Home Made Apple Pie...

Well this is a post I didn't think I'd be writing this week!

But what do you do when a juice detox goes pear shaped? (Sorry I couldn't resist)

You make Apple Pie of course!

I didn't have high expectations as last time I tried apple crumble it didn't go too well, it was ok but not great.

And I was even making the the pastry from scratch.

Also as I had two little helpers this could probably go into the records books as the longest time to make apple pie ever recorded :)

But I have to say it was delicious and I was very pleasantly surprised.

Here's the recipe I followed:

serves 6

Ingredients

• for the pastry
• 
  
• • 250g plain flour, plus extra for dusting
• • 50g icing sugar
• • sea salt
• • 1 lemon
• • 125g cold butter, plus extra for greasing
• • 2 large eggs
• • a splash of milk
• 
  
• for the filling
• 
  
• • 5 eating apples (I used my left over Golden Delicious)
• • 3 tablespoons Demerara sugar
• • ½ a lemon

To make your pastry

 Preheat the oven to 180ºC/350ºF/gas 4

 From a height, sieve your flour into a large mixing bowl

 Add the sugar, a pinch of salt, and finely grate over the zest of the lemon

 Cut the butter into cubes, then add to the bowl

 Use your fingertips to gently work the butter into the flour and sugar until the  mixture resembles breadcrumbs

 Crack the egg into the bowl with a tiny drop of milk and gently mix with your    hands until the dough   comes together

 Wrap it in clingfilm and pop in the fridge to rest while you make the filling

To make your filling

  Peel all of your apples (do not nearly slice off your little finger like I did)

  Cut the eating apples into eighths, get rid of the cores

  Add all the apple pieces to a small pan with the sugar

  Finely grate over the zest of half a lemon, then squeeze in a little juice 

  Toss to mix then put the pan on a medium low heat 

  Simmer gently until the apples are just tender

  Remove from the heat and allow to cool completely

To make and cook your pie

Dust a clean work surface and rolling pin with flour 

Divide your pastry dough into two and roll out one half until ½cm thick 

Carefully roll your pastry around the rolling pin, then unroll it carefully over a 20cm pie dish

Finely grate over the zest of half a lemon, then squeeze in a little juice 

Ease the pastry into the dish, making sure you push it into all the sides

Don’t worry if it tears or breaks – just patch it up – it will look nice and rustic 

Pack the apple mix tightly into the pie dish

Separate your remaining egg and beat the yolk with a splash of milk and brush over the pastry rim 

Roll out the other piece of dough until ½cm thick 

Carefully roll the pastry around the rolling pin, then unroll it over the top of the pie

Fold the excess pastry back in then pinch and crimp the edges together using your finger and thumb 

small incisions in the centre of the pie to let steam escape as it cooks

Bake in the hot oven for 40 to 45 minutes until golden and firm to the touch 

Serve with custard, fresh cream or ice cream

Serve and enjoy

How to bag a bargain

Ok in all honesty I am rubbish at getting bargains, it always seems like too much hassle to save a couple quid but as I am getting notoriously tight in my old age I appear to be turning into my Nana.

I got a fantastic deal a few months ago on my tumble drier, brand new from a shop but through ebay, a cheeky bid of £79 won me a £300 tumble drier! Woo to the Hoo!

Now it is the middle of summer and the weather is glorious my mind turns to winter (obviously, duh) so I am on the look out for kids Ugg Boots and Hunter Wellies, I refuse to pay full wack (for Uggs any way) but of course I want new so its a bit tricker.

But once again eBay came up trumps and I have got two pairs of Uggs one for £24 and the other for (wait for it..) £15!! and that included the postage.

Its safe to say I was bloody delighted

I have to say that they would not be my first choice in style if I was paying £140 but for the kids they are great.

and I of course wont sell their old Uggs until the weather turns cold so I can get a good price for them. 

Next thing you know I will be cutting out coupons...

For Sale Laura Ashley Gosford Plum Door Stop..

Fabric Door Stop in the hugely popular fabric by Laura Ashley – Gosford Plum

£12.99 (free post)

Pattern will vary

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YOU WILL NEED ABOUT 2.5 TO 3KG OF RICE (NOT INCLUDED) TO FILL IT

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There is a velcro opening at the bottom to make filling very easy

All seams are overlocked to prevent fraying

To guarantee your peace of mind I operate a 14 day return policy

If you would prefer to buy through ebay...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/181166438114?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649

Visit my Facebook Page to see full range

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jules-at-Home/518522438198455?ref=hl

http://jules-home.blogspot.co.uk/

For Sale - Laura Ashley Gosford Plum Cushion Covers

Hand made 16 x 16 inch cushion covers in beautiful Laura Ashley Gosford Plum fabric with a cream fabric envelope back 

£9.99 (free post)

Pattern will vary on each cushion cover 

All seams are overlocked to prevent fraying

These cushions covers are made to order so if you require more please contact me 

I can also do other sizes if required

They are made to order so dispatch time is 5 working days 

To guarantee your peace of mind I operate a 14 day return policy

If you would prefer to buy through ebay..

