Friday Chat Day

 Hello friends

How you are all? And how has your week been?

Thanks for stopping by and let's get the nattering started...

Recipe:

Apple and Coconut Cake

I noticed I had apples going a little soft in my fruit bowl hence this cake.

Definitely worth cutting the apples into quite large pieces, it makes a nice texture.

175g softened butter, 175g sugar, 225g SR flour,

1tsp baking powder, 2 eggs beaten, 1tsp vanilla extract,

½ tsp cinnamon, 50ml Greek yoghurt, 75g dessicated coconut,

2-3 eating apples, peeled, cored and diced.

 

Preheat oven to 180C. Grease and line a large loaf tin or 8” round tin.

Using a mixer/whisk, cream butter and sugar and vanilla extract.

Add eggs gradually (add a little of the flour to prevent 

curdling if needed).

Fold in flour, baking powder, cinnamon and yoghurt.

Add apple and coconut – mix well.

Spoon into tin and level. Bake for 60 minutes, 

check with skewer (if clean when inserted then it is done).

Leave in tin for 10 minutes before turning out to cool on wire rack. 

Delicious warm with custard or cream and also yummy cold. 

Please click here for the printable.

Crochet:

Vintage/Winter Harmony Blanket

The joining has commenced, I think I have now mastered the 'join as you go' method,

it's only taken three blankets to work it out and not keep checking the pattern! 

Each time I make one of these blankets they become my favourite,

so many colourways work so well.

And this is my crochet trolley.  Invaluable when I'm organising squares,

that's the same blanket just the other end.

It enables me to file everything, out of the way of little paws!

The 'Crochet' lettering is from The Label Lady - 

if you like customising items her website is a delight.

The drawing of Bella is from the fabulous Lisa Galley Illustrations.

Reading/Telly:

I treated myself recently to two books.

I normally have a couple of books on the go, fiction and non-fiction.

Carole's follow up to Happiness for Beginners, just look at that gorgeous cover!

Christmas for Beginners - a delve back into humour and naughty animals.

Nala's World - having discovered Dean and Nala (1Bike1World) on Instagram

some time ago I couldn't resist reading much more.

The Crown - Netflix

I eagerly anticipated Season 4 of the Crown having enjoyed all the previous

seasons immensely, this new season brings us to the 1980's - 

Margaret Thatcher, Lady Diana et all.

And now I'm watching it I confess to feeling a little uncomfortable.

I remember the events they are depicting so be shown a possible 

(and let's remember fictional) alternative is somewhat discombobulating.  

Like many, I wonder if the Royal Family tune in,

if they do how uncomfortable must they be feeling?

I also can't help running the word 'treason' through my mind! 

Be interested to know what others think.

 

Garden:

My ornamental pear tree...

The leaves are turning, I know it isn't massively impressive but please

bear with me - my excitement over such a little tree, 

I've never owned trees before.

And finally here's the pooch, she has now come to expect a chair in the 

kitchen whilst I'm cooking.  And of course I pander to all her needs!

Big thanks to all those who have asked after my Mum,

she is beginning to improve, she's made her Christmas cake and 

repotting her Amaryllis bulbs this week - all good signs.

And finally, I'm not working from home today - I've taken the day off to celebrate 

my birthday although lockdown birthdays are very low key,

PJ's and takeaway!  I truly do not mind - always better to be safe.

Take lots of care friends and have a lovely weekend.