Learning to drive

I was just looking back to my post from last year Time for a change . BOY!  Was I eager to get my lessons started, but didn't have the means then.

I started in November just gone, so have nearly 3 months under my belt, I've had 16 lessons with my instructor. She is brilliant, I recommend her highly!  I feel very relaxed with her.  http://www.jaynessom.co.uk/

Last Saturday I bought my first little car, a black KA, and I love her! She is called Betty, an old girl at 14 years. She has done 65,000 miles, and runs really well. I Can't believe how much the insurance is though!!

  I'm now at a level where I'm ready to go out with my hubby at weekends to practise, and that is exactly what I have done. I totalled up 7 hours this past week, so has really brought me on, it's very tiring though. I'm still finding roundabouts a bit tricky, and traffic lights at crossroads. I find some manoeuvres are a bit difficult, but my reversing/parallel parking is getting better. Practise is the key, this is the hardest most challenging thing I've EVER done. I wonder when I will be ready to take my test? I suppose you just 'know'? I SO SO want to pass first time, hope my nerves don't get the better of me!

I'm dreaming of my freedom in the months to come, and that is keeping me going!

Here she is... Black Betty. Not bad for an old banger hey?

A bit of T cut, spit and polish and came up lovely!

' What's for dessert Mum? '

Well today it is Victoria sponge very distastefully decorated with icing sugar, coconut, glace cherries and silver balls with a few sprinkles for good measure. I know this will appeal to the 4 year old :)

This is my first Bake since Christmas, I think mince pies were my last offering.. I have been refraining from baking to give everyone's waistlines a chance to return to normal. Eldest son is always the one to say ''what's for dessert mum? Even though he Say's he's following a fairly strict high protein diet, as he's trying to bulk up muscle, being a rugby player. He complains if I don't make cakes and if I do, because he is the greediest child  of the 3,and would eat 3/4 of it if could! He is a bottomless pit, whose hunger is never satisfied...

  So a treat for my brood today then. ( I do secretly get withdrawals from baking too ;) )

This is so simple to make and it suprises me that so many people can epicly fail.  I've been watching the Sports relief bake off and find myself shouting at the screen in frustration at the way the contestants make sponges, 'You HAVE to add some liquid be it milk or water or you will have dry cake! '
  Henry-son 2, say's' you should go on there mum'. I would if were expert at baking bread but sadly I'm not, Tis one thing I want to perfect.

Anyway here is my way of making Victoria sponge: All in one method- Referenced from Delia.

6oz SF flour
1 tsp baking powder
6oz butter or stork
6oz Cater sugar
Tsp vanilla extract
3 large eggs
4 floz milk
Set Oven to gas 3 160 c
Grease and line 2  X 6 inch sandwich tins with greaseproof paper

Sift the flour and baking powder from a height  into a large mixing bowl.

Add all of the other ingredients, and whisk on highest setting for 1 minute, or longer if by hand.

Spoon out equally into the sandwich tins and bake for approx 30 mins until slightly golden and firm to the touch.


You can fill with  Jam ,buttercream, whipped cream, whatever you fancy, and same for your topping.

My friend  was asking people on FB  the other day, Is it dessert? Pudding, Afters? What's your preference?

My take on Coronation Chicken.

This is one of my favourite ways to eat leftover chicken. There are so many versions of this, but this is my own adaptation. I'm not a fan with raisins in it :( Use your imagination and add the things you like. Brilliant for Lo Carbers!

Good uses are:

Nice lunch with a crisp green salad, or or in a warm baguette/ Tortilla wrap/Sandwich filler.

Also good as a jacket potato topping.


Incorporated into a  cold buffet,  on Bruschetta, Vol au vent filler.



You can vary ingredients used, as to what you may have in fridge/cupboard.

You will need :

Cold chicken/turkey
1/2 onion fried
Mayonnaise/Natural yogurt/Greek yogurt/Creme Fraiche-whatever you have that may need using up.
Mild curry powder
Fresh coriander
Teaspoon Bringal pickle or mango chutney.
Few chopped nuts, walnuts and unsalted toasted cashews are good. *leave out if you don't like*

Mix all of the above,  with the nuts and fresh coriander.

YUM!!