Tuesday 30 June 2015

Chilli jelly and jam

Beautiful day here today and although I'm enjoying the sunshine, I'm busy in the kitchen too, I have some cooking apples I need to use, they've been in the fridge for a few weeks and I knew I had a bag of frozen pieces of peppers, and somewhere in the freezer there are a load of chillis chopped up, so I've dug them out and am boiling up the chopped apples, chillis and peppers along with a rather soft mango, I'm then going to have to decide whether to take the long winded route and make chilli jelly, or just put it all through the mouli and make a chilli jam. Think the jam will be the choice, but for now I'm going to sit outside and enjoy a coffee while it simmers away.
I've had two loads of washing on today with the weather being so good, so all beds are stripped, been printing labels for jams and chutneys that never got labelled when I made them and also the chocolate fudge sauce I made yesterday. 
I've cleared out the under stairs cupboard and was going to get on with some more hand made jewellery today, but it's too nice to sit inside.
This is the starting point, everything chopped and in the pan, I've now come back inside, put everything through the mouli, measured it and added 400g sugar to every 600ml of liquid plus a handful of the shells of red chillis that I reserved and have sliced up. Boiling it up as I write this with the jars in the oven sterilising. Smells lovely, tastes not too hot, only used green and red finger chillis in this one.

Saturday 27 June 2015

Afternoon in the garden

I got back from a school summer fete a couple of hours ago and have been in the garden since, just pottering, a bit of weeding here, dead heading there, that sort of thing, sat for a while with a cup of coffee and just enjoyed the day. Tomorrow is forecast rain, and I have another fair booked for the afternoon, so making the most of some peace and quiet. Mike is out at a golf match until 7ish, and Dave, well who can tell were and when he is, so just me.
My roses seem to be very good this year and I think I've already commented about the irises being the best I've had for a while, even the poxy standard rose in the centre of the garden, which I had planned to remove this year and replace with a small magnolia is putting on a good show, typical!



fox on the prowl

When we got back home from our day out in Thursday we were confronted by a large pile of feathers, another hen has been taken, this was one of the older Maran cross hens and she was a bit slow on her feet, so although it seems rather heartless to say it, the fox, which is what we are now certain it is, has taken our two problem hens. I am now on guard at all times and we have agreed that if we are planning on being out during the day, the hens will be kept in the enclosure until someone is home. I know this isn't a safe plan as foxes have taken our hens in the past while we have been home, but as they seem to be getting picked off one by one, I'm hoping it's a young animal that is wary of humans and it will stay away if it hears activity around the place.
Our biggest problem is the farmers field to the left of the house( or right, depending on which way you're looking 😉) it has a broad bean crop in which is currently around 4ft high and a perfect way for the fox to creep up unseen.
Anyway last night, as they had been locked in all day, they wouldn't go to bed until the last rays of the sun were dropping away, which led to a fraught evening for me, I was outside every 10 minutes checking on them.

Thursday 25 June 2015

Ooh a whole day with no plans

Today both Mike and I have no plans, I have no work jobs on today and he has no golf, a very rare occasion that our plans coincide. Not sure we will actually do anything, I did suggest a trip out to the coast as it seems like it's going to be a nice day, it's warm out but a bit of a cloud layer. Will check the weather forecast shortly.
There's nothing urgent needed around the farm to do, there's always jobs, but nothing pressing, there's a pile of ironing and of course there's always weeding. I have work on tomorrow and all weekend, then Mike is away for 3 days next week so I feel we should make a bit of an effort and go somewhere today, hmm lets see what happens.

