tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42079308891826494852024-03-13T04:11:18.800+00:00Novella BakingIt's all about cakes and tea breaks.Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03415791574304433694noreply@blogger.comBlogger66125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4207930889182649485.post-3240366974736444162011-12-03T15:50:00.001+00:002011-12-03T20:09:45.885+00:00Trip to 2 & 4 Cafe<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlh29VHo07En0T6gREZc1GYLqX-0ZP20QjBvx1pKP0fTVJ9IQDv4XmQQ726Sgt27HYjD4st8jTH1kpjQMBKzhLJo-AT1-AmK_XnIoStSiDbBTF0qoP4yqvCTwtmx0mQGpE0govfj6xFfg/s1600/009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlh29VHo07En0T6gREZc1GYLqX-0ZP20QjBvx1pKP0fTVJ9IQDv4XmQQ726Sgt27HYjD4st8jTH1kpjQMBKzhLJo-AT1-AmK_XnIoStSiDbBTF0qoP4yqvCTwtmx0mQGpE0govfj6xFfg/s200/009.JPG" width="200" /></a>How exciting! My first post from London!<br />
Everything is going really fantastically here in the land of Love Actually (which I've been watching since it's officially THAT TIME OF YEAR) and I've been enjoying finding lovely places in this sprawling city to start to make my regular haunts.<br />
I definitely found one earlier in the beautiful surroundings of the cafe <b>2 & 4</b> just across from Shoreditch Park in Hackney which I've been spying for the past couple of weeks on the way to work aloft the 141 bus. It's part cafe, part design studio where the owner has on display his refurbished furniture (such as couches and tables) and it's his wife that makes the cakes!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdX_iyBGns_8ia3cLx7ysBGdSR3UHsZ5kSy495RYWjJuEQB-jvxszgm9-fBi42y_pIKAU2QZ8qTvYeMDy2SY2b3h7-NAhOBkfYqVI-tVucKU5U4vTbugNQUGIgyvcYYxseVsPbfJh0PrM/s1600/005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdX_iyBGns_8ia3cLx7ysBGdSR3UHsZ5kSy495RYWjJuEQB-jvxszgm9-fBi42y_pIKAU2QZ8qTvYeMDy2SY2b3h7-NAhOBkfYqVI-tVucKU5U4vTbugNQUGIgyvcYYxseVsPbfJh0PrM/s200/005.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Jhpcr-nAsXi27PlDRkftdZYYUtm-2j3H_fqzg_5muRwwE5vFXCWpVet_BRq-zxZyDnznxCEtl5wfru_XIgFk7pibzTaT0OuC89AIE9LS5wRpsvx1EB6JYtS1wxZbk6Q1IRTLKprQo5I/s1600/003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Jhpcr-nAsXi27PlDRkftdZYYUtm-2j3H_fqzg_5muRwwE5vFXCWpVet_BRq-zxZyDnznxCEtl5wfru_XIgFk7pibzTaT0OuC89AIE9LS5wRpsvx1EB6JYtS1wxZbk6Q1IRTLKprQo5I/s200/003.JPG" width="200" /></a>I've never had a cake so fresh or 'homemade' tasting in a cafe before- it was fabulous. I went for the Orange & Rosemary cake and it was just so full of flavour. I got an English Breakfast Tea to go with it and sat there on a wooden block and typed on Netty (my netbook) with a cosy heater at my back.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHjMsFo6F_H1uXcgQfqzK1slTHZ6Tp1TmdFjaALLfZeeYIQQ0amHV7XQbR78S_xt4dlvT-xBSCWB8LKQsJPE9YZtDOuneT4OthSnkxdKTOPj2MxVGdu7_cnWostmZkolz45daIlanj0x8/s1600/004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHjMsFo6F_H1uXcgQfqzK1slTHZ6Tp1TmdFjaALLfZeeYIQQ0amHV7XQbR78S_xt4dlvT-xBSCWB8LKQsJPE9YZtDOuneT4OthSnkxdKTOPj2MxVGdu7_cnWostmZkolz45daIlanj0x8/s200/004.JPG" width="200" /></a>The girl at the cake counter is just so lovely, very helpful and she gave me a huge slice of cake just cos she felt like it. Gem.<br />
So yes, I very much plan on skipping in there some days after work, needless to say.<br />
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Then on the way to buy the makings of carbonara for dinner, I popped into the charity shop at the end of our road and found this cool old 'Singer Sewing Book' from 1954 for £3. Pretty interesting and the previous owner left notes in it! Then also picked up Ian McEwan's 'Saturday' and Alice Sebold's 'Lucky', both £1 each.<br />
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Hopefully this carbonara tonight will turn out decent and I can post that too!:)<br />
Big love,<br />
L xLaurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03415791574304433694noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4207930889182649485.post-40041486952480293812011-09-18T00:29:00.000+01:002011-09-18T00:30:07.834+01:00Crocheted Apple Cosy!I'm home in Cavan this weekend (well, until Tuesday since it'll be Mom's birthday) as a trip before we abscond to London. I landed into the kitchen and saw this cute crocheted owl type looking thing on the counter and asked Siobhan what it is.<br />
"It's my apple cosy. I asked Mom to make me one for school."<br />
So I popped an apple into it and took a snap.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Name is Joe.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I has an apple inside of me.</td></tr>
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It is the CUTEST thing! I kind of want one for London!<br />
...I think Mom should start a blog of her own at this stage!:)<br />
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L xLaurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03415791574304433694noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4207930889182649485.post-68531939850939237952011-09-12T00:23:00.001+01:002011-09-12T00:23:45.353+01:00Brooklyn Blackout Cake for Conor!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That cream was not for the cake. Rather, Conor's face...</td></tr>
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Now that Conor's birthday has been and gone, I can post this!<br />
Especially since it was a surprise and he actually, properly, had no idea at all. He even suggested to a friend (who was also in on it) to go for a drink in the pub we were setting up with balloons and cake. So he was even more surprised!<br />
So yes, THE CAKE.<br />
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What a beast of a thing.<br />
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I made Conor the <i>Hummingbird Bakery</i>'s Brooklyn Blackout cake. It is possibly the richest cake I have ever made and it's mostly due to the 'custard' like chocolate sauce. The cake made from this is the best chocolate one I have made yet, it was perfect.<br />
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Here is a quick breakdown of the recipe:<br />
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<i><u>Ingredients for the cake:</u></i><br />
<i>100g butter </i><br />
<i>260g caster sugar</i><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge9dFPAmz0IKPJQSnjcOZC_9ohHvvCY7H4mgMdjWkmrd_7Q-m0uErStgCZs8Lg50H8crhnKueArnGx-x8njKBf6PX4j_XqQ7urT5m1OUcwWpPKFzI6OR2oL1p3ZtLmj9mFS7PeR87-bXg/s1600/005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge9dFPAmz0IKPJQSnjcOZC_9ohHvvCY7H4mgMdjWkmrd_7Q-m0uErStgCZs8Lg50H8crhnKueArnGx-x8njKBf6PX4j_XqQ7urT5m1OUcwWpPKFzI6OR2oL1p3ZtLmj9mFS7PeR87-bXg/s200/005.JPG" width="150" /></a><i>170g plain flour</i><br />
<i>160ml whole milk</i><br />
<i>2 eggs</i><br />
<i>1/4 tsp vanilla extract</i><br />
<i>45g cocoa powder</i><br />
<i>3/4 tsp baking powder </i><br />
<i>pinch of salt</i><br />
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<i><u>Ingredients for the chocolate custard: </u></i></div>
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<i>500g caster sugar</i></div>
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<i>1 tbsp golden syrup</i></div>
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<i>125g cocoa powder</i></div>
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<i>200g cornflour</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPYE4sTiCJFBEkR3k3E4oMcH1_3pQyNtKourIUphmWSEGvNYS1Dwln3fUryz61ZeqEdGdS9t-NZ1LSb-TzGaNW25r-hyxr3JUSYjc2LAwwuOW_RFsboy6KztASPnKyQmQtnC-9TSmjhWw/s1600/003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPYE4sTiCJFBEkR3k3E4oMcH1_3pQyNtKourIUphmWSEGvNYS1Dwln3fUryz61ZeqEdGdS9t-NZ1LSb-TzGaNW25r-hyxr3JUSYjc2LAwwuOW_RFsboy6KztASPnKyQmQtnC-9TSmjhWw/s200/003.JPG" width="200" /></a><i>85g butter</i></div>
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<i>1/2 tsp vanilla extract</i></div>
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*Preheat the oven to 170C/ 325F/ Gas 3<br />
*Cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.<br />
*Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each. Scrape the sides of the bowl with your spatula so no mixture is lost.<br />
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*Slowly beat in the cocoa powder , vanilla, baking powder and salt until well mixed.<br />
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*Add half the flour, then all the milk and then the rest of the flour. Mix well until it is all combined.<br />
*Pour into two round 20cm tins greased and lined with greaseproof paper.<br />
*Pop in the oven and bake for 25 minutes. Leave the cakes to cool completely before turning them out onto a wire rack (WAIT til they're cool or they'll break!)<br />
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*While they're cooling, get making the sauce...<br />
*Put the sugar, syrup, cocoa powder and 600ml of water into a large pot (this makes a huge amount of sauce, so make sure it's big!) and bring to the boil over a medium heat, whisking occasionally.<br />
*Mix the cornflour with 120-200ml of water and gradually add to the mix, whisking briskly! (Do this correctly cos I didn't and I ended up needing to blend the sauce to get rid of lumps! No one wants a mouth of cornflour!)<br />
*The consistency should be that of thick glue. I mean, it gets quite thick, but don't worry about it ripping the cake. When the cakes are cool, pop them onto plates and into the fridge. This helps stop it.<br />
*Cook the custard until it is thick and yummy looking. Stick your spoon in for a taste.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwm_3Sgp24HIGc7jMQlL9qOwdO2dHmqnEZdDuhMHxnpDPkLSZll3q8KMmRO4SGIDMKAeVKau5D7ps079ilPOiH0if5xVpMmLneJJ-fOUARM4D7mEik1k1ppX5bufxN6HkLnYbnpRrtopw/s1600/008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwm_3Sgp24HIGc7jMQlL9qOwdO2dHmqnEZdDuhMHxnpDPkLSZll3q8KMmRO4SGIDMKAeVKau5D7ps079ilPOiH0if5xVpMmLneJJ-fOUARM4D7mEik1k1ppX5bufxN6HkLnYbnpRrtopw/s200/008.JPG" width="200" /></a>*Remove from the heat, add the butter and vanilla and stir in. Put into a (rather large) bowl, cover with cling film and chill until quite firm.<br />
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*Grab your cakes and using a long knife (it makes it much easier), slice a very thin layer off one.<br />
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*Using a food processor, or just a knife like me, chop into fine crumbs.<br />
*Spread some custard onto that cake, then slice the other into two, making it three tiered. Layer up the cake with the custard, leaving enough to frost the top and sides of the cake.<br />
*Cover with the crumbs and chill for 2 hours.<br />
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Since Conor is becoming quite the wizard lately, I popped some cards into the cake along with heaps of candles for a little magic effect.<br />
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Get your strong arm out to carry this one! It took a lot of effort carrying it to the dart! The cookbook says it makes 10-12 slices... I am very generous with my cake slices and I LOVE cake, but I honestly could not finish a small slice. However, there is enough sugar in this to make it last a while, especially if kept in the fridge.<br />
I must ask Conor how much of it is left...<br />
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Enjoy over a long chat.<br />
Or a surprise birthday party.<br />
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x <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hope it's a great year, bro!</td></tr>
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<br />Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03415791574304433694noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4207930889182649485.post-61769228868226009902011-09-08T00:37:00.000+01:002011-09-08T00:43:11.101+01:00Fair London<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I am currently perched on a clean corner of my bed, in the midst of the fifty-seventh clean out of my room in about two months. The Velvet Underground have provided the soundtrack.<br />
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Since London is RAPIDLY approaching, I am getting rid of EVERYTHING that I physically cannot take with me. I have two bags of clothes to hopefully get some money for with Siopaella in Temple Bar, a bag for a charity shop and a bag of work clothes that Luke's sister will be availing of. Scarves, jumpers, bags, shoes, dresses and accessories are all bundled up, ready to be given to new homes and I am left with those which I believe will give me street cred in one of the most stylish cities in the world.<br />
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If you haven't been to London, you are missing out. Everyone is SO interesting looking. Whether they are the happy, smiley cash clerks in Whole Foods Market (where Luke and I got delicious watermelon) or the person sitting beside you on the Tube, everyone is so different that I cannot but help slightly staring at them.
One thing that I have been told by countless people who have learnt that I am moving to London is that it is a "very unfriendly place". I mean I can count nearly ten people who have told me this. But I have now set myself the task of making note of every lovely thing I have born witness to in London.<br />
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During our 4 day trip there last week, Luke and I met nothing but genuinely friendly people like the lovely ladies who asked us did we need directions after serving us in Harrods. I've never had that before; someone getting that, by the look of me, I was a tourist and only for Luke, I probably would have asked her for some directions!
Then in the Metro on the Tube I found an article where people are compiling the compassionate things that they have witnessed on the Tube and making them into an art project "celebrating the 'value' of kindness". Some include strangers comforting a heartbroken woman and telling her that "every storm passes". Another is of a man's mobile phone being saved by a stranger who noticed he had left it behind him and so met him at the next station stop. You can see the collection <a href="http://art.tfl.gov.uk/actsofkindness/readstories/">here</a> .<br />
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Another story from our trip was a man carrying a woman's suitcase up a flight of stairs in Gatwick airport when he noticed her struggling. At the top, he then ran off to get a train and she shouted after him "I owe you a pint!".
So, unfriendly it most certainly is not. I cannot wait to discover this city and make my little mark on it along with the millions of others who live there. Having once been an empire, it is so beautiful in parts, the buildings dating back centuries. One of the most amazing monuments I have ever seen is the Albert Memorial directly opposite the Royal Albert Hall. It is awe inspiring. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCj4iSyRX8vRfeDbPVbsaboGniJT9TMdGfd54rwbdToi-XLN2uE1HEQuHKmzZqWBl-TWoknDn6uJEUuK5S2n3QyE244j3o6Fa663VS2asD-j6nrOeAq0Sa3_fF6YZVhd4PX-cvIWrabKk/s1600/020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCj4iSyRX8vRfeDbPVbsaboGniJT9TMdGfd54rwbdToi-XLN2uE1HEQuHKmzZqWBl-TWoknDn6uJEUuK5S2n3QyE244j3o6Fa663VS2asD-j6nrOeAq0Sa3_fF6YZVhd4PX-cvIWrabKk/s320/020.JPG" width="240" />Albert</a><br />
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I simply LOVE Portobello Road for all of the stalls and quirky shops that line it and those that run them. I feel like I Angela Lansbury is beside me, hunting down the missing back of a magic book. I also get to pop into the Hummingbird Bakery for a brownie and tea.<br />
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I took some better pictures this time and on our way home, marvelled at the cameras in duty free. I plan on treating myself to a deadly camera once I get enough saved. And finally find a place to live. If anyone knows anyone else seeking housemates, I will forward you the ad Luke and I have on three sites. Le sigh.<br />
Stressful, but I'm certain it will be worth it for the land of Love Actually, Harry Potter and soon, Luke and Laura.<br />
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Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03415791574304433694noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4207930889182649485.post-35670851331815088692011-08-16T01:44:00.006+01:002011-08-16T02:11:57.111+01:00A few firstsHello kids, how are ya. More statement than question for some reason. Maybe because I'm on that delicate border of being sleepy and heading swiftly towards over-tiredness.
<br />But anyway. The past two weeks or so have been quite wonderful for a few reasons.
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<br />I entered a photo or two into the Virginia Show and got a first place in the Candid Photo category, huzzah! Last year I got a 5th place, so I've jumped four respective ribbon colors. Fab. The photo was of my dears Denise, Laura and David in New York when we were down near the World Trade Centre. To be honest, I love this photo of them and am delirah that someone else thought it was deadly too.
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<br />And then to add to my excitement, I won the monthly Bake-Off at Milk & Cookies last Tuesday night with the most haphazard vanilla cupcakes I have ever made. I didn't even take a photo of them they were so dreadful looking, but obviously they tasted pretty good cos they beat off stiff competition (I imagine) from a lemon poppyseed cake, chocolate things etc. And now I have a certificate to add to my photography ribbon. Plus a box of chocolates.
