Old Fashion Classic Cake and more flowers!

I made a classic Victoria Sandwich Cake this morning. It got me thinking last year Simone did a Friday Cake Bake so I thought I would do a 'Sunday Old Fashioned Cake Bake' once a month. I will make an 'old fashion cake' and try and find a piece of history about it. Would anybody like to join in? The recipe for this cake is here

Anna, the Duchess of Bedford (1788-1861), one of Queen Victoria's (1891-1901) ladies-in-waiting, is credited as the creator of teatime. Because the noon meal had become skimpier, the Duchess suffered from "a sinking feeling" at about four o'clock in the afternoon. At first the Duchess had her servants sneak her a pot of tea and a few breadstuffs into her dressing room.
Adopting the European tea service format, she invited friends to join her for an additional afternoon meal at five o'clock in her rooms at Belvoir Castle. The menu centered around small cakes, bread and butter sandwiches, assorted sweets, and, of course, tea. This summer practice proved so popular, the Duchess continued it when she returned to London, sending cards to her friends asking them to join her for "tea and a walking the fields. The practice of inviting friends to come for tea in the afternoon was quickly picked up by other social hostesses.
Queen Victoria adopted the new craze for tea parties. By 1855, the Queen and her ladies were in formal dress for the afternoon teas. This simple cake was one of the queen's favorites. After her husband, Prince Albert, died in 1861, the Queen Victoria spend time in retreat at the Queen's residence (Osborn House) at the Isle of Wight. According to historians, it was here that the cakes were named after her.

On Tuesday 18th January I did my main shop and bought some cheap flowers which I actually still have. This week I bought some more! I wonder how long the flowers will last Chrysanthemum's and Carnations seem to last a lot longer than their sell but dates and some flowers do not last as long. This time I bought Irises, Tulips and Amaryllis which Morrisons seem to sell as bunches I have never seen them anywhere else in bunches!

My flowers, the ones I bought on 18th January are back left
(The secret is change the water regularly and cut little of the stalk at the same time)

I feel so privaliged!

Do you know I feel so privileged to be doing this. Just on one meeting at the This n' That fair at Totnes last year and lots emails. Lovely Helen has asked me to share the stitching of one of her projects for her magazine - out today!

All the information and details can be found here

Had a weekend at home!

Normally on a Saturday, we would get up, breakfast and go out, sometimes just for the sake of a bit of change of scenery!. This Saturday I decided I didn't really want or need to go out (its all part of my economising), and concentrate instead on 'special' trips during the year which I will blog about if I get there! Alex popped out for a couple of items, we had already been to Tesco last Tuesday afternoon for the big shop, as now there is just us two, we only go when we need to, when cupboards, fridge and freezer and on the verge of empty! They had lots of offers on fruit and vegetables that afternoon and they must have just had a delivery because everything was so fresh and appetising, I just filled the trolley with fruit and vegetables!

As I had just read a post on The Quince Tree. I decided to have a go. I chopped celery, carrots, onions and garlic for casserole/soups packs and in separate packs I put finely chopped peppers, onions and garlic, ideal for Pizzas, Bolognais Sauce or anything else you can think of.........


I made a Vegetable Casserole/Soup yesterday. I make casseroles because I can put them in the oven and forget about them for a couple of hours and go and do something nice! Something involving crafting! I made the casserole with one of my frozen bags of vegetables to which I added Swede, Butternut Squash and Potato which were not frozen, Ground Pepper and lots of Italian Herbs and cover the vegetables with just water and put in the oven about 150 degrees centigrade till all the vegetables were soft, then served in warm bowls and fresh crusty bread.

While in Tescos bought these flowers

Well they do last just as long!

Cold and Fresh!

I wouldn't say it was cold..........

but the ice was standing upright on the car

this morning!

The grass looked like it has had a fine covering of snow!

Everthing was white and still!

Yesterday............

...................we went to see this little person

Caitlin

and her little brother

Liam

Last week I made Caitlin
this carrycot and bedding for her dolly

and this mini shawl for her dolly too.

The English Language

After buying this cake for Alex to take to work share the celebration of

the birth of our Grandson on Monday

We noticed the wording on the box

"Finished with edible decorations and candles"

does it mean we can eat the candles too..........?

Alex and Julie would like to

announce the arrival of our

Grand-Son

little brother for Caitlin

............another gorgeous little person............

Elevenese!

MINCEMEAT MUFFINS

Just made these - and very nice they are too!

Eat mine warm with my cuppa!

The recipe can be found here

I used butter in the basic mix

What do I do................?

Underneath the pile of lovely juicy pears is a saying

"Look to the future, never mind the past"

I love Vintage, I love looking round

Charity Shops and Antique Shops

what do I do..............?

....................................and Museums!!!

So this year I have decided to do this............................

After reading Jan's blog,

and having already mentioned in a

conversation with her that..........

1. Use from stash.

Not to buy anything at all until 1st January, 2012.

(may need to buy reel thread or wadding to finish

a project - acceptable)

2. Be careful about what I spend.

Just purchase what is needed foodwise.

3. Only buy from charity-shops if I really need the item -

think very carefully first.

Pretty dresses for Caitlin - acceptable

4. DO NOT BUY anymore books

I have enough!

Search the particular out at the local library

can use Taunton Library and return locally

I'll let keep you posted on how I get on...................

Normal Service Resumed!

This morning I did my favourite job I don't think!

The ironing!

Can't remember when I last did a mountain of ironing,

I've ironed on a need to do it basis, few items per day!

Whilst listening on this vintage Cossor Radio to "String of Pearls" on BBC Radio Wales

( It's the music that used to be heard on radios like this all the time)

***********************************

I bet some of you have wondered what has happened to the rug

well after being abandoned for nearly a week in the shed,

we retrieved it by which time the snow had melted.

It wasn't dry, but dry enough to re-lay it

where it had always been in the lounge

and as long as we didn't walk on it barefooted it was OK.

It was cold, but smelt fresh. (not that I got that close to it but

I'm sure you will understand what I mean!)

After taking the decorations down yesterday,

this morning I had a good dust and hoover.

YES! It is noticeably clean to us and looks fresh.

So yes it did work!

1~1~11

We had a quiet New Years Eve. In bed asleep! We didn't even hear the fireworks which normally wake us up.
I wonder what delights the new year will bring...........last year our eldest son Michael married Elizabeth, that was a really lovely day.
I don't normally make resolutions as I find they last all of five minutes, but this year I thought I would set myself little tasks, like having a good tidy up and either use or throw things out. I have said this to myself for at least the last thirty odd years so we'll have to see how that goes! I'm sure I'll let you know if it worked or not!!!
I'm now off to take the decorations down, we always do on 1st January so we can start the new year afresh from day one and also going to write thank you cards for my lovely gifts which Santa brought.