At number ninety eight...

Snow day!

2012-02-06T06:08:00.000-08:00

So the mythical snow finally arrived on Saturday evening. Whilst wandering about in town book shopping after the match we pondered stopping for a drink, perhaps even eating out. Then, while standing discussing whether we knew anywhere close by to stop for aforementioned beverage a few small white flakes settled on our shoulders and the decision was made: head to the station and home for wine and a curry.
What seemed like a few innocuous flakes in London Town, turned into a blizzard of white out in the depths of Surrey, and trudging up the hill to the house we were glad we made the decision we did. We've been caught out like that before! "oh, it's only a bit of snow, the trains will be fine" and suddenly six hours later you're staring at departure boards willing a train to appear.
So home it was, curry it was, and on went the fire.

The next morning we awoke to the telltale hush and magical light that snow brings, and opening the curtains revealed a lovely seven inches of white glittery fluff! One cat was totally unimpressed and tucked up on the sofa frowning, whilst the other dashed in and out of the cat flap to tell us how exciting it all was!
We too thought it was pretty exciting and armed with the knowledge that there was hot chocolate in the house, and this year even heating! We headed out to play.

Our lovely stomp in the snow was marred only by the discovered that there wasn't the beautiful view at the top of the hill! So back down it was for a brief sojourn to the pub for a pint of the local ale, and then home for hot chocolate and pyjamas. The perfect snow day.

I hope you had a good weekend too and the weather hasn't disrupted your Monday too much!

Back soon with some baked treats and (hopefully) knitting reveals!

Goodbye Jamuary, hello February Marmalade Awards!

2012-02-01T07:59:00.000-08:00

Well, Jamuary is over. I'm not entirely sure where it went, possibly swept away by the cold winds that have finally arrived here in the South East.
My goodness it's chilly all of a sudden. All the more reason for me to be hovering over a boiling pan of marmalade cooking up some exciting goodies for the Marmalade Awards. I'll be entering this year with a selection of our exciting new flavours. I haven't entirely decided which are being sent off yet (I need to get my act together the entires close next week!), but there are lots of jars piled on the side filled with peel-studded goodness waiting to be chosen.
Which brings me to the winner of our last Jamuary giveaway. Congratulations to Meghanaf who was chosen by the random number generator, you were comment number three, so the tasters go to you! Please email your address to info (at) no98 (dot) co (dot) uk. and I'll make arrangements to get your set of tasters to you.
I think our quick jaunt to France to see the in-laws has gotten us in the holiday mood, no doubt helped by some serious winter weather finally arriving. As a result we've been dreaming of far away places this week and highly unlikely for us, are actually trying to get out act together and book a holiday. With that in mind I am smattering this post with some pictures from our trip last month, because that's exactly where my head is living!

Anyone else got the winter blues and already planning their sunny breaks?

A winner! And more fun things to giveaway.

2012-01-22T03:26:00.000-08:00

Happy Jamuary everyone!

We took a little break to visit the parents-in-law, and while we were there the gods of Jamuary were clearly in a good mood, as not only was I served this adorable baby jar of jam with my breakfast one morning...
...but I also got my belated Christmas present of two beautiful copper preserving pans! As you can see they are already being put to good use!

But, before I get distracted by shiny new pans and pictures from our jaunt, I need to announce the winner of the first ever Jamuary giveaway. The winner of the Apricot and Vanilla jam, chosen, aptly, from a preserving pan of entries, is...

Congratulations! Email me at info (at) no98 (dot) co (dot) uk with your address and I'll get on the case getting your prize to you!
It's getting busy in the No. 98 kitchen as marmalade season is in full swing, and with that in mind the next giveaway is steering a little bit away from Jamuary. I've got three new flavours being debuted this week, which will be announced on the wonderful blog A Playful Day (get over there and get playful, her blog and podcast is the business!). To coincide with this I want to offer one lucky reader a set of three taster jars of the new marmalades.

All you have to do is leave a comment (and if you're on Twitter, re-tweet about it) letting me know one unusual way that you use your preserves (keep it clean please!). The deadline for entries is Midnight (GMT) on Thursday 26th and I will be choosing a winner on Friday 27th at 10am GMT.

Happy Jamuary everyone!

Happy Jamuary! (and a giveaway!)

2012-01-13T00:49:00.000-08:00

Happy New year all. For some the new year is all about celebrating the exciting things to come. Making plans, clearing out, writing lists.
For me, one of the big things about the new year, which tends to bring cold grey dull weather, is looking back at the previous year's bounty and cracking open some delicious preserves to get us through the hunger gap. I know, I know, this time of the year is all about marmalade making, which I will be doing like a mad thing for the next few weeks. Yet, when JAMuary comes around all I can think about is the excitement of having lots of tasty fruity concoctions in jars to enjoy in all sorts of ways.

Jamuary is the genius of a friend of mine and her other half. After a good ole catch up in November we discussed how I could get people more excited about preserves. We bashed some ideas around and parted ways. Later that night my phone flashed up with a text message. "How about JAMurary! Like Movember is to moustaches, JAMuary is to preserves!"

A stroke of pure genius!
So to celebrate the first year of what I hope will be many Jamuary's, I am going to give you a series of posts about how to use that delightful produce you so dutifully potted and canned in the summer. And to kick it all off, I'm going to offer you a chance to win some jam! Over the next two weeks I will be doing two giveaways, each for a jar of my bestselling jams. I want to get you excited about preserves, thinking about how to use them in different ways, and bring a little bit of fruity sunshine this new year.

First up is my Apricot and Vanilla jam. A best-seller in both deli's and markets, this is a decadent jams packed with flecks of Madagascan vanilla beans and made with organic apricots. Lots of my customers say they enjoy it not only on toast, but gently heated as an accompaniment to their porridge or ice cream! Now that's the spirit of Jamuary!

To enter, all you need to do is follow me on Twitter - @no98limited, and leave a comment here saying what jams you'll be enjoying this month. One lucky winner will be chosen at random at 10.00 GMT on Friday 20th. Entries will close at midnight (GMT) on Thursday 19th.

Happy Jamuary everyone!

Snapshots

2011-12-31T13:24:00.000-08:00

With a flurry of markets, an extremely hectic week at work, and working Christmas Eve for the first time, Christmas arrived with both a bang and a whimper. Not that it was bad in anyway, far from it, just that is appeared very suddenly, with a wave of exhaustion and the sudden realisation that lots of things just hadn't been done.

Nevertheless, it arrived, and when it did it was perhaps the best yet. No obligations, not stress, no pretensions. Just the two of us, and the crazy kittehs, in the house, drinking cranberry and fizz cocktails, making a mess and trying to catch up with ourselves.

Here's a small snapshot of what we've been up to over the past week. I will be back tomorrow with news of an exciting month to come.

The tree was decked, with lots of nice things placed underneath.

I indulged in a very small amount of Christmas baking, certainly not as much as I would like.

Christmas Eve rolled around, I dragged myself up the hill for a festive day at work while N dutifully opened the last advent present.

Finally, after a nice long sleep the big day rolled around...

...and was spent mostly enjoying new books and purry dozing company

We went to the Boxing Day match...on the 27th...

...while the kittehs hung out together (somewhat reluctantly).

And then rounded off the week with a very slow, dictionary filled game of scrabble in Italian. We're getting there, slowly.

p.s. I looked back at my resolutions from last year, and was pleased that I definitely fulfilled the first three. As for the fourth, I feel that it should be an ongoing one, because you can never remind the people around you how thankful you are.

Mulled apple juice; or, something to fix the lurgy.

2011-12-06T04:48:00.000-08:00

After a weekend of standing outside, trying to be both festive and warm, it seems I have contracted the lurgy. I thought I was fine. It didn't feel that cold on Saturday, I had a great time on the market, did well and even got a glass of port to keep me going.
What could go wrong I ask you?!

Then I woke up on Sunday and felt bleargh. That's the only word for it really. I spent the entire day lying on the sofa being pathetic and complaining about it. (I should warn you, I'm not very good at being ill, it's a bit like watching someone go through the seven stages of grief, accept I never get much beyond denial and whinging).

I gaily got up for work on Monday feeling better and determined not to let it get to me. But by the time I had finished my shift, and come home and done a mammoth session in the jam kitchen, I had to accept that I was feeling more tired that I should be. I woke up this morning and the lurgy was back with a vengeance. I don't like it. I don't like letting people down and not being able to go to work, I don't like being stuck at home knowing there are a million things I should be doing and no being able to summon up the energy for as little as making toast.

Now, where is all this whinging going, you've probably started asking yourself? Well, it's heading towards my favourite discovery of this year's festive season. Mulled apple juice.
No, really. It's amazing. It's such a simple thing, and yet it immediately makes you feel warm and festive inside. Plus, it's a completely alcohol and guilt free drink that can be enjoyed by adults and children alike any time of the day. (Although my gut instinct says that a dash of some brandy in there would be a super addition). I know it doesn't look like much, but the transformation when you put the three ingredients together and heat them is something very special indeed.

It's so simple, it can be multiplied almost infinitely, so you can slake the thirst of any size crowd, or just indulge yourself. I give you, the genius that is, mulled apple juice:

1 mug cloudy, best quality you can afford, apple juice, per person. (I use some from a local farm which is every so slightly tart, which works well as it stops the end product being too sweet).
1 skant tsp honey per person
1/2 tsp mixed spice, per person.

Place all of the above ingredients into a pan and warm together gently as the honey dissolves. You want it hot, but don't let it boil.

Pour back into a mug. Drink.

See! It's that easy, and if you use the best quality ingredients you can it's utterly delicious. Go, make it now...and if you do, could I have a mug please?

Time out, and dates for your diary

2011-12-02T14:47:00.000-08:00

I met up with a group of friends tonight for an early festive tipple. As I arrived and was saying hello one of the greeted me with "it was so exciting to see you mentioned in London's Time Out this week." Which I responded to with a "wahh?!", a dazed look and stunned silence. I thought she was joking. But after a couple of drinks and on the way back to the tube station I was marched into a shop, where she picked up the magazine and read proudly that this year's Christmas Food Market in Covent Garden Piazza will include: "guest appearance from some of the hottest food bloggers...baker and jam-maker Rebecca shares the wit of her At Number 98 Blog"
Seriously. I nearly fell over! I mean. Wow! I need to up my game in this little space clearly. If they are going to say such darn nice things about me (and two other very talented people, Niamh Shields - Eat Like a Girl and Chris Dreyfus - Silver and Claret) I really ought to start bringing you a bit more wit and certainly some more recipes.
So I bring you a promise, that I will try and be present more often in this little space, not matter what the pace of the jam world!

But before I begin hassling you with recipes and wit (?!) I shall first bombard you with some dates for your diary.
Calling all those in London and the South East: No. 98 Limited will be rocking the following Christmas markets with Good Cheer and Good Preserves. If you're in the area come and say hello, and have a taste!

Dec. 3rd 2pm-6pm Reigate High Street, Surrey

Dec 9th and 11th 10.30am - 8pm COVENT GARDEN PIAZZA! It's a long cold day, please come and say hello!

Dec 17th 10am-4pm Reigate Community Centre, Surrey.

The official website will also be updated shortly to include a full product list. I will be offering a limited mail order service, if you'd like to buy online. However, please note that postage on jars is a lot, so will be costly, especially as I will only be using Royal Mail Recorded Delivery to ensure tracking. If you'd like to enquire about pricing you can email info (at) no98 (dot) co.uk.

Where I've been...and where I'm going

2011-11-27T09:29:00.001-08:00

Hi. I'm still here, honest. I've spent the day sorting. The kind of day that tidies the mind as well as the house. In the midst of it all I popped in here only to discover it's been well over a month since my last post. Oops!

I'm afraid it couldn't really be helped as it's been a ridiculously busy month, and the next is going to be soo much worse! All in a good way though. I've been busy at work, busy at play, but mostly busy frantically getting business stuff ready for the upcoming festivities. I have six Christmas markets on the agenda in the next month, and have already done two. I had no idea things would take off this quickly, so it's been all hands on deck, or rather, on stove, to make sure it's all ready. It's stressful, and exhilarating all at the same time.

I will be posting all the details of the markets I'll be on in the next few days, just in case any of you are able to make it. In the meantime, here's a quick photo round-up of what's been going on.
Probably the biggest news is that I got published. I'm finally in print, and raving about jam and it's uses as a tool for social networking; the way that re-connecting with artisan food making can connect us with a whole host of other people and communites all around the world who are doing the same thing. It's part of a great Cultural Cookbook, which, if you're so inclined, can be purchased over here.
After that I did a few early Christmas markets,

squeezed in a spot of knitting (with no help from the cats) and got busy in the jam kitchen and produced utter chaos in my office trying to get pre-orders packed and ready.
I also got busy in the kitchen at working making some lovely cakes to order. Oh how I wish I got to take this one home. We're not having a Christmas cake this year...perhaps we can have a Christmas cheesecake instead?
Then last week it was the BBC Food and Farming Awards, which I was lucky enough to get a ticket for. I really want to write a longer post about it, as it was an incredibly inspiring event. (and I did a bit of whooping when Locatelli and Huge F-W gave their awards, much to the embarrassment of N and the annoyance of the lady unfortunate to sit next to me!)
The other highlight of the last month? Rediscovering the nice glasses...
...and the delicious cocktails you can make to put in them! No harm in getting festive a little bit early! (above, whiskey and ginger liqour, below, the classic G&T).
Today marks the end of the "free" weekends before the madness begins. I have to say that with the house tidy, and a dash of gin in my system I'm rather looking forward to the craziness that is coming my way. I just hope that I can make it here a bit more often to share it with you.

(p.s. although I haven't been here I have been lurking on the interwebs reading up on what everyone else is doing...I may not comment lots, but I'm loving reading about it all)

Instant Gratification

2011-10-17T06:48:00.000-07:00

Things are moving so fast here, I'm in a new work routine (working Monday's for the first time in what seems like forever!), frantically trying to get ideas and products ready for the Christmas markets, and looking beyond that to our long term plans.
Sometimes in the midst of all the pace and the looking ahead, planning and waiting you need a smidgen of instant gratification.

So, with six fat quarters and a Sunday afternoon in the house alone I decided it was time to dust off the sewing machine and throw together a new quilt for the living room. I did the top and cut the backing in no time at all, then waited until this afternoon to hunt out the wadding. I literally had just enough, by millimetres. It was clearly meant to be.
And so now, as I plot projections and think about exciting new ventures that I have to wait until the new year for, I will snuggle up under my quick quilt and enjoy the autumnal light in the afternoon.

Happy New Year!

2011-09-27T07:36:00.000-07:00

Confused? Well, for us September has always felt like the new beginning. It's partly the ingrained academic year feeling, where you have the indisputable and desperate urge to go out and buy new stationary, and partly because at this time each year we try and get away on holiday, if only for a few days, to clear our heads, recharge our batteries and reflect on things.
The last couple of years it's been a hectic three day dash to our favouritist place in the whole wide world. This year things were hanging heavy on us. It's felt like a long hard tough year for us in many ways, and we couldn't do it anymore. So out came the credit cards and sod it we were going to have a "proper" holiday. No family, no dashing to and fro. Two weeks of relaxing and remembering what it's like to be ourselves.
I remember now, and it's lovely. We've come back refreshed and energised, with new year's resolutions and PLANS. Yes, capital letters and all. All of which was helped along by large expanses of sea, sky, and a healthy amount of Prosecco!
I think it's going to be a very exciting year indeed...

Life on the market

2011-09-06T11:27:00.000-07:00

I spent the last two Thursdays standing up for ten hours remembering what it used to be like being a market trader.

My first job when in London was working on Borough Market. It was cold (or hot, but mostly you remember the cold), early mornings, hard graft, and huge amounts of fun. I stopped because I wanted to focus on studying and needed my weekends back for play, but I have a huge fondness for it, and have been told that when I talk about those days I light up.

So when I was offered a guest pitch on the Covent Garden Real Food market for two weeks this summer I jumped at the chance, just as I did two years ago. I couldn't believe that someone would be kind enough to offer me my very own little pitch, and trust me to fill it with my preserves.

It was hard. Schlepping everything on the train took two of us, a bit of help from bemused businessmen ("what an earth is in this?" "jam" "..."), some apologetic looks at the commuters who wondered why on earth their train was suddenly full of suitcases, a trolley and bags, and the use of some muscles I didn't even think I had. But we got it all there, and after an emergency coffee and pastries run, set up the stall. Week one was really wet to start out, and involved some quick thinking as to how to lay out the stall. I fortunately had my wonderful Mum on had to help out. Week two I was on my own to set up and it was warm but windy. Fortunately I had the Jacob's Ladder people on the stall behind me to help me with coffee and moral support and Lady J arriving to give my afternoon a well needed boost.

Once I was fuelled up with coffee and had the stall set up it was just a case of waiting to see what the day would bring. No matter what, a day on the market will always feel long. You stand the whole time and must somehow keep up your morale and smile and try not to punch people who make stupid comments about your produce (these people are rare, but somehow always manage to appear at the point that for some reason - rain, cold feet, hunger etc - you are at your lowest ebb).

It made me realise just how much I love markets. I left each evening tired, achey, thoroughly confused about the Great British Public and yet very satisfied. For all you have to be thick-skinned, and prepared to stand in the cold, and lift heavy things, it's also some of the most rewarding work I've ever done. There is nothing like that moment when a passerby becomes a customer after tasting something you've spent days, weeks, months, even years working on. Two examples of this really stand out. The first was when a girl paused and before she bent to try my strawberry cocktail jam said "I don't really like jam, but Mum's a fan, maybe she's like this" at this point she tasted the jam and made a whole barrage of "oooh, ahhh, mmmm...." noises, dashed off and returned with her whole family and promptly bought three jars! The second was a bloke who said, "yeah, well, Dad makes his own chutney" then prompted by his girlfriend tried the taster "oh wow, that's amazing, maybe we should buy some and take it to Dad and tell him that's how it's done" Harsh to his Dad, but lovely for me!

It's rare that you get that genuine and spontaneous a response to something you've done. Of course you have to take the good with the bad, and accept that not everyone will like what you produce, but for those moments when someone does and chooses to buy something you have produced it is worth all the hard work, cold feet, and midnight labelling sessions.

I love the markets, long may I get the opportunity to sell on them. Thank you so much to Covent Garden Real Food, I hope I did you proud and that one day you might invite me again.

If you see me, say hello!

