Our blog is dedicated to seasonal living: cooking with local produce (sometimes our own), sewing for the home and searching out vintage bargains.

We believe that most of the pleasure is in the journey - in the making and creating, even if in a simple way.

Wednesday 27 August 2014

Tomato harvest


I've taken advantage of all the ripe tomatoes in our friends' greenhouse (with their permission, of course!) They're  away on holiday and I'm watering their plants in a 40ft polytunnel.

So we now have several jars of tomato and red onion chutney...the chillis came in useful for this.  Should be delicious with some crackers and strong cheese.

Wednesday 13 August 2014

Another gorgeous scent


The scent of lavender is filling my sewing room (aka our spare bedroom)...and it's so relaxing.  Good job there's no bed in there now, otherwise I'd be having a siesta!

I just use scraps of embroidery from old worn, stained or frayed traycloths ..I always think it's such a shame not to enjoy them when someone has spent so much time with needle and silks.  They make really pretty lavender bags to pop into underwear drawers or wardrobes.

Friday 1 August 2014

Scents of summer

You know what it's like when you've been away...one of the first things you notice is the state of the garden.  This year it it's clearly been hot because there are big brown patches on the lawn.  At least it doesn't need mowing.

The other main change is in the veg plot.  There are loads of peas and French beans to pick...sonny obviously ignored my pleas to come around and help himself to some. 

And the sweet peas were not really flowering before we went, but now there's a profusion; they're one of those flowers that do need picking all the time. 
Their scent is unmistakeable...so sweet!