tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72554791720527032.comments2023-10-26T10:41:27.682+01:00Dispatches from the DeiseCatherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16116884676266268214noreply@blogger.comBlogger1529125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72554791720527032.post-7165060084758148582014-05-16T11:06:50.400+01:002014-05-16T11:06:50.400+01:00Looks delicious and good for our cooler nights.Looks delicious and good for our cooler nights.diane bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12002292118984909883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72554791720527032.post-86049353476736932992014-03-12T11:19:01.186+00:002014-03-12T11:19:01.186+00:00Thanks girls! Glad you enjoyed it Kathleen, your p...Thanks girls! Glad you enjoyed it Kathleen, your pic looked great. I'd happily live on SE Asian food, comes from my years in Laos! Catherinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16116884676266268214noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72554791720527032.post-73018752955797998972014-03-11T22:15:01.184+00:002014-03-11T22:15:01.184+00:00Made it for dinner tonight,delicious! Thanks!Made it for dinner tonight,delicious! Thanks!talesfromagardenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02853695502377101314noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72554791720527032.post-34664140869624069182014-03-09T23:14:21.849+00:002014-03-09T23:14:21.849+00:00Crumbs that looks so delicious!Crumbs that looks so delicious!Winifredhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12415302188575538163noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72554791720527032.post-89001727413019939912013-11-19T18:35:16.312+00:002013-11-19T18:35:16.312+00:00I have just stumbled across your blog and I must a...I have just stumbled across your blog and I must admit to finding it quite extraordinary that anyone nowadays should get worked up in the least by bad grammar, punctuation and/or spelling. What a waste of time and dwindling brain cells! Especially since every spell checker seems to be programmed with American spellings, and almost no two people speak in the same way or agree how English should be spoken, how can you expect the young or anyone else to learn to write in English English.Boylenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72554791720527032.post-74803487805556520242013-09-12T11:28:54.941+01:002013-09-12T11:28:54.941+01:00Disclaimer! This is a long comment I got by email ...Disclaimer! This is a long comment I got by email from Paul in Leicester. It speaks for itself and I bow to his finding of the time being too short at 35-40 mins, he needed 75mins. <br /> Hi Catherine<br /> <br />A complete stranger from Leicester put Madeira Cake into Google and surfed a few recipes. Well, as I get older I get cornier. I saw a pretty small town square and read the words ‘This is a real old family favourite my mother used to make’. At that, the search was over and your words went straight to the printer.<br /> <br />Cakes that don’t turn out as they should are often needlessly called ‘a disaster’. For my effort, the word disaster fell far short. What would describe it best? Calamity? Fiasco? Tragedy? Nope, those words flatter the golden cottage of sweet loaf I turned out on the breadboard that within minutes was a derelict wreck scheduled for demolition. All four sides and the top imploded and the splodge oozed cloying, yellow chewing gum. Well, actually, just gum. No one wanted to chew it.<br /> <br />But those words ‘old, family, favourite, mother’ wouldn’t free me of their power. I analysed my faults and tried again. The second time, success! Tah-rra! Even more flattering than the fact that the two cakes lasted less that 48 hours was that they seemed to shrink, slice by slice, surreptitiously. My family (wife and two daughters of 17 and 22) were sneaking seconds and thirds. Perhaps the instinct is that if others don’t catch you indulging, they won’t be alerted to how good the cake is, and ‘all the more for me’ will be furtiveness’s reward.<br /> <br />So thanks to the wonder of the world wide web, your mum’s baking found its way into four tummies in England’s East Midlands. Isn’t that fantastic?<br /> <br />OK, business now. Your mixture fitted my loaf tins perfectly, but your temp and time led to an undercooked goo. I lowered the heat to 175 C and increased time to 1:15. I avoided my first time error of using a skewer to test the bake (it doesn’t give enough evidence of undercooking) and stuck to your direction of using a knife. Dentists are overpaid as it is so I lowered the sugar to 200 gms. And, how your mum would disapprove, I have since cooked the cake forgetting to add vanilla. Nobody noticed (though to me there was a curious hint of coconut to the sponge).<br /> <br />Your mum’s recipe is now a regular family request. To her and the inventor of the internet Tim Berners-Lee I raise my moreish slice of your childhood favourite.<br /> <br />Very best,<br /> <br />Paul and familyCatherinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16116884676266268214noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72554791720527032.post-5387857774741614372013-05-12T23:43:55.892+01:002013-05-12T23:43:55.892+01:00I'm wondering how many stupid comments were ma...I'm wondering how many stupid comments were made and sloughed off before the ever-present camera entered politics. Stephanie Vhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03206167025245206754noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72554791720527032.post-60604977516542596372013-05-11T14:10:56.066+01:002013-05-11T14:10:56.066+01:00Hear hear, Catherine!
