Today is the 136th Driffield Show. I was playing it by ear whether to go or not based on the weather but I think I"ll give it a miss. What with the torrential rain yesterday and the predicted heavy showers again today, I fear the fields could turn into a mud bath and I don't really do mud very well!
I'll wish all the best to my networking friends who are having stalls.
Wednesday, 20 July 2011
Tuesday, 19 July 2011
Networking on the farm
Last night was what we call our Summer Social networking evening, our last before we take a break to resume in September.
Our hosts were Heather & Lynnda. We met at Heathers farm where she runs the Calf House Studios, it's like a mini artists community, they've renovated stables and outbuildings into lovely little studio units where Lynnda has her stamping emporium.
On the farm they are currently pea vining 24 hrs a day, there was a lovely smell of peas in the air and Heather had made some delicious pea dips for us to dunk things in. We had a fascinating tour of the farm and studios, hearing the history about the place as it's been in Heathers family for centuries. And although not summery, we didn't get rained on!
We then made for Lynnda's studio and she gave us a demo to stamp and texture some card and make an inspirational fridge magnet. Then we got stuck into the inks and stamps and made our own. I think they look really effective, good fun to make.
Finished the evening with a bit more networking, catching up with old friends and nibbling more pea dip!
These are some of my artworks of Calf House Studios, Heather uses the green one as their logo.
Bottom photo is my inspirational magnet.
http://www.calfhousestudios.co.uk/
http://www.oakhousestudio.co.uk/
Our hosts were Heather & Lynnda. We met at Heathers farm where she runs the Calf House Studios, it's like a mini artists community, they've renovated stables and outbuildings into lovely little studio units where Lynnda has her stamping emporium.
On the farm they are currently pea vining 24 hrs a day, there was a lovely smell of peas in the air and Heather had made some delicious pea dips for us to dunk things in. We had a fascinating tour of the farm and studios, hearing the history about the place as it's been in Heathers family for centuries. And although not summery, we didn't get rained on!
We then made for Lynnda's studio and she gave us a demo to stamp and texture some card and make an inspirational fridge magnet. Then we got stuck into the inks and stamps and made our own. I think they look really effective, good fun to make.
Finished the evening with a bit more networking, catching up with old friends and nibbling more pea dip!
These are some of my artworks of Calf House Studios, Heather uses the green one as their logo.
Bottom photo is my inspirational magnet.
http://www.calfhousestudios.co.uk/
http://www.oakhousestudio.co.uk/
Thursday, 14 July 2011
Spoonflower - fabric & contest
Yippee, a bit more Spoonflower fabric has arrived this morning. I had some of my artwork printed onto a fat quarter, I'm hoping I got the size right and that I can cut out the little artworks and use them as a front panel for an ipod or iphone case.
I've also tried my butterfly design on a different colour background to enhance the pale coloured butterflies.
I've entered this weeks Spoonflower contest which was to design a skirt cut and sew pattern to fit on a yard of fabric. I have created a child's skirt as a yard didn't give me enough material for the sort of adult skirt I wanted to do. Voting starts tonight.
http://www.spoonflower.com/fabric/669826
I've also tried my butterfly design on a different colour background to enhance the pale coloured butterflies.
I've entered this weeks Spoonflower contest which was to design a skirt cut and sew pattern to fit on a yard of fabric. I have created a child's skirt as a yard didn't give me enough material for the sort of adult skirt I wanted to do. Voting starts tonight.
http://www.spoonflower.com/fabric/669826
Wednesday, 13 July 2011
Strawberries
It's funny how things just happen unexpectedly.
I popped out late this afternoon with a pile of post, most of it work related and one parcel following a sale in my Folksy shop. I decided to walk past the fruit shop to see if they had any strawberries as I have half a carton of cream wasting in the fridge. Well, it was after 4pm and the fruit shop had packed up for the day.
So, dilemma, do I go home and not have a pudding tonight or should I see if the pick your own field has any picked.
No pudding was not an option so I called by the strawberry field, I've never been in the 3 years I've lived here but I've heard they are supposed to be good. The lady in the shed had quite a few punnets picked but it turns out to be £1 cheaper if you pick yourself so despite the grey sky off I went.
Slightly concerned at first because I thought the punnet was too big and I'd be there all night. Also wondered why the few other people picking were way off in the distance as if they'd found the best ones and there were none near where I was at the entrance. Anyway I soon started finding some, quite small at first and then I got a bit more adventurous seeking out the big ones. It was really rather satisfying and fun and I can honestly say I only ate 3, just to test the quality. They seemed very nice and in 26 mins I had filled my kilo punnet which I thought wasn't bad going as I haven't done this since I was a kid. Just got back before it rained, excellent timing!
