Hummus

A top tip from me to you. Adding fresh coriander when making hummus makes it taste sooo good!

This is a proud moment for me. It's my first finished adult-sized jumper (alright, cardigan if you want to nit-pick). So far I've only been able to face baby-sized ones, so this is a proud, proud moment. I have to say, that if I'd been thinking straight I would have chosen something a little easier, with less bits to sew together, such as a sweater. Still... it's not a complete disaster, and I've worn it in public without being laughed at, so can't be that bad ;)

For this project I used Sirdar's Eco Wool DK and a pattern from this book.

Tomato Update 20.2.09

The first of the year... managed to get my toms sown today. Two 'Gardener's Delight' from last year's crop, two plums from our veg bag last year and also a new 'tumbling' variety which should suit growing in a hanging basket here. Have also sown some salad leaves too - am looking forward to seeing what comes up.

On another note, I was really lucky to go on a course about encouraging sustainability within the primary school before half term. Some really interesting and inspiring talks, especially from a chap called Gyles Morris of the Magdalen Project in Somerset, which I'll be visiting with my class on the school journey in just over a month's time. I'm really looking forward to it, and shall report back here...

Other highlights included Laura Farmer on the garden created at Poole's Park School in Islington, where each class have their own allotment growing fruit and veggies bound for the canteen; and the head of the WWF UK Education department, (whose name unfortunately has completely escaped me) on education for sustainable development, why it is important, and how it needs to be addressed by NGOs and the Government.

Anyway, the long and short of it is that I shall be posting more things like this here in the future, as I try to encourage my class, if not school, to slowly but surely change its ways. We'll start small with some class tomatoes then..

So that's what they mean by a 'snow day'

Yes that's right, I'm one of those shameless teachers who's been off school for the past two days. In my defense I was told that school was closed as I was getting ready to set off so... y'know, I tried.

Anyway, what better way to spend the day than bake?


Makes 6 - 9 scones

225g self raising flour
1/2 tsp salt
55g unsalted butter
115g grated Cheddar cheese
150ml milk
1/4 tsp dry English mustard
pinch cayenne pepper
1 egg, beaten

1. Heat the oven to 220 C / 425 F / gas mark 7. Flour a baking sheet.
2. Sift the flour with the salt into a large bowl. Rub the butter until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs. Add the Cheddar cheese, cayenne pepper and dry English mustard, mixing all together.
3. Make a deep well in the flour, pour in the milk and mix into a soft, spongy dough with a knife.
4. On a floured surface, knead the dough very lightly until it is just smooth. Roll or press out to about 2.5cm / 1 inch thick and stamp into rounds with a small pastry cutter. Gather the scraps together and cut into more scones.
5. Brush the scones with beaten egg for a glossy crust.
6. Bake the scones at the top of the oven for 15-20 minutes, or until well risen and brown.

Spread with butter and eat as soon as humanly possible without burning your mouth!

Kittens are coming

Hallelujah, I think our cat has finally sloped off to give birth. Not a moment too soon as well - I've been nearly dying with excitement.

Pic above is from the last litter. And yes - this one really is the last.

ps - scratch that... she's just come back to have some lunch (sigh...)

Snow

Top: Paperwhites, inside
Bottom: Snow, outside (the most in 18 years -yay!)

One can never have too many blankets

Especially when that one doesn't have central heating and it's 1 degree outside. I'm finding it hard to get going on the planning today... would much rather be making :(