Speccles

Today the family came round for lunch just as I was putting these in the oven.

I havent made these for years and years but always made these when my children were small.

The recipe came from the first book I brought after emigrating to NZ when we lived in Matamata in 1974.

The recipe calls them Banbury cakes but I know them as Eccles cakes, think they will now be known as Speccles cakes as that is what Josh thought they were!!!

Here is the recipe I did put in the ground almonds but never used too, they are nice either way andthe lot minus 2 got eaten in next to no time a real winner here.

The Recipe

8 oz puff pastry

2oz butter

2oz brown sugar

1 egg yolk

4 oz currants ( I put a mix 6oz, currants and mixed fruit as I had it in the pantry

2 oz chopped candied peel( this I omited as it was in the mixed fruit)

2 Tlbs ground almonds

1/4 tsp mixed spice

Roll out pastry thinly and cut into 5 inch 13 cm rounds. Cream butter and sugar til soft beat in egg yolk, then the curant peel almonds and spice. Put 1tsp, I put a little more. On each pastry round draw edges together moistening top edge. Press lightlytogether to form oval or circle as mine were and turn over and flatten with hand. Brush with milk and sprinkle thickly with sugar ( i used white sugar) and bake for 25 mins I couldnt read the temp so cooked mine at about 175

I wont be buying mine from the bakery anymore these are so flaky and light and so delicious!!!

I had some wool arrive from Utiku The wool company today so I have lots of projects to be getting on with.

I started my first Milo pattern yesterday and am loving this have been wanting to make one for ages, It is being held again this year for Milo May where people get together on Ravelry to knit the pattern. I have taken some pics but not quite finished and cannot get the colours right will try and get better pics with Dans camera.

Lovely day here today, the sun finally burst through the cloud at lunchtime

Do have a lovely weekend friends and family wherever you are.

Janet

Remembering

Well it is Anzac Day today here in New Zealand, a holiday and a time to remember those who gave their lives so we could have freedom. I remember as a child we always went to the Rememberance day parade in Northampton England as my dad was in the 2nd world war. He was only about  18 or 19 when he signed up and I remember him saying he had his 21st birthday going past the Rock Of Gibralter with the BEF.
He managed to get to Dunkirk after being detached from his battalion and was rescued by brave sailors on a Paddle steamer who took him off the beaches there.
He served in North Africa and was captured not long after getting married in September 1942. They had only 3 days together before going back......... she didnt see him for 3 years!!
He spent time as a POW in a transit camp in Italy then in Germany.

My Dad didn talk much about his experiences but then most of them didnt,  he always had time for his cobbers who he used to meet at the Regimental Club,I think he made it back to Dunkirk one time with his mates.
Thinking Of you Dad...

Anyone For Cake?

See my yummy cakes (soaps) from my very talented daughter Julie, of soapsensations

There are also some natural soaps seaweed, cucumber chocolate etc I especially love the detox soap (Not shown).

Josh has been helping me do this blog and the photo's. He has done a great job, well done Josh.

We are just off to town for a look around the shops but it will be crazy with kids (school holidays!)

On The Knitting Front

I have been quite busy knitting this last week or so. I was looking for a top I could make out of 2 delicious skeins of VP…… Only had 10 g left! This( Tappan Zee) only took about 4 days to make and I really enjoyed it. I added 7 stithces to the underarms as no way was it going to fit otherwise, I decreased 10 of them out about halfway down, over a couple of rows, as I didnt want it bagging out at the back. I think it is a perfect fit with lovely drape, I am not into wearing shawls so it is is a lovely alternative. I also found some handmade buttons I had made a while ago, they matched beautifully. After blocking it grew in length but I can live with that. I cant wait to get some more sock so I can cast on another!

I also made a lovely hat called Rikke which is a free pattern. I used Vintage Purls Max. It only took me a few hours of mindless K&P in fact I quite enjoy purling! I did have to learn to do German Twisted cast on which took me a while to master with the help of the tutorial above, got it sussed now though. Only did it to 7 ins before decreasing as I didnt want it too slouchy as it is going to be a hat for Beka who likes beanies, I hope she likes it , I dont think I saw one I didnt like on Ravelry. I am now casting on for another.