Tonight I've tried them with black pepper which was also a first for me, really delicious. I have to say these are some of the tastiest and most fragrant strawberries I've had in years. I don't think the hydroponic ones are a patch on the field ones.
It's been a bit of a strawberry related week here as my nanna was featured in the local paper as being probably the oldest strawberry picker in England as she nears her 101st birthday next month. She still goes picking to a local farm where she turns the strawberries into her award winning jam. Following the newspaper coverage, our local ITV news programme has been to visit her and filmed her doing the picking and then with her jam, cakes and bread she still makes. I hope I'm still making and doing at that age!
This has got me thinking that I might try making some jam now I've found a great strawberry field. Ah, that is assuming the oven will be hot enough to boil it!
I popped out late this afternoon with a pile of post, most of it work related and one parcel following a sale in my Folksy shop. I decided to walk past the fruit shop to see if they had any strawberries as I have half a carton of cream wasting in the fridge. Well, it was after 4pm and the fruit shop had packed up for the day.
So, dilemma, do I go home and not have a pudding tonight or should I see if the pick your own field has any picked.
No pudding was not an option so I called by the strawberry field, I've never been in the 3 years I've lived here but I've heard they are supposed to be good. The lady in the shed had quite a few punnets picked but it turns out to be £1 cheaper if you pick yourself so despite the grey sky off I went.
Slightly concerned at first because I thought the punnet was too big and I'd be there all night. Also wondered why the few other people picking were way off in the distance as if they'd found the best ones and there were none near where I was at the entrance. Anyway I soon started finding some, quite small at first and then I got a bit more adventurous seeking out the big ones. It was really rather satisfying and fun and I can honestly say I only ate 3, just to test the quality. They seemed very nice and in 26 mins I had filled my kilo punnet which I thought wasn't bad going as I haven't done this since I was a kid. Just got back before it rained, excellent timing!
Tonight I've tried them with black pepper which was also a first for me, really delicious. I have to say these are some of the tastiest and most fragrant strawberries I've had in years. I don't think the hydroponic ones are a patch on the field ones.
It's been a bit of a strawberry related week here as my nanna was featured in the local paper as being probably the oldest strawberry picker in England as she nears her 101st birthday next month. She still goes picking to a local farm where she turns the strawberries into her award winning jam. Following the newspaper coverage, our local ITV news programme has been to visit her and filmed her doing the picking and then with her jam, cakes and bread she still makes. I hope I'm still making and doing at that age!
This has got me thinking that I might try making some jam now I've found a great strawberry field. Ah, that is assuming the oven will be hot enough to boil it!
Tuesday, 12 July 2011
Vegetarian cafe in Lampeter
Back to my Wales postings and continuing that popular subject of food.
On this particular trip I have to say that all the research I did beforehand actually paid off and every place I visited came over and above expectations which is rarely the case when I visit new places.
The one place on my list which was purely a veggie cafe, as opposed to a cafe selling veggie options was the delightful Mulberry Bush in Lampeter. It was above an organic wholefood shop (also run by the same people).
The cafe was bright and airy, the walls covered in interesting art, good start!
The food list was simple but then I'm a great believer to offer less choice and do it well, than huge lists of stuff, most of which are unmemorable.
I had the Homity pie with a selection of salads, all were great and I particularly liked the orange coloured one on the right which was a couscous and almond salad.
It was a good sized portion and despite being comfortably full, I took the decision to have a pudding as I might not eat later that day and probably wouldn't be back in Lampeter for a while. What a good reason to indulge in the vegan chocolate slice! It was lovely, not too sweet, mellow and creamy in a chocolatey sort of way.
Do visit the Mulberry Bush if you go to Lampeter. The shop in the downstairs looked to have great produce.
Here is a link to a classic Cranks homity pie if anyone wants to try it.
http://www.cranks.co.uk/recipes/view/6
On this particular trip I have to say that all the research I did beforehand actually paid off and every place I visited came over and above expectations which is rarely the case when I visit new places.
The one place on my list which was purely a veggie cafe, as opposed to a cafe selling veggie options was the delightful Mulberry Bush in Lampeter. It was above an organic wholefood shop (also run by the same people).
The cafe was bright and airy, the walls covered in interesting art, good start!
The food list was simple but then I'm a great believer to offer less choice and do it well, than huge lists of stuff, most of which are unmemorable.
I had the Homity pie with a selection of salads, all were great and I particularly liked the orange coloured one on the right which was a couscous and almond salad.
