tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7662094995742817912024-03-16T06:44:06.366-04:00A Place for TeaHave 5 minutes? Put the kettle on, make a brew and hopefully you'll enjoy what you read...Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17986230601258342720noreply@blogger.comBlogger142125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-766209499574281791.post-32469696120585650392014-08-30T15:01:00.000-04:002014-08-30T15:01:06.919-04:00A Recipe for Blackberry, Apple & Almond Cake...The end of summer is nigh... The sun streaming through the window has changed from the stark, bright light of high summer (highlighting my cleaning imperfections) to bathing everything it hits in a golden hue. My mind is slowly turning from salads to comfort foods. This year, I feel more than ever that fall is just around the corner. After a mild summer, I'm already seeing the leaves change colour and, in some cases, slowly falling onto my overgrown, raggedy garden.<div>
The produce of fall is gradually making an appearance at the local farmers market too... squashes, blackberries and, today, apples from upstate New York, piled high at the entrance...</div>
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Now, I'm on a bit of a baking kick at the moment, and so, I decided to bag me up some apples, pick up a punnet of blackberries, and tootle back home to make my favourite fall cake... Apple, blackberry, and almond cake...</div>
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Mmm... What a delicious combination (although I could add almonds to anything and an instant love affair would ensue). And blackberries, are synonymous with autumn... Once upon a time, I would have left my house with an old ice-cream tub, wandered down the lane, and, in no time, filled it with blackberries from the hedgerows... but that that was back in Blighty... Here, in my part of New Jersey, they don't grow with such free abandonment... and so, I have to make do with blackberries sold at the local farmers market... they're still local, but paid for, and I've not had the joy of picking them and popping a few (several) in my mouth along the way!</div>
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This recipe was originally taken from one of my old Sainsbury's calendars... I slightly adapted it to include more marzipan (have I mentioned that I love, love, love marzipan)... Seriously, I could just eat the whole packet in one go... no guilt... nothing! It's really easy to make and a nice tea time treat, with a cuppa. Mmmm, the taste of fall...</div>
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Anyhoo, I just wanted to share this recipe... just in case you had a glut of blackberries and apples and were looking for recipe ideas.</div>
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Take care.</div>
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Lx</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Blackberry, Apple & Almond Cake Recipe</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">2 small apples (peeled, cored & thinly sliced)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">100g blackberries</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">100g marzipan (cut into small cubes)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">100g unsalted butter (softened)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">1 tsp almond extract</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Preheat oven to 160C / 320F. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Grease and baseline a 8 inch cake tin.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Put the apples and blackberries in a bowl and squeeze over the lemon juice. Add the cubed marzipan to the fruit mixture and stir through.</span></div>
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Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17986230601258342720noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-766209499574281791.post-49252508060554565192014-02-07T19:02:00.001-05:002014-02-07T19:02:15.774-05:00I ♥ hearts...<br />
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I've always been told that I am a girl who wears her heart on her sleeve, but do you know what? Looking around this little old place, not only do I wear my heart on my sleeve, I also manage to shoehorn it into every possible room.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDqNUSYW34uTwuSgq77XWmD6uQbpVx3vG6mOsaioS2EmhD8fUSqNcDNFLD7SqK4wBldMfHXxSueRfzSlKP1vrteCmZdQUYIpDURTuLmTflaCM1BDnozV7QSBv-NoQKnavnILKAiKv0o3UT/s1600/Heart7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDqNUSYW34uTwuSgq77XWmD6uQbpVx3vG6mOsaioS2EmhD8fUSqNcDNFLD7SqK4wBldMfHXxSueRfzSlKP1vrteCmZdQUYIpDURTuLmTflaCM1BDnozV7QSBv-NoQKnavnILKAiKv0o3UT/s1600/Heart7.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Now, my little heart obsession began quite a while ago, even before the shabby chic era... before it became uber-trendy to stamp a heart onto anything that doesn't move. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS8Vb4NIBLMrUj5t21CdRqNyv9YiLdQ9jnLSrKUYeEM_xmxgXYj8cbLwnz59d4wARvkP-I9pTnlY1QbxWA8Ew7nBg9Wwie_TRb02u0fCe5ccm3-gji3gvVFQ6hBNkZmyJeGwr7Ua8WYbM6/s1600/Heart6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS8Vb4NIBLMrUj5t21CdRqNyv9YiLdQ9jnLSrKUYeEM_xmxgXYj8cbLwnz59d4wARvkP-I9pTnlY1QbxWA8Ew7nBg9Wwie_TRb02u0fCe5ccm3-gji3gvVFQ6hBNkZmyJeGwr7Ua8WYbM6/s1600/Heart6.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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So, now here I am in a heart-filled home...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiauGy_sbXULpFgKWU7z3nVFZDLx9YO1zEPW-mzpL_qehl88qdWVsxrRQqkHEdZt_2F-6BTfpxTdsGXb7xEDl4NvFeWo8BPnj7FXKV4xoMZLL9-wNbnxGAmvZO5Ai3OTzJ6S03lD6POgD8L/s1600/Heart11.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiauGy_sbXULpFgKWU7z3nVFZDLx9YO1zEPW-mzpL_qehl88qdWVsxrRQqkHEdZt_2F-6BTfpxTdsGXb7xEDl4NvFeWo8BPnj7FXKV4xoMZLL9-wNbnxGAmvZO5Ai3OTzJ6S03lD6POgD8L/s1600/Heart11.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
...peeking out of pots, adorning the front of pottery... I even own a heart-shaped triangle! Is it even called a triangle once it's no longer triangle-shaped?? Who knows? But, I have one..<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDhGXoyGp8mkAfrgaKDuSvqM73xPwfs1Rd9RDiT-bM2_PH7U-PdAJDSFjigTXQpeZNjlAQl0tmVjdDXMxP5tfQsK-uYZyDAOLBz4BKQH1Ng7MdxuNk78Q6Jdtwxk6WwmpNvRRGsRh3lqEu/s1600/Heart2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDhGXoyGp8mkAfrgaKDuSvqM73xPwfs1Rd9RDiT-bM2_PH7U-PdAJDSFjigTXQpeZNjlAQl0tmVjdDXMxP5tfQsK-uYZyDAOLBz4BKQH1Ng7MdxuNk78Q6Jdtwxk6WwmpNvRRGsRh3lqEu/s1600/Heart2.JPG" height="320" width="244" /></a></div>
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Anyhoo, where am I going with this post? Ah, yes, hearts... have they become hackneyed? Have we gone a heart too far?<br />
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Should I start reigning the hearts in?? It wasn't until I started to take these pictures that I truly realised how many hearts had infiltrated this tiny place (yes, my home is tiny, so it's not as though they are spread out over distance).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgovQDsXkn91tkV4MGI-3zrBzYtAk1Ny1wgLkEJ-CE9kaXZDjStZKgb3JLxjUm4fsvOhRi2vnuXMWpO3BdJQnPBa_pz0Uq0Rk4chKCYhUJVyP5129943xr5YAH_UB07uDp-CpOhviujzx3l/s1600/Heart5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgovQDsXkn91tkV4MGI-3zrBzYtAk1Ny1wgLkEJ-CE9kaXZDjStZKgb3JLxjUm4fsvOhRi2vnuXMWpO3BdJQnPBa_pz0Uq0Rk4chKCYhUJVyP5129943xr5YAH_UB07uDp-CpOhviujzx3l/s1600/Heart5.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
The problem is, these little hearts all hold a place in my heart (pardon the pun). They were brought on trips to Seattle, relaxing breaks at the cabin, afternoon teas with my family back in Blighty, and even sewn with my own fair hands...<br />
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So, I guess I couldn't lose a single one of them. Each one tells a little story. Personal to me and my family. Possessions can be one-offs or mass-produced, for me it is the story that comes along with them that matters.<br />
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Interior designers are always looking for the next big thing, or casting dispersion on someone's home because it's not cohesive, it's or too this or too that.... when, in fact, if a home only sings to those who live in it, that's okay, because it is their home..<br />
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We have to remember that our home is a reflection of who we are and, in my case, I am a girl who wears her heart on her sleeve.<br />
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Happy weekend all!<br />
LxLaurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17986230601258342720noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-766209499574281791.post-23584593087992595892014-01-31T20:17:00.000-05:002014-01-31T20:17:11.912-05:00Happy...Last week was my birthday. I've entered the final year of my thirties... I always feared coming up to the big 4-0, but I think I've begun to accept that wrinkles will happen, skin will sag, and weight will become ever more difficult to shift... and so, with this new found acceptance, I feel confident. Confident in the person I have finally grown into... or should that read growing into (I guess we never stop growing, or we should try not to). I finally like me, warts and all. It took me 39 years to get to this version of me and it was a pretty ropey journey, with a few older versions that I would like to brush under the rug, but this nudging-40 version knows what she likes and is not afraid to stick her stake in the ground and say 'This is me'. <br />
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Anyhoo, I was sat on the couch the other day, enjoying a quick cuppa before picking up the kids... the sunlight was streaming through the blinds and bathing the room in it's rays... and it made me smile. It's been so very cold here lately and these beautiful chinks of light made me remember that spring is just around the corner and every day we are treated to an extra minute of precious daylight... and that, my dears, is something to be happy about!<br />
Take care all.<br />
LxLaurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17986230601258342720noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-766209499574281791.post-77429492161811163552013-08-19T20:30:00.001-04:002013-08-19T20:30:21.380-04:00Cape Cod ♥Hello there.<br />
So, we're back in Cape Cod. It's been a while since we were last here, but nothing has changed... it is still as beautiful as ever. Seriously, I have yet to pass a house that I wouldn't live in and the gardens are certainly something to write home about. This is the place to come to if you want inspiration for a beach cottage. Cape Cod has managed to hold onto that quaint beach look... Apparently, the planning is very strict here, but it looks like the locals don't mind as I saw lots of signs protesting at the proposal to open a Lowes (DIY superstore) here. It did make me wish that the Jersey Shore had adopted the same approach... but I'm not going to get on my soapbox... not today, anyway, as I am on vacation!<br />