Yesterday I received another box of beautiful soaps from Julie my daughter of soapsensations

They smell divine and I am just waiting for them to cure for a short time then I will indulge.

Truly awesome and your creations too Beka!

Well it is time for a cuppa

Have lovely day wherever you are

Janet

Chris Tomlin - I Will Rise

He is Risen

Last Instalment of VP Summer Sock Club

Today I recieved the last instalment of the VP Summer sock club, I was very very pleased with it, the best ever, love everything about it the scrummy yarn, really neat pattern with so many things going on in it. I am going to enjoy knitting these beauties! It is very strange that these are knit in linen stitch as I have been looking all week on Ravelry for patterns in this stitch!

I love the colour, I must admit I am not into brights so this is right up my alley or as my grand children say (Your Cup Of Tea!) I am forgetting what else was in the parcel, 2 lovely wooden buttons to go on the mitts and a chocolate toastie havent had one of these for years but will soon remedy that in a minute!.

Today I also go another parcel from VP some lovely sock yarn in a stunning green that is destined to become socks for SIL and G/child who loves green. Still have to find another colour for the other G Child who I think used to love yellow but now he is nearly 21 that may have changed! Morag also replaced one of my tips that had snapped great customer service there

I have made a couple of things this last week or so some socks and mitts in more lovely VP yarn but have gifted them so no pics. Also made a lovely cabled hat but for who not sure, I really like cables at the moment.

The weather has been great this last few days so hot seems like we are getting a bit of summer after all, better late than never.

I do hope you have a great Easter with lots of happy times with family and friends.

Blessings

Janet

House Guest !!!

This week I have had a lovely house guest. Flicka is a lovely canary belonging to Georgia, only a baby really. They have been on holiday for a week so I had a break too. I must admit I will miss this little bird as he has been company for me.

Surprisingly considering the free time I had this week I dont seem to have achieved very much on the knitting front. Managed to start several projects but not just right. I did finish a few more Swirl Hats one of my favourite patterns for babies.

I also ordered a beautiful pink sock yarn from Vintage Purls, and just looking at some of my other skeins they are all brights which is not usually my cup of tea much preferring autumn tones. These are not earmarked for me though.

I also finished some Magic Slippers you can find the pattern here I love this little pattern a bit fiddly but quick to make in your leftover sock yarn.

Caught up with my friend Ruth yesterday for lunch it was good to see her and hear all the news of her trip to the UK at Christmas time. The weather was lovely we sat outside in the sun and I made some bread for lunch.

It is getting noticeable cooler these morning though and find I want to stay under the covers for a bit longer!
Last Friday was Joels 8th birthday and we all went out for lunch to 623 On he Rocks, it was a lovely day with both grandparents and great Grannie who is her 96th year, she is amazing!

Well the kids will be picking me up soon for another sleepover and to return dear little Flicka or Birdie as I call him with a list of things he likes to eat! I figure he has been quite spoilt here!
Have a lovely week all

Janet.

Phew! Quickest Socks Ever

On Wednesday afternoon I received a lovely skein of sock yarn from Vintage Purls thought this would be a good colour for Patrick for his birthday, I failed to realize his birthday was on the 12Th March. Started that evening and finished them last night.!! 4 days . He has size 12 feet so I had a marathon task...... finished with a few grams to spare!

I have been waiting for my 2Nd instalment of Morags sock club and as yet it hasn't arrived I am really disappointed as everybody else seems to have received theirs. Hope it hasn't gone missing.

There have been a few F.O. this last week, I made a really nice top Sassy metrical you can find the pattern here. I really loved knitting this all in one piece doing the sleves magic loop. I brought the wool off of Trademe while it was lovely wool and colours it wasn't very soft so I soaked it in conditioner and it was much better. I had to do a bit of math for this one which is not my forte but would like to make another.

I also finished a couple of cable baby hats with socks to match. Love these together, the colour is more teal than pic.

Last but not least is another http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/puerperium-cardiganI love this little card it is so easy to knit the pattern is great and it is free although there is The Beyond Puerperium which I think would be great to purchase. I think it would get much use.

