Ma Larkin's

A Project a month February.

2012-02-13T18:03:00.000Z

Ta dah.............

It's a balaclava from a vintage pattern that came out far too small for the intended eight year old head.

So here it is on a nieces petite seven year old head.

Perfect for winter hacking out don't you think??

Eric Tomlinson RIP

2012-02-08T21:24:00.002Z

It was a gorgeous February day just like today, one year ago, when I met my Dad after dropping the car for its MOT. He took me to buy a washer as mine had broken down, I was waiting till payday, he was doing my washing (seven in my house!) and I think he was a bit fed up of it.

He was wearing his overalls, flat cap and wellies. He looked (and smelled) every inch the dairy farmer he was.

The washer was duly purchased and being a farmer, he negotiated a discount. As the man from the shop lifted it singlehandedly into the back of my dads vehicle, my dad regaled him of the tale when my mum was in labour at home, complications ensued and she had to go into hospital. When the ambulance arrived, in dads words, they couldn't put daylight under her! (She being approx 16 stones at the time.) He, however, in true Charles Atlas style, picked her up like a baby and carried her to the ambulance.

At this point in the tale, I am standing behind dad raising my eyes skyward to the washer man who just chuckled.

On arrival at my house, we carried the machine into the garage between us. He had a brew of tea with me, declined lunch because he had had a bacon and egg breakfast and was on his way. As he stood at the door before he left, he reminded me he was going to a funeral a few days later and was, I think, looking forward to it as he would be meeting up with a few old farming contemporaries he had not seen for a while. We were due to have a bit of a knees up that weekend for a sisters 40th and it was on the same day as the funeral. "Let me know what you want from the butchers for the party, but you might have to start without me if I end up having a pint with some of these lads."
We did indeed have to start without him because he went home, got his dog, set off for a walk, stopped for a chat at approx 4pm, about 30 minutes later collapsed and died. Just like that.

And now a year later we still can't believe he has gone. It has left a big hole in our lives. He loved life and he loved people. He liked to know a persons story and he had a great knack for finding it out without appearing to be nosey, (which he was,very...)

He had three great loves in his life, farming, faith and family. Or as he termed it, cows,church and children.
Here are a few of the things he liked/enjoyed.......

thick slices of good bacon,
boxing...particularly Cassius Clay,
haggling over a price.....anywhere,
Kate Winslet,
snoozing after lunch,
a broadsheet newspaper... but not paying for it,
strong, thick, well defined eyebrows on women,
soccer,
gossiping,
Mario Lanza singing The Rose of Picardy,
guiness original in bottles,
political biographies,
shapely legs,
silver birch trees,
Lancashire dialect.

So in his words again, "put the cat out, shut the door, pull the curtains, it's goodnight Vienna."

Goodnight, God bless Erk the stirk.
I hope that I, too, die on a sunny day when I've had bacon and eggs for me breakfast!
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Feast of St Blaise

2012-02-03T21:19:00.000Z

Today is the feast of St. Blaise, a 4th century Armenian ( I think) bishop and martyr for his faith.

He is the patron of afflictions of the throat and my father, being afflicted with sore throats, promptly named one of my brothers Blaise!

If you attend Holy Mass in a catholic church today you should be given the blessing of St Blaise by the priest with crossed candles held at your throat. I went, and was duly blessed.

I am rather proud of my brother Blaise. He is a very successful dairy farmer with an award winning herd of Ayrshire cows....

...this is Sandyford Clover.

Our dad who died suddenly almost a year ago (more about him next week I hope) and a farmer too, was so proud of him as are we, his six siblings.

Happy feast day Blaise.

Teresa Mary R.I.P.

2012-01-27T21:05:00.000Z

Today is the 4th anniversary of my mums death.

She was a mother of seven, district nurse, farmers wife and formidable character.

She could frighten a police horse!

My husband has just told me that our dentist told him, she put the fear of God in him the first time he met her, but he grew to really like, appreciate and respect her.

She was the most compassionate person you could ever wish to meet. Her concern for the disadvantaged, suffering or just generally down-at-heel, in everyday life encounters as well as in the news, was genuine. Her selfless charity , care and going out of her way to help others would astound us if we knew the true depth of it. As it is, we had first hand reports from countless people we didn't even know on the occasion of her death.

Underpinning all her good works was her profound and unshakable faith. Those two qualities of faith and compassion made her the woman she was and moulded us, her seven children, into the people we have become. Sometimes I stop mid-sentence and think, "I sound just like my mother." At one time that thought would have horrified me, but now I'm rather proud of it.

I only hope I turn out to be half the woman she was.

God Bless you Mum.

We love and miss you every day.

Knitaholic Child

2012-01-25T21:40:00.001Z

Well, 11 year old has duly knitted and pom pommed and produced what I would describe as a smurf hat.....

and here is the side view......

It is from the "knit it stitch it" book mentioned previously. There were a lot more stitches at the end than at the beginning (17 more to be exact) but who cares? We think it looks pretty cool regardless.

A Monthly Make progress.

2012-01-14T20:48:00.000Z

As you may have seen on my side bar, I have committed to the monthly make for 2012 project hosted by the felt fairy, well here is my progress on my second project intended for a one year old niece......

...actually, I am quite well on with this as I did start it before Christmas. I hope that still counts. And I am not sure if I finish it in January, will it count for my Feb project?? Do you think I am cheating? Either way, it is certainly giving me a shove in the direction of a greater turnout of handmades so it's all good.

The pattern book is kids in cotton by Sirdar which I bought approx thirteen to fifteen years ago. I have certainly knitted this cardi before for both my own now eleven year old as a baby and one of my sisters too. I also knitted a couple of other things for my oldest girl now eighteen, then approx age four, including the one on the cover if you have clicked on the link. Furthermore, that particular one was handed down and has been worn by her younger sister, now fourteen, and at least two other nieces and is waiting in the wings for youngest niece(currently 12 months) phew.....how's that for thrift? It is a great booklet as the patterns are not in the least dated.
I am knitting it in some stash Wendy baby cotton purchased before I was married (that's twenty years) from an old fashioned haberdasher who was closing down. A true vintage piece, wouldn't you agree?

Sunsets and Sisters

2012-01-13T20:36:00.000Z

Had two gorgeous days here. The sunset last evening was beautiful. I know it's only January but you cannot deny there is a little bit more light at each end of the day (approx 15 mins per week I am reliably informed by dear husband who is a science teacher,) and I for one feel spring is just around the corner, don't you? This is my bedroom window view.....

..a bit blurry but I love to sit on my bed, knitting in hand, staring.

These are my eldest two. The big one has been home from university for Christmas (1st term) and there has been a fair amount of bickering. They are as different as chalk and cheese. However, she passed her driving test (1st time) two days before Christmas and this evening she took her sis shopping. I think they are pals really. And she is off back to uni on Sunday, so we will all miss her. They grow up so quick.

Ours is a busy household as the youngest is only five and there are six of us without the biggest, but we still feel incomplete when one is missing. I wonder when you get used to that feeling if ever?

I don't think we will ever be without children though because by the time the youngest is eighteen, the eldest will be thirty one and maybe we will be grandparents by then. Who knows?

Celebrate.....

2012-01-11T21:03:00.000Z

2lbs lost at weight watchers.......RESULT.

Any old excuse for a drop I say, (it's vintage cider, not bubbly, by the way.)

Books for Brothers

2012-01-09T21:03:00.001Z

They are just loving the beast quest series and can't get enough of them.

And big sis is very obliging.

Hope for the Future.

2012-01-08T21:26:00.000Z

Although it was the end of Christmas on Friday, the Epiphany, the catholic church in the UK (unlike the rest of the world apparently) celebrates it on the nearest Sunday, which means today. Another excuse for delaying the diet till tomorrow then!

Our priest gave a very succinct and short (for him) sermon. (As an ardent Manchester City fan he was off to see the F.A. cup tie against Man Utd.)

