Danish Pastry?

Greetings from wonderful, wonderful Copenhagen! Arrived here at lunchtime and was in my favourite fabric shop by 2pm *wink* Wasn't too naughty and only bought 3 metres of lovely material that will be turned into more vase covers, a few draw string bags and what ever else takes my fancy. Maybe a cushion cover or two.
One flight home tomorrow, another 3 day trip after that, and then my part time week off!! Doesn't time fly?

We visited a friend's small holding last week and picked a couple of tub trugs of crab apples. Think I was a little bit too keen on the number we picked. 2 sink fulls, so graciously gave some to next door.


I now have lots of jars of pink crab apple and clove jelly. Lovely stuff and very popular. Had an order for 2 jars before I had even picked them. Was also given a bag of dried hops to use in sleep pillows! Thanks Lesley! *smiles*

Once again I decided that it was Christmas in September and after soaking my dried fruit in brandy and cointreau for 7 days, putting Mr Crosby on the ipod, I made this year's Christmas puddings. Well, the first batch anyway.



I started cooking them at 12 and finished steaming at 9pm. Found Jason's electric steamer in the back of the cupboard and used that, rather than the 'pan on the hob' method. Seemed to cook more quickly, but needed filling up every 30 minutes.
5 down, another 10 (?) to go! Not sure what the postman thought of 'Chestnuts roasting on an open fire' blaring out of the stable door.

I made another 8 large and 1 small jars of mincemeat for the Fayre and lots of apple and damson jelly.


The jam pan has been put away for another year now as I have run out of fruit (sobs quietly). I might make more mincemeat if I can get hold of some cooking apples. I now have 80+ jars safely hidden away in the office. Plus a few under the ensuite sink. Some in the out building. And under the utility room sink. A jam problem? Me? No more jam. Promise.

The pear tree is looking autumnal. The leaves have turned yellow and the fruit is nearly ready for bottling. Of the 20+ pears that started to grow, I only have a few left. The raspberries on the other hand are doing very well. Will possibly try raspberry jam next week. Oh, forget what I said earlier. I am weak.

We spent Saturday pottering around the house, finishing off painting the bathroom. We have his Sister and New Hubby staying with us from Bonnie Scotland in a couple of weeks, so need to get the bedroom re painted in time. At least it will give us the kick up the backside that we need to get it done. Just the repainting of the hall, stairs and landing and then all is done! 'Just' I say! Lucky that Jase is over 6', as my Hobbit sized proportions aren't conducive to painting a ceiling. Shame. *wink*

I ordered some new business cards which arrived this week. Christian's Cottage is now official. Will sort out a web site when I get a few weeks free. Not very computer savvy. The blog is fine, pictures are easy to upload/download or what ever you do with them, but a web site will challenge my grey cells. I am attaching the cards to my products, with a sticker on the back explaining what they are. I know that candles are self explanatory, but some of my things are a little, well, quirky. Most are tied on with raffia for that 'Cottage chic, homemade' look. I am a sucker for raffia.

My eyes are burning and I feel a bit bunged up today, am hoping it is nothing. Have taken a Lemsip and keeping my fingers crossed! I feel the need to fill the ridiculously large bath and soak for half an hour. Will then crawl into the massive bed, complete with feather topper and hopefully wake up bright eyed in the 'morrow. Pick up is 5.20. AM!! At least I should be home by 11. Really looking forward to picking up a paint brush as I walk in the door.

Have a good week everyone and thanks for reading.

C x x

The dust has settled....

...everywhere! My Brother has finished the en suite shower room, replastered a bedroom, down the stairs, part of the kitchen and the main bathroom and the powder is all over the place. The hoover has done a pretty good job so far, but there isn't a surface anywhere without a fine layer of white dust!

We started painting the en suite today. 'Buff' by Farrow and Ball. Not because I have a Buff Sussex (although that is one reason, hee hee), but it fits very well with the new shower tiles and is quite dark so will look good against the white suite.


Finally, here are some pictures of our new doors. I know 'doors are doors', but I have wanted reclaimed pine latch doors for years!


and the latches.....

