Friday, September 5, 2014

Jammy Dodgers and Lemon Curd

Made these Jammy Dodgers and Lemon Curd this morning recipe from Marie at the
English Kitchen the Lemon curd is divine, my biscuits are from a recipe at Morrisons http://www.morrisonsmag.co.uk/march_2013/jammy_heart_biscuits











Then we had a fabulous meal out with our wonderful friends from UK, a perfect day, oh and the weather is beautiful, clear blue sky and so warm, my favourite month here

Sunday, August 3, 2014

Mirabelle Plum Jam

I do like to take a break from the computer at the weekends and this week the Mirabelle plums are so ready
I decided to have a go at jam as there was so many
Here is the easiest recipe I have ever found and it makes the most perfect jam


The Mirabelle is a specialty of the French region of Lorraine, which has an ideal climate and soil composition for the cultivation of this fruit, although we live in the Deux Sevres and it grows so well here.   Indeed, the fruit seems to have been introduced into France in the 15th century . According to legend, however, it was Alexander the Great who first introduced this fruit to Europe.

Ingredients:

2kg Mirabelle plums 1kg granulated sugar 

Halve and stone the Mirabelles  then place in a bowl and pour the sugar over the top. Turn the fruit with a spoon to coat in the sugar then cover the bowl and set aside to marinate over night. The following morning, scrape the fruit and sugar (along with any juices released) into large saucepan.   Bring the mixture to a boil and cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture reaches 105°C.
Test for the setting point by spooning a little of the jam onto a plate that has been chilled in the fridge. If the jam forms a skin when you move it with your finger then it's reached the setting point. If it does not then you should continue boiling for 5 more minutes and test again.

Ladle the hot jam into jars that have been sterilized and baked in an oven pre-heated to 100°C for 10 minutes. Seal tightly with lids then set aside to cool and store for at least 1 month in a cool, dark, cupboard, to mature before using.

I found that the halved plums were a little big so after the jam had cooked and cooled for a few minutes I got the scissors to them and cut them whilst in the pan into smaller bits.

Saturday, July 19, 2014

Lot Valley

Château de Castelnau-Bretenoux

The castle was restored - and lived in - by the 19th century opera-singer Jean Mouliérat







The Dordogne
 Maisy started off with them but changed her mind half way and we had to find a way
down to the river bank to rescue her 


                                        
                                        Rocamadour




                                              Prehistoric Park, La Cave 

 
Near Rocamadour  – For the family especially if you are a dinosaur fan. Walk through a forest spread over several hectares (pushchair friendly) and walk back into the past with life size dinosaurs around every corner. A great fun trip with the chance for a photo in a dinosaur’s mouth at the end 




After the park we went and visited a shop full of chocolate where you could taste before buying, chocolate heaven

                                                                                                                                                                                             

    
Figeac Medieval Town

This is in the village of Cornac where we were staying a village of artists, around each corner you would find artwork like this on each building and we were staying next door to an amazing sculpturer this was in the garden next to us
click here

You can see more of what we saw here



Book Recommendations

I have just got back from a lovely week in the Lot Region in France and managed to read a couple of books that I really enjoyed
First one  A Thistle in the Mist by Megan Denby, there are quite a few swear words really rude one but if you can get past this then a fabulous read, this lady has a brilliant imagination





The second one is What the heart keeps by Rosalind Laker


What the Heart Keeps




I found these on a site for free books for kindle but I am afraid they are no longer free but you can find more here at www.dailyfreebooks.com
Happy reading

Saturday, June 28, 2014

Custard Buttons



Today I made Custard Buttons from Marie's English Kitchen, they are so yummy, although mine did not turn out like a button mine were slightly bigger and I only managed to make 12.

You can see the recipe here  Marie's English Kitchen
 


Living in France I was unable to get hold of any vegetable fat so I used all butter
and I added Jam to one side of them as well as the cream, I shall certainly be making these again, and again and again


Monday, May 26, 2014

Say it with Words

Brand new Cd from Ooh la la featuring the beautiful artwork of Marie Rayner, to be launched on Create and Craft Monday June 9th 3pm with Kathryn Sturrock as guest presenter

We first met Marie through her love of cooking, she has her own blog called The English Kitchen and all of her recipes are tried and tested by Marie herself, I have to say we have all put a little weight on since finding her.

