TARRAGON & THYME

Normally at this time of year the shop round the corner is full of fondant icing and marzipan (or Marchpane as it historically known). Marchpane is basically ground almonds, sugar and rose water.  For more information see the National Trust site for a recipe for this  Marchpane   The Marchpane was often decorated with gold, but there are lots of other lovely ways of decorating this sweetmeat. Various Images of Marchpane They are quite diverse and spectacular. This yearmy local shop has had fondant icing in jus aboutt, but not much.  They also have ground almonds in but not a sight of any pre-prepared marzipan.  I think I am going to play safe.  I like to keep ground almonds in as we like Bakewell tart and also almond slices, macaroons that kind of thing as well as the German Christmas favourite Stollen.    I think I shall be making sure that there is a good supply of ground almonds in the pantry to hand just in case I cannot locate the ready made ...

It was late when I finished last night around 10 ish,  There was more to do in the kitchen than I first thought and I had slightly under-estimated the position.  Still am slowly getting there, but at least the kitchen is going to be lovely and clean for Christmas. It is having a seriously deep clean.  It is not a very big kitchen but it does hold an awful lot of stuff.  I have to strip out all the cupboards yet and re-arrange the contents so that I can get to things I use on a regular basis more easily and those items less commonly used stored together but easily accessible. When I sat down last night I had hoped to do some crochet, but instead I traced out one half of the embroidery pattern for my Christmas Project.  I hope to do the other tonight. I have just used greaseproof/baking parchment to transfer the design by drawing round the template onto the greaseproof and then going round the outline on the back of the greaseproof in pencil.  You could use c...

In the latest edition of  my quilting magazine there is an embroidered red-work embroidery pattern created by Mandy Shaw which was originally intended as a wall hanging. I love red work embroidery in any event and have slowly been acquiring some patterns for my stash.  I have decided I like the pattern a lot an awful lot (thank you Mandy) and I am going to turn it into this year's Christmas cushions.  I have added to the pattern a little in the centre. Will show that when stitched. This is my  Christmas make if you like for 2020 when everyone needs something to cheer them up a bit, what better than the words from a well known, loved and traditional Christmas story.  A story read before bedtime on Christmas Eve night in brand new pjs accompanied with a drink and mincepie left for Santa Claus and water and carrots for the Reindeer.   As per my recent post about starting a cushion collection for decorating my festive home.  I love cushions I like sin...

Am still not ready as I am cleaning absolutely everything.  My logic is that it needs cleaning anyway so I might as well do it as I go along otherwise I would only have to go back and possibly duplicate a lot of work. So this is the slower way round but it will be clean. Imagine a slow moving steam roller paving the way for everything else. I have had to re-arrange my fridge freezer delivery as a result so that is now not happening until 1 December.  Hey ho these things are sent to try us.  That does need to be inside and it will take at least two people to move it into the dining room. Have been having another bash at some of the brass and copper today.  I have been using Bar Keepers friend to clean all the mire off.  Nearly every piece was black and some of the pieces had a touch of Verdigris on them but slowly like the Phoenix they are starting to shine again.  They are needed for the front room fireplace a lot of them but I also have the fireplace in th...

So sorry about this, but I am afraid I am going to have to play hooky from the blog for a couple of days as too much going on here at the moment.  I also have to get ready for the new fridge freezer arriving on Wednesday as well.  So please excuse me for now.  If I can pop in I will. Keep well and safe everyone. Catch you soon. Pattypan x

 It has been a busy day and I am nearly there in getting the dishwasher into position.   It is not in position because I have had a day where things have fallen or I have fallen and so hoisting the old dishwasher onto the sink to get it out of the kitchen has been put off until tomorrow.  There will then be the process of getting the new one in situ. The cats not to be outdone also managed to dislodge a well packed box of baking equipment and emptying it all over the floor.  So I was not trusting my luck today in any evet. We went off to the Butchers and it was packed so we cleared off and walked Missy down at Caster Backwater.  There has been that much rain that it was near the top of the bank.  We  then came back via the scenic route past the Butchers  whereupon OH was able to go in and get a nice piece of pork for Sunday dinner.  We also had sausage-meat, sage and onion stuffing, roast potatoes, mashed potatoes, broccoli, cabbage, cau...

The Dishwasher that is although it is still in its packaging and hopefully will be installed in the kitchen tomorrow. At least I have it and before Christmas. Result, I was beginning to panic a little though. When delivery was made I was on my own as OH had gone to walk Missy.  The two delivery men were more than helpful bringing the heavy appliance into the garden so that OH can get it into the kitchen easily tomorrow.  I am not quite ready on the cleaning front but hopefully all should be done and dusted tomorrow.  Now for the Fridge Freezer.  I ordered both appliances from A O Electricals.  I have used them in the past and always found them more than helpful. It has been a horrible wet and grey day here in Peterborough. We went to the Bakery and then to the  fish man first thing and came back with Crab, Crayfish, Cockles, Whelks, Crevettes and a piece of plaice each for supper.  To be served simply with bread and butter.  OH decided he did not ...