Monday 12 December 2022

Squidgy Chocolate Brownies


I had never ever cooked brownies before as I thought their bobble hats would get stuck in my teeth ( you would have had to have been a brownie from the 1980s to understand that one)
So it is with the kind permission of Lurpak that their Brownie recipe is below:

These classic brownies are just what you need to satisfy your sweet tooth craving. They’ll taste even better the next day!
Instructions
1. Heat the oven to 190°C /170°C Fan / Gas Mark 5 and line your 
Lurpak® brownie tin with greaseproof paper.
2. Fill a small saucepan 1⁄4 full of water, lay the chocolate and Lurpak® in a heatproof bowl 
resting on top of the saucepan, but not touching the water. Warm on a low heat, stirring occasionally, until everything has melted.
3. Whisk the eggs in a bowl until they’re pale and fluffy, but not too stiff. Add the sugar and whisk until it thickens up. Gently fold in the chocolate mixture and then sieve in the flour. Continue to fold until smooth.
4. Slowly pour the mixture into your tin and bake for 30-35 minutes. When you see the satisfying crust on top they’re done. They should be all squidgy inside too.
5. Cut into 16 squares and leave to cool in the tin.
Ingredients
• 200g Slightly Salted Lurpak®
• 350g 70% dark chocolate, chopped 
• 3 eggs
• 250g dark muscovado sugar
• 50g self-raising flour
• Greaseproof paper
• Lurpak® Brownie Tin


I haven't been compensated for this post , I bought it all myself. The world is a better place now I can bake brownies.

Tuesday 6 December 2022

Do You Remember The Last Bedtime Story?

 Do you remember the last bedtime story perhaps you had as a child or perhaps the last story you read to your own child ?


Bed time stories are the most magical time as both a child and parent and nothing can beat it , the security and love you can feel from such a moment is amazing.Now sadly now everyone gets to experience this and they can start the magical love of books of reading with their own children or niece or nephews etc.Reading is one of the most magical experiences you can have and I so loved reading as a child.Reading for me gave me security from a hard family life I had growing up but neither can I remember the last bed time story I read to my son . Reading that last bed time story is one of those unspoken truths that no one can remember or those truths you push to the back of your mind much like the unspoken rule that no one says that Father Christmas doesn't because ehe does as no one ever says that out loud.


Bed times stories feel the mind not just during sleep but for the rest of your adult life, one story I love so as a child was Where the Wild things are 

Wednesday 17 August 2022

Ideal Toys For a Labrador

You will have seen that recently myself and my husband dog sat for my inlaws and it was such fun but you know how it is you not like to visit friends empty handed . We didn't want to turn up and not have any gifts for Murphy so very kindly we were sent a few toys for Murphy to play with whilst wee were looking after him. Keeping toys fit and active is very important to their health and wellbeing and a happy dog is a content dog.


Murphy was thrilled with his toys , Labradors  are a very very enthusiastic breed and love to play and are always into your business as they don't like to miss out.Labradors are very loyal though some say they are particularly loyal if you are holding some sold of food ! Murphy absolutely loved his floating ball and this is a bonus as Labradors adore water . You can find this Floating ball priced at only £9.99 from Petlove on Amazon and it is a worthwhile investment as it it tough as old boots or even tougher than that even! The other Extreme toy came from Nylabone and they have an extensive range you can choose from .

I have to say even though I am not a dog owner myself , I was super impressed with the quality of both the toys and would happily buy from them as a special gift for Murphy and there doesn't have to be a special occasion to treat him. And even the price of inflation this toys are a worthwhile investment as they will last and last giving you more money in your pocket to of course treat your dog !


Murphy was sent these toy and his opinions are his own 


Wednesday 6 July 2022

Preparing To Dog Sit Some Tips

 Next week Myself and my husband will be looking after my in laws dog Murphy who is a very loveable black Labrador with a white tip to his tail hence his name Murphy. Now I am very much a cat lover and I just don't do dogs but Murphy is ph so different he is just a lumbering hulk of a a teddy bear dog with soulful eyes and inquisitive Labrador which is very much what a Labrador is. It does feel like preparing for a baby all be it one with 4 paws ! I have a couple of toys ready for him well if you can't read your relatives once in a while when can you ! Here are my tips to preparing for dog sitting ! 


