At the moment it's a good day when I get to have a shower, it's a really good day when I get to make dinner and anything beyond that is just rare. All because my little bundle is well pretty demanding..   It's alot of fun but extremely full on, I hate to think but he might be teething already so just when I think I have him  sorted it'll be grumpy baby again.. 
Anyway in one of those rare moments mentioned earlier he was having a nap un-assisted by human contact and the urge to bake came over me, but as it was thoroughly spontaneous the only ingredients I had to hand were for flapjacks. I usually make them by feel but as my senses are not to be trusted for the moment I used Nigella's recipe and very fine they turned out too....   I wonder when I'll get a chance again....

More canapes...

Beginning to climb out of the cave I've been in for the last month. Been busy! Delighted to report we're doing well, can cope with a bit more than just survival again. Still feel a little like I've had half a lobotomy but hoping that will fade with time...
Tried out another canape idea, Cashel blue polenta squares with a pear and tomato compote. Think I need to work on the compote but otherwise it was pretty tasty.

The wee one....

He eventually arrived...  Sorry no time for writing, not much time for anything! 

4 days over due and counting.....
Its a funny feeling having absolutely no control over something that is going to affect me so completely! I'm sure I won't really remember much of this time as soon as babs shows up. So far managing a better balance of keeping occupied without getting exhausted. Check out my Bourbon creams, I'm pretty pleased with how they came out, this was the second attempt the first ones were too thin and also a bit overdone. Next experiment is some more canapes. I also just saw a recipe for bacon jam that I think I have to try. 

The Pepperpot.

Playing the waiting game here, it is limbo indeed. Trying to enjoy it but struggling a little. I treated myself to tea and scone in my current favourite café, acutely aware that time on my own will be very scarce indeed for the next month or two. All my pals that have little bundles of joy are encouraging rest and relaxation but I am just so eager for the next stage and keeping busy at least distracts me. I will be the spa who goes into labour tired just because of diversionary activites…. Planning another baking session, I think I’ll try Bourbon creams from my cookie book. I bought great cutters the last time I was in NY and haven’t got around to using them yet but there is one that is perfect. 

Cumin Scones.

It is getting very near my due date and it's a funny kind of limbo I'm feeling. The tiredness is extreme but I'm trying to keep the apathy at bay. I haven't had the incredible urge to paint a room or tidy manicaly, instead I'm finding it hard to start jobs I might not finish. My great idea for dinner making: " Nigel & Karen"  hasn't got off to a very good start as the very next week nigel went on holidays...! We should be back on track this week. One thing I have been enjoying is catching up with people. I've had a few great lunches in which these scones have featured, the recipe is my Mum's but of course I have changed it a bit. I thoroughly recommend making them they are dead easy and perfect for accompanying a hearty soup. 

Cheese and cumin Scones

2 cups brown flour

1 cup plain flour

1/2 tblsp cumin seeds

5 oz butter

1 tblsp sugar

1 cup buttermilk/milk

1 large egg beaten with 1 tblsp water

1/2-3/4 cup grated cheddar

2 tsp baking powder

Mix dry ingredients except cheese together, rub in the butter, all 2/3 of the cheese. Mix in the buttermilk and all but 1tblsp of the egg. turn out onto a floured surface and cut into rounds. brush tops with egg and sprinkle with cheese. Bake at 200 c for about 25 minutes until golden, allow to cool slightly, serve warm with butter. 

They freeze well. Feel free to try different cheeses, the original recipe has 3 cups of cheese but i think they don't need that much.

Even more canapes..

I'm pushing on with my experiments in Canape creation. My latest success is these sweet potato samosas. The pastry recipe was a little on the salty side but otherwise they were delicious I think they need a little mango chutney and possibly some raita for some extra oomp... I really enjoyed making them, it was a little fiddly to start with, but once I got the hang of it it they were quite easy if a little time consuming.