Yesterday morning I decided to make (American style) pancakes for breakfast, as a family we love them. Now the best pancakes I ever tasted were in an Hotel in Vancouver - I thought I'd died and gone to heaven!  They were stacked really high and came with fruit and cream, I had them everyday we were there! I can't claim that mine come close to being as good, but they're not bad. So I thought I'd share the recipe that I use.

Ingredients

1 cup of plain flour.

1 teaspoon of sugar

3/4 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon sugar

1 cup buttermilk

1 egg, separated

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

Method

Mix the dry ingredients together in a bowl, add cinnamon if you wish.

In another bowl or large jug, mix buttermilk, egg yolk, and oil, and whisk together.

Whisk the egg white till stiff peaks form. The quickest way to do this is with a large balloon whisk and using a large metal bowl.

Add the liquid to the dry ingredients but do not over beat as this will make for tough pancakes.

Fold in the egg white.

You should now have a nice thick batter. If you wish you can now add soft fruit of your choice. Blueberries, strawberries etc. Strawberries are my favourite and it's a great way to use up Strawberries that have gone a bit soft. Just slice and ad them to the batter, blueberries can go in whole.

 Using a good quality non stick pan (you don't need to add extra oil then) heat over a low to medium flame and add a tablespoon of the batter; I always cook two at a time.

These are about ready to flip; the batter has set, and bubbles are breaking on the surface.

As you turn them they will rise up in the pan. A couple of minutes on the other side and they're done. If they are still a bit glossy round the sides, they're not quite ready.

I always make double the quantity and it makes this many! About 24 I think, leftovers are popped in the fridge and reheated in the microwave.

Serve with a small knob of butter (I know, I know!), and maple syrup. Heaven on a plate!

Linda

Folksy Friday - Cars

Coming as I do from a family of car nuts ( my husband has been in the trade all his life, and my Daughter works in the technical library of  an engineering company ), I thought it was about time that I used cars as a theme for my Folksy Friday. As a family we all love F1 and we all love driving and probably have quite heavy feet when it comes to speed - not dangerously so I hasten to add, but we don't hang about!

Anyway lets see what I can find this week ..........

An F1 find! A keyring made from a Honda engine part, and it's from  Ledon Gifts

Next up is some really cute traffic jam bunting by  nickynackynoo

A fabulous print of a vintage American car from Eyeshoot Photography

Next a super personalised card from  Clarkie Designs

A quilted crayon roll in a car fabric from  Dottie Doodle

Something for even the youngest car enthusiast, and it's by  The Cubshack
(Just been informed that this listing is about to be deactivated for a few days, so not sure if you'll be able to see it ).

How about this cute car bracelet from  Little Miss Crafty's Curiosity Shop

Love this! It's by  Framedup

A cars pocket money purse from  Hootchie Mama

Car earrings anyone?  They're by  Polka Dot Sky

And last up is a racing cars Gym bag from  Stitchy Gifts


Not as many items turned up in the search as I was hoping, but it did make it easier to choose, I hope you enjoyed looking.


Linda

And the winner is ......

I would like to thank everyone who entered my giveaway, your comments and suggestions have been really helpful. Some ideas were already in the pipeline but it's nice to have confirmation that I'm on the right track. In fact I've already made and listed a couple of items from the suggestions. If anyone has any further comments or suggestions please feel free to add them here or on my faceboook page.

Anyway back to to giveaway. Last night I put all the names into a hat (er, cup)

And the winner is Hearts and Cupcakes!

Congratulations Susan from Hearts and Cupcakes , I have sent you a message via Folksy, and will be sending you your purse very soon.

Thanks again everyone  :-)

Linda

Folksy Friday - Silver

This weeks Folksy Friday theme is Silver. I love silver; both the metal and the colour, but especially the metal if it comes in the form of jewellery! I know most of the items that pop up in this weeks list will probably be jewellery - no complaints from me - but there may be a few surprises! There are so many really talented people on Folksy that it's going to be hard to choose, but I think I'm going to enjoy looking......

