TARRAGON & THYME

After a busy first day back at work I was pleased to get home where I was greeted by a highly excited Jack Russell who leapt into my arms as I opened the internal door and then promptly tried to lick me to death.  Once she calmed a little Squeak then pottered down the stairs and promptly sat on me as soon as I sat down demanding her share of the fuss too.  Demetri he was out and about.  He has been in for supper but these light dry nights he comes and goes as he pleases he can always get in and he has a blanket that he can curl up on if he comes in. After egg and chips for tea with bread and butter and fruit and cream for pud I then wandered out into the garden again and got my hands dirty potting up some more seeds and also chucking out some rubbish and partly weeding the border.  Its nice to be out in the fresh air for a little while working with my hands just grounding myself down after the pressures of the day as it helps destress me.  I am hoping I can...

I have very kindly been awarded a Sunshine Award by Julie of Dragonfly Gems who has a lovely little blog  go on check her out.  Here is the link:  http://dragonfly-gems.blogspot.co.uk/ Thank you Julie it was a lovely surprise. As I understand it the Sunshine Award Rules are:   To Thank the blogger who nominated you (Julie nominated me and I have thanked her above as well as dropping her a thank you directly to her blog.    Now I must answer the following 10 questions about myself on the subject of my favourite things. My favourite animal: Love all animals but especially Cats and Dogs. Favourite number : 7 My favourite non alcoholic drink : Elderflower cordial Facebook or Twitter : Facebook My Passions : Cooking (especially preserving) and Crafts (various) Receiving or giving presents : I love to give but its also nice to receive. Favourite pattern : No  one specific one but there are lots of lovely ones so lots of choice Favou...

I have been pottering around in the garden this afternoon, sowing a few seeds not that I think that they will come to much but If I don't try I won't know.   The sun has been hot but the wind has been rough; a very variable kind of day. Two tubs of cress are sown as are some pea shoots for salad. I have also started some pot marigold off and some salad and beans.  I have had the dirt in my hands, my nails have had to be scrubbed with a brush as a consequence to remove all remnants.  But sometimes its good to do this as it is a very good grounding mechanism; we all need connecting to the earth and to the seasons.   Next year is going to be very different and hopefully the greenhouse will be back in full production if not here then maybe somwhere else.  I am getting very itchy feet at the moment.  Hopefully I will get some time to myself tomorrow night to plant some more seed up and if I can do a little each day if and when it comes through at least it is go...

    A Dream is a wish your Heart Makes (Song from Walt Disney's film Cinderella)

Since coming back from Walking Missy it has rained continually; even Demetri has come in soaking wet and I have had to towel dry him too.  After not being in the house very much whilst I have been away he is now dry and esconced on  the settee fast asleep.  He knows where his bread is buttered.  Having had so far all my plans put out of sync for the day I have been browsing. I love books - I always have and there is no way that I could get used to a kindle to read a book.  Its the whole experience, the feel the smell and just pure joy of reading that I love so much and the place that you put yourself in.  I have a lot of books that I use repeatedly and get a lot of pleasure out of.    However I was in the charity shop the other day and I picked up a couple of books that I hadn't got or seen before.  The main one is called the Ulitmate Christmas Cookbook, ISBN 1-897730-53-5.  I paid £2 for the copy I obtained although the pric...

We were up early this morning the pair of us; and so far it has been bright.  I went armed with my foraging bag which basically is a carrier bag holding a few more carriers, a roll of polythene bags, a pair of scissors and a pair of bright yellow Marigold gloves. .  I was intent on getting some Elderflowers for Champagne, Wine, Cordial and Curd and with it being bright I thought there might be a fair chance that they would be ideal conditions to pick.  OH had gone with the intention of checking to see whether there were any more puffballs, whilst I have been away he has had one or two but sadly there were none for the taking today.  Equally whilst we were out it started to rain quite heavily and so no Elderflowers today - I will have to go in the week as I want to put down quite a bit of Champagne and quite a bit of wine as well in readiness for Christmas.  I will possibly have to go in the week after work unless we go for another walk later on in the day....

Its been a busy day and I am now pretty shattered,  and it will not be long before I go up to bed - even if I don't sleep I will be resting. It has been a pleasant day all the same.  This evening it has been drizzling and it has gone chillier.  The honey bread did not come up as high as my usual bread recipe but it does taste very good - the sunflower seeds didn't fall out of the trap though.  Will have to have a look at that before I make another loaf tomorrow. I managed to get two bags of cherry tomatoes into the freezer and also a bag of green and yellow peppers. They are not in big bags so will squeeze into any little gap available in the freezer. I have also sorted some seeds out to sow over the next few days.  I have strawberries coming on in tubs and need to get a little salad stuff done  - sadly because of the weather I haven't managed to get much done this year but all being well that will be put right next year.  However I did manage...