"With Pomp, Power & Glory the world beckons vainly, In chase of such vanities why should I roam?While Peace & Content bless my little thatched cottage,And warm my own hearth with the Treasures of Home."*Beatrix Potter

Friday, 19 September 2014

A Week Full of Blessings.

I would like you all to meet George our little Kitten.
He is full of fun & keeps everyone on their toes.
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Little George is just eight weeks old.
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His name came from a vintage book that the girls have called Naughty George.
I do hope we don't have to use the naughty word though!
The twins love the Blackberry Farm series from the 40's & 50's.
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It was our eldest daughter Amy's 21st birthday this week.
She came & spent a beautiful day with us & we had a birthday tea.
Here are a few of the things I made for tea.
Strawberry & Vanilla cake, butterfly cakes, fairy cakes & cheese straws.
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The cheese straws are one of the twins favourite tea time treats.
 
Cheese Straws.
 
4 ozs self raising flour
pinch of salt
Cayenne pepper or Mustard powder
The twins only like mild foods so I use the mustard powder.
2 ozs margarine
3 ozs grated strong cheddar cheese
1 egg beaten
 
Rub the fat in to all the dry ingredients, then add the grated cheese & combine with a beaten egg.
Use your hands to combine like making pastry.
Roll out on a floured board & cut in to preferred shape, at Christmas we use little cutters.
Bake 400f for about 10 minutes.
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We had a trip to Anglesey Abbey on the Sunday after we went to Wimpole Hall.
This is another Estate owned now by the National Trust.
It has beautiful park land, a working water mill & house.
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A beautiful old gate in the estate.
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Lode Mill.
This is a lovely working water mill in the grounds.
We bought some flour that had just been ground.
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The miller bagging up our flour.
I bought a little recipe book from the mill, I can't wait to use our lovely fresh flour.
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Walls inside the mill.
Simple bunches of wheat.
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Walking though parkland towards the Abbey.
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Walking up the drive to Anglesey Abbey.
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The parlour.
This room had wonderful rich panelling all the way round it.
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The flower room.
They get all the flowers ready here for arranging.
The estate grows so many flowers, it was lovely seeing how they use them in the displays throughout the house.
The parkland was beautiful, the children learn so much from these days out with out even knowing they are learning.
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This is a fruit cake recipe I use but this time instead of fruit I added chocolate chips in the round cake & dried cut dates in the loaf cake.
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Corgi Cottage Soup from Tasha Tudor's cookbook.
This was the first time I have made this soup & everyone liked it.
Perfect with fresh bread.
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George had spotted a butterfly that had flown in, he does remind me of Tom Kitten.
 Perhaps we will have to stuff newspaper in the old range in the hall, we have a hole that goes right to the chimney pot!
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Little George has been sleeping on my lap while I have been writing this post, he loves to be loved & is such a funny little thing.
Enjoy your day.
Fondly Michelle
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15 comments:

  1. George is adorable! I acquired my last cat when she was a year old so I haven't had a kitten in the house since 1995. They are such fun! Which ones are the fairy cakes?

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    1. Fairy cakes are just the English word for cup cakes but our one's are smaller. We get muffin cases here now so can make cup cakes too.
      Fondly Michelle

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  2. I got a better look at the photo when I enlarged it and I'm guessing the butterfly cakes must be the ones with the "wings"? So the other ones are the fairy cakes? Why are they called that? I meant to mention, too, how much I love garden walls with doors in them!

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  3. Hello Michelle, the cat is precious, is going to be a great company for the whole family. I like much the presentation of the pastry and tarts, you are a great cook! An embrace. M. Carmen

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    1. Thank you so much for your lovely comment.
      Fondly Michelle

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  4. Welcome little George! He is practically perfect and so prettily marked. I am currently reading about the three cats, Rusty, Sarah~cat, and Joseph at Patty's Place ~
    Cheese Straws were singled out as delicious by Prince Philip, that were baked by my Grandmother, when their Royal Highnesses visited the Deanery where she was housekeeper! He asked, like Oliver, if he could have some more!
    As ever, I have loved every sweet morsel of your diary! ~~~waving~~~

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    1. Hello Deborah,
      We had a lightening strike on Friday so we have just popped down to the libary to check messages as our phone lines are down.
      I didn't know that about Prince Phillip, thank you.
      Fondly Michelle

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  5. Hi Michelle
    George is so cute. I am allergic to cats so I am afraid I have to admire them from a distance.
    You have been very busy baking again, how do you stay so slim? It all looks very yummy.
    Have a good weekend.

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    1. Hello Debbie,
      What a shame, George is such a special little soul.
      We have no phone line at the moment due to a lightening strike, so we have popped down to the libary.
      Fondly Michelle

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  6. Oooh George is so sweet! That little face! He is darling, and hopefully--- not too naughty! Love the birthday tea, it looks lovely, I hope your daughter had a wonderful birthday!

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    1. Thank you Heather, George is wonderful & settled in so well. I will not be online or a few days, lightening has put our phone lines down so I have popped to use the internet at the libary.
      fondly Michelle

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  7. Hello Michelle, George is adorable and beautiful !!!!! Many birthday wishes to Amy, 21 years ... what a beautiful age. You are a great cook, thanks for the recipe for the cheese straws. Have a good week . I embrace you ... Mirtilla
    Mirtilla

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  8. Enjoy the recipe Mirtilla.
    Thank you or your sweet words.
    fondly Michelle

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  9. Hello Dearest Michelle,
    George the kitten is so sweet and precious! He has the sweetest face !!
    Happy birthday to your daughter, and the table looks wonderful and inviting! So many nice receipts to share! Just lovely :-D
    I really enjoyed the tour of the mill, and Anglesey Abby. You always share such interesting information and such beautiful pictures!
    I have missed your visits. My laptop crashed so I'm visiting from my kindle.
    Many Blessings Dear one, and warmth and many hugs,
    Linnie :-)

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    1. Thank you so much Linnie for your beautiful words, I will be sharing many recipes in the future.
      Hope you get your laptop fixed.
      Fondly Michelle

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