Early Autumn days

Having just returned from  our summer holiday in Cornwall, it seems Autumn is teasingly hanging in the air. I am not complaining.

Cooler temperatures - very welcome. Rain.  Garden needs it. A few blustery days. An excuse to stay in and crochet;)  Cooler darker evenings.... LOVE. I have even lit candles and had the blankies out. Isn't it just delicious? Autumn is my favourite time of year.

Having said that, it was very warm out today and felt good on my skin again. Maybe summer will stay a little longer... I don't mind.

This weekend being cold and rainy scuppered my plans to go blackberry picking so what to do? Hubby was hinting heavily about wanting to make an apple pie with the apple haul from our tree.

 Sadie picked them all  a few days before whilst battling spiders in her hair!

 So a baking day it was. Hubby peeled the apples and Sadie helped roll the pastry,

I referenced this recipe from here and it was delicious, but added more cinnamon as we like it here. A LOT.

Egg washing

Piling in

The smell was just heavenly when it was baking. I think Yankee candle need to make this one.

                                                          The verdict was delicious!!

Talking of Yankee's I ordered two at the weekend and they arrived this afternoon :)

The first is called Lake sunset and it is just gorgeous, it smells like a holiday, it has a coconutty, musky sweetness, slight hint of patchouli, and is like a late summers eve. It's really hard to describe. I just love it.

The second is Christmas memories. (Sorry for the C word) There was no way I could resist trying this! Oh my goodness it is divine, and gives a really good throw of scent.  Gingerbread baking in the oven, mince pies, cloves and a hint of orange, delicious!  It has been put away out of sight now and will come out on Dec 1st and not before. ;)

                   So back to the bake off for now, Lulu's cosy on my lap under her blankie.

Enjoy the rest of the summer everyone. :)

Rainy October...Halloween fun!

Rain, rain, and more rain, so far this month! I really love the autumn (when its dry!) the damp is horrible, it just takes a bit of getting used to, being stuck in so much, after the glorious summer we have had. But  yay!we have all the festivities to look foward to, Halloween, Bonfire night, and Christmas.. dare I mention it yet?

Saturday was a mega busy day, we layed laminate in our lounge, WOW what a killer that was, hubby and myself are hobbling about, like we are both 85! both have a dodgy back now! Still its a job well done, and we will be warm for winter with no draughts.

Whilst hubby was laying floor , I had a cooking fest, and  made a scrummy chicken chorizo, and chick pea casserole, with  home made foccacia with red onion, and rosemary (sorry no pics, because I forgot, what with all the commotion! ) but MY it was fabulous! Definitely be making it again, a real peasant dish with max flavours, it was so good to tuck into after all that hard work.  I did take some pics of the choc chip muffins I made, they were very good too! I only had 1 of course.;) 

Choc chip muffins

I then took daughter to park,  as weather was quite pleasant , we found conkers, fed the ducks, went squirrel spotting, and daughter got filthy on the slide as she went down head first at least 15 times!

Conker stash





Vampy inspired  dress!

 I am really looking foward to Halloween, my stepmum revels in this celebration in a big way, so is throwing a BIG bash this year, it is fancy dress (compulsory, or no entry)  I am NOT one for dressing up, I always feel really silly, think its for kids! but this year i'm wholeheartedly going the whole hog,and going for the black gothic bride look, make up, hair and all, (pics to follow) daughter is going to pumpkin carving the week before, and we have got her a cute little witch outfit,with broom, and I will paint her face green. Whether I get my man dressing up is another thing, I may have to bribe him...                                                   


Loving this gothic make up!

I'm going to HAVE to make some spooky cupcakes, to take  to the kids party I never need an excuse to make them, I LOVE, LOVE making cupcakes, so much more fun, and more intricate than everyday baking, I wish we had a local cake suppliers shop, I hate paying the extortionate delivery prices online, just for a few sprinkles, decorative bits and bobs, etc, so will have to drive 10 miles or so to a good one that always has everthing I need, and stock up!  Have found some fab ideas online, here are some I may steal ideas from!









Black and orange combos

 



Spooky spiders

What's the betting I get roped into doing 100 + cakes for adult party, hmmm......