**UK peeps see the low priced FR eggs and teabags about mid-post**

Nothin' Says Lovin' Like Somethin' From The Oven . . . . 

If the ol' doughboy were here I'd poke him in the belly myself, lol.  If you've never had the opportunity to witness the Pillsbury doughboy in action, that first line will mean absolutely nothing and we'll move on.  ;-)

Some of the baked goodness of late -

The muffins are just a basic chocolate sponge recipe and the Maple Toffee cake is a Wrights packet mix (lovely) and for the glaze I just added some milk and maple syrup to the icing sugar, thick enough so that it would run over the cake, but not all run off :-) 

Went out and about this morning and one of the places we stopped at was the local bakery to pick up a bloomer and some baps.  Actually I went in just for the baps but the loaf was calling my name so had to grab that too.  The eggs in the background are free range, mixed weight 15ct packs and are at ASDA currently priced at 2 for £3 - 30 FR eggs for £3 isn't bad at all and at least in this case most of them seem to be a 'large' size.  Bargain!  Also picked up a 240 pk. of PG Tips for £3, I think the PG Tips are supposed to be a "rollback' and the eggs are on offer until around the 15th of this month I believe.  Ok, this isn't an ASDA advert, lol.

Now, for LizBeth, the requested potato croquette recipe.  But, I must add that the croquettes on the weekly menu plan she asked about were --- ready? --- store bought!  I know, I know but in my defence I did not put an HM preceding the croquette entry so was not implying they would be homemade. ;-)

I don't have a recipe as such for my homemade croquettes, I tend to go by 'feel' but here is the gist - I start with a plain everyday mashed potato (however you like yours) and then add an egg and mix it in well.  I then sprinkle a bit of flour (maybe a couple teaspoons?) and mix that in.  You want a fairly stiff mash, not nearly as creamy as you might have them as a side dish.  Then take the mixture and form into croquettes and chill for an hour or so in the fridge which makes them easier to work with.

When they've chilled through, whisk up another egg and get some breadcrumbs - seasoned or not (I use fresh only because they are softer and absorb better than those you buy) ready on a plate.  Heat some oil in a frying pan to the point that a piece of bread dropped in will 'crisp' up rather quickly.  Dip the croquettes in the egg and then roll in the breadcrumbs and/or seasoning and quickly fry until golden all over, turning as needed.  Drain on paper towel and serve while hot.

My mother used to do these in balls and would add finely chopped cooked bacon, but I never got them to turn out right for some reason, they always fell apart while frying :-(   If you remember those that your grandmother made as having any certain flavour you could try adding "that" to the mashed potato mixture also.  If you give them a try, let me know how they turned out for you, please.

When we left home this morning it was warm and the sun was out in full force.  A few hours later when we returned there was a definite chill in the air and the fog was rolling in thick and heavy, the sky now a gloomy grey.  We also stopped in at a garden centre today, as you walked out of the bit with tools and garden ornaments etc... into the building with the plants the smell was wonderful.  It was a mixture of damp soil and new growth greenery that just cannot be rivalled.  It smelt of SPRING!!  There is hope yet . . . .

Crimsonsilk- You're most welcome!  OmmWriter is very cool, and hopefully they will allow even more customizations in the next release *fingers crossed*     Gill-  Thanks for the mention in your blog, The Money Pit just came to mind as I keep reading of all your doing to the house, not even thinking of poor Molly!  As for the February blahs, think it's a fairly common condition alleviated only by sun and warmth, lol.     LizBeth-  Hope the 'recipe' helps jog your memory and yes, Ommwriter is very, very . . . . soothing ;-)