Unbought Delicacies

Frugal Friday

2012-02-03T08:39:00.001Z

Just goes to show that anything is possible in downsizing. Although not quite my taste (bit too modern, but that's irrelevant really in the scheme of things), it just goes to show what can be done with determination and imagination

http://shoeboxdwelling.com/2012/01/13/garage-mini-house/

I think, maybe that the message is beginning to get through that maybe less is more after all?

Candle prayer

2012-02-02T21:16:00.000Z

My daughter visited Winchester Cathedral as part of her university studies, and took this photo. I found the inscription very moving:

Humble bragging

2012-02-02T18:04:00.001Z

There's an awful lot of it about on the internet you know....................really gets me fired up.

Humble bragging:

When you, usually consciously, try to get away with bragging about yourself by couching it in a phony show of humility.

For example - 'Worn out, had a hard morning cleaning my 4 bathrooms......................' , that sort of
thing. I'm sure we've all read things like this.

Some of these ae really cringeworthy from so-called 'celebrities'
http://twistedsifter.com/2011/05/funniest-humble-brags-on-twitter/
but it's still the humble bragging from ordinary folks who think they aren't ordinary that gets me most lol. I'm sure you know who you are.................. :)

Flowers...................................

2012-02-01T21:35:00.000Z

I very rarely buy flowers; I like bits and bobs out of my own garden - flowers, foliage, twigs etc. I had to buy these last ngiht though, the colours are just gorgeous - a shaded pink flower with white insides and creamy coloured stamens, light green leaves - one of my very favourite combinations of green/pink/white. One reason I rarely buy them is because they are often imported; not only air miles to consider, but use of land that could well be used for growing food for domestic consumption by that country. That might be a simplistic way of looking at things, but it's how I see it . You can often buy Fair Trade roses, which is a step in the right direction, but I still ahve the food growing niggle.
So, I was delighted to buy these last night - British grown (could have been in a hot house though :( - down point), adn reduced in price from £5 to £2.55. When I got them home, I discovered that there were actually two bunches in there, but I've put them all in one vase, and have them sitting on the ktichen table beside my laptop. Gorgeous.

Imbolc

2012-02-01T08:08:00.000Z

IMBOLC BLESSING

Blessings of the growing light

Blessings of the quickening earth

Blessings of the morning chorus

Blessings of the first shy flowers

Blessings of Nature waking

Blessings of Maiden singing

Briganti’s fire light your path

Briganti’s blessings on your hearth

(top image and blessing shared from http://paganpoetry.tripod.com/index.html)

The holiday was, and for many still is, a festival of the hearth and home, and a celebration of the lengthening days and the early signs of spring. Celebrations often involved hearthfires, special foods (butter, milk, and bannocks, for example), divination or watching for omens, candles or a bonfire if the weather permits. Imbolc is traditionally a time of weather prognostication, and the old tradition of watching to see if serpents or badgers came from their winter dens is perhaps a precursor to the North American Groundhog Day. A Scottish Gaelic proverb about the day is:

Thig an nathair as an toll

Là donn Brìde,

Ged robh trì troighean dhen t-sneachd

Air leac an làir.

"The serpent will come from the hole

On the brown Day of Bride,

Though there should be three feet of snow

On the flat surface of the ground."

Imbolc is the day the Cailleach — the hag of Gaelic tradition — gathers her firewood for the rest of the winter. Legend has it that if she intends to make the winter last a good while longer, she will make sure the weather on Imbolc is bright and sunny, so she can gather plenty of firewood. Therefore, people are generally relieved if Imbolc is a day of foul weather, as it means the Cailleach is asleep and winter is almost over. On the Isle of Man, where she is known as Caillagh ny Groamagh, the Cailleach is said to have been seen on Imbolc in the form of a gigantic bird, carrying sticks in her beak.

(illiustration borrowed from http://crookedways.wordpress.com/)

Fire and purification are an important aspect of this festival. Brigid (also known as Brighid, Bríde, Brigit, Brìd) is the Gaelic goddess of poetry, healing and smithcraft. As both goddess and saint she is also associated with holy wells, sacred flames, and healing. The lighting of candles and fires represents the return of warmth and the increasing power of the Sun over the coming months.

Breakfast

2012-01-31T12:16:00.000Z

I'm not a creature of habit, including breakfast; I like having diffferent things for breakfast, but always 'breakfasty' food if you know what I mean. No left over curry, or soup or nonsense for me, I like my traditional meals at that time of the day, but not repeatedly.
This morning's was toasted English muffins with butter and lavender honey

Seal Lullaby

2012-01-30T11:54:00.000Z

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zbZdIkQyrM4

Oh! hush thee, my baby, the night is behind us

And black are the waters that sparkled so green.

The moon, O'er the combers, looks downward to find us

At rest in the hollows that rustle between.

Where billow meets billow, there soft by the pillow.

Oh, weary wee flipperling, curl at thy ease!

The storm shall not wake thee, no shark shall overtake thee

Asleep in the storm of slow-swinging seas.

Rudyard Kipling

Snow...........

2012-01-30T10:18:00.000Z

It's snowing here in the Vale this morning, steady so far, bit fat flakes. The quality of the silence of falling snow is one of the absolute joys of nature for me.

The 4 hour and 58 minute hat

2012-01-29T18:58:00.000Z

Someone shared a hat pattern over on River Cottage forum, and one of the lads said 'I bet MrsL has one knitted and up on here by the end of the day' - well, just had to rise to the challenge lol
So, I present to you, the 4 hour and 58 minute hat - ta da!

The top picture gives a more accurate depiction of the colour - a very nice soft sage green. It's Louisa Harding pattern, and I spent an enjoyable Sunday afternoon knitting and drinking tea in front of Youtube watching films on the Amish, eco building, prepping and permaculture. This is number 6 in my 12 hats in 2012 challenge on Ravelry too, so all going according to plan :)

Go on...................

2012-01-29T11:53:00.002Z

Antique fabric..................

2012-01-28T18:32:00.002Z

.....yes please! Love it :) I went to one of my favourtie antique places today and was in for a lovely surprise - they have greatly expanded and changed around their vintage/antique fabrics and haberdashery section. I was like a child in a sweetie shop, I really was. So much gorgeousness to choose from...............
I seem to have a leaning towards French fabrics, and managed to come home with these:

The tiny wee label at the top says 1885, which I imagine is the date, and these are the original labels further down; I think they were samples originally.

The bundle on top is glazed chintz in very pretty reds and golds, again with original labels on. Even the red and white string bundling them up is lovely, and will be lovingly rolled up for re-use.
I couldn't resist these either:

Lengths of sheer joy and prettiness, which will be squirreled away for something they will be just perfect for.

Add all that to yesterday's wool bought for stashing

and I'm one very happy bunny. :)

http://www.dairyhouseantiques.co.uk/
http://www.hansons.co.uk/

Poem for a Friday

2012-01-27T11:15:00.000Z

I read this on my friend L's blog this morning and loved it, so am sharing :)

Old Woman of the Roads

O, to have a little house!

To own the hearth and stool and all!

The heaped up sods against the fire,

The pile of turf against the wall!

To have a clock with weights and chains

And pendulum swinging up and down!

A dresser filled with shining delph,

Speckled and white and blue and brown!

I could be busy all the day

Clearing and sweeping hearth and floor,

And fixing on their shelf again

My white and blue and speckled store!

I could be quiet there at night

Beside the fire and by myself,

Sure of a bed and loth to leave

The ticking clock and the shining delph!

Och! but I'm weary of mist and dark,

And roads where there's never a house nor bush,

And tired I am of bog and road,

And the crying wind and the lonesome hush!

And I am praying to God on high,

And I am praying Him night and day,

For a little house - a house of my own

Out of the wind's and the rain's way.

Padraic Colum

1881-1972

White chocolate and cherry ice cream

2012-01-27T11:01:00.000Z

This is an off the cuff recipe, so adaptable to what you have in the larder, once the basic ice cream is made.
I use a pot of single cream, 300ml and one egg yolk - heat the cream and stir in the beaten eg yolk, cook gently until thickens - this gives a good custard base for the icecream. When thickened, take it off the heat and leave to cool a bit. Add about 1 tbsp Thorntons white hot chocolate, and a handful of fresh cherries, stoned and halved. Stir in well, then taste and adjust sweetness with white sugar. Pour back into the washed crem carton, pop the lid back on and freeze until required. Best served slightly on the soft side I think.
You can add anything at all to the custard mix once it's made - any fruit, chopped, syrups, chocolate chips, vanilla essence, cocoa powder, marshmallows...................

