Wednesday Words #5

Good morning everyone, normal service is resuming round these parts and I've got an interesting Wednesday Words for you lined up. Before that, how are you all? I've been off for a few days now and am certainly feeling better from it. It's my first time off since the beginning of August and that feels forever away! I've also been having a catch up reading all of your lovely posts- keep an eye out for a little gush over you all later this week! 

'A little bit of what you fancy does you good.' I intended to share this phrase because I say it all the time! Especially over the last few days when I've been gorging on lots of delicious treats. Infact, I say it at least once a day, to people at work when they're dieting but eyeing up the biscuits, to Harps when I give him extra big portions of dinner. Anyway, it wasn't until I decided to post about this when I found out that it actually has a rather different meaning...

'A little bit of what you fancy' was the title of a song performed by risqué Victorian singer, Marie Lloyd. Winking at the audience familiarly when singing the chorus;

"I always hold in having it if you fancy it

If you fancy it that’s understood

And suppose it makes you fat? I don’t worry over that

‘Cos a little of what you fancy does you good."

The sexual innuendo of the song has long been forgotten; so much so that when I'm evaluating my food choices, I'm actually inenvertandly talking about wanting a little sex! 

And now we know!

Love Sophie Xx

Location Location Location: St Austell Brewery & Wreckers.

Good afternoon poppets. Almost this time last week, I was very lucky to be invited to a tour of St Austell brewery. I had mixed feelings, as someone who doesn't really drink, I worried that I'd be an utter spoil sport. On the other hand, I really love learning about anything and being so close (literally a 10 minute walk from my house) it was exciting to visit somewhere steeped in history of the town that I live in. If you're thinking of visiting you can find out more here. 

Now for a bit of a history lesson;

Founded in 1851, Cornishman Walter Hicks (see below) opened St Austell brewery, becoming the first brewery in Cornwall. Fast forward over 150 years later, this strong, independent brewery remains 100% family run, as it was originally.

 When it opened, Walter took out a mortgage of £1500 on his farm to fund the business, quite the risk even back then! It paid off, and though he handed the brewery down to his son, Walter Jr, it wasn't for long as a tragic motorbike killed Walter Jr in 1911. At the impressive age of 82, Walter returned to the brewery once more. His other son George not fit to run, Walter employed his daughter Hester Parnall to become the chairman. Quite unheard of, a woman in such high regard, Hester ran the brewery to continuing success until her father died in 1916, and until her death in 1939.

We began the tour in the development room. Here, the inventors dream up new ideas.

We learnt all about different malt types and the effects that they have on the flavour
of an ale.

Much of the original brewery is still in use today. Here's an original fermenting tank!

We got to try some different malts and different hops. Gotta say, I prefer drinking them to eating them!

After our tour, we headed down to Charlestown for a bite to eat at Wreckers. If you've seen any of my Charlestown posts before, you know how beautiful it is. Sadly the weather had turned and it was just too dark to take any photos of the restaurant or beautiful views. I assure you, they're awesome. I used to come here with Grandpa and hadn't been since he'd died. I was worried that a few ales in and starting on the wine might end up in tears. I was wrong. I had such a lovely time; probably something to do with the great company (and the staff were lovely!) and being greeted by this delicious, gooey, creamy brie and cranberry starter. It was just perfect, I genuinely have been thinking about it ever since. I could eat one of these bad boys every day for the rest of my life. I then attempted the gourmet burger. By now I was pretty brie'd out but it was moist and fresh, making it harder and harder to stop eating. Though the burger was a little rarer than I'd usually have, I surprised myself in how much I ate. By the time the cheese board came round, I was ready for pyjamas and a cozy fire with my full belly, though I did manage a munch on some delicious cheesecake! I'd highly recommend a trip when you're in town. 

Have any of you been on a tour that's a bit outside the norm? Have any of you been to a brewery? Chuffing hot in there I can tell you! Are there any places in Cornwall that you'd recommend? I'd love to hear!

Love Sophie Xx

On The First Anniversary of Being Engaged.

And six years of being together....

Look how adorable you are in what I believe was the first photograph taken of us being together! On a beach, having a bbq- looking miniature in our oversized clothes. No wonder you were still getting id'd for 15 films! 

Our first Christmas included elf ears and beer. Summer 2009 we played with a large torch on the moors and we I rocked Halloween dressed as Mario. Poor zombie attempt.

We spent some time growing up in 2010 and hit my 18th birthday early 2011 (you had some hilarious hair here-I've actually spent 10 minutes laughing at it.)