<br />Success.
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXBQ9nkiwP4P_5aPJb4WWsZ__TRCVN2EaynGr3hm22trAjP3Jqj86ahDQ1lsr9cZtJMwSRwE9EL2Vf9kC6_ZbeRM_vwAAuedtHComhw6UUUANK2u2JFpHGYPGgtrl53JV5VFUoO6s1BKA/s1600/001.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXBQ9nkiwP4P_5aPJb4WWsZ__TRCVN2EaynGr3hm22trAjP3Jqj86ahDQ1lsr9cZtJMwSRwE9EL2Vf9kC6_ZbeRM_vwAAuedtHComhw6UUUANK2u2JFpHGYPGgtrl53JV5VFUoO6s1BKA/s320/001.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641252761637961586" />Chuffed</a>
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<br />I love that I've been seeing a lot of friends quite a bit these days before I'm amongst those who have fled this country. Another night of it tomorrow at Griffin and Ceri's which will be great! Oh the mixed feelings about leaving.
<br />Then, finally, came my first anniversary with Luke which is amazing. Being taken out to dinner and getting a bouquet of white roses will always be wonderful.
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<br />Big love to you all:) x
<br />Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03415791574304433694noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4207930889182649485.post-39763474072465216722011-07-16T00:28:00.006+01:002011-07-16T01:12:57.659+01:00A few recent happenings and findingsI've been perched on my bed for absolute hours and am cursing the fact that I don't have all these deadly Sky channels that I can see have tons of cool movies and stuff on and not Tori Spelling discussing her baby weight.<br />I've been getting a few deadly things lately in these fab sales that are on, or in my frequent charity shop trips. I'm off tomorrow, so very well could be down in Bray going through them whilst continuing the cycle and giving them some of my stuff I want to get rid of.<br />These gorgeous shoes? €30 in a|wear with student discount. That's because IADT never put an expiry date on my card, so I plan to use it whenever possible...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB4CjC8-I6rKwfpbcQdhlGsSDlW9s6gRVWdbv72hWZYpBzVU4uxItn06F1HX8ox395ZaxHuEA-vrIoZteQAyTl_FxJjTIvjz7vjFwXJHjhBEAx8k0HS_vRDrK85eknc5z4CigGJu_P1yo/s1600/011.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB4CjC8-I6rKwfpbcQdhlGsSDlW9s6gRVWdbv72hWZYpBzVU4uxItn06F1HX8ox395ZaxHuEA-vrIoZteQAyTl_FxJjTIvjz7vjFwXJHjhBEAx8k0HS_vRDrK85eknc5z4CigGJu_P1yo/s320/011.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629727314555843442" /></a><br />Best bit- they didn't need to be broken in, so they were dolled straight away when Luke took me to Le Bon Crubeen! I'm a bit anxious about them getting dirty, but they're holding well!<br /><br />Then Griffin and I went to Urban Outfitters and I got a wonderful purse for €11 to go with my new bag from Philadelphia. <br />Have you seen it yet? <br />No?!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgroMYKE4hJ14BDJpIvVLwwpproZv3r8yIkeT9iK9iN8bBKCSg3IiOcDiO9v2F2hOtwIO9xUDwzWftbsX1hFQfn3k3rz3U1VAh4xOLAm2YMWIW5FjfS4XIiqXktLNv0bTbONlbPTWXgcw8/s1600/176.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgroMYKE4hJ14BDJpIvVLwwpproZv3r8yIkeT9iK9iN8bBKCSg3IiOcDiO9v2F2hOtwIO9xUDwzWftbsX1hFQfn3k3rz3U1VAh4xOLAm2YMWIW5FjfS4XIiqXktLNv0bTbONlbPTWXgcw8/s320/176.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629728135153289666" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLeogt6VRbg6PB4csuQrs72i6KKnwJUlpUFyt1Nk54xvwV9ykhQieMCE43jdtljixH6QmtmldShQKLHMaSGqVfaAxNyzWX0uNQv4cJ5ne_sC0_w2h1IGtfwhU0QJBhpuUj6CvDHfTSB9s/s1600/010.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLeogt6VRbg6PB4csuQrs72i6KKnwJUlpUFyt1Nk54xvwV9ykhQieMCE43jdtljixH6QmtmldShQKLHMaSGqVfaAxNyzWX0uNQv4cJ5ne_sC0_w2h1IGtfwhU0QJBhpuUj6CvDHfTSB9s/s320/010.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629728131651520082" /></a><br />Bam. What a duo.<br /><br />Recently Luke and I paid yet another trip to Queen of Tarts, they of delectable cakes and crockery. I opted for the baked raspberry cheesecake and Luke, a nibble.<br />As always, it was a lovely trip had.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhemYjuY_3ynRmWBL7AZ09pxPTyjFy3FXhpcI4puRD6li7n8GKGoxvHUNd51fWYjZyQEPiET-3LmJoYfZLXJyRFTPeRXafeja8n7g8amoq8odgJny8c88uQj81ys1eG8gwCoiWqAwOO1G4/s1600/016.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhemYjuY_3ynRmWBL7AZ09pxPTyjFy3FXhpcI4puRD6li7n8GKGoxvHUNd51fWYjZyQEPiET-3LmJoYfZLXJyRFTPeRXafeja8n7g8amoq8odgJny8c88uQj81ys1eG8gwCoiWqAwOO1G4/s320/016.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629732409280999218" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB-1u7Jy77G07868BEhWG8TPba_yOTfA8qqSRnu_7pqMBqGfzzQApirqYr1F9rn_AAtse7VL6KrXOxaLyYsqNUGX8lH9b87ugzkmdBpVNrd2h84SGS3EcZyWq4xgOVJCf_b9AIYOHITeg/s1600/015.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB-1u7Jy77G07868BEhWG8TPba_yOTfA8qqSRnu_7pqMBqGfzzQApirqYr1F9rn_AAtse7VL6KrXOxaLyYsqNUGX8lH9b87ugzkmdBpVNrd2h84SGS3EcZyWq4xgOVJCf_b9AIYOHITeg/s320/015.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629732405272139058" /></a><br /><br />I found a deadly wine holder in the Virginia charity shop that I gave Ceri and Griffin as a little house warming gift with a bottle of red and a rose. Sadly, I forgot to take a pic of it, but I'll get one off Griff and add it in here. <br />Cos it's seriously cool.<br /><br />What I'm mostly excited about these days is planning things to write for bananareel.ie, picking photos to enter into the Virginia Show again and looking up things for my adventure in Spetember with Luke. Gumtree is visited every evening.<br />Plenty to keep the mind going. <br />But now it's time for some tunes to lull me to sleep before a seaside trip tomorrow. Better clear up the camera's memory card!<br /><br />Sweetest of dreams to you.<br />L xLaurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03415791574304433694noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4207930889182649485.post-82328548085447923272011-07-15T19:30:00.008+01:002011-07-15T23:56:12.727+01:00One Mean Risotto!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfGXbyEs9w4l6WEAkt4GGrvnVvECA9O7JqeLgb3sVfPNWG1UidlaU6CNvjbkU3gDnFlMpRPy2j05w1dueDl2n58bCe1eG7NqiMtvldRrHuRt9nRBOrligsppvbRNLW5akfHgthmA5WGTo/s1600/007.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfGXbyEs9w4l6WEAkt4GGrvnVvECA9O7JqeLgb3sVfPNWG1UidlaU6CNvjbkU3gDnFlMpRPy2j05w1dueDl2n58bCe1eG7NqiMtvldRrHuRt9nRBOrligsppvbRNLW5akfHgthmA5WGTo/s320/007.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629715793516540850" /></a><br />This meal is my soup to <a href="http://wordfury.blogspot.com/2011/06/i-mean-its-only-ready-steady-cook-food.html">Sarah Maria Griffin</a>. It is ridiculously yum and easy and I've made it two days in a row.<br />Again, I nipped to Tesco around 5 o'clock and got super cheap veg. You can pretty much throw anything into this dish, which is what Luke and I did. <br />So here it goes, it serves 3 hearty portions. <br />Prepare to be wowed.<br /><br />Ingredients!<br /><span style="font-style:italic;">2 chicken breasts<br />4 rashers<br />punnet of mushrooms<br />1 onion<br />1 carrot<br />1/2 tin of kidney beans<br />3 cloves of garlic<br />1/2 a small bag of peas<br />2 cups/ 470ml veg stock<br />250g arborio risotto rice<br />handful of baby spinach<br />sprigs of basil<br />parmesan<br />salt & pepper</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB72eyBbes3e_GCKlwRJgcqug8cD6gPhk7j1CPWMppbyXlLFMF5bC9yF6yu8UCtaqrEzoWNgG6EH5HNyTLdOBSzovVyXtZKPSD6Gn6krMJeliVJ9hF9rGihZbbrMwirtT6v0V2vbDQEJw/s1600/001.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB72eyBbes3e_GCKlwRJgcqug8cD6gPhk7j1CPWMppbyXlLFMF5bC9yF6yu8UCtaqrEzoWNgG6EH5HNyTLdOBSzovVyXtZKPSD6Gn6krMJeliVJ9hF9rGihZbbrMwirtT6v0V2vbDQEJw/s320/001.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629714738028626370" /></a><br />*Heat olive oil in a frying pan and grate in the carrot and garlic.<br />*Chop the onion and add it in. Fry these slowly and chop up the chicken and bacon.<br />*Add these to the pan and fry until just cooked.<br />*Add in the peas, beans and mushrooms and fry up gently again. Add a sprinkle of salt and pepper.<br />*Throw in the rice and stir until it begins to absorb the oil in the pan. Once it starts to take a translucent shade, add the veg stock.<br />*Simmer for 30 minutes, stirring regularly to stop the rice sticking. Add a dash of hot water if needed.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-ks-9Po7MF1Kr6IRG7jH6hjTNEl4zshTr30qznvCvHGq_bdLwDvO0WJsqZFCy-HMaVUE_F7ECDbs8f2LbqGhjOHWxXC6cYsgqNgOgcrvd59WO5_mmcWVz_9csU9pMChcc1tnowU73fiQ/s1600/003.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-ks-9Po7MF1Kr6IRG7jH6hjTNEl4zshTr30qznvCvHGq_bdLwDvO0WJsqZFCy-HMaVUE_F7ECDbs8f2LbqGhjOHWxXC6cYsgqNgOgcrvd59WO5_mmcWVz_9csU9pMChcc1tnowU73fiQ/s320/003.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629715287190818930" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-1VD839_dynxB7ugYfn7vLA_vyRRYly8D-R-gj39IRo-FziMW9YAdOokKnwvKcQgSyqtvcoZw577W4_SkQgGknV-RIFHTmjGjAyjgirEMyZgY6nO8FDoNmASUuU84EhSglRtGt2q8LBg/s1600/004.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-1VD839_dynxB7ugYfn7vLA_vyRRYly8D-R-gj39IRo-FziMW9YAdOokKnwvKcQgSyqtvcoZw577W4_SkQgGknV-RIFHTmjGjAyjgirEMyZgY6nO8FDoNmASUuU84EhSglRtGt2q8LBg/s320/004.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629715562883991346" /></a><br />*When the rice is cooked, take the pan off the heat. Tear up the basil and spinach and stir in.<br />*Serve up with a sprinkle of Parmesan and tuck in!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEJGwSZrr-dNnFXlZx8_-qBD4s3Q1yeBYC5UfB0hchoI_yITkPAl-BxV8ncFMW6mb1T-YWlIPZfRvTCO46w5G3GLy9ocFYzIlcNEuJdHsq6DdVHCxxSShsitqmsXvV0Sh6SPMlLpymUKk/s1600/008.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEJGwSZrr-dNnFXlZx8_-qBD4s3Q1yeBYC5UfB0hchoI_yITkPAl-BxV8ncFMW6mb1T-YWlIPZfRvTCO46w5G3GLy9ocFYzIlcNEuJdHsq6DdVHCxxSShsitqmsXvV0Sh6SPMlLpymUKk/s320/008.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629716490109346258" /></a><br /><br />Luke and I absolutely loved this, so let me know what you think! The second time I made it, we didn't add any of the meat and it was still as delicious, so it can be a vegetarian dish too. <br /><br />On a foodie note, my first recipe has been posted on <a href="http://www.bananareel.ie/dish-no-1-chorizo-and-fusili-fancy-bangers-and-pasta">bananareel.ie's website</a> , check it out!:)<br />I'm going to be a food contributor, writing easy and healthy recipes for students! Woo! I'm so excited as it's come about from this blog and Louise Tierney knowing how much I'd love to do it. <br />So there is a batch of baked goodies on the way to her xx<br /><br />L xLaurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03415791574304433694noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4207930889182649485.post-70061150134121378322011-07-12T00:32:00.006+01:002011-07-12T01:10:37.558+01:00Improvised Lasagne!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicpU1SZWoN3FU9SpOxKgMQbj4KisOjZR3-TLGtCBYbdCwWQfH75Lv-V3dMTKoDwKrtpxW0h61XEejYLBkPEZhASFIFB_JXdAJo-jJ5YFYXnmU96u1WePhzNOhivQ5F2X2zkYGhja-slEo/s1600/009.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicpU1SZWoN3FU9SpOxKgMQbj4KisOjZR3-TLGtCBYbdCwWQfH75Lv-V3dMTKoDwKrtpxW0h61XEejYLBkPEZhASFIFB_JXdAJo-jJ5YFYXnmU96u1WePhzNOhivQ5F2X2zkYGhja-slEo/s320/009.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628251453768030594" /></a><br />Mmm. You really can't go wrong with a yummy lasagne.<br />So, here's the meaty version! I like adding loads of veg to dishes, it helps bulk it up and it doesn't make the dish as heavy to eat if it calls for a lot of meat. I don't know about you, but I find a lot of beef hard to eat, anyway. <br />So, I made this with things that were already in the house. I had some ingredients left over from the vegetarian lasagne like the pasta sheets and asparagus, so that was handy!<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">300g fresh lasagne sheets<br />1 carrot<br />5 garlic cloves<br />1 onion<br />200g asparagus<br />1/2 tin of kidney beans<br />1/2 bag of peas<br />2 red chillies<br />tomato puree<br />tin of tomatoes<br />block of white cheddar cheese<br />parmesan cheese<br />oregano<br />fresh basil<br />small pack of mince beef</span><br /><br />*Heat the oven to 200C.<br />*Slice up the asparagus, onions and chillies and add to the hot oiled pan. Grate in the carrot.<br />*Fry up for 2-3 minutes.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFDrADZzTnIr7an9NrdA0jRqaU7oIcXwhwd6g34VobWpdCXqFd9hD0V6Qbq0A9L1yLlqlbPvrb7tcZh5JBrN0sZSPiEzxnpu7EICnGU1kI74BEgVBvG9bZY90pwph8tIxEPu1CkXckq88/s1600/002.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFDrADZzTnIr7an9NrdA0jRqaU7oIcXwhwd6g34VobWpdCXqFd9hD0V6Qbq0A9L1yLlqlbPvrb7tcZh5JBrN0sZSPiEzxnpu7EICnGU1kI74BEgVBvG9bZY90pwph8tIxEPu1CkXckq88/s320/002.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628250326115946386" /></a><br />*Add in the mince and brown.<br />*Add in the kidney beans and peas and simmer for a couple of minutes.<br />*Toss in the tin of tomatoes and about 2 tablespoons of the puree.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgldGoUlWcEGSWeEIlMNxD4jLw_t60Skwuxqgf_Iv-fx9IxwqtlUjXJa8DVXhRvnWgPlx75PQhfyhggRYXXqu4-GjjIbhK7QBDU27mrn3mvuwc0BrWa46xnlb3HQ_eL_9X6wL5ilBI9E1Y/s1600/004.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgldGoUlWcEGSWeEIlMNxD4jLw_t60Skwuxqgf_Iv-fx9IxwqtlUjXJa8DVXhRvnWgPlx75PQhfyhggRYXXqu4-GjjIbhK7QBDU27mrn3mvuwc0BrWa46xnlb3HQ_eL_9X6wL5ilBI9E1Y/s320/004.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628250803696294850" /></a><br />*Tear in the basil leaves and take off the heat.<br />*Cover the bottom of the lasagne dish with the pasta sheets and scoop in some of the mix. Sprinkle on some parmesan and grate a good helping of the cheddar on top, then cover with lasagne sheets. <br />*Keep repeating this until you run out, leaving the top layer as the meat mix with cheddar cheese covering it.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj97gwJuT_g3_wx-GUtAjIf3AswyY5CQXgmjeTQ31nCq-gh_j9vkYg6h07vv-tnKOkn-tw7GmA54TLU2t-zumsS2hSNvtl7RA3gDoVJZ1awZ0GLTmL59aaaTMCQgquBFZb_W3UlcO7YHHc/s1600/006.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj97gwJuT_g3_wx-GUtAjIf3AswyY5CQXgmjeTQ31nCq-gh_j9vkYg6h07vv-tnKOkn-tw7GmA54TLU2t-zumsS2hSNvtl7RA3gDoVJZ1awZ0GLTmL59aaaTMCQgquBFZb_W3UlcO7YHHc/s320/006.