I will start by saying sorry to everyone (probably about 5 people knowing my luck) who have signed up to receive email notifications when i post a blog, as you all will have just received a garbled, scrappy piece of writing which makes no sense. This is what happens when i get distracted. I press the wrong button. So this is attempt two. Life is trickling along, the Houseboy started a new job this week in the City which is exciting. Apparently there is a free canteen serving breakfast & lunch so no more homemade lunches for him! If anything this will save us a fortune in tupperware as he lost so many at his last place i suspected some sort of conspiracy. As predicted i do love tupperware, but not as much as my 94 year old grandfather who is an avid cook & who has, in my opinion boosted profits at Lakeland Plastics tenfold over the last 5 years. Apparently there is nothing that can't be tupperwared. So to speak.
On Sunday the Houseboy & i headed off to Hampton Court for a walk round Bushy Park & the lovely gardens. Joined by Mr Robinson & Miss Lummis we had a fun day kicking leaves & planning where to have lunch. The trees were magnificent, with amazing russet tones, falling leaves & dashing squirrels. We came across deer across the whole park including waring stags going hell for leather over a doe. Have to say it was a little scary at times, we would be strolling along & suddenly come across some resting deer hiding behind a tree. I managed to get some nice shots, but was kicking myself for not bringing along my long lens. Mr Robinson confessed that the majority of the time when he saw animals the his first thought is how good they would taste. A committed carnivore! We managed to keep him a suitable distance from all wildlife for the day.
Now i have a new obsession, interest in life. Collecting vintage tea cups. The Houseboy is not amused in the
slightest & sees them only as objects that take up space
& need dusting. He doesn't have to worry on that account, it's
been a while since i have seen him prancing round the flat with a
feather duster. The lovely Miss Lummis & Miss Holford gave me
two beautiful ones for my 30th earlier this year & my sister gave me an amazing addition which is pictured below. This small but soon to grow collection joins my button collection & scarf collection, two other loves in my life which have the Houseboy baffled. I once had a job working for someone who was really very unpleasant & it was not uncommon for my then flatmates to find me sorting out my button collection into colour categories after a particularly stressful day at work. Whatever gets you through i reckon!
A Fruit Scone with Jam & Cream is one of life's great pleasures. A savoury scone is pretty darn close. You can substitute the chives for parsley, & choose any good hard, strong cheese. Great slightly warmed up & served with a little butter or a dollop of creme fraiche & caviar. I found this recipe on www.cookitsimply.com a random but useful website.
Ingredients:
- 225g self-raising flour
- pinch of salt
- 50g butter, diced
- 100g strong cheese such a chedder, grated
- 1 tbsp snipped fresh chives
- 150 ml fresh milk & extra for brushing
Put the flour and salt into a bowl and rub in the butter until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs. Stir in 50 g (2 oz) of the cheese and the chives.
Add the milk and mix to form a soft dough, then knead quickly until smooth.
Roll out on a floured work surface until 1 cm (1/2 inch) thick. Cut into 10 rounds with a 5 cm
(2 inch) plain cutter and brush the tops with milk. Transfer to baking sheets.
Bake at 230°C (450°F) mark 8 for 7 - 10 minutes, until well risen and golden brown.
Immediately put the remaining cheese on top of the scones and allow to melt before serving hot or cold.
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