Three Ingredient Chocolate Whirls.

I know what you're thinking...'Put those in my face right now."...Well you're on a computer, you cannot do that, what you can do however, is whack the oven on pretty hot (that sounded a bit too Jamie Oliver for my liking) and spend literally about five minutes to make these all for yourself. 

You're Gonna Need:

• Butter- Just a good couple of chunks- this is lazy baking remember.
• Pre-made puff pastry- we're not bothering to make our own here guys.
• Nutella *or other named chocolate spreads*- We're not on a diet here by the way.

Let's Do This:

1. Melt that butter! You can pop it in the microwave for about 30 seconds or you can melt it on the hob, whatever's laziest for you!
2. Paint that butter all over your rolled out pastry (it should already come in a sheet-if not roll it to about an inch thick)
3. (You can add a fourth ingredient here and sprinkle some sugar for extra goodness if you want)
4. Melt that Nutella! See above methods...
5. Spread that Nutella to one's taste.
6. Roll that sugary delight like a sausage and using a sharp knife, cut into chunks.
7. Lay in a well greased baking dish and paint a little more butter over the top for good luck.
8. Pop in the oven for 20-25 minutes until golden brown and filling your house with the scent of joy.

These whirls of happiness actually became Harp's birthday cake he enjoyed them so much, this was the best news to me who didn't have to slave over the oven making the most complicated chocolate cake that he usually wants. 

Let me know if you make them!

Love Sophie Xx

Ring-A Ring O' Roses...(my first bbq of the year)

There are no pretty maids all in a row here. Just thought I'd get that out of the way incase you mis-clicked...It's basically a fancy title for what I've been up to the last week. Haven't we had glorious sunshine?! I've been racing outside at every given opportunity but surprisingly my area manager didn't agree that a bank-on-a-beach is quite what the company needs. He'll regret it I'm sure. 

Oh and I'd just like to make a note that the grass photographed above is most certainly NOT my garden! Harps is obsessed with our lawn, funnily I spoke with Michelle about this and we decided that all manly men are the same when it comes to lawn care- do you have an obsessive lawn man? 

I had to go to a meeting sit in an office for hours on end whilst sunshine mocked me on Wednesday and had absolutely no option but to treat myself to a mini haul at The Body Shop. I saw Rosie post about their banana shampoo the other week and just had to get some. It's amazing of course. I also find that their hemp hand moisturiser is just the best ever for my dry little paws (oh and it's buy one get one half price so I had no choice really but to get a couple of other bits!) Whilst we're on the subject can we just talk about how fucking amazing Rosie looked at her wedding? Congratulations beautiful lady and I hope you both have a fabulous month in Bali- that's a couple of blog posts I can't wait to read! 

I had Friday off and my mum needed a bit of adult time. I've got a little post coming up about caring for someone full time and I think you'll all agree that carers do not get any where near as much praise as they deserve! We headed to Charlies Boathouse (see previous posts here) and scoffed ourselves silly whilst putting the world to right. 

The day after I may or may not have had this delicious hot dog from Bangers With a Twist in Falmouth- it'd been such a busy Saturday at work that I hadn't had the chance to escape for some lunch. Luckily, on my way to the station, this little restaurant/cafe shouted to me from across the street where I was met by such lovely staff that understood my lunch woes and packed me on my way with this beauty! I'd definitely recommend popping in!

SUNDAY! THE DAY OF REST! I pottered around in the garden; pruning, weeding and planting to my little heart's content. Seriously, if my garden doesn't look like the bleeds Eden Project by the end of this summer there will be war. Harps whispered sweet nothings to his lawn (or something like that) and though there was a bit of a chilly wind, only gale force winds would have kept me inside.

Late afternoon we changed out of gardening gear and headed over to my parents for THE FIRST OFFICIAL BBQ OF THE YEAR! Isn't potato salad just delicious? Do any of you ever read these posts and wonder why I'm not 50st? Me too...

Back at work and swan watching on my lunch break. Like I said every second in the sun counts! 

And here's a farewell photo from Batman. He's been pretty grumpy because he's malting but on Sunday evening he slept most of it off in the cutest way ever. 

Love Sophie Xx

Location Location Location: Falmouth.

I honestly almost called this post "Cornwall- The Best Place on Earth." Which whilst may be accurate, let's face it- it's a little bragasaurus isn't it? It's been too long since I've posted a locations post, which sadly is due to not visiting many new places in recent weeks. Now that the hubbub of Christmas and 'new year new me' is out of the way, we can all get on and enjoy 2015. So when my bestest gal in the land offered to take me out on a date as a birthday treat, we both hopped, skipped and jumped at the chance to head into Falmouth for a day of good food and wintery walks. 

