I do like a nice round cushion and these are some of my favourite creations this week…..they will be my first items in my new shop ready & waiting for the grand opening tomorrow…
So if you would like on of these lovely ladies to reside at your abode then pop on over to
I took myself off on a blustery rainy day to a little haven…..GB antiques in Lancaster to wander, ponder & hope that I could find that little treasure that indeed would make my heart skip…
If you get the chance drop on by you will be glad you did….
I like to bake fresh bread most days, but sometimes even though quick & part of my routine I simply don’t have time. On these occasions I have 2 recipes that I like to fall back on…. the first a homemade pitta bread & second a quick soda loaf…
So today is one of those days, somehow the morning has slipped away from me & I need to make something to go with the butternut & carrot soup that I’ve cooked up for lunch…
Makes 6-10
INGREDIENTS
350g/3 cups strong bread flour
210mls/1 cup of warm water
15ml/1tbsp olive oil
7.5ml/1.5 tsp. sea salt
5ml/1tsp sugar or honey
7g/1.5 tsp. dried yeast
STEPS
1. Add all dry ingredients to mixing bowl (i always make my bread in an electric mixer with a dough hook)
2. Add the oil & water into the bowl & mix for 6 mins or so until the ingredients are well mixed and the dough looks silky & smooth
3. Turn into a lightly oiled bowl, cover & leave for about 40mins
4. Divide dough into 6 –10 pieces & shape each one into a ball, cover & leave for 10 mins
5. Preheat the oven to 230/450/Gas 8 & place baking sheets or baking stone into the oven to heat^
6. Flatten each ball with the ball of your hand & roll out into an oval or round until they are about 5mm/1/4”thick
7. Place the pittas onto the heated baking sheets/stone & bake for 5-6 mins until they are puffed up & brown. It is also able to cook these under a hot grill.
8. Cool slightly & serve….
There will be no going back to the vacuumed sealed bits of cardboard once you have savoured these delights…you can also whip a few in the freezer for later just defrost & warm them gently.
The perfect coloured sky
Looking out across the hills
How could this not banish the January doldrums….
A lone bird sings his merry song
As the evening draws in…
Spring is on it’s way oh yes…..welcome my friend
As you well know I have a fondness for china..this has got out of hand in recent years & I have had to have a good sort out….. boxing and storing the best part of my collections in the barn until such a time as I can decide what to do with them.…So this year I have indeed set myself a challenge I will only be buying certain types of china…
1. vintage J & G Meakin teacup & saucer, 2. Alfred meakin, rose chartreuse, 3. J&G Meakin 'Summertime' collection, close up!, 4. J&G Meakin blue 'Summertime' flowers
J&G Meakin and Arthur Meakin have a special place in my heart so this year I am only going to buy pieces from the following collections
These are my favourites from the collections known as the crofters pattern in the grace & lyric shapes…very stylised 50’s designs with a lovely grey cross hatched back ground.
Rock Fern
Carmen
Maid of Honour
Devon Rose
Harvest Field
I have fairly good selection of Rock Fern, Summertime & Flamenco but I am very keen to get my mitts on some pieces of Harvest Field, which is a rather pleasant minty green colour.
Also if I were to stumble across some pieces of Wishing Well which has a charming ballerina design & reminds me of a misspent childhood dreaming of tutu’s…(*ahem* we won’t revisit those memories ever), I would be most happy but due to my thrifty meter hanging just above empty this will be a rather big wish…but i always live in hope & am off to one of my favourite haunts this Friday to jolly my search along…..
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| comfy fireside chair |
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| tweed, barkcloth & vintage tray |
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| smocked cushion & liberty tana lawn goodness |
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| glass cake stands & lampshade collection |
