Twice Baked Apples Stuffed With Blackberries

I was fortunate enough to be send a hamper of sugar for baking with , as Autumn is just about upon us now we usually find ourselves in search of soul food that fills us up and keeps us warm through the Autumnal nights. Food that is just enough to take the edge of the coolness of the breeze that whistles past our faces and our feet crunch upon slightly crunchy leaves. A walk that leads to the joy of blackberry picking that is nothing better than foraging.

I had two lonely cooking apples left the others had been baked in an obligatory first Apple and blackberry crumble.

Ingredients

Two or more cooking apples or any large apples cored

Light Brown Sugar (I was using Whitworths Light Brown Sugar)

Handful of blackberries

Method

I sprinkled 2 teaspoons of the Whitworths Light Brown sugar into each apples you can increase or decrease this according to personal taste.

I preheated the oven to 180c then placed the apples in a suitable roasting dish for 20 minutes.

Whilst the apples were baking the placed the two handful  of Blackberries in about a table spoon and a half of Whitworths Light Brown Sugar.


After this time take the apples out of the oven and place equal apples of the sugared blackberries  in each apple. Then place back in the oven for about 10 minutes.

After this time take the apples out you will noticed the blackberries have  created a blackberry sugary syrup which you can spoon over the apples once they have been placed into serving bowl.

Serve with your choice of cream, ice cream or custard or just enjoy on its own.

SO I hope to encourage you  to get baking and encourage have your own office bake off! Whitworths produced a bespoke Facebook app with a creative ‘all you would need’ #GOBO tool kit, please use this to launch your own office bake-off and encourage your colleagues to get involved!

Disclosure I received a hamper of sugars in order to develop some recipes and will receive a fee for doing so.

The Glad Game

I'll defend how am I .


Happy or sad.



I am not the world's great optimist nor do I think I should be otherwise ; optimistism is a tool I use to make myself happy. My gladness at time is not a state of mind but the result of practice, which becomes stronger with practice.


I am not always cheerful but my willingness to play the "Glad Game " is a necessity in my world and although the gladness may take a while to wash over me , it is receiving to for it to do so. I am going beyond positive thinking , beyond me my very own happiness guru , I am more of a wellness adventurer.

The "Glad Game " which is from the beloved book Pollyanna is a perfectly sensible technique for finding happiness , this is a pursuit in mainstream culture academia and the like that has tuned into a bonafide obsession.

Perhaps happiness can be annoying to some.


I care not a frustrated frog !



I think the government had a happiness index and probably there is a Happiness mister  ?!


SO

after some hooligans decided to play football at 2 am near my house the other night, the cat got into a loud fight, the bank stopped my card ( fraud pattern Ocado ) and an possible Ebay swindle .


I am plying my "Glad Game " to the max as I 'll be honest it can't get any worse can get ( add in flight delay at start of week )

OOH look a dead mouse


Marvellous .


Let me glad it is not a gazelle.

A Week Without Tea

A week with out tea , hugs teapot and whispers " I love you "

I so love my tea and I was gutted not to have taken my English tea with me ! My tea is my explorers mark to declare this is mine where I stand or sit. They all say an English mans home is his castle but I say 

" A cup of tea is my own island "

I tried Spanish tea but alas it was the taste of doom , really it was like drinking rainwater with a side accent colour of rust !

My tea and I are estastic to be reunited in fact the love has only grown stronger .

A week without wifi and I'm ( shrugs shoulders ) ambiguous .

I've made 2 cups of tea my husband comes into the kitchen ....

And promptly whispers "I love you "

 to the cat !

It's ok I have already declared my love for a cup of tea ...

L'amour

Qualities and Traits I wish my cats had !

I love cats.

I love nothing better than tickling my cats tummy lovingly and expecting a purr in return only to be engaged in a vice like grip which I struggle to get out of , I cautiously pull back my hand and retreat to the house. I join my husband on the sofa and Jack just jumps up expecting his sweeties ( cat treats ) and with my husband intently watching more than likely some sport the cat lovingly nips his toes as he feels he is being ignored.

