ARLU Rum Review

Like most of the the world I am at home is isolation and looking for way to entertain and feed myself. So I had the chance to try an really yummy brand of rum called ARLU. Not a name I knew but excited to try. I love to make cakes and using the rum in those sounded rather nice lol.
I have a bottle of ARLU spiced Rum and decided to bake buns.

Here is the recipe I used .

Hot Cross buns:

1/2 tsp salt
2 heaped tsp mixed spice
50g caster sugar
50g chopped butter
200g mixed dried fruit ( pre soaked in the ARLU spiced rum)
7g sachet of easy blend dried yeast
200ml milk
2 eggs

For the glaze
3 tbsp plain flour
1 tbsp ARLU speiced rum
Honey or golden syrup for brushing.

Method:

1. tip the flour into a bowl stirring in the salt, mixed sice and sugar.
2. Rub in the butter with your fingers, next stir in the pre soaked dried fruit, spinkle over the yeast and continue mixing.
3. warm  the milk and beat together with the eggs, adding the dried ingredients next.
4. once mixed together to form a moist dough, leave to soak for 5 mns. Then take out of the bowl and cut into 8 equal pieces on a floured surface.
5. shape into buns and place on a baking sheet, cover with cling film and leave in a warm place to double in size ( his will take up to one hr)
6. When the buns are ready, heat oven  to 220c/fan 200/gas 7. Mix flour with 1 tbsp water and 1 tbsp of ARLU rum t make a paste, pour into a plastic food bad and make a nick in  the corner, pipe crosses on the top of each bun.
7. Bake for 12-15 mins until risen and golden, trim the excess mixture from the buns, then brush all over with the honey or golden syrup. Best served with butter toasted.


Hope you give them a go and check out all the other ARLU flavours here

https://www.arlurum.com/

Rebecca Page Patterns

With the way the world is at the this time and not being able to go out things that allow hobbies to carry on is a must. I use a lot of online companies that us PDF patterns, that you can print at home. At first they drove me mad as there is a lot of sticking that goes on lol. Plus some companies are better at the set up than others. Some are super easy to put together some are a real pain!
On my internet travels I am always looking for cute patterns for my grandkids, but also as a larger lady plus size patterns, that are not just sacks.

So I came across one such site called Rebecca Page and was straight away struck by he style and the range. The kids patterns were bright and fun and the adults range of sizes was fabulous. I bought a couple, they was priced very well and come easy to print with full instructions. I was delighted recently to be asked to be one of their brand ambassadors, and try out patterns before the general release.  That way any issues can be ironed out before everyone gets to buy so you can than enjoying your sewing.
Its super nice to be asked as I would buy the patterns myself anyway as I really do like them.  So if you love sewing and you want some nice patterns why not have a look. These are a few bits I have made recently from the patterns.

New beginnings

New beginnings or a new start . I guess I am not alone at this time with reflecting of life or your life in general. With the terrible events going on all around the world is it any wonder many of us are taking stock of life . I started this blog many years ago and at one time would write daily and enjoy doing it. Then life took over and there just was not enough hours in one day to find time to keep up the hard work it needed. I was going to shut it down but my heart just would not let me , it had been my baby for so long.

So I have not been out for a month now as I am classed as vulnerable . I didn't go  out much before but I did get to see my grandchildren and children, and a quick run to the shops at times.  Even I have found it tough being home 24-7 and even worse the heartbreaking need to see my children and grandkids. I worry for myself but I worry more for them and can only hope it is over soon and life can start to recover.

As I have had time I have got lots of sewing done and lots of cleaning. I have made bags, dolls, shirts, trousers, underwear and tops lol.  I wanted to help the NHS as well. My daughter is a nurse and I know just how hard they all work. They were asking for volunteers to make up scrubs for nurse, and I thought that I would be perfect for that.  So I am waiting for my first batch to arrive to sew them up, even I make  few hopefully it will be useful for the over stretched staff.

I am going to see if I can make time to write on the blog and get the blog love back. I have connected with so many over the years, so lets make 2020 the year to do that again.
Love to hear what you have been doing to make this isolation time go fast as well.
Hello again xxxx