The Herbs

As keen-eyed readers will have noticed my blog title now contains the word 'gardening'. I say gardening but at the moment it's growing things in tubs and pots. When my landlord finally gets the back garden sorted each of the four flats will have a quarter plot to grow vegetables on. Plus the usual grassed areas of course.

One thing I would like to do is host a games day here this year. I have plenty of room for games indoors and outdoors: large living room, large covered patio area and of course the garden. There's a first rate chippy nearby and I will bake one of my Dorset Apple Cakes. Clotted cream and tea will accompany the baked treat.

Anyway here's some pictures from my burgeoning herb garden to keep you amused:

Spearmint & Orange Mint

Common Thyme & Golden Thyme

Updates as they happen.

Valerie's Patisserie....

....is a continuation of Drucker's by other means. They do, however, offer a nice range of cakes plus you get hot milk with your Americano coffee. And I got to spend the afternoon with my eldest daughter so it's all good!

Her's

Mine

Cake Frenzy

It was my birthday last week, the 7th. Anyway on the 6th my friend Virginia made me a cake and brought it to dance class. It was a chocolate and raspberry sponge covered in white frosting inlaid with white chocolate buttons. Sadly I forgot to take a photo before it was devoured by my dance chums. I only got a piece because my friend Simon saved one for me.It was quite something to have the whole class sing 'Happy Birthday' to me.

The following day my two daughters presented me with a Victoria Sponge cake they'd made for me. That too was delish and lasted a bit longer than the first one. The kids also sang 'Happy Birthday' to me with modified lyrics which I won't trouble you with hehe. I also forgot to photo this one too.

I've never had two large birthday cakes before so to say I was touched and flattered would be an understatement. I also got some lovely cards and prezzies including a Hansel & Gretel tea-cup and saucer from my friend Estelle the Queen of Chintz. Thank you all very much!

End of 2012.....

Goodbyeeeeeeeee!

.....And the beginning of 2013 beckons. I've had a relatively good year after losing my wargaming mojo completely. Setting up the blog has been instrumental in this. Photographing and writing up the projects has given me new impetus as well as an insight into the thinking of others' via their own blogs.

I've enjoyed building my two 54mm FLW armies, especially since the Anahuacan one started life as a Villista army for a Mexican Revolution project. My favourite is the Tarbooshian Army with all its contradictions and impossibilities. All made possible by the fantastic nature of FLW.

On other fronts I've re-activated two 28mm projects. One based around the movie Underworld and the other around 1970s Cops & Robbers. I've enjoyed the detailing of these figures after so much, equally enjoyable, toy-soldier style paint jobs.

I want to play more games and visit more wargames events in 2013. I've managed one game only this year: a 1/72 scale Crossfire one and that simply will not do!

This is also the first anniversary of me starting swing-dancing. I wish I'd done it sooner but I didn't. That said it remains the best fun you can have with your kit on. I get to dress smartly in a 1940s style and dance with the most amazingly beautiful and stylish ladies too.

And there was cake.

To conclude. Thank you for your support, advice and guidance since late August 2012 and I wish you all a happy 2013 and a bright future too!

All the best

Dorset Apple Cake

I made a Dorset Apple Cake this afternoon. It's not bad but hasn't risen as much as I'd expected, more baking powder next time I think. Anyways it tastes fine and that's all that matters!

Seconds out of the oven

Cooled and ready for a taste test

Time for a cup of tea and a slice of cakey with clotted cream.

TTFN!

A Tea Dance

Tea dance, well, going by this definition what I'm going to is not strictly a tea dance. The time's wrong for a start: 2pm - 6pm (but not by much). There's a big band playing and a comedian too. Mrs Barbara Nice? People tell me she's funny but I have no direct evidence or experience of her work. I am hopeful. The big band will be big with a bigger sound.

What is most accurate is the tea and cake. All the baked goods are home-made and, going by September's tea dance, plentiful and delicious. They even cater for minority interest groups like vegetarians and the gluten intolerant. (That was a joke, a poor one but a joke nonetheless). 

What is also accurate is the dancing. All kinds of swing dance: charleston, lindy, jitterbug, balboa, shim-sham plus the odd bit of foxtrot and two-step.

I'm taking my camera. IF I remember I'll get some shots. I may forget: all those lovely 1940s styled ladies and the fresh cakes are such a distraction.

TTFN!

I remembered:

One of the two tables groaning under the weight of delicious home-baked treats

The Tom Dunnet Big Band laying down a swingin' beat

What a well organised, friendly and all round brilliant afternoon! We started with an hour's worth of Collegiate Shag, no sniggering at the back! Followed by two sessions of top tunes from the Tom Dunnet Big Band and a funny if slightly crazy turn from Mrs Barbara Nice. I scored loads of dances and made some new friends too; a great afternoon.

German Bread

Birmingham is experiencing its annual visit from the German Christmas Market. If you do go I recommend a weekday visit: Saturdays & Sundays are truly hellish. I don't buy much, just the bread this time; you do get some bargains but overall the prices are eye-watering.

It's a black bread topped with pumpkin seeds and is as heavy as it looks. I forgot to ask its name. My guess is Pumpernickel but I'll bet one of you fine lot can identify it!

I had two slices toasted with poached eggs on for dinner. Very nice but I definitely needed a drink with it. And it will keep the mail moving too.

Herman the German Day 12 of 10

Finally got around to baking up old Herman today. The two day delay hasn't done him any harm: very bubbly in fact. I decided to go with apples and wild brambles as the fruit component. Turned out rather well too!

Herman - fresh from the oven.

Welcome to new blog follower Paul. His own blog Plastic Warriors is well worth a peruse. Chock full of interesting stuff and top modelling.

All the best!

Herman the German: Day 4 of 10

Good afternoon, cake fans. Day 4 sees Herman get fed: 1 cup of sugar, 1 cup of sifted plain flour and 1 cup of milk. I use brown sugar mainly because I like the colour.

Herman is sated......for now

Herman the German: Day 2 of 10

I'm making a German Friendship Cake. I say making in its broadest sense because the process involves giving him a daily stir to get airborne yeast into him. I know it sounds dodgy but the end results are worth it. The making gets more exciting on Day 4 but let's not get ahead of ourselves.

Here's a picture of Herman earlier today:

Paul of Paul's Bods has asked me if there is a recipe. There certainly is! This site has the info: Herman the German Friendship Cake. It seems the cake originated from The Amish people of USA not from Germany as such. Every day's a learning opportunity! ;-)

All the best!