We believe that the simple things in life are often the most rewarding, like a log fire after a winter’s walk, or a nice cup of tea with an old friend. But while many simple pleasures come as second nature, others call for a bit of insider knowledge.
1: How to make real lemonade
Come rain or shine, there’s no better way to bring a taste of summer into your home than with a nice tall glass of homemade lemonade. Here’s how we make it in Dorset.
1. Heat 100g of sugar with half a cup of water until the sugar dissolves.
2. Leave to cool, then add to a jug along with the juice of four large lemons.
3. Give the mix a stir, add lots of ice, and serve straight away.
2. How to make luxury bath bombs
Our favourite way to relax after a hard day is a long, hot bath. And here’s a great way to make yours even more luxurious.
1. Put 1 cup of bicarbonate of soda and half a cup of citric acid into a large bowl and mix thoroughly.
2. Add a couple of drops of food colouring – or dry pigment – along with a few drops of your favourite essential oil (we like to use bergamot).
3. Blend everything together well and spray with witch hazel extract (using a squirty bottle). Now stir the mix, then spritz again. Repeat the process until it all starts to stick together.
4. Find yourself a flexible mould, pack your mixture into it, and leave for 3 minutes. Now pop out your bath bomb, let it dry for 4 hours on wax paper, then just add it to your bath and watch it fizz away!
3. How to build the ultimate campfire
No camping trip is complete without a roaring fire for people to gather around. But making a really good one isn’t just a matter of throwing together a few logs. Here’s how we do it.
1. Roll up some balls of newspaper and put them in your fire pit.
2. Surround the newspaper with a teepee of kindling sticks, pushing the bottom end of each stick firmly into the ground.
3. Around this, arrange a larger teepee of small logs.
4. Now light the newspaper, stand back and enjoy the ultimate campfire.
4. How to make the perfect Victoria sponge
Afternoon tea just isn’t the same without a nice Victoria sponge. Here’s our version.
1. Heat your oven to 180°C/gas mark 4. Butter two 20cm sandwich tins and line with greaseproof paper.
2. Beat together 175g of butter and 175g of caster sugar until the mix is pale and fluffy.
3. Now beat in three eggs, one at a time, then fold in 175g of sifted self-raising flour.
4. Pour the mixture into the tins and bake for 20 minutes, or until firm.
5. When cool, remove, and sandwich together with your favourite filling (we like whipped cream and raspberry jam).
5. How to make proper coffee without a coffee maker
There’s nothing quite like a good mug of real coffee. But if you should ever find yourself without a coffee maker, all is not lost. Here’s an easy way to make delicious fresh coffee with little more than a humble saucepan.
1. Add one mug of water per person to a saucepan and bring to the boil.
2. Now add around a dessertspoon of ground coffee per person to the pan and place back on the heat.
3. As soon as the mixture comes to the boil, take it off the heat and add a small cup of cold water – this will help the coffee grounds sink to the bottom.
4. Leave for two minutes, then carefully pour the coffee into cups or mugs, leaving the grounds behind in the pan
6. How to encourage birds into your garden
Bird watching is a brilliantly relaxing way to enjoy nature. And our coconut shell feeder is the perfect way to attract more into your garden.
1. Crack a coconut in half by striking it at the middle with a hammer or rolling pin.
2. Take one half of the shell and drill three equally-spaced holes near the rim.
3. Now thread a 60cm length of twine through one of the holes, and bring the ends together. Starting near the hole, twist the two strings to make a single cord and knot it at the top.
4. Do the same with the other two holes, then simply knot all the strings together and you’re done.
7. How to make flapjacks – Dorset style
Few things are as simple to make and as delicious to eat as flapjacks. So, here’s how to make a seriously luxurious version using any Dorset Cereals muesli.
1. Preheat the oven to 190°C/gas mark 5. Grease and line a shallow 20cm-square baking tin.
2. Add 150g butter, 50g sugar and 4tbsp golden syrup to a small pan and heat until the butter has melted.
3. Stir in 325g of any Dorset Cereals muesli (we like to use Berries & Cherries), press the mix into the tin and bake for 20 minutes or until golden.
4. Cool, cut into bars, and devour.
