sweeter than a raspberry royale

Welcome to a new week. No more parties or leaving do's to attend. So no more hang overs. I am busy with a little tidying, radio on, windows open, blinds up, sun streaming in. Fresh linen on the bed, mug of spiced tea in hand.

These are a few more pictures from last week, the raspberry royale followed by fresh raspberry and mint fizz. We also went to meet our new nephew Harry. A teeny little thing all swaddled up in a fluffy blanket he was surely sweeter than any pudding I have ever seen. Must go and visit him again very soon, we miss him already.

I had to dye my dark again, a mercy mission for Saturdays party, the faded roots were to disturbing to be seen and the red dye needs a pre lightening treatment to get the full effect of the Auburn. So next time will be red time. Don't think I chickened out!

Anyway back to laundry and doing the dishes. I hope your Monday has started well.

Double chocolate freckles

Everyone is sure to love a pretty biscuit. I took a batch to work and my colleagues descended on them like a locust storm! So I thought I'd share the recipe. I found this in an M&S cookies book. Still available if you are in the UK. They look so cute and dark topped are best for grown ups. For kids I would probably top them with melted white chocolate.

Double Chocolate Freckles

125g butter softened
165g firmly packed brown sugar
1 egg
225g plain flour
35g self raising flour
35g cocoa powder
200g dark eating chocolate
(for a sweeter version you could use white chocolate instead)
sprinkles

1 Beat the butter sugar and egg in a bowl with an electric mixer until combined. Sift together the dry ingredients then stir half at a time in to the sugar, butter and egg mixture.

3 Knead dough on a floured surface until smooth, roll dough out until 5 mm thick. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes.

5 Preheat oven to 180c/160c fan assisted. Grease oven trays and line with baking parchment.

6 Using 3 cm and 5 cm rounds cut discs from the dough. place 3 cm rounds on one tray and 5 cm on another. Bake small cookies for 8-10 minutes then larger ones for 12 minutes. Cool on wire racks.

8 Melt the dark/white chocolate and spread on top of cooled cookies. Top with sprinkles. Leave to set at room temperature.


Yay! I just heard that one of my friends has had a sweet baby girl. So it looks as though I will be baking again very soon!


Recipe from Marks and Spencer.

Pounds and ounces

Woke this morning to good news and a very moving picture message.
Two of my oldest friends have just this morning welcomed their new baby son to our world. Born at 5.25am today weighing 7lbs 10 ounces. All that discomfort and aching limbs a small price to pay for such a perfect little being. I eagerly await news of a name and my chance to meet him once they are all settled back home.

Congratulations N & E he's perfect x x x