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628251143949198690" /></a><br />*Hop in the oven to bake for 15-20 minutes or until the cheese has melted and looks delicious.<br /><br />You can have this with whatever you fancy. A lot of people like coleslaw with lasagne, so maybe have some of that, or some oven chips, or a nice salad!<br />Again, this did 4 portions. And tasted nicer for lunch the next day with Luke with salad his Dad is growing. <br />Delish.<br /><br />Enjoy, lovelies!:)<br />L xxLaurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03415791574304433694noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4207930889182649485.post-47596565660548830192011-07-05T17:35:00.005+01:002011-07-05T19:50:31.349+01:00Le Bon Crubeen visit<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVjquV6N-BlT3LjaSUbOHa_5uND_GLu_tFM0S8WiskSOsx85SJo_zBBs8oiU9hqGeVQeKwcqToJ4oO16-x2VmURDb5hHiaTQ1gtedyTDwhRjffoKx1CNAOt4UiPvJ23u5_RL_Ds0twJkA/s1600/lebon.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 270px; height: 203px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVjquV6N-BlT3LjaSUbOHa_5uND_GLu_tFM0S8WiskSOsx85SJo_zBBs8oiU9hqGeVQeKwcqToJ4oO16-x2VmURDb5hHiaTQ1gtedyTDwhRjffoKx1CNAOt4UiPvJ23u5_RL_Ds0twJkA/s320/lebon.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625908964155465954" /></a><br /><br />Last week Luke brought me out for dinner, and on recommendation of one Louise Tierney, we went to Le Bon Crubeen on Talbot Street.<br />To say we enjoyed ourselves is a gross understatement. When we arrived in, dripping wet with our jackets and umbrella, we were greeted by a very lovely waiter who offered to take our things to the cloakroom. This has never happened to me before (maybe this is indicative of how often we go out) so I happily handed over our stuff and we were shown our seat.<br />Maybe it's because I'm waitressing at the moment, but I can be super judgemental of how I'm served when I go to other places. <br />But these people were golden.<br />Absolutely. We had main courses with a glass of wine each, then tea & coffee at the end, with me deciding I had to go with dessert too...<br />Luke had the Confit Duck Leg with Lyonnaise Potatoes, Pesto Green Beans and Syrah Jus and I had the 8oz Irish Sirloin Steak (medium rare) with Green Peppercorn Jus, Fries and Rocket Salad. (I don't have amazing memory, I copy and pasted from <a href="http://www.leboncrubeen.ie/menu.aspx?menuid=10659">their menu</a> )<br />We were both silent for a couple of minutes while we tucked in and relished the parties in our mouths. Luke's duck fell off the bone it was that tender. My steak was beautifully juicy and the salad and chips topped it off wonderfully; nothing too fancy, but presentation was good. <br /><br />Our waiters were delightful to say the absolute least. I adored them for leaving us until I finished my meal. Due to a lot of talking and just being a slow eater, it took me way longer than Luke, and they didn't touch our table until I was completely finished. They asked did we want to see the dessert menu... I said yes.<br />The bread and butter pudding was amaaaaazing. Holy smokes. Now, the waiter we had for dessert was fabulous. Even though Luke didn't want dessert, he brought us two spoons, incase Luke changed his mind. He did.<br /><br />Overall, we had a great time there and were floored by the food and service. The cost is phenomenal considering the meals. We each had a main course, glass of wine, a pint, then tea, coffee & one dessert which all came to under €60.<br /><br />You really can't go wrong there. Top marks.<br /><a href="http://www.leboncrubeen.ie/">Le Bon Crubeen's website</a>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03415791574304433694noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4207930889182649485.post-1227508650679349502011-07-05T16:51:00.005+01:002011-07-05T17:09:06.322+01:00My Mom is amazing.Yes, she is. <br />Cos I went home to Cavan last week with Luke and she gave me THESE...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiPC0Gxws-XgqrN1Ff40rU7-UM1At6i1725cdUL5X30fmcEmQjBJbu0NnVYK_EtNoIUPAjpUR1ZILw5mPj0H9ZEIO5Ogo6f6N0kM6nFVjnjkOeej9FX8vdo7E3ueJyfZnbBAX2lVsKrlw/s1600/002.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiPC0Gxws-XgqrN1Ff40rU7-UM1At6i1725cdUL5X30fmcEmQjBJbu0NnVYK_EtNoIUPAjpUR1ZILw5mPj0H9ZEIO5Ogo6f6N0kM6nFVjnjkOeej9FX8vdo7E3ueJyfZnbBAX2lVsKrlw/s320/002.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625899550003003234" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhMG8HII_0vMrnCCuEYiq9XkzyFi36pHvNwXPF287W67GUixUSwNqfEe568Op_dwMOQy_6S0M3nZuH1ytQHWR9y3cPq1uQi9fWJCwrR7qwP0ii05v0zDwi4G4ee4Xuggb04_mj37ZfrcI/s1600/003.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhMG8HII_0vMrnCCuEYiq9XkzyFi36pHvNwXPF287W67GUixUSwNqfEe568Op_dwMOQy_6S0M3nZuH1ytQHWR9y3cPq1uQi9fWJCwrR7qwP0ii05v0zDwi4G4ee4Xuggb04_mj37ZfrcI/s320/003.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625900523491041890" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1gM1k30VGoPzC5CPGtLFpcH1xo6ipULSE2h-M7Ty1mbadcfU9uKyQiTJtMbuvuaMitoHi8PvIyE862ZnumRBCC0S6cfTV21-9YTBFuemUeOBBZT0R7s_Fzka3O86UxGNeIT95tbexBkg/s1600/004.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1gM1k30VGoPzC5CPGtLFpcH1xo6ipULSE2h-M7Ty1mbadcfU9uKyQiTJtMbuvuaMitoHi8PvIyE862ZnumRBCC0S6cfTV21-9YTBFuemUeOBBZT0R7s_Fzka3O86UxGNeIT95tbexBkg/s320/004.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625899784481820546" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_VjNbuYWAMUqCFIn9-Dci817OurlIXF5BLpKV7Va81yuE3rKtygvGXeAmoff5X5yhdmRCPp_ux-LenwWemf_ur8otZLp6bwi4fnIgFq4lgDbLjVm5csMWj2n6l93UfMhagrntKqqNiFs/s1600/005.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_VjNbuYWAMUqCFIn9-Dci817OurlIXF5BLpKV7Va81yuE3rKtygvGXeAmoff5X5yhdmRCPp_ux-LenwWemf_ur8otZLp6bwi4fnIgFq4lgDbLjVm5csMWj2n6l93UfMhagrntKqqNiFs/s320/005.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625900730096112946" /></a><br /><br /><br />She crocheted me a bag and a cover for my netbook!!<br />Aren't they fab?!<br />The netbook cover fits perfectly and my bag is having its first day out when we go visit Griffin & Ceri tomorrow. <br /><br />Bam.<br />My Mom's great.<br /><br />L xLaurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03415791574304433694noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4207930889182649485.post-8507266676924420172011-06-29T00:34:00.007+01:002011-06-29T01:05:05.124+01:00Stewed Fruit Dessert!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixn8ux2KxGlhUbn7YMPKbfYRN4dp1PWWzSVCxG2Epenl_9LOpxPe8ChvEk7oZcQRz5bjvgH9_PpqzRaZJ8w_nGViIW9QfRetr9VVcRRHbEffj_1JndGFhYVtDKNXDuvPfGBZLAW2fqi-Y/s1600/009.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixn8ux2KxGlhUbn7YMPKbfYRN4dp1PWWzSVCxG2Epenl_9LOpxPe8ChvEk7oZcQRz5bjvgH9_PpqzRaZJ8w_nGViIW9QfRetr9VVcRRHbEffj_1JndGFhYVtDKNXDuvPfGBZLAW2fqi-Y/s320/009.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623425134151583810" /></a><br />A dessert that I've used twice in two days is this Jamie Oliver stewed plum and peach malarky that is delissssh. Serve it with vanilla ice cream with the fruit still warm and bam, party.<br />Again, this is a variation with Jamie's depending on the ripeness of the fruit I could get or what I discovered I thought tasted better.<br /><br />Serves 5<br />Ingredients!<br /><span style="font-style:italic;">15 peaches<br />6 plums (I found them a bit bitter)<br />1 tsp vanilla extract<br />2 tbsp golden caster sugar<br />1 orange<br />sprinkle of cinnamon (I found it hard to find a stick of cinnamon)<br />1 tub of fab vanilla ice cream</span><br /><br />*Halve and stone the fruits and put them into a large roasting tray.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiG87Y6mBCwnHRkwGBN1j2vIr5LCFtK0lJX6r0CdDaBCN8bDWRXMhq50Q52Yh5hpQSb0ulcHzF1syrlgK7OtkZ05tSpHJE2BhYHLztdogs4LiuTd0N2I83q1kDJfOlkuKwzXAx5UZ82jA/s1600/002.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiG87Y6mBCwnHRkwGBN1j2vIr5LCFtK0lJX6r0CdDaBCN8bDWRXMhq50Q52Yh5hpQSb0ulcHzF1syrlgK7OtkZ05tSpHJE2BhYHLztdogs4LiuTd0N2I83q1kDJfOlkuKwzXAx5UZ82jA/s320/002.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623424843343604210" /></a><br />*Drizzle over the vanilla and caster sugar.<br />*Add the zest from half an orange and squeeze in all the juice. <br />*Add the cinnamon and place on the bottom shelf. <br />*Leave for 15 minutes or until the fruits are all soft and juicy.<br />*Serve with vanilla ice cream and tuck in.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSrG3UrWEcUdsqKL8w1kfbQprw_MKxKZO-s-OCl6lbPiGSk9uJ7TuH8SHDf8oxBpYs4XYmKC5xtpk-Iz5gs6-WNguRdCBsWnSxOuISKp5n2znvtc1fgVhF4SbiTRURP5GWfBb5-dW0jeI/s1600/032.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSrG3UrWEcUdsqKL8w1kfbQprw_MKxKZO-s-OCl6lbPiGSk9uJ7TuH8SHDf8oxBpYs4XYmKC5xtpk-Iz5gs6-WNguRdCBsWnSxOuISKp5n2znvtc1fgVhF4SbiTRURP5GWfBb5-dW0jeI/s320/032.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623425419490148658" />Yesterday's version</a><br /><br />Again, enjoy! This dish is dead handy as you can pop it in the oven during dinner and it'll be ready in time for dessert. Mmmm....<br /><br />L xLaurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03415791574304433694noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4207930889182649485.post-4474356400617767942011-06-28T23:21:00.005+01:002011-06-29T00:28:35.652+01:00Vegetable Lasagne for Cat & LJ!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0TmLW1HjC6SeMGYsdkHo4agYHERuqtIXRPaL2RX9VhRL29w0HORVD5-c3iZ9r6XycPwgE8bSUHf3VG-q6eOhUaAr6nFRD7PbxQMf8BR6_bjixRJEXFxebkQcd4bFQltgU4ZPYbgzugn0/s1600/008.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0TmLW1HjC6SeMGYsdkHo4agYHERuqtIXRPaL2RX9VhRL29w0HORVD5-c3iZ9r6XycPwgE8bSUHf3VG-q6eOhUaAr6nFRD7PbxQMf8BR6_bjixRJEXFxebkQcd4bFQltgU4ZPYbgzugn0/s320/008.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623414922485353778" /></a><br /><br />Today I had Cat and LJ over for a dinner and a hang out and I again took out Jamie's 30 Minute Meals. I'm ploughing through it at this stage and it's holding well!<br /> <br />Today it was the Summer Veg Lasagne, but after a late-afternoon trip to Tesco, I picked up nearly all of the veg I used- for actual pennies. My shopping for the meal for three (with another portion left over) came to about €25 which included all of the lasagne ingredients, salad, a baguette, fruit and ice cream for dessert. Amazing like. <br />If you're buying ingredients for the dinner you'll be making that night, buy the discounted stuff! You'll save loads of euros, obviously, and there's nothing wrong with them. Obviously scope them out before you buy them, but all of mine were perfect. <br />For the healthier option I went for a wholemeal baguette and to save some monies, bought a ready made salad bowl so I didn't have to get all the little ingredients. Plus all the chopping is done for you.<br />My recipe varied a bit from Jamie's cos I got the 'cheap veg buzz' and put in veg he didn't tell me to. And left some ones out cos I either couldn't find them or I found a cheaper alternative.<br />Also, Jamie's recipe is VERY generous with the ingredients, so this is my take on it. It feeds four.<br /><br />Ingredients!<br /><span style="font-style:italic;">small bunch of spring onions<br />1/2 a 30g tin of anchovies<br />5 cloves of garlic<br />250g asparagus<br />about 15 cherry tomatoes<br />500g frozen peas<br />fresh string beans<br />300ml veg stock<br />2 x 250g tubs of cottage cheese<br />300g fresh lasagne sheets<br />Parmesan cheese<br />sprigs of fresh thyme</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM5nBPtCw_yXZ3dmMq7aeuNb_nn4IjkdqMdnqyxtGCqD_n71XSUZfJvCdTva-7uydOl1fwSf65dJds6LBlvX3dynqoWW1cqLsvnbfTLyO2FUMX_lzhu7hj5yvpxa8MLIBnNZEMIbKBKnk/s1600/001.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM5nBPtCw_yXZ3dmMq7aeuNb_nn4IjkdqMdnqyxtGCqD_n71XSUZfJvCdTva-7uydOl1fwSf65dJds6LBlvX3dynqoWW1cqLsvnbfTLyO2FUMX_lzhu7hj5yvpxa8MLIBnNZEMIbKBKnk/s320/001.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623414907304842290" /></a><br /><br />*Preheat the oven to 200C.<br />*Pour the oil from the anchovies into a saucepan and place on a medium heat. Finely slice the spring onions and half of the anchovies and then add them to the saucepan.<br />*Crush the six cloves of garlic into the pan and fry for a few minutes ensuring that the garlic doesn't burn.<br />*Trim the pointed tips off the asparagus and put aside, then trim the woody ends from the other side and discard. Finely slice the stems of the asparagus into 1.5cm pieces before adding to the pan with a splash of water.<br />*After five minutes, add the peas and beans along with a pinch of salt and pepper. Stir well.<br />*Give everything a good stir and cook for a few more minutes.<br />*Take the vegetables off the heat and spoon around one quarter of the mixture into a deep dish. Top with a lasagne sheet and a generous grating of parmesan cheese. Keep repeating these whilst adding chopped cherry tomatoes, until you finish with a layer of lasagne.<br />*Mix the remaining 250g of cottage cheese with a splash of boiled water and then spread over the lasagne.<br />*Drizzle olive oil over the asparagus tips then place onto the lasagne. Sprinkle over the thyme along with another good grating of parmesan and a final drizzle of olive oil.<br />*Bake in the oven for around 15 minutes until the topping has browned.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj8EtcYHsIgyFSMaskOuE83UJnr5xY-4fECLz6pARGJVI0D6cu_AWQpH5HCQuCSD2bzDDLbpcGxQumF3GppTgTcbHKPRMF-loiW4ImJpaS5cPn_YpXP-UqQDesoh6q8Ji9daXP-t1jVRs/s1600/004.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj8EtcYHsIgyFSMaskOuE83UJnr5xY-4fECLz6pARGJVI0D6cu_AWQpH5HCQuCSD2bzDDLbpcGxQumF3GppTgTcbHKPRMF-loiW4ImJpaS5cPn_YpXP-UqQDesoh6q8Ji9daXP-t1jVRs/s320/004.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623414913992521826" /></a><br /><br />Drizzle some balsamic vinegar and extra virgin olive oil over the salad mix and tear up the baguette. Serve and enjoy!! We all tucked in and were feeling very full afterwards.<br /><br />I'm going to write the dessert in another post, or this will be the longest one ever.<br /><br />Big love!<br />L xxLaurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03415791574304433694noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4207930889182649485.post-69166222153160978242011-06-23T00:19:00.005+01:002011-07-03T23:54:19.838+01:00Fusili & Chorizo Sausage Dish<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAajDORa3HwamImY__elniXZlkZvr74-LCpyAh6_lmq71GMIs2okelS6rG20_H_5oOX5SZyunfygJ0PwZJEf6hARR6OJdEIreqXd-0-jo2XbDAYZ6Fid3dDelL_CV9BesGkN1f6SeFRBI/s1600/008.