Out and About....

Today I decided to drag myself away from the kittens and head into town to do something "cultural" ...

I headed to the Victoria and Albert Museum - I haven't been there for a while and wanted to see the 80 years of Faber exhibition and have a look at the frocks - always my favourite bit! I love the V&A shop ... I treated myself to a pair of button ear rings! They also had earrings made from zips!

After the V&A, I headed East to the Geffrye Museum over in Shoreditch (I don't venture to East London very often!). This museum specialises in "Living Rooms" and had rooms from various periods of history. At Christmas they have a Victorian themed living room decked out in all the lovely Victorian decorations! I must head back for that!

I picked up the latest issue of Time Out so that I can plan some other trips out for the rest of my week off ... I'm looking forward to reading about the markets as I am meeting some friends for a wander around Borough and Spitelfields markets at the weekend!

I will be sending off this little package to Greedy Nan tomorrow .... I hope that she likes it!! :)

A week off work ... and what shall I do?

Good afternoon!!

I am enjoying a lovely week off work ... and having worked eight days in a row last week - I think I deserve it!

Mr Plum is at work, unfortunately as he has a lower leave allowance than me ... so here I am, home alone (well - with two crazy kittens!) and a list of projects as long as my arm to do!! :) Where to begin ....

I realise that I promised you a giveaway back in August ... I didn't get very many comments on my blog, which was a little disappointing - but nevermind! Today I have finally got around to picking a winner!!! With a little help from Miss Pansy Plum .... more of that later!

So - what will I be getting up to this week? This morning we had our boiler serviced and had hoped to get our gas fire finally fitted - but that is going to prove to be more difficult and expensive that we first thought ... great.

I have just baked my first sponge cake for a cake competition at work ... and have enjoyed a lovely poached egg with mushrooms on toast for my lunch. I will probably pop out for a quick swim in an hour or so ....

Tonight me and Mr Plum are off to a special gig by Ian Brown - Mr Plum won the tickets and is very excited!! I last saw Ian Brown at Reading 1997 when he was still with the Stone Roses ... he actually stropped off stage in true rock star style mid set! I hope he doesn't do the same tonight!

I am planning to do a fair bit of tidying and sorting, a huge amount of knitting ... something cultural in town and just generally relaxing!

Okay ... on to the giveaway!!!!!

My five commenters ....

Here they are lined up on the sofa .... I wonder if there is a willing kitten who will help me pick the winner???

Of course there is!! Thank you Pansy ... and the winner is ...

GREEDY NAN!!!!!

Well done and thanks for reading my blog!

Autumn days ....

It's been a while since I last blogged ... not sure where the time has gone! I think it might have something to do with my (rather late) discovery of the Twilight Saga ... I have now read the three books which are out in paperback (and will see if I can restrain myself for a while longer and wait for Breaking Dawn to be released in paperback!). I even bought the DVD last week! For some reason these books and film had passed me by, but I picked up a copy of Twilight while walking in Guildford and am hooked! I am looking forward to the release of the second film in November!

This posting will be a bit of a catch up post! Here goes ....

I finally got to see the latest Harry Potter film! I know that it has had mixed reviews, but I thought it was fab!

Last night we had a new arrival! Yes ... finally, welcome to Plum Cottage Pansy and Twister - our lovely little kittens!!

Pretty little Pansy playing with my apron!

Gorgeous Twister!

We had a trip up North to visit the inlaws ... and watch the start of the round the world clipper race, a fly past by the red arrows ... of course a visit to Betty's in York! My favourite place ... we stocked up on tea loaf, parkin and a fat rascal!! YUM!

Mr Plum took some fab pics ...

I have also been busy harvesting my vegetables .... golden sunrise tomatoes and scrummy red peppers ...

More tomatoes and a green pepper ...

As promised ... here is the picture of my yummy coffee cake!! Mmmmm mmmm tasty!! You can never have enough buttercream!!

I haven't forgotten my giveaway! Sorry for being so behind with things. I will draw a name out of a cake tin tomorrow!

Coffee Cake on a Rainy September Day ...

I love Autumn ... woolly jumpers, big boots, hats and gloves all come out of the wardrobe. I almost froze to death at work today in my still summerish office clothes! What better way to warm up than get into the kitchen and make a cake!

I'm making my first ever coffee cake. While having a cup of tea and piece of coffee cake in Seale on Saturday - I suddenly thought "why have I never made coffee cake?" So here I am with my first ever coffee cake baking away. My parents are coming to visit this weekend, so another reason to get something yummy in the oven!

Here is the recipe:

175g self raising flour

1.5 tsp baking powder

175g marg

175g soft brown sugar

2 tsp instant coffee mixed with 2 tsp boiling water

Bung all the ingredients into a bowl and whisk until smooth. Divide between two tins and bake at 180/gas 4 for 25 minutes.

Sandwich together with coffee buttercream and a good dollop spread on the top of the cake .... decorate with walnuts, choc buttons etc .... picture to follow!!!

Our Kittens!!!

Here is a video of our little kittens .... we will be picking them up in a couple of weeks! They are so cute ... Mr Plum is in love with them!!!