Mr Eion, Coffee Roaster

When you're constantly in need of more sleep and love coffee, it's pretty handy living super close to an excellent and charming coffee roaster. We're currently working our way through Mr Eion's excellent blends and beans. Our most notable to date, are the Stockbridge blend, Sumatra Mandheling and Indian Tiger Stripes. He also does a great decaffeinated blend, I don't recall the name, but it's so delicious that we know of at least one expectant friend whose now addicted (despite the lack of caffeine).

We took a pic of his opening hours below but you can also find him here and try a delicious cafetiere of Yirgacheffe at Henri's Stockbridge or something a tad stronger at The Raeburn. Don't delay, you'll have a spring in your step and a smile on your face as soon as you try! You may also find his bold stickers on your walls/in your shoes although that's probably just if you give them to E and A.

 

Hello Three

Finally getting around to sharing this before the birthday month is out. Our little lady is three. THREE. In some ways it seems impossible. Life is undoubtedly fuller, lovelier, funnier and more exhausting than ever and that's deserving of a rather pink celebration. 

At very short notice, the birthday girl specifically and determinedly requested a Hello Kitty theme - too late for any online shopping, Mummy was left to work her birthday fairy magic with a little help from Sainsbury's and excellent cake making Granny Scotland. 

This is the first time E has had a theme of her choice, proper party bags and games of Pass the Parcel and Musical Bumps and she completely loved it.

The pink table all set and the party bags stuffed.

We kept the menu simple for the little guests with finger sandwiches, crisps, fruit and hummus with crudites (ha ha) and chocolate treats and birthday cake of course. The contented crunch of pom bears around the table, summed it up. And, to keep the grown up tummy's from rumbling Chris made three incredible quiche: Beetroot and Goat's Cheese, Ham and Anster cheese and Hot Smoked Salmon and Spring Onion with a mountain of green salad (they went down so well, we didn't get chance to try them). Then grown ups finished off with a slice of lemon and elderflower drizzle before trying to explain to their adorable children the rules of the party games! 

Ham and Anster.

Beetroot and Goat's Cheese.

Hot smoked Salmon and Spring Onion.

Chocolate treats and chocolate fingers!

Hello Kitty cake.

I'll just check this icing...

More cake!

Three.

Happy third birthday little darling. Watching you grow has been the biggest, sweetest treat.

Happy Easter

When was the last time you had a chocolate crispy? Probably longer than it should be.

I made these with E last week and every time I passed the cake tin, I was tempted. So, in my opinion, they certainly shouldn't be reserved for children's parties and school baking sales, in fact bring them back and bring them to me. Easter gives a great excuse for a slight variation from cornflakes or rice crispies with ever so moreish mini eggs and a way to make shredded wheat desirable rather than obligatory. I remember making these with my Mum in our Easter break so it was fun to make them as the next generation of Mummy and daughter in the kitchen.

E and I crushed, bashed, crashed and mashed our way to these Easter nests and they didn't last long. She loved it and so did I. 

Because it was so simple it doesn't really warrant a recipe - melt chocolate, stir in shredded wheat until mixture is stiff and cereal coated, spoon into cupcake cases, make a small indent with the back of a teaspoon and top with mini eggs. 

E managed this almost completely alone, which gave added satisfaction to her current craving for independence. Apart from the mini eggs and taste testing, she took great care separating and arranging the cupcake cases. And, such is her three year old ingenuity, she politely surprised me with, "look Mummy, this is your nest, your bird has one baby and look, at my nest, my bird has triplets!" Thank goodness she's not yet aware of quintuplets and a very happy Easter to you all.