New Year - New Beginnings

Well that was the snow that was! 2010 was certainly a year to remember too.  One of the worst I have had.

Let's hope 2011 is better - it really has to be I think.

Lovely day today, 11 January, cold and dark, lights on before midday, but a good book to read and copious cups of tea followed by chilli con carne tonight. I've an early start tomorrow so it's off to bed early tonight - might even have a hot bath before I retire for the night!!!

So far this year I have had one session of sauna and steaming which was lovely and I must repeat  soon, but no nice walks as the ground is so wet and slippery. 

Could do with some of the sunshine we had in Gran Canaria at the end of November, so this picture might just bring a bit of warmth to chilly Britain.

Let's hope I can get in some French conversation lessons again, and I will try to make more of an effort to do more things this year!

September Days

Have made more apple jelly - should keep us going for a while - nothing nicer than with roast potatoes so the family tell me!

Well grandchildren back to school now and the youngest will start tomorrow, just a few hours at first - takes over a month for the school to allow them to go full time. Still the time will fly!

making apple jelly...........

Am doing another batch of apply jelly, as it's a quiet Saturday.  Had some apples given and thought I'd better make a start.  Watch this space!!

A productive preserving day!!!

After a nice breakfast of bacon, egg and tomatoes, cooked by my husband, started on some jam making.  Blackberry jelly to start with, but only made a jar and a half. 

Next it was damson jelly and this made quite a bit more, cooking these with water, straining the juice when cooked, then adding equal amount of sugar and cooking till set. Made quite a lot more this time. Let's hope it tastes nice and tart! Lovely on buttery toast or nice new bread!

Then we both pricked sloes (to release the juices) and put in a large glass sweet jar, then layered with sugar and then finally covered with gin, gave it a stir and screwed the lid down tight. Then into a dark place to wait for the juices to mingle with the gin and the sugar to dissolve.  Hey presto  -  in about 3 months - sloe gin!

 

Our hazel nuts are ripening away now, we did have some in the garden but the squirrels ate the lot, still as they planted them in the first place I expect they should get first choice!  These we picked on a walk down a country track in Cobham the other day.

My lovely orchid has had seven flowers this year, so let's hope I can look after it till next year!  I bought one the other day which was being sold off as it looked a bit sorry for itself, so I got it for a song. A larger white variety with 3 flowers.  I've watered it and drained it and it's now on the windowsill and looking more happier I hope!  We shall see....

how things change......

what a very bad year this has been - it's all gone downhill since March. I have not felt like writing anything really.  Operations, breakups, trauma and trying to keep all the balls up and whizzing about in the air!  Not always possible.  So a little bit of rest and relaxation is needed.  We are off to Norfolk for a couple of days, to walk along sandy coastlines and feel the wind in our faces. Eat some nice food, hopefully and come back ready to face whatever fate has in store for us.  Wish us luck for we will need it.

Rochester from the river bank

We walked into Rochester yesterday and down by the river, then back via the High Street, stopping for a sandwich and a coffee.  Spent some time looking for buttons and looking at some lovely quilts in a shop in Rochester High Street.  Must have walked a couple of miles!

Walked home and then cooked  roast chicken with a baked jacket potato.