First day of sunshine 2013

I've been a little distracted of late and have neglected my blog.  I think I've just got out of the habit of updating regularly so I've had a ltittle talk with myself and have decided  I must make a more concerted effort to document what's going on otherwise when family read this back in years to come (wishful thinking but I do hope so) they will wonder why I disappeared for a length of time.

Today we finally saw some blue skies and warm weather.  The photo was taken from the car window on our way to Marlborough.  We just needed to get out and about and went for a drive and landed up over the Wiltshire Downs.  What a beautiful day.

TTFN

Lynetta Xx

Recharging the batteries

A well deserved and needy pit stop whilst out shopping today (it's a tough job but someone has got to do it!).  With the weather still not reaching above 4 degrees, boy it's still cold for April, I believed a hot almond crossiant and hot chocolate from Patisserie Valerie was in order, mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm delicious, I think this is going to be my new favourite cafe.

TTFN

Lynetta Xx

Books, books and more books

I seem to have an unhealthy obsession with books at the moment, not that it's a bad thing only if, like me, you don't really have a large bookcase to display them in. 

I love a good book to read and hearing all about a newly published one about the WI on the radio the other week it only seemed right to put it on my Mother's Day list and I was a lucky girl to receive a copy.  I can't wait for a lovely sunny weekend to sit outside and have a good read.

Whilst out shopping I purchased yet another baking book, but this time an American one.  I stumbled across the name when I was researching my New York trip, Williams-Sonoma, it's a store in NY along par with Harvey Nichols and its on my list of places to visit as they have a HUGE Martha Stewart department, so it only seemed right I bought the baking book.  Looking through it has some fine American recipes and I'm looking to have a go at some of them pretty soon (don't hold your breath for a post all about it though!).

In true British style I feel I have to mention the weather, it's still cold with temperatures dropping below freezing at night and not much more during the day. This winter seems to be going on and on and I know I will be very happy when the sun finally makes it's appearance and the skys turn blue just to get my old bones warmed up if nothing else.

Looking forward to Easter, not too sure what we are up to but hope it's a good one.

TTFN.

Lynetta Xx

Hello...Is it me you're looking for!!!

Long time no post....I really cannot put my finger on it but I lost my mojo for quite a few things over the last few months.  Perhaps it is the longer winter we have this year, or is it a sign of wanting to change, oh I don't know other than I'm back.  Not sure when the next post will be but for now I'll do a quick update to get the record up to date.

No baking has been done in the house, I've completely lost my mojo for that and I know I've 5 more bakes to complete the challenge, I'll get there just not sure when.

I've been a little ill for 2 weeks recently with a really bad cough and cold, knocked me side ways and down and even took to my bed for a day and half, something quite unheard of for me.

No craftiness has been started or completed. Perhaps I need to find something 'new' to learn to get my interest back up.  I'm thinking water colours?  but I'm not really an artist, I prefer wool and material, but then this may kick start my enthusiasm again.

No outings or jolly days have been taken over the last few months.  It's been lousy weather and with no motivation I've been like a tortoise and wanted to hibernate indoors in the warm.

Oooh just remembered, we did go out on a date to see Les Miserables at the cinema...cannot wait for the DVD so I can blub over and over again at Ann Hathaway's solo performance, I'm welling up now just thinking about it.

And to round things off just nicely Jack unfortunately had a little accident on the football pitch by dislocating his knee which popped back in immediately but left him with severe torn ligaments.  So that's his season over with (and my Saturday mornings back - hoorraayyyy) however he has impeccable timing that this had to happen on Mothering Sunday weekend which scuppered any plans we had to celebrate by eating out.  I can remember being in hospital on my first ever mothers day back in 1999, Jack had pneumonia and we spent 10 days getting him back to health to take home again, scary times.  Perhaps I need to avoid mothering Sunday.

So less of the moaning, less of the groaning I just wanted to say Ooh it's nice to be back :-)

Toodle Pip

Lynetta Xx

Never plan for the 18th!!!!

