Day five - hmmmm!

Well, I managed to find a no-bake recipe for yesterday so I didn't let my beloved followers down! 

Here is the evidence that I made an effort but it has to be said it isn't the best of the week by any stretch of the imagination!

These are listed in my baking bible as Auntie Ruth's Lemon Slice and they contain cornflakes, butter and sugar with a topping of condensed milk, egg yolk plus lemon juice and zest.

I don't expect to get the recipes on Foody Fun until Monday or Tuesday but rest assured they will be there soon.

I need to say that my baking challenge has now come to an end as there has been no time today to bake so far this weekend. However, I am really chuffed with what I have achieved and hope you have enjoyed seeing what I have come up with each day.

Baking aside for a moment, the potatoes I planted in time for Christmas are coming along quite nicely but I do need some more compost to keep them going.

Look see...

and another planting project has come up, regarding which I thought I had missed my window of opportunity because I was  a tad late in planting! However, here are the Brodiaea Queen Fabiola I planted at the beginning of June. (I should point out that the seed packet described them at "stunning summer bulbs"! so I think I haven't done too bad!)

 Right, I have Strictly on record so I need to go and catch up so I'll catch you later, too. xx

Yay - Day four!

Well, the plan to make day four a savoury option was put paid to by my husband requesting I make a Bakewell Tart. I have planned on making one of these but never actually got round to it so was really pleased to give it a go.

Here is the finished result.

I looked in various books for a recipe and eventually settled on one from the fabulous book Baking Made Easy by Lorraine Pascale. She really does make things simple and the pastry recipe was made with fresh vanilla and lemon zest - yummy! 

My husband said it was delicious, which is good enough for me, and  being a trained chef he tends to know what he is talking about.

I feel I should point out that I may have to play catch up tomorrow because I am out at a wedding this afternoon and don't think I will have time to do todays challenge, unless I can find a no bake option. I'll see what I can do! 

Catch you later.xx

Asking a favour!

All you lovely people, thank you for visiting my little blog recently. 

I just wanted to ask if, when you do stop by, you could leave a comment? I have not been doing this very long and need all the support I can get. I am constantly trying to improve the look and content of my blog and your comments would be really valuable.

Thanks! See you soon.xx

 

Baking challenge day three. (Was not sure I would get this far!)

Well here we are at day three. Today I have baked a lemon and poppy seed (I love poppy seeds) tray bake with a zingy lemon sugar topping.  

This contains the usual cakey ingredients but when it cooled it was so light and airy that I was so pleased with the outcome - maybe not quite so many calories in this one. 

Again, my husband was very complimentary but I have decided to go savoury for tomorrows challenge as I am getting complaints about his waistline!

I should also point out that I am going to try harder with my photos. They seem not to be as good as they could because I take them at night but I don't like to use a flash. Must work on that.

Well, see you on day four. xx

Baking challenge day two.

Well, I have managed  day two - phew! Never-before baked recipe for today is 

Hodge Podge.

This is a lovely cake containing dried fruit and cherries, some almonds and nutmeg. It is a tray bake and the husband has already tested and said very nice.

Next to try it on the boys. As before, I will post the full recipe on  Foody Fun by the end of the week.It is really nice to set some challenges, just to see if you can stretch yourself- however this being the day I have committed to lose 10lbs at Weight Watchers by the end of next month is probably not the best week to begin this kind of goal. Hey ho, now I have broadcast this to a certain number of people both projects will hopefully be things I can achieve!

Catch you tomorrow with day 3.xx

Baking Challenge Day One!


Today sees the beginning of National Baking Week. In celebration of this I have set myself a challenge and I am attempting to bake something every day I have not baked before.

Day One: Apple muffins.

The recipe included shredded apple and juice, brown sugar, buttermilk and honey along with wholemeal flower - I like to sprinkle some of the flour on top before I pop them in the oven. Hope to put the whole recipe and method on Foody Fun by the end of the week along with the other things I will be baking. Wish me luck.x

Catch up Monday!

Finally, I have done something about learning to crochet! I contacted - Woolyknit Crafts to find out if they do classes. Think I'll go along this Wednesday afternoon for an hour; it normally runs 2 - 5pm so will need to pick to boys up but it is a start and I'm quite excited so I'll let you know how I get on!

On my trip to the library recently, getting the boys books back, I finally had chance to have a mooch around on my own! Picked up a couple of crafty publications for some ideas for Christmas - starting to make a few lists, now I have my planner finished!

My Facebook page has been going great guns recently - more than 10 new likes over the last week or so; just wish they would ORDER something - so many people like what I do it is such a shame I cannot convert it into sales!

I currently have a sale on my Facebook page - greeting cards so why not take a look?

My Pinterest account has been attracting a lot of re-pins which is fun - see what goodies I have been looking at lately on my account.

Well, that is about it for now. xx