Then I discovered Marie loved to draw as well, when she sent out a recipe eBook with artwork she had done.  We were so pleased when she agreed to let us use her artwork and the rest is history.

We hope you love it as much as we do, my grand daughter Maisy certainly does this is her card she made for Mother's day in France yesterday, the image is from one of the digi images that she coloured in herself, she decided to put the quote on a separate piece of card just in case.

























Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Experimenting with Marshmallow

Well yesterday I decided to have a break from CD designing and what better way than making Marshmallows
I made a whole batch up and instead of Vanilla I flavoured mine Raspberry, the recipe came from James Martin

These are really sweet so I decided to cut circles out and attach them to biscuits, I spread a little Nutella on top of some and added coconut.   The verdict from the family were yummy

I am thinking of new flavours now for my next batch, these will defiantly be in my Christmas present
hampers I do


                  
 


James Martin's Recipe

Ingredients

For the marshmallows
  • 450g/1lb granulated sugar
  • 1 tbsp liquid glucose
  • 9 gelatine sheets, soaked in 140ml/4¾fl oz water
  • 2 free-range egg whites
  • vegetable oil, for greasing
  • 5-6 tbsp icing sugar
  • 5-6 tbsp corn flour         
  • Preparation method


    1. For the marshmallows, place the granulated sugar, glucose and 200ml/7fl oz water into a heavy-based saucepan and bring to the boil. Heat until a sugar thermometer shows 127C/260F.
    2. Add the soaked gelatine sheets and water to the hot sugar syrup. Stir the mixture and pour it into a jug.
    3. Place the egg whites into a grease-free bowl and whisk until firm peaks.
    4. Continue to whisk the egg whites, then pour the sugar syrup onto the egg whites, whisking all the time until the whites are shiny.
    5. Add the vanilla extract and continue to whisk for about 5-10 minutes until the mixture is thick enough to hold its shape on a whisk.
    6. Lightly oil a shallow 30cm x 20cm/12in x 8in baking tray. Dust the tray with icing sugar and corn flour.
    7. Pour into tray and  chill in the fridge for at least one hour.   ( I left mine overnight ) 
    8. Remove the marshmallow from the fridge, dust some more icing sugar and corn flour over the work surface. Loosen the edge of the marshmallow then turn out onto the dusted work surface
    9. Cut into squares and roll the marshmallows in the icing sugar and corn flour to coat.                                                                                       

                         Or you can watch him making them here

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

French Buffet




I love all the old French furniture you can get over here and I have just bought this beautiful
Oak Henri II Style French Dresser (1880 - 1900 ) I love thinking about who had this and what type of house it was in originally, I was going to paint it but after I had polished a bit of it I felt it would be a shame to paint over all the wear and tear it had had so it's staying this colour

Monday, November 11, 2013

Stitching Faux or Real

 



Over at Ooh la la this fortnight the theme is Stitching and I adore stitching on cards
whether it be real or faux, I did try to do real stitching but I have a problem with my sewing machine
the thread keeps breaking, perhaps it's because it's about 60 years old, so I resorted to Faux

We have some sad news this week as Dawn has decided to leave, she has a new grandson who I am sure takes up a lot of her time as well lots of other things she would like to pursue, We would like to thank her for everything she has done and hope she still pops in from time to time.

The good news is that Anne has agreed to return and take over so things should carry on smoothly

I too have chosen an image from The Shawn Jenkins Collection I love this CD
This one is called " Tis the Season " and you can purchase your copy
over at Ooh la La Creations Website you can also see all of the fabulous samples the Design Team
made for the show in the
 Gallery

Sunday, November 3, 2013

More transformed goodies

 
This started out as a very worn brown table, I'm rather pleased with the end result
 
 
 
 
This was 2 old chairs that hubby took apart to make a Bedroom Bench
Painted with Annie Sloan Louis Blue
 
 
 
These are my next projects this is the before
watch this space for the after
 

Display cabinet



 
Single Bed

 
Matching Wardrobe
 
 
2nd Display cabinet

 