However, it was very uplifting. He talked about going to see a poorly parishioner during the week and it was a grim, grey, damp, dark and drizzly day. As he drove away from her house, there was a very brief break in the clouds with a glimpse of clear blue sunlit sky. He said it made him feel happy and hopeful.
He likened it to the three wise men making a long and arduous journey, not knowing what they would find at the end but hopeful. And their hope being rewarded when they gazed upon the divine child. Then they made their long and weary way back home, back to everyday life but uplifted by what they had seen.
That is how I feel today, uplifted and hopeful for the future, better able to carry on with the humdrum normality of daily life.
I am not overtly religious, indeed people who are full on about Jesus scare me a little but I do have faith and am a practising RC and not afraid to say so.
My own parish is a good community with strong links between church and school. Our church is a beautiful place,

and I have enjoyed going there over the holiday period. It has been a place of peace and sanctuary and I have been able to ponder, pray and give thanks in a perfect setting. I only wish now I had taken some photos of the interior whilst it was attired for Christmas.
I hope the priest was as uplifted as me because unfortunately Man City were beaten!

On to other things, I have completed my first knitted project of the year.....

.. a chunky scarf in King Cole that was in a bag of yarn given to me.

Eldest daughter is very pleased with it.
So I am tentatively dipping my toe into the a make a month 2012 pledge. (see side bar.)
Wish me luck.

Hearty Fare

2012-01-07T21:54:00.000Z

This evening we ate "bacon and lentil soup for lots of people," from the River Cottage Family Cookbook.

It is a stupendous amount of food. Great for gatherings like bonfire parties, (which is the last time I made it) and simple to make. This book is brilliant for children to use as the recipes are very explicit in terms of instructions.Today I had a bit of willing help.....

....in the form of a five year old.

And this afternoon we enjoyed delicious cake (and I mean DELICIOUS) at a six years old nephews birthday party. Oh the joys of a big family. We are truly blessed.

Epiphany

2012-01-06T21:22:00.002Z

Today is the feast of the Epiphany and marks the end of the Christmas celebrations.

As children, this would be the day we took down the decorations and dismantled the crib.

For the last few years we have created a largish stable scenario outside our front window made from old pallets and a couple of old calf hurdles from my dads farm. The figures are rudimentary shapes from chicken wire. The donkey is a hobby horse.

Passersby have stopped to admire it.

Anyway, the Epiphany is an excuse for one last feast in my book!

So a Happy Feast Day to you all.

Here Kitty Kitty

2012-01-05T20:21:00.001Z

Aforementioned 11 year old craft/art loving daughter received a book from Father Christmas entitled knit it stitch it by Jane Bull. It is a super book with loads of simple but effective ideas that are relatively easy to achieve once the child has the hang of basic knitting and stitching.

She has just got stuck in and at the weekend made this little critter,

his name is Pudding. And now she is cracking on with a bobble cap. I am very impressed with her diligence.

Aga Trouble

2012-01-04T21:06:00.000Z

This is my beloved Aga who is only a baby, being 13 months old. She has been misbehaving a little of late but happily has been returned to full form today.

I am scraping the barrel really for a photo today and I failed to take one at all yesterday. I am hopeless!

I did work two jobs though yesterday and didn't get home from the second till 10.50pm (and I'm not even counting my paper round!)

Christmas Wishes Do Come True.

2012-01-02T20:06:00.000Z

All her chums thought she was mad that she didn't want a new phone for Christmas.

She was adamant about a pogo stick.

And what joy it has brought her.

Happy New Year

2012-01-01T17:53:00.000Z

I've forgotten what to do it has been so long I have posted. But new year, fresh start and all that.
I have been inspired by domesticali who has done the 365 photo project last year and they are brill.
Here is my New Year photo of yours truly....

Here are my tentative resolutions: less alcohol, less profanities, try and write at the very least one sentence a day in my woefully thin diary/journal,(saw that advice somewhere on the internet and thought it a good one,) try to keep up the blog if only as a family archive. Think that's enough for now.

Chums and chocolate cake

2011-04-22T17:32:00.004+01:00

My eldest daughter has some friends round for the afternoon. She has duly baked and made her own lemonade too. Any excuse to get out the vintage tablecloths I say!

21 Again!

2011-04-20T12:12:00.000+01:00

.......yesterday. Shared delicious home baked (by 13yr old) cake with lots of kids.

Enjoyed the sunshine taking a long walk with David..

We are lucky to live in a beautiful valley with some fabulous views.

And it's such a joy to be part of a great big family where you can share the children out. This is my eldest (soon to be 18) with my sisters youngest, (4 months.)

Resurrection

2011-04-15T16:35:00.002+01:00

It's been a long time I know...but I was rereading my blog recently and thought, "what a good archive/diary for my family, even if nobody else ever reads it."
I did get a bit sucked in to the whole reading of other blogs and then commenting because I was keen to see comments on my own and then before you know it, it can become a bit obsessive and extremely time consuming.
So here I am again and I am going to use this space as a place for documenting our goings on as a family and reminiscing from time to time. If there are any interested parties out there, you are very welcome to join us.

This is me and David after his graduation ceremony last weekend in Harrogate. He has just finished his M.Ed with Open University. It was hard work for him but well worth the effort. Aren't we quite the handsome couple?

And here he is with the children...

Aren't we lucky??

An Apparition...

2010-07-08T21:31:00.000+01:00

...I beheld today, in the form of a man. Wearing an old fashioned looking tweedy three piece suit, walking along the pavement as I drove past, close cut beard, thick dark hair. He was Alan Bates as Gabriel Oak in Far From the Madding Crowd.

He was beautiful. And seeing such beauty made my day and made my ovaries ping a little!

Stock Judging

2010-07-04T22:29:00.000+01:00

Went to my brothers farm today as he was hosting his local Ayrshire Breeders Club in a stock judging event.

Basically, the farmer presents two or three classes of six cows/heifers and a guest master judge places them in order of merit. Everybody else judges them and those closest to the master judges placings win. There are mens, womens and junior categories.

Here is Sandyford Clover who was the breed champion at Cheshire Show last week.

These are some of the views they enjoy from their home...

As children, we eagerly looked forward to stock judging events. They were usually held in the summer on four consecutive Friday evenings. It was a chance to try and win a few shillings and best of all there was always a reet good spread afterwards!

It was nostalgic for me today because it must be at least thirty years since I last had a go at stock judging. And yes there was a reet good spread. But best of all, I came joint first in the ladies judging!!! I was astounded, just going to show what a great stockman my father was and he taught us well.

Harvest

2010-06-30T21:59:00.001+01:00

Tonight we enjoyed our first cucumber. It was not too big and a bit spiky but when peeled and sliced it was delish. We each had a piece of a shop bought one followed by a piece of this and God was it good in comparison. I only wish I had a few plants now and not just one.

We also shared a bowl of strawberries, (approx 2 each) Royal Sovereign from DT Browns. They are beautiful, glistening and just the right size. They are sweet with a hint of sharpness. I have never tasted a strawberry like them before.

The peas are coming on too and the french beans scrambling up the poles amongst other things. Growing at home has been much more successful for me than at an allotment. It is easier to keep on top of and whilst I have only a miniscule amount of space in comparison I have far fewer weeds and my plants are much healthier too. I have not been overwhelmed as I often was in the past.

Here is bigger son helping to water the garden

...as well as his little brother.

On a sad note, Reynard has paid us a visit twice in the last week and we have lost four of our hens, Edwina, Bunty, Dorothy and Maud. Maud was my favourite. Nature can be vicious sometimes.

P.S. My nephew (who is wearing the red shorts in my banner above ) has been poorly for several days and finally, after a lot of messing about, had his appendix removed the early hours of this morning. Have a good thought/prayer for him and his mum, my sister, who is expecting and has had several torrid nights with little if any sleep. Plus he has to stay in for several days for IV antibiotics as it was seemingly pretty bad.
Thank you in anticipation.