Making cream cheese

2012-01-26T21:01:00.000Z

Made this today, it's really really good, well worth a try; much better than anything you can buy ready made - a real, sharp fresh cheesey flavour, and you can salt it to your own taste; would be good in spring with chopped wild garlic, chives, parsley, cracked peppercorns, chillies, anything really . Would also make a good not-too-sweet topping for a carrot cake. Very versatile :))

http://creativeliving.10.forumer.com/viewtopic.php?p=101436#101436

And for my next trick...............

2012-01-26T14:11:00.000Z

Whilst looking for the black cardigan (post below), I came across this little wrap around skirt- not bought for wearing, but for the beautiful fabric, only 50p from the sale rack in the charity shop - was tiny, only about a size 6 I reckon.

One pair of scissors and half an hour alter, I had this, plus a few wee awkward bits left over (but kept just in case)

I'm not quite sure what it will be knitted/crocheted up into yet, will wait for inspiration to strike, but kept me busy over a cup of tea :)

Rejuvenating the wardrobe

2012-01-26T11:57:00.000Z

- as in clothes within, not the wardrobe itself! Well, when I say within, there's lots ofother things in there apart from clothes, and lot of clothes not actually in the wardrobe; so, yes, a complete overhaul is required. I've a pile of nice things acquired to 'do things' with, and am looking forward to getting on with that, getting back to the sewing machine, been a while.
Firt thing I've been meaning to do for a long time now (over a year, I suspect) is update a cardigan. I'm not a fan of Marks & Spencer as a rule, but they do/did make lovely lambswool jumpers. I managed to find a very nice plain black lambswool cardigan for only £3, so snapped that up. However, think 1980s - hideous 'gold' buttons and HORROR of HORRORS - shoulder pads!!! lol
I popped over the road to my beloved Hansons and invested less than £4 in some new mixed buttons for it. Job completed this morning, and am very pleased with it.

It's now ready to go into the wardrobe once I get it cleared and sorted; my intention too is to cover all my wooden hangers, something else that is a long-term project, but I have a nice stripey knitted one all ready for this to hang on.
Will go upstairs later and sort the next project ready...............

What if................

2012-01-25T16:12:00.000Z

New book has arrived

2012-01-25T13:54:00.001Z

Can't wait to read this one! Written in 1942 when she was in her thirties, she and her husband took to the woods of Maine.

''.....will arouse in readers sharp envy of, and warm admiration for, Mrs Rich, together with a fierce determination toi go and do likewise'' - The New Yorker

Sounds good to me :)

Burns NIght

2012-01-25T11:07:00.000Z

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BPhp94esH3w

As it says, one of the gretest love songs ever written, and a great favourite of mine

My new 'green' iron

2012-01-24T15:51:00.000Z

Ironing - love it or hate it? I'm in the love camp for this one :)I've had to invest in a new iron, but wanted a dry iron, less to go wrong, a good weight, something that is a pleasure to use and take care of. Good old e-bay came up with this little treasure for me:

A real proper dry iron, made by Sunbeam, beautiful to handle, good weight in my hand and in superb condition. It even came in its original box:

I am quite wary of buying secondhand electrical equipment, but was heartened by the seller's assurance that the iron had been well tested, etc, so I went ahead with the purchase

All for £14 + p&p.
Call it vintage, call it shabby chic, call it 'green', call it recycled - call it what you will, but I'm delighted that these good quality items are still about if you search them out and make the effort, and I'm equally delighted that some good and decent people are taking the time and making the effort to make them available to buy for people who care :)

Where children sleep

2012-01-23T12:13:00.000Z

I picked this up on Facebook; have a look and a read, and look at the pictures they show. I defy anyone not to be moved by this.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/photography/8063693/Where-children-sleep-pictures-from-around-the-world.html

Thought for a Monday

2012-01-23T10:14:00.000Z

“DESTINY is a feeling you have that you know something about yourself nobody else does. The picture you have in your own mind of what you're about WILL COME TRUE. It's a kind of a thing you kind of have to keep to your own self, because it's a fragile feeling, and you put it out there, then someone will kill it. It's best to keep that all inside.” - Bob Dylan

Frugal butter making

2012-01-22T20:25:00.000Z

I was lucky enough to dome upon 12 pots of double cream in Morrisons the other night - on the reduced counter, at 5p a pot, so they all came home with me :)

10 pots went into the churn, in two goes

When it had 'come' (the proper name for when the butter solids have separated from the buttermilk), I drained it first in a colander, leaving it overnight by the cold window sill

Next is squeezing by hand and rinsing to get rid of amy buttermilk left , squeezed into a bowl to save it. Then it's into the butter press, squashed down and turned out, int e fridge to chill and harden before being wrapped and frozen. That's a lot of butter for 50p, plus a good pint and a half of buttermilk for scones when the oven is up pnext, and I'll make several dozen for freezing too. The pots have been washed and stored for use in the spring for transplanting seedlings for my little sales table at the gate. Very satisfying all round :)

It was very much a kithcen day today - I set a new cheese to use up some surplus milk, cooked up some steak and kidney for a pie during the week, braised some nice rump steak in red wine with shallots and mushrooms, filled the oven with baked potatoes and made leeks in cheese sauce to go with them, and some purple sprouting broccoli; inb etween, I finished a hat, and did some more blocks for a new blanket, sorted and washed laundry , did 5 sinkfuls of washing up, took my turns on Facebook Scrabble and drank an awful lot of tea.
I managed to knock the edge of the glass inner of my cafetiere the other day, so will go back to using my hillbilly orange enamel pot. I need to look up the trick of topping it up with a bit of cold water to sink the grounds which I'm sure I read somewhere, or I'll need to find the tea strainer again! Hence all the tea today and no coffee............

Back at the kitchen table now, with a large glass of rather nice elderflower..................the simple life is hard, yes, but so rewarding :)

Some things you just have to make..............

2012-01-21T12:59:00.000Z

Wonderful :)

Doing the washing

2012-01-18T11:17:00.001Z

I just wanted to share this lovely passage from my book 'From a Highland Croft':

'But even among such beauty the daily darg must continue, and there is always washing to do. Though it is a case of a tin bath on a couple of chairs and a relay of kettles off the open fire, I would not change places with a town housewife for all her gadgets. This morning the sweet briar at my elbow smelt stronger than the suds and the soft rain water from the tub at the end of the house was velvet to the hands. I can splash as much as I like, for it only makes the grass greener. Every now and gain I could raise my eyes to the loch, lying still as glass between the silent hills.
I interrupted my washing to go to the gate to tell Sandy's bellowing cow that she was looking in the wrong direction for her friends and to set her on the right road. Then a fish jumped, and I stayed tow atch the silver circles widen; a mallard rose with a loud flapping of wings on teh water, and, watching that, I saw a small boat rounding the point. Then a friend came carrying a maggoty sheep and we promised ourselves a cup of tea on his way back. All these things were just as important as washing, and there were plenty of kettles on the fire anyway.
I have a special dirty towel behind teh ktichen door, one that I wipe my hands on in a hurry when they are half washed. I put it in the stream with a stone on its tail towards its cleansing. During the night rain came in torrents, blattering on the skylight; I remembered the towel and realised it was probably well on its way to Tobermory. However, I found in the morning that a kindly gooseberry bush had held up its travels. As I dontinued the washing, a wren sat on the bush beside me with her ehad on one side as she encouraged me with a ''chre-eee''. My wireless was not working, so we had to sing for ourselves, the wren and I. In spite of all these interruptions the sheets are out to bleach on teh green aftermath of the hayfield, and the clothes are hanging on the line at the edge of the wood, beside the mouse's hole that is at the foot of an old oak tree. A newly dropped acorn lay just ooutside the hole, Nature's way of saying 'Tea for two'. Some sheep were moving in the clearing beside the wood, crushing the bog-myrtle which filled the air with scent. If I were abroad and anyone sent me a sprig of bog-myrtle I'd be back on the next plane or boat for sure, for all the Highlands is in that tangy smell'.

