May 2009 News and Views
News & Members' Contributions from Countryside Connection Village
The response has been so wonderful since I began sharing excerpts from our members' monthly newsletters! After enjoying this month's issue, you will be able to read all of those from the past year that you might have missed by accessing the individual links. April 2009 News and Views March 2009 News and Views February 2009 News and Views January 2009 News and Views December 2008 News and Views November 2008 News and Views October 2008 News and Views September 2008 News and Views August 2008 News and Views July 2008 News and Views June 2008 News and Views and May 2008 News and Views. I will continue to provide access to future issues in the same way so that you will not miss any of the news from our village. To enable you to enjoy past news and members' contributions from our Countryside Connection Village please simply click on the link to the appropriate month each time you visit our site.
Please Note : As one of our members, Artist Linda Leonard Hughes from Maine advised in our February 2008 issue, you will be wise to prepare a pot of your favourite brew before beginning so that you can sit back, relax and enjoy all of the exciting news as well as the latest adventures and offerings our members have shared.
I hope you will enjoy the excerpts from our Members' Newsletter. If you have a small business in Britain or America that you would like to see featured on our site and enjoy the full benefits of membership in our unique networking community, please send me an email and I will be delighted to make contact with you and answer all of your questions. Send your request to enquiries@countrysideconnection.com ~ I look forward to hearing from you, Heléne
Dear Visitors to Countryside Connection Village,
Thank you for all the wonderful emails expressing your pleasure in last month’s newsletter and to those of you who always find the time to write about the joy in hearing about what everyone is involved in and the ideas they give you for your own business. There is so much news and many great contributions to share again this month so I won’t take the space to share each email but want you to know how much they always mean to me. I hope you are all enjoying springtime in your part of the world and that the joys of nature will continue to brighten your days and your spirits.
Springtime on the farm & once again Jinsy Robinson of Penyrallt Farm in Wales www.penyrallt.co.uk has sent in delightful images and a wonderful story. This month she tells us all about the Easter Egg Hunt and very special day she and David hosted for local children and their families with lots of help from their own.
Dear Heléne,
Your gently prompting emails pricked my conscience and made me realise that I had not yet regaled you with an account of the 'eggcellent' (sorry, but irresistible!) time we had on Easter Sunday with our Egg Hunt & Farm Walk.
The first thing to say is that we were so incredibly lucky with the weather, it turned out to be a day of glorious spring sunshine which made everything so easy in terms of conditions underfoot and being able to sit out in the sun for tea watching the children playing.
We had a great turn-out of about 30 children ranging in age from 2yrs to 15yrs and all their attendant adults, so we had about 60 people in all.
We had spent all week preparing the farm for the big day…an event like that is a marvellous excuse for a major tidy-up and spring-clean; the 'tea-room' was swept and whitewashed, David built a superb 'portaloo' complete with flushing lavatory and running water, known as a Ty Bach (Little House) and the heaps what I call scrap but am told are 'essential bits of metal that might come in useful one day' were tidied up and some of it was even relocated to be less visible.
Of course as well as all the 'housework' there was a mass of baking to do, but with the arrival of all my family I was able to delegate which was great.
My sister and niece iced and decorated cakes, my mother baked fresh drop-scones and poured tea, my brother & brother-in-law moved tables & chairs around and helped David set up an obstacle course and I flapped!! It all worked very well & happily.
Once our guests had arrived David greeted them and instructed them on what they had to do to start hunting for chocolate eggs. This involved everyone, grown-ups included, throwing a 6 with some giant dice that D. had made, then going down a slide, walking across 4" beam, over a see-saw and then on to follow the sawdust trail around the farm looking for the cunningly hidden nests of eggs. The nests were up in trees, in hedgerows, down rabbit holes and in open fields. The energy and enthusiasm with which the silliness was greeted was superb... Dads will not lose face in front of their offspring by not going down a slide!
The walk/hunt took about an hour and ended with a zip-slide that had been rigged up in the last field which was hugely popular...3 & 4 year olds really love whizzing down a cable on a little seat(all very carefully supervised I hasten to say!)
On the return to the yard a lavish tea was waiting and everyone just sat in the sunshine and chatted and watched the children, whose energies were undiminished, playing. It was all very happy & relaxed.
We were all exhausted of course, but it had been well worth all our efforts and hard work and people were very appreciative judging by the lovely thanks we received from them all.
A big thank you has to go to the Soil Association and Green & Blacks Organic Chocolate who provided the large quantity of eggs that we used. They were thoroughly enjoyed by everyone.
We are now more or less back to normal and after a family wedding tomorrow, we will enjoy having a calm period before the holiday season gets underway properly and we have a constant stream of visitors through the summer.
