Tuesday 30 November 2010

Last Minute Christmas Cake by Delia

Have you made your Christmas cake yet? If not this one by Delia Smith is so quick and easy - even I can make it.... and it is delicious too!

1lb (400g) good quality mincemeat
8oz (225g)  wholemeal flour
3 level tsps baking powder
5oz (150g) dark brown sugar
5oz (150g) softened butter or soft margarine
6oz (175g) mixed dried fruit
2oz (50g) chopped walnuts (I just used mixed chopped nuts)
Grated zest of 1 small orange and one small lemon
3 eggs size 1 or 2
4oz (110g) whole blanched almonds (only if you don't intend to ice the cake)

Pre heat the oven to Gas 3, 325 F or 170 C

You will need an 8" (20cm) round cake tin, greased and the base
and sides lined with greasproof paper

Method:

Place all ingredients (except the almonds) into a large mixing bowl. There is no need to beat the eggs -
just break them in but it is a good idea to sift the flour to give it an airing then tip the bits of bran back in.

Using an electric hand whisk (or wooden spoon which will take a bit longer) beat everything together thoroughly. Spoon the mixture evenly into the tin, level off the surface and if you are using them, arrange the almonds in circles over the top.

Bake for 1 hour 30 minutes or until the centre springs back when lightly touched. Let it cool in the tin for 30 minutes before turning out to cool on a rack. If you want to and have the time you can 'feed' it with brandy but it tastes great anyway! 

Note: The cooking times  vary  from oven to oven and can take up to 2 hours.

This cake really is worth a little effort.  I have made it for years.  Thank you Delia!!








A card for my Friend

My lovely friend Susan starts her chemo tomorrow.
I hope this little card will make her smile. Good luck sweetheart!
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Thursday 18 November 2010

Samuel Cat

 In a cat's world, all things belong to cats!
This is my room and I am not budging!!!  

My Super Hero!

I am NOT holding my tummy in!!!
My DH - taken many moons ago - showing off on a beach in Cornwall. Can you hear the kids laughing....?

Birthday Boy

This birthday card was made from the Kirsty Wiseman Colour me Crazy CD

Christmas Card

A card I made for my mum for Christmas
from the Joanna Sheen Messy Rabbit CD

Stitch a Witch!

This is one of my first attempts at card stitching.
Hope Sara is proud of me...
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A Hive of Industry


You can never find what it is that you're looking for - can you?
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Whozat??

Easel Card

Here is an Easel Card that I have made for a 'Lace' card Challenge. The image and template are My Craft Studio.
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World War 2 Collage

Here is a collage I have done for my grandniece - they are covering the second world war in history at her school. I didn't know whether to laugh or cry though when she asked me for my personal war stories! I wasn't even born until 1951!! And there was I thinking I was still just a young thing!!

Sunday 14 November 2010

It's that time again!

A card I made out of recycled leftovers from last Christmas.

This is fun!!

We like this! We are here illegally! Don't tell mum!

It never rains......!

This stamp is one of my favourites..... Verse courtesy of Robert Louis Stevenson!!

Technology!!!

I am on a steep learning curve here. As a dedicated technophobe much of this blogging thingy is one technological step too far!!!

First Post!

I have never had my 'own place' before! I think it might be fun! I am going to store my own little craft creations here and I hope you will pop by to visit me now and again. Here is a card I made for a competition - without reading the instructions properly first! It is a 3D 25th Anniversary Card.