late winter days

This morning we were awakened by sunshine streaming through our bedroom windows. An unusual occurrence this wet, grey and stormy winter. An opportunity to get outdoors. One we didn't want to miss. So we took off exploring, searching for signs of spring. We were perhaps a little eager, as this far north it seems everything is a little slow in stirring from the long sleep of winter.

But, we happily found signs that spring may well be on its way and that these precious late winter days deserve to be savoured too. It was cold and bright, and the sun shone warm on occasion. We listened to birdsong and marvelled at the tiny wonders of nature. Beautiful blue skies and wispy clouds were a pretty backdrop to the bare branches just beginning to bud. And we discovered a carpet of snowdrops in full bloom. 

Tomorrow we're hoping to go adventuring again. This time to the coast. Fingers crossed we wake up to sunshine streaming through the windows again.

hello october

October. Morning fog gave way to a beautiful, bright day. Washing dried on the line, billowing in the light breeze. I enjoyed my lunch on the patio, soaking up the sunshine. The little ones played in the golden evening light. We watched the sunset setting the sky alight. A precious day savoured.

My beloved autumn, in full swing. I'm relishing this change of season. The promise of falling leaves, cosy jumpers, happy hours curled up by the fire, cup of tea in hand, enjoying a good book. And those beautiful first frosts. Just perfect.

I'm delighted to be back here in my little corner of blogland after an impromptu break. Two months is a long time. Life has been busy and I felt like I lost my way for a bit. But I love this space, and so I will be rambling here for the foreseeable future. Hopefully you'll come along for the ride.

And to the lovely Annie at Fable & Folk, a big thank you for the kick up the proverbial I needed. Pay her a visit, if you haven't already. She's all kinds of wonderful.

grow, forage, cook: plum jam

Plum jam is possibly my favourite. Although I don't think I've ever met a jam I don't like.

A little while ago, my lovely neighbour called one afternoon with three kilos of plums from his garden. To say I was delighted is an understatement. I knew I wanted to have a go at making plum jam. 'Don't let it go too long or you'll have toffee.' With Eric's advice ringing in my ears, I started jamming.

After taking a kilo of plums, halving them and removing the stones, I put them in my biggest saucepan and added 225ml of water. I simmered them gently over a medium heat for about 20 minutes until the fruit had softened.

While the plums simmered I warmed 700gms of granulated sugar in the oven. My granny warmed sugar for jam so that it dissolved more easily and didn't become grainy. I put it in the oven in a dish along with the jars which were sterilising on a low heat.

To the softened plums, I added the warm sugar and simmered for another 15 minutes. When the sugar dissolved completely I boiled the jam quickly for 10 minutes. I checked for 'set' using the cold plate method. When the jam reached setting point I took it off the heat, letting it cool slightly before pouring into sterilised jars. It's really lovely with freshly baked scones.

I attempted spiced plum jam with the remaining plums adding a teaspoon each of ground cinnamon and mixed spice. It tastes delicious but I either stirred it too much or didn't boil it for long enough so it never really set. I'm calling it confiture, a lovely soft set French jam and declaring it a success.

Have you been jamming this year? What's your favourite flavour?

Joining in with the lovely ladies at Circle of Pine Trees and Wolves in London for their 'grow, forage, cook' series.

holiday snaps

This week, one month ago we were in beautiful South Wales. For seven lovely days. I left a little piece of my heart there. We all loved it so much. Our return has been planned.

These photos are an edited selection of hundreds taken. I didn't want to bore you all to tears so chose just a few. I think they capture our fun in the sun.

The colours in these pictures please me no end. So many perfect blues and greens. My favourites.

I can't believe how long it has taken me to get this post together. This summer is running away from me. 

midsummer

Midsummer. The longest day.  And what a lovely day.

The sun shone bright, tempting us outdoors to spend the day in the garden. Picking flowers for the little fairy. She wore elderflower blossom in her hair. The boys played football long into the evening. We dined on the patio, enjoying the fresh air and a lemon cake for dessert.

A perfect solstice.  Family fun in the summer sunshine. A promise of things to come. Making memories in these long light filled days. I love this time of year.

Wishing you all a happy midsummer.  

seven

Today we have a birthday to celebrate. Our eldest is seven. He is so precious and we are so, so proud of him. 

Our gentle soul, brimming with kindness and the most infectious sense of fun. We all love you so very much.

There was much excitement on your birth day. Being parents was new to us but you were and are perfect and have made it easy for us.

Happy birthday to our beautiful, blue eyed boy. Wishing you every happiness.

three

Today our little fairy turned three. Our baby has grown into the most beautiful little girl, full of love, fun and laughter. Adored by her family and friends.

She arrived early on a warm, bright Easter Monday morning and has filled our lives with sunshine every day since. You are so loved, little one.

We have a small birthday party planned for tomorrow afternoon. She is so excited.

for the birds

Winter is here with its cold and frost so we've been making seed cakes for the wild birds in our garden.  I couldn't forget my feathered friends.

We used solid vegetable fat and an autumn and winter bird seed mix.  The process is simple so little ones can get involved and help.