1.Always meet the dog before hand , it helps the dog feel more comfortable when their owner leaves the,. Luckily we have met Murphy on many a occasion and I always save a chip for him when we finish our walk with the inlays at the pub !


2. Know much much the dog will want to play and plan , I will have to get my walking shoes on as Murphy does love to play and walk !


3.Make sure you know where everything is prior to your walk from the lead , to the obligatory ball and of course those all essential poo bags.


4. If it's family then they might pay you if it's long term and you're stopping there doing them a favour but if its a one off then a paying is not really necessary.Helping family and friends out really does make the world go round and make it a kinder place.


5. We are planning on walking Murphy twice till one of my nieces comes and takes over to look after Murphy , we didn't want to leave Murphy too much on his own .

6. Make sure you talk to the dog and give them a fuss , they love this and are very receptive to people.

7. We know which is the local vets of Murphy jsut in case there is any problems which we don't anticipate there will be but it pays to be prepared.


How to dog sit for a friend a sum up.

  • Get to know the dog before your relative/friend/colleague leaves.
  • Make sure you have their contact information and the vet’s phone number.
  • Learn the dog’s schedule and stick to it.
  • Find out where the supplies are and that does include treats !
  • Expect to spend at least 30 minutes twice a day.
  • Make sure to give the dog attention and love while you’re there.


Thursday 9 June 2022

The Green Prescription

 The Green prescription for me is getting about and exploring and seeing the countryside round me and exploring , I am not won for sitting still and twiddling my thumbs even now as I type this I feel like running free into the canopy of Green.There is such freedom in the green prescription and you don't need a doctor to prescribe it , the Green prescription isn't limited to green of course flowers do come under this umbrella but dear reader or hopefully readers I quite simply can not describe every possibility !


There is just something that allows to take that heavy breath of burden and release it like a wild animal when you step out into the Green and every subsequent breath is a sweetness upon your soul. Now I can not influence you to take the step into the Green but maybe just one day and then see how your life is after being in the relax of the Green for a while.



Monday 23 May 2022

Simple Wilted Wild Garlic Salmon




Ingredients 

Salmon 

Vegetables of your choice 

Wild garlic 

Method 

First pan fry the salmon skin side down firvaviutb7 minute s and turn turn 

Whilst this is doing use ready rice and some pan fried vegetable s and warm through and wilt the wild garlic at the last minute to bring the dish together.

Monday 9 May 2022

Top Ten Savings Idea For This #CostOfLivingCrisis

 We are in the worse period of inflation since the 1970's and literally every penny counts be it towards food or the dreaded energy bill. It will be doubly important to make good savings escpacilly when the energy hike further bites in October and despite the council tax help for those in bands A -D and the £200 loan ) that you will pay back over 5 years ) it still isn't enough without people literally watching every penny that they spend.I am a great fan of the yellow sticker item and freezing what I can and this is where meal planning can help as well. So what are the ten top things you can do to make your money go that much further and robbing a bank is I am not afraid in the list.


1. Meal planning can really help and help stretch those meals for a couple of days , meal plan if you can especially if you pick up those yellow sticker items from the supermarket.


2. Haircuts go to your local college and see if they do special training days or even ask your lcaodl/ town hairdressers , the students are always supervised and observed and you will get a free cut or a heavy reduced one.Liek today I had my hair coloured for the fraction of the cost and a few weeks ago I had a free cut saving myself at least £50 . I don't usually go to the hairdressers for a colour but it is my sons graduation soon and so as it is a very special occasion I thought  it was worth it.


3. Clothes check your wardrobe to see what you don't need and wither charity shop it or sell it . And if you do need clothes do check those charity shops you'll be amazed what you can find , I found my husband a new winter coat for this winter that should have be £79.99 and instead was £19.99 and it was a good M & S one as well.

4. Ditch the gym membership and exercise from home or perhaps start the couch to 5 K or if you have a nintendo switch then look for a cheap ring fit game and related accessories this in the long run ( see what I did there ) be cheaper than year in year out gym membership.

5.Use food apps such as Olio and Good to go , tonight for instance I picked up a roast dinner for £3.99 and the meat was carved fresh in front of me and included a Yorkshire and veg as well as gravy. There is enough for 3 meals from how I loaded the box.