It was a good sized portion and despite being comfortably full, I took the decision to have a pudding as I might not eat later that day and probably wouldn't be back in Lampeter for a while. What a good reason to indulge in the vegan chocolate slice! It was lovely, not too sweet, mellow and creamy in a chocolatey sort of way.
Do visit the Mulberry Bush if you go to Lampeter. The shop in the downstairs looked to have great produce.
Here is a link to a classic Cranks homity pie if anyone wants to try it.
http://www.cranks.co.uk/recipes/view/6
Sunday, 10 July 2011
Hornsea pottery from Sledmere car boot
I'm not much of a one for car boot sales because round here they are usually a bit frantic and full of junky stuff. But I did make a last minute decision this morning to head off to the Sledmere Stately car boot sale.
I have to say it is probably the best car boot I've every been to with stallholders from as far north as Northumbria & south to London. You know how usually you find one or two good stalls, well today I found stall after stall of interesting things. The stalls pretty much fell into the categories of antiques, vintage, retro and agricultural tools as opposed to junk out of someone's loft. I found the odd peculiar stall too, a stall with little wooden cabinets filled with antique pharmaceutical and dental tools. A lady with just irons you heat on the fire and vintage pot jug hot water bottles. I had to refrain from buying Snoopy things as I said to myself just useful fabric & Hornsea pots today.
There was plenty to whet my appetite on the pottery stalls. Poole pottery, 1960's groovy floral Carnaby but no prices and I was running out of cash when I saw those but I did find some nice Hornsea pieces. Lots of it about today and some very over priced but I got the best bargain of all with the blue Heirloom casserole dish for £4 and it's immaculate and I had no blue Heirloom. I got a single Cornrose espresso cup to go with one I already had and the other 2 pieces, vase & a mug, I need to research in my book.
There was plenty of vintage fabric knocking about and embroidered tray cloths, I also got a few vintage hankies and a couple of brooches, and the vintage flour bags.
It was all very nice and refined being at a stately home with no pushing or shuvving to grab bargains. Well worth the £3 to get in and had the weather held you could easily make a day of it with a picnic in the grounds as some people were doing.
I have to say it is probably the best car boot I've every been to with stallholders from as far north as Northumbria & south to London. You know how usually you find one or two good stalls, well today I found stall after stall of interesting things. The stalls pretty much fell into the categories of antiques, vintage, retro and agricultural tools as opposed to junk out of someone's loft. I found the odd peculiar stall too, a stall with little wooden cabinets filled with antique pharmaceutical and dental tools. A lady with just irons you heat on the fire and vintage pot jug hot water bottles. I had to refrain from buying Snoopy things as I said to myself just useful fabric & Hornsea pots today.
There was plenty to whet my appetite on the pottery stalls. Poole pottery, 1960's groovy floral Carnaby but no prices and I was running out of cash when I saw those but I did find some nice Hornsea pieces. Lots of it about today and some very over priced but I got the best bargain of all with the blue Heirloom casserole dish for £4 and it's immaculate and I had no blue Heirloom. I got a single Cornrose espresso cup to go with one I already had and the other 2 pieces, vase & a mug, I need to research in my book.
There was plenty of vintage fabric knocking about and embroidered tray cloths, I also got a few vintage hankies and a couple of brooches, and the vintage flour bags.
It was all very nice and refined being at a stately home with no pushing or shuvving to grab bargains. Well worth the £3 to get in and had the weather held you could easily make a day of it with a picnic in the grounds as some people were doing.
Black Garlic Day - day 40
Well, I interrupt my Wales postings to announce that today is Black Garlic Day. Yes for 40 days and 40 nights the 3 bulbs of garlic have been sat undisturbed, maturing away in the aga. I know a couple of my blogging friends have been as eager as me to see the results and oh dear, are you sitting down,... as predicted half way through, it hasn't worked.
Damn and drat that old aga! It hasn't been hot enough to ferment the bulbs to blackness. The pictures show the sequence of me taking it out and seeing they were still pretty white on the outside, to cutting one open and seeing it was just caramel coloured.
It had obviously matured a bit just with the amount of time in there but I'm not sure I'm going to keep it. I guess that at the higher and correct temperature there is no risk of bacteria but when something is sat in a luke warm environment for 40 days then I think it is more likely a breeding ground for bacteria so I think it's destined for the recycle bin. I did cut a bit to try and rather than tasting garlicky it now tastes sort of more oniony, like a really strong pickled shallot. Oddly enough, after you swallow you don't really have much of an aftertaste like you would with raw garlic.
