Polly's A-Waffley Bad Blogger...!

Okay, so I'm a bad blogger! I haven't put pen to paper, metaphorically speaking for months on end. Perhaps this has something to do with my return to work back in May? Or maybe I've just lost the knack? Personally I think it's got more to do with my addiction to Facebook!

I tried tweeting for a while. Actually I quite enjoyed writing updates in 140 characters or less, in the beginning, but I soon got bored with it. Facebook is definitely my favourite form of micro-blogging. What I like about it is the fact that it's interactive, whereas blogging tends to attract the occasional remark - if you're lucky! Fair enough, maybe my copy should be more interesting and uplifting, surely if it were I'd get loads of remarks. Wouldn't I?

I don't know the answer to that one. What I do know is that if one neglects their blog, they sooner or later lose their readers. I mean, why on earth would anyone follow a blog that's not active? I know from personal experience that it's easy to lose interest if your favourite blogger doesn't blog - I won't mention any names, but the guilty will probably know exactly who they are! Anyway, enough of the waffle...

Speaking of which Lidl, the eponymous discount store ran a special on waffle makers a while ago. Seeing as I am a big fan of these light, fluffy batter confections I rushed home with one and eagerly made up my first batch. The result? Absolutely revolting, they ended up in the bin!

Luckily my now 13year old LB took matters into his own hands recently. Having demanded that I Google 'the perfect waffle recipe' a simple breakfast waffle was chosen from the Mr Breakfast.com site. As luck would have it the recipe was entitled Best Ever Waffles Ever and my kitchen turned happily into an impressionist version of the preverbial bombsite.

The inaugural waffle was dreadful. So much so that even the dogs turned their noses up at it! This was probably something to do with the fact that the recipe site had suggested the waffle maker wouldn't need to be oiled. I'd passed this information on without first checking the instruction booklet and true to form the first waffle had stuck, burnt to a crisp and failed to rise. Plus it was raw in the middle!

Having very carefully de-crisped the machine with a sharp knife (not to be recommended), placed some damp kitchen towel between the irons and steamed the mess off, LB tried again. Only this time he lightly oiled the irons...

Best Waffles Ever (5 servings)

• 1 and 3/4 cups flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 Tablespoon sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3 beaten egg yolks
• 1 and 3/4 cups milk
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 3 egg whites - beaten stiffly

Mix all dry ingredients. Combine yolks and milk. Stir into dry ingredients. Stir in oil and mix. GENTLY fold in beaten egg whites, do not over mix.

Pour about 1/2 cup at a time into waffle iron.

 

The result: wonderful! Well, nearly wonderful. Considering that my youngest chose to follow the recipe to the letter, using a small blue and white cup rather than a proper measuring cup, plus the fact that he beat the egg yolks and stirred in the whites it was a specially good attempt at making waffles.

Okay, the mistake with the eggs might have resulted in disaster, but, thankfullyt it didn't. So what if the resultant waffles were a little, well, flat! Served on their own they were delicious. Served with maple syrup they were divine. My only complaint? I'd to share them with the rest of the family...

Sadly there are no photos. This is due to the fact that Miss Piggy here ate them all before it was possible to get any shots in. Needless to say, LB's discovered a new family favourite and the fun hasn't stopped there and for some strange reason I seem to have put a few pounds on over the holiday season.

Polly Says "Garrendenny Lane's At It Again..."

This last week I've been very fortunate, in so far as I've won two great prizes. Funnily enough, despite my intentions of winning craft gear, both of these have come from very different sources...

My thanks to Lorna Sixsmith of Garrendenny Lane Interiors whose random integer generator thingy chose me to become the proud owner of last weeks Freebie Friday prize. Lorcan, my wonderful postman tried to stuff it through the letterbox on Thursday but unfortunately it was just ever so slightly too deep, so he left it in a secret location and sent me a text. Of course I was nowhere near home and had to bide my time and patience until I was able to get my sticky mitts on it, but it was worth it!

My brand new Lene Bjerre cheese knife is just beautiful. The handle is made of Selwyn Pearl inlaid with delicate silver inlays, the photo's don't do it justice. Now all I need is a nice cheese board to compliment the beautiful cheese knife and a dining room in which to display all my formal table wear! (Must keep entering competitions...!)

This brings me nicely to the fact that Lorna has asked me to remind my readers that she's going to be hosting her Freebie Friday every week from now on. This week the prize for one lucky reader is a lovely serviette holder and a packet of  pretty Greengate napkins to go with it, I'm sure you'll agree that this would be a lovely addition to anybody's table this summer.

If you fancy your chances head over to the Garrendenny Lane Interiors blog and leave a comment, and just to be extra sure you can also leave a comment on their Facebook Page!

Have a lovely weekend!

Polly Pierce

Vinca Cards

Polly Learns: Distinctive Folds...

A friend of mine was recently tidying out her hot-press/airing cupboard. Being pressed for space she took it into her head that she ought to learn how to fold a fitted sheet neatly and googled the subject! This is what she came up with:

Since she found this and posted it on her Facebook page she has been the object of ridicule. In a way I understand why she found it necessary to research the subject; flat sheets can be folded neatly and fitted sheets always make a mess of things. Don't they?

I give Bláithín O'Reilly-Murphy, author of Distinctive Weddings: Tying the Knot without the Rope Burns!10/10 for researching the most annoying subject of subjects known to woman kind; she certainly came up with the answer to this predicament, didn't she? Folding the laundry will never be the same after this and I for one say "Thank You!" (with one eyebrow raised) to her for solving the mystery of how to fold a fitted sheet neatly...

Have Fun!

Polly Pierce
Hand-made Irish Greeting Cards & Wedding Stationery

How Does Polly Love Metallica On Celtic Anne's Harp?

Hey guys, I first came across this fabulous artist on Facebook. Anne Roos of Carson City, Nevada is an accomplished Celtic Harpist who plays a lot of weddings, has four CD's and is extremely versatile as the video proves:



Isn't she great? Okay, so I am biased. I love Celtic Harp Music and Led Zepellin, so really I couldn't ask for a better combination. (I wonder if she does transatlantic shows?) Anyhow, for those of you who loved the first video, the second one is equally good. Anne plays some famous hard rock to the tune of Metallica, Cold Play and Lynard Skynard - in the shower!



She also has a great sense of humour given the places and pieces she plays! My advice to anyone is just to open up a new tab or window and let Anne lighten your heart as she plays contemporary pieces mixed in with traditional celtic ones. So, ladies and gentlemen, just to prove that she can go one better than that (yes, it is possible!) the final video shows Anne playing to one of Santa's Elves - from the elevator!



Not only does Anne demonstrate very clearly her love for this classic instrument, having captured the very essence of modern rock and made it her own, she has also published a book "The Musician's Guide To Brides". This title may sound a little bit odd, to some, but believe me, it is a much needed volume "...which has established her (Anne) as an authority in marketing, publicity, promotion, sales and performing arts know how for anyone hoping to "Make A Living Gigging".

If you've managed to get to the bottom of this post and still not listened to Anne play her enchanting music, just press that button and get on with it NOW! Enjoy...

Polly Pierce