Now it's not only Jack that joins in with this nipping of the toes, we have found that Rollie has joined in with this annoying habit to ! they both have no problem high fiving my husband once they've got his attention and he's holding the treats. So I wish that Jack and Rollie had a quality of patience and not just expect things when they want , I say this as both of this have been doing a circuit of the house all day , which involves them going out the front door and out the cat flap and repeat x lots ! As owners we have probably made a rod for our own backs but I tell myself the exercise of having to keep getting up to open the door for the cats is good for me !

My sister in law has just embarked the kitten journey again with the lovely Lucy , we've all met Lucy she's a whirlwind bundle of fluffiness. I am definitely going to recommend that my sister in law watches this very fun and informative videos from Whiskers ! The main focus of the channel is to educate owners on how to care for their kittens and I love the mock university setting of it all .

My sister in laws lovely new kitten Lucy ( who is very playful! )

Rollies reaction when you ask him to do something !

Jack in play mode !

I think that my son would wish that jack and Rollie had a more playful trait  , Rollie does invite you to tickle his tummy but then runs away as you approach! Rollie can fit in with any environment he is the master at adapting when he wants!

Rollie thinking about being more patient !

While Jack will only play with a ball etc if it is within a paws radius ! in a nutshell he gets us to do all the work ! a very cushy life. Even though I have had cats since I was a child, I am constantly learning about a cats needs especially as my 2 are getting older Rollie is 7 and Jack is 8 and a website such a Whiskers is useful to me to help keep them happy & healthy.

Cat ownership is a joy , I wish these videos had been around when Rollie and Jack were innocent kittens shimming up my legs with theirs claws!

I certainly would have sent them to Kitten Kollege !

Rollie as a kitten !

I think Rollie will have the last laugh don't you !

“This post is a collaboration with WHISKAS®, but all thoughts are my own. Check out their website for more information on their cat food and their YouTube channel for fantastic Kitten Kollege videos.”  

Wicked Uncle Teenage Present Review

Wicked Uncle approached me and asked if I would like to try out a gift of up to £40 from their website. I said yes please especially as I'm stumped for ideas for my sons upcoming 18th birthday. You 'd be forgiven for thinking there is nothing suitable at all for an 18 year old or older but I assure you there is .

We are into the time of independence with my son going to university next year and announcing he'd like to holiday with his friends . How exactly he'll holiday with no job is another matter ( all study at the moment )  but he's ever the resourceful young chap ! With that in mind I thought a scratch off map would we ideal , we love travelling as a family so with his independent travel plans in mind he'll love this !

"

Original version of the high quality wall map with a scratchable surface. 

Scratch off the foil layer to show all the places you have visited to reveal a whole new world below, featuring vibrant colour and geographical detail. Making a great addition to any wall, measuring 82cm x 58cm, the result is a totally unique and personalised world map just for you. Comes packaged in a smart poster tube - perfect for the intrepid traveller."

This is priced at £18.95

In a similar vain to the search of map  I thought the adventure journal would be ideal ! perhaps he will take us parents off on his travels  ? I think that will probably be a no !

"A fun 64 page journal featuring ‘must do’ experiences from around the world. 

Packed full of exciting ideas and experiences that are out of the ordinary, from a horseback safari in Kenya, a steak dinner in Buenos Aires, wreck diving in Egypt to swimming in the Great Barrier Reef. This great pack has 8 scratchable maps to scratch off each experience if you are lucky enough to do it, in categories of nature, culture, activity and cuisine. With over 300 ideas to inspire and excite, this is the ultimate fun to-do list - discover the explorer in you!"

Priced at £16.95 ps he will be funding these adventures himself and not applying to the bank of Mum and Dad !

And it's not your birthday unless you have birthday chocolates so I choose Chocolate Fish and Chips , y husband literally though it was chocolate covered Fish and Chips ( bless him ) but in this day and age you never know do you !

What it actually is Belgian chocolate shapes of Fish and Chips !

" A fun trio of chocolate that's a unique take on the classic seaside fish and chips. 

Each yummy box contains a loveable detailed chocolate fish, a tasty ampersand and a perfectly-sized portion of fries. Handmade by the magical elves at Choc on Choc in Somerset, a brilliant idea. The traditional British take away has just got even better!"

Priced at £6.95 and isn't lucky that there is 3 pieces of chocolate and we are a family of 3 .


Delivery is very prompt and there is even an option ( payable ) to have your presents wrapped . I would not hesitate to use Wicked Uncle again for future presents for all of my family !