Recent purchases . . .
By Unknown 8:26 pm
I succumbed and treated myself to a treat from the dotcomgiftshop, and I arrived home yesterday to my box of goodies, of which these woodland lunch tubs were by far my favourite . . .
This baking experimentation has undergone a number of trials and taken a lot of research to find the best food colourant product for baking, my first attempt involved nearly a whole bottle of food colouring and one green-ish and brown-ish sponge, not quite the red and blue that I was after.
After some internet research I decided that food colouring gels would probably be the best option, and this weekend after miraculously finding some in our local Asda I got to try them out properly. I'm so pleased with the results. The recipe will hopefully be featured in an upcoming issue of teenbook magazine, a twist on a traditional Victoria Sponge . . .
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We had a birthday in the department and to help mark the occasion I made some cakes for everyone, and they went down very well, the chocolate frosting on the cupcakes was delicious. The Hummingbird recipe that I used for the frosting made twice as much as I had cupcakes, and I couldn't just throw it away so Jason and I ended up finishing it off, and paying for it later on in the evening, both experiencing very unhappy tummies . . .
Chocolate cupcakes with chocolate frosting and pink glimmer sprinkles
My very first attempt at a traditional Victoria sponge and whipping cream, not as hard as I first thought!
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Floral suprise . . .
By Unknown 8:14 pm
It's been a busy and information filled first few days at my new job at Hobbycaft HQ, and I arrived home today to find these lovely flowers from my Mum and Dad. I love lilies and they smell gorgeous, despite the fact that they have triggered off my hayfever (if it's not one thing it's another!)
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Whilst we were in Wales I sampled many culinary firsts; my very first (and last!) experience of Nando's, frozen ice cream from Yoo Moo, Macaroons and Goats milk ice cream to name but a few. We were hoping to find some quaint country pubs on our ventures out and about, unfortunately we seemed to be looking in all the wrong places :(
After the not very nice lunch out at Nando's we opted for a Yoo Moo frozen yogurt for pudding, I opted for a strawberry frozen yoghurt with berry compote and strawberries (it tasted just like petit filous), whilst Jason went for brownie and chocolate covered raisins with vanilla yoghurt, not the healthiest of combinations, but tasty none the less!
I've been wanting to try macaroons for ages and when I spotted some I Cardiff we couldn't resist, not exactly what I was expecting but very tasty, with real strawberry filling.
Jason sampling the toffee honeycomb and chocolate varieties . . .
. . . whilst I opted for something a little healthier, rhubarb and ginger and vanilla
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This week we've been in the Brecon Beacons on the south of Wales, and due to the lack of internet and (even) mobile signal I have been unable to bring you all my latest discoveries . We had a lovely time despite the fact that I was ill throughout the majority of the holiday, and when I finally did start to feel better it was torrential rain! However, we had a lot better weather than if we'd stayed in Bournemouth, and it was lovely to get away and not have to set an alarm to get up to, safe to safe we caught up on some much needed sleep, and returned refreshed . . .
At the top of Sugar Loaf mountain near Aberagvenny
Such a beautiful view at the top, and it was lovely and sunny too!
We found some beautiful shops when we visited Hay-on-Wye the antique book capital of the world (apparently!?) like this quaint green grocers.
Another amazing shop find in Hay-on-Wye, Rawhide, stocking the most sumptuous leather bags and lifestyle accessories.
On our first day in the Brecon Beacons we walked to nearby Gilwern, and passed some lovely cottages and wild flower gardens.
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. . . and this is the lemon curd that I made bottles up and ready to go. The recipe that I used made two and half jars (one for Jason's Mum, one for mine and the half one for use!) For the ones we're giving as gifts I put some floral fabric covers on them, and also made some labels that compliment the fabrics I've used. I'm hoping to maybe make some lemon muffins with out curd or maybe a lemon Victoria sponge??? I shall have to see what I'm in the mood for . . .