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAajDORa3HwamImY__elniXZlkZvr74-LCpyAh6_lmq71GMIs2okelS6rG20_H_5oOX5SZyunfygJ0PwZJEf6hARR6OJdEIreqXd-0-jo2XbDAYZ6Fid3dDelL_CV9BesGkN1f6SeFRBI/s320/008.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621201470489773138" /></a><br />Hi there!:)<br /><br />I'm sitting on my bed with literally a giant tub of the Glenilen Farm all natural yummy raspberry yoghurt with an episode of Criminal Minds. Great way to wind down the day! I'm also feeling quite tired anyway after a late BBQ last night with the Lukes and Caitlin with work this morning. It could very well be one of those nights where I'm asleep as soon as the fairy lights are out.<br /><br />I'm on a bit of a health kick since I got back from a holiday in New York, so this next recipe was the first to get me back into the cooking buzz! I strongly debated ordering in against walking to Tesco with Luke in the misty rain, but I decided I'd had enough processed food and a bit of cooking would do me good. Plus, I missed cooking if I'm honest!<br /><br />So, this is another one from Jamie's 30 Minute Meals, but is just the main course, and the ingredients are all very handy. It's called "Pregnant Jools' Pasta" but it's still just as AMAZING even if you're not having a baby...<br /><br />So, this version serves 2 people and all you need is:<br /><span style="font-style:italic;">-2 spring onions<br />-1 carrot<br />-1 fresh chilli<br />-4 good quality sausages<br />-1/2 tsp dried oregano<br />-2 cloves of garlic<br />-2 tbsp balsamic vinegar<br />-half a tin of chopped tomatoes<br />-some basil sprigs<br />-100g fusili pasta</span><br /><br />*So all you need to do is roughly chop up the spring onions, carrot, chilli and sausage and blend them all in a food processor.<br />*When it's all blended well, tip it into a hot frying pan with some olive oil.<br />*Put on the pasta to boil for ten minutes.<br />*Keep stirring the sausage mix to make sure it all cooks. Add a tbsp of pasta water if you need to loosen it up a bit.<br />*Crush the garlic cloves into the sausage mix, the balsamic vinegar and chopped tinned tomatoes. Simmer for 2-3 minutes. Tear in the basil and stir it up.<br />*Drain the pasta and serve with the sausage mix on top with a sprinkling of Parmesan cheese.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxrkmI41xF1ms99roueJPaSAyRolSA4thoTCL38A_HTceaFlnbBScGkYqEaNycE1GhKQs9LvZ2M3eM7SzryS9hqQ-VueOoKk3cdn2OdYzpw834D0K8Zg7ArGdhyU4vknjQHxziuiOX5FE/s1600/004.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxrkmI41xF1ms99roueJPaSAyRolSA4thoTCL38A_HTceaFlnbBScGkYqEaNycE1GhKQs9LvZ2M3eM7SzryS9hqQ-VueOoKk3cdn2OdYzpw834D0K8Zg7ArGdhyU4vknjQHxziuiOX5FE/s320/004.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621201227874943810" /></a><br /><br />Tesco had a two for €5 deal with their 'Finest' range of sausages when I made this the other day, so I used their chorizo ones and it was absolutely amazing. <br />Also, my food processor isn't great, so I chopped up the sausages separately as it really wasn't working out well. Jamie also calls for celery, but I don't think it was missed. <br />But DO make sure you have that most angelic of ingredients, the balsamic vinegar. It is so completely wonderful.<br />Anyhoodle kids, I'm going to bed, I'm absolutely shattered, but I hope you enjoy this one!<br />Night! L xLaurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03415791574304433694noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4207930889182649485.post-38672792522890600352011-06-02T20:06:00.009+01:002011-06-02T21:53:08.337+01:00Lunchtime, Summer Style!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA5GMiRV6gurLvUOlF-pZAdwfuF271c8rLIAsekCCPthOz-pBLHkWC1kGs43X0xFr1hNhE7lxNK08Iilr2s9l7z4zI0xUiu0Z2t_Sx40Ok_SPHXO6tLk8C1KcmY4mL_SoYLPQqi7YbExM/s1600/010.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA5GMiRV6gurLvUOlF-pZAdwfuF271c8rLIAsekCCPthOz-pBLHkWC1kGs43X0xFr1hNhE7lxNK08Iilr2s9l7z4zI0xUiu0Z2t_Sx40Ok_SPHXO6tLk8C1KcmY4mL_SoYLPQqi7YbExM/s320/010.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613712829088412962" />It's summer!</a><br /><br />Well hello there! <br />I am currently roasting in this heat which has been bestowed upon us and shall pay no heed to the neighbour outside my window who is complaining over the hedge "Ah sure it's far too warm." With a heat wave about to start, he better get used to it.<br /><br />Anyway, FOOD TIME.<br />Yesterday's weather was equally as fabulous, so I whipped out my incredibly handy <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/offer-listing/0500514305/ref=sr_1_1_olp?ie=UTF8&qid=1307042102&sr=8-1&condition=used">Urban Cookbook</a> which has really cool and handy recipes from around the world. So, to make the most of this sunshine, and to continue collecting my freckles, I made a wonderful lunch of chicken tenders, baby potatoes and a mixed salad. It's really quick and easy to make and can be mostly made with stuff you already have at home. YUM.<br />To make your own summer salad...<br />-Pre-heat your oven to 220C.<br />-Parboil your chopped (only into halves) baby potatoes. When they're finished, pop them onto a roasting tray and drizzle them with some olive oil, salt and pepper. Mushrooms also go well here too. <br />-Get a medium sized pan and fill it with about 3cm of sunflower oil. Heat the oil until it is quite hot.<br />-Get your chicken strips (Tesco handily sells chicken breasts already sliced perfectly for €4) and dip them in some beaten egg.<br />-Roll them in the batter mixture of 140g of plain flour, with a sprinkling of salt, pepper and the seasoning of your choice. I used smoked paprika and sesame seeds.<br />-Place the chicken strip into the pan and repeat with all the strips. The chicken will only take about 10 minutes, so make sure the potatoes are in the oven before you start this.<br />-Rotate the chicken strips and when they're golden brown, place them on a plate, ready to serve.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii_X4vg03kw7EIcVE9K8wIATi8uzJBdtvlA3UueDEVrLkY9I4MSM7FAh5n37e8zq4Alm5_bhmZYRf-ffFlVRyXeiT4ADgVt8_JD2XNNBmCgG0a5sTzbvzW2vxts67trwj-yI0P9oywj5w/s1600/008.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii_X4vg03kw7EIcVE9K8wIATi8uzJBdtvlA3UueDEVrLkY9I4MSM7FAh5n37e8zq4Alm5_bhmZYRf-ffFlVRyXeiT4ADgVt8_JD2XNNBmCgG0a5sTzbvzW2vxts67trwj-yI0P9oywj5w/s320/008.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613713219311629138" /></a><br />-I just got a bag of mixed leaves, cucumber (pre- E-Coli outbreak...) and tomatoes for the salad and gave it a drizzle of balsamic dressing.<br />-The potatoes will be done by the time you're finished making the chicken and the salad.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi51QGt3hd4OD-LhHW9awZSRox9OofESkye1eXQm7LbgwJOOfgCP_FgpV2YcH_CaWR_H0PYCfuLeyQtMBR4gON16CC1oXuaOtUO0hysuhn5Ir1hvWYbOoPpqUMSb_Nz_hCvaZQPGxU6fIc/s1600/007.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi51QGt3hd4OD-LhHW9awZSRox9OofESkye1eXQm7LbgwJOOfgCP_FgpV2YcH_CaWR_H0PYCfuLeyQtMBR4gON16CC1oXuaOtUO0hysuhn5Ir1hvWYbOoPpqUMSb_Nz_hCvaZQPGxU6fIc/s320/007.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613713678573429650" /></a><br />-Serve out the back in the sunshine with some lovely dips for the chicken. Tesco does a nice piri piri mayo.<br /><br />Now, I know the frying of the chicken isn't the healthiest of options, but alternatively you could fry them quickly in a small amount of oil for a minute or two, then bake them in the oven too. I hope you enjoy it!<br />Also, a huge hello to the new people who are following my blog! Thank youuu!:) Let me know what you think of a few things!<br />Another post will follow soon! xLaurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03415791574304433694noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4207930889182649485.post-78128826076981885312011-04-16T00:19:00.009+01:002011-04-16T01:13:15.661+01:00Oh my...Don't even look at the date of my last post.<br />No!<br />Don't!<br />...darn.<br />But I'm back! Woo! I have a gorgeous new netbook who I can bang around with me it's that dinky and I'm gonna sort out proper internet for myself in the next week. <br />Bam.<br />Back on track. <br />Even though I have not been blogging, I have been baking. I'm going to put up some pics of the yummyness that has kept me going in the past few months. I've been getting some amazing new cookbooks, namely The Hummingbird baking books, The Urban Cookbook and one of the Avoca books, Tea Time. <br />Cupcakes, as always, have been really popular for gifts and recently I made the vanilla Hummingbird ones as well as the marshmallow ones, for Luke's Mom and sister. For his sister Rachael, I also made her one of those giant cupcake cakes. It was a tad stressful to make (I'm not sure if I'm a fan of this silicone baking equipment phase), but it tasted really good, so that's all that matters really, I guess!:D<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Gs1nm1GKQzL-QK3-Q3rp291zjzLNUAp0AKutdatkQFstCnVKUuBKyQGQMin1esxyOJLqclV1EMpzAhKgiGudnjkApTtKKOGzmdjgksB1VId8PCfTxSQHBmuc_v3UTot_ldwKSyntACQ/s1600/055.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Gs1nm1GKQzL-QK3-Q3rp291zjzLNUAp0AKutdatkQFstCnVKUuBKyQGQMin1esxyOJLqclV1EMpzAhKgiGudnjkApTtKKOGzmdjgksB1VId8PCfTxSQHBmuc_v3UTot_ldwKSyntACQ/s320/055.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595960116738301234" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjECc0eIamSRM-AbUJd9XRZ28_wOLw5VIIY6VFQYnm5hDVd_RgZ61b1YnTA3nVN-bAoMma1S3NGYf4snFUg7DLB33gXNldwsQjwR9tkfraHgHiugAXx3dGmNSkVvTzjZwr_FDkEwfgL1vY/s1600/050.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjECc0eIamSRM-AbUJd9XRZ28_wOLw5VIIY6VFQYnm5hDVd_RgZ61b1YnTA3nVN-bAoMma1S3NGYf4snFUg7DLB33gXNldwsQjwR9tkfraHgHiugAXx3dGmNSkVvTzjZwr_FDkEwfgL1vY/s320/050.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595960107233790706" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0dPGIYyQj4u6seu7BoEbd0wlKCutDkoLWcyyzJ4TB8N2rjxPRAH1nvcfOWCSJey2mfax8PzftI6EFW8sQVmsRA4xPUu8oUF2GYuBSDY5E9vdp8h7c7Dy2TvcQmBF-v_vX2ZqcjYapqTE/s1600/047.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0dPGIYyQj4u6seu7BoEbd0wlKCutDkoLWcyyzJ4TB8N2rjxPRAH1nvcfOWCSJey2mfax8PzftI6EFW8sQVmsRA4xPUu8oUF2GYuBSDY5E9vdp8h7c7Dy2TvcQmBF-v_vX2ZqcjYapqTE/s320/047.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595960101025358274" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJlzjgXc17Jf3Z9ZIApKyL6oaDEIy_Hpef_dd9Wxctg9Er0AP6Gd7XEigkSxTAM6JGT6JP7h2x0YCgWkB1lp3z6xe47jC1MayG6MVQWKJPOc66wmorwZ9HqqGD3tirdXgo-ukFfyLaPqA/s1600/049.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJlzjgXc17Jf3Z9ZIApKyL6oaDEIy_Hpef_dd9Wxctg9Er0AP6Gd7XEigkSxTAM6JGT6JP7h2x0YCgWkB1lp3z6xe47jC1MayG6MVQWKJPOc66wmorwZ9HqqGD3tirdXgo-ukFfyLaPqA/s320/049.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595960099927135106" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnD5cpUVO4Pp95DK2lKeELQlo3Qhjv2ArJ8kSu52fNCkti16FcXKQ5sh9rFd4dtFZ6FMu0AeCmCFuxbayDfHlE0MObLniMg387a2ZEE9nMn4USgVz8evTDSqF1LvQfHe6CUb9BuEQ4-bg/s1600/P310311_15.05_%255B01%255D.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnD5cpUVO4Pp95DK2lKeELQlo3Qhjv2ArJ8kSu52fNCkti16FcXKQ5sh9rFd4dtFZ6FMu0AeCmCFuxbayDfHlE0MObLniMg387a2ZEE9nMn4USgVz8evTDSqF1LvQfHe6CUb9BuEQ4-bg/s320/P310311_15.05_%255B01%255D.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595960092402440082" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1H-hppfA0LqCvrYPK3OeW5qaX0NArR1BJknrIF-WRTHF9RTpjsbgqYvq8gjQvtHmL6Aq52WwKoK3HGsB8Hss8XIjEz2kxRBvbkup__fmOfYhy1xd3GXR7WNZ0Rurwu4DhyvUzZ2vqhZo/s1600/P310311_19.53.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1H-hppfA0LqCvrYPK3OeW5qaX0NArR1BJknrIF-WRTHF9RTpjsbgqYvq8gjQvtHmL6Aq52WwKoK3HGsB8Hss8XIjEz2kxRBvbkup__fmOfYhy1xd3GXR7WNZ0Rurwu4DhyvUzZ2vqhZo/s320/P310311_19.53.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595965150960105090" /></a><br /><br />The marshmallow cupcakes were mad to make, the absolute stickyness of the melted marshmallows was a little tricky at times, you had to add it to the cupcakes straight away, when the goo was still really hot and not a moment after, otherwise it just stuck to the spoon and your fingers. <br />Another yummy cake that I've made were Strawberry Jelly Squares. You just made the cake, added the fresh cream, cut it into squares and dipped into sort of solidified jello and then dipped/ rolled it in coconut. Mmm...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxWkIhaQQOfkL93Rnia-YGw7btUOSwQ4NwTi6WlOzhQQSa1v5z5D2JMbgHb0miiSef7gMWD5G5oYOsPInhsM2L3Rz80CKcZSsYMXl4pKLJICQiHHDSdCi77pdmfYkZ0-qUW_fTw5yMjDw/s1600/177.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxWkIhaQQOfkL93Rnia-YGw7btUOSwQ4NwTi6WlOzhQQSa1v5z5D2JMbgHb0miiSef7gMWD5G5oYOsPInhsM2L3Rz80CKcZSsYMXl4pKLJICQiHHDSdCi77pdmfYkZ0-qUW_fTw5yMjDw/s320/177.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595962800337929090" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiljcQrRjwN0RnD0GIkqEM6tLujWLMb5IWtXPlb_4-av_GdJEmxDPeYW2GYNakfNdBHaH9FFa9jt7wf0Rqup8WXZUNIXarqQlhfXEfpHICDAyuEPN6Pfk4DkP6pe7HwhbvzG6qpmzpIZI/s1600/175.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiljcQrRjwN0RnD0GIkqEM6tLujWLMb5IWtXPlb_4-av_GdJEmxDPeYW2GYNakfNdBHaH9FFa9jt7wf0Rqup8WXZUNIXarqQlhfXEfpHICDAyuEPN6Pfk4DkP6pe7HwhbvzG6qpmzpIZI/s320/175.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595962794893155218" /></a><br /><br />The delishishness of a lemon drizzle cake can never be beaten, so I made one way back when I was still living with Cat for her dad who may have a sweet tooth to rival mine. I don't think there was any left when Cat got home that evening...<br />Apologies for the grainy phone photo...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg27RFl5AWHba90Qn47QU24_bAfA_kzuGtY978v9-qQiAUTzF7tLXf72e4nIZIVscs5ZVeoUEdSZvamIBOjUde82_WxncTjKBL3CtT26bm0UQvuDhQr932lkTZdxrzoPGjyYoORPK8WBLs/s1600/P041110_21.13.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg27RFl5AWHba90Qn47QU24_bAfA_kzuGtY978v9-qQiAUTzF7tLXf72e4nIZIVscs5ZVeoUEdSZvamIBOjUde82_WxncTjKBL3CtT26bm0UQvuDhQr932lkTZdxrzoPGjyYoORPK8WBLs/s320/P041110_21.13.