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Monday 16 May 2011

Full Circle

The Spring is turning to Summer which is where I began this blog last year.


Captured in time a year of blessings that have printed out to form a snapshot in my time.






Counting my blessings as I truly know that the best things in life are free.....





so count your blessings too... a hug from a child, a moment with your face in the sun, a meal shared with loved ones, a walk on the beach and so much more....


This is my last post, but I will be reading yours....



God Bless.


Shelly.


Saturday 30 April 2011

Spelt Ginger Cookies

I made these Ginger Cookies for the first time this week and they are so yummy I thought I would share them with you...





You will need:

175g of unsalted butter
175g dark muscovado sugar
4 tablespoons of golden syrup
350g white spelt flour
2 teaspoons of bicarbonate of soda
2 teaspoons ground ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon


Here's what you do....

Heat the oven to 160 C - gas mark 3.
Lightly grease 2 or 3 large baking sheets.
Put the butter, sugar and syrup in a large pan and melt gently over a low heat.
Sift together the flour, bicarb and spices then beat into the melted butter mixture removing pan from the heat and continue to beat till a soft dough forms that comes away from the sides of the pan.

Put walnut size balls of dough on the tray, space well apart.







Flatten them down slightly.







Bake for 10-12 minutes until golden, when you take them out of the oven bang the tray on the worktop, this gives them a cracked surface.


Leave on the tray to cool for 2 minutes then gently transfer to a wire rack to cool, they will keep in an air tight tin for about a week.







Happy Baking.


Shelly.
















Thursday 28 April 2011

Easter Weekend - Part 2.

Easter Monday and the sun was still shining so we headed to Cambridge.


We walked through the 'Cambridge Backs' which takes you along the river at the back of many of the famous colleges.






The banks of the river are filled with Bluebells.









I love the buildings of Cambridge, especially the roof tops.










We walked across some of the many stone bridges.










The river was busy with Punts.









Is this guy the 'coolest' punt guide ever? I think so....









A peek into the inner court yard of Trinity College.







We cut through the backs to the craft/farmers market that is held on Sundays and Bank Holidays in the market square.











We bought some lunch at the market and on the walk back he strolled ahead and found the most perfect picnic spot for a most perfect spring day.






Shelly.














Wednesday 27 April 2011

Easter Weekend..Part 1.

We were blessed with sunshine all weekend.

The house was full! we had our meals in the garden.






The little ones had their own all day party!






Everybody joined in the Easter Egg hunt......









More chocolate anyone?








and I am rarely happier than on days like these.



Shelly.





Thursday 21 April 2011

Easter.

Wishing you a Very Happy Easter Weekend.






Hope you get a visit from the E.B.







and he brings lots of lovely goodies.....










'The Lord is risen indeed' - Luke 24:34




Happy Easter.



Shelly.




Sunday 17 April 2011

April Joy

The 'girls ' came over and they had the first picnic lunch in the garden. They will coming over again this week and we will be getting ready for the Easter weekend. We are planning a day of egg painting, decorating Easter baskets and making Easter nest cakes all in preparation for a big family Easter Sunday lunch and egg hunt in the garden. and this week our beautiful Grandson was born into a family where he will be treasured and much loved by all his family and all his 'girlie' cousins!


The best of April blessings.



Shelly.

Saturday 2 April 2011

Lemon Pots.

These are lovely Lemon Pots, so easy to make and everyone loves them!


You will need:


1 500g tub of Greek Yogurt

1 200g tub of Creme Fraiche

Small pot of double cream

1 unwaxed Lemon

1 jar of 'homemade style' Lemon Curd ( make your own, see below or buy a jar from the Deli or farm shop)


Note:

You can also make a good 'skinny' version of this using all 0% or low fat yogurt, creme-fraiche and cream.


Place the yogurt, creme fresh and cream in bowl and mix together, add the juice of the lemon and finely grate in the zest, stir in as much of the Lemon Curd to suit your taste (I always use at least half the jar!)


Put the mix into little cups (Espresso size is lovely) or little glasses and swirl the tops with a drop of lemon curd, add a bit of grated chocolate or a little mint leaf.






