Ways to be grown up

Well, I'm not really going to tell you ways to be grown up. There aren't any, are there? But I do feel grown up, having just got home from work, make a loaf of bread from scratch and soup from scratch to boot.

I like trying to be domestic (cooking, I don't clean!) and it makes me feel like I have accomplished something when I manage to not entirely fail at my aims. Cooking is like that for me. Writing will be like that for me if I ever actually manage to sort myself out.

I don't often like blogging on here about writing, feeling it should be put somewhere else, but hey! This is my blog and I think I should talk about it anywhere I so choose :P

I have been implementing re-writes to my manuscript and plan on getting them done by the end of the month... up to chapter 3 so far and only 15 or so more chapters to work through... but I will do it. I like setting myself deadlines because then I actually do stuff, but gosh it's hard to actually fit it all in!

How do you plan things and fit everything in? Suggestions would be appreciated!

Sam
x

Farewell, 26.

Tomorrow it is my 27th birthday. At first I was a little bummed out. Not because it's my birthday! Heavens, no. I love birthday's... I mean, hello? Presents! Any excuse for presents in my eyes. And it's NOT the thought that counts. OK, it is, but psh!

I was bummed because I was still in the mindset that life is kind of getting away from me - I always get older and I think 'another year gone and what do I have to show for it?'

This year I'm kind of content with letting my 26th year pass by, and excited to enter into the 27th. It might sound stupid, but I realised only this morning that this year has been amazing for me. I have celebrated my 3rd year anniversary with my boyfriend, finished my 2nd year of uni, written a novel, for God's sake (though I still have my work cut out for me on that one) and decided what I'm doing with my life. I have the best friends - who, granted, I need to make more time in my life for because I'm useless at time management - and generally I feel like I'm finally where I need to be.

Still - I'm technically supposed to be an adult and how am I spending my birthday? Eating my face off with chinese food and watching as many Harry Potter films that I can fit into one viewing. Which will mostly be 2, as it's hard to get the 3rd one in and NOT fall asleep.. but this be Harry Potter weekend, and I'll pretend I'm still 17 and everything is OK.

Well - that's it from me. Now I have to continue living in hope of finishing Othello tonight whilst fitting in the baking of 2 cakes. My head is already pounding from the stress. Why do I do this to myself?

Sam

Cupcakes are SO last season.

Everyone is always raving about cupcakes. I'm an avid baker and I love making cupcakes, but it's SO popular right now I find it annoying. (What? So I hate band wagons - who doesn't?)

I'm making a call people. I'm going to tell you what the next 'big' thing is going to be in baking. People will be opening shops and I am calling it right now.

Pies. Yes. Pies. But not savoury... sweet. You know, like, totally American! 

Because unlike cupcakes, making pies (and most importantly pastry) deems actual baking prowness! I've been baking a few years and I'm still trying to perfect my crust, though I've come on leaps and bounds recently (without the cheating tool of the KitchenAid).

Here are so uber cool pies I love to make:

A good Cherry Pie:


Pumpkin Pie (don't know it until you've tried it)



Key Lime Pie:



Grasshopper Pie:



Boston Cream Pie:



Peanut Butter Pie:



Believe me, in a year or something you'll be queueing up to buy a slice and I'll be here... no richer. But probably fatter.

You're welcome!

No more, cakes, no more.

Nah, I'm not stopping baking, but I am stopping the eating of the cakes.

I am, as of tomorrow, back on my slimming world food eating. Back to healthy eating and what not. I slowly introduced healthy food back into my diet, after a 2 week hiatus, last week. I ate mostly healthy things and was then eating bad snacks in the middle. I don't usually snack on bad things so I should be able to snap out of the habit pretty quickly. But yes, next week I am going to put a stop to this post-holiday madness.

I haven't really put on that much weight since the joyous days in December, probably about 5lbs - so if I work on it I could lose that in a week, 2 tops. Then I'm back in business. I started my new work out regime yesterday too and good god, my legs. MY LEGS! I'm kind of looking forward to the 2nd day burn that usually follows a bitch of a workout. I'm already hobbling so we'll see what happens. Eeks.