2011-08-23T09:28:00.000-07:00

Phew. What a week it's been already! How can it only be Tuesday? (but oh, thank goodness it is).
This week is the start of two weeks where I will be spending Thursdays at Covent Garden Real Food market! I will be there from 10am-6pm hoping it doesn't rain, that people want to buy my preserves, and maybe even squeezing in a bit of knitting and nattering with my Mum, who is amazingly dashing down from the North tomorrow night to help out. (Isn't she wonderful...slave labour at it's best!).
As a result I have spent the last two days not only processing huge bags of generously donated fruit and making the first of the autumn jam and chutney, but also desperately trying to get everything ready for Thursday. Today I have spent six hours standing over a stove, and at every moment that I haven't needed to be stirring, checking and stirring again I have been labelling and organising and making lists and wondering what I've forgotten.
Now I am going to stop. I'm not finished, I just can't stand up much more today. So I made cookies, and am about to pour a glass of cider. Not a traditional cookie accompaniment, but today it just feels right.
If you're in the Covent Garden area on Thursday, pop by and say hello. I'll be in the corner of the piazza nearest the London Transport Museum, being excited about jam!

St John.

2011-08-18T08:01:00.000-07:00

On Tuesday I found myself with time to kill in London. It's been a long time since this has been the case. Despite the fact that I travel up to London for work twice a week, I never have time to just wander about, it's always a dash to work and then a dash home again.

So upon realisation that I had almost three hours to myself before meeting a friend for lunch, I felt both excited and at a loss. I didn't really know what to do or where to go (and having a ridiculously large rucksack on my back full of posh dresses and toiletries meant I didn't really want to be walking around the whole time.)I struck upon the idea of pottering through Spitalfield's and then onto Brick Lane. Then I got distracted, because on the way I stumbled across St John Bread and Wine. How had I missed this on the countless other occasions I've been to this area of London? Seriously, sometimes I amaze myself with my complete lack of awareness!

Now, I know it might seem odd to be so excited about a place famous for it's offal, given that I'm a vegetarian, but the whole reason for the St John Spitalfield's location is to show off their baking. I went in with the notion that I was just going to have a coffee, but the sourdough smell filled my nose and of course toast was inevitable.

So I sat, for an hour, peacefully sipping my coffee, munching my toast, reading my book, and very much enjoying the chefs sitting down to a brunch before the second round of hard graft began.
It was the perfect start to a very perfect day; first breakfast with a friend, second breakfast in a newly discovered place, lunch with another friend and then a chance encounter with my parents on their way back up north after a holiday in the States.

I only wish I hadn't been carrying so much as I would have bought bread. If you get a chance, go. Have coffee and the toast with honey. It shows off the sourdough, and the griddle lines on the bread are beautiful.

The Farmer's Market Exchange.

2011-08-09T07:20:00.000-07:00

At the beginning of the summer I signed up to Siri's annual Farmer's Market exchange. It's always been great fun, and I love not only trawling my own farm shops, markets and deli's for inspiration, but also seeing what is on offer across the world when it arrives on my doorstep.

This year Siri couldn't have picked a better exchange partner for me, our similarities are just uncanny. A preserver, knitter, and all-round lover of local food and produce. What could be better? And in a really selfish way I knew this would mean a wonderful box of goodies, particularly in the jam department, and we all know that I'm nuts about jam!

Alas, I don't have any photos of my box before I sent it, but you can head on over the The Redhead's blog Handcrafted with Altitude and see what I sent. To my complete embarrassment, two of my jars had rather a rough trip and didn't arrive intact. But don't worry! Replacements have been sent, and hopefully they will have a better time of it.

As for my parcel. Well, I don't really know where to begin, it was packed to the brim with the most perfect (and utterly delicious) things. What's more, it arrived on the day we got back from holiday and was waiting on the porch. How perfect!
The homemade preserves got devoured first. A delicious Peach, ginger and vanilla was slathered on toast twice it was so tasty. I was supposed to save the blueberry, peach and Grand Marnier for the weekend to share with N, but I couldn't resist and had it as an afternoon snack on some crumpets. Both have been tucked into almost every day, carefully rationed, since the parcel arrived. They flavour combinations were totally new to me, and I've really enjoyed how they work together. Yum! However, the real delight for me was the Peach and Habanero sauce. Words cannot do justice to this amazing preserve. It's the perfect combination of clear sweet peach flavour, followed by the most wonderful warmth. I'm secretly hoping if I'm nice enough I might get another batch of this next year, as one small jar is not going to keep me sated!
Again, to show just how similar we are, we both put yarn in our packages, despite it being a little out of the requirements. I sent some special squishy British yarn, and when I opened my package the first thing I saw were four hanks of handspun (and award-winning, I now know!) yarn. How impressive is that?! Laceweight alpaca, heavy laceweight silk and some wonderful novelty black and white, which is screaming out to be my winter hat. Exactly what I needed to drag me away from obsessive sock knitting. I just hope I can do it justice.
Today I finally opened the other jar in the parcel. Honey from a friend with an organic farm. I love how much honey differs from area to area, and this has a lovely clear floral flavour and you can really taste the influence of the mountains and clear air of Colorado. I think this will be used pure on toast or in yoghurt. It's too special to mix with anything.
Perhaps the most unusual thing I received was some dark chocolate balsamic vinegar. Not something I've ever come across. I was intrigued, and I have to admit slightly sceptical, but over the weekend we had it straight out of the bottle drizzled over some home grown strawberries and it was divine. I can see this being a wonderful addition to late summer Eton Mess or over ice cream. Yum!

One thing that doesn't appear in any of the pictures is the mint and rosemary soap. I'm afraid it smelt so good that I opened it and used it in my shower before I could get a chance to take a picture. I don't know how the Redhead knew that I have a real weakness for rosemary, but this soap really hits the mark. It has a slight exfoliating element too, which is perfect for gently removing the dirt after being in the garden.

Hmmm...what have I missed? Oh yes, I got flowers and salad! Not literally, but little packets of seeds so I can grow my own. Isn't that a wonderful idea? I'm totally going to steal it. And I got granola (save that for when we have yoghurt so I can try it with the honey), plus a whole host of inspiring local magazines, and a farmer's market bag to put it all in, which has already had a outing into London!

I cannot thank the Redhead enough for her lovely and incredibly generous package. I hope that my second lot of jams makes it's way safely so that she finally gets to enjoy them.

And a huge thank you to Siri for matching us up so well, and hopefully providing me with another new blog friend.

He's just such a willing subject...

2011-08-02T08:22:00.000-07:00

...that I can't resist an afternoon in the garden with Gatto!
I'm back, and slowly wading through emails and trying to motivate myself after a weekend in sunshine and humidity. Having failed to take a single photo the entire time I was away (the camera didn't even make it out of my bag, which is pretty shocking really...it was just too hot and I felt lazy), I thought a few snaps of Gatto might keep you going. He and his big brother (not such a willing subject, alas) have had a lovely weekend being pampered by Lady K, and seemed distinctly disappointed upon our return yesterday. Although not so much as to refuse food or strokes, but they wanted to let us know it was accepted begrudgingly.
In my next post I'll tell you all about the amazing box of goodies that was waiting for me upon our return. Yep! The Farmer's Market Exchange parcel arrived, and I'm one very luck blogger indeed!

You have to make these

2011-07-26T06:08:00.000-07:00

I wasn't intending to post again before we go away, but then something happened in the kitchen and I just had to tell you about it.
It's been a while since I posted a recipe. Mostly because the only thing happening in my kitchen at the moment are mountains of jam, and partly because everything I've made recently that hasn't been jam hasn't really been post-worthy. We've been eating pretty simply, with bread and cheese with tomatoes being our usual evening meal. Occasionally with the odd addition of couscous salad or potatoes instead of bread.

But with one day left in my kitchen before heading off I wanted to make something a bit special. I wanted something to keep us going through car journeys, airport check-in, train rides, bus rides, and lugging suitcases around. Because much as I enjoy going away, there is all the hassle before you actually get anywhere of note, and I knew we'd need sustenance somewhere in the midst of the chaos.
I initially thought I would make my usual cinnamon rolls, but then I remembered a bag of amazing new flour from Wessex Mill that I picked up last week. It's apple and cinnamon bread flour. Oh yes! The smell alone is enough to make you swoon. Although it's designed for bread it's great mixed with plain flour to add depth to cakes, and so I decided to go ahead and use it for my cinnamon rolls.

Then, when it came to rolling out and filling the dough I had another brain wave. Why fill something already apply and cinnamony with more cinnamon...why not fill it with maple syrup and butter and pecans.
And thus the maple and pecan apple cinnamon roll was born! I cannot even begin to describe how amazing the kitchen smelt while I was baking these. I also must admit to immediately having to try one fresh from the oven. All I can say is...You. Have. To. Make. These.

Don't worry if you can't get the flour, just add a healthy dash of cinnamon and some chunks of dried apple to your flour mix. About a tablespoon of cinnamon and a 1/4 cup of apple should do it. Go on...you know these will taste amazing on Sunday morning. You can knock them out on Saturday, leave them to rest in the fridge overnight and then bake in the morning while you make the coffee. Perfect.
Maple and Pecan Apple Cinnamon Rolls - Makes around 8

Dough:
1/8 oz Active yeast
1/2 cup of warm milk (just warm to the touch)
1/4 cup soft brown sugar
1 tbsp melted butter
1 egg
2 cups of flour (either apple and cinnamon if you can get it, or just add 1 tbsp cinnamon and 1/4 cup dried apple pieces)

Filling:
2tbsp butter,
2tbsp maple syrup
1/4 soft brown sugar
large handful of pecans.

Dissolve the yeast in the warm milk and leave to bloom for five minutes. In the meantime melt the butter, and add the sugar and egg, beating in together. Then add this to the yeast mixture. Add all of this to the flour and either knead with a dough hook in a mixture for ten minutes, or by hand until the dough is still a little sticky, but glossy. Cover, and leave to rise for a hour.

Melt together the butter and maple syrup. Combine the pecans and sugar either by pestle and mortar or in a food processor.

Knock back the dough and roll out on a floured surface to aprox. 1/4 inch thick. Brush the dough with the maple/butter mixture, making sure to cover the surface, but leaving some for glazing. Then sprinkle over the pecans and sugar. Gently roll the dough like a Swiss roll and cut into 1 1/2 inch lengths. Transfer to a baking tray, upending them and slightly squishing them down to hold them together. Leave to rise until doubled in size.

Preheat the oven to 200C. Glaze the risen rolls with the leftover maple/butter mix and then bake for 10 minutes, or until golden.

Remove from the oven and try and resist eating them until they are at least a little bit cooler!

p.s. I think the only way these might be better is with a smudge of cream cheese icing...

It's out there...

2011-07-25T10:34:00.000-07:00

We're off to mainland Europe this week for a mixture of some family celebrations, and some very well deserved RnR after a ridiculous month of having a house of smelling of vinegar and vanilla and filled with hot jars and bottles of varying things
But before we head off, I wanted to give a huge thank you for all your lovely and supportive comments about the business. I really appreciate it, as it's all still a bit overwhelming, and there are various things I am still very much getting to grips with.
But, the product it out there! I can finally share with you some pictures of my preserves on the shelves. It's been rather weird selling things to regular customers, and being able to say "actually, that's my company, I make that." I'm always a mixture of proud and scared! So far it seems to be selling well, long may it last.

On the joy of hand knit socks

2011-07-18T08:31:00.000-07:00

On the train into work a few weeks ago I had a lovely knitting bingo* moment, whereby an interested party sitting on the seat next to me asked "what are you knitting" and when I answered "socks" gave a small gasp and with great enthusiasm added "ooh, is knitting them cheaper then?"

I'm afraid I wasn't in control of myself entirely (it was early in the morning, before I'd made it to work and had my second coffee) and gave a large guffaw and in a disbelieving tone said "no!" I felt sorry for the interested commuter as she was clearly baffled by my response and gave a small "oh" and didn't engage with me again. Which is all when and good because I was at a particularly tricky moment in my sock and was rather enjoying the quiet before she sat down.
But, it made me think about the act of knitting socks. I am a very recent sock knitter. I was taught by a lovely friend in February, and when a mutual friend remarked one day "so does this mean you'll become addicted to socks like everyone else who tries them" I laughed and said "no of course not, I just want to prove I can do it." Little was I to know what was to come. I am now in the middle of pair number five, with pair number four also on the needles. I also seem to have inadvertently made some offers to knit pairs for people for birthdays and Christmas. I admit it, I have a problem!
When you look at it objectively from the outside (Like N often does as I frown my way through counting stitches on a chart and swear about missing a ssk on a heel turn) it makes no initial sense at all. Hand knit socks take a lot of time, effort and let's face it, money. When pondering
some yarn for socks for N at a recent jaunt to a knitting show I found myself seriously contemplating spending nearly thirty quid. It was a rush of blood to the head and I didn't, but the temptation was there.
And all for objects that are often hidden beneath trousers or worn through within less than a year of them being finished. So why are they so addictive and wonderful? Well for me there are several reasons. They are pretty. You can make them as long or as short as you like. Because they are not a garment and not close to your face and could be hidden if you wanted to, you can knit them in any colour or combination of colours you like. They are easily carried around when commuting (I have two cardigans floundering because recently my only knitting time has been on the train to work and they are just too darn big to carry). And finally, they are warm! I have long suffered from cold feet. I am, even now, in July, wearing hiking socks in the house because my little toes get cold and rarely get warm. As N has pointed out on many an occasion my feet exist in the Ice Dimension. As a result hand knit socks are a revelation. They truly are warm (unlike so many supposed "thermal" pairs that places sell), and ones that have colourwork and therefore two strands of yarn in them, are even warmer!

So I am knitting like the wind in order to get as many pairs of socks knit, in as many patterns and colours as I can before the winter sets in. This winter, I will have warm feet that will also be pretty feet.
I know you have to knit two, I know they can be expensive and fiddly, but frankly they are rocking my world, and I think they should rock yours too.

Sorry, preaching over...I'm back to knit socks and leave you alone!

*Knitting Bingo is a game invented by a friend and myself whereby if you have encounters with strangers who made particularly cliche comments about your chosen hobby you are obliged to share this with other players via text, email or twitter with the words "Knitting Bingo" and an explanation of the encounter. A good example would be the "oooh, you don't see young people knitting" or "I'd love to knit, but I just don't have time" the latter usually said by someone playing a mindless computer game on their smartphone on the same train journey as said knitter, and clearly implying that aforementioned craftsperson is a lady (or man) of leisure, and not one commuting to one of their three jobs (Sorry, little bitter about those comments!).

Now I can tell you...

2011-07-14T12:18:00.000-07:00

I have some pretty huge news. It's so large that I'm not sure I've even properly taken it in yet. As you've probably noticed I've been a little bit absent over here. I've been busy. So busy that I almost wish I was in bed rather than writing this, and yet this is super exciting.

I guess you want to know what I'm blabbering on about?
I've started my own preserves business. Not only that, but tomorrow my humble jars of delicious things go on sale in an amazing local shop. It's been a complete whirlwind. I've been spending every waking hour (and even some sleeping ones) frantically putting things in jars, building contacts, approaching local farms, getting a website, designing branding, and on top of all this working extra shifts in two jobs in order to afford all the things you need to run a preserves company. Who knew you needed so much stuff...jars, fruit and vegetables is not enough!

I know I've been very quiet about this here, with the exception of a few tempting photographs of fruit. I didn't want to let slip in case for some reason things didn't happen. I've been working on this full-speed since January, and the last couple of months I've been going truly flat out. I have hundreds of jars tucked away filled with things maturing and waiting for sale. I haven't gone into this lightly. I've been considering it for almost two years now, and began the process last summer. Then we moved and finally the house was ours and the kitchen ours and it could be registered as a business premises. I passed all the tests (with the highest rating, *ahem*) and when I started my job at the local deli the business was a bit of a temptation for them. This gave me the kick start I really needed, and so with their constant support and enthusiasm I put the wheels in motion and began producing preserves and building branding like a mad thing.
I won't lie. It's been really hard. It's not easy turning your "hobby" into a potential business or profession. It's damn hard work, especially when you have basically no start-up cash, and so are frantically working all the hours on all of the jobs. But it's also very exciting and a lot of fun, and makes me extremely scared, but also extremely proud.
I would like to think that I am proof that it can be done if you want it enough. I have big dreams for my little empire, but am sticking to the "build slowly, build to last" mantra.

Apart from being in two local shops I will be on some markets this summer, and hopefully more after that. I will of course keep you posted as my preserving madness continues.

In the meantime, I can be found over here at a brand new business website, and on twitter as No98Limited.

Quick! Before it's too late...

2011-06-28T09:48:00.000-07:00

I've been meaning to post this for well over a week now, and things keep getting in the way, but I've finally been spurred into doing it as the deadline is looming!

Do you love local produce, and discovering how differently the seasons are and how the farmers show them off around the world? Well, it sounds like you should be signing up for the 3rd Annual Farmer's Market Exchange, organised by the most wonderful Siri, of The Transplanted Baker.
I took part last year and it was wonderful. I got the chance to potter around our local market choosing goodies to share with someone across the world, and in return I received a delicious box of things, including a hand-thrown mug (which is still my favourite hot chocolate mug in the winter) a selection of delicious honey (yep, already devoured) and some gorgeous apple cinnamon tea which I'm still savouring one cup at a time.
Doesn't that all sound wonderful? The deadline to sign up is this Thursday (30th June). All you need to do is head over to Siri's blog, read all about it and drop her an email.
If it tempts you even more I am promising that whichever lucky person gets me will definitely be getting some of my new preserves! Now get the hence and sign up for the swap of the summer!

This week I have been mostly...

2011-06-23T08:00:00.000-07:00

Picking fresh berries from the garden to rescue them from the rain (and put them in my face). Not a great harvest I have to admit, but something to build on.
Failing to buy bread, or bake bread, or buy oats or make granola. Pecan and cranberry emergency breakfast muffins it is.
Getting up at stupid o'clock in the morning to take delivery of 12kg of organic apricots from a very confused looking delivery man. I'm not sure what confused him more, the random residential address or the enthusiastic women in her red dressing gown opening the door!
Finishing my third ever pair of socks and my first ever proper colourwork project. Not the most perfect of fits (tight around the heel but loose at the toe and cuff), but I'm wearing them with pride anyway. And for any sock knitters out there, yes, you can block your socks using wine bottles in the hope of stretching them out to fit!

Sorry it's been rather silent around here. The craziness is continuing here at number 98. All will be revealed soon. In the meantime I can highly recommend using raspberries instead of strawberries in Eton mess, and eating it with a very cold glass of white wine. It's the perfect way to forget about all the rain we've been having and bring the Great British Summer indoors.

Happy Knit In Public day!

2011-06-11T00:51:00.000-07:00

Today is Knit In Public day! The photo below is me knitting in Barcelona last year working on my very first lace shawl. Today I will be knitting colourwork socks on the train into work.
Sometimes when I stop and look around I am amazed at how far I have come and how much I have learnt in the past year, all thanks to the wonderful knitters around me...(I'm looking at you Mrs M, Lady J, and of course my most wonderful and patient Mum). If you are a knitter, grab your sticks and head out into the sunshine (or a cafe if you don't have any!) and show off your skills, you never know, you might inspire someone to take up their own needles, who might look back in a years time in amazement and wonder at all the beautiful, unique things they have made, dropped stitches and all.

