30 Photos | Day 6: Drink

Toffee Latte | Oxford | 06.11.2015 |

I admit it, I love the speciality Christmas drinks that come around every year, reluctant as I am to buy into such a money making marketing ploy. This year I have found a way around spending almost £4 on a Christmassy coffee...McDonald's!

I know what you're thinking, there is nothing classy or cool about carrying around a 'McCafe' cup normally, but this little penguin is as happy to be in my hand as I am to carry him. Although Starbucks have a heavenly Honey & Almond Hot Chocolate this year and Costa have brought back their Gingerbread Latte, this Toffee Nut Latte from McDonald's for just £2.19 for a regular is honestly just as good, and around 40% cheaper too!

My perfect winter comfort for walking home from the studio in the evening!

30 Photos | Day 5: Place

Grasmere Water | Grasmere, Cumbria | 27.10.2015 |

Having only returned from our annual trip to the Lake District just over a week ago, it is hardly surprising that I am still pining after the fresh air and beautiful views. You may think it somewhat cheating to be calling a National Park my favourite place when it would be impossible to inhabit, let alone see it all at once, but the Lake District stole my heart when I was only small and it only grabs on tighter with each visit, making it a clear winner.

(Val d'Isere arguably puts up a good fight for second place, but more about that when I go skiing at Christmas)

This photo captures the final leg home of a walk we took from our house in Elterwater, over and along the valley to the neighbouring village of Grasmere, along the 'Coffin Trail'.

30 Photos | Day 4: Snack

Coloured Pencil & Ink on Paper | 04.11.2015 |

Since starting work at an ice cream parlour over the summer, I rediscovered that... I LOVE ICE CREAM!!! 

It turns out however, that ice cream doesn't photograph at all well, in fact it looks like a melted mush of garish colour. So instead, it is the result of a very cold quiet day at work that I have drawn an illustration of my favourite eight flavours of ice cream, and here you are, my favourite snack(s). 

It's no wonder I feel like I put on about a stone in weight this summer!

30 Photos | Day 3: Cozy Place

Home | Chesham Bois | 03.10.2015 |

Is there any place better than home? I think we all know the answer to that one, and no more so than on a chilly autumn evening, when it is finally acceptable to light the fire for the first time since last winter.

So here it is, my cozy place! Just picture me tucked up on the sofa with a cuppa in one hand and a cat on my lap, in front of the roaring wood burning fire and it feels like winter already.

Butterscotch & Chocolate Doughnuts

It is fair to say that the doughnut maker I received for my birthday last year has not only greatly improved my life, but undoubtedly satisfied all the sweet cravings of my friends and family. I may have only had this remarkable contraption for 10 months now but I have lost count of the hundreds of doughnuts I have churned out and the numerous flavour combinations I have created.

My own doughnut maker

Interchangeable plates -  Cake pop tray

It is unfortunate that this recipe does require such a specific piece of kit as I don't wish to alienate my readers, but if you have a few pounds to spare or need a great gift idea, I couldn't recommend this more. 

It includes three interchangeable plates for doughnuts, cake pops and cupcakes, making it a worthwhile investment for any sweet toothed 'lazy' cook.

Available now for £29.99 on Amazon.

Butterscotch & Chocolate Doughnuts

Prep Time - 10mins
Cooking Time - 15mins
Decorating Time - 30mins

Cost - £2.05
(all ingredients from Tesco)
.
Makes 20-25
Calories per doughnut - 207kcal (x20) or 104kcal (x25)

Ingredients

210g Plain Flour

115g Caster Sugar

220ml Milk

2 Eggs

4 tsp Baking Powder

4 tsp Vegetable Oil

1 Pinch of Salt

1x 49g Butterscotch Flavour Delight Packet (Tesco's own 'Angel Delight')

+ Butter or oil to line

Icing

300g Milk Chocolate

200g Icing Sugar

15ml Water

+ Remaining half of the Butterscotch Flavour Delight Packet

Method

*Pre heat your doughnut maker with the doughnut plates inside by turning it on at the mains. Leave it closed while you make up the mixture*

Place the flour, baking powder, sugar and salt into a mixing bowl and combine before then adding approximately half of the Butterscotch Flavour Delight (25g) to the mix.

