September Days

September brings a a sense of expectation for me. I look forward to closing the curtains against the dark, lighting the fire and putting on cozy socks for the first time this autumn. September is a time of opportunity. The time for English apples, making damson gin, preserving and pickling and making the most of the last of the summer flowers. This is the time of year I need to 'play house', make us cosy and warm and nothing makes me cosier than cooking and baking.





I love buying cookbooks. Many are packed away at present as we decorate our study(spare bedroom) but there is nothing lovlier than curling up on the sofa with a favourite cookbook. My very favourite at the moment is this by lovley Lotte Duncan.



Any blogger who loves vintage will ooh and aah over this book. Not only are the recipes mouthwateringly good but it is a feast for the eyes as well. The pictures show the food photographed in Lotte's beautiful cottage and garden. Believe me you'll pick this book up again and again and love every minute of it.



I loved this plum cake I made from it.



Another favourite at the moment is the Popina baking book. Try the chocolate cookies from here - the best I've ever made.





Young Master F has a real passion for cupcakes and I think I could make these from memory now.



And of course yuo have to make the most of the strawberries whilst there is still a hint of warmth before Sunday lunch return to the ritual of fruit crumbles.



Whilst I witter on about baking and food. Has anyone been watching The Great British Bake Off? I've loved watching this series but I was so disappointed with the final. I didn't like losing one contestant after the first challenge and felt that some of the comments directed at one of the contestants was so unfair. I was with Mary Berry - I so wanted Miranda to get through. Her lemony cupcakes were just the thing for afternoon tea. I'd love to know what you think.

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!