I have been enjoying the Sunday Sevens of other bloggers and thought i would join in the fun. Its the idea of Natalie at Threads and Bobbins (What a fab site!). It gives such a lovely glimpse into peoples lives – I really enjoy catching up with Sunshine and Celadines, Making and Marking and Bekki at Dartmoor Yarns – its the blogging equivalent of peeking over the garden fence!
Wasn’t it a fantabulous weekend thankfully the Sunshine Returned! Saturday I went on my usual 6 weekly visit to see my Son in Southampton, he manages a Hairdressing Salon and we combine his hairdressing talents and a general catch up – usually ending with a lovely meal or we head off dancing together. Southampton is my home town and it is always interesting to see it with new eyes. I arrived in good time to be able to visit the Art Gallery – this fountain is situated right at the entrance – I remember playing in it as child!
This sparkling creation was in the lobby, it was full size!
Not quite a disco ball!
We have been in our new home a month, I have always wanted a home with an Aga, and this little beauty is living up to my dreams. Whenever we enter the house, it feels so warm and welcoming. There are four ovens, warming, slow cooking, baking and roasting. The top has a warming plate, a boiling plate and a simmering plate.
On Sunday morning, I thought I would try out the baking oven – I had been told that they are great for cake making, as the ovens are a very even heat. We used a thermometer to get the balance right and the baking oven stays about 180, the simmering oven is about 140 and the roasting oven is about 210.
I found these beautiful vintage scales in a charity shop – they came complete with a full set of weights. They are perfect for me as usually cook in imperial measurements – pounds and ounces -just call me an old fashioned girl.
We get our eggs from a wonderful local organic farm – I love seeing all the chickens roaming freely in the fields.
The large eggs are often double yolkers – all three were so I reduced the eggs in the recipe, they are
a wonderful deep yellow.
Cakes in the oven – it was time for a cuppa,
Using a whistling kettle takes me back to my childhood days, long before electric kettles were the norm.
The warming hob is the perfect place for the teapot – it stays at the perfect temperature for a good second or third cuppa.
I caught up with a little weekend reading, while the cakes baked.
Country living is one of my all time favourites – the photography is blissful I often cut up the pictures and use them for vision boards or inspiration.
In no time the cakes were cooked – they seemed to bake evenly with no soggy bottoms!
A slice or two to check the cake was ok – Mr D enjoyed his slice.
The golden caster sugar gives it a caramel colour, and the flavour is more rounded, I just use a bit of raspberry jam.
We are moving in gradually – the studio shelves have arrived so I spent some time unpacking
In no time at all the shelves were full! might need some overflow storage!
There were a few empty flower containers – so i decided to pot up some winter pansies
They are such pretty flowers – I think violets are my favourite they vary in colour from yellows to purples.
My gardening skills won’t be risking our veg box delivery – this is the sum total of my tomato crop!
My lovely daughter and son in law popped round for lunch – she made us some welcome home cupcakes!
I am enjoying our lovely pool – ending the working day with a swim is divine we can watch the sun setting over the trees.
Then it is time for a good book and a good soak, just in case I am not wet enough!
Have a lovely week.
ttfn x