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/181166437770?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649

Free Post and Packaging

School Dilemmas....

I'm having a dilemma about whether to buy Amelia's school uniform or not

I have contacted school admissions and she is still first on the waiting list so our chances of getting in are pretty certain but its just a case of waiting it out

But I don't want to leave buying her school uniform until the last minute as... well... I like to be organised and not being organised is making me itch!

Basic school stuff I have e.g. Pinafores, Skirts, Trousers, PE stuff as its the same for both schools, its the school logo'd items that I want to order.

Do they run out? Do I have to get my order in early(ish) or can I wait until August (will I survive that long without ordering, is more the question)

Argh!! 


I think it would have been much easier if we were say 6th on the list and then I would know we wouldn't  be getting in and I would have come to terms with it and I would have bought all my stuff.

Or do I just buy the bare essentials and try to make do?

Bugger!

We are going green.... Ish

And I don't mean like the Incredible Hulk, well not most days anyway.

Once upon a time a long time ago I developed a bit of an interest in Paganism. I was young so the magical aspect was the initial draw but it was the nature base of the religion that made a more lasting impression.

As time went on I changed my out look (as you do) and never really gave it much thought again... Until now

Not that I am particularly interested in the religion as such but I feel pulled towards a more natural, self sustained way of life. Maybe it's becoming a mother or maybe I'm just that way inclined I don't know but I would like my girls and I to follow the seasons, be aware of the changes that nature goes through, try to source produce locally etc etc

Now don't get me wrong I am really no earth mother, I have no plans to run around naked during the full moon (even though my husband may encourage this) and I shall not be ditching my car for a broomstick, no I'm definitely no earthly goddess, I like the finer things in life too much.

So here's the plan to introduce a bit of nature into our lives...

We have already started buying our fruit and veg from the local farm shop, which the girls love doing as they have chickens running all over the place which they find hilarious 

All meat products I am trying to source locally or at least be British, I tried my local butcher but I was a bit disappointed with the quality so this is a work in progress

We have started composting

Breaking myself in gently this year we are growing pumpkins (very badly), strawberries and sunflowers then next year a small veggie plot is the plan.

And last weekend we spent a thoroughly enjoyable day at a nearby forest collecting pine cones for kindling for the winter

We have been hanging bird boxes and lady bird houses

                                       

And of course making the most of the beautiful weather and working out doors.

With the summer solstice being only a few weeks away I need to get my thinking cap on as to how we are going to celebrate our first nature festival


Out of small acorns grow huge oak trees



:)

The Door Stop - Laura Ashley Josette Fabric

I have finally mastered the door stop (woo hoo, does happy dance)

Here is the finished result

More fabrics to follow shortly

£12.99 (free postage)

:)

Month of May catch up....

Ok so I'm still crazy busy so here's a quick catch up for the month of May!

We have been to....

Chester Zoo, love, love, love this place

A day out with Thomas the Tank Engine

And contrary to their faces they had a great day out!

The girls went on a train for the first time.

A big old steam train that went from Bury to Rochdale (and back).

It was fantastic, we had a little picnic and I love this picture :)

We went to Blackpool, Amelia the thrill seeker wanted to go on every ride she could and Isobel wouldn't go on any, chalk and cheese.

We had Amelia's 4th Birthday.

4???? Where on earth did those years go?

She had two parties, one for all her friends and one for family and thankfully it didn't rain.

And August 2008 must of been a very aherm.. busy month as we've had parties every weekend this May.

The girls and hubby did a bit of gardening, put in a border, potted lots of tubs and hanging baskets and he even made a table (more to come on that one)

Craft wise, I finally got around to learning how to make bunting and did a very simple birthday bunting for Amelia and I have sussed the dreaded door stop.

The girls have decided they want to share a room, up to now we've had a few late ish nights but they are doing pretty well, it's lovely to hear them chatting in bed, very cute.

As they are very close anyway I'm hoping it helps to cement the sister bond, they already hold hands where ever they go, long may it continue as it warms my heart.


Amelia has started her swimming lessons (and Isobel is moaning because she wants to go as well)

Kitty had a hair cut and has digressed back to Cujo (argh). He has been booked in go get his bits cut off so I'm hoping it calms him down a bit.

