TARRAGON & THYME

Its been a cold old day here in Peterborough. I went into town to meet up with two of my good friends at lunch. I was wrapped snug and warm in a thick heavy duty fishing jacket and thick gloves and by the time I got back into the office my hands had gone blue and I had lost the circulation in them. Trouble is makes my hands hurt big time and then I had to type this afternoon. We are fortunate, snow has hit many parts of the country and the temperatures we are experiencing are peanuts compared to some places. I am very thankful for small mercies and have every sympathy for those who are indeed experiencing bad weather and the power cuts that usually follow. For those of you in that situation take care keep warm and be safe. I am now esconced in the house in the warmth; I have a little Jack Russell curled up fast asleep next to me on the settee. Legs extended out in front of her dead to the world. One of her ears insists on flapping back, (not a pretty sight and the other half does not l...

Ever made some special recipe and bought in items you don't normally have to make it such things as wine, coconut cream, herbs, ginger, chilli and end up with too much. Why not freeze them and other suitable ingredients down in individual ice cube trays and then if you need a touch of this or a touch of that you have it already and just need to pop it out of the ice cube tray or if you have decanted into a polythene bag out the bag. Items such as wine can be added to casseroles and stews and to gravy and/or sauces to give extra flavour and what better than popping fresh herbs in the midst of winter out of the freezer. All helps to pep your meals up and stops wastage.

Just a gentle reminder that the second part of the new Grow Your Own Drugs series is on BBC2 Television tomorrow evening at 8.00 p.m. Recipes included in this weeeks programme which is entitled incredible edibles and includes recipes for:- Oats and almond Moisturising Body cream Restorative Pear and Watercress Soup Onion Gargle for throat infections Turmeric Tae Halia for Arthritis Quick Fix Tae Halia

We are all the sum total of our many experiences in life As without experiences we do not learn and do not have personal knowledge of how to deal with things, how to approach things and how not to do things (sometimes learning not how to do things is the most important lesson) Therefore our individual experiences are many and varied but we are all unique and different Instead of feeling threatened or being jealous of the abilities and accomplishments of someone else Celebrate those differences as without their shared knowledge and support We could well be stuffed So instead of being afraid and stand offish Embrace and enjoy the experience as if we did not have these challenges and experiences We would stagnate and perish Therefore greet each day with new energy New love and celebrate the differences Remember you are unique! Dare to be different BE YOU! Pattypan 2010

Its been a cold day here in Peterborough today and it has rained. The dampness has made my joints stiff and I have been moving around rather gingerly throughout the day, at one stage getting so stiff I had to get up from my desk and move around. Needless to say have had the heating on again to keep warm. I also think with putting the clocks forward an hour it always takes it out of you for a few days until the the inner body clock adjusts. I am looking forward to Easter and a few days at home to play catch up and do some of the things have been putting off for a while and doing a bit of cooking. I like time to play and don't get as much time to indulge as I would like. I also want to make another batch of sweet onion and garlic chutney which is absolutely delish - its one of my favourite preserves. I have a sack of onions that is throwing up the odd onion in shoots, so rather than waste them I tend to do a batch of a preserve like this which goes with anything and is particula...

Everytime You don't follow Your Inner Guidance You feel a loss Of Energy, Loss of Power, A sense of Spiratual deadness (SHAKTI GAWAIN) Therefore Trust and learn to listen to your Inner Voice

I slept in this morning a little longer than I had planned on, but never mind I have made up for it since. Its been a lovely sunny day here for the best part but chilly in the shade. We had a very respectable start to the day by going to pay a visit to our local butcher at Willowbrook Farm in Helpston. They have a lovely big traditional breed butchery which also has seasonal game, jams, pickles, flour, fresh veg, a small frozen section, regular offers on bulk buys and lots more besides. We came away with a rib of beef for tomorrow's dinner, a gammon knuckle, rib eye steaks, boar sausages, smoke back bacon, plain streaky bacon, Quenby Hall Stilton, Gooseberry Jam, a lemon and lime curd, horseradish sauce, tartare sauce and Apricot Preserve with chesnut liquer (have bought this to try to see if I like before I have a go at making myself or finding a suitable recipe). I don't often buy jams etc but if I see something I like the look of which is different I will often buy to see...