Time with Stacie is always the best, someone who understands that you need to pour the tea slowly so as to get a nice photo for the blog and considering we have pretty much exactly the same tastes for good quality, quirky food places, I knew it'd be a perfect way to spend a Sunday.

Our rumbling tummies and freezing fingers had us heading straight for food as we arrived and after a short walk we ended up visiting Fuel cafe/lounge/bar for what became the most amazing lunch. We settled with our delicious lunches (see my drool worthy chicken burger below!) and picked up one of the many games scattered around to play. Shrieking at the sight of Guess Who we were ready to move in then and there. 

I'm pretty damn fortunate to have another best friend who lives right in Falmouth now (he's studying film at Falmouth University!) and knowing we'd be in the area, he came down to meet us. We were just finishing our championship round of Guess Who (I won obviously) when he arrived, and we all headed for a little tour around Falmouth town. 

Stacie and I had been hoping to visit one of Falmouth's many art galleries but lack of planning and Sunday hours meant that by the time we emerged from the warmth of Fuel there weren't any open. Heading to the sea (and then sharply retreating after flailing in the high winds) we all took solstice in a pub/bookshop/ping pong table emporium (ok maybe not emporium- it was pretty impressive) called Beerwolf Books. Reece said that this is where the students come and I imagine I'd actually live there if I was at Uni. After a while of browsing (I'm pretty lucky to have friends that are just as huge bookworms as I am) and a couple of purchases after, we continued our little walk, eventually ending up stopping for more cake and drinks at The Shed, a beautifully decorated restaurant and bar with the tastiest cakes! My phone was dying, my belly full and my heart happy at such a lovely time with these two. I'd thoroughly recommend to any of you visiting us down ere a trip to Falmouth. 

Love Sophie Xx

Books To Read 2015 & The Exotic Teapot.

The time has finally come. My prayers have finally been answered. *I'm saying this in my gospel-esque voice by the way* For my birthday I received a glass teapot and teacup with saucer for one AND. IT. IS. PERFECT.  My brother and sister in law treated me to this beautiful tea set made by The Exotic Teapot . Not only does it come packaged in the most loveliest of boxes, it also came with five different flowering teas to try. Seriously, their website will have you adding literally everything to your basket.

Though a week after my birthday, this has been the first chance I've had to sit down with all of my new books (all purchased/gifted within the last week) and have a little catch up.  How are you all? I have been busy at work, feeling more driven but alongside that, more stressed. There's a lot of change happening at the moment and as someone who usually ties herself to the floor when the winds of change arrive, I usually struggle. This week I plan on creating a little me time, getting into a newer routine before it all gets changed again in a couple of months. Enjoying the moment.

This is how I found myself sitting with the most delicious green tea with vanilla and berries, deliberating which book to start next.

1) A Novel By Andy Warhol.

2) Letters To Milena By Franz Kafka.

3) The Girl Who Saved The King Of Sweden By Jonas Jonasson.

4) The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August By Claire North.

Have any of you read any of the above? Or just as interestingly, have any of you got these on your 'to read' list? 

Love Sophie Xx

Festive Planning: Greedy Fat Piggy Chocolate Cake Recipe.

Feeds: 8-10 
Time to make: 45 mins
Time to bake: 35 mins

Ingredients: 

For Cake: 140g plain chocolate, 100ml milk, 2tbsp cocoa powder, 140g unsalted butter (extra for greasing), 140g light muscovado sugar, 3 eggs separated, 4tbsp of soured cream/creme fraiche, 200g plain flour, 1tsp bicarb soda.

For Icing: 140g plain chocolate, 40g cocoa powder, 4tbsp soured cream/creme fraiche, 1tbsp golden syrup, 40g unsalted butter, 4tbsp water, 200g icing sugar.

I would recommend that all chocolate used in this be at least 50% cocoa solids.-It is christmas after all!

1) Preheat oven to 160c/325f/gasmark 3- Grease and line 2 20cm sandwich tins.

2) Break up the chocolate and place with the milk and cocoa powder in a heatproof bowl over a saucepan of hot water. Heat gently, stirring, until melted and smooth. Remove from heat and allow to cool.

3) Meanwhile, in a large bowl- beat together the butter and muscovado sugar until pale and fluffy. Beat in the egg yolks, then add the sour cream/creme fraiche and melted chocolate mixture. Sift in the flour and bicarb, the fold slowly and evenly. 

4) In a separate bowl, whisk the egg whites until stiff enough to hold firm peaks. Fold into the entire mixture lightly. 

