This week I.....
Made a disaster of a chocolate and orange vegan layer cake, using a new-to-me recipe. The cake was intended as an entry in a local baking competition but, after zesting oranges, melting vast quantities of chocolate and making a right old mess in the kitchen, I concluded it wasn't up to standard. (The lightbulb moment came as I found myself sitting in the car outside the venue, trying in vain to rescue the oddly gloopy ganache icing which was refusing to adhere to the top and sides of the monster bake.) So home it and I came, where a big slice was cut, tasted and hoyed in the bin, shortly followed by the rest of the cake. Shame, as I'd washed my hair specially and donned a clean pair of jeans because, well, you know, just in case. No, definitely not Star Baker this week. And definitely no pictures.
Visited the cinema early afternoon to watch the Shaun the Sheep Movie (essentially a silent film, very funny and thoroughly enjoyable). We were most certainly the oldest people there and one of only two couples without a child in tow. About half way through a young voice exclaimed loudly behind us, 'Dad, I need a poo.' Cue much shuffling and sharpish exeunt stage left.
Started reading (with some difficulty as the pages keep falling out) a charity shop copy of Cranford which I'm really enjoying. This was a set text when I was at grammar school though I managed to avoid even opening the book. I'd had much the same interest in Wind in the Willows and Northanger Abbey which probably explains my dire performance in English Literature exams. In my defence, at the time, my group of friends was rather more interested in reading Juliette Benzoni's somewhat racier Catherine and Arnaud and I did fare rather better at English Language (ah, participle clauses).
Bought daffodils from the veg shop. At three bunches for £1, I'm running out of vases. Actually, that's a joke. We're knee deep in vases here. And daffodils.
Stopped to take a picture on the way back from the veg shop. We've had a mixed bag of weather this week and the local high spot sported a light dusting of snow that day.
Acquired another new duvet cover and pair of pillowcases. Seems my new 'thing' is bedding. And maybe plates.
Finished a hat and decided it was missing something so I added a big pompom (or is it a bobble?). Surprisingly, this one has actually been worn (on dog walks, in the dark, with my hood up, but still).
Started knitting a cowl to sort of match the afore mentioned hat. Just simple moss stitch rather than double this time. You can have too much of a good thing.
Waved off the Boy who caught the train to London where he's spending the weekend with his sister, primarily to experience the Harry Potter studio tour. I just don't get HP's huge popularity (who was it who likened it to Billy Bunter with broomsticks?), though admittedly I've never read the books nor watched the films. I did go to see the first one but fell asleep after about five minutes and was admonished afterwards for snoring. Very loudly, apparently.
Took advantage of the absence (he doesn't eat fruit, strange boy) to make a peach and chickpea curry (this one with a bit of tweaking), sag aloo, homemade naans and rhubarb crumble for afters (which looked so inviting there may have been befores for someone).