I hesitate to talk too loudly about dealing with pests in the garden for fear that they may reek their revenge. The chickens and I have already had a summit on what’s acceptable scratching and what the consequences will be if they persist in flying the coup and digging up my new beds. The rabbits [...]
Part of a training course I participated in this week we were asked to reflect on an achievement we were proud of. That’s not a notion I dwell on too much, usually because I’m moving on to the next project or task. It was a hard exercise for me to face off with my inner [...]
No doubt that a certain food writer was a part inspiration in the name of this blog. It’s been a constant reminder of my intention to live a more balanced life and be as much a home-maker as a working professional. Almost six years on my “domestic” ambitions have become increasingly important as far as [...]
For all the years of friendship there is one food secret my friend Joanne and her husband refuse to share. They are the custodians of the Sarah Nelson Grasmere Gingerbread Recipe which they produce fresh from the original Sarah Nelson shop in Grasmere in the Lake District, England. Having spent time with them on my [...]
One of the great luxuries of having a kitchen garden is being able to be generous with the herbs you use in cooking. My herb garden is just a few steps away from the back door which is just as well as his lordship is always requesting herbs for his culinary extravaganzas at the last [...]
My ironing board entertainment for the last couple of weeks has been to re-watch The Victorian Kitchen Garden. This was cult viewing in the 1980s when Head Gardner Harry Dobson spent a year bringing a country house kitchen garden back to life. Aside from the haunting award winning theme music this programme gives a fascinating [...]
Winter has started its migration north leaving us with that bitter-sweet feeling of time passing but brighter golden days ahead. With New Zealand officially declaring the start of Spring tomorrow, 1 September, I’m sure that the country’s mood will lift to a lighter note. I’m all for the warmer longer days but can’t help but [...]
There was a moment in the first episode of the 2011 Great British Bake Off we watched on BBC iPlayer at the weekend when one of the contestant’s magnificent layer cakes slipped off the work top and landed in an undignified heap on the floor. All the words of encouragement to rescue at least one [...]
I know I shouldn’t get sentimental about my chickens but it would be completely heartless, or even cruel, to insist that mad George our rooster be confined to his barracks right now. He has a south facing view from his perch which means a full frontal attack for the bitterly wind and driving rain that [...]
I was itching to bake today but with a delicious apple fruit cake in the cupboard it would have been too gluttonous to have made yet another cake. So instead I decided to indulge my bassets with some baking of their own. Inspired by long time reader and basset lover Ms Zoomy, I recently splashed [...]
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