Let's eat cake

I feel I've neglected my blog lately, but then something has to give I suppose in this game of spinning the plates to maximise each day. 

I've been tinkering into the Instagram world, both with mine and Muffy's account (yes she has one) and I have to confess, I'm a little put out because she now has over twice my followers! 

But if it takes photo's of me in the bath or having to rub disgusting things on my skin... well you can forget it! I'll let her reign supreme, although she'll never stop rubbing my nose in it.

Eww... enough.

Also, I'm trying to spend more time painting and there's always to garden calling me.

Sometimes, I get daunted with so much that I want to post that it then seems too much of a task or would take too long, so I put it off. 

What you might call a world class procrastinator.

Does that happen to you? If so, how do you overcome it?

I'm thinking if I just write brief posts then that might be better

 (HA! Be brief... Me...that's a laugh in itself)

So let's start... 

How about a cake? 

I know I haven't shown any baking for quite some time. 

Mainly, because I've just been baking what you might call my screensaver. 

The boiled fruit cake 

I have to say this IS the easiest cake to bake and stays moist for days. 

A great treat to produce if you have unexpected guests. 

(here's the link to the recipe)

We've been enjoying the new season of The Great British Bake Off - season 6.

It's finally inspired me to get baking once again... but nothing fancy or time-consuming just yet.

My son's been requesting his favourite banana loaf for some time, so what can you do when he passes his exams but.... 'BAKE'

(by the way that was in Sue Perkins and Mel Giedroyc's voice - the hosts of the show)

It's a great way to use up any bananas that may be getting too ripe.

I also included some walnuts inside and pine nuts on the top to decorate.

Can you smell that? Mmm... good eh?

I'm not sure if it should have a crack showing... (that's a little joke to viewers in the UK)

but there it is anyway, so thankfully it's not going up before Mary Berry or Paul Hollywood. 

I'm off to pop the kettle on and to do my own taste test.

Num...num...num...

I'm linking up with T stands for tea time today.

Have a wonderful Tuesday and I hope to see you soon.

Possibly a few pounds/kilo's heavier!

Take a peek Tuesday

Everyone is talking about autumn here at the moment, even though we're still in the month of August. I suppose if you look at the temperature records we've been experiencing over the last month... post ex-hurricane 'Bertha' it's not surprising. 

If you stay out of the biting wind and the sun is shining, then it can still feel reasonably warm. 

It reminds us we are still supposed to be enjoying summer, even if it's the tail-end and

I'm hoping because the last month has been so cold, we will have an Indian summer.
Well there's nothing wrong with being hopeful is there?! 

In fact, I'm determined to stay positive until the snow arrives (apparently 'they' say it's going to be a hard winter) Argh... 

If you're a regular visitor here then you may remember my tractor ride with the local farmer whilst in the middle of cooking the Sunday lunch. 

Well the above and below photos show the results of expert ploughing! 

Now I must admit when I see these photos they do make me think of autumn but I NEED heat. Not for selfish purposes (although it would better not to look like a 'mummy' bound up with layer upon layer of fleece), no it's because I have more visitors arriving from Australia! What am I to do? 

They'll freeze even though they've come from an Aussie winter!!!

Does anyone know if/where I might be able to a buy tartan onesie? 

I can see teeth chattering and not in a nice nattering sort of way.

I'm cleaning fireplaces ready to penetrate their layers and warm their bones once they arrive. We might be okay in the house but how am I going to get them from A to B or to see the place? 

I'm obviously going to have to be creative! 

 A neighbour's cat coming through the field. 

Good job Mufftypup hasn't seen him!

With the Great British Bake Off now into it's fifth season it's inspiring me to bake once again. Both my sister and I are keen bakers and we constantly send each other photo's of our latest creations. Click here to see her latest collection.

I baked Chocolate and Orange cake last week and yesterday I used some over ripe bananas for a banana loaf. 

I've searched through my blog to find the post that will have this recipe, but I can't seem to find it. 

I'm sure I've posted it previously but it must be hiding.

It's a very simple recipe, so if anyone wants it just let me know and I'll send it through. 

I would post it here but I've got lots to get through today and the times marching on. 

I'm on the final prep for the visitors... but there's the fresh linen and towels to put out (no I'll not be making animals out of the towel like on the cruise ships, but they will be folded neatly onto the bed with the must have chocolates etc.

It's all to detract from the cold.

I'm linking up for the first time with Our World Tuesday

Have a wonderful week peeps and I'll try to catch up with you as and when I can.