~Crochet ta-da and Summer Holidays Part 1~

I have to say I am really enjoying the summer hols - I know I am lucky to work term-time but I do only get paid for 39 out of 52 weeks so that's the trade-off isn't it?
I have completed a few crochet garlands - this one is the rainbow one I did in lovely cotton yarns (leftovers and bargain buys) for my cousin's daughter in Australia...

 Jack and I spent a few days in Filey last week and we had gorgeous weather apart from a crazy thunder, lightning and rain storm one day which you could see roll in from Flamborough Head across the sea.  Cue hundreds of people running to take shelter in the amusement arcade :)   I feel lucky as my friend's family has a bungalow there, so we get to go there quite often for just the cost of food and petrol. I really recommend Filey as it's a traditional seaside town and is absolutely pristine with plenty to do both locally and within a short drive.


 

Filey beach near the Coble Landing last Tuesday

 

I've made tomato chutney and blackberry cheese from the first blackberries in the hedgerows in my village.  The basic method I blogged about before is here. I love making fruit cheeses as you can eat them on toast or with cheese and cold meats. As they are sieved, they are a great way of using fruit with loads of pips or stones.

 

Also, when you go to the coast don't forget the neglected courgettes will swell to epic proportions...this one will be ratatouille-d later today for the freezer.

 

Back soon with some more seaside photos from further up the Yorkshire coast.

 

~End of July catch-up~

This last couple of weeks have whizzed past settling into the summer hols. I shall be speedy and succinct with a few photos thrown in...
Jack and I visited a PYO farm (Spuds and Berries near Selby see here)  The strawberries are nearly over but I wanted a few for some jam - PYO used to be the economic way to do this but I have to say the price of fruit per kilo was very expensive.  Picking fruit was part of my childhood; living in a Yorkshire village surrounded by PYO strawberry and raspberry fields. I think Jack enjoyed it (not exciting when you are 12) but I enjoyed showing him anyway so maybe it offset the cost a bit!

 

Nice set up with the strawbs on table tops for accessible picking, and rows of raspberries (a few ready) and blackberries (loads ready). The Farm Shop is nice too though we only bought some Yorkshire Rapeseed Oil

 

 

I'm making Chutney, Jam and Pickles as and when I can - the cheapest tomatoes I have found for chutney have been from Aldi.  I save my own tomatoes for eating as they're too tasty to put in chutney.  Looking forward to getting more donated glut fruit and veg from family and friends too.

 

 

 



I have finished my Polka Dot top, from the free Prima pattern I blogged about before.  This one fits much better - I made it a bit longer, adjusted the back darts and added a bit to the side seam.

 The invisible zip for the back cost more than the flipping fabric but never mind. A top for less than a fiver isn't too bad.

Much neater this time around!

I have been crocheting these flowers to make garlands as Christmas presents and also for my cousin's daughter who is visiting from Australia.  Fab way to use up odds and ends of yarn.  The pattern I based them on was from My Rose Valley blog (which is my current favourite blog to sit and read I just love it) and it can be found here

I'm also having a rationalising of cupboards/wardrobes and selling stuff on ebay to make some pennies. Holidays also give me the opportunity to visit different charity shops and have a rummage.  Latest find is this Early's of Witney white cellular single blanket, which was £2 and is like new

No expensive holidays here; just a couple of days away this weekend, and odd days here and there at Filey and Hornsea, with maybe some cheap camping in the Yorkshire Dales thrown in.   I've lots of odd jobs and decorating to do as well as crafty stuff, so I won't be bored -  though I'm sure my life might not be exciting to others it's what needs doing and I can't afford to pay anyone to do it!
See you soon x



~Thrifty Jam Label Kit~

Thrifty tip of the day for all you jammers and preservers...
Kirstie Allsopp has a new preserving and baking range (fingers in every pie it seems) in Lakeland, and this kit, featured in this month's Prima is a hefty £9.99...

From Lakeland see http://www.lakeland.co.uk/18053/Kirstie-Allsopp-Jam-Pot-Labels

However, why pay more than 99p, yes 99p? This lovely kit is from Home Bargains (store locator here)

~Forthcoming Event~

Please forgive me if you live nowhere near me, but I just wanted to publicise this local event next week where I will be having a Lavender Attic stall of Christmas handmade lovelies, chutneys, Zesty Soaps and St Eval candles.  It is a fantastic oppotunity to do a bit of Christmas shopping or treating yourself.  My friend Donna at Sugar Pie Lemon Drop will also have a stall.   
Thursday 22nd November 6-8pm at:
South Milford Community Primary School,
Sand Lane,
South Milford,
Leeds.
LS25 5AU

Hope to see you there!

