Friday 18 July 2008

Blankets & a Recipe




A couple of months ago, Lucy at Attic24 blogged about the festival blankets that she found in her local Oxfam shop and I was smitten! Apparently, they are knitted from donated wool and sold by Oxfam at festivals such as Glastonbury. I don't remember them from my days at Reading and Donnington but that was in nineteen hundred and frozen to death. Well, after seeing Lucy's blankets I felt I just had to have some (you know that feeling don't you?) and ever since I've been popping into our local Oxfam store once or twice a week with absolutely no luck at all. I was beginning to think I was never going to see them and was planning to hit all the Oxfam shops in Cornwall next month! Then eureka! Last week I actually found some. I must say that I was quite relieved because I'm sure that the old dears at the till thought they had some shoplifter lurking behind their shelves up to no good!

I couldn't believe my luck and of course I couldn't walk away with just one. I had to get two because I know that Josh, almost in Year 8 now at school loves a blanket to keep cosy in. I did think that perhaps the other one would be used to leave in the car for picnics and days out - no chance - it has stayed firmly in my bedroom and goes around my shoulders when I'm reading in bed.

Josh wraps his around him in the cool evenings whilst he's on the Playstation or computer and insists that it lives, folded at the bottom of his bed. Rob doesn't quite understand it but leaves us to indulge our funny little ways. I'm sure he'll want one for the winter when we can no longer afford to run the central heating LOL.


Thank you Lucy for bringing them to our attention.

A few weeks ago I mentioned that I'd made lemon curd in the microwave. A few people have asked for the recipe and I've finally thought about writing it up for you. Sorry ladies! It is very quick and makes roughly 2lb.
Ingredients
finely grated rind and juice of 4 large lemons
4 eggs, beaten
8oz caster sugar
4oz butter, diced

Method

Put the lemon rind into a large heatproof bowl. MIx the juice with the eggs and strain into the bowl. Stir in the sugar, then add the butter.

Cook on high for 5-6 minutes or until the curd is thick, whisking well every minute.

Continue whisking until the mixture is cool. It will thicken as it cools. Our into hot sterilized jars. Store in the fridge for upto 2-3 weeks.

Times are based on a 650 watt microwave so you may need to adjust those. As long as you stir every minute you won't go wrong! It's great as a filling in sponge cakes or as a flavouring in ice-cream. Or you can do as my friend does and eat it straight from the jar!

15 comments:

Louise said...

I was hoping we would get the lemon curd recipe, thanks so much for publishing it! I haven't ever come across these blankets, I will make an effort to look next time I am in Oxfam. The bright colours are very attractive to the eye. x

Alchamillamolly said...

Thanks for visiting me and leaving a comment. We are papering this weekend and at last LA Percy is going on the wall. We are getting there slowly - after we have carpeted in here we are having a break - Well after we have boarded the loft out and cleared the conservatory of its 43 boxes!!

julia said...

Thanks for popping by. I love those blankets, I feel a visit to Oxfam coming!
Julia x

JuicyFig said...

I haven't heard of festival blankets - cool idea, and glad you managed to get hold of some!

And I love lemon curd, but am giving up food - so shaln't read your recipe! ;~)

Kath
x

This Vintage Life... said...

Great blanket - I didn't know about 'festival' blankets either. I have a thing about crocheted blankets...In fact, I've bought two this week - naughty!

Vintage to Victorian said...

If you have a minute pop over to my blog and collect an award! I may not comment very often but I thoroughly enjoy your posts.

Sue

Sandra Evertson said...

Fabulous!
Sandra

Elizabeth said...

Great finds! I only ever find 70's orange and brown acrylic afghan horrors at my thrift shop.
Must try the lemon curd recipe.
Lisa at Knitty, Vintage and Rosy sent me over.

Amongst The Oaks said...

Oh, thany you for the recipe. I'll make it right away and put it in the old jar I saved. Maybe the Lord of the Manor won't even notice, but maybe he will because it will be so much nicer than the store-bought.
I'm enjoying your blog immensely.
Laura

Anonymous said...

oh I am going to try the lemon curd recipe, sounds easy

so love those Oxfam blankets!

Pipany said...

Hello there. I will put some sun on order for your holiday but Cornwall is currently undergoing a deluge phase so no promises! As for the Cornish Oxfam shops - not sure what phase they are going through...groan! xx

Country Cottage Chic said...

We have piles of knitted & crochet blankets & everybody snuggles up with then in winter (including the dogs & cats!)

Anonymous said...

OH WONDERFUL!!! I'm so so glad you got a couple eventually, I must say your ones are quite a bit nicer than mine in terms of colours, but hey, I still love mine!

I was telling a friend about them a few weeks back and her Oxfam didn't have them either, so she ended up driving the 50 miles over to my town to buy one for her camping trip!

So glad to be spreading the blankety goodness around the country, you can never have too many blankets.
x

Shropshire Girl said...

Love the blankets, I have not seen them in any Oxfam around here unfortunately.

I have been making lemon curd this week - I was getting inundated with eggs and it is my favourite way of using up the excess.

Sandra.

Becca McCallum said...

Thank-you so much for that recipe - I will have to try that as soon as I get my hands on two more lemons!

I've enjoyed reading your blog so I thought I'd leave a comment.