Bedtime Reading..

As the weather is still so cold and I am very definitely in hibernate mode I have decided to catch up on all the reading that I have wanted to do, so have been along to the local library to see what I could find to add to the books that I have at home and this is what I came home with..

A great selection...

The one called "Of Bees and Mist", by Erick Setiawan, was recommended by Nicky at The Vintage Magpie so I am looking forward to starting that and (on a theme) I am about to start "The Secret Life of Bees" by Sue Monk Kidd.

I am part way through "Philosophy Works"- which is BRILLIANT!! The other part of the title reads: Accessing the power of great ideas for a happier life, by William Wray.  And the Aromatherapy one is full of wonderful tips on how to use oils at home for health and beauty (it's by Julia Lawless).

Followed up by two for the craft room - "Tips for Knitters" by Debbie Bliss and "The Needlecrafter's Companion" by Marie Clayton.

So they should keep me busy for a while!

In between all this lovely reading, I have also been having a sort out at home; as I am so enjoying the challenge set by Dottie Angel, I decided it was probably time to clear out some of our own clutter and see if we could donate some things to charity and maybe find a few things to sell on and recycle.

And in one of the boxes that was in the loft I found some of our old books, some from Mr.F's  childhood and a few from mine too.....

Yesterday revisited......

"The Sleeping Beauty" has lovely illustrations by Edmund Dulac and "The Ring of the Niblung" has gorgeous pictures by Arthur Rackham, I can't believe that we neglected them by leaving them in the loft all this time!!  I also found my Heidi books and a few other lost treasures - now, where to put them....

Warm Wishes for a Wonderful Week

Cally

x x x

Diet food????

Well as so many of you seem to be leading by example and are well on the way to shedding those Christmas pounds, I thought I would join in and show you a recipe adapted from a Weight Watchers booklet for a scrumptious snack at 2 points a serving (if you are counting your points allowance) and those that aren't, well it's a lovely treat anyway!

Here are a few photographs of it in the making to tempt you....

Mix it all up...

Into the fridge for an hour or two.....

mmm......delicious.....

.....and good for you!

The recipe as they print it is as follows:

Chocolate Biscuit Refrigerator Cake

120g milk chocolate- I use dark as it is richer and better for you, if you find dark chocolate bitter - you won' t in this because the syrup sweetens it
1 tablespoon of golden syrup
50g butter/margarine/spread
150g shortcake/digestive biscuits - broken by hand into sizes of your choice
30g glace cherries - I don't like them so use sultanas
50g chopped dried apricots
30g cranberries - I use raisins

Melt the butter, syrup and chocolate over a bain marie or in the microwave if you prefer.  Add the remaining ingredients and stir until everything is coated in the chocolate.  Spoon into a square or oblong tin lined with greaseproof paper (I use oblong as it makes the cake thinner which I prefer).  Press into the tin with your palm - a messy but fun job!
Then put in the fridge for an hour or two and enjoy!  They say it makes about 16 squares but because I make it thinner it tends to make more.

It is good as a pudding too and if you use dark chocolate, one little square really is enough!  Promise.

So HAPPY WEIGHT LOSS!!

Warm Winter Wishes for a Wonderful Week

Cally

x x x

Warm Winter Wishes (part 2).....

Well, how is everybody??  I hope that you are all safe and warm!  Isn't it wonderful to have a proper winter??  No warm muggy wet days for us just at the moment!!  I know that it must be a pain if you are trying to get to work or get children to school, but it has been so BEAUTIFUL!!

Little Mitsy says she doesn't know what all the fuss is about.......

 

 Icicles by the front door.......

 

 My herb garden has taken a bit of a hit.....

 

 The view out of the back door...

Not as spectacular as some of the WONDERFUL photographs I have seen on some of your blogs but I literally haven't been anywhere.  It is like a skating rink out the front of the house, so I have used it as an excuse to curl up with some good books that I have been waiting to read and spent my time baking and cooking meals that will last a good few days!!

I hope that you all have what you need to keep warm and happy!

WARMEST WINTER WISHES TO YOU

Cally

x x x