Bleurch

2012-01-18T10:57:00.000Z

http://docakilah.wordpress.com/2011/05/11/can-you-guess-what-mcdonald%E2%80%99s-food-item-this-is/

Learning all the time

2012-01-16T11:51:00.001Z

I came across a new one this morning - bannock spathe; am currently trying to find out exactly what it is/was. Turned this up:

Margaret, like other women for whom a high degree of residential mobility was an inevitable part of life, had long since learned to be adept at packing. Her kist held clothes and bedding and the family's few treasured belongings. In addition, there were the basic cooking utensils - a three-legged pot, a spurtle or porridge stick, bowls and spoons; a girdle, brander, toasting-stone and bannock spathe. With these and a bag of oatmeal she had all she needed to provide for her family upon arrival at their new home.

A friend sugests a flat metal implement for baking bannock on, presumably over an openfire.
Anyone got any more info?

Outraged of Dorset here..............

2012-01-16T10:03:00.000Z

- really I am, this time. I picked up this link on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.guardian.co.uk%2Fuk%2F2012%2Fjan%2F15%2Fqueen-royal-yacht-diamond-jubilee-gove%3Ffb%3Dnative%26CMP%3DFBCNETTXT9038&h=DAQF54dg_AQEEnO7OEZB6QIH58TvXFh43p5P2VGAeZkUgGg

(sorry it's so long, I can't do the wee version yet lol)

I am glad that the 'confidential'letter was leaked, it just shows our 'government' in its true light. How can anyone with half an ounce of compassion even suggest this? Never mind the fact that it would be taxpayer's money paying for it.............
I'm sure the country's morale would be better boosted by using the money (and the rest) for feeding those who are hungry, providing beds for those who have none, helping the ill, the old, the lonely, those who need help. I realise that at this stage it's just a suggestion, but to even suggest this just shows how completely out of touch these people are with the real world.
A friend on FB responded by saying that the revenue the ship would bring inthrough tourism, corporate hire etc would exceed the cost - but surely the days of such extravagances should be over?
Some people really need to wake up and face up to what is *really* facing our world and the people in it.

Sometimes I just despair and it makes me want to withdraw into my own world, but the compassion within me wants to make me stand up andfight for all the injustices and wrong doings done to those who need help.

Gaelic psalm singing

2012-01-14T15:01:00.000Z

Could listen to this all day...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fMqKxpq6QAE

Favourite books...............

2012-01-14T14:50:00.000Z

............ seem to have been and are crofting books :) This is the latest to add to my growing collection, just arrive this morning. I keep looking at it but am determined to save it until later!

It's a month by month account of crofting life, based on a series of newpaper articles in, I think, the early 1950s. Or, as the jacket says ' Month by month Miss Wendy Wood leads us pleasantly through the Highland year is a series of sketches'
I intend to get my bookcases sorted out properly soon, grouping them looosely by subjext, so can then take an inventory of crofting books and see which ones I really *must* buy to add to my collection lol

Bucket List

2012-01-12T22:02:00.000Z

I've heard the term before, and knew what one was, but got around to watching the film itself at a friend's house this afternoon :) It's been a long time since I watched a film, or any TV, so quite enjoyed the experience lol. The film was quite good too, they must have had a lot of fun making it; thought I would cry, but I didn't in the end, in spite of the box of tissues given to me just in case lol
I've a notion to write one now, maybe more than one, for different parts of my life; whether I share them on here or not I don't know, I will see how it goes, and what comes out and ends up on the bit of paper.
has anyone else done one?

Had to laugh

2012-01-10T14:42:00.000Z

- at the cover of the magazine Bean brought home!

Message from the Hopi Elders

2012-01-10T10:21:00.000Z

So much in this wee film, please watch :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KrPDQeNo52M&feature=related

Have put it down now...........

2012-01-10T02:34:00.002Z

.......... it's finished lol

Silly...............

2012-01-10T00:52:00.000Z

00.51 and I can't put my knitting down lol

Poem for an exhaustive Sunday............

2012-01-08T20:57:00.000Z

On Being a Domestic Goddess

I've washed the dishes, dried the dishes,

Put them all away.

I've tidied up and hoovered,

And kept the dust at bay.

My laundry's done, the ironing too,

With strength that I could muster,

The teatowels, sheets and pillow slips,

I even ironed the duster.

The toilet gleams, the sink as well,

The bath is shiny white;

The bath mat neatened nice and straight

Until it looks just right.

The stairs are clean, there's not a mark

Upon the wooden treads,

I dusted all the corners

When I went and changed the beds.

There's a line of flapping washing

Hanging smartly on the line,

The dog's walked, cat fed, chickens too,

And it's only half past nine.

There's a tray of fresh-baked fairy cakes,

And seven loaves of bread,

Fourteen jars of home made jam,

To keep them all well-fed.

A pot of boiling home-made soup

That bubbles on the Aga,

I don't see why domestic bliss

Should always be a saga.

All my hems are taken up and

All my socks are mended,

All my buttons sewn on tight,

Any less and I'm offended.

Half past three, a cup of tea,

And dinner's on the go.

Potatoes, carrots, peas and kale

-I grow my own, you know.

Family back by half past five,

And happy smiling faces,

Sitting round the table,

In all their rightful places.

Dinner done, more dishes washed,

It's really never ending.

I sit down in my comfy chair

And finish off the mending.

I knit and sew and cook and bake,

I don’t have time for telly;

You'll find me in the kitchen

Making wine and apple jelly.

And later on, a nice hot bath

To ease my aches and pains,

I'll get up in the morning, smile,

And do it all again.

I'm dedicated, strong and calm,

While under such duress,

I'm organised and punctual,

I've never heard of stress.

For I am woman, brave and staunch,

And never could be less;

I live my life for hearth and home

-A true Domestic Goddess.

Ofcourse it's me, as you well know!

But you'll be glad to find

That this Domestic Goddess

Exists purely in my mind!

Dreams.............

2012-01-07T20:34:00.000Z

“ If your dreams don’t scare you they are not big enough”

Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf

Frugal Friday - stew

2012-01-06T12:53:00.000Z

I love stews! Anything goes.............. last night's supper was a big bowl of Irish stew I made on Wednesday. I got a decent size pot out, and in went - three bendy carrots and 4 soft potatoes 3 sprouting onions and a packet of very good diced British lamb picked up for only 10p our of the reduced section the other week; add in a dash of Worcester sauce, some value gravy granules and some water. Cheap, filling, nutritious and very good - there's half of it left for tomorrow too :) Can't really ask for more, can I?

That's a Wikipedia Irish stew lol - but looks almost identical to mine, and I liked the table cloth!

Words failed me on this one!

2012-01-06T10:36:00.002Z

http://wendi-aarons.blogspot.com/2007/03/as-seen-on-mcsweeneysnet.html

Men, eh?

Gems on traditional Irish crafts

2012-01-05T16:50:00.000Z

Making butter
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZlPN8i8wX8

An Irish Weaver's Rugged Remote Life
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QI1FMoIFd_A&feature=relmfu

Bee keeping
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hx30_rFDZwM

Curraghs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZLKQgTCVinE&feature=related

Rushes
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGjKRvGH17U&feature=related

Donegal Weavers
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&NR=1&v=811kyBbIoM0

Spinning
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8m3iAfYPQlo&feature=autoplay&list=UUS5BRKdnVxQgZUBDFNsjOUw&lf=plcp&playnext=1

Some wonderful clips from http://www.irelandstraditionalcrafts.com/

Enjoy :)

All foodied out

2012-01-04T19:38:00.001Z

I've had my fill of foodie food I think. Since I started out with my own home and garden, the change over the years concerning home cooking has been, and continues to be quite phenomenal. Ingredients that were once considered very exotic have become commonplace, same with dishes themselves, fruits and vegetables that can be flow half way around the world before breakfast time. There is a huge ,probably bewildering to novice cooks, range of recipe and cookery books, DVDs, programmes, internet pages, you name it, likewise equipment and gadgets. There is a lot in the press too - every paper has a cookery/recipe column, often contributed by celebrity chefs and the like; our local free paper has several pages per week devoted to all things food. I am fortunate to live in Dorset, where there is an astounding variety of easily available local food and produce - cheeses, daury, bread, fish from the coast, meat from the Vales, fruit and vegetables, community gardens and orchards - all sorts of things going on - but sometimes it's definitely overkill.
However, a lot of it has become tired, lost its gloss and excitement for me, I've become increasingly irritated over the past two years or so and being urged to add ingredients to otherwise perfectly good food, often looking as if it was just for the sake of it.