A good ol' fashioned forage!

2011-05-31T09:00:00.000-07:00

Phew! Things are getting super busy round here. Things are in the works. Big things, and so I'm working really hard all the time, only sneaking in a bit of knitting and cricket watching between phone calls, google searches and emailing.

But I did take some time out last week for a quick forage! It's elderflower season and there was no way I was going to let this pass me by. Having tried my Mum's homemade elderflower cordial a couple of years ago, and found it much nicer (and less sweet) than the commercial counterparts, I was determined to have a go. I waited patiently for the season to roll around, worried I might miss it. Then suddenly one night after work I noticed a huge elder in bloom in the pub garden, and knew time was of the essence. So I donned my gardening clothes, grabbed the kitchen scissors and a bag and headed off in search of some elders on common land that would be perfect for picking.
I was worried I wouldn't find anything, but just over an hour later I was home with 35 flower heads! I couldn't believe it was that easier. So I dutifully dismissed the insects with some sharp shaking and set about making cordial. It smelt alright, but not great, and I was concerned about the deep colour, but as it happens its so delicious that I was sent out again this week for more to make sure we have enough of a stock to last the year!
Having found even more flower heads on my second trip (I now know all the elder hotspots in the area!) I decided not only to make cordial again, but this time attempt a liquor. I've had lots of success in the past few months with my random liquor making, and so why not add another to the list. I'll let you know how it goes in three weeks!

In the meantime, if you see some elderflowers, I highly recommend grabbing them while you can, not only will you have delicious cordial to keep you refreshed throughout the summer, but you'll have a house that smells amazing! This little cat certainly seems to agree!

The salad days of asparagus.

2011-05-22T12:38:00.000-07:00

So, we didn't get a downpour. No deluge. Just a bit of drizzle and some damp air to make me blog in anticipation, then...nothing. We've had clear weather ever since.
Which is good, because it meant I was able to discover a new combination of ingredients, all brought together into the most delicious lazy Sunday salad for a late dinner after a day of building belated raised beds, and watching the final action from the football season.
May in England means it's finally asparagus season, and when the local stuff arrived, from a mere five miles away, I was very smug indeed to get my hands on a bunch. I proudly carried it home, in my hands, not daring to put in my handbag, and placed it in the fridge, where it awaited the perfect recipe.
Tomorrow I am going to make The Tart with it. But tonight I wanted something simpler, and frankly, heathier. And so I bring you this simple salad with a new-found favourite dressing. It all came together in about fifteen minutes, and was eaten in less!

Simple greens salad.

For the salad:

Enough pasta for two people (with perhaps an added handful for posterity)
two small leeks, trimmed, washed and sliced thinly
three large asparagus spears, bottoms trimmed
handful of runner beans, topped and tailed and sliced thinly
knob of butter

For the dressing:

three teaspoons of capers
handful of mint leaves
handful of coriander leaves
juice of half a lemon
a tablespoon of grated Parmesan
three tablespoons of half fat creme fraiche

Place the pasta in a large saucepan of water. Place a sieve over the top with the asparagus and runners beans in it. Cover with a lid and bring to the boil. Leave until pasta is done. I like mine al dente so it was boiling for aprox. 9 mins. Remove from the heat. Set the greens aside and drain the pasta, leaving it to cool.

While the pasta cools place another pan on the heat, turning it down to low and place the butter, leeks and greens in the pan and cover, allowing to cook slightly in their own steam. This will poach the leeks and finish off the cooking of the greens.

Meanwhile through the salad ingredients in a food processor (or pestle and mortar) and whoosh until combined.

When the leeks are softened and the greens almost tender but holding some crunch (they should retain their bright green colour), pour the whole lot into a large bowl. Add the cooled pasta and toss, finally add the dressing. Toss again, and eat, adding more lemon juice to taste.

p.s. sorry about the pour light in the photos, the day was fading fast as I took them, and the natural light with it!

Finally.

2011-05-17T23:18:00.000-07:00

I woke up this morning to gloom. A dark sky, not a glimpse of blue to be seen, and a tell-tale dampness hanging on everything. And I couldn't be more thrilled.
I know that sounds strange, but I can't remember the last time we had rain here. We've had the odd overcast day here and there, and it's threatened on a couple of occasions, but the whole of April was bone dry, and our garden is suffering. Even with my frantic watering it's still not the same as a good ole' deluge. I'm not sure that's quite what we're going to get today, but I'll take what I can get, and thoroughly enjoyed my potter around the garden in the drizzle earlier.
I'm sorry it's been so quiet around here. I have good intentions, and then my memory card loses my pictures, and I get distracted by things like being able to selfishly knit again (hurrah for the end of the test knit), and dashing across to other cities to visit friends returning from exotic climes. Right now I'm afraid I shall have to leave you content with some very happy, damp-looking plants!

The ever-adaptable amazing tart.

2011-05-08T10:25:00.000-07:00

I've got myself hooked on tart. It's not good. Well actually it is damn good. And this is the problem. It is so good that I made it twice the week of the bank holiday mayhem, and currently have pastry and filling ready and waiting for yet another. It's basically a quiche, but I don't like quiche, and yet I love this. Yes, it's that good.
Which is a problem, because I'm pretty certain that its things like this tart that are not helping me drop the weight I seem to be carrying around. You see, it turns out that pie and beer is not a particularly good diet, and if you get into the habit of these things your body punishes you. I know. And yet I cannot help but make this tart again tonight, because it's easy and tasty and goes so very well with steamed broccoli (which is a superfood, and therefore clearly cancels out any calories that might be in a slice of tart, right? Right?)
The first time I made it I used cream and cheese and leeks poached in white wine, and it was delicious. Then I decided that in order to at least have the pretense of it being healthy cutting out the cream would be best, so I used skimmed milk and roasted butternut squash and caramalised onions and a hint of cream cheese and lots of black pepper. And it was delicious. Tonight I am using hot smoked mackerel, and poached leeks, and one less egg (opps! not enough in the fridge) a hint of cream, but no cheese. It already smells amazing.
What I'm getting at is that you really shouldn't make this tart. I mean you should, but I cannot hold myself responsible for the tart-obsession that might take over. Then again, that might just be my problem!
What I am including here is the recipe for a small tart with the squash and onion filling, but frankly it seems that you can put anything in this thing, and doubling the size would be really easy. Next on my list of fillings to try is roasted tomatoes, pesto and goats cheese. See....I'm already planning another. Help! I need an intervention!
The ever-adaptable, scarily morish tart - serves one, ahem, I mean four.

I use a 7.5" by 1" fluted tart pan with a removable base and find this makes four perfect servings.

Shortcrust pastry:

250g Plain flour
1 egg yolk
125g butter
milk

Blend together all the ingredients apart from the milk, either in a bowl by hand, or in a food processor, and then gradually add milk 1tbsp at a time until the dough just comes together. Chill for at least an hour before using.

Preheat the oven to 170C. Roll out and then gently line your tart pan, trimming the pastry, but allowing at least a half inch overlap in case of shrinkage. You'll have plenty of pastry left, which can be wrapped in the fridge or frozen. Line the tart pan with greaseproof and fill with baking beans and blind bake for 20mins. Then remove from the oven, retrieve the baking beans and greaseproof and return to the oven for 5 more minutes, or until the pastry is dry to the touch, but not too coloured. Trim the edges and allow to cool.

Filling:

1 egg
1 egg yolk
175ml of cream/milk (I've been using 75ml cream and 100ml milk)
2 tbsp cream cheese
freshly ground pepper
pinch of salt
1/2 roasted butternut squash, cut into cubes (or basically whatever takes your fancy)
1 onion, cooked slowly with 2 tsp brown sugar until soft and fragrant (or whatever takes your fancy, although I do believe you need an oniony flavour, but whether thats onions, leeks or spring onions is up to you)

Preheat the oven to 180C

Beat the eggs, and slowly add the milk/cream mixture, and finally the cream cheese. Beat well to combine, and then add freshly ground black pepper to taste, and a small pinch of salt.

Arrange the squash and onion evenly in the base of tart shell, and then place the whole thing on a baking tray. Open the oven and slide the baking tray halfway in. Then gently pour over the custard mix (this should prevent spillage if you fill and then carry to the oven). Cook for 30mins until just set in the middle, well risen and slightly golden. Allow to cool slighlty then serve warm with either a dressed salad or steamed greens.

Hot cross bun porridge

2011-05-06T00:48:00.000-07:00

I know, I know, Easter is over, the glut of bank holiday four-day weekends a distant memory, and the chocolate wrappers long since licked clean. But since my job means I don't actually get four-day weekends (I worked Good Friday, and both Saturdays) I am still clinging to Easter and wishing it could hold out a little longer.

Like the weather we've been having! I can barely believe that we haven't had rain here for over a month. It's a nightmare for the garden - I've become an obsessive plant tender, dashing out with my mop bucket every morning to make sure our little veggies stay hydrated. (The mop bucket because we have no outside tap, and having been good and installed a water butt, we've still had no rain to fill it!) - but it's wonderful for morale.
This morning whilst dashing about doing chores I suddenly realised that we were out of museli, had no granola, and not even the wherewithall to make toast. I've been a bit of a groceries slacker this week and we seem to be running low of everything other than radishes and wine. And much as I'd love to drink wine for breakfast, I think they have judgemental names for people like that, and there ain't no way a radish is passing my lips.

So porridge it would have to be. I'm not sure such a warming breakfast was exactly what I fancied given it's already warm here today, but working on an empty stomach is not something I can do (I'm one of those people who wakes up hungry and is grumpy within seconds if I don't start shovelling food and coffee in myself). As a result I decided to freshen up my oats and channel the Easter baker in me. Hot cross bun porridge! Genius! I love hot cross buns and use Easter as a terrible excuse to stuff them in my face at any and every opportunity, so why not take the spirit of that and put it in my porridge.

One cup of porridge oats, one of milk, one of water, a large handful of dried fruit and mixed peel, and a generous dash of mixed spice. Cook. Douse with maple syrup. Eat. Perfect.
Now I'm dashing to work feeling not only sated, but rather smug! I'll be back over the weekend with a new tart recipe that I've discovered, and liked so much I made it twice last week. Have a good end to the week everyone.

Chaussettes de Paris

2011-04-26T10:14:00.000-07:00

Remember ages ago, when I promised you tales of Parisian yarn stores, and then failed to deliver? Well, I'm ready to talk about them now. I hope you don't mind. I know I should be showing you all the amazing things we've been eating and doing over the Easter break, but there is time for that, and I'm afraid right now I just have to talk about socks and tea.
Apparently I missed all the best yarn shops in Paris. That's what happens when you're not expecting to visit them because the whole trip if about your boyfriend's birthday, and then the week before leaving aforementioned amazing man casually states, "but we have to go to yarn stores, surely?!" (see I've always said he was amazing). So I did some casual - ahem, frantic - searching, picked a few, printed maps (but no opening times) and off we went.

We made it to one, and it was quite a trek in the heat. But it was oh-so worth it. A yarn store situated in a tea shop. It was perfect (well, not quite, as N pointed out, because they would only serve beer with food and had stopped doing food by the time we got there...so it was almost perfect). We ordered from their extensive tea selection, were told exactly how long to brew our respective pots, and then I was let loose to browse the yarn, complete with enthusiastic input from the waitresses. It was marvelous.
Except the one colour I really fell for they only had one skein of. 175m. Hmmm...not a lot, but I just had to have it anyway. So I did, and using my newly acquired knowledge of two-at-a-time toe-up socks, I set to work on maximising the yarn and making a pair of very simple, but very pretty ankle socks.
And maximise I did as I only had about 10cm left when I was done casting off. Phew! That was a stressful ten minutes I can tell you! (This picture doesn't do the colour justice, there is purple and mustard in there too, it's very vintage and pretty, honest!)

But now I have a pair of very pretty ankle socks, to wear with dainty shoes on the cooler days of spring and summer, that will always remind me of rooibos tea and forgetting to check the opening hours of all but one yarn store in Paris, and sitting together on a beautiful day listening to the local band play at a community event, and learning new skills from new friends. Rather an evocative pair of socks, eh?!

During breakfast this morning.

2011-04-23T00:54:00.001-07:00

I'm an impatient gardener. I want things to germinate and sprout moments after I put them in the soil. So when I eagerly planted things a few weeks ago during an unseasonably warm Monday morning, I had rather hoped the warmth and sunshine would work it's magic immediately.
It didn't, and so I have been learning patience, and slowly tending to my little pots every morning, in that blur of time between coffee and leaving the house for work.

I must have been doing it all with my eyes closed, because today, with eyes wide awake thanks to a long sleep and the contentment of knowing that thanks to some well placed Bank Holidays, N and I actually have some time together this week, I suddenly began to notice things...

Happy Easter weekend everyone!

Learning to let go.

2011-04-18T10:18:00.000-07:00

I've been learning some parenthood lessons in the last few weeks.

Our little Fluffmeister, aka, Merchant of Mayhem, aka, Gatto, is fast approaching a year old, and therefore adulthood. We're hoping that he will lose the mental kitten and become a dignified gentleman cat like his older brother.
One thing that has marked the move to adult status is that Gatto is now allowed to join Sniff in his exploration of the "big wide house." However, although he's been allowed outside since late January he hasn't really shown much interest, preferring instead to trot along around me in the house, curl up and snooze while I knit, and sleep on the radiator bed in the dining room while I cook in the evenings. We definitely have a habit of producing needy cats that are much more like dogs; loyal, follow you around, and will eat almost anything (no, really, does anyone else have a cat who will literally fight his way to your madras curry?!).
Although I've always worried if his desire to stay inside is what feeds his slightly manic nature - could he be going stir-crazy? I hadn't realised just how much I enjoy Gatto's homey tendencies until a few weeks ago when he finally discovered that actually there are some rather exciting things outside, like leaves that blow around, and his big brother who he can torment and chase outside as well as in. Suddenly I was wracked with fear that something would happen to my little fur baby, that he would get hurt, or not find his way home.

Which is ridiculous, because whereas Sniff is a classic ex-rescue fraidy-cat, Gatto still possesses that kittenish bravado that means no matter how big the foe he will turn and take them on, a tendency which seems to so stun other bigger cats that they stop in their tracks and leave him alone. And as for not coming home, well, we can always get a curry!
So this week I have been learning to let go of my little homey kitten, and am preparing for his leap into calm, dignified adulthood. Yeah. Right.

Spring here...

2011-04-15T02:07:00.000-07:00

...is a new experience for us. It's the first time we've been in this house during this season, and I'm very much enjoying seeing how it goes.

So far it has felt slow. We're only just getting used to the garden, how the sun falls, where things will go and what work needs to be done in order to get things in their place (oh all the slow hard work). Some things have been planted, some have not, some things seem to thrive (our fruit bushes seem to love it here) but worryingly some things seem to be lagging behind (I'm sure the rhubarb should be growing faster and bigger).
Then on Sunday as I was pottering around I was struck by the realisation that the tree had blossomed. Suddenly the top of the garden was covered by a bright flurry of spring snow, and the light through the flowers was stunning.
Even the cats seemed struck by the new optimism that the blossoms brought as they played in the grass. Even little Gatto who is clinging desperately to being a house cat.
Sometimes I need to learn that if you're patient, and don't look too hard, amazing things will just spring up when you're not paying attention.

I love a literary city.

2011-04-13T01:49:00.000-07:00

Passing a church tucked away in the back streets of the left bank, N and I came across the following scene.
No explanation, just propped there waiting for two unassuming literary tourists to come by to photograph it.

What was in the box?

2011-04-11T01:42:00.001-07:00

Cafe pour homme,
Citron pour femme.
Worth all the carrying and glaring at metro passengers who might bump into me, and the balancing of luggage up the hill. Oh yes.

In my fridge....

2011-04-05T04:35:00.000-07:00

...is a very special box...
...sitting next to a very special bag.
You see, we went to Paris! Yep, that's right, for the past few days we've been livin' it up en France. A very welcome break indeed after a particularly long and hard winter.
We'd both been to Paris before, separately, and not been too fussed by the place, and so wanted to see if going there together made a difference. It most certainly did. It's amazing what a difference being there together, and doing the right things (which mostly consisted of walking, looking, walking, looking, walking and sitting in cafes) makes to a city. I indulged N in visits to specialist places for his hobbies, and he indulged me in long walks across the city in search of famous bakeries all in the name of researching the perfect pain au chocolate. It's a good job we're patient with each other, love pastries and are happy to pause for a glass of fortifying French wine at every opportunity!
Now we're back, for a final few days of holiday lying around the house, with a perfect little box of heaven in the fridge waiting to be consumed with a very cold glass of white wine later today.

Back to regular posting soon, honest. Although before then you'll have to indulge me in a few posts about amazing Parisian yarn stores and other such experiences!

Chuffed

2011-03-27T12:11:00.001-07:00

I have a tendency towards a competitive nature. This is why I am no longer allowed to tempt N to play two-player games on our games console, and indeed why he gave up any attempt to play football games on it with me. I have this ridiculous inability to pass the ball to anyone else, it just feels, wrong.

I bring this up because this week we had a bake sale at work in aid of the Japan Red Cross, and I was desperately hoping that my contribution might take a starring role . Then I learned that Ottolenghi was contributing! At first I was in awe, then I realised that my humble offerings would have to take a back seat. I thought I would be gutted at this, but actually I realised that sometimes you just have to hold your hands up and accept defeat to the better opponent!

Well played Mr Ottolenghi, well played:
Then again, my own didn't look that bad, and it was very pleasing to be served alongside one of my heroes, probably for the only time in my life.

But the main reason I was completely chuffed and bowled over this weekend, was because not only did Ottolenghi's cakes sell out, but so did mine, and so did all the rest of the beautiful contributions, and as a result a whole load of money was raised, which, after all, is exactly what we all hoped for. Thank you to any and everyone who not only bought or baked cakes, but has been doing everything they can for Japan. Every little helps.

Meet Stan the Second...

2011-03-19T01:39:00.000-07:00

This is Stan II. The first Stan had an unfortunate accident. He went mouldy and I threw him out in disgust, before reading all the helpful websites that say that actually he could have been saved. Oops!
But it's alright, because Stan II is alive and well and lives in the fridge. He's my sourdough starter.
I've been wanting to dabble in making my own sourdough for about six years. Every since I worked for a bakery on Borough Market and smelt the sourdough baking and enjoyed it almost everyday. I LOVE sourdough. For all my love of baked goods, I do love truly savoury, and often slightly sour foods. I adore lemon juice on just about everything, happily munch on grapefruits with no sugar, much to N's horror, and the slight tang that sits subtly below the other flavours in sourdough is something I could rhapsodise about all day.