I'm also restarting my writing project tomorrow. Over 1000 words a day will be achieved just so I can put a lid on the novel, shelf it for a month (which will be Feb) and start to edit in March, most probably. This should give me enough time to look into how you go about sending into to publishers etc. Because that's the part my brain is foggy on. The correct protocol. Though I'm kind of lucky my course will explain all of this, so all I have to do is skip ahead several chapters and find what I'm looking for. This is the year of Sam, and the year Sam (who's me... keep up!) will finally realise her dream of writing.

And to keep you all posted, I'm on book 3 of 2012, so the challenge is going well. Just need to whack my reviews onto the other blog. I'll get that sorted this week, I swear!

Sam

Apple Strusel Sponge Cake

Yes, this is the last one from my recent baking batch - pictures aren't that great as the cake didn't last very long. It was just TOO good. It was a vanilla sponge base, with apples on top and a lovely crunchy sweet crumble topping - had with cream this was pretty much my favorite thing in the world. Not too sweet like the rest of the cakes, and honestly by this point in the baking we had to make something 'healthy' because we literally could not face any more chocolate!

Plus, one of your 5 a day - how could it be bad?

Again, apologies for pictures - and the jacket potato in the back ground!

Oh dear.. I think I need to make another!

Recipe to follow!

Sam
x

Who knew?

Who knew there was so much thought that had to go into trying to launch a website? Well, I'll be honest, I kind of had an small idea but this is turning into a project and a half. I guess I don't mind though - I don't have much riding on this, it was just for fun - if it doesn't work, it doesn't work. But I do want it to be a regular stop for some people, on their Internet travels. Ah, we'll see what happens. I'll be sure to keep you guys updated on what's going on.

At the moment, I'm just trying to figure out the layout - the theme is set for now, just a basic template as themes are something you can tweak along the way.

We're also trying to nail down the content - the content for the launch and the future content, and for that I need people to help. But until we go live I can't recruit anyone as it's all hush hush. I think I've only told one of my friends what the site is. She was kind of interested, but, well... she isn't an Internet person so she doesn't really care. I can deal with that though.

This is kind of just a bloggy blog for the time being. I just thought I'd let you know what I've been up to, which is basically panic about Uni. But so far, so good. the 1st week has been a fun one. My English Lit course starts on Saturday (Monday for me, as that's my allotted Uni day) where I will have to start reading Othello. Fun times. My writing course has been going well, just learnt some writing exercises which I have to do every day, but it all makes so much sense. You're supposed to write every day - they say that a musician practises every day, and artist sketches every day, so why wouldn't a writer write, just to practise - find your voice. Yes. I am on this page with them, I love writing - I love typing too, so blogging for me is a way to free up my creative self. I feel like a hippie. I don't know why!

Recently my boyfriend has been introducing me to David Lynch films. I loved the TV show he did, Twin Peaks and have always wanted to watch more of his stuff, and as my boyfriend has a collection of thousands of films (not exaggerated - movies are his life, and hopeful career) and a strong love of the Lynch he has them all on his shelf. So we started. So far I've watched Blue Velvet, Wild at Heart and Lost Highway - my favorite so far being Blue Velvet, but I can't get Lost Highway out of my head. I'm still trying to figure out what it meant. People think he's nuts, but I think he's a genius and we just can't see things on the level he sees them.

I've totally forgotten what else I've been up to - just Zumba'ing around at the gym and trying to keep moving every which way I can, be it a quick stint of yoga, a short run or some weights at home. Although nothing makes me ache more than the wii fit. I don't know why....

This weekends plans are - cinema, of course, to see Drive and The Lion Kind 3D. Well, I saw Jurassic Park at the cinema the other day and feeling all nostalgic for my childhood figured I'd better watch it! I'm also going to TGI Friday's which is my kryptonite. I pray I can keep my cool and resist all the bad food... praying they have a healthy salad on the menu!

I'll be off now - Going to blog again soon though - there's still a cake recipe or 2 to come and a blog about the new TV show Terra Nova, so stay tuned!

Sam

Chocolate and cheesecake brownie tray bake thing!

Yes, another baking blog. This is the 2nd to last one for now so enjoy!

Again, recipe will have to be brought to you at a later date, I've put my book somewhere... clever... and can't find it.

Blog about what I've been up to recently will be up shortly. I promise. It's kind of fun! (In my eyes)

nothing could prepare you for how good this tased. It was chocolate brownie, with cheesecake mixture on top, with chilled chocolate brownie pieces scattered on top... it was fulfilling in every way! God, I need it now!

