TARRAGON & THYME

We all know Shrove Tuesday as Pancake Day but in effect it is the last day before Lent i.e. Ash Wednesday. In the Middle ages people were called to Church to be "shriven" to confess their sins have their sins and be forgiven in preparation for Lent. Lent used to be observed very strictly as a time of fasting. Shrove Tuesday was therefore a day for feasting and merry making. There were certain forbidden foods during Lent and one of them was Eggs; so to use up the surplus they used to make pancakes -hence pancake day. In this country Shrove Tuesday was sometimes referred to as "Goodies Day". The bell that called the faithful to church was known as the pancake bell but it wasn't the only goody on offer. The following verse was taken from Poor Robins Almanack But Hark I hear the pancake bell And Fritters make a gallant smell ~The Cooks are baking, frying, boyling Stewing, mincing,cutting, broyling Carving, gormandising, roasting Carbonading, cracking, slashin...

My baby brother had to go into hospital yesterday for a day operation under general anaesthesia at our local hospital as he had a torn cartilege in his knee. He had a similar operation a couple of years ago; that was straightforward and done and he was back home in a day but had to rest up for a few days thereafter. He expected the same to happen yesterday but unfortunately because he was last on the list and still very groggy had to stay in overnight. Bet he was happy; anyway they have let him loose and he is home today but apparently he has spent the best part of it asleep!As it is half term my two wonderful nephews are on half term so he will have company for the rest of the week. Take care dear bruvver and I do hope you feel more comfortable soon. Perhaps I should call him hop along Cassidy! Big Sis

Hello I am Tyson the difficult one - the one that treads his own path and professes not to like fuss (only under my own terms) I like things how I like them, but the best part of the day for me is to cuddle down on my mum's bed on my own fleecy blanket and just flop. I visit the Greengrocers every day - they make a lot of fuss of me and I curl up under the counter and sleep - as long as Caroline has the heater on. When they close I go upstairs to the young couple who live in the flat above. They thought I was a stray and were feeding me and letting me stay in there. Mum was pulling her hair out because suddenly I wasn't coming in of a night. She hates us cats being out overnight as she has lost two lovely ones this way. Anyway I am going to catch up on some sleep my blanket is waiting for me.

During my lunch hour today (Tuesday) I headed for our nearest specialist book shop Waterstones, and spent a good 20 to 30 minutes just browsing as to what books they carried. Its a while since I have indulged myself in this way. Trouble is I saw several books that I would really like to get my mitts on and at the moment I don't have the pennies. So needless to say I will go back another dinner time and make a list of the ones I would really like to read and form a plan of attack. Its a while since I have done any serous reading and I am getting the urge again. Its surprising really that I ever learned to read. I was one determined little madam and I did not find reading easy to start with. Enter my dear father; he was as equally determined that I was going to learn to read as he knew how much pleasure I would get from it. He gave me extra tuition on reading and on spelling; every evening after school he used to sit with me for an hour, through tears and tantrums and Dad losing ...

Its been a lovely day today although chilly the sun has been out. Not that the snow is not beautiful but it does make getting about a tad tricky. It was also the first day back to work today for me - after a week off trying to make an impact on the stuff I am putting into storage. Its always a shock having to go back and at least I have been free to choose where I wanted to go and not be cooped up. It has been a long day - non stop without a break. Some of the stuff I have been dealing with has been extremely complicated and there has been a need to be as precise as possible. I work as a legal secretary dealing with sensitive family matters where we are dealing with peoples lives and problems on a day to day basis. After being cooped up in an office all day I am just a little stir crazy. My eyes are sore with all the close work and I am tired. I feel a little irritable and a need to be out and about and being at one with my environment; and for the environment to permeate me to ...

