A Taste of Spain!!

Tuesday Girls with our Spanish Visitors!

My turn to host a special Tuesday (well, more so than usual!) this week, with most of us present.  Unfortunately Chris was the only one missing.
We were honoured to have two special visitors, Gloria and her mother, Mary Rose, from Spain.  Following a visit to Guildford Quilters last year, Gloria has been following our blog with interest, as she is also a quilter!
We were delighted to learn that Gloria is here in England with her family on holiday.  She has now met most of the 'Tuesday Girls'!

 There was a request in her email that they sample some of the cakes, as featured in our blog on a regular basis!!  As a result we had tea/coffee with chocolate brownies & Apple & Blueberry Spice Muffins from a book by Peter Schaffer - "The Genuine American Cookie & Muffin Book"

 Then it was down to business.  Everyone had brought along plenty to "show & tell".  Alison was showing off the hand quilting on her on-going block of the month!

Janet showed off her tulip mini quilt from a workshop we all did a few years ago.

Another of Janet's many creations - using the l'il twister ruler.

Caroline hand quilting around the stars in her "stars in the Cabin".

Two quilts for Janet's son's sofa, using the same fabrics. Everyone was very interested in how different the fabric looked in two different patterns! Cannot remember the fabric range, please fill in Janet!




Alison explained the technique of "English Patchwork" using paper hexagons.  I had used a range of pretty pink & green floral fabrics & Alison had used 1930's fabrics & also slightly smaller hexagons!

We also had another visitor in the shape of my husband.  He came to the rescue with the balsamic vinegar for the salad dressing!  As Mary Rose does not speak much English we decided to give Gloria a break from translating as Bobby speaks Spanish!
He declined the offer of lunch with seven women & went back to work!!







We enjoyed a lunch of salmon, chicken in garlic & herbs, smoked mackerel & pork in honey & ginger with new potatoes & salads.




                                                                                                                                                                               

Desert of meringue nests with summer fruits & home-made raspberry mousse.....





             





was soon followed by another cup of tea!!

 Laura, a friend's daughter is staying with us at the moment.  She was finishing a cushion cover that we started earlier in the year.
She also made a useful photographer, so thank you Laura for the photos!

 A busy & interesting day.  My family are camping in Spain soon & we are hopefully going to meet up with our Spanish friends whilst we are there.

 Apple Spice Muffins

Combine in a bowl:

12oz/350g plain flour

1tbs/15ml baking powder

1/2 teasp/2.5ml bicarbonate of soda

1/2 2.5ml salt

2teasp/ 10ml mixed spice

In another bowl add:

2 large beaten eggs
6fl oz/175ml milk
3fl oz/85ml sunflower oil
4oz/115g dark brown sugar
1teasp/5ml vanilla essence
6oz/175g apple, peeled & chopped

Mix together slowly until well combined & put into twelve large muffin cases.

Sprinkle over combined topping ingredients:

2teasp/10ml Mixed Spice
2teasp/10ml Gran Sugar

Bake in preheated oven Gas 5 190 degrees C for 20 to 25 mins.  (160 for fan oven)

Place on wire rack to cool.

I added blueberries to mine as I only had one small apple.  Any fruit combination can be added.

Enjoy the muffins!
Thank you to all our visitors!
See you all next week!