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Friday 23 October 2015

Devils Lake State Park

First whole day in Madison, and we took a trip to Devils Lake State Park and wow! The scenery was lovely particularly with all the autumnal colours. The photos do not do it justice. But here is just a few I took on my phone, I have plenty more photographs on my camera which will soon be uploaded.





Thursday 22 October 2015

Autumnal Holiday

I have been meaning to mention this on the blog but I am currently in Madison, WI!

We landed in Chicago yesterday afternoon after a long 8hour flight from Manchester airport. We then had a 2hr drive to Madison. The area we are staying in is lovely and full of autumnal trees! One of my favourite seasons. 
View from my bedroom window

We took a little stroll around the town yesterday and me and my mum loved all the pumpkins on the porches and houses decorated ready for Halloween. Even this house with 3 giant inflatable pumpkins on the front garden.

While on our walks we even saw a racoon. Sadly no picture as it was dark. This trip is going to involve seeing a few open houses, walks around Madison and even Pumpkin Patch! More to follow soon.

Tuesday 20 October 2015

Pumpkin Loaf Receipe

I did try and plan a weekly segment within my blog but it has not really happened. So instead I will just post a recipe every now and again.
I love autumn and the majority of food has to contain pumpkin of course! This is a recipe that tastes very similar to the pumpkin loaf in Starbucks. Hope you guys enjoy my recipe.

Ingredients


210g Plain Flour                        2 Eggs
200g Caster Sugar             115ml Vegetable Oil
3/4 tsp Salt                         1/2 tsp Vanilla
1 tsp Baking Soda              230g Pumpkin Puree
1/2 tsp Nutmeg                   60g Pumpkin Seeds
1/4 tsp Cardamom                1/4 tsp Allapice
1/2 tsp Cinnamon                 1/4 tsp Clove


Method
  • Preheat oven to 180c
  • In a large bowl sieve the flour, sugar, salt, baking powder, salt and spices.
  • In a smaller bowl mix together 2 beaten eggs, the vegetable oil, pumpkin puree and vanilla. Once mixed well pour into the dry ingredients.
  • Mix well
  • Pour mixture into chosen loaf tin with your choice of a non stick method. I used a little unsalted butter.
  • Sprinkle the Pumpkin Seeds on tops
  • Bake for 50-60mins or until the knife comes out clean.
  • Cool for approx 5mins in the loaf tin and then place on a cooling rack to cool completely to be served. 

Hope you liked my Autumn Fall Pumpkin Spice Loaf recipe. 


Tuesday 13 October 2015

Screen Printing Workshop

I've been meaning to blog about this just have not got round to it. A couple of weeks ago I went to one of my favourite places for some crafting, Dink Shop Do. This time I thought I would try my hand at screen printing. I have done screen printing before but it was a long time ago back when I was doing GCSE art. This time I screen printed on fabric rather than paper which I am use to. 

The class was taken by Zeena Shah, a well known screen printer, you can view her website via the link below. She was very lovely and introduced me to another group of girls to help socialize a little bit. With me being a shy person it was very helpful. The photos are not very clear and subtle as this tea towel I made is a gift for my mother so I don't want to give away too much as she reads my blog.  


The Fun Part

The Final Out come

I had so much fun taking this class that I have booked another to make a tea towel for my Nan.  I am looking forward to!