A few years ago my parents kindly brought me a book whilst on holiday in Alaska, all about sourdough. It even included a little sachet of dried starter to get me going. I was too scared to try it for fear of failure. I kept looking at it, and other bread books I had, and continually put it off, citing "not enough time" to maintain the starter, or "it's too cold" or in fact mostly "but what if it doesn't work, or dies?"

Then for Christmas N bought me the River Cottage Bread Book, and I decided I could put it off no longer. The new house has marked the beginning of many new adventures, why not add sourdough to it?

So I did! It turns out that with a little persistence, and a lot of reading up and bowing to other people's experience, plus a tiny dash of trusting your instincts, and you can have beautiful sourdough. No, really...look!
I can't tell you how proud I was when I pulled this loaf from the oven. It had taken bloody ages (if you're following the River Cottage recipe you prove the bread for four hour-long sessions, before a final two-three hour rise!), but is definitely worth it.

And, it being me, I couldn't help but immediately start experimenting. Last weekend we had this for breakfast:
A sourdough fruit loaf! I can't wait to get going on experiments with sourdough hot cross buns!

I can't really offer a sourdough recipe here, as I'm basically following word for word what the books says...but I'm hoping to have the fruit bread and hot cross bun recipes ready in a little while, in both sourdough and dried yeast versions. (This is all assuming I continue to keep Stan II alive of course!)

Right now I'm off to drink some coffee and revel in the first day of spring and the glorious sunshine that is streaming through the open - yes, actually open to let air through - windows, before heading into the garden to plant some onions. I hope you're all having great weekends too.

I give good pie.

2011-03-18T01:02:00.000-07:00

According to our calendar spring doesn't officially begin until Sunday. And it seems that the weather is in complete agreement. Yesterday I walked up the hill to work shrouded in cold fog. I was not amused. There was only one response. Pie.
Take roasted mixed vegetables, coat in a slightly cheesy white sauce, encase in shortcrust pastry and bake for 20 minutes. Enjoy with a cold ginger beer and realise that having a final spell of cold weather isn't all bad.*

*but if you're listening Joe, I'm done with the bad weather now, please to have some spring?

Pour, wait, flip, wait, fill, nom...

2011-03-11T00:40:00.001-08:00

Pancake, with a hint of vanilla, filled with freshly made spiced apple butter. Now...maybe I do need to give up something for lent *looks longingly at jeans that don't fit ...*

Flippin' 'eck!

2011-03-08T08:51:00.000-08:00

So today's post really ought to be about pancakes, given that it's Shrove Tuesday, and I will indeed be flippin' some cakes in a pan later this evening. However, I've spend most of today in the kitchen doing other exciting things, and would rather share those with you right now.
Let's talk honey. It's a super food. It's a natural anesthetic, and used to be placed directly on wounds. It also comes from bees. How amazing that a tiny little furry buzzing things can produce something as wonderously sticky as honey! It comes in all sorts of varieties, not only due to area, but often due to the specific plant the little bees were feeding on. And it's absolutely delicious. At least I think so. I love it on yoghurt, porridge, in a mug with hot water and lemon, and especially in a tasty spicy cake.

I know it's nearing spring, and the spices should be taking a back door to lighter flavours, but oddly I often feel at this time of year that they need one more outing, or two, or three, before heading back into the cupboard until autumn. That's not to say I won't be dipping into them over summer, just a lot less than those chilly autumnal days, when all you can think of is warm apples and cinnamon.
This cake is wholesome and heady with spices and honey. It is definitely and afternoon pick-me-up, and as with many things laced with that golden elixir (like baklava for example) a little goes a long way. It's super moist in the middle (I was convinced mine was undercooked, but it tastes perfect) and a tiny slice with a cup of tea around four o'clock is exactly what a girl (or guy) needs to re-motivate themselves for another repeat of test knitting!
One last thing before I go...what will you be spreading on your pancakes tonight? Are you a sugar and lemon purist, or will it be all out with the maple syrups and chocolate sauces? We've got some homemade chili chocolate spread to try out, plus some roasted rhubarb! Much as I'm usually all about the lemon and sugar we're shakin' it up this year!

Spiced Honey Cake - serves 10-12 as you only need small slices

300g soft unsalted butter
250g golden caster sugar
150g wholemeal flour
150g ground almonds
4 eggs
4 tbsp clear runny honey
4 tsp spices (use a mixture that suits you, I used one each of cinnamon, black pepper, mace and mixed spice)
2 tsp baking powder

Preheat the oven to 170C and line a 23cm springform tin, place this on a baking tray as some butter seeps during cooking.

Cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, then beat in the eggs one at a time, adding a tablespoon of flour with each. Fold in the almonds, rest of the flour, spices and baking powder and mix gently until combined.

Put the batter in the pan and smooth the top. Place in the oven and bake for 45min, or until a skewer comes out clean (mine came out clean but could have stood another five minutes, it depends on how moist you want the centre, baring in mind it will get wetter when you add the honey).

Remove from the oven and drizzle over the honey. Leave to stand for 10 minutes then remove from the oven and serve still slightly warm with a cup of strong tea and a smug smile.

It's begun

2011-03-07T08:36:00.000-08:00

Today I walked to work in a light frost, accompanied by beautiful sunshine. It really felt as if finally the long slog of winter is over, and spring has decided that it might be time to show it's face.

The bright beginning to the day lifted my spirits and got me thinking about the coming year and the new beginnings. More so than new year, spring feels like the truly new start for me, and I'm sure I'm not the only one.
This spring the newness is even stronger than usual as it is the first year tackling the new garden, and experiencing the seasons unfold both in (hopefully) the produce we bring from garden to table, but also in simpler things, like experiencing how the light changes in the house, which we have never seen in spring and summer. It's all very exciting.
Today the first baby steps for our new beginnings have been started. I potted a selection of things and placed them carefully on the kitchen windowsill in the hope of tempting them to begin growing. Oh and I've begun tackling the monster that is sourdough! I've always wanted to make it, and for the last couple of weeks I've been feeding and tending a pot of sourness as practice for feeding and tending my plants. On Thursday evening the first batch of bread came out of the oven. It wasn't quite as light and airy as I'd hoped (it's still not that warm in the house for proving and rising) but it tasted distinctly like sourdough! So this week I'm attempting a batch with malted flour. Fingers crossed please, and updates to follow.
In the meantime, I hope you've all enjoyed a splash of spring sunshine in your lives, and are looking forward to the new season...anyone growing things this year too?

p.s. spiced honey cake tomorrow...nom.

This week I have been mostly...

2011-02-25T01:02:00.001-08:00

Knitting carrots.

Baking cake.

Learning to make...

a cappuccino.

And nursing my bad back with painkillers, very hot baths and very cold glasses of wine.

This weekend I will be mostly celebrating a birthday with hilarity, giggles and copious pints of ale with the girls...Have a lovely weekend everyone.

A pact with myself

2011-02-21T03:01:00.000-08:00

Having done some rather scary maths the other day whilst standing in the rain waiting for my train I discovered that despite now technically working two jobs, I am worse off financially than I have ever been. Argh! Which isn't helped of course by that pesky VAT hike. Ho hum.

As a result it's belt tightening all round this end. And so I've made a pact with myself. No more yarn (or fabric). This year, like many others around the blogging world, I am going to knit and sew from stash. I don't have a huge stash, but then I'm not the fastest crafter. I've always been someone who is conscious about the chest of yarn and the knowledge that I don't want it to get to the point where I have more than I could knit in my lifetime. I have no problem with hording for the frugal times, it just so happens that the frugal time has come around rather more quickly than expected.
But that's alright. I have at least two jumper quantities hiding out in there, and plenty of sock and lace to keep me going. The fabric stash can produce a fair few dresses and perhaps a couple of quilts. I think that's going to be plenty.
The only time I will break this rule is if we're on holiday and I see something that I absolutely cannot get anywhere else. Then again, since we don't tend to holiday in the yarn capitols of anywhere that shouldn't be too much of a problem!
Having smugly and righteously made this decision I decided there was only one course of action: a celebratory cake! A frugal one of course, using up some carrots that were loitering in the fridge, the leftover mascarpone from the tiramisu and some old oranges. I've been in the mood for a good old fashioned carrot cake for a little while, and so it seemed just the thing.

Carrot and orange cake - serves 8-10 (depending on how selfish you are with slices!)

2 eggs, separated
125g self-raising flour
1/4 tsp bicarb
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp mixed spice
1/4 tsp grated nutmeg
100ml oil (something light like vegetable or sunflower)
125g light muscovado sugar
100g finely grated carrot
dash of lemon juice
zest of two oranges
45g pecans, chopped

Preheat the oven to 180C and line a 20" round, deep cake pan.

Beat together the oil and sugar in a large bowl or electric mixer, then add the zest, finally beat in the egg yolks one at a time. Add the carrots and lemon juice and mix to blend. Whisk together the dry ingredients, and beat the egg whites in a clean bowl until soft peaks form.

Gently add the flour mixture and nuts and combine. Then gently but quickly fold in the egg whites with a metal spoon. Pour into the lined tin and place in the oven for 45min, or until a toothpick comes out moist, but not covered in batter.

I iced mine with a buttercream with a hint of cream cheese:

50g Mascarpone
100G soft butter
200g icing sugar,
zest of two tangerines

Beat the mascarpone and butter together until smooth, add the zest and then icing sugar and beat until combined. Spread over the cake when completely cool.

The Merchant of Mayhem

2011-02-19T08:01:00.000-08:00

He's getting very grown up...

A good stomp

2011-02-17T07:50:00.000-08:00

It's amazing what a good stomp through the countryside can do. After work I hastily ate lunch and went on a mission to re-discover some of the country paths that are so close to us now. It was exactly what I needed to lift me out of my winter funk. A reminder of the warmth of sunshine, the sound of birds and that sometimes all you need is a bit of fresh air to liven the brain. It was muddy enough to feel intrepid, but not enough for proper hiking boots. There was sunshine, and it was warm enough not to feel like the arctic when I stepped outside, but still cold enough to indulge in a newly knit hat and an old-favourite shawl.

One of those perfect early spring, typically English, days, with a slight haze over the landscape and a breeze still capable of reminding you that there is plenty of February to go yet. I just hope the weather holds like this a little bit so N and I can finally get our Sunday walk together without the fear of a proper drenching.

How to pick up (and keep) a man

2011-02-15T05:04:00.000-08:00

I completely understand why Italian women spend all their time in the kitchen. Or at least they used to, back in the day. The way to a man's heart is his stomach, and the way to my man's heart is his stomach via Italy (or India, but given my attempts at that have been less than successful, except in the preserves department, I leave all that to the wonderful people at our local curry house).
We're not big on Valentine's day. No bunches of red roses or dopey cards are found in this house, because frankly we are very much a soppy doting pair on any given day, and like it that way very much . But we do agree on any excuse for an indulgent meal, one more bottle of wine than usual and a viewing of our favourite romantic film. So I spent all of yesterday chained to, ahem, watching over, the stove.
I was going to do something very different, and poured over my cookbooks for hours. But in the end I decided to opt for our favourite starter of olives, bread and walnut pesto, followed by melanzane parmigiana for main. I did however think I should be a bit more adventurous on the dessert, and following the theme opted for Tiramisu, N's favourite and a recipe I've shamefully never made for him.It was much easier than I thought, and went down very well indeed, even illiciting the comment that it was "quite possibly the best I've ever had, and I've had many in my time." Which made me blush like anything. I know that the romantic holiday is technically over, but I can highly recommend throwing this together for your next indulgent evening together.
I read a few recipes and then decided to basically go it alone as I knew what we'd like. Dangerous, as it was my only dessert option, but it clearly worked, obviously all those pounds gained eating it in Italy has paid off!
Rebecca's Pick-me-up-a-man Tiramisu - Makes five reasonably large servings (I put them in small glasses, but you could use a small deep dish if making a large one)

3 large eggs, separated
62g caster sugar
250g mascarpone
130ml strong coffee cooled
Sponge finger biscuits
2 tbsp baileys liquour
2 tsp vanilla extract
cocoa for dusting

In a large bowl, or that of an electric mixer whisk together the egg yolks and sugar until thick and creamy. Then add the mascarpone and vanilla extract and mix until well combined.

Whip the egg whites until soft peaks form. Then fold briskly but gently into the mascarpone mix with a metal spoon.

Combine the coffee and baileys in a shallow dish.

Have your dish or glasses ready. Soak the sponge fingers one at a time in the coffee mix and place in a layer at the bottom of the dish, tightly packing them together. Then brush with more coffee mix. Spoon over a layer of the mascarpone mixture and smooth gently. Repeat this one more time, smoothing the top as much as possible. Place in the fridge for at least 3 hours, or overnight.

Remove from the fridge just before serving, and dust with cocoa. Enjoy, perhaps with a limoncello?

New things

2011-02-09T23:08:00.000-08:00

We're only just over a month into the new year, but this week has gotten me thinking about those resolutions, or rather, hopes, I made a few weeks ago. I've been slowly taking small steps towards them and then this week I took some rather huge strides.

On Monday, I met with a friend up in town for a sophisticated brunch, some intellectual exploring, and (much to the bemusement of the staff) a knitting lesson in a pub. It was a most wonderful day, and filled with new things. New books, new ales, and new skills.
Yes, Lady M was teaching me two-at-a-time toe-up socks! I decided that as part of this years wish to up my craft game socks would be on the agenda. However, given I struggle to knit pairs of things, and suffer dreadfully from second *insert pair of things here (mittens, sleeves...)* syndrome, it seemed only logical to go all out and tackle not only toes and gussets and heels, but to knit both socks at the same time whilst doing so. It's actually much simpler than I thought, and although the socks seem to grow slowly, it is at least both of them doing so!
On Tuesday I arrived home to discover a new treat in the post. A lovely skein of hand dyed 4ply yarn from Squeaky Elliot. I had been admiring her yarn in a magazine and then low and behold she walked into the shop on Saturday! Rather fortunately for me, as I was able to bully, ahem, persuade her, to put the yarn aside for me. I wasn't supposed to be buying yarn, I need to knit from my stash for a good while, but sometimes you see something and you can't exist. I'm thinking shawl?
Then on Wednesday the really big new thing happened. I officially started my new job. Yep! That's right, mornings have become more hectic because suddenly I'm having to be up and out before eight, and so am mucking up N's routine like anything. From now on I shall be working a second part time job in a local delicatessen. It's a small step towards that whole career plan thing I was talking about. I'm working with food, talking about food and making food, and who knows, there might be some space for some preserves in there too.
I hope so, because I noticed today during a rainy potter around the garden that the rhubarb is up and about, the currant bushes have started growing again and the rosemary is looking very healthy.
Which is good, because my new scales have arrived and are amazing me with their shinyness and accuracy. I've been testing them out this afternoon. Not with something new, with an old classic, that I shall share more about in a couple of days.
Out with the old, and in with the new!

Mornings

2011-02-04T09:55:00.000-08:00

Things are changing around here. Mornings are set to get a little bit more hectic.
But for now I am savouring the few extra moments I have that allow for a quick blog browse, or knitting planning, and that extra half-mug of coffee.

Never get a man to do a woman's job.

2011-02-01T23:25:00.000-08:00

I rarely post anything here that is political or topical, unless it's my love of the milk chocolate hobnob, or obsession with slicing oranges and stuffing them in jars.
However sometimes something comes along and it's impossible for me not to comment. Last week there was a whole load of fuss in the football world, about women, male commentators, and the offside rule. It all rather irked me, for a number of reasons, as I'm sure you can imagine. So I shall leave it to you to picture my reaction when a male assistant in last night's match failed to have any understanding of the law, as he let a player YARDS offside continue on to score a goal. There was some shouting about men and women's jobs, and much smirking and nodding from those around me.

Humph.

Anyway! Rant over. Let's talk about cookies...oaty, chocolatey, nutty and orangy. Got your attention yet, those of you who phased out when I started blabbing about football (I'm looking at you Lady M and Lady J)?!

My scales have still not arrived, and so I finally gave in and went in search of something I could bake with only the use of my cup measures. I know it's not hard, with the multitude of American recipes out there, but every time I decided what I fancied I was drawn to English cooks and bakers and their cursed use of weights and measures.
And then, as ever, Smitten Kitchen saved me. I didn't know I wanted cookies (I was convinced I wanted brownies) until I saw one of her recipes. I had all the ingredients, and suddenly decided that actually the faff of brownies was over-rated. There's birthday knitting to get finished, and cats to love, and honey and lemon to drink (yes, impending February colds are being kept at bay here). Suddenly I only had 15mins and wanted soft oaty chewy goodness.

So I divided and tweaked and threw together these delicious morsels. I've already eaten one, I might go back for a second (ahem, or a third) and there is the possibility that dinner might be cookies too. These are just the thing for breaking the resolutions of diets on a cold foggy February afternoon.
Chocolate Orange Oaty cookies - makes aprox. 10 largish cookies.

4tbsps soft butter
1/4 cup caster sugar
1/2 cup light muscovado sugar
pinch of salt
1 large egg
1/2 tsp mixed spice
dash of vanilla extract
3/4 cup plain flour
1/2 cup oats
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 cup pecans
1/2 cup dark chocolate, chopped

Preheat oven to 180C and line two baking sheets with parchment.

Cream the butter and sugars until fluffy, adding a dash of vanilla and pinch of salt half way through. Add the egg and beat to combine, then mix in the orange zest. Whisk together the flour, baking soda and spice and add to the batter in two additions. Then stir in the oats, chocolate and pecans.

Place rounded tablespoons well spaced on the baking sheets (I got six on one sheet and four on another) and bake for aprox 10-11 mins, turning half way. Watch as they darken quickly. They may not seem done, but they will firm up slightly as they cool.

Allow to cool on a rack until just warm enough to hold together, and then eat your first one whilst warm and still slightly gooey. Hmm...it's like and oaty dark chocolate orange.
zest of half an orange

Hipsta-catic

2011-01-28T14:20:00.000-08:00

Yep, I'm a slacker and still haven't ordered my new scales. I know what they will be, I just need to drag myself to the other computer and click "order" but it's been a long day at work, and right now the sofa and a borrowed computer in from of the sports news is about all I can handle.
So instead of a recipe I shall direct you here. Don't be fooled by the simplicity, everyone in the shop went wild about them today, I will be making many many more this weekend. Nicole, if I put on pounds and pounds I'm blaming you!
And instead of pictures of food, I give you my hipsta-cats. They seem to get cuter by the minute.
Have a happy weekend all...