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595964108075592226" /></a><br /><br />Then of course many cards have been made since I last posted, with birthdays and Christmas, so I'll stick them up now before I toddle off to bed. It's getting late and I've driving practice in the morning with Luke's mom Helen, so I must be chipper and aware!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4gj56WYIFZ14PKujpuklhKavarx1SDcBr61W1JOB1TKUsoYTfWKM2t80Xpz3hCflkkLqJje_mOPZlB9PU237Vn1f7DIx-MSR71Fqv3dlJP0pPFkwnMRjXTvtjaf6RkaPgDEzEMCSMq1s/s1600/P200111_00.52.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4gj56WYIFZ14PKujpuklhKavarx1SDcBr61W1JOB1TKUsoYTfWKM2t80Xpz3hCflkkLqJje_mOPZlB9PU237Vn1f7DIx-MSR71Fqv3dlJP0pPFkwnMRjXTvtjaf6RkaPgDEzEMCSMq1s/s320/P200111_00.52.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595966547093155106" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOdllEaGR6auH0Bo9LNm-FWd94QG6sY9TsaxvhYnAjdp5gI2A6WktWV0M-Ye0wf_UZHb6dLt9AZBC5sfqlYnz9eNC0oykOYp09AJDTBAXBR8KSEYCl8yDiRo4ppynBikZSochrwMr_M8A/s1600/P090111_21.29.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOdllEaGR6auH0Bo9LNm-FWd94QG6sY9TsaxvhYnAjdp5gI2A6WktWV0M-Ye0wf_UZHb6dLt9AZBC5sfqlYnz9eNC0oykOYp09AJDTBAXBR8KSEYCl8yDiRo4ppynBikZSochrwMr_M8A/s320/P090111_21.29.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595966547853223938" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMxVmw_6HjLYbuieXyJGZ4atEWvHU4aQLRgJPuS2it917rrf0lxVPYzSD2zvMJIEiNmy5txQLJ-5EzfLR6W9ssbJSBThl-8enrm9KBzEyS-mIH2iSDeT5xR6WgAMbEaFGFKsz3fhomgwk/s1600/354.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMxVmw_6HjLYbuieXyJGZ4atEWvHU4aQLRgJPuS2it917rrf0lxVPYzSD2zvMJIEiNmy5txQLJ-5EzfLR6W9ssbJSBThl-8enrm9KBzEyS-mIH2iSDeT5xR6WgAMbEaFGFKsz3fhomgwk/s320/354.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595966543677028050" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMQ2dVHp9-qnekDMg_6je1Xs4UmHyMSH4h0lqZD6WFcN7pcLknFdIGP0jRt2PG1VjUP3fQ6lsz-DLP6XVvLP7ObMtDCqiuXPUzy4gxqCINVoJL2QbImnq83WgCfLib7u59gyYUq-Pu6aw/s1600/P080211_00.28.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMQ2dVHp9-qnekDMg_6je1Xs4UmHyMSH4h0lqZD6WFcN7pcLknFdIGP0jRt2PG1VjUP3fQ6lsz-DLP6XVvLP7ObMtDCqiuXPUzy4gxqCINVoJL2QbImnq83WgCfLib7u59gyYUq-Pu6aw/s320/P080211_00.28.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595966539093111762" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN4w-Ji3ZDr3jIu9g7ZUYYLkIbEMvt2LUZIPq6UCYH2JR9vxtxCY5MbCzDFHC_shqeIzSpNF4G4-w4HLfloEdhAgTGOumbZA4o35sn4tC_e5faahE58scN2lxHLGoa-Ng6iRqmsvUeIXQ/s1600/349.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN4w-Ji3ZDr3jIu9g7ZUYYLkIbEMvt2LUZIPq6UCYH2JR9vxtxCY5MbCzDFHC_shqeIzSpNF4G4-w4HLfloEdhAgTGOumbZA4o35sn4tC_e5faahE58scN2lxHLGoa-Ng6iRqmsvUeIXQ/s320/349.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595966539813412322" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqF-Q_srwDZDXLPTzfX4BawSqZZJoVOqUo7yQ9OdxnsniGsJffX4HHx7PXkV9WtBWJsvOf_akDbrrwniaW0S7eZydormwC_1wzfLav1eqsocF30mDNjKSqhaBLxul_WsCObU_VoVCgeR0/s1600/P310311_11.50.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqF-Q_srwDZDXLPTzfX4BawSqZZJoVOqUo7yQ9OdxnsniGsJffX4HHx7PXkV9WtBWJsvOf_akDbrrwniaW0S7eZydormwC_1wzfLav1eqsocF30mDNjKSqhaBLxul_WsCObU_VoVCgeR0/s320/P310311_11.50.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595967318840741362" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVgpwZaI4eSCUl2Du5u6SAzV000JSaAWV6lejr7AT41sOUB9F4n9fxI7x1wlhUre33p3FMoA6hNolsFD_jdyU0eAUI1wO38oVv7Rq-2EgJIPhq3Q8_AlQx7GG6qeRPBsMTkJ44sTtEUTU/s1600/P280211_20.29.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVgpwZaI4eSCUl2Du5u6SAzV000JSaAWV6lejr7AT41sOUB9F4n9fxI7x1wlhUre33p3FMoA6hNolsFD_jdyU0eAUI1wO38oVv7Rq-2EgJIPhq3Q8_AlQx7GG6qeRPBsMTkJ44sTtEUTU/s320/P280211_20.29.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595967313546313970" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKbs8IzdqHvJVQ1wKGvFlKyzuN4umRTrX3z_7ob1NzQXJJcRjl1PQMsQZW1NaUMfesx7HirOxdK_zd-h-LeFodluUWI16LQfQx6B77_AAGyBXl7f4ExsdHCRAhLjoCHCMxzlFdq8lV-eo/s1600/P260111_23.46.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKbs8IzdqHvJVQ1wKGvFlKyzuN4umRTrX3z_7ob1NzQXJJcRjl1PQMsQZW1NaUMfesx7HirOxdK_zd-h-LeFodluUWI16LQfQx6B77_AAGyBXl7f4ExsdHCRAhLjoCHCMxzlFdq8lV-eo/s320/P260111_23.46.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595967315286101954" /></a><br /><br />Well, that's all for now folks! I'm definitely back on form now, I'm going to post loads, I have loads of new books to keep me going for aaaaaages, and many fun things coming up, so la dee dah, I should definitely be posting way more regularly now.<br />Night night!<br />L xLaurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03415791574304433694noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4207930889182649485.post-88544112560525982352010-10-27T23:56:00.013+01:002010-10-28T00:45:32.213+01:00It has been far toooo long...Great Scott, it has been such an embarrassingly long time since I blogged. <br />I do apologise:( I've been so busy though, things just sort of all kicked off in the space of a week for me at the end of the summer, so I'm now living with my best pal and her family in their garden room til I move into my own place. <br />Life is absolutely wonderful.<br /><br />Loads of things have been happening since I last posted and I really miss crafty nights/ baking days. <br />Must soon get back into the swing of things!<br />Also, my laptop has decided to no longer recognise my camera's memory card, so until I get that sorted, I'm afraid grainy photos from my phone will have to suffice!<br />I had a lovely little bake sale in my old (*sniff) college back in September which earned me some extra monies. I sort of took over the O'Mahony's kitchen (not randomly, I am living with them) and baked for a day with the help of Luke who ended up making Cat's birthday cake!:) I'll make a baker out of him yet!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhri_MBcBSPqC8EftMiLU6A5T03F2nmfuBvHF7_b8VUpesXmMKug3mjFAfObZKahv83EpSun6qW2Hjm9TfjWtWZnRSs2AaKEkoau6FactSgq6bB0z-gN6xXiYBY0x2TejvWh5qM0Ba1F1E/s1600/P220910_18.29_%5B01%5D.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhri_MBcBSPqC8EftMiLU6A5T03F2nmfuBvHF7_b8VUpesXmMKug3mjFAfObZKahv83EpSun6qW2Hjm9TfjWtWZnRSs2AaKEkoau6FactSgq6bB0z-gN6xXiYBY0x2TejvWh5qM0Ba1F1E/s320/P220910_18.29_%5B01%5D.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532867325460590402" />Some of the cakes for iadt</a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjb5kI9cqIoOPgZ4LBIc4_zlJMQ6KyenKdi9AZdbsBuKJVicohHd-gSi9HjFy7j3Kdywg8-WaljTTqcCUsCoySRnWfZ5JyHHOSDAvBMcIM8TCi4Vtr11cJoTiBkMA7WIYn4IPFyVUj5SQ/s1600/P230910_15.50_%5B01%5D.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjb5kI9cqIoOPgZ4LBIc4_zlJMQ6KyenKdi9AZdbsBuKJVicohHd-gSi9HjFy7j3Kdywg8-WaljTTqcCUsCoySRnWfZ5JyHHOSDAvBMcIM8TCi4Vtr11cJoTiBkMA7WIYn4IPFyVUj5SQ/s320/P230910_15.50_%5B01%5D.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532874431612348114" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbnyOZlyQx4EBn79AQdoDvLYP-2epvHmT05QUxNw3qy7T9bx6LY067PHUCE2Z7K5DW7px64HN200pZe8y5t0D3s_f993PumSJv12TXzdxe-3VQQwiLJokqNnUVsr7PEmX8awp3EEK0Avk/s1600/P230910_15.50.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbnyOZlyQx4EBn79AQdoDvLYP-2epvHmT05QUxNw3qy7T9bx6LY067PHUCE2Z7K5DW7px64HN200pZe8y5t0D3s_f993PumSJv12TXzdxe-3VQQwiLJokqNnUVsr7PEmX8awp3EEK0Avk/s320/P230910_15.50.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532874875623926850" /></a><br /><br />I've been gathering loads of lovely things that I will soon document, like the teapot Grainne got me for my birthday, some fabulous charity shop bargains and the exciting fact that I am moving into my own place the day after our college graduation.<br />It's all go!<br />I can now use the wall stickers Griffin got me months back and I can't wait to put my stamp on my new room. The house is beautiful and I'm so excited to create a space for all my wonderful chums to come chill in.<br />Oh, and after a wonderful day of shopping with Cat, I finally got a travel mug I have been wanting for about 2 years since I first spotted them in Urban Outfitters. I can now go back to my eco tea ways when I'm on the move!:D<br />It's like this, only with red flowers:)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbaI_HDjWo2BG8sjb0eFRH4z2LHmngO5gCBEYrYmhYdGBCucD_xkAGP75wX36xwdoi72ClnUJLx22mG4FH_JBAgvmWo0FwLwWLIXX8804yGwmuWfXDD8AVOAux7tbw6FyNSpWRTsg3BV8/s1600/uomug.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbaI_HDjWo2BG8sjb0eFRH4z2LHmngO5gCBEYrYmhYdGBCucD_xkAGP75wX36xwdoi72ClnUJLx22mG4FH_JBAgvmWo0FwLwWLIXX8804yGwmuWfXDD8AVOAux7tbw6FyNSpWRTsg3BV8/s320/uomug.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532870940557742706" />My new love</a><br /><br /><br />Also today I nabbed Jamie Oliver's new cookbook which I can't wait to dive into! Full meals in 30 minutes you say? I'll be testing that one!:)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFFjOE2VMb0VeQ0lT7dFCvskeIDP1KZE8D18Rnlcn1OsrvP27h49WycS0IdedU4rsN-ecQkSJW5R40YCSAuZDfPrZPRgpBXUIZaNjTQh4mICM910j3HUoDgO1pr9n9IOKUWG2xhgPn1PE/s1600/jamieo.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 248px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFFjOE2VMb0VeQ0lT7dFCvskeIDP1KZE8D18Rnlcn1OsrvP27h49WycS0IdedU4rsN-ecQkSJW5R40YCSAuZDfPrZPRgpBXUIZaNjTQh4mICM910j3HUoDgO1pr9n9IOKUWG2xhgPn1PE/s320/jamieo.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532871660646882706" /></a><br /><br /><br />And I'm currently reading Stephen Fry's wife's diary. <br />Very entertaining altogther! Nearly finished, so I can get stuck into the many luscious books I've been gathering from charity shops and the like. Oh it's wonderful (at times) to be finished college and to be able to read for fun!:) <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQWw4n6UsCGK5QYBXyfZj7VRaSXaLdb3XF2BMEDyxz9wpA8D3ZKVNg3FLhkRMx0DlDWBzFA6Qj2ta-pvmupg4ziEQfBAJPqaiS6ORYfpXR1R5PvA0Wb6xvp6hgONbSmWx_ZfUQFfeoF3E/s1600/mrsfry.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 206px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQWw4n6UsCGK5QYBXyfZj7VRaSXaLdb3XF2BMEDyxz9wpA8D3ZKVNg3FLhkRMx0DlDWBzFA6Qj2ta-pvmupg4ziEQfBAJPqaiS6ORYfpXR1R5PvA0Wb6xvp6hgONbSmWx_ZfUQFfeoF3E/s320/mrsfry.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532872448907031762" /></a><br />I'm thinking I might start book reviews on this too...<br /><br />I'm so very busy, but I shall try my utmost to update more frequently! I hope all is equally as lovely in your life!<br /><br />...Cat just brought me in tea and an ice cream. Win.<br /><br />Love love love to you all,<br />L xxLaurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03415791574304433694noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4207930889182649485.post-85459484132590163942010-08-12T22:23:00.010+01:002010-08-12T23:38:49.356+01:0050th post with cake to celebrate!<div align="left">I'm really quite proud to be on my 50th post! Wowee! And to celebrate here is a most fabulous cake that is quickly becoming my new favorite.<br />I made it yesterday for tea with my Lovely Auntie Kathleen and quilting mad cousin Cathy! I made two loaf shaped ones today for my stupendous Caitlin who is back from Belarus with her lovely boyfriend Luke, so I'm bringing that down to them tomorrow! Yay!<br /><br />It's called a Hummingbird Cake; 'interesting', I hear you say. It is! It's in that <em>Women's Weekly 100 Classic Cakes </em>book I got a few weeks back.<br />Now, it really doesn't look very nice in the tin:<br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZxfrtb1SND-SaAr6C2b7ioT_UqTtcK7qOJZA5saiKSkC3EHMVVQw7UT8dAGToz8PeJr45IGPEbeQ605uEuhhifN6uLUSOc5MIxn8BKYDaDQVZrxJsgzsQ_Xy-jK-O2BWgcklwyoknStE/s1600/IMG_6649.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504639416250209154" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZxfrtb1SND-SaAr6C2b7ioT_UqTtcK7qOJZA5saiKSkC3EHMVVQw7UT8dAGToz8PeJr45IGPEbeQ605uEuhhifN6uLUSOc5MIxn8BKYDaDQVZrxJsgzsQ_Xy-jK-O2BWgcklwyoknStE/s320/IMG_6649.JPG" /></a><br />but that's mostly due to using oil rather than butter I think.<br /><br />The icing you make for it is like the icing for a carrot cake, and so is DELISH. Icing is a problem for me... I think my teeth are starting to tell me to go easy...<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsxW1L2HYsOD30ZwqmpuILJhpnUozk5Frnjl3AI0Lvimp4Xs8YS9kz_mOVX2wTXxoQMIM64wJk3zSvwkCmdcU3dAMo0l4VwM65j6vluZUIAlmMVjsvj6FMoeHYtswLmsp6Idckg12gyMM/s1600/IMG_6652.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504646002454767522" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsxW1L2HYsOD30ZwqmpuILJhpnUozk5Frnjl3AI0Lvimp4Xs8YS9kz_mOVX2wTXxoQMIM64wJk3zSvwkCmdcU3dAMo0l4VwM65j6vluZUIAlmMVjsvj6FMoeHYtswLmsp6Idckg12gyMM/s320/IMG_6652.JPG" /></a><br /><br />It turned out very well, I must say! I was a bit cautious making it cos the ingredients seemed a bit strange to me- pineapple, banana, ginger, cinnamon, coconut (which I didn't have, so it's not in this version) etc! But it's soooo good. A tad crumbly, but fabulous.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO5rrXAADsBugw5OYjfsmiENVh7CLqwGUq03G24-I0oZLDCdua3FMziEPrCuJ_LdqgunSzhb28374nZZpbujTkN7VLhue-GVioBTOUq8VK0cDJEhggQasL2wvwNemrJa0FXTcwIofpA24/s1600/IMG_6654.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504647375080127970" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO5rrXAADsBugw5OYjfsmiENVh7CLqwGUq03G24-I0oZLDCdua3FMziEPrCuJ_LdqgunSzhb28374nZZpbujTkN7VLhue-GVioBTOUq8VK0cDJEhggQasL2wvwNemrJa0FXTcwIofpA24/s320/IMG_6654.JPG" /> <p align="center">nom nom nom...</a> </p><p align="left"><br />Another perk of it is that you only need like 2 bowls to make it- so minimal clean up! I've made a few little changes that I did while making it.<br />Give it a go- it's incredibly yummy and we'll say sorta healthy with all the fruit in it;)<br /><br /><strong>Hummingbird Cake</strong><br />serves 12<br /><br /><em>450g can crushed pineapple in syrup<br />150g plain flour<br />75g self raising flour<br />1/2 tsp bicarbonate soda<br />1/2 tsp ground cinnamon<br />1/2 tsp ground ginger<br />220g firmly packed brown sugar<br />40g desiccated coconut<br />1 cup mashed banana (about 2 large ones)<br />2 eggs, lightly beaten<br />180ml sunflower oil</em><br /><br /><strong>cream cheese frosting</strong><br /><em>30g butter, softened<br />60g cream cheese, softened<br />1 tsp vanilla extract<br />240g icing sugar</em><br />(I also added about 2 tbsp of milk just to make it easier to spread)<br /><br />- Preheat the oven to 180C fan assisted. Grease a deep 23cm square tin. Line the base.