Lemon & Poppyseed Cupcakes.

I've been testing out a few recipes recently from the books I have acquired since Christmas. Lots of them have been fruity and yummy. Anyhoodle, I bought a packet of poppyseeds AGES ago but hadn't found a purpose for them until today. This recipe is really quick and easy, with minimal mess. I do have a mixer but tend to make everything by hand if i'm baking to relax.

Lemon and Poppyseed Cupcakes.

Equipment Needed:

- Mixing Bowl
- Weighing Scales
- Wooden Spoon
- Small holed grater
- 12 Hole Muffin Tin
- Small Sieve

Ingredients:

- 115g (4oz) Softened Butter
- 115g (4oz) Caster Sugar
- 2 Eggs
- 115g (4oz) Self-raising/rising Flour
- 1 tsp Baking Powder/Soda
- Grated zest of 1 lemon
- 4 Tbsps Sour Cream
- 1 Tbsp Lemon Juice
- 1 Tbsp Poppy Seeds
- Icing/Confectioners Sugar for dusting

Method:

1) Preheat your oven to GM4/180oC/350oF and add your cupcake cases to the muffin tin.

2) Cream together butter & sugar in a mixing bowl until light & fluffy. Add in a little at a time, the flour and whisked eggs until smooth.

3) Add in the baking powder and lemon zest.

4) Fold in the lemon juice with the sour cream & poppy seeds and mix to a soft consistency.

5) Divide the mixture equally in the cases and bake for about 25 minutes, until risen and golden brown.

6) Using the sieve, dust lightly with the icing sugar to finish.

They are really fluffy and the sour cream gives them quite a creamy flavour (as it would.) Next time, I plan on using my fancy injector to put some lemon curd into the middle. It's also nice to eat a cupcake that isn't topped with a stick of butter.

They are quite patriotic. 

I'll be having one tomorrow with a cup of tea.

Much Love xxx

P.s. if you're not following me on Pintrest - find me here. I'm obsessed. 

Read More

'You Learn by Living' Part 2 - Fear.

Welcome to the second part of my series based on this lovely book. The topic of this blog is fear. A topic that, if you have read anything else on here (bar the recipes!) you will know appears often in my writing. When I saw that this book had a whole chapter devoted to this subject, I read it pretty eagerly. The more I read, the more I realise how much this inspirational woman achieved, and she did it with a wonderful humility.

Linking back to the first part of this series, the focus there was based on the concept of 'lifelong learning' i.e. we stand to learn something from every experience we have in life whether good, bad or ugly. (Had to get my second cowboy reference in there as yesterday I finally got to see 'Django Unchained,' and can't stop thinking about it.) This serves as a continuation from that.

'You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face.'

So much of our lives is spent running away from things that truly scare us. Of course, it is easier to stay within that zone of comfort because it is scarier to step out of it. We can easily avoid dealing with things that we are afraid of; if we are scared of the dark, sleep with the light on. If we are scared of heights, avoid bridges and mountains. If we are afraid of roller-coasters, don't go to a theme park. Avoiding the problem doesn't make it go away, it just puts it to sleep for a little while until it crops up again. But why do we let ourselves live like this? We only truly find our courage when we face one fear, and realise that it wasn't as hard as we first thought - then we have strength to fight something the next time that is potentially more difficult.

'I haven't ever believed that anything supported by fear can stand against freedom from fear. Surely we cannot be so stupid as to let ourselves become shackled by senseless fears.' 

These fears might not only be in the league of 'spiders' and other such things. There are other fears. The ones that make us worry about what other people think of us. The way we look, dress, talk, where we work, the decisions that we make. I know recently I faced up to a decision I knew I had to make, but I was scared to on the basis of what others would think of it. I left a group of which I had been a part for many years. It wasn't easy to do, but I knew I had to - even if for a short time. This group happened to be a Church. I was worried about leaving because I knew people would question it, but the truth is - I just wasn't going for the right reasons anymore. I was going because that's what I did, I was expected to. But that's not why you go to Church. I miss them. But I sit here knowing it was the right decision because it has set me free. I was anxious about facing up to it, making excuses but in the end I had to bite the bullet, whether it confused people or not. 