Note to self: Never plan a jolly with friends on 18th of December or January, as yet again the snow has stopped play.

Just wanted to document the fact that the white stuff has landed this winter and bought disruption all around.  Will we ever learn to accept that life must go on.

Will be back pretty soon with some form of update.  It's been a long time in the making as I've had a little break from the computer.

Be back soon..

Lynetta Xx

Mini, Miranda and me!

After making the decision to get techy with it and spending hours deliberating I finally took the plunge and agreed to have an e-reader.  The next big decision was which one - Kindle Fire or mini iPad, and as you can see I went for the iPad, mainly because the boys both have Mac's so we can face time, share with the cloud amongst other things.

I'm really happy with my mini and I decided to order directly from Apple to take the opportunity of having the free engraving.  Mine says 'Lynetta's litte pad of joy' and it makes me smile when I read that.

I've been familiarising myself with all the different and wonderful things it can do and have already downloaded a few books ready to read, but I couldn't resist buying (and to be honest I know I would always want to) a real book, mainly because it was cheaper as a hard copy than an e-copy, of my favourite comedian Miranda Hart.  There's just something about Miranda that tickles me and I cannot help but laugh at her television programme.  Here's hoping her book is just as funny, which I'm sure it will be, as with these long winter nights coming in I'll be wanting something chipper to read.

TTFN

Lynetta Xx

Fundraising......

On Friday the whole nation got behind a big fluffy yellow bear called Pudsey and helped raise £27.4m (figure as of today but with pledges it has been estimated around £42m).  I love Children in Need, it's one of those times when working in a school is so exciting or is that my excuse to dress up?  This year we had a PJ day and I managed to bag myself a little bargain with the t-shirt above and teamed it up with a starry pair of bottoms.  The children were so excited to see Miss B (that's me) in her pj's and thought it really funny, however after a few hours at work I became very lethargic and lazy and really didn't get much work done - but then it's a fun day so I was excused by the Headteacher to play.

In the evening I settled down and watched the show from the beginning to end.  I must say that I think one of the presenters (naming no names but the oldest one) is a little past his prime and needs to hand over the reigns to someone new and exciting as he is very lack lustre in his presentation but other than that the show once again was funny and entertaining.

I was touched as well as horrified to hear of the stories of children having to care for their mum through illness, of a family who lost their 2 children to a crippling disease and of the abuse children are put through.  This is one fundraiser I support fully as all the money is given to UK Charities and as they say Charity begins at home.

Love to all

Lynetta Xx

Perhaps that's it?

Oh my, I've been a little lazy on updating this little ol' blog here over the last couple of weeks and I really can't pinpoint why that is.  I've not been uber busy, just the opposite really and plodding along with everyday life.  Perhaps that's it? Perhaps I've just got nothing to say (now there's a first!)

With my cooker problems I've not really got back into the baking challenge as yet, could that be because I don't like failure and need to get familiar with my new oven?  Perhap's that's it?

I've got many knitting projects that I could be starting now the weather has taken a turn and the nights are drawing in, or should I be finishing my crotchet cushion project before starting another?  Perhaps that's it?

I've recently located a crop in my area so I could start scrapbooking again, but then I've not been taking photo's of Jack on a regular basis to do any layouts of any worth so why create something out of a necessity rather than for the love of the art?  Perhap's that's it?

It'll be my birthday in a couple of weeks and I'm being asked for ideas for a present but I really really cannot say what I would like, have I got to the age where I've got everything that I need?  Perhaps that's it?

But one thing for sure I'm happy plodding along in my little life, I'm happy having a routine, I'm happy having simple uncomplicated days so why try and change something that isn't broken?

Yes that's it! I'm happy :-)

TTFN

Lynetta Xx

A Funny Coincidence?

What should have been a happy event for me last friday sadly turned into a nightmare.  We took delivery and installation of the new cooker, the engineer made sure all was working before he left but when we went to make our dinner a few hours later the oven made some very weird sounds and the gas flame was flickery and making a dreadful noise. 