It was also my birthday, getting ever closer to that 40.... Eek 

I will be back on track with the blog next week, need to get half term out of the way and I have cushion orders coming out of my ears but I have loads to write about.

School placement

My learning to cook update

Making princess crowns

My new table

Making bunting

See you on the other side xx

Erm my plant pot is waving at me....

Well not quite waving but it's definitely high fiving me!

I'm convinced this little hand has just appeared. We've had the pot for eight years at least and I have never seen the hand before.

My husband thinks it was covered with soil but I am really not convinced, I think I would have seen it.. Surely???

But it's starting to creep me out a bit! I mean where on earth did it come from???

So my plant pot can high five off... Unless it could be the next hand of God like those images in toast...

Hmmm... I wonder how much I would get on eBay for a haunted flower pot...?

Making real gravy.... Revised!

I was a bit nervous of this one for some reason, but in reality it was very simple and absolutely delicious.

I will not go back to instant gravy for roasts ever again, it made such a difference to the meal.

So here is what I did

Put pan with meat juices onto the hob and heated until fat started spitting

Then I added two table spoons of plain flour and mixed to a paste

I then added hot water from my potatoes and whisked

You can add a stock/oxo cube at this point if you desire (I did)

Then I whisked some more


I left to simmer on the hob whilst I dished out and it thickened up nicely

I will say that I struggled to get the flour to mix completely so I had to siv the gravy but for my first attempt I was delighted with the result.

Update!

I have figured out how to not make lumpy gravy (woo hoo) and its down what I stir with. If I use a spoon with holes in then viola I don't get lumps, which makes me a happy girl :)

Sunday catch up....

Sorry I've been a bit quiet of late, I've had a horrible chest infection that has exhausted me, along with being ridiculously busy, I don't seem to have had a spare minute.

We have been planning Amelia's 4th Birthday party and after going through every type of party imaginable she has finally decided to have a soft play party (thank god! At least we can just leave them to it). So the invites have been sent and all I now need to do is come terms with the fact my baby is almost 4!!!!

Talking of my beautiful 3 year old (still saying it whilst I can) she finally got her gymnastics jacket after we ordered it 2 months ago (don't ask). The absolute delight on her face when she got it though was well worth the wait. She hasn't had it off since Tuesday and even went to bed in it on the night she got it, bless her :)

In other news, I have managed to make a start on some of my other projects (at last!)

I made a garland for my kitchen window, I originally was going to make some curtains but as the kitchen can be quite dark I decided against it but I still wanted "something" and I saw this on Pinterest (gotta love that site) and went for it.

It looks great but I can't get a decent picture of it, for the life of me (grrr)

I plan next week to paint my kitchen chairs (I know, I've been saying it for months but I mean it this week).

Also I'm on the look out for a shelf unit to refurb and then the kitchen will be pretty much done (until I rip it out and put French doors in)

Oh and I'm after a big ass rug for in there as well.....

What else have I done.... Oh yes... sew, sew and more sewing. I have some new fabric which is beautiful to touch and predicting its going to be popular.

And I got some fabric to start making some bunting, I'm starting simple with some birthday bunting for Millie Poo so I will post that hopefully next week.

And that's about it, hubby is off next week so visits to a local farm, swimming and a ride on Thomas the Tank Engine are all planned.... Happy Days!!

Sunday catch up

Well it's been a busy old week

Spent lots of time with my sister, which is something I love doing and we don't do enough off, I think a little pampering weekend is on the cards soon.

Then it's been all cushions, cushions, cushions! Mad busy, which is fabulous. Well, apart from the girls wrecking my house whilst I sew (argh) but I am not complaining :)

I am currently buying new fabric for some lovely spring time cushions, bunting and I want to crack the door stop (bloody cube shape!)

Time to step it up a gear I think.

Cooking wise it's been a low and then high, I had the family around for lunch last Sunday and I was all smug about my Yorkshire Puddings and guess what.... They didn't rise!!!!!

How frigging typical!

Then Monday I made Toad in the hole and it was perfect YAY!!!

All comes out equal in the end...

But now we are all ill well the hubby and I are coughing and spluttering, feeling sorry for ourselves. A quiet weekend is on the cards with a visit to grandparents on Saturday and a little walk and the pub on Sunday.

Hopefully we will be back fighting fit sharpish.

Yummmmmy Toad in the Hole

Cushions, Cushions, Cushions

My very talented sister cutting Amelias hair

Cousins having fun!

Real gravy....

Today I made gravy for the first time and all I can say is "Oh my god! Why have I not made gravy before!