Another Grand Day Out

2010-06-24T10:12:00.001+01:00

...at Cheshire County Show.

The sun was blazing and there was so much to see.

Here is my 9 year old niece who won 1st prize for best young handler of a calf.

I particularly loved all the different breeds of cattle, some are really beautiful. This Hereford bull was huge...

and this shorthorn bull was a lovely dappled colour..

These Dexter cattle have very short legs and resemble dwarves..

My brother won Ayrshire breed champion with Sandyford Clover but I didn't get a pic so read this link if you want to know more

Here's a large billy goat giving us the eye..

and we managed to spot the Queen bee in this brood chamber..

There was a stunning array of vintage vehicles. I loved this ambulance..

complete with leather interior.

Whilst the boys preferred the tractors..

The country crafts were fabulous. This willow basket maker had learned from his dad before him, they weren't on the internet but managed to make a living..

Areas of forest unaccessible to vehicles are still worked by heavy horses. The relationship between this horse and his master were amazing. He was so obedient..

Handicrafts there were aplenty but I didn't take photos. The children didn't want to linger. One stall with lovely pinnies and pegbags was Madame Sew N Sew. Well worth a look. I was spent up by this stage so had to be content with browsing.

It was a great day out and last night when watering my garden I spotted this cheeky little chappie helping himself to my bird feeder...

Forgotten this one when I posted earlier...

Showing cattle (and the partying that goes with it) is pretty exhausting work. I don't know who he is but he was sparked out completely next to his cow!

Summer Solstice

2010-06-21T21:58:00.001+01:00

I've been to visit an elderly man who is poorly in Blackburn Royal Hospital this evening. He is one of my patients and I am rather fond of him. He was pleased to see me so it was worth the effort.

As I left the little valley in which we live and breached the summit before descending to Blackburn, the sun was in full glory and I glimpsed the shiny ribbon of sea that is the Fylde coast, some forty plus miles away. It was a wonderful view. And then I saw a tractor and baler in a field of hay at the roadside. The bales were the old fashioned rarely seen these days oblong ones. It made my heart swell as I was transported back to my idyllic childhood. Haymaking was sweaty, hard heavy work and the bales scratched your thighs if you were wearing shorts. But the triumph of sitting atop an ambling gentle rolling trailer full of well stacked bales on the way back to the farmyard was well worth all the effort.

And when I got home we had a bit of fun in the garden....

big sis teaching littlest brother how to do the crab.

This girl is a champion under arm trumper. She has quite a repertoire which always sends her brothers into fits of giggles. Here she is doing it to music!

Today was a good day. High summer happiness and silliness I wish you all.

New Additions

2010-06-18T22:04:00.010+01:00

We have two new additions to our little flock.....

Henrietta above and Hermione below...

They are light sussex and quite large hens compared to our regular brown Warrens and, great excitement, Henrietta is broody. Pictured above she is sitting on five hopefully fertile eggs provided by a friend who has a flock running with two cocks. So fingers crossed, in approx 18 days from now we may have some chicklets!

Meanwhile the garden is beginning to flourish. Just look at my little applets above. Aren't they cute?

This is a clematis called Graham something-or-other planted in September and looking lovely at the moment.

Here is our biggest strawberry "Royal Sovereign" just ready to turn hopefully.

Pea pods they are a plenty...can't wait to sample them.

And the boys have had loads of fun chasing bubbles. (Just look at my view, aren't I lucky?)

Hope you all had good weekends too.

Making Me Happy This week....

2010-06-15T13:43:00.002+01:00

These gorgeous flowers a gift from my lovely littlest sis.

This baby boy is now four! (and still gets in with me at bedtime. I love it, we cuddle, he goes to sleep,I read for half an hour, blissful!)

And finally finished some knitting. This is Billie from Rowan Pipsqueaks. (I have nearly keeled over in shock when I've just seen how much this book is selling for on Amazon!)

It is knitted in a Bergere yarn and I've lost the ball band, it was totally the wrong tension so I knitted it 2 sizes bigger and it's OK, thank God because I am very poor at pulling things back to correct mistakes.

More to the point, he likes it. A big bonus in my book. It's for school and I am very proud to be the only mother with a child sporting a handknitted garment in our playground, even if it did take in excess of a year to complete!

And of course obligatory baking, for a senior citizens tea party at church this time....

40 scones.....

and two cakes with the last of my home made blackberry jam I'm afraid. Will have to make more this year.

Bertha, the Beach and Baby Knitting.

2010-06-05T22:59:00.000+01:00

We took an impromptu trip today to Rhosneigr on the Isle of Anglesey. Any excuse to pack up Bertha and the knitting needles!

The new baby knitting is the same pattern as last time but a different baby to be.
Debbie Bliss baby cashmerino is really a bit out of my price range (£4.45 per ball) but gosh is it luxurious. So soft and smooth to knit. It's the tactile equivalent of creamy mashed potato, I could almost eat it.
And the baby is a bit special as it is to be my youngest sisters third child (after two consecutive miscarriages) and my Dad's 20th and most probably last grandchild. (He long ago gave up trying to remember all the birthdays!)
Anyway, she has had the 12 week scan and all is going well and the little critter is due mid December, so I thought this vibrant lime green would be just the splash of colour to get a midwinter baby noticed.

The weather was a bit dull today but it didn't dampen the childrens spirits and they were straight in the water. I had the luxury of reading almost all of the paper on the drive down, and uninterrupted knitting on the way back.

Standing on a patch of just washed pebble free sand in bare feet is akin to walking on velvet.
On the journey there I had read an article in the Times magazine by a columnist who is recovering from a recent fall from a horse and subsequent paralysis. Her legs are totally useless at the moment and she was describing having just had a return of some sensation in her toes. It is heartbreaking stuff.

So I stood for ages on the shoreline, just moving to a fresh patch of sand after each wave broke, with my eyes closed, and relished the sensation, and thanked God for my two rather large but fully functioning feet.

Today I learned that I should celebrate the ordinary and little things, and give thanks every day. There is always somebody worse off than ourselves.

Party Time

2010-05-31T11:03:00.025+01:00

We had a right royal get together on Saturday. There was food (lots of it)...

family (45 in total)...

these are 3 of my lovely sisters.

and lots of fun despite the rain.

This is me above in true Ma Larkin style wearing my favourite pinny and supping some rather tasty vintage cider. My brother-in-law is the most appreciative pudding taster ever!

Another bro-in-law runs a rather posh gentlmens clothes shop and is always immaculately turned out. He kindly passes on his shirts to my hubby who wears them all till the death, usually of the collar first. I have saved these shirts and have now put them to good use as bunting (with the odd pair of pyjamas thrown in for good measure) So forget Kath Kidston, my bunting is Armani, Haines and Bonner, Aquascutum and Ted Baker to name but a few!

We had a good coincidental reason to celebrate as one of my Dads donkeys, Ruby, produced this gorgeous little creature on Friday....

It's hard to believe she is only a day old here as she looks so tall next to her mum.
She is called Octavia, in memory of our very first donkey 40 years ago.
The original Octavia was the most placid donkey you could ever meet. It was impossible to contain her though, she should have been called Houdini. She could escape from anywhere and consequently spent her life wandering around the parish but always came home.
It is said you never see a donkey die, and when her time came a few years ago, my dad sat up all night with her in the stable as she neared her end. At 5 am he went into the house to brew a pint of tea as it would soon be milking time (he's a dairy farmer.) When he returned a few minutes later, she had gone.
I have many happy memories of days spent with that donkey.

The Baskets First Outing

2010-05-23T21:05:00.001+01:00

There was sunshine, it was someones 10th birthday, the basket (hereafter referred to as Bertha) was crying out for an airing, how could we resist?