<br />- Cut up the pineapple rings and smush them for juice.<br />Or just make sure you save 60ml from the tin.<br />- Sift flours, soda, spices and sugar into a large bowl. Stir in the pineapple, reserved syrup, coconut, banana, egg and oil.<br />- Pour mixture into tin; bake for 40 minutes.<br />- Stand cake for 5 minutes in tin before turning, top-side up, onto wire rack to cool.<br />- While it's cooling, make the frosting: Beat the butter, cream cheese and vanilla in a small bowl until light and fluffy. Gradually add in the sifted icing sugar.<br />- Smear the cake with frosting and tuck in.<br /><br />When Mom and I returned home from our tea date, we were excitedly brainstorming a few ideas for a crafts/ baking charity fundraiser... I'll keep you posted! <br />I'm tres excited to say the very least!<br /><br />In other news- my darling Sarah Griffin (last seen here making Rainbow Cakes) has joined the blogging world ahead of her Masters adventure! Catch her here: <a href="http://titlelast.blogspot.com/">Write the Title Last</a><br />Milk and Cookies Round Nine is also on tomorrow night! Goooooo to it!<br /><br />I have a few more things to put up, but I am rather tired and have buses ahead of me tomorrow, so I'll post them after my exciting weekend!<br /><br />Mwah!x</p>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03415791574304433694noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4207930889182649485.post-52237420240418149412010-08-01T20:06:00.007+01:002010-08-01T23:31:27.776+01:00Peanut Butter and Fudge Cookies. Nom.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFCiUTu1tiAQQy5UPPNydUKXZ-VKVEexVtfEbiY-7f_lNUQyX3-A1yJ_JpidDwFnz6VUa95RUI50I4FbJpg2QRw1NXnfUyDTTJw6AWILRYKfulzr0f74pUrW9DvB-bBRcR7JK2IpZazXo/s1600/summer+pics+026.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFCiUTu1tiAQQy5UPPNydUKXZ-VKVEexVtfEbiY-7f_lNUQyX3-A1yJ_JpidDwFnz6VUa95RUI50I4FbJpg2QRw1NXnfUyDTTJw6AWILRYKfulzr0f74pUrW9DvB-bBRcR7JK2IpZazXo/s320/summer+pics+026.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500571606263093730" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">The other day Siob came home from our cousin's and with her she had 3 boxes with fudge white chocolate and milk chocolate. Yum! These came in handy as I wanted to bake cookies and found a recipe for the above mentioned!<br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTXMqHXikLNrfYb74xTjPG78lXUcSRQSNub7g0KkG9ET2L0w-CiZAlqljQ_mnPOvBmoxbTtBgJjmC_Vy3Vdd781WGq_7jt2cEHHBlHyjmGEmRK4bGCAup32WFQ1cO4gpyUQqSouvrt_8A/s1600/summer+pics+020.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTXMqHXikLNrfYb74xTjPG78lXUcSRQSNub7g0KkG9ET2L0w-CiZAlqljQ_mnPOvBmoxbTtBgJjmC_Vy3Vdd781WGq_7jt2cEHHBlHyjmGEmRK4bGCAup32WFQ1cO4gpyUQqSouvrt_8A/s320/summer+pics+020.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500568864450425762" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br />We always have peanut butter here in the house, and just so happened to have the fudge, so all systems were go!</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">They were quite yummy and not as heavy or sweet as you might expect. Mom was a bit wary when she heard what was in them, but she agreed that they're pretty good!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> It's an American recipe, but the quantities aren't very big, so you should be okay! Let me know if you need a hand!</span></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIKxUyFrlQM0AfuZrfWmfv6Rmk1IjDAMhNVug0ysIvGKf7oYEcbdR9JOLtLVhtHk_6xH6GHqJ7Ul9SqCo_LFgs7ISRW6yllmBr8VnjxReh3Z4uBKIxM2S_IZBSQE1vOZbKDOhIIzxJbUU/s320/summer+pics+027.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500570124081410546" /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIKxUyFrlQM0AfuZrfWmfv6Rmk1IjDAMhNVug0ysIvGKf7oYEcbdR9JOLtLVhtHk_6xH6GHqJ7Ul9SqCo_LFgs7ISRW6yllmBr8VnjxReh3Z4uBKIxM2S_IZBSQE1vOZbKDOhIIzxJbUU/s1600/summer+pics+027.jpg"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">milk and cookies, always a win!</span></a></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Peanut Butter and Fudge Cookies</span></b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">makes about 16 nice size ones</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">4 tbsp butter</span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">1/2 cup sugar</span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">1/2 cup peanut butter (smooth is best)</span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">1/4 tsp vanilla essence</span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">1/4 tsp baking soda</span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">1/8 tsp salt</span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">1 large egg</span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">3/4 plain flour</span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">a handful of diced fudge</span></i></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Oven to 180C/ 350F</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">-Cream the butter and sugar.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">-Add the peanut butter and vanilla. I recommend you have a sneaky taste right about now...</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">-Add the baking soda and salt, and then whip in the egg.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">-Add the flour and then the fudge pieces.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">-Drop the mixture onto a piece of baking parchment on a tray. They don't spread too much, so you should be able to fit at least 12 on a tray.</span><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0IB3nr2z8M_jp2sA_UG2Ckj9yKLvK4fCRnESYNVaa5caaF40t2AsL69UTRh42-QwyDiE5wbhnQ3w4NlnOKNP0juKZiaPZcAcX-1K6vJTkMt5f7LsYjetJRZt7o6S6oK7RQPRIJnJvE1c/s320/summer+pics+023.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500569587994109506" /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0IB3nr2z8M_jp2sA_UG2Ckj9yKLvK4fCRnESYNVaa5caaF40t2AsL69UTRh42-QwyDiE5wbhnQ3w4NlnOKNP0juKZiaPZcAcX-1K6vJTkMt5f7LsYjetJRZt7o6S6oK7RQPRIJnJvE1c/s1600/summer+pics+023.jpg"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">balls of cookie dough!</span></a></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">-Bake for 15 minutes and cool on a wire rack. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Enjoy!x</span></div><div><br /></div></div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03415791574304433694noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4207930889182649485.post-13703490512461844722010-07-30T18:30:00.007+01:002010-07-30T19:23:28.729+01:00Competition Coffee CakeToday is the judging for the Virginia Show, so Mom, Siob and I are going down to drop our things in. I made the coffee cake earlier and realised I never put up the recipe for it! <div>It's really nice (well, the last time I made it it was, I can't cut this one and taste it!), and pretty simple, so you should give it a go! </div><div>They want it undecorated sadly, so that's why mine is lacking some nice coffee cream, but I'll add the recipe here:)<div><br /></div><div><b>Mocha Cake</b> </div><div>(serves 10-12)</div><div><br /></div><div><i>175g self-raising flour</i></div><div><i>50g cocoa powder</i></div><div><i>225g soft light brown sugar</i></div><div><i>175g butter, melted</i></div><div><i>4 medium eggs, separated</i></div><div><i>60ml very strong coffee, cooled</i></div><div><i>3 tbsp water</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><b>Coffee Butter Icing</b></div><div>100g butter, softened</div><div>200g icing sugar, sifted</div><div>1 tbsp milk/water</div><div>3-4 tbsp cooled very strong coffee</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>- Preheat the oven to 190C/ 375F/ Gas Mark 5. Oil and line a 13 x 23cm loaf tin with parchment paper so that it comes over the sides of the tin.</div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkmYFYeqHgImj3XHh5howvUqoiBUUDpJar6ZAuFGxeevh0N-90w97CFAEWDtdlbMTfTfx2NYdwiUkPXZxZ7BYkSWgNYL9k9OHiFVRtEnvW1hstwtzi8o6WXN0wsSHUyvgZMgbg1tDhb-Q/s1600/Blog+stuff+015.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkmYFYeqHgImj3XHh5howvUqoiBUUDpJar6ZAuFGxeevh0N-90w97CFAEWDtdlbMTfTfx2NYdwiUkPXZxZ7BYkSWgNYL9k9OHiFVRtEnvW1hstwtzi8o6WXN0wsSHUyvgZMgbg1tDhb-Q/s320/Blog+stuff+015.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499763498390733010" /></a></div><div>- Sift the flour and cocoa powder into a large bowl, add the sugar and stir to combine.</div><div>- Using a wooden spoon or whisk, beat in the melted butter, egg yolks, coffee and water until smooth.</div><div>- Whisk the egg whites in a large bowl until fairly stiff peaks form, then gently fold into the cake mixture in 3 batches. Make sure there are no white lumps left!</div><div>- Turn the mixture into the loaf tin and smooth the surface. Make a small well in the center so that the cake bakes level and doesn't crack! (You'll see from my photo I forgot to do this!)</div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8zy3ufzIDknKfXcOJFO8iVnxH9f8TbeRBqYzkkkyMl87avXPlZlucSVY_-Tp30B7QDcbC4TCSb6aj47JfuQaa0IlMqK2ZRhvcNf0CR_Cmqyc0q_S6-sTC8El5DVii1EUFKjOhA8J9TGA/s1600/Blog+stuff+016.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8zy3ufzIDknKfXcOJFO8iVnxH9f8TbeRBqYzkkkyMl87avXPlZlucSVY_-Tp30B7QDcbC4TCSb6aj47JfuQaa0IlMqK2ZRhvcNf0CR_Cmqyc0q_S6-sTC8El5DVii1EUFKjOhA8J9TGA/s320/Blog+stuff+016.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499763898648169202" /></a></div><div>- Bake in the oven for 35 mins, then reduce the temperature to 160C/ 325F/ Gas mark 3 for the last 20 mins or until a skewer comes out clean.</div><div>- Allow the cake to cool for 10mins then lift out by the parchment paper and allow to cool completely on a wire rack. </div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrvMfwQnG4isI8KFNJ_4QLXb_rC-gpil-aGdHy1pGpf8-wadQ-Us0BNxyV74uoroQ0oSLEahBqDnUS-HmC08dzAtAeIZj7W7NQu1vjzE0pcvXuZFLzxRB6M4qVgY6ShPPw8AfgsoOUW-0/s1600/Blog+stuff+018.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrvMfwQnG4isI8KFNJ_4QLXb_rC-gpil-aGdHy1pGpf8-wadQ-Us0BNxyV74uoroQ0oSLEahBqDnUS-HmC08dzAtAeIZj7W7NQu1vjzE0pcvXuZFLzxRB6M4qVgY6ShPPw8AfgsoOUW-0/s320/Blog+stuff+018.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499764408458904386" /></a></div><div>- Make the icing. Beat the butter until very soft and paling. Add the sugar, then milk/water, and then add the coffee.</div><div>- When the cake is cold, remove the paper and cut the cake horizontally and spread about a third of the icing on the lower half with a palette knife. Place the other half of the cake on top and put the remainder of the icing on it. Sprinkle with chocolate shavings or chocolate sprinkles, which I like to use!</div><div>- Leave it to stand for about 30mins before cutting. If you can wait that long.</div><div><br /></div><div>(This also makes 12 cupcakes at 190C/ 375F/ Gas Mark 5 for 15mins.)</div><div><br /></div><div>Yum! x</div><div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div></div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03415791574304433694noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4207930889182649485.post-67722398126556154072010-07-30T00:01:00.006+01:002010-07-30T00:21:11.547+01:00Cross Stitched Apron Cupcakes!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">I wanted to put this in a separate post, though while I said goodnight in the last one, I'm seriously going after this one!<br />My Mom is quite the wizard at cross stitching and is even entering her cross stitched Zac Efron cushion she made Siob for, as you might guess, best cross stitched item at the Virginia Show. Seeing as I am incredibly slow on the crochet/ knitting uptake, I have decided that the next few presents I have lined up to make are going to be cross stitched.<br />Cos I can do that. I just need Mom to help me start it (all that finding the midpoint etc).<br />Recently she cross stitched cupcakes onto a plain white apron for her friend's daughter Maeve who would always be baking something in preparation for her Junior Cert Home Ec practical when Mom was over. I think it's really pretty, so took a photo of it to post here! I just made her a little card too to go with it.<br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRspjo3nJLH2tpMY1XGHMurH4U5Iw_EWqvbCtmiEyKOSBj3yyrN0lJ6N0n9zvWrENa95rBp-JZnhHAK6TzAvuGHNj5l_-eoBphytgfTKzr-B18gKpB7n7CLU9FJBTb0Deo5-iyZOTvRNw/s1600/Blog+stuff+002.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRspjo3nJLH2tpMY1XGHMurH4U5Iw_EWqvbCtmiEyKOSBj3yyrN0lJ6N0n9zvWrENa95rBp-JZnhHAK6TzAvuGHNj5l_-eoBphytgfTKzr-B18gKpB7n7CLU9FJBTb0Deo5-iyZOTvRNw/s320/Blog+stuff+002.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499468574775637474" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzg6AxJwMcKI4Q-cVmfkyIZBv3eAaPtoepgbnayJ4O0mm1k9MeI5fyK_L3k2SUE0g0cvgzDoFvMXlFWMN2KvMwzh1IGCP4JBonAYu_l09cxrFlV5VQTpzmcqzgdQf7pvlbPWEpmZaG8rk/s1600/Blog+stuff+003.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzg6AxJwMcKI4Q-cVmfkyIZBv3eAaPtoepgbnayJ4O0mm1k9MeI5fyK_L3k2SUE0g0cvgzDoFvMXlFWMN2KvMwzh1IGCP4JBonAYu_l09cxrFlV5VQTpzmcqzgdQf7pvlbPWEpmZaG8rk/s320/Blog+stuff+003.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499468591492390658" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /><br />Next stop: a cross stitched bookmark for a darling dear.<br /><br />Sidenote: I am more than delighted that my laptop is now completely fixed and I can work so much faster on it! </span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Thank you Mr. Doug Computer Man for fixing it, you lovely man you.</span><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">I hope your day was nothing short of lovely, my dears.<br />And now I must sleep. x</span></div></div></div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03415791574304433694noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4207930889182649485.post-91429707646990124422010-07-29T23:09:00.014+01:002010-07-30T00:30:17.469+01:00LJ's bag- at long last!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">This birthday present for Lovely LJ took me far too long- again with the fear of cutting the material and then ruining the whole project before it has even begun! I had never made a bag before in any shape or size, so to be honest, it was a guessing game the whole way!