Pretty

The world is full of pretty things. I like to surround myself with as much prettiness as possible.

Teacups filled with jewellery and brooches from friends.

Trinkets, yellow bunnies and daisies brighten cloudy days.

New purchases (tealight holder from Next) I love the bicycle themes that seem to be about at the moment.

Bargains - There was no lid with this big cookie jar, so it came home with me for a pound. I think it will look nice holding daffodils.

Makes - A custom order, but now a firm favourite. These will be in my etsy store soon. Although please email me if you would like one before then. £8 plus p&p for an envelope cushion cover and pad. I will be keeping one of these for myself as the fabric is very pretty.

Cheery socks - I rarely do plain socks, I rarely do matching socks, but how could I split these two up?

Mothers day flowers, pretty vintage teacups and my crochet daisy brightening my dining table.

Oh how I love deers!!!!

Writing in a notebook - lovely lists of things that make me happy.

Dinners out in pretty tops.

Cushions cosy enough to snuggle up to.

Enough said:

Have a lovely pretty week!!

xx

Mothers Day

I made a very nice madeira cake for Mothers Day. I have made it before and it went down well.

Madeira cake is a sponge cake in traditional English cookery. The Madeira Cake has a firm yet light texture, eaten with tea or rarely for breakfast and is traditionally flavoured with lemon.Dating back to an original recipe in the 18th century or 19th century, it is not unlike a simple pound cake or yellow cake. The Madeira Cake is sometimes mistakenly thought to originate from the Madeira Islands, however, that is not the case as it was instead named after the Madeira wine, which was popular in England at the time and was often served with the cake. Nowadays, it is often served with tea or liquoirs.

Lemon Madeira cake with cream cheese frosting

-200g slightly salted butter

-200g caster sugar

-Finely grated zest of 2 lemons , plus 3 tbsp juice

- 2 tsp vanilla extract

- 3 medium eggs, beaten

- 275g self raising flower

For the frosting:

- 200g full fat cream cheese

- 50g slightly salted butter

-100g icing sugar

- 1 tsp lemon juice

- Preheat the oven to 170c

- Grease and line base and sides of a 23cm round cake tin, then grease the paper too

- Beat together the butter, sugar, lemon zest and vanilla until creamy.

- Gradually beat the eggs in, a little at a time, adding a spoonful of the flour if the mixture starts to separate.

- Fold in the flour and the lemon juice.

- Transfer into the tin and level.

- Bake for 45/50 mins

- Transfer to a wire rack to cool

For the frosting, combine all the ingredients and mix until smooth.

Enjoy!!!

Flowers from my lovely boys.

I re -potted them into pretty teacups and pots.

xx

Delicious

After a busy day shopping, I come home to my cosy kitchen and cook a meal for the family.

Tomato and goats cheese tart

Serves 4:

- 320g ready rolled puff pastry

-125g soft goats cheese

-1 tsp caster sugar (helps to bring out flavours)

- 3 large tomatoes sliced

-1tbsp balsamic vinegar

-1tbsp olive oil

-small handful of torn basil leaves

- Preheat the oven to 220c.

- unroll the pastry on a lined large baking tray:

-Leave a 1cm border and crumble or spread the goats cheese.

-Sprinkle over half the sugar.

-Arrange the tomatoes over the cheese and sprinkle the remaining sugar over.

-Season with salt and pepper.

-Cook in the oven for 20-25 mins:

- Drizzle over the balsamic vinegar and oil and garnish with basil.

Serve with a green salad.

A perfect quick dinner!!!!

Dessert was Coles Hidden orange specially pudding. Boiled in the bag.

Not just for Christmas! I bought this in the sale for less than half price.

Delicious with hot custard:

xx