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Friday 10 April 2015

Random thoughts

I have been busy in both garden and house, lots of seed sowing, plant watering, weeding and some digging, not to forget planting and molding up of potatoes.
Nasty things like washing, dusting, cobwebbing and ironing have happened, in a somewhat desultory fashion. 
No Crafting Whatsoever, Boo, Hiss.
I thought that you may like to see my version of Bara Brith,


It is not merely speckled with fruit but positively bursting with sultanas, apricots and prunes. I used what I had, there were also dates in the cupboard but I want them for a date and walnut loaf. I like to put plenty of fruit in, there is nothing worse than playing "hunt the currant", I would rather have no fruit at all. To make 2 large loaves I used 1 Kilo of bread flour, half white, half wholemeal, 3 rounded desert spoons of mixed spice, 900 grams of fruit, 3 tsp fast yeast, 40 grams brown sugar, 2 tsp salt, 2 eggs, 40 grams butter and enough milk to make a soft dough.

I also indulged in some chocolate, I saw this written up in my local paper, there are more flavours, I also bought Flame roasted hazlenut and Apple and Cinnamon Curd. The hazlenut is very tasty although the nuts have been pulverized but the curd was not very nice at all. I am reluctant to try this as I suspect to be disappointed.
I love chocolate, from Dairy Milk to "How much" from Fortnums, but this, to me, is very much a nothing chocolate that should have cost 50p from a corner shop. Well you live and learn.



I am now off chocolate again, until I see something worth bothering with.

I have a sewing pile a mile high so tomorrow it will be "pedal to the metal" sew to speak.

I have been watching some random sewing videos on line and have treated myself to a set of bias tape makers and a foot that sews the tape on, both sides together. That will save hours of stitching and sucking of perforated fingertips. I did look at a foot that attaches binding to front and back of a quilt in the same way but I like the method that I use now with no visible stitches. I made sure to check that the foot would fit my MC 8200, I had to pay a bit extra but it will be worth it.
I was out on Wednesday and saw a little jacket, exactly the same shape as the ones that I made with bias bound edges, that will be on the agenda once I have finished what is on my cutting table now.
I looked for a full circle slip to wear with the skirts that I made. All the ones I saw were frothy and scratchy with net and tulle. I wanted something to support the skirt but not make it stand out, I used some reclaimed curtain lining, it does the job perfectly. I also did not want gathers and elastic so used the same pattern as the skirt, just shortened it and put a bias edge on the waistline and a button and ribbon fastening, no need for a zipper. Sorted.
Now it is time for more tea and a walk for Ben, it is too warm for his usual lunchtime walk, much better now.

Have a good weekend.

                          TTFN                                     Pam

14 comments:

  1. you sound busy that's for sure. Have a super weekend.

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  2. It looks divine Pam, just the thing spread with some proper butter. x

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    1. Oh it is and was, proper welsh farmhouse butter from "my" valley.

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  3. So like the look and sound of that fruity bread. Mental note has been made to make one over the weekend.

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    1. It is very easy to make, it does not rise very much as it is very full of fruit, you can put half as much in to get a lighter loaf.

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  4. The Bara Brith looks great, no crafting here either just making most of the sun working outside, chocolate I really have to be in the right mood for, otherwise it sits there forever :-)

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    1. I plan a weekend of pottering and gardening, a little shower last night has freshened everything up nicely.

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  5. Enjoyed this. The Bara Brith looks delicious! I've recently bought a bias tape maker too. What a time saver. Wish I had bought one years ago.

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    1. No more scorched and steamed fingers. I am looking forward to using the special foot when it arrives.

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  6. That bread looks fabulous! I'd like to attempt making it. I'm sure I can find a conversion chart online, but I'm not sure what mixed spice is. I have all those ingredients in the house. I have also been looking for a date nut bread recipe. Can you believe with all the cook books I have, there's not one recipe for that?

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    1. Mixed spice is a blend of coriander, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, fennel and cloves. You could use Allspice with just some extra cinnamon, I make mine quite spicy as I like it that way. Just google the recipe that you are looking for, you will get a myriad to choose from.

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  7. Ooh Pam my mouth watered when I saw the photos of your baking , yum! I am sure you could make a better petticoat than a store bought one. I always find that when I need a specific clothing item I can never find what I am looking for . Looking forwards to seeing your gardening efforts as they progress . Xxx

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    1. It is very tasty and my petticoat fits perfectly. I always manage to see exactly the garment that I want, trouble is somebody is wearing it.

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