An update on Baking

One thing I have been proud of since being back is the amount of baking I have managed to do.  I haven't managed to keep up with all that many of my resolutions post-GYIL, but the best one is probably the baking. A couple of times I've baked for the sake of it, sometimes because I really wanted something sweet and recently because there has been an occasion.  I still don't feel I have managed all that much, but I am still trying.

This week I went to Sainsbury's and had a great time in the baking aisle buying all sorts of ingredients.  I feel I have a very well stocked cupboard now with lots of decorations.  I have this  week made a couple of batches of Judith which I have been pleased with and decorated merrily.

My cake of choice to make these days is a banana loaf - probably because its the only one I actually like to eat.  Hoping to make it today so will try take a photo and add in.

I'm enjoying my Mickey mold.  We have got into a nice tradition of having cheesy red (or yellow!) muffins on a sunday night - yum yum.  I liked making muffins before GYIL and in fact they were the only things I felt confident making.  Pleased to be carrying on with them.

 On the other hand.... cookies.  These have not been so sucessful...yet!  I love chewy cookies but am struggling to make them.  I've started with simple recipes, but now feel I might have to go for more technical recipes. 

 The cookies spread out so much and went thinner than I hoped so I tried making them in cookie molds to keep them thicker.  It was a bit of a strange result and I wouldn't serve them to others, but they were great for me!

 

I have kept trying with the shortbread, though I have now given up on the mold.  I was really proud of a batch I made and took to Birmingham and then took the leftovers to school.  But them I tried to make a batch yesterday which was a disaster.  Sadly I only have a photo of the disaster batch... I think it may have been because I rolled it a bit thin then didn't chill in the fridge long enough.

  

I have made bread a few times with this recipe and easy ready to go bread flour.  I'd like to do this more often so that I feel more confident.  I haven't got my head around the timings yet which puts me off making them often.

 Popcorn has happened a few times - I took this photo to show the various successes.  Lesson this time: don't heat the kernels by themselves for too long.

And to share at the end.  I am pleased to be trying with baking, but I am under no great allusions about my achievements or expectations.  Especially with a wonderful sister-in-law who can whip up such great creations!

Christmas is coming!

This year I have really enjoyed seeing the signs of Christmas coming! I am not someone who gets annoyed at Christmas starting too early. I think a bit like autumn I am enjoying it more this year after missing out last year. I can't remember all the dates but I did enjoy noting the 'firsts':
- first time I heard Christmas music in a shop (3rd December in Mothercare)
- First sighting of a Christmas tree (whetherspoons in Cowley)
- First time seeing Coca-cola advert (I've still not seen John Lewis advert yet!)
- First Christmas lights on houses

This year I went to the Country Living Christmas Fayre in London one Saturday in November where I loved getting to do some Christmas shopping. A few years ago I read on a blog of someone who did all their Christmas shopping and cards  by December 1st so that they can enjoy the festivities in December. That really appealed to me and is something Ive strived to do since. This year I got closest to it. I did a fair amount of shopping and wrapping and wrote all the cards I was in possession of and addressed them.

This weekend I have been in Birmingham with some friends which has been fun and we visited the Christmas markets. I also bought extra cards so my plan is to wrap and write tonight watching Strictly while John is at a gig. Maybe we might put up our decorations this week too.