Cherry Tree…

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A cherry pip dropped into our garden earlier this year and took root. From an established tree in our road, the birds have been distributing the seeds by flyover.

Mostly a few here and there, picked up and discarded so the dog doesn’t eat them. But I planted a few and one appeared growing on it’s own. That’s the one that has made it and I gave it it’s own pot – I can’t have it growing in the ground as it would be too close to the house. Hopefully it makes it through the winter and can be repotted in the spring for the next growing season.

These first two photos were taken in July, only a few months after they sprouted. It’s exciting to see how quickly trees can grow.

Now Autumn has set in, the leaves turned a wonderful orangey yellow and into deep red as the days and weeks have progressed.

I’ll miss the leaves for a little while.

Winter is well on the way, the little cherry tree is taking a bit of a battering and will soon just look like a stick, waiting to burst back into visible life in the spring. I look forward to it.

(c) K Wicks

Experimental Chemistry — Fictionspawn

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Dirk had been sitting in the jar for days. He was hungry and thirsty, and there was no one around. He had no idea where he was or how he had gotten there. The last thing he remembered was eating some strawberries in the forest. Then he had gotten sleepy. The door opened. A giant figure came in, long and thin, dark and grey. It looked at him and smiled an evil grin. This monster did not have good intentions. Dirk got up on his feet. Maybe, if he was lucky, he could find some way to escape this horror, some moment when his keeper would look the other way. If he could only get out of the jar, he could make a run for it. His abductor looked around the room. He found a test tube, poured some transparent liquid into it. He searched some more, swearing in some strange language. Lifting books, moving glasses and bottles. He found what he was looking for, a little bottle. Opened it, poured it into the tube. Smoke emerged. The test tube changed colour. The chemist laughed. He took a deep smell of the smoke coming up. Dirk could see a flash of madness in his eyes, a triumph he didn’t like at all… (more)

Experimental Chemistry — Fictionspawn

Choppy skies out walking…

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The weather has definitely taken a choppy turn. As autumn turns into winter, a few good skies can still be caught at the right time.

A walk in the park the other day had some very dark clouds, but it made for a really nice contrast against the bright blue strip of clear sky getting smaller by the minute.

We only got a bit wet but it was worth it.

She has a great time running around the park, whatever the weather.

(c) K Wicks

Door and other twisted tales – Book Review

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A thoroughly enjoyable read. A varied collection of strange tales, nearly all the stories kept me engaged and quite hooked from the first page of each. Atmospheric and creepy. Set in very different times and locations, they create a great feeling of weird. I especially enjoyed them as like mine, they aren’t gory, but give you an overall sense of unease.

Door and other twisted tales by Catherine McCarthy

Imposter Syndrome and Unsupportive Families — Paula Writes

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Imposter Syndrome is frequently discussed, and most creatives, including writers, are likely to be familiar with the term. It describes the feeling of being a fraud, and of not deserving the success you’ve achieved. There is a sense of waiting to be “found out”. When it comes to our own talents and abilities, self-confidence is […]

Imposter Syndrome and Unsupportive Families — Paula Writes

Sometimes your walls need love too…

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In case you – or your walls, office, bedroom, living room or other room find yourself in need of some brightness for these dark times, bring some nature and colour inside.

This photograph is one of my favourites, a sunset with great clouds taken at Haresfield Beacon in Gloucestershire. A fantastic beauty spot where I used to walk my dogs and got to see some great skies and views. A few products shown below but is available on many more (link at bottom of post).

LS.78 – Framed Print
LS.78 – Tote Bag (all over print)
LS.78 – Throw Pillow
LS.78 – Coasters

https://www.redbubble.com/i/framed-print/MKW-LS-78-by-Darling2425/27029844.G2LGY

Shadows…

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Sometimes the light comes through and hits the dog just perfectly. Unfortunately she usually moves as soon as she sees me try to get a picture. But this time I was lucky, I was able to twist round in my chair and get the shot! Not a perfect photograph, but still one that makes me happy.

(c) K Wicks

Victoria Sponge Cake Recipe

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I’ve had this recipe knocking around for over a decade having pulled it from the internet for my own simple recipe folder. Thanks Patricia, whoever you are.

Finally, I got round to trying it and have to say was rather impressed. I am quite a simple cook and cannot do complicated or fancy, so often don’t always get things right. (Full receipt at the bottom of the post).

This was super easy to follow. I didn’t rush it, as is sometimes my way (not hard to see why I don’t always get it right!) and took extra time to properly cream the butter and sugar. It took longer than the recipe said to cook for, but I have a fan assisted oven these days and didn’t think to check the difference. Although, I didn’t use a flat cake tin, instead using a loaf tin, so that is probably why. However, I know to test the cake center with a knife to make sure cooked and gave it another 15 minutes.

It was so light I was surprised, I also make banana bread now and again and that is extremely dense and heavy. The flavour was also perfect. I had been concerned about the vanilla extract as the recipe doesn’t state a quantity, so I went with 1 teaspoon and it worked well.

It was enjoyed with fresh whipped cream and strawberry jam. As many would agree it should be. My winter sweet tooth has returned so there might be more…

(c) K Wicks

Victoria Sponge Cake Recipe

Sponge cake preparation time: about 15 Minutes
Sponge cake cooking time: 25 Minutes

By Patricia

Sponge cake should be very light and airy and with a melt in the mouth texture. Everyone has their own favorite version of sponge cake but the basic rule is to beat the mixture well to get air into it, this is as much an art as a science so practice will improve your cake making ability. There are many things you can do with a sponge but a jam and cream filling seem to be the favorite perhaps with fresh strawberries in the summer.

Sponge cake recipe ingredients: Serves 4

100g butter
100g caster sugar
100g self raising flour 
Vanilla essence 
Pinch of salt
2 medium eggs

Sponge cake recipe cooking instructions:

1. Preheat oven to Gas mark 190°C.

2. Place the butter and sugar into a mixing bowl. Beat until smooth and creamy. 

3. Beat the eggs in basin or cup and add to the mixture a little at the time, with the flour keeping the same smooth and creamy consistency.

4. Making sure the mixtures does not get too wet or dry as you go when you have used all the flour and the eggs. 

5. Add the vanilla essence and a pinch of salt, mix for a few minutes.

6. Divide into two lined, or non-stick sponge tins, put into a moderately hot oven, middle shelf. 

7. Put into the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes (it is important that the oven is well heated).

8. Put to cool on a rack to cool.

9.When cool put one upside down on a plate spread with jam, you can also put fresh cream in at this stage, put the other piece on the top and dust with icing sugar.