Life Lately

 

Recently, there has been a gentle shift in my outlook. I have found myself placing fewer demands on my time outside of work and any other necessary day to day happenings, and I am beginning to feel much more relaxed for it. A weekend without set plans, household chores that need doing, those DIY tasks which keep getting overlooked, well, I am trying not to worry too much about any of it. I'm not sure how long this feeling will last, but as someone who has always been a bit of a worrier and a list maker (I do still love a good list!) I find it strange that for some reason I no longer feel the need to put pressure on myself to complete certain tasks within a set time frame, besides the essentials, of course. Perhaps it's an 'almost summertime' thing :) Whatever the reason, I am here for it. 

The wildflowers are growing apace around here, and at the weekend we took part in a survey of Cowslips and Yellow Rattle along with our  local wildlife group.  It's surprising just how many more varieties you discover when you are actively looking for them. It is also surprising how important you can feel while carrying a clipboard! ;)

In the garden, the Welsh Poppies are currently in charge of catering for pollinators, with our bed of wildflowers almost ready to take over the task. It looks like there are some of my favourite Cornflowers in this year's mix and they have grown significantly in the few days since this photograph was taken.

There are an abundance of blackcurrants just waiting to ripen and even the neglected strawberry plants have provided us with a very small harvest, although I suspect the birds may have had a part to play in the lack of fruit this year.

As the hedgerows and verges begin to spill over, our pathways become narrower and more tricky to navigate. The Cow Parsley tickles but the nettles sting! 

During the week I gathered in some Elderflowers and made up several bottles of cordial. It is such a delicious and refreshing summer drink and it smells wonderful, but I still haven't tried it yet. Perhaps at the weekend I might enjoy some in a glass of prosecco, as hopefully I will have a small accomplishment to celebrate. The recipe is on the sidebar if you would like it. 

And I finally got around to baking this Bakewell cake, from a recipe I came across earlier in the year. If you have been here a while, you will know how I prefer simple recipes that don't need too many ingredients, and this cake definitely ticks that box. It has all the delicious flavour of a Bakewell tart but without the faff. Perfect! 

J. X

Cinnamon and Cloves

 

Much as I have thoroughly enjoyed working this week, I know that by tomorrow afternoon I'll be relieved to finish for the holidays. I feel exhausted. My decision to drop off a Christmas card 'only fifteen minutes out of my way' after Lily's swimming lesson this evening, and at the end of an already long day, was not one of my better ones, so I won't be long out of bed. The recipients were not even in, so I just had to put it through the letterbox. I should have just posted it in the first place. I'll know better next year :)

This morning I was reading Sue's blog, when she happened to post about one of my most favourite things to eat - shortbread. I love it. And I meant it when I commented that I would happily pass on any type of cake or biscuit for  piece of good shortbread. For something so simple it really is delicious. And I also meant it when I said I would then have to bake some for myself, which I did, except I added a generous pinch of cinnamon and cloves to mine, just to give it a Christmassy flavour. I'm glad I remembered to pick up some more at the supermarket last week, as I've recently been adding it to my compote and I will also be using it in my mincemeat shortbread when I finally get around to making it next week. I always associate both flavours with this time of year.

This is the recipe if you would like to bake some yourself. 

Tomorrow is the last day of the school term, and that means Christmas parties. Lily is so excited and will be wearing her 'something sparkly' for the occassion. I've sent all my cards, I've bought all my gifts. Now I'm looking forward to having the time to relax and make the most of the festive season. 

J. X

Misty Mornings

 

As the seasons shift into autumn we have seen some beautiful mornings here. Early mists and clouded valleys dispersing to reveal bright sunshine and clear blue skies. I'm back in the swing of things at work now. Summer is definitely long gone, although it still feels very mild for the time of year. On days like this my early morning commute feels such a joy, especially when I've been greeted with views like this.

Following a busy week, I enjoyed a more relaxed weekend. We took a walk down by the fields and through the woods. The trees are beginning to shed their leaves and soon the woodland floor will be carpeted. It's coming time for me to be putting on my wellies and thicker socks once again. 

