Snickerdoodles!

So, as I mentioned yesterday, I had baking planned. Snickerdoodles are something I have seen time after time on blogs but had yet to make, I’ve had a recipe in my folder for quite some time now and decided enough was enough and I.Was.Going.To.Make.Them.

I’d put it off because I thought they’d be complicated. Um, how wrong was I? These were some of the easiest cookies I have ever made. EVER (and I’ve made a lot of cookies!)

The recipe I used was from Nigella Lawson’s “How To Be Domestic Goddess”

Ingredients

250g plain flour
½ teaspoon ground nutmeg (I used mixed spice the first time which was also nice)
¾ teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
125g butter, at room temperature
100g plus 2 tablespoons caster sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon cinnamon

2 baking sheets, lined or greased


Method

  • Preheat oven to 180°C/gas mark 4.
  • Combine the flour, nutmeg, baking powder and salt, and set aside for a moment.
  • In a large bowl, cream the butter with the 100g of sugar until light in texture and pale in colour, then beat in the egg and vanilla.
  • Now stir in the dry ingredients until you have a smooth, coherent mixture.
  • Spoon out the remaining sugar and the cinnamon onto a plate, mix well.
  • Then, with your fingers, squidge out pieces of dough and roll between the palms of your hands into walnut-sized balls.
  • Roll each ball in the cinnamon-sugar mixture and arrange on your prepared baking sheets.
  • Bake for about 15 minutes, by which time they should be turning golden-brown.
  • Take out of the oven and leave to rest on the baking sheets for 1 minute before transferring to a wire rack to cool.

Makes about 32. They keep well for about 4/5 days in a tin.

Variation: Replace 25g of the flour with cocoa to make chocodoodles.

When I first put these on the tray to bake I was cautious because I’ve had a great big cookie blob far too many times in the past,
but actually these barely spread at all, so don’t be afraid to cram them in!

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And how many are left?!

Well, between myself, Mum, Dad and work…3 remain (but not for long!)

xxx

P.S. HAPPY PANCAKE DAY!

Springing In

Is there anything better than that first morning on the year where you wake up to bright, bright sunshine pouring in through your blind?
No? I didn’t think so! If we ignore the light frost on the ground, it is easy to believe that Spring has finally sprung!

I feel energised, full of joy for life. Or perhaps that’s just the third cup of coffee talking.

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Doing something at work- cancelled.
My plan for today involves drinking a mug of tea outside and baking some cookies!

Have a fabulous one dolls, as far as I’m concerned it doesn’t even feel like a Monday!

xxx

Lazy Weekend

I wasn’t going to post today, because I am the living definition of lazy and have so far only succeeded to stay out of bed for about an hour before diving back in,
but hey, it’s Sunday and it wouldn’t be Sunday without more random photos from my week!

Gorgeous gifts from gorgeous bloggers!

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(thank you Char)

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(thank you Lauren)

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(thank you Stefanie)

Soft toy octopus?! Thanks MUM! This is so random, but when we realised it was called Splash (Flash’s nickname) it had to be bought

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Jeans! I wear them more often than I wear trousers, but again it is one of those challenges and I don’t often last the day. Yesterday I did. Something has clicked, finally, in my head!

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Embracing Spring with my gorgeous necklace from Go Jewellery!

What random things have made you happy this week?

Are you a believe in Sunday laziness? Do you have any traditions? I 9/10 of ten meet up with Trudi (a.k.a. best friend ever) and either visit my grandparents or go for coffee. This is followed by sitting around the table with my parents to eat dinner…one of the best things about recovery? Roast dinners!

xxx

The Power of a Blog

Fingers crossed this will be the last wordy post from me for a while, do you ever find that sometimes you just have a lot to say…whereas other just pictures will suffice?

We all know how blogs have grown in power over recent years. It’s well know (and probably experienced by us all) that companies now use blogging as a powerful tool for advertising; something I personally don’t have a problem with…I’m all for supporting high street brands and companies with price points that I can afford rather than looking to the runways and high-end focused magazines to get an idea of the trends, plus a massive feeling of frustration that everything is so far out of my grasp.

But that’s now what this post is about, not really. I want to talk about the Power of Blogging as a healing support network, intentional or not, because I’ve found through both personal experience and from reading other blogs, tweets and e-mails that people are constantly surprised by the kindness of others.

I was completely blown away by the support show when I was sick last year, from the pre-hospital support and encouragement to the sheer volume of comments, letters, e-mails, texts and even VISITS from people who I would once have considered strangers but now believe to be friends.

I think blogging is more powerful than we realise in helping us feel less alone, whatever we are going through…from exam stress, personal crises, bereavement, illness and all that’s in between. And I would like to take this chance to thank you ALL for being an all round, utterly amazing group of friends. I firmly believe I wouldn’t be where I am today without all the extra, un-expected support I have received through this blog…I think I drove everyone made last Summer when I constantly spoke about how I couldn’t wait to get back to blogging and show people how far I’d come, and how I’d make them proud. I know that won’t apply, or even work for everyone, but for me it did. And now, on the other side of that, my blog has proved invaluable in re-building confidence, and getting used to my new body and getting more adventurous in what I wear.

Of course there is a negative side to every story, and there is the issue of Anoymous hate comments and attacks on formspring (deleting mine was the best thing I ever did), but on the whole I’ve found blogging has opened up a whole new community, and at the bottom of it all we are ALL human, we ALL struggle and we ALL need support and I think we can all, to an extent, relate to each other and offer invaluable advice and support when it’s needed most.

Away from the words now, here is what I wore yesterday!

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This was me trying to get Flash’s attention and make him do something cute. Epic fail!

How has blogging helped you?

Do you agree/disagree with this post?

Whatever your opinion, don’t be afraid to share it.

xxx

P.S. I lasted all day in those trousers, felt infinitely better for doing so and intend to embrace and wear them more. I truly was humbled by the comments left and the e-mails/tweets received. Thank you again.

High Top, Low Top or No Top?

Minds out of the gutters guys, I’m not thinking of going topless, I have SHOES on the brain,
more specifically, Converse.

Once upon a time I owned a pair of pink low tops. I don’t think I gave them a fair chance as I wore them a couple of times, they rubbed and so they went…(where? I wish I could remember!)

Over the Summer, seeing my gorgeous friend Becca rock a multitude of pairs I developed a craving for a pair once more. Worn in, comfy, casual and a classic I’m considering treating myself.

This is where I need help. With the new light versions alongside the classic designs and a veritable rainbow of colours I want opinions!

All Star Core Ox in Marine I think I will forever have a soft spot for the low top design and a strange affection for this shade of blue (which considering I don’t own much in blue, seems odd)

As Light Canvas Ox in Charcoal Grey One of my pet hates is heavy shoes. The lighter the better, considering I walk most places and my legs get tired easily. I love the grey colour and see these being really versatile, but a little flimsy? I don’t know.

All Star Seasonal High in Lavender Hello girly goodness! I love how the pastel colour contrasts with the more substantial size of this shoe. I have a high instep though and seem to have problems with high top shoes. Anyone got any experiences?

All Star Slim Core Hi Aside from the fact I’d trash the bright white-ness in seconds, I am very much drawn to these, but yet my instep issue continues, and the impractical colourway.

I’d LOVE some feedback on your Converse experiences,

do you love them as much as I’ve found I do?

xxx