6. See if your work has shower facilities like my husbands does as he cycles to work or set a timer at home to cut down on your length of shower.

7. See what you can see around the home from using Facebook market place, vented or ebay , you will be amazed as to what you can find round your home to sell. Currently when I sell something I am using it to chip off what I owe on my energy bill or even put to towards it.

8. Check you are your best deals for your home and car insurance especially when it comes up for renewal.

9. Check your mobile phone contract and see what benefits it can get you , I am with O2 and yes I know there are cheaper mobile providers but currently the freebies I am receiving from O2 far outweigh changing to another provider. 


The first freebie I use from O2 is from Caffe Nero and did you know you can get further free coffees and other drinks just from downloading the Cafe Nero app , you scan the Cafe Nero App before scanning your O2 drinks code. I have already got a stamp for a free drink and I am saving them up for summer when I am can have a nice cold drink in the searing heat of the Uk ! Update the CaffeNero is only now one free drink a month ( boo) .But the good news is you can ge a weekly drink from Greggs of a tea, coffee or hot chocolate.


10 Make sure your boiler is serviced each year as this will help your boilers economy.

Wednesday 6 April 2022

Don’t Wish Different Upon The Spring Blossom

Don’t wish different I say , concentrate on the beauty you have in your view be it in the mirror looking at yourself or looking through the window at the Spring blossom.I looked out my kitchen window and I saw my tree and thought it doesn’t have as much blossom as other trees. 



But that doesn’t matter as it still has beauty , what we perceive as what is beautiful in Spring is very different to the reality.Everything Spring blossom has its place however short a time it is here .

Thursday 24 February 2022

Morning Adventures

Morning 

It’s a certainty upon the day is a morning and a mindset of a morning can certainly help you upon your day.The other day I got the bus into town and that in itself is nothing amazing , the ignorance of the human condition is at times bewildering. A elderly lady dropped her things all over the bus and people just sat there not helping .I stepped forward to help and she was grateful, it really doesn’t take much to help people .

The sunshine upon my tea and I don’t know what the day will bring but with a cup of tea to set me up for the day I can’t go far wrong . I’m getting back to exploring of late and I’m excited for the adventure s that will unfurl.

Tuesday 8 February 2022

Ways of Keeping Warm When Your Boiler Breaks

 My boiler has broken the utter cad , it decided to break when I got back from a night away in Ludlow and the plumber said there is never an ideal time for a boiler to break down , though I think summer might be just perfect! The plumber came and scracthed his head so we have to get the manufactur of the boilers out. They are sending their engineer out on Wednesday so fingers cross so in the meat time I am following my own top tips for keeping warm.



1. Add Layers I am layered up and you'd be forgiven for thinking I am going on a Arctic expedition . And get that bobble hat on and that includes your cat !






2. Close those curtains to keep the head in , I am getting to the point where the neighbours will probably think I am a vampire.


3. Close those doors ! I keep closing the doors behind me , it all helps.


4. Watch warm films anything with fire in Lord of the Rings is perfect for this , I do love Mordor at this time of year it is my top holiday destination.


5. Drink warm drinks , I am drinking tea like it is going out of fashion and of course tea will never ever go out of fashion.


6. Use electric heater , use electric heaters when you need to and warm your bedroom especially before you go to bed.


7. Stick to one room during the day and this is a great way to make use of tip 4 !


My boiler is only just coming up for three years old and has always been serviced so I am lightly annoyed with it and I have let it know in no certain terms that this is not acceptable behaviour.No being warm does make one miserable and I am feeling like Captain Oates at the minute " "I am just going outside, and may be some time"

Friday 28 January 2022

Walking And Photography

I love walking and I love Photography and it doesn’t matter where I’m walking I’m forever snapping away .The other week I need a circular walk from Tutbury to Rolleston On Dove and back and it’s a joy to see the sleepy beauty of these Villages.



Walking is good for the soul and it is my outdoor gym and I am walking more and more of late sometimes with my in laws and their fabulous dog Murphy.Once you're on a walk you have to propel yourself forward and their is always something to capture your day and we don't use these footpaths then they will be lost to us forever, so please do get out there and discover your local footpaths.




And all the better if the walk includes a pub on the way to refresh yourself , you can buy pub walk books from a your local good books shop ( they always say a good book shop on TV never a bad one ! )