~Lemon Curd recipe~

As promised to my lovely colleague J - here is my lemon curd recipe for her son C to have a go at making!  It's a tangy little number - I've tried a few different permutations and quantities and find this one is more lemony and less eggy than some recipes! It's especially delicious on toast, in the middle of blueberry muffins, or used to sandwich a sponge cake together. It makes 2 small jars and lasts about 2 weeks (or it would if you didn't snaffle it all v. quickly!)

RECIPE
Grate 3 unwaxed lemons finely (just the yellow zest layer) then cut them in half and squeeze out the juice. Add the zest and the sieved juice to a bowl over a pan of hot water on the hob.

Weigh 8oz (200g) caster sugar and 4oz (100g) butter...

Add it to the juice/zest in the bowl, turn on the heat and cook slowly, stirring with a balloon whisk until the sugar is melted and doesn't feel 'gritty' any more...(about 5-10 minutes)

Then add 2 beaten eggs to the mixture, whisking and mixing all the time (you do not want lemony scrambled eggs - so do not leave the kitchen at this stage!) I whisk it all the time at first, and then every minute or so...it takes about 20-30 minutes until it thickens up. (Don't overcook it as it thickens when it cools, too).
Pour into jars (sterilised in dishwasher or oven @ 160 degrees for 10 minutes.) Store in the fridge.

~Thrifty weekend & joining a knitting circle~

I've really tried to cut down on my food shopping bill - which is hard with a hungry OH and 2 growing children-  but I do try to take on board all the fab advice from frugal and thrifty blogs.  I'm not brand-loyal or supermarket-loyal; for a big stock-up shop I just go where's convenient at any one time, or as I see special offers.  However, for the last month I've had Sainsbury's vouchers for £8 off a £40 shop each week.  I've used the voucher every Saturday and have concentrated on spending as near to £40 as possible, on some fresh items, staples such as tins of beans and tomatoes and also Christmas food & wine that has been on offer. I've used the local Sainsbury's in Tadcaster, which is only small but costs me less in petrol.
On the Christmas pressie front, I've used my Boots Advantage card points to pay for aftershave to give as a present. I'm still on with my knitting too...if I know you and you're female, then you're either getting a homemade teacosy...



Another Christmas Pud cosy made from leftover wool, machine sewn felt holly leaves and felted holly berries.
On a vintage thrifted teapot.

 ... or wristwarmers (I've made a few pairs now).  Also this weekend in the supermarket frozen raspberries were 3 packs for £5, 1.2kg in weight. With a 1kg bag of jam sugar and 300ml of port, I've made lovely festive jam, by the method I've blogged about before,  in the microwave - quick and easy.    It made 6 and a half small jars which will be presents too.

I also resisted the temptation to shop, albeit at a Vintage Fair in Leeds.  Even though I love this particular fair I stopped myself by thinking about the cost of petrol, frosty roads, needless spending on stuff etc. 
Instead I did something good for the soul and went along to a knitting circle whilst I was in Tadcaster, at Needlecase . I'd chanced across this lovely wool and craft shop last month...

Needlecase is run by Jean and Judith, who are mother and daughter, and are passionate about knitting and needlework.  They also offer crochet and knitting workshops see here.

 Lots of lovely yarns and patterns, plus haberdashery, kits and craft supplies, and some ready knitted items to buy...

I had a lovely chat, cake and cup of tea and did a fair bit of knitting (only went wrong once because I was nattering) and will definitely go again.

Needlecase Limited,
22 Kirkgate, Tadcaster LS24 9AD
01937 830 422 
Open 9.30 - 3.30.  Closed Wed and Sun.

~Christmas Foodie Treats~

Just wanted to share a couple of my favourite foodie treats that I bought today for Christmas. I visited Tadcaster, North Yorkshire, where I love the Little Delicatessen, which stocks deli food, local produce and local brewery ales (Sam Smiths & John Smiths breweries are in Tadcaster).

This is so gorgeous if like me, you love cherries...

Organic cherry fruit beer.

I bought a few bottles as Christmas day table gifts. How lovely is the artwork on the label too?

And Tracklements Chilli Jam....

Despite making my own Chilli Jam, this was the first one I ever bought years ago, and it remains top of my list. See Tracklements range here. Here it is in front of my Kitsch kitchen Christmas tree, and yes I have already had a spoonful! Hopefully there'll be some left for Christmas Day!

The Little Delicatessen

3 High St

TADCASTER

LS249AP

United Kingdom

Tel: 01937 833244

~Fairy Nuff~

The Christmas Fair at J's school was a real success. There was a fantastic high standard of stalls, with something for everyone...jewellery, scarves,  fair trade clothes and accessories,( my lovely friend Donna at Sugar Pie Lemon Drop)  2 card stalls, a Phoenix trader, gorgeous French-style brocante and vintage goodies, cupcakes, handmade cushions, painted signs, doorstops, bunting and Christmas decorations. Then there was me...Lavender Attic, with my chutney and bits and bobs. I always feel a bit amateur, but enthusiastic nonetheless, as I don't do selling,  and don't exhibit regularly at craft fairs. However, the chutney flew off the stall and there were tense negotiations over the last 2 jars...eeek! Calm down ladies and gents; it's only pickle! The lavender hearts didn't sell, but the mini-bunting did, and the vintage 1950s, 1960s and 1970s knitting patterns went down well.
I'll share some of my purchases with you too...

