Thursday, 8 November 2012

A cake, a candle and cosy comforts...

 Now, I'm not a fan of the month of November
it's cold, it's dark and it's dreary
but here are some of the things that I am enjoying this month

Baking
Irish Tea Cake
I have been baking a lot more now that the weather has turned cooler

This is a great recipe and goes a long way-
Half pint of cold tea
1 lb dried mixed fruit
8oz demerara sugar
4oz chopped walnuts
4oz glacé cherries, rinced, dried and quartered
1 large egg beaten together with 2 tablespoons of milk
1 lb self raising flour

Prepare the fruit by soaking overnight with the sugar in the cold tea.
Next day, 
stir in all remaining ingredients
 spread into a well greased roasting tin approx 11" x 9"
Bake in the centre of a pre-heated oven (150 degrees fan)
for approx one hour 10 mins or until golden brown and springy to the touch
I usually cover the top with foil (but that is probably my oven)

Cool on a wire tray
cut, spread with butter and enjoy.
I fruit in my pretty pink bowl

having a little taste of the mixture before popping it into the oven
and best of all eating it with lots of "real butter"
and cups of hot comforting tea!
Y U M M Y
 

 hydrangeas
the last of the flowering plants in the garden
any day now they will be hit by heavy frost and turn black
so
I have taken some into the house
so that I can continue to enjoy them for another while at least
 berries, berries and even more berries
The garden is full of them and they are so pretty...
 
Warm fires at night

 
a glass of red 
or 2
or 3
or maybe even...
 cosy clothes
I bought this snuggly snood
 to keep my neck warm during the cold weather
it goes perfectly with my cream coat...

candlelight
I have been super duper organised this week and started a little bit of Christmas shopping 
I bought this Max Benjamin candle to put into Mum's Christmas stocking 
Max Benjamin Candle
but 
I was very very bold
because on Saturday night 
I removed it from the box just to have a 
tiny sniff you understand and before I knew it I had it lit and the smell was beautiful
oopsie
will have to buy her another one now!

and it's getting a lot like Christmas here
with the shops starting their seasonal displays
Another award
this time The Beautiful Blogger award
from my friend Jill
Jill has a great blog Chillin with Jill and is  a lovely blogging friend,
pop over to visit her and you won't be disappointed.
I have to pass this award on and so it goes to
Daphne from Ivy, Phyllis and Me
Val from Val's Alentejo
Ayu from White and Roses
Natasha from Made by Natalia
Good News- the painting is finished at last...
Mr. Raindrops and his assistant
Mr(will help -if I really have to) Teenager Raindrops completed the lounge,
 went on to do the hall, stairs and landing
and thankfully it is all done now!


{Green Day 21}
Well it's Friday and so it's Green Day

The usual rules apply...
Thank you to all who participate I hope that you enjoy it as much as I do
Raindrops and Daisies



(Cannot add links: Registration/trial expired)

59 comments:

Tangled Sweetpea said...

Beautiful post Fiona! I will definitely be giving your tea loaf a go, sounds right up our street! And your hydrangeas are glorious, one of my favourite blooms!
Victoria xx

chica said...

Fiona, fiquei com vontade de experimentar esse chá e essas coisas boas que mostraste. Perfume, vinho, lareira, tudo lindo por aí!

Aqui estamos num calor enorme, queremos água gelada, mar, prais ,mas ainda não é férias! beijos,linda semana,chica

Ellie Foster said...

Dear Fiona
Beautiful photos. The hydrangea display looks amazing. Cosy comforts indeed - enjoy them all!
Best wishes
Ellie

DIMI said...

Nice post Fiona!I will make the Irish Tea Cake!I love this recipie!Your flowers look beautiful!And your photos are fantastic!I love the one with the christmas tree!Congrats for your award!Wish you all the best!
Dimi..

Vane M. said...

Muito interessante seu bolo de chá, uma novidade para mim. Adoro hortências, são algumas das minhas flores preferidas, lindas, viçosas ou secas! Hum, vinho, lareira, roupa quentinha, lembra a pessoa que amamos...adorei seu post, aqui no Brasil o calor está chegando, mas adoro o frio. Um abraço!

O mirante da imagem

Sandra said...