I thought it was some kind o...Hear hear, Catherine!<br />I thought it was some kind of prank when I saw it on the news; couldn't believe someone in a position of such power could act so stupidly.<br />Good to see you back!Mimihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08100985140335023467noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72554791720527032.post-17843013330311840642013-04-17T07:55:33.845+01:002013-04-17T07:55:33.845+01:00This all looks soooo good! I'd best get off my...This all looks soooo good! I'd best get off my computer before I find more food posts and end up in my kitchen baking at 1am! lol Have a wonderful week! darlinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04886502544010479581noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72554791720527032.post-11751974406611853712012-12-31T08:12:40.847+00:002012-12-31T08:12:40.847+00:00That is what I call a busy year. Family scattered ...That is what I call a busy year. Family scattered all ver is upsetting but a way of modern life. Thank goodness for Skype and social media. My only grandchildren live in LA. So we depend on Skype a lot.diane bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12002292118984909883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72554791720527032.post-43993232094228391702012-12-27T11:52:23.670+00:002012-12-27T11:52:23.670+00:00Happy Christmas Catherined, and family, and hope y...Happy Christmas Catherined, and family, and hope your wishes for 2013 come true!Mimihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08100985140335023467noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72554791720527032.post-45428802314645243492012-12-21T03:18:00.675+00:002012-12-21T03:18:00.675+00:00I love that sock yarn colorway! Merry ChristmasI love that sock yarn colorway! Merry Christmaskathy bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17534431969086721507noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72554791720527032.post-70314854627325919822012-12-17T01:26:13.466+00:002012-12-17T01:26:13.466+00:00Thanks Stephanie, the socks were the ones you sent...Thanks Stephanie, the socks were the ones you sent me in the ebook with loads of patterns - I think they were ones in the middle of the book, terrific and she loved them. I'm into berets at present and made some for Christmas pressies, I'll blog the pics later! <br />It'll be a while before I get the lace merino worked on - all 1.4km of it! I'll be looking at shawls though!<br />Catherine xxxCatherinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16116884676266268214noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72554791720527032.post-62833041862146047942012-12-17T00:50:53.044+00:002012-12-17T00:50:53.044+00:00What a wonderful assortment of knitting gifts. I ...What a wonderful assortment of knitting gifts. I am green with envy over the laceweight merino. How beautiful - and I can't wait to see what you will make with it!<br /><br />I'm checking out the socks for your friend Jenny but I don't recognize the pattern. were they from the Knit Circus I sent you?Stephanie Vhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03206167025245206754noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72554791720527032.post-24925221387535150892012-12-01T00:20:14.174+00:002012-12-01T00:20:14.174+00:00My DIL is of Dutch heritage and I look forward to ...My DIL is of Dutch heritage and I look forward to her Speculaas every Christmas. I'm sure the kids do, too!Stephanie Vhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03206167025245206754noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72554791720527032.post-6786391554716776672012-11-28T01:45:41.097+00:002012-11-28T01:45:41.097+00:00MMMMMM< I so wish I could Bake Chirstmas cookie...MMMMMM< I so wish I could Bake Chirstmas cookies and treats..Im' hopeless. Really> I can make a great roast and grill etc but I cannot bake....