Oh I nearly forgot I ordered some wool from Skeinz online store and brought a variety of different wool to try, they all look very nice, watch this space for more F. O. in this yarn!!! Bonus is you get free shipping for orders over $50!!

Well must be time for a cuppa and more knitting and waiting for that elusive parcel!

Janet

These Smell Amazing!!

Today I received the soaps from my daughter Julie that she promised. These she says are seconds but to me they are all perfect and smell fantastic. They are all made from scratch using the best ingredients. Love the strawberry cheesecake, the peppermint/choc and the one that smells like candyfloss, cant remember what the others are so you will just have to go wander over to her website soap sensations and her very popular blog The Happy Housewife to see what I mean. You will not be disappointed

Julie you are so talented and I am so proud of what you have done, you have a real eye for detail and come up with brilliant ideas for your soap, especially love your snow freeze . A bonus is my house smells lovely,. Thank you heaps.

Day Of Remembering Feb 22nd 2011

Today is a very sad day for the people of Christchurch, one of New Zealand's largest and I think most beautiful cities. One year on since that terrible day our thoughts go out to the people of Christchurch and around the world who lost loved ones. Also the lives that have been changed by horrific injuries, homes and businesses lost. Buildings can be rebuilt but peoples shattered lives and minds will take longer to heal. I speak as one who knows the impact on my family, whose lives have been turned upside down not because of injury but being displaced from their home and schools but who are making new lives away from the eastern suburbs where they once lived. Their home can be rebuilt but as it is on the edge of the red zone i don't think they will ever go back there to live. A grandchild that is too scared to go to bed at night still and the terror in her face with every loud noise. But I am so thankful that they are okay and proud of them still battling all the problems  they face every day.
Christchurch we haven't forgotton you.

More Yummy Yarn

Home again for the weekend, it has been a busy week at Lind's with two wheelchair clinics for Josh and other appointments, his pressure sore is still nasty but drying out thank goodness.

Managed to finish a few knitting projects. Puerperium Cardigan is a fabulous free pattern from Kelly for a newborn babe. It is knit in D. K so knits up really fast no seaming Yay! I had some buttons in my stash that worked out nice. I knitted this in an acrylic yarn Panda Soft which is lovely to knit with.I am loving the colours in this.

I also finished 2 Baby Cable hats in Shepherd merino 4 ply I really love this cute pattern, it does take longer to knit but I think it will fit babies for longer because of the stretch. It is another free pattern on Ravelry.

I indulged myself this week with some more of Morag of Vintage Purls yummy yarn. This is such a popular hand dyed wool that on Monday afternoons we all crowd around the website pushing the refresh button to be one of the lucky one to buy one of these lovely skeins.

I was quick enough to get 2 of the red sock and one Max in D. K Duel In The Sun lovely browns greens and teal. The red is true fire engine red and Josh chose one skein for him for socks. Think the Max will look nice in a mans hat.

Well the sun has finally appeared and might just dash to the shops before the rain starts again.

Have a fab weekend all

Janet

So Spoilt

Well am back home again for the weekend after being at Lind's. I have been going there to help out since Josh's broken knee and stint in hospital, coming home for the weekends. He has had a rough road, but hopefully on the mend now.

This week I have received two parcels the first being the 1st instalment of the Vintage Purls Sock Club. I have previously been in the Winter one but never the Summer, something nice to look forward too for 3 months. This months was not a sock pattern but a lovely summery shawl pattern in a very bright sunshiny colour, not something I can wear myself but I am sure to find a use for it!! Also in the parcel was a badge and some stickies notes and some lovely yummy fudge. Notice in the pic that is MISSING! Thanks Morag

Also I received a belated Christmas parcel that went all the way to Christchurch from Julie Jason and Beka, it was full of lots and lots of pressies too many to name but you can see some on the pic, all lovely especially the soaps which aren't on the pic but you can find them on Julies website Soap Sensations she makes the bestest soaps ever and I love getting all her latest ones to try. Thanks Julie.

Its a long weekend again, on Monday it is Waitangi Day a sortof NZ s national day which marks the signing of the treat of Wataing in 1840.

Once again wherever you are ........ friends and family do have a great weekend.

Janet