By Stephie, on Tuesday 7th September, 2010 at 16:22 pm
I thought I’d pop into my allotment on the way home from Falmouth today. My jaw dropped when I saw what had been going on in the two weeks since I was last there…
 Look at the size of these!! The largest one is 18″ long! I’d say that’s huge for a courgette. And since I’m the only one in the house that eats them, I’d appreciate any tasty suggestions for preserving them – a courgette chutney perhaps? One of the larger ones was a bit soft, so I thought I’d give the chooks a treat. They demolished it in seconds.
 Gobble gobble gone! I did a bit more digging whilst I was there. There’s so much to do though that I need to get my skates on if I’m going to get it done before the winter weather sets in. I’m not putting any pressure on myself though, I’ll just do as much as I can – I’m not sure I can actually fit much more into the day! I want to plant some fruit trees soon, so that’s the next bit I’m going to focus on. Research into Cornish apple varieties that I can grow as fans is next on the list of things to do, right after finishing a couple of Quilts, sorting out my neglected garden, starting more Christmas presents, oh and running a half marathon  I can cope…
See you soon,
love Stephie x
By Stephie, on Sunday 1st August, 2010 at 10:00 am
Yesterday’s courgette lunch was…very tasty! My first allotment courgettes went into this simple recipe in the end, but I used cherry tomatoes and added some onions and cannellini beans too; come on, even I need a bit of protein sometimes. Followed by cake of course. Oooh, now there’s a thought: Flora’s Famous Courgette Cake, one of Nigella’s. I have a much thumbed copy of How to be a Domestic Goddess, ‘cos as you know, I love a bit of baking, especially when it involves a cake. Have a look at how it’s done over on Mouthfuls of Heaven. That’s my next batch of courgettes sorted.
Until then I shall bask in the glory of yesterday’s delicious lunch. Not only did it taste good, but I think I managed to make it look good too. Not according to my charming son though, he’s just described it as looking like “a pile of sick”.
 Tasty! Back soon.
love Stephie x
By Stephie, on Wednesday 23rd June, 2010 at 09:44 am
Just thought I’d share with you what makes a beautiful English summer’s day perfect…it does NOT involve world cup football!
 Victoria sponge I made at the weekend, yummy (and probably all gone now, so must make another one!) Want to come over for tea?
By Stephie, on Monday 10th May, 2010 at 13:41 pm
 Don't be fooled! This looks soooo yummy doesn’t it? Posh poached eggs, or to give it its proper title ‘poached eggs on onion tartlets’. You’ll find the recipe on p58 of Michel Roux’s book Eggs. Unfortunately I didn’t have the double cream and ready-made puff pastry to hand to make them for my lunch today. So I went for the pauper’s version:
 fresh laid eggs on buttered wholemeal toast  and let me tell you, it couldn't have been tastier Thanks go to Dusty and Darcey! It reminds me though, I must get some more yeast; I tried to make some bread over the weekend and I think the yeast must have been past its best because what I made was a homemade brick! Just imagine those eggs on homemade toasted bread, oooooh – want to come for lunch next week?!
love Stephie x
By Stephie, on Monday 10th May, 2010 at 11:42 am
Well hello there! How are you after the weekend – hope you had a good one? We had a wonderful one here at The Old Chapel – and it’s not often you hear me say that! Maybe it was the feeling of spring in the air, maybe it was the fact that I think Kim needs to socialise a bit more, maybe I just wanted to get my friends together, but I was in the mood for a tea party! So after sending out the invitations and a week of baking I could hardly contain myself with the excitement (I know!). For the first time ever it felt like we had a full house and I loved it – and this morning Kim was asking if when we could do it again, so I guess he did too!
 Yummy in my tummy!  Even the savoury things looked good enough to eat! The weather looked a bit dodgy so one of my friends brought along her Cath Kidston beach tent and suggested we chuck the kids in there when we’d had enough of them. (Have enough of children? No comment.) It was a good move: it seems some of them had enough of us and buggered off out there without any persuasion And luckily Izzy the dog was on hand to entertain them. And destroy my seedlings and young plants into the bargain, grrrrr…
 Thankfully, the ones under cover just about survived I never imagined that the tea party would go so well; seeing everyone chatting and laughing over a cup of tea or coffee and a slice of cake (even the odd glass of wine!) made me go all warm and gooey inside (ahem, be good you!). There really is nothing like a good group of friends. Or cake. Especially when your friends are so thoughtful and generous and bring along lots of wonderful goodies for the table, and even a wee gift for you… Each time I see these seedlings it makes me smile
 and aren't they in the most gorgeous box ever?! And when I walk into the sitting room and breath in the heavy scent of the freesias and see the soft yellow roses, I remember what lovely friends I have. Ok, I’ll stop being sentimental and gushing now, you can relax!
 Fresh flowers Kim had a fun time with his friends too, rushing around and building dens and camps in the hedgerows. He was having so much fun he didn’t want it to end, so he asked if his friend could stay over. In our tent. In the garden. Well, there was plenty left for a midnight feast, so why not!
 Overnight camp I think it’s the most special weekend we’ve had in a long while. I hope you had a good one too? What did you get up to? What with all the socialising I haven’t had much time to make any art or craft, and I’m really beginning to miss it, it seems like ages and it’s becoming a big itch that needs a darn good scratch! I don’t know why, but I’ve suddenly developed the urge to make a tea-cosy, come by soon and see how I get on…
love Stephie x
By Stephie, on Saturday 8th May, 2010 at 00:37 am
Planning. Baking. Tasting. Shopping. Borrowing. Hoping. Cleaning. Waiting. Waiting. Smiling
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Narrative Self in pictures
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I'm running a 28 mile marathon in memory of Josie this February. Come and find out why.
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