Old Chair


Monday, October 28, 2013

Food/Drink

First let me say thank you to everyone that joined in our challenge over at Ooh la la for  the last
fortnight there were so many fabulous/gorgeous creations this time I found it so hard to choose the
top 3 but I finally managed after an hour or so of looking at them all
 
We also have one lucky winner who will receive the new Shawn Jenkins CD which I just adore
The theme this fortnight is Food / Drink chosen by Dawn, if you would like to join in then pop on
over  here
Once again I have chosen an image from this CD I hope you like it, the DT have come up with some gorgeous designs of their own too
 
 
 

 
You can see here lots more beautiful creations in our  gallery  for this CD
 
and you can purchase your own copy in our web shop  here
 
Happy Crafting


I would also like to enter this into the challenge over at

Crafty Catz  ~  Spots & Stripes
 
 
 

Monday, October 14, 2013

Things with Wings

The theme this fortnight over at Ooh la la was chosen by moi, and I have gone with anything with wings, my favourite being butterflies and dragonflies, our new CD The Shawn Jenkins Collection features lots of butterflies and birds aswell as plenty of other gorgeous images including Christmas.

I was having trouble choosing as I love all the images but finally decided on two, the first one is
Happy Birthday Tags



the second one I chose is called Cherish, I added a second butterfly to give this one dimension mat and layered the word cherish and added a pearl for the dot


 
The DT have come up with some absolutely gorgeous creations of their own too so pop on over to Ooh La La Challenge Blog   we also have a CD to give away this fortnight so do come on over and join in the fun.
Happy Crafting
x
 
I would like to enter these in the challenges at
 
CD Sunday ~  Butterflies
 
Totally Gorguss  ~  Wings & Things
 
The Squirrel & The Fox  ~   Things with Wings
 
 
 

 



Friday, September 27, 2013

Sky 671, Freeview 36 and Freesat 813

 

 
The Shawn Jenkins Collection on Create and Craft Saturday 5th October 10am
with new guest presenter Kathryn Sturrock
A fabulous collection of Christmas and Occasions featuring
 beautiful butterflies, scrumptious cupcakes, fabulous floral, plus an array of
gorgeous Christmas and fun images all on one CD and all for just £14.99
Pre order yours  here
 

Friday, September 13, 2013

New CD launching on Create & Craft TV Sky 671, Freeview 36 and Freesat 813


Don't forget to tune in early this  Sunday 15th September 9am  (yes I know it's early)
for the launch of Nursery Times from Ooh la la with with the fabulous Hayley West

You can see a few samples here and you can also purchase puzzles to match your cards from
JHG Jigsaws here


 
 

Sunday, August 4, 2013

Cherry and Chocolate Cupcakes

I think my cherries were too ripe this year when I made my jam because it just did not set
and  I made a lot of jars, there is only so much ice cream and cherries you can eat so I googled what else I could make with unset cherry jam and found this recipe for Chocolate and Cherry Cupcakes.

Apolgies but I did not save the site just wrote the recipe down but thank you to whoever it was that came up with this recipe.  I made a batch up this morning and my daughter and grand children said they tasted just like shop bought cakes and were the best cakes I have ever made, so if you have some unset Cherry Jam give these a go you wont be disappointed especially if you get one with a juicy cherry in. I decided not to add a topping for mine

 
 
 
 

Recipe
 
125 grams soft unsalted butter
100 grams dark chocolate broken into pieces or
(12 level Tablespoons cocoa powder as I did not have chocolate) I have to say I prefer Cocoa Powder for chocolate cakes
300 grams Morello cherry jam
150 grams caster sugar
1 pinch of salt
2 large eggs (beaten)
150 grams self-raising flour

Topping

100 g dark chocolate
100ml double cream
Cherries
 
Preheat the oven to 180ºC/gas mark 4/350ºF. Put the butter in a heavy-bottomed pan on the heat to melt. When melted, stir in the chocolate or cocoa powder.

Leave for a moment to begin softening if using chocolate pieces, then take the pan off the heat and stir with a wooden spoon until the butter and chocolate are smooth and melted. Now add the cherry jam, sugar, salt and eggs. Stir with a wooden spoon and when all is pretty well amalgamated stir in the flour. put into muffin/paper cases and bake for 25 minutes.

