Days Past

We did a bit of planning for the bank holiday weekend- we need to with two small kiddos with a ton of energy. I've told you about Finlaystone Country Park before, it's our special family place. For the past few years we have taken out an annual pass. Unlike a National Trust membership that we had before we have really made use of the Finlaystone pass. We headed there on Friday, the kids took in the pirate ship (in the middle of the forest and made from wood), the swings and we did their favourite 'hill walk'. Lunch in the cafe which is now run by the Reith sisters, of the Three Sister's Bake fame - the food was delicious and they were very patient and child friendly! We ended the day with a walk around the formal gardens, beautiful summer light making the flowers look magical. Just look at the ethereal blue of those Himalyan Mountain Poppies (Meconopsis).

I managed to fit in seeing Boo Hewerdine with a good friend- a musician I have loved since I was 14. It was good to hear some of the old songs, some brilliant new ones and Boo's hilarious, wry take on a fascinating and often under appreciated song writing career.

Other highlights were removing an over grown shrub from our garden at home and some replanting. I have had to admit recently that gardening is a new passion. My other half described gardening as 'my hobby' and well, it suddenly dawned on me that it is. It's grown on me slowly, every year since we moved to this house my Dad has given me tomato and courgette plants. This year I have grown the courgette plants and a range of other herbs myself. I'm amazed that I can do it. Start small and learn as you go is my advice, oh and Elspeth Thompson's wise words to hand helps me too. 

Today was a family bowling outing with a pizza lunch, a final garden centre trip for a new hydrangea and now early nights all round but with good memories to carry us through the week ahead.

Promised

This post is for a very old friend. I promised him at Christmas that I would send him the link for my blog and I haven't. It's possibly that I felt self conscious about him reading this- I'm not sure on reflection why. At one time he probably knew me better than anyone alive. Maybe it's my habit of compartmentalising my life and of being woeful at keeping in touch.......

I remember when I was younger I did nothing but talk, we talked about everything and anything, analysed things, speculated, read and discussed. My friend loved the first line in L'Etranger by Camus. How I knew so much about nihilism and philosophy then I'll never know- I've forgotten almost all of it. And I've never really found that talking again. When I see my oldest friends it's there but time and life and children all alter you. I miss that talking. 

We would lie on the pavement and look at the stars, honestly we did, and completely without irony. Long drives in our parents cars on a few pounds of petrol, those beautiful country roads are with me still. I was lucky very lucky to have had such connected relationships. 

That picture is me circa the times I'm talking about in this post- on an art trip to London. Taken by my friend Jacqui. 

Easter Hope

Well there you go- Easter 2014 gone in a flash. Two cakes, a lot of chocolate, lovely family visiting and our 10 year wedding anniversary. I also got to hold my new, beautiful wee niece. She is tiny and perfect and meeting her was the best feeling. I hope you all had a great long weekend. Easter is special to me, it is sad but ultimately uplifting and I think regardless of what you believe it is hope for the year ahead and a new beginning. I know this will be an exciting year with lots of warm sunny days to come. 

Treat Days

Now and again it is good to have some treats. Every few months my littlest and I head down to Glasgow's west end for ice cream and good, good coffee at Nardinis. Little booths where you can sit and sip and slurp, childhood memories for me from the Largs Nardinis and afterwards a wee trip to the shops. This time as well as a toy shop trip (they do great 'lucky dips' at 50p a time- perfect for an inexpensive treat for little ones) we went to my favourite vintage dress shop 'Vintage Guru'. It was a window on times to come, she clip clopped around in the most fabulous gold 60's sling backs whilst I tried on Easter dresses. The shoes were too small for me but we bought the bunny brooch to 'share '. Such good times, and more to come, of that I'm sure. Jxxxxx

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.