Take for instance , the perennial 'problem' of Brussels sprouts! Now, this is one of my all time favoruites, and when I eat them I want to taste them, only them. I don't want to be fishing around in bits of crispy bacon, pine nuts or chestnuts, thankyou, I just want the sprouty taste, or what's the point?
Or pizza - ham/pineapple/chicken/chilli/sweetcorn? NNNnnooooooooo - tomatoes, basil mozzarella, that is all, on a good well made and well cooked PLAIN base.
Or a ploughman's lunch (might have done this before lol) - chunk of good bread, pat of fresh butter, piece of really good local cheese and an apple, pint of cider/beer. Nothing else - no Branston, nothing in a wee foil box, no salad, no grapes, no green pepper or coleslaw.

KEEP IT SIMPLE

I do enjoy reading cookery magazines and books, watching clips etc, but I don;t necessarily want to try the things, I just like being kept appraised of what's going on, what's happening out there. I liken it to when I was younger with fashion and make up - read all the magazines, knew what was in, what was out, who were the up and coming designers, the names, the catwalk shows and models. I'd no sooner wear a lot of the stuff than fly through the air though lol
I love knowing what's going on, what the younger people are doing, their thoughts and ideas, so have enjoyed reading and 'keeping up'. I think, now though, where food is concned, I've had enough, and I want to get back to really simple, not that I've ever been outrageous in a sort of Heston way lol
I was mulling this over this afternoon when I was cooking - I made a big beef casserole, and Irish stew and a fish pie. Good wholesome food, nothing fancy at all, but with the best ingredients you can find for your kitchen there is nothing fancy needed.
This year, I'll be using my older cookery books more I think, harking back to a time when scones were scones and biscuits tasted of somethingother than just the fancy icingsand chocolate chips and things - back to the Victoria sponge, where you can taste the butter, and the soup where the stock was the main and vital ingredient.

I'll still make curry, and lasagne, but I use traditional and fairly plain recipes for those, but I really hanker after some good, basic cooking where you can taste the ingredients and the quality of the finished dish is dependent on the quality of the ingredients.
Anyone got a use for half a packet of pine nuts and a jar of tamarind sauce?

Today's beef casserole bubbling away - not an ounce of polenta or smoked garlic in sight..................

K.I.S.S.

2012-01-04T18:02:00.000Z

AWOL

2012-01-03T15:10:00.001Z

Apologies for not being around for a while; illness has taken its toll, have had a couple of days in bed, almost unheard of for me, and my voice is dodgy to say the least.
I'm on the mend however, breathing has eased, and cough is lessening by the day, even got a bit of sleep last night too, but physically wrung out feeling persists. Stuff still needs to be done though, but am taking it easy and doing things slowly, so will be back to normal soon - think I miss being able to sing the most lol
Lots planned to be getting on with - knitting (ofcourse), sewing, decorating and gardening; planns for writing and recipes, cooking and de-cluttering, spring cleaning, general changing things around in the New Year type things.
I haven't made resolutions as such, just carrying on with what I do, but a bit more of it and try to keep on top of things better.
I hope you all had a lovely time over the festive season, how ever you chose to celebrate or not, and I wish you all a great year to come, hoping it brings you everything you wish for and more :)

Inspiring stuff

2011-12-27T11:21:00.001Z

http://www.motherearthnews.com/homestead-skills-from-days-gone-by/farming-during-the-great-depression-zb0z1112zhol.aspx

- and a good time of year to reinforce the thoughts of how I want to live and become even more self-reliant. Have a read. :)

Blowing away the cobwebs

2011-12-26T19:42:00.002Z

Had a couple of hours at Kimmeridge this afternoon; the weather was ok, bit of drizzle on the way down, but nothing major. It was a bit mroe blustery down by the sea, but I'm sure that did me good! Knitting was taken, as was a picnic lunch of cheese and chutney rolls (squashed) and a flask of tea which always tastes like no other tea I've ever tasted lol. All part of it, though, and an hour on my own down there did me the world of good, clearing my mind whilst knitting and listening to my beloved sea...............

Ofcourse, you can pick up some wonderful fossils down there if you look even not very hard:

The Luttrell Psalter film

2011-12-25T18:31:00.000Z

I loved this one too............... :) Hope you do

http://www.luttrellpsalter.org.uk/

Life at Church Farm

2011-12-25T18:30:00.000Z

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9v68DW0B_sM&feature=related

Thought this was lovely , hope you enjoy it :)

Shoeboxes

2011-12-24T11:10:00.000Z

Yes - shoeboxes! lol I love shoeboxes, they're well made and a good size; you can make them into lots of other things, use them for storage, for posting things, playing with, keeping seeds in - all manner of things. When I was wee I had lots of shoebox beds over the years for my dolls - woudl spend ages making blankets and tucking them in and out of them. EJ got a smart new pair of boots yesterday - and I got the box, accompnaied by a quizzical look and a 'You're weird' lol. Mens' boots come in such strong and well-sized boxes, it'll come in very handy for storing something in. Meanwhile, I shall store the box itself.

Ah well, keeps me happy :)

Solstice feast

2011-12-22T22:54:00.000Z

All ready

Funny Christmas card :))

2011-12-22T17:30:00.002Z

Winter solstice

2011-12-21T14:04:00.000Z

Almost upon us now - 5.30am tomorrow morning. I will put the year past behind me and move on with renewed hope and optimism, things will improve beyond measure for me, I know, and this time next year I'll be settled and happy courtesy of the love of a good man, special friends and a positive frame of mind to hold it all together.
Love and light to all of you who take time to read here, know that it's appreciated. May the new year be all that you want it to be
Blessings
x

Picture of card from megalithic.co.uk

Be careful what you wish for!

2011-12-18T21:00:00.002Z

- I might knit it for you ! lol Ex wanted a Solstice hat, so I made one for him, he's thrilled with it and has hardly had it off his head since I finished it on Friday night lol

Frugal Friday - the store room and beyond

2011-12-16T12:07:00.000Z

One good way of eking out the food budget is to have a well-stocked store room - good meals can be rustled up from it easily, if you keep a good supply of basics in. My list runs something like this- various pastas, tinned tomatoes, baked beans, tinned fruits, fish. Basics are bread flour and other flours, lots of different beans and pulses, rice, porridge oats, tinned and dried milks, good stock powder, tea and coffee, cocoa. Really good meals can be made with these, and I keep a few extras in to liven things up - cooking wine, truffle oil, real vanilla essence, that sort of thing. They might seem expensive per se, but they can all be stretched a long way, so are in fact good value for money, and can make a big difference to your cooking/baking.

I have re-stocked my store room now, after being away, and it really does give peace of mind, not just for wtshtf scenarios, but if harder weather hits in the winter, it will save going out. Likewise, good stocks of candles, matches and oils for the lamps, basic medicines and toiletries.
Another slant on the store room way of thinking is craft supplies - hence the stashes of wool, fabric, tools, materials etc - I'll never be stuck for something to do.
The weather has turned really quite cold now, getting into winter proper; there was some snow in surrounding villages I believe, but none here when I got up. Plenty of coal in the bunker and logs in the shed though, hot water bottles and thicker curtains. Should wear socks though - tiles and wood floors here, no carpets lol
I have big plans for an even more frugal 2012, wanting to spend as little money as possible, so that will be a challenge. No new clothes - I have lots to alter, re-make etc; no knitting wool until I use at least some of my stash; ditto fabric; try and buy as little new as possible; would like to keep notes/records as I think that would be quite interesting - what is spent each week on which items etc. Frugality will have to be the order of the day, well even more so next year, with eprsonal circumstances hopefully changing dramatically. I want to grow more too, and have amassed a good stock of seeds to see me through, and want to dig up some of the 'lawn' (read daisies and dandelion patches lol) for growing.
Watch this space................