'Since everybody is an individual, nobody can be you. You are unique. No-one can tell you how to use your time. It is yours. Your life is your own. You mould it. You make it. All anyone can do is to point out ways and means which have been helpful to others.'

If anything, my Faith has grown because it has given me space to realise that a lot of my 'wants' and 'dreams' were not based on what I truly wanted for my life, and what I thought was right for my life - moreover they had been based on what I had seen others do in their life and thought that was the obvious path for me. I know realise that isn't the truth. I need people around me who will encourage my strange and unconventional dreams and will support me at any cost to get there rather than shrink them to give me happiness now, rather than to wait a while longer. I'm getting quite good at waiting. 

'Do the things that interest you and do them with all your heart. Don't be concerned about whether people are watching you or criticising you. It's your attention to yourself that is so stultifying. But you have to disregard yourself as completely as possible. If you fail the first time, you just have to try harder the second time.'

We naturally think too hard, I am extremely guilty of that. I have a tendency to over-analyse but can often use that to work in my favour. At times, I just have to stop myself, and do what I need to do. When I withdrew from Facebook - it seemed like a crazy decision. I threw so much of my life on there, (as does everyone) I was 'friends' with people I barely saw and what would be a supposed ten minute flick through often turned to hours of getting sucked in to reading updates about other peoples lives. I can tell you now, I have not missed it one bit. I think we're all better off without it, and better with real, authentic friendships. People throw all-sorts of information on there based on insecurities and 'oh look at me.' I think we would be better off being truly honest with the people that are in front of us to help us face our fears; loneliness, abandonment, rejection, loss. Real fears that are there everyday, that control us and consume us. We are afraid to burden each other even though that is why we have friends in the first place - to share in the joys AND the sorrows. Those friends who truly love us, will endure through difficulties alongside us, because why wouldn't they?

'I learned to stare down each of my fears, conquer it, attain the hard earned courage to go on to the next. Only then was I really free.'

When we begin to look at our lives, at our fears and insecurities, as we open up to those whom we love and can trust - we find the strength to face up to them. It's a part of life that isn't nice and flowery, more likely painful - but it has to be worth it if it sets us free. I hope this has encouraged you!

Much Love xxx

Read More

'You Learn by Living' Part 1 - Changing.

I'm not sure how many parts my first 'series' is going to be made up of, but I've decided it simply will not fit in to one post. The website I mentioned in this post led me to purchasing my new book. It's one of those that refreshes and challenges me each time I pick it up - so much so, I have begun taking notes on it and seemed to have folded down every single page as they all contain words that I want to hold on to. So, what is this mysterious book I hear you ask?

Look at it here - You Learn By Living by Eleanor Roosevelt. I knew relatively little about her before I first picked up this book but I've been learning more as I've read the examples she uses about her own life to back up her points.

Evolving

Her mindset is extremely similar to mine, first illustrated on the introduction pages to the book:

'None of us can afford to stop learning or to check our curiosity about new things, or to lose our humility in the face of new things.'

The idea of 'lifelong learning' was one of my favourite pieces of teaching at University. It really transformed the way I saw myself, and the way I lived my life. I've heard so many people say that the person you were at 18 is the person you will always be. I think that is absolute codswallop. If you seek knowledge, change and the broadening of your horizons then you will never stop evolving and growing as person, thus making you different and more mature. 

I truly believe that we can stand to learn something from every encounter we experience. This could be at work, at home, with friends, at school, in relationships or at college. It could be from a big mistake, a small one, or a success. We can always draw learning from our actions if we search hard enough for it. This type of learning requires looking deeply in to ourselves, and helps us to realise things we perhaps never knew. What are my fears, hopes, habits, desires? I will write more about this in part 2!

