TARRAGON & THYME

Its been a lovely bright and breezy day here in Peterborough and a busy one to boot.  First port of call was the butchers.  We use Willowbrook Farm at Helpston for the best part as they support the rarer breeds and the meat although not cheap is so full proper meat full of flavour.  They have "specials" on a regular basis and we went for one of their offers today.   For those of you interested they have a web site http://www.willowbrookfarmshop.co.uk/ This is the pack we have gone for this time round. The Willow Brook Farm Eat For A Week  -    Premium Pack 1.5lb Mince Beef 1lb Pork Sausage 1lb Diced Beef 4 x Rib Eye/Rump Steak (they are larger than the palm of my hand and the best steak for eating - forget fillet these are wonderful) 1 x 2lb joint of Beef/Lamb/Pork (we chose lamb) 4 x Chicken Portions 1 x Home-made Meat Pie - steak and onion (standard size but we paid extra for the larger one) 8 Rashers of Back Bacon (their bacon e...

Rosemary Bushes Lavender Bushes 2 Standard Rosemary plants 2 Standard Lavender Bushes 2 Standard Margeurites Yellow Raspberry Canes Autumn Bliss Rasberry Canes Blackcurrants Whitecurrants Redcurrants Gooseberries Blackberries Blueberries Plum tree Pear tree Apple trees Peach tree Apricot tree Quince Lemon Verbena Angelica David Austen Roses - climbers and bushes Lily of the Valley Honeysuckle Jasmine Wisteria Grape Vines red and white Virginia Creeper Lillies Japonica bushes

The sap is rising I always feel it this time of year, I want to get out and about doing things, being places and meeting up with friends.  There is no longer any time constraints on my time of an evening, I often work later at this time of year because it is oh so much lighter whereas in the winter months I tend to hibernate, still doing stuff but staying closeted in the house in the warm.  If I had a fire it would be next to the fire, listening to the hissing and crackling as the fire finds its way through the wood or fir cones. I love a proper fire. There's nothing nicer at this time of year than to get your hands stuck into the black soil, getting it all stuck under your nails in the name of growing food for the table.  It helps me reconnect, makes me realise what I am missing on a day to day basis (am stuck in an office most days) but certainly helps me realise what season it is and grounds and calms me, soothes the inner me and helps provide bits and bobs to supplem...

This is just by way of an aide memoire as a record of the seeds I have sown so far this year. and plants planted.  I also thought it could play double duty as when I come to replace the seeds I will have a ready made list of the ones I have used.  Sheer laziness on my part really, but it all goes towards the collective record at the end of the day and the plotting planning and organisation. I like growing things from seed - probably it is the nurture factor that flows strong in me, but I like my little seedlings to get as much care as I can lavish on them.  I am the same with people too. It hasn't been helped by the fact that I have been to a garden centre today and seen all sorts of lovely plants and bits and bobs, which unfortunately my pocket will not run too at present.  But one day. I am particularly fond of lavender, but in the garden centre they were selling round planters with lavender in for £20.  Think will look for some seed and see if I can get som...

Well its been a lovely day today; I didn't get up very early being extremely stiff after having to lie very still during the MRI scan it was very nice to sprawl.   During the day we have done some more work to the computer/craft room having taken a full set of full size filing cabinets upstairs in which to store some of my bits and bobs as well as general household filing. After that I have done some more work on the border in the garden then had to rest up again as my back was playing up.  So I came in for a while and got lost in the magic of the film Mary Poppins.  The first and only time I had seen it was as a small child.  Its nice to lose oneself in fantasy now and then. It helps the everyday more bearable. I then watered up the plants and borders and then came in and put tea on. We had Roast Lamb studded with garlic and fresh Rosemary - it was absolutely delcious, and is extremely easy to achieve.  See full recipe for further details. But h...

This is a very tasty way of cooking a joint of lamb, it gives the meat a whole new depth of flavour and is one of my favourite ways of cooking lamb as I love garlic and rosemary. It sounds complicated - it isn't.   You basically take your joint of lamb (for studding with the garlic and Rosemary I tend to use a leg of lamb).  You take a couple of cloves of garlic, peel them and if the clove is a thick in depth cut into a couple or three slices and then slice in half again.    Using a sharp knife stick this firmly into the thick of the meat  following the grain/length of the meat and then wriggle it about until the cut is deep enough for the garlic stick/wedge to be inserted into the meat so it sits flush with the surface of the meat - continue through the joint like this. [see photo]    3.   Pick fresh Rosemary if you can and put a couple of leaves of Rosemary into the slit           w...

