Cinnamon and Pear Crumble Cake

Hello Lovelies,
as I mentioned in my previous post, I was lucky enough to pick up a bag of pears for free at the weekend, kindly left at the roadside by someone who must have a bumper crop this year....



If I'm being totally honest I have to say that Pears are not my favourite fruit ( it's the texture ) so I was keen to do some baking with them.
There are lots of  tempting pear recipes on the interweb but many of them would have meat a trip to the shops for additional ingredients.
 After a bit of searching I found THIS recipe. I LOVE cinnamon and  had all the ingredients.

 I struggled with the measurements , a strange combination of grams and cups. I know a lot of the world works in cups ( I think this recipe is Australian ) but it's not common in the U.K. so I had to google how much the cups were equivalent to in grams.

 I've rewritten it here in a format I find easy to follow ( with a few alterations I found were needed )...I though you lovelies might like to try it and it will make my life easier next time I make this yummy cake.....because I'm sure there will be a next time.
If you like working in cups the original recipe will probably be easier for you to follow.

Cinnamon and Pear Crumble Cake
ingredients:-
125g softened butter or margarine
150g caster sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 medium eggs
128g plain flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 1/2 tablespoons ground almonds
100 mls of milk
2 large or three small pears, peeled cored and chopped

Crumble topping
90g plain flour
1 1/2 tablespoons soft brown sugar
60g softened butter or margarine
1/4 teaspoon baking powder

Method:-
1. Preheat the oven to 160 degrees Celsius or gas mark 3
2. Grease and line the base of a round loose bottom or spring form cake tin.
3. In a large mixing bowl beat the butter, sugar and vanilla with an electric mixer till pale and creamy
4. Gradually add the eggs...I add a little flour with the eggs to stop them curdling.

5.Sift in the remaining flour, baking powder and cinnamon. Add the ground almonds and mix well.
6.Fold through the milk and pears.....My mixture was very runny so I've reduced the amount of milk slightly from that in the original recipe.

7.Topping combine the flour, sugar and baking powder in a bowl.
8. Add the butter and rub in with fingertips.
9. Pour cake mixture into prepared tin and sprinkle with  crumble topping
10. Bake for 55minutes ..... check with a metal skewer....if it come out clean the cake is cooked, if not check again at five minute intervals till done.My fan oven took only 55 minutes.
11. cool on a wire rack

As you can see I had some issues with my topping. It was very sticky and hard to make crumbly so in this version I've added a bit more flour ...hopefully that will help.

This cake made the kitchen smell wonderful and it's beautifully moist with a crunchy top.
Happy baking
Jacquie x

Company and Comfort

Hello Lovelies, 

I'm still not running at the moment so walking is the only exercise I'm getting.

While I do miss the running I honestly think walking is great exercise. It gets me out in the fresh air and sometimes I also have company.

At Thirteen my eldest is still a little bit shorter than me ( but his feet are bigger ).

 He is a great companion for a morning walk and was happy to stride out as we headed for the local shops on Sunday morning........

I was so tempted to turn left and explore my favourite footpath but we made do with gazing at the view through the gap in the hedge..........

The allotments are still full of produce..........

We enjoyed the sunshine as we walked along but the stiff breeze meant it felt more chilly than last week.
These glossy holly leaves grabed my attention, reminding me of the impending winter........

Eldest was very patient with my regular photo stops and even pointed out things I might appreciate, like this lovely weather vain.......

The sky was blue and the streets were pretty much deserted. There was nobody at the park..........

The roadside planters have fresh winter bedding. I loved this combination of Pansies and Heather..........

Soon we were at the shop and eldest chose something for Sunday lunch as I had forgotten to defrost the meat I bought earlier in the week...oops.

I feel blessed to live close to the countryside but I also within easy walking distance of a few shops...it really does seem the best of both worlds, especially when you are as disorganised as me.

This place my children have always called home is a great community where people are friendly  and if you are lucky you find treasure like this on the pavement.........

I shared a huge carrier bag of these with my two sister in laws.

With part of my share I made a yummy cake.....I'll try and share the recipe soon.

On Sunday evening we snuggled up and wondered what the storm would bring.Thank you all for your well wishes after my previous post. It seems we got away with avoiding the worst of the wind here in the midlands. We just got a LOT of rain. I hope it wasn't too horrendous for those of you in the south of the u.k.

Stormy weather is a great reason to be thankful for indoor comfort. When it gets dark early it's nice to have a cheerful seasonal windowsill to look at while I do the washing up........

