English Rock Cakes with Orange Drizzle

I have friends who cook and bake all the time, not me, I cook enough for my family! But when I do cook or bake, I always turn to old favorites. My 'go to' recipes that I can rely on to always turn out well. I like recipes that are quick, easy and inexpensive to make. Rock cakes are a good standby of mine, a favorite of my children and great to take anywhere.

 

This morning I decided to try something different with the recipe. I added fresh orange juice, and that one additional ingredient lifted my 'old' recipe into something new. I am so happy to share this with you all!

 

 

ROCK CAKES

2 cups self rising flour
3oz butter - softened
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup raisins
1 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
Orange zest - about 2 teaspoons
1 egg - well beaten

Pre-heat the oven to 400F/Gas 6, and line a baking sheet with parchment paper (this saves a lot of washing up!)

Put the raisins into a small bowl, cover with the orange juice and leave them to soak.

Place the flour into a bowl and rub in the softened butter until you have a  mixture that resembles fine breadcrumbs. Add in the sugar and the orange zest. Drain the raisins and add them into the bowl, mixing until the fruit is coated with the flour. Beat the egg and add 3 tablespoons of orange juice. Add the egg mixture to the bowl and mix to a soft dough. Spoon small heaps onto the baking tray and transfer to the oven for about 12-15 minutes until the tops are a light, golden brown.

 

DRIZZLE

 

Mix together confectioner's sugar and orange juice until well blended and a nice runny consistency, not too thin, and not too thick!! Drizzle over the cooled rock cakes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Enjoy, with a cuppa of course!

 

Wendy

 

 

 

 

Wallpaper

I haven't blogged for a few weeks, there's this thing called 'employment' that continues to intrude into my social life. But the past few days have found me itching to get back onto the blog again. And today you may be surprised by what I am about to say!

 

I really like wallpaper!

 

Not everyone will agree with me, and lately there has been a greater interest in using paint and paint effects to decorate walls, but wallpaper really does have its place. If you are considering creating a cozy, country haven for yourself, somewhere to relax and rest. Somewhere you can curl up with a good book (and a cuppa of course) then you can't go far wrong than to start out with some of the beautiful papers that are available now.

Contemporary florals and leaf trails in the palest of colors, create a country cottage look no matter where you put them.  Because of their light background they also keep a fresh feel to the room, perfect with white furnishings.

 

Imagine this soft red paper on one wall of your dining room, even a smaller room can take a darker color. Ask me how I know! Your dining room will be warm and inviting, glasses and china will glow softly in the evening light. Your guests will want to linger over their meal, enjoying both the conversation and the warm, cozy room you have created.

If you aren't too sure about committing to wallpaper, if you are worried about making that leap, how about adding some to the back of your book cases  to add a modern, and colorful accent to your room? Or cover a large canvas with a striking paper and hang it over your sofa as a piece of art.

 

Anaglypta papers are a great way to add texture and pattern to your room, without having to embrace a large or busy pattern. Left unpainted, they are light and clean, but painted with your favorite colors, they add definition and are perfect for hiding imperfections on older walls!

  

 There are so many wonderful papers available now, suitable for both bathrooms and kitchens. Able to cope with steam and mess they look attractive and add warmth, softness and atmosphere to rooms that can be cold and hard. And believe me, these are not your mom's papers!

 

Don't think that paint, or plain walls are your only option in your home. Wallpaper is beautiful, functional, easy to put up - ask me how I know - and lasts for a long time. Ask the Victorians, the Chinese (who started it all) and visit any historic home in Britain and you will see wallpaper in every room!

 

 

 

 

 

 Wendy

 

 

 

 

 

http://www.wallpaperdirect.com/

http://www.cypresshomedecor.com/.    

 

 

 

Queso Chicken

This is the ULTIMATE comfort food recipe. Have you ever combined two really great things to make an even greater thing? Chicken fried chicken and a really good queso blanco, two staples from my childhood in Texas begging to be united. 

Look close, closer, do you see its gooey cheesy goodness covering all that awesome chicken crispiness? It's as delicious as it looks and simple to make, in fact, you may already have the ingredients at home.

