Happy Half Birthday

Hello and here we are in July and exactly 6 months of this blog, so happy half birthday to Stepping into Sixty.

So how has this first six months of Sixty been? I started this blog to push myself to do things that were different and slightly out of my comfort zone. I think I am achieving this although I feel slightly restricted on getting out and seeing new places as the price of petrol has made traveling very far a strain on the bank balance. That being said it has made me think about other ways of getting around and next week there is a craft fair in Exeter which rather than driving and then paying for parking which is also very expensive, I am going to catch the bus from my town directly into Exeter.

Yes it does restrict the freedom of times a little but it will be so much cheaper and a little adventure as I cannot remember the last time I traveled on a public bus!

This week I did manage a little trip out as Dartmoor is just on my doorstep so my daughter Mia and I took the little dogs out to Shilley Pool.

Shilley Pool is one of Dartmoor’s best-kept secrets, a beautiful natural tarn found sheltered below the roaming and heather-bound heathlands of North Dartmoor. The pool is fed from flat rock rapids and is located in the valley of Blackaton Brook. For years, this magical place is where villagers from neighbouring South Zeal and Throwleigh came to bathe and learn to swim. It also features in Roger Deakin’s enchanting and timeless book Waterlog, which receives ‘cult status’ amongst the wild swimming community.

The climb up is over rough terrain but the dog’s appear to be part mountain goat so no real problem. It was such a peaceful spot that we had all to ourselves.

Now onto what has been going on in the kitchen. Last week I made the Fortnight Birthday cake which apparently the kids loved. This week word got around and I have been asked to make a Lemon Drizzle Cake for next week. Therefore I decided to have a practice as in the past I have made loaf cakes but not actually a round Birthday cake style. I found a nice recipe that I adapted

200g caster sugar

150g butter

4 Eggs

150ml sour cream

275g self raising flour

Zest of 2 lemons

Cream the butter and sugar together, slowly add the beaten eggs. Combine the sour cream and then fold in the flour and zest. Divide into two sandwich tins. I line the bottom of them with parchment paper to guarantee they tip out nicely. Cook on 180 degrees for around 20 – 25 mins. Cool slightly on rack before turning out. I then combined the juice of the two lemons with 2 tbsp of sugar to drizzle over the base of the two sponges whilst still warm.

Whilst cake is cooling I whipped up 300ml of double cream and combined 3 large tbsp of lemon curd to make the filling and topping. I also decided to make candied lemon peel, which I have never made before. I followed this recipe https://decoratedtreats.com/candied-lemon-peel-how-to-make.html

Once the cake was cold I put it altogether and decorated the top with the candied peel. Now I just have to do the same thing again next week but at least this week I get to eat it too! 😋

I have also been busy creating more printable planners for my Etsy shop. I am thoroughly enjoying coming up with different designs and hope to branch out into other printables too. Here is a sneak peek at one of the pages for my cute 2023 calendar I am creating. I’m going to make planners to compliment each of the designs too. If you are interested in checking out my shop this is the linkhttps://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/CraftyTeenyBeeny

My crocheted scarf has got a little further but not much as have been busy with other things. My daughter Mia on the other hand has been extremely busy with her newly found crocheting and has been busy making cute little amigurumi creatures and putting them on Tiktok https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMNSeHj9a/

I’m going to head off now and hope to get out for a dog walk before more rain comes. Have a good week.

Chris x