Ponies out on lease

Some of you may not know the story behind how Bella came to me so, since she is the first horse featured in today's blog, you can check out her story HERE.

This weekend just been, Nick and I went to the wedding of Sarah Cresswell and Jonathan Richardson. Sarah has leased Bella off me and she is in foal to Reilly, due next spring. I took the opportunity, whilst there to give Bella a cuddle - Hopefully that explains the posh frock, lol!

And today, in my in box, were some photos from Aimee, the young woman who has been leasing Lagan for the last year (or thereabouts) - The old bugger is clearly still firing on all cylinders.

Bella et moi

She wanted to eat my bag

Pretty girl

Lagan & Aimee

Better let the secret out - I have buns in the oven!

Amy and 'friends' (with lovely cat scratch chair in background)

Easter buns that is, hehehe! Here is the recipe, thanks to Karen for the inspiration!

25grams fresh yeast
1 Tablespoon castor sugar
50ml warm milk

450g bakers flour (assume high grade flour here)
pinch of salt
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1-2 teaspoons mixed spice
85grams caster sugar
85grams butter
225-300ml tepid milk
85grams currants
2 eggs

50g sultanas
25grams chopped peel

Garnish
Egg wash to glaze ( milk egg yolk and sugar)
shortcrust pastry

Preheat over to 220 degrees C

In a measuring jug dissolve the yeast with the tablespoon of caster sugar in the 50ml of warm milk.

In a large wide mixing bowl sieve the flour then add salt, cinnamon, nutmeg,mixed spice and 85grams of sugar.

Rub in the butter.

In a bowl whisk the eggs and remaining warm milk. Pour this into the measuring jug with the yeast mixture.

Make a well in the centre of the dry ingredients and add the wet mixture.

Combine to a soft dough.

Leave for about 10minutes.

Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth, then add the currants, sulatnas and peel. Continue to knead until the dough is smooth and shiny.

Cover the bowl and let the dough rise in a warm place until it doubles in size.

Turn out onto a lightly floured work surface and knock the dough back and leave to rest for a few minutes.

Divide into 16 pieces, shape into buns. Place them on a baking sheet, egg wash and mark each one carefully by putting a cross of shortcrust pastry on each bun.

Allow to rise for an hour and egg wash again.

Bake in a preheated oven for 5 minutes then reduce heat to 200 degrees C and bake for a further 10minutes or until golden.

Cool on a wire rack.