Lemon Curd!

Today has turned out to be a very productive day in terms of Jams & Preserves. 1st in the pan was Blackberries & raspberries to make some lovely jam. Next to be started was homemade Lemon Curd, we seem to have a glut of eggs at the minute, so time to use a few. I used the Mrs Beetons recipe and it has not let me down yet.

Lemon Curd

4 Eggs
1lb Caster sugar
4oz butter
rind & juice of 4 lemons

Break the eggs and separate white & yolk. Whisk the yolks, add the other ingredients and stir oer a gentle heat in a bowl over pan of hot water for about 20 - 30 minutes or until thick. Pour in to sterilised jam jars.

It normally makes 3 jars and keeps for about 2/3 weeks.

Just Original Animals!

On the last post about our ever growing animals I showed you just 2 original chickens, Beatrix & Mabel. But after a visit to an agricultural show back in May I could not resist little MAY our Rhode Island Red Bantum. We thought she might get bullied by the other 2 bigger chcikens, how wrong were we. She has a British Bulldog instinct!

If I had known what great pets they make, I would of got Chickens years ago!

Here's Boo my daughter Beautiful Bunny, very loving and loves getting out in the garden with the Chickens.

Restlessness

I don't know if any you out there are like me & hubbo but we are desperate to move but so many factors are stopping us!

The usual: Money, jobs, practicalities such as who would look after daughter when I am at work, etc, etc.

We look at Rightmove every day for houses within the vicinity of where we are looking, we do find houses within our price range and within the area we want but the doom and gloom of the practical side of a move put doubt in our mind.

We were 3 weeks away from moving in August 2009 when me & hubbo split up. Obviously we are back together again now, but the reason we wanted to move are still there. We do live in a nice village now, the reasons we moved here was to be close to the road network as both of us were based out on the road, but these are now the same reason as we want to move.

Our chosen area for the move is the Yorkshire Dales, we do love it there we went to Reeth for our 1st ever weekend away together 10+ years ago. We have looked at other options, Lake District & Scotland but property prices and distance put those areas on a back burner, so Yorkshire Dales is still our 1st choice.

We have twice jumped in the car to look at properties as it is only 1hr - 1hr 1/2 away. The pictures show a few of the properties.

However this long winded post is all about the fact that this weekend I have had a blow out and basically decided we are not looking anymore as I feel I am putting my life on hold and not getting on with the NOW!

Birthday Girl!

From this to this in 7 years! Happy birthday little dear.

Road Trip!

Tissington Hall

Edward & Vintage Shop

Cromford Mill

We decided today was the day to head out in the car and to visit a few places on my wish list.

First we visited Cromford Mill near Matlock, I was a little unsure what to make of this place, very interesting about the history, but not a museum. A few of the shops were a little tired in there choice of stock. The antiques shop was great though and very reasonably priced.

Next on the list was Tissington near Ashbourne. I absolutely fell in love with this place, the buildings and peace & quiet were amazing. I also loved the fact that a lot of the houses had honesty boxes outside the front where they sold excess fruit, veg, flowers, eggs and Jams & Pickles. Also a major attraction there was a great sweet shop that a spotted on someones blog.

We managed to pick up some great local produce alon the way, flowers, cheese, butter, sausages and black pudding.

Hedgerow finds!

Thursday saw me & my family go for a walk up the Chesterfield Canal. We were expecting a nice pleasant walk in the sunshine, what we did not exact was the haul of Blackberries and Sloe's. They seem to be very early this year!

The sloe's are spending the next week in caster sugar before the gin gets added. The Blackberry jam on the other hand are being sold in my local shop to raise some money for Mencap.

Summer Holidays!

A trip to Filey with cousins was a definate winner with the kids, parents would disagree greatly! 3 adults 2 babies and 3 kids in a 2 doubled bedroom apartment!!!!!