Breakfast & English Muffins

These muffins almost became an in progress moment when I sat down and forgot

what I was doing thankfully the 'caramalised' muffin smell got my attention

 

When I woke up on Saturday I knew I wanted something nice for breakfast and decided that I'd either make muffins for breakfast or eggs Benedict, thought both may be too much so early.

I made half the recipe as I realised 20 muffins

might be too much for the two of us

 

I founds this recipe from AllRecipes for English muffins and decided these would be lovely with butter, fruit and a coffee... And they were!

When I was doing my shopping list I thought I should get something nice to go with them this morning (Sunday) I thought eggs Benedict but after Duff telling me on 'Best Thing I Ever Made' told me the first time I made hollandaise it would be crap, I thought I'd wait for a weekend when I had plenty time and eggs.



So then I thought Rachel Khoo's Croque Madame Muffins but because I had already made the English Muffins I looked at baked egg recipes on Pinterest and I found this recipe.

The baked eggs were SO easy and tasty I may leave out the Parmesan next time

as I used prosciutto and it is salty enough

 

I think these would be perfect for Christmas morning.. What do you normally have for breakfast on Christmas Day?

Movie Moment

 

It's Sunday, I've completed my checklist, its horrible and wintry outside and I'm ready for bed but it's too early ... What to do?

Almost didn't want to pop it as it is a really bonnie colour

 

Well if you are me and my flatmate you stick on a movie. But I have a little addiction I am not proud of, I love popcorn!

Slightly disappointed it wasn't blue or darker after popping

but it was super tasty

 

The other weekend I was at a friends deli in Stromness (Bayleaf Delicatessen) and bought an amazing array of goodies including these blue popcorn kernels.

      

My Favourite popcorn has a mixture of sweet and salty, I used Beyond the Picket Fence's recipe and it was really nice and so simple to make. I thoroughly recommend popping into the deli and getting some if you are local!!!

Practically Perfect Children in Need

I LOVE dressing up, even more so when I get to make the costume.

My earliest fancy dress memory is me as a witch and my sister as a scarecrow for Hallowe'en. Since then I'm been a bat, a mermaid (I was obsessed with Ariel), a skeleton, Pocahontas, a clown and many many more.

At the school our theme is From the Movies and I knew what I was gonna be straight away, as I hadn't gotten to dress up this Hallowe'en I decided to use it for CIN.

First time making a circle skirt and I'm shocked

 that I managed it as easily as I did

 

I was really lucky to get to see Mary Poppins on Broadway last October and after seeing the Pinterest photo I knew it was a must.

This is Day 2, skirt is finished bar the hem and the shirt has the ruffles

pinned to it to see what it would look like

I started off by making the skirt, I used a tutorial from A Pair & A Spare's blog but made it a little longer to work (although I do plan to take it up so that I can wear it after). I also used youtube to help me make sure I was doing the zip correctly.

The finished skirt, a little too big but I will wear it again

 

Then I started on the blouse, I was shocked how hard it was to find a white blouse in the charity shops, but eventually I got one in the Red Cross which was 'off' white but fit and the neck line wasn't too low. I had planned to pin the ruffles to the front until I spoke to the lady in the fabric grotto who said she had previously made a Mary Poppin costume and used the shirt backwards so I tried this and it does look more like Mary P.

The finished shirt, kinda want to do this to other shirts

 

The next step was to to accessorise ... what would Mary Poppins be without her umbrella, hat and carpet bag?

 

I had the offer of a carpet bag but sadly they couldn't find it and I had no time to make one too so I settled for a woven bag I had gotten from Accessorize, years ago.

 

Ran out of time to make cherries but it still looks cute

 

I was most concerned about sourcing the umbrella but after hunting high and low in the Blue Door Charity shop, the assistant pointed at the only umbrellas they had and this multi-coloured one wasna too shabby.

Sadly my umbrella does not talk

 

The parrot handle was easier than imagined I first started with head shape, I used papier-mache to do this then glues the green feathers on. The beak was completed at the 11th hour, after forgetting black card, but I am brally proud of the outcome.

 

The school did really well this year for Children in Need and raised approximately £3,125. What did you do for Children in  Need this year?

Secret Craft Fair Mission

Aamos Design Cupcake Pin Cushions ... beautifully made ;o)

 

It is no secret to Facebook or twitter that my sister Emma, Aamos Designs, has been working her socks off for the past month to make stock for this years Christmas Craft Fair.

Also got to celebrate my cousins recent engagement

... ching ching

I thought that she may appreciate a wee visitor and helper. So I booked a flight home to Shetland to surprise her... And although it was touch and go for a while, we managed to do it.

 

My welcome Party were very happy to see me

I keep forgetting to take cash but I think that was a good thing because I managed to work out a wee list of things I'd like.


Here's some of the beautiful crafts I found ...

I love my red hair slide by Donna Smith Designs

 thinking maybe mustard yellow and navy next

I have always wanted a sheep skin rug, and theses ones

 by Shetland Sheepskin Products  are amazing

 

Hoping to go back in and buy this today, pin cushion by Ella Gordon

 ...LOVE the colour and need it for currently quilting project

 

Of course there were lots of gorgeous Burra Bears

 

Pink Fish Christmas tree decoration, super cute

I may also pop back today for one last look ... Open 11am to 5pm today so pop doon to Clickimin for a look!!!

£1 Blackberries

Served warm over frozen yoghurt ... mmmmmm!

 

When at the shop I noticed a bargain but had so many other things going on in the kitchen they got ignored ...

So quick to make - 30 mins max

So I found this recipe for Blackberry & Brandy Sauce on allrecipes.com and thought it must be fate considering I had leftover brandy from the stroganoff.

I'm thinking Sunday pancakes

Really easy - you have got to try it ...let me know how you get on!

Jamie's Beef Stroganoff

 

I was late getting into Jamie's 15 minute meals on channel 4 (mainly cause I'm not home till after half past) but discovered it on a Sunday catch-up and am now sky+ing it everyday now.

Sorry for blurred photos when I realised it was 15 minutes in and I still had to cook the

beef I decided photos wouldn't slow me fown too much

 

All the recipes have looked good but when I saw his Stroganoff I thought I must try that... Gherkins, Steak and Paprika ... It had to be delicious!

This recipe is for 4 but mine could serve 6 people quite happily

 

Well I have to admit it took me a little longer than 15 minutes (double :0s) but I am determined to keep making it though as I think with more practice it could be a good dinner party dish.

I won't lie I did pick away at the jar of gherkins while

cooking but only took up 2 mins max

Me and Murray (my flatmate) are now lying back with full bellies watching strictly.

...Has anyone tried any of the other recipes from this serious, please comment or tweet me as I am keen to buy the book and try more?