I can't stop staring at them. Am I strange? Don't answer that.


Went to Homebase to get a few bits for decorating and picked up some violas for the window box at the front. Had a couple spare, so potted them up and will keep them in the kitchen.


Recycle. The possibilities are endless!


Received a private message from someone on the forum. She suggested making small wheat bags for hand warmers. Ideal for the school run or dog walkers on cold winter mornings!

Had a sewing day and made several more wheat bags and a few more vase covers.


I love them so much that I am tempted to keep them and not take them with me to the Fayre. Talking of which, I called this week to pop in and let them see my wares. It was 'not convenient' and I have been asked to visit the first week of October. I am worried that the fayre will be fully booked and I won't get a stall now. Can't think about it. I have worked really hard to do this and will be disappointed if it doesn't happen.

We went to see Michael MacIntyre last night in Basingstoke. He was really good. Very 'real life' comedy and quite 'blue', I sound like an pensioner with that comment! Great though. Highly recommend seeing him.

No eggs yesterday, but 3 today. Agnes and Winifred are still not laying, but their feathers are starting to grow back. Am now mixing poultry spice in with their pellet porridge every day to give them a boost. I just hope they feather up fully before it gets really cold.

The garden STILL hasn't been tackled. I might as well wait until the first frosts to kill off the weeds now. My autumn raspberries are fruiting up nicely. Picked a few yesterday. Not quite enough for jam, not even enough for a garnish, but a start.

Better get an early night as the kitchen is looking like Homebase paint department as we have so much painting to do. Pots of paint, brushes, rollers and dust sheets are not helping my ocd, as the house is a tip. Not that I am obsessively clean and tidy you understand. The office is my dumping ground and is truly shocking state of affairs at the mo. You can't see the bed for cushion covers, bags of Christmas pressies (yes, I started months ago) and general bits and pieces. Another job that needs doing.

Enough of me rambling on. Time for bed. Speak soon and hope you all have a great weekend.

C x x x

Update! I have just been looking at my counter and I am only a few hits away from 10,000 'hits'. I looked at the referrers to my page and saw that I am nominated for a little blog award through Dorset cereals!! How nice is that? I love their Honey and nut granola if they want to send me a prize! *wink* Little Blog Awards

A hedgerow update

Every time I get a minute to myself, something crops up. I have decided to sit and have a veg out evening tonight. Fire is about to be lit, Jase is away and the hens are tucked up for the night. It is perishingly cold this evening. My shorts and t shirt aren't keeping me warm!

Have had a busy week. Am back to work on Tuesday and my 9 days off have flown by. Got lots done though.

Our internal doors are finally finished. Reclaimed pine, waxed (one coat only) and look stunning! I have forgotten to take pictures, but will soon.

I spent a few hours making more skittles for the fayre and have one set finished now, and who would guess they started life as a broom handle!


Only 5 more sets to paint, and adorn with festive felt hats! Ho ho ho...

Jase and I went to Ikea the other day. First stop the restaurant! Meatballs, chips and gravy. An absolute must! Once our hunger was satisfied, we headed for the marketplace and picked up candles, you can never have too many, jars, ditto, and fabric. I have made my feelings about fabric known before! The trouble with Ikea is queuing for the tills. Only 2 open and 6 '15 items or less' tills. Who goes to Ikea and buys less than 15 items? I ask you?? Luckily we took Mortimer the Mini, so we couldn't buy too much!

Jase spent the day playing with his new toy. A pressure washer. After cleaning years of grime from the patio, he attacked the table and chairs. What better way to show off my new fabric vase, displayed on a newly 'blasted' table.


Ikea fabric, measured, hemmed and slipped over a tall glass - also Ikea. A lovely idea and will be many more of those.



The hedgerow down the lane is heaving with fruit. I picked several pounds of blackberries, sloes and rosehips. The blackberry vodka and sloe gin are made and safely stashed away, ready to decant into nice bottles for Christmas. More blackberries have been turned into Bramble jelly and I had enough left to bottle with some cooking apples to hide away for crumble filling later in the year.

