Ice Cream Scoops

I expect most have you have been using these scoops in different sizes for some time but I have only recently bought the smaller scoops. They are ideal for scooping muffin and cupcake mixture into cases. I have used the smallest scoop for making mini muffins for the twins packed lunches and the middle size scoop for regular muffins and cup cakes. They are also useful for making circular whoopie pies instead of the irregular shapes that come from using a spoon

Camping with the Twins

While on holiday the twins came and camped with us for a couple of nights, the weather wasn't great but we had fun. And of course Mickey's came too.

Running races in PJ's

 Crabbing 

 Supposedly going to sleep

 Montgomery Moose is ready for bed

Plum Chutney

I love making preserves and make lots so I can give them as gifts especially at Christmas. Today I have made Plum Chutney. I have used a different recipe from usual and have posted it below these photo's

Ingredients

Makes 4 x 450g jars

1kg large red plums

300g Bramley apples

300g onions

2 fat cloves garlic

1 heaped tbsp freshly grated ginger

1 cinnamon stick

1 tsp cloves

1/2 tsp ground ginger

1/2 tsp crushed dried chilli

600ml cider vinegar

500g light brown soft sugar

salt and freshly ground black pepper

Method

1. Cut plums in half, remove stones and place fruit in large preserving pan.

peel, core and slice apples, add to pan

Peel and finely chop onions and garlic, mix into fruit

2. Add the remaining ingredients, plus one tsp of salt and good grinding of black pepper

Bring mixture slowly to boiling point to allow sugar to dissolve

Reduce heat and simmer steadily for about 1 1/4 hours until thick and jammy

3. remove from heat and set aside for 5 mins. before pouring into clean sterilised jars.

Cover immediately and allow to cool completely before labelling.

Store in a cool place for 2 months before serving.

Vintage Kitchen Ware

I love vintage kitchen ware and always look out for items when in charity and second hand shops. 

Here are a few of my recent finds.

The plates are part of the Home Maker range made by Woolworths i the 50's. The bowls come in sets, I bought them separately and so I am looking for more sizes to go with them. The measuring cups are stainless steel. 

What a Treat!

While on holiday I met up with a good friend, after we had eaten she handed me a couple of carrier bags containing 'sewing bits' that had belonged to her mother Mary. Mary died 2-3 years ago when in her 90's, she had been a great sewer and knitter and I remember her knitting clothes for my eldest daughter when she was small. 

Well I didn't look into the bags until yesterday and what a treat!!  

I am sure Hadley from http://flyingblindonarocketcycle.blogspot.com/ will love the look of the Hexies!

Sean and Rachel in South Africa

Back in 2009 I posted about my friend Jacqui, her son Sean. Sean his wife Rachel are good friends with my son Dominic and his wife Alice.

 Here is the post http://finelinenandpurple.blogspot.com/2009/07/i-just-had-couple-of-lovely-days-with.html

 Well Sean and Rachel have just given up their teaching jobs in London and flown out to South Africa to work for a few months with Project O the charity that my daughter and son in law run supporting children orphaned through HIV/Aids. Sean and Rachel will be a great help to Vashti and Martin and we are so grateful to them for giving up their time to go out there

Please check out their blog and see what they are doing with the children in Kwa Zulu Natal

http://seanandrachelinsouthafrica.blogspot.com

http://seanandrachelinsouthafrica.blogspot.com/

Just back from our holiday, I thought I would post some photo's of out trip, beginning in Wiltshire then travelling down to the West Country.

 Wiltshire

 St Ives, Cornwall

 St Ives

 Dartmoor, Devon

 Kingswear, Devon

 View from Dartmouth, Devon

Sunset over the campsite in Kingsbridge, Devon

The holiday was fun but pretty busy, taking time out with both of our mothers and also having the twins camp with us for a couple of nights which they loved...and so did we!

South Devon Chilli Farm

While staying with my daugher and her family this week they took me to visit the South Devon Chilli Farm Apart from the wide range of different chilli's, from mild Pimientos de Padron pepper to the worlds hottest chilli, the Bhut Jolokia,  they also have a shop and cafe which serves great food. The plants were lovely and I bought some seeds to grow. I think we will be making another visit when we are in Devon again in a couple of weeks time