I am hanging my nose over one of these: http://vintage-home.co.uk/shop/Fabulous_Original_1940s_Tala_Food_Cabinet_%28hw585%29.htm What is it you say - an old fashioned meat safe -  (a more upmarket one than my nan had hers was wood this ones made of metalwhere) literally your meat used to be stored  in a meat safe like this but more normally a wooden version in a cold larder.  They didn't have deep freezes in those days.  Block ice used to be delivered once a week - no mod cons like we have today.  But meat safes served their purpose.  I remember my Aunty using one on a regular basis as did my grandmother.  The fine mesh on the front was to keep away flies.  In fact my Nan still had her red and white meat safe in the pantry when she passed. Remember in those days there was no central heating and what heating most houses was, was either provided by a large range cooker if you were lucky enough or a coal fire. I quite fancy one to use as a sto...

After leaving the workshop this afternoon I came home and had something to eat.  It has been a beautiful day hot and sunny its lovely we have some really good weather at long last.  I have been a bit anxious and nervous about the MRI scan bearing in mind OH's experience at Addenbrookes quite a few years ago.  I arrived in good time at the New City Hospital.  OH dropped me off and left me to it.  The new hospital is impressive and clean, with a myriad of little corridors off a central corridor, but I soon found my to the Diagnostic Imaging Department.  I did get a tad worried though when I saw the sign for the Nuclear Department!  I went in about 6.05 p.m. and didn't get out until 7.30 p.m.  I was the last patient of the day.  I had to stay still which I did not find very easy but witht he help of a cushion they made me comfortable and slid me into the machine.  It is a tight fit, and it does get warm inside, but I was given a hand button...

Today has been a lovely day - I have been on a workshop with my friend and mentor Jacqueline Lesley  re Angelic Connections in Mediumship.  The workshop has been very good and I have met some old friends and made some new friends too.  I have always believed that there is an Angel or Angels watching over us .  Angels are spirits who have never walked the earth, who are always with us and will help us out when we are having difficult times, if we ask for assistance, quietly in our minds eye.  There is no need to make a song a dance about it, just quietly pray and request what you are aiming for.  Angels are always there, are non judgmental, loving and give us the support that sometimes through no fault of our own only they can fulfil. There are also Earth Angels, people who are pure of heart and will help anyone and everyone who crosses their path.  The workshop consisted of a few deep meditations and then an opportunity to practice mediumship with th...

Well since I saw him last Tuesday Pickles has turned into Tiddles and I hope you will agree he is just absolutely gorgeous.  Serious kitten envy here, but that is where it will have to stay at the moment.    With his Mum  Hugging my wrist  Time for bed. He is just adorable don't you think.   Ahh

Well I have spent the most delightful afternoon pottering on and off in the garden.  Have been weeding the herb border, sorting the pots out, watering up, planting Scarlet Emperor runner beans and sorting out the mini greenhouses.  The mustard and cress has sprouted, no sign of anything else yet but I am pleased to say that my three Tayberry bushes have sprouted new and extra leaves.  The roses are taking a little more encouragement but I am extremely hopeful.  I have planted up 18 Florence Strawberry plants - I have another 18 or so to do plus 8 Elvira early variety and 4 Rhubarb and 2 Horseradish plants.  The Sweet Woodruff is starting to flower in the herb border and I have found all sorts of rubbish underneath, but it is now tidy and all the rubbish bagged ready for the dustbin (that that cannot be recycled).  I have a composter at the bottom of the garden and a big bag of green waste to go into it, so that I create my own rich compost and hopefully nex...

Just popped in for a quick cup of tea - boy is it hot and lovely out there. Best of all though I am not at work until Tuesday so freedom of a sort.  I have been busy potting up some strawberry runners and will shortly be sowing some more seeds into my mini greenhouses.  A little later I am going on a rubbish search to remove as many offending items as I can, probably when the heat dies down as being fair I only have to blink and the sun has nabbed me and I don't want to be ill.  At the moment I could just do of being by the sea and paddling and searching for pretty shells on the beach.  Alas just a dream at the moment, but you never know just what's round the corner.  I have my scan tomorrow evening at the hospital - am not looking forward to that as from what I understand I have to keep completely still they are taking detailed views of my spine and my hips which should take about half an hour each from the information I have been given, so no doubt will seize ...

