What to do on a breezy summer afternoon, bake brownies!

This has to be one of the best chocolate brownie recipes I have ever tasted, and I have made quite a few. They are always to runny, to set or just plain crunchy. This is perfect bitter sweet goodness!!!!

Its easy to make and only slightly messy, you’ll need;

150g Butter

150g Dark Chocolate

2 Eggs

1tsp Vanilla

175g Caster Sugar

100g Plain Flour

1 large spoon of powdered chocolate

Tiny bit of salt.

White chocolate chips (Optional)

Ok, this is what you need to do;

On a low heat melt the butter and chocolate and set aside to cool slightly. Next beat the eggs, vanilla and sugar until creamy. Sift the flour, chocolate and salt into the sugar and eggs, and lastly mix in the chocolate and butter (Don’t beat it).

Scrape it all into a low tin and bake on Gas 4 for 20 mins. Making sure you check it after 10. It is done when the top is pale and cracks have started to form. Now let it cool before cutting into squares and enjoying.

After working at a school with many staff from the NZ and OZ, I’ve had my eyes opened to all number of yummy treats. One of my favourites is Afghan biscuits, they’re tasty chocolate and cornflake treats, generally topped with chocolate icing and walnut pieces, I believe they are a real Kiwi treat.

This is my recipe, so I hope you like it?

225g Flour

75g Castor Sugar

200g Butter

25g Coco or Chocolate Melted

50g Cornflakes

All you need to do is soften the butter and add the sugar, flour and coco. Mix well and add the cornflakes.

Place them in rough blobs on a tray and bake for 10/15mins at 180c or Gas Mark 4. I like to take them out while they are still sticky in the centre.

Top them with icing or frosting of your choice, and enjoy.

My second recipe is Filo Parcels filled with mushroom, red onion, tomato and ricotta;

Easy to make, you layer you filo alternate ways in a baking tray or cake papers, then brush the edges with a little oil. Next fry the onion, mushroom, and add salt & pepper, before mixing the tomatoes in and removing from the heat. Mix all with ricotta cheese and add the the centre of each case and cook for 30 minutes of Gas mark 4. It is important to keep checking the pastry!!!

Wedding planning, a massive time consuming job. Planning a whole theme can be scary, looking at so many colours. Enjoyable though, looking through blogs, reading posts finding flowers and dresses.

After looking through many sites I have decided on a English Country Summer theme for my summer wedding next year. I love the idea of wildflowers and growing my own, though this could be hit or miss with my past successes.

I love these pinks, purples, blues and touches of white. (Not reds) I want to place them in mismatched pots, jugs and glasses on the tables. Small but perfect arrangements.

I love the following mood boards; with a few more touches of purple and less blue I think I may have decided on our wedding colours.

I am now awaiting for bridesmaid dress colour samples from http://www.luellasboudoir.co.uk/ bridal shop in Wimbledon village. They have lovely dresses in many shades of green.

Lino prints take time and patience, carving out each layer, adding colour and then printing it all stage by stage. My latest creations loaded to my Etsy site and are a series of flower prints. Flowers I love, poppies and magnolia, that are the essence of springtime. The images vary in colour, so each design is quite original.