day tripping >>>>

we took a last minute trip to liverpool yesterday. we'd planned to go tomorrow, but the mr found out yesterday he had a new job starting today! liverpool is our nearest big city, and we usually try and go to see the christmas lights. we headed down to the docks first, had a wander around a couple of museums, then took a walk through the city centre.

the lights were beautiful. baya especially was crazily excited, she's really getting the whole build up to christmas this year. there were lots of market stalls along the streets, many selling some gorgeous morrocan goods - i could have bought the lot ha! i did treat myself to a savoury moroccan pancake - SO good.

today we're catching up on some housework, heading to the library and making some stained glass cookies for the tree ♥♥♥

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easy chocolate truffles >>>>

the kiddos and i made these for my open house last sunday. they are so easy to make and taste amazing! they didn't last very long ;)

ingredients:

200g cream cheese

350g icing sugar

500g chocolate, melted {we used milk, but you can use plain or white}

1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

* beat the cream cheese until it's softened, add in the icing sugar. stir in the melted chocolate and vanilla. refrigerate for around an hour. shape into small balls, then roll them in cocoa powder, icing sugar, crushed nuts, etc

you can also switch up the vanilla for a flavoured liqueur such as coffee or orange if you like!

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flourless chocolate cake

some days just call for a chocolate cake! yesterday was one of them, i haven't made this one for a while, but it was just as delicious as i remember!

you'll need:

120g dark chocolate

120g butter/substitute

150g caster sugar

80g cocoa powder

3 eggs, beaten

1 tsp vanilla extract

first step - preheat the oven to 150 degrees c (gas mark 2) & grease an 20cm round cake tin, and dust with cocoa powder. 

then, in the top of a double boiler over lightly simmering water, melt chocolate and butter. remove from heat, and stir in sugar, cocoa powder, eggs and vanilla. pour into prepared cake tin. 

bake in preheated oven for 30 minutes. let cool in pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack and cool completely. 

try not to eat all at once ;)

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salted sunflower seeds recipe >>>>>

i am obsessed with these right now. seriously, this mama could eat this morning, noon and night ;) they are tasty and easy to make, i keep a jarful in all the time.

you'll need:

2 cups sunflower seeds

1/4 cup seasalt

water

place the seeds in a bowl/jug and cover with water. stir in the seasalt until it dissolves. leave these to soak overnight. drain and spread on a baking tray. place in a preheated over {170, 325F, gas mark 3} for one hour, turning over half way through. leave them to cool and store in an airtight container.

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bake it // cherry & coconut muffins

ingredients {makes 12}
300g self raising flour
50g butter
150g glace cherries
100g desiccated coconut
1 tbsp caster sugar
1/4 tsp salt
2 eggs, beaten
225ml milk

* preheat the oven to 200C/400F/gas mark 6.
* rub the butter into the flour, then add in the cherries, coconut, sugar and salt.
* in a jug, mix together the eggs and milk.
* stir the wet into the dry until just mixed
* spoon into muffin cups and bake for 15-20 mins.

these were what we baked on sunday. weekends are the perfect time for baking - our weeks get so busy that we don't always have the time. lazy weekend days are great to bake cakes {and eat them!} these were delicious and not too sweet like some muffins can be :)

todays for catching up on my HUGE to-do list while the girls have friends round {5 girls in one house - how much work do you think i'll get done?!}

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banana + carrot bread

torn yesterday between baking banana bread or a carrot cake, i decided to experiment and make a mix of the two. thankfully it turned out pretty darn delicious!! it made a great breakfast treat too :) moist enough to enjoy as it is, i think it'd also be tasty spread with a little butter.

you'll need
3 overripe bananas, mashed
2 eggs
100g melted butter
2 largeish carrots, grated
200g self-raising flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp ginger
1/4 tsp nutmeg

mix the flour, baking powder, spices and carrots together in a bowl. beat the eggs together with the melted butter and banana.

pour the wet onto the dry, mix until just combined. pour into a greased loaf tin.

bake at 180 degrees celsius//gas mark 4 for around 1 hour. allow to cool and enjoy!

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foodie post // cinnamon apple loaf

i went to bed dreaming of apple cake... so the first thing i did this morning was bake one! warm cinnamon apple cake straight out of the oven is one of the best ways to start the day!

what you need:

• 4oz butter
• 4oz caster sugar
• 2 eggs
• 4oz self raising flour
• 3 apples, diced
• 1-2tsp cinnamon
• 1tsp vannila extract
• 2tsp baking powder

step one: preheat the oven to 190 degrees C {375 degrees F}and grease a loaf tin

step two: mix together the butter and sugar, then add in the eggs one at a time.

step three: add in the vanilla extract, then sift in the flour, cinnamon and baking powder. finally stir in the apple.

step four: pour into the loaf tin. bake for 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean. enjoy!

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rainy days

source

i woke to the sounds of rain drops pattering against my window {and a soggy kitty meowing to come in!} somedays i really enjoying just listening to the sound of the rain falling. safe inside our cosy home it brings promises of sunny days to come.

once the kiddos had finished their school work this morning, we spent the rest of the day playing, baking, and crafting. choc muffins and a carrot cake have been baked, i finished up a blog design for a client, the girls got all the crafty stuff out and had a blast creating some pretty new things. i've gotten to the bottom of the pile of 'mending', made some new doily bunting for above my fireplace and listened to some tunes on my record player. we all need slow days, to catch up on some much needed house jobs and to just chill and enjoy each others company from time to time.

what have you been up to today???

Create a playlist at MixPod.com

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quick diy: make your own coloured sugar

one thing we like to do a lot of is baking.... cakes, cookies, you name it we'll try it ;) the kiddos love to decorate the cupcakes, and we can get though pots and pots of sprinkles and coloured sugars {some of it ends up on the cakes - lots ends up on the side!!}

i realised it'd be easy to make our own coloured sugar and it'd be a lot cheaper too. all you need is a packet of sugar and food dye in whatever colour you like. perfect to sprinkle on cakes or cookies.

place your sugar in a bowl, and add a couple drops food colouring

mix the colouring through the sugar with your fingers until it's all mixed in.

place into air tight containers and you're done

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luscious lemon cake

i love lemon cake... and this one is for a perfectly moist spongy cake that's imbued with lemon icing. perfectly delicious with a cup of tea - feed it to your guests and they will love you forever ;)

Plus - it's an incredibly easy recipe to make!

here's what you need:

4oz self-raising flour

1tsp baking powder

4oz softened butter

4oz caster sugar

2 large eggs

grated zest of 1 lemon

juice of 1 lemon

for icing:

2oz icing sugar

2tsps water

1tsp lemon juice

Preheat the oven to 325°F/160°C/Gas Mark 3. Grease a loaf tin.

Sift flour and baking powder, then add all the other ingredients and mix well. Spoon into loaf tin.

Bake for twenty minutes. This isn't quite long enough - the cake should be yellow, not brown. But not damp inside. As as soon as you take the cake out of the oven. Allow to cool and then enjoy :)