<br />I had an idea of the shape and style I wanted it to be, so started there. I also had the problem of deciding on a fastener for the bag... I was perplexed as to how I would put a zip on it properly, so I thought I'd cheat a little...<br />I put velcro on the inside and a big button on the front.<br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDUlDBPsrWhsDgC8Gc50uZVlOrV-aq1aFFQp_lLg_Xir938dbsF6ZtPaJQQtYyifk7-J2edCyU1UgT0VAcYhevMopLiLD3DHoCdZKH1yYJrzzOYjoCx5O43bYAe13mCLgphyCp0l37oVQ/s1600/Blog+stuff+006.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDUlDBPsrWhsDgC8Gc50uZVlOrV-aq1aFFQp_lLg_Xir938dbsF6ZtPaJQQtYyifk7-J2edCyU1UgT0VAcYhevMopLiLD3DHoCdZKH1yYJrzzOYjoCx5O43bYAe13mCLgphyCp0l37oVQ/s320/Blog+stuff+006.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499463546896098018" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br />Okay, so you can clearly tell the button is just for decoration, but it was the best I could do!<br />I lined the bag with a black shirt I don't wear (don't worry LJ, it was freshly laundered!) and made a pretty sizable attempt at a gusset for the bag to give it some dimension.<br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHZucbe2U332e4gpas7m1T1SFf_D4q3unrFaeKi5zzwyT-kbgNpnnnBYwXq8KmkRG6xiPur1V7tn1gN_QrYH67q27Nn0KuHoww89g6BGSAVP0DyCnk8KzViGNcFRObr9iz5QKUTNwGOPE/s1600/Blog+stuff+007.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHZucbe2U332e4gpas7m1T1SFf_D4q3unrFaeKi5zzwyT-kbgNpnnnBYwXq8KmkRG6xiPur1V7tn1gN_QrYH67q27Nn0KuHoww89g6BGSAVP0DyCnk8KzViGNcFRObr9iz5QKUTNwGOPE/s320/Blog+stuff+007.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499464087418422194" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggcGHtHj10WSMl1dHRqzHqEeCpQF6jPsyIaTdj10Vmx_K5VK5wBO8bKo3M9y6fWqf090_KisE9wfPmdwb2vJbq8LvIRcUmUihMkyGA6BUIN4u9gFb9Ys2U3vP9Ec6RckpVzIrDQ-DM76U/s1600/Blog+stuff+005.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggcGHtHj10WSMl1dHRqzHqEeCpQF6jPsyIaTdj10Vmx_K5VK5wBO8bKo3M9y6fWqf090_KisE9wfPmdwb2vJbq8LvIRcUmUihMkyGA6BUIN4u9gFb9Ys2U3vP9Ec6RckpVzIrDQ-DM76U/s320/Blog+stuff+005.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499464076354351986" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirNkiSawvUmcj30Q5_Yks4bKowfmc3Dto2Bq5BGY_P1FdY0PTmfqYPojfgoHxzRqYUv_PD9KYlzRnVPFaopxXUM5HT-djYTGZJFRttHjho8Lfv9x8Q-oZEOk1k-WCVgg6VJV8Su4id3Ns/s1600/Blog+stuff+008.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirNkiSawvUmcj30Q5_Yks4bKowfmc3Dto2Bq5BGY_P1FdY0PTmfqYPojfgoHxzRqYUv_PD9KYlzRnVPFaopxXUM5HT-djYTGZJFRttHjho8Lfv9x8Q-oZEOk1k-WCVgg6VJV8Su4id3Ns/s320/Blog+stuff+008.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499464387634136258" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirNkiSawvUmcj30Q5_Yks4bKowfmc3Dto2Bq5BGY_P1FdY0PTmfqYPojfgoHxzRqYUv_PD9KYlzRnVPFaopxXUM5HT-djYTGZJFRttHjho8Lfv9x8Q-oZEOk1k-WCVgg6VJV8Su4id3Ns/s1600/Blog+stuff+008.jpg"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; "></span></span></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirNkiSawvUmcj30Q5_Yks4bKowfmc3Dto2Bq5BGY_P1FdY0PTmfqYPojfgoHxzRqYUv_PD9KYlzRnVPFaopxXUM5HT-djYTGZJFRttHjho8Lfv9x8Q-oZEOk1k-WCVgg6VJV8Su4id3Ns/s1600/Blog+stuff+008.jpg"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">making the strap for the bag</span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">To me it was still too plain and needed something else, so I got some black felt for it and embroidered a rather stumpy looking bird.<br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoA0Jf_0KYv-FCcecgDq1O110sGs9L7UfMobwF-xzlinu88rCTnA5McC5kwBoKikomms-Kbq_O3h0ABDUsS1qJg8mbAD1h9ll_lJvO8-zUaQJgCL4-omJvcgOdK_quqgiBkz8Nx3jOgYk/s1600/Blog+stuff+009.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoA0Jf_0KYv-FCcecgDq1O110sGs9L7UfMobwF-xzlinu88rCTnA5McC5kwBoKikomms-Kbq_O3h0ABDUsS1qJg8mbAD1h9ll_lJvO8-zUaQJgCL4-omJvcgOdK_quqgiBkz8Nx3jOgYk/s320/Blog+stuff+009.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499464749600904322" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br />By the way- embroidering on felt is very sore on the fingers. Beware!<br />But it looks cool. I added some buttons for 'food' for the bird, but also cos buttons look groovy.<br />I sewed three sides of the felt, so it serves as a phone pocket.<br />Or whatever LJ wants to put in it.<br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr07QsT__yRyVrphcve3ijoqWjIK2Jk8qSwspvNbcX174T8UDwgQcnN_cZo2HHb1lVbHmig46AqZTpWTAKWMtjgxvhzIgBGXD15HYLmuzh5zm3Rr286lr9UB84SWSQd8psD6zgH_pcjr8/s1600/Blog+stuff+011.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr07QsT__yRyVrphcve3ijoqWjIK2Jk8qSwspvNbcX174T8UDwgQcnN_cZo2HHb1lVbHmig46AqZTpWTAKWMtjgxvhzIgBGXD15HYLmuzh5zm3Rr286lr9UB84SWSQd8psD6zgH_pcjr8/s320/Blog+stuff+011.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499465140108456706" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr07QsT__yRyVrphcve3ijoqWjIK2Jk8qSwspvNbcX174T8UDwgQcnN_cZo2HHb1lVbHmig46AqZTpWTAKWMtjgxvhzIgBGXD15HYLmuzh5zm3Rr286lr9UB84SWSQd8psD6zgH_pcjr8/s1600/Blog+stuff+011.jpg"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; "></span></span></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr07QsT__yRyVrphcve3ijoqWjIK2Jk8qSwspvNbcX174T8UDwgQcnN_cZo2HHb1lVbHmig46AqZTpWTAKWMtjgxvhzIgBGXD15HYLmuzh5zm3Rr286lr9UB84SWSQd8psD6zgH_pcjr8/s1600/Blog+stuff+011.jpg"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">a headless Siob modelling the finished product</span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">When I eventually got down to it and made the bag, it was relatively quick and easy to make!<br />Watch out you lot- it could be bags for everyone this Christmas.<br /><br />Oh- and before I go, you may know my love of polar bears, so here is my new (still nameless) friend. He's been keeping me company:<br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuCh2OwJLQCN9N6fH8pf1WD4Ra0Nd1OPDWeq7o2QxUzDIZ69KfdKyTMFkSfbdKvb67gHXb5qQ35Vxvxe2G9XljrPTqQuQe2TC9Q6xq2ZoWhFaXghDryDeS4pEwJGXCNWgcaDtbIBiLuuw/s1600/Blog+stuff+001.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuCh2OwJLQCN9N6fH8pf1WD4Ra0Nd1OPDWeq7o2QxUzDIZ69KfdKyTMFkSfbdKvb67gHXb5qQ35Vxvxe2G9XljrPTqQuQe2TC9Q6xq2ZoWhFaXghDryDeS4pEwJGXCNWgcaDtbIBiLuuw/s320/Blog+stuff+001.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499465608720534322" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br />And now I must retreat to my bed and read the Gary Lightbody interview in HotPress.<br />Sweet dreams!x</span>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03415791574304433694noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4207930889182649485.post-36553344194855135962010-07-23T17:07:00.008+01:002010-07-30T00:36:25.760+01:00Little snippets of various things!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Hey there! The 69th annual Virginia Show is coming up, and with prizes for some of my favorite things to do, I'm entering some photos and a coffee cake! I'm really hoping I win with at least one photo, I'm entering five, though I've to wittle them down cos I'm finding it difficult to choose the entry ones! <br />I went up to the attic to get my very first camera to show you- I got it when I was about 5 years old and it has a two eyes visor which is strange! I could always use it properly, but it confused my Mom. Maybe it has something to do with how kids use their brain...I have no idea.<br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv1RUbSCDiqofjhawwhgKq_voSxH09ZjZ5TxpdDh28re_GmXoSBUJQOq1qEcqzbJ9ZnPaQVB-Tl-CkBUd7v0ir_eERsDUrVRCE8ctPfiPrLYJ_IQBTxyuwKKlvdH8eNqv52BdYzT4BppI/s1600/IMG_6501.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv1RUbSCDiqofjhawwhgKq_voSxH09ZjZ5TxpdDh28re_GmXoSBUJQOq1qEcqzbJ9ZnPaQVB-Tl-CkBUd7v0ir_eERsDUrVRCE8ctPfiPrLYJ_IQBTxyuwKKlvdH8eNqv52BdYzT4BppI/s320/IMG_6501.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497141823878513474" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br />My how my cameras have advanced!:P<br /><br />Also up in the attic is my first computer/laptop!<br />I must ask my parents what age I was when I got it, I really am not sure, possibly 7. If I stuck batteries in it it would probably work better than my one now...really should send that into the computer doc...It's so funny looking, but brilliant to still have I think, so I thought I'd stick it up here too!<br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2k_UVXn-0HlXcpeNfmXRUAmfckin7doKtfHEXRHUB0PtUqItOhutAu77RB3cmSnvQSK11dxeywA9tlEZxduhvCjTp7Nshw7MjOZrMZ3G4XN5wCnDz5J4deUzYwRqtGPhR_Ic0YbWaOAU/s1600/IMG_6495.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2k_UVXn-0HlXcpeNfmXRUAmfckin7doKtfHEXRHUB0PtUqItOhutAu77RB3cmSnvQSK11dxeywA9tlEZxduhvCjTp7Nshw7MjOZrMZ3G4XN5wCnDz5J4deUzYwRqtGPhR_Ic0YbWaOAU/s320/IMG_6495.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497142846769591538" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br />But until July 31st which is when the Virginia Show is on, I thought I'd post this up! Hopefully with happy results:)<br /><br />Tomorrow night I will be at Sarah Griffin and Lisa Keegan's round two of </span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=134169983266440&ref=search"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Scarleh Fer Yer Mah Fer Havin' Ya</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> in Ormond Studios for a night of mortification a la teenage diary entries! The first night was a fantastic success and tomorrow should be even better! I think I'm going to be reading, so we'll see how that goes! I recently rounded up all my diaries from their various spots around the house and they're quite the stack!<br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd9bqgDMYTVLjwHwERE1H5CyAgSgKU9ToxIxR0YWB5akw5x_Bhjep6VYv3YyKHdrTJDmG3c15zIueWGa_ufKnbErz-IpFWr9tYkHjCUA-iJkpV-MxAZaIEjuGKhFjj7b1JVxuxCA10bCQ/s1600/IMG_6491.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd9bqgDMYTVLjwHwERE1H5CyAgSgKU9ToxIxR0YWB5akw5x_Bhjep6VYv3YyKHdrTJDmG3c15zIueWGa_ufKnbErz-IpFWr9tYkHjCUA-iJkpV-MxAZaIEjuGKhFjj7b1JVxuxCA10bCQ/s320/IMG_6491.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497145108326578722" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br />Ignore </span><em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">The Book Thief</span></em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">, that's clearly not one of my diaries...<br /><br />And also a taster of the birthday present I've been working on for LJ...please ignore the stumpy-ness of the bird...<br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXrHQAYey7PpX-ZmMDnuYnnaQEXq5avhdoI6uNntSfVmrozD7QNJGXSuTiEC_6HSj4HhXKSNxHUjjhhAPgjtyp_OLFwWaEHCHLqwPbKO_tlj_AsuJtr5wMn7BjkDFkDHuFvEVozsuebJY/s1600/IMG_6492.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXrHQAYey7PpX-ZmMDnuYnnaQEXq5avhdoI6uNntSfVmrozD7QNJGXSuTiEC_6HSj4HhXKSNxHUjjhhAPgjtyp_OLFwWaEHCHLqwPbKO_tlj_AsuJtr5wMn7BjkDFkDHuFvEVozsuebJY/s320/IMG_6492.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497143232278284706" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /><br />Love!x</span>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03415791574304433694noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4207930889182649485.post-85172675365240412242010-07-22T19:57:00.017+01:002010-07-30T00:36:51.461+01:00Devil's Food Cake! Ooooh!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxH2yrQO1-zTWdDx_o7HeYy5hYEBeBvx5mZY2dx1JD8MlgsFaFw38m7t65o0p4qtVVoFN2iBsFSazvgQQHMrrLv8nw93NUvXspKxcnnDeOm7HOYKJAAijRjkeqLWZ8Dnu50ofn4PbA2_s/s1600/IMG_6483.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxH2yrQO1-zTWdDx_o7HeYy5hYEBeBvx5mZY2dx1JD8MlgsFaFw38m7t65o0p4qtVVoFN2iBsFSazvgQQHMrrLv8nw93NUvXspKxcnnDeOm7HOYKJAAijRjkeqLWZ8Dnu50ofn4PbA2_s/s320/IMG_6483.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496851427537513970" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">A few posts ago I made Angel Food Cake for my Mom, and today I whipped out the cookbook again to make its counterpart for me! It really is just a chocolate cake with a few extra additions, such as my new friend food dye! It has a little bit of red dye in it which I know is in a red velvet cake that I really want to make soon!<br /><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyO8deftIu6mzV6wHK7tKyx2VIXrQ8f9Qnzd_0lOOfLgx6i3dM3n8mKEUznqlvE59gjPwG79KZS_GtG9KoOmNP01vdt-qcSjFUcuE9LMHKBA-eFqTA6TVZ_KJnu7s8Vwrz98RIlglGquE/s1600/IMG_6478.JPG"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><img style="float:center; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyO8deftIu6mzV6wHK7tKyx2VIXrQ8f9Qnzd_0lOOfLgx6i3dM3n8mKEUznqlvE59gjPwG79KZS_GtG9KoOmNP01vdt-qcSjFUcuE9LMHKBA-eFqTA6TVZ_KJnu7s8Vwrz98RIlglGquE/s200/IMG_6478.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496851921745136306" /></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHchyphenhyphenp8FxXfetbxpOoLXKHRVwY2h1-iMbT1xScEh61RnS2-yHrQsdvC3Kp-nQAFAOCmuSo_2GNJCNY9YTQc6eE0WF_YoV4hwtqAzELIMG6RL0vhyphenhyphentCYrtjKaW6IHW3FOQqRzd5EPXra_E/s1600/IMG_6480.JPG"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><img style="float:center; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHchyphenhyphenp8FxXfetbxpOoLXKHRVwY2h1-iMbT1xScEh61RnS2-yHrQsdvC3Kp-nQAFAOCmuSo_2GNJCNY9YTQc6eE0WF_YoV4hwtqAzELIMG6RL0vhyphenhyphentCYrtjKaW6IHW3FOQqRzd5EPXra_E/s200/IMG_6480.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496852803962697746" /></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjc8w2K_T2HIOonpxGZ-bTVfkxiR7b_JM-JS4MFFUwUWNnTOtpJj-QbX5Zb8sCtRy6vxZHlS0Zb9GN6MOGW7IpbjpLw8nqiCh8Ce7iRwk92bS4c0a5avD_124WIobsh9YCNGjVxUpNBHU/s1600/IMG_6484.JPG"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><img style="float:center; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjc8w2K_T2HIOonpxGZ-bTVfkxiR7b_JM-JS4MFFUwUWNnTOtpJj-QbX5Zb8sCtRy6vxZHlS0Zb9GN6MOGW7IpbjpLw8nqiCh8Ce7iRwk92bS4c0a5avD_124WIobsh9YCNGjVxUpNBHU/s200/IMG_6484.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496853105951548322" /></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /><br /></span><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_gnsttv4fN5A/TEi_FMtzfOI/AAAAAAAAAXg/AyDoYymahY%20s/s1600/IMG_6489.JPG"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><img style="float:center; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxqZJDigdG5vC3-Aogrq7-87WMv2gh6JrUB01ImbWkvcrPABvXx7fgBhdVeAsvglGvi-qIbNSspPfA_kD4OMz-_r-zXzKL4roH-sfkYxsDauGO0yVr9Erh7Y3EG2ahVirtoiexoH9503E/s200/IMG_6489.