TARRAGON & THYME

On the walk out with Missy yesterday evening I noticed that some of the trees had had loose twigs blown off them.  Being as we did not go the long way round I ended up picking up one or two of them and came back with quite a little stash.  I intend to turn them into some Christmas decorations for the house.  Some of them have green moss on them.  I had thought to give a light dusting of white paint to some of these twigs and to some of the larch cones which I also gathered up.  I had also thought of bleaching some of the larch cones and dying them red.  I am going to mull that one over. I have purchased quite a few long cinnamon sticks from Tiger which I also have stashed plus 1kg of cinnamon sticks I purchased last year which are also going to be turned into decorations of one sort or another.  I have star anise as well.  Some small oranges are going into the dehydrator this week split so that they can be used in garlands and I also intend t...

What do you remember most about your childhood Christmases.  Is there a particular memory, event tradition, different foods, lots of preparation.  Was it happy was it sad or did you just not celebrate.  Did your parents make it magical for you and what were your thoughts, feelings, scents and sounds that you remember.  Did you sing carols, play the piano, make tree decorations, make pressies for your loved ones and friends etc. etc. etc.  Did you/do you still go and pick your on Christmas trees and scour the hedgerows and the countryside for greenery to decorate the house with.  Each of you has precious memories and it would be good if you would share them with us.  Each of us has something to bring to the table. Each of us is very different and each of us have different requirements. You already know that I am a bit of a Christmas nut but it would be lovely to know how you celebrate or do not celebrate and the reasoning behind it. Would love ...

If you are going to be making your own preserved items or baked goods for friends at Christmas (and craft goods as well) you really want your present to look as good as it can. Some of the things that I do at this time of year is source baskets from the Charity shops and then recycle them.  You can leave them natural, give them a coat of gloss or paint them and then spruce them up and then pop your finished item in and wrap with ribbon and cellophane. I also keep my eye out for cellophane you can never have too much of this.  I try and look for it reduced throughout the year and stash it as it comes in extremely useful.  Also tins, boxes paper see through bags, lolly sticks, gift bags, wine bottle covers, small interesting bottles and corks, ribbon, fabric tops, all can be made to look fabulous.  You can also theme your baskets to the individual so for a keen cook say,  a recipe book, some wooden spoons, oven gloves, some chutney, sauce, jam etc. oh and...

On a bright Sunday morning it seems a little insane talking about Christmas planning and plotting, but in reality there are not that many weeks left until Christmas and if making stuff yourself if you work full time - time is indeed of the essence so the most of every spare minute must be made. When I was turfing the study/craft room out I found several boxes of bought Christmas cards and a couple of rolls of wrapping paper.  I know I am going to make some cards (hopefully and that is my intent) but they will be for family and friends and there will be the work ones and the colleagues ones.  Its good to wish everyone something good and is a positive vibe in this sometimes colourless world of ours.  But Christmas is vibrant and so full of life. So I need to start early in getting Christmas cards and wrapping paper all sorted out.  I also intend to do some little trims and little ornaments from the Christmas tree and also some garlands out of paper but also from...

The crux of organising anything good is in the planning  - its the boring part but to make things run smoothly and be time effective its best to get this off to a fine tee.  Why because there is nothing more frustrating than starting to make something and then having to stop half way through because you haven't got what you need. It interrupts the creative flow and wastes time. Its the same with anything you do.  The more time you take to plan the better.  So if you cannot afford to buy several items or bits and bobs in bulk break it down piecemeal and work one project at a time.  Use the cheapie book shops or places like B & M and Wilkos and the Works (cheapie book store that also has an extensive range of craft items quite reasonably in the shops but they are on the Internet).  My personal opinion. I am a bit gung ho on the preserving side at the moment mainly down to the short time period some foods are available and I like to make the most ...

Oh no not that C word some of you groan.  Yes it is early, however I am working on the basis that time is short  and for what I want to do time is tight and of the essence.  Commiserations to you who are groaning but there is very much a method in my madness.  Carry on reading and you will find out more below. Come the end of August beginning of September every year I start buying those extra bits and bobs or fresh ingredients and filling the pantry with an array of different produce.  I  turn raw ingredients prepared by my own fair hands into long keeping  chutneys, jams, pickles, dried goods, canned goods  and fill the pantry shelves or boughten prepared items.  Lets be realistic here I aim high but if I run out of time then I do of course buy things rather than make them.  I am not perfect although my overall aim is to do as much as I personally can it just isn't always possible.  So the whole process is not one to ma...

Well I have been adding a few more items to the list, just a few things here and there and also taking advantage of offers on some items. I am lucky and I know I am in that I am able to put things up here and there.  Equally though I have not gone as mad this year, partly due to prices but I have been a little more selective in what I have actually bought so far. I have bought a few sweets (but not as many as I have in the past). This year though I am going more for ingredients I can make things from like nuts, sesame seeds, potatoes, popping corn. Puff Pastry, dough, for making savoury pinwheels, cheese straws, cheese and sesame twists and for savoury popcorns and home made chips naan breads etc.  Although I have particular brands of crackers that I always keep in as we love cheese I intend to make a few to ring the changes as well.  I think there will be a visit to the Cheese Shop in Stamford to get stocked up on some of the more specialist cheeses that we both like ...

Christmas is coming The Geese are getting Fat Please put a penny in the old man's hat If you haven't got a penny, a hapenny will do If  you haven't got a hapenny  Then God bless you! It would seem that Christmas is on its way - Its Stir Up Sunday today  - and I forgot! I normally make my Christmas Puddings on Stir Up Sunday but not this year oohps its the reincarnation of the other year when I forgot! - since me not being well in February I have been more forgetful (was probably the bang on the head) but I do not seem to have got myself together very well. Oh b..! They will just have to be made next weekend (I am on holiday then) so should have time to get them done and out the way with. Here is a post from a previous year including the recipe I normally use (a Delia one) although I have been known to fiddle with the ingredients and also use other recipes but this is the one I tend to come back to. http://tarragonnthyme.blogspot.co.uk/2013/11/advent-sund...

. 'TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS by Clement Clarke Moore or Henry Livingston 'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse; The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there; The children were nestled all snug in their beds, While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads; And mamma in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap, Had just settled down for a long winter's nap, When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter, I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter. Away to the window I flew like a flash, Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash. The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below, When, what to my wondering eyes should appear, But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer, With a little old driver, so lively and quick, I knew in a moment i...

Its stir up Sunday today, traditionally the last Sunday before advent when  the Christmas Pudding and Christmas Cake are made in order to allow it to mature its full flavour from all the wonderful ingredients that go into this wonderful mix. Its a time also for the family to take a turn in stirring the pudding from East to West in rememberance of the three wise men and also to make a silent wish for the coming year.  A tradition that goes way back (or at least it does in my family).  My Nan used to always put in a sixpence into the pudding mix. The lucky recipient was meant to have wealth etc in the following year. So time to get the scales out and start measuring those ingredients and do a little bit of elbow work. We are very lucky to have such a tradition as the Christmas Pudding.  Next Sunday is the First Sunday in Advent