<br />yours look amazingkathy bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17534431969086721507noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72554791720527032.post-81924507307109533182012-11-28T00:50:09.124+00:002012-11-28T00:50:09.124+00:00Thanks SusanC and F for your kinds comments! And ...Thanks SusanC and F for your kinds comments! And thanks to SusanC for inspiring this post! Yes it is Christmas in a biccy! I'm gonna bring some to our knitting circle's Christmas party Friday night:)Catherinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16116884676266268214noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72554791720527032.post-29175656367351458812012-11-27T13:46:36.806+00:002012-11-27T13:46:36.806+00:00Looks yummy! I love spiced cookies, perfect for br...Looks yummy! I love spiced cookies, perfect for bringing on the Christmas spirit. Thanks for sharing this recipe- think I will have to get baking :-)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16955806944544896162noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72554791720527032.post-90332907156263329982012-11-25T23:30:10.431+00:002012-11-25T23:30:10.431+00:00This is great, Catherine! Thanks so much for posti...This is great, Catherine! Thanks so much for posting. I'm still amazed that you baked them this evening. They look lovely! I'm definitely going to try this recipe out, not sure about the more 'advanced one' - maybe over Christmas. <br /><br />The dish on the front of the Dutch cook book looks tasty too. Now I'm hungry.SusanChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08976644488240513673noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72554791720527032.post-11318536565772387082012-11-23T23:03:16.750+00:002012-11-23T23:03:16.750+00:00Hi Catherine, bloggers block seems to be a univers...Hi Catherine, bloggers block seems to be a universal ailment lately! I can follow your exploits on FB now which I find is more immediate.I first visited this show in the Ally Pally about 10 years ago and thought it was fantastic and keep meaning to get to Dublin but by the time I hear its on its too late to organize a trip!Peggyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16336168195436906219noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72554791720527032.post-32478829190725654982012-11-19T02:03:13.450+00:002012-11-19T02:03:13.450+00:00Thanks for your kind comments and glad you enjoyed...Thanks for your kind comments and glad you enjoyed the post, Stephanie, Mimi and Kathy B - all appreciative knitters and crafty types! I have made socks with my lovely new wooden knitPro needles and they are lovely to work with, and I am currently making fingerless mitts with them also two at a time, which is much more satisfying than starting all over with the second one. <br />Stephanie I made your socks the clover leaf pattern in the ebook you emailed me! They are for Knitmas so I can't post them till after the recipient gets them,but will take photos beforehand. I did the Balbriggan Heel too! <br />Take care friends,<br />Catherine xxxxCatherinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16116884676266268214noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72554791720527032.post-54631585627874070362012-11-12T23:39:12.288+00:002012-11-12T23:39:12.288+00:00I love that you won!
I LOVE the knitted up Fireh...I love that you won! <br /><br />I LOVE the knitted up Firehouse ~ !! So darling. <br />the little hats amazing each and every onekathy bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17534431969086721507noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72554791720527032.post-82695554787836713902012-11-11T22:54:38.382+00:002012-11-11T22:54:38.382+00:00Congrats on winning the tickets, they obviously we...Congrats on winning the tickets, they obviously went to a good home! It was a great idea to get the bus up, so much more relaxing than driving.<br />I've never been to that show, but reading your post and seeing your pics, I will probably go next year. With a bit of luck I might even win the tickets to get in!!!Mimihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08100985140335023467noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72554791720527032.post-36170179335463312362012-11-11T17:10:43.826+00:002012-11-11T17:10:43.826+00:00Thanks for taking me along with you. It was almos...Thanks for taking me along with you. It was almost as good as being there. The talent is just amazing! <br />So happy you won the tickets so I could see it, too :)<br /><br />Stephanie Vhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03206167025245206754noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72554791720527032.post-77207445354551519272012-09-08T09:18:57.962+01:002012-09-08T09:18:57.962+01:00You are a talented knitter. I love the turquoise b...You are a talented knitter. I love the turquoise blue on you.Joyfulhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09956413632864588646noreply@blogger.com