A taste of Entrelac

Hello again,

July appears to be carrying on where June left off, depressing and wet!

Thinking back to my childhood I can't remember it ever being so miserable for so long - that must make me a child of the 70's! My memories are of being outside all day playing with friends or spending time with my horses.

This year has been so bad that we've had the wood burner on several evenings this month, more for the psychological benefit than heat, as it's never actually been cold!  That said, we are fortunate to have had no flooding where we live and my thoughts are with those who have suffered badly with the torrential rain we have been experiencing recently.

Hubby has just finished making his first batch of strawberry jam of the season - there is simply nothing as tasty as freshly made jam on toast for breakfast!  We've got an induction hob, so need to use a large soup pot for jam making purposes rather than a traditional pan.

I subscribe to the Knitting Daily email and most of the time I simply delete the email without so much as a second glance. Knitting inspiration doesn't come very often...or last very long for that matter. A recent tidy of boxes in the loft from when we moved house 5 years ago turned up at least 6 different pieces of unfinished knitting!

On Friday something caught my eye as I was skimming my daily email - Entrelac. More from curiosity than anything else, I googled it. "Google it" is now a favourite phrase in this house since the arrival of the iPad. I do love the iPad for the speed and convenience of accessing information.  If I had to turn the laptop on every time I needed information, I fear I would have forgotten what I was looking for before it had fired up - is that a "nearing 40" affliction?!

It's also great for the kids - when they ask a question that you don't immediately know the answer to (or only have limited knowledge of) tell them to google it. Not only does it expand their knowledge beyond that which I am likely to provide, it encourages them to seek, find and interpret information for themselves.

So, returning to the Entrelac. Once I had established what it was, I just had to give it a try, as I had seen examples of it at a craft fair some time ago and had set out to find out the technique.  Whilst my knitting is normally restricted to the long nights of winter, the weather gave me an excuse to try it out.

I had some leftover DK merino from another project handy, so decided to use that.

Having set out to learn the technique, I carried on as I was enjoying it and interested in how the finished article would look.  Before too long, I had a big enough piece to make a cover for my daughter's kindle - it got me all the way through the Wimbledon final and into the evening! What a fantastic effort from Andy - I do get so annoyed with those armchair experts who seek to criticise his efforts.  No, I won't start on that, I'm here to talk knitting!

I finished off the open edge with a border of crochet in a contrasting colour and well, that's it, for the moment anyway - a snugly kindle cover!

A quick and satisfying project

I might add a button or two along the open edge, but that can be added later. Having mastered the basic technique I'd definitely do it again, but I'd quite like to use Noro this time and let the wool do the work.

I might also experiment with smaller and larger squares - a cushion cover perhaps...

Bye for now,

Take care.

H

Midweek Banana Cake

This "Summer" weather is frankly depressing!

As I write this, I'm looking out the window at torrential rain, thinking about putting the wood burner on to cheer me up. Other than a few lovely days early on, June has been a miserable month.

A lovely panorama - the River Tay, Smeaton's Bridge and St Matthews Church, from Norrie-Millar Walk

Such promise at the start of the month - the dog enjoying the view to Kenmore from above Falls of Acharn



Upper Falls of Acharn - I love the tree in this photo! 

Four weeks until I escape the office for my summer holiday - perfectly (accidentally) timed to coincide with the Olympics!  We're just planning a few days camping and a weekend away with my husband's family this year. It goes without saying that an improvement in the weather would be much appreciated!

We did the extended family trip for the first time last year - 23 of us camping for a long weekend - an excellent time was had by all!

This time around we're going for wigwams which I'm sure will be an interesting experience. Husband didn't want to go, since 1 - "it's not real camping" and 2 - it's not in his preferred location. However, he has eventually relented to child and sibling pressure.

Anyway, I digress - Banana cake!

I appear to have a family who no longer enjoy fresh bananas, so the only solution on a miserable Tuesday evening is Banana cake.

I've tried various recipes for banana bread and banana cake over the years, but I've now developed my own recipe based on a sponge mixture. It can adapted easily to your own preference, including dry fruit if you wish - so long as you don't vary the basic mixture too far, it will always give a light, delicious cake.

