Hit The Road (Flap) Jack

On a blue day there is no pick me up like baking and the smell of spiced flapjack wafting through the house could cheer up Scrooge, who needs a scented candle when you have a cupboard full of ingredients? 

I always feel weird on these in between days when summer can't quite decide whether or not to hand over to autumn, and since the boy is away until Monday on a Greek adventure, today was the day to bake an indulgent treat. Flapjack is the easiest thing to make, my batches are all a little different depending on my mood - years of flapjack practice means I tend to go by eye when it comes to measurements and then add a little of whatever I fancy to bring some extra flavour. In summer I tend to add orange zest or dried fruit, today felt like a ginger, honey and nutmeg day with a twist of black pepper for warmth. Black pepper I hear you say? Yes, really. Don't ask me how I first tried it - I'm fairly sure it was an accident but subtle though it is, I'm convinced it adds something. Once the butter, syrup and sugar were melting away and I had tuned into Jazz FM my mood took a definite turn for the better and - magically - I'm all smiles once again. Miracle food is flapjack, honestly. 

On another note - today is the final chance to vote for Beautiful Clutter in the Cosmopolitan Blog Awards 2012 - you can vote via the button in my sidebar and you'll find me halfway through in the Lifestyle category. Once again, thank you to the clutterbugs who threw my name into the hat, it has been a shock and a thrill to be shortlisted!