Around Here Lately

Gosh, where on earth has the time gone? I'm missing this little space. I may not be as articulate in my writing as some bloggers out there, but I love this small space. Sometimes life runs away and you have to play catch up constantly - that's me at the moment. So, thank you so much for coming back if you've dropped by before or 'hello' if you are a first timer! I'm hoping to be back to share more real soooooon!!

Life has changed dramatically, since the birth of Sebastian, days off spent with my Daughter, helping her with her breastfeeding, making sure she eats and rests & Christmas shopping together of course ;-)

I had a quick trip to Newcastle for a work conference. 

If I had to describe Newcastle in three words it would be 'City of light'. 

I have enjoyed one Christmas dinner so far on an extended family night out - only another ten to go!! I wore a new bright pink top from Boden that just screams Christmas plus a nice chilled throw on after work look! ;-) The blouse did tend to crease a bit, but things like that don't bother me, especially when I have a glass of wine in hand. 

Currently 40% off - other colours available.

Elephant in the room - new oven. VERY slowly getting to grips with it, so hard after cooking on my AGA for 14 years, which I just used to throw the food in and the Aga, being so kind would then just churn out succulent tasty food....even if I forgot about it. 

Sadly this oven is not so kind :-( 

Drinking my favourite tea - caffeine free lemon, ginger & ginseng from M&S. In my favourite new mug. With a stag on it. Of course!!

I am completely overhauling our diets. I lost over a stone in weight doing the 7lb in 7 Days Juicy Detox (& following up with a healthy lunch and daily juice for breakfast after). I feel so much better and more energised. Below is Jack Monroes Peach & Chickpea Curry, tasty & wholesome - just yum - I love her recipes! More on my new healthy eating soon!

Christmas isn't Christmas without at least one visit to a Christmas market is it? We visited Manchester last week - not many pics to share - too bloomin' cold :-) I'm going again tomorrow from work - yay for Gluhwein with Amaretto!

 & so, Christmas is slowly putting in an appearance. Ornaments old and new nestling together. A new baby and new memories to make with my beautiful family.

I'm off to check on the casserole in the oven and wait for my Daughter to arrive with that special little bundle, aaaaahhhhh!

I am having problems with Google Chrome on my tablet. It hasn't been allowing me to leave comments on the lovely blogs I follow, so I shall be sorting that out tonight - I do love this little community.

Ok, no more of my ramblings.....
wishing you all a lovely week ahead!
XX

So Long, Farewell......

Today I watched as my beloved Aga was slowly and carefully dismantled to be taken away – probably to warm the cockles of a new family’s heart!!

Turned off ready to go, our three oven Aga - the tiles behind are from Fired Earth.

We have had Aunty Aga – named by my nephews – as they misheard when I said "On the Aga" or "In the Aga" and she fondly became known as Aunty Aga – she is definitely a she!! She knows so many secrets, sssshhhhh………………

We have loved her and she has been perfect for our home, which originates from 1650. We bought her 14 years ago and she has warmed our hearts and home ever since, despite breaking down on 3 occasions – naughty girl – once in the first year of having her – 2 days before Christmas – oh yessss – and Aga told me they wouldn’t be able to get an engineer out till after the big man in red had been! Can you imagine? All that planning for the first Aga cooked Christmas dinner? This was swiftly sorted when Mr.L got on the phone and a nice engineer was out next day, probably on triple pay or something…

I feel sad and will miss her warmth when I come in to the kitchen on a blustery Autumn or snowy Winter’s day, clothes warming on her ready to change in to. The dog lying with his back against her and I remember when we had an ill chicken in a box at the side of her.

I’ll miss watching Mr.L moving food for friends and family around the different ovens, in his element, often in a Chef’s hat. The best, most moist cakes ever and always exclamations of how tasty the food is and how succulent the meat!!  

