More stuff

Blogging again, my that's three in a week, not bad for me, Now, what else have I been doing? Baking, it's something I do when I have nothing else to do, because I'm bored, can't get out and it warms the house up at the same time.
I made a plain Victoria sponge the other day, and it was not very successful, but edible, I forgot to put the sugar in and added it after. but i think I've mentioned that, Also I noticed that some of my stuff was not rising, and decided to check the stability of the cooker, and yes it was listing at the back., the front legs were sitting on carpet but the back wasn't, so  I hauled it out and put a piece of carpet under the feet, at the same time I found a butter knife, two measuring spoons, a teaspoon, plus a fair bit of fluff.
I then bought two new cake tins and fresh baking powder, and the ext sponge was an improvement.
Yesterday I made Dorset Apple cake, I got the recipe from the internet as I'd lost my old one. It was quite an expensive cake but turned out not bad, but just a little bit wet, the recipe included the juice of a lemon, and I think half would have been better, never mind it tasted very nice, it's been frozen down with the Victoria sponge for treats.
The weather was dry when I took Ruby for her walk this morning, and we were gone almost two hours, but Guess what? yup it's raining again. so looks like a wet evening stroll.
Our dancing club starts back tomorrow and I must say I'm not sorry, I haven't spoken to a soul for almost a week, People are just too busy nowadays to be bothered. oh well, I'm not the first and won't be the last, take care all and wrap up warm.


Thank you for visiting and please come back, Arlene, Tango and Ruby

Busy day

The weather was a bit dull but dry so I took a chance in hanging out the bedclothes after stripping the bed this morning, I was lucky it all but dried, but as it was bedding I gave it a whiz in the tumble drier to finish off. I don't use the tumbler much as it simply gobbles up the electricity.
 that job done, and after breakfast, went out with dogs, Went back down the Bunny, it was a pleasant uneventful walk this morning I'm glad to say., no hassle from AYM .
It was blowy and a tad chilly, were really beginning to feel that slightest of Autumn nips in the air.
Got back home at 11.30 and checked email, had some lunch and started baking.
The new recipe I thought I'd try was Chocolate Shortcake, and though I haven't tasted it, I can't say I'm impressed, it looks a bit dry, there's no raising agent so it looks just like a crusty chocolate pancake, Hopefully by the time I fill it with butter icing and dredge the top, it may prove me wrong. I also made some cupcakes, a sponge, and flapjacks. I haven't filled or iced anything as I'm freezing almost all of it, maybe I will keep a nibble for ME.
How come you can't marry up the lids with the bottoms when you're looking for containers to store stuff, ? It's like the odd socks in the washing machine, so frustrating, I feel like dumping the lot and strarting again and buy all new containers, I might just do that, yet I've got some Tupperware from about 30 years back with matching lids, but their not the right shape or size.
This picture is as says A view to the IOW from near me, You will observe the seat  which I have loaded a soom in, There are a lot of these seats on the cliff tops and are in memory of mostly local people who have loved the view, they have a plaque on them giving the name/s of the deceased with details of DOB and death. At Christmas and various days, probably birthday, flowers are left. A lovely practice I think.

Thank you for visiting and please come back, Arlene, Tango and Ruby

To-day and yesterday

Yesterday I decided to try a new recipe I'd seen it in my cook book a few times and thought it looked tasty, Celery and cheese loaf. I had some celery left over and bought the cheese, a good strong Cheddar. It was a bit of a fiddle to prepare, as three large stalks of celery had to be chopped small, and the cheese grated, plus some crushed garlic. When the dry ingredients were mixed they had to be binded together with egg and milk, That I was not happy with as the dough was too wet and I couldn't knead it as it was a bit gooey, I had to add more flour and make a note in the recipe to cut down milk, [should I make it again] When I finally had the mixture to my satisfaction I plopped it into the tin and baked it, The result? it was surprisingly OK , very cheesy tasting celery flavour came through with a hint of garlic, with some butter it made a nice accompaniment to the soup I'd made the day before. I just might make it again.

To-day, not a lot happened to-day, I picked Barney up to take for his walk, and we were llucky to get out and back before the expected rain, then again this evening tango, Ruby and I managed another dry walk, lucky, as it is pouring down now, feels more like November than August., such topsy turvy weather we're having, three seasons a week. 

I met a lady who'd picked up a baby hedgehog, it was on the road as she was worried it would get run over, she was going to release it down at the wooded area of Chewton Bunny, I said I thought it was too young to fend for itself and offered to take it to the vet and have it checked over, if it was passed fit, their wildlife officer would release it back to where it came from, if not it would be fattened up first failing that,  kept till next spring . Good luck little hedgehog I hope he'll be all right.

After a busy morning Tango was happy to have a well earned rest.

 That's it for now folks, nearly bedtime and the dogs will have to brave the wet for a night comfort break.