'There is no experience from which you can't learn something. When you stop learning, you stop living in any vital and meaningful sense. And the purpose of life, afterall is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience.'

A lot of the time, we are afraid of making mistakes. We do everything we can to avoid and ignore them because they are not seen as a necessary part of life. For me, I tend to learn through action. I can't usually read a set of instructions and then set to work - I like to be shown how to do something, or I like to try it out myself. This approach might mean it takes a while, I might make more mistakes and have to try again - but that's how my brain works. Does it really matter how long it takes to get something right if each time we try, we learn something? The process of learning how to do something is as, if not more, important as the end product.

'We cannot shut the windows and pull down the shades, we cannot say, "I have learnt all I need to know, my opinions are fixed on everything. I refuse to change or to consider these new things." Not today. Not anymore.'

I love these words. They feel like soul food. I know so many people who cause me frustration because of this. Sometimes, those who think like this are younger than me - I find that a scary indictment. We cannot afford to think like this anymore! In a world that is changing and evolving so quickly, we cannot remain ourselves unchanging. This stops us from becoming relevant, and relatable to all kinds of people.

We need to hold on to our curiosity for learning, and for life. People are always saying to me that i'm nosey - but I disagree. I ask a lot of questions, I like to get my bearings when in a new environment, with new people or in a new place. I like to work out how I can fit, what makes people tick, what their opinions, passions, dreams are, who does what in the office etc. Mainly because I'm curious. I don't just want to turn up and know nothing about where I am or who I am with, I have this thirst for knowledge. That's what keeps me fresh and excited about life!

'If a child's curiosity is not fed, if his questions are not answered, he will stop asking questions. And then, by the time he is in his middle twenties, he will stop wondering about all the mysteries of his world. His curiosity will be dead.' 

This is one of my motivations for choosing youth work. Young people have so many questions. They are in a stage of trying to make sense of the world in which they have found themselves, and they want to find out what their part is, what can they offer? They need alsorts of people, from all walks of life to listen to their queries, their struggles, in an attempt to form themselves into adults who contribute to their society. We all need this, and well all need to hold onto our curiosity, our adventure for life and our willingness to learn and adapt. 

Much Love xxx

Read More

The Thankful Jar.

Just before New Years, I was having a look at something on facebook, and saw a post that caught my eye. I can't link to it now, but it was shared by one of the previous winners of Great British Bake Off - Joanne Wheatley (whose Cook Book is on my 'to buy' list.) The idea was that you have a jar, and throughout the year, you fill it with things you are thankful for. You can also add in things like cinema tickets, cards you've been given or other nice things you want to remember. It's kind of a scrapbook but in a jam jar basically. Handily enough, I had asked for some Kilner Jars for Christmas (seeing as though you cannot buy Mason jars in this country, these are our equivalent) so I decided to get my Cath Kidston labels out and make one of these jars for myself.





















It is quite small for it's purpose, but if I outgrow it - I can find something else. With these ideas, I can never avoid the temptation to have a look back at what I've done so I'm sure I'll be opening that lid a few times throughout the year to have a sneak. I think it's such a lovely idea because it gives you something to look forward to when the end of the year comes around again, it's a nice thought that it could be full of exciting adventures i've been on, or thoughts about things I've learnt. This jar has also given me a reason to try out the stamps I bought ages ago which can be seen in my car boot sale post as I used them to make my note-paper look a bit prettier:

I thought this one was REALLY cute!

It's not too late to start your own thankful jar, perhaps at the end of this year I will share some of the things I have put in there with you. I already have 2 notes in there so that is a good start! 

P.s. I just wanted to share with you, my favourite song of the moment:

Friend Like You 

Much Love xxx

Read More

'The Renewing of Your Mind'

Following my post re: New Year, I've decided to make a few 'head' changes. I deactivated one of my social networks the other day as a way of cutting all the time I spend trawling through posts by people I barely know and instead inputting my time into those who are closest to me so that I can know them really well. I've noticed i'm not the only one going this way as a few people have done the same. It feels as if I've gone back in time, back to the years before all this internet nonsense got in the way of real and true friendships.