I spent the next 2 hours on the phone to the customer service department, being passed from one person to another and waiting for call backs from the store who is never knowingly undersold!  Finally after trying to be ever so diplomatic they will be replacing my oven on monday.

So needing a little cheerying up on Saturday I went out for the afternoon with my dear friend Sarah.  We popped into Windsor to a food and Christmas Fayre which was OK but nothing to really blog about. On the way back home we had a little quick stop off at Moss End Garden centre.

It's a lovely little place with not only the garden centre but a small indoor food market selling local produce and not forgetting the tat shops out the back.  I went into the second hand book shop and found an original copy of Delia's Book of cakes (circa 1977) for a bargain of £3.50 it's made it's way home to my book shelf. 

On Sunday morning whilst surfing the net I happened to link on to Delia's website.  I'm not sure if you have things like this happen to you but I found it a funny coincidence that the very same book is having an overhaul and being republished with the original recipes and more in February 2013. Spooky!

So that's one book I don't need to buy once released as I'm more than happy with my original copy.  All I need now is my new cooker and to get back on track with my challenge so I can give one of her recipes a go. 

Watch this space.

Lynetta Xx

Rain stopped play!

After 16 years, one house move and alot of meals (not to mention the cakes) my oven has stopped working.  I noticed something was wrong last week when I was baking the birthday cake (I also baked some vanilla cupcakes which I will sneak in as last weeks bake, post to follow).  I was a little pre-occupied in icing the birthday cake and cupcakes that I didn't realise that after 2 hours in the oven the brownies I decided to bake on a whim were still not cooked (good job really as they would of burnt - note to self put a timer on my christmas list) it was then I realised the temperature was low, so low that even though I had the dial set to 7 (200c) it was only cooking on 1 (100c) .  Oh dear my poor poor cooker has given up.  Rain stopped play!

As a short term measure (about 5 years I would say) we decided to go for another free standing cooker until the time comes when we re-design the kitchen.  I dream of having a lovely modern white gloss kitchen with a built in oven and induction hob, but until that day comes I'm happy to just another free standing cooker - I just don't think I could stand the upheaval and mess at the moment too. 

Luckily the stove top still operates so I'm able to be a little constructive with the meals but I'm missing my oven for baking.  It's going to be another week before it's delivered and installed so I better get the books out to see if I can come up with a no bake bake this week. 

Wish me luck.

Lynetta Xx

this baking malarky.......

It seems as though my challenge is taking me over. For some reason I'm all enthused again and am constantly looking at my books to find my next bake.  I think I may have procrastinated too long as I've been looking for a nice recipe using bananas and in the time it had taken me to find one they had over rippened, they had gone really black and were so squidgy squashy they could not be used. Oh well, I'll ear mark that page ready for when I have some more in the fruit bowl to be used but I had a good time snuggled on the sofa reading my baking books.  A good time is not a waste of time I say.

As you'll notice from the picture I've tried my hand at a pastry dish again this week.  I felt more confident making it again and the result was fab but I'll tell you all about that soon.

Other news this week...........................I've been asked to make my great nephews birthday cake.  He will be 2 this week and we are visiting at the weekend.  I'm no cake decorator by any means and so I've come up with a cunning plan to make some bunting and flags to go on the top, well no use having the skills in making things with paper and scissors if I'm not going to put them to good use, don't you think?  Keeping fingers crossed it all goes to plan.

OK I'm off now to watch Great British Bake semi final....

Toodle pip

Lynetta Xx

The Smurf!

Last week we were unfortunate to have the neighbour back into our little Aygo making a huge dent.  Whilst she went in for repairs we were given a courtesy car.  I really giggled when I came home from work to see this bright blue Fiat 500c on the drive.  Immediatley I called him The Smurf!.  and I must admit Ian did look a bit of a papa smurf when he was driving it.