I spent today chopping rosehips, boiling them, straining and reboiling with sugar. We now have 3 litres of rosehip syrup. I have not tried it before, but it is lovely. A slosh in a mug and topped up with hot water should give me a vitamin C hit and keep the colds at bay this winter.




Feathers are everywhere as Agnes is still moulting, as is Cornelia, now Winifred has joined them. Agnes and Winnie have stopped laying - well Winnie hasn't laid since the 12th July, but she has been unwell. Cornelia, Pru and Elsbeth are laying well though, so we haven't run out of eggs yet! When I cleaned out their runs the other day, they had a riot on the patio and borders. Cornelia needs no excuse to sunbathe........




Causing chaos amongst the daisies....




Mum and Dad came over for dinner yesterday and Jase made a cheesecake complete with smooshed (is that a word?) up crunchie bars in it. It is calling me from the fridge and I feel it would be rude to ignore it. My magazine dropped through the door yesterday, so will finish up here and read for a while. Country Living and cheesecake. What more could I want?

What a whiff

Hello!

Had a terrible week. The M3 was closed and I was late for work. Arrived 40 minutes too late and missed my trip. That wiped the rest of my 6 day block and I finally finished with an Istanbul and back yesterday. Hideous, but over now! Just 2 days off but so happy not to be at work.

The courgettes have gone mad and I am now left with a marrow the size of a small canoe.

It will be turned into some sort of chutney when I get a chance.


I bought some beeswax sheets in Brussels a couple of weeks ago and turned them into candles. I really need to get back there and get some more sheets. They burn really well and smell lovely.


I started making wheat pillows this week. 2 are finished and have sewn 4 more bags but ran out of wheat! Will get some more tomorrow.




Mum brought over my old futon cover from years ago. It is good quality ticking type fabric and too good to throw away. I got creative and used a small amount to make some skittles! They are half filled with pop corn (unpopped obviously)! and soft toy filling. The ball took ages as it is 6 small pieces stitched together, but I love them! If I get a chance, I will make a few more sets to sell at the craft fair.





I spent most of today cleaning out the chickens' runs. Not the most pleasant of jobs, but thankfully one that doesn't need doing too often. Let the girls into the garden and they spent the day digging in the borders and eating grass. They are back in the chicken corner now, sunbathing. Jase asked what the awful smell was and then realised it was me! I was so sweaty after digging out all the muck from the runs. Nice. Am now showered and smell nice again.

Made some plum and apple mince meat too, about 8 large jars. My neighbour still has lots of plums, but I have a tub trug full in the fridge in the outbuilding and lots of apples. I followed Kate's advice and put several plums in Le Parfair jars, filled with sugar syrup and simmer the jars. My jam thermometer came in handy and 20 minutes later, 2 perfect jars of bottled plums that should last for months.

Have a great Bank holiday everyone.

C x x

**UPDATE** the local farmer is spreading muck on the fields. Turns out I don't smell too bad after all.

...Burning at both ends?

Life is surreal sometimes, isn't it? Take yesterday. Sun was shining, not a cloud in the sky, I was wearing shorts - sewing robins in the garden for the Christmas fayre! August. I know. Madness.

Jase went back to work after a few months off. Barcelona last night and Stockholm this evening. He is home tomorrow. Think it will be a shock to his system.

I have been off for nearly 2 weeks and have done a fair bit. Started jammin' again. The kitchen smelt wonderful.
Spiced Bramble jelly (with the additional of a cinnamon stick and a couple of cloves).











Pottered around the veggie garden and did a bit of digging. The potatoes weren't looking too good, so I dug them all up. Proper gardener's hands!




I had 3 potato bags and a small raised bed with Kind Edwards. Don't think we will be self sufficient in tatties this winter - One bag's worth.


They are all safely stored in a paper sack in the outbuilding.

I finally got round to planting up some strawberry runners. Been meaning to do it for ages. Think I have enough? Hee hee

If you are passing and need any..........!

The purple podded peas were doing really well until the mice discovered that the stalks tasted good.









We ran out of spinach for the Girls last year, so have planted an extra load to keep them in fresh greens all Winter. They are growing nicely on the kitchen window sill.