Sam
x

Peanut Butter and Chocolate pie

AKA. The devils pie.

Let me tell you, when we made this we had no idea what we were getting into. The book didn't have a nice display picture so we were baking blind, if you will. I have never baked anything so sweet and bad for you as this pie is... but it was also SO good. The pictures didn't come out the best. I was going to pop a picture of a slice of it on a plate so you could see all the layers etc. but... well.. the slices didn't last long. It was destroyed quickly, what with my lovely siblings only scooping the layers they liked, and not taking full peices! Gotta love em!

The pictures come first so you can see what it is we were dealing with :P
I'll pop the recipe below!

If you're diabetic, look away now!

Quick note - I'll have to post the recipe later... I've misplaced my book! oops!

Sam

Pottermore AGAIN! And other mindless points.

Hi all!

Yesterday was my first day back at work and it made me realise... how much I hate it there. But, you know, I've pretty much been saying that for the past 5 years. So.... yeah! I'll just have to stick with it for now, and stop thinking I'll ever find a job which will fulfil me... right now. Because, you know. I'm working on getting into my dream career of becoming a writer, so I shouldn't really sweat it, right? Please say yes!

I had a really good 2 weeks off, and have now booked another 2 weeks off in the first 2 weeks of November, because I basically forgot to take any holidays this year and was left with 5 weeks to take before the end of the year! I now have 3 weeks left, so I will be using them for Christmas (got the whole festive period off) and maybe some days in between it all! Woop woop! :P

I finally got my pottermore email - which to those NOT in the know, is the new official Harry Potter website, where you can basically go through all the different scenes in the book on the Internet and find out little tidbits on characters etc. and things that never made it into the story but JK Rowling wrote anyway - for the fans it's a pretty nice perk, and they let 1 million people have early access for Beta testing before the official open date of the 1st of October. In my case, there wasn't any point in doing it because I only just got in and it's October on Saturday (more on that in a second) so, bah! it was fun trying to get in early never the less, so who cares? Only problem is I have hit one of the errors on the site and now I'm stuck in Diagon alley with no money so I can't buy the things I need to move onto the next stages! Humph!

So, yes, it's October the 1st on Saturday. Now, I'm sure you ALL know that I love October. I love it so much it's untrue. It's just MY season. And Halloween! What's not to love? But on Saturday I'm officially starting my 2nd year of Open Uni, and will be studying 'Reading and Studying Literature' and 'Creative Writing'. I'm excited and scared that I may have taken on too much, but not to be outdone by myself I'm pushing myself even further.

My boyfriend and I have set up a website... I can't tell you what it's about at the moment, it's a working progress and just meant to be fun. So we are working on that this month and going 'live' on Halloween... and no, it's not a Halloween themed site, even though that is what I should be doing! I was also going to try to partake in NaNoWriMo this year. Which is National Novel Writing Month, and it takes place over the month of November. I figured it might slot in with my creative writing course... we will see. I have already thought of what I'm going to be writing about so I just need to keep that in my head for the next month and come November I have 1 month to write 50,000 words! Not too much, right?

Whoever said I start too many tasks and never finished them will soon be proven wrong (but more than likely right!).

Anyway, I'll be off, this was just a wordy blog before more pictures of ooey gooey cakes. Which will follow later this week/ weekend!

Take care!

Sam

Boston Cream Cupcakes!

Yes, that's right. True to my word I actually took pictures of something I baked. And what a treat I made.

I got another Hummingbird bakery book a month or so ago and have been dying to try one of the new recipes. I decided the (almost) first thing I wanted to make were the Boston Cream Cupcakes. I won't bore you with all the details of how I ended up covered in icing sugar and cocoa powder... or how I managed to make about 25 cupcakes with a recipe that stated it made 12-16... What I will do is tell you what the recipe is for these delish vanilla cupcakes, which have a custard filling and chocolate frosting... try not to drool!

Cupcakes:

240g plain flour

280g caster sugar

1 tbsp baking powder

a pinch of salt

80g unsalted butter, at room temperature

240ml milk

2 eggs

1 tsp vanilla extract

Method: Just do what I do. Whack it all in a bowl and mix it together with an electric mixer! :P

Custard:

250ml Milk

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

2 egg yolks

50g caster sugar

1 tbsp Plain flour

1 tbsp cornflour


Method: boil the milk in a pan with the vanilla. Whisk other ingedients together in a seperate bowl. When the milk has boiled remove from heat, pour a little bit into the mixture in the bowl so that it becomes all runny - then add that mixture into the pan of mix and boil again for about a minute. You'll be able to tell when it's done because it will turn thick, like custard! Next, put it in a bowl and cover with clingfilm, leaving it until its cooled.


