the project - timber going in

We have had two site visits recently - the timber frame of the first floor has gone in so we can really get a sense of the bedroom spaces. It is weird because you can see through all the walls but good because you get a 3d visual of the space - which makes it easier to imagine actually living there. The rooms are a good size as is the downstairs bathroom so that helps settle our minds a bit about having enough space.

The second visit saw the first floor down so we could stand at first floor level. This meant we could see better what is going to happen with the windows and the large church ceiling beams. The windows will be stepped - this ensures the full window is maintained in the bedrooms.


On the kitchen end of the 1st floor this stepped bit of floor will be below units and at the dining end will be visible. Given where this will be occuring plus the position of the beams, we have decided to forgo the kitchen island and its back to the drawing board for the kitchen.

However, Ally, one of the architects, came up with an excellent idea which is to raise the dining area up two steps. This makes the division of space in the 1st floor clearer plus as the floor is then raised the stairs to the mezzanine can be rejigged to take up less space. This gives me more room for the dining table.

The new plans

The thought at the moment is to have a big chunky wood table with one side normal chairs and the wall side seating to be a pew reclaimed from the church.

So its all go - with a lot to think about and make decisions on. But it is great to see the timber framing go in and see progress happening. No doubt like everyone else we are just itching to see it finished and move in.


Andy getting the tape measure out!

walk in the woods

We are off for a week and my wee brother Theo has come to stay. Today we managed to dodge the rain clouds and take a walk through Mine Woods. Theo managed to find a good tree to climb -



Andy went for the alternative [and safer] option of a wall...!


We then sat by the river and had tea and cake - before trekking back home. The fresh air balanced the evening xbox playing.

afternoon tea

My family all love afternoon tea and to celebrate Theo staying for a week I made an afternoon tea on Sunday. I had been away in Liverpool and London most of the week and had to go shopping for tux's and shoes and assorted James Bond Ball items for later on this month on Saturday - so I didn't have much time to pull one together. I trawled my books for easy peasy recipes and so this is my easy afternoon tea that leaves you time to give the house a dust before your Mum arrives!

Click on the weblinks to get to the recipes.

Traditional Tea Bread


Honeycomb chocolate cake


Cupcakes with butter icing


I also made up some salmon and cream cheese and some ham and mustard sandwiches - no recipe needed for that!

scones

I don't have any pics of these - they got eaten too fast.

8oz self raising flour
Pinch of salt
2oz butter
1oz caster sugar
150ml/5fl oz milk

Heat the oven to 220C
Grease baking tray
Mix together flour, salt and rub in butter
Stir in sugar
Stir in milk until you get a soft dough
Flour surface and knead lightly
Make rounds with a cookie cutter, place on tray, brush tops with milk
Bake for 12-15 minutes

I sometimes add currants at the 'dry' stage. You can make cheese scones by substituting the sugar for cheddar.

cupcakes

This is dead easy but they look fancy. I bought some toppings to really go for the whole Magnolia Bakery thing.

The cakes

2 eggs
4oz margerine - or butter if for special
6oz caster sugar
8oz self raising flour
A little milk
Muffin cases

For fairy cakes half the quantities and use smaller cases.

Beat the eggs
Cream the butter and sugar until fluffy
Add half the egg and half the flour and mix well
Add the rest of the egg and flour and a tbsp of milk and mix
Add a bit more milk if needed - needs to be a firmish mix but not dry.
Scoop into cases - I fill almost the full way - but if you want flat tops fill about half way. Flat tops are more arty but I like as much cake as possible in each cupcake.
Bake at gas mark 6/200C for 15-16 minutes or until firm.

Icing


125g/4oz butter
A few drops of vanilla essence
8oz icing sugar

Beat together until creamy. Slather in great quantities on top of your cooled cupcakes.

I like to add food colouring - but a little goes a long way so take it teeny drops at a time. I also like having various toppings too.

chocolate honeycomb cake

This is great because it doesn't need baked - so it frees up oven space plus can be made in advance.

100g/3 and a half oz plain chocolate
100g/3 and a half oz milk chocolate
100g/3 and a half oz
3 tbsp golden syrup
250g/9oz crushed ginger or digestive biscuits
1 box of maltesers
A handful of cranberries - or your favourite dried fruit

Greased tin - I use a half sized tin usually used for lasagne as it has deep sides.

Melt together the chocolate, butter and syrup

In a large bowl mix together the crushed biscuits, maltesers and, if using, the dried fruit.

Pour over and mix in the chocolate melt - the maltesers may go bald as their chocolate melts off but that's ok - it looks fine when finished.

Pour into and level off in the tin, cover in cling film and pop in the fridge until firmed up.

Great for packed lunches - and you can cut them big or small - depending on how greedy you feel.

easy traditional tea bread

350g/12oz mixed dried fruit
110g/4oz Demerara sugar
250ml/9fl oz cold strong black tea
1 large egg
225g/8oz self raising flour

1lb loaf tin greased and lined
Oven at gas mark 3/150C

Put the dried fruits, sugar and tea in a large bowl, cover and leave overnight or for 6 hours.

Beat the egg and flour into the soaked fruits until smooth. Pour into your loaf tin and bake for 1hr - 1hr 15 until a knife or knitting needle comes out clean. Leave it to cool in the tin.

The loaf keeps really well because of the soaking - and is good on a picnic too.

This was a great recipe becuase I could start it off when I got in the night before and pop it in the oven before having my breakfast and shower - I love recipes that allow for multi tasking.