Homemade Mintsauce

Earlier this summer I wanted to plant and grow herbs but I ran out of pots so I used an old wine box, it looks lovely I think. We've had sage, chives and lemon thyme all summer.. the basil didn't make it unfortunately. First I also planted mint (I am new at this) in the same pot - until I realised that mint grows and spreads until it takes over completely.. so I had to move it to it's own pot. We also have several pots of rosemary, a must when cooking lamb. Serve with homemade mint sauce on the side obviously, just add some white vinegar and caster sugar to freshly chopped mint and let it infuse.. enjoy with your Sunday roast!

Mintsauce!

Homemade

The blackberries arrived early this year, have had some lovely days out picking. They look like black diamonds! But it comes at a price, scratches all over arms and legs, and itchy nettle stings.. but then it's all worth it in the end.. Have already had endless of yummy desserts and made batches of jam. It's amazing what nature has to offer, and it's free!

Basic old fashioned blackberry jam:

1 kg blackberries

500 gram sugar (or half the weight of the berries)

Some lemon juice

Place your berries in a pan and leave to cook down a bit, then add the sugar and let it cook for about 1 hour

Skim off the surface and add some freshly squeezed lemon juice

Clean your jam jars in the dishwasher and then spoon your jam in - let cool a bit before putting away

Now all you have to do is enjoy!

(ps this is my own receipe, but there are loads out there to choose from obviously)

Merengues with blackberry jam - all homemade of course

Beautiful France

I love France, everywhere you look you see lovely things.. We had a lovely holiday and I got lots of inspiration for the autumn. I will start a few projects for the house. I went out Charity shop shopping this weekend and found a few things that made me feel a little bit like I was still in France.. pictures coming soon...

The Country Home Party

These are just some of the beautiful things we will show at a Country Home Party! It is very tempting isn't it.... I love this stylish wine and water carafe that are so useful, leave them on your dining table at all times as a nice display.

Stylish wine and water carafe

Lace lamp shade


For all pirates and princesses


Lovely rose soaps


Candle holders in gorgeous colours

Amazing wine diary for all wine lovers

Olive branch and lovely Durance for the shower

My favourite milk jug

A useful and lovely way to store your toiletries

Everything for a busy day in the kitchen

Change the look of your furniture quickly

Lovely quilt and pillow case

My favourite room

Our bedroom is my favourite room, it's light and has a romantic feel. This jewellery cabinet is brilliant and so beautiful - I only wish I could paint myself then I would do the same with more furniture. If we could we would change lots of things in our little home, but when times are hard you have to think of small things to do, I have bought cheap frames in sales and framed post card - it looks pretty and makes it very personal. And every time I look at them it makes me think of the people who sent me the post cards - who says that the old fashioned way of writing letters and post card is a thing of the past!

jewellery cabinet japanese style


has saved the bedroom from being cluttered

pretty framed post cards

Sharing with friends

When I came from work last night I thought that it would be nice to have some strawberries after dinner, I looked out the window and there was this little chap, happily munching away. He was so cute that I just had to let him get on with it.. I've heard they are selling strawberries in the supermarket for £1.99 at the moment...

cheeky little squirrel

Strawberries

Finally the first strawberries from our little plants are ready to eat, midsummer weekend wouldn't be midsummer without strawberries. You don't need a big garden to grow your own! Our next project is to start growing herbs, we don't have much room left on our little patio but I have a plan!