Thought for a late night/early morning

2011-12-14T00:50:00.000Z

Contentment is the greatest treasure. ~Lao Tzu

Today............

2011-12-12T14:10:00.000Z

I feel a bit like this ! lol

Not been too good here for a few days, hene the lack of posts; cough and cold are proving difficult to clear, and things have mounted up 'to be done'. Have made great headroads into soting stuff out though, almost at the last of it now, all sorted and boxed up and stored/ready fro storing, but easily accessible for my craft bits and bobs. Next job is to thoroughly clean the sitting room and get the woodburner lit - it's verycold here by Dorset standards, might even need socks!! It's bright enough out there, but cold. We've only had a couple of frosts so far, need some more to do the job properly in the garde; not that much rain either, Funny old winter so far.
Tomorrow, I will feel like this:

Even though I'm not doing Christmas this year...........

2011-12-05T16:14:00.000Z

- I couldn't resist a little seasonal decoration of the knitted kind!

The plan is to make a set of knitted bauble covers to show traditional British knitting - Snaquhar (this one here), Gansey, Shetland Lace, Ringwood, Fair Isle and Aran. Watch this space :)

Seasonal Sunday thought..............

2011-12-04T13:02:00.000Z

Cut back the spending, but blow the budget on gifts of the heart

Frugal Friday

2011-12-02T21:12:00.000Z

Another Friday rolls around :) Went shopping at the tip again, came home with this little haul:

Here we have a brand new and unused Spong mincer ( I know, but I'll add it to the collection lol) a vintage chip cutter - I had one a while back, but it broke and I hardly ever used it; however, I have an experiment coming up with homemade oven chips, so thought this would ensure uniform chips for that lol). The contraption at the front is a pasta machine. I have one, but it only does straigh sheets, would have to buy attachments for it; this one does three types as it is, so it came home with me, very little used and good quality. Just checked it on the net, seems to be over £60 for that. Total for all 3? £2.00, thankyou very much :)

Frugal Friday's supper was home made chicken curry, loosely based on HFW's murgh makhani. Chicken was £9.00, fed three adults, with enough for another meal for three, plus the stock from the carcas, served with brown rice. Washed down with half price Montana wine, followed by homebrew.

Big satisfied smile :)

Old Irish prayer

2011-11-29T10:34:00.000Z

Dear Lord,

Give me a few friends

who will love me for what I am,

and keep ever burning

before my vagrant steps

the kindly light of hope…

And though I come not within sight

of the castle of my dreams,

teach me to be thankful for life,

and for time’s olden memories

that are good and sweet.

And may the evening’s twilight

find me gentle still.

-Old Irish prayer

(Irish kitchen at Strokesdown Park http://www.strokestownpark.ie/ )

Stop and think for a Monday

2011-11-28T13:00:00.000Z

Barter - alive and well in The Vale

2011-11-25T18:16:00.001Z

My good friend Jill came over yesterday and we had a wonderful barter with our cup of tea! I had a new waxed kagoul (like a Barber type thing ) which was an unwanted present. She had been giving a huge pile of linen, so barter was the order of the day. The linen is the finest quality I've seen, really top of the order stuff; it feels beuatiful in the hand, has a good weight to it and came in the most gorgeous retro ice cream colours; mongrams, embroidery and the neatest sheet patching I have ever seen. The sheets and pillowcases had obviously been very well used, but it's testament to their quality that there is still so much life left in them. I'm not sure what I will do with them, but would like some as pillow cases, with fine hand made edgings I think. In the meantime, it's neatly folded for careful storage - which leads me on to the first pic in the mosaic up there ^ I was thrilled to get some of it in a Galaries Lafayette bag, celebrating 100 years of this iconic Paris shop. A visit to the shop was one of the highlights of my college trip to Paris away back in 1980. I love the connectedness of stuff, people and happenings :)

Bargain of the month

2011-11-25T15:58:00.000Z

I've long been interested in preserving food, as you all know by now. It's been on my to do list for a few years to build both a hot and a cold smoker outdoors. I even managed to acquire a couple of oil drums for the projects. Things took a different turn to the expected though, as you also know, so I gave away the oil drums. Still at the back of my mind to make them, but not until enxt eyar now.
However, am now able to strike one project off the list. I actually picked up an almost brand new in packaging hot smoker at the tip this afternoon! It looks as if it's only been used once, is complete with instructions, all the bits and screws etc.
Can't wait to put it all together and have a go! lol This is it here:

Made by American company Char-broil
http://www.charbroil.com/Info/About-Us.aspx

It cost me £5 - what a bargain!

Every day..................

2011-11-22T10:10:00.000Z

Read, every day, something no one else is reading. Think, every day, something ...no one else is thinking. Do, every day, something no one else would be silly enough to do. It is bad for the mind to continually be part of unanimity. ~Christopher Morley

Photo by Tone Batt

Twice the pleasure

2011-11-21T18:53:00.000Z

Several years ago, my friend m put up a recipe at Creative Living for a homemade wine from cheap tinned fruit cocktail - you know the stuff- hard bits of pear, peaches and two tiny weeny cherries per tin lol It's often available quite cheaply in the supermarket, so makes an economical wine. I've made it quite a few times, and it's been good, but I've just tried the first of this year's batch and it really is the best yet- sharp and fruity, nice and cold. 'Someone' knocked a chunk out of my favourite bleu wine glass recently, so I have gone over to using one of my beautiful hand painted Celtic ones - conveniently hold a MrsL sized anount of wine - the glasses were painted by - yes, my friend m. So tonight, it's her wine in her glass - all for me. Cheers m!

'Condensed milk'

2011-11-19T18:01:00.001Z

The final piece of the jigsaw that is avoiding Nestle products has fallen well and truly into place, so I can cock a snook at them. I have long avoided the company on ethical grounds ( Baby Milk Action and others), but the sticking point recently was condensed milk - I use it for puddings and fudge making, etc. Up until a few years ago, you got a choice of Carnation or Fussell's - then these were both swallowed up by the evil Nestle. I confess I did keep buying the milk - some for using, other for storage for emergencies and prepping.
I scoured the internet and came up with the theory that you can indeed make your own 'condensed milk' - I use the inverted commas as it's strictly a substitute for the real stuff- something that those who post about it don't seem to bother with, but I do. Another gripe with me is that of the recipes I've seen on the net, several have no acknowledgement of where they came from - not an easy thing to make up a recipe for this due to getting the proportions just right. A quick copy and paste shows me that at least one blogger has reposted a method that is not hers, with no acknowledgement, and that makes me cross.
This is the recipe I used:

http://almostbourdain.blogspot.com/2011/01/homemade-condensed-milk.html

I ma delighted to report that it is highly successful - great consistency (was my worry), tastes just like the real thing, quick and easy to make, and not too hard on the housekeeping money. I haven't used it in making anything yet, it's in the fridge. I think I'll have an investigate into how to store it - might try freezing a little as an experiment, would be wonderful to be able to make a double batch for future use. I wills ave the next tin I open, wash it out and store, so I can get a quick and easy measure for my home made 'milk'. Give it a go, it's one of the more worthwhile things to make at home.

Frugal Friday

2011-11-18T15:36:00.002Z

Frugal shopping trip to my favourite outlet this afternoon!

Turned up these:

Three newish handlines for crabbing/catching small fish, looked unused, complete with hooks and weights. I just need to untangle them a bit and get them stored away with my prepping bits. Cost - £1, included a lovely little antique pot and a pair of wellies..................... :)
(just seen crack in yellow one, but still good )

Sweeties

2011-11-16T14:55:00.000Z

Musing on a Curlywurly - like you do - I had a look to see when they were 'invented' - much longer ago than I thought too.
Found this, which is interesting lol (http://www.localhistories.org/sweets.html)

20th Century Sweets

In 1903 the ice cream cone was invented. Choc-ices went on sale in the USA in 1921. Meanwhile bubble gum was invented in 1906 (although it wasn't actually sold until 1928) and the first lollipops were sold about 1908. In 1922 ice cream was sold in the street for the first time from tricylces with a box on front. Sales of ice cream boomed in the 1930s.

Also in the early 20th century manufacturers began to use peppermint to flavour sweets. They also added sherbet to sweets.