But best of all I like a comfy chair and a crochet project to keep me warm as I work on it's final few rounds..............

I can feel a  ta-dah moment approaching....finally !

I hope there is some good company and comfortable moments  in your week.
Jacquie x

A Change in the Weather

Hello Lovelies,

While the weather is still mild I'm enjoying getting out as a family at the weekend.

Yesterday we went to a different local country park, one we haven't visited for a number of years.

As we left the car park I turned round and was wowed by the dramatic sky.......

 Maybe raincoats would have been a good idea. The sun was shining but a gusty wind turned the leaves and sent other soaring upwards..........

In the opposite direction the sky was blue with innocent white fluffy clouds and the friendly  ducks came to see us.....

Hello Mr and Mrs Mallard..........

But you couldn't help noticing the steel grey,  rain laden clouds.........

I love looking at the clouds and these were pretty impressive but I did wonder what the approaching storm would be like for our beautiful wildlife..........

 Thankfully it didn't rain and we enjoyed the fresh air and change of scenery. I love to find traffic free places for my boys to cycle..........

Mr BM and I were happy walking

Today it's sunny but the wind is really blowing. My washing is dancing on the line with lots of extra pegs to preventing it flying away. Lets hope the storm is not a severe as the met office is predicting.
Stay safe lovelies.
Jacquie x

♥52 weeks of Happy♥ 43/52

Hello Lovelies,

 here is my third post in as many days! 

I've loved my week off work with the boys and already shared many of the happy things about it. I really has been a tonic and I'll be sad to go back to work next week, but I mustn't grumble.

Here are some more simple joys from a really tip top week.

1. Washing  cushions made from recycled yarn, I still love these squares of cotton crochet that I made back in 2011. They are used daily and had got rather grubby, but a wash in the machine and a tumble dry gets them looking like new again..........

the colours seem perfect for this time of year too.

2. A muddy bike ride with my boys, sister in law and lovely niece on Wednesday. The terrain was challenging on my vintage shopper but the children had a great time and the countryside  views were wonderful............

We came back covered in mud ,wind swept and tired but happy.

3. Crocheting little squares in the afternoon sun........

I'm on to the border now .....woop woop :0)

4. Spotting this sweet patchwork chair in a newly refubished library we visited. I adore this reading corner and I would love to have a go at making a patchwork chair cover myself ...I'll have to add it to the long to-do list. Check out THESE google images....wow

I do think this corner would benefit from a little crochet too......maybe a yarn bombed lamp,
What do you think ?

Have a great weekend lovelies....I think I said that yesterday , but it's really here now :0)
Jacquie x

October Light

Hello Lovelies,

Yesterday was one of those days that feels like a special gift. 

When it's the third week in October and we have had a rainy week, to get bright sunshine and clear blue skys all day long was such a wonderful surprise.

These pictures are taken at the park , where I took my three plus two friends .

As soon as we arrived I was thrilled by the gorgeous light and Autumn colour

The boys all ran off to play while I wandered along absorbing the atmosphere.........

It was warm, very warm for this time of year and the still air was crystal clear. I love it when you can see the moon in the daytime..........

I picked up a leaf and noticed how long my shadow was .....it was about 11.15 in the morning........

These leaves were huge , lots bigger than my hand, and so pretty illuminated by the low sun.......

The boys played happily with their friends and I was only needed to admire some monkey bar skills.......

I was amazed how quiet this park was considering it's half term here and the day was so perfect for getting a bit of fresh air .
There were a few other children about and this piece of "equipment" ...not sure that's what you call it...was very popular..........

Isn't it brilliant. I just love that it's made from huge hunks of warm sandstone. There are  lots of ledges children can clamber up.....and it looks so interesting....much nicer than some sculptures I've seen.

The war memorial is also sited here and behind it is a rather hidden memorial garden. So hidden I had never noticed it before. I love discovering new corners in places you think you know...........

I loved the dappled light and multicoloured trees........

everywhere I turned there was another picture..........

Again there was hardly anybody around......but plenty of squirrels busily burying nuts for winter........

I think this has to be my favourite picture of the day.........I just love the carpet of leaves..........

By now it was midday, but the sun never gets very high in October and the shadows were still long.........

A sunny day at this time of year is just perfect for photography . You don't need to get up early or stay out late to get that glorious soft light. I would happily have stayed longer but the boys were getting hungry so we headed home.

It was a beautiful day that made me very happy. 

