TARRAGON & THYME

Morning everyone, we like many others have had the first of the winters snow,  It was terribly cold last night - and we had the heating on, so it was nice and warm.  I went out to a friends for the evening, literally over the road at about 7.30 did not roll in until midnight, but had a lovely time with her. There was no snow then.  We think it must have snowed somewhere between then and about 2.00 p.m. as I had not long been in bed when I had to get up again.  I poked my nose through the window then and there was quite a thick covering of snow, without a footprint on it.  By 7.00 p.m. it was covered both sides of the street on the pavements with loads of footprints impregnated into the snow. There is still a light scattering but it appears to be melting, which if it freezes like it did last night will be nasty on the roads and underfoot. It looks as though its the start of another cold winter. Keep safe and warm wherevever you may be Pattypan xx

Its freezin here this evening, it was cold last night but eeh by gum its even colder.  In fact weather forecast wasn't discounting snow, overnight, but will have to wait and see.  I said in the summer that I thought this year was going to be another hard winter too many berries in the bushes, and it reminded me of the winter just after my brother was born when we had a dreadfully bad winter.  I hope not, but I have been hurting a lot so far and we are not even into winter proper as it were yet.  I think the thermals are going to have to come out of the closet.  Missy's under the blanket again and the heating is on.  We will just have to wait and see what happens. Take care wherever you are Pattypan xx

I have to prepare a load of eggs for pickling.  This is something that I tend to make year in year out.  I am not keen on them but OH loves them.  With a little time, patience and attention you can quite easily make a success of them. Ingredients 3/4 pint of vinegar I use white spirit vinegar or wine vinegar 1/2 teaspoon of salt 1 teaspoon of black peppercorns 1 teaspoon of allspice berries 1/2 oz fresh root ginger peeled and cut into matchsticks 12 small eggs sprigs of fresh herbs eg thyme parsley tarragon (optional) Method Choose either malt, distilled, red or white wine vinegar to give different flavours and colour effects.  Use a wide neck jar -  this is important as it makes it easier to get the eggs into as well as out of the jar. Pour the vinegar into a saucepan.  Add the salt, peppercorns, allspice and ginger and bring to the boil.  Simmer for two minutes and then leave to cool. Meanwhile hard boil the eggs for at least 10 ...

Cats and Dogs can be friends.  With kindness and patience. Its a cold winter night outside and a full moon to boot, but just  look at these two sleeping beauties.   We have the odd moment where the Jack Russell in her rears its head (Missy), but those moments are few and far between. And occasionally Squeak taps Missy with her paw, when she has had to suffer yet another round of ear washing, but those moments are few and far between. These two really are the best of friends.  Missy has to have her blankie though, she is normally cuddled underneath it keeping warm, head included. It just goes to show how trusting these two really are of each other and I am glad.

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

This year more than ever it is more important that you perhaps have a go at making bits and bobs for Christmas yourself, whether this be decorations, presents, home made cards or other projects.  In my research for myself I have come across the following sites that may well be of use to you all, whether for this Christmas or next.  Go on check them out there are some nice ideas out there. http://busycooks.about.com/od/christmas/a/giftsfromkitche.htm http://www.taste.com.au/recipes/collections/groups/christmas+recipeshttp://allrecipes.com http//Recipes/holidays-and-events/christmas/food-gifts/Main.aspx http://tipdeck.com/how-to-make-christmas-bows http://www.freepatterns.com/?login=1 - this particular site I use a lot as it offers free download patterns in a full spectrum of mediums.  You can download these in pdf format and the patterns are changed regularly so its one to keep your eye on. These are just for tasters will post some more when I have  a few mor...

Hello everyone, sorry haven't been around too much was off work all last week with an extremely bad cold.  I do try and keep clear of them, but some kind soul bought it into the office.  Because I have a wonky auto immune system, if I get a cold or infection I tend to get it double whammy and find it hard to shift.  Needless to say I spent most of last week in bed fast asleep (when you sleep you heal and my middle name is doormouse). Have been back at work this week and I am keeping my fingers crossed but I am hoping that am near enough at the end of it ( I don't make a good patient at the best of times) and as I keep saying to colleagues if they chop me in half and remove the bottom half should be okay. Its been very cold this week even the cats haven't stayed out very long and have quickly come in and snuggled up in their usual spots and I can't say that I blame them.On a cold winters night its nice to get cosy and the animals give so much unconditional love and are...