Missing in action yesterday

I try to post on my blog every week day, but yesterday was just bonkers in this house.  Violet was doing a very good teenager impression, throwing strop after strop, flinging herself on the floor because things weren't going her way, and using any object she could find as a missile.  As you can imagine she was a joy to behold.  She's still suffering from this chest infection, though it is on it's way out now - thank goodness.  There have been quite a few extremely restless nights and very (VERY) early mornings to be had lately.

When madam did finally have a nap yesterday, though brief, I thought I'd start on a bit of Spring cleaning.  You can happen upon the best things when rummaging under the bed can't you?  Apart from all the dust that seems to collect underneath I discovered some forgotten treasures.

Some prints I brought back from Italy in 2007 - Yet to be framed (it's on the to do list).

Aren't they just fabulous?  I love Italy.

Lurking in a little dusty box I found these:

There were 2 brooches (only custume jewellery), but pretty.

A teeny tiny photo of my paternal granddad, taken whilst he was serving in Africa I think.

And, an Old Penny that's been made into a pendant of some description. 

Here are a couple of close-up pics so you can see it in more detail.

Can you make out the date?  It's 1901.

It's very intriguing.  I wonder why and for whom it was done.

Then I came across this:

An Ivor the Engine badge.  It's just the coolest thing. I should definitely attach it to a bag or something.

I've got so much stuff in boxes stacked up all over the place. I can't wait to open more up and see what I've squirred away.

I also made some yummy Buttermilk Scones - the recipe was featured in this months Good Food Magazine.  I can tell you, that they were really nice.  Not too sweet. 

BUTTERMILK SCONES

Ingredients

450g/1lb Self-raising flour

1/4 tsp salt

100g/4oz Cold butter, diced

85g/3oz Golden caster sugar

284ml Pot buttermilk

2 tsp Vanilla extract

Splash of milk

Heat oven to 220c/220 fan/Gas 7

Put the flour, salt and butter into a food processor and pulse until you can't feel any lumps of butter (or rub in butter with fingers).  Then pulse in the sugar.

Gently warm the buttermilk (don't throw away the empty pot) and vanilla.  Using a large bowl, quickly tip in some flour mix, followed by some of the buttermilk mix, repeat until everything is in the bowl. Using a knife to quickly mix together to form a dough - don't over-mix it.

Tip onto a floured surface and lightly bring together with your hands a couple of times. 

Press out gently to about 4cm thick and stamp out rounds with a 6cm/7cm cutter.

Spread out on a lightly floured baking sheet.

Add a splash of milk into the the empty buttermilk pot, then use to glaze the top of each scone.

Bake for 10-12 mins until golden and well risen.

Whilst on the subject of food, I'm sure you will all be pleased to know that my 'Veggie Luncheon' was a complete success.  Our friends loved all the food and luckily cheese wasn't a problem at all, so I shouldn't have worried.  They even went home with a bag full of leftovers.  It gives me a good feeling, knowing that people have enjoyed food that I've prepared. I think the Caramelised Onion & Goats Cheese Tartlets were the things everyone enjoyed the most.  They literally took about a minute to put together and were extremely tasty. I'll definitely be making these again.

My-o-my, today's blog post is long.  Think I'll stop there or you will all start to lose the will to live.

Hope the sun is shining in your neck of the woods - happy Mid-week Wednesday to one and all.