Teatime Craft - Washi Tape Jars

I enjoy crafting, but being a mum of two little monkeys means I don't always have the time to bring my creativity to fruition.

Sometimes however, when they are enjoying their tea, I can sit with them at the dinner table and partake in a mini craft.

Recently whilst shopping in Sainsburys, I came across this beautiful set of deco tape.  It was about £2.99, which I think is a bit of a bargain, as it has so many uses.

 

I first came across the idea of using deco/washi tape to decorate things on the fantastic blog of Cherry Menlove. Since then I've fallen slightly in love with the stuff!

It's so versatile.  You can use it for crafting, decorating furniture or just sticking posters, notes or children's artwork to the wall.  It's low tack so is easily movable and won't ruin your surfaces.

On this occasion I decided to use the tape to decorate some jars I had lying around.  A couple of spice jars and a chutney jar!

It's so easy, I won't bore anyone with a detailed tutorial.  Basically make sure your jars are clean and dry, then line your tape up in the position you require and wrap it around the jar meeting the tape where you began.  Simples!!

Here are my finished jars.

I love them!!

The spice jars are perfect for putting small posies in on a narrow shelf I have and the chutney jar will look beautiful with a flickering candle in on an Autumnal evening.

Cheap, cheerful and quick.

You're welcome!

x

A nice, but not so naughty treat!

I love cake, but cake doesn't like me.  I might as well just cut out the middle man and strap the fat straight to my thighs!!

So if I want some sweetie goodness I need something with a little less fat and fewer calories!

I have a few recipe books that have healthier cakes and desserts, but I recently chose to try one again from the new Hairy Dieters book.

As I had a bag of cooking apples that I'd collected from a wheelbarrow in the village, for a small donation to charity, I thought Spicy Apple Cake was the perfect choice.

Once again it was a very easy recipe to follow, just make sure you have plenty of bowls!!  One for apples, one for dry ingredients and one for wet ingredients!

Once in the oven, it took an hour to bake and the smell was amazing.  Cinnamon and mixed spice, you can't beat it.  Smells of Autumn!

I enjoyed my piece warm with a little dollop of half fat creme fraiche.  It was delicious.






So as not to be tempted into eating more than I should, I cut it into two piece portions, wrapped it tightly in cling film and put it in the freezer to enjoy another day.  The recipe states that the cake keeps well in the freezer for up to 3 months. 

I doubt it will last that long!!

Batch Cooking

I've finally taken the plunge and decided to put my wittering's down for all to see.  So here goes!!

This week is going to be all about food!!  I love food (sometimes a little too much)!  

I love cooking and baking.  There's something so comforting about the smell of a pot of stew bubbling away on the hob or a cake rising sweetly in the oven.

Today I've been batch cooking, making two delicious meals from The Hairy Dieters books.

Firstly I made Rich Beef in Red Wine from their new book The Hairy Dieters - Eat For Life.

This is their beautifully rich take on a Beef Bourguignon.  Perfect for a chilly evening, like tonight.  It was the first time I'd made it and it was very easy.  I served it with a small portion of rice, which was one of the recommendations, but if you are feeling naughty, a couple of chunks of crusty bread would go perfectly.

The second meal I made was the Rich and Meaty Bolognese, from their first book.

I've made this several times before and, as with most of their recipes, it is very easy.   It is lovely served with pasta or a jacket potato.  

Both of these recipes serves 6, so I divide them into 3 and freeze.  

Perfect for when you want a healthy homemade meal, without slaving over the hob after a busy day.

What are your favourite  batch cooking recipes?

I'm thinking something sweet tomorrow...