These cards are made by a clever lady called Pat from Leeds...very different and great attention to detail. This owl card was available in purple (above) green and this yellow/orange colourway (below) too (£2).

and then when I saw this lovely Christmas Fairy I knew I had to have her...

Wearing her heart on her sleeve and with her hand over her mouth in an oops-did-I-really-say-that way, she is perfect to watch over me! She has a label saying...

"Granting Wishes is really tough...

so please be patient...Fairy Nuff"

Her hair, made from braided and plaited baker's twine, is exquisite.

If you'd like your own fairy get in touch with Lisa and Jane at Yorkshire-based company Twisted Vintage. Very shortly they are opening a shop in Whitwood, Castleford where you'll be able to buy their eclectic mix of handmade country style as well as vintage home accessories and gifts.

I think she looks very much at home. 

Enjoy the weekend x

~Lavender Hearts~

It's fatal to start tweaking with your blog layout and design...especially when Downton Abbey is on in 8 minutes!
Just finished these lavender hearts made from vintage fabric and buttons. Thought they'd be a nice new header as the previous one felt rather *dull*.

I'm having a stall at J's Primary School's Christmas Fair on Thursday evening. Chutneys, preserves, vintage scarves, tea cup candles and lavender hearts.
See you later in the week x...

~Autumn Harvest~

Is it Autumn? Or Summer? Or Sprautumn? (My primroses are flowering again!) I like things to stick to the rules sometimes, so I am out of kilter with this warm weather. And it makes me grumpy because I don't like being too hot whilst working and commuting. One of my clematis has flowered consistently and confusedly since June; and looks as knackered as I feel at the moment! Have had a sort out in the garden this week and not done too badly considering my plot is tiny. Small vegetables are the order of the day when you've got lots of containers, pots and troughs.

Day off Thursday may involve a bit of chutney making!

Thanks for your lovely comments about my Macmillan tea party, I appreciate your kind words x

~Time for (afternoon) Tea - 2nd event! for Macmillan ~

What a busy weekend...After baking on a hot Friday afternoon I welcomed very generous guests to my kitchen (and garden) where we had alfresco tea and cakes, with all proceeds from the afternoon tea and the raffle going to Macmillan Cancer Relief. I loved the Fountains Gold  cheese sandwiches with homemade (and homegrown) green tomato chutney. Dry cure ham sandwiches were delicious with homemade piccalilli too...Fine Yorkshire fayre!

St. Clements drizzle cake with candied lemon peel...

Mini Victoria sponges...

Scones with cream & local tayberry jam and cherry bakewells...

Pretty vintage china...

Crocheted doilies in pinks and greens...

A lovely time was had by all - and we raised £130.86 for Macmillan.

Many thanks to my friends, family and work colleagues, and special thanks to my lovely friend J for helping on the day and being prepared to wear an apron and a flower in her hair!

~Time for (afternoon) Tea - 1st event! ~

"Please come in - you're in the right place!"

What an exciting learning curve the last few weeks have been, on the journey to my first underground afternoon tea today.  



Tasty tomatoes fresh from the garden



My 9 guests each had a table gift of a little jar of Plum & Cinnamon Cheese and some 'Love-in-a Mist' flower seeds. My youngest guest was lovely R, at 3 and a half; and guests had travelled from all over Yorkshire - York, Malton, Selby, Leeds and Pontefract.

Yorkshire Tea was very popular, and the ladies liked the China Rose Petal Tea too. Favourite cake of the day was deemed to be either the lemon drizzle (which had homemade lemon curd in the mixture) and these mini Victoria sponges which were filled with cream and my summer fruit jam.

A really enjoyable afternoon, with plenty of chatting (mainly about lovely wool and knitting!) and a good atmosphere. Thankyou to all who attended - looking forward to the next tea on 1st October when the theme will be 'Autumn Harvest'.

~Damson Cheese~

I started making fruit cheeses last year; after reading lots of books on preserves and learning more about chutneys, jams, jellies and conserves. Fruit cheese is not cheese at all; it's just the name given to a firm preserve where you cook the fruit first, sieve it, then boil it with sugar.  It sets firmly and you can turn it out to serve it if you wish, and slice or cube it to serve with cheese and biscuits on a cheeseboard. There's nothing better than a pantry shelf lined with jars with jewel-coloured preserves for the depths of winter.

