Beau

Yesterday we collected our newest family member...

'Beau' - a 2 year old girl cat from the animal rescue centre.  This is the first pet we have ever owned as a family so it is all very new, exciting and a little bit scary.....

Friday Fancies



Frozen Lolly Bar NYC - source[Wallpaper]

Wooden Knot Bracelet - source [iainclaridge]

Elbow Patch Knitted Jumper - source [profound aesthetic]

Triple Layer Fudge Mint Oreo Brownies - source [averie cooks]

Gorge Road Skate park - source [qmtbc]

Thrify Thursday

It's been a bit of a dry spell on the Charity-shop front lately, but this morning I must have walked into the shop at just the right time..

10 12 (!) sweet little vintage glasses- perfect for ones afternoon sherry..

a little leather purse,

A Travel Scrabble, which will be perfect for the caravan..

and finally, a small (bronze?) teaspoon - all for under £5 - I am pretty chuffed!

Nana turns 90..

A trip to Moffat last weekend with an obligatory stop at the infamous 'Moffat Toffee Shop' and then to a party to celebrate the birthday of a very special person.

My husband's Grandmother, know as 'Nana' to the family,  turned 90 on Saturday...

there was cake...

and champagne..

balloons..

and live music..... A very special occasion indeed.

Friday Fancies..

Soap Flakes - source [Nathalie Stämpfli]

Ice Ball Mold - source [Japan Trend Shop]

Universal Packaging System - source [Yanko Design]

Hidden Bed - source[trends-now]

Cherry Chomper - source[Amazon.com]

improvised Washi Tape

Okay, so not quite the same thing, but this is my cheap version of Washi tape (which is being used all over blogland right now) - 6 rolls of electrical tape for £1 from your local 'Pound' store...

It'll do me for now...

Easy Choccy Cake Recipe

I made a cake today - this chocolate cake, which is in fact the only chocolate cake I ever make as it is fail  proof, as well as being moist and quick to make  - I have made this cake literally hundreds of times and it never fails...

I usually bake the cake in just one tin as it always rises to a good height, but I was feeling fancy today so split the mixture between 2 tins and sandwiched the sponges together with a custard butter cream..

So, here's the recipe because you know everyone should have a really good chocolate cake recipe in their repertoire..

Moist Chocolate Cake

275g (10oz) self-raising flour
pinch of salt
3 tbsp of cocoa powder (not drinking chocolate)
150g (5oz) Sugar
1 tsp Bicarbonate of soda
1/2  pt (300ml) milk
1/4 pt (150ml) Oil (vegetable or rapeseed or some other light oil)
3 tbsp of Syrup (I use maple or honey, sometimes date)

Heat oven to 350F or 180C (Gas mark4)

- Sift flour and cocoa into bowl, add sugar, salt and bicarb - mix
- Add milk, oil and syrup to dry ingredients and mix well
- Pour into a large baking tin, or 2 smaller ones
- Bake in oven for approximately 30mins or until skewer comes out cleanly

I made the custard cream filling up, but to give and approximate idea I just substituted a couple of tablespoons of custard powder for the icing sugar when making a standard butter cream.  Try this recipe for a really good chocolate icing:-

Easy Chocolate Icing
1 tbsp Cocoa
3 - 4 tbsp hot water
1 tbsp butter
100g (4 oz) icing sugar

put cocoa in a bowl and mix with hot water - beat in butter until smooth and then mix in the icing sugar - beat again until smooth

I reckon tomorrow would be a good day to make a cake.....!