You can also add a topping if you wish

When the cupcakes are cool, break the chocolate for the icing into little pieces and add them to the cream in a saucepan. Bring to the boil, remove from the heat and then whisk - by hand or electrically - till thick and smooth. Ice the cupcakes, smoothing the tops with the back of a spoon, and stand a cherry in the centre of each, or even a piece of Cadbury Flake.

I also made the Chocolate Orange Cupcakes but these were not as yummy as the cherry ones

Chocolate Orange Cupcakes, substitute the cherry jam and the cherry garnish for good orange marmalade and candied orange peel.



 


Monday, July 15, 2013

Cherries, Cherries & more Cherries

Just been and picked some cherries from our tree, and have decided to make some Cherry Jam, Cherry Compote, Cherry Pie Filling and Cherry Brandy, and when the Cherries are finished with in the Cherry Brandy I will dip them in chocolate mmmmmmmmm

 
I have already made 12 jars of Marmalade, 3 Jars of Blackcurrant Jam, 8 pots of Cherry & Redcurrant Jam and 4 pots of Redcurrant Jelly
and will be making Lemon Curd, Orange Curd, Lemon Marmalade and Lime Marmalade.
 

                                                                            

 
I found a site that lets you make and print out your own labels click here to go to the site
I have decided to make up a few mini hampers with all my goodies this Christmas.
I have to say I am enjoying this new hobby
 
 


Monday, June 24, 2013

Welcome Little One

First of all let me thank everyone who joined in with our Buttons & Bling challenge last time
We had some fabulous entries and I found it really hard choosing the top 3, if you want to see who I chose hop on over to Ooh la La Challenge and perhaps join in with this weeks challenge chosen  by
Dawn who's daughter will soon have her own little one


The papers, image, faux bow and sentiment all come from Yesterday's Memories CD
which can be seen here

Tuesday, June 18, 2013

My Newest Hobby

I have recently discovered Annie Sloan chalk paint and Wax and I am afraid that now nothing is safe from my paint brush.    The best thing about this paint is that you do not have to do rub down, so no prep work apart from making sure your item is clean.   There are so many beautiful colours to choose from and I decided to start with light colours first.   Each pot contains 1litre of paint and costs £16.95 from most UK shops,  and this goes a long way, as does the wax if you use a brush to paint it on with which costs £7.95.   I purchased mine from Dovetails in Kent, they don't post to France but my brother brought the first lot over for me and will be bringing the next lot over next month.  

 
 



This table was a light brown and the chairs blue, I painted the legs and chairs in Paris Grey
recovered the seats and waxed the top of the table with dark wax, I have to say I am really
pleased with the end result.

My next project was the fire surround that hubby made for the front room, this time I used
Old White and then I waxed the top first with clear then with dark wax to
to get the effect on top

 
I then found a little table that I had had in the loft for years, this started out as brown with a red leather top, I painted the whole lot even the leather with Old White, then I clear waxed first then again with the dark wax
 
 
 
Next was an old chair that was given to us, this started off brown and again I used the Paris Grey
I have yet to make new back and seat covers
 
 
 

 
 
 
I am currently working on this brown chest of draws which  I will up date later when  finished
 
 
Before
 
 


 
 
 After




Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Mum & Chicks

 
 

These are our little chicks, born 3 weeks this Sunday, I think they are starting to get a bit braver

Monday, June 10, 2013

Buttons & Bling

First things first let me thank everyone who played along with Inspired by Nature chosen by Pauline, we had some absolutely beautiful creations and if you want to know who she chose as the top three hop on over to Ooh la la Challenge Blog , and while your there perhaps join in with our next
challenge.
This week it's my turn to choose the theme, I have always had a fascination with buttons, even as a child I would love looking through my Nans button tin and now my grand daughter Maisy does exactly the same thing when she comes over to craft with me and
who doesn't like bling! so yes you have guessed it my theme is  Buttons & Bling
 
 


I chose papers and an image from Faithful Friends CD, I love this little Pomeranian
I mounted the image to some sparkly card to give it that extra blingy look
I used La Crème Baby Pearls down the edge and small Polka Dot Buttons to finish it off,
both the Embellishments and CD can be purchased in the website shop  here


I would also like to enter this card into the challenges at
The Corrosive Challenge Blog - Animal Antics
Pan Pastel UK Challenge Blog - Anything Goes