Oh well, you've got to try these things. I will only attempt it one more time if the temperature is suitable after I get the aga serviced.
Damn and drat that old aga! It hasn't been hot enough to ferment the bulbs to blackness. The pictures show the sequence of me taking it out and seeing they were still pretty white on the outside, to cutting one open and seeing it was just caramel coloured.
It had obviously matured a bit just with the amount of time in there but I'm not sure I'm going to keep it. I guess that at the higher and correct temperature there is no risk of bacteria but when something is sat in a luke warm environment for 40 days then I think it is more likely a breeding ground for bacteria so I think it's destined for the recycle bin. I did cut a bit to try and rather than tasting garlicky it now tastes sort of more oniony, like a really strong pickled shallot. Oddly enough, after you swallow you don't really have much of an aftertaste like you would with raw garlic.
Oh well, you've got to try these things. I will only attempt it one more time if the temperature is suitable after I get the aga serviced.
Saturday, 9 July 2011
Marvelous Monmouth
On previous trips to Wales I have only bypassed Monmouth before so when I finally made it over the River Monnow into the town I was pleasantly surprised. Always a good sign seeing a Waitrose and an M&S food shop, incase you need supplies!
The town itself has quite a nice buzz to it, lots of useful independent shops, I found a fabric & wool shop down a quirky pedestrian street with lovely floral bunting strung across. There's plenty of interesting architecture with an impressive town hall housing the museum.
Monmouth is also well served with eateries and pavement cafes. I had done my research before the trip and I read about a Mexican restaurant named Mocos. It turned out to be a good choice and it's always nice to find a good selection of veggie dishes and the option to choose mild, medium or hot spices. I had a huge platter with chimichangas and all the trimmings. Because this had been preceeded by a dish of nachos there was no way I could contemplate a pudding! It was certainly very nice.
Friday, 8 July 2011
Good coffee shop in S. Wales
Whenever on my travels I am always keen to champion local produce & good eateries etc. so there will be a few food and drink posts following my recent trip to South Wales.
I'll start with coffee because finding a good coffee shop is often like looking for a needle in a haystack. Unless you've had one recommended, and a good source of info for that is the Cosy Coffee Shops blog, the best way I've found is searching the net and seeking out reviews.
I stayed just outside Monmouth and my research had pulled up Coffee#1 as the place to seek out.
First looked through the window when it was closed in the evening and the signs were good. There was no pre-ground coffee sat festering to be served up the next day. Tasteful and relaxing decor and nice menu of snacks.
Next morning visited about 9.30am and it was already doing a brisk trade, popular with locals and for take-outs. I tried a cappuccino and an espresso (nice touch with bottled Welsh water to help yourself to), both coffees were excellent tasting and not those over roasted dark beans a lot of places serve.
The cakes looked fabulous, I opted for the homemade Welsh cakes (as did most who came in), only 50p each and they were delic! some of the best I've had.
Coffee#1 is actually a small chain of cafes in the South West so I can only comment about the Monmouth one but having visited it a few times on my trip with consistently good coffee, they are cleary good at what they do and have well trained baristas.
I'll start with coffee because finding a good coffee shop is often like looking for a needle in a haystack. Unless you've had one recommended, and a good source of info for that is the Cosy Coffee Shops blog, the best way I've found is searching the net and seeking out reviews.
I stayed just outside Monmouth and my research had pulled up Coffee#1 as the place to seek out.
First looked through the window when it was closed in the evening and the signs were good. There was no pre-ground coffee sat festering to be served up the next day. Tasteful and relaxing decor and nice menu of snacks.
Next morning visited about 9.30am and it was already doing a brisk trade, popular with locals and for take-outs. I tried a cappuccino and an espresso (nice touch with bottled Welsh water to help yourself to), both coffees were excellent tasting and not those over roasted dark beans a lot of places serve.
The cakes looked fabulous, I opted for the homemade Welsh cakes (as did most who came in), only 50p each and they were delic! some of the best I've had.
Coffee#1 is actually a small chain of cafes in the South West so I can only comment about the Monmouth one but having visited it a few times on my trip with consistently good coffee, they are cleary good at what they do and have well trained baristas.
Thursday, 7 July 2011
That was a quick 4 days!
I'm just back from a 4 day trip to Wales, I think that was the quickest 4 days ever! Lots to sort out here before I process pictures from my trip and if I get time to nip out I believe today is when issue 3 of Mollie Makes is out.
Also, just 3 days left to Black Garlic Day!!!
Also, just 3 days left to Black Garlic Day!!!
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