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We've only been here for a couple of days, so I don't have an abundance of shots to share with you yet, but I'm definitely on a house-stalking mission this week to get some house candy photos.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Love this mermaid, relaxing under the tree!</td></tr>
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Unfortunately, the place we're staying in this year no way matches up to the cottage we vacationed in a few years back (you can read about that <a href="http://aplacefortea.blogspot.com/2010/08/picture-perfect-beach-cottage-garden.html" target="_blank">here</a>)... it's more 'rustic cabin' than 'cape beach house' (that's what happens when you leave the hubby to pick and book the place... note to self: spending weeks to find just the right place, does pay off)... However, it's not all bad... it does have the bonus of being across the road from a beautiful freshwater lake. So, the girls and hubby immediately took advantage of that little perk and took a refreshing dip.<br />
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I'm still a little weirded out by swimming in lakes... I think I've watched too many B-movies or the lingering effects of being told that 'a pike will bite your toe off if you swim in a lake'... Either way, I sat by the edge with Lucy the dog and took in the sights.<br />
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With an overcast day on Sunday, we took in the sights and visited the Cape Cod Lavender Farm.<br />
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It was past the season for seeing the lavender in full bloom, but there was still plenty of pretty sights to take in...<br />
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... and my little ladies loved the little fairy garden...<br />
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... and even more, they loved adding to it with their own version of a fairy house.<br />
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We then trekked through the woods... my eldest complaining about bugs and my youngest reveling in the fact that we could get lost... which we did... but, lucky for us, my ever-sensible six year-old showed us the way... striding purposely in front...<br />
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... while I dawdled behind snapping pictures of moss!<br />
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Anyhoo, after a perfect day at the beach today, catching hermit crabs, hunting for sand dollars and marveling at sand creations, I had best dash and shower some of this sand off the old legs...<br />
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I'll be checking in soon.<br />
Take care all.<br />
LxLaurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17986230601258342720noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-766209499574281791.post-31381074588856711532013-08-13T22:16:00.000-04:002013-08-13T22:16:47.061-04:00Dark wood furniture... Love it or hate it?Last night I sat watching a UK housey show... you know the format, some poor saps (home owners) want to sell up and move on, but just cannot sell their dilapidated (unloved) home... enter presenter to point out the blindingly obvious: get them to spend some cash to improve their property and, low and behold, it now sells... Homeowners thank presenter profusely for pointing out that a dog pee stained carpet and filthy kitchen is not loved by one and all. Even though I find the presenters condescending and shake my head in disbelief at the home owners, I still watch goggle-eyed, as though I were my daughters watching an all new episode of Sofia the First...<br />
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Anyhoo, where am I going with this? Oh, yes, last night I watched the telly, as they churned out the same formulae for selling a home. Neutralise, neutralise, neutralise (or is that what the Daleks say... oh no, that was exterminate...)... remove all traces of personality, lose the dark wooden furniture, yada, yada, yada etc. Screech... Rewind... What was that about dark wooden furniture? Lose the dark wooden furniture? Is this a fashion faux pas? Apparently, in some circles (no, make that a lot of circles) it is a big no-no. The equivalent of having mink throws adorning your couch and stuffed white rhino heads on your walls.<br />
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Now, I've flirted with blond furniture and beech wood, but I always feel drawn towards the richness of dark wood. You could say I'm drawn to the dark side. In fact, I'd go as far to say I love dark wooden furniture. There, I've said it. I'll join the unhip crowd! Mind you, I can't be on my own, as here in the States dark wood appears in many a home magazine (and I'm not talking the kind of mags that you find at the doctor's office, circa 1980).<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes - that is a picture frame without a picture in it... I have yet to get one printed out... I said there'd be no foofing...</td></tr>
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Across the pond, back in Blighty, it might be a different story though, as I've found that the love affair with lighter wood is still going strong and the much less popular dark wood has been relegated to the homes of OAP's (old aged pensioners) and charity shops. In fact, even my mum (an aforementioned OAP) is in favour of junking all her lovely antique pieces in favour of it's lighter wooden counterpart...<br />
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Perhaps I'm just an old fashioned girl, or perhaps I have been Stateside long enough that my tastes have shifted too. Needless to say that friends back home, with their modern, contemporary homes would be running a mile if viewing my home at an open house... either that or calling up some design show for a makeover!<br />
Anyway, before I dash off, I'd like to hear from you. Are you a lover or hater of dark wood? Am I completely missing the mark???<br />
Ta-ta for now!<br />
LxLaurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17986230601258342720noreply@blogger.com44tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-766209499574281791.post-2887676743889411172013-08-11T22:29:00.000-04:002013-08-12T11:15:28.792-04:00A happy Sunday...How to get back to blogging, when away for so long?... Well, there's a conundrum. Do I write a big long post telling you what I've been doing for the past year (no doubt boring the pants of any readers that happen to pass by this little old place) or do I just post some pictures of my day spent in the garden, acting as though I'd never even left? Yes, I like the sound of the latter much more... More my style. So, here I am, shuffling back into the room, head down, hoping no one will notice.<br />
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Today, I've been pottering in the garden. Now, our little garden took quite a hammering in the old Super Storm Sandy... So much so, that when we returned back to our little old house, I wondered whether it would ever look green again. With everything caked in a thick brown sludge and looking battered and broken, I could only hope that it would recover and amble on. So, here it is looking lush and green once more, baring but a few battle scars (namely the pear tree which now leans at a forty-five degree angle, but I haven't the heart to remove it)... . Granted, a fair few plants were lost (plants and salt water are not a match made in heaven, apparently), but the old trusty roses came back, and this is their second round of blooms. The arbor was laden with flowers in June... The scent was heavenly, but short lived, as the weather turned sweltering for a week and the poor blooms simply wilted and left a petal carpet on the path...<br />
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Surprisingly, many of my annuals self-seeded and frothy alyssum bubbles over rock walls and petunias spill over the path... All manner of colors engulf the old stone owl.<br />
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At the front of the house, I lost a lot of plants... I had creeping verbena and lady's mantel softening the hard lines of the path, but they didn't come back, so I made the best of what was left and hope that in time the lavender will creep over the rocks.<br />
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The dog sign is an attempt to stop the local cat population from spraying my lavender... This is the second batch planted! Bloomin' cats!! (Just for the record I love my cat... just not the big tom cat that sprays my garden daily... I don't want to offend any moggy lovers on this site... I need all the support I can get!)<br />
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Anyways, down the path we go... The side of the house is always a cool spot, so you can usually find a dog or two hanging around... here's Lucy in 'attack' mode... No doubt her pray will be licked to death very soon...<br />
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The planting down the side took a hammering during Hurricane Sandy, and I lost all of my ferns, which had once loved this shady spot... nevertheless, I still like to meander down this path, knowing that the gate opens up to my tranquil garden.<br />
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We have a temporary fence in front of the lawn, at the moment... you can just see it in the background (an attempt to keep the dogs off the lawn)... it's definitely not in keeping with the rest of the garden, but needs must and all that... meanwhile, I'll still be on the hunt for a permanent solution.<br />
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So, there you go... this is me dipping the proverbial toe back into blogland.. I've decided to post real time pictures... no foofing and faffing around... a warts and all look into my little world...<br />
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Oh, and if you were wondering where I am? Here's me, sat on our local beach on Saturday night... even though Super Storm Sandy dealt us a heavy blow last October, I still feel truly blessed to live next to the ocean. When people ask me, 'Is it worth all the drama to live so close to the beach?', my firm answer is 'Absolutely'!<br />
Toodle pip!<br />
Lx<br />
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<br />Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17986230601258342720noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-766209499574281791.post-82616598627624877512012-07-28T19:42:00.002-04:002012-07-28T19:42:55.779-04:00A silver lining...Hello there,<br />
Well, life has been a little hectic around here. In between lots and lots of beach trips, we have had quite a bit of work done on this little old place... With new roofs, paths, doors, and the usual stripping and painting of junk-store finds, I have been one busy lady...<br />
So, why am I posting here today? Well, the other day we had a whole new roof put on (the constant 'patching up' just wasn't cutting it anymore)... it all proved very messy and there were quite a few casualties in my beloved garden... Apparently, plants don't handle roof debris landing on them very well... Anyhoo, as I swept away the debris and cut back the plants (with a tear in my eye), the hubby reminded me that you can't make an omelet without breaking a few eggs... Looking on the bright side, I trimmed the broken branches of my David Austin 'Grace' rose and popped their drooping stems in a jug of water in hope that they might open, and at least be enjoyed inside... and this is what I awoke to this morning...<br />
