A little 1950's Frippery...

 My Multi-layered CAKES tin - 'Tala'

Just the name Tala brings me out in a nervous sweat "Tala, what Tala?"

Awesome cream and pistachio green - oh yum! i love that Green so very much.

 Excellent condition inside and just nicely scruffy on the outside.

There was a pleasant and amusing incident at the Unit where i bought this (in the Antiques Cellar)

A lady had it in her hand, and i asked her "What price have they got on that" .... "£22" she said.... we both sighed and said "Fair price tho...."

We got in to a right long discussion about life, vintage, ebay, fairs, buying, selling, BMW Mini, and the fact we had both ONLY popped into the Cellar on our way back from Cath Kidston!

 Nice to come across a kindred spirit now and again. It made me desperate to be a vintage kitchens buyer . seller.... another lifetime maybe? This one is a little busy.

Also - Kitchen prettiness - this cute set of measuring cups from Waitrose.

I love the USCups system... now i only want US cookbooks as i am so into using cups!

 A new CathK cup and saucer to add to the ever-toppling stack.

Building up quite a little stash, didn't mean to....

 Cute, cute, green handled SSscccoooop!

"UGHhh" to the other lady at the Cellar who tried to get off, telling me

 "you're only buying this coz it's trendy right now"

 - No Love, i am buying it because it is very useful and pretty. Ignore the fact i have stuck it in the sugar jar, this will be used for scooping lavender into lav cushions as it so much easier than using a funnel, or my fingertips!

And a great picture i bought years ago from Etsy.... must go see where i got it from... give a link...

Frippery? i must be getting my Mojo back a bit?

Breakfast

Is it wrong to reeeaaalllyyy enjoy having Breakfast .....>>>>>> alone? Not every day. Just occasionally.

Current obsession is with marmalade.

It's amazing how many people also love it, when you start to talk about it.

Homemade Marma, going down a treat with my family :)

...because i found a spare 5 minutes in my day...

Herby Shallots pickled in Balsamic Vinegar...
Yes, i did have a few spare minutes to whip this jar of pickles up. It's no hassle my time-keeping friends. I was at home yesterday anyhow - putting 7 loads of washing through the washing machine >>>washing line > >>back upstairs 'routine' (long story involving sick child and many washed duvets and bed linens)
Let me BEGIN by clearly stating, i don't think this is the very 'best' use of a bottle of expensive Balsamic vinegar...! I am not made of money but i had 2 un-opened bottles from Christmas gift sets so this seemed like a fine use for 1 of those spare bottles... So... about 500g (when peeled) of the smallest shallots i could find
250ml Balsamic vinegar
2 large teaspoons brown sugar
A few sprigs of Thyme
(I am not a huge Thyme fan. I have a large bush of the stuff but don't use it a great deal as it isn't to my tastes but i think it will suit these pickles)
A few twigs of Rosemary (LOVE this stuff - i have so much to tell you about Rosemary...)

Bung it all in a large heavy based saucepan>>> this is my BIG pan 'for all culinary occasions' everything gets cooked in here and it wasn't expensive...

Simmer for about 30mins till the onions are tender but still with a crunch to them - not all soft and saggy.

...Cool them off.

Pour into a Kilner Jar (or whatever you're using) i always sterilize my jars. I put the rubber rings into boiling water. I wash the whole jar in hot soapy water. I then put them in the warm oven for about 20mins.

I have only made this one jar with these ingredients.

Now it is sealed and i'm going to put it in the back of my cupboard for a month or two before opening at some impromtu family food gathering (of which there are many in my family!)

I worry they'll be quite over powering having just used the Balsamic vinegar but i imagine the brown sugar will ofset that.

Next time i will add Coriander seeds and Black Peppercorns too....