(I didn't get chance to take pictures so proper blog post next Sunday)

It was simple enough to do (it did go a tad lumpy but my siv soon sorted that out) and it was by miles the nicest gravy I think I've ever had and I'm really not exaggerating it was divine.

In fact my whole roast was perfect (happy dancing), the lamb melted in your mouth, roasts were lovely, my Yorkshire Puddings were perfection and I got all my veg fresh from the farm shop yesterday and by god you could tell the difference. Poor Kit Kat had no left overs!

Even Miss "Fussy Pants" Amelia ate something other than just Yorkshire Puddings.

My homemade apple crumble is now in the oven so lets see if I can do a full house :)

Laura Ashley Woodland Creatures Childrens Nursery Cushion Cover 16"

Beautiful Hand Made Cushion Covers made in Laura Ashley Woodland Creatures Fabric.

Size 16 x 16 inches

I can do other sizes if required

This cushion cover has a cream envelope reverse

£7.99

Laura Ashley Josette Bolster Cushion Cover

Laura Ashley Josette Bolster Cushion Cover

Same fabric front and back

Zip fasten

£14.99

A little taster of my spring range

Spring is in the air and I am seeing lots of lots of yellows about so I have made this little beauty today with more to come over the next few weeks :)

Reversible Laura Ashley Awning Fabric, Zipped 

£13.99 Free P&P

Toad in the Hole

I was delighted with how well this recipe turned out.

Now I know it's a very simple one to do but I was surprised at how tasty it was and it looked great.

And of course as we know I am no Nigella so any success is to be celebrated :)

The Recipe

Toad in the Hole

125g plain flour
300 mil milk
3 eggs
A pinch of salt and pepper
Sausages

Siv the flour into a bowl and make a well in the middle

Add the eggs and then mix until firm

Gradually mix in the milk

Season with salt and pepper

The mix thoroughly until smooth

I also siv the mixture to ensure it is lump free

Let the mixture stand for 30 minutes

Heat oven to 240c

Heat oil in your roasting tin until the oil is smoking.

Whilst oil is heating I fried the sausages (but you can grill them if you prefer)

Once the sausages are cooked I put them onto a plate ready to quickly add them to my Yorkshire pudding mix.

Get your heated oil out of the oven and immediately add the Yorkshire pudding mix then sausages and put back in the oven.

DO NOT OPEN THE OVEN DOOR UNTIL ITS COOKED

After 10 minutes turn the oven down to about 180/200

Total cooking time 25 minutes

Serve and enjoy!

I used Asda extra special thin Cumberland sausages which are 90% pork, since the meat scandal I have definitely changed my buying habits and these sausages where surprising good value at £2.50 for twelve, I pay more than that normally for sausages with no actual meat in them!

Tip - Getting Rid of Stubborn Smells

If you have children then you know that when toddlers are sick it is THE most horrendous smell that seems to linger for weeks.

My youngest is a sickie child, I have lost count of the times she has vomited in her bed, over the carpet, on my living room rug (which I ended up throwing out as I didn't know this little gem then), in the car, in fact she has been sick more in one year than Amelia has in total. She is a nightmare!

This is my tip for removing the smell of sick and any other unpleasant smell.

Mix washing powder with bicarbonate of soda and brush gently into the area, leave overnight then vacuum.

No more smell

This works like a charm

I also use it to freshen up my carpets and it makes your room smell wonderfully clean and fresh.

Tip - How To Remove Stains From Oil Cloth

If like me when you first purchased your oil cloth, did you think stains would just wipe off?

Yes?

So did I!

So you can imagine my horror that very first day I used my brand new Laura Ashley Amelie Oil Cloth and the girls had spaghetti bolognese (yes you can see what is coming...) and lets just say they aren't the tidiest of little eaters but I wasn't concerned, it would wipe straight off..... Right?

Erm no, it wouldn't come off

In fact, it stained bloody awfully.

I tried everything to get the stain out from bleach to toothpaste and nothing worked.

I was mortified so I put a distress call out to the wonderful people of Twitter and someone heeded my call.

The tip was from the marvellous @_Ger_Foley_ and I was advised to leave the oil cloth out in the rain, yes that's right the rain!

I thought they were bonkers but I had nothing to lose and we were having the wettest summer on record so my washing line wasn't getting any other action, I gave it a go.

And guess what?

It only went and worked

No stain... At all!

I was impressed to say the least and apparently the rain removes all sorts of stains including biro!! (Not that I've had to try that one)

It does make me question what's in our bloody rain though, but hey who am I to argue with the great Mother Nature who obviously likes Laura Ashley.