Wednesday 24 June 2015

Missing hen

Yesterday I noticed the little brown hen wasn't around, this is the one that has been literally hen pecked by the other hens and she was a sorry little thing, I'd caught the other hens viciously picking on her regularly and she was wary of allowing anyone or anything near her. I always tried to find her on her own and give her little treats, making sure there were no eavesdroppers around to go and tell the rest of the gang. She would often hang near me if I was out in the garden.
Her injuries didn't look life threatening, but she did have pretty bad pecking damage to the back of her head.  I spent a good hour last night wandering through our fields looking for her, but the grass is 2 ft high in places and so it was difficult. Not really sure what I was expecting to find, but haven't found her anyway. I did the same this evening, but not a trace, not found a 'kill site' which would be the evidence of a fox attack, it's the most likely outcome at this time of year, but have one last field to search, which I will do tomorrow evening. I am almost hoping that it was a fox attack and she had a quick end, rather than that she had been attacked again by the other hens and has gone off to die slowly. Torturing myself over it.

Monday 22 June 2015

Mushroom soup

Dave came home yesterday with a large box of mushroom from the car boot market, he said the bloke was selling them off for a £1 and he thought id be able to use them for something. I was thinking along the lines of a mushroom sauce to bottle and sell, but Mike started on about a soup his mum used to make where from what he could remember she just boiled the mushrooms for hours and you ended up with this grey soup, which although looked upappetising was delicious.
I gave him a Mrs Beeton cookbook I got from Mrs H and my Larousse Gastronmique to look through but he couldn't find anything he thought sounded similar.
So I've experimented, I've seen a few recipes on the internet about making mushroom soup in the slow cooker, so using a bit of them and some of my own ideas, I've just put on my mushroom and wild garlic soup.
I chopped up as many mushrooms as I could fit in the slow cooker, then into 1pt of hot water I've added 2 of those ready made stock thingies, 4 of my ice cube bagged wild garlic purée, some grated nutmeg, a pinch of cayenne, a heaped tsp of pesto. Poured that over, stuck in a couple of sprigs of thyme and that's it.
I've put it on low and hopefully when I get back from work tonight, I'll just have to blitz it for a few seconds. Doesn't look that exciting at the mo, but fingers crossed.

Sunday 21 June 2015

Elderflower cordial, but not again

I plumped for making elderflower cordial today, went out and picked the elder flowers from around our place then boiled up water and sugar, which I poured over the elder flowers and seated and sliced lemons. Next set is to leave it all to infuse for 24 hours or so. I'll hopefully get it strained and bottled up tomorrow evening.
However,  have to say I was shocked at the quantity of sugar in the several recipes I looked at, basically I'm making a flavoured syrup, so won't be doing it again for us to use, but might see how it sells on my stall. I have two fairs next weekend to try it at.
I'll have to sell it ' to be used in the next few weeks' as I've not added Campden tablets, which means natural yeasts in the elder flowers could start to ferment - which will either make it fizzy, and risk an explosion, or will turn it mouldy. I might try heat processing a few bottles, but I hate doing that as its a awkward job requiring quite a large pan to be able to 3/4 submerge the bottles. Hmm, well I'll see.
I've managed to get my sweetcorn planted out today, which was in desperate need, I've weeded the vegetable plot and put more French beans in and also potted on the rest of the tomato plants. I've planted a few of the tomatoes in the soil in my old raised bed, really just out of interest to see how the do outdoors, if the weather doesn't warm up soon then the answer will probably be...not very well!

And here's the end results, there's quite a lot of it, I haven't heat processed it yet, but think I maybe ought to, I will see how the sales go this weekend.

Elderflower what

Tomorrow I have a rare day at home and I want to make the most of the day, I've been contemplating elder flowers for the past few days and was originally planning to make elderflower champagne, I made it a few years ago and rather enjoyed the whole tense experiment. The drink was rather nice, but ther was a lot of waste in each bottle from sediment build up and having thought about the timings...being away from home for 4 days in about 3 weeks time, I decided it wasn't going to be ideal as I'd have to get mike to remember to check the bottles each day and let out any excess gas that has built up. So..I think I'm going to make a cordial, I love elderflower cordial and have never made it myself, so I think that's going to be my challenge for tomorrow. However, I've also seen a recipe for elderflower liqueur and I might give that a try too. More about it all tomorrow.