Many new kinds of sweets were introduced in the 20th century. Dairy Milk was introduced in 1905. Toblerone followed it in 1908. Later came Flake (1920), Fruit and Nut (1921), Milky Way (1923 in the USA 1935 in Britain), Crunchie (1929), Snickers and Freddo (1930), Mars Bar (1932), Whole Nut (1933), Aero and Kit Kat (1935), Maltesers and Blue Riband (1936) and Smarties, Rolo and Milky Bar (1937). Later came Polo mints (1948), Bounty (1951), Munchies (1957), Picnic and Galaxy (1958), Caramac (1959), Topic (1962) Toffee Crisp (1963), Twix (1967), Curly wurly (1971), Yorkie, Double Decker and Lion Bar (1976) and Wispa (1983). Amazin Raisin bars went on sale in 1971 but they stopped making them in 1978.

Meanwhile jelly babies were invented in 1918 and the ice-lolly was invented in 1923. Black Jacks have been sold since the 1920s. Lovehearts were first made in 1933. Starburst was invented in 1960 and Spangles were sold from 1948 to 1984. Chewits were introduced in 1965. Skittles were first made in 1974.

Walnut Whip was first sold in 1910. Furthermore boxes of chocolates were introduced. Milk Tray dates from 1915. Terry's Chocolate Orange and All Gold were introduced in 1932. Black Magic was introduced in 1933. Dairy Box and Quality Street came in 1936. Cadbury's Roses date from 1938. After Eight dates from 1962.

The first ready salted crisps were sold in 1960. Flavoured crisps followed in 1962.

In Britain sweets and chocolate were rationed from 1942 to 1953. 5 February 1953 was a day of rejoicing for children!

Kettle's on...............

2011-11-15T11:53:00.000Z

Managed to ignore the Rayburn sufficiently yesterday for it to go out; mixed blessing, as although it was cold, it did need a good clean on the outside, and a proper clearing out int he firebox. That's all done now, and I've finlly gt my proper kettle back on there; belonged to my great great grandmother, given to her by a woman called Alice Cooper. Now, the whole set up in the photo may not be shiny and pristine - the stove is 40 years if it's a day, and you can guess how old the kettle is - but I've never tasted a better cup of tea than what comes of this combination, and for me, that's what counts. It's all clean, but full of love and soul and history.

Free apple rings

2011-11-14T20:17:00.001Z

Donated apples, dried over a cooling Rayburn plate on a found metal rack - free lunch? lol Will do loads for the store room I think, very successful.

Meddling with medlars

2011-11-12T11:18:00.000Z

The rest of the fruit is now harvested and safe in the kitchen. I've made medlar cheese before, but want to do something different. At first thought, you might imagine there's not a lot you can do with such an eccentric little fruit, but read on , dear readers.............
A quick jaunt around the ever dependable Google throws up the following:

Medlar cheese
Medlar jam
Medlar jelly
Medlar fudge
Pickled medlars
Medlar pudding
Tart of medlars (1660 recipe)
Medlar liqueur

So, spoilt for choice; lucky to have a good enough crop to try several of these I think, so will report back.

Medlars

2011-11-11T12:22:00.000Z

Another good crop from my wee tree, picked the first of them this morning; some have already bletted; not decided what I'll do with them yet, apart from look at them - I think they're beautiful even if they do look like a dog's a*** (the literal translation of the French name for them)

Don't panic.................

2011-11-11T10:32:00.000Z

Full moon tonight

2011-11-10T17:48:00.000Z

Full Moon and Little Frieda

A cool small evening shrunk to a dog bark and the clank of a bucket -

And you listening.

A spider's web, tense for the dew's touch.

A pail lifted, still and brimming - mirror

To tempt a first star to a tremor.

Cows are going home in the lane there, looping the hedges with their warm

wreaths of breath -

A dark river of blood, many boulders,

Balancing unspilled milk.

'Moon!' you cry suddenly, 'Moon! Moon!'

The moon has stepped back like an artist gazing amazed at a work

That points at him amazed.

Ted Hughes

Image By *L*u*z*A*

Not just for Christmas............

2011-11-10T12:03:00.001Z

.......... decorations, that is, not just dogs!

I bought these two at Castle Gardens last week from their Christmas display - beautiful glass hearts with silver coloured trim. I'm going to attach them to silver ear wires (I have packs of these in stock all the time), and make myself a very beautiful pair of new earrings. See- just a sideways look at things can open up all sorts of possibilities :)

Scott's View

2011-11-08T23:25:00.000Z

Surely got to be one of the greatest views on this beautiful planet of ours

Sir Walter Scott regularly passed this way with his horse and carriage, and stopped at this point to look out over the view in the Borders. It's said when the horses drove past on their way to the graveyard with his body after his death they stopped here unbidden, to give him one last look at the view he loved so much. I've been there myself, and if you ever get the chance, make it the one view in Scotland you get to see.

(photo from http://www.flickr.com/photos/11618202@N03/2080765207/, with thanks )

Membrillo

2011-11-08T15:40:00.000Z

I have made this for the first time, this year; my quince tree gave enough fruit for jelly, quince brandy and this, so I am very pleased with my crop, which has been processed to last through the winter for me.
Membrillo is a Spanish quince paste, traditionally served with Manchego cheese, or you can coat it in sugar and eat as sweets, which is what I have done. The recipe is very easy, and you can used up dmaged fruits by cutting out any bad bits and using the good ones.
Peel core and cut up your quinces, place in a pan with ther ind of one lemon, slices and cover with water; simmer until fruit is soft; drain, and puree the fruit, including the lemon peel. Add lemon juice (I use about 2 tbsp for 2lbs fruit) and stir well.

Weight the puree, then tip back into the rinsed pan, add the same weight of sugar. Put on a lowish heat to dissolve, then elave to simmer gently until very thick, and a dark pinky orange colour. Very lightly butter a baking tin, pour in the puree and spread level. Leave to dry 24 hours; I left mine overnight, then placed it in a very low oven for a couple of hours - you want a stiffish jelly-like consistency. You can slice and store at this point, or cut into pieces and coat with sugar as I did. Mine is now on the foil over a cooling rack, and I will leave it on top of the rayburn to dry out a wee bit more, before storing it in an airtight tin. I believe it will store for quite a while, but not sure how long it will last in this house lol

Painting

2011-11-07T15:37:00.000Z

I love painting and decorating, but have ben sidelind over the years, being told I am not good enough or/and not neat enough. Now, however, I'm going for it if the house is to become mine. I've started in the wee bedroom, where I am now, and which will house Bean when she comes home too. I've chosen duck egg blue for the walls and made a start this afternoon, one wall done, but looks like the whole room will need two coats to cover up the darker blue that EJ chose when he was in there. Pleased with the colour so far, though, it's very pretty and exactly right. I have the fabric for the curtains, and new bedding too, will make/find/buy a new lampshade, and rugs too. It will become my interim haven until things run their course here, my own space for now.

Enchant your heart..................

2011-11-06T12:57:00.001Z

I don't buy a lot of new things, but sometimes I just *have* to have something! I stand there and try and think will I get home and regret not buying it - for it's never still there when you go back for it, is it? We were at the wonderful Sherborne Castle Gardens garden centre on Friday (I'd been there the day before with my firend Jill, raiding the 50p herb plants reductions), where they have the most glorious, spectacular Christmas display you can imagine. I can't begin to describe it, try and get there if you possibly can. It's won many awards over the years, and deservedly so.
Just found this, take a look to get the flavour of the occasion, from 2008 - have to say this year's display though is the best so far in all the years I've been going...........
http://www.thegardeneronline.co.uk/christmas-video.asp

There is a good selection of nostalgic gifts this year, and this is what I just couldn't resist:

I 've changed a lot over the last two or three years; I've gone through my practical and 'must be useful' phase; I'm lucky now to have amassed a wonderful store of good quality equipment and belongings that will last me forever, and I've come back round to the pretty, beautiful and just plain lovely, often pink too, I never used to be a pink person, but pink is the colour now :)

To quote the wonderful and inspiring William Morris:

''Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful''

I would add 'or enchants your heart' to that..............................................