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Moral of the story: Every cloud as a silver lining.<br />
Stay chipper.<br />
LxLaurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17986230601258342720noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-766209499574281791.post-48190922777869482182012-05-14T22:47:00.000-04:002012-05-14T22:47:29.956-04:00What a lovely Mother's Day...Hello dearies,<br />
Hope all is fine and dandy with you all. I have spent my Monday catching up from my Mother's Day hurrah. Yes, Mother's Day does afford a day of rest, but, unfortunately, the chores do pile up while you're being pampered. At one point, I ventured into the kitchen (to top up my glass of vino), only to be greeted by piles of wet clothes (left over from a water fight in the garden), dishes oozing out of the kitchen sink and dishwasher, and a path of toys (both children's and dogs') strewn like a breadcrumb trail through the house.<br />
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Not that I'm about to complain, as the hubby did do a spot of ironing for me on Sunday morning. He made a mere dent in the mountain of ironing which smirks at me on a daily basis... But any little bit helps (I think it also helped him appreciate what a god-awful task it is)...<br />
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Anyhoo, I figured I would share a little of my special day with you...<br />
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It was spent in my little garden. I'm so proud of this space that my heart swells when I sit in it and appreciate it's beauty. It's ever-evolving and I'm never quite sure what I'm going to end up with... I just plant and leave it up to the gods, letting the blank canvas evolve in front of me...<br />
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This year, I am over-run with Evening Primrose. I'm not even sure where they came from. The pale pink doesn't sit naturally next to the orange of the Coreopsis, or the deep pink of the Dianthus (an annual that never died back during our mild winter), but, hey-ho, I just let them all grow with free abandonment... I'm sure there are a lot of more experienced gardeners out there that would 'tsk-tsk' this hodge podge of colours, but I've never been one to conform...<br />
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I've finally managed to get the hang of roses, with several David Austins planted around the patio... I'd always envisaged sitting out in the evening with a nice glass of wine and the air heavy with the scent of roses... Hopefully, this year, I'll be doing exactly that... although, I think the air will also have a strong citronella smell to it too (blooming mosquitos). I've also popped in some climbing roses... they're starting to wind themselves around a wrought iron arbor... I'm going to wait until a few more are open before I share that picture with you, though.<br />
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Anyhoo, whether it be the fragrant roses which are just beginning to display their beauty, the butterflies and bees flitting between the honeysuckle and foxgloves, or the birds splashing in the bird bath, all of it is a pleasure for the senses.<br />
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At one point, a neighbour popped over and congratulated me on the tranquil space I have created...<br />
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... and that, my dears, is exactly what I was aiming for. I so rarely end up with what I envisaged, but I think I've finally cracked it in the garden... mind you, there is always room for improvement... And that's the great thing about a garden: it's a piece of art that is forever evolving and, while you can control it to a certain degree, you can never be sure of what you'll end up with!<br />
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So, my Mother's Day was spent doing what I love the most... Watching my little girls play fairies in the garden all day long (with no major tantrums), enjoying the peaceful space I have created, and just being thankful... thankful for being alive...<br />
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... and being a Mum.<br />
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Thank you for popping by. I'll catch up with you next week.<br />
Take care all.<br />
LxLaurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17986230601258342720noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-766209499574281791.post-35742379643256580872012-05-09T21:48:00.000-04:002012-05-09T22:03:09.706-04:00A Mother's Day wish for Kristen...<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Hello,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">How do I find you today? Well, I hope! Here in the United States, we are celebrating Mother's Day. </span><br />
I have to say, I prefer celebrating this special day a little later in the season, as it gives me the chance to do some planting... and what better way to spend an afternoon? That and a nice cuppa :-)<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Anyhoo, I wanted to share something with you, today... It's quite a tragic tale, but, hopefully, one that can have a happy ending. Last summer, I was introduced to my neighbour's (and good friend) sister-in-law, Kristen, a young mum and ER nurse. We pushed our daughters on the swings, chatted about motherhood, and she told me how she was pregnant again. Happy days! However, at 8 months pregnant, Kristen was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Her baby daughter, Scarlett, was born healthy (thankfully). Kristen, however, was battling daily seizures. She is now on medication to control these. The brain tumor has been diagnosed as <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;">a grade II Astrocytoma, which is a type of tumor that is slow growing, but life-threatening. Due to the seizures, Kristen can no longer work as an ER nurse and has now lost her job and, subsequently, her health benefits. As a mother, I can't begin to imagine what Kristen deals with on a daily basis. When most new mothers are enjoying their newborns and battling with their hormones, Kristen carries this heavy load with her. The fear of the illness, coupled with the debt of any treatment that could help prolong her life. So, I am asking anybody popping by here today to please visit her website. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;"><br /></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px;"><a href="http://www.gofundme.com/savekristen"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #8e7cc3; font-size: large;">http://www.gofundme.com/savekristen</span></a></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;">Offer words of </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #8e7cc3; font-size: large;"><b>encouragement</b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #8e7cc3;"><b> </b></span>or, even better, a </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #8e7cc3; font-size: large;"><b>donation</b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;">. If you have a blog site, please help raise awareness for this site. This is a mother who deserves to celebrate many, many Mother's Days with her children.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Happy Mother's Day, all!</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Lx</span></span>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17986230601258342720noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-766209499574281791.post-13555363113056564392012-05-02T16:13:00.002-04:002012-05-03T09:24:16.040-04:00A recipe for strawberry & rhubarb crumble...Hello, hello-<br />
Me again. I didn't leave it as long between visits this time, did I? I'm trying my very hardest to get back into my blog stride. So, today, I squeezed in a little *us* time between the laundry folding and bed. Don't you just hate laundry (I can see you're nodding right now)?<br />
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Anyhoo, I'm not about to get into a rant about my never-ending laundry pile, but if anyone knows how to resolve this conundrum (other than the kids walking around in their birthday suits), please let me know, because, today, I did a whole butt-load of laundry and yet, when I went to the girls' hamper at the end of the night, it was already back at the top again... I think they're hiding another puppy in the bottom of it.<br />
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Speaking of puppies... my little Lucy is off to be *fixed* this coming Thursday... to say I'm nervous is an understatement, but never mind me... poor, poor Lucy. She has no idea! One minute, she'll be merrily chewing bones and the next minute... well, we all know what happens...<br />
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On a brighter note, it does mean that she'll be convalescing for a few days and so, hopefully, with the wind knocked out of her sails, she might give me a break and stop stealing laundry... It wouldn't be so bad if she took it, never to be seen again, but, instead, I'm forever finding knickers (and the like) dotted all around this little old house... I'm back on laundry again, aren't I? Well, this post is not titled, 'Laundry,' so I best get onto the subject in question... Rhubarb!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Vt2sDfCGn6mjOtf-4JDTp1j_1TowC3g0o8nFaXRk5FBZCOZajq4BThp-YbstyhNR6bjFgStreCFpkgUsVrNAFH_uSnOYdwczxNS1RHH6J22gH-Ton_sNI2Ds86aZjaJBUbIg2sX9c-HO/s1600/IMG_0296.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Vt2sDfCGn6mjOtf-4JDTp1j_1TowC3g0o8nFaXRk5FBZCOZajq4BThp-YbstyhNR6bjFgStreCFpkgUsVrNAFH_uSnOYdwczxNS1RHH6J22gH-Ton_sNI2Ds86aZjaJBUbIg2sX9c-HO/s400/IMG_0296.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
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I lurve rhubarb, so when I popped into my local farmer's market the other day and spied it on the shelf, I decided to rustle up a Rhubarb and Strawberry crumble.<br />
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Now, as a child, my mum typically made an Apple and Rhubarb crumble and, while it was delicious, I just love the combination of rhubarb and strawberry, as the sweetness of the strawberry really balances out the tart rhubarb. Add the delicious buttery, crunchy topping and you have on your hands one pretty fantastic dessert.<br />
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Why don't you give it a whirl? I promise you won't be disappointed!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP1ZlutPcThMpldGREfU0z9CVtTlAPy_aq5EdRDUpCCov3Sz0Bpob9i-bwdsWGjUH_Rz31y1UbAo4gzFgzEgI2Y1GuzGf3PJ83g-XoAsjH-_gbsPuy1k2U1fDIzJpEKfmALFhS7hMLUot6/s1600/IMG_0317.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP1ZlutPcThMpldGREfU0z9CVtTlAPy_aq5EdRDUpCCov3Sz0Bpob9i-bwdsWGjUH_Rz31y1UbAo4gzFgzEgI2Y1GuzGf3PJ83g-XoAsjH-_gbsPuy1k2U1fDIzJpEKfmALFhS7hMLUot6/s320/IMG_0317.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's Lucy blissfully unaware...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Oh, and while I remember, here's a picture of my Lucy Boo... Aww, if only she knew what was in store for her...<br />
Take care all.<br />