It's not the only thing it's bad for. I've spoken time and again about the way we spend our lives comparing ourselves to others. Social networking has a way of making us feel better about ourselves by throwing our personal lives all over the internet to see how many 'likes' we can get. Our insecurities are not going to be resolved this way. It might be a temporary fix that 70 people said Happy Birthday to us, but that doesn't make those people true friends, who would be there when you need them.

You see, I've reached a place where honesty is always going to be the best policy. (Unfortunately, once I've had a drink or two, it gets worse.)

“It is better to be hated for what you are than to be loved for what you are not.” 

― André Gide, Autumn Leaves

There's just no point in pretending anymore! Why do we do it?! We were chatting last night in the pub, about how when you're in a relationship and your partner annoys you - you will most likely tell them, yet in our friendships we rarely do the same thing. Not only this, but if we aren't open with our friends - how are they ever able to truly help us? If there aren't some people in the world that we can be real with then how can we ever be ourselves? Sometimes we can be our own worst enemies!

So this year; I am going to write more letters, drink more coffees, keep it real, make more phone calls and focus on those whom I truly love. I am going to forget about fear, and take courage in my own decisions without feeling like I have to explain myself to everyone. I am also going to love more.

“Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.” 

― Mother Teresa

P.s. I found this great website the other day which has spent many an hour inspiring me: look here :)

Much Love xxx

Read More

Goodbye, 2012!

I suppose a New Years post was inevitable! I love new years, I always feel such hope and a sense of a new beginning - and though people complain that it's all about the hype - they need to try harder to maintain that excitement! It's been a while since I have written anyway, mainly because I feel i've left little time to think lately. 2012 was a very interesting year, full of lots of big things; sad endings and the closing of great chapters, I felt the sadness of difficulties experienced by loved ones close to me, had amazing adventures in 4 different countries, finally finished reading the Twilight Saga (ha!), made new friendships, restored old ones, moved back to Yorkshire, started the job search (still ongoing), became a graduate and started drinking Whiskey.

Looking at the start of a New Year, I'm hoping that 2013 will make more sense to me than 2012 did. It was all very unsettled, which didn't feel very comfortable or natural for me. I'm hoping that I will know, at least for a short time that I am stationed in one place. I am beginning to see the importance of just gaining a bit of life experience and living a quiet life for a while. At the core of me, that's what I've always yearned for anyway! This year, I want to focus mainly on being the best friend that I can be - making sure I spend good quality time with those who mean the most to me because in the long run, that's what truly makes a difference. I learnt a lot in 2012 about patience so waiting for a great job wont seem so hard, as long as in the meantime I have something to keep me occupied!

One thing that's really been on my mind I guess throws everything up in the air. I realised lately that I hardly ever make decisions based purely on what I think is right for me. I always feel that I have to explain myself to everyone around me, perhaps because my friends can be very vocal about what they think is right for me. Whilst I appreciate their input, I no longer want to feel guilty that I am making wrong decisions based on what they think rather than what I think. After all, I have one short life to make the most of - and I don't want to have regrets. So, I have made a couple of decisions that are potential game changers, that feel totally right. I need some space to evaluate, and work out what my Faith is for myself. I don't want to base it on other people's interpretations or opinions, I want to know what it really means for me. I've never really let myself have that before! I will no longer feel that I have to explain my decisions, though people may want other things for me - I am allowed to chose where to go and what to do as much as everybody else is! Good friends support each others decisions, and if their concerns are legitimate I will of course pay attention to them, if not - I wont! Ha.



Other than that - I'd like to see more of the world, love more, laugh more, bake more and live more - being thankful for everyday in this crazy world of uncertainty. Thank you for everything, 2012.

Bring it on 2013.

Much Love xxx

Read More