TARRAGON & THYME

September is the month I start to do this.  My family always did as well namely my grandmother and my mother.  Carefully putting a few luxury items here and there and putting a few pounds aside for the purpose so that when you see an offer you can take advantage. During the autumn days pickles, chutneys and bottled fruits were always "Put Up or Put Down" (as well as crops during the summer months) as well as being used on a seasonal daily basis.  I think this was a fall back to the War Years.  My Nan was lucky to live in  the country and put up all sorts of things even then as well as sharing it with other villagers or those not so well prepared.  She also had a large pantry.  In those days they used to keep pigs and do their own bacon, curing etc as well as home made wine and other goodies.  The pantry I was not allowed in so I always viewed it as a magical place full of goodies. Today we don't have any appreciation of what our forebears wen...

It is starting to get very back endish there is that certain change in the air. the one that denotes the gentle slip of one season to another.  In other words the "nip" is back in the air again and the nights are starting to draw in.  I have already had the heating on twice this week as it has been too cold for me.  I literally seize up if I get cold so the trick is to keep on an even keel i.e. have the heating on for a quick blast to warm everything up and then turn it down and that way I don't seem to be too bad.  It will soon be October and it is nearly the end of the blackberry season not that I have had chance to get any this year.  Perhaps next.  Where has this year gone too.  It just has not panned out how I hoped or thought it would. We walk Missy (our Jack Russel) at night and I have been looking out for puff balls.We are both very partial to these tasty mushrooms.  So far we have not seen any this year but this might be down to the ...

I am so sorry for having been away for so long and thank you all for your condolences and good wishes.  I have been away a lot longer than I intended but things have been manic to say the least.   We are getting there very slowly - some days are good some not so but the worst things for me personally are that I will think oh will have to tell Mum that or give her a ring and then realise that I cannot.  One of the worst times was going to Mum's for the first time afterwards both my brother and I turned up and looked into the kitchen window which is on the front of the bungalow expecting to see her  - and then realising we would not. That was a real tear jerker for us both. Its a natural process grieving and we all do it in very different ways.  I tend to retire into myself and wander off to try and get the inner emotions under control and also to put thoughts into their proper perspective so that I know where I am at and what I have to do. However in lo...

We went for a walk by the river on Friday afternoon for me to get my head around what had happened with my mother at the beginning of the day and just stroll in the sunshine after having been cooped up in Peterborough City Hospital for eight days.  I was stiff and needed some gentle exercise to free off my legs and my hips and I must say it was good to feel the warmth of the sun.  I also needed to be quiet and think and put things in perspective as I totally felt the rug had been pulled out from under my feet. Whilst out we located some Mirabelle/Cherry Plums  - yellow ones which fortunately had not been picked.  We fell lucky this time but in the past have come away empty handed as someone has beaten us to it, but I have come away with about a kilo which I am going to bottle in a light syrup and pop up for Christmas.  Some of the plums were a little under ripe but they are ripening off so that they can be bottled and then used in puddings over the winter m...

For your supportive words and comments at this particularly sad point for me.  It really is appreciated and shows me just how lovely you all are. Thank you from my heart Tricia xx

I am sorry I have been absent for so long.  Initially I was absent due to my mother being taken ill and being rushed into hospital.  No sooner had we got her home than she was rushed in yet again, this time having collapsed overnight and being found by my uncle when he could not raise her by normal means. The last eight days I have stayed with her round the clock in hospital.  We knew that she would not be coming home - but we did not know when that would be or how that would be.  I wanted to be with her as time was precious and she needed the physical and emotional support.  She fought bravely but this morning lost her fight and died peacefully like a gentle breeze on a summers day gently going through. Its left a gaping hole in our hearts for my brother and I and for our extended families.   We have lots to do; but in the meantime I hope you will excuse my presence for a little while longer.  I will endeavour to get back to bloggi...

In amongst all of the excitement of the past few weeks I had purchased a new hand operated Kilner butter churn which I bought via Ebay - brand new and delivered to Argos in Peterborough. Another one of those gadgets that I have had my eye on for quite some time.  I had originally thought to buy a well loved one but thought this one eminently practical on the hygiene front.  I quite frequently come upon cream that has been reduced and I thought it might be a good way to produce some exotic butters which can be stored in the freezer for the winter months without paying through the nose for it and to add a bit more variety to the palate during the winter months. Its that time of year where my mind turns to goodies I can put up in the Pantry, Cupboard, freezer. I have Rosemary, Sage, Parsley, Thyme, Chives and mint growing in the herb border and I also have some chillis, Bay and Lemon Verbena.So I have all the items there now I just have to get playing. I have a ...