What I have loved this week! Week 12. #FridayFavourites

This week seems to have flown over and it's crazy to think that this time next week will be the start of the long Easter weekend. I am linking up with Erika and Andrea and share some of my favourites from this past week.

The gas safety check.

The boiler man came early this week to do our yearly gas safety check. Every year since we have lived here the gas safety check has caused drama. We have had parts needed for the old boiler which were hard to come by, the gas fire was condemned which meant we needed a new fire put in which is electric and we never actually use it and last year we had a new boiler installed. This year it all went well, everything is working as it should and there were no dramas. While he was here he installed the new cooker which is my next favourite.

A new cooker.

Our new cooker was delivered on Saturday morning which wasn't one of my favourites as it arrived before 7am and the delivery slot. Our old cooker was ancient and so much was going wrong with it. The oven door falling off, knobs not working and falling off and the back ring on the hob not working at all.

New kitchen appliances are exciting and I am so happy with the new cooker but it is taking some getting used to. The oven door drops down instead of opening like a normal door and the big gas ring on the top is on the left instead of the right. It's good though, it does it's job and works properly.

The Walking Dead.

I was at a loss with what to have on the TV in the background over the weekend so decided to rewatch The Walking Dead (again). There is so much that I forgot about the early seasons like how young they all were, that Andrea was so annoying and how lovely Dale and Hershel were. 

The Eras Tour.

I finally watched it on Friday when it was released on Disney+. My girls made me watch it and I now understand why they love Taylor Swift so much. She is an amazing performer and I knew more of her songs than I thought I did. I've watched the concert twice over the last week. 

Getting washing out on the line.

We had a couple of really warm days. It was 16C which is practically scorching for this time of year. I of course had to get some washing out drying on the line. It seems ages since I last did and hanging the washing out is one job around the house that I really enjoy.

My eldest getting over her fear of dogs.

For years, since she was about 3 years old Becky has been terrified of dogs. She had a bad experience with one when she was little and has been so scared ever since, so much so she would cross the road to avoid them, not go into houses where there was a dog and majorly panic if one did get near to her. This week dog-sitted a friendly pooch for a day, she was sending me photos and videos of it and asking if we can get a dog. We're not but it does make me so happy that she is over her fear.

New managers at the pub.

One of our local pubs is getting new owners/managers and I have seen their new website and I am very excited about the plans that they have. The pubs locally have been really struggling but whoever is taking this one over must have a fair bit of money as they're planning to serve food every day/evening for a lot less than they were charging, have lots of entertainment and offers on. I am very excited to read more about their mid-week afternoon teas and free crisp sandwiches on a Saturday.

Butterkist hazelnut chocolate toffee popcorn.

My fella came in with a bag of this from the corner shop and asked if I wanted some. I tried it and wasn't keen but wanted more to try it again and then ended up eating half a bag of it. It doesn't really taste of hazelnut, chocolate or really toffee but something about it is so moreish. 

A pay rise.

My fella is getting a pay rise, another one. He only got his last one in December. Apparently the company that he works for has done really well over the last year so they are giving back to the workers. It's only about a £1 increase but that is better than nothing especially with the cost of everything else going up.

What have you loved over the past week?

Creme Egg Brookie Traybake - Recipe!

Are you looking for idea's for an easy Easter treat? Well here you go!  A Creme Egg is an absolute must for a British Easter and sharing this Creme Egg Brookie Traybake with family and friends is a great idea for using up leftover ingredients. The best news is that this recipe is actually very simple to bake regardless how spectacular it may appear.

 This Creme Egg Brookie Traybake is made with only a handful of ingredients and kitchen equipment. It's perfect for baking with the kids and using up leftover Easter chocolate (if such a thing exists!).

The Creme Egg Brookie Traybake is made with just 8 ingredients and 5 pieces of equipment, perfect for fuelling those Easter egg hunts!

This recipe makes 12 Brookies!

Ingredients

250g of unsalted butter, melted.

300g of granulated sugar.

3 eggs.

1 teaspoon of vanilla extract.

300g of plain flour, split into 50g and 250g.

A quarter of a teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda.

200g of dark chocolate chips or a chopped up bar, split into 150g and 50g.

.6 Creme Eggs, halved.

Equipment

2 mixing bowls (one should be microwaveable).

Teaspoon.

Spatula.

20 x 30cm traybake tin, lined with parchment.

Microwave.

Method

Preheat your oven to 160°C (fan).

In the microwaveable bowl melt 150g of the dark chocolate in 30 second increments, being careful not to burn it. Set to one side.

In the other mixing bowl combine the melted butter and sugar with the spatula followed by the eggs and vanilla. Mix until everything is combined.

Pour 350g of this mixture into the melted dark chocolate and mix thoroughly before folding in 50g of flour. This is your brownie base, pour this into your lined tin and spread evenly using the spatula or the back of the teaspoon. Pop this in the freezer while you make the cookie topping.

To make the cookie topping add the rest of the plain flour (250g) and bicarbonate to the remainder of the butter, sugar and egg mixture. Combine with a cleaned spatula until smooth then fold in the leftover 50g of dark chocolate chips/chunks. Take the brownie base out of the freezer and spread the cookie dough evenly on top.

Bake for 30 to 35 minutes until risen and golden on top. Allow to cool slightly before gently pressing the Creme Egg halves into the baked Brookie.

Once the Brookie has cooled completely in the tin, remove it and cut it into portions.

