Hello everyone!  It’s almost that time of year again…Pancake Day.  Best day of the year!

I have just got back from the shops after getting the necessary ingredients.  These are:

(Obviously if you want more then you just multiply the ingredients!  I always do)

Then to make the pancakes….

1.  Sieve the flour into a mixing bowl and a add a little salt.
2.  Gradually mix in the milk until there a few bubbles.
3.  Heat the frying pan and put a little bit of butter in.
4.  Pour in the mixture (or use a ladle) and make sure there is an even layer.
5.  Cook for a bit, making sure it doesn’t stick to the pan.
6.  Toss the pancake in the air to flip (not too high).  Then cook the other side.
7.  Then serve with golden syrup or lemon & sugar.  Up to you!

Enjoy your pancakes on Shrove Tuesday!

- Mrs MacCready

Meet Princess Lolly…

Princess Lolly is a new Maverick character from the book ‘The Jelly That Wouldn’t Wobble’ by Angela Mitchell and illustrated by Sarah Horne.  It will be hitting the shelves in May 2012…so a few months to wait!

Princess Lolly loves jelly and loves parties. 

Find out more about this fun character and the book she stars in soon…!

Hello everyone!  My name is Lazy bear and I love sleeping.   I wasn’t in the Nice Bear Naughty Bear book…I just couldn’t be bothered but I wish I had been now.  

I am supposed to be tidying my room but it looks ok to me.

However Mummy bear recently got the Nice Bear Naughty Bear App on her iphone and every time I do something helpful I get a Nice Bear point!  Then if I get enough points I get a certificate.

So maybe I might go and tidy my room…Mummy bear says if I reach 10 points she will take me to see the latest alien movie!

Better go and get started….

“Our Grandma isn’t like any other Grandma…”

Find out more about this new Maverick character soon!  Grandma Bendy will be published in May 2012.

My name is Sparkle – some people think it is an odd name for a little girl but I like it.

I went to live with my Aunt Millicent not that long ago.  At first it was difficult because we had nothing in common and the music I loved was banned from the house.  But one amazing day when I got lost in the wood…Everything changed.

But you’ll have to read the book ‘Sparkle’s Song‘ to find out what I found out!

Hi

Where I live there is a big forest near us.  It is dark and scary with tall, tall trees.  You have to really crane your neck to see the top branches.

I don’t like going in there – it makes me feel like I was little red riding hood and somewhere behind one of the trees is a wolf.

However in the story The Goblin and the Girl (about me),  I get lost in the woods but thankfully someone comes along and finds me.  You’ll have to read it though to find out more.

The Girl

[Translated into English from Beastish by Kim]

-
In 2012,  I (the Fearsome Beastie) must… 

1)  Stop eating children – adults have much more meat and less troublesome (except grannies). Eat more children.

2) Avoid Grannies.

3) Avoid stew pots.

4) Be more Fearsome (must be getting soft to let one kid escape).

5) Eat less veg.

6) Get more exercise

7) …?

Hello everyone!

Long time since I have written a blog but I wanted to catch you all before the end of 2011.

Last year I had a fantastic time at a New Year’s party and I can’t believe a whole year has passed since then!  Tomorrow I plan on spending the day having a look at some new hats and then hopefully wear one to the party I have been invited to!

It has been a great year and all I can say is….

Have a HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Get Ahead Fred x

Hello everyone!

Well over on the advent calendar I showed them my recipe for Mince Pies and then I remembered that I was supposed to put the recipe up on here too.

Still enough time to make some for Christmas!

Have a Merry Christmas!

from Mrs MacCready x

Mrs MacCready’s Mince Pie Recipe!

150g cold unsalted butter

230g plain flour

67g golden caster sugar

250g mincemeat

One greased 12-hole baking tray

-

Method

1. Add the flour to a large mixing bowl, then cut the butter into small cubes and put them in with the flour. Rub in the butter and flour with your fingertips and then add the sugar. Mix together until you can shape the pastry into a ball.

2. Preheat the oven to 200°C/Gas 6. Roll the pastry on a floured surface until it is about 0.5cm thick and use a cutter to cut circles. Press the circles into the baking tray and then fill with the mincemeat.

3. For the lids you need a slightly smaller cutter they fit perfectly over the top.

4. Brush the tops of the pies either with a beaten egg or milk and bake in the oven for about 20 minutes until the tops go golden.

5. Remove the tray from the oven and leave the pies to cool.

Then share them with some friends…Or eat them all yourself!

Poco Loco and myself are so pleased to be in London for Christmas.  It is such a beautiful city…especially at Christmas.  The displays in the windows are fantastic and the smell of roasted chestnuts delicious!

Other than the food, one thing I love about Christmas is the carols!  It is so magical to hear everyone singing when it is dark and the streets are lit by christmas lights.  We are heading off tonight to a carol concert and hope to join in.

The Dog Detectives
Wishing you a Merry Christmas!