So after a birthday treat of roller skating...

it was off to our favourite picnic spot of Eddisford Bridge near Clitheroe..

There was feasting,

and fishing..

and swimming...

and lots of posing on the lovely river bank...

And to round it off,

cake of course.

Baking, Bernina and Brass.

2010-05-15T20:01:00.000+01:00

Saturday mornings have a bit of a ritual around here.

I get up very early and do two paper rounds which is pleasant when the sun is shining.
After breakfast dearly beloved and 7 year old son depart for sons practice at Scout Band. He is new to it and learning the basics on his B flat cornet.
Meanwhile me and the three girls get down to a bit of necessary housework...

Imagine my delight when dearly beloved returns a little while later sporting....

a bloody B flat horn under his arm of which he now the proud keeper!

"It's only so I can help him practice" he says...a likely story.
And the youngest girl has thrown down the gauntlet, " Dad, I bet you can't play the theme tune to Rocky."
And he says, "You and your sister can come along too if you like!"

Moving swiftly on, after piano lessons and all laundry duties are finished

I felt at a loose end with lots of things I should/could have been doing but didn't feel like.
It is too cold for gardening here today so nothing else for it. I had to bake a cake...

It's becoming a bit of a habit I'm afraid.

Oh, and a few scones too...

with a little help from my friend.

I've had a jaunt to the library returning five of my thirty books and bringing home six more despite my vow to finish reading the ones I have before loaning any others.

I couldn't resist a pop into my local cancer research shop where I picked up (amongst other things) this lovely little jug for £1.50, which I am of course going to need when my garden is in full flower in a few months I hope!

And to round off the afternoon I have done a bit of patching and mending for my Dad. I inherited my Mums machine when she died two years ago. He bought it for her in 1966 and it cost £40 then brand new, a small fortune. It is a Swiss machine I think and therefore brilliant. It is basic but ultra reliable and Mum made lots of our clothes on it when we were all little. We had matching swimming costumes and trunks for the boys in very retro blue spotty fabric I seem to remember.

That's all for now folks.
(P.S. I can hear the beginnings of Rocky from the kitchen. Thank God the neighbours are away for the weekend!)

Basket Heaven.

2010-05-13T20:53:00.000+01:00

Today I made an impromptu visit to my local market for some old fashioned sweeties for my two wards for the day, and, parking in a completely different place than usual I had to pass the rear entrance of a second hand shop. Out of the corner of my eye as I drove past I espied a large basket which aroused my interest and I thought "If that's £15 or less I may buy it."

As I approached I thought it may be a pet carrier of some sort.

I was trembling with excitement. It was very dusty.

And when I opened it my heart started to skip.

Imagine my delight upon inspection to find it was a very large and seemingly very old picnic basket!

Isn't it a delight?

And the price.....a mere £10.

Bring on the picnic weather I say!

Weekend Catch Up

2010-05-09T21:18:00.000+01:00

My little flock saw a gap in the fence and made a bid for freedom.....

Oh the lure of a neighbouring dandelion leaf. They love em.

For those who don't keep hens, they very quickly turn a patch of green into bare earth (which they love scratting around in by the way) but they do love a nibble of a bit of greenery. Especially newly planted veg seedlings! We give them greens to eat as well as household scraps and layers pellets of course. But they are in 7th heaven in a patch like this which is my neighbours end of the garden composting/garden rubbish area. I think I may fence a bit of their own patch off and sow a fast growing green manure type plant to give them a bit of a change.

My 9 year old girl cub (much more fun than Brownies) has done her chefs badge. Three of them went to "The Warren" cub/scout HQ and prepared a lovely roast dinner for their families with delicious stuffing cooked from scratch as well as a choice of three sweets. It was great.

Inspired by Alys Fowler's Edible Garden we have planted some salad amongst our flower/shrub beds.

Not a very good photo I'm afraid but you get the idea.

And finally a lovely lemon cake for tea, reluctantly made by my 12 year old...

but she was glad she made the effort later when she was eating it. Wouldn't have her picture taken though.

Hope your weekend was good too.

May

2010-05-03T10:18:00.000+01:00

Sweet, masking May, in white or red

Her snowy cloud of blossoms spread.

(Walter Crane: Floras Feast.)

Hawthorn in full bloom resembles a bride don't you think?

I love it and it's pungent aroma. It's OK to deck your maypole or if you are a milkmaid hang a garland on the horns of your cow but never bring it indoors or bad luck will befall you.

I wish we still honoured some of the old traditions. It must have been so exciting preparing for a celebration and a feast.

How about a glass of May Liqueur?

May blossoms

2 tablespoons granulated sugar

1 bottle brandy

Gather the blossoms in full sun, trim stalks, use only flowerheads.

Pack in wide necked jars, sprinkle on sugar and add brandy.

Seal and leave in a sunny spot till warm.

Shake to dissolve sugar then leave in dark cupboard for 3 months.

Strain and leave for a further 4-6 months before drinking.

Do let me know if you try this!

Anyway, the hawthorn is not yet in bloom in cool East Lancashire. However, a few days spring rain after a remarkably dry April has dramatically altered our view here in the hills....

Here's to lots of sunshine and blossom and happiness on high days and holidays.

Blog Awards

2010-04-27T22:36:00.000+01:00

I have been tagged 3 times in the last few weeks by Maisey's Attic, Jo at The Good Life
and finally Sue , Lavinder Lady.
I have resisted so far largely because I am aware that some people dislike being tagged and I do not wish to offend anybody. However I have decided, in the spirit of the gesture, to list the 7 items about myself that the awards called for without actually tagging anybody. Hope that's OK.
So here goes.....

No 1: I am the eldest of seven.

No 2: I am the daughter of a dairy farmer who has bred an award winning herd of Ayrshire cows with international acclaim. He started with sixteen cows milked by hand in 1963. This is my brother (with Sandyford Clover 10) who has taken over now Dad has retired.

No 3: I was the lead violinist of the junior section of my local youth orchestra aged eight. (You would hardly believe it if you heard me play now.)

No 4: I would love to be able to play the harp.

No 5: My last baby weighed 10lbs 10oz and was born at home. Afterwards, the two midwives, who were both friends, sat on the bed eating bacon butties with me. It was the best experience.

No 6: I am fascinated with hot air balloons and would love to take a journey in one.

No 7: I once won a Radio 1 competition about John Lennon with my brother.

I hope you all found that entertaining!

Thanks to all who tagged me.

Forgotten to add....

2010-04-27T15:23:00.000+01:00

...that I saw my first swallow over the weekend.

(not actually this one)

A heartwarming sight watching it dipping and swooping through the air.

Weekend: Part 2.....

2010-04-25T18:07:00.000+01:00

Well it's all been a bit damp here today, very showery. So not much gardening I'm afraid. The plants have stayed in the cobbled together Heath Robinson affair outside my back door that is my porch-come-greenhouse.....

But we did manage to dodge the showers long enough for my girl cub to take part in the St. George's day Parade......

And the band were brill, real rousing-spine-tingling-glad that I'm English-and gladder that I'm Northern kind of music.....

(and just look at the lovely stone buildings on our cobbled high street, such beauty despite the rain!)

Even so, here is a picture of my lovely birthday bouquet earlier this week to cheer you as it has cheered me this week.

Plus I'm showing off what I think is a bit of an arty farty photo for me!

Weekend: The Story So Far.....

2010-04-24T19:27:00.001+01:00

Friday evening letting off a bit of steam...

Saturday morning sneaking a sip of Mums tea....

Saturday afternoon a spot of potting on.....

and planting out.....

and admiring the show so far.....

It's going quite well thus far. Hopefully more tomorrow.
Happy Saturday one and all.