I'd say this is a cake rather than a bread, as it's a light mixture and I bake it in a 7" x 13" cake tin. Last time I made it, I topped it with a caramel frosting which was delicious, but I wasn't in the mood for icing this time.

The weight of your eggs will dictate your recipe, so weigh them (in shells) and match this weight with your margarine and caster sugar. I use slightly more than an equal measure of flour, so perhaps an extra 30g for this recipe. You can use light brown sugar if desired, which will give a slightly darker cake.

Ingredients

4 small eggs (circa 200g)
Margarine
Caster sugar (or light brown)
Self-raising flour
3 ripe bananas - mashed
Dried fruit - any - cranberries, sultanas, raisins or even tropical fruit mix is nice - around 50% of the weight of the eggs is fine.

Method

Line a 13 x 7 cake tin with grease proof paper, set oven to 160 degrees centigrade (fan assisted)

1. Cream the sugar and margarine until light and fluffy - easiest done with a food processor - my Kenwood is my best friend!
2. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, with a teaspoon of flour for each egg.
3. Add the mashed bananas, mix them in on a slow speed.
4. Pop in the remaining flour and fold in.
5. When all the flour is combined, add the dried fruit and gently combine, making sure you don't knock the air out of the mixture.
6. Empty the mixture into your prepared tin and place in the centre of your preheated oven for around 35 minutes, or until the cake is golden and firm to touch. By this stage, a cake tester should come out clean.
7. Remove from the oven, but leave in the baking tray for a little while to allow the cake to set
8. Turn out onto a cooling rack and allow to cool completely

Serve plain, or add frosting as desired. 

And that's it. A simple, quick recipe to satisfy everyone's craving for cake, whilst getting rid of the bananas.

No doubt it'll be gone by the time I return home from work tomorrow - the kids finish school for the summer holidays at noon!

Let's hope the weather improves soon!

A wander in the footsteps of Burns

It's been a fantastic week in Perthshire and we've eaten al fresco every evening since last weekend - a feat previously so unheard of that by Friday evening my children were asking to eat indoors for a change - not a chance, this might be the only Summer we get! 

Having packed off son number one on a Duke of Edinburgh's expedition yesterday morning, I found myself worrying about hydration levels, sunburn and heatstroke, rather than wet clothes and chills, but he's home this evening having experienced two glorious days hillwalking in Highland Perthshire with no need for a jacket at all.  I feel slightly envious of him, only as far as the scenery though - not the backpack! 

He won't mind me sharing this photo - the scenery is simply stunning and well worth the climb!

Meanwhile, having dropped off hubby and son number two for a kayaking trip down the Tay from Aberfeldy to Grandtully, I was left with three hours of quality time with my youngest.

Having initially made tracks for Kenmore and Loch Tay, we had an ice cream at the Courtyard before deciding it was too busy to stay by Loch Tay. A quick return drive brought us back to Aberfeldy where we parked and took a walk into the town centre where we bought some nibbles for lunch.  Ever the well prepared mother that I am, I left the house with a bottle of juice, suntan lotion and a bottle of water for the dog - no food whatsoever!

The venue for our spur of the moment picnic - The Birks of Aberfeldy.  

I should have taken the shrugged shoulders from my daughter at the mention of "shall we go for a walk?" as an indication of the mood she was in, but I was up for a walk with the dog and that meant she was going too!


Come, let us spend the lightsome days

For me, the glistening of sunlight through leaves and the sound of rushing water is all the incentive I need for a walk and we quickly ascended the path, having chosen to take the anti-clockwise route on this circular walk.  A well worn path leads upwards through the Birks.  The name Birks means birch trees, however, the lower woodland is mainly beech - beautiful with their fresh leaves whispering in the gentle breeze.

A steady climb up this path means you're above the scenery of the ravine, so the sound of rumbling water serves to entice you upwards towards the Upper Falls of Moness at the far end of the walk.  A few hundred metres below the Falls, we were presented with this lovely view of Strathtay below, with Ben Vrackie beyond - all the more special with sunshine and clear skies.

