TARRAGON & THYME

A bitterly cold day where we have hugged the house for the best part.  Escaping to the shops without a Jack Russell is tantamount to murder and we normally try and do it when she is curled up in her quilt fast asleep. Today we managed to get out but not without her being upset about it. Today has therefore been a shopping day.  Just to The Food Warehouse/Iceland as it is Tuesday over 60's discount day.  As G has been a member of the over 60's life club for some 8 years and I for 4 nearly 5 years, we decided to go and have a good look around to see what offers they had on today. If you are able to get to a local shop they do have good offers on bread products (3 loaves of Warburtons bread for £3 or 3 packs of Crumpets or the slimmer Crumpets also on the same offer.  We have an occasional loaf, but I am glad to say that at long last G is on board with keeping to the wholemeal bread that I make.  Presently I need to get more wholemeal bread flour though.  A tr...

 not seen this for quite a few days so it has been for me a real treat to see.  Always makes me feel better and optimistic. Always puts a different complexion on things. Yes chilly, but we are in winter after all. I hope all those affected by the Snow keep safe and warm and snug. Not much has gone on here today.  I was late up as I did not sleep at all well last night or comfortably.  It is what it is and how it goes. It makes for a long night though. I am also not firing on all cylinders.  The cold really seizes me up I have therefore been pottering doing bits and bobs.  Nothing specific.  Some of the washing up pile has been depleted hopefully will be finished off tomorrow. Washing is just down to some boil washes bath towels and then that is all done and dusted. As I am sat at the keyboard typing this post, the temperature here in Peterborough is down to -2 degrees and I am going to sit and cut some more templates for my patchwork Hexie quilt. ...

For me pottering away in the kitchen on my own cooking tonight's tea.   I always find it soothing working away on my own like this.  Yes it can be hard work and yes sometimes I am not in the mood to cook and do not enjoy it as much.  Today however I have enjoyed the peace and quiet and my own space, with my own thoughts and just pottering.  It was not what I had planned but I am a little weary so just going with the flow. I had planned on getting stuck in cleaning in the kitchen.  Deferred today will probably get to tomorrow. Due to re-organisation of the menu yet again, have cooked the Cottage pie tonight - a two meal one part each.  Have also made a rice pudding which is going to be served with the homemade Victoria Plums that I preserved in syrup. This one has a small tin of evaporated milk in it which is one of my ways of cooking rice pudding. The Victoria plums looked jewel like in the jars.   A simple tea, a filling and tasty one though...

Well have had a slow and steady day today.  Managed to get rid of the bulk of the washing, still a couple of more loads to go. Also managed to clear the kitchen worktop today and get some semblance of order there as well.  Having the little trolley table in the kitchen is already paying dividends.  Is going to prove to be very useful.  I am also starting to sort out other little bits and bobs as well in between everything else including odd items from the Pantry.  Lots of little actions going on, being done in the course of other things, but which will collectively add up at the end of the day.  I am also in the pros of trying to create a new routine for kitchen work and cooking to try and make life a lot easier in the longer run. Managed to get a load of drying done as well which also very pleased about.  So as I say a slow day, but getting stuff out of the way with is very satisfying. Had a very simple tea tonight as I really could not fancy much to ...

Despite my best endeavours I have got a little out of sequence with the kitchen capers articles as I have been trying to post a day behind. With me having time out with my friend, that has sort of put things off schedule, and hopefully this post will address that to some degree and help things get back on track a little bit. I had a lovely day out with my friend.  It was much needed by us both.  Whilst out we also nipped to a local antique centre and I noticed a few things would love one day, so when funds provide I may well go back and have a look to see if those items or other alternatives are still available. I am talking vintage "Kitchenalia" in the terms of vintage storage jars and useful implements, particularly orientated towards being useful pantry storage which I am ever on the look out for. Also saw a wonderful pair of scales and also some beautiful vintage blue glass dessert glasses that looked stunning. A lot of my friends have a love of vintage items, embroid...

 After getting the new washer back in its proper place, the old one taken out I started last night to process the huge pile of washing that had accumulated and am now about half way through it.  Today therefore has primarily been a laundry day and no doubt tomorrow will be as well.  Getting the laundry out of the way is therefore a big item off the list.  Hopefully all will be done and dusted by the start of the weekend tomorrow night.  That is the aim in any event. I will then set about the kitchen and get that all washed out in readiness for being painted after the Pantry is completed.  Think this is going to be the most time effective way of dealing with things.  The reason behind this is that I poked my nose into the Pantry today and realised that there is far more in there to clear down than I had first thought and a bit more preparation work. The kitchen therefore needs to be tidied out to accommodate all the contents whilst the Pantry is being r...

 I have been having a smashing time all round the past couple of days.  Culminating in me nearly demolishing a complete tray of eggs this evening.  Not a happy bunny as really did have a smashing time!  Eggs always make a mess! Never mind these things are sent to try us.  And yes - they were the good eggs! I had a lovely day out yesterday with a friend and met up with another friend as well.  To tell the truth it was a cold day weather wise but we were lovely and warm.  I was not too clever last night at home, very tired when I got in and had an early night and got nice and warm.  Unusually for me I fancied a cup of tea at 7am this morning and so I was up and got myself one.  Went back to sleep but got really comfy and warm. Today have had the kitchen upside down and my new washing machine is now where it should be and working well.  Kitchen been in uproar as a result but a job well done and will progress further with kitchen work tomorr...