Loneliness is a sad thing and can hit anyone and everyone, the very young and the much older. Its funny you can be in a room full of people all chattering and interacting with each other and yet you can feel so alone, as though you are not connecting on any level or that anyone really feels your pain. Sometimes we make the requisite noises, but really it might as well be an automaton in that position rather than a full bodied passionate person who feels and has needs. Sometimes we go into ourselves deliberately and put up this brick wall that says halt go no further do not pass go. That's probably when we are chewing over something inside or want to be alone to sort something out - but because of pre-arranged engagements that time is not always open to us. We then become pre-occupied and distant, not joining in like those around us expect us to because we haven't had the time we need to get things straight. Sometimes we don't even realise we are keeping people at bay. T...

I have only just spotted this and would like to thank Nita from The Kentish Lass for giving me this award. It has made a lovely bright point in an otherwise difficult day:o) If anyone deserves special praise it is Nita for even though her life is not easy she always thinks of others rather than herself. A true recipient of a very special award. It's the Lemonade award and it is for showing great attitude and/or gratitude. Its lovely isnt it. The rules of the awards are: Put the logo on your blog or post. Nominate at least 10 blogs, which show great attitude and/or gratitude! Be sure to link to your nominees within your post. Let them know that they have received this award by commenting on their blog. Share the love and link to this post, and to the person from whom you received your award. Everyone I have come across on blogland has been so generous and lovely but i can only do 10. I therefore nominate the following: Bovey Belle (Jennie)http://codlinsandcream.blogspot.com/ Yarrow...

I received a lovely surprise as a thank you during the week. I have a very good friend who found a lump - every woman's worst nightmare. Not helped by the fact that our local hospital cocked up and did not see her within the 14 day legal period - which caused further anxiety for her and her family. I had been helping with Reiki treatments, and the power of prayer during her stressful time and generally just being there for her. I am pleased to say though that it was and is just a fibrous lump; which I am very pleased about for her and her family. To me the fact that she is okay and well is thanks enough for me. Others are not so lucky. What was even nicer is that she knows I believe in Angels but she did not realise that I collect them. My first one was bought as a present by my cousin, whose mum (my aunt) had insisted that I needed protection. Here have a look and see - isn't she lovely

I suppose deep down I am really a romantic at heart and a dreamer to boot - not a good combination. I sit watching an old movie and get so involved in it tears end up streaming down my face as I live the part of the character. Everyone else laughs at me, but I can't help the dreaming, fiction a form of escapism from the real world. But it is the words I love - every word has meaning every intonation every nuance can create a special world. I love reading and I love poetry and attach some of my favourite poems below to share with you. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do. The first is a well known song, and probably better known in this format and yet the words are so beautiful themselves. Beautiful Dreamer Serenade by Stephen C. Foster Beautiful dreamer, wake unto me, Starlight and dewdrops are waiting for thee; Sounds of the rude world heard in the day, Lull'd by the moonlight have all pass'd a way! Beautiful dreamer, queen of my song, List while I woo thee with soft ...

Today is the day where lovers all over the world express their love and devotion to their husband's wives, boyfriend, girlfriend or significant other. It is very different today to what it used to be far more commercialised, yet the sentiments remain very much the same. This is the time of year when other halves quake in their boots at the price of roses (which for some inexplicable reason always seem, to be far dearer on the day). I hope you have all had a lovely Valentine's day and that you have been appreciated by your other halves.

Every so often I need time for me to recharge my batteries, to mull over things that have happened and to get them straight in my head. When I was a little girl I was the same and my Dad used to spend hours talking to me (and I mean hours) and help me put things into perspective, by discussing all options and deciding on the best option to take. I used to use my Dad as a sounding board and he used to do the same with me. We were extremely close; so close that often we could finish off each other's sentences. It used to drive my dear mum up the wall at times. Last year, unexpectedly we lost Dad - I miss him dreadfully and it is as though my right arm has been amputated as I no longer have my sounding board - and I know my dear mum is missing him greatly. My father was the life and soul of the party; very cheeky very amiable and very easy going - most people got on well with him. I love peace and quiet, (as did my Dad) and I gain much pleasure from being out and about for a walk...