Frosting:

400g Icing sugar

100g cocoa powder

160g Unsalted butter

80ml Milk

Method: mix the icing sugar, cocoa powder and butter in a bowl, when its all breadcrumby, and sandy texturised gradually add the milk. IMPORTANT NOTE: this made A LOT of mixture.


After you've done it all - and the cupcakes have totally cooled - you get to start the fun bit!


You cut some holes in the tops of the cakes, scoop some custard into them, trim the top which you cut out so it fits back on and squidge it down (see pictures below for help!) - then you whack some of the amazing chocolate icing on and voila! Boston cream cupcakes!


Perfect for any occassion - I found they went very well with a movie (scarface) an a cup of coffee!

Pictures for all below:



Keratin hair treatments, autumn and the blues

I got the blues. Because it's September. I always have the blues in September. Unfortunately, these blues don't leave me playing my harmonica in a smoky bar, drinking whisky. Oh my god, if they did I probably wouldn't mind! But no. Blues in September are rubbish. The only thing keeping me going is this beautiful autumn that's already started.

I have 2 weeks off work at the moment (which isn't long enough, but I have 5 more weeks of holidays to take this year, so I can't complain too much). So I decided not to let the September Blues get me down. No! I'm going to take this time to beat the funk... I mean the blues. I have set up meetings with friends, set up hair appointments (Getting a Keratin hair treatment on Friday and can't wait) and arranged to bake a lot of goodies with my boyfriend, whilst ticking off lots of films we missed this year. So all will be ok.

I feel bad because I have been so down about nothing in particular, and when I'm with my fella I feel like I'm putting it all on him, and he thinks it's him who's making me feel down and out, but it's not. I really can't wait for this month to be over! Gah! It's messing with my life!

On a better note, I am moving up in the world. My sister is moving into her own house with her boyfriend. How is this good for me, you ask? Well. ever since forever I have shared a room. I know. not only do I depressingly still live at home, but I share a room with one of my sisters. It's not so bad, we get on most of the time, but... well, I'm 26 and need my own space, you know? I have lots of belongings. And I don't mean, furniture, or clothes. Because that's just silly. No. I have a TON of books and DVD's. And I need somewhere to put them. I am almost at breaking point with my stuff because I don't want to throw things out, but I need more room, so this has all happened at rather the best time. She should be in her new place in about 8 weeks. So for 8 weeks I just have to live out of half a room and be ok with it. And then, when those 8 weeks are up, I can ask my dad to  help me pay to decorate my room - get a double bed. Paint the walls. Rip out my wardrobes and get a chest of drawers (I hate wardrobes. I just can't stand them). Set up new book shelves... all that jazz. I'm super excited! This will at least keep me going until me and my boyfriend find our own place and move out. Which we wanted to be this year, but finances are looking worse than we ever imagined, so hopefully next year. But who knows.

See, I'm in such a funk I can't even be optimistic about moving out. Gosh!

Well, I have to go get ready. I'm going to pump myself full of adrenaline and feel good endorphins by hitting my local Zumba class. I hope it is good. I've heard it's fun, but I want a work out, not a dance party! We will see!

Funny blogs up soon, I promise. I'll be baking tomorrow and I promise to take photos.

Also, blog to come about photography stuff.

Peace out!

Sam

"Insert catchy blog title here"

*sigh*

I'm always in a state of mid-inspiration (I won't tell you how long I just say here trying to remember the word 'inspiration'... no joke!) - I always feel like writing something but can't break through the inspiration barrier to do so. I always feel like learning a new song to play on my guitar, but to hell if I can think of what kind of song... I always feel like blogging but can't think of anything to blog about! Do you see how my life is slightly tragic? Not properly tragic, granted, but I am my own worst enemy, because I want to be creative but I just can't be.

I have such a craving to start up my photography again, but I know I'll take my camera out somewhere and take NO pictures. Alas, what does one do?!

I didn't have anything to blog about but seeing as I'm trying to push myself into doing things just to get things in motion... well. Here I am!

