Windowboxes and Steampunk

Poor blog hasn't seen a lot of love in the last couple of weeks but I feel as though I have been busy everywhere else in the house. My window boxes are all planted up and starting to look a little fuller, I'm trying to learn a little French....very slowly..... and Chepstow is alive today with this




Yes, it's  a steampunk weekend. Eh?? I don't really understand it but it gives the town a lovely kind of bonkers feel.  Bring it on

Debs

Life of Herman

Well, following on from what is now a couple of weeks ago, Herman took shape this way. The day after adding all the ingredients on day 4 Herman is looking a little livelier - and then some!

And so it was each day stirring and nothing else until day 9 when I fed him again as on day 4, gave him a good stir and then separated him into 4 equalish portions

I kept two portions for myself and gave two portions to unsuspecting friends

Then came the interesting bit, I added all the lovely yummy ingredients. I have to say that ( I don't know why ) I was very haphazard about actually measuring much at this stage. I had a cup measure but tended to just throw a bit of this and that in....squirt of golden syrup, handful of sour cherries. It was a very thick mixture so I decided to pop it into a nice big cake tin rather than a tray bake.

I could see little point in the melted butter so omitted that from my cake, gave it a nice sugary crust and bunged it in the oven for the allotted time - 170 deg for 45 minutes. Way too short a cooking time, it needed about a further 30 minutes until my skewer was coming out clean. Then this...

What a lovely looking cake....

Unbelievable, and whats more it tasted fab, really moist, georgeous, even Mr Debs liked this ( miracle ).

It's quite strange as you do get kind if attached to the little guy over the course of 10 days and cooking him feels a little final. Yummy tho'

Debs

Bwydydd Gwy Facebook Page

We had to give the small business I've created a name, and so we've come up with Bwydydd Gwy. Which is Wye Foods in Welsh.

Please take a look at our Facebook Page and Like if you have time.

Castle Inn May Fayre

For those readers who may be close to Chepstow this coming Sunday 6th May, the Castle Inn is having a May Fayre.

There will be about 25 stalls selling jewellery, clothing, paintings and produce etc.. I will also have a stall, manned by my very forgiving girlfriend, from which we shall be selling smoked garlic, smoked chillies (jalapeno's, habenero's, scotch bonnets and any others I can get my hands on), oils and speciality nuts.

Fingers crossed, this could be the start of something prosperous!

Sam x