Annabel Lee

On my 16th birthday my Mother gifted me an edition of The Norton Anthology of Poetry. I read it over many years.. And am still occasionally finding the odd poem I've never read before.. But the very first poem I stumbled across has been the one that I have remembered the most..


Annabel Lee..

It was many and many a year ago, In a kingdom by the sea, That a maiden there lived whom you may know By the name of Annabel Lee; And this maiden she lived with no other thought Than to love and be loved by me. I was a child and she was a child, In this kingdom by the sea; But we loved with a love that was more than love- I and my Annabel Lee; With a love that the winged seraphs of heaven Coveted her and me. And this was the reason that, long ago, In this kingdom by the sea, A wind blew out of a cloud, chilling My beautiful Annabel Lee; So that her highborn kinsman came And bore her away from me, To shut her up in a sepulchre In this kingdom by the sea. The angels, not half so happy in heaven, Went envying her and me- Yes!- that was the reason (as all men know, In this kingdom by the sea) That the wind came out of the cloud by night, Chilling and killing my Annabel Lee. But our love it was stronger by far than the love Of those who were older than we- Of many far wiser than we- And neither the angels in heaven above, Nor the demons down under the sea, Can ever dissever my soul from the soul Of the beautiful Annabel Lee. For the moon never beams without bringing me dreams Of the beautiful Annabel Lee; And the stars never rise but I feel the bright eyes Of the beautiful Annabel Lee; And so, all the night-tide, I lie down by the side Of my darling- my darling- my life and my bride, In the sepulchre there by the sea, In her tomb by the sounding sea. Edgar Allen Poe

Carousel

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Soft pastels and whimsical yellow tones, give the impression that these magical moving horses seem to glide effortlessly through the picture, and right into my imagination.. Glimmering lights and prancing ponies. I can almost smell the popcorn and hear the jingle of their shimmering silver bells.. Dancing happily on this magical turning carousel..

Xx

Chocolate Coconut Cake.

There is something about chocolate that makes me feel like this.

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Ohhh the joy it can give.

So naturally, cooking anything chocolate makes me feel like Charlie. A kid who truly appreciates how good chocolate can make you feel.

Currently I have a friend staying with me who continually asks where all the baked goods are... Its a fun little challenge to see what I can throw together, to appease this sweet tooth.

Considering though, Saturday night was a 'girls night'.  It's safe to say Sunday I didn't really feel like baking...

Enter - the one bowl melt and mix Chocolate Coconut Cake.

Ohhh the simplicity.

A simple little recipe for a yummy cake, or cupcakes, for those days when you really just can't be bothered..

Chocolate Coconut Cake

• 250gms of butter melted (not the healthiest of recipes!! feel free to knock it down to 200, but if it begins to look dry slowly add more untill it's a smooth consistancy)
• 3/4 cup of sifted cocoa powder
• 1 1/2 cups caster sugar
• 4 eggs
• 1 1/2 cups of desiccated coconut
• 1 1/2 cups of self raising flour
• 1 level teaspoon baking powder
• 3/4 cup of milk

Preheating the oven to 180degrees, line a tall cake tin with baking paper.

Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and stir until just mixed and moistened.

Pour into cake tin and bake for 45mins.

Allow to cool slightly then turn onto a cooling rack.

The original recipe I followed called for an oven at 160degrees and baked for an hour. I played with the temperature and times as I felt like baking at that level for so long dried out my cake. 

Top with a chocolate glaze, ganache or frosting.  The first time I baked this I went with a Ganache.

Ganache, 1 1/2 cups of single pouring cream and 340gms of dark chocolate. Heat cream in a saucepan untill just boiling, remove and add chopped chocolate - stir untill smooth.

Yesterday I baked it with a chocolate fudge topping of 250gms dark chocolate (I had none and went with milk - just wasn't as yummy!) 70gms of butter and 1/2 cup of cream, melted down in a pyrex bowl over a small amount of boiling water in a saucepan.

