Nature's colours

We have Forsythia and Honesty (don't know the correct name) on the bottom of the drive. The colour combination is so beautiful and I am bringing some on for the house as of course the daffodils are rapidly going now.

First bite of grass

Oh, it's always a special day when the cows go out for the first time since November. They make a lot of noise and run and leap and get their heads down with relish for the first bite of grass.

Comfort puddings: lemon syrup pudding

Butter a litre pudding basin. Thinly slice a lemon and put on the bottom of the basin. Pour over about 2 tablespoons golden syrup.

Mix together: 4oz caster sugar, 6oz self-raising flour, 6oz butter and 2 large eggs. Pour this on top of the lemon & syrup. Put a circle of greaseproof paper and foil on top and tie a piece of string around it. Steam (you can stand on a saucer in a large saucepan) for at least 1 and a half hours. Allow to cool slightly and turn onto a plate. Delicious with cream or custard.

Comforting if you are laid up with one of these horrid colds that are doing the rounds.

 

Coconut drops

These were very simple to make and quite tasty. I rubbed 4oz butter into 8oz self-raising flour. I mixed in 2oz caster sugar and 4oz desiccated  coconut. In a bowl, I mixed an egg with some milk. I added this to the flour mixture. I formed into rounds and made a small indentation on the tops. I put some jam in the holes and baked the little cakes in a moderately hot oven for about 15 minutes.