Kate's Christmassy-Boozy-Ginger-Truffles

 
Heat 300g of milk chocolate, a big glug of advocaat, a small pot of double cream and two teaspoons of ground ginger in a pan. Stir all the time and don't let boil.

Pour into a container and let it set in a cool place.

Once set use a teaspoon to scoop out a ball of the mixture and roll quickly in the palm of your hand.

Then roll again onto a plate with your desired covering.

I have used sugar crystals, coca powder and white chocolate shavings.

Will keep in the fridge for a few days. Perfect to make in advance of a Christmas party!

Jubilee and Trifle

What an amazing weekend. We have enjoyed it with family and done some lovely things. Sunday was spent dodging the rain at my in laws house. We watched the pageant and enjoyed roast beef.


Yesterday we went to my parents and luckily had a BBQ as the weather held out. More about that later (see Pimms and monopoly)!


I took round desert. I wanted to make something British and quirky. I decided on a Eaton Mess trifle.


Sherry Trifle at the bottom and Eaton mess at the top. What do you think? Jubilicious!!!!!!

It tasted gooooooood!

• If you want a go its easy! Put 8 trifle fingers on the bottom and soak in a good glug of Sherry.
• Layer some fruit (it can literally be anything! Tinned or fresh). I went for fresh strawberries and blueberries and frozen raspberries to keep with my red white a blue theme!
• Then a good serving of custard.
• Put in the fridge to set a bit.
• Then for the Eaton mess! Whip up loads of cream and crumble in meringue and chopped up strawberries. Layer over the custard.
• Then layer on some more freshly whipped cream (the top!) and decorate. I've obviously gone with the union jack theme. But almonds, pretties, chocolate etc are all great. Basically anything goes.

And I had scraps!

The chickens enjoyed their share of the celebratory pud!

 My mother in law gave me this coin to mark the occasion. I'll keep it safe!

I also managed to finish some crowns (the Scottie dogs are ready to be sewn up - can't wait to share!).

Much of this has been consumed over the past few days ....... delicish!

And last night was concluded with a family game of monopoly with the Jubilee Concert in the background.

Guess who I was!!!

And guess who won!?

Oh yes!!!! I won!!!!!!!!! No wonder I came back thinking I had such a good time!!!!

Hope your all having an equally great time.

Love Kate xxxxxx

Variations of Chives on a Sunday Afternoon

Today has been my first day back at work. It was so lovely to see everyone again. I work in a lovely fire station and everyone has each others best interests at heart. We really look after each other. 

Anyhow .. yesterday I went to my Mum's house and thought I'd show you her new little teacup. It is SO gorgeous. I really want it ... oh lovely tea cup ....

The she let me have a rummage through the button jar. My mum is so uncraftful its untrue. She hates sewing, hates knitting and hates making things. I defiantly don't take after her in that department. She let me have all of these though.

Can you see the lovely big black button at the front? If you look closely it's a post office button (strange, I know!), I'm sure it will really compliment my patriotic felt decorations.

What a find!

I can hear you all saying, so what's the title about Kate!!???

I now come to my main theme of the blog. I have a very successful chive plant growing at the top end of the garden, which came in to very good use for Sunday tea.

Let's discuss Sunday tea for a bit, if you don't mind.

You've had a huge sunday lunch so don't want much, but its your last bite to eat of the weekend so you want something nice and worth while. A pick me up, if you may.

Usually on a Sunday me and Craig have different things. I take the philosophy that; a little bit of what you fancy doesn't hurt you, on a Sunday. Let them eat cake, I say!

We only had one egg, which was defiantly mine seen as Craig had two for his breakfast, so that was me decided .... egg mayonnaise sandwich a la Katherine (I'll explain in further detail in a minute).

Craig fancied a lovely salad, with German sausage, gherkins and bread and butter (you can now see why I like separate things on a Sunday, as this options is most defiantly a man option).

My sandwich consisted of lots of chives, a perfectly done boiled egg and lots of cracked black pepper. My secret is to do this while the egg is still warm and then allow it to cool in the fridge. It allows all the flavours to combine and develop.

 And this is the finished mix .... yummy! See how yellow it is, even when its diluted with mayonnaise. You soooo can't beat free range eggs.

Then it was Craig's turn. A zingy, chivy, oily dressing for his perfect man salad. Firstly I put the chives and all the tomato pips that had ended up on the chopping board.

And then added ..... salt, pepper, garlic, chili, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, cider vinegar and olive oil.

These are the perfect Sunday tea, his and hers, chive using, finished products.

 Which one would you go for?

Kate xxxxx