I am miffed I haven't received my Pottermore email yet. But I guess if it at least arrives before October 1st that will be OK...

I have been making some mean meals recently. A great veggie cottage pie, and fantastic vegetarian hot dog with pasta dish, and some amazing soups - which always end up on the really spicy side because I love chili power and I love black pepper, and I just can never decide which to use, so obviously I use both!

I am taking 2 weeks off work starting next week as I haven't had any time off this year and it's starting to get to me. I need some time to unwind - relax - spend some time alone (which rarely happens when you live with 5 other people) and bake/ cook like mad. I'll try to get some blog activity back by taking photos... yes... I feel inspiration coming on. Photography and time off work. This is it! These 2 weeks are going to save my soul. I can feel it!

I love it when everything fits together accidentally.

Well, that's all comrades.

Sam

ps. On a side note I got 2 new dresses. This is one:

the other I haven't worn yet, but when I do I'll throw it up here.

I'm almost at my target weight... so far I've lost over 2 stone, so I'm trying to get into wearing dresses.

And here are a couple of cute pictures for everyones enjoyment! :)

this is how I'm going to do my garden up when I have my own place!

I'm so getting these!

Don't judge me!

Don't be a judgy budgie but.... I made out-of-the-box cookies yesterday!

Ah, I know. And I call myself a baker! (well... I don't really, but I do love to bake).

It's just, you know that Betty Crocker stuff is the bees knees and sometimes I just can't resist. I actually went through a phase of buying BC devils food cake, which is possibly the best chocolate cake mix ever invented. The cookies are equally good, but can not ever surpass the cake. Oh my lord. I'm salvating just thinking about it....

So I'm a baking cheat - what are you going to do?

Look, I baked this from scratch - never mind the fact all my utensils are clean... no... don't check the bin...

On a fun side note - not that there is anything MORE fun than baking - I have 6 books on the way. Yep. Yeppidee do dah, I bought 6 books at once. Because I ran out of my birthday books and now its time to read MORE. So I'll be reading, and posting little reviews up on my other blog when I can. Good times!

Sam



I know... I look youthful, don't I?



a little less weight and a little more light

Ahhh!

How much do I love it when it stays light outside for longer?! VERY MUCH is the answer. The fact that I walked home at 4:30, when it is usually pretty dark, in sunshine, is saying something. It makes me happy inside to see it light and see blue sky when its after 4:30... because soon it will be light after 5, and then 6 etc. and then SUMMER is here. I can't wait for summer. So much so that I'm already daydreaming about picnics that will never happen, road trips I'll never take and barbecues which I will definitely inflict on some people!!! I love barbecues. As a vegetarian I feel I have really perfected it. As you can't get ill from Quorn not being cooked properly - all you do is heat it and you're done in about 6 or 7 minutes. I recall last year I had a BBQ with some friends. I had had a hot dog and a burger (with delish relish and salad), before they had even heated up their sausages. HA! Well, what can I say? Vegetarians know what they're doing, even in such a meaty situation. Ooooh, meaty situation. I don't think I will ever use those two words together again. That was just wrong!

Speaking of food and the title of my blog! I went to Slimming World tonight for my first week weigh in and I lost 5lbs. Which is pretty good for the first week, when I went out for dinner on Saturday and baked a damn good Victoria Sponge cake on Sunday. Mmmmm. I'm still reeling from how good it was. My baking is getting damn good!

So on to this next week. Who knows what I'll lose, but I'm optimistic, as I have control over what I'm eating, and know what's good, and what I can eat without putting on weight. It's simple. (famous last words).

I was having a little think earlier about my blog. Always trying to adapt and change it etc. And I was thinking I might merge all my blogging ideas into one. You see I wanted to do a review blog (but not a proper one, just a me, saying what I saw and how good it was/ wasn't), and a baking blog. But I really haven't been bothered to start them up properly so I might just inflict you with pictures and recipes perhaps (If I ever get around to it) and little blurbs on the films I see be they in the cinema or on DVD. I won't make them long. Just little bits of writing, as I hate reading people talk about films for pages and pages just to learn it was mediocre.

So yes.

Hope everyone who passes this way is well.

Sam

ps. don't you just love it when you hit spellcheck and there is nothing to correct?!

Picture of the day:

Oh to be in this picture!