Monday, 27 January 2014

Our weekend

I've recently enrolled at a local watercolour class, so off I went on Friday afternoon with my half finished painting under my arm to join my colleagues for a fulfilling couple of hours painting, losing myself in the total relaxation that art brings me.

Then it was off for the food shopping - ingredients for a dessert I was making for Saturday evening - more about that later.

Saturday morning saw us over at the stables where we took our grand daughter A for her weekly horse-riding lessons.



Beautiful day but muddy wasn't the word - it was horrendous as we walked through the woods in our wellies following the group of riders. Back to our son's house for a lunch - Italian flatbread sandwiches and steaming cups of tea. We then went back home to start preparing the dessert for the Burn's night dinner we were going to at our friends' house that evening. We often have 'theme' evenings with these friends and enjoy pulling it together with typical music, clothes, food and props to complete the said theme.

Our starter was Scottish smoked salmon


Followed by Haggis, Neeps and Tatties with an Angus steak
which was sooooo tasty



Dessert was my contribution - Scottish Cranachan 
made with sweet raspberries folded into cream
flavoured with honey and whiskey and 
layered with  toasted almonds and oatmeal



It was delicious I have to say

Sunday - well what can I say - it rained from morning through 'till evening and in any case it was nice just to have a lazy, put-your-feet-up kind of afternoon in the knowledge that the evening's viewing in front of the fire -  Countryfile, Call the Midwife and Mr Selfridge would finish the day of very nicely.

How was your weekend?

I'd just like to say thank you all so much for your lovely comments on  my recent posts - all very much appreciated.

See you soon x

34 comments:

  1. Your themed Burns evening looks like fun!
    Liz @ Shortbread & Ginger

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    1. It was thanks Liz and looking forward to the next theme x

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  2. Hello Patricia, What a lovely way to get together with friends. It looked like something very special to look forward to . . .
    and lots of fun, too :)
    Keep Smiling . . . can not wait to see your watercolor.
    Your blogging sister, Connie :)

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    1. Thanks Connie. Lots of practice before I can reveal any watercolour. Soon maybe x

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  3. Your weekend looks good fun, from spending time with the family to your theme night with friends. That sounds like such a good idea! Sarah x

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    1. Thanks Sarah. Yes we've done many themes in our time and had some laughs too x

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  4. Your Burns night food looked delicious and the photos show you all had a lovely evening. I'm looking forward to seeing your watercolour painting xx

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    1. Yes it was a great evening. As for the watercolouring a while yet I think! x

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  5. Great photos of the Burn's Night. My son held a Burn's Night supper in Paris for his neighbours (he was born in Scotland). They purchased the haggis when they were over at Christmas. Not sure what the French made of it!!! Love Cranachan I would always pick it if it was on the menu.

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    1. Thank you Rosemary. I'd never heard of Cranachan before but will definitely make it again. x

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  6. Your weekend sounds lovely and it looks as though you had lots of fun at your Burns Night dinner with your friends. How nice to have people to do these things with! I hope that your week ahead is just as much fun. xx

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    1. Thank you Amy. We do this quite often like St Patrick's Day,St George's Day, Valentines etc. It just makes a change occasionally x

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  7. Burn's Nights look like lots of fun - they are not generally celebrated here. Your Cranachan looks very good, and I just know I'd love it! You look lovely in your sparkly top, and the red tartan gets my vote for style. xxx

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    1. Thank you Patricia. Our friend's family originated in Auchtermuchty in Fife and so it made it even more special. Although he didn't wear it, his family have their own tartan. x

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    1. Oh yes there was - only very tiny though!! It was served up on the plate rather than being brought to the table ceremoniously, which I'd have liked. Thanks for commenting.

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  9. Burns Night sounds like so much fun! It sounds like your plans did not "gang aft agley," haha. I love this idea. You both look wonderful in your tartans and your dessert looks absolutely delicious.

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    1. Thanks Jennifer, we did have fun and it definitely all went to plan!! The Cranachran was yummy. x

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  10. Lovely dessert, Patricia! Why did you add the oatmeal? Is it tradition or your own recipe?
    I was visiting my summer cottage this weekend. Shoveling snow on the paths!

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    1. Thank you Nadezda. I guess because oatmeal is traditionally associated with Scotland then it was included in the dessert. Hope your snow clears quickly. x

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  11. A lovely weekend for you, and your pud looks yummy.
    Joy x x

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  12. You had a lovely, varied weekend. How satisfying to be doing some watercolour painting!

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    1. Thank you Linda. Water colour is a new venture for me which I'm enjoying very much. x

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  13. What a lovely weekend you had with your family and friends. Your Cranachan looks delicious:)

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    1. Thank you Rosie, yes it was as was the whole meal. Made a lovely change. x

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  14. What a great Burn's night supper- I love Cranachan too and would always choose it when I get the chance:)

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    1. Thank you Amanda. I'd never heard of Cranachan but will definitely make it again. x

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  15. I like the idea of your theme nights. The food looks delicious (well, maybe not the haggis!). I've been thinking about making a Cranachan. Do you have a recipe suggestion?

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    1. These theme nights are such fun Kristie and just rings a change from a normal dinner party. The Cranachan recipe I found on the bbb.co.uk/food site and was featured by the Hairy Bikers. If you have trouble finding it, I can e-mail you the recipe if you like. x

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    2. I found a recipe and made it last night. It was so good! My husband generously shared some of his Edradour whisky he got for his birthday so I could flavour the cream.

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    3. Ah so glad you found the recipe and pleased you enjoyed it too x

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  16. Sounds like you had a fabulous weekend.

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  17. What an enjoyable weekend, Patricia. Cranachan is one of my favourite desserts. :-) Congratulations on your water-colour class. I look forward to seeing some of your paintings in due course.

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