TARRAGON & THYME

I am back to writing lists as my memory is decidedly dippy at the moment.  Plus with a list I have the added bonus of ticking things off as I finish them.  Now that is satisfaction.  Something completed.  I have a few things to do this week (as per usual); some things will keep a bit longer like the Shallots there is always flexibility with doing them but I would like to start them even if I do not get them completely sorted. I also have some more runner beans, marrow courgettes, new potatoes, tomatoes and some Victoria Plums that need ripening off . Also the remnants of a net of red onions and white onions so for starters the list looks as follows: Tomato Ketchup. Tomato Soup for the freezer. Picallili. Pickled Shallots. Burnt Onions for Gravy. Red Onion Marmalade. White Onion and Garlic Marmalade. Another layer on the Rumptopf. Victoria Plum Jam. Mincemeat. We will have to see how we get on. Pattypan xx

Well I have started the Christmas Food Hoarding.  Most of the dates on the goodies located so far have dates into April 2014 which suits me and gives me a bit more flexibility on time frame which is  a good thing.  These are destined for under the stairs out of the way.  I want to get as much as I can sorted earlier than I did last year so that I can get on when I need to do certain things which are fiddly and need a bit of time spending on them. Just a few things for starters but the list will increase as I acquire things.  I really should have started with cake ingredients like fruit for the Christmas Cake and Christmas Puddings but hey its about nabbing things whilst I can and whilst things are on offer and more importantly when pennies will allow.  I also have to sort out the Pantry and the Freezer with goodies as well, but that will come in due course.  I am planning on making whatever I can from scratch However I am aiming to get what I can ...

We are at the end of another month; the nights are starting to draw in a little and there is a nip in the air and the blackberries and elderberries are putting in an appearance. We are slipping into autumn gently almost imperceptibly the wheel is turning again.  Bringing in the new shaking things up again. Soon time to go picking blackberries for freezing, making jam, chutney, bottling, vinegars and wine making and blackberry vinegar.  Also time to look for mushrooms, Rosehips, Rowan berries, crab apples, Damsons, sloes.  Time to get making wine either buying a kit or creating from scratch and putting some beer, cider and lager, bitter or stout down for Christmas as well as Ginger Beer. This is the time of the year where we have to make the best of what comes our way to make sure our pantries are filled to last us through the winter months until spring arrives once more.  My local Coop has the Christmas sweets in and the biscuits and there are offers on alread...

  There is another Workshop coming up with Jacqueline Lesley on Saturday 7 September 2013.  The details are as follows: ‘ARE YOU PSYCHIC?’ “Dare to believe in your own potential!” Workshop Day, 10 am to 4pm, Saturday 7th September 2013 – Peterborough Have you wondered if you may be psychic? Do you just have a ‘feeling’ that maybe there is something different about you? Have you had ‘unusual’ experiences? Are you drawn to find out more about this subject? With her 22 years of experience as a medium and tutor, Jacqueline will lead you on a day of spiritual learning. This will be a voyage of discovery about your own intuitive abilities which will help you to open up to the possibility that you too may be psychic! You will learn how to contact the spirit world and how to attune psychically to your own and other people’s energy. A day of infinite opportunities awaits you in a relaxed and calm atmosphere with others just like you. Even if you are a tota...

Sorry have not been around for a few days have had internet problems -  hopefully that is all sorted now.  Have a couple of posts prepped  up but have to find the photos to go with them which could be easier said than done.   Hope everyone has had a good weekend. Pattypan xx

I have been at home today  as I had the final hospital appointment for my ankle.  I have to get in touch with my consultant now to see whether or not she wants me to have further sessions.  I must say I have been very impressed with this treatment although the last appointment was extremely uncomfortable today's was more like the first, but apparently it can go like this.  They were running late on appointments today  so by the time I got home it was about 12:30 pm.   OH is on holiday this week until he is back to work next Tuesday so when we got home he fancied a fried breakfast so that is what we had although I never do have much as I cannot eat an awful lot in one session these days.  I have been trying to find homes for some of my books this afternoon in the bookshelves in the front room.  I have also been sorting knitting patterns out and have sorted out some that I no longer require so they will go to the charity shop at the weekend....

Condiments are sauces that help pep up meals like home made mustards and flavouring the mustard to go with specific meats sometimes mixing them with wine another time with a beer or a stout.  There are many kind of condiments including the nations favourite Tomato Ketchup. Having made the Souper Paste stock the other evening and having the remnants of a net of onions lurking and needing something doing with them I have decided to make another batch of Burnt Onions for Gravy which I make periodically although it is a while since I have raised this via a post. For the recipe please see the link here: http://tarragonnthyme.blogspot.co.uk/2009/03/burnt-onions-for-gravy-stock.html .  It will in effect be something useful made out of what I already have to hand and not wasting anything.  The net of onions only cost me £1 and I have had lots of use out of the onions so far.  I use onions a lot although when peeling and chopping I am quite frequently balling my eyes out b...