Hamespun Tales @ Dairsie Does Different

So, the next featured stall holder at Dairsie Does Different is our storyteller, Sheila Kinninmonth of Hamespun Tales.

Sheila established Hamepsun Tales after retiring from a long career as a nursery nurse.  She specialises in telling Scottish tales  which, as she says herself, celebrates "oor guid scots tongue."  From fairy tales to myths and legends and more, Sheila entertains and educates and turns any event into a magical one with her unique style and humour.  And lets face it, there is nothing quite like listening to somebody telling you a story that has you perched on the edge of your seat or laughing like a drain!

Sheila has entertained crowds all over the place - from schools to festivals and beyond - and tells a grand story regardless of your age!  What isn't to love about that!!  Stories aren't just for kids you know!  See her website for what she has been up to, where she'll be and what she'll be doing:  http://hamespuntales.vpweb.co.uk

At Dairsie Does Different, Sheila will be wowing us with her tales during the day.   She has two half hour storytelling sessions scheduled so far  - one at 11.30am and the other at 2pm although spontaneous"spots" may appear too, dependent on demand. She will also be running puppet making workshops during the day.  No need to wait for those - they will be going on all day!!  Just bring your creativity and off you go!!  Oh, and one of my fav bits, buy a kit to make your own magic stone.  How cool is that!!!!  Must get me one of those I think!!

I'm excited about this and can't wait to hear what gems Sheila will entertain us with.  Not to be missed!!

More bunting....

It feels Spring-like again today.  My snowdrops are blooming, my crocuses have big purpley flower buds on them just waiting to burst and the birds are cheeping their wee heads off.  Makes me want to talk bunting again!!  Mum has been busy again and I now have some fab cupcake style bunting.  I'm a happy camper!!  And she is one talented lady! My stall will look amazing with my new cake stands, banners and bits and pieces.  Just need to work out what delights to sell.  Any requests anyone???


By the way, I'm just having a wee pit stop from Dairsie Does Different.  Next featured stall holder will be our very talented storyteller, Sheila.  Watch this space!

Lindsay Mathers, Equestrian Artist @ Dairsie Does Different

OK, thought you may like details of the other stall holders at Dairsie Does Different!

I'm starting with Lindsay, my co-organiser!  If it hadn't been for her enthusiasm and commitment to this, Dairsie Does Different would never have happened!  Our "business meetings" (yep, we did talk DDD not just plants, food, weddings, more plants and so on!) have pushed us into doing this and have forced us to be focused to make sure it is a HUGE success!!

So, Lindsay.  She is a massively talented artist who specialises in equestrian art.  She does the most outstanding portraits of mainly horses, but being the fabulous artist that she is, other portraits feature too - mainly of animals.  Check out her blog:  http://mathersart.blogspot.com/ ; her facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lindsay-Mathers-Equestrian-Art/239356577731?ref=ts :or her website http://www.mathersart.com/ to see what she is up to, where she will be exhibiting and how talented she is!

She is planning to take lots of great portraits with her to Dairsie Does Different as well as details of how you can commission her to do a portrait of your pet or horse.  A great gift or treasure to own! And I speak from experience:  my brother loves his pencil portrait of his collie, Moss and she has captured the wee pooch's intelligence and craziness perfectly.  (you can see it on her blog/facebook/website.)

And if you miss Dairsie Does Different - shame on you! - then you can catch her at the Open Studios Weekend in May where you can see her at work in her studio (oh, and have a cake from The Bakehouse as a bonus!) - see her blog for details!

The Bakehouse @ Dairsie Does Different

As it is my blog, I'm starting with me as a stall holder at the Dairsie Does Different fair!

I'm planning to do lots of lovely tasty cakes and baking to tempt everyone.  And, as it's Mother's Day on Sunday 3rd April (yep! it really is!), I'm going to do some lovely wee gifty things to help you out of a potential sticky fix!  I will confirm nearer the time exactly what I'll be selling but at the moment I'm thinking a multitude of spring-like, pretty cupcakes in a plethora of lovely flavours,  gooey chocolate brownies, cookies of some kind, museli-laden syrupy flapjacks and I may try whoopie pies too (no promises there!)!  I'm also thinking some jam/chutney/marmalade may make an appearance.

I have space for a few tables and chairs too so you can rest your legs from browsing all the fantastic art and craft that will be on display and have a reviving cuppa and chat!  With a bit of cake obviously.  You'll need the sugar boost before you head over to listen to our very own storyteller - yep, a treat for all!  More details of that coming later in the week.... promise!

