TARRAGON & THYME

The following post is not an advertisement for any company, indeed none of my posts are.  They reflect things which I find useful or that work for me nothing more and are completely my subjective view. I have a tumble drier which during the winter months I use on a regular basis however in the summer months I rely on line drying.  When I bought my tumble drier I went and bought some drier sheets and then found out my particular tumbler you could not use the sheets with.  So I was left to all intent and purposes with tumble drier sheets that I could not use. Never say never.  I still buy tumble drier sheets just not for the tumbler.  I use them in my shoes and trainers and they work wonderfully well at freshening them up I have a problem with my feet getting a bit warm but since I have been using this method I have had no problems at all.  They work marvellously in trainers too.  I have found it removes any unwanted odours which trainers ...

Be warned this is a long post!  I think sometimes that I was born out of time.  Not always going with the flow and the fashions, and going more with the things that I like more than anything else.  I tend to be a bit of a "clutter-bug" but that is me and my personality. I think looking back on things that I have always liked older items in preference to new so it is no wonder that I am more and more introducing "second hand" items back into my household.  I am more interested in making a home from recycled new to me bits and bobs than I ever was and that includes furniture. I like the mixing the blending of different textures, different mediums like crochet and patchwork, linen and lace. Unfortunately and probably it is a good thing at the moment is that I cannot squeeze any more furniture into the house on the grand scheme of things -  well not where we are but  it does not stop me looking and dreaming and I do have ideas for the future.  Quit...

The humble or not so humble jam jar can be used in many ways. These ones above are available from Wilkinsons and are very much like the Bonne Maman jam jars.  Ideal for keeping bits and bobs in, in the fridge and quite cheaply. I do not use jam jars just for keeping preserves in.  I also use them for other things like : storing pork dripping in; making whole milk yogurt in my slow cooker; Taking the pots of yogurt to work as part of your lunch. storing the remnants of a good gravy in the fridge so that you can use it as a base for gravy for another meal.  It is sacrilege to waste such a thing especially when you have taken time and effort to make it up. Take this week for example.  We have had roast pork for dinner on Sunday and I have Lincolnshire pork sausages for Toad in the hole for dinner one night during the week and some of the gravy will get used up then.  It is very much a matter of waste not want not and getting the most of what you actua...

We had quite a bit of snow overnight but I still think we have managed to come off lightly compared to the rest of the country.  It was bitterly cold here again last night and I left the heating on to keep the house ourselves and the animals warm  - this is a cold house in any event at the best of times. When I woke first thing it was minus 2.  I then crashed back to sleep hence it being a lazy day as it was late for me when I eventually woke up. We have not had further snow today yet but it has been a tad warmer than yesterday so who knows. However tonight it is very cold again.  We will see what tomorrow brings.  If it snows again then I will walk.  Am all geared up to do so. As children we only see the pleasure of snow and ice, making snowmen, making slides and scooting along at top speed, watching the snow come down from the house (we were always told it was Mrs Claus shaking out Santa Claus'  feather pillows out).  The snow for children ...

It was snow on and off for most of the day and this evening we have had a slight settling and next doors lower roof is covered in white powdery snow as is the dustbin and it has been bitterly cold.  I ventured round to the shop and did most of my shopping in one fair swoop.  It has been the only time I have been out today I chose to hibernate in the warmth of the house. These sorts of days remind me of my Nan or to be more precise going to my Nan's and following her around  to talk to her always whilst she was busy and buzzing around like a bee.  Was a fact of life if we wanted to talk or just even be near her you needed to be on your toes as she was never still for more than 5 minutes apart from a cup of tea in an afternoon. In cold and bright weather like it is today we used to turn up (prearranged of course) and usually on a Sunday.  It gets cold here but where I am from in Lincolnshire gets a good couple of more degrees colder the further North you go...

Here in Peterborough.  Just started with a light sprinkling but the wind is gusting well and has been for most of the night.  Needless to say I have the house nice and warm but it is perishing outside. This morning did not start how I had intended it to.  I went comatose, overslept and was woken up by the Postman and a Jack Russell barking her head off.  So more than a little behind on what I had planned for today, but hey these things were sent to try us.  I will open my parcels in a little while at the moment am concentrating on the kitchen and have popped on here for my coffee break.  Mazawatti coffee just what the Doctor ordered (for those of you not in the know a cup of milky coffee with a tot [small] drop of Rum in it).  Warms you up nicely especially in cold weather.   I had hoped to get to the tip today but that is not going to happen now so that may well have to wait until next week before that can be accomplished more's the pity...

Thank God Its Friday - it has been a long  and busy week despite me having Wednesday off for the delivery of the new bed.  All sorted though on that front.  I also have OH off work as he is unwell at the moment. Hopefully that will right itself soon. I am in the kitchen tonight hence this early post.  I have already started with the countdown on the jobs. Bath Dog - check - she was not impressed! But she now smells nice and sweet again.  Nothing worse than "doggy" aroma however she has managed to drench me in the process. Start with the deep cleaning of the kitchen - in progress. Go to the tip - hoping to do this tomorrow before the threatened snow - hence me cleaning the kitchen as there is some more rubbish to go and I want to get as far ahead as I can.  So I think tonight may be a later night and it will be an early start for the tip in the morning. That is enough to start with will see how I get on. I have had a very frustratin...