Wordless Wednesday - White Blossom

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Wordless Wednesday

Five on Friday - Breathing Fresh Air Once Again

Oh my word!  What a virus I have just had.  This positive year has certainly thrown some blows so far and I feel as though I have been constricted in both having to stay in after surgery and then to follow this with my throat burning from what felt like cuts from barbed wire has certainly taken it out of me.  I have to thank you all so much for your lovely comments wishing me well, they were really appreciated believe me.  I was so, so low but I am now on the other side of this and started to get out and about again.  So, with no further ado and to get back on to the positive trail, here are my five on friday...

1. Hi Ho Hi Ho, it's back to work we go!  It was so lovely to hobble along the driveway and look up at the office window once again.  So much history in just one window.  The office is below the turrets of the Palace and one of the oldest parts of the precincts.  Yes, I pinch myself sometimes.

The blossom against the stone walls is just delicious!

2. VIP at the Cathedral.  So many cameras, it must mean one thing... a VIP, and in this case it was HRH The Duchess of Cornwall (Camilla) who was visiting the Cathedral to read to some school children (she's the one in the purple).

Once she was safely inside, the media waited patiently, long with a few well wishers.  One came up to me and asked who was inside, he clearly wasn't impressed and said that he would have stayed if it was the Duchess of Cambridge instead!

3. Walking Again!  I can't tell you how dizzily happy I am to be able to fit my feet into my stretched old boots and hobble about without my medical sandals on!  I will never take the simplicity of walking for granted again!

4. Back on the Fens!  I took a risk and went for a short walk on the Fens with little Tia while the earth was fairly mud free.  To be totally alone (well, apart from a very happy Tia) and breathing in fresh air again was incredibly satisfying, especially on a sunny day.

5. The Painted Roses Blanket - This is coming along nicely and the joining has begun.  My faithful companion throughout this virus!

So, out and about again and so grateful!  Especially now that half term has started here and I can get out and about more - the greenhouse is calling me!

Have a wonderful weekend.

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Five on Friday at Love Made My Home
Willy Nilly Friday

Oh That Dreaded Lurgy

Just a short post this weekend as the dreaded lurgy has decided to give me a visit.  After many weeks off after surgery I should have known that travelling to work once again would make me more susceptible to the lovely germs that love to be social.  After a visit to my GP, and getting a rather severe talking to, I have had to take his advice and rest.

Hopefully next week I will be back on fighting form once again.

Have a safe and germ free weekend.

The Chocolate Melting Pot - Chocolate Truffle Torte

There are times when a chocolate indulgence is needed and after Miss Teen very disappointingly said that she missed the Chocolate Truffle Torte at Christmas, I thought I'd better remedy that.  Delia Smith's Chocolate Truffle Torte (her recipe is here) was introduced to me about twenty years ago when someone I knew in work used to bring in the most amazing cakes - after all, he was an architect!  Every birthday he would bring in an enormous torte which was the talk of our floor, then just before I left I asked him for his secret recipe.  He whispered "Have you got Delia's Christmas Book?  Well follow the recipe for the torte and add Amaretto".  That was it!  So, without further ado, I will now make you sink into a chocolate heaven.  Lets's start with a 1lb of plain chocolate - certainly a stairway to that heaven!

The recipe states a 9" tin, but as I needed to take one into work, one gluten free and one for the family, I bought two 6" tins and 1 4" for the gluten free.  If I make this for Christmas or another special occasion I use a much prettier dish but you get the idea.  The recipe asks for 3oz of Amaretti biscuits as the base for the 9" dish but I tend to use the whole bag (in this case I then covered two of the tins).  Just crush them in a freezer bag or anything else you may have.

Once crushed they look just like a richly coloured sandy beach, a little bit of sunshine was a welcome addition!  For gluten free I crushed some gluten free digestive biscuits which I am assured tasted equally as delicious.

Just layer the dish, or dishes in my case and even out.

Then the fun part!  The rich fragrant chocolate!  Heat some water in a pan and let it simmer and then put a bowl on top with about a 1lb of chocolate broken up into the bowl along with 5tbsps of liquid glucose, 3 tbsps rum and 2 tbsps of Ameretto (well, let's just say, to taste!).

(Some extra information following Sandra's question in the comments - I have searched for alternatives for those who can't get liquid glucose, apparently golden syrup works just as well or 5tbsps water mixed with 5tbsps castor sugar and microwaved.  The liquid glucose (or alternative) is to set the chocolate mix and make it well behaved).

Stir occasionally until the chocolate is melted and quite smooth.

While the chocolate is melting, whisk up a pint of double cream until it just starts to get stiff.

Then, take the chocolate off the heat and let it cool for a couple of minutes.  Add half the cream into the chocolate bowl and fold in with a metal spoon and then once that has been incorporated, fold the cream and chocolate into the cream bowl.

I just adore the marbling!  The mix looks so velvety and delicious once it has all been incorporated.

Then pour the gorgeous silky chocolatey cream onto your crushed biscuits and level off, or make swirls depending on your preference.

Cover them with cling film and put into the fridge to get nice and cold.  They are incredibly well behaved and the added bonus is that you can freeze them until you need them.  Sometimes I make them a month in advance for Christmas.

Be warned though, a slice is very rich and some people like to have single pouring cream with it, but just adjust the portion sizes accordingly.  I can guarantee you will love it and it is so incredibly simple to make and worthy enough for the very special get togethers too.

Now, who wants to lick out the bowl??!

Have a fantastic week.

This week I am sharing with:

Best of the Weekend with Amy at Ms Toody Goo Shoes
Cooking and Crafting with J&J

Five on Friday - Little Indulgences

1. It's been another week of pottering around and feeling a bit more productive I am glad to say. There were some little indulgences which will affect the hips I am sure - chocolate in the form of Cadbury Mini Eggs (I am positive that the contents have lessened in quantity!) and bars of gorgeous rich plain chocolate which were melted and made into something absolutely delicious (will be shared with you in my next post).

2. This winter is incredibly confused.  I walked Tia down our road and couldn't believe that there was a tree full of pink blossom which is so beautiful but I hope will not be short lived if a winter bite surprises us.  The pink blossom made me potter into the garden and see what life was being born out there.  I was surprised at the blossom, daffodils, clematis and little yellow roses that were bobbing their heads in the wind.  The hellebores had hidden their heads away so I was lucky to see and pick some to bring into the house. 

3. A couple more pretty deliveries were received this week in the form of some flowery scissors (I don't think Mr Teen will nick these!) and some colourful hooks for up and coming projects.  Just have to remember...

One project at a time!!!!

The Painted Roses Blanket is coming on leaps and bounds, so only one hook will be used here.

4. Another potter was to go back into Spalding to see if my feet would fit into ANY boots or shoes yet.  I was so full of hope, thinking positive, sure of finding something.  Let's just say "Oh well, never mind!".  The view of the White Horse across the road was good enough with its wonderful thatched roof (some information on the new thatch is here).

5. I was so proud of myself today as I managed to travel to Peterborough to pop into work and hobble across the ancient cobbles.  I do miss this place so will be glad to get back to some regular routines next week.  It will be a long time before I climb the scaffolding again though!

So that's my pottering this week.  I am hoping to go a bit further afield next week, but let's just take this one step at a time.

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

Sharing with:

Five on Friday at Love Made My Home
Willy Nilly Friday
Fun Friday Favourites