Speaking of the Girls, Winifred is doing really well. *touches wood* Her appetite is back to normal and she is shoulder barging others out of the way when it comes to treats. Her crop is full most nights and empty again in the morning! I think her comb looks redder and more upright too. The only thing is, I think she has started moulting. Along with Cornelia and the odd feather from Agnes, there are a fair few feathers flying around the garden. All but Winnie are laying though, so we usually get 3-4 eggs a day. I have been frantically watching for her droppings. Strange but true. She eventually turned and produced a 'normal' poo for me! Hooray! (Only other chicken keepers think I am perfectly sane with the previous comment)!!






As Jase had to be up at the crack of sparrows yesterday, I got up too. The house was de-cobwebbed (you would never guess judging by the look of it today) and bathrooms cleaned and house vacuumed. Decided to try and make candles. Like you do.

In May, I bought some terracotta pots in Portugal and managed to get hold of some wicks and pelleted candle wax. Ingenious way to keep the wicks central I think! Cotton thread and some tape.



After lots of swearing, dripping candle wax, ruining of measuring jug and a couple of tea towels -

They do have a wick, but it's not clear in the picture.


'Cushion central' as the house is now known, is still in full production. Getting good at them now and it only takes me 15 minutes to make a cover.


Things are coming along nicely. Shame I am back to work on Tuesday. Work gets in the way of my 'stuff'. At least I can relax at work.

Mum and Dad are coming over for dinner this evening, so better get organised. Have baked some Hobnobs (or the non copyright equivalent *wink*) and filled a bag for them and a tin for us!

See you all soon.

C x x x

Poorly Winnie

Winifred is not doing too well again. The constant rain all day didn't help her mood either. She spent most of the day hunched under the privet hedge and I didn't see her eat or drink for most of the day. She was drinking just before bed, so that is a good sign. She pottered off to bed with her friends Pru and Elsbeth. In a way, I hope she goes in her sleep, as that would be a nice way to go. Just hate to see her so sad and hunched in the run. Squish squish.


As promised, here is a picture of the happy couple!




Next door are on holiday this week, so we are looking after the Bantam Ladies. They have been laying really well. Nearly 3 eggs every day. The eggs are ridiculously small. Almost cartoon eggs! They will look lovely in a glass jar filled with vinegar and pickling spices.




Compared to a standard hen's egg -




It has been raining on and off for days now. I am not back to work until the 18th August, but think there is little hope of the garden getting any attention. I am more of a fair weather gardener.

I picked up Winifred yesterday to give her some natural yoghurt, to help with her crop problems and jarred my back again! It was absolute agony. I was hobbling around for most of the day, doing a distinct impression of Mrs Overall from Acorn Antiques. Had a wonderful nights sleep though and woke up feeling better, but still a tad sore. Not keen on popping pills, but sometimes needs must and the anti inflammatories do help.

Tomorrow is set to be miserable again, so will make the most of the day and get some sewing done. Really want to make a hot water bottle cover. Depending on the look of it, will see about adding them to the list of things for the craft fayre. A friend suggested making wheat pillows (the type that I have had stuck to my back for the past 2 days). Jase mentioned flame retardant fabric to make the bags, as we don't want a flaming microwave incident, but I really have no idea! If anyone knows how to make them and what to fill them with (is it as simple as wheat)??, then email me please!

Fire is roaring in a bid to thaw out my feet. What is going on? It is August for God's sake!!

C x x x

Nice Sporran.....

Greetings Readers!

Am in Vienna at the mo and thought I would make a quick entry.

The wedding last weekend was wonderful. I was made to feel very welcome. V & F had a lovely time and the sun shone (and rain held off) until the evening. Lovely bunch of people, dancing, great food and hunky men in kilts everywhere! *wink* I digress. I will post pictures when I get a chance as they are still on the camera. (Not of the men in kilts)!!