St. George

2010-04-23T22:25:00.001+01:00

Good old St. George, believed to be a Roman Christian from Cappadocia, when travelling across Libya in the 3rd century, came upon a town being terrorised by a dragon. In order to save their sheep, the townsfolk offered up their maidens to the dragon instead (big of them eh!) However, George arrived in time to save the kings daughter,Cleodolinda, from the jaws of the dragon and in honour, the town converted to Christianity.

Imagine being this patriotic.....

Now that's what I call a brave man!

St George he was for England,
And, before he killed the dragon,
He drank a pint of English ale
Out of an English flagon.
G.K.Chesterton.

Happy St. George's Day.

Happy Birthday Ma'am

2010-04-21T09:27:00.000+01:00

I think she is wonderful.

I'm proud to be British.

Knit and Crochet Combo

2010-04-19T15:17:00.002+01:00

This is my lovely eldest wearing the first ever proper garment that I knitted as a teenager approx 30 years ago.

It is 100% pure acrylic purchased in Littlewoods.

I can't remember who I actually knitted it for but my Mum did wear it over jeans. She died two years ago and it was still amongst her things. She kept that tatty old sweater all those years I presume because she loved me and on this day 45 years ago I was her firstborn.

And the crochet....

These gorgeous little flowers, looped on a hair grip, which are quick and easy to do are courtesy of the fabulous Lucy over at Attic24. Check her out if you love colour and crochet. Her tutorials are the best I've seen for crochet. I keep urging her to write a book.

Footnote: She came home from school and had had so many comments about the sweater I am compelled to show you the pattern.

I think I chose it because the model resembles Nigel Havers who I have always fancied a bit!!
Who would have thought acrylic would ever be vintage?

Where Has The Last Week Gone?

2010-04-18T21:12:00.000+01:00

It's Sunday already and back to school in the morning. I do love the school hols and the house full of people, lots of cooking and playing and crafting and noise.

We did manage to plant the fruit trees at last. The apple and pear are to be trained on a wall, fingers crossed. The "Lizzie" plum has has been banished to the hens patch as not enough room in the garden....

...the girls were suitably impressed with the digging and managed to completely disperse the composted mulch.

Roller skates have been the bringers of much joy...

...I think she would wear them in bed if at all possible.

My favourite butchers, having sampled my legendary (in these parts) scones, requested the recipe to bake and sell in their shop. They have been a success and yesterday I was rewarded with a bag full of fresh lemons from the butcher's wife's Mum's lemon tree in Spain....

...they are the juiciest, zestiest lemons ever. Tonight we had a delish cheesecake from Sam Sterns cookbook...

...made by my 16year old daughter.

This is a fab recipe, click on the link above, but I am sure the luscious lemons made it even better.

A spot of gardening...

Inspired by the lovely Alys Fowler in "The Edible Garden," we have made a wigwam for the sweet peas from coppiced hazel and spent phormium leaves. Aren't we clever girls eh?

And finally, the weather has been lovely here. Even managed to sit out some evenings and enjoy the sinking of the sun....

Hope you all had a good holiday week. Just sending a few thoughts and prayers for all those stuck in the air traffic chaos, including my youngest sis on a two day work seminar in Copenhagen. She should have been home Thursday and has two little children whom she is missing desperately. Texted today she feels helpless, I want to cry for her. I once left mine for two days to go on a hen weekend to Dublin. I pined for them and was desperate to get home almost as soon as we arrived. My heart goes out to all those separated from loved ones.

A Courting We Will Go

2010-04-12T08:36:00.000+01:00

I spotted this pair on the riverbank this weekend, all lovey dovey.

Where are they in the winter?

I walk down this little road 6 mornings a week delivering newspapers. It gives me some exercise, the views are positively bucolic and I get paid for it too. Am I not a lucky girl?

Off to work now. Happy Monday.

Delicious, Delectible, Divine Miss Dahl

2010-04-10T09:42:00.000+01:00

We don't actually have a TV so watch selected items on the iplayer. (BBC only as we detest adverts.)

BUT

My 9 year old and I are in love with Sophie, her cooking and most of all her kitchen!

Apparently, (somebody at work said) this programme has been slated. We think it is brill.

The styling is a bit Nigella copied I think but Sophie is more innocent and very appealing.

This is our version of the nostalgic orange cake for afternoon tea.

We filled it with fresh cream and homemade blackberry jam as we didn't have raspberries to make Sophies jam concoction for the filling. We reserved the buttercream for the top. It is a basic victoria sandwich recipe with come orange zest added. However I usually make 6oz with 3 eggs in 1 tin but this called for 8oz and 4 eggs in 2 tins and it did look rather impressive.

We also made the roasted tomato and thyme soup and it was delish and oh so easy. Even my 16yr old was impressed.

So if you haven't seen this and can access the BBC iplayer on line, we heartily recommend it, even if you only like to drool over the vintage crockery and kitchen utensils. It is so comforting!

Early Morning Windowsill

2010-04-09T08:51:00.000+01:00

At weekends and also during school hols, things relax a little chez Ma Larkins. A little more wine (and in my case vintage cider) is quaffed than usual, bedtimes are later, snacking is prolific, dishes are left to languish, you get the picture? However, I always feel a bit narked in the morning. I get up very early as I currently do two paper rounds for a local paper shop and nobody is up when I get back. I am then faced with the preceding evenings detritus.

I am currently reading Flip It by Michael Heppell which encourages you to look at things differently and make the most of everyday situations etc. It is easy to read and simple to put into practice and...it really works.

So this morning (it being school hols at the moment) when I got home I ignored the dishes and empty crisp packets and wine bottle etc and instead was pleased with my kitchen window bottom .....

The tomatoes look lovely and vibrant against the green of the basil leaves. This is yesterdays cache of eggs waiting to be dated with a marker pen. The little statue of the virgin is a relic of my mums and reminds me of her (a devout RC and consequently all our family have plenty of plastic/plaster religious artefacts,) the jam jar holds paint and toothbrushes and a lovely Easter card in the middle.

This is a totally uncontrived (rather poor quality pic) and is a snapshot of now in my life and I am finding it very pleasing.

Happy Friday!

Fruit Trees

2010-04-07T21:27:00.000+01:00

My fruit tree collection arrived today from DT Browns.

I am hoping to espalier train them on a south facing wall.

I have a buerre hardy pear,

a plum Lizzie,

and an apple Pinova for which I cannot find an image.

I have just heeled them in for now as I want to put the training wires up on the wall first and I was working this afternoon/evening.

Will I get fruit this year all you experts out there?

Happy Birthday

2010-04-07T12:28:00.001+01:00

Today, one of my very few bestest friends is 70. We worked together as community midwives till she retired 10 years ago. We had lots of fun times and giggles (and a few moans too.) We took to each other immediately and made a great team. They were probably the best days of my working life so far.

She is a warm, funny, kind and compassionate person.

And she has hardly any grey hairs at all. Lucky devil!

She loves chocolate cake so we made this for her this morning.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JEANNIE MAC.

Thanks for being my very special friend.

We love you!!

The Egg Hunt

2010-04-05T19:39:00.046+01:00

A great day was had by all.

This is a picture heavy post for my sis, Charlotte in sunny Perth Western Australia who has just started reading my blog. We all love and miss you girl!

This is my hubby, David, wearing what is referred to as the 7 year sweater in our house. I'm sure you can guess why.

A sneaky cream egg among the flowers.

A chicky hiding under an auricula.

It was great fun and the sun shone for a little while too.

Hey ho, back to weight watchers we go!

Gaudia Paschalia

2010-04-04T12:47:00.000+01:00

If you believe in the incredible,

The impossible can happen.

He is risen.

Alleluia!

Happy Easter wishes to my readers, whatever your beliefs.

Claire

xxx

Finally....

2010-04-04T10:04:00.000+01:00

Finished knitting them at 10pm last night. Eyes and beaks with help this morning. Phew!

They are just awaiting their eggs. A Hunting We Will Go!

