Nightmare Times!!!!

You know when you just want to start your day all over again???? Well, I feel as though I've had a multitude of those days in swift succession! It's true to say that I've been driven to indulge in my favourite Crabbies tipple on more than one occasion this past week! You couldn't find a more aptly named drink to reflect my mood for sure.

Husband moved out 2 weeks ago today, kids have been driving me insane, bills are mounting, and whilst it was lovely to spend the weekend providing you lovely people with scrumptious cakes in Guisborough and York, I'm pooped! Oh yes, and rather sunburnt after standing on Newgate Market on Saturday in the boiling sun! I have a rather fetching red striped neck where the strap of my apron has been!!

Add to that a girl's worst nightmare (well, this girl anyway!), a stupid, temperamental car that has managed to break down twice in the space of a week, over a holiday period when the world of motoring seems to have ground to a halt! When the culprit was towed away (by a very nice breakdown man I have to say), part of me wished that, a) I'd never see it again, b) that I'd locked all 3 teenagers in it before it went, and c) that I could win the lottery between now and the weekend in order to pay the undoubtedly hefty bill that will be waiting for me when it's eventually fixed! Maybe though, if I could meet an extraordinarily handsome mechanic who wasn't afraid of temperamental Italian models or northern women, all my prayers would be answered!!

And so today heralded a new beginning... no husband to dig the kids out of bed; it's all down to me from now on. I was told by my daughter last night that I was "Just like grandma, always grumpy and moaning"! To be compared with my ex mother-in-law isn't exactly the best compliment! So I was determined to face the day with more cheer...  made quite a good start since no-one killed each other before they left for school, and only the odd insult or two were traded. The bathroom is clean, washing is mostly done, new hoover purchased (a cheap one I might add!) to replace our Dyson that gave up the ghost pretty much simultaneously with the car, ingredients shopping done for the week ahead (Garden Show coming up), kids fed, dishes washed, and I'm knackered!!! It'll be a first for me, but I'll be in bed by 9pm, without a sniff of Crabbies or the Rioja that has my name on it in the wine rack!

Looking forward to the weekend working at the Tees Valley Garden Show from Saturday - Monday...

http://www.tgshow.co.uk/index.php

I'm doing 3 cookery demos; carrot cake, brownies and beetroot and orange cake. You have to come along and have a taste! And of course, I'll be looking for lots of moral support! No heckling, mind. There'll be lots of tasty goodies to buy, and I'll be selling the new Maisie Fantasie cupcake wraps too at an introductory price. You can view them here at  http://www.cupcakewrappers.com/ 

Hope to see you all there, come rain or shine,

Veronica :)

Chipwiches Coming VERY Soon!!! :)

Ever tasted a "chipwich"? Well, you'll be able to very soon, courtesy of my latest collaborative venture with Chocolinis of Saltburn. Launching in May, Elaine has asked me to supply her with the perfect chocolate chip cookie to showcase her new range of icecreams which should be ready by mid May.... scrummy!!!
If you want to know what a chipwich is, then click on www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chipwich   to find out more.
A throw back to 1980s America, it seemed to pass us by here in the UK, but not for much longer!!!
I'm soooooo excited I can hardly wait! My tastebuds are gagging for a fix of pure wickedness, hee hee!
Here's some pics of what awaits.... just a shame we don't have scratch and taste pc technology :( 

In the meantime, I'd love to know how you like your cookies.... soft and chewy? Crispy and crunchy? Dark, milk or white choc chips??? Pray tell... I can't wait for your suggestions.


Veronica


P.S. Tested out lots of variations last week while I was staying at my friend Bill's house. He got to taste a few and loved them, but.... one VERY naughty dog, Carla, made sure she polished off as many as she could whilst we popped out one day! She ADORED them!!! I wonder if I should develop a doggy friendly version?? :)

Sunshine all the way!

Well, I have to say I'm exhausted after the past few days, but how lovely to see the sun come out to keep me company at the market today! Makes up for having to slave away in a boiling hot kitchen yesterday when I'd much rather have been putting my feet up in the garden with a large Gin and Tonic!!
It's been a busy old week... St. Paulinus Easter Fair on Thursday was lovely! But I felt soooo old to see all the "littlies" from church getting ready to move up to Sacred Heart in September. Where has the time gone? Talking of which, my youngest, Joseph, chose to spend his 13th birthday keeping me company at the fair which was very special. We rushed off to Nandos for birthday tea afterwards to celebrate.
Today was market day... I was a bit unsure how many of you would be out there today, since last time the sun shone, the town was virtually deserted with a frenzy of BBQs and gardening keeping you all away.But you cam out early doors and I sold out of lots of flavours! It looks as though Red Velvet is the new favourite!
Let me know of any specials you fancy for Easter weekend... orders for Simnel Cakes are still being taken too : 4", 6" and 8"
I'm off for a few days now, having a bit of space whilst my hubby moves out... a sad time all round. Who knows what the future will bring??

Newbie Blogger!

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Well, it's true to say this a new experience for me! I've mastered building my website and my Facebook page, but this is a new experiment!! 

I love my business and am soooo excited to be branching out further afield. Bookings are coming in thick and fast... events, weddings, markets and lots of scrumptious orders! All the more opportunity for me to tell everyone about the importance of making a difference by using Fairtrade ingredients. You may pay a little more, but knowing that producers and workers aren't exploited means that you, the customer, are really making a difference!

If you want to learn more about Fairtrade, visit my website @ www.fairlyscrumptious.co uk or www.fairtrade.org.uk