Lx<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b>Rhubarb & Strawberry Crumble</b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b>Ingredients</b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">4 sticks of rhubarb sliced into approx. 3 cm chunks</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">2 cups strawberries, stalks removed and sliced</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">2 tbsp vanilla sugar (use regular sugar if you don't have it)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">2 tbsp water</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">1 1/2 cups (approx. 200g) of plain flour </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">1 stick (114g) unsalted butter cut into cubes</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">1/2 cup (approx. 100g) of brown sugar</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b>Method</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Preheat the oven to 350F</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Place the rhubarb chunks in a pan and add two tablespoons of water. Sprinkle with the vanilla sugar and place on the hob on a low heat, remove when the rhubarb starts to soften (don't allow it to stew, otherwise you'll end up with a rhubarb gloop).</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Transfer the rhubarb to a ovenproof dish, using a slotted spoon.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Sift the flour into a medium sized bowl, and add the butter. Rub the butter into the flour using your fingertips. When the flour and butter have been rubbed in, the mixture should look like bread crumbs. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Stir the sugar into the flour mixture.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Add the sliced strawberries to your rhubarb and sprinkle with a little vanilla sugar. Spread the flour mixture over the top of the fruit, ensuring that all the fruit is covered.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Pop the crumble in the oven for 35-40 minutes. When finished the crumble top should have a lovely golden top.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Allow the crumble to cool for 10 minutes, as it comes out radioactive hot!! Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice-cream... Mmmmmm!</span><br />
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<br />Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17986230601258342720noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-766209499574281791.post-17039468244299103852012-04-26T22:48:00.000-04:002012-05-05T10:21:26.839-04:00What a lovely Spring...Hello, there...<br />
I'm still here. I've just been a busy bee finishing off projects (and starting new ones) around this old place... I tell you what, your work is never done when you're living in an old rickety house like this one! I have to say, though, while the sun has been shining, I have been neglecting the old indoors and spending as much time as possible in the garden. Now that, my dears, is food for the soul!<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U1AD-GYvPrE/T5n-zAzhROI/AAAAAAAABBU/JVcMzCUt_Qg/s1600/spring3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U1AD-GYvPrE/T5n-zAzhROI/AAAAAAAABBU/JVcMzCUt_Qg/s400/spring3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I don't think I am ever happier than when there's dirt under my nails, the sun on my face, and a nice cuppa in my hand (the best reward after grafting all day in the garden).<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1asTLximKfA/T5n-xC8_B2I/AAAAAAAABBE/qR1zFrXBE30/s1600/Spring4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1asTLximKfA/T5n-xC8_B2I/AAAAAAAABBE/qR1zFrXBE30/s400/Spring4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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So, "What have you been up to?" I hear you ask... well, let me tell you, we have shifted three tonne of gravel, laid umpteen stepping stones, cleared a zillion tree roots and finally have a path which leads us all the way from the front gate to the back door! This is a huge deal in this little old house, as it now means I can get from the front door to the back without the need for wellies... Thank you for small mercies.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nxIa1RTIwsQ/T5n-xgsjFaI/AAAAAAAABBI/qJ7XE1zsyHk/s1600/Spring5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nxIa1RTIwsQ/T5n-xgsjFaI/AAAAAAAABBI/qJ7XE1zsyHk/s400/Spring5.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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I was hoping to pop a picture up on the old blog showing the spoils of our labour, but alas it was raining, so you will have to wait... I promise, I will get some up here (pinky promise)... I also owe you some bathroom shots... yep, I did eventually finish that, too... I'm just <i>so</i> behind on pictures... You know, I find that with this blogging malarkey, it's not the writing which takes up my time (writing's like talking for me; I always have plenty to say), it's the pictures I struggle with. I have a million and one things I want to share with you, but never have the pictures to back it up!<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AFuHzdxf-Cw/T5n-yeVm0-I/AAAAAAAABBM/qwZxNPXFCUc/s1600/Spring7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AFuHzdxf-Cw/T5n-yeVm0-I/AAAAAAAABBM/qwZxNPXFCUc/s320/Spring7.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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Anyhoo, hopefully I'll get better, as the hubby bought a new DSLR camera (I dropped the old DSLR and smashed the screen)... he has (cautiously) said I can use his, so, with this new gadget, I might finally get around to getting those piccies (weather permitting).<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vTcQRfmKGw4/T5n-z1_IJFI/AAAAAAAABBc/B-QcXmDYDac/s1600/spring6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vTcQRfmKGw4/T5n-z1_IJFI/AAAAAAAABBc/B-QcXmDYDac/s400/spring6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Meanwhile, here are some Spring shots taken a couple of weeks ago, when everything was just starting to bud... the garden now looks like it's mid-May... Oh, and it has a lovely path leading to the front of the house... Did I mention that?<br />
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Right-o, I best be off... it's getting late and I'm sure a gal that needs her beauty sleep!</div>
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Have a great weekend!</div>
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Lx</div>
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<br />Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17986230601258342720noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-766209499574281791.post-36136927069034966862012-03-21T22:08:00.004-04:002012-03-22T06:38:37.822-04:00Puppies and clovers...Hello there. It's been a while, hasn't it? But, I can confirm that I am still here in this crazy blogosphere...<br />
I'm not going to get into the, 'I am a bad blogger' yada yada... you know it, I know it... let's just say I've been crazy busy and move swiftly on...<br />
Anyhoo, what has little old me been up to these past months, I hear you ask (you didn't? Nevermind, I'll tell you anyway)... Well, what with decorating, gardening, teaching my eldest to read (proud mummy moment), we also added to our little brood... No, no... don't get your knickers in a twist. I haven't been busy making babies in my absence, but I have been nursing a little pup... (not literally of course because that would just be out and out gross)... I have been cuddling, wiping up lots of pee-pees (and poops), walking and fussing over our new pup, Lucy. Jeez she's cute...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD4eWfq1t_hxBFH0IvjR9q8aM3-S9oSxmJgSnptVU60_q-NbI5A4cDpVhSQBQUlR7-gg-azKdnLSb4NvCINY7_8Qxkd91g0NYCF6m63X5MR7bHbw6L6s7p-QXiVFhnr1ggy9MXx8FeOagC/s1600/Puppy3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD4eWfq1t_hxBFH0IvjR9q8aM3-S9oSxmJgSnptVU60_q-NbI5A4cDpVhSQBQUlR7-gg-azKdnLSb4NvCINY7_8Qxkd91g0NYCF6m63X5MR7bHbw6L6s7p-QXiVFhnr1ggy9MXx8FeOagC/s400/Puppy3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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So, while cooing over said puppy, my blogging time went on the back burner. But, today, I dusted off the old keyboard and thought to share a little moment of my life with you...<br />
My eldest found this four-leaf clover today... <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj0XmeiDiJmNDDtYoyF3gRm3_lA-12-5_r5iv8e1NLiaNYYLFzBgzQnDK95h7y8yoDgVd7oYEpkbsia7vUDwhLm3iU5l25090oyCxCKfaTrhT2ZtinucNHSIu5_YJAbRTDR-zo9izUJrun/s1600/clover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj0XmeiDiJmNDDtYoyF3gRm3_lA-12-5_r5iv8e1NLiaNYYLFzBgzQnDK95h7y8yoDgVd7oYEpkbsia7vUDwhLm3iU5l25090oyCxCKfaTrhT2ZtinucNHSIu5_YJAbRTDR-zo9izUJrun/s400/clover.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>
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...she then swiftly lost it... I was a tad disappointed, but she simply replied, 'Don't worry, mummy. I'll find another'... I then proceeded to tell her that, when I was her age, I, too, found a four-leaf clover. My mum pressed it in a huge dictionary where it still resides today. I have looked for another four-leaf clover since and to this day (over 30 years later), and I have yet to find another... The moral of the story being that she probably won't find another (I know, I'm a mum that bursts the bubble).<br />
She proved me wrong, as later that day, while playing in the garden, she only went and found another four-leaf clover!!! Moral of the story... if you believe it, it will happen!<br />
Keep smiling!<br />
LxLaurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17986230601258342720noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-766209499574281791.post-57696647209152331992012-01-19T21:00:00.000-05:002012-01-19T21:00:25.966-05:00Thoughts for Thursday: Wisdom TeethHello again -<br />
This week started pretty yucky, with a much needed trip to the dentist for a wisdom tooth extraction. The dentist had informed me at the last visit that, 'this was going to be a difficult extraction'... these are words you never want to hear from your dentist... or anyone else for that matter...<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0BFDSEeI_vav0Z1RvfgM8_CSZvzuApwPo961L-2WSz5nZnc1bNWpYcjCMmswpRYvFa82Y2tGlBxlkg27Olvkbbr5LairLTEBK6YkeRZzUNffkoIJEBURFS00d4tSxqfjQxxLYxWws0ulA/s1600/Teeth4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0BFDSEeI_vav0Z1RvfgM8_CSZvzuApwPo961L-2WSz5nZnc1bNWpYcjCMmswpRYvFa82Y2tGlBxlkg27Olvkbbr5LairLTEBK6YkeRZzUNffkoIJEBURFS00d4tSxqfjQxxLYxWws0ulA/s400/Teeth4.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A picture of a flower... far nicer than anything to do with dentistry...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Anyhoo, I went into the surgery room bravely (albeit after a minor panic attack in the waiting room)... After much pushing, cracking, and general nastiness, the offending tooth was out... Now, I have to say I actually don't know the point in wisdom teeth. For me, they have only ever been the cause of pain. As a teenager, I had perfectly healthy teeth removed to make room for them and now, as an adult, it appears it was all in vain, as the wisdom teeth themselves have gone! Am I any wiser? Only to the pain of tooth extraction. Perhaps tooth pain is needed along the path of enlightenment to attain ultimate wisdom. For now, though, I look like I've been popping testosterone pills, as evidenced by my new manly jaw.<br />