I remember when my Son started secondary school and had to write a detailed piece on how to make a slice of toast in Home Economics – “First, lift the left hand side boiling plate lid up” – haha!!

So, why are we saying farewell? When we got her she cost around 28 pounds a month to run, now five times that – that isn't for the heating – our Aga isn't linked to do the heating like some and to change this would cost a fortune.

She has become an extravagance and I feel our money could be better spent, particularly as it is just me & Mr.L at home now. We have a wood burner and central heating and obviously will be using them more than ever, but I feel I can no longer justify paying out so much money every month.

So, now I'm trying to find a range oven to fit the space. I still want a large oven as I love cooking and having friends and family over, but at least I will have the choice of what I'm using when. Below are the last things I baked over the weekend - one of three Christmas cakes and a cherry and coconut traybake, mmmmmm - I can't have any - juice detox!!!

Ok, so now the hunt is on for a new oven quick!!
Any recommendations? Share!
XX

Chocolate Hedgehog Cake

I thought I'd share with you the cake my children would demand for their 

birthdays when they were small. 

They thought I was the most wonderful, clever Mama in the world when I produced it!! 

Aaaahhhh, too cute!

I made this last week for my Son's 21st - and guess what - 

they loved it again and proudly told their partner's what a wonderful, clever Mama I am!! 

The mixture is a basic sponge recipe - just add cocoa powder to a pale brown - 

it will go darker as it bakes as you can see below....bake in a moderate 

oven for 35 minutes until springy to touch.

Butter icing to decorate - again with added cocoa powder :-)

Add 'spikes' using Minstrel's and Button's, shape a nose with the butter icing.

Ta-dah - simples!
XX

Aga Baked Christmas

I love to bake - often when I am stressed I will find myself baking.

Baking for my family, especially their favourite things really makes me feel good, a provider.

As my children are older, I listen to them when they talk about home & what they miss, 

proudly telling friends how great my rice pudding is! ;-)

This year I only made two Christmas Cakes, one for me, one for my Mama & Papa.

Aga baking produces a different cake every year despite using the same recipe, but always the moistest cake ever!

Ingredients from Aldi

Preparing the fruit to soak a few weeks in alcohol ;-)

Eggs, butter, sugar & treacle

Flour & spices

 
Mixed in this - the best EVER!

Ready for the oven....

Final pics to follow - cakes iced last night by 'A'

(STAR)!! XX

'L's lovely girlfriend 'S' also baked some mince pies for me - they are delicious, so rich.

Bit of a cheat with ready made pastry and the most gorgeous jar of mincemeat.

 Egg glazed

 Yummy! Thanks 'S' XXX

Who else has been baking?What do you do to ease stress??XX

Awesome Autumn

I LOVE Autumn - my favourite time of year - & now definitely fully fledged!

I have had my camera with me constantly over the last couple of weeks, 

wanting to capture the things that say Autumn 

has REALLY arrived for me.

Sad that photographs cannot capture the stillness & chill in the air, 

warm breath in the cold air, leaves crunching underfoot 

& the smell of warming alcohol beverages - YUM!

Here's what I'm loving this Autumn :-)

Real fires

Building wood stores

Cosy cushions

The evening ritual of lighting candles

Last flowers of Summer clinging on...

My AGA, the heart & soul of my kitchen - 

she knows everybody's secrets - sssshhhhssshhh

Downton Abbey - ooohhh it's been 'Nitty Gritty!'

Loving Sunday Evening's :-)

Leaves crunching underfoot

Cheeky chilly day warm-ups ;-)

Film marathons - 60p each bargains!

Reading books that have been on my shelf oh, too long...

An Autumnal colour feast everywhere you look :-)

Pumpkins - soup, roasted, risotto...

Boots & cosy socks or even leg-warmers!!

Hot chocolate (& chocolate :-0)

Scarves in varying shades to mix it up a bit!

Sheepskins

& of course Fairylights!

What are you loving about Autumn?

XX