A beautiful day

Yesterday I had a really lovely day. I was invited to go to the Orangemabel tea room in Alcester, Warwickshire. It really was such a beautiful place. Every tea cup, tea pot, plate and piece of cutlery was different. It had so much character. Everywhere I looked I found a new favourite piece. The menu was simple, but you don't need much choice when it comes to sandwiches and cake, they had all the options anyone could need! So a mini high tea was had. When it came, the whole room stopped and stared at the most amazing double tiered cake stand with sandwiches, salad, cake, a scone, cream and jam. It was stunning! I recommend that if you can, you should go. My friend got so excited, and loved it so much, that we visited Alcester as soon as we left and went into every charity shop looking for mix matched tea sets. She then went home planning on setting up her own vintage tea room, just for her friends, in her dining room. X

Bread and Butter Pud

Last night I made a British classic, Bread and Butter pudding. Until only a couple of years ago I had never tried it. Now I wonder why not. It is amazing! This is the recipe I use, which is a Nigella Lawson one. You can't go wrong with that lovely woman!

What you need (serves 8-10):
* 3 free range eggs
* 3 tbsp caster sugar
* 435ml of milk and cream combined (half and half of each)
* 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
* A loaf of nice bread (or the equivalent in croissants, brioche, or panettone)
* Butter
* A hand full of raisins (I didn't use them as you will notice, but it's just because I didn't have any in my cupboard, usually we put them in)

What you need to do:
1. Pre-heat the oven to 180C/350F/Gas 4.
2. Mix the eggs, sugar, milk/cream mix and vanilla extract in a bowl.
3. Slice the bread, butter it and arrange it in overlapping slices in the bottom of an ovenproof dish. Scatter the raisins over the top and then poor the mixture leaving some bread sticking out the top for crunchy bits.
4. Bake for 30 minutes in the oven and serve warm with custard or cream.

Gorgeous!

What are your favourite desserts? X

Pin-ups

Spring is on it's way. I love the feeling, it is almost like relief that the darkness is going and the light is only around the corner. Today was so sunny and the crisp air just made me feel magical. So this week my pin-ups are all spring related crafts. I hope they get you guys excited too :)

Beautiful crochet flowers that will never die on you.

Beautiful tea cups made from paper. This artist makes some beautiful things.

Beautiful embroidery hoop decorations. With the light behind this looks like a stained glass window.

These crochet sandals are great for when you want to be barefoot but the occasion doesn't agree with it.

Monogrammed Hankies, so pretty.

For more of my Pins please check out and follow me on Pinterest. X

Pancake Day

Tomorrow is pancake day, and while traditionally it is the day proceeding the first day of lent, it is just an excuse to pig out on scrummy pancakes!!

Yesterday I couldn't wait for the day itself and decided to make myself a stack of Blueberry and Banana pancakes. I threw into the mixture a handful of blueberries and chopped up a banana and I must say it was extremely scrummy!

I am not one for English pancakes I must admit. For a start I can't flip them right and I have been known to dispose of them on the floor or even the ceiling. So a big podgy American pancake it is! The recipe I use is here, and it is great whether you are going for sweet or savoury! I have been known to stick a lot of different things in my pancakes, but this has to be one of my most favourite fillings :) That and covering it with Bacon and Maple Syrup, mmmmmm, nom nom!

But what other ideas are there out there that I have found?
Check out some of these!

Wow look at the colours! Not sure I would want to eat that it looks so pretty!

This looks like a giant Oreo cookie stack! Or a big ooozy chocolate cake. Whatever I want it in my tummy now!

This is so cute, and you could have it as a combined pancake/valentines day treat :)

MMM, I do have a thing for blueberries at the moment!

What is your favourite filling?
X

Valentines love..

One of the most important people in my life has had their heart badly broken in this past year. So with Valentines day coming up this week, I decided to give her lots of love to hang up for all to see! :)

I decided on a pallet of whites and greys because the wall it is going on is soon to be a gorgeous teal colour and I figured they would stand out more. Then I took my heart pattern and went to town! I used four different yarns in four different sizes to add something more to it.

To join them together I crocheted a really long chain. I was planning on french knitting a long chain but I had made more hearts than I had planned and that would have taken me forever!

What nice things are you making for loved ones this St. Valentines day? Hope you enjoy making it. I enjoy making things as they always make me feel like more love has gone into them :)

X

Coconut Macaroons

These Coconut Macaroons are from this gorgeous cook book from Leon, a restaurant chain from London. I have never been to this chain before as they are all a little too far away for me, but their food looks amazing. So homely and lovely. Nom nom. So getting the cookbook for my birthday last year was great! Their recipes are all traditional family style recipes. I can't believe this is the first time I have made something from it. But it was worth it, and I suggest you try them too!

What you need:
* 3 free range egg whites
* 150g caster sugar
* a pinch of salt
* 2 tsps honey
* 150g desiccated coconut
* 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract (optional, it's not essential)

What to do:
1. Heat the oven to 150C/300F/gas mark 2. Line a baking sheet with baking paper.
2. Combine the egg whites, sugar, salt, honey and coconut in a large pan over a medium heat.
3. Stir in the mixture constantly until everything is dissolved and it just begins to scorch on the bottom.
4. Take the pan off the heat and stir in the vanilla.
5. Let the mixture cool completely, then use an ice cream scoop (about 50ml) to scoop out 12 even-sized macaroons, and place them on the baking sheet.
6. Bake in the over for about 10-15 minutes, or until golden and set. Let the macaroons cool completely before peeling off the paper.

The hearts are a sneak peak at a little valentines gift :)

Pin-ups

I have decided that a weekly feature is needed. It can be used as inspiration or just something pretty to look at. This week I have decided to pin all my recent favourite crafty upon my 'pin board' and thought I would share them with you. :) Hope they give you ideas like they gave me.

Cushion

Gloves

Rug

 Felt needle cases

Cute Hats

Do you have any 'Pin-ups?' X