TARRAGON & THYME

 G is fishing tomorrow and whilst he is away I intend to first off make some Strawberry jam.  Just a kilo of fruit and sugar - should make approximately four jars of jam.  It will be something for the Pantry shelf.  I hope to make more later on in the week and then perhaps a version with Rhubarb as well.  All much needed supplies for the Pantry shelf. There will be a lot to do next month on the preserving front as I have not really at the moment done very much apart from what I made with the Chives recently. I also intend to go and tackle my jewellery chest in the front bedroom.  I have to do some sorting in there in any event and am therefore tackling both aspects together.  I also have some items that are currently in the front bedroom that need to go into the back bedroom. As I mentioned before G is not keen on things being out of place and does not cope well with mess and when I am sorting stuff out I like to sprawl and place things together as par...

Today we paid a trip to our Bakers for some crusty rolls, a cake each and a pork pie.   From there we then went on to the Butchers, for some Bacon.  Also bought in some more Sausage; i.e. Boerwors Sausage to try.  We have not had this before.  There was also 3lb Black Pudding £4.50, Big pack of Bacon £12.50 and a couple of Gammon steaks £4.00 a 2.5kg supposedly Mature Cheddar block of cheese for £19, an extra large whole chicken for £6 as well as some Greens Pudding mixes.  I bought in 2 Creme Carmele (works out at £1.20 per packet) and 2 Lemon Meringue Pie Filling (works out at £1.20 per packet).  Previously I have bought in about 6 Cheesecake mixes (works out at £1.80 per box) I am stock-piling on pudding mixes for a quick pudding when we fancy one or when one is needed but also for use in the Winter months.    This particular Butcher also has frozen goods, and other different bits and bobs, like sweets, broken biscuits, fruit juices sauces...

I prepared a Menu for this week and then forgot to post it.  We are now on Day Three for this week.  I will be shopping this weekend and depending on what is bought I will then write up a Menu for the week ahead. It also helps me use up items in the fridge that could otherwise get overlooked.  We are trying to get back into a routine again now we have no restraints where Missy is concerned.  We still both miss her deeply, and we felt almost guilty from being released from the constraints which followed as a result of her difficulties. Mind you we would do the same again. Therefore trying to get back into good habits across the board and simplify things. G has received his Surgery date for the cataract removal which is 2 July 2026 which has come through relatively quickly, which I was hoping for.  He will then have to rest for a period and depending on how he gets on, and if progress is good I think it will be somewhere from the middle of August before we will be...

I am looking more and more to buying bulk items and using free P & P where available whether that be as a result of a subscription to something or buying above a certain figure.  Sadly you do not see many bulk buys in the supermarkets but I seem to find them online.   Many years ago during my first marriage I used to go to a local Cash & Carry which did not require membership at the time.  A lot of warehouses seem predominantly focused towards businesses rather than the individual.  I used to buy all my baking ingredients in bulk bags which saved a lot of money and kept the Pantry well stocked for regular baking.  I have looked in other Cash & Carry providers but have not been able to source the baking ingredients in bulk like I used to.  Something that seems to be catered for in the USA, but not so readily here in the UK.  I also used to manage the Freezer in a similar way even then. I already buy my potatoes by the sack, my eggs by l...

We have had a lot of rain overnight and for the early part of the morning.  I think G was fed up with being in the house and we had an unexpected trip out to the Butcher today.  Came home with some proper Lincolnshire Sausages, a Lincolnshire Plum Loaf (some of my Cheddar will go beautifully with this).  Also bought in some frozen Sweet Potato Fries and some Onion Rings.  A punnet of English Strawberries, a couple of sauces a Green Thai one and a Tikka Masala one.  Did look at the joints of Beef and also a Haunch of Venison.  Decided that this trip out would leave these.  Also came away with two full trays of large Eggs. From there on the way back we were near a garden centre that was originally opened by Post Office staff and from what I understand then grew into what was known locally as The Barn. They had a real reputation for first class plants. It changed hands a few years ago and is now known as Cherry Lane, The Barn.  Had not been for such ...