TARRAGON & THYME

  What a year it has been overall.  Some good, some not so good and some very frustrating moments.  No doubt not the last. However, today has been a busy one.  More stuff back in the kitchen still more to go in. Slowly getting there. Our last "supper" for 2020 was later than intended but nonetheless very tasty and enjoyable.  I cooked the Rib of Beef on a bed of chopped onions with a little water and then popped it under foil and cooked on a low heat for about three hours.  I then turned the heat up a little more to brown the meat off.  At this point I added in the potato, parsnip and shallots for roasting.  I also served crushed carrot and swede, carrot sticks, Kale, Broccoli, Cauliflower, mashed potato, Yorkshire pudding and lots of gravy made from the meat juices and veg juices.  It was very tasty and we have a repeat performance lined up for tomorrow. I made loads of gravy so I may also freeze some of the beef with the gravy to create a g...

.......is slowly being made in various areas of the house.  The Microwave is now in situ the old one has gone out. The dishwasher is working beautifully despite a few initial problems.  I am on top of the backlog of washing and getting it dried.  I start the next stash of washing tomorrow and I am hoping that by the end of the day it will all be sorted including the drying. Then I will start the ironing.  After all the ironing is done, OH and I will be sorting out our respective wardrobes.  I have a lot of clothes for my cousin, and a lot for the charity shop,  Both of us have lost weight and a lot of our clothes are now far too big.  As we need the space time for a good sort out.  Perhaps the best time to do it at the beginning of a New Year. I do  tend to recycle fabrics I like so the clothes will be appraised to see if I can make use of them and if I can I will retain the fabric. We have the new cooker to be connected that will probably ha...

I was woken up this morning by a phone call.  It would appear that despite the best of intentions, I had overslept the alarm and the phone call was from the delivery drivers who said that they would be with me in ten minutes.  Mass panic in getting dressed and sorting myself out.  But everything was calm and controlled when they did arrive.  I had been advised that they would be with me between 12 noon and 3 pm.  The call came at 10:30am. I fear I am easily pleased and with my new Tumble Dryer arriving I am as happy as Larry!  It is simple to use and efficient and from what I have seen so far at the moment will be ideal for what I want it for and with the budget we had available to us at this time.  It is not all singing all dancing but has been bought for a need and function.  It has driven me up the wall in not having it to hand.  Now maybe I will be able to get the washing and ironing pile back under control.  Fingers crossed and toes...

 Was a very confused day for me.  I had it in my head that yesterday was Tuesday and that my tumble dryer was due to arrive.  I was therefore up early and had cleared quite a bit of stuff in readiness for the delivery of my new tumble dryer not before time.  It was only when I was typing a post earlier on today that I realised my mistake which was a little disappointing from my perspective to say the least!  Oh bother! The rest of the day I have been able to spend sometime on the computer, drafting some stuff for the New Year and doing research for some of the things I would like to do in this coming year. I am going to make use of the time wisely and do as much as I can during these darker months so that I can get ahead and make the most of the time.  i need a new routine and so this will have to be worked out so that I can maximise time and effort and also produce stuff on the present and home front. We have had a pic n mix tea yesterday in that we had so...

Well Christmas 2020 is hardly over and I am already starting planning and plotting for Christmas 2021. Aargh you all say especially when we are only just getting over this very different Christmas that we have all had. This post is just an aide memoire for me really, some things I have seen and some ideas I have had. On a practical basis we do not necessarily always have the wherewithal to pay for everything in December, and so breaking it down into segments to collect or look out for throughout the year makes more financial sense for me. However the most precious of these commodities is time.  Time cannot always be replaced and as I am a lot slower than I used to be these days it makes  more sense for me on a practical basis to actually start making things and putting them up from now on-in, in readiness to give as presents later in the year.  Once you have the items in-house and once you have a period of time in which to play you can actually start making stuff and plan...

St Stephen's Day/Boxing Day We had another lovely quiet day yesterday just chilling not really doing very much but enjoying the food and bits and bobs that have had to hand.  There have been a lot of vintage programmes on the TV this year which was ok with me but not OH. Oliver was on and a filming of Jason Bourne's adaptation of The Red Shoes by the Sadlers Wells Ballet.  However, I was fortunate to attend one of the shows earlier on this year as a present from my dearest and oldest friend who takes me as I am "Warts and All".  I had never been to a ballet before and this was my first.  It was absolutely enchanting and very memorable.  I was entranced.  I did not see either programme on the TV though as OH wanted to watch something else. We continued to eat Turkey and trimmings left over from the main meal and then in the evening had a cheese and biscuit supper which went down very well  I had the Gorgonzola and it was divine.  OH had some of the...