Carrot Cake yumminess!

In the meantime, let me tempt you with sugary goodness courtesy of a couple of pics!

Lemony loveliness!

Dairsie Does Different!

A date and place for your diary:

Saturday, 2nd April 2011
10am until 4pm
Dairsie Memorial Hall


It is official!  The Dairsie Does Different event is confirmed.  It will be a contemporary craft style fair showcasing new and upcoming businesses in the local area.

The hall is quite small but we have filled it to capacity with artists, makers - oh, and me!  I'm doing scrummy cakes, teas and coffees amongst other things.

And, I should say for those of you that have been following the blog, we are cramming everything into one day and not the whole weekend as was previously advertised.  Next year, hopefully, we will be a weekend event!  Or that is the bigger aim anyway! :)

Details of people involved, items for sale and all that jazz will follow so watch this space!

Chillies

a lovely bunch of spicy success!

Every year my esteemed house-mate tries to grow chillies - and fails!!  Think it must be the Scottish weather!  Great news though - this year, after much patience and plant talking, she has had success!!  Oh, and with a little help from the sunny window-sill in her bedroom I think.  :)  Look at the beauties!  Worthy of any chilli appreciator I reckon.  Not sure that she realises that, now that she has been successful, I will expect this to continue.  I have visions of a multitude of chillies to cook with and admire - multi coloured, extra spicy, tiny, massive, unusual, perfect for stuffing ... the list goes on.  In the meantime, take a few minutes to admire the wee treasures!!

And, any ideas as to what I can make with them to do them justice would be appreciated!! I'm thinking a chilli cheese cornbread could be the start ... with a sweetcorn chowder! Yum!  :)  Or a chilli tomato soup, perfect for a grey dank day like today, with thick chunky salt & pepper breadsticks.  Heaven!

Gingerbread

Has anyone been watching the Hairy Bikers, Mums Still Know Best programme?  I love the way they are encouraging people to try the old faithful recipes that we all grew up on.  The things that make us smile fondly and remember our childhoods with nostalgic love.  The recipes that our grandparents used, not to mention the things that our mothers made.  The smells that take you right back to coming in from school and knowing that a slice of proper Victoria sponge was waiting for you - or hot from the pan Scotch pancakes.  That visit to your Grans where you knew a coconut tart was going to be in the cake tin that had your name on it!!  Or a butterfly bun (not cupcakes then!! does that show my age?!!).  Do kids get that nowadays?  I don't know.  So few people seem to cook, let alone bake that I have the utmost respect for what the Hairy Bikers are doing.

So, in honour of them, I grabbed my recipe book and made my Gran's Yorkshire Gingerbread.  Soft, sticky and beautifully gingery.  Nothing fancy about that - just a good old trip down memory lane!!  Next, coconut tarts I think.

Nostalgia on a plate!

(And not a sign of Angel Delight anywhere - and that's a memory trip for my strange sister who still thinks of the flourescent coloured, gloopy, artificial tasting stuff fondly!!  Indeed, I do believe, in her weirdness, she still buys it!!  She has been out-ed!!)

taste of summer!

I spent a part of today uploading my camera contents into IPhoto rather than doing some Bakehouse work.  Oops!  As well as lots of my cosy wee cottage in the snow, mad group sledging images and a few crazy dog pics, I found some that made me feel all summery and hopeful!  I've attached two of my favs!  How can sunflowers not make you feel like summer is not far away....not to mention contented looking sheep grazing lazily in the sunshine.  Aww... :)  Makes me appreciate where I am lucky enough to live all the more! (sorry - that sounds corny - och well!)

sunflowers - a touch of summer!

sheep in the sunshine on a lovely summer's day!

The roulade in all its glory!

 I was prompted into action. I may not be able to change the weather, sadly, but I can cook to feel summery.  Time to try a new Simmon Rimmer recipe - goats cheese and sun blush tomato roulade.  A wee taste of sunshine and summer laziness on a plate - and great for sharing with friends too! (which is what I did). Served with lemony new potatoes and a mixed green salad it served it's purpose and shut out the February dreichness for an evening anyway!

Dairsie Crafty Fair!

We are official:  The Dairsie Crafty Fair (yet to be named properly) is now confirmed for 


Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd of April


Details to follow - watch this space!!  Whoop whoop!

productive day.....