Chicks in Progress

2010-04-03T11:50:00.000+01:00

11.30 am

3 pyjama'd knitters. 5 ckicks down only 15 to go!

Chick,Chick,Chick,Chick.Chicky,...Lay a Little Egg for Me

2010-04-03T08:21:00.001+01:00

It's Holy Saturday and the excitement is running high here...

Tomorrow we are celebrating with an Easter Egg Hunt (after church) for 18 children.

We have made these lovely little egg baskets as tutored here by the lovely Lilly.

So far I have knitted 1 of these cute little chicks as tutored here by the equally talented Michelle.
Only 17 more to go! Watch this space.

Let There Be Light

2010-03-28T21:01:00.000+01:00

Don't you just love the lighter nights? This is my bedroom window view at approx 7pm this evening.....

The children played out all day in the sunshine.

I have had a particularly good charity shop week with this bevy of beauties...

.....not one, not two, not three but TWELVE whole balls of Rowan cotton tape for the princely sum of

99 pence! And doesn't the colour match up nicely with the pink hued blocks of my quilt?

And there's more....

...this serving spoon was languishing at the back of the bric a brac shelf and was all forlorn and tarnished. It is, I think, hallmarked solid silver and whilst a little battered has polished up rather well. It is perfect for little dainty cakes....

...now all I need is Lady Bracknell for tea. (£2.95 by the way.)

And the best for last......

...a vintage 1930's ish fireplace surround with original mirror (it's not cracked, that is my garage roof reflection.) Perfect for our 1937 built home. It needs a bit of a polish but is largely in good nick. The legs are my Dad's who kindly helped me collect it in a cattle trailer!
The great thing about this is it didn't cost me a penny. I got it from Freecycle. Check it out if you like getting stuff for free and helping the planet at the same time.

Finally a free recipe from Lancashire Living magazine. I made it today and it is very tasty, Hot Cross Buns and Butter Pudding.

Serves 4-6

Ingredients...

4 hot cross buns

50gm/2 oz butter

125gm/4 oz chopped apricots (I used raisins)

50gm/2oz soft brown sugar

3 eggs beaten

275ml/10 fl oz milk

200gm/7 oz greek yoghurt

Method.

Preheat oven 180 degrees C / gas mark 4

Slice buns into thick vertical slices and butter.

Grease ovenproof dish and overlap bun slices on bottom.

Scatter fruit.

Whisk eggs, milk, sugar and yoghurt together.

Pour over bread and fruit.

Place dish in a large roasting tin and half fill with boiling water.

Bake for 30-40 mins till custard just set.

I would probably use less fruit next time as there is already some in the buns. It was good and a nice dish for Easter I think. It is a lighter alternative to my fave B&B Pud from the River Cottage cookbook which is sublime but not one for the cholesterol police!

Just What Every Fashionable Home Needs

2010-03-23T22:14:00.000Z

An abstract cardboard creation, made by a 3 year old.

Of course it's for killing monsters and aliens but you knew that already didn't you?

(This boy loves to take off his shirt as soon as he gets in the door by the way.)

And this is the recently cast on Versatility from Knitty Fall 2008. It's knitted in sirdar click on 6.5mm needles. It is growing quickly and I am very pleased with it. It will need to be blocked to get the full effect I think. I am looking forward to seeing it finished, my 2nd knit this year , God I'm quick!

First Day of Spring

2010-03-21T22:34:00.003Z

Today the 1st undergardener and I started our seed sowing in earnest. Toms and salads and caulis and peas and peppers and onions and marigolds and rudbeckia and rhubarb planted and clematis planted and raspberry canes planted and dahlias coming out of our ears. Mr. Lidl has a lot to answer for.

Interspersed with plenty of tea. (The shadows are the washing on the line, bliss.)

Dearly beloved turned the compost bless him. And we noticed the catkins on the hazelnut for the first time..

My brother and his wife and lovely family came for tea, so it has been a good day. I hope yours was happy too.

Spring into Action

2010-03-21T11:33:00.001Z

The first day of spring or thereabouts and I'm hoping to be galvanised into action.

This is my first finished knitted item of the year I think?? Shameful that it's mid-March already and I've only managed one thing so far.I have too many on the go I am afraid. It is for a new baby of a work colleague. I am pleased with it and it's nice and soft but the lovely cable on the arms is a bit hidden by the flecky nature of the yarn. It is being modelled by the very dapper Wilf.

This is my dearly beloved dressed as Mark Spitz, 7 times gold medal winner, for sport relief on Friday. He is a teacher in a high school and he wore the swimming cap all day. He didn't wear speedo's on the bottom half, just in case you were wondering!

Mothering Sunday

2010-03-14T21:36:00.000Z

In medieval times this was the day folks visited the "mother" church of their diocese. It wasn't till mid 17th century that it became a day for honouring human mothers. Lady Day on 25th March celebrates the mother of God and so they all become intertwined. Those in service were given the day off half way through Lent to go and visit their mums. It was also a brief respite from the fasting and abstinence of the season with an excuse for a good feed. Traditionally, bunches of wild flowers like violets or primroses were taken home along with simnel cake.

I didn't bake a simnel cake today but I did go to church. My own mum who died 2 years ago didn't like us to make a fuss and was always delighted with the school made cards. Here is my breakfast tray with 3 lovely homemade cards and daffs in a jamjar.

And here is a bit of bling made by my 3 year old at nursery school. Everybody elses were full of big bright beads, his teacher said mine was minimalist and colour co-ordinated too! My boy does love the colour orange.

My Dad came for tea and brought a hot cooked rib of beef with him so all I had to do was the veg. And I had a great day planting strawberries, a new climbing rose "compassion" and having a general old mooch about in the garden. It was good. Hope you all had a nice Mothering Sunday too.

Ginger biscuits, Gifted Tableware and Happy Bunnies.

2010-03-13T18:26:00.001Z

These are our fave ginger biccies in the world made by my middle 12 yr old girl.And the jaunty plate is one of a dinner service (complete with tureens...swoon...) gifted to my by Lynn a lovely colleague who was chucking em out can you believe it?

The recipe is one we have written in our all purpose scribble em down if they sound/look good book.

12 oz self raising flour

8 oz caster sugar

2tsp ground ginger

1 tsp bicarbonate of soda

1/2 tsp salt

6 oz margarine (we use stork)

4oz golden syrup

1 egg

Mix all dry ingredients in a bowl.

Melt marg and syrup over medium heat in a saucepan

Make well in dry ingredients, pour in melted stuff.

Add beaten egg.

Bring it all together to a soft dough.

(If it's a bit sticky add a little more flour.)

Roll into smallish approx walnutish sized balls (or bigger if you like a huge biscuit)

Flatten slightly. They need plenty of room to spread out.

Place on baking paper on tray, we put 6 to a standard tray as these babies do grow.

190 degrees C.

10-15 mins depending on your oven. Watch em, they soon burn.

If you leave only 10 mins they should be a bit chewy in the middle, the longer you leave them the more biscuit like they are.

Makes 18-24 biscuits depending on size.

This grainy pic is of the 3 happy bunnies popping the bubble wrap the plates came in!

Baking for Boyfriends

2010-03-11T18:52:00.000Z

My eldest daughter brought her boyfriend home for tea today, (1st boyfriend, 1st visit) so I thought I ought to try and impress him! Got this recipe for strawberry swirls from Lilly Higgins' lovely blog. They are very easy to make but I think I overcooked mine a little and they were slightly crisp on the outside so we had them with custard.

They were very tasty, and the boyfriend was very nice too. What a relief! I expect I will have a huge baking repertoire by the time my 5th is bringing his girls home,( he is 3 at the moment.)

Good Morning Campers

2010-03-09T07:05:00.000Z

It's 6.55 am and I've just returned from my paper round. The birds are serenading us madly, it's nippy but the syrupy morning sunshine makes the sky look very promising from my front door. And it's my day off too, what joy. Hi-de-Hi!