Ooooh! A lovely recipe of Irish Tea Cake to try. It looks GORGEOUS! I love the cosy picture of the fire. I so miss a fire living in an apartment! Lots of nice berry pictures too. The weekend is nearly here, have a wonderful one! Sandra

E. said...

The fire, the scented candle and the wine... The ideal combination!
Great post, as always! Enjoy the weekend! :)

Grandma Barb's This and That said...

Your Irish Tea Cake looks delicious and the hydrangeas are beautiful. You are too funny, lighting your mum's candle. But what a wonderful evening with the fire, candle light and wine!
Have a great weekend!

Tracy's Living Cookbook said...

Always nice to see a post from you in my 'inbox' and this was no exception! Beautiful post...and congrats on your award!

erleichda said...

Hello Fiona!

Souds like a busy and cozy week you've had
Thanks for sharing the recipe! The moment I read
Irish Tea Cake I thought :
Here are three of my favourite words ;)


hugs from me

Barbara F. said...

Such a nice post, Fiona. Love the photos, I'd love the tea cake (just hold the butter for me) ;-) xo

eileeninmd said...

Fiona, sounds like a fun time, baking and shopping! The tea cake sounds yummy. I have not even started thinking about Christmas shopping. Your fire does look warm and cozy. Lovely post and photos. Have a Happy weekend!

Felipa Monteverde said...

Também já se acende a lareira na minha casa, o frio já aperta...
Esse bolo parece ótimo, gosto muito de frutos secos e qualquer dia experimento fazê-lo.

Tenha uma excelente sexta-feira verde, beijo

Unknown said...

The tea cake looks interesting. Since I love tea and scones, I definitely will try this:) Thanks for sharing the recipe!

My Little Home and Garden said...

Hi, Fiona

That fireplace looks inviting, and if you insist on pouring me a glass of red wine, so be it. (Perhaps with a little slice of the Irish tea bread.)

I hope my post is "green" enough. I'm trying to sneak it in under the guise of the recipe coming from a gardening site/magazine. :)

Thank you for the award. I'm flattered and will be sure to visit the blogs in the list that are unfamiliar to me.

Enjoy the upcoming weekend!

-Karen

Unknown said...

Love your post... I had seen when I was over at My little home and garden blog and remembered about your green day... linked up a picture of my tomato plant from my garden in the early morning dew and wishing that I could be picking fresh tomatoes again... congratulations on your award! I am also following ~ I though I was but will do it again just in case.

Anonymous said...

Awh, Fiona, you're making me blush. ;) Thank you, love. I take it with much gratitude and joy. I'm running now because I'm off on a road trip with my daughter tomorrow throughout the weekend, but I will be back to visit once I settle in the hotel. I'll have plenty of time to myself on this trip so it will be nice to browse without interruptions.
Thank you again, my friend.
XOXO's,
Marcia
Save me a glass of red or 2 or 3... :)

Jen said...

You make November look so inviting! The tea cake recipe looks like just the kind of thing I like, though I have never seen tea cake with tea in it!

Suz said...

WOnderful photos. You post made me smile. I think I'm eligible to join Green Day this week.

AmitAag said...

Hearty congrats Fiona for the award!
A lovely post and pictures as always:)
Thank you for hosting!!

Memaria said...

Hello Fiona!
Congrats for your award!..
your photos are beautiful as always!!
Thank you for the recipe..and the hosting..
Have a great weekend!

Ailime said...

Ola Fiona, adorei o seu "post"! O bolo de frutos secos, os chás,os frutos amarelos, a sua lareira bem quentinha (eu não tenho), mas sobretudo os arranjos florais com as Hortênsias que me inspiraram para alterar o meu centro de mesa! Tudo belíssimo! Feliz outono junto da sua família. Abraço. Ailime

inge said...

I have this candle and diffuser in my sitting room and when I open the door I am met with the most gorgeous scent. It is one of my favourite smells a great gift.

Have a great weekend.

lenalima said...

Lindas coisas poraí..adoro bolo, e vinho!
não gosto de frio...
bjss

TexWisGirl said...

sounds like you are keeping warm with good things. :)

Zizi Santos said...

Que frutinhas deliciosas num chá saboroso!
Aqui calor, aí friozinho!
Adorei sua gola de lã, pra te aquecer nesse frio.]beijos Zizi

Life, Loves and...... said...

Brack looks yum especially with lots of butter and I totally agree with the red wine!! Happy weekend!
J
http://www.lifelovesand.blogspot.ie/

My name is Riet said...