Today it is raining after a very dry spell, but spring is springing well all around us now. The first of our swallows arrived on 10th April as they always do, the bluebells are just starting to open, the first green leaves are appearing on the beech trees and the birds are singing wonderfully. I am woken by the dawn chorus most days now. We have finished lambing and the milking cows are now out and the rest of the cattle will be out too before much longer.
Our younger son Jack is coming home from New Zealand at the end of the month so that is our next big excitement. He has been away for 6 months and it will lovely to have home and in time for his 21st birthday.
So, Heléne, there is my contribution to the May newsletter. Edit as you see fit, but I hope it is of some interest and entertainment and that the attached pictures are clear enough.
Best wishes to you as always,
Jinsy
Are you thinking about making a change in your life and looking for a way to improve the quality of life and your lifestyle? Why not consider the possibilities offered by owning and operating your own Bed and Breakfast in one of the most beautiful areas in America :
Chuck and Martha Nighswonger are the Owner/Innkeepers of Night Swan Intracoastal Bed and Breakfast Inn, in New Smyrna, Florida.They have owned and operated their bed and breakfast for nineteen years and their fifteen year-old son, Charles, has lived there all of his life. Chuck and Martha have decided that after so many happy and rewarding years in the same wonderful location, it is time for them to make some changes and this wonderful property and thriving business could be yours.
Built in 1906, Night Swan is located in the historic district New Smyrna Beach , Florida . They are conveniently located between Daytona Beach and The Kennedy Space Center on the east coast of Central Florida . From their 140-foot dock, the beautiful front room, or while sitting on one of their many rocking chairs and swings on the inn’s wrap-around porch, or from the privacy of each guest room their guests can watch the pelicans, dolphins, manatees and other wild birds in their natural habitat. They invite visitors to come and sit and enjoy the calm of sailboats and yachts passing by along the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway , a perfect way to unwind from one’s usual hectic pace of life.
A choice of 15 guest rooms all with queen or king beds, all with TV and telephone, air conditioning, and private baths, many with a large whirlpool (Jacuzzi) tub and shower, the perfect setting for weddings and other private functions with their large Meeting Room and extensive amenities Night Swan offers something for everyone.
Deep sea, river and fly fishing are all there to enjoy as are relaxing sunset cruises and sandy beaches. For those enjoying golf, shopping for antiques, visiting art galleries, or a wealth of options for fine dining, this is the perfect spot for you.
On their beautiful website with its breathtaking photos, Chuck and Martha invite you to “Come to our piece of paradise and ‘Catch the Charm’ of New Smyrna Beach”
Whether you are considering a lifestyle change and wish to pursue information about the possibility of purchase enabling you to call Night Swan Intracoastal Bed and Breakfast Inn your own home, or going there as a guest, please take time to view their listings and see what delights await you at their inn.
Night Swan is featured in our Bed and Breakfast Inns for Sale Category with full contact information for Kris Ross, Realtor and in our Country Inn Category for accommodation details. Visit their website for an array of wonderful images and enjoy the music www.nightswan.com
If any further enticement is required, read more about this Piece of Paradise in the information below gathered from the wealth of sites about this special part of Florida . Enjoy!
New Smyrna Beach occupies a notable place in history as the site of the largest single attempt at colonial settlement in what is now the United States . Dr. Andrew Turnbull, a Scottish physician and entrepreneur, obtained a grant of land from the British Crown. In 1768 he established a colony of 1225 immigrants on the coastal plantations at New Smyrna, with a view toward the commercial production of such crops as corn, indigo, rice, hemp, and cotton.
Few historic buildings in the city date from the late nineteenth century. The majority were constructed between 1900 and 1930. Most of the historic buildings in the city exhibit vernacular designs. Bungalow, Colonial Revival, and Mediterranean Revival were the most common of the high architectural styles applied to residential buildings in New Smyrna Beach during the historic period. Most historic commercial buildings reflect the masonry vernacular designs commonly found throughout the United States in the early twentieth century.
Today, the City of New Smyrna Beach is a community of approximately 21,000 year-round residents characterized by hometown charm, friendly faces and a unique location beside the
Atlantic Ocean
and the
Intracoastal Waterway
. With a vibrant beachside boutique shopping district, historic Downtown with antiques, and a multitude of parks and amenities, there is something for everyone in
New
Smyrna
Beach
.
Located close to other active markets, such as
Daytona Beach
,
Orlando
, and
Kennedy
Space
Center
, residents and visitors can experience a variety of recreational and business opportunities in and around the City.
