Cornflower

Just to remind you ...

... that if you haven't bought

your Christmas cards yet,

you might like to visit Mindroom

and see our specially commissioned designs.

All in a good cause - 1

     I love this painting, "Sudden snowfall - Bryanston Square", by Eileen Hogan, and if you like it too you can buy it - or rather its reproduction in card form.

     Eileen is the patron of Mindroom, the learning difficulties charity I've been involved with for some years, and she has kindly donated this image to be used as the first Mindroom Christmas card. On the reverse is a message from another Mindroom supporter, Alexander McCall Smith (click on the picture to enlarge it) -

 

The cards are now for sale through the charity's website where you'll see there are three more designs including another special commission, "Aliens don't know it's Christmas" by Annie Dow.

 

To buy them would be to help a very good cause.

(And for another, related good cause, click here).

Muffins for Mindroom

     This morning I've been hosting a meeting of the board of Mindroom, the charity I'm involved with, and as we had lots to discuss, we needed more food than usual to fuel our brainstorming. To quote Loyd Grossman, we have "deliberated, cogitated and digested", and in the case of the last of the three, it was muffins today: both savoury and sweet.

I know these aren't exactly seasonal but I wanted to try them, so allow me an imported ingredient - they are blackberry and orange muffins, and the recipe is from The Thrifty Cookbook by Kate Colquhoun.

The savoury ones - courgette, spring onion and cheddar - have appeared here before (a rainy day last summer) but I did as I said I would then and added cayenne pepper to the recipe and that gives them just the piquancy they need.

     If you don't already know about Mindroom, we are a charity whose business is learning difficulties. We provide help and support to individuals and families who are affected by all kinds of conditions such as autism, ADHD, dyslexia and more. In addition, we are currently planning our third major conference which will bring together world experts in the field as well as parents, teachers, doctors and so on, and beyond that we are looking to set up a dedicated diagnostic, treatment, education and research centre to provide a much-needed service. Like every charity, we rely on fundraising to do what we do (though I think we may be unique in having our own shoe label!!), so if you can help in any way such as with a brilliant idea or by volunteering to walk, run or even knit for Mindroom, please get in touch.