I know its been an age since I last tapped at the keys, life just seemed to get in the way but I’m ready to start again. Well that said, I have a list as long as my arm of ideas to try. I want it to be an experimental time. Exploring possibilities. Firstly, I have a plan to build a smoker, hopefully in the Spring. There are so many ideas of what could be smoked, it exciting. Last year both our ancient old pear trees died. We have bought replacements, so it’s out with the old and in with the new. (The old will be use to fuel the wood-burner.) A greenhouse to bring a greater variety of fruit and vegetables. When? as soon as we can. It means redesigning the … Read entire article »

We have added to the content in the fruit cage we bought last year,  just in case  anyone is looking for suggestions you could check out this site  http://www.wmjames.co.uk/fruit-cages.htm We bought our cage from them  So far  it has stood for a year without any problems. Having gone through a winter which was so cold and a lot of snow. The netting is still in place and it still feels secure.  It’s probably one of our better investments seriously increasing the amount of fruit harvested from the blueberries, currents and strawberries. The fruits we have added are Honey berries  Lonicera-Haskap. from the honeysuckle family (but be careful as not all honeysuckle fruits  are okay to eat). These are originally from Siberia and can withstand temperatures to -40C so should easily cope with the … Read entire article »

I have made these bars in the hope they will stave off my crisp addiction. I have agreed with my daughter to fore go the three C’s; chocolate..mmm, cake and crisps for the forty days of Lent.  We have done this over the years making Easter eggs all the more appreciated and enjoyed.  Mostly we have  gone without chocolate but some years have changed it to make it a bit more challenging. One year we stopped eating meat and chocolate, I never went back to eating meat but the chocolate, well…there was no contest there. This is a simple and quick recipe loved by all who have tried them. Hope you will like them also. The picture actually shows the second batch, these I made up using apricots and hazel nuts with … Read entire article »

So sorry if I gave you false hope.  Ummm…that really good peeler, with the ceramic blade and twisty thing for the left or right handed, the all singing all dancing one is now condemned to the bin. I know,  I was so pleased to find one that was going to be perfect but alas, it was not to be, the weak point was where the blade  was  held in place by two tiny little pieces of plastic that were  fixed into two holes.  After a few days of work, the blade began to continually popped out of its sockets and the frustration started all over again. I think unless any of you do have a better idea I’ll resort to the  slightly more than occasional cut fingers and use my paring knife. Just … Read entire article »

Today is the 4th November and I have picked Swiss Chard for the garden, we still have tomatoes and chillies outside, we are not unusual this year as it seems several others I know are experiencing the same bonus due to the very clement weather, we hope it continues on for a while. I have been so busy with some projects  in and about the house and garden this year that my poor blog has had to take second place but now I am almost finished and will be rearing to write again. I have been experimenting with the vegetables and fruit we have grown and have had much fun in the process. So lots to tell and add to the pool of info available I hope. I am looking forward to your … Read entire article »

Thanks to Richard for taking the time to update the old header, it’s much appreciated. [Translate] … Read entire article »