After experiencing the hospitality and beauty of
New
Smyrna
Beach
, it is easy to see why people say it is truly the ideal place to live and work. Come visit us and "catch the charm".
I try, as often as time permits, to visit member’s websites, blogs, etc. to keep up to date on everyone’s current additions and changes as well as their business and personal activities. I am so proud of everyone in our village and never fail to make discoveries that brighten my day. One recent visit was to the website of Maine Artist, Linda Leonard Hughes www.lindaleonardhughes.com where I discovered a wonderful new painting. I was so enchanted with this particular painting that I immediately wrote to Linda to enquire about the child she had painted. It is with great pleasure that I share ‘The Girl in Red’ with you and Linda’s response telling all about ‘Little Katie’ and her family history.
Dear Heléne, Thank you I am so glad you like little Katie! She is a real little girl and a descendent of the Pillsbury family of the US and UK . The family of the Pillsbury Flour Co. Katie is also a Descendent of the Norlands Living History Center , here in Livermore , Maine . I wanted to paint Katie in this old dress reminiscent of her earlier family at the Norlands. It is in her Mom's office in Livermore and if I get a chance to sell Katie her Mom already knows she will be sold! Katie is standing in front of an early New England fireplace with her dog Cassie. I studied Early New England painting years ago in Massachusetts . The rug she is standing near is in the style of Erastas Sallsbury Field the early itinerant painter. It was great fun for me to paint this beautiful and happy little girl! Yes, it is for sale and can be sent anywhere in the world. If anyone is interested please let me know and I would be happy to send it to a home that will enjoy a bit of history! Warm Wishes Always, Linda Leonard Hughes PS Again, I am happy that you "Love" the painting!
Linda is in Chicago this month painting with artist Diane Rath also a member of Oil Painters of America, who studied with Master Painter Richard Schmid. Linda will be at the Boothbay Harbor Memorial Library in June. Please visit her website to view the array of paintings in Linda's gallery www.lindaleonardhughes.com .
It is rare for a month to go by when member Jackie Miller of Colliers Hill Guest House and Conference Centre www.colliershill.co.uk does not take time from her incredibly busy and varied schedule to share something inspiring with us. This month is definitely no exception! Jackie thanks all members of our community for inspiring her and giving her courage – I know you will join me in returning the compliment. Enjoy reading about Jackie’s latest preparations for her adventures as well as her newest career as an author.
Heléne I am having a couple of days off going to see Lenny Henry in Othello with my daughter tomorrow and then onto the Picasso exhibition in London, will be back Monday p.m. if you need to clarify anything.
I’d just like to reiterate that without my connection with your inspiring community I would never have had the courage to stumble into a writing venture. It may never be a best seller, but if it gives hope and a glimmer of amusement to others, who, for whatever reason find themselves unable to conduct their daily lives as they would wish, I believe the many hours spent at my lap top will have been worth it.
A special thanks to you personally for all your kindness and support. My best wishes to all, as we approach summer may you all find the strength tenacity and enthusiasm to let the world know that united we stand as a vibrant group of country folk.
As one of April’s featured members I thought it only polite to get my news in on time. As departure time for my trip to Zambia gets frighteningly closer I’m busy collecting in sponsorship money, setting up a travel blog so I can keep in contact with friends and family who have been so supportive, and making plans for my business to keep on track in my absence. I now feel I’m not undertaking the journey on my own because joining me on the Book Bus at the end of May will be all you lovely people who have given me their favourite stories to share with the children as I travel around Zambian on that wonderful Leyland bus so beautifully illustrated by Quentin Blake www. thebookbus.org
I have no idea how I’m going to be able to take any clean knickers or socks as my rucksack is now bulging with a kaleidoscope of tales and stories. I’ll be travelling with Gobbolino the Witches Cat, The Gruffallo, the Moomintrolls from Finland, Hairy McClary from Donaldson’s Dairy, The Hungry Caterpillar and The Velveteen Rabbit to name but a few. I’ve collected over £300 from making marmalade and a goodly sum from the local nursery school when I dressed as a bus conductor to organise a sponsored sing along to The Wheels of the Bus during World Book Week, see photo of myself in uniform for the first time in my life. It certainly brought a smile to the faces of my children. If anybody wants to send me their favourite story to share or offer any sponsorship, please e-mail me before 20th. May, I‘m sure I will be able to squeeze you in. info@colliershill.co.uk
Life has been so amazingly exciting during the past few weeks everything just seems to be coming together despite the credit crunch and the gloom and doom so popular with the media. I think I have mentioned before that I have been working on a how to survive post hospital/accident survival guide, in conjunction with a couple who live in the next village. Jan and her husband Chris have been instrumental in keeping me on the straight and narrow after my fall last summer. Out of adversity has come a creative meeting of minds round my kitchen table resulting in an about to be published book. Final proofs will be ready before I set off for Zambia , we are then giving our “baby” to a number of friends and contacts who have recently come out of hospital, to give us some good honest feedback. This is living proof of the power of networking and how ideas just fly and develop with gusto when shared with others. P.S. The guest house and conference activities are also alive and well keeping me busy if lots of guests and functions to plan for on my return.