I'm not that much of a petrol head but I do like to drive different cars just to say that I've driven one.  Ian really didn't like this little car and compared to his Aygo the fuel consumption was to be desired.  For a little 1200cc car it was a bit of a guzzler. 

As for me?  I loved it :-)

Ok perhaps the colour is not one that I would personally choose but after a week I kind of liked it and it certainly was easy to find in a huge shopping centre car park!  The interior is so retro and funky it bought a happy smile to my face, I loved the driving position as it was higher than the Aygo and the boot space was twice as big (I managed to get 6 of my large grocery shopping bags in the boot, something the Aygo cannot claim to do). It also had a great stereo system and all the controls were easy to use.  Not quite sure why it has and engine cutout mode when you are in netural as to me that just puts extra strain on the starting motor, but I digress.......

........so onto the down side, it's a little gut less and the pulling away power does not give you the confidence that I am used to, and the back seat was non-existent (hence the larger boot I suppose) and really that's about it, I couldn't fault it any more.

So would I want to own one?  Yes I think I would but only a more economical model and perhaps a white one!

So there you go ladies and gents, not only do I let you know about the good and bad points of baking I'm now a Top Gear presenter.....eat  your heart out Clarkson!

TTFN

Lynetta Xx

Hostess with the mostess!

So did you host a Macmillan Tea & Coffee Morning?  It was for such a good cause that myself, Helen and Julia each baked 2 cakes and served the teacher's and TA's tea and coffee during their break time. 

I made a Bara Brith (this weeks challenge bake) and a plate full of mini Victoria Sponges, and I think Lakeland should pay me some sort of commission because at least 4 people are heading off into town tomorrow to buy the special baking tray. 

Julia made the choccy roads which were huge! (but one of the first things to go) and a Banana Loaf and Helen baked one of her wonderful Lemon Drizzle cakes, I'm sure she could give Mary Berry a run for her money with this cake. She also baked a Ginger Cake which I've bought a slice home to try.  A variety to suit anyones pallette don't you think?

Along with the cakes to prettify the table I also made the bunting for my cake using my computer to print out the MacMillan Logo and some flags for the other cakes.  I think they look rather fetching with the bright green doillies which I think is a rather harsh colour to pretty up a cake.

We did really well and with the generous donations raised £70.  Not bad for such little effort. 

The teachers have asked if we would host a coffee morning at least once every half term, I'm all for it as I could pretend to run my little shop Tat 'n' Tea but I'm not too sure Helen and Julia want to play. You just can't get the staff these days :-)

Have a spiffin day

Lynetta Xx

Do I? or Don't I?....

We may not have had much of a summer, and may have been spoilt at the beginning of September with some warm and dry weather but boy has it turned cold over the last week. I'm now wondering whether we will have an Autumn as the leaves have yet to turn golden but keeping fingers crossed we do as I love the colourful trees this time of year.

So the big question is do I or don't I put the heating on yet.....it seems like a big question out there in the facebook world at the moment as all I see on peoples status is all about putting on the heating!

I'm going to hold off as long as possible but I know if it becomes too damp I will have no hesitation to switch it on but in the meantime I'm happy to be snuggled up under one of the many fleece blankets I seem to have lying around and drinking hot chocolate to keep me warm.

Have a happy Friday and keep smiling :-)

Lynetta Xx

Sunday Nights...........

Oh yes, it's back.  My Sunday nights will not be the same for the next 6 weeks.   Watching the first episode the other night all snuggled up on the sofa with a nice cuppa bought a happy little smile to my face.  I've been gripped with the story lines already, and boy did they pack a few into that first hour.

I've been meaning to visit High Clere Castle being only 25 miles from where I live and have now put it on my visiting wish list for next year as it's now closed to the public, in the meantime though The 8th Countess of Carnarvon has written a book on her predecessor, Lady Almina, the 5th Countess who converted Highclere Castle into a Hospital in September 1914, ooh the real Dowtown Abbey, I guess a copy of this book will be dropped into my basket as soon as it's released.

