Today when I looked out of the window the sky was blue and the sun was doing its best to shine. I threw on a long sleeved tee and cotton trousers and stepped outside.....and then stepped sharply back in again to find fluffy socks, a big jumper, a coat, hat, scarf, gloves etc.
Yes it's still a bit early in the year to be planning a barbecue but there's no harm in day dreaming about future picnics, al fresco suppers, barbecues and of course maybe even a street party or two for the Queen's big birthday.
That's what I was doing when I got a sneak peak of Asda's Spring/Summer 16 range which includes some intriguing twists on some old favourites like black pudding sausage rolls - don't wince they are actually delicious.
Asda's domination of doing stuff with yummy Tiger bread continues with some Tiger bread dough balls, and I'm loving the sound of hog roast cornish pasties.
Sick of dragging sauces for your hot dogs to picnics, camping and barbecues and then of having to wash the clothes covered in dripped sauce? Asda have the answer with fiendishly clever sausages which have a slim pretty much squirt-proof pocket of sauce running through them.
There are hot dogs with a buffalo sauce pocket, mustard sauce and ketchup sauce. And if that sounds too avant guard and you want to add your own sauce may I recommend the new maple and bacon flavoured ketchup? My family have devoured half a bottle in two days because it apparently enhances everything!
It seems to be the season for steak and Asda was up there on trend with dreams of promoting rump steak from cheap treat to top quality nosh. I tried a sliver of steak with smoked horseradish sauce -absolutely gorgeous!
There are also some great DIY kits like lamb shoulder with fiery srirachi and garlic and mint sauce or pastrami with Emmental Cheese and Gherkin sauce which you can team with the ready prepared salads or the "just add dressing" coleslaw kits.
Now I mentioned the Queen's big birthday. Not only can you buy some tasty treats to pass off as your own creations at your local street party you can also actually buy the Queen. Well a model of her, or a corgi or a Busby-wearing soldier, all available from Asda very soon.
And then there are the cakes. Hot on the heels of the resounding success of their pug cake, Asda have created a corgi cake especially for this anniversary year.
Cute but not as cute as the awesome Una the Unicorn cake with her flowing rainbow mane. I think it will not just be 8-year-old girls demanding this doe-eyed beauty at their birthday parties.
As always the cake range was impressive ranging from light as a feather Eton Mess muffins with crumbled meringue topping, rich black forest gateau muffins with a delectable black cherry favouring throughout and my favourite, beautiful eclairs reimagined with pistachio, raspberry and passion fruit flavourings.
Fruity and light these wouldn't look out of place in a Parisian bakery and look equally good sliced into smaller portions to serve at a party.
While we are on the subject of cakes, I must mention the Mother's Day range which I think any mum would be delighted to be treated to.
From the beautifully piped floral giant cupcake (definitely the one for a mum with a sweet tooth!) to rich indulgent chocolate brownies which proclaim I *heart* mum there is something to suit everyone's taste.
Why not treat her to a roast dinner? Asda have Butcher's selection beef joints for just £3.97 per kilo which you could cook while she drinks Yellow Label Prosecco (£5) or even Louver Fontaine Champagne at just £10 a bottle. That sounds good to me! *stares hard at older children*.
In fact there's pretty much everything in store to say "thanks" to your mum, or someone who has been like a mum to you - flowers, gifts, food and drink at a range of affordable prices.
Happy Mother's Day and here's to the weather warming up so we have an excuse for some outdoor dining!
Disclaimer: I was sent the Mother's Day Giant Cupcake and chocolate brownies for the purposes of this review. Views and opinions remain honest and my own.
Yes it's still a bit early in the year to be planning a barbecue but there's no harm in day dreaming about future picnics, al fresco suppers, barbecues and of course maybe even a street party or two for the Queen's big birthday.
Asda's domination of doing stuff with yummy Tiger bread continues with some Tiger bread dough balls, and I'm loving the sound of hog roast cornish pasties.
Sick of dragging sauces for your hot dogs to picnics, camping and barbecues and then of having to wash the clothes covered in dripped sauce? Asda have the answer with fiendishly clever sausages which have a slim pretty much squirt-proof pocket of sauce running through them.
There are hot dogs with a buffalo sauce pocket, mustard sauce and ketchup sauce. And if that sounds too avant guard and you want to add your own sauce may I recommend the new maple and bacon flavoured ketchup? My family have devoured half a bottle in two days because it apparently enhances everything!
It seems to be the season for steak and Asda was up there on trend with dreams of promoting rump steak from cheap treat to top quality nosh. I tried a sliver of steak with smoked horseradish sauce -absolutely gorgeous!
There are also some great DIY kits like lamb shoulder with fiery srirachi and garlic and mint sauce or pastrami with Emmental Cheese and Gherkin sauce which you can team with the ready prepared salads or the "just add dressing" coleslaw kits.
Now I mentioned the Queen's big birthday. Not only can you buy some tasty treats to pass off as your own creations at your local street party you can also actually buy the Queen. Well a model of her, or a corgi or a Busby-wearing soldier, all available from Asda very soon.
And then there are the cakes. Hot on the heels of the resounding success of their pug cake, Asda have created a corgi cake especially for this anniversary year.
Cute but not as cute as the awesome Una the Unicorn cake with her flowing rainbow mane. I think it will not just be 8-year-old girls demanding this doe-eyed beauty at their birthday parties.
While we are on the subject of cakes, I must mention the Mother's Day range which I think any mum would be delighted to be treated to.
From the beautifully piped floral giant cupcake (definitely the one for a mum with a sweet tooth!) to rich indulgent chocolate brownies which proclaim I *heart* mum there is something to suit everyone's taste.
Why not treat her to a roast dinner? Asda have Butcher's selection beef joints for just £3.97 per kilo which you could cook while she drinks Yellow Label Prosecco (£5) or even Louver Fontaine Champagne at just £10 a bottle. That sounds good to me! *stares hard at older children*.
In fact there's pretty much everything in store to say "thanks" to your mum, or someone who has been like a mum to you - flowers, gifts, food and drink at a range of affordable prices.
Happy Mother's Day and here's to the weather warming up so we have an excuse for some outdoor dining!
Disclaimer: I was sent the Mother's Day Giant Cupcake and chocolate brownies for the purposes of this review. Views and opinions remain honest and my own.