The Making Granny

My eldest granddaughter loves to lie on the floor and watch TV and usually takes all the cushions from the sofa, much to the annoyance of the rest of the family! So, l decided to alleviate the situation with a simple pillow bed. I used an old double duvet cover which I have had in the airing cupboard for the last 15 years at least! I cut it in half across the middle, as it is the bottom half of the duvet cover we need, so we can use the fasteners along the side to enable easy washing! Once you’ve cut it in half, turn it inside out and sew up the long seam, leaving the fastener side open. Turn it the right way again and place 4 pillows on the right side. Make 4 compartments for the pillows by pinning into quarters using plenty of pins to get the straight lines. I also used tailor’s chalk to ensure the lines were straight. Sew the 3 lines across the cover.  Pop the pillows into the cover and if needed, open the seam at the bottom of the cover to enable the end ...

With spring around the corner and needing to come up with a house warming idea, I thought it was time for some chainsaw carpentry. I had to enlist the help of my other half for this project as it was a 2 person job! First we wandered around the field searching for the right log. Sadly we have a number of dead elms and ash trees in our hedgerow thanks to Dutch Elm Disease and Ash Die Back, so we had several to choose from. Next we had to cut into the log to mark the cavity, ensuring we didn’t go right through to the bottom. We found it easier to cut additional slots into the cavity, which would make it easier to chisel out later. Then start chiselling a block at a time. Continue until you have a good size cavity for the plants and soil. Finally fill with good soil and plant up. Ta da!

My granddaughters stayed over and loved their Bunny Pancake breakfast. I thought I would have a practice run with Easter fast approaching. I used a Scotch Pancake recipe which has been in the family for over 40 years! Ingredients 4oz Self raising flour 1oz Sugar 1 egg (beaten) 1/4 pint milk Chocolate chips for the toes Raisins for the tails Mix the flour and sugar together and add the egg and milk to make a batter. Drop the mixture onto a lightly oiled frying pan and use a spoon to get the required shape. One large circle for the body, a smaller circle for the head, 2 small ovals for the feet and 2 pointed ovals for the ears. After 2-3 minutes the surface should bubble and it is time to turn them using a spatula. After a further 2-3 minutes lift them out of the pan. They should be golden brown on both sides. Arrange them on the plate as the photo and add the chocolate chips for toes and a raisin for the tail. Enjoy!

I have to thank my daughter for this super simple dessert which is delicious and can be made the day before you need it. I wanted to make a tasty dessert to take for lunch with friends, but it had to be able to withstand a 2 hour car journey - this dessert passed the test with flying colours! You will need: Jaffa cakes 10 Cream cheese 400g Custard 300ml Orange jelly 1 First melt the jelly in half a pint of boiling water and leave to cool. Meanwhile place the Jaffa cakes in the bottom of your tin or dish (I lined the tin with a cake liner as it makes it so much easier to get it out later) Once the jelly starts to thicken, put it in a bowl along with the custard and cream cheese.  Mix until smooth. Pour over Jaffa cake base and put in the ‘fridge’ for 2-3 hours to set. Just before serving, grate chocolate over the top to give a nice finish and you’re done! Enjoy!

I fancied a bit of woodwork today as the sun was shining and my shed was beckoning. I chose an off cut from the firewood pile and used a wooden spoon as a templates. I then chiselled out the spoon shape using a curved chisel and hammer. Once I had the shape, I sanded the bowl of the spoon as I find it easier to do this before I cut it out. Also, if it all goes horribly wrong, I can start again quite easily with some more firewood! Next, it was time to cut it out, a bit at a time. Once I’d cut it out roughly, it was just a case of sanding it to the shape I wanted. Slightly bent, but that just adds to its character! I will decorate it with a bit of pyrography and a pink bow ready for one of our friends who has moved house recently.

Now I’m not known for my culinary skills in a good way - when my family say “Granny is a legend in the kitchen” they are referring to all my many disasters, which still occur regularly! That said, this recipe is one of their favourites and NEVER fails! They’re crunchy on the outside and chewy in the middle and can be made really quickly. Ingredients 125g butter 100g caster sugar  1tsp vanilla essence  2tbsp syrup 200g SR flour Pinch of salt 50g chocolate chips  First melt the butter in a jug in the microwave for 30 seconds ( it may take a few seconds longer if it is straight out the ‘fridge). Meanwhile put the sugar, syrup and vanilla essence into a bowl. Pour on the melted butter and mix well with a wooden spoon. Add the flour, salt and chocolate chips and give a really good stir. Then, with your hands, form them into walnut sizes balls and place them on a non stick baking tray. Give each one a little press so that it is ab...

This is one of my favourite patterns, it is so easy and grows really quickly, which is so satisfying. It is also really warm so I have already made 2 to match my jackets. One of the best things about this pattern is that it only uses 2 stitches, knit and purl, so you can work on it whilst watching TV or to pass the time on a long journey - that’s when I do most of my knitting! I made one in a soft lightweight wool and the other in a chunkier, heavier wool. Once you have it to the length you want, just cast off and sew the ends together. Then just twist it twice around your neck for a really snug scarf. The pattern is from Pinterest and can be found here:  https://pin.it/IFYD4LJ  ( click on the link for the website under the picture on the relevant Pinterest page) I hope you enjoy making it as much as I do.