Lilys House

just one

Even I fear I may have gone way too early..

 

Ohhh, mince pies, how I love thee...

 

marvel at it's radiant aura.....crumbly butteriness, succulent filling.....

And so it begins.  The weather turns and thoughts stray to comfort food and baking, another one of the reasons why I like this season. There is pleasure in the fact that the masses will not be exposed to my pasty body for at least six months.  I have vague thoughts and fantasies involving me jogging around the lake with spritely dogs in tow come next September, when Maddie goes off to school (I can't even bear to think about that..Maddie I mean, not the jogging ..I think..) That time will come sure enough, when I need to get out there and shape it up a bit, but for now I just want to enjoy the cakes.

a taste of sun

I made elderflower cordial for the first time ever this year.  I can't remember where I got the recipe but it's so simple and committed to memory already.

10 - 12 heads elderflower

900g sugar

2 lemons

750ml boiling water

a little citric acid to sharpen it up if needed ( I didn't bother )

Wash the elderflower heads, don't worry about leaving some stalks on.

In a large bowl, dissolve the sugar in the boiling water. 

Squeeze the lemons and add juice the the bowl  Chop the squeezed lemons up roughly and add to the mix.

Add the elderflower heads and stir around.

Cover and leave to steep for 24 hrs, giving a stir once or twice.  I left it in the fridge.

When ready strain through a sieve or muslin into a jug and pour into a bottle.

I like it diluted with sparkling water with lots of ice.  As for keeping times, I'm not sure really but mine's been bottled in the fridge for at least 3 weeks and is still fine - and fresh tasting.

Only one problem with bringing the outside in................

Sunday chocolate cake

from this mouthwatering book.....

a much welcome treat after this....

garden sprucing (not finished ;)

'feeding' my poor parched dresser

they know me so well.....

Sunday - I'd already been awoken before 7.00 to change a bed, but as I thought at the time, that's what being a Mum is all about. What a very apt day for that little reality check, and bringer back down to earth, away from the choccies and flowers. The very essence of Mum in fact.
And it was lovely to have that early cuddle and snuggle too.
Lily was soon with us and so excited to give me these wonderful things as I lay in bed.

aren't they just too good to eat ?

Of course we immediately had to try out a recipe from the new book, which has got the most tempting recipes in - from very basic to truly 'knock the socks off'....and I thoroughly recommend it ( anyone for Cape Ginger Tipsy Tart, Vodka Chilli Chocolates, Lemon Drizzle with sunken chocolate chunks, or Maya Gold Stollen........gasp !)
We went with the child friendly (cooking and eating) chocolate drop scones, or Scotch Pancakes as I know them.

The blur was me in my my panic to hurry up and take the pic before my little plague of locusts ate them all, leaving none for the poor old cook. They were all eaten in the best, and only possible way...standing up at the counter, still hot, with butter dripping down the hands. I'm going to need some serious fruit and veg after this weekend I tell you.

Later I found a little time to start and almost complete a new project, which was bliss. All whilst poor Nick slaved over a hot roasting pan. ( well if you can't make the most of it on Mothers Day, when can you ?!)

The spell was slightly broken with having to go to work in the evening, but I'd had such a lovely day, nothing was going to put a downer on it . Thanks guys xx

3

Although her birthday proper was last week, we had a lovely family get together on Sunday. Due to the utter failure of my completely tried, tested, never failed and always impressive Nigella victoria sponge (I have no idea what happened...) Maddies 'cake' was these very yummy carrot muffins with cream cheese icing. They are from this essential book. I use this book a lot and the results are always good, plus muffins are SO quick to bake, using store cupboard ingredients. What more could I ask ! I think everybody enjoyed these more than they would have the sponge anyway, so all was good in the end.
Can't believe my girlie is 3. She has really turned a developmental corner over the last few weeks, it's wonderful to see new understanding, words, wit, cheek and even some sarcasm (!) - she really is a sweet little bundle of mischief.

The bigger 'kids' had some fun too.....

I need this...

I had a little time to kill this morning with the little one at pre school and the house reasonably tidy (well as good as it's going to get bar the much needed spring clean and serious declutter).......About an hour, not really enough time to get stuck into some sewing, definitely not enough time to 'fix' the evil, nasty mohair scarf, a tale for another time that one ;)..........CAKE I thought.....it's Friday, it's raining, it's cold.... who needs an excuse anyway ?! On went the the ipod, it wonderfully chose a little samba track...and off I went.
I'd been browsing through the archives of Alicias lovely Posy Gets Cosy way back to April last year. She had linked to this lovely recipe . My attempts at using cup measurements always seem to end in unsatisfactory results, if not downright disaster. But hey, why not try again ? The mix was incredibly sloppy and loose, the recipe warned of this so I wasn't too alarmed. It also took about one hour to cook in the middle instead of the 35 - 40 mins......so I must have done something wrong....However, it smells divine infact the whole house smells of choccy loveliness. Its still cooling so I daren't cut a bit yet, not long now though.......I don't think any frosting's going to get made unless I hoof it over the road to see if Nicky's got any icing sugar....(by the way are you up yet dear, not poorly I hope...)
Just have to slum it with a big old plain slab.

Happy weekend !