Frugal Friday - 4th November

2011-11-04T09:07:00.000Z

One of the most useful tools in my kitchen is my rubber spatula. I've had it a long, long time, it must be 18 years old now, bought in Marks & Spencer in Bournemouth - Bean was in a pushchair then! lol Why do I love it? It gets every last piece of whatever out of the jar/bowl whatever, so is a great tool for true frugality in the waste not want not mode of living. Mine is rubber with a metal handle; I'd like wood, but I suspect it wouldn't have lasted these 18 years if it were, with the constant washing up. I also ahve one of the very tiny ones - great for jam jars and the like.

Days that don't go according to plan............

2011-11-03T16:35:00.000Z

I'm away behind in things in general at home at the moment, and was looking forward to a whole day here to get stuck in again and move things along.Wasn't to be, but I don't mind! lol My friend Jill let me know yesterday that she had to take a big pile of cardboard to the tip today, more boxes from her recent move, so she would swing by and pick me up on the way - I love a tip to the trip! She'd been for a load of apples from Freecycle on the way, so car was packed to the roof with wet cardboard and Bramleys............
Got to the tip, opened dorr carefully, but the inevitable happened - apples rolling all around the recycling centre while we tried to extricate the cardboard, funny look sall round, but we're used to that...........
Got soem bargains too - another field sink from wartime (destined for a re-enactor type person whould they wan tit, I have a small one already, this one much bigger); very pretty vase, two grill racks for making my toast over the fire as the electric toaster is getting the heave ho now I'm back, a binder full of The Garden magazines (RHS, excellent reading), 2 small load tins, a rather nice big square Pyrex oven dish and another Swiss roll tin - £2 the lot, and the field sink provided something toundle it all up in to bring home :). Next stop was Castle Gardens to investigate their latest Christmas display - stunning as usual, really enjoyed it, although don;t do the Christmas thing as such - lots of pretty twinkly things, sparkling baubles and gorgeous fabrics. There were a coupl eof things I spotted that I will go back for. Outside, we managed to find what I call 'compost corner' - where the sad looking plants are, and found all the herbseduced to 50p per pot - bargain! I got 9 and Jill got more than me lol I added in a small tray of such pretty violas as you've enver seen for £3.50, for the pots to go ont he stand outside the kitchen window so I can see their little faces when I'm washing up. All that wonderfulness for £10 total. Then back here for tea and a bit of the rather good cake I made yesterday.

We like a bargain :)

- and do you know what? All the stuff I hadn't done today was still there when I got home, waiting for me.

(that's a Google image, btw, not my kitchen lol - honest!)

Walnut wool

2011-11-03T09:11:00.000Z

Beautiful shade of light fawn from walnut husks, very pretty - well pleased with this. Walnut husks are a substantive dye, so no mordant required, just the husks and some water. I have a few skeins undyed of this - a lovely organic wool with 25% alpaca added , beuatifully soft. I want to dye each skein a different natural dye and knit something uber stripey I think! Dyeing for me, especially with natural and home concocted dyes is quite addictive.....................

Chocolate and cinnmon cake with blackcurrant and mascarpone

2011-11-02T20:33:00.000Z

Lovely winter cake - give it a go :)

6 oz soft butter
6 oz granulated sugar
3 eggs beaten
6 oz self-raising flour
2 tbsp good quality cocoa
1 tbsp ground cinnamon

Cream butter and sugar, beat in eggs slowly; add flour, cinnamon and cocoa and mix thoroughly. Turn into prepared sandwich tins and bake in hottish oven until well risen and firm but springy to the touch. Cool on wire rack.

Filling

approx 200g of mascarpone cheese
icing sugar
4tbsp blackcurrant jam

Beat cheese with the icing sugar added to taste - should be thick and not too sweet. Spread one half of cake with this, and hte other half with the jam. Sandwich together and dust with icing sugar if liked.

2011-11-01T10:17:00.002Z

Hallowe'en lantern

2011-10-31T13:36:00.001Z

First time in many, many years I've carved a traditional Scottish tumchie* lantern! Enjoyed doing this, and had the innards for lunch with lots of butter and black pepper. The shell will go to the hens tomorrow, and the top slice to the goats for supper, so nothing wasted :)

Hallowe'en when I was growing up in a wee village in Scotland was great fun - all homemade and a couple of days before was plenty of time to get organised. Lots of 'What are you going as?' talk in the playground; we called it guising, and anything would go, didn't have to have a specific costume, just had to make sure you were unrecognisable - I remember blacking faces with the burnt end of a cork, and the smell of the turnip cooking inside the lantern. We had a wee carrier bag, and would sing, tell a joke or recite a poem or tale in return for monkey nuts, wee oranges, tablet, treacle toffee, apples. Good times :)

* tumchie = turnip, what the English call a swede

Gentle jobs for a Saturday

2011-10-29T18:20:00.001+01:00

- in late autumn, bit too chilly for outdoors, not feeling 100% with a bit of a cold, and not really wanting to stray far from her beloved Rayburn !

This is halfway through Project Bear. Bear is an Alaskan Malamute, and these skeins contain combings from hi lovley coat, carded and spun with Portland fleece, then plied with Suffolk. It's beautifully soft to the touch; may dye it with walnut husks for the final project. Will continue with the spinning a bit later tonight I think.

Look at the fantastic colour of these chillies - not my onw, but bought for pennies as date reduced items; they are being split and dried for use over the winter for curries and chillies after grinding.

Peeled and brined 1 1/2 kg of pickling onions; they will be ready for putting into jars tomorrow afternoon. Brining them helps retain their crispness.

Pear wine decanted into the demi-john, on its way to the wine shelves in the store room; this is from the scrumped pears I collected the other week. I got two boxes of poached pears and two crumbles out of them too, so that was good going. Made another jar of sloe gin too, with the last of the sloes, so I'm well set up in the alcohol department!

Made a big pot of chilli for tonight's supper.

Yesterday was fairly productive in the few hours I actually got to myself - made a couple of jars of jam with the last of the British strawberries I found, again, a good bargain at less than half price; a gallon of leek and potato soup for the coming week; a caraway cake too.

Will no doubt nod off over the wheel later lol

Frugal Friday

2011-10-28T09:01:00.000+01:00

Some of my favourite things to cook aret he using-it-up ones - you never quite know how they will turn out and you'll only manage to make them that exact way once lol.
One of my favourites is just called 'cheesy vegetables'; I get together all the veg that needs using up and prepare ti. Onions, carrots, potatoes, greens, beans, cauliflower, peppers, leeks - almost anything, even if it's soft and bendy, or you have to strip a few outer layers to use the better bits inside. If I use onions, I tend to fry the first, just to colouring stage - gives more flavour I find.
Cut them all up into good sized chunky bits, trying to keep them roughly the same size (not always easy!), then gently boil or steam them until just done, drain well and turn into an oven dish. Make 1 - 2 pints of cheese sauce, depending on size of dish/amount of veg etc. Melt 1 oz butter, add in 1 tbsp plain flour and cook until honeycombing (this shows the gluten in the flour is expanding, hence the sauce will thicken), then gradually add 1 pint of milk, stirring all the time; leave to thciken, then add in grated cheese - another good opportunity to use up bits and ends of cheese that may be lurking lol Just grate them all and into the pan. Stir until melted, then pour over the veg. It can go into the oven like that, or you could add breadcrumbs as a topping - use up ends/slightly stale bread, grated - add in dried herbs, or smoked paprika etc. Cook in a hot oven until golden and bubbly. Nice served with crusty bread :)

Knitting..................

2011-10-25T11:24:00.000+01:00

........... just goes on in the background, like a permanent sound track to my life lol I do lots of other craft work too, but knitting is a constant - never far from my hands, always something on the needles to pick up and take with me, or sit with whilst at the computer. One of the loves of my life is knitting for others, and this is the latest one for a friend. Another hat, in North Ronaldsay wool, rapidly becoming wool of choice for this knitter! It really is lovely to knit with, and a rare breed that needs mor publicity and getting folk to use to ensure the future of the breed. Sadly, not the only breed that is under threat. I have a post to do for my knitting blog http://figheade.blogspot.com/ on rare breeds, so will expand and expound upon it all over there. In the mean time, I took delivery a few weeks ago of some rather lovely Soay fleece that is heading towards the Ashford when the first part of Project Bear is complete; a long term aim, just for myself, is to spin skeins of rare breeds for my own records. The rare breeds wools really are special to work with - anyone else go for them too?

