Poppys veg patch

I have successfully dodged the rain showers today to tidy up the veg patch, this is a major triumph!! 

I managed to harvest tons of onions



I needed to be quick to get the raspberries before the birds



The first tomatoes are making an appearance

Anyone for Eaton mess??









I do actually have some flowers in my garden though!

















Sugar Skulls showcase!

Most people who know Miss Poppy has recently noticed my relatively new obsession with sugar skulls.  I find these far from morbid or sinister, instead I find that they actually celebrate life, good memories and the people we love.  Many latin countries celebrate `the day of the dead` on 1st of November, when a graveside or altar becomes a gathering point for the family and friends of the departed.  Often, favorite food or drink is placed there, as a gift and the loved one is discussed and remembered.  The skulls are tradtional sugar sculptures which represent the day and the celebration of life.  Here are some of the great items I found on ETSY by some talented people.  I hope you enjoy them!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/TheDollCityRocker

This bunting is a departure from the usual pennant style with polka dots, florals or blocks of colours, love the safety pin feature and the bright colours.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/carouselbelle

My shopping bag sure isnt as colourful as this one, the orange crysanthumums are also a feature of the `day of the dead` celebration.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/JadeBoylan  Lovely details on this pocket mirror, great to pop into your bag!

Here is my spin on the genre - I made a sugar skull carved pumpkin last halloween!  I hope you have enjoyed these wonderful creations,  all to be found on ETSY.

Maypoles, buns and jam.

I attended the local church fete this weekend and a good time was had by all.  From the traditional maypole dancing, homemade jam, raffles, bookstalls, tombola and the ever popular plant stall (which completely sold out) to the crockery smash up, bouncy castle and - best of all - the tea and cakes.  Hopefully lots of money was raised for church funds, its always good for the community to get together!!

I just love homemade jam!

Expertly baked sausage rolls

Very cleaver knitting - its a tortiose!

A fabric flower brooch.

I really wish my cupcakes were this good.

Hmmmm buns and homemade jam, English summertime doesn`t get any better than that! AND it didnt even rain.

Chocolate, soap and mustard

I live in the city most associated with mustard - Norwich.  Its beautiful, querky, eccentric and very very old.  We also have some wonderful shopping opportunities.  The colmans mustard shop in the Royal Arcade must be one of the odder retail experiences.


As a soapmaker I`m always on the look out for inspiration and am forever sizing up my rivals, however my recent find of mustard and lemon balm soap is not exactly what I had in mind. 

The mustard chocolate bar, is, I think, one of the strangest confectionary mixtures ever. 

Browse if you dare!

http://www.mustardshopnorwich.co.uk/

Any bizarre chocolate or soap combos can be posted here!

Bread and Brie

Sometimes I go all folksy and have a need to bake bread.  This usually coincides with a urge to eat brie.  So yesterday, I bought a wedge of brie and then got out my bread making equipment.  I have Mr Jamie Oliver for the chocolate bread swirl inspiration:  Here goes!

500g strong bread flour

7g yeast

325 ml warm water

10g oil

pinch of sugar & pinch of salt

Mix to make a stiff dough

Kneed (my favorite part, especially when thinking about Jimmy Carrs tax bill) for 10 minutes until elastic.

Cut into 2 portions and leave for 45 minutes, covered with a clean tea towel, in a warm spot.

Once the mixture has doubled in size, flatten 1 loaf and coat with chocolate spread, then roll up swiss roll style and slice into inch long swirls.

Place the other loaf on a layer of greaseproof paper, and place the swirls next to it, leaving about 1.5 inches between each swirl.  Cook at gas mark 8 for 15 mins and then reduce the temperature to gas mark 6 for another 15. 

Allow to cool, then eat asap 

As this bread contains no preservatives it needs to be eaten the same day as it is made - if not you can toast it!!

My children love the chocolate bread - I love my homemade bread, especailly with Brie!