Sunshine and Stamping
Sorry for the super long delay between posts. Miles was away for ages and took with him the camera that we share since mine decided to give up and die a year after purchase (boo). He’s back now and so too is the camera – Hooray! It’s been a busy few weeks here, sweltering in the summer sun, working and all the day-to-day stuff that seems to take up all my time. However, I did get a little time to make these new gift tags with my Russian doll stamps that Miles got me for Christmas, yes I’ve waited since Christmas to get some free time and inspiration to use them. They are from the very lovely Make Lounge – I think? They are hand carved and pretty cute even if I do say so myself.
The Paris stamps were a birthday gift from Miles again, he knows I love nothing more than a beautiful rubber stamp! I was very lucky today, I hit Islington’s Upper Street for browse of the summer sales and one of the local design shops, Aria had this Orla Kiely note book for £3 reduced from £9.95 because it has a little mark on it (I’m not fussed). They also had this great Wallpaper guide to Bilbao reduced to £3.50 – which was a stroke of luck as this is where I’m off to on my work holiday on Thursday. You may remember me blogging about previous work holiday’s to Barcelona and Athens and this year we’re off to San Sebastian near Bilbao, Spain. Looking forward to relaxing in the sun and hopefully seeing some lovely sights.
I really loved how these two books co-ordinated in colour and once I made my labels they seemed to match so well too. Fresh, yet muted summer colours are just what I need right now as every where feels so bright and sunny. This weekend is mostly going to be spent spending time with Miles (catching up and hanging out after his sky diving adventure). We’ve spent hours in the park reading, with a butterfly landing on Miles back several times – amazing! Looking forward to catching the England game tomorrow, fingers crossed for a win! If anyone knows the San Sebastian area and have any good tips please share them, I have done very little research and it doesn’t seem to be a place that many have visited. Have a great week!
Peach and Sweet Potato Muffins
I’m feeling rather summery at the moment. The sun is shining and flip flops are the staple footwear choice. I’m sure all this will change in the blink of n eye and rain will pour – after all this is England! I managed a spot of baking today, another recipe from the Harry Eastwood cookbook. Previously I have attempted the courgette cupcakes, but today I went for the peach and sweet potato muffins. My thinking was that these will make really great breakfast snacks. If you are not familiar with Harry’s philosophy, she tends to avoid butter in her recipes and substitutes this with vegetables to get the same (if not more) moisture – cakes that are actually pretty good for you, whoop!
For anyone looking to give them ago here is the recipe.
You will need the following:
2 medium free range eggs
120g caster sugar
200g peeled and finely grated sweet potato
100g white rice flour
100g ground almonds
1 table spoon of poppy seeds
2 teaspoons of baking powder
1/2 teaspoon of barcarbonate of soda
1/4 teaspoon of salt
3 small peaches cut into small cubes (or 1 regular tin of peaches cut up)
These are really quick and simple to make with very few steps.
Here’s how to do it:
1) Whisk the egg and sugar together for 3 minutes, until fluffy and light.
2) Use a wooden spoon to mix in the sweet potato, ground almonds. Then sieve in the flour, baking powder, barcarbonate of soda and salt. Finally adding in the poppy seeds. Mix well.
3) Add in the chopped peach (I coated my peach cubes in a teaspoon of flour to avoid them sinking to the bottom) and mix well again.
4) Spoon the mixture into muffin cases to the top, make sure you use a muffin tray to bake them. Then they need 3o minutes in the oven at 180 degrees or gas mark 4.
5) Once ready turn them out on to a wire rack to cool – then Eat! Yum!
If anyone tries them out please let me know, love to know how you got on. Also if anyone wants the book here’s the one that I have.