News

National British Institutions – the Anniversaries

Sherlock Holmes in The Strand Magazine

Have you been gripped by the latest series of Sherlock?

By all accounts this British drama seems to have taken the world by storm and airs in countries all over the globe.

This year sees the 125th anniversary of the creation of Sherlock Holmes. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was reputedly taken by surprise when a series of 12 short stories in The Strand Magazine established Sherlock Holmes as a star in the reading public’s firmament. Published together as The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes in 1892, they were soon followed by a second anthology, The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes. Apparently, Conan Doyle found inspiration in one of his teachers at Edinburgh medical school, Dr Joseph Bell, who impressed with his powers of observation and deduction.

And on the 29th of this month, we see another significant anniversary for popular culture: Desert Island Discs celebrates 75 years on air with its first broadcast coming from a bomb-damaged studio in Maida Vale. The distinctive sound of ‘The Sleepy Lagoon’ fills the airwaves and listeners to the BBC Forces Programme hear Roy Plomley ask comedian and musician Vic Oliver, ‘If you were to be cast away alone on a desert island, which eight gramophone records would you choose to have with you?’ And so began a national institution.

In 1951, after a five-year break, the choice of a luxury was introduced and then a book and nothing much has changed since, except the presenters. After Roy Plomley’s death in 1985, Michael Parkinson took over for two years, then Sue Lawley stayed for 18 and Kirsty Young has been in the chair since October 2006. Well over 3,000 castaways from all walks of life have told the listening public about their lives and given away all sorts of secrets they may never have divulged without the influence of their special music and the interviewer’s gentle prompting.

Dairy Diary 2017These anniversary anecdotes are taken from the 2017 Dairy Diary. As well as listing the popular wedding anniversary gifts, it also features milestones from years gone by.

If you’ve missed out on your copy of the Dairy Diary, don’t worry, there’s still time to buy at www.dairydiary.co.uk

 

#anniversaries

#sherlock

#desertislanddiscs

Get organised in 2017: 8 great ways to use your diary

Great ways to use your 2017 diary

8 great ways to use your 2017 diary


Dairy Diary 20171 Write all your ‘need-to-know’ information in the Useful Numbers section.
I find it really embarrassing that I can’t remember my car registration plate, but a quick peek in my diary reveals all!

 

 

Memorable dates stickers2 Use your dates reminder stickers to note everyone’s birthdays.
You’ll never miss that important date again.

 

 

 

Dairy Diary 20173 Jot non-local contacts’ details in the Family & Friends section of your diary.
Have you ever got to the post office to post a card or parcel only to realise that you don’t have the address details to hand?

 

 

Dairy Diary 2017 recipes4 Be more inventive at mealtimes.
We all get stuck in a rut, cooking the same meals week-in-week-out. Vow to cook the Dairy Diary recipe every week and discover a whole host of new favourites.

Dairy Diary 20175 For other meals, jot ideas on the relevant space in your diary.
You can easily see what you’re planning to cook and write your shopping list accordingly.

6 This may seem obvious but write everything down, yes everything!
If it’s on paper it’s out of your head and gives you a better sense of wellbeing.

Diary Diary 2017 notes7 Keep all your jottings in one place.
Instead of scribbled lists on various different pieces of paper, write all your thoughts and ideas on the Notes pages at the back of your diary and you’ll always know where to find them.

 

 

notes-pocket8 This one may seem a little strange, but I’ll reveal it anyway!
Over the years I’ve discovered, with much trial and error, which colours suit me best (and the colour you wear can make a huge difference to how well you look), so I have a handy colour chart made from paint swatch cards hidden in the pocket of my diary for quick reference. Et voila, no more bad choices when clothes shopping!

 

It’s not too late to order your 2017 Dairy Diary!

On sale now for only £7.99!! Click here to find out more.

 

 

#getorganised

#2017diary

#2017

How to get an extra hour in bed!

Halloween Pumpkin Muffins

How to get an extra hour in bed!

Don’t forget to put your clocks back an hour tonight folks, and enjoy an extra hour in bed!

Or, if you’re awake early and have an extra hour to fill why not make these scrumptious streusel muffins.

Recipe of the Week: Pumpkin Streusel Muffins

 

Pumpkin Streusel Muffins

  • Servings: makes 12
  • Difficulty: easy
  • Print

Calories 288 per portion
Fat 12g (7.1g sat) per portion
Suitable for vegetarians
Suitable for freezing

Ingredients

  • Butter 150g (5oz)
  • Plain flour 300g (11oz)
  • Baking powder 2 tsp
  • Ground cinnamon 1 tsp
  • Caster sugar 110g (4oz)
  • Eggs 2 large, beaten
  • Milk 200ml (7fl oz)
  • Pumpkin 275g (10oz), peeled, deseeded and grated
  • Raisins 75g (3oz)
  • Self-raising flour 50g (2oz)
  • Demerara sugar 50g (2oz)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 190°C/170°fan/Gas 5 and place 12 muffin cases in a muffin tin. Melt 110g (4oz) butter.
  2. In a large mixing bowl sift plain flour, baking powder and cinnamon, then stir in caster sugar. Make a well in centre and pour in eggs, milk and melted butter. Stir until just combined, then fold in pumpkin and raisins. Spoon into muffin cases.
  3. In a separate bowl rub remaining butter into self-raising flour then stir in demerara sugar. Sprinkle over batter in cases then bake for 30-40 minutes until risen and golden.
  4. Leave in muffin tin for 5 minutes then cool on a wire rack. Serve warm or cold.

