Tag: thoughts

Bakewell Pudding or Bakewell Tart

The 17th century creation of the Bakewell Pudding was an accident when an order for a strawberry tart was mixed up by the cook when she spread of a layer of jam and then placed the egg mixture into the pastry before cooking. The mix up ended up being a huge success with a local entrepreneur acquiring the original recipe in order to commence a business of her own.

Mrs Wilson set up The Original Bakewell Pudding Shop and you can still visit and taste the amazing Bakewell Pudding today, why not take a seat at the restaurant, take one away or even receive one in the post.

Bakewell Tarts a variation on the pudding were a later 20th century creation. The pudding a buttery puff pastry case, topped with a layer of seedless strawberry jam and finished with a soft set custard of eggs, sugar and almonds against that of the tart with its sweet shortcrust pastry, layered with seedless strawberry jam, a pale fluffy frangipane sponge filling of eggs, almonds and sugar and finished with a layer of white fondant icing and half a glace cherry. The Mr Kipling Bakewell Tart would be the image many people have of a Bakewell Tart with many variations are now in existence, lemon, chocolate and too many more to list here. But trust me there are many fabulous ones available from so many other places.

So are you team Bakewell Pudding or Bakewell

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Chinese New Year – The Year of the Tiger

Lasting up to 16 days with the first 7 considered being public holidays (January 31st – February 6th 2022) the Chinese New Year follows the Lunar Calendar. New Year celebrations close with the lantern festival on February 15th celebrating family reunions and society.

2022 is the Year of the Tiger the third animal in the 12 year cycle of animals in Chinese astrology. Tigers are said to be vigorous and ambitious, daring and courageous, enthusiastic and generous, self-confident with a sense of justice and a commitment to help others for the greater good.

Every Chinese New Year is one of five elements, water, wood, Fire, Earth and Meatal with 2022 year being water.

Now it’s time to move into the year of the Water Tiger….

Check out what animal you are:

Rat: 2020, 2008, 1996, 1984, 1972

Ox: 2021, 2009, 1997, 1985, 1973

Tiger: 2010, 1998, 1986, 1974, 1962

Rabbit: 2011, 1999, 1987, 1975, 1963

Dragon: 2012, 2000, 1988, 1976, 1964

Snake: 2013, 2001, 1989, 1977, 1965

Horse: 2014, 2002, 1990, 1978, 1966

Sheep: 2015, 2003, 1991, 1979, 1967

Monkey: 2016, 2004, 1992, 1980, 1968

Rooster: 2017, 2005, 1993, 1981, 1969

Dog: 2018, 2006, 1994, 1982, 1970

Pig: 2019, 2007, 1995, 1983, 1971

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Scottish Burns Night

25th January 2022

Burns Night is a celebration of the life of Robert Burns, born in Ayrshire in 1759, Robert Burns is Scotland’s national bard (poet).

Auld Lang Syne is perhaps Burns’ most famous work and is one of the most widely sung songs of the English language, with many of us singing Auld Lang Syne on Hogmanay (New Year’s Eve).

Burns Night celebrations range in formality some much more relaxed than others but main parts would include:

Piping in the guests – to bagpipes or traditional music

Reciting of the Selkirk Grace – recited after the guests have entered the room and are seated at the table and before the haggis is piped to the table.

Some hae meat and canna eat,

And some wad eat that want it,

But we hae meat and we can eat,

And sae the Lord be thankit.

Piping in the haggis – guests stand to welcome the haggis to the table!

Toast to the haggis – honouring the most important ingredient of the meal

Time to enjoy the Burns Night meal

The ‘immortal memory’ – an account of the life of Robbie Burns, followed by Burns’s songs and poems often read by guests around the table.

Toast to the lassies – a traditional thank you to the women involved in the preparations (and a light-hearted homage to Burns’s love of women).

Finale is singing Auld Lang Syne.

And how about a traditional Burns Night Meal? This would include, Cullen skink, Haggis, neeps and tatties followed by Clootie dumpling. Why not try making your own Burns Night meal by using the these recipes. I think I will try making the Clootie dumpling this year.

Bishops Glen Reservoir
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Moving into Autumn

As the sun sets on today tomorrow will bring the start of autumn. 🍂🍁🥮

Interesting fact: The astronomical calendar determines the seasons due to the 23.5 degrees of tilt of the Earth’s rotational axis in relation to its orbit around the Sun. Against that of the meteorological seasons that consist of splitting the seasons into four periods made up of three months each. By the meteorological calendar, the first day of autumn is always 1 September; ending on 30 November. The astronomical autumn calendar starts Wednesday, the 22nd September and ends Tuesday, the 21st December. 🥮🍂🍁

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Taking time out

Family fun exploring Ingleton Water Falls. Taking the time out to spend time with the ones you love making memories can be done anywhere.

With some truly hidden gems in the UK maybe you could look to take sometime out too.

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Coexistence

Coexistence- we can live together successfully. The day Mum and I stumbled upon these beautiful herds of elephants in Green Park London 🐘. Think we may need to take another trip to see them again anyone coming?

Check out the CoExistence website, simple things mean we can live in harmony. I try to make my garden a haven for wildlife with simple things, a part of the garden that we do not mow, a bee drinking tray, a small bird bath. These things are simple and inexpensive why not try something different for wildlife in your garden this year.

P.S. I would love to bye one of these elephants don’t think I have the space or money right now 😉🐘

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Vitamin D

Taking a walk at the beautiful Tankerton Slopes

Getting outside helps you to get vitamin d, which is important for your bones, blood cells and immune system. Sunlight helps your body make vitamin d and this helps your body absorb certain minerals like calcium.

Getting out and about in the sunlight even just for 15 minutes really helps and remember that in the winter you might even need to get outside a little bit more.

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Health Benefits of Walking

Walking increases cardiovascular fitness, and boost muscle power and endurance.

It improves self-perception and self-esteem, mood and sleep quality, and it reduces stress, anxiety and fatigue.

Is low impact, requires minimal equipment, can be done at any time of day and can be performed at your own pace.

Walking with others can turn exercise into an enjoyable social occasion.

Physical activity does not have to be vigorous or done for long periods in order to improve your health.

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The beautiful ‘clock’ of the dandelion 💛

The seedhead is a large conspicuous ‘clock’ composed of cylindrical seeds with a long-stalked pappus or parachute to aid dispersal.

Dandelions have many uses including as a diuretic, the blanched leaves can be added to salads, roots are used to make dandelion ‘coffee’ and dandelion wine is made from the flowers.

Did you ever blow to tell the time or make a wish?

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