Things are Hotting Up!

Our exhibition is only days away and things are 'hotting' up. There's always much more to do than you think and always things you remember at the last minute..like the Wine, imagine the scenario of an 'Opening' and no Vino...thankfully my husband is a star and has come to the Jammy Coo rescue, hooray!

Catherine Rayner's paintings arrived at the week-end, they are stunning and I'm so looking forward to hanging them on the walls. I really love her work and I can't wait to see them all up in the Jammy Coo.

I also received four exquisite pictures from Holly Surplice (see above), they are small but extraordinary in colour and presence. Such gorgeous use of colour.

Helen Tabor has sent me jpegs of her work and as ever I'm in awe of her use of brushstrokes and the light that is thrown across her work.

Rob Hain is keeping his under wraps so far but I'm eagerly anticipating his vibrant use of colour and his keen observational skills in his paintings.

I shall revel being amongst such wonderful pieces when I hang the paintings on Thursday evening, can't wait!!

And I so look forward to seeing you all visit the Jammy Coo, if you are able, please let me know what you think, many thanks, DeliaXX

Amended Dates for Late Night Shopping!!

Just a wee reminder for all about the Jammy Coo Late Night Shopping, I have amended the dates slightly after a conversation with Leagh, (Lovely friend), who also happens to be very experienced in the art of socialising! Leagh pointed out that perhaps the Thursdays and Fridays may be better shopping evenings as you could all relax a bit more due to the oncoming week-end and enjoy the delights of the Mulled Wine without worrying about getting back for an early start in the morning! She has made a very good point so I have changed the dates and I hope that one or more will suit you....thank you for your patience, DeliaXX

Dates are as follows: Thursday 11th November, Thursday 18th November, Friday 26th November and Friday 10th December all at 6-9p.m.

I thought perhaps you may like a delicious recipe to keep you going! After some deliberation I have chosen my Millionaire Shortbread, its a fabulous traybake that everybody loves and can be kept in a tin for a week so if you don't feel like sharing you can hide it and swipe pieces whenever you feel at all down, happy, worried, delirious, anxious, cross, hungry, greedy, thin, fat, or just needing a treat!

Jammy Coo Millionaire Shortbread

For the base:
8oz Self Raising Flour
4oz Butter
4oz Caster Sugar

For the Filling:
1 Tin of Condensed Milk
8oz Butter
8oz Caster Sugar
4 tblsp Golden Syrup

Whizz all the base ingredients together in a food processor and then press into a traybake tin that has been greased or lined. Place in oven at 175 oC for 15 mins until golden coloured.

Put all filling ingredients into a large saucepan and melt slowly, stirring regularly. Let the mixture come up to the boil and then stir until the mixture turns a dark fudgy colour this will take aprox 10 to 15 minutes. Pour this onto base and tap the tin to get rid of all the bubbles.

Lick the bowl once its cooled as its VERY hot!!

Once the filling and base have cooled a bit melt really good (ie your favourite brand), of milk chocolate, a large bar should do it and then spread this over the top. Leave to cool and score into as many big or as small portions as you like...enjoy! Love DeliaXX

Amended Dates for Late Night Shopping!!

Very important dates for your diaries and the diaries of all your friends and family! The Jammy Coo is going to have 4 Late Night Shopping Nights! in the lead up to Christmas. Our late night shopping evenings have proved really popular in the past couple of years so we've decided to have more so that more people can take advantage of these fun, sociable and productive evenings.

There will of course be lots of really gorgeous gifts for all your favourite people at Christmas and maybe a treat for yourself too! And just incase you need a wee revival I will have dad's special recipe of mulled wine and delicious fudge, also a family recipe that nothing can beat!

So mark in Thursday 11th November, Thursday 18th November, Friday 26th November and Friday 10th December, 6p.m. till 9p.m.

Look forward to seeing you all there! XXDelia

A Very Exciting Week-End!