I had a few pennies spare again this week and ever mindful of my stomach and the fact that I want a proper kitchen garden I have acquired a few more bits and bobs courtesy of Wilkinsons and the Pound Shop. As we have been having better weather I thought I would save on using the tumble drier where I could and get the washing out in the fresh air. The washing always smells so much fresher once it has had a good blow outside, only problem was my washing line kept breaking. I have therefore bought a bright blue washing line and some new pegs in white pink and blue so that I can make use of the better weather and save my energy bills. For £2.75 I have a 30 metre line and 48 brand new pegs. Now all we need is the better weather. Its been raining here again on and off all day. Today I have invested in 12 asparagus plants for £8. It is indicated not to crop them in the first year, but only start picking from the second year, so although not an immediate return this year, they should if they g...

Its been a long day today; I have had quite a bad headache for most of the day and felt lethargic and stiff to what I was yesterday. It started reasonably bright but it soon started raining and it has been on and off all day.I hated rain as a child I hate it more as an adult as when it is wet and damp the bones and my joints ache quite badly and moving becomes difficult, But never mind, we need the rain to grow the crops to feed us all. Where would we be without water - in a right old mess. And I will be alright once the rain has gone. I have been trying not to have the heating on as much since the weather has been warmer, but tonight I have succumbed. It has been pelting down with rain most of the evening and I got cold. Missy has been curled up on my lap fast asleep for most of the evening, quite content, curled up tight. I have been watching a lovely programme about a couple building a new house in the country using lots of reclaimed items from abroad and this country and by ...

I would be true, for there are those who trust me; I would be pure, for there are those who care; I would be strong, for there is much to suffer; I would be brave, for there is much to dare. I would be friend of all - the foe, the friendless; I would be giving and forget the gift; I would be humble, for I know my weakness; I would look up - and laugh - and love - and lift. HOWARD ARNOLD WALTER (1883 - 1918)

After the very helpful series last year series 1 and the Christmas special we now have another few weeks of watching a very useful programme using ingredients around us and easily availble to us to make home made lotions potions etc. A little bit of hubble bubble, but with a completely fresh outlook. In fact I think James Wong, has gone a long way to de-mystifying the remedies that were available to our forbears, and which have sadly gone out of fashion. I think he has managed to put the zing and wow factor back and people are re-discovering that they can help themselves without having to spend the earth and the added bonus is everything is very very natural. If you haven't tuned in yet - its on again next Tuesday night on BBC2. Here's the link if you want to find out more. http:www.bbc.co.uktvfeatures/growyourowndrugs/s2 Programme 1 provides recipes for: Anti-dandruff hair oil Herb butter for migraine Wormwood and sage moth repellant Angelica and Mint Cocktail for indiges...

Most of what I really needed to know about, how to live, and what to do, I learned in kindergarten.... These things I learned. Share everything. Play fair. Don't injure people. Put things back where you found them. Clean up your own mess. Don't take things that aren't yours. Say you're sorry when you hurt somebody. Wash your hands before you eat. Learn some and think some; draw and paint, sing and dance, play and work everyday some. When you go out into the outside world, watch for traffic. Be aware of the sense of wonder....... The Golden Rule is Love...... Think of what a better world it would be if we all had a basic policy for our nation and other nations - to always put things back where we found them and clean up our own mess. ROBERT FULGHUM (Born 1937)

I read this today and it resonated deeply within me. I hope it makes you feel the same way. ....... a basic decency and goodness Each person has inside a basic decency and goodness. If he listens to it and acts on it, he is giving a great deal of what it is the world needs most. It is not complicated but it takes courage. It takes courage for a person to listen to his own goodness and act on it PABLO CASALS (1876-1973)

Well the weather has been lovely here today; the sun has been out the weather almost balmy reminiscent of a summers day. But today is the first full day of Spring and the promise of things to come. The season of rebirth, growth, survival, the resurgence of life after the long days of winter. This lovely weather is making me feel invigorated and strong, and that I have a deep root system that stands me in good stead. May all of you reach your potential and dreams in the weeks and months to come. I have had a very pleasant day. Been doing some cleaning as is per the norm most weekends. I have also started to tidy some bits in the garden. The cats have had their freedom for most of the day and we have had no rain so they have been pleased to be out and about Then we went off to the garden centre and had a mooch around there. There was lots I would like, I am especially thinking fruit bushes, trees,canes, plants and food plants. I was particularly taken by a peach/nectarine tree - dwarf on...

