Celebrations, daffodils and St. David’s Day
March 26, 2014
”Are you busy on the 1st of March?” A simple question which elicited another simple question “why?” Our daughter and fiancé had decided to get married! In such a simple way, the advent of a wonderful day was announced. Ferry tickets booked, wedding cake made, house sitters arranged, an alarm call booked and the morning of departure arrived.
Katy on the way to her wedding
So on the 1st March, St. David’s Day, we waited to take Katy to her wedding. On the way out of the hotel, she was serenaded by the Flint Male Voice choir who were also staying in the hotel. I do not think any bride could have received a more rousing send off. Particularly appropriate as her great grandfather, Evan Evans, was Welsh. As the young couple are living and working in England, they opted for a small family wedding near to their new home in Cumbria. It gave Warwick and I the opportunity to visit an area that we have visited a number of times in the past.
Katy and John in Cartmel
Walking to the reception
Katy and John’s Wedding cake with shamrocks and roses
Portion of wedding cake served to guests
* I am including the recipe for the gluten free cake later in the blog.
Another Great Celebration
Last Saturday, nerves jangling and kept sitting on the edge of our seats as the Irish rugby team edged towards a win against France and at the same time winning this year’s Six Nations Championship. For Brian O’Driscoll, it was his last match in an Irish Jersey so we were already in great spirits on St. Patrick’s Day. In the past, St. Patrick’s Day was an occasion to pack up the car and travel either to the local parade with uniforms and tin whistles or to Pony Club hunter Trials. This year, it was spent in the garden cutting shrubs back as we get ready for the opening of our season and the arrival of our first guests. All day long, we were serenaded by a robin, who hopped from branch to branch, occasionally, dropping down onto the freshly turned soil to hunt for worms or other tasty morsels. At one point, there was a quick scuffle in one bush as two cock robins ‘squared off ‘ against each other. Fighting for territory, no doubt. Dispute over and the hunt for food continued.
Cock Robin, the entertainer, in the ‘Sheep’snose’ apple tree.
Potato Plantinag and St. Patrick’s Day
Country people traditionally begin planting potatoes about the time of St. Patrick’s Day, beginning with ‘first earlies’, Main crop potatoes are planted later. However, the seed potatoes, we had ‘ chitted’ in February had developed good shoots, so they were planted last week. We laid the potatoes out in tray and covered them with newspapers to keep out the light. In Warwick’s father’s time the men on the farm would sit in the harness room or the coach-house and cut some of the previous year’s potatoes into pieces, ensuring that each piece had shoot buds.This would usually be done in February and was dirty, cold work.
Chitted potatoes ready for planting.
The Renovation takes shape.
Faced with a semi derelict stable block apparently in terminal decline we took a big step in deciding to convert it into Studios and Exhibition spaces. In partnership with Leader, we started to halt that decline which we began by emptying the stable block last autumn. (see November’s Blog). Now re-roofed with some of the original and other salvaged slates; new floors have been poured and the plumbing and electrical systems are going in. The project is heading towards completion. The plan is to provide facilities for guests staying in the house and other similar accommodation operators in the area. For small business meetings, family events, possibly even small weddings.
Clumps of daffodils and snowdrops moved from side lawn during landscaping.
Daffodils in Lady’s walk wood
Next landscaping project is to conceal lids of tanks!
Full steam ahead to Christmas
November 23, 2012
Christmas cakes are underway
We have been making the Christmas cakes to the same recipe we have been using for years. A medium fruit cake which does not take weeks to mellow.We put halved, split almonds, on top of the cake instead marzipan and royal icing. Many friends and family members always seemed to leave both on their plates’.
The Christmas Pudding is made.
This year we have used a recipe I was given …. years ago. Miss Campbell was a lecturer at the college I attended. Warwick makes both the pudding and the mincemeat. We plan to make the mince-pies tomorrow. As they are time consuming to make, we make them a couple of weeks ahead of Christmas and freeze them.
Last of the Apples
The apple harvest was not as good as in the past two years.
We actually had masses of small tasty apples which were windfalls. A neighbour and her children came to help pick the last of the apples on the trees; and to gather the better windfalls.. Tedious to wash, scrub and peel. Nevertheless, we persevered and we made some delicious apple chutney and just one batch of apple butter.
Last of the windfalls
Even mum helped picking
Apple chutney
Nanny Mac’s Apple Chutney
Recipe (Makes 12 x 325 gm. jars)
48 oz Apples -prepared
24 oz Onions
24 oz Brown Sugar
16 oz Cider Vinegar
8 oz Raisins
8 oz Sultanas
0.25 oz Fresh ginger – peeled and grated
1 oz Salt
0.25 oz Dried Chillies
0.25 tsp Cayenne Pepper-ground
2-3 Cloves garlic- crushed *
Method
- Peel and chop onions
- Grate fresh stem ginger
- Cook apples and onions together in vinegar.
- When soft add brown sugar and remaining ingredients.
- Cook until chutney ‘mounds’
- Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary
- Fill pre-heated jars
- Screw on lids firmly.
*optional
