Apple and Rhubarb Crumble

I much prefer crumbles to pies, so thought I'd use some rhubarb and a couple of apples to make a tasty crumble.

So quick and simple, peeled and chopped apples and rhubarb about 1 1/2in pieces.

Popped in a pan with 4 tbs of sugar (or to taste), cinnamon and a few tbs of water and left to simmer. It's rather nice with a splash or two of Port as well!

Crumble mix couldn't be any easier, just flour, butter and brown sugar. You can be a bit healthier and use oats and some chopped nuts give even more crunch.

I lazily popped ours in the food processor and doubled up on the portions.

A few pulses of the processor and there were lovely crumbly crumbs!

Fruit in the base of the dish with plenty of crumble on top.

I doubled up on crumble topping so we could put some in a bag and freeze it. It'll just need defrosting and sprinkling over the next time I make a crumble.

30 minutes later and we were enjoying a lovely hot crumble with some cold, melting ice cream.

Hubby was very happy, and there's plenty left for tomorrow.

Take care
xxx

Sewerby Hall and Gardens

Making the most of the sunny winter weather this half term, we bundled into the car yesterday, picked up one of Imogen's friends and went up the coast to visit Sewerby Hall.

There's plenty to see and do, the grand Georgian listed house to tour, a small zoo and beautiful gardens.   We didn't go in the house as it's not easy to access in a wheelchair, but if you can cope with a few hilly slopes, the grounds are very disabled friendly. There are lots of walks and in the Summer it must be a beautiful place to sit amongst the flowers and have a picnic. We walked through the walled gardens and rose gardens... I can imagine they will look beautiful in a few months time.

 There were crops of Snowdrops everywhere you looked, one of my favourite flowers

 And lots of what looked like very well fed, friendly squirrels

These squirrels definitely look quite chubby compared to the ones in our local park!

There was a zoo just off the courtyard, where we were greeted firstly by a Degu.

 There were larmas

 and Alpacas

Pigs and some goats

 and lots of different birds

Capuchin monkeys

 and I think our favourites were the penguins and lemurs

Loving that tail!

There was a small craft area in the courtyard selling beeswax candles and creams. Imogen made a candle to bring home with us, rolling the wax the same way the Vikings first made candles.

It was a lovely day out, finished off with a drive by the coast and fish and chips on the seafront watching the waves.

Take care
xxx

Beautiful Matryoshka

Every time I look at this beautiful Russian Nesting doll, my Matryoshka, it brings a smile to my face.

My wonderful husband bought them for my birthday, they are all traditionally hand painted in bright, cheerful colours

When I started undoing them, I couldn't believe how tiny they were getting... another one... another even smaller one, each carrying another surprise inside it. Traditionally they should all be made from the one piece of wood, this helps them fit neatly and cleanly into each other.

Each one is hand painted, from the largest to the smallest. See how tiny she is, like a little button!

The biggest set of Matryoshka dolls was seen in Japan in 1970, it had 72 dolls! As each one is hand made, this was quite a feat! My set has 10, and that seems a lot!

I'm busy making a table runner with crochet motifs at the moment, will take photos when it's ready.

Take care

xxx