Weekly happenings ...

My first rose buds this spring, aren't they pretty?  I am not sure what this rose is called, maybe Crimson Glow or something like that.  It is a standard rose but it does not do well in the bed that it is in because there is limestone not far underground.  I was surprised when these buds first popped.

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Brianna came home on Tuesday with her Uni friend, Paige.  I made Cherry Shortbread biscuits for them.
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I thought I wouldn't go back to work until Wednesday or Thursday - I wanted a few days home after our holiday to get the house in order and settle back in.  On Tuesday morning, I had decluttered my cutlery drawer...
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and dusted my little table where I keep my perfumes and jewellery - I was on a roll.... then I got called in to work.  Two of our staff had to have carers leave to look after sick children so I had to go in.  Grrr!  So that was the end of my peaceful time nesting at home!
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I did get my kitchen tidied before I left.
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Brianna had requested steak for dinner so I made a Texas Spice Rub which I also blogged about in this post.
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 Rubs are a great way to flavour meats - I spray with a little olive oil spray then sprinkle the rub on either side of the meat - let is soak up the flavours for at least an hour.  We had the steak with jacket baked potatoes with sour cream, a cauliflower/broccoli cheese bake and sweet corn and carrots.  Delicious!
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I was very naughty and made Golden Syrup Dumplings - this is only the second attempt I have made at these.  My first attempt produced something that you could serve down the court at Wimbledon!  These were light and fluffy and very yummy!
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Golden Syrup Dumplings:
1 cup SR flour
40 gms butter, chopped
1 egg
1 tablespoon of milk
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For the syrup:
1 cup sugar
40 gms butter
2 big tablespoons golden syrup
1/4 cup lemon juice (I used orange juice and it was fine)
1.5 cups water
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Sift the flour and a pinch of salt in a bowl.  Rub the butter into the flour until fine and crumbly.  Make a well in the centre.  Using a flat bladed knife, stir in the combined egg and milk to form a soft dough.  Do not over mix.
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To make the syrup, put water in a large saucepan together with the sugar, butter, golden syrup and juice.  Stir over a low heat until combined and sugar dissolved.
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Bring to the boil, then gently drop dessertspoons of the dough into the syrup.  Cover and reduce heat to a gentle simmer.  Cook for 20 minutes, or until a knife inserted into dumpling comes out clean.  DO NOT LIFT LID UNTIL 20 MINUTES ARE UP - otherwise dumplings can be stodgy.
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Spoon onto serving plates and drizzle with more syrup.  Serve with cream.
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I took this picture yesterday morning as the sun was just up and lighting up this big gum tree in our neighbour's yard.
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I made up a jug of juice this morning - 2 oranges, 2 apples, 2 carrots, 1 stick of celery and a small raw beetroot.  There just isn't anything like freshly juiced fruit and veg!

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Gus was gone early this morning so I enjoyed 2 big glasses all to myself!

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Bummer of the week - I said to Gus last week that rather than get all new glasses and have the hassle of choosing new frames, I just get the lenses replaced.  Last night, I went to take them off and the arm just came off in my hand!  So new glasses it is!  Lucky I have a spare pair to see me through until I can order my new ones.

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What have you been up to so far this week?

Cheers - Joolz