What a lovely post again Fiona. I love coming here and reading your stories about your life. What you bake and what you buy and.....
Have a nice week.
Oh I will join you for the wine in front of the fire.Greatidea,

Marie said...

Such a beautiful post! I really like the fire and the tree with the lights. You've made me feel so cozy today! :)
Congratulations on your award!!!
Hugs,
Marie

Lisa said...

Oh, your multicolored hydrangeas in the pedestal dish - gorgeous, Fiona!

The tree with Christmas lights is so pretty - after the snow we've had, I'm almost thinking about the holidays!

Hayu Maselli said...

Your cake looks delicious and yummy.You are a great baker for sure!

Hydrangeas as always look chic for home decor .I am wondering to plant them so in my garden.

What a cozy fire place,more then 3glass of wine?? wow...sure it make you more warm with the cold weather you have there.

beautiful town ready for x'mast.

Award goes to me??? unexpected..oh for the first time for me...what a joy, THANK YOU so MUCH for your APPRECIATION to my small blog ;)
I appreciate it so much.

I just prepared for my green day

big hugs from Rome

Hayu Maselli said...

Your cake looks delicious and yummy.You are a great baker for sure!

Hydrangeas as always look chic for home decor .I am wondering to plant them so in my garden.

What a cozy fire place,more then 3glass of wine?? wow...sure it make you more warm with the cold weather you have there.

beautiful town ready for x'mast.

Award goes to me??? unexpected..oh for the first time for me...what a joy, THANK YOU so MUCH for your APPRECIATION to my small blog ;)
I appreciate it so much.

I just prepared for my green day

big hugs from Rome

Chatty Crone said...

Girl you have been busy! You are doing a little bit of everything - love it. And you have decided to make your life happy - love it. sandie

orchid0324 said...

Dearest Fiona,
OMG, I was so fool that I haven't noticed that your post is for the green day as well!!! I was busy yesterday and had guest when I half read your post. As there were not "green day" on the title of this post, I missed it. So sorry about my foolishness, my friend!
Haha, belated but I will link to your beautiful post. Loved the hydrogen♡♡♡

Sending you lots of love and hugs from Japan, xoxo Miyako*

oldthings said...

Congratulation for your award !I wish to you the best !The photos as always
beautiful !Your cake looks delicious .The night with wine ,fire and candles looks so romantic !
Have a nice weekend !
Olympia

BlueShell said...

All your photos are fantastic!
Love this post!

Congrats for the award! You deserve the best!
xoxo
BShell

valerietilsten59.blogspot.com said...

Hello Fiona,
Thank you so much for naming me for the award..that is so kind of you...
I didnt do green day this week, thought I would do it every now and again.
Your post is beautiful. It all looks so cosy and comfy.
Here too in the city, the shops are getting their windows decorated and lights are flickering in the shops.
How often, have i bought something for someone and used it myself..):
wishing you a wonderful weekend.
val x

Ingrid Tunheim said...

Thank you for visiting my...always nice to meet new bloggers and you have a wonderful blog. I will be visiting you son again.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Greetings from Norway

Magia da Inês said...

¸.•°✿⊱╮╮
Olá, amiga!

Imagens lindas, tem tudo o que eu gosto, bolo e muitas flores!!!!

Bom fim de semana com tudo de bom:
muita saúde e muita paz.
Beijinhos.
Brasil.
.•°✿⊱╮•°✿⊱

carol l mckenna said...

Fantastic photos ~ love the lights, the snood ~ everything ~ (A Creative Harbor) ^_^

Anonymous said...

Hello Friend! Your cake looks so moist and delicious. The candle you describe sounds delightful and I love your warm and cozy fireplace. Always a pleasure to visit with you.

Ellie said...

I'm afraid I had to miss green day this week as I had no green pictures to put up. I must try and remedy that for next week :)
I have never made tea bread before but this recipe sounds wonderful. I quite fancy having a wee slice of it.
Wow, is that your fireplace - so cosy looking with all of those lovely candles.
Enjoy your sunday!!!

Mary said...

Thank you for coming to see me...I'm glad you did. I am getting so involved with my work year that my blog is not having my attention...I came to join your Green Day. See you, too. Mary

Ivy, Phyllis and Me! said...

