TARRAGON & THYME

Peace and sanity has been restored here.  I am pretty certain that most of it is to do with his work.  I apologise if I come over as a little hard-hearted but I have found over the past ten years or so that if I am all nice and sympathetic he is ten times worse.  So a little tough love i.e. being firm and not putting up with any argie-bargey is employed and so far this seems to have stood me in good stance with him. As he did not eat his tea last night I have cooked tonight.  We have had a steak pie with steamed potatoes, mixed cauli, broccoli, carrot and peas and then some shredded cabbage with lots of gravy.  He complained that he did not want anything to eat as he was not hungry.  (see what I mean about cannot do the right thing and walking on eggshells) and he has eaten more than what he thought he would. It is a good job that I am a pretty placid person unless I lose my temper. I had already told him that he was eating it as it was already cooked ...

We are a lot luckier than most but needless to say things have been going a little pique tongue to say the least this last week. It started with the heating not working. We thought it had been sorted out but have since found out that the leak that we could not locate was in fact on the backside of a radiator and that is in the process of being put right.  I knew my suspicions were right and I was in the right area to find said impediment.  My instincts are normally right despite being pooh poohed by other half. Since then my TV which was originally my mother's has packed up.  OH being too impatient for everything as it needs to be done yesterday (he is in the middle of a meltdown bipolar wise things are tough at work and he can only see his own perspective).  Despite that  whatever I do is not right and I get blamed quite a lot as I do not live up to his exacting standards! Never mind I have my own issues. Needless to say we have a second TV  -...

Despite having an early night because I was shattered I ended up being violently ill with an acidosis attack last night.  I have been asleep and have woken up feeling drained and not quite firing on all pistons so a gentle day it is for me today.  It will settle it just has a habit of catching me unawares. Hopefully be back later on. Catch you soon. Pattypan x

I have had another busy day - not got on as far as I would have liked but have done some which is the main thing.  I am now absolutely shattered as have been getting up with OH and not going back to bed.  He is up most  mornings at 6:00am and I am awake before that. So it is an early night for a change tonight.  I am cold and am going to cuddle under the quilt and just chill.  Perhaps tomorrow will be a better day. Catch you soon. Pattypan x

Something in our house which has always been used for literally "cracking nuts" and they come in all different sorts, shapes and sizes.  My favourite one is a carved wooden bowl with a raised middle on which to place your nut and a small hammer to bash it with.  A reproduction bought from the company Past Times when it was operating but still a lovely piece.  Probably not the most efficient but certainly one of the most charming. The photo below is similar to the one I have although mine has extensive carving of a Celtic braid on it. However most people will be familiar with the "old Chestnut" excuse the pun.  These are the more recognised versions.  Now a question everyone are you buying Nuts this Christmas. Do you have Nutcrackers if not perhaps now would be a good time to buy some. Or alternatively, if you do have some can you lay your hands on them? Most people are familiar with the ballet classic "The Nutcracker" and with the beautif...

Just a few of the cards I have for sending this year - not all of them but some.  I had hoped to make them but that will happen next year now. This is another little job that I have to do.  Write all the Christmas cards and get them sent out early.  I have all the stamps as I bought a couple of books earlier on in the year.  Now to get them out to their recipients.  It will be a useful job well done, especially for the older members of my family who do not use the internet or do not have such equipment.  It is always nice to receive a message from a family loved one.  Makes you feel wanted and as we get older that means more than most other things. I actually think the custom of sending through the post cards and letters utterly charming.  It has been mostly overtaken by the Internet but it is not quite the same somehow as sending cards and letters through the pillar box and receiving cards through the letter box.  I actually...

The Holly and the Ivy  When they are both full grown Of all the trees that are in the Wood The Holly bears the Crown  And the rising of the sun and the running of the deer And the playing of the merry organ Sweet singing in the choir I love fresh greenery in the house at Christmas and ideally I would love a fresh Christmas tree but that is not going to happen here as we are restricted on space somewhat.  However for me the scent and lush look of natural foliage and natural Christmas trees is second to none. But you have to deal with what you have but it does not stop me aspiring for natural foliage all the way round for the future both outside and in. As I am not working at the moment I am hoping this year to actually go gathering Ivy from the garden and Holly with berries (from the front garden) and also Laurel and Bay to incorporate into a few decorations in any event.  I do have several artificial garlands and wreaths of different compositions....

It has been bitterly cold here today hampered by the fact that the central heating is on the blink but we have found out why and have located the cause.  Hopefully matters will be rectified by tomorrow, but there has been a lot of water in an unexpected space (we have had a leak) and I need to get the problem repaired and then the house dried out.  Next time when I cannot feel heat I am going to yell a bit more and then maybe a certain person might take me a little more seriously. I have had a busy evening as I sit as Secretary on a Committee and it was our AGM this evening. I have not long got in but it has been a productive evening in any event.   Now I am in to chill. I have some preparation to do for tomorrow but then the time is my own for a little while at least. It is extremely cold out again but at least the house is warmer than outside. I have a friend to meet for lunch tomorrow and to put the world to rights with for a little while at least. Right am ...