Lindsey, Holly and I visited Glasgow last week-end so we could attend the Scottish Trade Fair. Its the first one I have been to and we were all really looking forward to it...nothing to do with the overnight stay (without kids!) in a hotel and a gorgeous meal out in the evening, but of course all to do with the beautiful goodies I have found to put in the Jammy Coo.

I can't wait for you all to see them as, not like me I know, but I got a wee bit carried away, went completely over budget in order that I could bring all the goodies back for my wonderful customers!

Coming soon to the Jammy Coo are some really beautiful, stylish bags for all occasions, so lovely that I'm going to struggle to let them go, they are from a company called 'Ness' and I'm so looking forward to showing them off!

I also came across a new jewellery designer called Hayley, she hand makes all her pieces that are glorious in colour and design, using 'Liberty' print ribbon to tie and lovely coloured beads, that vary in texture. Unique pieces, very special.

The third company I bought from was called 'Snapdragon'. I loved the simplicity of their designs that are appliqued on felt with strong colourways and images...little hens, snails, love hearts, camper vans to name but a few. Little magnets, mirrors and very special notepads. You'll love them!

We're going to have 3 late night shopping nights in the Jammy Coo leading up to Christmas and I will give you the dates ASAP.

The No.1 Spot!

Cakes and tray bakes aplenty in the Jammy Coo but our No.1 Spot has always been held by the delicious, moist (and almost one of your 'five a day'), Carrot Cake. It seems to appeal to everybody and it certainly has a fan base.

I wish I'd counted how many I've made since the 'Coo' opened 2 years ago but guesstimating I think its approximately 300!!..I feel quite faint.

The Carrot Cake has always been closely followed by my decadent Chocolate Cake and the timeless classic - Coffee Cake. But we have a new challenger in our midst, the White Chocolate Cheesecake . It has taken our No.2 spot and I seem to be making it with increasing regularity. Its very creamy but avoids being too sickly sweet by the addition of natural yogurt...even manages to sound quite healthy!

So my advice is if you haven't tried it yet give it a go and let me know what you think. After all I've only made around 100!

New Jewellery

I've been up in Edinburgh today and chosen some absolutely gorgeous new jewellery for the Jammy Coo. Its so funky, fun and cool. Beautiful polished tagua nuts, coconut shell, coffee beans, melon seeds...sounds a bit far out but trust me its lovely and you're going to LOVE it! It feels so comfortable to wear and the best thing is every piece is utterly unique. Lots of lovely colours too, my particular favourite are the turquoise beads but there are yellow, reds, greens, pinks and also very natural tones that go with anything and everything.

I'm looking forward to placing it in the JC tomorrow and getting customer feedback. Make gorgeous presents for all your female friends, young and old and especially for treating yourself!

Evening Entertaining in the 'Coo'

Well, we had our first evening in the Jammy Coo last night. I cooked for 17 people and everything went really brilliantly! I am so pleased, the evening went really smoothly and everyone seemed to love the food. Jen was helping me (keeping me right!), she was so cool, calm and collected and kept all the customers so happy by her effortless charm and efficient manner.

I made 2 pates for the starter, 'Smoked Trout' and 'Prawn, Bacon and Cream Cheese' and I served this with a small rocket salad and my homemade seeded bread...all the plates came back spotless so I guess they liked it.

Main was, 'Braised Beef with pickled Walnuts in Guinness', 'Potato Dauphinoise' and 'Roasted Veg', looked really good on the plate.

Pudding was gorgeous'Tangy Lemon tart', 'Strawberry Pavlova' and 'Decadent Chocolate Torte'....the puddings looked so pretty and the Lemon Tart was finished in a flash.

After local cheese and biscuits we served coffee and my homemade truffles that just melt in the mouth and are delicious that even when you don't have any room left you still make an exception!

I loved the evening it was so much fun and I got such a buzz from it all. I was so pleased everyone enjoyed my food and I was so grateful for having someone like Jen to look after everyone and make sure the whole evening went so smoothly.

So, I'm now planning on another evening of delicious food, great company and special ambiance. I'm thinking of perhaps arranging an evening a month with a set menu, exclusive one sitting and bring your own wine...lets hope I can do this...watch this space XXX.