cleaning the kitchen

Betty has been cleaning, moving, shifting, chopping and changing - a constant reminder of her restless character. She would love to sit down and read her book. Conscience dictates that so much has to be done to earn this reward and her brain is becoming mangled and crushed with the responsibility of leading where others must follow. Last night she watched television until 4.00am - weird baby programmes about couples arriving home with a bawling baby from hospital and how they miraculously cope within 24 hours. Other couples move from the town to the country and find enchantment in flowing streams and paddocks. Some intend to create animal sanctuaries.. She is feeling slightly sad about the summer disappearing, along with her youth. You better remember Betty - contentment can be found in a well cooked sponge cake and a clean house. Don't you forget....

Coping with Mondays

Betty is trying to appear cool and calm but she is in chaos. Builders have arrived to rip out a door and a window, and worst of all, direct access to a bathroom is challenging. To calm myself down I make myself think of Thin Ice and the race to the south pole. The state of those feet! Ben Foggle's nappy rash is a cause for concern, which brings my thoughts back to the bathroom. I think I will go for a walk. To make life even more idyllic, there suddenly seems to be very little food in the house. My domestic goddessness has disappeared. It's all very well for George, catching that train every day, he can walk away from it all with his brief case (what is inside? figures, statistics, forecasts? it's a complete mystery..) and have a quiet coffee on the train. Maybe pancakes....

I am attempting to be more laid back, sort of modern in my outlook. It is a big responsibility, being a domestic goddess. I am baking a date and banana loaf, now transfered to the simmering oven for 30 minutes. And leek and potato soup, just in case Amanda (who is bringing her new baby for a viewing) can stay for lunch. Amanda is an ace organic gardener, though she says her brain has departed through sleep deprivation. Oh, I remember it well. I have cleaned the kitchen with my super new cleaning products www.twyford-cookers.com in honour of William, new to this world. George is now at the factory office, suffering from pipe deprivation. He is no longer able to pack and puff and deliberate over mind shattering decisions concerning the renovation of Agas, due to our no smoking policy. There is a smoking area, outside. We have put a bucket of sand, to contain the ash and cigarette butts. It looks like an art installation - well, there is art in everything if you lookxxx

I sit and gaze at tomatoes that need staking, vegetable beds that need weeding, a leaking watering can..but, the flowers are intense. Last night we ate roasted lamb - cooked it for half an hour in the roasting oven of the Aga, then down to simmer for 2-3 hours - so scrumptiously tender, it fell off the bone. Vegetables were carrots and turnips in garlic butter, just soft - and broccoli from the garden. New potatoes...simple is so good. Just now, life seems to be about home and family and sunshine. I love it. Zoe has given me her recipe for fish pie. I will post it once I have tested it in the Aga. Meanwhile, go to www.twyford-cookers.com for some recipes. There will be more, Betty needs time.

Starting the day feeling guilty that I have not been to the gym. Feeling guilty is not good, so will go for a walk this afternoon. I am currently into cakes, ( hips are telling the tale), and today I will create the perfect sponge, with raspberries and cream. The recipe will be on my website www.twyford-cookers.com later on. In all the excitement of creating this blog (so new and dare I say it, a little bit scary, I mean, who are you talking to?) I forgot to mention we had a wonderful sunday lunch at The Cheltenham House. Sunny weather and delicious fish pie. Must get that recipe.

Any way, work a little, play a little, so come on Betty, stop procrastinating and get down to some serious hard graft. Busy busy busy, speak to you again soon.

Walnut and Coffee Cake

What a day I've had, Baking, cleaning, washing and ironing, there is no end to my domestic godessness! And the seams on my stockings remain straight! Here is a recipe for Walnut and Coffee Cake cooked in the Aga. I have just had a slice and it is delicious. This is my first attempt at blogging, and I think I am going to love it. See you all soon, meanwhile, have a go at the cakexx

WALNUT & COFEE CAKE FILLING AND TOPPING

90g Walnuts 165g Soya margarine
3 tablespoons vegetable oil 270g icing sugar
215g Soya margarine ½ tsp vanilla essence
175g soft raw sugar 3 tablespoons espresso coffee
1½ tablespoons golden syrup (strong dilution)
2 large free range eggs 12 walnuts to decorate
215g spelt flour, refined
10g baking powder


METHOD

Place the cold shelf on the top set of runners in the roasting oven and grease and line two 8” cake tins

Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy; add the golden syrup and oil, then the eggs, one at a time. Fold in the flour, baking powder and then the walnuts. Divide the mixture between the prepared tins and bake for 30 minutes. When cool, sandwich together with the creamed Soya and icing sugar and coffee. Decorate with the 12 walnuts. Serve to friends.