We drove back on Tuesday and had to stop off at the airport to pick up my car. 9 hour drive in total. Vile. The girls were fine all week, but didn't lay too well for next door. I think they got 6 eggs in total. They are away this week, so we are looking after the bantams for them. Day 1 yesterday and we got a full house. 3 eggs! Looks like dad might get pickled bantam eggs for Christmas afterall.

There, have mentioned it. Christmas. Can't wait, hee hee. The present buying has started as you know I like to be organised. I know it is August, but I got in from work last night and the fire was lit! *Shock*. It was quite cold, but who would have thought the fire would be roaring in August?? Nice though.

Managed to get a few brooches sewn for the Craft fayre, that I still haven't paid for or arranged. *rolls eyes* Will get it done next week.

Major trauma. I was in Berlin and a car hit the wall behind the house and crashed along the side of the fence. About 40 ft of fencing needs to be replaced, but the driver will be paying for that!! Jase had to deal with it all, getting quotes etc. He sent me a text to say 'the chickens are distressed'. No wonder when the fence was right next to their coop. They wouldn't come out for a while.

Winifred is fine, still not laying, but pottering around as normal. Cornelia is threadbare and looking really scruffy. She is moulting big time, but her new feathers are coming through already. Elsbeth, Pru and Agnes are all ok. Laying on a regular basis. I think they are looking forward to being let loose on the veggie garden in a couple of months. I usually let them dig over the raised beds when most of the crops have finished. Jase and next door very kindly put up some netting, so the girls can free range after the fence incident. There was a 30cm gap were the fence was shunted and they aren't 'road savvy'. At least they can free range now.

Off out for Schnitzel and low cal chips in a bit, so will sign out now.

Have a lovely evening!

Can you see in the dark?

Am going to Scotland for a couple of days tomorrow, Jase's Sister's wedding! Looking forward to it! The flights look terrible and I am worried I won't get a seat! The joys of stand by travel. Am thinking of going on the 7am flight, but that means getting up at 3.45 in the morning! Not a prospect I am looking forward to.

Winifred took a turn for the worst yesterday, so I popped her in a cat box and left her in the lounge overnight to stay warm and relaxed. I left the tv on so she had some company as I had to go to work. Am I mad? Probably.

I got back this morning and she seems fine again. Her crop is not as big and not full of fluid, so that is a good sign. A word of warning. Wear old clothes when trying to get natural yoghurt into a chicken's beak. She managed to fling it everywhere with her head shaking!!!! She is running around with the others, so fingers crossed, she will be ok. Next door have 'yoghurt dosage instructions' for the next few days.



A quick picture of my first carrots (I say first, but I have pulled the odd sneaky one, here and there). I have no patience.



My parsnips are coming on really well. First time I have grown them successfully. Need some sunshine now, to ripen the tomatoes and blueberries. The blueberries are now netted which looks awful, but does the job nicely. Mr Blackbird won't be getting any this year!

I spoke to the Craft Fayre person yesterday and will arrange a visit with my 'stock' (!) next week. He seemed really keen on what I was selling, as it was different. Lets hope it is of suitable quality!

Better go and pack I suppose.

Have a good weekend everyone.

C x x

Back to normal

Just a quickie to update you all. Winifred was no better the following morning, so I took her to see the vet. She was very good and he agreed with the sour crop diagnosis. A quick antibiotic and 'tummy churning' jab and we came home. I continued feeding her with Rachel's Organic natural yoghurt (only the best, she won't do 'own brand'). The vet gave me some injections to give her at home and she is looking good!



She hasn't laid but I am glad that she is back to normal again and taking a break. Happy and content, bright red comb and still in top hen position :0)

Back to work on Monday, but have been busy all week. Haven't actually done anything on my list, but nothing new there. I have made several pin cushions for the Christmas Fayre (which I still don't know if I am doing).



and a close up......




My August roster is already out and it is quite good trip/money wise. Shame I won't be home much. Guess that goes with the job though. At least I have a couple of trips to do some Christmas shopping. Yes, I did just say that.

We popped to Basingstoke yesterday to get a new pair of shoes for work and a shirt for J's sister's wedding at the weekend. Picked up a Christmas pressie for Mum. I like to start early. What do you mean, too early?? It will be here sooner than you think!! Mark my words.

