Smug

Reasons for feeling smug this weekend:
 

• I  made macarons for the first time. Just because I felt like making something new. And they were amazing. From now on I have no fear of the tiny delicate treat that is the macaron. You can expect a rainbow of almondy treats in the months to come.I will take pictures next time.

 

• I went to church! I didn't even complain about it (too much) - because our wedding Banns were being read for the first time. Then, when another couple, who were clearly there for the same reason, arrived late and spent the whole hour looking uncomfortable, I got to feel smug for having dragged myself out of bed to be there on time. If the big guy is really up there surely this warrants some brownie points or wedding karma or something?

 

• I made my own Kindle case/cover. After shelling out a load of money for the Kindle itself I had been carrying it around in a small padded envelope. Now I have a custom made cover that cost me about 20 pence worth of elastic and a piece of left over fabric from making our curtains. 

Baking smugness

I have been told there are few things as satisfying as making your own bread. But lets face it, I just don't generally have the patience for waiting for the dough to rise twice over etc. If I'm baking, it is generally because I want either a) instant gratification b) a cake fix or c) praise

Past bread making attempts have been of mixed success. Largely due to impatience (see above). So it was with a little trepidation that I decided to try and make Hot Cross Buns on Sunday. I followed the recipe (unusual for me) and really made myself wait long enough to let the dough really double in size.

Behold the pay off:

So they aren't entirely uniform, but the perfectionist in me completely overcame this on eating one. They are awesome. James Martin I love you.

The biscuits in the tin are Easter Biscuits, made to my Mum's recipe and as authentic as could be.

Et voilà! A haul of seasonal baked goods. The boy was very happy indeed.