5) Divide the mixture between the prepared cake tins and smooth the surfaces. Bake in the oven on the middle shelf for about 35 minutes- until risen and firm to the touch. 

6) Cool in the tins for 10 minutes, then turn on a wire rack to cool completely. 

7) Whilst cooling, you can get the frosting ready (and start on that mountain of washing up) by placing the chocolate, cocoa powder, soured cream/creme fraiche, golden syrup, butter and water into a saucepan and heat gently until melted. 

8) Remove from the heat and sift in the icing sugar, stirring until smooth and glossy. Leave to cool, stirring occasionally until it thickens and holds its shape ala festive chocolate mountain. 

9) Split the cakes in half horizontally with a sharp knife until you have 4 even layers (make sure your cake is completely cooled). Sandwich the layers together with about a third of the icing. Spread the remainder over the top of your fancy cake and if you like, around the sides. 



10) Dust with icing sugar for that festive feeling and pop on a pretty plate! Dig in!

Love Sophie Xx

Festive Planning: The Most Delicious Mince Pie Recipe...

Feeds:

The recipe says 20 but I made 12 LARGE ones.

Takes to Make:

45 minutes.

Takes to Bake:

20 minutes. 200c/400f/GM6.

You'll Need:
For the pastry
350g (12oz) plain flour
225g (8oz) butter, chilled and cut into cubes, plus more for greasing the tin
100g (3½oz) icing-sugar
finely grated zest of ½ orange
1 tbsp double cream (you may need a drop more) 

For the filling
75g (2¾oz) fresh cranberries (I chucked a couple of blueberries in there too!)
1 tbsp orange juice
275g (9¾oz) good-quality mincemeat
finely grated zest of ½ orange
1 tbsp whisky
2 tbsp soft light-brown sugar (you may use less)

1) Make the pastry a little while ahead to give it a chance to rest. Preheat the oven. Mix the flour and cubes of butter until breadcrumby, add the icing sugar and the zest and with COLD hands begin to form a ball. Add the cream a little at a time and be careful not to overwork the dough.

2) Take the dough out and carefully work into a flat disc, cover with clingfilm and leave to chill.

3) Meanwhile, cook the cranberries, orange juice, 1tsp brown sugar, the whisky, and zest on a medium heat until the cranberries soften. Help them along by crushing them with the back of a spoon. Keep cooking until the liquid thickens and turn up onto a high heat for the last couple of minutes, cooking off most of the liquid.

4) Add to the mincemeat and add sugar to taste. Pop it all in the fridge until ready to use.

5) Butter your pan well (or use two pans!) and take the pastry out of the fridge. Allow to soften, but remember not to let it get warm! 

6) Roll out the pastry on a lightly floured surface to the thickness of a pound coin (mine were a little thicker!) Cut out 12-20 circles slightly larger than your tin, gently press the circles into the holes, making sure there aren't any gaps!

7) Fill up your little pies about 3/4 way with your mincemeat/fruity filling and cut out 12-20 stars that are about the same size (if not a little larger) than your circles were.

8) Using one small egg, give the little treats a wash and pop in the oven for about 20 minutes- Keep an eye on the though, they'll pretty quickly go from delicious golden brown to dirt colour...

9) Remove everything from the oven and leave to cool for a few minutes (not too long though!) Using a knife, carefully prise them out of their tins, give them a magical dust with icing sugar and leave to cool fully.

10) Once no longer burning temperature, pour on a little cream, snuggle down and enjoy.

Love Sophie Xx

Festive Planning: Swooning Over Cookie Cutters.

Starting the search for the perfect accompaniments to my handmade and homemade Christmas, I stumbled across the Lakeland website. Two hours later and I'm stuck in an impossible conundrum of 'what festive cookie cutters to buy?' 

• Christmas Tree Cookie Cutter £3.99- I love the way these have been used to make the 3d tree, and sitting in chocolate cupcakes makes these almost irresistible.
• Snowflake Cookie Cutter Set £9.99- I haven't found such intricate snowflake cutters anywhere else, for four designs, this is a bit of a bargain really.
• Piñata Cookie Cutter Set £4.99- These are traditionally piñata or donkeys but for a festive twist, simply add some antlers and you've got yourself a surprise filled reindeer! (For the record- these are the ones I'm most swooning over!)
• Mason Cash Petit Beurre Advent Biscuit Set £19.99-  A beautiful set of 24 numbered advent delights, I'd never be able to bake enough for all my friends and family (as planned) but it'd be nice to make these for the home- not sure they'd last long enough though!

