‘Perfection’ is a word you hear a lot these days, and particularly in reference to baking. On the baking shows that are currently so popular the judges constantly remind us that they are looking for perfection, and, just in case… Read More ›
Fruit picking
From the Hedgerows: Damson Crumble
If you find a wild plum tree, make sure you take full advantage of its delicious fruit. I found a yellow plum tree a few years ago near my brother’s old house and made pots and pots of jam and put… Read More ›
Blackberry, Coconut and Lime Loaf
A couple of weeks ago we did one of our regular local walks and as usual it didn’t disappoint: there is always something interesting to see. On that occasion it was teeny tiny frogs smaller than the fingernail on my little finger… Read More ›
Blackcurrant Jam and growing your own fruit
Last weekend I went to stay at my parents’ for a couple of nights while they were away. They have a relatively small garden but it is full of beautiful flowers, fruit and vegetables: they spend hours on it and… Read More ›
It’s all about that Quince: Jelly, Paste and Brandy
If you are lucky enough to have a quince tree in your garden (or know someone who does) it is worth making the effort to use them. And it is quite an effort as they are difficult to peel and… Read More ›
Quince and Ginger Cake
When I moved into my new house I was really pleased to have a “mature” garden, full of interesting plants, bushes and even a pear tree. It has a real cottage garden look to it. It was actually a little… Read More ›
Wild Plum Jam – from the hedgerows
I absolutely love the turn of the season when the hedgerows start to go wild and there is fruit everywhere. Not just blackberries but sloes, elderberries, hawthorn, rosehips and crab apples, amongst other things. I spend a lot of my… Read More ›
Blackberry and Lime Polenta Cake
The hedgerows where I live are full of ripe blackberries at the moment and I have discovered new places to pick them not too far from home. I didn’t manage to do any fruit picking this year as I found… Read More ›
Chocolate Birthday Cake with Strawberries and Cream, and New Adventures
If you’re a regular follower of my blog you’ll have heard me mention my friend Frin who, amongst other things, runs the Boot Camp I struggle to get through twice a week. But there will be no more Boot… Read More ›
Apple and Pecan Cake with Maple Syrup Icing
My friend Vana has given me a lot of apples already this year and has just brought me another couple of large bags-full from her Grandad’s apple trees, as her Grandad very sadly passed away recently. He had two apple… Read More ›
