And so to bread..

I have been bleating on about not being able to make bread for years now.  I've tried and mostly failed many times in the past and I finally understand why.

Bread takes time.  Bread needs time.  Time to relax after a pummelling,

time to rest ...

Time to grow...

Time to burgeon..

Add a little diversity and flavour..

So, I am taking a leaf out of Bread's book and am going to while away a few hours on this cold, wet and blustery Sunday with some crafty projects, happy knowing that I can bake bread ... like any living thing, it needs time, love, attention and patience.

Toasted teacake anyone?

I don't mind if I do.

Jules

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Perception, reflection, resolution

It's been a while!  It's been a long while indeed.  I'd like to report that I've been busy living an exciting life but that would be a big fat fib.  It's been a bit of a roller coaster of sadness and emptiness to be honest but new years bring new resolutions.  In some cases, i.e., mine, those resolutions may take some time to filter through so here I am on the brink of February, taking stock, trying to make sense of my world, getting ready.  Getting ready for what I am not quite sure but change, as they say, it is a coming.

It's funny how our perceptions of ourselves can be so different to those of others.  I was recently told that I am a very talkative person.  That struck me as funny since I think I keep most of my talk in my head, not letting it out of my mouth.  It seems I am wrong.  The talking escapes but mostly as a manifestation of my own shyness I think.

The past couple of years have been full of reflection.  Some very sad things have happened to those close to me.  Some happy things have happened too.  I seem to have floated around it all, reflecting on what it all means, always wanting to take make things better but never really feeling part of the happenings.  I don't want to live the rest of my life in this out of body state.

So, to resolutions.  I've made some, I need to make more but my first is to live.  Properly, for myself, not just for others.  To find the joy and be part of it.  This I have to do by myself, for myself.  My recent appraisal at work has given me plenty to reflect on, not least that my eagerness to get things done, to resolve issues can be a negative trait.  This came as quite a revelation to me so at the grand old age of 51 it's time to take stock, re-evaluate and move forward.

Coming back to blogger world is a small step.

Learning to bake bread properly is another step.

My life is not like a box of chocolates, it's more like a loaf of bread, it rises, it has its knock backs, it has resting phases and needs a nice crusty outer layer with some warm softness inside.  

Oh, and plenty of butter.

And maybe some jam.

It feels good to be back.

Jules

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When life hands you lemons ...

... brew up and bake lemon cake

Back from a couple of weeks in the South of France where the weather was not as good as we had hoped - the Mistral blew with all its might but we managed plenty of sight-seeing and wine tasting ....

Coulliore - very picturesque but a serious work out walking up the hill to the car park!

Fort de Salses - the original border between Spain and France - an amazing fort and the most fab lady gave us a very informative and funny talk

Carcasonne - like a fairy-tale city but pretty busy even in September

Perpignan

Unfortunately, we didn't win the Euro Millions so we weren't able to go shopping for a chateau or even a lovely property like these in Leucate Village

Loved the colours and the murals on this one ..

This was my first holiday in 6 years and it was just wonderful to be away from work.  Unfortunately, it's been a short but long week at work and I'm back to the travelling on Sunday.  

I have managed a bit of crochet - more in my next post but mostly I just read and admired the view and the warmth of the sunshine - a rare and much missed element of our Summer this year.  

Hoping that life is good for you in your worlds.

Jules

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For the love of crochet..

.. Couldn't resist this snappy little purchase from the Children in Distress charity shop .. 75p back in 1977 and 50p in 2012 - crochet patterns hold their value quite well..

not so sure about the fashions though :)

The evenings are starting to get a little chilly - perhaps I need one of these instead of my pjs to lounge in?

Something for the bad hair days..

Ooer, Mrs, not sure about thisone - would have to make it our of wire to hold up the ample boobage me thinks..(and make it three times as wide!)

Where did women put their boobs in the 70s?  

Ah, but the appeal of the granny square never diminishes, despite being called and Exotic Counterpane (slight hangover from the 60s going on here I think)

Anyone fancy making one of these?  Little Granny Riding Hood...

