Cheesecake....mmmm.

Who doesn't like cheesecake? The thought of cheese and cake being combined into one food item is pretty grotesque, but my god whoever created this creamy and indulgent dessert is a genius.

OK, I would eat this during the day, who am I kidding when I say this is a dessert?

Recently I made an amazing cheesecake from the BBC Good Food website. The recipe is called "Strawberry cheesecake in 4 easy steps" and it is indeed easy..I would go on to say it was easy peasy lemon squeezy. How cheesy...

I have my Grandad's 80th Birthday this weekend, so I will definitely be making one to share with everyone.

Considering it's Tennis season (YAY WIMBLEDON...GO MURRAY!) this cake is absolutely perfect for those having garden parties.

I am desperate for a slice right now...

What have you been baking this summer?

Happy Baking!

Crochet Catch-up.

I've been super busy these last few weeks. I finished my (2nd) first year at University so it was a bit hectic trying to get last minute assignments handed in, and studying for exams.
However, I have been able to get back into the crafty mood.
I am not sure if that's due to me procrastinating, or trying to find anything to stop me from studying. Oops.

Originally this was meant to be posted a week or so ago, but i've been away in Spain as well as temping. Busy, busy, busy. Another excuse...I know. Shocking.

Just thought I would write a wee post about a few of the things I have been playing with in the last few months.

First of all I tried my hand at making a hat. I had never made one before, so thought the best idea would be to do a tiny one first, and if it worked out I would do another in a bigger more suitable size.

The pattern used was found on BobWilson123's YouTube page. If you find patterns difficult to read I would definitely recommend watching the videos on YouTube and copying them. It really works.

Please excuse the bear, he was the only thing in the house small enough to model a baby's hat.

Recently I have become more and more obsessed with Zpagetti Yarn and all the fancy things you can make it with. I bit the bullet and finally bought some last weekend, and following this pattern on the fabulous Dandelion Days blog, I whipped up this gorgeous rug in one evening. It took no time at all once I got the rhythm and was used to the strength needed to crochet with the thick yarn and 12mm hook.

Finally, I crocheted a cozy for a jam jar using the pattern on the Lulu Loves website. I am going to use this empty jam pot to make a Book Jar. Basically, you put the names of all the books you have yet to read and when you finish a book you pick another one, not knowing what it is. How great is that?!?!

What have you guys been making recently? Any summer projects coming up?

Happy Crocheting

Emma

Book Review: The Knife of Never Letting Go - Patrick Ness

4 1/2 Stars

I have read my fair share of YA Dystopian novels, most of which contain a female protagonist running from a suppressive regime. Fighting for the little guy, doing what's right.

This book was a surprising relief from what I had learned to expect from this type of novel. 

Centered around Todd Hewitt (yes, that's right...a boy!), The Knife of Never Letting Go pulls the reader into a world where all the women have died, Todd is the youngest member of society, and all the men can hear each other's "Noise". Basically everything they think, want to say, have said/seen in the past is constantly on show for the rest to hear.

When Todd goes out into the swamp in search of apples he stumbles across something that he never thought he would ever find: silence. His world will never be the same again. 

Ben and Cillian, the only parent like figures he has ever known, force him to flee town and go on the run. For what reason, Todd does not know. 

Todd has to grow up quickly, even though according to his culture, he doesn't become a man for another 2 weeks. He struggles with his morals, loyalty and conscious battling things he thought he would never have to. 

This book is exciting, fast paced and somewhat un-put-down-able. With tinges of romance and some gory action scenes The Knife of Never Letting Go is suitable for everyone.

My favourite thing was his relationship between Todd and his dog Manchee.

Did I mention that because of the Noise everyone can hear what animals are saying too? 

Yeh, dogs can talk!

If that's not an incentive to read this book, I don't know what is.

Has anyone else read the other two books in this series?

I am really looking forward to starting them. I was definitely left on a cliff, hanging. 

Emma

Book Review: Death Comes to Pemberley - P.D. James

This book is perfect if you love Jane Austen and Pride and Prejudice in particular. 

Unfortunately I wouldn't be classed as a fan of either.

I still enjoyed this book thoroughly, however.

Having read Pride and Prejudice as well as seeing the movie, it was a great transition and it was as if Jane herself had written a sequel. 

Every time someone asked what I was reading, and saw the author, exclaimed that they had heard of P.D. James. Must admit, I had not. 

I was promptly told that some of her work had been made into TV shows, which explained why people recognised the name.

It leads on from the marriage of Elizabeth and Darcy (Spoiler if you haven't read P&P) as well as her sisters, and centres around a gruesome murder that occurs on the Darcy's land. Suspicions are high, confusion is in abundance and the story goes somewhere you never thought it would. It keeps you guessing and thinking right until the end.

Death Comes to Pemberley successfully continues the world famous story of Pride and Prejudice and the relationships between the characters are 100% accurate.

Actually, we see different sides to the beloved characters and it makes you think about P&P in a different light. What we we thought about certain people after reading Pride and Prejudice may not be how you feel once you read Death Comes to Pemberley.

After reading this I am not sure if I would read any more of P.D. James' work, crime fiction is not really my cup of tea. I cannot fault her talent, and this book was highly entertaining, but give me some romance/comedy any day.

Happy Reading.

Emma.