Saturday 20 June 2015

Craft fairs in the rain

Today I've been at a school summer fair, it didn't look promising to begin with, the forecast was showers and that's what we've had. My friend Julie came and helped, along with Andrea, Archie and Mick having a stall next to us, with no gazebo, so we shared. It's been an enjoyable day, but didn't sell a great amount, it was lovely to see Julie and I think she enjoyed herself, she likes sorting out things and always organises things for me. Archie and I discussed minecraft strategy ( he's 9) and I had a good catch up with Andrea and her dad ( Mick).
Popped in to see Mrs H on the way back as I've not really spoken to her all week as every time I've visited, she has been asleep, yesterday evening I discussed with both the nurses and one of her close friends as to whether she was in decline, but today, you'd never have guessed, she was in good form and we had a lovely hour together.
Now sat at home, drying out the gazebo, got tea in the oven ( chicken bhuna) and a glass of wine in hand, lovely evening, the Sun is now shining and there is cricket on TV.

Thursday 18 June 2015

Harvest loaf and banana bread

Yesterday I made a couple of cakes, well not quite cakes, more loaves, but not actually bread either.
I noticed a bunch of bananas we're going black in the fruit bowl, so I was going to make my usual banana loaf, but fancied something different, had a browse through a couple of cook books and came across a recipe in the River Cottage cakes book for a banana bread that had cardamom seeds in it, so I had to try it as I love cardamom. 
It came out pretty good apart from the fact that it said to grind up the cardamom and I couldn't be bothered, so I crushed them a bit with a pestle & mortar, and I think it would have been better if I'd made the effort. I did quite like the cardamom hit you got whenever you got a bit of seed.
The other cake was Harvest Fruit Loaf, this is a cake that a friend in Ireland always has made when we go to visit and Ita brought it back with her last week and gave me a copy of the very simple recipe. 
Anyway they both came out well, so will definitely make again.

Ascot Day at the Oaks

Today we are going to a race day at Mike's golf club, it's an annual event and we always go, it's about the only day of the year where I dress up nowadays. We are sat here at the moment watching The Morning Line for a few tips and hints, I've still not really decided which dress to wear, but I've narrowed it down between two, but things may change!
It all starts off at around 11.15 when we will be off to Stuart and Wendy's for a Pimms reception, then off to the club for an afternoon of drinks, gorgeous food and big screen footage of ladies day at Royal Ascot.
Mike is a betting man anyway, but I'm not and so my bets at the Tote bookie that will be there will be in the region of £1 each way and such. However we also do a little sweepstake on each race where everyone on our table draws a playing card for £1 and the number on the card related to your horse in the next race, it's a bit of fun and everyone seems to enjoy it.
Anyway, back to the horses for now.

Tuesday 16 June 2015

Deepest purple Iris

I am so impressed by this Iris, it is so dark and velvety, again, I don't know it's name, but I might have a record somewhere of buying it, so will have a look through my books to see if I can get its name, it seems pretty happy where it is, so hopefully it will spread so I can divide it up.

Thalictrum

Had a manic 2 days since Bramham with gardening jobs and looking forward now to a couple of more relaxing enjoyable days. Tomorrow I have voluntary work in the afternoon and probably mundane things like washing to do in the morning, then Thursday is ascot day at the golf club and it's all posh frocks and horse racing. Still not decided on which outfit to wear yet, and probably won't decide for certain until Thursday morning.
Another plant to add to my garden list is this little beauty, it's very delicate and can easily be lost amongst everything else, but it's so dainty and unusual. I bought it last year and it's survived the winter I'm pleased to say. When I nipped to the nursery the other day for a few more bedding plants for people I noticed he also has it in white, so I might just have to invest in one.

Monday 15 June 2015

Bramham Horse Trials

Finished working today at the horse trials, it's been an enjoyable but tiring few days, feet and legs ache, got sunburnt on Thursday and Friday, soaked yesterday and today. Saw some lovely horses and some gorgeous dogs. Back to usual tomorrow, a few gardening jobs booked. I'd initially planned on having a day off tomorrow after Bramham, but just can't manage to get all the work I have booked done if I did, so have decided just to crack on.