This recipe makes a slightly larger then necessary batch of queso so that you can have it as a side for tortilla chips, or vegetables. 

April

Queso Chicken

 

Ingredients for the chicken:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp seasoned salt 
• 4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves
• 1 cup of milk
• 1/4 cup Canola oil

 Ingredients for the Queso Blanco:

• 1 cup Monterey Jack cheese 
• 1/4 cup salsa
• 1/4 cup half-and-half
• 1/2 tsp minced garlic
•  1/2 teaspoon salt

Directions:

Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. In one bowl, combine flour and seasoned salt. Pour milk into another bowl. Using tongs, dip chicken breasts first in milk, then in flour coating both sides of the chicken breast, shake off excess flour. Add the chicken to the skillet. Repeat with each breast, being careful not to crowd the pan.

Cook chicken breasts for approximately 10 minutes on each side or until chicken is no longer pink in the center and juices run clear.  Once done, drain breasts on a plate covered with paper towels. 

Put all queso ingredients into a double boiler and turn heat to medium. Cook until melted and well blended, stirring with a wooden spoon. 

 

Place chicken on individual plates and smother with queso.

Tile My World, Softly

Once there was a small boy and a bottle of red nail polish......

You know where I'm going here!!  I've never before cried over spilled milk like this.  I had just installed an expensive floor-to-floor carpet in my bedroom.  Just days later, my two year old was playing in my bathroom cabinet while I was doing my makeup.  He pulled out my red nail polish and with the care and diligence of a two year old, proceeded to drop it on the tile floor.  Of course, it shattered and sprayed red polish onto my new (and did I say "expensive") carpet.  I really did cry.... like a baby!  I'm a bit ashamed to admit that, but I guess I just did.  Unfortunately, there was no fix, and I had to replace the whole thing!

This is one of the inherent problems with traditional wall-to-wall laid carpet.  I have a solution to offer for those who love the comfort of carpet, but dislike the installment and care requirements, not to mention the lack of variety and intrigue traditional carpet has to offer.

This is a product that gets me excited every time I talk about it!  I've been using them in my own home for six years.

Carpet tiles have come a long way, Baby! 

 

Every texture, every color, every style can be found in a versatile, interchangeable carpet tile fit for a dressed up barn to a queen's palace.

 

The glory of carpet tiles is in their versatility and ease of assembly and care.  You can place them in any room in any format and size to achieve a truly one-of-a-kind, designed by you, flooring that will enhance your décor in just the right way.  They can be placed on any floor surface.  In fact, I even cut some to fit my stair treads.  Anything you can think of, you can do it with carpet tiles.

 

The only company I know that makes carpet tiles specifically for the home is Flor.  Its website (www.flor.com) is chock full of room galleries for design inspiration.  For the ultra creative types, the website boasts a FlorBuilder tool to create just what you imagine (or what you didn't!).  Many a night I have been found fiddling with the tool for an hour or more just to see what I could concoct.  Professional design assistance via phone and online is available, and storefronts exist throughout the country.

 

Did I say how easy they are to clean?!?  You can pop out a single tile, clean it and put back in place.  If too far damaged, you can simply replace the damaged tiles with new ones (hint:  Always order extra tiles).

 

My bedroom floor is now covered, wall-to-wall, in these tiles.  In other rooms I have utilized them as rugs and even stair treads.

 

Flor has created lovely vintage inspired carpet lines, like those shown here plus much more on the website.  Longer piled carpets are also available.  You can place the tiles on any flat surface.  They do not adhere to the floor, but simply to each other to stay in place.

All Flor products are made of varying degrees of renewable and recyclable material. 

 

FYI, Flor is offering 25% off your order through March 14. 

Samples can be ordered online at low cost, as well.

 

I'd love to know what you think of this product.  Check out their website at www.flor.com and write me back.

 Erin

 

French Bistro Tomato Cream Soup

My memories of France, the Loire Valley in particular, encompass lazy weekends, warm sunshine, trying out  my very poor French on the locals and wondering if opening  a bottle of wine at 10 am was acceptable (it was!) There’s nothing more enjoyable than eating lunch outside while watching the world go by. And this creamy tomato soup, served with warm crusty bread always makes me feel like I am back at my favorite bistro in France.