Baking through adversity

2011-01-24T12:14:00.000-08:00

This week disaster struck.
Over Christmas I lost my baking mojo. To such an extent that the Christmas cake, that has been my go-to recipe for four years, failed me. It was baked and fed and iced and promptly thrown in the bin. Tragic, and not something that is taken lightly in our house as we hate waste, and do not throw food away without good reason (many a meal has been made up of random ingredients simply because they all need using and we cannot bare to even compost them instead of using them).
I'm not sure how I did it, but that cake was absolutely awful. Not only did it taste, not bad, but simply wrong, but about an hour after eating it we both felt a little weird. It was the same recipe I make every year and yet somehow I managed to get everything thoroughly wrong.
And so I haven't felt like baking much in the new year. I think the Christmas pounds that insist on sticking around on my tummy, despite being back at work and up and down stairs everyday, haven't helped. But mostly I just haven't trusted myself to risk expensive and lovely ingredients on even a classic recipe that clearly I am perfectly capable of ruining.
Then suddenly I was hit by inspiration. I was reading Nicole's post and knew that I just had to do something with orange and rosemary to ease our S.A.D. British winters are glum, glum, glum. Not bad, but not good. An all-round dirth of grey, and so anything to lift the spirits, especially something that involves the smell of baking filling the house, is more than welcome.
I got everything ready, picked up my scales and.....nothing. No display, no hint of life. I feared the worst, but hoped for the best and the next day whilst at work hunted out the right batteries and prayed to the god of kitchen gadgets that it would be enough. It was not. My scales are broken. Kaput.

This is not a good thing for a baker at the best of times, but for a skint baker with no back-up analogue scales this is disaster. Especially as I was perfectly inspired to bake something new and wonderful to get my mojo back.
I will get new scales*, but for now I am reduced to doing iffy conversions between ounces, grams and cup measures, which makes me even more nervy about breaking cakes in the process. So for a little while it might be even more sparse on recipes here.

I did however manage to knock out the cake I was hoping for, and it filled the house with the most wonderful smell, and paired perfectly with my afternoon tea and knitting. I feel it will be rather nice tonight with some ice cream too - because it's never too cold for ice cream with a warm piece of homemade cake.

I hope this lifts your winter spirits too...

Orange and rosemary hazelnut cake - serves 8-10

250g soft butter
200g hazelnuts
125g caster sugar
125g light muscovado sugar
3 large eggs, lightly beaten
65g self-raising flour
1 tablespoon of finely chopped fresh rosemary
zest of one large orange

Preheat the oven to 160C and grease and line a 20" round deep tin.

Place the sugars, butter, rosemary and orange zest into the bowl of an electric mixer and beat like mad until it's light and fluffy (this can take a while if your kitchen is a bit chilly and the butter isn't soft enough, but have faith, it'll get there).

While it's beating, lightly toast the hazenuts in a frying pan over a low heat, and once just golden and fragrant remove and using a food processor, or pestle and morter, grind until they are like coarse breadcrumbs (I usually like to have mine at the point at which some is very fine, but there are still some chunky bits as this add texture).

Gradually add the beaten egg to the sugar/butter mixture, making sure you scrape down the sides of the bowl so it's all combined. Add the hazelnuts and mix, and then gently fold in the flour.

Put the batter in the tin and smooth the top. Bake for aprox 45-50mins, covering the top towards the end if it looks like it might be becoming too brown. Remove from the oven and cool for at least ten minutes before removing from the tin.

Enjoy!

*thank you Christmas bonus that I was going to spend on something ridiculously frivelous and yet can now treat me to the perfect pair of replacement scales. I just need to do the research and actually drag myself to the shops.

Respite en France

2011-01-19T04:29:00.000-08:00

Bojour!
This past weekend we went on a flying visit to France for a birthday bash and a bit of respite from the cold, grey, dismal January we're having in England.

Flamingos!

It's amazing what a bit of sunshine and fresh sea air can do for one's outlook (cake and wine helps too of course!)
We've returned refreshed, full of new ideas, if only we can get a bit of sunshine here to help us out.
I forgot my camera, and so had to snap away on my phone, but am quite pleased with the results. I hope you enjoy them too, (perhaps during a break from all that marmalade making?) and I'll be back soon with a nice recipe to help ease those January blues.

p.s. whilst there I got referred to as "madame" I guess that clears that one up doesn't it!

It's that time again

2011-01-12T13:44:00.000-08:00

I often feel that the time between Christmas and new year passes at a leisurely gait, and so when the new year finally starts it feels like it needs to up the pace. The first twelve days of this year have flown past for me. It's been busy; starting back at work, exploring some new avenues (more on this next week probably), and getting to grips with the fact that the pretty fairy lights are no longer up to distract us from the wintery gloom.
And of course, in this gloom there is a flash of sunshine. Marmalade! Yes, another reason that the last few days have been so busy is that it's marmalade season again, and although we still have a few jars (ahem, three boxes full) left from last year's ventures, I just can't let the season pass without making just a few batches. Seville oranges have such a short period, and I adore the heady smell that fills the house as I boil them. It's unlike any other citrus as it's not an especially fresh, clean or clear smell. Instead it's perfectly fitting with the drizzle outside. It's homey, almost spicey, and permeates the house for hours.

Yesterday I made my special Seville and Single Malt, and today it was my Seville and ginger (phew, that's going to pack a punch this year once it's matured!).
I know I should stop there, that we really don't need any more marmalade in the house, but I have a feeling there might be a few more Sevilles on our shopping list next week!
If you can get your hands on them I can highly recommend a day of marmalade making. It's not swift like jam, and takes a bit more patience, but I think it's worth all the work. I don't make marmalade with "normal" oranges as I find it too tooth-achingly sweet, but this recipe does work with them so if you fancy it by all means have a go.

Seville Marmalade - Makes aprox. 450g jars.

1k Seville oranges, buttons removed (and scrubbed if they were waxed, gently washed if not)
2kg granulated sugar
100ml fresh lemon juice.

Place your washed oranges, whole, in a large pan (that you have a lid for) and add 2.5 litres of water. Cover and bring to the boil, and then simmer gently for aprox 3 hours, or until the skins can be easily pierced with a fork. Leave to cool enough to handle. DO NOT DISCARD WATER.

Place a sieve over a bowl and one by one gently cut the oranges in half and scoop the insides out with a fork, allowing the bowl to catch any liquid. Place the orange halves on a chopping board and cut into slices of the thickness you prefer (we're a chunky household).

Measure the remaining cooking liquid, with any caught from the orange halving. You should have about 1.7 litres. If not, make it up to this amount. (if you have too much, simmer it down).

Place the orange slices in a preserving pan with the liquid, sugar and lemon juice. Heat gently and stir to dissolve the sugar. As soon as the sugar has all been dissolved whack up the heat and get it boiling as soon as possible. You want a steady "rolling" boil. DO NOT STIR - this disrupts the temperature and means it takes longer to reach set.

It will probably take between 10 and 20 mins to reach set. I always test mine on a cold plate as I find I find it more accurate than my thermometre.

Once set is reached, leave it in the pan for aprox. 1o mins so that the peel will distrubute evenly when potting up. Gently skim any scum, and then pot into hot sterile jars and seal immediately.

I always leave mine for at least a month to mature before eating.

Happy preserving!

I've reached a point in my life...

2011-01-08T14:02:00.000-08:00

...where "Ma'am" and "Madam" have clearly become appropriate terms of address. Which is weird.

I look young for my age. I'm not boasting (although I might be if this trait sticks around for another ten/twenty years or so!), it's just a fact. I used to hate it and think it was embarrassing, and I still get annoyed when people make assumptions about my ability/knowledge/understanding/experience based on the fact that I often get confused for five or tens years younger than I am. But frankly, it is a good thing, and one to embrace while I can.

From my journey into work this morning

So imagine my intrigue when around the time of the student demonstrations in London I was Christmas shopping, and stopped a policeman to ask for directions around a blockade. I got "Now is not the time, Ma'am" from him, and a hasty "sorry madam, we're just a bit busy" from his colleague.

Then a little while ago at the shop a man came in looking for a gift and said "excuse me madam, but could you suggest something for my wife?"

This evening, I was sitting on the train, deep in thought as I battled to count the stitches on the scrumpled up graph paper of my scarf pattern, and the conductor came through the carriage checking tickets. Upon presenting mine the conductor responded with a very serious, "thank you ma'am" accompanied by a very serious nod.

Now, really, I know I've recently had a birthday, and okay, I haven't been getting as much sleep as I usually would (thank goodness the Ashes are done and dusted, as it's positively rude to hold cricket matches in a time zone that means I have to stay up all night to watch them!), so those dark circles around my eyes are a bit darker than usual, but is it really time for me to embrace "madam" and "Ma'am"?! I was hoping I had a good few years to go!

Start as you mean to go on

2011-01-04T05:58:00.001-08:00

Happy new year!

The end of 2010 featured a lot of reflection for us, and so when the new year rolled round it was hard to find resolutions. Like last year, when they did appear in my mind, I felt myself being drawn to larger more abstract things that I'd like achieve this year.
2010 was a big year. It was busy, and stressful, and wonderful, and ended sadly. It's always hard to predict what a year will bring, but overall I'm hoping that 2011 will build on the new phase of life we've started in our new house.
So I've put together not resolutions, but hopes for the year ahead. I certainly started as I mean to go on, with a new knitting pattern (and a new favourite yarn), a new batch of jam (made with my beautiful new knife) and an old batch of pancakes (gotta start the year off with a full satisfied stomach) and of course our new(ish) kitty wreaking havoc, as always.
In 2011 I hope to:

1. gradually reduce the chaos in the house and garden, formerly with storage, latterly with time, work and ambition! If I work really hard I might even be allowed chickens in 2012!
2. pursue the things I really want in life. I feel like I'm not quite where I should be (work/career wise), and I need to continue to push towards where that might be. This year *will* be the year that some serious business begins.
3. up my (crafty) game. A good friend of mine once pointed out that if you're in your comfort zone you're not growing, and so I need to continue to do things that intimidate me. I want to make this the year that I not only solidify my craft skills but push them, get better and learn more.
4. be more thankful. The end of the year made me realise how fortunate I am. I want to make sure that those around me know how much I value them.

Wishing you a wonderful year to come...

Fibre arts

2010-12-28T06:07:00.000-08:00

I have spent this morning photographing my yarn stash, with the intent of uploading the details onto Ravelry. However I have been defeated. It was taking so long to upload the photos and the ridiculous amount of yarn I have stashed in the last year (all cunningly hidden away in a large wooden chest) was just too daunting.
So instead I've decided to share a different kind of fibre art...roasted nuts!
Every Christmas I make nut roast, and a few years ago I discovered that it was infinitely tastier if I toasted the nuts first with some spices, before grinding them for the roast. From then on every Christmas Eve I make toasted spiced nuts in large quantities, half for the roast and then half to munch on throughout the holidays. Yesterday I was thinking how great these would be as party nibbles at the new year, and thought it was about time I shared the recipe with you.

Roasty toasty spiced nuts - Adapted from Nigella Lawson

500g of mixed nuts of your choice (I use: pecans, brazils, walnuts, peanuts (half plain, half dry roasted), marmite cashews (can't resit 'em!)
3 large sprigs of fresh rosemary (one whole, two chopped fine)
1 tbsp light muscovado sugar
3 tbsp olive oil
1/2 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp mixed spice
1/2 tsp smoked paprika
1/2 tsp cayenne
large grind of pepper
large pinch of salt

Line a plate or baking tray with parchment and set aside.

Place a large frying pan on the hob over a medium/low heat. Add the nuts and the whole rosemary sprig and toast gently for about 3-4 minutes, stirring all the time. Once the nuts are fragrant (and only just turning golden) add the spices and chopped rosemary and toss gently to release the flavour and coat the nuts (beware when they are toasting they can really get up your nose!), turn the heat down then add the oil and the sugar, keep stirring to coat the nuts and melt the sugar. Allow about another minute and a half cooking to really toast the nuts and coat them, but watch carefully as you don't want any burning. Turn out of the pan onto the prepared plate/tray and leave to cool fully. Once cool you can store them in an airtight jar, or place into bowls for immediate munching!

Merry Christmas from all at Number 98.

2010-12-25T07:41:00.000-08:00

I hope you're all having a lovely festive season. Merry Christmas and happy holidays to you all. I'll be back in a couple of days with some recipes (good for new year parties), reflections on the past year and hopes for the coming one.
In the meantime, relax and enjoy! I hope you're all wrapped up warm (and enjoying the cricket, oh yes!)

Like mother, like daughter

2010-12-22T07:52:00.000-08:00

I arrived up North and almost immediately the discussions of what we were currently knitting began. My Mum showed me a lovely silk/alpaca project she was working on, as I looked more closely it looked scarily familiar. Out of my bag I produced a project that was almost exactly the same. Same stitch pattern, also used in a cowl, also in a red luxury yarn (mine cashmere).

We hadn't discussed either project at any point previously. Scary!

It's actually not that grim up North!

2010-12-20T10:16:00.000-08:00

On Saturday morning I crept out of the house at half past seven, leaving N safely tucked up in bed, and tottered down to the station with my suitcase in tow. We'd had about 1cm of snow overnight, and yet a reduced service was running. Nonetheless I made it up to and then across London and to Kings Cross. Armed with a coffee and smart phone access to the Ashes updates (let's not mention that eh?) I waited patiently for my train. I boarded and settled down with my knitting for the three hour trip Up North.

All of this happened in perfect calm. No delays, no falling over on the way to stations or trains, bags safely stowed with no fighting over luggage racks. And soon I was speeding across the countryside admiring the pretty frost dusted trees.

Little was I to know the chaos I was leaving behind! Less than an hour into my journey news comes in from N that the south has been hit by blizzards. I wasn't sure I really believed it was that bad given I hadn't seen a single flake. Then the emergency text arrived to see if I could find out if the football was cancelled. It was! I'm not sure I've ever known it so bad that central London Premiership matches were called off.

I of course arrived at my destination and there wasn't so much of a hint of snow. Heavy showers were forecast for overnight and we got about half an inch. So much for it being grim up north!

I've been doing the obligatory pre-Christmas present drop at my parents, and squeezing in a bit of sightseeing along the way. Tomorrow I shall be attempting to get back to the south, where the Christmas holiday (and baking!!) can truly begin.

The hot toddy

2010-12-16T13:22:00.000-08:00

The hot toddy is a wonderfully restorative drink. This week I have found myself afflicted with man-flu. Yes, I will freely admit that I am rubbish at being ill, or even in any way coldy. It's rare and when it happens I don't like it.
I resist and refuse to admit it, whilst all the time being utterly pathetic. Just ask N. He knows. I spent Sunday battling through chores feeling increasingly sorry for myself. Then on Monday I thought I had come through it, until sitting in front of the football, the coughing and sneezing returned in earnest, much to the annoyance of Sniff, who was dosing on my lap and kept being woken by sniffles and my tickly throat.

There was only one thing for it. A hot toddy, number 98 style.
A hot toddy from No. 98. Serves one person with man flu...

1 shot whiskey
1 shot of ginger wine
Juice of half a lemon
double shot of boiling water
teaspoon of honey, or to taste.

Blend in a glass and drink as rapidly as possible, then make a second to sip gently whilst sniffling and wearing your favourite Christmas jumper (thanks Mum!)

p.s. I am aware that my most recent recipes have been for drinks. Very slack considering all the Christmas baking I did last year. I've just been a bit swamped. I am hoping to have some more recipes up in the coming weeks. Then again, one can never start the festive drinks season too early!

All that glitters.

2010-12-13T08:20:00.000-08:00

On Friday I was over at the Make Lounge indulging in a bit of festive fun. I was there thanks to these guys, who's cupcake decorating competition I helped judge.
As a thank you I got to attend a decorating master class with Mich Turner along with the other judges and the two winners.
There was fondant, glitter, buttercream, glitter, royal icing, glitter, champagne and more glitter!
I was able to take the lovely Lady K with me, and much hilarity ensued. Although I'm not sure what was funnier, Mich's face as K mixed up the acid lime coloured buttercream, or the faces of all the people on the tube as we struggled home with our haul of ten cupcakes each!

The cupcakes of Lady K, spot the acid green, it looked much more neon in person!

Much fun was had by all, and I'm still finding glitter all over things! Thanks so much to everyone for getting me in the festive mood!

Deck the halls.

2010-12-07T08:46:00.000-08:00

Remember this guy? He's back:
And he's been joined by this fellow:
Yep, the halls here at Number 98 are officially decked. We just couldn't wait any longer. Whilst the plumber was fixing the boiler we were frantically painting the living room. It was the only room that didn't get done when we moved and the awful shade of mank-nolia that it was painted was really getting us down. Problem was as soon as it was painted we felt so smug and suddenly festive that at that very moment we couldn't wait any longer. A tree was bought, boxes fished out of the loft, Sinatra on the stereo, wine opened, chocolates consumed, lights tested (and chased around the room by a little terrorist kitty), and suddenly Christmas arrived at Number 98.

It might seem early, but it's wonderful. I have been basking a little too much in it and not doing much else. Sometimes when you can't bring yourself to get out of your pyjamas and leave the sofa long enough to bake, you just have to give in and indulge in other ways...

...but if you do fancy a spot of baking, I can heartily recommend this. I made it last week and it was snaffled up so fast I didn't get a picture. Our top tip is to heat a little mincemeat until it's warmed and runny, and then pour it over and load with whipped cream. Nom!

Let it snow

2010-12-04T15:01:00.000-08:00

If you're British you might have noticed that there's been a bit of snow around. Apparently we're not that great at dealing with snow as a nation. Or at least that's what all the news seems to be saying. I beg to differ. I'm fantastic at dealing with snow. There's a knack to it I should admit. What you do is....not leave the house for three days. I'm sure some people would go stir-crazy, but I am definitely in my element!
On Friday I couldn't get to work. I don't drive (not that I would in these conditions) and we're on a train line that seem particularly averse to anything the slightest bit chilly. Last week there was a train cancelled due to "adverse weather conditions" on a completely normal, cold, but bright winter's day. So a foot of snow and we ain't going nowhere.
No matter. With heating now working, showers were had and preparations begun. This weather naturally makes me feel even more festive, so what better way to enjoy a snow day than with some Christmas sewing, knitting and the first batch of mince pies.
See, coping with snow is easy!

I spoke too soon...