Strathtay and Ben Vrackie

My dear daughter is protesting by this stage - the dog has been restricted to the lead for fear of the drop and she keeps doubling back for a sniff.  The problem lies with the fact that she never fails to return by the opposite direction, resulting in "extending lead rope burns" to the back of unsuspecting legs.  Furthermore, she has a headache... and her legs are sore (the daughter, not the dog... she never complains!) 

I carry on, determined to reach the top, telling her it will be worth it when we get there!

At last, I see the bridge peeking through the trees - a welcome sight for me, Nirvana for my daughter!

The upper falls are simply stunning and can only really be appreciated once we're over the bridge and heading down the other side.

The braes ascend like lofty wa's,
The foaming stream deep-roaring, fa's

Instantly, the mood has changed in camp - she's smiling at last... it's all downhill from here!  


Now simmer blinks on flow'ry braes

And o'er the crystal streamlets plays,

Now, whilst the impressive views of the falls and ravine are seen from this side of the river, this is a path with hundreds of steps, so personally I'd rather enjoy the views on the return journey, when you're not out of breath from the climb!

And so to Robert Burns , who wrote The Birks of Aberfeldie (no, that's not my spelling mistake) in 1787 and though over 200 years have past, his prose fits the place perfectly - perhaps the sun was shining that day too!

Let Fortune's gifts at random flee,

They ne'er shall draw a wish frae me.

Supremely blest wi love and thee

In the birks of Aberfeldie

Back to work tomorrow for a nice short week before a joyous five day weekend - I'm so glad I booked a holiday for Friday!

H

An afternoon drive

And so begins another busy week - busy at work, busy at home - it's never ending!

We had a lovely trip across the water to Elie and Earlsferry in Fife on Saturday, I would say I know parts of Fife quite well, but I'd never been to Earlsferry before - what a lovely place! 

Had it been a few degrees warmer, you could easily have thought you were in rural France.  There is just something about the colours that are so different from Perthshire. Despite being only 30 miles away, the East Neuk of Fife, on a nice day, can seem a world away.

I have to admit, I'm rarely separated from my mobile these days and when I upgraded just before Christmas one of my requirements was a good camera as I do take rather alot of photos!  I was sold on a Samsung Nexus and whilst initially disappointed with the lack of zoom (and still frustrated on a daily basis) I did discover, more by luck than anything else, a rather nifty panorama setting on Saturday.

I love these beach huts, might just need to paint my garden shed - I don't have a beach, but you can always dream...

Perhaps I went a bit too far with my new found toy on this one - the whole seafront in one frame and such a beautiful beach.  Must remember this one for the summer holidays.

We headed back towards St Andrews along the Coastal road, stopping off in Pittenweem for an ice cream.  It was lovely to see so many boats in the harbour of this vibrant fishing village. 

Driving home via St Andrews, the clouds disappeared and we were blessed with picture perfect scenery - the bright and varying green of trees coming into leaf with the occasional  brilliant blaze of copper beech and acer, the vibrant yellow of the oilseed rape and the blue of the sea and the sky in perfect combination - a perfect afternoon that refreshed the soul.  

It's Monday evening now and I think I need another dose.  I do love this time of the year, everything is so fresh and perfect!  Off to take the dog for a walk to enjoy the remains of the sunshine. 

Deep breath, it'll be Friday before I know it.

H





.

Hello!

Hello there,

Where to start on this blogging journey?

I'm here, I suppose, because of my dear friend Katie aka Vintage Squirrel - I follow her blog and some others, always starting at her site and wandering off to every corner of the globe in just a few clicks, it's wonderful - so many inspirational people and beautiful places!

So, I decided to join this land of ramblings and observations myself. It hasn't been an overnight decision...no, it must be a few months since I started the process, but here I am at last, my first post! A few words sent into cyber space...will anyone see them?

I'm not even entirely sure what I might blog about - those craft projects I never quite finish? Walks in the lovely Scottish countryside? The antics of my border collie? Cakes I've baked? Or the trials and tribulations of a Scottish working mum tiptoeing through the teenage years in the hope of sending three responsible hard-working adults out into the big bad world?

Bit of everything there then!

Bye for now


H