I hope you enjoy it as much as I do! ~ Wendy

French Bistro Tomato Cream Soup

4 Servings

Ingredients:

2 Tablespoons unsalted butter

1/2 cup diced onion 

1-28oz can of diced tomatoes

1 cup of good quality chicken stock

1 cup of half and half

*optional 1 tbsp of fresh chopped basil leaves for a creamy tomato basil soup

Melt butter in a 3 quart heavy bottomed saucepan over medium heat. Add onions and saute for 2 minutes, until tender. Add tomatoes, chicken stock, half and half, and also the fresh basil if using. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from heat. Using an immersion/stick blender, blend soup until smooth. Serve with crusty bread

Castle Howard

If you take the A64 heading west from the coast and inland towards York, your eye will be drawn to the sight of acres of lush green parkland, and in the distance you will see the rooftops of Castle Howard.*

One of the grandest private residences in Britain, Castle Howard was built between 1699 and 1712 for the 3rd Earl of Carlisle. It is not a true castle as this term is often used to describe English country houses that were built after the castle-building era of c.1500. Building work began in 1699 but completion of the house took over a hundred years. 

The Turquoise Drawing, refurbished in 2002 in a turquoise damask specially designed and woven for Castle Howard, is filled with portraits by notable artists such as Gainsborough and Joshua Reynolds.  

One of the two formal bedrooms on display to visitors, Lady Georgiana's bedroom and the lovely dressing room beside it, evoke the life and times of Lady Georgiana Howard. Lady Georgiana, the daughter of the 5th Duke and Duchess of Devonshire, married George Howard, later the 6th Earl of Carlisle, in 1801. In the 1830s these rooms were part of the Earl and Countess' private apartments.

The passage from Lady Georgiana's bedroom and dressing room leads to another dressing room and bedroom, this called simply The Castle Howard bedroom. Where Lady Georgiana's Bedroom is feminine in both furnishings, and feel, the Castle Howard bedroom is decidedly male. A deliciously ornate set of toiletries sits upon a sideboard, and the writing table is drawn up, as if the resident of this room was about to sit down and pen a missive. Queen Victoria is known to have slept in the bed that graces the dressing room, when she visited Castle Howard in 1850.

Ornamental water features are used to dramatic effect in the grounds and gardens at Castle Howard. It was the 3rd Earl who started work on creating the waterways which now dominate the landscape. The Walled Garden was laid out in the early 18th century as a kitchen garden. Today part of the garden is still given over to vegetables and cut flowers but the remainder of the area has been transformed into a garden of roses, dedicated to the memory of Lady Cecilia Howard.

Check out the links I have added below, and even if you cannot get to Yorkshire today, sit down with a cuppa, and read some more about wonderful Castle Howard!

Wendy







http://www.castlehoward.co.uk/

http://www.britainexpress.com/index.htm

Does it snow in Britain?

"January brings the snow

makes our feet and fingers glow"*

 

I am often asked if we get snow in the UK. It makes me smile.

April asked me the very same question on Monday, and I went to my desk to pull out my map of the world. (I love maps, but that's another post entirely!)

 

We looked at the location of the UK and at the latitude it is on. Did you know that London is at 51.5N while Quebec is at 52N? Glasgow in Scotland sits at 55.8N. Not quite as far north as Juneau in Alaska (52.9N) but it's a good way north.

The UK doesn't get the same bitterly cold weather as they do in Canada and Alaska, but we do get snow. And winters are long and dark and dreary. Once the clocks change, which happens in the UK about a week after the US, it doesn't get light in the mornings until around 8:30 - 9:00am. We go to work in the dark and we come home in the dark because the light starts to go around 3:00pm in the afternoon.

 

However, the summer is long and light. You can sit outside on a summer evening until 10:00pm and the birds are singing and the sun is coming through the window before 4:00am in the morning. And if you hanker for some time sitting in the sun on the island of Malta, just take yourself out to LA and sit on the beach there, the latitudes are so close you could imagine you're sitting in the Mediterranean! 