2010-12-02T01:49:00.000-08:00

We got snow. Quite a bit in fact. On Tuesday evening we both left work at 6pm. We made it into the house at 11pm. It was one of the few evenings when I was cursing not being in central London. Very much "we're not in Kansas anymore"

Since then we haven't left the house (except for an emergency bread and milk run when our poor veg man rang to say he couldn't get through). All train services are suspended, so we couldn't really get anywhere even if we wanted to.
Fortunately the one person who did get to us is the plumber! Rumour has it we might have hot water later today. Yep, that's the old immersion tank! Hurrah!
Perhaps the funniest thing about the snow has been the cat's reactions. It shows up their individual approaches to life very well. Gatto was running around the house from window to window seemingly saying "it's brilliant! The whole world looks different, it's brilliant, white stuff is falling from the sky, brilliant." (forgive the blurry photo, he's not a cat that stays still for long!)
Sniff took one look at it, rolled his eyes and seemed to say "oh no, not this stuff again"

I'm off to huddle in front of the fire with my knitting. I hope you're all staying safe and warm. I will hopefully be back soon, with heating and cake recipes (because butter just won't soften in our house so we're on the emergency chocolate hob-nob stash rather than home baked cakes!)

Tactics for staying warm.

2010-11-29T11:02:00.000-08:00

I know that some of you are pretty much snowed in. In fact the pictures and news from my parents have been rather impressive, and so I really shouldn't complain about the weather, but it does rather take the biscuit that we have temperatures of -7C here and no boiler. I've taken to forcing the cats to sleep on me in order to steal their warms. It keeps backfiring though as they are rather adept at stealing mine!

And so I decided that perhaps moving would be a better bet, some preserving, and a spot of decorating, Number 98 style with fan heater and fairy lights! But more about that later because
this morning I realised that I've been rather slack on the blog, I promised cupcakes on Wednesday and all of sudden it's Monday and no cupcakes have emerged. Oops! Sorry about that.

As it happens, last Monday was a most wonderful time. Lady J and I had a hilarious day of butter, batter and banter. I was initially rather worried about teaching someone how to make cupcakes, but as it happens this year I am honoured to be one of the judges for this, and so with the complimentary cupcake kit that happened to arrive that morning we set off attempting to melt butter, chocolate and listen to heavy metal.
Alas, the freezing cold kitchen was not particularly condusive to ganache, but we still managed some very decedent and delicious cupcakes, mixed and decorated entirely by newly qualified cupcake goddess Lady J. I have promised that once the kitchen warms up a bit we'll practice piping, but until then I think we'll cope.
We tested a couple of recipes and I think the following won out for richness, depth and perfect sugar rush!

So here I can finally share it with you, while I shift hundreds of books upstairs...who's idea was it to decorate after all the books were unpacked and on the shelves, and in the same week the plumber is coming to replace the boiler?!

Not for the feint hearted chocolate cupcakes - Makes 6-8 large cupcakes

1 cup plain flour
1 cup caster sugar
1/2 cocao poweder
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp cinnamon
4oz softened butter
1/2 buttermilk (Or milk soured with 1 tbsp lemon juice)
1 large egg
1/2 cup of fresh coffee (cooled)

Preheat your oven to 180C and line a cupcake pan with cake cases.

Using an electic mixer (if possible, hand power if not) combine the flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda and cinnamon. Blend for 30 seconds and then add the butter and buttermilk and blend to moisten. The up the speed and beat until fluffy.

Whisk the egg and coffee together, and add to the batter in three aditions. Don't forget to scrape down the side of the bowl to catch any unmixed flour.

Pour the batter into the prepared cases, filling aprox. 3/4 full. Bake for 15-20 mins. A toothpick should come out moist but with no uncooked batter attached.

Decorate with your preferred icing, we used a ganache and a buttercream, but I happen to know that cream cheese is superb (if ridiculously indulgent!)

It did it again...

2010-11-22T11:30:00.000-08:00

Our boiler is mocking us.

It's broken again, and this time will cost a lot to fix. However, we will have the last laugh, oh yes, because in a week and a half it will be replaced with something not from the stone age, that will work, and be quiet, and small, and pay attention to the new thermostat and be generally lovely.

Until then we will be without hot water or heating. It might be a long ten days.

But that's not a problem, as I am steaming the Christmas puddings and baking up a storm with a friend who doesn't mind knitting and baking in the cold, and delights in sprinkles.

More on that on Wednesday, right now I'm off to huddle in front of the fire and ponder where I put my fingerless gloves...

Sometimes it needs to be done

2010-11-16T15:44:00.000-08:00

I am a great believer of seizing the moment, and basically giving in to your urges. Which is how I happened to making mulled port on a week night. I know it should be a weekend drink. I know it probably ought to be a Christmas drink. I know I should probably be attempting some restraint given it's only the end of my first working day of the week (with four more to go and engineering works promising the week to get much worse...).

And yet, it felt like it should be done. It was the first truly cold day today. With a thick frost and icy puddles accompanying my walk to the station, and with two layers, newly installed heating and numerous trips up flights of stairs failing to keep the cold at bay at work.

So I got into my pyjamas, and followed a whim. A hint of spice here, a dash of brandy there, a squeeze of lemon and a little heat. It was easy, and warming and the perfect thing to accompany a little taster of English cricket before the eagerly awaited Ashes tests begin.

It might not be the thing for every evening, but if you need a little warmth a hint of the festivities to come, crack open the port early and treat yourself. A little one can't hurt.

Mulled Port - Makes two small but potent servings.

200ml port
1/4 tsp mixed spice
5 whole cloves
1/2 cinnamon stick
dash of freshly grated nutmeg
1 1/2 teaspoons of brown sugar
1 tbsp of ginger wine
1 tbsp of brandy
squeeze of lemon

Place all the ingredients in a small pan and heat gently, stirring to help the sugar dissolve. keep warm for five minutes to release the spices, but do not get it hot enough to even simmer. Cool slightly and pour into thick glass tumblers. Drink.

I'm sure it would be amazing with a twist of orange and some juice in place of the lemon, I just didn't have any.

Cognitive boilers.

2010-11-12T03:07:00.001-08:00

(unimpressed cold cats shot)

Have you ever suspected the cognitive powers of your boiler? Seriously, let's just think about it for a moment. They know. They know that the cruelest point for them to decide to break is during the coldest spell in weeks, when gale force winds can penetrate any tiny cracks and give your toes frostbite and disable your fingers from knitting. And you can almost hear them chuckling as they trip your circuits, meaning the alarm clock doesn't go off so you end up with a cold shower and a mad dash to work an hour and a half late.*

As you can tell it was a good start yesterday! Today I am at home waiting for the emergency plumber to hopefully fix the boiler, identify the burny smell coming from the airing cupboard and make it so I can have a hot bath and not a cold shower.

The saving grace is that the new house has an open fire and there is something rather romantic about sitting in front of a fire with your knitting and a cup of tea and eating fudge.

Oh yes, let's talk about fudge. It's old fashioned, it's full of sugar, fat and is blissfully easy to make, which means in less than an hour you have dangerously moreish little treat that you can munch on all afternoon. I must have known it was going to be "one of those weeks" on Wednesday as I had a desperate urge to make ginger fudge. Not one to ignore my culinary callings I gave in immediately and fished the emergency can of evaporated milk from the back of the cupboard and off I went.
If it's a dull weekend, if you find yourself not wanting to leave the house and needing a little tray of something to keep you company in front of the fire, television or alongside your knitting, whip up some of this and I can promise your partners/family/self won't complain (I hold no responsibility for annoyed dentists however!).

Ginger Fudge - Makes aprox 1.5lbs (one small brownie trays worth)

I should mention that this is also a great Christmas present - yes, we're all trying to ignore that the festive season is fast approaching, but at least now you have one idea!

1lb granulated sugar
2 0z butter
1/4 pint of evaporated milk
1/4 pint whole milk
3 large pieces of stem ginger, copped finely

First, line a small brownie tray with greaseproof paper, the large the tin, the thinner the squares, its up to you as to the exact size you use.

Gently heat the sugar, butter and milks until the sugar dissolves and fat melts. Bring to the boil and boil steadily until the mixture reaches 116C on a sugar thermometer**, stirring occasionally (should take about 5 minutes). Remove from the heat and beat until it looks smooth and slightly grainy, add the ginger and stir through thoroughly. Pour into the tin and once cooled slightly mark into squares. Then place in the fridge to cool completely.

Make a strong cup of tea, and settle in for an afternoon with tray in front of you, no one's judging here.

** if you don't have a sugar thermometer you're looking for "soft ball" stage, which is when a small piece dropped in cold water forms a soft ball. Don't worry if you get it a little hard it will still be delicious, and I have been known to spoon too-soft fudge from a bowl in the fridge!

*the great thing about a horrid start to the day is it totally justifies a ridiculously comedy sounding order at the coffee shop that provided me with a "dessert coffee" as N calls them, which is most definitely the duvet of the hot beverage world, even more so than a hot chocolate. Comforting and yet caffienating, and so restorative. "tall, skinny, double shot, gingerbread latte please, thank you"

A tale of wine and wollmeise

2010-11-08T12:59:00.000-08:00

I think I need to come to terms with the fact that I am now well and truly a yarn addict, and knitting obsessive. There was a very enlightening moment which brought this all home to me over the weekend.

I was fortunate enough to get my hands on some highly coveted Wollmeise yarn. Two skeins of a dark green, one variegated red and a mustard yellow. Ever since our visit to Italy I've been desperate to knit myself a shawl in a gorgeous autumnal colour, and mustard has been calling to me (which is very much away from my colour comfort zone).

So there, ready and waiting on my sewing table was a newly wound beautiful skein of Olio Vergine 100% merino sock yarn. It was there as my friend K and I were having a natter with a glass of wine after an evening of food and good company. It was there as a gesticulation sent a wine glass, full of rich red wine, tumbling across the table threatening to stain everything in it's wake.

With lightening reflexes I snatched the newly wound yarn cake up and into my arms out of harms way....completely ignoring the laptop, camera, books and sewing machine that were now wading in wine! Oops!

You know you're a yarn addict, when you will save precious yarn before any and all other expensive objects!

p.s. After some lots of mopping, cotton bud in socket action, and some careful testing all other items on the table seem fine...although perhaps this is the source of my caps lock problem? (I'm writing this on a kindly lent machine which is nowhere near liquid of any form!)

SORRY TO SHOUT...

2010-11-07T12:19:00.000-08:00

BUT MY KEYBOARD IS STUCK ON CAPS LOCK AND MY TAB BUTTON NO LONGER WORKS. I LIKE TO THINK IT'S A GREAT EXCUSE TO ASK N IF I, AHEM, WE, CAN GET AN IPAD, BUT IN TRUTH IT'S JUST AN EXCUSE TO SHOW YOU AN ADORABLE PICTURE OF GATTO AND SAVE MY HILARIOUS KNITTING/WINE STORY FOR ANOTHER DAY...

Tactful dessert

2010-11-02T09:51:00.000-07:00

As seen at an airport bar in Italy.

Eleganza

2010-10-31T10:11:00.000-07:00

Perhaps I've seen the Godfather too many times (sshh....I know, there can never be too many times) but there is something about the small towns of Italy that make it feel like they should always be represented in sepia or black and white.

Everything just seems hushed and elegant, as if you've stepped into the set of a film noir classic....
...or could stumble upon Luca Brasi at any moment.

Four days...

2010-10-29T05:54:00.000-07:00

...of peace and quiet in our favourite place in the world does wonders for the head, heart and soul.
I've decided that autumn in Italy is my new favourite thing. The colours, the food, the wine, the cold but beautiful days, the quality of the light. I think from now on I will insist that we only ever go when the vines are golden and the chestnuts on the market stalls in abundance.

I feel calmer, happier and healthier than I have in a very long time.

They grow up so fast.

2010-10-23T16:12:00.000-07:00

Three years old, and four months old this week.

They grow up so fast our little kitties.

Damsel in distress (...or; Operation Extraction)

2010-10-13T02:42:00.000-07:00

Monday was not a good day. It started off well enough. A trip to the pet shop for cat food, some productive housework, but it went down hill rapidly from there.

First, I put my back out. I have no idea how I did it, but I have a feeling it was whilst reaching for something on a high shelf and simultaneously trying to turn round to find out what antics Gatto was up to. All I know is that suddenly whilst moving round the house things were difficult and painful. Sitting was okay, standing was okay, but anything between the two pretty excruciating. Not good.

But I decided to soldier on, there was washing to be done, and hung, and it was a glorious day. It seemed a shame to waste it.
WRONG! What followed were an unfortunate and hilarious series of events.

I unloaded the washing machine, looked at the sunshine and decided to hang the washing out in the garden. Taking advantage of what might be the last bit of autumnal sunshine of the year.
In order to hang out the washing, I needed to shut Gatto somewhere in the house so that he couldn't make a break for freedom (he's still too little to be outside). Normally I would just shut him in the living room, but for some unknown reason I decided to shut the dining room door instead, giving him the run of the upstairs as well. Rookie error!

So I shut the door. Properly shut it rather than just pushing too. The doors in our house, like the house itself, are old, and stick in their frames. Normally this would be enough to hold a little kitten at bay, but for some reason I got it into my head that the wind might manage to dislodge the door, and Gatto would escape, we'd never find him and I'd be inconsolable. So I pushed the door into the frame, made sure it shut properly and pottered out into the garden with the washing and a smile, knowing that Gatto was safely running about the house with the commonwealth games for company while I enjoyed a bit of fresh air and sunshine.

And all was well. For about twenty minutes, until I came back into the house and discovered that I couldn't get the door open. Nothing I tried worked, force, grumbling, pushing and pulling at the door, getting hysterical with it. Nothing. It just wouldn't budge.

So I looked around in panic. Phone and laptop in the other part of the house. Kitten in other part of the house probably panicking (yeah. right.) and making an attempt to claw his way up the curtains to the slightly ajar window. And me, stuck in the dining room. Then I discovered that the house phone was in it's dock and N's number was (thank goodness) programmed into it. Cue a rather unusual voicemail from a woman trying to sound both sheepish and not at all hysterical. "Hi, it's me, er, could you call me...on the house phone...I have a DIY question. er, as soon as you get this? bye"

Only about five minutes passed before he returned the call, but in that five minutes I'd hammered at the door, rattled the handle, cursed the house and sat in a heap on the floor. (a very painful heap as my back was not enjoying all this sudden activity).

N phoned. I enquired, as calmly as possible, if unscrewing a door handle would allow access to the mechanism in order to spring it open. N replied yes, this might work, and why on earth was I asking such a question, and come to think of it, why was I on the house phone and not my mobile (a number he would have picked up immediately). At this point I think the hysteria really kicked in, as I remember laughing manically whilst trying to explain that I was trapped in the dining room! He asked if I had a screwdriver. Of course I didn't. All the tools were in a room upstairs and I couldn't get to them. It was okay, I'm a resourseful woman, I retorted. I'll use a blunt knife, no problem, I'd be out in mere moments, not to worry, thanks for the advice. He hung up laughing.

I unscrewed the door handle. The lock mechanism fell apart! Panic! What followed were twenty frantic minutes of me trying everything to get the door mechanism working again, using every and any possible tool I could find. (For the record, a nutcracker is a useful tool to have on hand, but won't actually help in the slightlest in this situation, all you end up with is a broken nutcracker!)

N phones back to find out why I haven't texted him with joy at my escape. To which I have to admit to the potentailly broken door handle, and my continued imprisonment. He can't stop laughing. He is laughing and I am alternately laughing and crying.

N has to come home from work in order to let me out of the dining room! I am the laughing stock of his office!

An hour and a half later I am freed from captivity by a very giggly N, who, with the aid of the tools from upstairs, is able, with my help with a pallet knife on the other side, to spring the mechanism, push the door and free his damsel in distress.

damsel |ˈdamzəl|
noun archaic or poetic/literary
a young unmarried woman.
PHRASES
damsel in distress often a humorous young woman in trouble (with the implication that the woman needs to be rescued, as by a prince in a fairy tale).
ORIGIN Middle English : from Old French dameisele, damisele, based on Latin domina ‘mistress.’

I couldn't resist the above definition. I am definitely a humorous young woman! At least I was on Monday when as N opened the door I wasn't able to rush into the arms of my prince, instead I hobbled across the dining room due to my bad back! He laughed harder, so did I and we both had a strong cup of tea before he headed out to the local locksmith to get a new door handle!

Operation Extraction was a success. We watched a western in celebration, and I have promised never to shut a door again, unless I am carrying my phone, laptop, cats and toolbox!

p.s. It goes without saying that Gatto clearly found this whole incident hilarious, especially when his dad appeared home from work in the middle of the day to play with a door. Brilliant!

10.10.10

2010-10-10T10:22:00.000-07:00

I heard on the Today Programme this week that the tenth day of the tenth month of the tenth year is supposed to be pretty special. Numerologists, meteorologists and other such important people that deal in ology were predicting that it would be not only a very lucky day, but the last true day of the English summer.

It is of course also 42 day.

N and I decided to take advantage of what was a truly glorious day with a long lazy walk through the country lanes and fields, in search of the perfect pub lunch and pint.

One of the first things we did after moving into the area was take a trip to a large and well-stocked bookshop in search of two things: firstly, an ordinance survey map of the area, and secondly, a guide to pubs within walking distance. We lucked out as not only did we find several good maps of the area, but also a book dedicated to country walks between pubs. Could an English(w0)man ask for anything better?!

However, today we set off with simply a map and N's memory of a nice village pub about a mile and a half away.

The day was awash with sunshine. Not weak autumnal light, but the still-strong remains of summer sunshine. It made walking with a jumper on too warm, but was measured with a strong breeze to remind us that the cooler wetter weather of just a few days previously was quite soon going to become the norm.

But all of the gloom of the beginning of the week was forgotten as we ambled along shady sun-dappled lanes, until we stumbled upon this:

A pint and fish and chips, enjoyed outside in front of the pub, overlooking a local cricket pitch, that a few weeks ago was probably filled with green-knee-ed eager men in whites. Indeed the scoreboard still held the remains of a previous match.

It couldn't have been more stereotypically English, and we were loving every minute.

We had originally decided to head back home the same way, but the sunshine was too difficult to pass up, and so we strode off, with our full bellies, in an entirely different direction.

I can still hardly believe that all of this is pretty much on my doorstep. Today was definitely a very lucky day indeed.
We arrived home with aching knees (we're a bit out of practice!), five miles of new countryside explored and the feeling that if this is the last day of summer, we spent it well.

Bring on autumn

Some things that change, some things that don't.

2010-10-05T00:40:00.000-07:00

Last night I sent a rather unusual text message to my Mum. I needed to ask how long to boil and egg for in order to produce dippy eggs and soldiers. She was stunned. And rightly so. This from the child who has never been near eggs. Who mocks those who choose to make them not only a significant, but any part of a meal. Who can only just face making her lovely boyfriend scrabbled eggs at the weekend, and often wishes she could make them with her eyes closed.

For some reason over the past few months I have been craving them! Nothing about the slimey whites interests me, but I wanted to dip my toasted, salted butter soaked pecan and cranberry bread into rich organic runny yolks.
I've changed.

