Woke up this morning with a lingering sense of guilt. I'd had a half-remembered dream about unfulfilled obligations and the feeling was nagging at me. So today, I've resolved to tackle one or two loose ends that are dangling about.
The first involves picnics. And cake. This cake, to be specific - coconut and lime.
My new best friends at Abel and Cole wanted us to taste test some of their summer
range. Can you imagine the excitement when I told the resident testers? Cake was top of their wish list and pronounced exceedingly good. It even managed to hold up well in spite of arriving in the middle of that very hot spell we had a while back. In the spirit of thoroughness, we did also try some savoury offerings, in the form of White Maize Tortilla Chips (crunch-a-licious and not too salty) and some rather grown up Chilli and Ginger Salsa which was a big hit with the more sophisticated tasters.
The idea of a summer range seems to me to be a thoroughly good one. Novelty is most under-rated - we all like something new for a change. Especially along picnic lines. Because I love picnics, but I miss the feeling of mystery you get when you aren't sure what's coming out of the hamper. This way, I can order a load of stuff in advance and then on my delivery day, pretend it's a surprise for me too!
The second loose end involves making some firm diary dates to spend time with friends we haven't seen in too long. Shockingly, what seemed to be an endless expanse of summer holiday is already becoming full in the diary, so it's time to get our priorities straight. Off to hit the phone... and perhaps plan a picnic or two.
Oh, Abel and Cole have given me 2 offers to pass on to you - one is a free copy of their rather fab recipe book ( as reviewed here by Ms Locket) when you order a box and the other is a £50 rebate to spend on Abel and Cole if you order 4 consecutive weekly deliveries. If you'd like to take advantage of either offer, let me know and I'll pass on the details.
Oooh--I have a bit of the summer range to review too. Running very behind here. But I didn't receive any cake :( Looks yummy! K x
Posted by: kristina | 21 July 2009 at 15:36
Offers? I'll have whatever's going. Fruit, veg, books - I'm not choosy!
Posted by: The Coffee Lady | 21 July 2009 at 17:36
The cake looks yummy and we love picnics here, already managed to have a few in between the showers. I need to pull out those Japanese egg moulds and find a new novelty for picnics this year
Posted by: Thimbleina | 21 July 2009 at 17:45
I'd love the book....especially as Abel and Cole don't quite make it delivery wise to the far south west so I wasn't able to try a veggie box.
Happy picnic-ing...who needs an excuse to try cake!
Posted by: Pebbledash | 21 July 2009 at 18:19
That cake looks and sounds delicious! I wish they delivered up here!
Lucy x
Posted by: Lucy Locket-Pocket | 21 July 2009 at 18:51
Oooh, Lime and Coconut sounds mouthwateringly good.
Posted by: Rebecca | 21 July 2009 at 19:56
What wonderful deliveries you keep receiving from A & C! Cake? What could be better? Lovely to hear of your picnic plans. We had an indoor one today, complete with picnic rug and a lovely fritatta. After that we snuggled up to watch the Jungle Book.
Posted by: Emma | 21 July 2009 at 20:14
Hello ... I really like your blog, hope you don't mind that I've been having a look. That cake looks yummy.
I had a picnic on the beach the other day, it was very windy and we (my friend and myself) both ended up eating a fair bit of sand, ooops.
Heather xx
Posted by: Heather | 21 July 2009 at 20:27
Oh yes please - send any details this way!
Posted by: Rebecca | 21 July 2009 at 22:32
That is such a great picture of your handsome boys!
Abel & Cole keep dropping their leaflet through my door...maybe I should give them a go...I've been thinking about it for ages. So, yes, I'll have any freebies on offer!
Posted by: Dragonfly | 21 July 2009 at 23:25
What a perfect looking cake.
And 2 cuties with it!
Lisa
Posted by: Lisa | 22 July 2009 at 08:43
The cake looks lovely - hope the boys enjoyed it and left some for you!
Posted by: dottycookie | 22 July 2009 at 09:57
That cake is making me swoon! I've yet to master the art of the picnic ... I think I'm waiting til we move to the south of France, which strikes me as prime picnic territory.
Cute boys!
Posted by: frances | 22 July 2009 at 14:40
that's such a great picture Ali - those boys of yours certainly look pleased to be taste testers!
Posted by: Julie | 23 July 2009 at 09:55
you know, I see the able & cole van delivering to the house across the road and I have total envy of it. We used to get Riverford organic boxes delivered but was disappointed by the lack of variety after a few weeks.
Please can I have the details - I'd like to give them a go
Thanks
Monda
x
Posted by: Monda | 30 July 2009 at 18:49