The photos on this page are of the last snow I 'enjoyed' before leaving the UK and moving to America!

All that talk of snow has made me feel cold, so I'm off to make a cuppa, you coming??

Wendy


 

*Sara Coleridge

"Nesting" Springtime Centerpiece

Hello friends! 

Yesterday morning, it had just hit me that Winter is ending and  I NEEDED wanted a large and dramatic Springtime centerpiece for my dining room table, but at a "this is an unplanned and compulsive buy" price.

I was pushing a shopping cart around my local craft store with my sweet friend Wendy in tow, roaming aisles, waiting for inspiration to bite. Five ideas later, it finally did! We came across a 14 inch super twiggy wreath, very inexpensive, and a birds nest came to mind. A LARGE birds nest. Go big or go home, right? 

Give it a try! ~ April

These are my supplies, cost around $10, items available at any craft store:

2. 1. 
      
            

• 1 - Natural wreath, the really "twiggy" variety, 14 inches $2.99

•  1 - 6 inch greenStyrofoam Disc (located in the floral department) $1.95 *the 6 inch fit the center of my wreath perfectly, but I recommend holding up the wreath at the craft store and eyeballing the center of it against the foam.  You will want a tight fit, you can easily cut the foam,  shaving the sides with an exacto knife.

• 1 - pkg of preserved sheet moss, approximately 3 oz's $3.20

• 1 - pkg of plastic blue Robins eggs (or any that you prefer) $1.50 *these eggs were small, about an inch tall a piece, 12 total eggs, but you can use larger eggs or decopauged eggs, less eggs or more, etc 

• White school craft glue which I already had around the house

Instructions:

Step one:

Simply take your styrofoam disk and press it firmly into the center of the wreath. No glue needed for this step, as the foam should fit tightly into the center. You can cut the foams diameter to fit, if it is too snug. I pressed the foam to where the disk sunk down a bit in the center of the wreath, from the top, giving it a bowl/nest  shape, and elevating the bottom. 

Step Two:

Lay your moss out on your workspace, breaking it into smaller clumps.  Pour craft glue onto a disposable plate. Dabbing the bottom of each piece of moss into glue, fill in the surface of the foam. I did a thin layer in the center, and more towards where the disk met the wreath, for a natural nest shape. Do not try to be perfectly even, nature is lumpy and bumpy. Let this dry completely (a few hours). 

Step Three:

In the center of your new large nest add your decorative eggs, and anything else that you might like to display. I did not use any glue for this part because I wanted to be able to change things up over the years. My 7 year old daughter decided a momma bird needed to be in the nest, so she grabbed the one off of my kitchen window (a big gold one). Not sure I love LOVE it but my daughter's enthusiasm was precious so it stays for now.

Tip: If you are concerned with a bit of shedding from all of the natural components (nature can be  a tad messy) BEFORE step two, you can hot glue a circle of dark brown felt to the bottom of your nest, first cutting the felt to fit the diameter of the wreath.  Hot glue on the outer edge of the felt, a nice even ring, and press (glue side down) all around the wreaths edge covering the wreath bottom and foam disk. Flip the wreath over and continue to step two. Choose a felt color that is close to the color of your wreath

HAPPY SPRING!

April

Blue and white and palest lemon.........

Shabby decor encompasses many colors and designs, but for me, there is just one that says "This is shabby chic, this is comfort, this is where I want to sit."

Imagine the palest lemon painted walls, white wainscoting with a dado rail, stripped pine floorboards and pristine white net curtains billowing softly in the breeze from the open window. The sofa and chairs in blue and white, are soft and plump, with feather filled cushions that invite you to come in and sit down. Soft rugs sit beneath the seat to cushion your feet while a small table and a lamp encourage you to curl up with a book and read.

Pine shelves and cupboards display old dishes and china, many pieces collected over the years. Various patterns of blue and white china dominate. The English love affair with blue and white china began in the 18th century with the introduction of Willow Pattern china. Based on elements of the pattern, various stories were invented to promote the sale of the china.

