Weekend Rush

Well there it went again - the weekend passed by in a flash. These days of mine are always rapid, two bright, inquisitive bundles of energy see to that. It's often only when I review my pictures during the week that I see how many lovely memories we are making. 

Spring is definitely on its way, just look at that blossom, the bright sun on those bulrushes. A wee flash of pink with bright red hair playing hide and seek and my favourite window in my home town. Everyone has a favourite window don't they?

Ines de la Fressange

I am quite obsessed with this beautiful dress. It is one of the best pieces (in my opinion) in a collection Ines has done with Uniqlo. Boo hoo it seems to have sold out before I could get my hands on one. Meanwhile if anyone has a return they would like to pass my way........

Skinny Lemon Drizzle

Suddenly Lemon Drizzle Cake was everywhere- perhaps something to do with spring and a desire for sharp, fresh flavours? With my recent copy of The Simple Things having a traditional, full fat version in it I knew there must be another way! I have mentioned before that due to my husband's chronic health condition, we try to eat low fat and to bake with olive oil or vegan spread where we can. So by happy accident I came across a recipe in the February Delicious magazine by Lorraine Pascale for a Lemon Yoghurt Pound Cake. Now I'm not one for faddy phrases, but if ever there was a different way to bake that emphasised the phrase 'game changer' then this is it!

I can't urge you to try this enough- it's easy to make, fragrant, delicious and it does not taste like a low fat traducement of a classic. Even if you make it with butter it is still on the low fat side of the equation- nothing to lose.....

Ingredients 

75g vegan spread or Butter, softened, plus extra to grease

100g Caster Sugar

2 Eggs, plus 1 egg white

2 Tbsp zero fat Greek Yoghurt

150g Self-Raising Flour

1 Tsp Baking Powder

1 Tsp vanilla extract

Fine grated zest of 2 unwaxed lemons

1. Preheat the oven to 180C/Gas Mark 4. Grease a loaf tin and then line it with parchment paper.

2. Beat together the butter and sugar until creamy, then add the eggs, egg white and Greek yoghurt. It will look a little bit curdled but carry on beating for a couple more minutes.

3. Add in the flour, baking powder, vanilla extract and lemon zest. Mix all together until combined and then spoon the mixture into the loaf tin and bake for 30 -40 minutes (The recipe said 20-25 but the min needed longer. Just check with a skewer to make sure the mixture comes out clean).

4. When ready, leave the cake to cool down and start getting the icing ready and then put aside for later.

For the icing- 

50g Icing Sugar

2 Tbsp Lemon juice

Whisk together till combined and lump free.

5. Once it's cooled down, gently drizzle over the icing.

Three Sisters Bake

Braving that cold February wind we headed to Quarriers village outside Bridge of Weir. Scooters and bikes for a wee bit of exercise on the cycle path. Quarriers village is a fascinating place- it is a collection of houses, each one unique which housed 'house parents' who fostered and adopted children. Now they are all private residences or businesses. One such business is Three Sisters Bake, a wonderful cafe restaurant. We had just planned on coffee and cake but we were tempted to lunch. The food was delicious but the highlight for the kiddos were the babycinos with marshmallows! 

Chasing Rainbows

You can chase rainbows every day but do you ever find the pot of gold? I guess not which is the point of the story. The boy and I chased a rainbow round the woods recently and I tried to explain to him scientifically, biblically and well the folklore significance of a rainbow. He was a bit baffled, and I don't blame him.

Looking back over my photos and thinking about what makes up my days - I think I know the truth about rainbows. They are special, and beautiful, an expression of love and promise. They always come after rain and storms and they are not an end in themself. In short we live day to day, dread Mondays, ache for our days off, exalt in the gentle kind moments, look for beauty - and it never ends. The pot of gold always out of reach, the rainbows evaporating in a flash to reappear again when the sky clears. 

Rainy Day Saturday

It's cold, it's wet, it's dreich - guess it must be deepest February. What to do but get out in between or amongst the showers. A quick scoot around the park was the order of the day. I can't tell you it was pleasant weather but we are stoic so we gave it a go! 

And in case you think I'd forgotten here is the Saturday dress- albeit it was buried under a million layers today.....

Tuesday Again

It's becoming a bit of a habit that I write posts in my head but never take the time to set them out here. It's not that I don't take pictures, or don't write it all in my head - it's just that I often seem to think that is enough. And maybe it is sometimes, but it doesn't let YOU know what we are up to or what I'm thinking. It doesn't let me connect with you, so more of an effort please on my part!

So today, my precious mid week day off and the wee one and I took ourselves down to the West End. Just a little hour of shopping. You see those heart shaped cookie cutter, those were what we were after. They are for our Tuesday afternoon crafting. Something I am trying to establish with the kiddos to counter the TV, the iPod and the iPad. More of that later. 

The little heart (the wee ones), the dress and the teak pear bowl, well they were just the incidentals from too many charity shops in quick succession. And back to the dress (and the posts I write in my head) - I have been trying to wear a dress each weekend. Otherwise my uniform is BDG skinnies, and a jumper or tunic. I needed to make more of an effort so the 'Saturday dress' was born! And I do try not to wear them over jeans, but properly with tight or leggings. I can't promise a weekly outfit post but you may get a picture of the dress- we will see. 

Oh and I took Monday off this week which is always a good idea in my book. Anyway onwards and upwards and hope you all gave a good week.

Ps the wee one started stroking the soft willow buds and ended up grabbing an handful, made me chuckle!