Bring it on................

2011-10-24T10:51:00.000+01:00

I know that not everyone can cope with , or likes, a good hard winter (for lots of very sensible and practical reasons, and I may find myself in such a situation one day, so am not knocking it at all), but I do. I believe from what I read and hear that we are in for one at least as harsh, if not more so, than the last one. For me, peace of mind and preparation are the keys, and I like to have both. Preparation is a permanent state for me in this home, getting ready for whatever lies ahead, making sure I have adequate of whatever is needed, plus a few extras ' just in case'. I have spent a lifetime gathering up relevant equipment, books, papers, ideas and experience, and now feel confident in coping with almost anything that can be thrown at me.
Where I live the weather doesn't get too bad; yes, it gets cold, but the old fashioned ways of dealing with it see me through - good blankets, thick curtains, draughtproofing, wood fires, 24 hour stove burning, candles, oil lamps, well stocked store cupboards, happy to stay at home instead of insisting that things are ok and I really need to be somewhere. I'm looking forward to some snow, some really good cold weather for the garden and nature in general - it keeps the world in balance. I'm not keen on wind, but lying cosy in a warm bed listening to the wind holwing around the house corners is a lovely way to drop off to sleep.
Some people have said to me 'Well, you're lucky to have all that stuff, to be so well prepared, know this and that and how to get through it.......' - that sort of thing. Actually, no, not lucky; I've spent many, many years teaching myself to be as self reliant as I can - reading, listening, talking, picking up bits of equipment over many years to spread the cost, watching and learning by my own and others' mistakes, not relying on outside resources - power, light etc. I know it's not for everybody for lots of reasons, but it's the way my life has evolved so far, and I couldn't think of living my life any other way now. It's as far from the 'microwave mentality' - where people want things instantly and aren't prepared to work at them or for them over time - in all sense of the word as you could get.

Thought for a Monday morning

2011-10-24T09:31:00.002+01:00

Saturday

2011-10-22T12:11:00.000+01:00

It's a beautiful day here in the Vale; bright and sunny, but with a good wind - first line of washing is hung out; supplies for the beasties have been bought and stowed, the rest of the weekend is mine, but I will have to spend it catching up on the house. Most of last weekw as taken up with organising then running the shop opening event int he village - it went very, very well, everyone had a great time, so was worth it in the end! However, house in a real state, even moreso than usual.
One of the jobs I'm looking forward to doing this afternoon is getting the store room back to my sort of order. When I left, ex OH took it over and most of my emergency supply stuff had either gone with me or been shifted or rearranged - I desperately need it in good order so I can see what I have for the coming winter/foreseeable future. I have stocked up on bread flour and yeast; I remember last winter when the shelves were bare of ready made bread eerywhere, the home baking shelves were very depleted too. I didn't run out of anything then, and I won't this year, but stocks in the store room are peace of mind. I want to get back to my 3 months of stores - just in case. Better a plan and no disaster than a disaster and no plan.
I have lots more fruit to process too - pears and apples, and it's almost time for the medlars - another frost and I reckon I'll be harvesting them too.
Also need to catch up ont he laundry, and set to to give the whole house a deep clean, and get the sitting room ready for the winter - winter curtains hung, woodburner cleaned up and dusted off, stuff mvoed and sorted so it's cosy for the evenings.
Better get moving then. After tea ofcourse............ :)

Pull it up................

2011-10-18T16:44:00.000+01:00

............. the home built drawbridge that is. If ever I needed one, today's the day.............. hey ho. Lol

Bean 'at work'

2011-10-17T11:28:00.002+01:00

Sort of....... just wanted to share this pic of Bean in her latest creation; made out of a recycled linen print curtain at 2.30am in the morning, complete with bust darts, back zip..........and no pattern. Wonderwoman, eh? lol

Attraction.................

2011-10-16T16:10:00.000+01:00

Thought for an autumn Sunday

2011-10-16T12:11:00.000+01:00

Give fools their gold, and knaves their power;
Let fortune's bubbles rise and fall;
Who sows a field, or trains a flower,
Or plants a tree, is more than all.

John Greenleaf Whittier (1807 - 1892) , A Song of Harvest

Beauty in nature

2011-10-14T21:38:00.000+01:00

Another one

2011-10-13T20:48:00.000+01:00

..............from Facebook. This one is very true, and even more so if you substitute person/people for child/children

Excited..............

2011-10-12T19:55:00.000+01:00

............ first seed order of the year done :) Looking forward to sweet dumpling squashes, crimson flowered broad beans, purple podded peas............. oh and a book on squashes just sort fo jumped in there too lol

Thought for a nearly Wednesday

2011-10-11T23:32:00.000+01:00

People were created to be loved.
Things were created to be used.
The reason why the world is in chaos
Is that things are being loved
And people are being used.

This was shared with me on Facebook; I know it gets a lot of flak, but I love it for lots of reasons, not least for sharing things like this.

And on days like this!

2011-10-11T06:31:00.000+01:00

Up early as cannot sleep, mind going like a washing machine on its spin cycle, as a dear friend of mine puts it, and he's quite right.
Reasons are all down to other people - again. Petty minded village politics, back stabbing, untrammelled gossip, total and utter lack of respect afforded to other people by some, broken promises, lack of commitment, sheer nastiness.
I really don't need all of this. However, I'm sure I'll be fine in a couple of hours - the kettle is on. Mood not enhanced by the fact I managed to drop the teapot lid on the floor, so until I find one of my other teapots, will have to suffer the hated teabag-in-a-cup! I'm sure the day can only improve lol Otherwise, I may just go back to bed...................

On days like this...............

2011-10-05T18:36:00.000+01:00

It's almost 6.30pm, and it's already getting dark outside; not being helped by the sky, heavy with clouds and threatening rain. The wind is up, and it's really quite blustery. Just the evening to get everything done and coorie doon by the woodburner, a couple of candles lit, a good book or a bit of sewing to to , or the whirring of the wheel to keep you company. However, it won't be tonight - the sitting room is still full of boxes of 'my stuff', some half unpacked, some not yet touched. Due to a major shift in plans, though, I am able to put my house back together again and re-make my home, it looks very likely that I will be staying in it, albeit it with massive changes in my personal life. So, in a couple of weeks time I hope to be back in there, woodburner lit, getting on with my life in the home that I love. Life is full of surprises, isn't it?

Unbought Delicacies

Frugal Friday

Candle prayer

Humble bragging

Flowers...................................

Imbolc

Breakfast

Seal Lullaby

Snow...........

The 4 hour and 58 minute hat

Go on...................

Antique fabric..................

Poem for a Friday

White chocolate and cherry ice cream

Making cream cheese

And for my next trick...............

Rejuvenating the wardrobe

What if................

New book has arrived

Burns NIght

My new 'green' iron

Where children sleep

Thought for a Monday

Frugal butter making

Some things you just *have* to make..............

Doing the washing

Bleurch

Learning all the time

Outraged of Dorset here..............

Gaelic psalm singing

Favourite books...............

Bucket List

Had to laugh

Message from the Hopi Elders

Have put it down now...........

Silly...............

Poem for an exhaustive Sunday............

Dreams.............

Frugal Friday - stew

Words failed me on this one!

Gems on traditional Irish crafts

All foodied out

K.I.S.S.

AWOL

Inspiring stuff

Blowing away the cobwebs

The Luttrell Psalter film

Life at Church Farm

Shoeboxes

Solstice feast

Funny Christmas card :))

Winter solstice

Be careful what you wish for!

Frugal Friday - the store room and beyond

Thought for a late night/early morning

Today............

Even though I'm not doing Christmas this year...........

Seasonal Sunday thought..............

Frugal Friday

Old Irish prayer

Stop and think for a Monday

Barter - alive and well in The Vale

Bargain of the month

Every day..................

Twice the pleasure

'Condensed milk'

Frugal Friday

Sweeties

Kettle's on...............

Free apple rings

Meddling with medlars

Medlars

Don't panic.................

Full moon tonight

Not just for Christmas............

Scott's View

Membrillo

Painting

Enchant your heart..................

Frugal Friday - 4th November

Some things you just have to make..............