TARRAGON & THYME

Well I have completed my two days at work in between Christmas and the New Year and my cold has become worse and I have had to dose myself to try and keep a lid on things. I was supposed to have gone to my dear Mum's tomorrow for New Year's Day tea, but I cannot go becuase of this nasty cold. I do not want to put my Mum at risk of infection of any kind. It was to have been a family tea where my brother and sister in law and my two nephews were also going for tea. OH has the cold and is now worse than I was. Today therefore I had a lay in - to try and knock this cold into touch, but I am still not clear of it completely. I always tend to get a bad cold around this time of the year so hopefully once this has gone that will be it for the year. Otherwise it has been a very quiet day, I haven't done too much. I have been catching up on all my favourite blogs and I have been drafting posts here on the computer and trying to get some of the planning for my ideas for the New Y...

There is always a touch of sadness or regret as another year passes it is like saying goodbye to a well known friend or a comfortable pair of shoes knowing that you will never see them again. But this year has brought hardship to many and many different lessons have been learned indvidually and as a mass. Some cannot wait to see the back of this year as it has been a troublesome one, to others it is just another year that has passed. Although there is a touch of sadness, there is also the new coming in, the new pair of shoes and new situations yet to be discovered reinvigorating our lives and in effect re-birth. In effect change, but with change comes hope, and while the flicker of hope burns anything is achievable and possible. I hope this year is a good one for you and yours and for everyone generally.

Just a note to wish you all wherever you may be a HAPPY NEW YEAR and I hope it is a good one for all of you and your families. Where are the years going to - this past one seems to have gone a little quicker than usual, although in some respects thats not too bad a thing. Thank you for all your support during the past year, it is much appreciated. Please don't be afraid to say hello as I love to hear from people. With love and light Pattypan (aka Tricia)

Was back to work today for two days in between New Year and Christmas - we finish tomorrow evening until next Monday. And it has been a cold dark miserable day here in Peterborough. Going to work this morning, on the right hand side of the Crescent Bridge there was still thick ice on the footpath, and that is despite all the rain and thawing that has taken place in between the snow. Its been very cold all day and it is now chucking it down with rain although the weather forecast indicates sleet/snow - I know it is freezing at the moment. I am gladly snug in the house - although I could do with a warming real log/coal fire to warm my soul and to dream over and to warm me through. All the cats are in - they are not keen on the rain or indeed very convinced by the snow - it slows them up and it is funny to see them walking gingerly on it - they don't take much persuading to come on in. I have a sore throat and the sniffles. OH is adamant that I have been snoring rather prolifica...

I have been very pleased with my attempts at decorating my front room this year. They have turned out better than I hoped. I have a go at things and have a clear picture in my mind's eye as to how I would like things to be but sometimes things go wrong and not quite how I really want them, but hey thats all part of the learning curve. Next time round because have made before they usually come even better. Unusually this year I have not bought or made any Christmas decorations at all. I usually make some or buy some new ones. Unfortunately for my family I am a bit nuts about Christmas - but then for me it is the most important festival I celebrate during the year as it is about family and extended family and all my efforts throughtout the year usually culminate in the Christmas celebrations. I feel very much the seasons but feel disconnected from the land yet these customs and traditions give us all something to look forward to and give some shape and form and reason to who we are w...

Hello everyone sorry have been away for a while but things have been a tad hectic since I last posted and Christmas came and bit me on the bum. However first things first hope that you have all had a fantastic Christmas and have been able to celebrate the season in the way that you wished to and with those that are dear to you. One must feel for our Armed Forces and their families at this time of year because Christmas really is about family and at the end of the day they are making sure that we can spend time safe with our loved ones. Ideally I could have done with a couple of days extra in the preparations, but things went a tad pear shaped in the planning and preparation (despite the fact I had already done quite a bit of this during the year) and lack of funds. With only my wage coming in things have been more than a tad tight and I haven't been able to just go and do things like I would normally do. But then I am not alone and I consider myself very lucky. It has been a ver...

This is my mum's recipe and the cornflour seems to give it a lighter texture 4oz plain flour 2oz cornflour 2oz caster sugar 4oz butter Sieve the flour and cornflour together. Add the sugar then rub in the butter. The mixture will be very crumbly to start with but continue rubbing in with your fingers until it clings together in heavy lumps. Or alternatively whizz all the ingredients togetgher in a food processor. Turn onto a board or working surface that has been lightly floured with either cornflour or ordinary plain flour knead the mixture together lightly. Roll into a circle, or press into a shortbread pan/mould or baking tin. Prick all over the top with a fork mark into portions suitable to the pan you are using (you might choose slices, or wedges. If using the circle flute the edge by pinching and moulding the edge. Bake in a moderate oven for 30 to 35 minutes until the shortbread is cooked but not browned. Leave on baking tray/pan/mould to cool for about 10 to 12 minut...