There are a few more things to get ready in the run up to Christmas.  I buy in butter regularly or make it from reduced double cream when I can find it and then freeze it but the little stock I had in hand has in recent weeks been used up so I need to make some more.  With all the good food that is going to be around you need some nice butter to spread on that plum loaf (I am making plum loaf for my brother and his family and shall also make him some home made butter to go with it).   With my Kilner hand butter churner this is easily achieved. Please see my post with links here on how to make butter: Butter You can also flavour butters, with fresh herbs, fennel, with chilli, cinnamon (I have some of this in mind to have spread on tea cakes, crumpets or pancakes in the run up to the holiday and for the holiday itself), rose and saffron. Potted Shrimps I also intend to get some fresh brown shrimps from the market and pot them to have yet again over the Christ...

This is a firm favourite as far as Carols go for me as it brings back happy memories of my brother and myself engaged playing as young children. My father from an early age had a good voice and he was in the local village choir.  His voice was that good and described by my granddad to me as him having the voice of an Angel that he auditioned for the Lincoln Cathedral Choir.  This was more complicated as one of the requisites of being in the choir was that you had to pass the entrance exam for the Cathedral school and to this end the local Vicar Mr Guy tutored him with the extra work and subjects.  Needless to say my father passed and was part of the choir for over 10 years.  So from the age of 8 his life revolved around the Cathedral and singing and music. He was Head Chorister and soloist.  His voice broke late after he was 18 which was when he left the choir.  However it did not stop him singing at full whack as he had been taught it was just the ...

We grew up playing games at Christmas  I spy, spelling games, Board games, charades etc.   O n Christmas Day every member of the family had to do a party piece in the late afternoon to entertain the rest of the family.  Recite a piece of poetry, do folk dancing, play a piece of music, singing, charades.  We never knew quite what to expect but everyone without exception had to take part.  We had a lot of fun in the process. Perhaps that is why I have grown up playing board games, enjoying jig saw puzzles, dancing, reciting poetry (my singing is not very good and leaves a lot to be desired).  My dad used to play piano and the rest of the family used to sing.  He was good at playing the piano. As a result over the years I have managed to add quite a few board games to the stash.  When the children were at home they were also encouraged in this respect too.  There is a long tradition of getting out the board games and getting compe...

This morning.  Missy was not happy about something and so OH took her out for an early morning walk as he suspected she needed to go.  So a disturbed sleep all round.  She does her best to tell us if something is not right and she settled down a bit afterwards.  As a result we ended up oversleeping and things that had been planned have been put off to another day. The sun has been out here today but it is bitter.  Warm in the sunlight but decidedly dodgy in the shadows. OH has watched the Grand Prix this afternoon and I have been pottering around the house.  Just enjoying the day for what it is. We have had a piece of roast beef for dinner this evening served with some mashed potato, roast potato, roast parsnips, roast shallots, carrots, broccoli Brussell Sprouts and peas.  Very tasty it was too.  Enough was cooked as usual for tomorrow night's tea and there is also enough for pack ups.  There was also lots of gravy left over ...

I love in the Bleak midwinter -it is another one of my favourite carols.  And what more suitable day than the first Sunday in Advent to play this well loved traditional carol.  Gives some atmosphere if you are at home making your Christmas puddings and your Christmas cakes. Hope you enjoy it as much as I do. Catch you later. Pattypan x

Always add a charm of their own to the Christmas house.  I am always finding ideas and I save them on my Pinterest boards. I have recently found the following and although I do not have time this year to make these I am going to start making them in the New Year.  I am going to have a couple of large boxes one for home made presents to go into and one for home made decorations.   I am thinking along the lines of embroidered and patchwork throws at the moment and also some festive cushions and other individual pieces. Some of these I intend starting over the Christmas break inbetween everything else.  I have jelly roll strips in Christmas fabrics as well as pastels and other printed fabrics so I intend to stock up on threads before Christmas so that I can really play.  I also intend to master the embroidery machine as well.  I have seen some lovely panels (the programmes for which will need purchasing) to create some really lovely and different pieces. ...

We have had trouble with the radiators not getting hot enough and as OH has been home today which he has not been for the past few weeks and he has done a little investigating.  It turns out that we have had an airlock in one of the radiators which he has now unleashed.  The heat is now back up to full strength. Ah. Its been another damp and chilly day here which I think is why I have noticed that the house was not as warm as it could be.  We are going to check out another radiator tomorrow.  The new one that was dealt with today you use a screwdriver.  The one to be checked tomorrow uses a key.  I think I know where it is but am not absolutely sure so will have to scout around for that this evening and then if I cannot find it see whether OH can come up with anything to fix it.   I have noticed that the front half of the house does not appear to be as warm as the back (although the loo and bathroom and the kitchen always tend to be cooler when ...

Its been a busy day so far - I am in the kitchen again.  Much needed after my "black dog" days this week.  Thank you for your kind words, suggestions and care It is very much appreciated.  Thank you each and everyone. When I get like this I am usually only like it for a day - two at most but it seems to have been most of the week for which I apologise.   The dishwasher is on doing sterling service, I am washing and wiping everything down and have the walls and floors to scrub as well. (Monthly strip out) Later on (if not today) I have some orange marmalade, lemon marmalade and lemon and ginger marmalade to make.  I also have some vegetables to prepare for the fridge so it is all steam ahead in the kitchen.  I am taking my time and things so far seem to be progressing nicely and to plan.  I also have some shallots to prepare  - basically I just peel them and tidy them up bung them into a freezer bag and then put them in the freezer.  Ever...