My Summer Round Up

When I started blogging I had this idea in my head that I would blog about cook books and also kitchen bits and pieces. I’ve never really managed to get round to the latter, but I’m about to remedy that here and now!

Baking Dishes

Last Christmas my mother-in-law gave me a voucher and I used a bit of it on these pretty little baking / pudding dishes. They came from The House of Bruar.

Poenies

Some of my very favourite flowers, the world seems such a beautiful place when there are peony flowers in my kitchen.

Spotty Pot

I have a few bits and pieces from this the Polish pottery Polie, but this new one is the jewel in the crown, it’s just gorgeous!

Grater, Peppermint Extract and chocolate Coffee Beans

I’d never seen a chocolate grater before, and although it was pricey I thought it needed to be added to my kitchen kit. I haven’t used it yet, but soon… I love Steenberg’s Organic Rose Water, so when I saw a different one I had to try it, haven’t made anything minty since, but when I do I’ll go steady, it smells very potent. I always buy these little chocolate shaped coffee beans when I see them, they are just right for decorating coffee desserts.

Choccywoccydoodah

Oh be still my excitable chocoholic heart! I’ve fancied something from Choccywoccydoodah for years now, and at last this summer the time came when I ordered a box of their chocolates. I LOVED these - think I might need to ask nicely for a box for my birthday!

Jubilee Cake

I was itching to make this cake, and when we were going to a Jubilee BBQ and desserts were asked for I took the chance and made it. This was the cake from the front of the BBC Good Food Magazine earlier this year to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, it is a Mary Berry cake. The sponge is given a bit of interest from ground almonds and Greek yoghurt. I increased the buttercream to cover the sides as well. I liked this one a lot, and will file away the recipe for another time too. Recipe here.

The Smithy, High Street, New Galloway

We stopped here for a tea, coffee and a fancy piece (Scottish for a lovely sweet biscuit / cake). The millionaire’s shortbread here was gorgeous, the best I have eaten out and about. This is beautiful scene  beside it.

Cook Book Stand

How pretty is this cook book stand? I have been looking for a new one for about 4 years now, but have never seen ‘the one’. I was asked by Dotcomgiftshop if I’d like to review something from their kitchen range, and when I saw this I knew this was it! It’s quite tall, but this seems to be a good thing as I haven’t sparked the book pages and it is closer to my eyes so easier to see! I love its cute gingerbread house feel, and the pretty heart at the top is the icing on the cake. See here if you fancy one.

So that was this seasons bits and pieces. :o) Back to normal next post!

Next Up: Nigellissima