Or at least I did for this morning. I had them for breakfast, and think I've got it out of my system. The yolk was fine, but those quivering whites turned my stomach. Might as well try anything once. Just once.During these days of change, while I get used to a new house that is in a place so quiet that I have been sleeping all the way through the night for the first time since I moved down south, and used to a new commute, and generally the new rhythms of life, it is reassuring to know that in the midst of it all cats will still be cats.
Yes, this is Sniff sleeping on the one place he shouldn't; a freshly finished, blocking lace shawl.

And I'm still a big softie and can't bring myself to turf him off as he looked so comfortable!

Some things will never change!

A cake for half time

2010-09-26T09:13:00.001-07:00

Today we were going to be good. We had planned a stomp through the local fields. Some fresh life-affirming autunmal air in the lungs, and perhaps a post-walk pub lunch and pint in the belly.

But it wasn't to be. We got caught out by catching up on sleep, emergency trips to the pet shop, and then the sudden onslaught of rain.

No matter though, instead it's been an afternoon of sofa guarding, yarn winding, pattern browsing, and light pottering.

And I always believe that when the weather does this:you should do this:
The cake in the picture is Dan Lepard's Malt Whiskey Ginger Cake, that was featured in The Guardian Magazine food section yesterday. A few changes - less ground ginger (I'd run out) and so a shake of nutmeg and cinnamon, crystalised ginger not stem (I find the former much more satisfying in everything) and a lemon based icing - and we had a lovely warming cake to enjoy at half time, in between knit and purl rows.
My cake was deceivingly gooey in the middle, despite the obligatory toothpick test, but this wasn't unwelcome. We also both agreed that whilst very nice today it will be even better tomorrow when the flavours have developed.

I wish I could say we were good and enjoyed this with a cup of tea, but in this weather, it's all about the afternoon glass of red wine.

Come on, it's a Sunday!

Oh, and for those of you who have been asking about how Sniff is getting on with Gatto, I thought I'd share this moment from last week...

Tutorial for a rainy day.

2010-09-11T14:02:00.000-07:00

We had the most unbelievable thunderstorm here a few days ago. The bright morning sky suddenly disappeared and within moments the rain descended, and the banging and crashing started. At one point a clap of thunder went off directly overhead, so loud that it hurt my ears and set car alarms in the area off!

The cats were freaking out and so I decided that it was time to put on some music and relax with some sewing. I thought I would share this little tutorial with you to help with your sewing on rainy days.

How to sew whilst entertaining a 12 week old kitten.

You will need:

1 pattern of your choosing, and the requisite fabric, notions etc.
4-35 ping pong balls, depending on availability
2 lengths of string
1 pack of plasters
1 tube of antiseptic
Stain remover
1 teapot, mug and teabags (milk and sugar if desired.)
1 large chocolate bar

Begin by waiting until the kitten is safely asleep, then frantically lay out your pattern, cut and then pin to the fabric. If you're lucky you might manage at least five minutes of this before the kitten wakes up and realises they are missing out on all the fun.

This is where you need your ping pong balls on hand. Each time the little kitty makes a chase for the scissors, or the pins, or attempts to skid around on your carefully laid pattern, reach for your stash of ping pong balls. The trick is to distract the kitten at key moments by chucking a ball into the other room.

Keep this up for as many balls as you have. Experience denotes that you will gain about 3.6 seconds using this technique, so cut fast!

Now you've managed to cobble together the piece of the pattern it's time to begin sewing up. Here is where you need the string. You will be using this to try and keep the kitten away from the bobbin, thread, and moving fabric as you sew. This is where you will learn the essential "sewing one handed" technique, which is guaranteed to change the way you sew forever.

The final stage is when you begin to do the complicated points of the pattern, such as setting in the sleeves, or pinning the bodice to the skirt. Chances are by now you've used up all your ping pong balls, string and other diversionary tactics, so the kitten will manage to pounce on your bare foot to chew your toe, just as you are placing a pin.

This will repeat itself indefinitely no matter how firmly you scold the cat.

Finally, place antiseptic and plasters on wounded toes (from the cat) and fingers (from the pins jabbed into them as the cat feasted on your toes), place stain remover on the blood splatters on your project, and then decide it's not worth washing and place in the bin.

Retreat to the sofa with a large cup of tea and chocolate bar, just in time to watch the kitten smugly fall asleep in a pile of off cuts and pattern pieces next to the sewing machine.

I hope this has been helpful to all those out there who might consider naively sewing and kittens a nice mix on a rainy autumn day!

A fresh start

2010-09-07T01:15:00.000-07:00

After years of adherence to the academic calendar I don't think I will ever fully shake the feeling that the start of the year comes in September, rather than January. The change in the air from sultry (okay, we're the uk...ahem...warmish) summer to crisp autumn is one of my favourite moments. It means the digging out of jumpers, the acquiring of new stationary (yes, this week I bought sharpie pens, just because I couldn't resist all the colours in the packet), the last of the tomatoes and the return to rich flavours and warm spices in cooking and baking.

The change in season and the new start couldn't have come at a more apt time this year, with a new house, new cat, new routine, and a new blog.

After an incredibly stressful summer, when the first of September rolled around and the chill hit the morning air it suddenly felt like everything had fallen into place.

We celebrated with a walk around the new area, and a pint in a new local. The perfect way to ring in the changes.

I have also managed to get four days off in a row, and so will hopefully have some nice projects to share. In the meantime I offer not a recipe, as it's not complicated enough for that, but a suggestion. Next time you make pesto, try replacing the pine nuts with cashews. I guarantee you will not be disappointed!

I hope you're all enjoying the autumnal weather, I've been very much enjoying spending my mornings slowly and surely catching up with my blog reading, so if I haven't already I will be popping past to say hello.

Goodness

2010-08-30T04:16:00.000-07:00

I don't know where to start. Over a month has disappeared since our interwebs went down, and there are so many things that have gone on it's hard to know where to begin. Firstly, I huge thank you if you've stuck with my silence and are willing to read again, I am hoping to be a better blogger now, and a better keeper-in-toucher.

And, well, er, yes. I guess I should begin with a confession. We moved! Yep, we're no longer living it up in Our Lovely Flat(tm) in north London. At the beginning of the year, oh yes, way back in January, we decided that it was time to get away from the hustle and bustle of life in the city. Peace, quiet and space in the suburbs were beginning to call, as was the exciting prospect of owning a place of our own, one with a proper garden, and stairs, and fireplaces. It seemed to take forever, with each viewing worse than the last, nothing affordable, and morale and dreams of houses disappearing faster than the post-viewing bottle(s) of wine.

Then finally an offer was accepted on the perfect place, and after much box packing, cat calming, and tester pot choosing later, we are in, unpacked, and even online again!

Now, obviously, there is a slight problem, as I cannot be "From a North London Kitchen" if in fact I am no longer in north London. Oops! So there will be some bigger changes a-foot on the blog.

But before then I have other things to share. The new house has meant more space, and as if we didn't have enough books, jars, wool and fabric to fill it with, we decided that something was missing from our new set-up.

Meet Gatto, the newest member of the family! Don't be fooled by those large cute eyes, he's a little terrorist! He eats Sniff's food, loves to climb on anything and everything, and three days into his life with us managed to scratch me in the left eye just as I opened them in the morning! He is definitely stamping his way into our lives (and refuses to sit still for good photos!)

Finally, a week into our new life a wonderful box arrived for me. The month before I had signed up to Siri's amazing Farmer's Market Exchange. It was a mad dash to get mine posted before the deadline, and amidst all the frantic packing, but I managed to get my box off, and wondered what would appear for me. Then we moved and I forgot about it, and suddenly a letter arrived saying a parcel was ready for collection. I was so lucky to be paired with Jes. Not only is her photography absolutely stunning, but she is an incredibly generous exchanger. As I delved into her package I felt ashamed that the timing of the exchange meant I hadn't squeezed more into hers. It was a box filled with Minnesota goodness; natural harvest maple syrup, blended tea, honeys and apple rings, as well as some homemade jelly and a piece of pottery made by Jes' Dad. How amazing is that?!

Thank you so much Jes. I've already enjoyed tea in my lovely new teacup, and can't wait to try the honey on some homemade bread (still tinkering with the new oven, it's not playing ball!)

It has been a month filled with madness, and stress, but also crammed with goodness. And now, as the autumnal chill begins to lurk in the air I am looking forward to a whole new phase of things.

I really hope that you'll all stick around and join me at number ninety eight, for a whole new set of adventures. There will be cake, and jam, and tea, a bigger garden to transform, knitting projects to finish, and cats to referee. I can't wait to share it all with you, and catch up on what everyone else has been getting up to.

We interrupt your regular programming...

2010-07-26T02:48:00.000-07:00

...to give you this announcement.

Due to the ineptitude of a customer services person we are about to lose our internet. Don't ask. I'm sure you can all imagine just how the phone call went when the news was broken to me.

It might be a while before it's back too. And so in the flat we are pulling faces like this.

I'm sure there is a way to do fancy things with fancy phones. But this blogger is not someone who has gotten her head around all that yet.

So please bear with me, I promise I will be back as soon as I can. Hopefully with news about this, and other such exciting summery ventures.

84

2010-07-22T07:58:00.000-07:00

84 apricots, don't make as much jam as you'd expect for that much de-stoning.

But it's worth every one. The height of the jamming season has begun, and I'm doing the best I can to put as much gorgeous summer fruit into jars as possible.

Are you preserving the summer too? If so, please share how. This marmalady can't get enough of whacking things in jars!

Ladies wot lunch

2010-07-19T14:47:00.000-07:00

A couple of weeks ago, when summer was at it's height, Rosy and I decided it was time to take advantage of the tucked away green spaces that London has to offer, and have a picnic.

It's amazing just what tranquility you can find in this city. Moments away from a busy road, and convenient bus route you can find yourself in gently green spaces, dappled in sunlight, refreshed by breezes, affording both quiet and comfort. I don't take advantage of it enough, and I really should.

I also don't take enough advantage of Rosy's amazing skills. I was in charge of the booze, and she was in charge of the main food items. I've been to picnics before where it's all a bit shambolic, the food is last minute, and squished into tupperware or still wrapped in shop cellophane, the blankets aren't sufficient and there is always one less plate or cup. I love those picnics for their charm, their laughter and their hapharzard cobbling together of things.

I suspected this would be something different, and I was right, after all it was two food bloggers, who take a leisurely lunch very seriously indeed. What I wasn't prepared for was just how unbelievable it would actually be. Honestly, this lady served up a still warm pesto and salad tart, a still perfectly crisp panzanella salad, and, wait for it, individual eton mess! I was out classed.

But I had the booze, so I like to think I did my bit. (we won't talk about the awful lemon cake I made that was so bad it embarrased me to even offer it...a write-off recipe that has been torn from my scrap book and burnt).

It was a perfect afternoon of calm, in the midst of one of the craziest and noisiest summers I've ever known.

I could very much get used to being a lady wot lunches.

The curious incident of the frog in the night time

2010-07-05T04:21:00.000-07:00

This cute, fluffy, adorable little blighter has been getting up to some rather impressive tricks recently.

He doesn't enjoy the heat much, or rather, he likes to bathe in the sunshine in spring, but the height of summer is not his friend. You can't blame him, you'd be a summer grump too if you were carrying rather a lot of hot ginger fur (and perhaps a little bit of weight?! - yes, the v.e.t. did mention he should lose a few hundred grams!).

As a result he doesn't venture into the house much at the moment, but seeks out shadier spots under the decking or neighbours trees. Only popping in occasionally to remind us he needs feeding.

So I get all silly. I worry that he doesn't sit on my lap or want to be cuddled, I fear he loves someone else more than us and spends his days with them. I get in a bit of a tizz about it all.

And so Sniff finds ways to show his appreciation, as only cats do. A couple of nights ago we were graced with a midnight mouse hunt. Sniff kindly brought it in to show us just how exciting it can be to chase both him, and said rodent, around our living room. The prize was captured by a very on-the-ball N and given it's freedom, and what we thought was ample time to run and hide before Sniff was allowed out again.

Not so. How could two humans be so bad at this game? The aim is not to free the mouse, but to eat it! Sniff showed us just how we were going wrong by treating us to bit of ex-mouse around the flat the next morning.

Not to be deterred by his humans failings he upped the game. The night we finally got some humidity relieving rain he tried again. We were woken not by the pleasant noises of raindrops on the windows, but instead a very strange sound indeed emanating from the kitchen. Another poor mouse we assumed, so I gaily went out to do my fair share of chasing. In my sleepy haze I made the mistake of not taking my glasses, and so was peering at the strange shape on the floor, thinking how it was amazing that a mouse that spread out could still make so much noise, when it leapt into the air and emitted a mighty croak! It was a huge frog! Goodness knows how this innocent little cat had managed not only to catch the amphibian, but to get it through the cat flap in one piece!

At this discovery all rescue duties were promptly handed over to a very sleepy N. I have nothing against frogs, but they rank with slugs and snails for their potentially sliminess, at least in my head! And I wasn't about to attempt capture, not least because I had no shoes on, nor glasses, nor any idea how to go about the manouver.

In the end it took two of us, one inside and one outside, to coax the poor thing back out into the damp garden, whilst little Sniffer was trapped in the bedroom eeking for all his little lungs could managed (I like to think he was balling instructions about how the game worked!)

Luckily the frog survived the encounter and hasn't been seen since, and our little kitty has been smugly sleeping off the exertion.

What remains a mystery is where the frog came from in the first place. As far as we are aware there are no ponds, streams or water holes anywhere near us.

It truly was a curious incident of a frog in the night time, and shall remain so...

Blame it on the pav-a-lova

2010-07-01T14:11:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I inexplicably get songs running round my head. This would be fine, except it goes on for days and days and it seems nothing will cure it. I can even hunt out the song, listen to it, and still my brain doesn't seem satisfied.

Which is how I came to be singing "blame it on the pa-va-lova" to the tune of "blame it on the bossa nova" which incidentally I only know because of watching this.

Why pavlova? Because this week I made some ice cream and decided that it would be a wonderful excuse to pile some cream, passion fruit and passion fruit curd on top of a cloud of crispy-on-the-outside mallow-in-the-middle meringue.

Because really, who needs and excuse for this super-sweet fat free (ahem, we're ignoring the cream, alright?) fluffy cloud of summery deliciousness? Not me. Especially as it means I can dance around the kitchen in my dressing gown singing "blame it on the pa-va-lova" at the top of my voice!

There's only one problem really. Unless you are super talented, it can be hard to make pavlova photogenic. Or perhaps it's just me? But seriously, this baby did not want it's picture taken. The light was all wrong, the cream kept trying to leap off the top, and all in all it just wasn't having it. So I've dolled it up with poladriod in the hope that you will trust me that it's a lovely idea to make this for your next summer gathering. I scaled down my recipe to make me feel less guilty about eating all that cream and curd for four days in a row. As a result this recipe makes a nice size pavlova for four servings. I'm sure it's not the best in the world, but it's easy and quick and I think it tastes lovely after a salad with a chilled glass of white wine.

Passionate Pavlova - Serves four.

2 large egg whites
250g caster sugar
1 tsp cornflour
1/2 tsp lemon juice

2 very ripe passionfruit
100ml double cream
3 tbsp passion fruit (or lemon) curd

Preheat the oven to 180C. Line a baking sheet with parchment.

Whip the egg whites until peaks form. Then gradually whip in the sugar until the mixture becomes stiff and glossy. Then sprinkle over the lemon juice and cornflour and gently fold it into the mixture with a metal spoon trying to knock as little air out of the mixture as possible.

Pile into the centre of the baking sheet and smooth the top as best you can. You want a disk around eight inches in diameter and 1-2 inches tall.

Place in the oven and immediately reduce the temperature to 120C. Bake for 15 minutes and then turn the oven off, but leave the pavlova in there to continue baking as the oven cools, leave until completely cold.

When you are ready to serve, gently invert the pavlova onto a place and peel off the paper. Whip the cream gently until it is still soft and fluffy, but holds its shape. Then stir in the pulp from the passion fruits. Gently spread the curd over the pavlova and then top with the cream, serve immediately, or within an hour.

Please don't forget to sing "blame it on the pa-va-lova" whilst serving, it makes it taste better. Honest.

A sigh of relief

2010-06-27T14:12:00.000-07:00

Today brought many a sigh of relief. Firstly, it is the first Sunday in a long time that I have not been working, and so meant a full day of N's company. It was spent in a very typical manner, him being crafty at the table, me being crafty on the sofa, but even this silent time, spent in mutual contemplation of our tasks, and the cricket, made everything feel aligned again.

Speaking of cricket, a huge exhalation went up when the final ball was lofted over the outfield for four, and England won the series. It was touch and go at the end there, and two people and one cat held their breath as they prayed that it wouldn't be a truly dreadful day for English sport.

Because yes, unless you've managed to blissfully avoid World Cup mania, you're probably aware the England went out of the tournament today. I know it is controversial to admit, but I breathed a sigh of relief at this too. Frankly, now we can stop pretending to believe the hype that England are going to win (which they never were, let's face it), we can all sit down, relax, and enjoy the rest of the competition, whilst watching some teams who actually can play football.

Phew, mini-rant over. Sorry about that!

What I really wanted to tell you about was the sauce I made for our pancakes this morning. I didn't plan the pancakes, but the lack of bread and unwillingness to miss a single moment of any sport today meant that I needed to come up with a breakfast option fast. I used my go to recipe (which I've tweaked a bit over the last six months) and would have added blueberries to them, except I suddenly decided instead to whip up a sauce. I'm so glad I did! It would have produced a sigh of happiness, had it not been for us both stuffing stacks of pancakes and sauce in our mouths!

It's super simple, quick and uber tasty. It goes incredibly well with a subtly flavoured pancake, and a dollop of creme fraiche, so that the sauce is the star of the show. I'm sure it would be equally delicious on waffles, ice cream or French toast.

Blueboozy sauce - serves two for pancakes, liberally.

2 cups blueberries, fresh or frozen.
1 large glug of creme de cassis, or for a non-alcoholic version, a dark berry (or elderflower) cordial
1 tbsp water
3-4 tsp cornflour

Place the blueberries in a small saucepan with the water. Begin to heat gently until they release their juice. Then add the cassis or cordial. Continue to cook gently until the blueberries are bursting and there is a large amount of liquid in the saucepan. Add the cornflour a teaspoon at a time, through a sieve (to avoid lumps forming) mixing as you add. Wait for the mixture to thicken slightly in the heat. You can continue to add cornflour until the sauce reaches your desired texture. I had mine fairly thick so that it sat well on pancakes, but if I was using in on ice cream I'd leave it much thinner.

Pour over hot pancakes, toast or waffles, or scoops of vanilla ice cream. Enjoy!

Finally...