First up is a non jewellery item! A lovely silver crushed velvet bolero by  MelamooMelon

Next, a beautiful pink and silver bouquet by  Bespoke by Kirsty

This seller is on holiday, but I liked this silver cushion so included it anyway - it's from  liz foster design

A really unusual silver and enamel brooch by  Ruth Gordon Jewellery

This Emerald ring certainly makes a statement! It's by  Prooshan Blue

Love these pretty earrings from  Elizabeth Collinge

Going to a wedding? How about this pink, silver and blue fascinator by  Deborah Kaye

This pendant is lovely! It's by  Pebblestone

Something for the men,  Silver domed leaf cuff-links from  Clara Smith Jewellery

And finally from me a silver satin clutch bag  Wild Rose Designs


Thanks for looking

Linda

200 'Likes' Giveaway !

Yay! I finally made 200 'likes' on my facebook page, and to celebrate I thought I 'd have a little giveaway. According to facebook's rules I'm not allowed to do this over there, hence it being on here. The winner of the giveaway will receive this lovely blue silk purse, trimmed with ribbon, beads and diamantes. The purse is lined in cerise satin and has a ribbon zip pull with flower charm attached. It would normally sell for £7.50 plus postage.

All you have to do to be in with a chance of winning, is to follow this blog, like my facebook page and leave a comment here telling me what you'd like to see more of in my shops. If you are already following me and have previously liked my page ( thank you ), then all you need do is leave a comment and you will be entered in the draw. The winning name will be pulled out of the hat ( or other convenient receptacle ) on Monday night (16th July) and I'll announce the winner on Tuesday.

Thanks for entering and good luck!

Linda

Another Bag maker in the family?

As part of their DT (design and technology) lessons this term, my Granddaughter's class had to make a bag.  They were allowed to design a bag of their choice, but it had to be based on one of the following shapes; a drawstring bag, a bag with handles or a strap, or a laptop pouch. They were able to get ideas from existing bags, but their design had to be original and have a distinctive feature. Many of her classmates chose a very basic shopping bag design, ie: a long strip of fabric folded in the middle and stitched up at the sides. A bit too basic for 13 year olds I think, but then again I'm not a Teacher. But, that was definitely too basic for my Grandaughter, who I shall refer to as E.

E's intial ideas

E expanding on one of her designs

E's final design - a Button Bag! Designed to look like a giant button but one of the most difficult shapes to sew, especially as it closed with a Zip!

I did give her some help, most of the other children had help from family members. But though I told her what needed to be done and how she should go about doing it, she did all the sewing herself. She even put the zip in herself and I think she did a great job!

She's very proud of her finished bag - as she should be. I think it looks great!  I may have a rival..............



Linda

Folksy Friday - Hearts

I somehow managed to forget to do a folksy Friday blog last week and nearly forgot this week, don't know where my head is these days!
Anyway this weeks theme is 'Hearts'. They are featured on nearly everything nowadays, from textiles to jewellery to baking tins, there's no escaping them!

Here's this weeks selection  -  enjoy  :)

This pretty cushion has a contemporary 'country' feel and it's by  My Blue Shed

Next up some hearts and kisses ribbon from  Stitch Me Lane

A fabulous hand stitched Kindle cover by  Cady

How about these really unusual earrings from  BeadyEyeBoo

A great Queen of Hearts iPhone case by  Mad Moo Creations

A lovely personalised Wooden Love hearts picture from  Charlotte Ranford Designs

A Hearts coat peg rack by  Jigsaw wooden Products

A cute ceramic bowl with hearts on by  Laura's Potty Ceramics

I know it's not Valentines Day but this is a lovely card from  Three Little Monkeys

And finally a Tea Cosy decorated with hearts from yours truly  Wild Rose Designs

Thanks for reading

Linda