RebEllen

Sequins sparkle, disco balls twinkle, and a hush of anticipation fills the air as Europe’s most flamboyant song contest takes place. But this May, the Eurovision experience doesn’t end with the final note or the last confetti cannon. Oh no, Rebel Badge Club is taking ot one stage further- Rebel Vision!  I ruddy love Eurovision! Each May I look forward to the week of mayhem that makes the longest running international televised song contest in the world so special (insert your own descriptive word here).  From its inception in 1956 and first show hosted by Switzerland with only seven competing countries, with Switzerland winning song “Refrain”, to 2025 in Switzerland again and Austria’s winning song “Wasted Love” - the competition has been broadcast every year. The Covid pandemic in 2020 saw Eurovision’s only cancellation, with travel throughout Europe being restricted.  Here are the clauses completed by me in time for, and in the day of this year’s Eurovision Song Contest...

A gentle drizzle outside, the kitchen warm with the promise of sweet treats. The scent of freshly baked sponge mingles with the aroma of tea, and on the counter, bowls and spatulas await their next challenge. Welcome to the baking tent- or rather, my kitchen!  From triumphant showstoppers to the occasional soggy bottom, in Rebel kitchens it’s been a month of folding, whisking and taste testing galore. Join me as I reveal my baking adventures, celebrate the hits (hiding the mishaps!) that May’s challenge badge brought with the Big Rebel Bake Off.  I chose to undertake clauses from the beginner and intermediate sections of the syllabus- my baking skills are definitely at the hobbyist level and I didn’t have a lot of free time for the actual baking. So here’s what I did: 1. Research the history of a traditional bake 2. Design and make a cake topper: I prepared a birthday afternoon tea for my mum this month and my good friend Ria helped me to make this topper. I wanted bright and ...

Claiming Mixologist Picture the scene… Nine intrepid Rebellers, each more fabulous than the last, gathered around a table groaning under the weight of booze, mixers and enough citrus garnish to sink a small ship. The Eurovision Song Contest blazed from the telly, glittering with sequins, key changes and questionable choreography. Yes, the Leicestershire Rebellion had a cocktail party on Saturday- and it was fabulous!  Cheers!  We gathered together to make a selection of cocktails and mocktails. Some went down better than others and a great night was had by all.  I created Cocktail cards for the drinks we and enjoyed (some more than others) and also for a couple I made for myself either at the party or at home and here I will add a brief history of each cocktail.  There are various stories surrounding the Cosmopolitan’s creation. One popular story attributes its birth to Cheryl Cook, a bartender in South Beach, Florida, who is said to have experimented with a vodka, l...

 It’s dessert time!  Confectioner badge completed as part of Curiouser and Curiouser.  I do love a pudding.  I don’t really have much to say about the makes and bakes, so here I’ll simply post my Confectioner Dessert Menu: A brief round up: On researching its history I discovered that pineapple upside down cake is either from the USA in the 70s or Brazil (pineapples come from there). A no churn ice cream is a glorious thing, and so easy to make! Mint choc chip is my first choice flavour at the seaside so I had to have a go at making it. I recommend using  this recipe from Jane’s Pattiserie. I plan on making her no churn biscoff ice cream this summer- yum!  Mary Berry’s Wicked Chocolate Mousse  was my weapon of choice, it’s thick and rich (not unlike my ideal man 🤣). Now, I must confess to not loving Millionaire’s Shortbread (Gasp! Can you forgive me?), it’s always been just that bit too sweet for me. But I made these with dark chocolate and they were...