I like to think autumn calls for lots of woodland walking and some baking. Or perhaps that should read some woodland walking and lots of baking ;) And so during the week I've baked shortbread using one of my Herdy cutters and also some banana and cinnamon cake. Delicious! I've even been passed a cookie recipe which I'm really looking forward to trying, well it would be rude not to :)

Going out walking is also my way of putting off the inevitable task of clearing the garden ready for winter. It is definitely looking past it's best out there now. I've already dug out the sweet peas and sunflowers, saving some of the seeds for next season, and I have also trimmed back the Thyme, which had grown so much that it had begun to hang over onto the path. The grass will soon be getting it's final cut of the year, a job which needs to be timed carefully in order  to avoid either wet weather or early morning dew. Not that there is all that much left, since much of it has been worn away by someone playing so much swingball!

The hedge needs trimming right back and I also need to re-pot one of the apple trees, which has almost doubled in size over the summer. 

The plants in the container pond will soon need cutting back to the level of the water and I really should clear the blanket weed. I didn't expect much when I put it together earlier in the year, so it was a wonderful surprise to see a little visitor in there a short while ago. Then the wildflower bed, which has given me so much pleasure this year, will be the last thing to deal with, as there are quite a few flowers still hanging in there and attracting the pollinators.

J. X

Courgettes

In the past two weeks I have, very generously, been given a total of eleven courgettes. Six huge ones and five little ones. Now, I do like courgettes - I love most vegetables (I know, technically, they are a fruit but I wouldn't put one in a fruit salad) - but even then I knew I would struggle to use them up before they went bad. I realise they can be frozen, but they would ideally need to be blanched first and I really didn't want to faff about with all that, so I needed a plan or, at least, some recipes. 

The Pasta-less lasagne was delicious but I was looking for something which would use up more than just the two courgettes I'd needed for that. So I decided on some chutney, which would be simple to make and also be easy to store, not taking up valuable space in the freezer.  

After much chopping and dicing, it was soon simmering away on the stove and I was feeling quite pleased that I'd manage to use up another two courgettes, until Lily proclaimed that it smelled very much like my 'cleaning stuff'! It was only a short while later I realised, with much relief, that she meant the vinegar solution I use to clean the windows :)  The chutney filled five jars and needs to be kept for at least two weeks before eating, although I did try just a little bit and I can confirm it tastes delicious.

By this time, I had used up four of the courgettes, when Vix left a comment on my previous post suggesting I try a recipe for courgette loaf cake. I was a little apprehensive at first as it contained walnuts, which I've always thought of as evil things. But I stuck to the recipe and I am glad I did, as it was so delicious. I enjoyed it thickly sliced and spread with butter. I even liked the walnuts, so thank you Vix. 

Next, I chose to make some ratatouille. Possibly an obvious recipe, but for one reason or another I had overlooked it. I added onion, peppers, tomatoes and aubergine, and even included a handful of our own runner beans from the garden. Another simple but tasty recipe, and I now have three meals in the freezer.

Determined to use up every single courgette, I used my very last one to make some courgetti. I simply sliced the courgette into fairly thin strips, put the ribbons into a covered bowl and cooked in the microwave for just two minutes. There was no need to add any extra water, as the courgettes already contain enough. Much as I enjoyed all the recipes this was by far the easiest and quickest of them all. And by using courgettes instead of pasta it left me even more room for garlic bread :) 

J. X

Frosty Morning

Although, disappointingly, I didn't wake up to snow this morning, there was a light covering of frost, and the field behind the house sparkled white. A beautiful winter scene. 

I've enjoyed another relaxed day, having reached the stage between Christmas and New Year when I'm not quite sure as to what day it actually is. Not that it matters, of course. Having spent many years working all throughout the festive season, I relish this time to do with as I please.

Today, this included another walk in the woods. The low winter sun dazzled against a clear sky and puddles had turned to ice. Even by early afternoon the shaded ground was still frosted, the distant fells dusted with snow. 

