completed successfully. Job done.
Sister of the bride is doing the decorating. Some nice symmetry there.
It's all a bit close now. Getting exciting.
In other news, an old university friend of mine has found me on facebook. We lost touch about five years ago, so this is great. We were next door neighbours in the first year. Ah. Unlike all my other friends from those days, this person works up London.
Thursday, 9 July 2009
Blackcurrant Jam
Finding myself in waiting for cake 1 to actually bake, I decided to harvest the blackcurrants and anything else fruity and make jam. I got an amzing 4oz of fruit, so the challenge was to find the smallest jar to put it in. Next year I hope to havest a few more. I have my eye on various plums and damsons on the allotment and hanging over from next door's garden, so all is not yet lost on the preserves front.
Meanwhile, time is pressing on and cake 2 is still in bowls waiting to be mixed up and put into the oven. My old oven never took this long. 3 1/2 hours and counting.
Back to the jam and some rolling boiling.
Meanwhile, time is pressing on and cake 2 is still in bowls waiting to be mixed up and put into the oven. My old oven never took this long. 3 1/2 hours and counting.
Back to the jam and some rolling boiling.
Wednesday, 8 July 2009
Some serious
cake baking planned for tomorrow. Two Christmas cake type cakes for my brother's wedding two weeks on Sat. So, if you experience a sudden loss of gas pressure, it's because my oven will be on for between 5 and 6 hours. (affording me the opportunity to take out Gregorian Semiology and learn a few more squiggles.)
And yes, no time for mess ups, his fiancee is coming over tomorrow night to collect them, before driving them, her dress and a few other essentials up to her parents this w/e whilst my brother does his stag thing.
And yes, no time for mess ups, his fiancee is coming over tomorrow night to collect them, before driving them, her dress and a few other essentials up to her parents this w/e whilst my brother does his stag thing.
Monday, 6 July 2009
A visit to the allotment
Thought I'd better get back to weeding in earnest, so popped over yesterday before Mass and planted some sweet corn. An allotment neighbour came to mourn the demise of my broadbeans, reduced to twigglets of black aphid poo. As I was leaving he handed me a bag of his, saying that I didn't deserve that to happen. He was genuinely concerned at my failed crop. What a nice man.
I only grew them because you can plant them early, my Mum likes them and they have nitrogen fixing nodules on the roots. My three field system 5% broad beans, 5% spuds and 90% fallow at present. I took them over to my parents who will have them with left over lasagne tonight.
I only grew them because you can plant them early, my Mum likes them and they have nitrogen fixing nodules on the roots. My three field system 5% broad beans, 5% spuds and 90% fallow at present. I took them over to my parents who will have them with left over lasagne tonight.
Friday, 3 July 2009
Free at last
Having had a hectic few weeks marking, report writing, organising some big events, playing in a school production and conducting in a few concerts, it's holiday time.
It's a long one too.
Time to live my summer holiday life.
It's a long one too.
Time to live my summer holiday life.
Friday, 26 June 2009
Scones
Part the second in an occasional series- Recipes for Berenike.
Scones
preheat oven to 220C, 425F or Gas mark 7
baking trays at the ready, greased if need be.
book says makes 16, depends how you cut up the dough, say I.
500g/1lb self raising flour
pinch of salt (I ignore that bit)
125g/4oz butter (or margarine - no thanks says Leutgeb. some of my Mother's folks are dairy farmers.)
2 eggs
300ml/ 1/2 pint of milk
sift flour into bowl
rub in butter (think crumble, think bread crumbs)
beat together eggs + milk
pour into flour+butter
recipe says, ' draw together to make a soft but not sticky dough.'
I say pour in, get a spoon out twirl around a bit and bingo dough.
kneed lightly for a few moments until smooth.
lightly flour worktop and roll out dough.
I splat it onto the flour and squish it into a shape 1 inch thick.
They say use a 2 inch pastry cutter, I say find a suitable mug to stamp out rounds.
Place on baking tray and bake in your preheated oven for 10-12 mins until risen and golden.
Eat immediately.
Or put in tin and put into the oven for a few moments to 'freshen' them up.
They need that just baked outer crispiness before you get to the butter, jam, cream, whatever filling you and your guests are diving into.
Disappear into the garden for afternoon tea.
Scones
preheat oven to 220C, 425F or Gas mark 7
baking trays at the ready, greased if need be.
book says makes 16, depends how you cut up the dough, say I.
500g/1lb self raising flour
pinch of salt (I ignore that bit)
125g/4oz butter (or margarine - no thanks says Leutgeb. some of my Mother's folks are dairy farmers.)
2 eggs
300ml/ 1/2 pint of milk
sift flour into bowl
rub in butter (think crumble, think bread crumbs)
beat together eggs + milk
pour into flour+butter
recipe says, ' draw together to make a soft but not sticky dough.'
I say pour in, get a spoon out twirl around a bit and bingo dough.
kneed lightly for a few moments until smooth.
lightly flour worktop and roll out dough.
I splat it onto the flour and squish it into a shape 1 inch thick.
They say use a 2 inch pastry cutter, I say find a suitable mug to stamp out rounds.
Place on baking tray and bake in your preheated oven for 10-12 mins until risen and golden.
Eat immediately.
Or put in tin and put into the oven for a few moments to 'freshen' them up.
They need that just baked outer crispiness before you get to the butter, jam, cream, whatever filling you and your guests are diving into.
Disappear into the garden for afternoon tea.
A happy ending
After my HoD fired off his missive, two sleepless nights, much shifting of music stands and checking of music and a concert. After the concert the Mother apologised and boy will be playing next week.
And the scary Russian piano teacher turned out to be very nice in the rehearsal today. Orchestra played well, given that they were all very tired and it was very humid. Then as soon as she went they lost the plot, so we played through something we aren't playing next week and called it a day. They will come up with the goods when needed.
In other news 4 very small tomatoes have ripened in my garden and an un-named insect, maybe a red ant, bit my foot (ouch.)
And the scary Russian piano teacher turned out to be very nice in the rehearsal today. Orchestra played well, given that they were all very tired and it was very humid. Then as soon as she went they lost the plot, so we played through something we aren't playing next week and called it a day. They will come up with the goods when needed.
In other news 4 very small tomatoes have ripened in my garden and an un-named insect, maybe a red ant, bit my foot (ouch.)
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