The Friday 5 #97

A heavenly jam, a glorious cheesecake and the best wine bargains from Lidl, all under £10

Is it my imagination or are Fridays coming round more quickly at the moment? No sooner have I posted a Friday 5 than it’s Friday again.

Maybe I’m just trying to cram in too much which always happens when I go away. 

Away AGAIN you might justifiably exclaim … 

Well, it was just one of those things. I read about a retreat in Umbria in April one dark November day and impulsively booked it. 

At one stage that felt like MONTHS ahead. Now I’m flying off to Florence tomorrow and it’s panic stations.

What I want to know is how people manage to pack for trips so early. Like 3 days ahead. Are you one of them? How do you do it?  

Anyway onto what I have for you this week

• The wines I would buy from Lidl’s latest wine tour. All under a tenner

• A reminder about this month’s giveaway, a heads-up on my next giveaway. and a sublime cheesecake recipe to keep you going.

• Brioche rolls. OMG aren’t they the best? I think if we baked brioche rolls for our friends we wouldn’t have to give them anything else to eat. Maybe.

• Sparkling sake. I’ve fallen a bit in love with it. Here’s why.

• Oh and an alphonso mango jam of the GODS.

Want to know more? You need to be a paid subscriber I’m afraid but for a modest amount (starting at £5 a month though an annual sub is of course better value) I can save you money and significantly increase the joy in your life. Sound good?