Friday Chat Day

Hello friends

Welcome to this week's Friday Chat Day.

I have my regular natterings awaiting you...

Recipe:

This is a new recipe and I'm very happy to share it as 

it's quick, easy and very tasty.

Apple Traybake.

The recipe makes quite a large quantity so you may wish to halve it.

Or, like us, never worry if there is too much cake!

450g cooking apples (approx. 4 large apples)

lemon juice, 225g softened butter,

4 eggs, 2tsp vanilla extract,

350g self-raising flour, 2tsp baking powder

280g sugar, demerara sugar for topping

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

Grease and line a baking tin (approx. 20cm x 27cm).

Peel, core and slice the apples –

add the lemon juice to stop browning.

Into a large bowl or food processor place butter, flour,

sugar, eggs, baking powder and vanilla extract.

Mix until smooth, spread half the mixture into the tin.

Arrange half the apple slices over the top, spread

remaining cake mixture and layer remaining apples.

Sprinkle with demerara sugar.

Cook 45-50 minutes, leave in tin to cool.

Cut into squares, eat and enjoy!

Click here for the Apple Traybake printable.

This recipe has also been added to the Recipes page/tab 

at the top of the blog here.

Crochet:

Truly delighted to have sold one of my crochet blankets last week,

I did a little happy dance (to the amusement of the boys).

I will be updating the crochet projects/yarn/for sale tab here

as and when I have items available.

This week has found me still working on two projects,

the Harmony Square blanket, joining those squares is becoming

a little speedier but I do need to concentrate.

This stripey project is quicker, thankfully as it is an order.

I'm just over three quarters of the way through and then I'll add a border.

It's the Attic 24 Hydrangea pattern using Dereamore DK Studio yarn.

I wasn't sure about the mustard but it seems to be working now.

Garden:

I've been scouring those Freecycle offers again.

This time a garden gate. 

Our shed has a little lean-to which we have made 

into a cat shelter, our one eyed cat Darcy loves to sleep outside,

(she can come in any time she wishes but she favours plenty of fresh air).

Because we are soppy we have attempted to make it as weatherproof 

as possible, this has resulted in tent fabric and tarpaulins - not the most

attractive of items.  So...I came up with the idea of hiding the shelter with 

a garden gate and some trellis.

The trellis is a freebie too as my Dad made it and no longer needs it.

It doesn't match the gate so I've invested in a can of this...

Never used it before.

I shall be spraying the trellis this weekend and I'll let you know how it goes.

My 'gate that leads to nowhere' project.

Telly:

My viewing this week has fallen into two diverse suggestions.

Firstly when I'm joining those crochet squares I need something

that is background but still enjoyable.

Agatha Christie's Poirot - all episodes available on BritBox,

selected episodes available on ITV Player. 

David Suchet does make a splendid Poirot, having played the character 

for 24 years I guess he had plenty of practice.

I also recommend his book Poirot and Me which tells the story of

how he secured the part and all the work he put into making such 

an authentic character.

And for when I was able to concentrate more 

I turned to Netflix for Snowpiercer.

Survivors of Earth's second ice age live out their days on a luxury

train that travels at high speed to plough through the snow and ice.

There is a hierarchy system, the poorest at the back of the train (the tail),

whilst the privileged in first class enjoy entertaining and luxury food.

It's a little gruesome at times with punishments metered out involving icy limbs!

The whole concept is intriguing.

And this week a pooch that isn't Bella...

This is Bear, my sister's Romanian rescue dog,

he's absolutely adorable.

It's impossible not to spoil him.

Definitely recommend getting a rescue dog, it's the equivalent

of giving them a whole new life.

Also this week, my Mum didn't get to celebrate her birthday 

fully as she was taken into hospital for surgery.

She's quite poorly but on the mend now, likely to be in hospital for 

another week.  It's so hard not being able to visit and doubly difficult

trying to get information from the hospital.

We are keeping everything crossed that she continues to improve 

and comes home soon, we've got a proper birthday celebration awaiting her.

Well my friends that wraps up this week's chatter.

I do hope you are all well and wishing you a lovely weekend.

Continue to be careful and safe.

Much love,