When my friend came to pick up her boys later that afternoon she stayed for a chat and we got talking about our own childhoods. She said she couldn't remember much about the things she did, just hazy snippets.
I like to think my boys will have all the photos I take , both those I share here and those I don't,  as a good memory jogger.
And that these family time posts, scattered among all the crafty stuff, will  give them ( and me ) another link to their childhood.
Thank you for reading and all your lovely comments. I hope you have a happy weekend.
Jacquie x

This Weeks Drawing.....Autumn Oak Tree

Hello Lovelies,

on Tuesday evening I felt the need  to pick up my pencil and sketch out another idea for a drawing. This time the thing that inspired me was our weekend walk in the forest and this tree in particular.........

I thought it made a great subject for a drawing. It's so old these props help hold up it's branches......

 they are necessary but not pretty so I was keen to leave them out of my picture.

I also quickly decided to draw a simplified version of this lovely tree and to incorporate other details for added interest. This is my initial quick sketch.........

As usual I then did a neater drawing in my big sketch book and then went over most of the lines in fine pen..........

 I sat up till after midnight drawing away. This is what my picture looked like on Wednesday morning.

As you can see I decided to use Autumn colours for my picture....as I'm really loving all the glorious shades of gold, orange, red and brown that are beginning to appear here at the moment.
 All the glorious seasonal creativity I see in blogland  at the moment has been so inspiring too. THIS post and THIS one spring to mind.

So I added some cute woodland creatures...........

both in the tree and on the woodland floor.........

 I couldn't forget the Fungi either.

 I used google images for reference throughout this drawing, it's so useful to remind yourself what things really look like when you are drawing mostly from imagination.......like these Acorns and oak leaves......

And here is my finished coloured pencil drawing..........

I'm so pleased with how this one turned out. I just love all the Autumn colours and I'm very happy with how my tree looks. It may not be very like the tree that inspired it, but I think it does  looks friendly and interesting.

This was a much quicker picture to do than my Yarndale drawing. It's got less detail and I didn't spend as long pondering over every little thing . I finished it on Wednesday morning and it satisfied my urge to create somthing seasonal. Now I better get back to my blanket making :0)

Jacquie x

Looking at my picture again, I've just realised that I forgot to add Tom Tit.....
bother!

One Day...Eleven photos

Hello Lovelies ,

inspired by Gillian I thought I would take some photos throughout the day yesterday . 

It's half term holiday here at the moment and I'm lucky to have the week off work too.

1. Waking up to rain...sigh....but smiling at my home grow beef tomatoes. I cleared out my little plastic greenhouse on Sunday and found a few fruits hiding at the back. I doubt these will ever turn red but I love their pumpkin  like shape..........

2. Parceling up my little crochet hats to post off . I did nine in the end...not a huge amount but every little helps........

3. Trying to get a decent picture of the progress on middle son's blanket......not easy on such a dull day.......

 it's currently at 238 squares, with all the ends sewn in :0)

I've set myself a mini challenge to add a row a day this week.

4.This is from late morning and fed up with trying to chivvy my boys into getting dressed I decided to get a bit of fresh air......

 Love the colours on my Japanese Maple tree, but the rain meant I was soon heading back indoors for....

 5. some tea and home made cake.......tea loaf with plenty of butter , yummy...........

6. Midday now and we are finally heading for the shops. After posting my parcel I spot a box of apples at the side of the road . It says " please help yourself "on the soggy box so I take a few rather battered looking cooking apples....

 7.  Back from a successful shopping trip. All the boys got some necessary clothing without much searching. I particularly liked youngest's winter coat in cheerful green and blue...........

8. The boys had pizza for lunch and I was tempted by a tin of soup but decided to make the effort to make my own as I had a Butternut squash that needed using up......

THIS recipe...yummy and plenty left over to freeze and share.

 9. Mid afternoon the rain stopped and we decided to go on a bike ride. I stop to buy a PLANT for sale outside a house and youngest falls off his bike, grazing his knee so we head home. He's OK but rather shaken by the tumble.........

Thankfully he was wearing his helmet ....and his new coat wasn't damaged.

10.Late afternoon I was back in the kitchen using the apples to make crumble. These days I like to make the topping with half flour and half oats. I also added some cinnamon...because I love it.

these went in the freezer too

11. and my final picture is from 6.30pm . It was already dark so I decided  to light some candles to add a bit of cheer.......

I do like to cosy up indoors on dark evenings. 

This evening I'll be watching the final of the Great British Bake Off and crocheting squares....happy days.
Jacquie x