious. I am now never going to buy garlic flatbread ever again as I made two of these in around 10 minutes - sooo easy! This was made to a plain recipe but you could add into it sun dried tomatoes, herbs, garlic or anything you fancy to use as an accompaniment to a main dish of your choice. Go on, give it a go!

I have been tidying out my Country Living magazines, now we are coming to the end of the year, as I had my whole subscription pile sitting there. I have taken out the recipe, cooking/baking and decorating ideas and anything else that will come in very useful and filed most of them away. In a couple of them Sarah Moore has featured with some fairly simple sewing projects with vintage always in mind. I decided to follow her lead in that there can be beauty in utility and I made a drawstring bag out of an old tea towel from Emma Bridgewater. 

Here is how it turned out. It is about 190mm by 160mm and if I can manage to make half a dozen or so in time for either of my craft events in November or December I will be really chuffed!

 

They can be used to make items in your baking cupboard look pretty. I am using this one to keep the marshmallows in for the boys' hot chocolate so if they see it on the side in the kitchen they will know a treat is on the way!

Well, I truly hope I have redeemed myself and that you have enjoyed the creating and baking I have managed to do. I have had great fun with a varied bunch of projects and I hope you will drop by again soon.

Catch ya later!! xx