Well, it's a start

[wellinghall]

Washing machine on
Dishwasher on
Fruit soaking
Bread machine on (and I even managed to avoid bleeding into it; d*mn sharp foil edges on imperfectly-opened tub of skimmed milk powder)

ETA: Okay, now the washing machine is on; I thought it was taking a long time ...

I have also tidied the bedrooms. Well, I've tidied them as much as I can on my own. Unfortunately, this means that the bed in the front bedroom is still covered with stuff; but now it's all stuff that Creatrix needs to find homes for.

Comments

[miss-next.livejournal.com]

Eeep. I sympathise - I know that problem!

[sally_maria]

You have been working hard - and for me it's usually bundles of magazines. Ridiculously sharp and customers don't really want them after you've bled all over them. ;-)

[wellinghall.livejournal.com]

Paper cuts can be very nasty ...

[sally_maria]

Paper is both viciously sharp and remarkably heavy, when you deal with it in bulk. Someday someone will do a health and safety study, and it will be banned. ;-)

In the meantime, I hope your bread comes out well.

[wellinghall.livejournal.com]

Thank you. The machine is relatively foolproof, although Creatrix has a better knack with it than I do.

[chainmailmaiden]

What sort of fruit were you soaking?

[wellinghall.livejournal.com]

This was vine fruits (and a few dried cranberries) soaking in apple juice for a teabread / low-fat fruitcake.

[chainmailmaiden]

Mmmm, sounds good. Could I have the recipe please?

[wellinghall.livejournal.com]

Will do - remind me when I'm better :-)

[wellinghall.livejournal.com]

2/3 cop golden raisings (sultanas)
1/2 cup raisins
3 tablespoons currants
2 tablespoons mixed peel
1/2 cup light brown sugar
7/8 cup orange juice
1 egg, lightly beaten
generous 3/4 cup all-purpose (plain) flour
generous 3/4 cup whole-wheat flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg

Place the dried fruit, peel and sugar in a bowl. Pour over the orange juice and let soak for 8 hours or overnight.

Add the egg and the dry ingredients and beat thoroughly to combine. Spoon the mixture into a lined loaf-tin (we use a double thickness of paper).

Bake for 50+ minutes at 170 C in a fan oven (alter temperature and time accordingly; we check it after 50 minutes, but it normally needs a few minutes extra).

Remove the loaf-tin from the oven; turn out the cake after 2-3 minutes onto a wire rack.

We vary the precise fruit and spice mixtures. Creatrix presses a few halved pecans into the top, or sprinkles chopped hazlenuts. The top of the cake may burn; you can use a double layer of greaseproof for part of the cooking time to prevent this.

This gives both of us a reasonable slice Monday - Friday, with sometimes a bit left over for the weekend. It keeps very well for a week; I don't think we've ever had any left after that.

[chainmailmaiden]

Thanks for that, I shall try it this weekend. It'll be a nice surprise for Bacchus when he gets back from Spain, he's always complaining there isn't enough cake in the house :-)

[wellinghall.livejournal.com]

No problem. Let us know how you like it.