Hello Fiona, Sorry it has taken me a while to send you a comment, it has been a busy couple of days. I don't know whether I am on my "head or my heels". I haven't made tea bread for years. Thanks for reminding me of this lovely recipe. I will make it when Phyllis visits as I know she will love it, especially smothered in butter. You are so lucky to have hydrangeas in bloom, the leaves on my bush have dropped off and the heads are just holding on for dear life. I love the photo of your living room, it looks so warm and cosy and of course a glass of wine is always nice. Have a lovely day today. Best Wishes Daphne

Bonnie said...

Fiona, I so enjoyed reading all the lovely things you accomplished this week. The irish tea cake sound rich and divine. I am thinking I will be pinning it. I had so many delicious treats while visiting Ireland I am happy to have a recipe to try.

I do hope you enjoy the chocolate chip cookie recipe.

Bonnie

Bonnie said...

Your hydrangeas have such luscious colors -so different from ours. I think the weather conditions contribute to your lovely elegant colors.

Your tea cake is so inviting and is so like what we call fruit cake. I love it whatever, it is called. It is delicious.

Our weather is different but our hearts are the same. I appreciate you, my friend.

LindyLouMac said...

A lovely post, sorry I did not link up this week. The tea loaf sounds tempting, but we do not normally bake cakes.

Anonymous said...

Hi Fiona! This is a wonderful post. Love the looks of that lovely cake and candles are in every room of my home! Love the yummy smell they put out. Thanks so much for popping in to see me.
be a sweetie,
Shelia :)

Susan said...

Hello Dear Fiona, ah I've been so slow to visit these past times. Always delightful to pop in and catch up with you though. Such a warming welcoming blog you have :D)
I adore how you have a little taste of your tea cake before cooking. Bet you did that as a child too ... yum, licking that wooden spoon!
It's certainly looking a lot like Christmas too, it crept up so quickly this year. Love the photo of the pretty tree. Congratulations on your award, so well deserved too.
Cheerio for now, and with kindest regards, Susan :D)

Unknown said...

What a lovely post, so much warmth in it. I love the picture of the fire place that looks really cozy.
The bread looks jummy.
Ah Kildare Village, haven't been there in a long time now.
Enjoy your week!

Hugs,
Eva

Maria Luiza said...

Fiona, como posso seguí-la? Esse post está lindo. Tanta coisa para ver! uma mais linda que a outra. Parabéns pelas lindas imagens! Grande abraço!

homemade@myplace said...

you have a nice and colourful blog!!!
I started to follow you!!
xxx Alessandra

Marsha Young said...

Sounds like a lovely tea cake. Of course, I can drink tea, morning, noon and night - with or without tea! :)

Beautiful pictures, too!

Betty said...

Your Irish Tea Cake looks delicious for any time of the year!
Lovely colours in your hydrangeas.
Wish I could smell that candle :)

Anne said...

Hi Fiona! I must have missed this post in my reader list last Thursday.... I was running wrong with the lads all week:) Love your snood and of course the candle!! Hope you are having a good week!
~Anne xx

In My Wild Eden said...

Hello Fiona! Your list is so very cozy and it makes me excited for the cold days coming. Thank you for your comments. I hope you have a beautiful week!

GardenOfDaisies said...

Fiona, your garden is so lovely, with all the berries on the bushes. And your fruited tea cake sounds divine! (I'm going to have to look up "demerara" sugar, because I've never heard of it. I just did that and now I know it's brown sugar. ) Slathered with real butter... YUM!!

Lucinha said...

Fiona,

Eu amei tudo que vi, mas confesso que não quero lareira acesa tão cedo. O Inverno foi rigoroso esse ano, e já estamos no final da Primavera e ainda continua frio.
Mas, eu gosto demais das imagens dessa estação nos países frios. Bom poder acompanhar o Outono/Inverno de vocês.
Não pude participar do mural do Green Day, mas não poderia deixar de vir aqui ver tão lindas imagens.
No próximo vou participar.
Abraço

Giga said...

Najlepiej by było siąść przy kominku i zapalić jeszcze świece. Na talerzyku obok mieć Twoje pyszne ciasto i kieliszek wina. Jakby było zimno, to można się opatulić szalem kupionym. Pozdrawiam serdecznie.
It would be best to sit by the fire and light the candles yet. On a plate next to have your delicious cake and a glass of wine. As if it was cold, it can be bought opatulić shawl. Yours sincerely.

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...