Goodbye to Yarn Along and Storms in the Kitchen

Ginny has decide the time has come to no longer host Yarn Along.  You can read about it Here

I will miss linking up with her (as I know many will) and seeing and reading about what others are doing. 

Guess I'll just have to do my own yarn along...

So...here it is...

Yarn Along...for one!!

Ran out of one of the colours for my 'extended' baby blanket, so have gone back to finishing off a lap blanket I had started for my lounge room.  Only a few more rounds and it should be finished.

Have been reading lots of theological books from the church library, but it was all gettting as bit heavy, so am reading a work of fiction.  I don't normally like fiction, but this one has historical content too, and I am finding it a real page-turner.  Saving Amelie.  Only a few chapters in, but very interesting...  Cathy Gohlke has written a number of books...all based on historical facts, so if I enjoy this one I will read more of her work.

It's raining today...

So a good day for some Kitchen Chaos.   This morning I made this Date and Walnut Loaf...

Here's the recipe:

1 cup chopped dates
1/2 cup brown sugar
60gms chopped butter

Pour over 1 cup of boiling water and stir to melt butter.
Add 1/2 tsp bi carb soda
Allow to stand for awhile to soften dates (if you have the time)

Then add: 1 3/4 cups self raising flour and 1 tsp vanilla essence and chopped walnuts.  Mix to combine.

Bake in moderate oven (350F/180C) in loaf tin for 30-45 minutes till cooked.

(My optional adds: cardamom, ginger, allspice, mixed spice, almond meal to replace some of the flour.)

And then eat some...while still warm...spread with butter...and a cup of tea!!

******

Last week I made this:  Ye Olde Choc Chews (or Weetbix Slice)

'Ye Olde' because I've been making it for 40? years...since the children were young...

The recipe:

Melt 155gms butter (I make it in the saucepan I melt the butter in)
Add: 
1 cup coconut
1 tsp vanilla
3 crushed weetbix (link...in case you are not Aussie and don't know what Weetbix are!)
1 tblsp cocoa
1 cup self raising flour
1/2 cup brown sugar

Mix all together and press into lamington? pan (the dish I use is 20cm x 30cm and works well).  Bake in moderate oven (350F/180C) for about 20 minutes.  Ice (icing sugar, cocoa and water) while still warm and sprinkle with coconut.  Eat!

Added bits: almond meal, dates, walnuts (I'm on a date and walnut kick at the moment!), cardamom, allspice...or whatever...

 

Too wet to walk this arvo...so...

 

I think I'm in need of another cup of tea...and perhaps a small slice of date and walnut loaf???

 

xx