2010-06-21T14:56:00.000-07:00

...It seems that maybe, just maybe, Britain might get some summer. For some reason it hasn't felt like there's been much summer here yet, despite the slightly depressing fact that it was apparently the solstice yesterday. Perhaps I missed it all being stuck in the office, whereas in previous years I have been blissfully at home and therefore able to appreciate each and every day when the sunshine peeks out and the temperature creeps above ten degrees Celsius.

I'm sure it was Molly who once mentioned that bloggers can have a habit of posting less during the warmer sunnier months. I think particularly for those of us who are less used to all this gorgeous weather, and who only get about three days of it a year (yes, I am indeed a jaded Brit), it is imperative to leave the computers behind and head out and frolic.

That's not quite what I've been doing. I would definitely be up for some frolicking in principle, however I have mostly spent the last week and a bit working. The shop I work in has been moving to a larger premises (hurrah!), but being a small business the shifting of boxes was done by us. There is part of me that relishes being back to physical work after months of being in a office. It reminds me of when I was working on the market and shifting palettes of bread every morning. It is a wonderfully satisfying way to spend a day.

But my muscles the following day were not amused, especially when I hauled them out of bed to do it all again!

However, despite the aches and pains and exhaustion that seem to be following me around, there is a huge plus to all this dashing around. You have full license to eat as much as you like! On the actual moving day, when myself and the lovely M shifted box after box and bag after bag from the van to the new shop, dodging pedestrians as we went, I probably ate my body weight in baked goods (and then we discovered the amazing local frozen yoghurt place! I LOVE our new location!), and that's not an insignificant amount. And yet, when I got home, I was still ravenous! Total result. I can once again bake my heart out and stuff my not-so delicate little face with cookies, cakes and tarts and totally justify it (did I mention that the new stock room is on the top floor...I've got a new love affair with all those stairs!)

With all this in mind I decided my co-workers and co-box-sifters might need a little sugar rush to keep the spirits lifted. On our first day open in the new shop I brought everyone cinnamon rolls, topped with my amazing new-found (Thanks Rosy!) cream cheese icing. The days before this, there was a endless supply of cookies.

Why? Because thanks to the advice of a certain young American, who knows her cookies, I was finally pointed in the direction of the perfect chocolate chip cookie recipe. I shall forever be indebted to her, and her French source, for what will quite possibly now always be my go-to cookie recipe. It's crispy yet still chewy, better on the second day, and held up to some adapting. I made them last week, and we ate the remainder today (the recipe makes a LOT) and they were still good. In my eyes, that's the perfect cookie. They even stood up to what is my high water mark of cookies, the pecan and chocolate chip ones from Ottolenghi.

Go, bake and be sated...nom.

The almost-Nestle Tollhouse cookie - Makes enough to feed an army of movers.

2 1/4 cups strong white bread flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup light muscovado sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 large eggs
2 cups dark chocolate (I used 70%) chopped into chunks
1 cup chopped nuts (I'm a pecan gal myself, but walnuts, hazelnuts etc would work fine)

Preheat the oven to 190C and line all the baking trays you have in the house! No, seriously I used all four of mine a couple of times over as you only really want about six on each sheet in case of spreading.

Whisk together the flour, baking soda and salt. In a mixer, or by hand beat together the butter, sugars and vanilla until light and fluffy. Then gradually beat in the eggs one at a time. Gradually add the flour mixture and combine. Then stir in the chocolate and nuts.

Place rounded teaspoons of dough on the baking sheets a couple of inches apart. Bake for aprox. 8 - 9 minutes until they are just golden brown at the edges (this tip was thanks to M, who pointed out this would maintain a chewy centre. mmmm...)

They will keep for quite a while in a air tight box, but I would recommend them either just warm, or the next day with a nice cup of tea.

I've served my time

2010-06-10T07:57:00.000-07:00

I tried, I really tried, but 9-5 office work really isn't for me. At first I loved it. I was in and out of the office running training sessions, and meeting new people. But as the months went on, and the time in the office longer, it became clearer that this wasn't going to be something I could do long term. I loved the people in the office and have made some great new friends, but sitting down staring at a computer screen is downright depressing, and even a little soul-destroying for me.

Who knows, I might go back to it, but yesterday, after much deliberation and financial pondering and deep philosophical conversations with N, I bid farewell to my colleagues and gave it all up.

Eek! So I am taking almost a 50% pay cut and am swapping the office for a (gorgeous) shop job. It sounds strange, but it seems to be working for me at the moment. It's a incredibly creative environment, and I am surrounding by a wonderful group of crafty inspiring people. It also means that for the most part I have my four day weeks back, hurrah! So hopefully I will be here a little more often with all sorts of baking and crafty goodness.

Despite my desperate desire to get out of the office, I was a little sad to leave it behind, and it's very difficult to take such a massive risk. I will no longer be in an academic environment, and I certainly won't have much loose change kicking around. But I'm hoping it will be the start of a new chapter, and some exciting new ventures.

As a little thank you to all my amazing friends and colleagues in my office I baked them one last treat. Little chocolate fairy cakes topped with cream cheese icing and sprinkles. I called them chocolate cheesecake cakes, as that's exactly what they tasted like. Yum! We had a picnic at lunchtime and then wine at the end of the day. A lovely farewell.

The cakes went down a storm and were gobbled up in no time. I won't post the recipe, instead I shall direct you to it's source, as I can't take any credit the delicious cake was all thanks to my lovely friend Rosy. The only thing I can boast about is the decision to put the cream cheese icing on it. It wouldn't be my usual topping, but I couldn't resist and the result was delicious. Make them this weekend and treat yourself, but beware, you'll want to make British fairy cake size ones as they are incredibly rich!

Well, I am off to enjoy my day of freedom with some housework. I'm so rock and roll!

"We don't like cricket...oh no! We love it!"

2010-06-01T14:03:00.000-07:00

Nothing quite epitomises summer for me than cricket. If you've hung around here, or indeed spent much time in my company, it probably hasn't escaped your attention that I am a massive cricket fan.

There's just something so gosh darn civilized about a gentlemanly game that takes places at an almost leisurely pace over an entire day and include a break at 3.40pm for afternoon tea. If you're familiar with other bastions of gentlemanly culture, cricket may well conjure up images of fluffy clouds in blue sky, teams all decked out in white, and spectators politely clapping at the end of each over between mouthfuls of strawberries and cream and swigs of Champers. All of which should be accompanied by the soothing tones of Test Match Special (minus Boycott of course, nothing soothing there!)

The reality of course looks rather more like this:

Five hours of drizzle, rain and inclement weather. If you go to the cricket in England (rather than sensible places like the West Indies, or Australia) chances are you should pack for the arctic. N laughed as he saw me stuffing a quilt, raincoat, hat and scarf into my bag on Saturday, but true to my expectations I spent five hours at Lord's huddled underneath the aforementioned bedding wishing I'd bought some gloves as well.

That's the reality of the British summer. And I embrace it. Partly because I have to, and partly because no matter what at 3.40pm there is a break and out comes the tea and cake. If I do nothing else in preparation for an afternoon of cricket it is to prepare a cake. I've talked about this before, and fruit cake is almost always what I make.

But sometimes I need a little sunshine, and so sometimes I make something a bit brighter in the hope of tempting out the rays and casting off the raincoat. If you need a little sunshine, especially after a damp bank holiday weekend, I suggest you dust off your mixing bowls, search out some good lemons and have a crack at this. It's a great cake for transporting because it is incredible dense and holds up well. I think I might add a strongly lemony buttercream next time. But then again I might not.

Lemon Vanilla Yoghurt cake - makes one 9x5 loaf. (Adapted from Smitten Kitchen)

1 1/2 cups Plain Flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 cup vanilla yoghurt
1 cup plus 1 tablespoon sugar
3 large eggs
Juice and zest of two unwaxed lemons
1/2 cup vegetable oil

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a 9x5 inch loaf pan.

Whisk together the cups flour, baking powder, and salt. In another bowl, mix together the yogurt, 1 cup sugar, the eggs, lemon zest, and oil. Slowly add the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, but mix thoroughly.

Pour the batter into the pan and bake for about an hour, or until a toothpick of skewer in the center of the loaf comes out clean.

Meanwhile, cook the lemon juice and remaining 1 tablespoon sugar in a small pan until the sugar dissolves and the mixture is clear. Set aside.

When the cake is done, allow it to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before turning out onto a rack. Carefully place on a baking rack over a baking tray. While the cake is still warm, gently poke wholes all over it with a toothtpick and then brush the lemon syrup over it with a pastry brush until all the syrup is absorbed. Cool and then enjoy, preferably in front of the cricket.

All you knit is love.

2010-05-24T01:45:00.000-07:00

These hands are mine. Knitting in Barcelona. They could, however, quite easily be the hands of my mother, or indeed my grandmother. I have clear memories of seeing a photograph of my grandmother in a very similar setting, also on holiday, also in the sunshine. She is sitting on a rock (I think) knitting in her hands, in a beautifully stylish dress, looking at the camera with a little gleam in her eye. She is on her honeymoon, the person holding the camera is her new husband, and I believe she is knitting something for him, even while they are walking in the countryside.

It makes me smile to think of that picture, and to think of how proud she would be to know that I now share her love for knitting (and her wish to do it whenever and wherever). She never saw me knit. She tried patiently to teach me when I was younger, but I was more interested in climbing trees and pretending to be Columbo than sitting patiently forming stitches. But here I am now, having learnt from her daughter, and taken on what feels like the inevitable love of the craft that the women in my family have.

It's lovely, because every time I look down at my hands holding my needles I think of my grandmother and I think of my mum, and I smile.

Would you like another cookie?

2010-05-20T14:43:00.000-07:00

I increasingly find myself baking cookies these days. I think because working six days means I have lost my lazy Sundays of baking, and my weeknights are taken up with either frantic knitting to finish projects (I've become newly obsessed, and last week stayed up until 2am and got up at 8am just to finish something in time to wear for work! - more on this in another post...) or crashing out on the sofa trying to keep my eyes open and my cat happy with some cuddles.

As time has become precious, I want quick fixes. I still want to bake and cook, but am aware that the window for doing so is a lot smaller, especially with all the other things that also get missed and need doing in my snatches of time.

Cookies are perfect, you can whip most recipes up in one bowl, and either cook then and there, or rest the dough in the fridge overnight and pop them in the oven the following day.

This is one of the reasons I chose today's cookie. It meant I could whack it all together last night at ten, and get home to ready mixed deliciousness to be formed into balls and baked. Perfect. There is nothing quite like the smell of cookies baking after work, with the late afternoon sun gently dipping across the garden, and a breeze coming in through the open patio doors. It would be completely idyllic if it wasn't for the stack of washing up on the side, the drying clothes on the rack (and still piles of dirty ones loitering in the bedroom) and the mountains of fur that are beginning to taunt me as I'd rather be baking than hoovering!

Cookies are also a great little gift, a nice homemade thing to say thank you. This weekend I shall be sharing them with a lovely girl I work with at my new job. She makes brilliant cups of tea, humours my love of sport, helps with my knitting disasters and is the perfect company on a rainy Sunday afternoon when work is quiet and we are knitting and nattering. She rocks.

Some shall be going to someone else too, who's husband very kindly presented me with a Ottolenghi cookie a few weeks ago, as he didn't want me to miss out. How lovely is that?! I shall pass on a batch for her and the family as a thank you (She's also the wonderful woman who got me the job, there will be a lot of cookies (and the curd I promised) going her way!)

I borrowed the recipe from Nicole, who adapted it from the ever-great David Lebovitz.

I made a few changes, mostly due to necessity than will. I couldn't bare to part with my entire chocolate stash, so only used a scant two cups (200g) and I used only one cup of nuts, pecans, as I didn't have any more. I also sprinkled them ever so lightly with salt to balance the flavour. I won't pass on my version as Nicole and David have already done such a good job and deserve the credit. I have to admit too that I still found these a little disappointing, and I wonder if my changes are the fault (which is the most likely reason frankly). Don't get me wrong, they are a very good cookie (*nods and munches from the background*), but I still feel like I am searching for my "perfect" chocolate chip cookie. Perhaps I should just give in and buy the book so I can give the original a go? And really, I don't mind having to bake a few more cookies in the quest for the perfect one. We're troupers in this flat, we'll do out best to try as many cookies as it takes!

Books.

2010-05-17T02:21:00.000-07:00

There has been a lot of talk about books around the web at the moment. About old favourites, new favourites, and of course everyone's favourite, the public library.

So I thought for a bit of fun I would share with you just how out of hand my little cook book library is getting. We live in a small flat, and are both book obsessives, and so books are on shelves, on floors, on books, in cupboards, and always, always in hands. We have many genres, and are not snobs, "bath books" (those deemed comfort reads that do not suffer from damp fingers, rather revel in them) are tucked alongside classics, both new and old. My PhD related books take up almost the entire spare room (which is mostly to do with having to have at least three copies of all works by the author I was writing about, one for reading, one for annotating, and one first edition - oh and sometimes ones in languages I can't read, but simply wanted for the novelty!)

But it is the cookbooks that pose the most problems. They are of unusual and uneven sizes, and so do not uniformly suit one shelf. Nor is there space enough for all of them in the kitchen, so they are spread out all over the place like a grazing flock. And they move around. They go from being presents on show (in the living room), to bedside reading, to much splattered and in use, to pausing on the kitchen table before they make the rounds again. They are often found in cahoots with the craft books, conversing with the gardening section, or hanging out with the fantasy literature.

I dream of a house where I can have them all in one place, and yet I know it's much more fun this way.

Where do your cookbooks hang out?

Because you can put jam in everything.

2010-05-14T14:43:00.000-07:00

The Jamvangalist strikes again! The cake I bring you today is a wonderful way to use up the dregs of marmalade that might be taking up ~~several rooms~~ space in your ~~house~~ cupboards. Okay, so I'm sure you don't actually have that problem, but when I am trying out new marmalades the half-full tester jars gradually stack up in our "breakfast" cupboard and because I try and eat nice ~~boring~~ healthy museli in the morning and so only have toast at weekends, I need another way to re-appropriate the half-filled jars.

I discovered this cake when doing all sorts of research in the run up to Food Junctions. In the spirit of "isn't preserving amazing and versatile" that I was trying to get across in my presentation I wanted not to have tasters of just jams and marmalades, but examples of the things you can do with them other than spreading them on bread. As a result I spent the evening and then morning before the talk frantically whipping up cakes, biscuits, tarts and slices all of which used jam, marmalade, curd or other preserves. It was the marmalade cake that was the first to go. It's moist, and whilst it doesn't taste too strongly of bitter orange marmalade, it does have a wonderful background hint of it, and a great depth of flavour.

It was so good that one participant actually prized the cake paper out of my hand and stood scraping the crumbs off it!

So today, I bring you my newly-found go-to marmalade cake. I used my "dark side" Seville marmalade, which is made with bitter oranges, all dark sugar (making it almost black, and very treacly in flavour) and a nice dash of smooth Irish whiskey. I also intend to make a version that uses my lemon marmalades. In fact, I might even try using other jams, as I get the impression it is highly adaptable and will suit many preserves and many tastes. It is adapted from a Nigel Slater recipe (of course) and so all credit must go to him really. Except I like my cake a bit darker and so have used light muscovado sugar instead of white, and didn't add orange blossom water, or any additional orange, or icing as I don't think it needs these extras. That said, a dash of lemon juice and perhaps some zest would probably make this cake really sing, but I shall leave that up to you.

Marmalady Cake - makes one large loaf cake.

175g unsalted butter, very soft.
175g light muscovado sugar
175g self-raising flour
3 large eggs
75g marmalade

Preheat the oven to 180C and grease or line a large loaf pan.

Cream the butter and the sugar together until light and fluffy. Beat the eggs a little and then add to the creamed mixture a little at a time, beating well between each addition. You want to make sure that you do this really well, I would probably even use a whisk next time because the dark sugar is less easily incorporated (or so I find). Next add the marmalade. I also chop the peel a little so you get nice bits of preserved peel all though the cake. Finally, in a swift firm action fold the flour into the batter until it is fully mixed, trying to whip in a bit of air as you go.

Pour the batter into the lined tin and bake for 40mins or until a skewer comes out clean. Mine was 40min bang on.

Leave to cool in the tin before turning out. Serve in thick slices.

Cake is coming...

2010-05-12T03:10:00.000-07:00

A big thank you to everyone for voting. I promised cake, and you shall have cake. One that got rave reviews at the Food Junctions event. However, I need to make it again, and take photos, as the only proof I have is an empty tin and the full bellies of the people leaving my talk with suspicious crumbs around their mouths.

We have just returned from a whirlwind visit to Spain. Five hours sightseeing followed by three days of family chatter in bars, and at train stations (an awful lot of time was spent here it would seem). Fortunately the ash only delayed us by an hour. Thank you Joe.

I shall bake this evening, and photograph and bring it to you with smiles and more thank yous. I also have some cookies to share. But tomorrow...until then I shall leave you with photographic proof of why I love my new job (and why I won't be going anywhere near a bikini this summer...)

Cast your vote?

2010-05-06T15:41:00.000-07:00

It's election night, and it's going to be a long one. So let's have a little fun...why not vote for me instead?

Maybe you could ask your friends too?

Pretty please, I'll bake you a cake...

Is there a Doctor in the house?

2010-05-05T04:28:00.000-07:00

Yes there is!

As of yesterday it's official, I've had the confirmation of award, and so the thesis is finally, finally complete. No more waiting for paperwork, it's all done, finished. Forever.

Weird. It's a strange process, and I have to say it's left me with a feeling of anti-climax. I think in part because I am so tired at the moment, but also because the process at the end of a PhD is a bit like that. I did the examination at the end of November, then I made all the required changes by early January, and since then I've been hanging around waiting on a piece of paper to get passed to the right person. When this was eventually produced it got lost in the internal mail. It got to the point where I really thought the world was trying to tell me something, and that the damn award would never be given.

But last week the paperwork finally fell into the right hands, and so the thesis made it's way from my desk draw to the relevant office, and yesterday a headed piece of paper confirmed that it was done, months after the actual writing and editing and work.

So now I'm not just a jam lady, I'm Dr jam lady! (Wow, wouldn't it be amazing to have a PhD in jam?! Perhaps that should be my next aspiration?)

For all the relief that it is finally done, there is now a huge gaping hole where it used to be. I know people who have spend years battling with their thesis, and when they finish it is with a cheer that they say goodbye to the project, and often to academia as a whole.

I don't have that. I wish I was back at the beginning, starting over again, about to embark on wonderful years of reading and research. I miss it so much, and I want it back! I am beginning to realise that perhaps finishing early wasn't something I should have aspired too, and that I should have spent more time stretching it out.

I have spent most of my life waiting for the day when I would be awarded my doctorate. Pretty much my entire education was planned with exactly this in mind. Now I've run out of plan and I'm at a bit of a loss.

I think I might go home and make jam...