I had hoped that during my week's absence the local charity shops would have had a really good turnover of stock, and that there would be lots of lovely new things for me to peruse. Alas, that was not the case. The same tired old books were on the shelves, and the same tired old bits of linen were hanging disconsolately from hangers - nothing, it seems, had changed at all. However, the basket of knitting wool was stacked pretty high, and amongst the neon coloured 100 per cent acrylic yarns that tend to abound in said basket, I managed to find four balls of sock wool (destined for mum if she would like it) and a ball of gorgeous peacock green Aran weight 100 per cent wool (no doubt destined to become another beanie hat).
The sock wool isn't the most exciting of colours - being one ball of teal and three balls of a burgundy / forest green tweedy shade - but as the whole lot of wool only cost me £1.50 (30p per ball) I'm certainly not complaining. The fabric in the background of the photo is the one and only charity shop item I bought whilst visiting mum - it's a handmade pillow case made using, if I'm not mistaken, a rather nice vintage Laura Ashley print.
When I got back yesterday afternoon (and before the latest deluge struck) I went out into the garden and picked in this colander full of ripe plums.
Half have been given to the next door neighbours, some are waiting to be stewed and some went into this Plum and Oatmeal Madeira cake I made this morning.
This is a recipe I've made many times when plums are in season and its absolutely delicious. The photo in the background shows how the cake is meant to look - I think this is the only recipe I've ever made where my finished product looks pretty much how it should. I shall look forward to having a slice (or two) for dessert this evening.
That cake looks yum!
Posted by: cd&m | 07/29/2007 at 01:59 PM
OOh could I have the recipe pls?
Posted by: Jen | 08/09/2007 at 08:28 PM