Anyways, I best get off... I'm making soup...<br />
Take care.<br />
LxLaurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17986230601258342720noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-766209499574281791.post-60789620274581313712012-01-11T21:57:00.000-05:002012-01-11T21:57:00.632-05:00Thoughts for Thursday: Too many signs??Hi there,<br />
Well, we've made it past "hump day" and we're on our way to the weekend! Can I please hear a big sigh of relief...? Not that weekdays are bad, but there's still nothing like that "Friday feeling"... and yep, I still get that feeling, even though I am a stay-at-home mum and not bound by the conventional work week. Saturdays mean I have an extra pair of hands to break up squabbles, feed the kids, play Strawberry Shortcake and the likes... and let me tell you, those hands are as welcome as an oasis in a desert!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEias9icfOYejRc0JbQXey6d9gOfEmOYKACfZHySuDO0eDqRBdQf5G0VOstYjtJYuN7cG-Mmp3jAu2qUh9AmXQrFHdZKEY4p0XBBkSYXZyYBQ4XsqHvL_HM0F8qNixMDzTHr2J9Ase4GTpBg/s1600/Sign7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEias9icfOYejRc0JbQXey6d9gOfEmOYKACfZHySuDO0eDqRBdQf5G0VOstYjtJYuN7cG-Mmp3jAu2qUh9AmXQrFHdZKEY4p0XBBkSYXZyYBQ4XsqHvL_HM0F8qNixMDzTHr2J9Ase4GTpBg/s320/Sign7.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
Anyhoo, that's by the by... what I wanted to chat about today was the amount of labels and signs appearing in homes... signs informing us what to do, whether it be relax, bathe, or simply breathe... or informative labels telling us where items are stored or which room we are about to enter.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJkjXP4DD6hpdudTIiSn8Whyphenhyphenixbc3gM6OKtFSNrHp9AKKUfb2khP_b09MU55w6Oh_mTq7GAq7sRkybZNIF6Ls_OJPUPjFraQlT0uv2_odDvqhIeFF_I94FKx4yFBmPj5cVirpXX6WwiaV6/s1600/Sign5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJkjXP4DD6hpdudTIiSn8Whyphenhyphenixbc3gM6OKtFSNrHp9AKKUfb2khP_b09MU55w6Oh_mTq7GAq7sRkybZNIF6Ls_OJPUPjFraQlT0uv2_odDvqhIeFF_I94FKx4yFBmPj5cVirpXX6WwiaV6/s320/Sign5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Seriously, with the amount of signs in my house, you'd think someone had gone Health and Safety-mad in there! You could even be confused into thinking my little home was a factory employing a dozen or more people (all needing to be informed where everything was at a drop of a hat), and not a poky little house next to the beach.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKRSLdcFUyzOk8b6fOKXOjl-pYKOf7c0gpO8tMPKcv0L2_zfpIJETLuZX5CbJ6vQLF-1bFAJIEsdzepQO2tgQrU2WcLqVran-dExJpnyrykFLjU3DSR8JakrXXkTCY0tDv7VtH1eot_Mzu/s1600/Sign4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKRSLdcFUyzOk8b6fOKXOjl-pYKOf7c0gpO8tMPKcv0L2_zfpIJETLuZX5CbJ6vQLF-1bFAJIEsdzepQO2tgQrU2WcLqVran-dExJpnyrykFLjU3DSR8JakrXXkTCY0tDv7VtH1eot_Mzu/s320/Sign4.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
I have to say, it had gone unnoticed by my eyes until the hubby pointed it out the other day. Then it was like one of those film moments, where the heroine realises that there are clues to the murder all around her and the camera darts around the room to them while a dramatic tune is played on a violin and piano combo! He was right. I had gone sign / label crazy. Almost everything in my kitchen bore some sort of lettering on it... Was that the design look I was going for or had I gone overboard??? Either way, this look will certainly come in useful when my memory starts to fail me!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbViFzZ13OFAP24mBkxM9192Z01eD8a7z-lm702cVXvaciV8I_tOu5fJ2iCCtwyq_B35udLBCdOufepS6kScnsDSjgNakc7puNW963DvXnfbSTx5PCBiIeC4aDmPRyIfgYZoZlzni3v0Ju/s1600/Sign3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbViFzZ13OFAP24mBkxM9192Z01eD8a7z-lm702cVXvaciV8I_tOu5fJ2iCCtwyq_B35udLBCdOufepS6kScnsDSjgNakc7puNW963DvXnfbSTx5PCBiIeC4aDmPRyIfgYZoZlzni3v0Ju/s320/Sign3.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
Anyways, I was just wondering whether this sign / label craze is just something which exists in my house or whether you've jumped aboard too...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigvE515efaJr65XS26k1Wll-aBZm5MqMgwvf7MfISS28iW3QbDUvnBznoCPrSHaFAblL-4R0Hu0knsNPHp4kqtkw-ccoZ3YWmBUl8V5Z97S07D8I6c2FwJ117-qbL0vx-pDibVGbmc2xAX/s1600/Sign8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigvE515efaJr65XS26k1Wll-aBZm5MqMgwvf7MfISS28iW3QbDUvnBznoCPrSHaFAblL-4R0Hu0knsNPHp4kqtkw-ccoZ3YWmBUl8V5Z97S07D8I6c2FwJ117-qbL0vx-pDibVGbmc2xAX/s320/Sign8.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Take a look around your home and see how many signs and labels you have. Are these design choices just another indication that our lives have become <i>so</i> stressful that we need to run our homes with office-like precision and then tell ourselves to <i>relax, breathe</i> and <i>drink tea</i>?? Well, I guess we'll at least know where to find the tea!!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicQ0Cg-kF4UNC5X5TOCL06uUEySY_1dLhYRbTplLfmQG5wlJy3Joqr9IesxDZZ4b-4kO7D5rQjydJescUpYo2axgrutGtE-83u1BkI_SncalRWYGg_MjryLa6vOC7du-Jpwdi3n0qNToDJ/s1600/Sign1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicQ0Cg-kF4UNC5X5TOCL06uUEySY_1dLhYRbTplLfmQG5wlJy3Joqr9IesxDZZ4b-4kO7D5rQjydJescUpYo2axgrutGtE-83u1BkI_SncalRWYGg_MjryLa6vOC7du-Jpwdi3n0qNToDJ/s320/Sign1.jpg" width="237" /></a></div><br />
Good catching up today!<br />
Take care.<br />
LxLaurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17986230601258342720noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-766209499574281791.post-58842732322400944962012-01-09T09:43:00.000-05:002012-01-09T09:43:07.930-05:00A spring day in January...Hello you!<br />
Happy Monday! I can't quite believe that it's January. We are supposed to be in the depth of winter and yet, here in New Jersey, we are enjoying weather that would be more befitting to the first flourishes of Spring. I even have a bud on one of my roses. Yet, this time last year, we were up to our armpits in snow... not literally, but it sure felt like it.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlCeTlBlw49ernGrKl8ZY_h7xluPDnJ3KZBRWAbR0iAfCijIABet47_4gyx-Eh0wd8HNOElPaoinCkDFALeGMFikGM1jCOCgafytkBbiX26FiYuUoLTVPZgUkn4aAONh-gQsjFgD4ocTBE/s1600/Sunday3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlCeTlBlw49ernGrKl8ZY_h7xluPDnJ3KZBRWAbR0iAfCijIABet47_4gyx-Eh0wd8HNOElPaoinCkDFALeGMFikGM1jCOCgafytkBbiX26FiYuUoLTVPZgUkn4aAONh-gQsjFgD4ocTBE/s400/Sunday3.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />
Anyhoo, making the most of this clement weather, I packed the kids off outside and did a spot of tidying in the garden. Although the weather was Spring-like, the garden confirmed that we were, indeed, not even half-way through January.<br />
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My little garden was devoid of any colour (except for my wee rose bud)... just an array of bare brown sticks poking out of the ground. I am always in amazement that, in a matter of months, these sticks will once again come to life and I'll be seeing the sprouts of green pushing up through the ground. Yay for perennials, the plants which just keeps on giving.<br />
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Anyways, while the girls and I petered around in the garden, the hubby donned his DIY cap and set about installing bead board in the bathroom... a project that has sat on the back burner for the past 6 months... but, as I said, this is a new year, a year where we are going to get things done about this little old place... starting with finishing our poky bathroom.<br />
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It will still be poky on completion, as we haven't the room to add on, but given it's size limitations, we decided to build on it's cozy cottage appeal... in fact, that's the ethos we're adopting for the whole house!<br />
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Hopefully, I'll finally be able to show you the finished project by the end of this month, but judging by the fact I just had to stop typing to deal with the hubby's (now missing) thumb nail, I won't hold my breath!<br />
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Anyhoo, I just thought I'd check in with you and share a bit of our Sunday with you.<br />
See you later in the week!<br />
LxLaurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17986230601258342720noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-766209499574281791.post-71902321160976366952012-01-04T20:50:00.000-05:002012-01-04T20:50:24.655-05:00Thoughts for Thursday: Nostalgic for NewspapersHello there, lovelies...<br />
How's your start to the New Year been? Mine has been relaxing... thus far. In fact, since my return from Blighty, the house has been a lot calmer and I've been enjoying the art of sitting down. It's fantastic! You should give it a whirl sometime... but I warn you, it is an addictive past-time.<br />
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Anyhoo, while partaking in this new found hobby, I found that, although the old legs enjoy *resting,* the brain is demanding of a little more activity... So, I've taken to reading the news once again. Now, I'm a modern thinking gal (with most things), but I can't get my head around picking up something electronic to read the daily news. I need to hear the rustle of paper... I need to wrestle with the awkward dimensions of the broad sheets (here in the States, the NY Times still remains broad). I need to smell the paper and feel the print on my fingertips. But what I love most of all is the fact that I end up reading a news story that I would ordinarily pass on, simply because it is on the same page as a more intriguing passage.<br />
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I was chatting with the hubby the other day about the down-turn in readership of the good old-fashioned newspaper. I then commented on how I couldn't ever imagine reading all of my news on a laptop or the likes, to which he replied that our daughters' generation probably couldn't imagine<em> not</em> reading the news electronically... My heart sank at this... I have such fond memories of the newspapers littered on the floor of the living room on a Sunday morning... sections being passed between family members, until, eventually, they were all gathered up by my mum, stored in a neat pile next to the hearth and used at a later date to help start the fire. Passing electronic devices back and forth or emailing articles doesn't quite conjure up the same soul satisfying image...<br />
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Anways, with this fond memory planted firmly in my mind, I renewed our subscription to the NY Times. Our first paper was delivered on New Year's Eve and it has been well and truly thumbed... I feel a little more informed and hope that this action of reading the newspapers at the weekend will sow the seed for my little ones and they carry on the tradition of reading actual newspapers... Although, what excites me even more (if truth be told), is the fact that the *Newspaper basket* I procured while in Blighty now actually has newspapers in it!! Come on, I know I've told you about my basket obsession before and this was just too good to pass! Oh, and just in case you were wondering, we have already created a recycling tub for newspapers.<br />