On returning home, I was soon warmed up with a hot drink and it wasn't long before I was busy in the kitchen, baking for the week ahead. The weather forecast looks promising and, with some slightly longer walks planned, we need something tasty to keep us fuelled in the chilly outdoors.

Using one of the jars still remaining in the kitchen cupboard I baked some mincemeat shortbread. Just as tasty as (if not more than) mince pies, this is much more simple to bake, and makes around sixteen pieces, which are easily wrapped up to put in the pocket of my rucksack.

The link to the recipe is here. This time I made mine without the cranberries and almonds.

J. X

Quiet October Days

 

The clocks went back last night and the end of the year looms ever closer. The days are getting shorter and recently have been rushing by much faster than I am comfortable with. Leaves fill the porch, there is a small heap of conkers on the coffee table and pumpkins and gourds of various shapes and sizes adorn the mantel. 

My days have become reassuringly repetitive. During the week, once work and school are over, there is time for little else. Unless the weather is really bad, Lily will then play outside until darkness descends, only coming indoors under duress. I don't know why this should surprise me, she is her mother's daughter after all :)

One or two mornings each week I go out for a run. I relish this time when the lanes are quiet, often not passing  another person  for the most of my route, only sheep in the fields, and the occasional fell pony or squirrel.  At the moment I have to be really careful to avoid slipping, as the ground is covered with damp leaves and acorns. Any conkers I spy are quickly gathered and brought back home with me to add to our ever increasing collection.

As is always the case in October, the weather is so very changeable. Wet and windy days can become bright and sunny in a moment, but so far this month most of our walking has been done in wellies. Last weekend we enjoyed a long awaited trip into town for a new pair for Lily. I hadn't been shopping, other than for food, since March, so it felt good to be back doing something 'normal' again, albeit with additional precautions in place. And suffice to say the wellies have enjoyed plenty of use already. 

As the days become darker, I find I spend more and more of my time in the kitchen.  When it's pouring with rain outside, there's nothing nicer than hunkering down indoors, whiling away an afternoon baking a delicious cake or some biscuits. A few weeks ago I couldn't resist treating myself to an oak leaf shaped biscuit cutter I found online. I knew it would be perfect for gingerbread, especially at this time of year.

My favourite part of autumn, however, is just getting outdoors and enjoying the changing colours of the season. This deer park is one of my favourite places to walk, especially as the weather turns colder. The deer are often hidden amongst the trees, so it was a lovely surprise to see some run across the path just in front of us. 

This week sees the start of our half-term break. I hope to get out and enjoy some more walks when the weather permits, but mainly I intend to relax and enjoy my time at home. This afternoon, however, we are going to the farm to choose our pumpkins. 🎃🎃🎃

J. X

No-Knead Bread Recipe

A few of you have messaged to ask about the bread I baked, shown in my previous post. It is a favourite of mine and, as with anything that comes out of my kitchen, it is very simple to bake and takes minimal effort. The crispy crust makes it especially delicious served with soup or stews, and in this house it is also traditionally enjoyed on Christmas Eve, dipped in baked camembert and cranberries.

There are, of course, many variations of this recipe online but this is the one that I use.

You will need:

400g Strong white bread flour

½ teaspoon of dried yeast

1 teaspoon of salt

300 ml warm water

A large oven proof pot with a lid

Weigh out the flour and put it into a large mixing bowl, stir in the salt and yeast. Pour in the warm water and mix well together using a wooden spoon to make a sticky dough. Cover with cling film or reusable wrap and leave for at least twelve hours , I leave mine overnight.

The dough will become bubbly and VERY sticky.

Put your empty cooking pot into the oven at 200℃ to heat through for around 30 minutes, then with well floured hands, carefully turn out the dough onto some baking paper and gently shape into a round.

Very carefully, using the baking paper, lower the dough into the pot and put the lid on.
Bake in the centre of the oven for 30 minutes. Remove the lid then bake for a further 15 minutes until golden brown. Allow to cool.

I believe you can also bake this using plain flour, although I have yet to try this myself. If anyone has done, do please let me know how it turned out.

J. X