And as you held my hand through 2011, we moved in alone. No more housemate to blame for the mess. You learnt that I'm a hypocrite when it comes to changing the toilet roll, I learnt that you are the messiest cook in the world. 

2012 we went to Amsterdam, and spent an afternoon playing table football in an empty coffee shop. I impressed you with my skills. You went on a plane for the first time and my feet almost fell off from only bringing new shoes!

When we got back, we still had a super fun year! We went to Blink 182 and you were sick on a stranger's back! We helped your cousin learn to rollerblade and you fell over the minute my back was turned. 2013 rolled in to the birthday 'surprise' of Batman. (Check out the only photo of me holding him!) Literally won the best birthday gift ever competition for life!

November 2013 came and we gallivanted off to Rome to celebrate 5 years of being together. We ate some amazing food, stuck our  your arm in the colosseum...

Saw some of the most amazing artwork and architecture in the world.

And then this. This moment summed up in my life in this photograph. Even down to the last second as we stood in front of the Trevi Fountain (Who'd ever know that from this photo?! haha!) and you made me the happiest Sophie alive (how cliche!) Our five year anniversary was the most magical day of my life. Thank you. 

And then 2014 rolled in, everything changed, yet everything the same- but better. Batman had his first Christmas and we both dressed up as a giant bear for charity. We've spent time with friends and time at the beach. The last six years couldn't have been happier. 

 I am just as (if not heaps more) totally, utterly and unconditionally as smitten with you as I was six years ago. I wouldn't want to be anywhere else than somewhere with you. 

Happy Anniversary.

Love Sophie Xx

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween everyone! 

Love Sophie Xx

A Recipe for Doughnuts.

It's pretty rare that Harps and I get a day off together. After much disagreement, he achieved his birthday goal of getting a deep fat fryer (I'd refused for years because I don't want to encourage his deep fried fat boy inner child). Secondly, I knew that we'd never use it, and since August I'd been right. So far he'd made exactly one batch of chips. Anyway, the drizzling autumn rain made us decide to have a go at making doughnuts for the first time. But being typical us, we doubled the recipe. Only do this if you want to feel incredibly sick, or are feeding a small party.

Recipe from Paul Hollywood (Harps found it not me, I'd never trust creepy Hollywood!), find it here.

Feeds: 8 (or 5 ring doughnuts, 6 jam doughnuts, one yum yum and one penis looking mess (Harps's not mine.)

Prep Time: 1-2 hours

Cooking Time: 30 mins

Ingredients: 

• 250g/9oz strong white flour, plus extra for flouring
• 25g/1oz caster sugar
• 20g/¾oz unsalted butter, softened
• 1 free-range egg
• 7g instant yeast
• 5g salt
• 75ml/2½fl oz warm milk
• sunflower oil, for deep fat frying
  
  
  And Bake:
  
  
  1. For the doughnuts, place all the ingredients into a large bowl (except the sunflower oil) with three tablespoons of water.
  2. Stir with your hands to make a dough.
  3. Gradually add another another tablespoon of water and massage in the bowl for four minutes.
  4. Tip the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead well for 10 minutes, or until the dough is smooth and elastic.
  5. Place into a bowl and leave to rise for 40 minutes, covered with a damp tea towel.
  6. Tip the dough out, again onto a very lightly floured surface.
  7. Divide the dough in half.
  8. With a floured rolling pin, roll out the dough quite thinly to about 1cm/½in thick. Cut into rounds using an 8cm/3¼in straight sided round cutter, then use a 2cm/¾in cutter to cut holes out of the middle.
  9. Spin each doughnut on your index finger to expand the hole.
  10. You should be able to cut out about eight doughnuts from this dough. Place all circles onto an oiled baking tray, loosely cover with cling film, not allowing it to touch the top of the doughnuts and leave to rise for 30 minutes.
  11. Preheat a deep fat fryer, filled with sunflower oil to 180C/350F (Caution: hot oil can be dangerous; do not leave unattended.)
  12. Drop each doughnut in separately, cooking each side for about a minute or until golden-brown. Remove with a slotted spoon and place onto a plate lined with kitchen towel to soak up the excess oil.
  13. Leave to cool.
  14. For the icing, gradually add 25ml/1fl oz of cold water to the icing sugar. It will eventually turn into a thick paste. Stir in the lemon zest. Roll sugared doughnuts.
  15. When the whole doughnuts have cooled, brush the tops of the doughnuts with the icing. Sprinkle over a little more lemon zest. Inject Jam into the doughnut balls.
  16. Leave to set on a cooling rack, to cool completely.
      
      

Enjoy!

Love Sophie Xx