New knitting

2010-03-08T22:10:00.000Z

Have just cast on for Versatility from knitty issue fall 2008. I m knitting it in sirdar Click in marine blue. I am very excited about it. It's for my 16 yr old eldest daughter who is a bit edgy with her fashion choices. Pic to follow.

A Grand Day Out

2010-03-07T13:11:00.001Z

Yesterday I had a lovely day out at RHS Harlow Carr garden. It was organised by a new local group trying to inspire the public to "grow your own." I discovered them quite by chance whilst reading a free local paper in the butchers queue earlier in the week. I logged on to their website to find out more and lo and behold.... they were running this FREE trip yesterday. How lucky is that?

It was exceedingly cold and a bit grey, and unfortunately my camera battery ran out before I would have liked. But it is a beautiful garden, over 58 acres with woodland as well as formal planting and a lovely water area.

Here are a few pics. Look at this great big teapot leaf mould container, right outside Betty's outdoor tea shop.

These snowdrops were delightful on the edge of the woodland.

This is what I am aspiring to with my own fruit trees!

And this with my greenhouse!

Cacti for sale in the plant shop were so colourful, they reminded me of a sweetshop.

My veg bed will soon be looking looking like this (in my dreams.) The bed surrounds were made from recycled plastic milk bottles apparently.

The cornus (dogwood I think) was so vibrant it looked almost artificial.

Some of the trees were stunning.

They also do lots of willow weaving and sculpture. This is a whale tail. The beech hedge in the background was magnificent.

The whole structure and form of the garden is just so pleasing.

It was very inspiring to see such richness of colour and shape in a garden in the winter, when my own looks so bleak.

The alpine house was outstanding but my camera had died by then. And it's worth a visit just to buy from the plant shop. All the specimens were so well presented and vigorous. I can't wait to visit later in the year when everything will be in bloom. Heartily recommended.

A sight for sore eyes

2010-03-04T21:19:00.000Z

What is it about blue skies and clean washing on the line that makes your heart skip?

And it was almost dry when I brought it in at 5pm.

Further joy was to be had when I happened upon the summer/autumn bulb collection in Lidl's today.....

Here are a few of my choices, (not good photos I'm afraid)

I was like a child in a sweet shop, positively drooling. and so very cheap at £2.29 per pack of three tubers. I only hope they turn out as lovely as the photos on the packaging. I'm sorry my pics are so naff but I'm of the basic camera, take it out of box, point and shoot brigade. I would love to take photos like some of the wonderful examples on other blogs but I have so much I want to do and never enough time so photography skills are not at the top of my agenda at the mo I'm afraid. Hope that doesn't put folks off.

Vintage linen, charity shop china and cake. Oh..and more marmalade.

2010-02-27T21:36:00.001Z

Today I had a trot round my very small but very local market. Imagine my delight upon finding not one but two hand embroidered linen tablecloths for the tea table.

They were just crying out for tea and of course cake. Here is the other..

with the obligatory victoria sandwich cake and a view of my cancer research shop 6 setting tea service complete with side plates and bread and butter plate in mint condition.(Phew, take a breath girl)
The two cloths cost a total of £4.50, yes £4.50. I thought I was seeing things. And the tea set a mere fiver.What a lucky girl I am!

Oh... and I had several very complimentary comments about my marmalade (in fact one person gobbled the jar in less than a fortnight.) So much so, how could I resist these seville oranges available today at only 70p per kilo?

I now have merely to brace myself for the skinning and finely slicing of 2 kilos of the blessed things!

Birthday Boy

2010-02-27T20:53:00.003Z

, My biggest boy turned 7 this week

Here he is blowing out his candles on his treasure chest cake.

In September my youngest will go to school and it will be the first time for 17 years that I haven't had a little one at home. I'm not quite sure whether to laugh or cry!

Dreaming ......

2010-02-27T20:28:00.005Z

....of summer and relaxing in a luxurious garden. I have been seduced by Sarah Raven's catalogue and particularly the dahlia collection.

I have a small amount put by to spend on the new to us garden but how to choose with so much to choose from??????

Luscious Lemon cake and Lovely knitting

2010-02-21T21:30:00.001Z

Today we made this delicious lemon cake from one of Sam Stern's books.

It is lovely and moist and very moorish! (Sp?) It won't last long here.

We woke up to more snow here today. This is the view when I open my curtains....

So what else is there to do but spend some of the day knitting.

My youngest daughter is a novice but enthusiatic knitter and yesterday I cast on this scarf for her and she has diligently got on with it.

It's funny how some get the crafting bug and others don't. I have shown all three of my girls the basics of knitting but she alone has really taken to it. My own mum was a basic sewer, self taught I think. She also always baked. I am the eldest of seven and Mum was just too busy to sit down and actually teach her skills. However, me and my four sisters all bake so we must have osmotically learned so to speak.

I learned to knit from both of my Grandma's one taught me knit stitch and the other purl (incidentally she was a chronic schizophrenic who spent 33 years in a mental institution before living with us, and she never forgot how to knit. My mum said she remembered her being a beautiful knitter before she was incarcerated.)

Any how, the knit stitch grandma (Dad's mum) gave me a ball of unravelled wool approx the size of a football. I knitted my first garment, a purple scarf and it was huuuuge. It was full of holes, I must have been about 9 or 10 at the time. I loved that scarf. Once when walking home from school in the fog I wrapped it around 3 of my sibling's necks as well as my own in a line like a chain gang so I wouldn't lose anybody. So you can imagine how long it was. I wish I still had that scarf!

So this scarf of daughters reminded me of mine all those years ago.

I hope you had a crafty day whatever you did too.

Marmalade

2010-02-18T16:15:00.000Z

I was given a jar of gorgeous homemade marmalade in a little preserve hamper at Christmas. I have been inspired to make my own for the first time. I have made jam (usually blackberry) a few times but never marmalade. I bought 2 kilos of seville oranges from the apparently famous Bury market and spent what felt like hours slicing the pith and peel before soaking it overnight.

The recipe is from the River Cottage handbook on preserves. The boiling was a bit messy as I had doubled the recipe and it kept boiling over and I had to keep scooping some out and putting it in a regular pan.

The recipe called for demerara rather than caster sugar which I think made it very dark and rich and full bodied. I am very pleased with the result, it is delicious with lots of fruit. I perhaps simmered it down for too long before adding the sugar making it a bit heavy on the fruit. Also I need a wider necked jam funnel as it kept getting clogged with the peel. All in all it was quite a sticky business but well worth the effort. I made approx 11lbs but have given most away! I will definitely make it again. Oh and it is a fabulous colour.

Morning Mist

2010-02-17T10:00:00.001Z

It's a lovely crispy frosty misty morning here with the promise of sun to come. Shame I have to go to work later.

Here are the girls enjoying their breakfast.

Here is my 9 yr old girl also enjoying her breakfast at the foot of my bed.

Yesterday we enjoyed pancakes at my Dad's. We met up with four of my siblings and our fourteen children. It was noisy! I forgot my camera but here is a pic of some of the same clan enjoying a day on the riverbank in Clitheroe last summer.

Our pancakes were sublime. They were from Jane Brockets Cherry Cake and Ginger Beer cookbook. If you are not keen on pancakes I recommend you try this recipe as it is really good and will convert you.
Being the beginning of lent I had decided to forgo alcohol and bread for the season. However, this morning the sight of my newly made marmalade begging for a slice of wholemeal toast has made me relent. Mr. W. Power has deserted me on day 1. I will have to try to be more resolute regarding the grog!

Did you know that Shrove Tuesday was the day, regardless of the date, that lacemakers blew out their candles for working with until the 3rd of September, Nutting day. This was to reduce cost. During the winter lacemakers would work together to share candlelight with the older more experienced sitting nearest the light and the youngest with better eyesight and lesser skills at the back.

