My biggest boy is Six today!

I've not had a chance to do any treasure hunting this weekend, as I've been busy making birthday cake and entertaining small children. I know my Nintendo DSi cake is not really professional standard, but I'm still pretty pleased with how it came out - and boy number 1 was thrilled. Unappetising black icing notwithstanding, it was still a good deal tastier than anything you'd find on the shelves of Tesco (with the added 'bonus' of turning your tongue black). Go go Mario!

Why does it always rain on me?

I was tempted to title this post 'Soaking wet Booty' but chickened out after realising that I don't pre-approve comments and my blog is finally getting picked up by Google. I think anyone searching that term might be more than a little disappointed with this kind of junk in the trunk!

But at Sunday's boot sale I really did resemble a drowned rat.  I woke up to sunshine, but by the time we (me and my lovely friend Sarah at Home Made Gorgeous) got there the gathering clouds had opened and we got drenched. No umbrella and no shelter meant five minutes of exposure to the rain was no different to an hour, so we stuck it out for that long before seeking the sanctuary of the pub - and contorting under the hand-dryer in the ladies' loo in an attempt to dry our hair.

Unfortunately the crappy weather meant a lot of stall holders covered their stalls and retreated to their cars, so there certainly wan't as much choice as usual. China and glassware stands up ok to the rain (once emptied) but I wouldn't like to be the person who eventually bought the ancient Brevel sandwich toaster that had been left to the mercy of the elements. Also, those who did continue selling all appeared to be in a foul temper and were not at all open to haggling. One bloke launched into a positive tirade of bile when someone dared to offer him 50p for a brooch. Still, I did manage to come home with a few things in addition to a sore throat.

A silver plate butter dish, now redeployed as a dressing table trinket box. I love the aged look of the outside. £3.00

A couple of Poole Pottery jam pots (one 30s, and one 60s - I think). £2.50 each. I've still got loads of jam from last summer, and have just made marmalade [smug]
China spoon - 50p

3 1950s cockail glasses - 50p each.
1950s swizzle sticks via Mother in law

Child's mug 50p. It's cracked, but the bear's expression made me laugh.
 Sarah saw cute, I saw slightly perverse. That probably says something about us!
I might use it as a container for foil wrapped mini Easter eggs

I have some new clothes and shoes to share as well (hurrah!) but that's another post. I need to wash  l'eau de charity out of them first.

Linking up to these parties:
Junkin Finds Fridays
Thrifty Adventures
Flea Market Finds
Magpie Mondays
Thrift Share Monday
Nifty Thrifty Tuesdays
Newbie Party
Thrifty Thursdays

Happy St David's Day

Happy St David's Day - Dydd Gŵyl Dewi Sant Hapus - to any Welsh readers, or just anyone who's pleased that Spring is on the way. I don't live in Wales any more, and whilst St Patrick's day seems to have been seized upon in England as an excuse to drink Guinness, I think I'm going to have to make my own Welsh cakes.

Here's the recipe if you'd like to try making this traditional Welsh treat - they're sold in all the bakeries and markets back home, and are best served warm with a sprinkling of sugar.

Welsh Cakes

Ingredients (makes a baker's dozen, at around 180 calories each)

• 8oz Self Raising flour
• 1/2 tsp mixed spice
• 4oz Butter (pref salted), plus extra for greasing
• 85g/3oz Caster Sugar
• handful of sultanas
• 1 egg
• splash of milk, if needed
  
  

Method

{traditionally these are cooked on a 'bakestone' or griddle, but a heavy based frying pan will work ok}

• Sieve the flour and spices into a large bowl, and add the butter. 
• Rub the butter into the flour to make 'breadcrumbs'
• Add the fruit and sugar and mix together.
• Beat the egg, then add to the mixture until it forms a dough. You may need to add some milk as well.
• Roll out onto a floured surface about 1/2 inch thick and cut into scone sized rounds with a circular cutter. (I use a 2.5 inch one)
• Rub the griddle or pan with some butter (wiping off any excess) and heat it up on the hob.
• Cook the Welsh Cakes for about 3 minutes on each side until golden brown, being careful not to burn them.
• Sprinkle with sugar and devour!
  
  

  

  
  

These are husband's favourite thing about Wales, aside from some of our idiosyncracies of speech. He's particularly taken with people saying things like "nice boots, them shoes" or "I'll be there now in a minute after". I think a trip back over the Severn Bridge is long overdue...