I have this week off and in an effort to do a major sort out with stuff have bought over the past few years I have been going through this in order to sort it out to put it into storage; keeping only those items I want and disposing of those items not wanted to our local charity shop. Needless to say I have found an awful lot of stuff I had forgotten I had had, so it has been quite pleasant re-discovering it so to speak. Trouble is I like junk shops, charity shops, auctions, car boots and Ebay .... and am a bit of a hoarder to boot. I have also been scheduling what I am keeping and am doing an inventory so that any items I am after can be retrieved from storage quite easily. Dealing with this will also make more room in the house as I want to have a dedicated Reiki/Meditation room eventually and also a spare room for guests to stay over/craft room. The idea is that eventually and hopefully the Reiki will pay for the storage so killing two birds with one stone. Finally, and at long l...

My name is Poppy - Pattypan took me and my brother in after our original owners moved and left us behind - we were so hungry and Pattypan fed us - we lived in her greenhouse originally where it was nice and snug and warm. Pattypan made it comfortable for us. I used to go everywhere with my older brother. One day Pattypan went to the shop and he followed her over the road but got knocked over and left to die. Pattypan didn't know and found him in the middle of the road left for dead and took him to the vets and because he was so badly injured it was kinder to put him to sleep as he had sustained brain damage. Pattypan bought me into the house that night and although there were some scraps with the other residents I soon found a friend in Tyson who used to protect and look after me like my brother did. I am a bit of a grumpy old lady these days and the kits are mischievous and very naughty at times, but come bed time both of them snuggle up next to me to go to sleep and to keep ...

Hello I am Squeak - Merlin is my half brother - we share the same Mum. - I shouldn't be here really - but I felt mum hadn't got her bits and bobs in the right place - so I re-arranged them for her. Naughty aren't I. Besides I wanted to sprawl out where I wanted to sprawl - without the others, and this shelf is just my size. I am Mum's girl - Mum gives me lots of cuddles - she does the others too but I am the one that goes to her and demands her attention. Nothing is sacred I even climb vertically mum gets a bit cross with me because she is sometimes getting ready for bed and is naked - but I have to cling on somewhere! Poor Mum. Miaow for now xx

Hello I am Merlin, the youngest of Pattypan's moglets. I am not into exercise, I love my bed and my foood and every so often when I want to lay and sprawl mum sends me out - do I really have to go, its soo cold out there. (I think she sends me out to freshen me up) I have four other furries that live with me hopefully you will see them over the next few days or so.

I think I am starting with a bit of a cold - all the damp and cold doesn’t bode well so I think I am going to try to nip it in the bud as I really cannot afford to have a cold at the moment. Its time for some French Onion Soup I think. I am going to make a scuttle full first thing in the morning so that we can have it lunch time and I think I will put the bread-maker on as well so we can have nice fresh bread as well to go with it. This is a particularly good soup to have when suffering with colds or flu like symptoms or a bad cough or tickly throat. The onions and garlic are both natural antiseptics and help you feel more comfortable especially when you have a very sore throat. A couple of bowls full of this soup helps soothe it. Unfortunately there is no cure for a common cold you just have to let it take its course, so it is really just a matter of making yourself more comfortable for the duration. I am going to use the pressure cooker as it takes approximately 4 minutes to m...

Oh what a day. Yesterday was bad enough. We had no snow overnight and we were up early again as snow had been forecast, but got into work for usual time with no problems like there were yesterday. We had all been asked to either ring into the office to access a voicemail message or alternatively log in on email before going into work to see if the office was going to be open. It was, so everyone who could turned out, including a few who had come quite a distance I had just got into the office and the snow came down and down and just did not stop. Lots of schools were closed locally, some people didn’t come in because they had young ones to look after and others had to go half way through the morning because nurseries and schools that had opened had then decided to close their doors. The road had been clear on arrival and there was little snow on the ground in the car parks, but this snow was settling and wasn’t stopping for anything. Cars were getting stuck on the slope into our ...