Christmas Day   A quiet relaxed day for the pair of us with the emphasis on the meal evolving and no time constraints.  We on a normal Christmas usually eat about 1:00pm an ideal time for sitting down to our meal and then getting washed up in readiness for the Queen's Speech.  This is the way that my grandparents used to deal with things and travelled down into our own family celebrations.  This year though we ate at 6:00pm.  It would have been a little earlier but I got to speak to my mum's older brother (My uncle and Godfather) for a little while which was lovely. He is edging on nearer 90.  I also know that it was thanks to my uncle a lot of the time that my Gran, my Mum and their siblings managed to survive on next to nothing.  A very giving man and one I am extremely fond of. We had the roasted Turkey which was very delicious with lots of flavour and very moist.  We had cooked it on a bed of celery, carrots and onions and I used that to help ...

  I hope everyone has a super day. Catch you soon. Pattypan x

Things have been a little hectic here as I suggest they have been in most households throughout the country as everybody prepares to celebrate Christmas in their own unique way.  There is no right and wrong way.  I still have plenty to do in readiness for tomorrow, but we have sampled the Colston Bassett Stilton and it is delightful.  We gave the kids a third of the 2kg Stilton so it has been equally shared between us.  It is well worth the buy.  I am not the greatest lover of Stilton and have found what is sold as Stilton in the supermarkets is far too strong we believe that is because it is wrapped in cling film or plastic.  All our cheese is wrapped in waxed paper.  It keeps much better this way and if you store it in the salad server of your fridge (if it has one) it keeps exceptionally well. Santa's sack arrived full of red ones this afternoon.  I am talking a sack of potatoes here.  Am very happy that I have the prospect of lots of meal...

We managed to get a new kettle.  I have bought a glass one which lights up when it is working as something a little different.  The Reviews on it were good as well. So we shall see how we get on with it.  It is a Russell Hobbs and should fit in well with the rest of the kitchen.   We have had a lot of replacement equipment recently.  The tumble dryer is due to arrive on 29 December. Not a day too soon as far as I am concerned. There is one more thing that I would like for cake baking and that is a Kenwood Chef.  Might have to look for that in the sales. For 40 odd years I have had a Kenwood until it failed on me the other week; so am a bit bereft without it. It is very wet, cold and dismal here in Peterborough today.  We have had that much rain that some of the roads have flooded quite badly.  Does not seem as though it it is about one and a half days to Christmas.  Still quite a bit to do. I have been to the veg shop.  I have a tra...

I seem to have worn the kettle out.  It went pop last night whilst I was working.  Near disaster nearly averted as I had not realised that it had blown the downstairs sockets by tripping the switch on the main fuse box!  It was only when I went to get something out of the fridge that I realised and was able to put it right.  Fortunately as we had picked up the meat order yesterday.  Phew.  I just hope nothing else decides to cause an issue. So I have been scrabbling around trying to find a replacement.  It is on order and should have that shortly as have arranged click and collect.  Then it will be back to the grind again.  Veg shop next on the list I think after that and then a few other bits and bobs. However, as an aside and directly connected to the kettle issue, for the best part of the evening we had an Internet problem; both OH and I could not get connected.  It was only after I found the fridge off that we put two and two togethe...

 It has been another busy day here again in Peterborough.   We went and collected the Turkeys and Rib of Beef and Gammon, sausage meat, bacon, chipolatas and I picked up some other bits and bobs as well.  Meat was expensive but it looks really top quality.  We treated both the son and daughter to their meal of choice for Christmas Day. We also have a beautiful rib of beef and a very small gammon which I am going to do in Marmalade and ginger. We then went to M & S.  M & S had the store well and truly sorted out with a funnel system with lots of Christmas stuff flanking the funnelled walkway.  Was only allowed into the food store bit, but quite a lot of choice but some of the prices far too high for what they were.  In the end I have kept things simple, buying ingredients that I know I will use and choosing to make the stuff myself.  There is only so much I can get into one fridge and this Christmas is different to others we have exper...

Did not sleep well again last night and as usual nodded off when I should not have done. Woke up to the shortest day the Winter Solstice and Yule.  Thank goodness the days will slowly start to get longer again. We started off by going to the caravan as there were some bits we needed to retrieve.  We got there and as expected the shop was not working.  However when we got to the compound we could not get in due to locked gates with spikes up to preclude entry.  We had not been aware of this otherwise we would have gone earlier.   Oh well these things are sent to try us. Nothing is ever straightforward here there is always a gremlin in the works lurking somewhere! Marigolds and bleach have been in full swing today.  I washed and sorted out the condiments cupboard and the shelf collapsed on me.  OH will do a repair job to it but unfortunately his drill and kit are at the caravan where he left them after doing some work.  Needless to say was stri...

