Wednesday 20 May 2015

Snippets

Well hello, how lovely to see you! Another week where not much has happened I'm afraid - I shall be SO pleased when these exams are finally over (but not nearly as pleased as E!). I find sitting in the car waiting for her to come out rather stressful and I'm really hoping that they have all gone better than she thinks they have! I found for her GCSEs that she actually did best in the ones which she thought had been quite disastrous, so I'm hoping it will be the same this year!
A few snippets of my rather ordinary, boring week then:
Torta di Pasta Frollo:
 A recipe tried from 'My Simple Italian' cookbook from the library. I tried to find the recipe online to link to but failed. The topping is rather lovely with the garlicky spinach, ricotta, parmesan and creme fraiche but the pastry base I found too buttery, so I'm not sure I'd recommend it anyway.
'Cheer Up' Butterfly Cakes:
 Loving my supermarket irises this week. Walking into the dining room and seeing the pop of purple and yellow is very cheering:

 Another lavender bag - I'm finding we can't have too much 'calm' at the moment!

 My new cookbook. I'd admired this book in W.H.Smiths recently but at £20 I thought I'd put it on my Christmas/Birthday wish list. Then I happened to spot it in T K Maxx for £4.99 and it just jumped into my basket! The recipes look absolutely delicious. We tried the Paneer Tikka Masala on Monday evening and it was very yummy indeed. R commented that it was 'restaurant standard' which is a huge compliment from him as he does like a nice curry. The recipe can be found here if you feel inspired.
 Trying out the Attic24's 'Teeny Tiny Hearts' pattern with some left over yarn. They are very quick and easy to make and quite addictive when you get going:
 Talking of yarn, I have a yearning to make another ripple blanket and this week ordered the Coastal Blanket yarn pack from the Wool Warehouse. E and I are off on a post exam jolly to Dorset for a few days soon and I like the idea of starting this there. Actually, I may do the tricky first couple of rows at home before we set off - no point in spoiling the holiday with cursing when I inevitably count the initial chain incorrectly!
 I rediscovered my dip bowl which I've had since L was a toddler. It came in very handy for birthday parties and, although I feel she would now balk at the pinkness, I still love it. Here it is providing revision snack stuff:
 Admiring the evening light whilst cooking dinner:
 Hamish keeping me company (and being dreadfully underfoot!) as I cooked:
 Another favourite - Ottolenghi's veggie paella:
Recipe here. I like to buy cook stuff as mementos on holiday and if I ever go to Spain a paella pan will definitely be on my wish list. Until then, I have to make do with my old wok!
Anyway, that's it for this week - as I said, not a lot of excitement but there is light at the end of the tunnel. Have a lovely half term next week.
Toodle Pip for now. x

14 comments:

  1. your revision snacks and cheering cupcakes look perfect x by the end of today K will be half way through her GSCE's, it feels like a long way to the end still though.
    off to look at those delicious looking recipes now xxx

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  2. I love the look of all your cooking lately. The cupcakes are so adorable. I hope E will be all done with her exams soon. Have fun with the hearts and the coast ripple; I sure do love to crochet too. :)

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  3. I use that cookbook probably more than any other, I'm so glad I bought it.

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  4. I love the view of your garden from the kitchen. I hope that your daughter survives the exam process. How lovely for you to be going on a jolly afterwards. I'm thinking of sending Sam up to stay with his Dad, who has a flat in Poole for when he works away. A bit of R&R with his Dad (and lots of trips to Pizza Express) would be a good thing I think!
    Leanne xx

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  5. I do hope the exams go well, I know how much revision she's done. The torta looks delicious, no such thing as "too buttery" for me. The paella looks scrumptious as well, you do make the loveliest things. Dear little Hamish, I'd quite like a rabbit in my kitchen as well. Enjoy the rest of the week, CJ xx

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  6. I have my fingers and toes crossed for good results!!! Wow, you certainly have some delicious looking meals here, you had me googling paneer cheese, I didn't know you could make it in thirty minutes!
    Your week sounds lovely and cosy, certainly not boring!xxx

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  7. Your cooking is looking very appetising indeed - I'm sure all the lovely meals and snacks are keeping E going with her revision. I wish her luck with her exams. Hamish looks like he's being very helpful in the kitchen :)
    Cathy x

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  8. Your recipes all look so divine!!! And I like your little buddy keeping you company in there while you cook!!! So happy to hear that you guys are getting away for a bit to recharge! I look forward to seeing your blanket and I always love seeing that view!! Happy making friend!! All beautiful things here today! Nicole xo

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  9. Hope the exams are going well. Love your stained glass panel over your door, it's beautiful!

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  10. Oh exams are awful but it sounds like you are providing lots of delicious meals which will help no end. TK Maxx is great for cookery and craft books isn't it? Looking forward to seeing your coastal blanket in progress.
    Marianne x
    Ps. Thank you for the lovely comment on my blog x

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  11. Hmmm, your cooking looks delicious, its making my mouth water. Hope E's exams went well and have a wonderful time recharging in Dorset. I have made the coastal ripple and loved every stitch and there is nowhere better to sit and crochet than by the coast. xx

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  12. I love butterfly cakes but I am trying to eat less sugar at the moment. The cook book looks really interesting. It's great when you get a bargain. Joan at www.aviewtothefells.com

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  13. You say nothing has happened but I see lots of evidence of industry and love for your family here! I like seeing what you eat and the glimpses of your home and garden are really nice. I love that stained glass piece above the door in your kitchen. x

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  14. Cakes, crafts and flowers - doesn't sound boring to me :-)
    Amalia
    xo

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