Now add the eggs, milk and oil to the bowl and mix thoroughly, either by hand or with a hand mixer, until you have a smooth batter.

Using a wad of kitchen roll, cover the wells of the hot plates with a nob of butter or a dribble of oil, this will stop the doughnuts sticking.

Now it's time to load up your machine with mixture! You want to use about a tablespoon of mixture in each of the seven holes of the plate, and don't worry if the mixture drips on the centre section of each mould, when you close the lid this will be forced out leaving the hole in the centre of the doughnut.

Once full, close the lid and leave for up to 5 minutes. It is at this time when it is up to you to decide how much steam/smoke pouring from the sides is still a good sign or a sign your doughnuts are about done! Once the doughnuts have risen into a distinct shape, take them out of the machine using a teaspoon and place on a cooling rack or chopping board. Repeat until you have used all of your mixture!

Leave your doughnuts to cool while you prepare the decorations.


To Decorate

Break up the chocolate in a microwaveable bowl and microwave at 15 second intervals, stirring in between until all is melted.

Using your fingers, dip each doughnut individualy into the chocolate so it that one side is coated in chocolate. Place onto a cooling rack allowing any excess chocolate to drip off as it cools. Repeat with all your doughnuts.

Make up the icing in a clean bowl using the icing sugar and a minute amount of water (approx 15ml). Once smooth, add the remaining half of the Butterscotch Flavour Delight (24g) and stir until smooth once more. It is at this stage where minimal amounts of water can be added if you feel the mix is too thick to drizzle, it is however important that it is not too thin. If you think your mix is too thin, add more icing sugar at this stage.

Once you have allowed the chocolate covered doughnuts to cool, you need to drizzle them with the icing. The easiest way to do this is to pipe it. If you do not have a piping bag with a small nozzle, put your icing into a sandwich bag and direct it all to one corner, gathering the reamaining bag either with your hands or tie off with an elastic band. Now using a pair of small scissors, chop the very tiny end off of the corner and you will now have a hole to pipe from.

Drizzle all of the doughnuts in whichever pattern you please using your icing. I chose to put stripes on mine!

Allow for the icing to harden, or dig right in, it's up to you, but it's time to enjoy your creation! (You can wash up later!)

Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from cookbook included with Giles & Posner dessert maker.

30 Photos | Day 2: Animal

Lake District National Park | 28.10.2015 |


Sheep. I love them!

Having lived my entire life in what only can be described as textbook modern day suburbia, you may question my choice of animal, but sheep make me laugh and smile in a way only my cat can match.

Whether it be their affiliation with my beloved home from home, The Lake District, or just their ridiculously cute and smiley faces, I can't deny my love for these silly little wool makers.

I captured this smiling little guy (or girl) as I struggled near the summit of Angle Tarn on my trip to the lakes last week. Standing all alone on the rock, it was just me and him on that peak and he made me smile as I plodded along to catch up with the rest of my walking party!

30 Photos | Day 1: Person

Olivia | 21 | Lake District National Park | 28.10.2015 |

Who is she to me?

I met this beautiful human in bottom set maths class way back when, in year nine of school, 2007. Since then we bonded over more than our lack of mathematical skills and she is a vital part to my life and happiness, as she is to a great many people, especially our close knit group of girls at home.

Fondest memory?

It would be impossible to pinpoint one moment out of hundreds of happy days spent with Olivia, but a few times that stick in my memory now are, surprisingly perhaps, when I was in fact not as my happiest. In particular, in my gap year between school and university, which was Olivia's first year at university, she surprised me with visits home only announcing her arrival once on my doorstep. On one occasion she sent me a text just to let me know there was a parcel of sweets and other such comforts waiting for me outside the front door, just because she knew that was what I needed. May the delightful surprises continue!

Unacceptable flaws?

She won't eat/drink: Hot cross buns, mince pies, Maltesers, cheese, peanut butter, Malibu rum or honeycomb! Considering these are the majority of my favourite foods, I think I should find a new best friend! (Of course I am entirely joking here, flaw or not, just means more for me!)

Favourite things?

Just like me, you give Olivia a big cup of tea and a nice fluffy cat and she's a happy bunny but throw a few biscuits in there too and she'll treat you like a princess!