See, the Granny Square - timeless and fabulous

I've done no crafting this week although I have made good progress with the craft room - can actually get in there but not sure where I'm going to put all the excess stuff that is currently resting on Will's bed.  He's back on Monday so I have two days to come up with a solution.  Loft conversion maybe?

I'm back on my travels next week to Finland so I'm looking forward to some hooky time with a little cotton cot blanket (and well prepared for the ridicule that will be unleashed by my travel colleague - men just 'don't get it' on the whole but he's used to me dragging yards of yarn out of my computer bag while he watches film on his ipad).  

Happy weekend to you all.

Jules

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Lemon and Blueberry Sponge Cake Recipe

As promised, albeit a tad later than I had planned here's the recipe for the cake from the last post.

Sponge:
4 eggs
225g self-raising flour
100g good quality baking margarine
125g softened unsalted butter
225g caster sugar
Finely grated rind of a large lemon (optional)

Line 2 x 8 or 9inch cake tins with baking parchment.
Preheat Oven to 180C (170 for fan ovens) and since my new oven is very fancy dancy I selected the top and botton heat and no fan - get me!)

Cream the butter, margarine and sugar together until light and fluffy.  I have a Kenwood food processor but prefere to do this with the electric hand whisk (not entirely by hand as taught by Mrs Baker at Grammar School, tut tut).  Whisk in the eggs one at a time, adding a little flour if the mixture looks like it is about to curdle.  Once all the eggs are incorporated fold in the flour and the grated rind with a metal spoon.
Divide the mixture between the tins and bake for approx 25 mins.  This will depend on your oven but basically until they are golden and spring back when pressed. Cool on a wire rack.

Filling:
I basically make this up as I go along but for this particular cake I used Bon Maman Wild Blueberry jam and made a frosting out of half and half softened butter and cream cheese (one small tub).  I added lemon rind and sifted icing sugar until I reached the right consistency and level of sweetness.  I  have no idea how much I used though. 

When the sponges are cool spread one with jam and the other with the frosting, sandwich them together and dust with icing sugar.  Make youself a big fresh brew, cut a generous slice, put your feet up and sample your results - after all, the quality assurance testing is vital!

You can use different jams, omit the lemon, use orange rind, add fresh berries and use cream or a combination of whipped double cream and custard (extremely yummy and perfect with strawberry or raspberry jam - an upmarket Victorian Sponge - if Queen Vic could ever be considered down market).

Enjoy!

Jules

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Oven love

I am the proud owner of a very fancy dancy new multi function oven - who knew such things existed?  The rest of the kitchen may still be a bit topsy turvy but I just had to try it out....

... it had to be cake!

I stood and watched it rise in my shiny new oven with absolute pleasure :)

Lemon Sponge with blueberry jam and lemon creamcheese frosting. 

(that has to count as 2 of the 5 a day, surely?)

Not very artistically done but my kitchen is still a work in progress and has the old oven plonked on the floor at the moment

It is now at work waiting for Elevenses to come round...

Yummy, scrummy, cake.

Hope you have time for cake and a cuppa today.

Jules

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Sorting and folding ...

... will it ever end?  I feel like I have been 'sorting' my house for years and never getting anywhere.  The whole house is in upheaval at the moment as I'm rearranging the kitchen to accommodate a new built in oven (yippeee) so of course, the dining room is a mess too.  The only rooms in the house that are OK are the bathroom and my bedroom - guess I'll just have to enjoy long baths and early bedtimes!

However, I am making progress in the 'craft room' (ignore the fact that all the potential car boot stuff is in the other two bedrooms) I spent a happy hour or so sitting on the floor sorting and folding.  I have a deadline as my youngest will be back soon for a few weeks and I think he'd really like to sleep in his bed!

Hmm, next the pile in the middle of the floor...

I will get there... soon

I only do this to make my big sis feel better.  She too is continually sorting and de-cluttering so I let her come round for a gloat at all my mess and make her feel better - afterall, what are sisters for?

The sun is shining here - go team GB!

Have a great weekend and thanks so much for your comments and hanging in there with me!

Jules

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