Lacemakers' Rhyme

Be Shrovetide High or Low

Out the candle we will blow

Hope you enjoyed your Pancake Day, however you spent it.

Baby knitting

2010-02-16T20:12:00.011Z

This is a the back of a cardigan for the expected soon baby of a colleague at work.
It is knitted in Stylecraft Baby Life which has a pleasing 25% wool that gives it a nice handle. It also has a lovely tweedy fleck in it and it only cost £1.55 per 50gram ball which is also very pleasing. I love knitting but find the cost of many of the better quality yarns prohibitive.
The pattern is sirdar 1907.

Treasure

2010-02-15T08:06:00.003Z

Here are two of my latest charity shop finds.

A rather handsome M&S teapot for £2.95. I like it because it holds a lot!

And a skein of what I think is sock wool. The label is German and French I think!*!!
Anyway, it is nice and soft, school boy grey and best of all, cost only 50p.

Off to work now. It's nice not to do the school run and even better not having to prepare 5 packed lunches. But somehow I always seem to be late when they are all at home and I supposedly have more time in the morning. How does that happen????

Happy Valentines Day!

2010-02-14T16:52:00.014Z

Dear Husband forgot! But luckily lovely 9 yr old daughter made me a gorgeous quirky papier mache heart and a scroll with Robbie Burn's "Love is like a red red rose."

It has been a mild day here and we spent some time outside in the garden with our little flock.....

f=

.....Edwina, Bunty, Ruby, Dorothy, Olive and Maud.

We are preparing a bed against a sheltered south facing wall to try and grow some fruit trees. We have today dug in plenty of old bedding muck from Dad's farm. The girls enjoyed having a good scrat amongst it.

This is the lovely stone wall which was covered in ivy when we arrived here in May last year. We are looking forward to hopefully apples and pears.

And here are the willing helpers...

The under gardeners enjoying a cup of tea and home made ginger biscuit afterwards,

and of course the Head Gardener.

I am not that grey, honestly!!

And 5 lovely fresh eggs too..

Poor Dear Hubby has spent the entire day frantically writing 2500 words for his latest assignment, he's doing an M.Ed. So children, hens, garden, tea and homemade biccies have made for a nice Valentine's day for me.

Sourdough Disaster

2010-02-13T20:20:00.002Z

Mrs B. In the kitchen. With the sourdough loaf!
It was like a lump of lead. Not to be discouraged, I duly had another attempt. This time the texture was OK but bloomin heck...was it sour...Yuck!!
So I have abandoned that plan and will go back to plain and simple yeast risen bread, a lot less fiddling and much much sweeter.

Sorry for the hiatus, I have been a bit glum lately and thought that blogging was going to take up too much of the precious little time I have to spare. However, I have been prompted to give it another go by my lovely sister in law Janet and good friend Anna. So thanks for the vote of confidence girls, I will try and post at least once a week.

Links

2010-01-17T10:23:00.002Z

It would appear I have not quite cracked it yet! Garden Girl is here.

Feed the birds.

2010-01-17T09:47:00.005Z

Yesterday, inspired by "my tiny plot" we made our own birdfeeders to hang in the garden.

We used beef dripping, apples and regular bird seed. I think I enjoyed myself more than the children. However,I am now not so sure if beef dripping is OK, having read some comments from "my tiny plot."

Anyway,they looked very pretty nonetheless but we will probably use vegetable suet next time.

And now, after commenting on garden girls blog, we are going to take part in the big garden bird watch at the end of January. How exciting. Ain't blogging great? And guess who just learned to do links!

Scones

2010-01-12T14:33:00.003Z

As I am joining a diet club tonight for the nth time, I thought I had better bake and eat something first, the condemned mans last meal so to speak!

So here are my version of scones, adapted from my Mums recipe when we were kids

The Recipe

1 lb self raising flour (I use tescos own organic)
4 oz soft marg or butter (I use stork)
4 oz caster sugar
4 oz plump raisins (I use lazy Jacks organic)
2 medium eggs
90 mls milk (approx)

Rub the fat into the flour (I do it by hand only because I dont have a food processor/kitchen aid thingy) till it resembles fine bread crumbs.
Add the sugar and fruit.
Beat eggs add milk to eggs then pour into well in middle of dry ingredients reserving a drop (2 tablespoons?) for basting the top.
Use a fork to bring it all together to a soft dough. It shouldn't be too sticky nor too dry.
Plop it onto a lightly floured surface and pat into a rough circle approx 8 inches diameter and 1 and a half inches deep, there is no need for a rolling pin.
Use 2 and a half inch diameter cutter to cut the scones, they should be 1 and 1/2 inches deep.
If you get more than 10 you have not cut them deep enough.
Put on lined baking tray allowing a little space for expansion, brush tops with reserved egg and milk.

Gas mark 4 or 180-200 degrees centigrade depending on whether you have fan oven or not. Cook for 13-18 minutes depending on your oven. (At my last house I did 13 mins at 185 degrees but this oven takes 18mins at 200! I assume you know your own oven.)

Allow to cool and voila................

Enjoy with a cup of tea, your favourite jam and if you're feeling really decadent, a little clotted cream. Yum!

Beatlemania

2010-01-11T21:40:00.004Z

When I was approx 14 years old, there was a season of Beatles films on TV. I watched them all and became obsessed. My room was plastered with posters and I played their records all the time.
My 16 year old eldest daughter has also discovered them and now I am often taken back to my teens when I hear her playing the CDs.
This morning I was delighted when Chris Evans played "All you need is love" (one of my favourites) as the opening track on his 1st radio 2 breakfast show.

Here is a pic today of me (on the left) and my good friend Pat at work. She was mocking me last week when I said I was starting a blog. But when she saw it today she wants some of her friends to read it too! She is such a good laugh at work and a great colleague too.

I have dutifully fed my sourdough starter today and it is bubbling away nicely. Can't wait to bake it.

Vintage coffee set

2010-01-10T15:11:00.005Z

I picked this up yesterday from my local cancer research charity shop for £9.95. Isn't it gorgeous? With 6 cups and saucers and only one very small clean chip on 1 cup. I am thrilled with it. The colours remind me of spring which seems oh so far away at the moment.

I was lucky enough to get this book for Christmas and I've just started a sourdough starter for baking bread. I've never baked sourdough before so am looking forward to it.

I am a bit of a technophobe and this is a whole new experience for me, so please bear with my terrible photo taking and I haven't a clue how to do links yet but am hoping to learn soon.

Snow

2010-01-09T17:48:00.010Z

Snow, snow and more snow. We are just about fed up with it all now despite the beauty. It was -13 degrees on Tuesday morning when I was trudging my paper round at 6.15am. Still, the children are enjoying it, especially with the schools all closed.

Having some fun at the table...

The view from my bedroom window at sunset...

Dearly beloved admiring same view....

This is our outdoor crib made from bits of old calf hurdles from my Dads farm, (complete with a bit of crusty manure in places, very authentic) and figures made from chicken wire covered in scrap fabrics. We think the snow really made it look good this year and we had lots of comments from passersby, (it is under our front window.) I took this photo of it on the 6th Jan.

Anyway its all back to school on Monday, with 1st lot of AS modular exams for our eldest. I do miss them when they all go back. It's lovely having them at home and the snow has been a bonus bringing almost an extra week at home.

Ta Dahhhhhhh

2010-01-06T15:30:00.000Z

Welcome to my blog!
I can't believe I am writing this. I have been an avid blog reader and largely lurker for several years and am finally dipping my toe in the water. And on the feast of the Epiphany too. How apt!

I have been motivated to begin by a desire to document aspects of our family life, mainly so the children can have a record in years to come. (Optimistic or what?)

First of all I want to take a photo every day if possible. So , here goes......

1st Jan 2010.

My two lovely youngest on a freezing New Year's day in the park.