My Week

This week has reminded me of the things that are special, moments that are small but important - I have picked fresh raspberries from our garden, fingers stained with juice, and enjoyed the home-made crumble that my lovely husband baked with them. We joined my dear friend for a tea-party to celebrate her new home, her table covered with crochet and the beautiful ceramics that she made as her final degree project, and we ate sweet heart-shaped cakes in the garden, making plans for the summer. 

We had a quiet day visit to Ruthin, and went on to Llangollen and Ellesmere, just walking and chatting and looking around the little shops. A sweet friend came to visit and gave me a yellow toadstool, which has found a home on my fireplace, and my mum came to my stall to knit with me. We had a trip to the weird and wonderful antique place, and I had tea and crumpets, my favourite snack, and my mum told me that my Granny always had crumpets in the cupboard for me because they were always my favourite. I didn't know that. 
(Thanks to Amy H for the table photo from her Instagram...)

Baking and Making

With a ball of wool in my hand, I am at my happiest, and feel pretty confident to give anything a go. As far as my kitchen is concerned, I am a self-confessed 'fraidy cat. I love the idea of baking, of wonderful treats and healthy sustaining meals, and as much as I might have the skills to do these things (or so I'm told), I'm rather lacking in the confidence to see it through. So this past weekend I was helper, and chief taste-tester for my husband's wonderful creations. 

I wanted to share recipes, because everything that emerged from the oven was delicious and pretty healthy, mostly organic and almost completely vegan...

Buffalo Falafel - made with chickpeas, onions, garlic, cauliflower and breadcrumbs, and absolutely delicious! (Just a note - the Thug Kitchen blog is lovely but has a bit of choice language, just to warn you in advance...)

Potato Wedges - just cut up and thrown in some oil with some whole garlic and some crushed garlic

Rhubarb Cookies - Fresh Rhubarb from the garden, and coconut and cream cheese. Just lovely! 

Cauliflower Cous-Cous - Salad made with this Yotam Ottolenghi recipe as a starting point, there's grated carrot, courgette, garlic, cauliflower leaves, ginger, peppers... a bit of a "using stuff up" salad. 

We've both been having a look on Pinterest for recipes and hopefully we'll be trying out some other tasty bakes soon.