The most famous of which tells the story of a wealthy Mandarin who had a beautiful daughter. She fell in love with a poor man, and wanted to marry him. This angered her father who banished the young man from his house and kept his daughter inside while awaiting the arrival of a powerful duke she was due to marry. However, on the night before the wedding, the young man came to 'rescue' the Mandarin's daughter and they escaped to an island where they lived happily for many years. One day, the duke found them and had them killed, but the gods, moved by their plight immortalized them as doves, eternally flying together in the sky.
 

Flow Blue, is another incredibly popular china, that also became available in the late 18th century. Many of the patterns were based on Chinese designs and the name Flow Blue came from the way the pattern was transferred onto the porcelain. Decorative patterns were applied with a paper stencil to white glazed 'blanks'. The stencils burned away in the kiln during firing, leaving behind a vivid cobalt blue color, which is the most sought after shade.

Delft blue tiles were also very popular and common in Victorian kitchens, providing a gentle hand-painted finish that contrasted so beautifully with the copper pans and skillets that hung from racks on the ceiling and glowed softly in the light from the range.

Victoria ware china, it's delicate blue and white patterns appeared on tea tables in drawing rooms through the country, serving breakfast and afternoon tea. Trays would be laid out with a teapot of black tea filled with hot water. Alongside this was a hot water jug, so that you may warm the tea and refill the pot. A sugar bowl and milk jug was also supplied along with tiny tea spoons. Madeira, Fruit or Seed cake graced the table in addition to light as air sponge Madeline's and all manner of sandwiches which were served during afternoon tea.

So come and sit down with us for a while, have a cuppa!

Wendy
 

 

Afternoon Tea

"Come along inside.............

We'll see if tea and buns can

make the world a better place.."*

 

Before I moved to live in America I was living in Scarborough, North Yorkshire, a town situated on the coast along the North Sea. It was a beautiful place to live, had two sandy bays separated by a headland with a ruined castle on top, a lighthouse and small fishing fleet. But Scarborough didn't have many large stores, so in order to get our shopping fix, my friend Shirley and I used to drive the 65 odd miles inland to the city of York.

 

We would spend our day wandering around the town, trying on new clothes, browsing the galleries and gift shops and taking time to look for bargains in the antique and collectors stores.

 

No matter what time of year we went to York, it was always busy and lively and a fun day out. And whenever we went, we had to visit Mulberry Hall.* The premises date from 1434 and inside there are multiple rooms in which the most gorgeous china and crystal glass can be found. I loved looking around the store, but even better was heading up the narrow stairs to the tea room. Sometimes, we had to stand and wait for a table to become available, but we always waited, because having tea at Mulberry Hall was a part of our day out. It was special and something Shirley and I looked forward to each time we went to York.

 

The tea room was small but so pretty, with perfectly set tables and the murmur of conversation all around. The tables were beautifully set with delicate bone china, crisp linen napkins and good heavy cutlery. Shirley and I generally ordered the same things, salmon and cucumber sandwiches, a toasted teacake to follow, and of course a pot of English breakfast tea served with milk and sugar. Once we were served we poured ourselves a 'cuppa' ate our sandwiches, discussed our morning and what we still wanted to do, and just relaxed. It was the best part of the day.

 

And if you wish to make some salmon and cucumber sandwiches, here's my recipe for you:

 

• Thinly sliced whole wheat or white bread
• Tinned red salmon
• Good mayonnaise
• English cucumber
• Butter

 

Soften the butter and spread lightly on both slices of the bread. Drain the salmon, put it into a dish and remove all skin and bones, then break up with a fork. Add a spoonful of mayonnaise to the salmon and mix in gently. (The mayonnaise prevents the salmon from being too dry.)

 

Spread a good helping of the salmon mixture onto one slice of bread. If you are using an English cucumber, you do not need to peel it, just wash prior to slicing thinly. If you cannot get an English cucumber (also called 'seedless' or 'hot house') then remove the peel. Cover the salmon mixture with the thinly sliced cucumber, top with bread and cut the sandwich into four triangles.

 

Enjoy with a cup of tea!!

 

Wendy

 

 

 

 

*The Wind In The Willows



* http://www.mulberryhall.co.uk/