Mrs Birks Blogs

It's been a while since I blogged and the reason for that is because I've been on my summer holidays.  I know I should rave on about the vocational joys of being a teacher and inspiring young minds and all that but one of the best things about being a teacher is the holidays.  This last holiday has been the best.  I have love, love, loved it and I'm going to tell you all about it! But not in this post. Someone told me recently that they don't read blog posts that are too long, so I'm going to break it up into several blogs on different themes - I'm thinking something crafty, something book related and something film based.  So watch this space for a proper update soon x

So the time of year is upon us when exams are just about over and the wait for results begins.  Alongside that, is the wait for the inevitable slating of exam results and comments about Media Studies being a Mickey Mouse subject.  We all know it's coming...and most of us know it's pretty unfair.  After years of studying and revision, then weeks of exams, A Level students won't be congratulated on their results but told that exams are getting easier and that subject content is being dumbed down.  You'd think as a nation we'd be pleased when our children do well... I know many of the people reading this blog will be students who have either studied Media at A Level or are currently at University studying a related subject (hello to you!).  These students know it is not easy to get an A grade in any A Level regardless of the subject.   Media Studies is no exception.  If it were easy, everyone would be...

I am now on Bloglovin!  I haven't quite worked out how to use it yet though...Watch this space! Any suggestions for blogs to follow are gratefully received x Follow my blog with Bloglovin

You might have guessed by now that I love to bake.  I enjoy all sorts of baking and often try to challenge myself with something new (I have been in training for the Bake Off for about a million years - I hope they pick me one day!).  Joining the WI recently has given me more reasons to bake and more people to eat my baked goods - there's only so much a family of four can get through, especially when one of the four is only 10 months old! I have to confess that I have never been very good as biscuits.  I am getting better but apologies to anyone who has had to eat one of my not-so-great attempts over the years.  I have discovered that the secret of a good biscuit is all in the rolling out.  Usually the thinner the better, depending on the type of biscuit you are making. Oh and getting them out of the oven before they get too brown - usually only a little colour is perfect, even if you think they might be undercooked.  Anyway, years ago, o...

Last week, thanks to the generous babysitting of Nanny, Mr Birks and I went to the cinema. The last time we went was to see Skyfall, which I loved and started writing a big blog post about straight away.  Unfortunately, I never quite finished it and now it seems a bit dated.  But nevermind, I will tell you about Star Trek instead! Now, I wasn't entirely sure what was on at the flicks when we arrived, it seemed to be mostly action films and in the end we decided on action of the sci-fi variety.  It seems unusual to me that two big action films (the other being Iron Man 3) have been released at around the same time but judging by the number of people watching Star Trek, the gap between the release dates has been significant enough. Those who know me, know how much I love to get a bargain. Which is probably why I find parting with nearly £10 to go and sit in a darkened room a bit of a rip off,especially as I'm not convinced you really get what you pay...

Shhh! Don't tell anyone I'm here! I should be marking! What could distract me from my professional commitment and enthusiasm, I guess you're wondering.  Well, I just had to take a moment to lament the loss of Merlin from our TV screens.  Yes, I know the award winning, prime time BBC TV show left our screens at Christmas but, quite frankly, I still haven't got over the loss and am extremely grateful that I received the series 1 box set for my birthday back in March (I hope the others will follow shortly!) Now to some, Merlin was the annoying medieval programme that followed the glitter and glamour of Strictly Come Dancing on a Saturday night (that Merlin-yoke as described by Marian Keyes on Twitter).  It's true, you could not get a bigger contrast than these two programmes - one is about fake tan, sequins and posh frocks, whilst the other is all running around in the forest with mud caked clothes.  But I loved them both and I can see why the BBC scheduled these two...

Like many, I jumped at the chance of indulging in some Great British Bake Off before the return of the new series and watched the Easter Masterclass (you can no longer see this on iPlayer but there are re-runs of series 2 - hoorah!). Of all the deliciousness on offer, I opted to make The Berry's Lemon Pavlova complete with mini nests and garnished with mini eggs. I've only ever made pavlova once before, it didn't turn out too badly, a little bit soggy in the middle but an ok first attempt. What I'd forgotten about my first attempt was how long it took to make. The recipe I followed can be found here . The pavlova is made with 6 egg whites, caster sugar and a few teaspoons of cornflour and white wine vinegar. I was a bit impatient with the meringue and really thought I had gone wrong until eventually it thickened up and I was brave enough to do the "meringue over the head" test. I probably should have whisked a bit more, as when I added the cornflour mixture ...