Have a happy day.

Lynetta Xx

Time.....

Time.  Time don't stand still for no-one.  Time. Something that people say they don't have enough of.

Time.

But, I think we do have enough time. We have enough time to fit anything into our day that we need to.  Time will always go on and we will always find the time.

I will not make any excuses to why I've not updated you with my challenges other than I've been doing other things with my time.  I will catch up with baking and post my updates here but in the mean time I'm using my valuable spare time doing some other things.  
And I know you will wait and in time you will be rewarded with my time.
Hope this all makes sense as it did for me (but then I have a silly sense of humour)
Loves and squishes
Lynetta Xx

24 hours remaining!

Eeekkkkk,  only one more day left of my long long summer holiday before I return to work and school.  I've managed to get the new shirts all washed and ironed and today I think I better get the badge sewn on the new blazer, the trousers pressed and all the school socks put in pairs.  24 hours remaining and counting.  

Only a quick post as I've a thousand and one things to do like most of you around this time of year but normal blogging service will be resumed and I've plenty to update you with :-)

Now where did I put those socks?

TTFN

Lynetta Xx

Eye catching

Do you ever get a glimpse of something, double take, turn around and have another look.  Well that's what happened when I was out shopping the other week with this canvas.  We've been looking for some wall art for Jack's room and at last we've found something that's not too young (as he's now 14), not too grungy/graffitti (as that's not his style) and not to girly (I'll leave the comment blank here ha ha ha).  

I've always said that pictures are a real personal taste so we took the chance of picking it up hoping it would suit and I'm pleased to say it did.

I think it's brilliant and love looking at how creative the design is and will now be on the hunt for something similiar for my hallway.

See you soon.

Lynetta Xx

Rosey Posie

Can you remember my mother's day present from Jack? 

After planting and wishing for it to climb and grow up the trellis I am happy to say not only has it done both but it has been giving me some wonderful blooms already.

I now need to read up on how to keep such a wonderful rose safe and healthy over the winter period as I really don't want to lose her to any disease or the frost now I've seen how wonderful she looks in all her pretty pinkness.

The weather has been rather beautiful over the last week so I'm off out today with a friend for lunch.  Oohhh I'm a lady of leisure who does lunch!

TTFN

Lynetta Xx

Childhood Memories

Having a new car seems to have bought the need to go out and about back for me.  I was always a  little worried the old girl would break down so only stayed within a 5 mile radius of home but now with Jess (I'll explain why the new car has a name another time) the worlds my oyster so to speak.

Last weekend we decided to go to Portsmouth and to Gun Wharf Quay's shopping centre.  This is Spinaker Tower which the boys did not want to go to the top of with me.  I'm thinking I will need to take a friend to do this at another time. I have this saying that you cannot go anywhere near the sea without having a bag of chips so after our little shopping expedition we popped over to Southsea.  Oh wow, this bought back so many childhood memories for me.

As a child we never went on holiday, my dad couldn't drive and my mum worked 3 jobs to keep us going (you get the picture?) so it was a rare treat to get anywhere near the sea.  Southsea was a day trip with the local pub once a year and I have fond memories of going on a coach with my brother, sister and other friends from the local neighbourhood.  I used to get scared driving around the devil's punch bowl near Peterborough and also used to think to get to the Isle of Wight you needed your passport as it was abroad (or so I was told!)

Going back this weekend and standing on the pebbley beach was very nostalgic for me.  I will have to find the photo's out of my nan and dad asleep on the deckchairs alond the sea front the next time I visit my mum :-)

Sadly, the place is a little run down but I enjoyed my afternoon walking around the funfair and it still had the old rickety roller coaster which I was fearful of as a child as it was very high and which I am fearful of now because of it's age :-)

And here is what I really went for :-)  a lovely bag of salt and vinegar chips.  Oh the memories :-)

See you soon

Lynetta Xx