Friday Chat Day

Hello friends

How does this Friday find you? 

Well I hope, and coping with this topsy turvy world we 

are currently living in.
It is also a special Friday with
VE Day, I plan to make scones and raise a glass.

Last Sunday's charity kit was a sell out - big thanks

and also heartfelt thanks to those who support me on Ko-fi.

I ensure every penny of that goes towards the envelopes,

cardstock, bags, postage - it is a huge help.

I do keep that page updated with gallery pics 

of the kits so far this year so if you fancy a nose, it's here.

As per every Friday I have some ramblings for you,

first, let me answer a question for Carolyn.

You asked where I get my little labels from.

The Hope and Chances ones are from Vistaprint.

If you've received an envelope with a little postbox

sticker, these are from Lisa Galley Designs -

she's the lady who did this card design based on Bella.

Her Etsy shop is here.

And Patricia you mentioned making my lemon and coconut cake recipe. 

You are definitely a long term blog visitor - 

I first shared this recipe on my blog in September 2012 here. 

That blog post actually features me in a bikini...!

It is a nice speedy recipe and works so well in a food processor,

Here's the recipe again.

Lemon and Coconut Cake 

This cake recipe started off as orange and coconut but I changed it to lemon - 

I prefer lemon. 

I started baking this cake over 20 years ago, it's an 'all in one' and so easy.

4oz soft margarine

6 oz caster sugar

4 oz self-raising flour

2 oz desiccated coconut

grated rind and juice of 1 lemon

2 eggs, beaten

3 tablespoons of milk

3 oz icing sugar

Preheat oven to 180 C, 350F or Gas Mark 4

Grease and line a 2lb loaf tin.

Place margarine, sugar, flour, coconut, lemon rind, eggs and milk 

into a food processor or bowl.

Whizz for 30 seconds or beat for 2 minutes with an electric whisk.

Spoon the mixture into the tin, spread evenly.

Bake for 1 hour until golden and risen. 

Leave the cake in the tin.

Blend the lemon juice with the icing sugar.

While the cake is still hot prick it all over with a skewer and spoon the lemon mixture over.

When the cake is cold remove it from the tin.

Eat and enjoy!

Out and about...well, as far as my pocket sized garden.

My garden seems to have sprung into life this week,

with a bit of rain and lots of sunshine everything has had a growth spurt.

This little pot of plants was from last year, bought at the end of the season 

for 99p because I actually wanted the pot, I just left it hanging 

on the fence and it has all regrown - I do love it when neglect works.

Clematis is blooming and growing daily, I'm there with my little

twisty things to guide it where I want it to go.

And these pretties that reach out to the sun and close up in the shade,

you clever gardeners will know the name.

And talking of flowers...

in an effort to use up my leftover yarn I've decided:

A flower a day is my mission for May.

The pattern is from Attic 24, Polyanthus flower.

I mentioned these flowers last Friday.

I did struggle a little at first, especially when the boys said

'oh look it's got green chubby legs'! 

I feel like I'm mastering them now.

I'm thinking I'll make them into a garland and pop it up in the cabin.

In between flowers I'm working on this Cupcake blanket with a little help.

I've finished my Hydrangea blanket, it's big - covers a single bed.

Photographed folded on my washing line dappled in sunshine.

My blanket fort collection is coming along nicely.

It's been just over a year since I learned to crochet,

come and dig me out from under a deluge of blankets in a few years please!

And now it must be telly time.

I'm still on Britbox and getting through those Midsomer Murders.

It's a little macabre when you think how many murders I've seen.

And not swaying from my chosen genre, I watched Van der Valk,

the new version with Marc Warren.

A completely British crime drama just dropped into 

scenic Amsterdam.

I was all but pleading with the screen to hear a Dutch accent.

Nonetheless, watchable and Mr Warren seems to be a 

Benjamin Button - looking fine for a man of 53!

So that wraps up my week - 

oh yes, here's a little sneak peek of something I'm revealing tomorrow.

The rainbow window project - had quite a few requests for this.

I've made a limited amount of kits with donations going to the NHS.

Please stop by tomorrow morning if you would like one.

Take care and stay safe friends, have a wonderful weekend,

keep those lighthouses manned.

Much love,