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Xx

A little bit of Happiness.

This week I've been keeping track of all the little things that have made me happy, to share with you today.. Here are some of the things currently making me smile..

Glorious sunshine streaming onto my beautiful cousin's new property during our morning walk..

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Bookmarks that leave me grinning.

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Walking past delivery vans, to hear the driver singing whole heartedly along with the Grease soundtrack.

Discovering books you once thought lost.

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Heartfelt words matched with simple, beautiful watercolours..

Xx

Fairy Tales..

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Of all her beautiful comments and words of wisdom I think this is my most favourite yet.. I still love fairy tales too..




Xx

Rice Pudding...

There is something so soothing about being lost in baking.  I find it relaxes me, giving me time to think.. The perfect dessert to cook when in need of some time out? Rice Pudding.


Oh goodness gracious me I LOVE rice pudding... I have recently made the discovery of using arborio rice in my puddings, and wow it makes a difference!!

Rice Pudding

There are many reasons for loving Donna Hay, but spooning melted chocolate over the top of her rice pudding recipe....? Brilliance. 

Total and utter brilliance! High five Donna, high five.

Bake this pudding on a chilly winters evening.

You'll love me for it.

Rice Pudding:

• 1 cup Arborio Rice
• 4 cups Milk or 3 1/2 it's up to you how creamy you like it
• 1/2 cup caster sugar
• 1 vanilla bean, spilt to scrape seeds

Place the rice, milk, sugar and vanilla in a medium saucepan over high heat and bring to the boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and cook, stirring frequently, for 25–30 minutes or until rice is tender. 

When cooked, you can add 1 cup single pouring cream, and 150gms of melted chocolate to stir through for deliciousness... 
Or! If chocolate isn't for you... Try substituting the caster sugar for brown sugar, and adding a touch of cinnamon... Mmmmmmm......

Serves 4. 

Or, two hungry sweet toothed people with a spoon in the kitchen by the stove.... 

This recipe can keep for up to 4 days in the fridge... Good luck with that.

Xx

A Sweet Homecoming.

A Sweet Homecoming

Ahhh, a love story.. I just love love.. When I stumbled across this story, I had such an awwww moment when I saw it.  It's not often that you come across a series of images that can touch your heart so.  These tell such a sweet story - and her excitement in seeing him is just so genuine! I adore her little jump in the air. What a gorgeous, romantic reunion!


Xx

Giraffe

Giraffe

Must try and include a sweet, adorable, makes me smile by just looking at it giraffe in my story. Because I am more than just a little in love with this young man!




Xx

Love Letters

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Love letters are such a romantic notion.. Even if I can't actually decipher this letter.. It still just looks romantic doesn't it? And even if it is written by Henry VIII to Anne Boleyn... Whom he later beheaded.. I still think it's amazing.

The history geek in me loves this more than I care to admit, including the fact that it's a sample of his handwriting! Sigh.. This makes me think, do people actually still send love letters? I sure hope so... I'd like one!

Xx

PS, I know this is a love letter because I read the supporting article... Otherwise, kinda just looks like a very old letter huh...

Nooks..

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Over this long weekend I have spent many hours daydreaming about my 'future' house.  Small decisions have been made, a green garden is a must have.  White picket fence wouldn't be laughed at.. But a little reading nook has become top priority.  A simple space where I can snuggle up uninterrupted and gaze out of (hopefully white panelled) windows at the blue skies.. Whilst holding a book and a hot cup of coffee.. Ultimately a view such as this probably won't be readily available..... But we can all dream right?

Xx

White Rain

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I watched the rain again today.  

It fell so harsh and heavy that the world outside became white.  

White almost horizontal pelts of rain.

The rain pounded on the roof for hours.

Like Mother Nature's way of announcing.. 

Today is the first day of winter... Didn't you know?

Xx