Abbey Student Rentals Blog

20 Mar 2024

Time to buy your EasTime to buy your Easter eggs!

Sainsbury's   Morrisons  Aldi
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14 Mar 2024

Fruits In SeasonFruits In Season

Please see below for a quick summary to see which fruits are in season! The information below is from BBC Good Food, which also has helpful information about other foods in season.  Seasonal calendar - BBC Good Food  Month  Fruit January  Apple, Banana, Clementine, Date, Grapefruit, Lemon, Orange, Pear, Pomegrante, and Rhubarb.  February  Apple, Banana, Clementine, Grapefruit, Lemon, Orange, Pomegrante, and Rhubarb.  March Banana, Grapefuit, Lemon, Orange, Pomegrante, and Rhubarb. April Banana, Grapefruit, Pomegrante, and Rhubarb. May Apricot, Banana, Grapefruit, Nectarine, Pomegrante, and Rhubarb. June Apricot, Banana, Blackcurrants, Gooseberry, Nectarine, Pomegrante, and Rhubarb. July Apricot, Banana, Blackcurrants, Cherry, Gooseberry, Nectarine, Pomegrante, Raspberry, Strawberry,Tomato, and Watermelon.  August  Apricot, Banana, Blackberry, Fig, Gooseberry, Nectarine, Peach, Pomegrante, Raspberry, Strawberry,Tomato, and Watermelon.  September  Apple, Apricot, Banana, Blackberry, Elderberries, Fig, Gooseberry, Nectarine, Peach, Pear, Plum, Pomegrante, Raspberry, Strawberry, and Tomato.  October  Apple, Banana, Blackberry, Cranberry, Elderberries, Fig, Pear, Plum, Pomegranate, and Tomato. Novemeber  Apple, Banana, Clementine, Cranberry, Date, Pear, and Pomegrante.  December  Apple, Banana, Clementine, Date, Grapefruit, Pear, and Pomegranate. 
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07 Mar 2024

Mother's Day Gift IdMother's Day Gift Ideas!

Flowers    Candle    Slippers    Necklace 
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07 Feb 2024

Must See Valentines Must See Valentines Films on Netflix!

The Vow  The Proposal  Just Like Heaven  To All The Boys I've Loved Before 
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01 Feb 2024

The Six Nations are The Six Nations are Back

To all you fellow rugby lovers Find all the matches' date & times below... you're welcome ;)   
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25 Jan 2024

Dydd Santes Dwynwen Dydd Santes Dwynwen Hapus

Dydd Santes Dwynwen Hapus Dydd Santes Dwynwen Hapus is the Welsh Valentines Day which translates to, ‘Happy St. Dwynwen’s Day’. This day is devoted to the Welsh Patron Saint of lovers and, the celebration takes place on 25th January each year – which is on a Thursday for 2024!   History The legend states that Santes Dwynwen’s true love was forbidden by her father, Brychan Brycheiniog. Santes Dwynwen prayed to God for help to erase her memories of her true love. Thus, her true love was turned into a block of ice. Due to Dwynwen’s resilience an angel descended and granted her three wishes.  Dwynwen wished for: Her lover to be unfrozen. God to meet the needs of true lovers. A dedication to God’s service. Santes Dwynwen was a historical Welsh princess who became a nun because she was unlucky in love. The princess prayed for true lovers to find love. Ynys Llanddwyn, located in Anglesey was named after St. Dwynwen because, the princess retreated there. The island has become a place of pilgrimage for those to walk around the Welsh countryside. What takes place on St. Dwynwen’s Day? The 25th of January is the most romantic day of the year in Wales. This allows those who celebrate St. Dwynwen’s Day to spend time with their loved ones and, exchange gifts.        
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29 Nov 2023