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496853441239284962" /></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /><br />It called for whipped cream, but my little country shop only had fresh cream, so I had to make do with that! I also added a little bit of strawberry jam between the layers and some chopped nuts to the top. Yum! Mary G called over to have some with tea and she enjoyed a big wedge and brought some home too:)<br /><br />The birthday present I've been working on can finally be posted after the weekend as I'll have given it to a lovely friend at long last!<br />I've been scouring crafty blogs for ideas for my sewing box bits and listening to Tired Pony. It's quite a wonderful way to spend your time.<br />I've spotted a pair of beautiful key earrings on Etsy that I want, so I might purchase them tomorrow! I believe you should always get yourself little treats;)<br /><br /></span><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Devil's Food Cake!</span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span><em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">180g butter<br />385g caster sugar<br />3 eggs<br />225g self-raising flour<br />75g plain flour<br />1/2 tsp bicarbonate of soda<br />70g cocoa powder<br />3 teaspoons instant coffee granules<br />125ml water<br />125ml milk<br />1/2 tsp red food coloring<br />300ml whipping cream, whipped</span></em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /><br /></span><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">rich chocolate frosting</span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span><em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">60g dark eating chocolate. chopped<br />60g butter, chopped</span></em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /><br />-Pre-heat the oven to 170C. Grease and line bases of two 20cm round cake tins.<br />-Beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy; beat in eggs, one at a time.<br />-Fold in sifted flours, soda and cocoa powder with combined ocffee, the water, milk and coloring, in two batches.<br />-Pour mixture into tins; bake for 40 minutes. Stand for 5 minutes before turning cakes onto wire racks to cool.<br />-Make the frosting!<br />-Sandwich the cold cakes with whipped cream, then top with frosting:)<br /><br />For the frosting:<br />Combine the chocolate and butter in a small heatproof bowl over a small saucepan of simmering water, stir until smooth, then remove from the heat.<br />Cool at room temperature, stirring occasionally, until frosting is spreadable.<br /><br />Enjoy!x</span>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03415791574304433694noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4207930889182649485.post-13029110044072804352010-07-21T18:34:00.013+01:002010-07-30T00:37:25.857+01:002am Rainbow Cakes!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnBl3tamw0Z7ZkjKlMXkhvyY0jsJbCtc_0487hgH9pqGytzRRHjktQ5TEhNqK0KHYt5Zm03_Qy1i-eQdIajJp4vzjeIuGB1HFjqqygzaGFq-yD7-6L_w8yGK-s6u60NsNLt5QQ_M1jHac/s1600/IMG_6462.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnBl3tamw0Z7ZkjKlMXkhvyY0jsJbCtc_0487hgH9pqGytzRRHjktQ5TEhNqK0KHYt5Zm03_Qy1i-eQdIajJp4vzjeIuGB1HFjqqygzaGFq-yD7-6L_w8yGK-s6u60NsNLt5QQ_M1jHac/s320/IMG_6462.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496421040941913698" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">This, my friends, is a rainbow cake.<br />I highly recommend you bake them at 2am with an incredible friend such as Griffin and eat them at a silly hour of the night with a decaf tea. You don't want to be kept up past your bedtime or anything like that...<br />It was Griffin's idea to make them rainbow and I can honestly say I will never make a plain bun again.<br />All you do is whizz up the normal cupcake/fairy cake recipe (I have a stupendous new one I'll add in at the end), divide it between as many bowls as you have food colors, and add a few drops of the color to each. Into each paper casing you place a little bit of each colored mixture.<br />Don't blend them!<br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOPpB8wG5-zk8KDE40WMHwHeAS0AiHCdwVUT2W3vqWHOyGbEOF7GP4Tk2SlArAizv8HQfwPV41ZTTeu9WPdL_yGEkKi_w4DVeeuHfYUbgZLUsZpnmSkLElaPrstTZDcdj304OnRAZvz1k/s1600/IMG_6456.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOPpB8wG5-zk8KDE40WMHwHeAS0AiHCdwVUT2W3vqWHOyGbEOF7GP4Tk2SlArAizv8HQfwPV41ZTTeu9WPdL_yGEkKi_w4DVeeuHfYUbgZLUsZpnmSkLElaPrstTZDcdj304OnRAZvz1k/s200/IMG_6456.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496418501033907842" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Looks a bit like Playdoh here...</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br />Then pop them in the oven to bake, allow to cool, then top with some vanilla buttercream.<br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih2EVzU82mXFLAOe-hZqwNZRTUOKPqV8sFw9UWk_oJbvtp6UrzL0LkvCf5QfAOepMVooSz1ipSt9rWLrTTmSF2zL28Vhrmyo2gkDvrC5td-OSLxSP0cfjzZiuCl1rwkJLskNf9SP-xTeY/s1600/IMG_6457.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih2EVzU82mXFLAOe-hZqwNZRTUOKPqV8sFw9UWk_oJbvtp6UrzL0LkvCf5QfAOepMVooSz1ipSt9rWLrTTmSF2zL28Vhrmyo2gkDvrC5td-OSLxSP0cfjzZiuCl1rwkJLskNf9SP-xTeY/s200/IMG_6457.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496423507014441762" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb4B-PAFeQ162DnXWpk7lsvykiHqt8-a8kk3GevgmMsVooRnuAf6G6fyuicEMBpJBKnN8jafrM5voe1Ta-ZxnO91W13GpK30iiwFSAtpufK7wiXvHwVcZMfGuV-i8yRti-Gamkz5W7X-o/s1600/IMG_6460.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb4B-PAFeQ162DnXWpk7lsvykiHqt8-a8kk3GevgmMsVooRnuAf6G6fyuicEMBpJBKnN8jafrM5voe1Ta-ZxnO91W13GpK30iiwFSAtpufK7wiXvHwVcZMfGuV-i8yRti-Gamkz5W7X-o/s200/IMG_6460.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496423515674392690" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br />Oh my oh my.<br />The inside of them resemble those gobstoppers you would suck on for weeks as a child, though these won't cut your tongue, simply give you the same sugar rush at the end of it.<br /><br /></span><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">New Cupcake Recipe!</span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br />(Makes 48 mini cupcakes, 24 bun sizes, or 12 muffins/cupcakes).<br /><br /></span><em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">90g butter<br />175ml milk<br />tsp of vanilla essence<br />3 eggs<br />200g caster sugar<br />210g plain flour<br />1 tbsp baking powder<br />1/4 tsp salt</span></em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /><br />-Cream the butter (which I always warm gently in the microwave first) and sugar and vanilla.<br />-Then add the eggs, one at a time, and beat after each.<br />-Add the milk, then sieve in the dry ingredients.<br />-Bake in the oven at 180C/350F/Gas Mark 4 for 13 minutes and allow to cool before icing. Use the vanilla buttercream from an earlier post and bam, rainbow cakes.<br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfPoKu7R-gK7xsFTEWx9Sb1BoExhHBlTxwk2cjVyi9ZiRuKq-DqmrOinZoM3Rlte5Qcg_KDp8T2PUnf94jltrhvMNb3QcMVssb0v8mkvVns_BaW4Bb7hmq3hehINyWERl2iUxrnBZ31Vo/s1600/IMG_6464.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfPoKu7R-gK7xsFTEWx9Sb1BoExhHBlTxwk2cjVyi9ZiRuKq-DqmrOinZoM3Rlte5Qcg_KDp8T2PUnf94jltrhvMNb3QcMVssb0v8mkvVns_BaW4Bb7hmq3hehINyWERl2iUxrnBZ31Vo/s200/IMG_6464.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496421545675496370" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br />You will never look back.<br /><br />The fun with food dye didn't end there!<br />Nope, at breakfast we made blue blueberry pancakes! Just add a few drops, swirl it gently and fry it up.<br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN_4BPSTwk9r_D1lhvyGXJl0RGs95uCAUJTbV0ZXYWrqGHzAZxQ6hkUogvM-ra4k6F4jjdMYg7RlXcT4n1DET5lu-Dwt3lZvvZ3IjkcMPikExVJ27zmFawBwztA5nBscZo3_zimSf5Rks/s1600/IMG_6465.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN_4BPSTwk9r_D1lhvyGXJl0RGs95uCAUJTbV0ZXYWrqGHzAZxQ6hkUogvM-ra4k6F4jjdMYg7RlXcT4n1DET5lu-Dwt3lZvvZ3IjkcMPikExVJ27zmFawBwztA5nBscZo3_zimSf5Rks/s200/IMG_6465.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496424469410214514" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGaMLT6-yESnG3csE5SeRGfB-Fj8qzGSZH9dT60lx9hxSFzTsUIpbh4CVkHjHRCjePsjsQztOkqV8_Yd63eXt91ddn8dNVbDMbE-fSsjcLy0jCVz6Sb2kSE_LzIw3GlWjtfuC-QIxhIA0/s1600/IMG_6467.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGaMLT6-yESnG3csE5SeRGfB-Fj8qzGSZH9dT60lx9hxSFzTsUIpbh4CVkHjHRCjePsjsQztOkqV8_Yd63eXt91ddn8dNVbDMbE-fSsjcLy0jCVz6Sb2kSE_LzIw3GlWjtfuC-QIxhIA0/s200/IMG_6467.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496424481459351602" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br />It doesn't add any taste, merely looks pretty. However, the new cupcake recipe is fantastic!<br />So go add some food dye to your food! Yay!</span>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03415791574304433694noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4207930889182649485.post-71479144022187441582010-07-19T00:53:00.007+01:002010-07-30T00:35:19.673+01:00New life for an old skirt!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Hey there! Some late night sewing going on here! Just finished this, and now I'm off to make a birthday present!<br />I got this skirt from one of my cousins about five years ago and because I never throw away things for fear that I may one day need it, I decided I'd give it a facelift!<br /><br />The skirt initially had a thin, hidden elasticated waistband with a teeny black bow and was below-knee in length. It was a bit frumpy and quite plain to be honest, so first of all, I took my scissors to it and made it to just above-knee.<br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsClU7GPUSubIdECmvo5rmJ7yAwA-68EKsOtE4Xm9JmC4KeQzbhlyrm3ql3Kl8WZffJBYcf09HEkAGyJX9C4tknH28yMqisvC6vXgot6UCqCCKjynVfyh8lr7hJp0srm3TuyPE8V5G2sk/s1600/IMG_6402.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsClU7GPUSubIdECmvo5rmJ7yAwA-68EKsOtE4Xm9JmC4KeQzbhlyrm3ql3Kl8WZffJBYcf09HEkAGyJX9C4tknH28yMqisvC6vXgot6UCqCCKjynVfyh8lr7hJp0srm3TuyPE8V5G2sk/s320/IMG_6402.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495403549452868530" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsClU7GPUSubIdECmvo5rmJ7yAwA-68EKsOtE4Xm9JmC4KeQzbhlyrm3ql3Kl8WZffJBYcf09HEkAGyJX9C4tknH28yMqisvC6vXgot6UCqCCKjynVfyh8lr7hJp0srm3TuyPE8V5G2sk/s1600/IMG_6402.JPG"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; "></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsClU7GPUSubIdECmvo5rmJ7yAwA-68EKsOtE4Xm9JmC4KeQzbhlyrm3ql3Kl8WZffJBYcf09HEkAGyJX9C4tknH28yMqisvC6vXgot6UCqCCKjynVfyh8lr7hJp0srm3TuyPE8V5G2sk/s1600/IMG_6402.JPG"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">my new skirt!</span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">I found the elastic in my sewing box that I'd forgotten Laura K gave me for my 21st (where would my crafting endeavours be without her?!) and decided I'd stick it on to the top after I chopped off the waistband.<br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIq_GFXRPUUhDwxlFdXb8fybgOHbrTaTj-AhU1O3AybDluDGViKNcvxUVW9dR6-0nOEJ1YfNcVJfXDLiiNe5Dlv_uKzwlgln8wHU99u3j3GupNtPOXi1TrF7RlZ1RwlXWppjABlH_QIP4/s1600/Blog+stuff+013.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIq_GFXRPUUhDwxlFdXb8fybgOHbrTaTj-AhU1O3AybDluDGViKNcvxUVW9dR6-0nOEJ1YfNcVJfXDLiiNe5Dlv_uKzwlgln8wHU99u3j3GupNtPOXi1TrF7RlZ1RwlXWppjABlH_QIP4/s320/Blog+stuff+013.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499475309678956882" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIq_GFXRPUUhDwxlFdXb8fybgOHbrTaTj-AhU1O3AybDluDGViKNcvxUVW9dR6-0nOEJ1YfNcVJfXDLiiNe5Dlv_uKzwlgln8wHU99u3j3GupNtPOXi1TrF7RlZ1RwlXWppjABlH_QIP4/s1600/Blog+stuff+013.jpg"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; "></span></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIq_GFXRPUUhDwxlFdXb8fybgOHbrTaTj-AhU1O3AybDluDGViKNcvxUVW9dR6-0nOEJ1YfNcVJfXDLiiNe5Dlv_uKzwlgln8wHU99u3j3GupNtPOXi1TrF7RlZ1RwlXWppjABlH_QIP4/s1600/Blog+stuff+013.jpg"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">old waistband</span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">It looked a bit 'blah' with just this, so I took out the olive green ribbon I had intended for another project (which I royally ruined tonight, so I'm currently trying to think of a crafty way to salvage it) and sewed it onto the bottom hem. While I was finishing things off, Siob was messing with the rest of it and made a lovely bow out of it, and so to bring in the green a bit more (there's only hints of it in the pattern) and more dimensions to the skirt, I stitched it onto the waistband with one stitch also on each loop to stop it from drooping forward.<br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkkQNkcnsb8zoWSLocGulALTMvN6SGMtdjhFTP3mnMhliEIjKqJned5gGsxwhzEzD7a2PICa-8Qz6duwdK8Oo3USRQpaEHSeCQ7vGR4oUXlX90_epYX6HU7SGAtvIDhLHKALjKtmW-A6A/s1600/IMG_6401.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkkQNkcnsb8zoWSLocGulALTMvN6SGMtdjhFTP3mnMhliEIjKqJned5gGsxwhzEzD7a2PICa-8Qz6duwdK8Oo3USRQpaEHSeCQ7vGR4oUXlX90_epYX6HU7SGAtvIDhLHKALjKtmW-A6A/s200/IMG_6401.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495403992028724690" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkkQNkcnsb8zoWSLocGulALTMvN6SGMtdjhFTP3mnMhliEIjKqJned5gGsxwhzEzD7a2PICa-8Qz6duwdK8Oo3USRQpaEHSeCQ7vGR4oUXlX90_epYX6HU7SGAtvIDhLHKALjKtmW-A6A/s1600/IMG_6401.JPG"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">b</span></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkkQNkcnsb8zoWSLocGulALTMvN6SGMtdjhFTP3mnMhliEIjKqJned5gGsxwhzEzD7a2PICa-8Qz6duwdK8Oo3USRQpaEHSeCQ7vGR4oUXlX90_epYX6HU7SGAtvIDhLHKALjKtmW-A6A/s1600/IMG_6401.JPG"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">ows win</span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">I'm thinking about wearing it out Saturday with a black vest top for my birthday, but it's not what I had in mind (it was the currently stalled project), so I'll see how the mood takes me and if I get a source of divine craft inspiration by Friday night!<br /></span>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03415791574304433694noreply@blogger.com0