What a lovely pear

Last night's pudding was poached pears, spicey chocolate custard, and crumble baked separately.

To poach the pears, peel and place in a saucepan of water, with:
1tbsp lemon juice
2 cloves
1 cinnamon stick
Bit of orange zest
Poach for about 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, make the crumble mix:
1oz butter
1oz sugar
2oz plain flour
Bake in the oven for about 15-20 minutes, until golden and crunchy.

Make the custard as normal (Bird's powder, I'm afraid, one of my guilty pleasures) and then while it's thickening place about 20g of Green & Black's dark chocolate with orange and delicate spices, and stir briskly to melt.

Serve in a large teacup.

One of my favourite puddings. The poach is lightly spiced, the chocolate has a lovely warmth and delicate kick, and the crumble adds more comfort and texture. A brilliant pudding for chilly nights in. Comforting for the soul when you need it most, when you feel let down and disillusioned with the world and those around you - there's nothing quite like custard to heal.

Time for tea

That's what's happened this afternoon so far.

That, and panicking because I can't find one of my fat quarters that I need for my next project. Work borrowed some of my FQs for a photoshoot last month, and I have a distinct feeling that the FQ in question was included in the bunch - suggesting the photographer decided to keep it. Or, is just useless and didn't give it back. I am beyond annoyed.

The beauty of teapots

Really like this new design of teapot, and what it stands for:

The idea that the handles are mass produced and ergonomic, while the body of the teapot is hand blown and more rustic. The lid is also a teacup.

Read more here: http://www.louierigano.com/index.php?/product-design/teapots/

What a ladder, sugar!

With the weather turning sunny, even if it's still freezing cold, it's always good to know that you can hang your towels on a bamboo ladder, don't you agree? Luckily, I have one! Another of my Christmas presents that has made me disproportionately happy.

Not only that, but check out the best sugar pot in the world. I feel very protective over this sugar pot, and worry every time I take it off the shelf to add sugar to the Boyf's tea (I'm sweet enough already, haha).

I also got an almost-matching mug/cup (I'm not sure what it is) for my birthday.

Shame I don't have any red thread, so I can't do some quilting, rather than just making cups of tea in my new mug/cup. But it is a lovely new light Earl Grey by Fortnum & Mason, excellent.

Happy New Year!

I've been absent for a while, enjoying the Christmas and New Year festivities. So to update, here are some of my brilliant Christmas presents.

Firstly, a new sewing machine!!!! It's an Elna 6600, the "Quilter's Dream" - it's amazing! It does about a million pre-programmed stitches, including a penguin. It took several days to read the instructions before I built up the courage to turn it on... But it really is a dream.

A gorgeous teapot, a 1920s Royal Albert design teacup and saucer, and a chicken teapot were also received with glee:

So now I'm off to make tea and so some quilting!

GaGa about tea

http://www.mi-pro.co.uk/news/31615/Brits-going-Lady-Gaga-for-afternoon-tea

This news story suggests Lady GaGa is the reason behind Debenhams' increased sales of teapots and other tea-related accessories, due to her penchant for carrying around a teacup.

Is the UK public that see-through?

And can we really justify a rise in such a social trend as tea drinking to the preferences of one slightly batty pop singer?

Tea drinking and appreciation has been around for hundreds of years and I refuse to lay its apparent resurrection at the feet of Lady GaGa. Perhaps its social importance and ability to bring together friends and family is more to blame. We live in such a contactless society that it's brilliant to see individuals rebel against only communicating via facebook or twitter and actually getting together with acquaintances for tea, biscuits, and cake. It's the best way to catch up with people, share stories, laughter, and sadness, while being refreshed and satisfied by a naughty sugary treat.

I've always been a lover of afternoon tea parties and will continue this favourite pastime irrelevant of what 'celebrities' get up to or indeed carry around with them!