I was so pleased with the Cloches I bought the other day (I bought two at £1 each) that on Friday I went and bought 4 more. They may only be cheap but will enable me to start off some salad leaves under cover so that we have regular fresh lettuce etc withouth having to pay an arm and a leg. It tends to be pricy in the shops. Also you can't get it much fresher and more full of vitamins I also bought four bags of golden shallots, a horseradish root and another Rhubarb. I have my eye on some more rhubarb plants a different variety, strawberry plants, asparagus plants, onion sets, maincrop potato sets ( and some salad potatoes would like to get some pink fir apple and some charlotte, or Ratte). Having to do a little at a time as not many pennies - then again am not on my own. Have been utilising the pound shops and Wilkinsons. Would also like some fruit bushes such as gooseberries, blackberries, raspberries, strawberries, redcurrants, blackcurrants, whitecurrants etc. Would also like t...

Normally on a Sunday we tend to have a bruch type breakfast sometimes a full english other times Tea and Toast or Croissants and jam and./or a fruit salad. Nothing set in concrete for Sunday breakfast, will use what I have available in the fridge. Mid-day or later usually a sandwich on the run. Although I do have some risotto left so I might have some of that instead. See what we feel like. The main dish of the day is Sunday Dinner. Sunday Dinner Roast Lamb, minted peas, mashed potato, carrots, cauliflower and roast parsnip, sweet potato and roast potato. And something for pudding. Quite fancy a steamed Golden Syrup pudding. Will see if I have enough time to make one.

I have sort of had a moochy day today doing a bit of this and doing a bit of that. I have also been for a very long walk down by the River Nene and through a wild area that is now a boarded walk. Needless to say Missy came with us. She is very funny to watch when she is off the lead, she runs in circles and figures of eight, is always on the go and seems to relish the freedom of being off the lead and being able to scent out new things. She does not like pigeons, barks at them and then if they start to hop off she goes flying after them. Difference is she does not fly. The same with rabbits. Mind you someone went by on a bicyle and she chased them as well. Crazy animal. Needless to say we were having a lovely walk, the wildlife and vegetation seems to be a good 3 to 4 weeks behind, nettles are only just starting to sprout up, (I was looking as would like to have a go at some nettle gnocchi, some nettle beer and some nettle wine). The Catkins are just starting to blossom and th...

I have never made a risotto before and so I am having a bash at one for tonight's tea. Yes I have had various forms of risotto at posh restaurants but never at home. And even if I don't get it quite right at least it will be work in progress and another different type of meal to add to my repertoire. So here goes nothing. I am shortly about to start and will report back later on. The recipe I am using comes from the River Cottage Veg Patch book by Mark Diacono. Ingredients 900ml vegetable stock 1 medium onion 3 tablespoons olive oil 12 sage leaves finely chopped about 2 tablespoon 1-2 garlic cloves chopped 250g arborio rice small glass white wine 375g squash or pumpkin peeled weight diced small To finish 3 tablespoons sunflower oil about 16 sage leaves 75g piece of Parmesan or Pecorino (or tasty cheddar) 2 Goats cheese logs (Mini ones not big ones) sea salt and freshly ground pepper Heat the stock in a pan until almost boiling and then keep hot over a very low heat. In a heav...

