Tiffin Or Not Tiffin, That Is The Question...

We've had a very lazy weekend which has been really fun. My little sister has been staying with us because mom and dad are away on their cruise and we've watched films, drunk coffee and generally slobbed about. Last night we got fireworks and Mr & Mrs P came over for our party. It was torrential rain so we sent Mat out to light the very tame selection we got (whizzes but no bangs, on P's request), and we all stood in the carport undercover and watched them from inside! We all had a sparkler each, nearly collapsed from the smoke they created but had fun, and P loved the rockets we got even though they did bang! I cooked chicken and bacon pasta bake and made THE best tiffin which got half demolished before we all felt sick and had to give in!



Here's the recipe. I'll definitely be making it again! It's ugly but yummy and SO moreish!

Tiffin (Chocolate Fridge Cake) Serves 10

28cm cake tin or non-stick 30cm x 20cm baking tin
55g shelled almonds
45g blanched hazelnuts
70g candied peel, chopped
80g glacé cherries, chopped
80g sultanas
2 large oranges, finely zested
225g plain Hobnobs
Walnut or sunflower oil, for greasing the tray
150g good dark chocolate
4 tbsp golden syrup
170g unsalted butter

Preheat the oven to 180C/350F/Gas Mark 4. Place the almonds in the bowl. Cover with boiling water and leave for a few minutes. Drain the almonds and pop them out of their skins, then pat dry and place on a small baking tray with the hazelnuts. Bake in the oven for 10 minutes or until lightly coloured. Shake halfway through cooking. Halve the hazelnuts and cut the almonds into similar-sized chunks.

Place the nuts in a mixing bowl with the candied peel, cherries, sultanas and orange zest. Then, using a rolling pin, roughly crush the biscuits into little chunks and mix into the fruit and nuts.

Lightly oil the cake tin or tray. Break the chocolate into chunks and place in a saucepan with the golden syrup and butter. Set over a low heat and stir occasionally until the ingredients have melted. Remove from the heat and stir in the biscuits, dried fruit and nuts. Mix thoroughly and transfer into the oiled tin. Pat down and chill for two hours until firm, then cut into slices. If the cake is in a rectangular tray, remove carefully using a palatte knife.

Scoff!


The knitted cat is complete! I spent this morning knitting and stuffing and I'm SO chuffed with the result, it's so easy to make and P loves it! I see more on the horizon.


Rob's been a guest presenter on QVC this week and is doing a night slot tonight. It's really exciting to see him on TV as I usually watch him on the internet since I downgraded my cable package. He's selling Xmas toys, and seems very enthusiastic about remote controlled helicopters...

I finally finished my scarflette/neckwarmer. It's a Christmas present for Jo so if you're reading this, you've spoiled your surprise! I'm really pleased with it as it's not knitted to a pattern and I had the perfect grey button to finish it off! The pic is rubbish, but you get the idea. Perfect under a winter coat to keep her neck warm!


N x

Knit-Wit

I've caught the knitting bug. I used to knit when I was a child. My nan taught me and I remember nights when she used to babysit whilst my parents went out and we used to sit on the sofa and she would teach me how to knit and purl. I loved it and had a great Jean Greenhowe book called Knitted Toys which I used to work from and end up with some great little things.


I was in the loft not so long ago and found that book. I also found my other nan's treasured knitting needles. These mean the world to me and are stored in an old whiskey tube box. I've had them ever since she passed away over 20 years ago and they are so precious to me. So, I decided to get down an old scarf I'd tried to knit a couple of years ago on too small needles which was a nightmare, unpick it and start again with bigger ones. It's been brilliant! I forgot how much knitting really relaxes you and the sense of achievement you get when you see your piece coming together.



So, I've decided as I've taken the Handmade Pledge, it's only right that I make as many Christmas presents as possible this year instead of buying them, so I am on a mission to finish this piece for Jo my friend for her present. I also got some great wool during a trip into town yesterday, a fabulous pink to start a neckwarmer with and a new Jean Greenhowe toys book and I'm going to try and knit P and her friends some little presents too.


I also had a trip to one of our local charity shops yesterday and got hold of this amazing wool jumper which I am going to shrink and make tree ornaments with as I'm an avid follower of Betz White who uses felted wool to create little treasures. Here's her blog so you can see what I'm on about!

I've been featured in another Etsy Treasury which strangely enough is compiled by UrbanKnits who make fantastic scarves and neckwarmers. I LOVE this pink and green button scarflette from their Etsy shop for $42. It's the chunkiness and the colours that do it for me.

Mrs P is back off her honeymoon and we had lunch to catch up yesterday, it was so lovely to see her. Mom and Dad flew to China yesterday for their 21 day cruise of the Far East so it was literally 2 in 2 out! They're there now and suffering from bad jet lag if their trip over there is anything like mine was. Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz...

N x