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Tuesday, 29 October 2013

Comfort (and joy)

 Now that the clocks have gone back and the evenings are slowly but surely getting darker earlier, I feel the need for comfort.  As tea and cake are one of the best sorts of comfort I know, I just had to get baking. This is the Yorkshire Parkin Sponge/Yorkshire Sponge Parkin recipe which is one of the easiest cake recipes I know and one which I turn to time after time.
 How inviting does that look?  Tea and cake...you can't beat it!  For the recipe, please see here.  I do now use baking parchment to line my tins, ever since the Dis...arrrr...ster cake see here.
 Speaking of comfort, here's how to really do it, as demonstrated by Scruffy on my knee two evenings ago.  Not terribly elegant, dignified or even decorous, but totally relaxed and comfortable!
So what is the joyful element of this post?  Well, apart from the cake, these geranium Rozanne plants (my favourite geranium) are just coming into flower and are bringing a lovely splash of colour, making me feel very happy in the process.  I bought them as young plants earlier on in the year and they have just been sitting, albeit with nice green foliage, for quite some time.  However, they have rewarded me for my (sort of) patience by flowering now.  I hope we don't have frosts too soon as it would be so nice to enjoy them for a little while longer. 
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12 comments:

  1. leeanne29 October 2013 at 17:16

    The pie looks yum and the cat looks comfortable. What more can a girl want??

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    1. Ellie Foster29 October 2013 at 20:36

      Thanks, leeanne. The cake is delicious as it is flavoured with ginger and mixed spice - perfect for autumn. Scruffy was very comfortable indeed!
      Best wishes
      Ellie

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  2. Unknown29 October 2013 at 17:27

    What a very pretty bloom! I've never made Yorkshire Parkin, so thanks for the link! Chrissie x

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    1. Ellie Foster29 October 2013 at 20:37

      Thanks Chrissie. It is not the proper parkin, which is a lot darker in colour and has black treacle in it, but it is a delicious cake and very easy to make. I hope you enjoy it if you do make it. (It is also very nice with custard!)
      Best wishes
      Ellie

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  3. crafty cat corner29 October 2013 at 17:50

    Oh my goodness, I just love the cat picture, just had to get Tom up here in the workroom to take a look, its almost cartoon. lol. I love the way the whiskers are hanging down all relaxed like..
    Briony
    x

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    1. Ellie Foster29 October 2013 at 20:40

      Thanks, Briony. When Scruffy relaxes, he really relaxes! He doesn't sit on my knee for all that long because I think he gets too hot so has to go and lie on the floor to cool down. It's a great photo of him.
      Best wishes
      Ellie

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  4. Stins29 October 2013 at 19:18

    Yummy, tea and cake... It doesn't get much better!
    That Scruffy picture is hilarious!! So relaxed....
    So nice to still have some colour in your garden, beautiful.
    Have a nice evening, love from Mirjam.

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    1. Ellie Foster29 October 2013 at 20:43

      Thanks, Mirjam. It really doesn't get much better than tea and cake, I totally agree. Scruffy can really relax when he wants to. I still have a few things in flower in the garden which I am enjoying - the cosmos is doing well, a penstemon is still in bloom and the hydrangeas still have flowers too.
      Have a lovely evening too and I hope there hasn't been too much damage from the storm.
      Best wishes
      Ellie

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  5. Joy29 October 2013 at 22:27

    That really does look like a favourite cake Ellie - and a favoured cat - lazy Scruffy, isn't he gorgeous, and what pretty blooms; I do hope you get some enjoyment from them before the weather gets to them!
    I hope your week is going well, Joy x

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    1. Ellie Foster30 October 2013 at 09:12

      Thanks, Joy. It is a yummy cake and a really simple one (always a bonus in my eyes!). Scruffy is gorgeous - if only we could all have a day or two like that in the week! I was really surprised and pleased to see the geraniums flowering and will definitely enjoy them as long as they (and the weather) last.
      My week is going very well, thank you , hope yours is too.
      Best wishes
      Ellie

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  6. Hannapat30 October 2013 at 08:28

    This looks delicious Ellie. I have never made this before so will give it a go. That cat looks so comfy, fab pic. You can link your cake in in Friday if you like so others can see the recipe xoxo

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    1. Ellie Foster30 October 2013 at 09:18

      Thanks, Hannapat. Let me know how you get on with the cake - I really like the ginger and spices in it. I'll try my best to link in the cake recipe on Friday - it is such a great recipe, it would be nice to be able to share it with others.
      Best wishes
      Ellie

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