fabulous shopping experience...

...if you are ever near Ross on Wye you've just got to pop into this wonderful shop. Baileys is stocked with beautiful 'things'-lots of recycled stuff from factories like old bobbins and wooden shoe stretchers. Lovely reels of twine, old sinks, joss sticks, handmade soaps, garden tools, labels, and a wonderful selection of kitchen bowls, tables....just yummy.

This is the address- Whitecross Farm, Bridstow, Ross on Wye HR9 6JU

My garden plan 2011

Today I have planned my veg plot for 2011. I've got my last 2 years plots stashed in the back of my plot journal which makes it much easier to remember what was were and gives me all the info I need so that I can rotate the veg.
I've decided not to do radishes or carrots this year and instead try some Swiss Chard and Purple Sprouting. Alfie normally has a little plot but is lacking interest this year so I'll pop my Purple Sprouting into that space.
The top picture is my plan-it shows me not only what to plant were but how many seeds, seed potatoes etc I need to buy.
The bottom pic is my journal entry-it helps me keep a track of when I've done things and how I've done them.
I'll need to start of by chitting my potatoes-that will probably be my next blog entry. Start saving egg boxes!

 

Chargrilled courgettes and salmon salad...

Sorry there is no picture with this one-I ate it before I had time to photograph it! It made me feel all summery-which was nice!


Feeds 2


Ingredients:
4 tbsp olive oil
juice of 1 lemon
2 tsp dried mixed herbs
1 garlic clove
4 courgettes cut into 4 strips lengthways
2 big handfuls of salad leaves
2 pieces of skinless salmon


Dressing:
3 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 tsp grainy mustard
2 tbsp chopped tarragon




Put all the dressing ingredients in a screwtop jar and shake. 


Then mix olive oil, lemon juice, herbs and garlic with salt and pepper to taste. Marinade the courgettes.


Heat griddle pan and sear the courgettes for 3 minutes. Then place salmon in marinade and chargrill till cooked through (a couple of minutes).


Divide salad leaves between two plates, lay courgettes and salmon on top and drizzle with dressing.


We had ours with boiled baby potatoes - it was goooood.

Easypeasy soap has it's 1st stockist!

I have my first stockist....and very lovely it is too!


My fab friend Sally has just taken over The Old Post Office in Guiting Power near Stow- on- the -Wold. It's a beautiful shop selling lots of yummy items - cards, smellies, soft furnishings that kind of thing...it is also a coffee shop with amazing homemade cakes. Great atmosphere-a busy little place with locals, walkers and holiday makers popping in for a chat - really friendly! Oh yes it also has a lovely wood burning stove in the corner-really cosy.


So my soaps are very happily sitting in an antique dish just waiting to be bought.

Pop in if you're going by-it really is a little gem.


Opening times: 9am to 1pm, Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, and 9am to 5pm on Tuesday and Thursday.

There's nothing quite like a good bonfire

I think my Chiminea is one of the best items in my garden. I don't know why everyone hasn't got one!


We've had many a good night sitting round it in the summer, bonfire night, halloween... I burn all the old twigs and general garden debris on it. 


Chicken kebabs have never tasted so good...we have a small grill shelf that we balance in ours-it's great.


It is the second one-the first got jabbed just a bit too enthusiastically by Alfie and fell in a crumbled heap on the patio-not such a great night!

Soap, soap, glorious soap

Easypeasy soap is born...and on time too!


I've got a range of great flavours-strawberries and cream, raspberry pavlova, apple crumble, very berry cheesecake, fruit salad, cucumber and poppy seed, bouquet garni and dark chocolate cake.


Good enough to eat!