Getting Nostalgic...

So, checking the weather for this weekend, and the outlook is bleak... I have just the thing to cheer you up and maybe bring back some memories of childhood...

Whilst having my clear out this week, I came across an old birthday present from a good friend of mine...'Balloon Flowers'...a kit containing tons of shaping balloons, a pump, and instructions.

My sister and I decided to have some fun, although after quite some time attempting the flowers and getting nowhere, we had a look online for some tutorials...and this is what we finished up with...

These are the better few of our attempts...but I'd say for first timers, we did pretty well!

Click on the links to find out how to make your own...

... Heart

... Poodle

... and a rather questionable looking Elephant

We had some great fun creating these, and it gave us the chance, in all our growing up, to feel like kids again!!

I am now looking forward to making some more this weekend with my Sam - I know he'll enjoy himself just as much as we did.  

Why don't you give it a go, for something different to do this wet weekend.  For your balloon modelling kit, the best place I have found is Here.

Enjoy!

x ♥ x

Rainy Days...

On this cold rainy day, who wants to leave the house? Not me, that's for sure.  Here's a rainy day activity that's sure to sweeten your afternoon.

Cranberry Biscuits

These delicious thick cut fruity biscuits, with a delightful melting texture from the cranberries, taste heavenly dunked into a warm cup of tea on a wet drizzly day like today.

To make 24 biscuits, all you will need is:

1 Egg 

1 Lemon (zest)

1 tsp Mixed Spice

75g Semi Dried Cranberries (Craisins)

125g Butter

125g Caster Sugar (plus a little extra to sprinkle)

175g Plain Flour

Step 1.

Sift the flour and mixed spice into a large mixing bowl.  Gradually add in chunks of the butter and massage in with your finger tips.  Once you have added all the butter, stir in the sugar, lemon zest and cranberries.

Step 2.

Beat the egg in a separate bowl, and add to the mixture.  Mix together until you have a firm dough.

Step 3.

Lightly flour you worktop and turn out the dough.  Knead for no longer than 5 minutes, and the shape your dough into a cylinder shape of roughly 20cm in length x 5cm wide.  Wrap your dough in cling film and chill in the fridge for 1 hour.

Step 4.

Preheat your oven to gas 5 (190C/375F).  Unwrap the chilled dough and slice into 5mm thick slices.  Lay your biscuits out onto a sheet of baking paper on a baking tray.  Make sure they are evenly spaced out.  Bake for 15 minutes, or until they are a pale golden colour.

Step 5. 

Leave to cool for a few minutes, sprinkle with a little caster sugar and place on a wire rack to cool completely.

Your biscuits are ready for dunking...Enjoy

x ♥ x