... this sunny weather with the hint if Spring is doing wonders for my productivity!! I know, I know, it could still snow but please don't burst my wee happy bubble just yet!!

Had a very productive day today.  I'm signed up for not just one but four - yes you read that right! - four, "marketing for idiots" style courses.  Can't hurt I reckon!  I've also designed a new cake menu and a flyer and I've started on my dessert menu.  Go me!!  And I've done a bit of bookkeeping (yep, still hate it and don't miss the old job at all) and taken another cake order - admittedly for May, but still, an order is an order.  I am a happy bunny!!  And, two blogs in one day - I am on fire!!

A reason to celebrate cupcakes!

Reason to celebrate I reckon so made some chocolate peanut butter cupcakes!

I'm burnt out now...think I may have to collapse in front of TV!  :)

Chocolate cake...

Chocolate cake ... yummy!

Had a couple of orders this week which is nice!! That should pay for my Fife Show stand which I've just applied for!  Made a couple of very chocolatey fudge cakes, one in the style of the picture, and cupcakes for parties!  Nice to feel that people like what I do.  Just need to do some marketing now to increase my customer base.  Not my strong spot but I'm trying!

The next big event should be the Dairsie Crafty Fair that I'm organising with my friend Lindsay, an equestrian artist.  Check out her blog http://mathersart.blogspot.com  She does some great things as you'll see on her blog.  Look out for the portrait of Moss, my brother's collie!  See, she doesn't just do horses!! We are working together to try and organise a wee event with some local businesses who are also just starting up, to be held in Dairsie, our local village.  Details will follow when we know more.  Watch this space!!

Bunting!

Don't you just love bunting?!!

A lovely pile of spots, stripes and checks!

Bunting to make you feel good!

There is something about bunting that makes me feel spring-like and cheerful.  And that's despite the howling gale and horizontal rain hammering against my windows!!   I've recruited my mum into helping out to make bunting for my stalls and things!! She's done the first bit and I'm chuffed.  How cool is this?!! I may not have any idea what I'm selling yet but I have bunting!  Whoop whoop!

I went to Costco last night ...

... and bought a Fire Extinguisher!  What on earth has happened to me?!!  There is a reason I should point out.  I haven't gone bonkers quite yet.

I'm putting together my application for the Fife Show (Saturday 21st May - a date to add to your diary!)  and as if I don't have a million and one other things to think about for it - what will I bake, what size will my stall be, what will I decorate it with to make myself stand out, blah blah blah - I have to have a fire extinguisher!  The risk assessment form is finished - thankfully not a lot of risks attached to a cake stand except for the eating too much bit, but that is outwith my control!  Had a quick trip to Costco/Ikea last night to pick up some platters and bits and pieces and there, nestled on a wee shelf in the depths of Costco, was a small fire extinguisher, just big enough to fit in my box of bits for such events as fairs and trade shows.  Just what every girl needs!  I am being organised - and anyone who knows me well will know this is a development in itself!  The fact that I'm developing a box of bits is a miracle to start with.

A fascinating insight into the life of a baker and caterer.  Who knew?!

Banoffee Cupcake

On a more fun note, I've been experimenting with cupcakes.  Pics attached of the latest delight!

Bread

Dough!  Looking lovely and squishy and ready to bake.

I'm meant to be starting on building the business but surely that involves experimenting with new recipes??? I've just invested in the River Cottage Bread Book and it has been worth every penny.  Not only does it give a really good breakdown of the whole bread making process, from dough to kneading, shaping to baking, but the recipes are very good too!  The soda bread was scrummy and so easy to make so I've moved onto the standard loaf.  Is it weird to find the whole process of kneading and shaping the dough so satisfying and relaxing?!! Is it just me or is that a bread makers opinion too....

I think homemade bread will become a staple of The Bakehouse's catering activities!  I mean, why would you buy it when it tastes so damn fine when you've made the effort to make it yourself?!  And, besides, who doesn't love homemade bread?! The scope for experimenting is huge!!  Focaccia, sourdough, gluten and wheat free, fruited, hot cross buns, bagels...... I could go on forever!  My mouth is watering at the thought.  The latest addition to the repertoire is a basic baton style wholemeal loaf.  I have perfected a seeded cob style loaf too which makes great toast!  Good way to start the day if you ask me, with a good dollop of peanut butter and home-made raspberry jam.  Does it get any better than that?!

Bread ... the finished product!