Dotty About...Doughnuts

Firstly, let me say, I have been having a bit of a "rankle" with myself about whether it's a Doughnut or a Donut (any ideas??) I think Donut must be the American way, but I can't be sure.

Doughnuts happen to be one of my favourite treat and comfort foods, and I was flicking through this fantastic book: Gifts from the Kitchen; 100 Irresistible Homemade Presents for Every Occasion by Annie Rig, bought by my lovely Mum for me last Christmas and I just happened to come across an extremely simple recipe for plain old doughnuts!

Interestingly I didn't realise that doughnuts are a Hanukkah treat; when it is custom to eat fried foods baked in olive oil to commemorate the miracle of the flask of oil found in the temple in Jerusalem, that kept burning for eight days.

Well, I was so excited, and seeing as it was also National Baking Week last week, I thought it was about time I did something fantastic in my little kitchen, and here are the results!

Perfect Christmas Hamper Idea - if made fresh maybe

Great dinner party offering - definitely! 

I used a little cinnamon in my sugar coating, and then filled the little round doughnuts with some slow-cooker homemade apple butter. Amazing!

Best eaten fresh according to Annie, so ... see you later ;-)

Dotty About...Pastel Colours

Wow, I had to share this amazing wedding with you. The colours of the cake match the colours of the bridesmaids waistbands.
I am a new found fan of multi coloured weddings. Why have one colour when you can have five?

Dotty About...Valentine's Day

I don't know about you, but I have started getting emails from a variety of companies, trying to entice me to buy something commercial and expensive for my loved one for Valentine's Day.

Unfortunately, my husband's feelings about Valentine's Day is one of well, I can't describe it as anything other than hatred actually..."commercial clap-trap" is a phrase that get's regularly pulled out at this time of the year!

As a lover, however, of all things romantic (it's true! opposites attract!) I am always on the look out for a nice gesture. In my opinion, Valentine's day was invented for men like my husband. Men who aren't always very good at saying things they feel, and who require an "love amnesty day".

Anyway, I have been seeking out some wonderful home-made gifts to avoid the "commercial clap-trap", but to treat your partner on Valentine's day to something special and personal.

Source: morganandkari.com via Catherine on Pinterest

Source: bhg.com via Catherine on Pinterest

Source: thehybridchick.com via Catherine on Pinterest

Source: wanelo.com via Catherine on Pinterest

Source: bestfriendsforfrosting.com via Catherine on Pinterest

Source: mysisterssuitcase.blogspot.com via Catherine on Pinterest

Source: athoughtfulplaceblog.com via Catherine on Pinterest

Now there is no excuse not to do something for your loved one on Valentine's.

Dotty About...a Tennis Cake

My latest creation...

Dotty About..."Chats"worth House

Dear avid fans of my blog...hmmm

I have to show you this. Obviously we took our dog with us on our travels over Christmas, but we couldn't take our cat, known in these parts as Lotty / Lotty-Lou-Lou / Lou-Lou / Chat McBain (by my hubby who says she is the bain of his life!) / Fatty McBain (because she is not only the bain of his life but a year ago she was very fat too!) and many other names!

Well my gorgeous hubby has a big soft spot for our (not-so-little) Lotty-Lou-Lou despite himself and he was worried about leaving her at home while we were away - especially with the threat of cold weather.

Short Interlude

The reason for this is because the naughty dog or cat - we don't know which - broke the cat flap this summer. It certainly has aided Lotty to finally loose some weight though so it's a bonus!

So, Lotty was unable to come in and out of the house whenever she wanted. (Don't call the RSPCA! we have very close friends who came in to feed her twice a day, let her out in the morning and back in, in the evening).

Anyway, the point is that on the back of all of this, here is what my big softy of a husband did for Lotty: he built her a house.

Double reflective insulation on all sides (and floor)

Hubby looking all official and manly with a pen tucked behind his ear!

Check out that insulation! snug as a bug in a rug!

Taa daa, in situ in the garden - we are waiting to find some freecycle roof felt for it, so bin liners had to do for now.

Well done Hubby! and, best of all, Lotty is actually using Chats-worth house, so I also have a happy Hubby :D