70s Blouse

I have been making this blouse for ages!  It got started but then for some reason got stuck in the work-in-progress box (which is alarmingly full...) and then got forgotten for a bit, then I had baby projects on and then it was Christmas, and then finally it was March and with Spring imminent (hopefully) I thought I might finish it so I can actually wear it!

It's a gorgeous cotton lawn that I bought a couple of years ago in a tiny fabric shop in Bedford - I absolutely couldn't resist such a pretty print!  Plus it was very reasonably priced so ticked the bargain box too!

The pattern is one of my Mum's which has been retraced and altered so many times I'm not sure it bears much resemblance to the original, but is definitely vintage, and combined with the russet-y fabric gives the whole thing a very 70s vibe.  

Apart from my slightly wonky buttonholes, I love it!

Sugar-Free Baby Biscuits

A result of some fiddling and experimenting in the kitchen, these are extremely delicious and very useful for hungry healthy babies!

3 small/2 large eating apples

4 dates

3oz/75g butter

1 egg

6oz/150g plain flour (wholemeal, white or a mix)
1oz/25g oats
0.25 tsp baking powder

0.25tsp ground cinnamon
1tsp ground ginger

Peel, core and chop the apples, place in a pan with the dates and a teaspoon of water and simmer for ten minutes.  Blend until smooth and set aside to cool slightly.

Pre-heat the oven to gas mark 4/180C.

Beat the apple paste and butter together, then beat in the egg.

Add the dry ingredients and work in with a wooden spoon.

Roll out to 3-5mm thick and cut shapes, or alternatively make flattened balls or fingers.

Bake 10-12 minutes until golden.

They went down extremely well with a peckish teething baby!

I had to hide the tin in the end...