Today is a day I have been looking forward to for nearly two weeks - the day of the 'Chic Vintique' fair at Richmond Town Hall. I got myself up at the appropriate time, made bacon rolls for myself and my darling husband which I took upstairs to bed, got myself and Lucy ready and headed off at just the right time to get there for the 9:30am opening.
Well ... disappointment doesn't even start to cover it. The fair was, quite simply, rubbish. There were only about 5 stalls which had anything of any age and the rest were stalls selling modern jewellery and candles ! Even those stalls with vintage items had nothing to tempt us ... no nice crocheted tea cosies or china wire fox terriers ... no floral dresses or beautiful scarves. It was all quite dreadful. And certainly not worth the petrol money there or the 50p admission fee !
When we returned I decided the only way forward was to throw myself headlong into baking. So, I made another batch of this lovely granola:-
350g jumbo oats
100g pumpkin seeds
20g sunflower seeds
100g whole blanched almonds
75g dessicated coconut
1 teaspoon of ginger and 1 teaspoon of nutmeg
4 tablespoons of coconut oil (I have to use butter as I can never find coconut oil, even at Sainsburys)
4 tablespoons of maple syrup
100g raisins
the grated rind of one orange
And a Lemon Drizzle Cake to take to work on Tuesday in an attempt to wow my new colleagues with my baking skills:-
225g soft margarine (I always use 'Stork')
225 caster sugar
275g self-raising flour
2 teaspoons of baking powder
4 eggs
2 tablespoons of milk
the juice of half a lemon
the grated rind of two lemons
And for the crunchy lemon topping:-
100g caster sugar
the juice of one lemon
I love baking with fresh lemon - the scent of the zest is so rich and beautiful and conjures up sunny afternoons in Italy !
I'm looking forward to trying a piece of cake later with a cup of tea :)
I'm looking forward to trying a piece of cake later with a cup of tea :)
Do you like this little decoration I bought for our kitchen ?! I bought it from one of my favourite shops, Dovetail interiors in Bedale ...
While I was baking B went up the allotment and came back with these lovely goodies ...
We're about to light the BBQ so I shall wish you all a happy Sunday evening. I hope your Sunday has been as sunny and productive as mine.
Fiona x
Oh I'm drooling now at that Lemon Cake - I think I shall have to make one today.
ReplyDeleteAs for Coconut Oil - Tesco sells it . .http://www.tesco.com/groceries/product/search/?searchBox=coconut%20oil
I share your disappointment at the NON Vintage Fair; my village holds a regular monthly 'Antiques & Collectors' fair, but I was sadly disappointed with that, even though it's a large affair taking up 2 rooms in our Community Hall. Same old, same old . . . My one purchase was a tiny silver mustard spoon, which reminded me of days gone by when Mum had a frosted glass pot for the mustard (Colman's mustard powder mixed with a few drops of milk) and a little silver spoon very similar to the one I bought.
I've never used it; it's still wrapped in the tissue paper, but I do take it out and look at it every now and then. I think I will start to use it.
Hello Rambler (not sure of your real name ... are you Rosie?),
DeleteThanks for your message and tip about the coconut oil :) The lemon cake is super easy to make. You basically pre-heat the oven to 180 degrees, mix everything together in a bowl (I use my electric hand whisks to mix) and pop in the oven for about 35 mins. While it's baking mix the lemon juice and sugar for the topping and then pour it over while the cake is still hot, a few minutes after it's come out of the oven.
Vintage fairs can be such a disappointment. Your little mustard spoon sounds great though - photos please !!
Thanks for the full recipe - and photo of my little mustard spoon coming up on my blog soon. x
DeleteOh yes - I am Rosie/Rosemary/ Mum/Grandma and many more!
Thanks so much for visiting me today at Delights of the Heart. I read another blog from your area of the world and now a second one. Next year my husband and I are visiting York where I am looking forward to having tea at Betty's. Sorry the sale was a disappointment, but the goodies from the kitchen do look quite wonderful.
ReplyDeletewhat a productive day! I love making granola, as you can adapt the recipe to include all your favourite things and it is healthy too!
ReplyDelete