With an adult's help melt the fat over a gentle heat until it becomes liquid and pour carefully into the seed mix. Stir well.  The seed mix should be well coated and appear shiny and wet.  This ensures it sticks together in the mould.

For fun we used christmas cookie cutters to make the seed cakes but you could use any container to hold them together.  Empty yoghurt pots would work well. The fat solidifies as it cools and holds the seed cake together.

We made a hole by inserting a bamboo skewer into the seed cake as it set.  Once solidified press out of the cookie cutters.  They are best left overnight to harden completely.  Test them gently.  They should not be crumbly. Finally thread some string through the hole for hanging.

Hang out in the garden, sit back with a cuppa and watch the birds enjoying a winter feast.

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My second little boy has a serious nut allergy so I sought out a seed mix which didn't contain nuts. Just something you should consider if any of you are in the same situation and want to make seed cakes with your little ones.

stir it up sunday

Today I am custodian of two bubbling saucepans containing my Christmas puddings.

I love the process of preparing and steaming the puddings, from getting the dried fruit drunk on rum the night before, to measuring out and mixing all the ingredients in my granny's old pudding bowl.

It is a tradition in our family to make the puddings on the last Sunday before Advent, stir it up Sunday.

Since I was a little girl I watched and later helped my lovely granny make the Christmas puddings. She continued making them until she was ninety when the baton was passed on to me. 



Granny passed away three years ago but I still love stir it up Sunday. It is a wonderful way to remember her.

The happy memories baking 'stirs up' please me no end, so for me it is stir it up Sunday in more ways than one.

My granny always insisted that all the family took a turn to stir the pudding whilst making a secret wish.

The pudding was always stirred from east to west to represent the journey that the three wise men made to Bethlehem and often had a coin hidden inside for wealth, health and happiness.

So the pudding making today and the delicious smell which is wafting through the house as the pudding steams means the festive season is firmly on its merry way.  Oh sugar.  I better get organised.

november weekend

Our weekend.  We had a lovely visit to Florencecourt House and Gardens.  We headed off early and enjoyed some lovely sunshine.

We admired the beautiful colours of autumn.

 And kicked through the millions of fallen leaves.

 We wished on pennies at the old watermill.

And played follow the leader.

We had some fun in the adventure playground and came home for lunch.  Now the little ones are all cosied up in their pyjamas after a bath and are playing snakes and ladders in front of the stove.

I have a late tea in the oven for Mr F and I and I am surrounded by crafty bits and bobs, making for the advent swap organised by Hookin' with Laa Laa.

I love that our weekends seem to follow the same pattern this time of year.  I hope you are all enjoying your weekend.

52 weeks of happy (4/52)

The fourth week of Jen's 52 weeks of happy so here are my four simple, happy things.

Enjoying the beautiful illustrations in a new book for the little ones.  The artwork is so pretty.

Some lovely new fabrics from Sew La La.  Maybe a new quilting project.

My new Jane Foster rabbit.  I'm definitely keeping this one for myself.

A little posy of flowers picked from the garden by Mr F while he was mowing the lawn.  Very rosemantic.

Wishing you all a week of happy.

the extra hour

Today seems like the longest day.

The extra hour in the change to wintertime seems to have added an eternity to today.  I can't believe it is still only half past four.

Probably because my little ones pay no heed to the clock and have been up and about from ten past six this morning and as all parents know when they're awake, we're awake.

please excuse the photo ... the light is almost gone today

  

So what's your plan for the extra hour today.  We will be carving our pumpkin after dinner.  It's only little but the wee ones are very excited.  We've been googling pumpkins all day.

52 weeks of happy (3/52)

I can't believe how quickly the weeks are flying by this year.  Time seems to race along when the little ones return to school.  One Monday to Friday rolls into the next.

So in the third week of Jen's 52 weeks of happy, here are my four simple, happy things.

A helping hand.  The biggest and the littlest, chasing after their brother. He's the little red speck on along the path.

A little treat.  Some glorious cupcakes from a lovely lady at a local craft fair.  They were as delicious as they look.

Two tiny feet in a pretty pair of plimsolls making me smile.

Lovely light.  A carpet of fallen leaves.  A beautiful sunny day.  Just as autumn should be.

So, what's making you happy? 

52 weeks of happy (2/52)

We have had a lovely mellow weekend, doing little and relaxing.  Walking, cooking and crafting.  My idea of bliss.

These weekends are always the loveliest.  No best laid plans, just roll with the punches.  Doing the little things we all enjoy.

Continuing with Jen's year of happy, here are my four picks this week.

A lovely little parcel from Silly Old Suitcase.  More on this later in the week.

 

Some cute keyrings made by the boys from an art and craft pack.  I love their big eyes and cheeky little faces.  Come to think of it, these are some of the things I love most about my little ones too.

The gorgeous red colour of the Virginia Creeper growing on either side of our front porch.  I love the lacy effect it creates as it weaves its way across the wall.

Doing a little weekend crafting.  A sort of work in progress.

Hope you all had a lovely weekend and that you are all happy.