Dairy Diary 2017For lots more gorgeous recipes like this why not treat yourself to the 2017 Dairy Diary.

Only £7.99!! Click here to find out more.

 

 

 

#clocksgoback

#recipeoftheweek

#halloweenrecipe

#pumpkin

 

The Diary of the Future!

Dairy Diary 2017 - the diary of the future

Adults in the UK spend an average of 2 hours, 26 minutes each day on a mobile device.

Whether it’s browsing the internet, planning the weekly shop, or accessing a calendar, we are becoming increasingly reliant on mobile technology.

But is this obsession with all things digital really necessary? Technology is a wonderful thing (hence why we’re using it right now) but does it need to replace everything?

Imagine a diary which is on all the time, never needs charging,
can be scrolled through in seconds, and enables you to add and
delete entries faster than you can say ‘Where’s the diary app?’

Take a look at this brand new device here.

You guessed it. It’s a real life paper diary.

One with delicious recipes, fab features, a handy pocket and even date stickers. 

Yes, of course, it’s the Dairy Diary!

The 2017 Dairy Diary allows you to do all of the above and much more, making it as relevant today as the first edition was in the pre-digital age 35 years ago.

From delicious and easy to follow recipes to inspirational ideas for activity holidays and handy hints and tips on topics as diverse as gardening and home budgeting, the Dairy Diary is a vital source of information which the whole family can access in an instant.

For more information, or to order your copy (what are you waiting for?) visit our website or ask your milkman – you can even order in a non-digital way if you wish!

Fancy a taster? This mild chicken curry is a winner with all the family.

Easy Chicken Curry

Easy Chicken Curry

This curry is mild and sweet enough for little ones, and even sneaks in some butternut squash (chop the veggies really small). A Dairy Diary recipe. For more delicious recipes visit the Dairy Diary Recipe Collection.

CLICK HERE FOR RECIPE

#diaryofthefuture

#getorganised

#curryrecipe

Fun at Foodie Festivals

The Big Feastival

I’ve just returned from The Big Feastival!

This fantastic food and music festival was started by Jamie Oliver and Alex James (Blur guitarist turned cheese-maker).

And it really was a feast for the senses – the most tantalising tastes, aromatic smells and to top it all off a real treat for the ears (and most definitely the eyes!!) Mark Ronson. We ate and danced for a glorious 10 hours.

Feastival may be over for another year
but there are a myriad of food and drink
festivals up and down the country.

HOMEPAGE-LOGOLiverpool Food and Drink Festival is nearing, which means that on 17 /18 September Sefton Park will be an explosion of culture, creativity and celebrations of food and drink that a range of people have expertly created. And there are many reasons why you should choose to visit this (or another foodie festival near you):

For a start: it’s cheap. If you order your tickets now then for an advanced adult ticket it is only £5.50 for a day, and for a weekend it’s £10. On the day – an adult ticket costs £7.50 and a weekend pass is £12. Why not bring your family along? Under 14’s can attend for FREE (no need to stress about finding a babysitter!) Considering the popularity of the event; the tickets are reasonably priced and family friendly.

Those who have a sweet tooth will be in their element once they discover the Chocoholic Corner that opens on 17 September. Who wouldn’t want a whole stall dedicated to chocolate? It’s simply irresistible!

However; if you would rather all things nutritious do not fret! The ‘Good Life Area’ is designed to host gluten free, free-from and all natural dishes that are truly scrumptious. This will be available from 17 September also.

But won’t my children be mind-numbingly bored? Not when ‘Kids Village’ provides things to do for little artists and future foodies – Kids Village serves a range of activities, spanning from arts and crafts to testing various foods from many cultures. Your children can enhance their creativity in this perfect haven.

Liverpool Food and Drink Festival has proven
to be outstanding; create memories and
develop your taste for cuisine this September…

If you can’t attend any food festivals this year – plan for next year with Dairy Diary 2017 – convenient and spacious to help you organise your busy days. Furthermore; our handy, go-to pocket diary equipped with a pen is an essential too – note taking has never been so effortless. Find out more here.

#feastival #dairydiary #liverpool #foodanddrinkfestival #family #seftonpark #diary #weekend

 

5 brilliant reasons why you should buy vintage crockery

Collect vintage crockery

 .

Why buy vintage crockery?

My son has always used a bowl inherited from my grandad. It’s a lovely Wedgewood Willow pattern and is the perfect size for a small portion of cereal.

Having struggled to obtain more
smaller sized bowls for us I decided
to buy vintage instead.
And I LOVE it!

Picking up a few pieces from second hand and charity shops is great fun and I love the collection we are gradually building – it has much more character than a soulless dinner set and it makes me wonder about the history of each individual piece.

Why not start a vintage collection?

Here are a few reasons why:

1. It looks gorgeous: a mismatched vintage dinner set in similar tones can look so beautiful and will be unique.

2. It’s environmentally friendly: re-using crockery is much greener than manufacturing new stuff. There’s less landfill too.

3. Support a worthwhile cause: you can pick up some gorgeous plates and bowls in charity shops – a bargain for you and money in the bank for a worthy cause.

4. You’ll eat less: modern dinner plates and bowls are HUGE compared to their vintage counterparts. When using older, smaller crockery you can fit less on your plate.

5. Evoke happy memories: your collection may start with a bowl or plate from a parent or grandparent. Using it will remind you of them on a daily basis.

 

#vintage

#reuse

#recycle

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