Treats Of The SeasonTreats Of The Season

1. Christmas Cookies Ingredients140g icing sugar, sieved1 tsp vanilla extract1 egg yolk250g butter, cut into small cubes375g plain flour, sievedTo decorate200g icing sugar, sievededible food colouring, optionaledible gold and silver ballsapprox 2m thin ribbon cut into 10cm lengthsMethodSTEP 1Tip the icing sugar, vanilla extract, egg yolk and butter into a mixing bowl, then stir together with a wooden spoon (or pulse in a food processor until well combined). Add the flour and mix to a firm dough. Shape the dough into two flat discs and wrap them. Chill for 20-30 mins. Heat oven to 190C/fan 170C/gas 5 and line two baking sheets with non-stick baking paper. STEP 2Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to about the thickness of two £1 coins. Cut out Christmassy shapes (use a cutter if you like) and place on the baking sheets. Using the tip of a skewer, cut a small hole in the top of each cookie. Bake for 10-12 mins until lightly golden. STEP 3Lift the biscuits onto a wire rack to cool. Meanwhile, mix the icing sugar with a few drops of cold water to make a thick, but still runny icing. Colour with edible food colouring, if you like. Spread it over the cooled biscuits, decorate with edible balls and thread with ribbon when dry. 2. Gingerbread Cupcakes IngredientsCUPCAKES250g self-raising flour2 tsp ground ginger1 tsp mixed spice125g unsalted butter125g dark brown sugar100g golden syrup100g black treacle2 eggs, lightly beaten150ml milkBUTTERCREAM200g unsalted butter, softened350g icing sugar1 tsp ground gingermini gingerbread men and sprinkles, to decorate.MethodSTEP 1To make the cupcakes, heat the oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4 and line a 12-hole cupcake tin with paper cases. Combine the dry ingredients in a large bowl and set aside, then melt together the butter, sugar, syrup and treacle in a medium pan over a low-medium heat, stirring until well combined. STEP 2Create a well in the dry ingredients, then pour in the butter mix, bringing the flour in from the sides with a fork. Finally, stir in the eggs and milk until smooth. Divide the mix between the cases in the tin and bake for 20-25 mins or until springy to the touch. Allow to cool for 10 mins in the tin, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. STEP 3For the buttercream, beat the butter until soft, then add the icing sugar along with the ginger in two batches, beating until well combined. Pipe or dollop the buttercream onto the cooled cupcakes. Decorate with mini gingerbread men and sprinkles. 3. Christmas Blondies IngredientsCooking spray180g butter, softened200g granulated sugar 90g packed brown sugar2 large eggs2 tsp. pure vanilla extract240g all-purpose flour3/4 tsp. baking powder1/2 tsp. salt8 Oreos, crushed1/2 cup M&M's1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips. MethodSTEP 1Preheat oven to gas 4 and grease a baking pan with cooking spray. In a large bowl using a hand mixer, beat butter and both sugars until light and fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla and beat until combined. STEP 2In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and beat until just combined. Fold in Oreos, M&M’S, and chocolate chips. STEP 3Press batter into prepared pan and bake until golden and still slightly soft in the middle, 25 to 30 minutes. STEP 4Let cool completely before slicing into squares.
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22 Nov 2023

Cocktails & CheerCocktails & Cheer

Check out these Christmas cocktails to add a splash of fun and joy to your holidays!1. Santa's Hat Cocktail  Ingredients1 tbsp. store-bought or homemade vanilla frosting1/4 c. sweetened coconut flakes1/2 c. lemon-lime soda2 oz. fresh lime juice2 oz. vodka1 oz. grenadinePeppermint stick, for serving DirectionsStep 1Using a small spoon, spread frosting along rim of a martini glass both inside and out, covering about 1/2" of rim.Step 2Onto a small plate wide enough to fit glass, pour coconut. Dip glass into coconut to cover frosting.Step 3Add soda, lime juice, vodka, and grenadine to prepared glass and gently stir to combine. Garnish with peppermint stick. 2. Frozen Hot Chocolate Martini Ingredients4 c. (or more) ice4 oz. Baileys3 oz. vodka1/2 c. hot chocolate mixWhipped cream and chocolate shavings, for serving DirectionsStep 1In a blender, blend ice, Baileys, vodka, and hot chocolate mix until smooth. Add more ice as needed to thicken as desired. Step 2Pour into 2 glasses. Top with whipped cream and chocolate shavings. 3. Apple Cider Mimosas  Ingredients1 Honeycrisp apple2 tbsp. granulated sugar1 tbsp. ground cinnamon1 c. apple cider1 (750-ml.) bottle Champagne or prosecco DirectionsStep 1Cut apple in half, then cut four 1/8" slices. Using the tip of the knife, cut a small diagonal slit in each slice. Reserve remaining apple for another use.Step 2On a small plate, combine sugar and cinnamon. Dip champagne flutes in water to wet the rims, then dip in cinnamon sugar mixture.Step 3Fill champagne flutes 1/4 full with apple cider, then top off with champagne or prosecco. Top each with an apple slice. 4. Sugar Cookie Martini  FOR THE MARTINI1/2 c. whole milk1/4 c. Baileys2 oz. vanilla vodka2 oz. amarettoIce FOR THE RIM1/2 c. vanilla frosting1/4 c. sprinkles, plus 1 tsp., dividedPre-made sugar cookie dough DirectionsStep 1Preheat oven to 350° and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Roll sugar cookie dough out to ¼” thick. Using a cookie cutter, cut out desired shapes then place cookies on prepared baking sheet. Bake until just set and lightly golden around the edges, 12 minutes. Let cool. Step 2Using an offset spatula, spread a thin layer of frosting onto rim of two martini glasses. Pour ¼ cup sprinkles onto a small plate then dip rims in sprinkles to coat. Use an offset to frost cookies with frosting then decorate with remaining 2 tablespoons sprinkles. Step 3In a cocktail shaker, combine milk, Baileys, vodka, and amaretto. Add ice and shake until cold. Pour into glasses and garnish rim with a cookie.
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01 Nov 2023

Bonfire Night in CheBonfire Night in Cheshire

1. Lord Mayor's Fireworks Extravaganza This is happening this weekend! Saturday 4th November. Tickets are still available. The main firework display starts at 7:30pm. There will be food, drink and a full fairground. 2. Crocky Trail, Waverton, CH3 7PH This event is also happening this weekend. Sunday 5th November.  Tickets start from £9.50! There will be food and drinks for just a bit extra! The firework display starts at 7pm. There will be a large bonfire and multiple rides like the spinning wheel, superbowl, etc.
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