TARRAGON & THYME

Started with me having a bit of a lay in only until 8:30 am but still a lay in all the same. I then pottered around in the house for a bit and got the animals fed etc. and then I was taken out for my Sunday lunch which was rather yummy roast rib of beef, Yorkshire pudding mixed seasonal veggies ie french beans, kidney beans, carrot, peas and cauliflower cheese.  Very yummy it was too all washed down with some Crabbies Ginger Beer.  It was really lovely. This afternoon I have been working away at the jungle.  My garden has been overtaken by triffids and with me buying new plants recently there is a bit of reverse psychology going on in that I have bought the plants first in order that I make sure that I do get on with the garden.  Not the normal way of doing things I freely admit but it seems to be working.  My plants already purchased are thriving and doing extremely well.  I have a lot of plant pots and planters to use up as well and as I have mention...

Was it really yesterday when I was up early and out of the house very early for me.  OH dropped me into town and I tried to pop into Lakeland but the doors were closed and I did not have time to wait and so I nipped up to the plant store in Cathedral Square where they had a beautiful display of plants.  To my surprise they had French Lavender and being as I had seen some in Wilkinsons earlier in the week at £6 a pot I asked how much and was told £1.50 per pot so I snaffled six.  I have also bought and paid for two fig trees which I am to collect on Tuesday lunch time all being well.  There were lots of other goodies as well and really my timing was off as I was on the way to see my mum so I could not manage much more.  To say I am chuffed  with my acquisitions is an understatement as I love fresh figs and I adore lavender.  Now to locate several English Lavender plants cheaply as I want a Lavender Hedge under my washing line. Well that's the plan and ...

 It has been hot, hot, hot too hot.  Despite me having the blinds down, windows open fans going the heat today has been unbearable and despite the best laid plans of what I was and was not going to do - well it did not happen.  I just flopped in the corner. Well that was a surprise OH rang earlier this afternoon and asked me to be ready and waiting for him when he came home approximately 6:45 pm and to put something nice on as he was taking me to the pub for a drink and something to eat  So I duly did as asked and was ready and waiting for him to come home.  Anything to escape the furnace . We went to a local pub the Fox and Hounds we had not been there before but the meal was very good.  We both had a starter and a main I had crab pate and lasagne with chips salad and onion rings. OH had crab pate, rib eye steak, chips, salad and onion rings.  We did not have pudding but have since had some vanilla ice cream which went down very nicely thank ...

Warning this post is photo heavy. I managed to acquire two beautiful pieces of needlework recently a tray cloth with pretty embroidery on and a tablecloth mostly executed in applique with eyelet lace decoration.  However the execution of this is so fine it looks absolutely gorgeous  I paid  £6.50 for both pieces that is what I call a bargain.  I think both pieces are extremely pretty and I am hoping to turn the tray cloth into a decorative cushion for the bed.   I have also found the following A large vintage glass ground stopper storage jar.  I collect these jars and pick them up where I can.  For the nice big pantry I have not yet acquired and they will be ideal for storing cake decorations and bits and bobs like that. £1 A stoneware sugar shaker a little chip on the top but it will not affect its use and it will go with a lot of other items of a similar nature that I already have and more than useful when it comes to baking. £...

Well I am nearly at the end of emptying my upright freezer part of which is only working  - we think it might be tired but until I can get the freezer well and truly empty  get it unplugged and defrosted we are not too sure (I think it might be terminal OH not convinced). Last night we had  grilled, gammon steaks, mixed roast veg i e potato, parsnip, sweet potato and onion gently roasted in the oven, mixed veg, carrots, sweetcorn and peas and new potatoes and very tasty it was too. I soaked the gammon slices in some water before cooking as the last lot we had was a little too salty but this was just right.  It made a very filling meal.  We had a few strawberries and cream for pudding and it all went down very well. I had some salad leaves in the fridge that needed using up and when I was rootling in the freezer last night I came across some Crevettes with the shell and everything on.  I am rather partial to prawns and sea food generally so I fished...

I know it is the summer holidays but you should be where you can starting to put food up to see you through the winter.  Now is the optimum time when the new crops are coming through is the ideal time to pop something up which give your family a treat later on in the year.  I absolutely adore Cherries and having a bottle of Brandy going nowhere in the cupboard at the moment and so I decided to put it to good use.  I have therefore started off a batch of home made cherry brandy for this year's Put Down 2013.  This is one of those liqueurs that I have repeatedly made over the years and is one of my favourites.  It is relatively easy to make.  Equipment is simple I use a large preserving jar with a rubber gasket to keep out any nasties. You will need: 1lb cherries 8oz caster sugar 2 tablespoons split almonds 1 cinnamon stick 1 bottle of brandy  2 cloves Prepare the cherries by either trimming or removing stalk and then washing t...

For three days  - desperately needed and occasioned by the fact that I had to have the first of three treatments on my ankle which I was very nervous about, but managed to get through okay. I have been warned that I should take things steady and there may be bruising to the ankle, which is all quite normal,  All done with sound waves and I think it has done some good already.  Here's hoping.  So I am pleased I booked the time off as it has given me some very much needed space and its the first real time I have had off this year.  Hasn't it been hot again; the sun has been out most of the day here, and the humidity is very high.  The animals are just chilling I have kept the blinds down and have windows open so that we get an air flow through the house as they are really suffering with their fur coats at the moment.  There is plenty of water to be had for them as well. We have gammon slices, with roasted vegetables, peas and new potatoes for te...