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What's your take on the traditional newspaper? A relic that belongs in the past? The only way to read the news? Or, do you take your news both ways? Let me know, I'd be interested to hear whether it's just me that gets nostalgic for newspapers.<br />
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Righty-o, I best be off. Good to catch up!<br />
LxLaurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17986230601258342720noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-766209499574281791.post-17437102716218446252012-01-01T15:45:00.000-05:002012-01-01T15:45:07.264-05:00A Happy 2012!Well, here we are again on the first day of the New Year! And boy, am I looking forward to the year ahead! 2011 was certainly a year for me. One in which I felt a little lost, but one that ended on a good note... not counting the fact that both of my little girls have terrible colds and the poor old dog had a trip to the vets yesterday! But, hey, I'm focusing on the positive here and I'm going to take this positive energy all the way through 2012!<br />
Last night, the hubby, girls, and I rang in the New Year, laughing, dancing and full of good New Year spirit (unfortunately not of the alcoholic variety)... this was a marked contrast with last year's New Year's Eve, whereby we were all slumped on the couch suffering from a bout of food poisoning... strangely, ill health followed me throughout the year... So, being a superstitious gal, I made sure this New Year's Eve that I was happy and confident (albeit wiping the girls noses and administering medication to the dog) and hopefully this up-beat attitude will continue throughout 2012!<br />
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2012 is going to be a good year for all of us in this little old place... this is the year for finishing some tasks around here. The year that I will *own* the garden (and win the battle with the mosquitoes), the year I will take a family vacation (and it won't be to the UK), the year I will keep my commitment to the gym, learn to live with my food allergies and finally make that blooming blind for the back door!!! I've committed here, so let's see if I can achieve at least some of the above ;-)<br />
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Anyhoo, I flipped the new calendar to January this morning (apparently, my mum says it's bad luck to turn it before... and to have wet laundry on New Year's Day... Did I mention I'm superstitious?)... Where was I? Ah yes, the calendar... not the usual Sainsbury's freebie!! It appears that the recession is biting old Mr J Sainsbury's and he has deemed that the giving of free calendars is a frivolity too far. Bah, humbug!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM3d7fFsuwrCWDIZTaWyl9tTSVX5Kx9Pvuber0L9roUx1dhUKAlhKBkxtAgpmSH-CTm8TVA4eCj2VQl3AkcCyh06-aWutbXUxKFRYGoUr0GiPGPy3gf2NWnmYetB61UlWKgvGb294gq8gS/s1600/NY4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM3d7fFsuwrCWDIZTaWyl9tTSVX5Kx9Pvuber0L9roUx1dhUKAlhKBkxtAgpmSH-CTm8TVA4eCj2VQl3AkcCyh06-aWutbXUxKFRYGoUr0GiPGPy3gf2NWnmYetB61UlWKgvGb294gq8gS/s400/NY4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>So, I picked up the January Period Living along with a free 2012 calendar. I know, I could have actually spent money on a calendar, but that would have been a break in tradition too far! The poor hubby was a tad disappointed that he's going to be greeted by piccies of old homes, instead of delicious food, but, hey, he'll have to take his complaints to Mr. Sainsbury... You never know, the hubby could end up being motivated by the gorgeous images of period homes and decide to start fixing this place up! Now there's a thought...<br />
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Anyways, I best be getting on, I have sick children and pets to tend... Oh, and a New Year's Dinner to cook. Start the New Year as I mean to go on, and that includes good home cooking! Ooh, but before I leave, let me just say, HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!! Thank you so much for popping by this past year... you were definitely a highlight of 2011!<br />
LxLaurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17986230601258342720noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-766209499574281791.post-34742671533718138242011-12-28T09:27:00.000-05:002011-12-28T09:27:09.699-05:00Christmas at our little old house...Hello there, lovelies.<br />
It's been a while since I popped in, hasn't it? But, let me tell you, it has been one busy, busy time for this <strike>old</strike> girl! What with weddings, birthdays, and trips to Blighty, the time has just slipped away and here I am at the end of the year!<br />
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Anyhoo, I'll start by saying that I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas! Mine was sprung upon me. Having spent a month back in the mother land, I landed in NJ on December 21st and then had to get this old place ready for the festive season... which was no mean feat!<br />
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</div>But, come Christmas Eve, you'd never have known that, only days earlier, there had still been pumpkins knocking around our home! So, for the past few days, I've been putting the brakes on, breathing in the sweet pine smell, munching on mince pies, and enjoying a nice cuppa from my newly acquired robin mug! <br />
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Aww, don't I just love robins? I'm always tempted to smuggle a couple back in my bra when returning from Blighty (since the nursing days, there's always more room in there than I'd like, but that's another story)... They're so cute and plump... I'm back to talking Robins here... keep up... and I just love to hear the cheerful chatter in the garden... although if I ever managed to introduce the much smaller (and cuter) robin to NJ, it would likely end up in a turf war with it's much bigger American counterpart... and we all know how that ended for our little red squirrels don't we? (no? well, lets just say it didn't go well)... Taking that into consideration, I guess I should leave meddling with nature well alone...<br />
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Anyhoo, I'm whittering on and I'm sure you have plenty to do before the New Year embarks... I know I do, but I just wanted to pop in, say hi and try out the new (soley for blogging) laptop!<br />
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Yeah, Santa left me a new one, so that I don't have to wrestle with hubby, children, dog or any other Tom, Dick or Harry when I want to blog!! So, no excuses!<br />
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Ta ta for now!<br />
LxLaurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17986230601258342720noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-766209499574281791.post-11755521235375075772011-11-14T21:46:00.000-05:002011-11-14T21:46:37.033-05:00A life worth living...So, it's been a while hasn't it?<br />
So long, that I am now sat here all tongue-tied, as though it were my first ever post... My first entry into 'Blogland'... so long, that as I tap out these words, there's a sense of awkwardness... I equate it to when you have every intention of sending 'Thank you' cards, but then life sweeps you up and you're caught in this time period where it's been left so long, you don't know whether to skulk under a rock and forget about sending them altogether, or just to bite the bullet and send them... after all, a late 'thank you' is better than no 'thank you' at all isn't it??<br />
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Well, I have that proverbial bullet gritted between my teeth (alas, if I were to do this my poor teeth would crumble under the stress... they can barely manage a Granny Smith these days) and here I am... tapping away to anyone passing by...<br />
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But what to say?? Well, I think the very first thing I should do is send a big 'thank you' to all who contacted me... I was here, just hiding.. scared to open the lines of communication... scared to share, when I wasn't in the right frame of mind... and so, instead I licked my wounds quietly in the corner... My blog became something I needed a break from while I sorted a few things out... They're still being sorted, but I don't want to skulk under that rock anymore... I have, once again, reminded myself of all the things in my life that make me smile...<br />
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... like a beautiful sun-filled day in my Autumnal garden... Where roses still bloom, bathing their delicate petals in the warm orange glow. Where trees cling onto their leaves as they gently rustle in the cool breeze (a precursor to the harsh winds that will whip through in a few weeks time)... Sat in the garden today, I smiled... a big smile... because I do have a lot to smile about... I just need to remind myself of that from time to time... and, even though I've not been feeling my usual chipper self of late, sometimes you just need to pick yourself up, dust yourself down and live life... every facet it of it... the good, the bad, and the ugly!<br />
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Anyhoo, I'll let you get off... I just wanted to say thank you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart, for popping by, showing you care, and getting me out from under that rock!<br />
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Take care.<br />
LxLaurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17986230601258342720noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-766209499574281791.post-197702358310454792011-09-05T09:37:00.000-04:002011-09-05T09:37:32.606-04:00Little house ♥...Hello there...First of all, I would like to say a B-I-G 'thank you' for all of your lovely comments. They really did put a smile on my face in an otherwise yucky time. So, I'm back, after quite a rollercoaster week... I'll not go into details (because there are many), but I will tell you that the exit from the cabin was hairy... trees down, crazy flooding... oh, and I picked up food poisoning en route home. Needless to say, I was very ill and not at all prepared for dealing with the damage that Hurricane Irene had left in our little home.<br />
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Anyhoo, I'll fast-forward to Friday... power finally restored, basement pumped and hot water back. Life is pretty much as it was pre-storm. We really had it lucky... other inland residents suffered terribly and my heart really does go out to them. Nature, while beautiful, can sometimes be so cruel...<br />
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So, here I am again. Appreciating my little home that bit more... loving it's <strike>tiny</strike> cozy rooms, and so proud that our teeny old creeky house stood up to the storm. We definitely didn't think she had it in her. When the winds are blowing a hooey outside, it creeks and groans and we always joke that it'll be whipped up into the air and dropped on a witch somewhere (the witch role is substituted at times)... but it made it!!! Apparently, she was built well (and I thought the contractor was kidding when he told me it was well-made the other week). So, if you look past the wonky windows, sloping floors, and totally impractical layout, you will see a pretty sturdy and much-loved home.<br />