The second cheese delivery has arrived in a bigger box this time but still with the same care and attention to detail.  We are very pleased and shall use this company again.  I suspect quite frequently. The 2kg Colston Bassett Stilton, the Bishop Bigod Brie and the Gorgonzola should provide some good eating over Christmas together with some bread, crackers and chutney. OH goes tomorrow to collect the Bronze Turkeys, the Rib of Beef. the chipolatas, streaky bacon and sausage-meat. Very much looking forward to the main meal itself. Tomorrow will be a trip to the veg shop to stock up on veggies for the week as I suspect that they will have the rest of the week off and really I cannot blame them. We are having a very simple Christmas this year due to circumstances more than anything else but we will have a Christmas. Next year will be very different though.  One thing this year has taught me is never put off until tomorrow what you can do today.  So I will be steaming in...

Just a light-hearted view very pertinent at the moment for many of us.   Robbie Williams Christmas However, Christmas is what you make of it. So we are in for a different kind of Christmas this year. So not what was envisaged, but at least we will have a Christmas of sorts.  Thank goodness for the TV, Internet and all the various services available to us today compared to what there was when I was a child. We are so lucky in many respects.  Especially as many of us are tucked up in our homes with others like Nursing staff and Doctors, food store operatives etc who really are bearing the brunt of the situation. As well as those that have lost loved ones and the sacrifice their families have made and on top of that not able to grieve properly.  I am grateful to them as they are making the real difference. They are at the coal face making sure that the rest of us are not impeded and are able still to carry on with our lives. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. A...

 Have just heard that Peterborough which was due to go into Tier 3 has received a revision and we are now Tier 4.  Tiers before bedtime because people cannot follow the rules are running around with "It cannot possibly happen to me syndrome" so others who follow the rules become affected through no fault of their own. The shops will not confront offenders, much more the Police don't want to know so major loop hole in a system that could work properly if everyone got onboard.  Shops have been experiencing aggressive offensive behaviour where they their lives have been threatened. Stricter penalties are needed for offenders in the longer term and need to be pursued. OH and I had chosen to spend this Christmas quietly in any event, but I know of many families who will be badly affected. Christmas is a time for families but Pandemics and infections happen.  We need to be concentrating on LIFE here rather than on selfish actions.  So many people have been infected an...

This morning thus far has been one of deliveries. My microwave has arrived.  It is a Panasonic one with buttons, a large family sized one with all sorts of idiot functions on it.  Well I am an idiot, but OH is not familiar with the microwave and so it may encourage him when he is on his own to be able to use it.  My mum had a lovely all functioning all singing and dancing microwave.  A Panasonic but it was one of these touch button ones with like a plastic film over it and that part of it went caput so there was no way of using it.  I have not unwrapped the new one yet. Have bought this online from John Lewis.  We did have a look in the Hotpoint shop the other day to see if they had anything but nothing that I was seriously interested in.  I had seen this microwave previously when in town, so had a good look around on the Internet and decided to go with this.  It is stood on top of the new cooker. Both are boxed up and thoroughly wrapped. Both of ...

Up with the lark again on what is a grey December day, damp and horrible.  Waiting for the oven to be delivered but will not be fitted until the New Year.  Same with the Tumble Dryer will not be delivered before 29 December. At least my microwave is due tomorrow (something else that went wrong) Ooohps well these things are sent to try us but as long as we get there then that is all that matters. Work currently going on in the kitchen and plans to decorate and sort it out are underway including new tiles.  Once that room is square the dining room will be attacked and decorated.  Replacement flooring will probably take place in the new year probably laminate again.  The current flooring has been down for about 20 years and is past its best, but it has served a purpose.  I also intend to get the pantry sorted and the under-stairs.  I suspect therefore a great deal of the Christmas holiday period I will be engaged in decorating although I will have a coupl...

Wonderful news!  It is not raining and the sun is out.  Happy to see the sun as it warms the cockles of your soul. Again I have been in the kitchen.  Gradually getting there.  Work continues. OH has been to the tip a couple of times and no doubt will have to go again in the next few days but at least getting rid of the rubbish, room by room.  Still a long way to go, but will get there eventually. We had a slight jaunt out to the Hotpoint Shop to have a look around. Been and bought a new cooker that arrives tomorrow so we are slowly making progress.  Was looking for a microwave as well but at the moment cannot see anything that I would like. I have one in mind I have seen elsewhere. I have my mum's old one but it is one of these computerised ones and has failed.  All I want on the microwave front is a push button machine preferably in Stainless steel.  Just plain and simple so as little as possible can go wrong with it.  I am not one for new k...