Its been a long old day today - started off cold and then went warm then colder again. I don't function too well in the cold it stiffens up my joints and makes them very painful. Have had a chinese for tea this evening, that's why I didn't post up a Menu for today. It had fresh pineapple in and that's helped a little bit.The rest of the evening have had phone calls from friends which has been quite nice and have play catch up Am very tired at the moment and just want to sleep. Hopefully will get some time to play at the weekend. Missy seems to have recovered with the foot problem that she has had and is chasing around all lary again. She is so fussy and very funny. She comes chasing up the stairs in the morning has to be with me as I get dressed, trying to trip me up in the process, but she is lovely. This morning we woke up and there was Tyson my ginger tom on his back all his feet in the air flat out and Missy was the same on the bed feet in the air. What a pai...

I have bought some goodies today for starting to do things for the garden The first is a set of 5 trays of 20 pots for seedlings £1 set of 5 Two poly tunnel cloches £1 each from the Pound Shop in Peterborough Some peat pots again £1 for 20 pots And finally but not last a rhubarb rhizome from Wilkinsons and 2 x 10 sets = 20 sets of Pentland Javelin potoatoes. Thought growing the first earlies would clean up some of the soil in the garden. I didn't think I did too badly. This evening I have been sifting through my seed box which had more or less collapsed have decanted into two separate boxes, one for flowers and ornamentals the other for vegetables and fruit herbs. Now just have to get the garden and the growing houses sorted out. I thought that the gardening would help get me out in the fresh air and also hopefully grow some stuff for the freezers and bottling to be put up for the winter months. Wel that's the plan anyway. I am hoping that the weather will be okay th...

St Patricks day it is today But my menu for tomorrow is a very quick one - simplicity again - it makes life easier during the week when time is so limited and so precious especially when I want to get on with other things. Breakfast Cereal - Sugar Puffs again and the last of the Melon Lunch Sandwiches probably Salmon and Cucumber for me and Cheese and onion for OH Evening Meal Home Made Chips with eggs, bread and buter and baked beans (OH will be pleased its home made chips) Pudding Appe Pie and Custard or Gooseberry fool Have a good day

Missy has settled into the household extremely well. In fact you could say she has well and truly moved in on the pair of us and has taken over. We don't leave her on her own and she goes to my step-daughters during the day; she has a dog of her own and is currently fostering a cruelty case for the RSPCA. So Missy has company during the day. She normally comes back extremely cream crackered - it takes her all her time to acknowledge you of an evening as she is intent on catching up with some shuteye. Apaprently she doesn't stop all day long. My step-daughter noticed during the day yesterday that there was a little blood on her paw. She mentioned this to OH and she seemed to be okay last night although a little off colour. Come this morning and she has not been able to put her paw down and was hardly putting any weight on it when she did. I therefore suggested to the OH that he tae her to the vets to get her checked out. She wouldn't let us look a her paw. V et has inspected...

Breakfast Cereal and toast (this week its Sugar Puffs and I have a young pup who has become addicted to them)! Lunch Sandwiches Cheese and Tomato Evening Meal Spagghetti Bolognese Apple pie and custard Nothng complicated but good simple food

I had company whilst I was preparing posts today. She would not go away wanted her mum and a big cuddle I think

Breakfast Cereal and toast and/or melon Lunch I am a lady who lunches am going to a local pub! OH sandwiches Evening meal OH remnants of Sunday lunch (I always cook extra to save time so that I can get on) Pudding Apple pie and custard or gooseberry fool (using gooseberries out of the freezer Very simple for a Monday night meal

In Peterborough we have had a lovely sunny day today. Its nice to wake up with the curtains and blinds open to be greeted by the early morning sun, although with no real warmth in it at present it is far more cheerful than the long grey skies we have been suffering this winter. Well have had a busy but good practical day. Had an early start this morning and we had kippers with bread and butter followed by melon for breakfast and very tasty it was too. We then ventured to a local freezer centre which has a lot of offers on other bits as well far cheaper than the supermarket and I had to get some bits for my mum there as well. We then descended on my mum and spent little while with her. It was lovely to see her again and we had a very pleasant time with her, although not long it was lovely and she loved the flowers and chocolates we had bought her and her card. Mind you I got scolded because she told me not to buy her anything. I wasn't having any of that. We then came back home OH w...

