Good Friday Chat Day

 Hello friends

Here in Kent we've had some glorious weather this week, only for a couple of days 

but it made such a difference.  

From seeing the sun rays through the curtains early in the morning 

to glancing at the clock at nearly 7pm and appreciating it was still daylight.
 I hope the sunshine visited you too.

Bella soaking up the rays.

She is happy I promise you even though she looks a bit miffed,

I think the sun was in her eyes.

I took a wander around the garden (about half a dozen paces covers it!)

and felt a squeal of delight at seeing all the Spring-ness.

Tree blossom - just a little (as our friendly squirrel ate most of it)

 but each little flower is just perfect.

The Honeysuckle that didn't do much last year looks a lot more promising.

The Clematis bench is sprouting new leaves everywhere.

I always have Elliott's words echo in my ears when I look at this bench...

"So no-one can actually sit on it then?"

I then had the mad idea of sorting out the shed.

Emptied it and then seeing how much stuff there was - regretted it quickly!

That horrible green wooden fencing was put up by the neighbours behind me

last Summer, it is already rotting.

If anyone has ideas as to how I can screen that please let me know.

Some time later...

I am pleased that I've done it now but goodness it was tiring,

I clearly haven't done much strenuous stuff recently.

Crochet:

 Last week I linked to the article about Tom Daley being a crochet influencer,

well - I thought I had! Sorry to those who got a Zoom link instead!

The link is now correct and in case you still fancy a read - it is here.

I've been working on my Hello Spring blanket.

I had planned to place the squares randomly and join with pale green,

I then decided to do a colour wash design and join with cream.

Perhaps a good idea to not always stick to plan.

I've got a couple more rows of joining to do and then I'll start the border.

I also heard that Stylecraft Special DK (my go-to yarn) is going up in price,

now if that isn't an excuse to stock up I don't know what is.

I've purchased enough to make an ocean themed blanket ...at some point.

I have found my happy place with crochet - long may it last,

or until I get to the end of my yarn stash! 

Telly:

It has been a Britbox binge this week.

Grantchester

Reverend Sidney Chambers joins forces with Inspector Geordie Keating 

and helps him investigate and solve crimes in the village of Grantchester.

Five seasons of this gem, a new case each episode with a 

continuous back story for each character.

The housekeeper is played brilliantly by Tessa Peake-Jones -

Raquel in Only Fools and Horses.

Recipe:

Yes a recipe!

I haven't done a lot of cooking recently, Mitchell has taken over cooking most meals

and I am so pleased - it does mean my taste buds are pushed to some new extremes

as sometimes a little too spicy but I'm not complaining.

But yes, back to a recipe...

Simple Fairy Cakes

These can be decorated, add buttercream, icing - whatever you fancy.

I occasionally like them plain, they are soft like Maderia cake.

100g self raising flour, 1 tsp baking powder,

100g butter (room temp), 100g sugar,

2 eggs (lightly beaten), 1tbsp milk.

 

Preheat oven to 180C. 

Pop cake cases into a 12 cup bun tin.

Sift flour and baking powder into bowl.

Add butter, sugar and eggs and beat with electric whisk

for approx 2 minutes. Add milk and whisk again until mixed.

Divide between cake cases.

Cook for 15-20 minutes until risen and springy to touch.

Cool on wire rack.

Decorate if desired – they store well in an airtight container.

You can find the printable recipe here.

Charity Kit:

 This Sunday is Charity Kit Day and this month we are supporting

Tiggywinkles - the world's busiest wildlife hospital.

Please stop by on Sunday, post goes live at 7am and I will post on 

social media too.

Until then - wishing you all a wonderful Easter,

I know it still cannot be how we would really like it but we are getting there.

Take care friends.