Monday 8 June 2015

Another Iris

I have another Iris out in the garden, lovely colours, purple, of course, but coloured with yellow and white, not looking it's best in the rain, but caught a picture of it while I could, need to look it up and find out its name.

Pink Plant

Not sure what this is, but of interest as its not purple, not sure if it's some sort of Lily, need to investigate.

Sisyrinchium

Love this little plant, have had a yellow one in the garden for years,but about 3 years ago, picked up a display pot of them at the end of the spring flower show in Harrogate, I split it when I got home and got a number of decent sized plants from it, and they are dotted around the garden.
They are nothing spectacular, but they are pretty and spread quite easily, but in a neat way, unlike my aquilegia so, which if the rain holds off, I'm going to go and dig up a few clumps of the darker coloured ones, I have too many and they are not tidy spreaders!

Nectaroscordum

Just thought, this is an ideal place for me to keep records of plants in my garden, where I can look back and add extra notes, so from now on I will keep a separate note for plants as they come to mind. Might not be the right use of a blog, but who cares.
Just been out in the garden and took some more photos, which I shall catalogue separately but, on to Nectaroscordum, I've had these in my garden for many years and some years they come better than others, this year is a good year and they look tall, strong and healthy, they spread from seed, and not prolifically but at a sedate pace, and only in their own vicinity, or so it would seem. 
I seem to recall these being renamed a few years ago, and need to look up the different names for them.

All chicks died

I'm sad to say, we've had a sorry tale with the recently hatched chicks and they have died one by one in the last week, one of them was definitely trampled by the other hens, it died in my hands on Saturday morning, the others I've found on a morning. Dave - suddenly the guru of animal husbandry - said we shouldn't of had them in with the hens, but segregated out, but last year we didn't have any such problems and so I'm ignoring his sage advice.
It's sad, but that's the way of life and there's nothing I can do now, so no point dwelling on what should or could have been. Onwards and upwards!

Rained off

Not had time over the past few days to stop and sing in here, so am taking to opportunity for some quiet moments as I've been rained off this afternoon. Not a great time for this to happen as I've got so much to fit in over the next few weeks, but these things happen and it means I can get on here at home with a few odds and ends.
I've had 2 fairs this weekend, both all day events, and both ok, not fantastic, but good enough to have been worth going. Saturday was a bit of a nightmare weather wise as it was really gusty and it was an outdoor event. My gazebo held up to the challenge, but it was touch and go at times, and the stall next to me wasn't quite as lucky and suffered several snapped connections.
Sunday was glorious, we were lucky in the placement of our stalls as I had a sheltered spot next to a friend and we had an enjoyable day chatting and selling.
Looking back, my last post was Thursday, so a quick update on Friday's CDWM at Lynne's, I ended up driving as I had a lot to get done during the day and decided it was easier if I had the car, we had a great night, Lynne did some delicious stuffed mushrooms followed by Lasagne with garlic breads and salad, and my chocolate pots went down well, we had a great night, lots of laughs and memories, looking forward to Sue's in a few weeks time.
On Saturday we met up with Mrs H's relatives and we went for a few drinks and an Indian meal with them, again, lots of fun, a really enjoyable night.
Anyway, rain has stopped for now, so going out in to my garden for a few hours.

Thursday 4 June 2015

College taster evening

Not getting a lot of free time at the moment, so it was rather lovely this evening to sit and enjoy a most wonderful 6course taster dinner at York college, all cooked and presented by trainee staff. The theme was a taste of the wild, and although not as wild as I'd hoped, there were some beautiful dishes. Venison with asparagus and pancetta, monkfish ceviche with rhubarb and elderflower, salmon tartare, crotin wrapped in wild garlic, strawberry and Douglas fir parfait and peaches poached in camomile with clotted cream ice cream. Every single bit of it was wonderfully presented and tasted divine. Just what I needed.
Another busy day ahead tomorrow, but can't complain, much better than stuck in the office somewhere. I need to be up early and get on with things, I have the dessert to get made for Lynne's CDWM tomorrow, I need to go and see Mrs H ( as I ran out of time today) , I need to go to see her solicitor and there is still plenty of gardening work to be done.