This recipe is from the Easy Peasy Baking campaign, launched by UK Flour Millers, making baking simple. You can find more Easy Peasy Baking recipes and information on the campaign over on the FAB Flour website.

10 wonderful things about spring!

Ahh! It's the first day of spring here in England. A time of renewal, rejuvenation, and rejoicing in the beauty of nature. As the weather starts to get warmer, the cold winter becomes a distant memory there's a sense of excitement in the air! I am trying not to get excited about the weather that we have had this week but it has been really spring like. Yesterday it was 16C which is just perfect for this time of year.

The weather.

The weather is so unpredictable, spring is when mother nature decides to play hide and seek with the sun. One moment, you're enjoying some sunshine on your face and the next you're dodging raindrops the size of peas. Hopefully soon we can say goodbye to bulky coats and hello to sunshine!

The flowers.

From the daffodils that carpet the countryside in shades of yellow and gold (they are my favourite flower) to the emergence of bluebells in woodlands and forests across the country. They are all so pretty but of my favourite sight to see is the cherry blossoms that have just started to appear here although all of nature springing back to life really sets my hay fever off. 

Birdsong.

As the birds return from their winter away, the air is filled with the sweet melodies of their songs. As much as I complain about the birds waking me up on a morning it is a sound that I associate with the warmer weather. I just hope they don't nest in the eaves of our roof again. 

Getting back into the garden.

As the earth begins to thaw gardeners across the country eagerly dust off their trowels and get to work in their allotments and gardens. I do love this time of year, sorting the garden and planting new things. In a couple of weeks we will have our annual trip to the farm shop to buy some bedding plants for the planters outside the front of our house which I am really looking forward to.

Spring Cleaning.

Cleaning isn't the most glamorous activity but there's something satisfying about decluttering and freshening up your home after a long winter. I always enjoy cleaning at this time of year, especially when I have all the windows open. It makes my home feel fresher and cleaner. Getting the washing out on the line is a big bonus too.

Longer days.

With the arrival of spring comes longer days. As much as I think I like the dark nights when they first arrive I do like the lighter evenings, the ice cream man driving around and spending evenings sat in the garden. I am sure in a couple of months we will be visiting the pubs beer garden to enjoy a couple of drinks on an evening too.

Baby Animals.

Is there anything cuter than a fluffy baby animal? From new born lambs frolicking in the fields to fuzzy ducklings waddling by the pond, spring is full of adorable critters that are sure to melt your heart.

Easter Celebrations.

Whether you're religious or not Easter is a fun! From colourful egg hunts to chocolate eggs there's plenty of joy to go around during this egg-citing time of year. There is the long Easter weekend to enjoy to which is at the end of this month.

Outdoor Adventures.

With the arrival of warmer weather, it's time to get outside! Whether you're exploring a nearby forest, biking along scenic paths or simply taking a walk through the park. I always have more motivation to get outside at this time of year. 

A Sense of Joy.

Last but certainly not least, spring just has a way of putting a smile on your face. Maybe it's the sunshine, maybe it's the flowers or maybe it's just the promise of warmer days ahead!

What are your favourite things about spring?

Why being shy is a good thing.

I have always been a quite person. As a child I was painfully shy and I still am. You would never guess it with the fact that I write this blog. Writing things online is different than speaking to people face to face or even over the phone. There are plenty of times that I hate it and hate myself for not speaking up and out loud but sometimes I actually think it's a good thing. Being shy is not a flaw to be fixed or a hurdle to overcome, it's a superpower in its own right.

There is a myth that being shy equals weakness. Nothing could be further from the truth! Being shy doesn't mean I'm timid or lacking in confidence, it simply means I approach social situations with a bit more caution and that caution often serves me well, allowing me to think about what I am going to say before I speak. My friend used to introduce me as the quiet one, the one who would sit there and take everything thing and she was right. Ever heard the phrase "still waters run deep"? Well, that perfectly sums up the essence of shy individuals. While others might be busy dominating the conversation, I'm quietly taking in my surroundings, picking up on subtle cues like the way someone twirls their hair when they're nervous to someone's change in tone when they're upset. I may not always be the loudest voice in the room but I can sit in the background and get a good idea about what people are really like. All and that attention to detail comes in handy more often than you'd think. Sometimes I see or hear things that those who were full of chatter did not notice.

One of the great things about being shy is that it turns you into an expert listener. Others open up to you and lead the conversation. People love to have a good chat to me as I will listen to them without butting in at every given chance, they get things off their chest, share their worries and people have said I have a calming effect on them as I am not in their face, talking to them. 

I may not be the life of the party but when it comes to forming deep meaningful connections I'm a pro! Shyness has taught me to value quality over quantity when it comes to friendships. I'd rather have a few close friends who really get me than a bunch of acquaintances any day. 

Being shy doesn't mean I'm stuck in my ways. I'm constantly challenging myself to step outside of my comfort zone and embracing new experiences and each time I do, I come out stronger and a little bit more confident than before. I still hate speaking on the phone but sometimes I will surprise myself, like when British Gas were messing me around with something I was that angry that my shyness just went out of the window and I argued back and eventually got what I wanted.

In a world that sometimes feels like everyone is confident and loud being shy keeps me grounded. I'm not one to put on a show or wear a mask to fit in. What you see is what you get, no frills and no fuss. Shyness is not a bad thing. It's a part of who I am and it's what makes me uniquely me. So the next time someone tries to tell you to stop being so shy, hold your head high and embrace your shyness with pride!

Are you a shy person?