The days at the cottage are starting to grow longer, the garden is coming back to life & signs of Spring are everywhere. Daffodils, Grape Hyacinths, Hyacinths & Crocus's are blooming in the garden, it's so lovely to see the sun shinning & the Spring flowers in their full glory all around the village.
The buds are swelling & are ready to burst into life along the hedgerows. This is such a lovely time of year with new growth everywhere, things grow so quickly with changes happening every day.
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With the weather starting to change our daily lives gradually move from the kitchen to the garden. The rhubarb is sprouting up & soon we will be picking it to make the first jam of the year.
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Mary decorating cakes for tea.
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The twins learning to use a sewing machine, they are making little pillows for their baby dolls.
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Pumpkin Loaves.
This recipe was given to me by an American friend many years ago & it freezes well.
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This recipe makes two loaves.
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Grease two loaf pans.
Mix all dry ingredients together.
3 cups of plain flour.
2 cups of white sugar.
1/2 tsp baking powder.
2 tsp soda.
1 tsp cinnamon.
1 tsp ground nutmeg.
1 tsp mixed spice.
Mix pumpkin, oil & eggs together.
1 16ounce tin of pumpkin.
3 eggs.
2/3 cup vegetable oil.
Then combine all ingredients together.
Add raisins of wished.
Bake for 1 hour at 350
cool for 10 mins then turn out.
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!920's Vinegar Cake.
A recipe from an old booklet I have.
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Our two Kitty's playing with an old whisk.
A precious moment to capture.
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A friend on IG gave me this lovely recipe for Chocolate Orange Trifle.
It is made using chocolate sponge, tinned oranges & orange jelly.
With chocolate blancmange on top then double cream & chocolate treats.
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We are great fans of All Creatures Great & Small so a few weeks ago we had a day out in Thirsk, North Yorkshire & visited The World of James Herriot.
We have been there before when the twins were two so they did not remember it.
They love to watch the vintage tv show & also read the James Herriot children's books.
We had a lovely day visiting the museum & pottering around the old market town of Thirsk.
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Inside The World of James Herriot.
The house is the actual home & veterinary surgery were James Herriot worked & lived.
1950's sitting room.
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A perfect little tea cosy.
There was lots of inspiration.
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This was the breakfast room complete with the series running on the vintage television.
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Kitchen table with another beautiful tea cosy.
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We were right at home in this house.
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Pantry shelves
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The twins & myself outside the museum.
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We had a hunt round a few of the antique shops in our local town.
I was so pleased to find this beautiful 1940's or 1950's tea set.
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Some vintage finds found in our local antique shop.
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The hens are back to laying with the longer days.
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Fairy cakes for the children's lunches.
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With so many eggs we have had a few quiches, I always bake the quiche recipe in the Darling Buds of May cook book.
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Sidney had his 12th birthday at the end of February, how the years have flown.
He loves chocolate.
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Sidney's birthday tea.
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Apple Cinnamon Muffins.
These are a family favourite.
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Mix with a fork
9 ozs plain flour.
3 tsp baking powder.
2 tsp mixed spice.
4 ozs white sugar.
Then mix wet ingredients together.
5 floz milk.
3 floz vegetable oil.
1 egg.
Fold into dry ingredients.
add 6 oz of finely chopped apple.
pour into muffin cases, sprinkle with soft brown sugar & bake for 20 minutes at 375/390.
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Rearranging the kitchen dresser.
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I made Delia Smith's Chocolate Almond cake a couple of weeks ago for the first time, the children loved it.
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Saturday teatime.
Crisps are a treat on a Saturday.
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Another vintage tea cosy started while Bobby is enjoying the warmth of the fire.
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My family gave me this pretty Mothering Sunday cake.
So pretty with teapot & flowers.
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A rustic cob loaf for tea the other week, we had it with homemade leek & potato soup.
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Making patchwork dolls quilts for the twins for their Easter gifts.
I am using some vintage fabrics & vintage buttons.
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I am going to end this post with some wonderful news.
Early this morning our beautiful daughter gave birth to a little girl. I gave birth to Amy 22 years ago & now at the age of 22 she has given birth to her daughter. Amy & Dan are going to perfect parents, they have so much love to give to this precious little girl. I am so proud of them both & so happy for them.
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Thank you dear readers for your lovely comments, I appreciate them all.
Fondly Michelle.
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