Wednesday 3 June 2015

Spion Kop fuschias

On Monday I was gardening for a Danish lady and she had me planting up new fuschias into tubs to put around her doors. She had bought snowcap fuschia, not one of my favourites, it's a bit 'blousey' for my liking, but she had got it because it's supposed to be red and white..the Danish national colours.
Anyway she didn't have enough, so I said I would get some more, knowing snowcap are quite a common fuschia...or so I thought. Yesterday, I had to go in to York to visit Mrs H, and also go to the nursery to get some large geraniums for Tony's garden, so I visited a number of plant stalls and garden centres as well as the nursery. None to be had, however they had a fuschia id never heard of called Spion Kop, now I know Kop is cap, so it wasn't too much of a stretch to think that Spion could be snow, I didn't buy them, but this morning I looked up Spion Kop on the Internet, I was wrong, it means Spy Hill in Dutch or Boer. And I've just read a very interesting tale about a terrible battle on 23rd January 1900 in the Boer war.
So back to my search for the snowcap. I'm in Selby this afternoon after my library work, so will have a look for them there. Odd really as I thought they were one of the most popular fuschias.

Headache on day off

Woken up this morning with a headache, nothing unusual there, everyone had headaches, but nowadays, I don't. I used to get loads when I was in charge of a large operation for a large company, what with hundreds of staff and corporate boll.cks to deal with all the time, but in the 6 years since I left, I've rarely had a headache unless it was self inflicted.
I've been up a while and have done the chickens, put the washing on, tidied up a bit, but I'm just going to sit and relax for a bit, I've got voluntary work this afternoon, but I wanted to get on in my own garden this morning, the winds are still stronger than I would like but I think I'm going to have to risk putting out the wall troughs.
I've got an order for one of the children's bracelets to make up, never going to earn a fortune with these but I enjoy making them, I would like to get a few more wine glass charms made up, or as a lady suggested, try selling them as stitch markers too. 
Tomorrow will be another busy day, I have hanging baskets to deliver, grass cutting to be done in York, general gardening work, a visit to Mrs H in the nursing home with her latest list of requirements, some banking to do and then in the evening I am at a taster evening at the college with Judith.

Monday 1 June 2015

Winds again?

Apparently, according to the weather forecast, we are due unseasonably high winds later on today, makes me wonder what all these other strong winds that we've been having for weeks are! Bit of a dilemma now as today's jobs are all about planting out hanging baskets and planters for people, I can't really move them as I'm getting filled up with work and therefore no space to move them to. I spent a few hours in my own garden yesterday and it's just starting to look really good, the lupins are coming out,
as are the oriental poppies, 
and my lovely tall Siberian Iris, 
all ready for a good bashing from the wind. Well must get on.

Chicken update

Just a quick update on the hens, one of the chicks died over the weekend, looked like it suffocated or was squashed by mum, this has happened before and there's nothing we can do about it, we still have 4 (visibly) healthy chicks.
The rest of the hens seem to have settled down a bit from the squabbling that was going on a few weeks ago and the henpecked one seems to be recovering, the scab has fallen off her head and feathers are regrowing.
Our glut of eggs has disappeared and we are now in the opposite situation, due to us needing to lock the hen enclosure during the day, the hens are laying around the place and I keep finding their stashes too late, after magpies or crows have raided and eaten the eggs, at least I hope that's what it is, rather than the hens turning canibalistic. Yesterday was asuccessful day and I found 7 eggs, but broke one as I managed to retrieve it. 
For note...under pyracantha, in between paving slab stack, and under jasmin hedge. Wonder where they will be today, the hens have always been a bit lazy about laying, and just seem to do it where they feel the need than making their way back to the laying boxes, so no great surprise, it's one of the jobs the grandkids like to do when they come - egg hunts.
Don't know if this will help, but I moved the old laying boxes yesterday, they were in the tin shed, but up against a wall, so they couldn't use them, I've turned it round, will go and put some shavings in it now and see what we have later in the day.