I have planned a cooked breakfast for Sunday morning for myself and other half. A little while back I bought some proper oak smoked kippers and they have been in the freezer since, and being as I am starting to clear the freezer so that I can clean it out and re-stock, I thought it would be good to have a kipper each with bread and butter and then a piece of melon and a cup/mugs of tea to wash it all down with. I have an early start being as it is Mothering Sunday in that I am going to see my Mum as she is going to lunch with my brother and his family. They have arranged to pick her up after the Grand Prix - and my OH wants to watch the Grand Prix also so that means an early visit to my dear Mum. Proposed Menu for today Breakfast Poached Kipper served with bread and butter Melon with Ginger Mugs of Tea Sandwich when we get back mid-dayish with more tea Sunday Lunch Roast chicken with mixed herb butter Roast Shallots Roast Parsnip, potatoes sweet potato Cauliflower Cheese Mashed Po...

I love rosemary roasted sweet potato as an accompaniment to a roast dinner. In fact its a big hit with most of my family and puts in a regular appearance most weeks. Its what I call a good padder outer. They are very simple to do and very full of flavour. I love the flavour of Rosemary and I love to grow it in the garden and then dry it in bunches for use later on in the year. This year though I have already used up my supply of Rosemary which was put down last year so I am after some more plants to reallly stock up for this year. You will need: Sweet Potato about 1 per person (or more if you want plenty). Peel off the outer skin and put in salt water quickly as otherwise will start to go black and discolour until all the sweet potatoes are prepared. Then cut into cubes. I then drain on kitchen paper and put into a hot pan of pork dripping/goose fat or a light olive oil. Sprinkle with dried rosemary or fresh if you have it and toss all the sweet potato and rosemary in the oil until wel...

I haven't had much to eat today with one thing or another so come tea time I was absolutely starving. However I didn't just want anything to eat I wanted something to fill me up and without giving me inbetween hunger gremlins in between meals. In the past few weeks I have bought a couple of foodie magazines which has been a real treat for me as they have become a bit of a luxury item so I don't get them very often these days. I chanced upon one in particular which I am quite taken by called goodtoknow recipes which has a lovely practical array of recipes of different costings an it only costs £2.20 so double bargain and quite a nice selection of recipes to boot. I had read a recipe for a Thai Curry with Prawns and Broccoli, which I had made my mind up to try, but I had been accumulating some of the items to go in. The recipe serves four, prepartion time is 5 minutes and cookling time is 10 to 15 minutes. The recipe as in the magazine is: 200g broccoli 225g Thai Fragrant Ric...

I was quite touched and pleased to receive a surprise card through the post today from my Step-Son Paul and his new Partner June. I have had a difficult few days and this simple gesture with a beautiful card totally made my day and cheered me up a little. I must have done something right somewhere down the line. It is not an easy thing to take on someone else's children especially when you haven't got any children of your own. But gut instinct set in and an urge to protect and nurture both children clicked in and I treated them as my own. Both children also received extra tuition at home which helped them both considerably and both wanted to learn. What are we dealing with here you say - I am no paragon of virtue. I am human and I certainly am not perfect. I certainly did not find it easy at times. All I could do was do things with love and with pure intent. A lot of the time you can do no right and another time you can do no wrong with children. I like most people whe...

Now what delectables do we have waiting for us this month then? Rabbit Spring Lamb (Ideal for Easter Lunch - yummy) Venison Apples Pears Rhubarb forced Mussels Oysters Salmon Wild Scallops (if you haven't tried this make a point to do so - you don't need many as they are very rich and only need gentle cooking) Sea Trout Beetroot Purple Sprouting Broccoli Brussels Sprouts Cabbages Cauliflower Chard Chicory Endive Garlic Curly Kale Leeks Lettuce Nettles (how about making a batch of home made gnocchi for the freezer - poor mans spinach) Onions Spring Onions Parsnips Potatoes Radishes Sorrel Spinach Squash Turnips Watercress Wild Garlic Now that's for starters I am sure I have missed some out somewhere