I was minding my own business quietly starting to sort some seeds out in readiness for planting up when Rat-a-tat, tat the front door went and there was Eve my friend asking for a helping hand or so I thought.  So I pottled over, as you do, and she handed me a small animal carrying case.  When I peered inside there looking up at me was the most delightful little bundle.   Eve has only just gone and acquired a kitten, a beautiful tabby kitten - she thought a little boy, but wasn't sure; handed him to me when we got into her home and said here you check, you are used to cats.  A quick peek quickly corroborated that he was indeed a little boy. That was it, he hid behind my long skirt, scaled my legs, bit my finger and then fell asleep on me.  He was gorgeous, and needless to say I have had a severe case of kitten envy.  Apparently he was one of 6 kittens, the last born of the litter, but so loving - well he fell asleep on my lap in the end.  But I seem to...

The sun has gone down gone to bed for another day - dusk is fast on its way out and the temperature has dropped after a lovely warm day and I have started to shiver.  But today has been glorious I have relaxed and spent quality time with my mum.  It has been smashing. Mum loved the lilac, I was concerned whether she would have it in the house or not as there is a superstition about taking blossom into the house, but she had no problem with this at all.  She felt that the superstition related more to white lilac rather than the lilac lilac. During the course of the day it started to perfume the house and smelt lovely.  Mum also told me that the day I was born my father bought her a very large bunch of lilac, to the hospital where she had me; and then a few days later they went for a walk in the grounds of the house/hospital and picked a very large bunch of lily of the valley.  My birth month flower.  My mum was named June Rose, as she was born in June and j...

What a beautiful morning it is here today the sun is shining, the birds have been singing since well early, but best of all its a different day - a blank page on which to write a different script - and best of all I had a good nights sleep.  I get cranky when I am tired.  Many apols. The washings out  (don't like putting it out on a Sunday but I am taking advantage of the free drying) and I have been pottering in the herb border again; there's a gentle breeze at the moment its pleasant and quiet for in town.  I am enjoying the peace and quiet and just being breathing.  Relishing the peacefulness that restores the inner me and brings calm to stormy waters. Reelaxing..... Ah.  Would rather it was in the countryside as it is so much quieter than the town, but hey one day.  At least I am going to my mum's back to the village that I grew up in which although much bigger is still intrinsically very much a village.  Its strange really but we get out of ...

Sorry about that seem to have the gremlins in the works tonight - post blogged itself before I had even finished typing it!  Ohhps-a-daisy - very sorry. Anyway, Today has been a leisurely day as I didn't sleep too well last night - couldn't get comfortable at all, as a consequence I wasn't up very early as I crashed out when I was supposed to be getting up.  Never mind these things are sent to try us.  Have sort of concentrated on housewifely duties for the best part of the day . Deep Joy.  A necessary evil and had to get a wriggle on. There was a massive pile of washing which I had hoped to get out on the line to line dry as there is nothing nicer than the clean smell of fresh laundry, but it looks as though will have to finish it off tomorrow.  Hopefully tonight I will get a better night's sleep.  But at least the washing was started and I did get some out on the line to dry. I have also been pottering in the garden, its been very peaceful a...

I have been bought a new cookery book by OH  called the Super Jam Cookbook by Fraser Doherty (the Book People have it on offer at the moment £5).  ISBN No 978-0-09-193864-2 and it is a lovely little book with lots of recipes of how to use the jams and preserves at the back.  A good one for the home baker.   I only received it last night and I have been dipping into it. There are recipes for Jams, Marmalades, Jellies, Curds, Chutneys, Special Spreads,  and Jammy Treats (cakes and buns in which to use your home made preserves) and plenty of preserve recipes which include recipes for Ginger Marmalade, summer fruit jam, peach and vanilla jam, pistachio butter, Marshmallow Fluff, Banana and Rum Curd,Coconut and Pineapple Curd, Dulche de Leche, Peanut Butter, Chilli Jam to name but a few.   I am always  keen to see how other people come up with recipes for Jams and Preserves and how they use them and this book uses good nice and simple principles...