Well we had snow on Sunday/Monday earlier this week but by Tuesday it had more or less all gone and there certainly wasn't any when I went to bed last night (early hours 1.pm) but by 6.00 a.m we certainly had a lot of the white stuff. It had been forecast, but we are talking about Peterborough here. Peterborough is very low lying compared to all the villages around us and we tend to miss any severe weather and in the past everyone surrounding Peterborough have experienced problems - but this time we seem to have copped for it big time. We were woken by the cat at about 7 p.m. as he wanted out; so off he went. He has places to go and people to see and doesn’t like being put out of his routine. He has the option of staying in here, and can come in at any time he pleases, but he usually camps out with the people who run our local veg shop, sleeping under their counter next to a heater. He usually gets chucked out of there at about 5.00 p.m. He also gets very grouchy if things aren...

I am in the process of a major de-clutter at home at present; a major job in itself as for many years I have bought bits and bobs for a house I haven’t yet acquired only dreamed of many of them new, many of them practical. I have also inherited family bits and bobs which hold a special memory or have a special story attached to them and although not worth very much their connection to my loved ones is a precious memory/memories and one I do not wish to lose as they tell me where I am from and help ground me in this hurly burly world of ours A lot of items I drag out from time to time and which are very useful especially for preserving and also winemaking and baking so they do get used; but I only have a tiny kitchen with not much storage and I absolutely adore cooking and preserving. I have arranged storage locally and am slowly working through everything and making an inventory of those bits and bobs I intend to keep and also hopefully it will give me some idea of whether or not w...

It is very quiet and has been bitterly cold all day; OH has gone up and left me downstairs to my own devices. It is too quiet and it has gone warmer I am expecting it to snow it has been forecast but it is just a matter of when. It always warms up just before the snow falls or at least that is how it appears to me. When I am on my own I love the time alone to reflect on what has happened and to sort things out in my head and to plan my way through the slalom of life. Sometimes things are plain sailing another time more troublesome and sometimes you have to retreat and then regroup. It’s a time to do meditation and healing. I am not sleepy and I tend to wake up when I should be fast asleep in my bed the sleep and the rest would do me good but I have a lot on my mind and a lot of things I want to accomplish there is a lot to do but best done as little chunks at a time. There is a lot to do and so little time to do it so I need to keep focused and the still of the night is like a sooth...

Its 1st February - 4 weeks into the New Year and its my partner’s birthday. Many happy returns Geoff. Its been a bitterly cold day here today and we have had several flurries of snow throughout the day but so far none of it has landed, although it is forecast for later. However, we shall have to wait and see as we are quite low lying round here and the surrounding villages tend to get cut off - but not the town. Well its been a busy day It started with me over-sleeping have been very tired the past few days and I suppose it kinda caught up with me and then housework tidying up, hoovering, doing the washing and getting it dry by whizzing it around in the tumble drier. My mum has been and spent the day with us. Yesterday I made home mad Cornish Pasties and made the pastry myself in the Magimix. I was quite pleased it was the first attempt and everything has come out well. We had them for a snack just after mum arrived. She thought that they were quite tasty. The intention is to...

On my way to our market yesterday dinner I encountered a chap on his own in a shop doorway asking if anyone had any change. At the time he initially asked I hadn’t any so was unable to assist. However what struck me was this chap was grateful that I had replied to him - so many had just passed him by as if he just didn’t exist. He was quiet and unassuming wasn’t at all pushy – whereas some are. What really got to me was that it could just as easily have been me that was brought to this sorry state as him. And it was a bitterly cold day. I feel the cold badly enough anyway and I have a roof over my head, but this bitter weather really does cause hardship to those that don’t. Anyway on my way back I had some spare change about 70p – it wasn’t much but I passed it to him – at least it would go towards a cup of coffee. What you say – why did you hand this out – because I felt compassionate; because that could so easily be me and I would like to think if I was down on my luck as he so...