First of all you need your fruit, and for me it's a matter of frugal principle not to buy it. So, if like me, you've only got a limited space to grow fruit and veg and aren't self-sufficient...

1. get out into the country lanes for elderflowers, blackberries, sloes, rosehips, crab apples etc.
2. ask friends, family and colleagues if they have any surplus homegrown produce.  Promise them some of your jam or chutney! This year I've had gooseberries, damsons, apples and plums given to me...and I've got tomatoes and sloes coming later.

I've been making damson cheese, which is good with cheese and meat, and also plum cheese with juniper berries, which is good apparently with Brie, and I love it with duck and game too.  It's the same method for any fruit, so experiment. My favourite book is an old Marguerite Patten one from the 1960's.

Rinse the damsons, then place in a large pan with a slug of water (about 100ml) Look at the lovely colour!

...simmer away for about 20 minutes, occasionally stir to prevent burning. They turn into a mushy soup like this....

Careful because it's now very, very hot and you're going to sieve it. I use a wooden spoon to press it firmly through the sieve. The good thing is that all the stones are removed without having to fiddle about. Throw the stones and skins away. Weigh the resulting fruit pulp - for every pound of pulp you add the same weight in granulated sugar. Cook on a low heat until the sugar is dissolved, then a higher heat for approximately 30 mins until setting point is reached. Trust me, you can tell when it's done - it starts to turn gelatinous on the spoon and sides of the pan. Pour into sterilised jam jars. 1lb of pulp makes about 2 jars.

Let me know if you've any ideas on recipe combinations...maybe the addition of port for a Christmas version?

~Jamtastic 2~

My daughter, L, is watering a family's allotment in the village whilst they're away on holiday - with the bonus of picking any fruit and veg that are ready. She came home with some blackberries and raspberries, which I supplemented with some English cherries from the greengrocers and made Summer Fruit Jam. If I'm just making a couple of jars I tend to use a book I bought years ago called Luxurious Jam by Sonia Allison which gives recipes for small quantity jam making in the microwave.

Reasons to make microwave jam;

• Safe control, no boiling over
• No need to stand over it like a jam slave
• Fruit colour stays bright
• No scum on your jam
• Less mess
• Less energy use

I don't always follow the recipes slavishly, just use the quantities and timings and tweak them a bit. So easy.

Summer Fruit Jam
1lb fruit (blackberries, raspberries and cherries)
1lb granulated sugar
Destone and chop cherries, mash the berries and then put the fruit and sugar in a large glass/ceramic bowl and leave for 1 hour. Based on a 750-800Watt microwave, heat on high for 5 minutes. Stir. Heat on medium for 27 mins, stirring 3 times during cooking. Check for setting point (put a bit on a cold plate, if it wrinkles when pushed with a finger, it's set) And that's it!  It makes 2-3 jars.  

~Jamtastic~

I also bought some jam and chutney labels at the Good Food Show from a company called http://www.jamjarshop.com/.  They had many label designs available; I chose the green and red polka dots...

...and they had  polka dot lids and all kinds of other preserving paraphernalia, that can be hard to come by. I've put them to good use already labelling my chutney to add to the storecupboard.

~Car Boot Sale~

This morning at 8am, before the rain set in, it was glorious and sunny and a lovely morning for a quick walk around the village car boot sale. My excuse was dog walking my little pooch; but hubby saw through my plan.  Despite it's small size (the car boot sale, not my dog) I got some bargains...

I know, I know; another jug and more teacups and saucers. I am seriously considering renting out my vintage china, it's definitely an idea to explore. And this lovely garish half-apron for 50p. I may even wear it to make some smokey tomato chutney this afternoon!

~Lovely weekend~

The village has looked great with the Royal Wedding Union Jacks blowing in the wind, most of the shops and houses on the main street have joined in, and lovely that the flags are still there to celebrate the village Gala this weekend.

A great time was had by all on Saturday afternoon and better still it stayed fine and sunny.  It's not so nice today so, what better to do on this wild and windy Sunday, than to get baking; radio on, pinny on, oven on...I made gorgeous lemon curd earlier in the week with eggs from my friend's hens and thought I'd use the duck eggs today to make the blueberry muffins, each containing a hidden blob of lemon curd in the centre.  The lemon curd is made from an old Marguerite Patten recipe and always tastes gorgeous, but this batch was a lovely custard yellow, thanks to the happy eggs...

The muffin concoction is a tried and tested one, which like many others is handwritten in my polka dot book of favourite recipes that sits atop the other favourite cookbooks in the kitchen.

My copy of 'What to Eat Now' is always kept on the left as Valentine Warner's face makes me smile. Sad but true. Time to get ready for the working week now; but at least my lovely colleagues and I can have a blueberry and lemon curd muffin as a Monday morning treat; if there's any left by then...