A bit of constructive criticism

I'm talking about last night's Great British Bake Off. No spoilers here so don't fret if you have not seen it yet. My complaint, if you will, is that in bread week especially, the times they give them are FAR TOO SHORT. Yes, I know it's a competition designed to put them under pressure. But really, two and a half hours for the signature bake? Ridiculous. I'd rather them have an extra hour and then they can present bread that is actually baked. On the whole, I think this year, the finished results in all if the programmes so far have seemed less impressive than in previous years. Clever editing can still cope if they had a bit more time. I love the programme but admit it's losing its shine for me. Since its switched to BBC1 it's relishing the negative rather than celebrating the positive. And I know I say kind words or no words but The Lipstick woman is really annoying me. She makes me purse my lips mimicking what she looks like. This increases my lip wrinkles. 

I wish that the Jo Brand spin off supporting programme on BBC2 on Friday nights was on longer too. 

Here's some quick bread I made, baked in my casserole pot! Can't recall if you've seen this before! 

Was perfect with some soup for a quick meal. 

I'm all a bit cross patchy today aren't I? I think it's the hideous weather. So humid and oppressive. It's really warm this morning but dark and grey and gloomy.

BUT last night at work, my 'most annoying but I loved them the most'  ex Y6 pupils returned from High School to come see me! They looked so smart and grown up in their ever so slightly large Blazers. One cherub has called in on their way home every night! Makes my day to see them! 

In other news I experienced The Big Write in Y2 yesterday. TBW is a whole school approach to creative writing. The whole school write about the same thing once a week. It's a really good way of seeing progress. With my group in Y2, TBW seemed more to be about how MASSIVE you can write! My goal for them is to fit more than one word on a page! 

Our new Reception class start school today. Here is a shot of Miss 22 on her first day. Doesn't seem two minutes ago! Ahhhh my little baby girl! Rang her Dad yesterday to say she's going to Iceland in January to go Whale watching! She's a brilliant human being and I'm super proud of her. My nickname for her when she was little was Diddle Dumpling! For the minute I cannot recall what I used to call Mr 19 but I know he had one. Damn you rubbish failing memory. Did you/do you have pet names for your cherubs? 

Lots of love from 

Rachel *happiest when strolling down memory lane* Radiostar xx