This particular poem by Rudyard Kipling was one of my father's favourite poems, so much so, his best mate who was a Calligrapher prepared as a suprise present this poem for him on vellum. It helps give strength during difficult times and expresses most succinctly those feelings that are not always aired or formed into sentence by the owner. I find it very profound and very meaningful and it is one of my favourite poems too. Poetry does not seem to be as fashionable as it once was but for myself I gain great pleasure from the fusion of words thoughts and feelings expressed this way. IF IF you can keep your head when all about you Are losing theirs and blaming it on you, If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you, But make allowance for their doubting too; If you can wait and not be tired by waiting, Or being lied about, don't deal in lies, Or being hated, don't give way to hating, And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise: If you can dream - and not make dr...

I don't normally meet anyone uring my lunch hour on a Tuesday an I usually nip into town, its a good 15 minute walk from the office I work in to get into town. The exercise does me good. Tuesday is usually book mooching day when I pop into the cheapie book shop, W H Smith's Waterstones and have a browse on whats on the shelves. Its nice to see whats available and sort of have a loose plan as to what I will keep on the wish list and which books I really am interested in and then try and save up or wait until there is an offer on. Unfortunately I just cannot get used to CD books they are not tactile like the written page, the feel the touch the smell and the story that unfolds between the pages. At present I have my eye on a Bob Flowerdew book at the moment,its a gardening book but has lots of preserving ideas and recipes in it I think it was called Eat it Grow it or some such like - I know the book when I see it. I have also seen a couple of further preserve books, but I fea...

Well its been cold here today very cold just when I thought Spring was on her way in again, winter comes swirling round again to bite us all on the bum and to keep us on our toes. Have had a busy evening tonight; on Sunday evening we had stew, we were meant to have some roast beef but it was solidly frozen so I popped it out to defrost and cooked it tonight for tea. The bottom of my fridge gets very cold and sometimes we get solid frozen veg in the bottom of it. Wouldn't normally do a roast during mid week but it was very tasty and warming and I did not want to waste the meat. We have had roast beef done on a bed of mixed vegetables which absorbs the meat juices and in turn is mashed down and put through a sieve to create the basic stock for a gravy which is very tasty. It was then served with sweet roast potato, roast potato, mashed potato, brussel sprouts, peas broccoli and carrots and was extremly scrummy. Although I haven't achieved much by way of doing things this eveni...

Home made rice pudding always brings back happy memories of when I was a child. The ladies in my family have always cooked and we have always been well fed. Now home rice pudding is to me much better than that out of a tin - out of the tin you don't get any brown bits and it is nothing like proper rice pudding. I enjoyed my pudding yesterday and thought I would share the recipe I used with you. The basic recipe is a Mrs Beeton's recipe and can be utilised for making Sago/Tapioca/Pudding Rice/flaked tapioca and flaked rice pudding. Ingredients 4oz of grain of your choice 2 pint of milk 2-3 oz of sugar 1/2 oz butter Grated nutmeg Grease a deep pie dish with butter. Yesterday I used a pyrex 2 pint pudding basin Wash your chosen grain in cold water if necessary (i.e. rice) and put into your dish with the milk. Leave to stand for about half an hour for the grain to absorb some of the milk. (I then add 1/4 pint of double cream) Add the sugar and flake the butter on top then grat...

I have had a very lazy weekend again this weekend have been very tired again, but that is by the by. I have managed to locate my errant hairdryer so will be able to curl my hair in the morning and keep it rolled under so it looks nice and tidy and smart for work. It doesn't behave very well at the best of times and I do try and look neat if not completely smart. I have also found the camera and taken photos of the fabric I mentioned in an earlier article from the market for next to nothing £12.50 the lot and there is a lot of fabric. Approximately 3 to 4 yards of fabric per piece. So not at all bad. Will come in very handy. The first fabric is a very shiny gold fabric with vased/ginger jars patterned into the weave. The second is another gold emblem fabric which appears to be made up for flower heads and leaves. The third is Dorma fabric in primula design from the Country Diary collection moygashel design by Richard Webb. Cotton. The fourth and final fabric Moygashel/Vumura cot...