Fine weather at the fair

Our family headed off Saturday morning to the Calvin School Fair, in Kingston for their Oliebollen Festival; for a biannual overdose of Oliebollen, a rumage through the infamous white elephant stall, and to catch up with half the population of Kingston, who always turn up for the festivities.  The blessing of fine sunny weather was most welcome.....here are some pics of goodies from the fair...oh yes, I almost forgot, it's week 3 of the challenge!  So far, so good.  Good on you too Rosie, from Notions who's have her own mini challenge for Christmas presents.

These Oliebollen don't last long in our house! Yum.

We did well at the toy stall.............

Beautiful wooden puzzles.

 

Scored well on games too!

finds from the white elephant stall: a nice big jug for cool summer drinks, whisk, linen, and a wooden chicken which serves no purpose whatsoever, but is very adorable. 

On Sunday we had a yummy lunch with lovely friends we hadn't seen for a while...I bought along a Madeira cake for dessert.

Madeira Cake

Here's the recipe....from the basic of all basic cookery books, the 'Central Cookery Book'.

Madeira Cake

250g butter

230g sugar

4 eggs - (from happy chickens)

2 cups SR flour

1/2 ts vanilla extract

3/4 cup milk

2 TB madeira or sherry (optional, but highly recommended!)

2 t icing sugar

1.  Prepare a moderate oven 350 degrees F or 180 degrees C.

2.  Grease and paper deep, 20cm diameter round tin.

3.  Sift flour.

4.  Cream butter and sugar.

5.  Add eggs 1 at a time beating each well.

6.  Fold in flour and add essence, milk, and wine if used during the folding.

7.  Pour into prepared cake tin, sift icing sugar on top.

8.  Bake 1 & 1/2 hours or until judged cooked - test with fine skewer.

9.  Lower temperature to 325 degrees F or 160 degrees C for last 1/2 hour of cooking time.

10.Cool in tin for 15 mins, then gently turn out onto cake cooler.

oh...I also added the juice and rind of one orange....I'm sure lemon would work lovely too.  I think maybe even Nigella would approve.