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Okay, I've finshed gushing about how much I love my home (you're lucky... this post could have been about how much I love electricity and all of the modern amenities that come along with it). <br />
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So, what am I thinking about at the moment? Fall. Wahoo! Hello, cool nights... goodbye mosquitos! It's September and all the loveliness which comes with Autumn is almost upon us... I have projects up the wazoo to share and, once the kids are back on their school schedule, I'll finally have the time to blog. Life is good! Go on, smile!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCtrcQyC_H6oXz55NxLuCsZb1U_RR-1ZH9eA-oO8zYpHyP3eoEnRZRA46_3X9cYY65nsH-PlUM-Lelc2e9q64sA_6fPa4RtZh5PagBJsTT9deAzGhmQTMuOX0paY-rExLeJJ4I0zDh0kVq/s1600/little4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCtrcQyC_H6oXz55NxLuCsZb1U_RR-1ZH9eA-oO8zYpHyP3eoEnRZRA46_3X9cYY65nsH-PlUM-Lelc2e9q64sA_6fPa4RtZh5PagBJsTT9deAzGhmQTMuOX0paY-rExLeJJ4I0zDh0kVq/s320/little4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Huge hugs!<br />
Lx<br />
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Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17986230601258342720noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-766209499574281791.post-71876500217381575102011-08-27T09:01:00.000-04:002011-08-27T09:01:35.848-04:00Awaiting Hurricane Irene...Okay... sometimes life gets a little scary. As I write this, at the Cabin, I sit and watch Hurricane Irene unfold on the news. Yesterday, the hubby and I returned (briefly) to New Jersey to pick up our cat and secure the house as best we could. As we drove up the Garden State Parkway, we both commented that the scene before us was reminiscent of a disaster movie... the road was bumper to bumper with cars, all evacuating the Jersey Shore. We turned on the local radio station and heard that a mandatory evacuation had been called in our little town... by 9 a.m. Saturday morning, all residents had to leave their homes... This is when the panic set in... even if we wanted to return to our home, we now had to wait until the township gives us the all-clear. Our plan to call the neighbours to check up on our little home also fell to the wayside...<br />
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So now, we sit and wait. Pray that the winds leave the huge trees that stand next to our house intact (the irony here, is that we had just contracted a guy last week to cut them back in the upcoming week... I guess nature might help us with that!)... Wait to see whether our roof (already a little leaky) stays on.... wait to see whether the windows which we only had put in 2 weeks ago are still there.... but more importantly, we pray that the water levels they keep talking about are over-exaggerated, and our poor little house stays dry...<br />
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I calm my eldest daughters fears, and tell her that her toys will be there when we return.... the hubby calms my fears and tells me it will all be okay... I sense his anxiety, as he nervously paces around.... and pray that he is right...<br />
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So, my dears, I try to be upbeat here, but I'm scared... I take comfort that we are all safe here in the Cabin... and everyone tells me that this is what matters... I know this is true... but I do so love my little home...<br />
Take care all.<br />
Lx<br />
Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17986230601258342720noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-766209499574281791.post-81864932684477212542011-08-23T16:31:00.002-04:002011-08-23T23:45:01.466-04:00The best soup... ever...Hello lovelies...<br />
Well, it's coming to the end of summer and, I tell you, I'm looking forward to a bit of routine in my life... I look forward to the kiddies going to bed at a decent time so I can be reunited with my blog once more. As it is, I'm lucky to get a few snatched moments here and there, where I catch up on reading my favourite blogs. I have posts milling around my head, waiting to be tapped out... and then there are those that make it onto the old laptop but are endlessly awaiting pictures... But, hey, you know that this is not a five minute gig, so I'll quit my whinging and let you know what I'm up to...<br />
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As I tap this out, I'm getting ready for a Cabin trip. The hubby dictates that we <i>need</i> to go on this trip, as the Cabin is the only place we ever sit down, with nothing to do. Forced relaxation is imposed on me... mind you, I'm planning on taking the old sewing machine up with me, as I have a few projects that are about, oooh, six months overdue... at least I won't be doing endless laundry or cleaning...<br />
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Before I head off, though, I decided to do a spot of cooking... good old comfort food... soup, dips, quiche and scones.. The sort of food you can grab after a day spent at the pool, or the food you can tuck into while watching the rain pitter-patter in the woods... (this is a more likely scenario, as it has been raining buckets lately)...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Tomatoes are in abundance at this time of year (and these tomatoes taste of what tomatoes should, instead of the watery nothingness we get off-season)... so, this soup <i>explodes</i> with flavour in your mouth. It's the only soup my girls ask for and actually <i>thank</i> me for making (this is a biggie in this house, as meal times are most definitely a chore for my gals!). Served with a thick slice of bread, dripping with ooey-gooey cheese, meals don't get much better...<br />
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And so, this gal is taking herself off into the wilderness... apparently my in-laws spied two bears next to the Cabin only last week... the hubby told me this, all excited... I told him he'll be walking the dog solo!<br />
Take care!<br />
Lx<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b>Tomato Soup Recipe</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b>Ingredients</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">2 1/2 lbs of fresh tomatoes (try and pop in several varieties e.g. plum, vine, cherry)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">6 cloves of garlic (peeled)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">1 yellow onion (peeled & sliced)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">1 red onion (peeled & sliced)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">olive oil (approx. 1/4 cup... a few good glugs)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">salt & fresh black pepper</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">2 tsp dried thyme</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">2 bay leaves</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">3/4 quart (750ml) chicken stock</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">4 tbsp butter</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">1/4 cup fresh basil</span></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b>Method</b></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Preheat the oven to 450F</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Wash, core and cut the tomatoes in half.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Spread the tomatoes, onions & garlic cloves in a baking pan. Drizzle with the olive oil, until well covered. Sprinkle with the thyme, add the bay leaves and season with the salt pepper. I like to get my hands in and mix it all together, to ensure everything is covered in the olive oil.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Roast for 30 minutes or until the onions have started to caramelize (this is my favourite part, as the house is filled with the most delicious aroma... bliss...).</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Remove the roasting pan and transfer the contents to a large pan. Add the chicken stock and butter. Bring to the boil and then lower the heat and simmer for about 20 minutes.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Wash and dry the basil leaves and then add to the pot. Use an immersion blender to puree the soup.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Season with salt and pepper to taste and serve in warm bowls, with a sprig of basil for garnish and a lovely piece of ooey-gooey cheese on toast for dipping...</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;"><b>When taste-tested, two out of two children surveyed stated that this was 'The best soup ever!'</b></span></span></span></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><b>Shared with Sarah at </b></span><a href="http://www.abeachcottage.com/2011/08/good-life-wednesday-linky-party-dreamy-flowers-at-my-place.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><b>A Beach Cottage - Good Life Wednesday</b></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><b>... go check out her linky party and leave inspired.</b></span></div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17986230601258342720noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-766209499574281791.post-54501993262712531932011-08-11T10:07:00.000-04:002011-08-11T10:07:45.709-04:00Smell the roses...Hello there...<br />
Well, I wasn't expecting to leave it so long between chats, but then I wasn't expecting a whole load of building work to be scheduled... I <em>was</em> expecting the hubby to be gone on a bachelor weekend (weekends start mid-week, you know?), <em>but</em> not in the same week as major works began on this little place... <br />
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So, with the two kiddies, no bathroom, no windows, a missing door, and a whole lot of mess, I didn't have time to sit down in front of the old laptop...<br />
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Had I poured my heart out to you, it would have been a very sorry tale... there would have been tears, tantrums, cursing at males... wishing I was born as a male in my next life... and so on.... Needless to say I was not a happy camper...<br />
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But, this is another week and I now have a (nearly,) finished bathroom, new windows and a new back door. Hurrah! Oh, and as the hubby was very sorry for the scheduling mix up (that's what he called it... I say it was planned all the way), I also have a <em>'thank you, you're awesome, I'm a ****</em>' David Austin rose planted in the front garden. A visual reminder of what I am able to put up with and how my hubby can sometimes get it sooooo wrong!<br />
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Hey, but this is my happy space, so I'm not going to dwell... the ice is melting around this place (just), so here I am to share a little of my life with you lovelies... after all you did nothing wrong to warrant my rant and general stroppiness..<br />
