Eye Of The Beholder

I guess not quite what WordPress had in mind with this Daily Prompt (from last week I think, ha!), but as I was stood at the office printer waiting for it to churn out some colour prints the other day, I realised how fortunate I was to work in my team. During the ten minutes (!) it took for my printing to emerge I watched as my team chatted, laughed and problem-solved TOGETHER. I realised that however difficult the days get, whatever hours you end up putting in, you’ll never be alone because everyone in that team would offer to stay late and help you. That is not something you’d find just anywhere.

Beauty is indeed in the eye of the beholder and it turns out, I am a very lucky beholder.

♥

Hummingbird delights!

Last week I tested out some new baking recipes to copy into my new, and frankly ‘lush’, recipe folder.

They were two rather delish-sounding recipes (Lavender Cupcakes and Spinach & Cheese Muffins) from the Hummingbird Bakery cookbook:

Here is the recipe for the muffins with a couple of very minor changes I made:

• 30 g (2 tablespoons) butter
• ½ small red onion, finely chopped
• 360 g cups plain/all-purpose flour
• 2 ½ teaspoons baking powder
• ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 250 g grated cheddar cheese
• 220 ml whole milk
• 1 egg
• 130 g (4 oz.) baby spinach leaves

Preheat the oven to 170 degrees (325 degrees F) Gas 3.

Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat, then fry the onion until cooked. Wilt the spinach in the same pan and set aside.

Put the flour, baking powder and cayenne in a large bowl. In a separate bowl, mix the milk and egg together, then slowly pour into the flour mixture and beat with a handheld electric mixer until all the ingredients are well mixed. Stir in the cheese, onion and spinach with a wooden spoon until evenly dispersed.

Spoon the mixture into the paper cases until two-thirds full and bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until deep golden and the muffin bounces back when touched. A skewer inserted in the centre should come out clean. Leave the muffins to cool slightly in the pan before turning out onto a wire rack to cool completely.

The consistency was slightly odd – more like a bread dough than a muffin mix, but I stuck with it and they were really tasty, and I would DEFINITELY recommend buying the book!

Enjoy!

♥

Inspiring

This has to be one of the best books I’ve read in a very long time:

As a runner WIP (that’s Work In Progress – I’m getting there!) and a woman, running can be daunting and crowds can be intimidating. It’s all too easy to put off those planned jogs – oh I’m too tired; I’ve too much (house)work to do; the Great British Bake Off is on…..-oh wait, that’s a legitimate excuse. But what this book does is encourage you to tie up the laces of your old trainers and get out there. You cares what other people think – do it for yourself.

Well written, funny, engaging, with emotional ups and downs that make you want to grab a marathon training plan by the balls. I couldn’t put it down and I’ve already passed it on to a friend who will be tackling her first marathon in three and a half weeks.

You don’t have to run fast, you just have to run.

♥

Autumn has arrived

 So, it’s been a long time since I posted – in fact we’ve been through all the seasons.

The weather has changed, the temperature has dropped and autumn is creeping in (as is middle age it seems, but that’s another story). But don’t despair, it’s now time for snuggling on the sofa in big jumpers under woolly blankets. I’m looking forward to walking and running through the Ipswich parks and watching as the landscape changes around me.

Also, today is the Great North Run and I’m eagerly awaiting news of three friends who are due to finish any minute!

Coffee, pain au chocolat and the three great elite men!

In other news, I’ve started a new crochet blanket made up of multi coloured granny squares, yippee! And as always there are several projects on the go…… Better have a think about all those things that need to be finished for Christmas!

x

Oh the shame……

It’s mid-September and I’ve yet to post this year………………………………………

Think I better get on this!!

♥

Thank you Royal Mail!

Look what arrived in the post?! How very exciting! Granny Square – get ready, ‘cos here I come! Woohoo!
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Another String to my Bow

Yesterday I attended a crochet workshop at Sew Creative, Wroxham, and I had a BRILLIANT time! Rather happily, I picked up this new skill fairly quickly, and through out the day made a little lavender posy with a rose decoration, and started a Granny Square for which I have today bought more wool to make it into a blanket. A new craft that is easy to transport and will keep me entertained on those old commuter trains.

It’s always nice to add another skill to your repertoire – particularly a creative one, and even if it has not direct relation to your job. I always find that doing things that you enjoy, creating something that is beautiful and that you can be proud of gives you a great feeling of achievement – as though you can conquer the world! If only I wanted to 🙂

What next I wonder??

♥