You can tell I'm back at work!

Oh yes - more than two weeks since my last post!

Time just seems to fly, but I am grateful that I have a job to keep me busy and I just have to content myself with posting when I can for the moment.

I am still managing to read all of your lovely blogs though - reading them helps me unwind at the end of a busy day.

I have also managed to take part in the autumn swap organised by Blueberry Heart.

I was paired with the talented Victoria from Giddystuff.

Look at what she sent me ...
(oops my camera is playing up and  won't let me download the pictures so I hope that Victoria won't mind if I use pictures from her blog post about the swap!)

Gorgeous multi toned embroidery skeins in luscious autumn shades.

Lovely autumnal fabric.

How pretty are these buttons?

A beautifully made knitted pincushion pumpkin, already taking pride of place on my little shelf display in my craftroom, I love it!

And another hand made lovely, I've already worn this stunning bracelet several times.

With the nights drawing in what could be more welcome than a weeks supply of flavoured hot chocolate?

Thank you so much Victoria.

I love swaps.

If you want to see what I sent Victoria she has posted it on her blog here.

Love Linda xxx

Free Food

It was back to work on Monday. But before the end of last week I had a mini cooking spree, largely to use up some free fruit.

My youngest daughter has recently begun renting a property that has several fruit trees on it - plums, pears and apples. She was more than happy for us to help ourselves to the free fruit.

Plums were stewed and frozen, plum crumble was made and a jar of plum vodka is also happily steeping away.

The apples and pears aren't fully ripe yet, but there were quite a few windfalls which it seemed a shame to let go to waste.

Some made Devon Apple Cake.

This recipe is from "The Cranks Recipe Book" and is a recipe I return to again and again. It is lovely warm topped with a little cream but equally delicious once cold. Being a "Cranks" recipe it is made with whole-foods including wholemeal flour and raw brown sugar, so I like to think that it's better for you than cakes made with white flour and sugar.

As well as the apple cake I made three loaves of wholemeal no knead bread  - some for the freezer. I also used up some more of the windfall apples and pears in a Pear, Apple, Plum and Ginger Jam.

This is the kind of relaxed cooking that I miss having the time for now I am back at work.

Never mind, after this week only another six weeks to the next holiday.

Love Linda xxx