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So, I'll share some lovely garden shots with you... alas, not mine, though... as my beloved garden has building debris, weeds galore, and a tired-looking paddling pool in the middle... so, instead, I figured I'd show you the lovely <a href="http://www.monmouthcountyparks.com/page.aspx?Id=2518">Deep Cut Gardens</a>, right here in Monmouth County.<br />
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It was a blistering hot day, but we managed to drag ourselves out and smell the roses... literally!<br />
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These gardens really are beautiful and the perfect place for a picnic on a beautiful sunny day...<br />
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The little ones loved the 'Hunt the Gnome' game and my heart swelled with pride as they took the time to look at the plants (even correctly naming a few... my little gardeners)!<br />
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I left inspired...although the hubby dreads this type of inspiration, as it can only equal bad things for the old wallet... In fact, as I write this post, I'm already drawing up a list of plants to pick up in the end of season sales. It seems a garden is never complete, and if the hubby makes any more 'scheduling errors,' I'll sure have me one nice rose garden!<br />
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Take care all.<br />
LxLaurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17986230601258342720noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-766209499574281791.post-92131669374743497412011-08-02T21:37:00.001-04:002011-08-02T21:38:10.861-04:00An English gal's Strawberry Shortcake...Strawberry shortcake is a big hit in my house... that would be <i>the</i> toy... I think it's a spin-off of a cartoon (aren't all toys these days??)... or, is this one of those toys that became so popular, it made it onto the screen?? Anyhoo, my girls love it, so we have, oohh at last count, at least eight of these lying around this little place. Usually strategically placed, so that I'll stand on them bare-footed and maximum damage is done to my poor dainty feet (perhaps these could be used in warfare??)...<br />
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Oh, and did I tell you (for anyone not lucky enough to have any of these beauties in the house), they smell delicious? Apparently of strawberries... you know, that kind of strawberry that candy tastes of... the bright red candy that can only come from a zillion E numbers and that is likely to give your kids the ability to climb walls.<br />
Anyways, as I brushed the sleep from my eyes on Sunday morning, I was greeted with my eldest wielding said doll about an inch from my nose, declaring 'Mummy, want to play Strawberry Shortcake? You can be Plum'... my insides shrivelled... another day lost to the joys of Strawberry Shortcake...<br />
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Then, I had an even better idea (escape plan)... why not make a Strawberry Shortcake???... as in the dessert (not the doll). The fridge is brimming with strawberries at the moment... I'm a sucker for the BOGOF deals (buy-one-get-one-free), so this gave me the perfect opportunity to use some up and, thus, get the hubby off my back about wasting money and free some much needed space in the fridge.... The cherry on top, though, was that my daughter was super-excited about the prospect of actually eating strawberry shortcake... I then explained that we wouldn't be putting the <i>actual</i> Strawberry Shortcake doll in the cake... it did take a bit of the shine off the idea for her, but the deal was done!<br />
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Now, to me, when all's said and done, a Strawberry Shortcake looks a lot like a Victoria Sponge (well mine did, as I only had two of the required three cake tins)... but let's not argue about semantics... I'm in America now, so I'll call it a strawberry shortcake. So, I set about whipping this up... a lot of sugar.... oodles of cream... fresh strawberries... how bad can this be??? The end result was a ruddy big cake!! It definitely put the weeny Victoria Sponge cake in its shadow... this monster was H-U-G-E!! I hope the kids like eating cake... all summer long... Which leads me to ponder, if Strawberry Shortcake were actually modelled on this sugary dessert, shouldn't she have the proportions of the Jolly Green Giant!!!<br />
So, if you have the local neighbourhood coming over for a sweet bite, you should give this a bash!<br />
Take care all!<br />
Lx<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b>Strawberry Shortcake Recipe</b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">1 1/2 cups of self-raising flour</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">1 1/2 cups of all purpose flour</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">2 cups of sugar</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter (softened)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">4 large eggs</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">1 cup of milk</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">1 teaspoon vanilla extract</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><i><b>For the filling</b></i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Strawberry jam </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">2 cups of whipping cream</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">1/4 cup of vanilla sugar</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">4 cups of ripe strawberries, stem removed and quartered</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">2 tablespoons of sugar</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b>Method</b></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Preheat the oven to 350F</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Grease and lightly flour 2 x 9 inch cake tins and line the bottom with grease-proof paper. (To make an authentic strawberry shortcake use 3 x cake tins)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">In a small bowl combine the flours.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">In a large bowl cream the butter until smooth, using an electric mixer on a medium speed.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Slowly add the sugar and beat until light and fluffy. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Add the flours, alternating with the milk and the vanilla essence. Make sure they are all mixed together, but don't over beat... Just to make sure it's all mixed together, scrape down the bowl with a rubber spatula and give it one last stir!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Divide the cake batter between the cake tins and pop in the oven for approximately 30 mins or until a cake tester comes out clean, when inserted into the middle.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Leave the cakes to cool in the tin for an hour and then remove, and allow to cool completely on a wire rack.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Toss the strawberries in the 2 tablespoons of sugar and set aside.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Whip the cream up with sugar, using an electric whisk on a medium speed. When the cream mixture forms stiff peaks, stir in the prepared strawberries.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Take one of the cooled cakes and spread with strawberry jam, then spread the cream and strawberry mixture on top of the jam. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Top with the second cake... it's looking pretty big now, eh?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Lightly dust the top of the cake with confectioners sugar...</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Bobs-your-uncle... a ruddy big cake!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;"><b><a href="http://www.abeachcottage.com/2011/08/good-life-wednesday-at-my-place.html">Shared with Sarah at a Good Life Wednesday</a></b></span></div>
Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17986230601258342720noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-766209499574281791.post-91848496548811468842011-07-28T20:33:00.000-04:002011-07-28T20:33:17.398-04:00The perils of a small house...I think I've mentioned before, that my house is small. Very, very small. There are certain plus points to this... less to clean, less to heat, and the hubby says it forces us to all get along. Now, I'm not going to lie... I do idly imagine living in a house with more rooms than I know what to do with. Jeez, I'd be happy to have just one extra bedroom, so the girls don't have to share... but, this is my lot, and so, I have learned to be organized, self controlled, and impartial to what's on the telly!<br />
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Every now and then, though, my self-control goes AWOL, takes a little vacation, and I end up purchasing things just because it was a 'too-good-a-deal' to pass up. Any thoughts of where I'm going to put said item evaporate, like the early morning dew on a hot summer's day... and I, my dears, are left with a large (and often) impractical item, with nowhere to put it...<br />
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Case in point... my rather large pine dresser... ohhh, how I love this... how it called out to me on craigslist... 'look at my aged patina, and I have an aged key to boot'... 'wouldn't I complete that country kitchen look you covet?'.... 'what? I'm too big? No silly... I'm perfect'... I mean, with a hard sell like that, what was a girl to do? My knees buckled and it came home with me...</div>
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As soon, as I positioned it in my doll's house size kitchen, I knew deep down that it was too big, but I pushed this niggling doubt to the far reaches of my mind... then, the hubby came home and gave me a slap round the face to bring me back to my senses (not literally, of course)... He looked at the offending item and declared that it looked like a NBA basketball player in a room filled with 'regular'-sized folk!</div>
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He was right... humph! Curse this small house *looking at the sky, clenching fists, and shaking them in a curse-like manner *...</div>
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But, what to do? It was here. Paid for, and it gave me storage up the wazoo... so after lots of faffing and titivating, we came to a compromise... the hutch part now resides in our basement (the graveyard for all spontanious, impractical purchases) with the old addage that it will get used one day when we open this place up. Meanwhile, I still get the benefit of the extra storage from the dresser... so, not a total washout then...</div>
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So you ask me, has my lesson been learned?? Have I recognized that there is only so much you can fit into a two bedroom cape? Of course not! Only the other week I picked up a vintage milk crate... a steal... and perfect to store something in... I just need to find somewhere to put it... ahhh, the perils of a small house...<br />
Hope you're all having a great week!<br />
Lx<br />
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Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17986230601258342720noreply@blogger.com16