Saturday 20 October 2012

Yesterday...

Well shiver me timbers, yesterday was the 1st anniversary of my blog and despite writing on the calender, I clean forgot! Ah well, shows it is not the be all and end all of my life. Forgetting about the date made me think why I write it or even started it.

When I was doing my degree, I really enjoyed writing though not necessarily the topics I sometimes had to write about! Although I still have no desire to be creative in the same way anymore, I still enjoy writing, hence the blog.

Primarily though, it is for DS and FDiL to read what we are up to, as well as other family members and friends who live away. I refuse to use twitter or face book and this is a way for us all to stay connected (when they remember to read it as being on twitter and face book, they forget about blogs:(

I also enjoy 'pootling' about in my life, learning new things, practicing being thrifty and passing on anything I think relevant.

So, to that end, here is a picture of another part of my Christmas baking. There were 24 deep mince pies before the photograph was taken but B. called round for us to go for a walk so had half of one of them for 'energy' – yeah right!



I've experimented with a new topping. Half of them have the traditional pastry topping, the other half have a frugal 'maid of honour' topping. 3oz sugar, 2oz ground almonds, 1oz ground rice, mixed spice, vanilla essence and an egg. If you don't have any almonds you can use all ground rice but it will be more crunchy.

Traditionally, this topping uses 3oz sugar, 3oz ground almonds, 1 egg and some almond essence so you can see the changes I have made.

There was a little bit of pastry left over so I made myself one tiny square of jam pasty as a treat (DB was out for the day).

14 comments:

  1. Congratulations on your 1st anniversary! The year has passed so quickly. I agree completely about writing for a degree, but like a mad woman I used to miss it during the Summer. I think I may go back to writing short stories now that I've stopped blogging - that should keep the old grey cells ticking over.
    Your mince pies look fab - I'm looking forward to making some vegan ones as they'll be a massive treat due to the pastry.

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  2. Thank you and thank you. I used to write short stories but blogging is currently fulfilling that need. Won runner up in a writing magazine once!

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  3. Congratulations on your first bloggy anniversary!!! :) I know what you mean about enjoying writing. I wish could be as good at it as you! Love reading about what you've cooked etc.

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    1. Thank you and it is good to write isn't it.

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  4. Many congratulations on your first blogaversary!
    Those mince pies look very tasty :o)

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  5. well done on your 1st anniversary. Are you going to freeze the mince pies for Christmas?

    Gill

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    1. Thank you and yes, they are already in the freezer (after sampling!)

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  6. Congratulations. The mince pies look yummy. Will they freeze well? I've never tried freezing them.

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    1. Yes they will and thaw beautifully. Just warm them in an oven for a few minutes or a few seconds in a microwave (they tend to be a little soggy if you overdo them).

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  7. The pies really do look delicious, I really should make some this year instead of copping out and buying some, the taste is far superior if homemade isnt it?

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    1. It certainly is. We find shop bought anything (on the baking front) are just far too sweet.

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  8. Happy blogging anniversary. Mine's soon too. Those mince pies look delicious and I also put different toppings on sometimes just for a change.
    Patricia x

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    1. Thank you. Yes, it is nice to have different tops just to 'ring the changes'.

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