* Lazylol *

Fluffy White Rice

I love cooking and will attempt any recipe without hesitation.  That's not to say I haven't had my share of failures, but on the whole I can usually come out ok.  Cooking rice, however, is another matter completely.  It never comes out right.  I've tried numerous different methods but can't get it quite right.  Last night I made some and it was the worse I have ever eaten. Mushy mess. A flop. 

So it is my aim to cook perfect fluffy white rice.  I refuse to let it get the better of me.  Any tips?

Well back to lying on the settee (don't you just love Sundays?) and reading this -

Resistance

I've been sick all week with toncilitis.  Much better today though.

I am just finishing reading 'A Whisper To The Living' by Ruth Hamilton. It's been a great book.  The write up on the back said it is her first novel but seeing as I thrifted it, it was a fairly old copy.  I was hopeful of more so I googled her and am delighted to find that she has written a whole lot more since then.  So my reading list is now rather full at the moment but i am excited to start on the next one! But which to choose!

A Whisper to the Living (1989)
With Love from Ma Maguire (1990)
Nest of Sorrows (1991)
Billy London's Girls (1992)
Spinning Jenny (1993)
The September Starlings (1994)
A Crooked Mile (1995)
Paradise Lane (1996)
The Dream Sellers (1997)
The Bells of Scotland Road (1997)
The Corner House (1998)
Miss Honoria West (1999)
Mulligan's Yard (2000)
Saturday's Child (2002)
Matthew and Son (2002)
Chandlers Green (2003)
The Bell House (2005)
Dorothy's War (2005)

I know some of the covers look a bit corny but don't let that put you off! lol

Today i am also resisting a drive to the fabric shop.  It's about 30 minutes into the city centre and i really don't need to go but I want to.  I am telling myself that I really must use some of the stash first or even work on some on the projects I've started lately and abandoned half way through!  I will keep telling myself this of course until I give in and go anyway.........resist resist!

Sultana Scones

J has developed a taste for scones.  He's been putting a packet in the trolley at the supermarket every week.  This week I decided to taste one.  YUCK! They were horrible, nothing like homemade.  I love baking but I never make scones.  So it was time to break out the scone recipes.  I only had a Bero recipe so I thought I'd start with this one.  I make it once before but remember thinking it wasn't sweet enough so I put a little more sugar and sultanas in. I was very happy with the result - I might tweak it a little more but they were delicious and needless to say, didn't last long.  Super quick, super easy and so tasty.  These will be made regularly from now on!

Here they are cooling on the rack (well most of them LOL)

Sultana Scones (makes 8 - 10) This is my slightly modified version

                                                                                                                

• 8oz Self Raising Flour
• pinch salt
• 2oz butter or margarine
• 2oz caster sugar
• 2oz sultanas
• 1 egg beaten with sufficient milk to make 1/4 pint in total

To make

1. Heat oven to 220 c, 425 f, gas mark 7 and grease a baking tray.
2. Mix flour, salt and rub in margarine until resembles fine breadcrumbs.
3. Stir in sugar and fruit.
4. Add egg and mild (reserving a little for brushing tops).
5. Knead lightly on a floured surface and roll into 8 or 10 balls.
6. Place on baking tray, flatten a little to make circles and brush tops.
7. Bake for approx 10 minutes.

A scone dough should be soft and spongy.  Handle very lightly for best results.

Never forget

I still have a hard time believing this actually happened.

Happy things

Some things that made happy this week are

1. Mushy peas with balsamic vineager...yummy
2. Looking at new sofas  (but not deciding on any yet)
3. This dress which I saw on jemimabean I could hardly believe my eyes at the detail of it and the stunning photographs......wow!
4. Celebrating birthdays with my family.
5. The nights getting darker a tiny bit earlier so i was able to light some candles and feel lovely and cosy.

the magnificent dress.....

Happy 18th

Happy 18th Birthday to my lovely son, James.

Here we are when he was just a tiny baby and I was just 20 years old.  How time flies.  It brings a tear to my eye to think of him as a tot.  He's all grown up now.  I am very proud of him and the man he has become.  He is kind, helpful, caring, sensible, thoughtful, hardworking and loving.  What more could a mum ask?

Sew Retro Apron

I still need to change all the sew-a-longs/swaps etc over to my new blog but here is a pick of the apron I am going to sew for one of them.

I love this retro pattern and can't wait to start it.  The fabric is some vintage cotton that I thrifted but it will be ideal to try out the pattern with.  If I like it I'm going to use my lovely Amy Butler print from my stash for one too.

New recipe....

I am stretching out my last day of freedom before returning to work.  I cleaned and did laundry this morning and cooked a family roast.  Now the rest of the day is mine.  I am going to work on my Amy Butler bag.  Don't you just love crafts!

I want to buy some of those Japanese craft books but I am all in confusion about where to start.  I looked on Ebay but they haven't really got many at the moment.  I looked on the YESASIA site but I am having trouble searching for the right books.  Any suggestions?  When I work this out I am going to post a tutorial!  Or is it just me? Perhaps everyone else bought them easily?

I made this healthy White Bean & Cherry Tomato Salad from Simply Recipes blog - lovely! But how come it looks yukky in my picture and yummy in the one on the site? (note to self; must improve photography)

See what I mean?  No prizes for guessing which is my pic and which one is from Simply Recipes.

Summer Trips

I work in school so I have had a 6 week summer break.  It's gone too fast and i am back in work on Monday.  But I have had fun.  I've caught up on some reading and crafting and I've tested some new recipes (i will post details soon).  I've also had a lovely, long, family summer holiday to Spain.

  Sandcastle in Spain.

I've also had some fun days out.

Cleethorpes in the rain.....but still had a fab day!

Sunny Sewerby....lovely sunny day walking along the cliff tops and visiting Sewerby Hall and Gardens.

Model Village in Bridlington.

I am happy with how I spent this years summer break but I am sad it's over. You've got to make the most of summer because it just doesn't last long enough.

New Home

Hello

Here I am at typepad.  I moved over here because I wasn't happy with my old blog and needed a fresh start.  I am hoping to meet some new bloggers here.  So please feel free to leave me comments. 

I live in Yorkshire, England. I am a full time working mum of two teenage boys.  I love to craft, especially sew.  I also make cards, scrapbook and I love to cook.  I am addicted to reading crafty blogs and love to join swaps. I read as much as I can too.

I love a mix of modern and vintage styles.  I buy too much fabric.  And patterns. I love browse Thrift/Charity shops.

I am also on a endless diet (which doesn't really fit in with the cooking!) and I am a member of a gym.

So, as you can see my life is full to the brim and I never have enough time!  But inside me there is a lazy person trying to get out.  I would love to lie on the sofa all day reading and watching tv but i have too much to do.  I love making lists and ticking everything off them.

Looking forwrd to meeting you,

lol