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

Week 36 - Bara Brith

Quote from book -  Dried fruit steeped in strong tea makes this cake moist and tasty

 - Mary Berry's complete cookbook.

Faff Factor = 9

Bake = 9

Keeping Up Appearances = 10

Total score = 28/30

OK I'll admit it, I have made this cake a few times before but from this recipe here. This time I decided to use Mary's recipe which is very similar and once again I ommitted the cherries as I didn't have any in the house.  Note to self - buy glace cherries as you love them. 

I also needed to make up a few challenges as I'm 3 behind and I needed to make 2 cakes this week for the Macmillan Tea and Coffee morning.  Phew...I've been a busy girl :-) so with all this in mind I needed a fool proof cake that is quick and easy. 

Bring on the Bara Brith.

Anyone can make this cake, (yes you can it's really easy) hence the high score, no faff and hardly any washing up.  I love the fact you soak the fruit over night and then in the morning just add all the other ingredients, give it a quick stir and plop it in the baking tin, then put it in the oven for an hour and half and smell the aroma around the kitchen.  Once a little cool cut a slice (and if you feel really naughty smother with butter) and eat with a nice cuppa.  I always justify having mine with butter as none is used in the actual bake.

Jack adores this cake and I make it for lunch boxes as it keeps rather well (ok  so that's a little white lie as it only last for about 2 days in our house as it is so moreish).

I'm also glad to say Mary's recipe was just as successful and one to make again and again. 

Thumbs up from me :-)

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

Remember one thing................

Friends are for life :-)

Jack and Ross - 2012 (age 14)

Jack and Ross 2007 (age 9)

(and I will try and embarass my son further by finding an earlier photo from pre-school)

TTFN

Lynetta Xx

Week 35 - Coconut Slice

Quote from book -  These traditional favourites are sweet, moist and perfect for tea parties.

On a cold day, eat warm with home-made custard

 - The Women's Institute vintage teatime book.

Faff Factor = 5

Bake = 8

Keeping Up Appearances = 8

Total score = 21/30

Another week, another bake and I've managed to use the WI book again (how did that happen?). 

I think I'm going to have to reserve judgement on these slices as I thought they were rather strange.  The bottom layer is a really thick sponge with a rapsberry jam (I think if I used strawberry I may have liked them a little more) with the topping an egg white and coconut mix.  It really did taste all a little strange, to me that is, as the boys really loved them! 

Funny how that happens don't you think?

Reading the recipe I thought these would be a perfect bake.  I liked the fact that it used only 3 eggs of which the yolks are used for the sponge and the whites for the topping, yay no waste as I keep freezing my egg whites and have to throw them out after a month - note to self look for more egg white recipes. 

Little did I know that my whisking techniques for egg whites needed to be perfected.  I managed to use 6 eggs in total as my first attempt at adding coconut to the egg whites was a disaster as the mixture split. 

Lesson learned this week is even though the book said add the sugar and coconut, stop sit and think, use your knowledge and don't tip it in the bowl in one go, instead use the whisk, you gradually add then fold in using a metal spoon, I've got to start listening to myself.  Lesson learned :-)

The sponge mix was really really thick too so added 2 tablespoons of milk just so I could get it out of the bowl into the tray as there was no way I could pour the mixture as the recipe asked.

So my quick bake ended up being a mammoth washing up task but I'm glad I gave them a go.

I'm 35 bakes into my challenge now but with only 14 weeks left to the year I'm falling short of 3 weeks, yikes I better get my books out and bake bake bake.....saying that I need to bake 2 cakes for The MacMillan Cancer Coffee morning at work this week.

Hope your day is full of happiness.

Lynetta Xx

 

 

Just a show off!

As previously mentioned on saturday Sarah and I (the Royal We lol) went up to London Earls Court for The Cake and Bake Show.  Sadly it was not as exciting as we anticipated.  I think if the organisers had realised how big an interest home baking really is they may have organised more places to get a cuppa and sandwich (no way did we want to queue for over an hour), more toilets (yes we had to queue as a girl cannot wait all day!) and better lighting (we couldn't see some of the demonstrations due to poor visibility).  The place was heaving to say the least...but look who bumped into me! (sadly a blurry photo)

Oooh what a lucky girl I hear you say.  However I must admit I felt like a stalker to get this photo.

After watching the said Mr Hollywood at a demo he safely remained behind the counter signing books, I managed to get my entry ticket signed which I have now clipped into my book. Then he escaped.....but not from me.....I quickly followed him and asked for a cheeky photo....I really don't know what came over me, I'm never normally this forward (insert a little smirk here).

Another little swoon,,, ahhhhhhh mmmmmmm

There was plenty to see at the show, plenty of stalls and demonstrations it was just so busy. 

I managed to watch Eric Lanlard bake his signature chocolate pastry, Jo Wheatley bake her famous chocolate birthday cake and Peggy Porschen (whose pop up shop was heaving) was giving private demonstrations but I managed to sneak a photo through the window.

Sadly I missed The Pink Whisk as Ruth was not demonstrating until 5pm and it was a little too late to wait.  I managed to get a little inspiration from the show though, I loved the chocolate Christmas tree which has urged me to make the cookie tree this year,  I loved the pink snowflake cake and thought wouldn't that make a wonderful wedding cake for a winter wedding? and the vintage table has given me the urge to go to car boots to find some old cook books.

and lucky me I managed to grab myself some bargains.........

a 6 monthly subscription to Delicious magazine for £10.99 with a free Mason & Cash mixing bowl, all the ingredients for a christmas cake from Baking Mad for £5, a 50p Ginger cake mix from Wrights (I know I don't really do mixes but the sample I tasted was scrummy and for a quick bake on a sunday in the winter to have with custard seemed silly not to buy one really) and Dr Oetker was giving away cake release spray (will have to use and give verdict on this product) along with some food colouring - lets here it for Dr Oetker, they were probably only one of the stalls happy to give away samples. 

So all in all a cheap and enjoyable day out.  On our journey home we mentioned we've no more little jaunts planned need to get something in the diary to look forward to, perhaps a Christmas market? any suggestions greatly received :-)

Toodle Pip

Lynetta Xx