They always look and taste so lovely!


Lemon Curd Recipe:


4 unwaxed lemons

200g sugar

100g butter

3 eggs plus extra yolk


2 small sterilized jars with seals.


Put the juice and zest of the lemons, the sugar and the butter cut into cubes into a bowl and place it over a pan of simmering water.


Whisk occasionally until the butter has melted.

lightly beat the eggs and extra yolk and stir into the mixture, cook gently for 10 mins stirring regularly until it looks like custard.

Remove from the heat, allow to cool then pour into the jars and seal.

It keeps for 2 weeks in the fridge.


Have a good weekend.


Shelly. x

Tuesday 29 March 2011

The Gift.

My Mum bought this Bible for my Dad more than 25 years ago. For 25 years my Dad has used this Bible at his Church and for his study and reflection. I recognised it on the table at their home always as 'my Daddies Bible' This year my Mum bought my Dad a new Bible. A couple of weeks ago they asked me if I wanted the old Bible.

My Daddies Bible now sits on my bedside table and I will search for the wisdom and guidance he found in the well worn pages of this most precious gift.


Whatever you do this week, may your God walk with you.


Shelly.

Sunday 27 March 2011

Spring has Sprung.

The clocks have changed to Summertime. The sun is shining and there is washing out on the line. The garden has started to show off it's first colours and the birds are busy nest building .


This is the first of the Camellia buds to open.


All along the fence the greenery is coming to life.









I am so delighted to greet the Spring this year.



After an early walk this morning I had this..



try it for fresh Spring breakfast:







Slice some fresh Tomato on to a plate, season with Black Pepper.


Add some pieces of creamy Goats Cheese.


Lightly poach an Egg , sit it on top, season again with Black Pepper and some fresh Basil leaves.


Add a slice of wholemeal Soda Bread.


(works well on large flat lightly cooked Mushroom too.)


Shelly.



Sunday 20 March 2011

Big Norfolk Sky!

We had a lovely weekend in Norfolk....

Visited the historic market town of Wymondham.












A lovely lunch in the Tea Room.




Also visited the very popular Burnham Market, the sun shone all day and the Norfolk big blue sky was very much in evidence.






A place to sit in the sun....


Peeking through gates at the beautiful old flint houses...














Browsing around the wonderful shop 'Norfolk Living'....

I wanted to buy the whole of this 'potting shed'!!










Lunch at the very popular Hoste Arms was truly divine...

Warm Goats Cheese and Caramelised Onion Tart with a bowl of hand cut chips!





Spirits are restored.... all is well..... Spring arrived just in time.
Have a great weekend.
Shelly.









Tuesday 15 March 2011

Easy Dinner for Two

Things have been really hectic lately with not much time for posting! The Spring is still taking it's time and my mood has been somewhat 'melancholy'


Going for a weekend away in Norfolk this coming weekend so will take some pictures and I am hoping the sun will shine to lift my spirits.


This was last nights easy dinner for 2 but it is great if there is a crowd too.
Fry the mincemeat (chicken pieces work really well too) with chopped onion and garlic ,when cooked add tin of chopped tomatoes and a packet of Fajita spice powder and simmer till dark and thick in consistency.
While the pan is cooking prepare bowls of what ever salads you want, a bowl of grated cheese, a sour cream or salsa or similar dressing (I used thick plain yogurt with mint and chopped cucumber) when everything is ready warm through the tortilla wraps and place all the bowls and the pan on the table and then wrap up a little of everything you want in the tortilla.
Its a great 'hands on' help yourself way of eating.
Hope you have a good week.
Shelly.

Sunday 27 February 2011

Signs of a change....

Standing in the kitchen this morning the sunshine was streaming through the windows.

These little primulas were basking in the sunlight.





I freshened up the dresser with some cream pots and jugs.



Walking round the garden there they were..... new shoots stretching up towards the sunlight.






Fresh green veggies for lunch.





and look.... the Spring Fairy in a ring of Spring bulbs.





How these small rays of the sun can lift my spirits and make me look forward to the Spring months ahead.
Shelly.