Right, have to get a wiggle on and give the girls their evening pellet porridge. Winifred has been getting extra portions of porridge with additions (antibiotic powder and yoghurt) and is quite content when I grab her and secretly feed her.

Will leave you with another picture of Winnie, complete with yoghurt on her wattles!



Bye!

C x x

Natural remedies

I know it isn't right to have favourites, but I have. Winifred isn't too well today. I noticed that she had a huge crop this morning. (For those of you who don't keep hens, the crop is where they store food all day, and digest it over night - the crop should be empty in the morning). She is withdrawn and listless, not interested in food and generally looking sad.

After my hen course today, I popped her in a cat basket to take a better look and brought her indoors, so I could keep an eye on her. Her crop is huge and squishy - sour crop - yeast infection. I have given her some natural yoghurt and apple cider vinegar in her water. It should restore the balance of good bacteria in her crop. She is having a nap in the kitchen as I type. If she is no better tomorrow, then she can visit Uncle Grant at the Vet surgery.

I have my part time week now. Not back to the joys of Terminal 5 until the 20th July. Jase has 2 more zaps to go and is then finished with radiotherapy. No more traveling to Guildford for treatment everyday. Will be a relief that is all over.

Last week, we went to Hampton Court Flower Show. It was the RHS members day, so less crowded than normal. I took my camera, but between the constant rain showers and threats of thunder and lightning, I didn't take many pictures.

The best thing about Hampton Court -


Lots of fantastic stalls inside, Country cottage type bits and bobs, throws, jams and quilts. My kind of place.

The one garden I loved for it's unusual planting was the 'Hanging Bra-skets and pant planters'!! -



The strawberry pants were hysterical!





If Mum said it once she said it 10 times. "It looks like its brightening up over there". Believe me, It didn't brighten up. The heavens opened at every opportunity. We took our roll along trolley with us, the must have accessory for Hampton Court. How else do you drag your plants around, whilst grazing ankles and tripping up unsuspecting visitors?? We are not going with Mum and Dad next year. It is sunny when they don't come with us!

Jase is asleep on the sofa, snoring away. Columbo on the TV. I thought I would write a quick update before heading back to the hospital wing in the kitchen.

Cornelia is still broody. Her chest looks red raw where she insists on pulling feathers out, to line her nest. A spot of savlon seems to help. She might not be laying at the moment, but she is adorable when you see her all fluffed up, growling. She isn't aggressive as some broodies can be. I lift her off the nest every couple of hours to give the others a chance to lay. Even though they have 2 eglus to lay in, they all like to lay where Cornelia is sitting!! Daft chickens.

The back garden is growing like mad. It looks relatively neat and tidy until you get close and see the amount of weeds that have taken hold.


I will get to grips with the weeding this week. I have too. The buttercups are everywhere and need pulling. I picked up a few echinacea plants called 'Baby Swan' that look like inside out daisies. I have planted them in the front, just to get them in the ground, but think I will move them later.

Been busy making things for the Weyhill Christmas Fayre, but haven't been over there yet to see if they will even let me have a stall. Must do that this week too. Am sewing scottie dogs to use as pin cushions, but need to go into Town to get stuffing for them. Stuffing? If that the right word? You know what I mean.

Had a log delivery and they are all neatly stacked and ready for winter. One more load and then I will be happy. Horrible job, stacking logs. With Jase tired due to the radiotheraoy and my back, we aren't that chirpy whilst stacking. He loads onto the wheelbarrow and brings them round the back and I climb into the log store and stack. It works well and means we are still speaking!

The peas, courgettes, carrots and beans are doing well. Even pulled a few carrots for dinner yesterday. Very sweet and satisfying, having finally grown carrots that are a decent size. The wood pigeons have pinched the red and blackcurrants and the raspberries aren't fairing too well against ariel attacks. Will definitely net them next year. The blueberries are covered so should be able to eat those before they are scoffed.

Better get back to Winifred and try to get her to eat more yoghurt. Poor girl. She really doesn't look well. Fingers crossed she will be ok.

TTFN

C x x x