Just so you know, I haven't been approached by Lakeland, I'm just really in love with all of these!

Love Sophie Xx

The Two Questions That Will Determine If We Will Be Friends.

Image Via Pinterest.

There are two questions for when you meet someone new that in my opinion, can tell you enough about them to make an instant judgement. I shared these questions with Leona and Liam over lunch the other week and we agreed that they're at the very least a good conversation starter! I honestly use both of these questions when I meet someone new and hey I don't get a bad response! 

1) What is the best type of biscuit in the world?

Now, my answer (after MUCH deliberation) is of course a jam cream. Some people get confused with a jammy dodger here but I assure you that is not the same thing. Jam creams are usually found in the Christmas selection box (not nearly enough of them!) but literally EVERY UK supermarket agrees with me that they are amazing and now stock them all.by.themselves! I'm not a dictator, there are plenty of appropriate answers! For example; bourbon is a very close second and a delicious choice. A true, honest person would choose a bourbon. Etc etc, Someone who chooses a 'NICE' biscuit is probably pretty close to the bottom of my biscuit list- there's just so many better biscuits!  

There is one answer that is under no circumstances allowed- and this my friends, is where you can learn about someone the most.

Jaffa Cake.

Leona: "Anyone who answers with jaffa cake is a c***t."

2) If you were (hypothetically of course) to throw an animal over a rugby (American football) post, what is the largest animal you could throw?

As we all know I'm not exactly 'sporty'. This is what I think of when I hear rugby posts...

The answer here is important. Once you've got past the whole "Well I'd never throw an animal like a ball!" part. Let's just make is clear people- NOBODY WOULD DO THAT IN REAL LIFE! People's answers can be quite interesting. Mine is currently a small goat. I'm feeling a little feeble from the weather but sometime in the summer I was feeling confident about a large monkey. The question is really two-fold. A) The size/weight of the animal compared to distance/height to throw. B) The ability to actually throw the animal (the goat- use the horns *underarm swing*) etc. People that wuss out and say " Oh I could't throw dust from a moth." Get out. 

So what do you think? Good conversation starters hey? Maybe not in an interview...Or an animal charity event....Or in a jaffa cake factory..But great over lunch!

Love Sophie Xx

Location Location Location: Pentewan

As many, if not all of you, reading know, I live in the idyllic countryside of Cornwall. Here, we're starting to shut down for the winter; shops are closing earlier, tourist attractions are pretty much unavailable and you don't really need to book anywhere to eat because it's probable that you'll only come across a couple of tables of locals when you go out (especially on a weekday.) It's the perfect time to live here. I know that sounds strange, but there's nothing like a crisp walk on the beach; the fresh, autumnal air bringing you back to life, followed by a cosy cafe; snuggling with a warm cup-o-something and dreamily talking about Christmas. It's what winter is made of in my book.

Last weekend, celebrating six years of togetherness, Harps and I rose early and ventured out in the unpredictable November drizzle. Wrapping up warm, I suggested we went to Pentewan beach; about four miles from where we live and usually swamped with tourists, it seemed like the perfect place. Neither of us had been such young children and could't remember much- you know what they say about never seeing the places you live so close to? Situated just outside of St Austell town centre (before Mevagissey) we occasionally ride our bikes in the woods (Kings woods) nearby which has a brilliant cycle trail into the village. 

Not realising that it was the first day of the low season that dogs were allowed back on the beach, we were greeted by lots of smiling mutts, bellowing in the morning sun towards us, they all looked so happy! After quite the walk along the sand and rocks, where I could't stop taking photos and Harps looked for buried treasure and sea life, we wondered back into the village. We'd intended to have a hearty roast lunch but by the time we'd finished walking we felt a little too windswept to eat too much, which is how we ended up in The Cove B&B and Cafe.  

A warm rush of air greeted us by the door, as did the marvellously friendly owner. Literally my favourite type of cafe; crammed with little ornaments, interesting art work and photographs, not to mention the fish tank table! That's right guys- A FISH TANK COFFEE TABLE! We immediately flounced onto the corner sofa directly next to the table and ordered a couple of delicious hot chocolates to warm up. Whilst browsing the simple, yet plentiful menu, we glanced down to see Bandit the cat, greedily eyeing up the fish. "It's like television for cats!" I squealed at Harps.

A couple of tasty sandwiches, much cat stroking and half a mug of hot chocolate later, we decided to go and sit outside to finish off our drinks. Warm enough from the full bellies and cosy atmosphere, we watched the world go by for another hour or so.

What a lovely place to visit hey?

Have any of you been before? 

Love Sophie Xx