And finally, out of the mouths of the young and innocent: I was part of a story telling and cookery workshop at a local hospice a couple of weeks ago. The terminally ill children were encouraged to bake cakes, jam tarts etc. and share their offerings with the group during the break. One young man simply took two slices of bread sandwiched a whole pot of strawberry jam between the slices and announced to the assembled group:” Life is like this delicious jam sandwich the more you put into it the more you get out of it.” Enjoy the month of May.
It was hard to keep the tears from my eyes after reading the young man’s comments – his words are wonderful reminders to all of us to enjoy every moment!
Wendy Blair of Rose Hill B&B in Roanoke, Virginia www.bandbrosehill.com is another member who somehow always finds time in her demanding schedule running a popular inn, writing a poetry book for children and innumerable other involvements to share helpful and inspiring information with us. Yet again, this talented gourmet cook has shared recipes for those with special dietary needs; this time dishes for Vegans. In our Recipe Archives you will also find other recipes from Wendy addressing special dietary needs, as well as other wonderful dishes. Look for her recipes for Dairy-free Quiche Lorraine, Gluten Free Cranberry Mini Muffins and one for a Gluten-free Pie Crust.
Dear Heléne,
So sorry to put this off until the last second but I have been fabulously busy. Not only have the guests been flowing in but I have been frantically trying to get my yard in shape before Garden Week in
Virginia
. I do so want my yard to look like spring this year instead of sprung. I have been aided by the fact that the Dogwoods and Redbuds are in glorious bloom and everything else seems to have survived the winter. The plants are growing at a frantic pace, perhaps feeling guilty for have slept away the past months. Whatever the reason, I would have to prune and trim daily to keep a perfectly manicured yard—which isn’t going to happen—or just scramble to keep up when time and those pesky guests allow. I guess I am doing all right because I have now officially become a Five-star B & B on Tripadvisor.com. I think it is because I have the best guests but will accept the honor anyway.
I’m not sure if it is in celebration of Earth Day, or a rapidly expanding trend, but I have had quite a few Vegans filling my rooms. I do my best to stay gourmet while adhering to their special desires. Man does not live by Oatmeal alone. I would like to share three of my Vegan recipes which have been particularly well received. I have found that the local Natural Foods Co-op is a great resource and sounding board. Most of the recipes I found online were just adequate. But, creating new recipes is one of the best parts of my job and these were particularly fun to present.
Your April newsletter was wonderful and, as usual, informative and interesting. I hope things are going just as well for everyone in this rapidly expanding village. I am so glad to be a part of it.
Hugs,
Wendy
Here are the three new recipes from Wendy:
VEGAN FRIED GREEN TOMATOES:
4 to 6 green tomatoes, sliced 1/4-inch thick
salt and pepper
flour for dusting
2 TBS. Arrowroot (as egg substitute)
3/4 C. Soy or Hemp milk
cornmeal
vegetable oil
PREPARATION:
Salt and pepper both sides of the tomato slices; dust lightly with flour. Thoroughly combine Soy or Hemp milk, and Arrowroot --which has a tendency to drift to the bottom so must be stirred frequently. Dip slices in beaten mixture, letting excess drip off, then coat well with Cornmeal. Fry in hot oil until browned, turning gently (about 3 minutes each side). Serve as a side dish.
BREAKFAST TOFU
Press water from 2 thick slices of very firm Tofu and marinate overnight in fridge in:
8 TBS. Lemon Juice
½ tsp. Tarragon
½ tsp. Basil
¼ tsp. Mrs. Dash seasoning
Lemon Pepper to taste
Remove from fridge and dredge in a mix of
1 C. Cornmeal
1 tsp. Sesame Seeds
¼ tsp garlic powder
Fry in Olive oil over medium heat about 4 minutes per side. Move to baking dish. Cover with thin slices of soy mozzarella. Bake until cheese is melted.
Serve over fresh Tomatoes and top with asparagus.
APPLESAUCE BARS (VEGAN)
1 C. OIL
¾ C. SUUGAR
1 TSP BAKING SODA
1 C. WARM APPLESAUCE
2 C. SIFTED FLOUR
½ TSP SALT
1 TSP . CINNAMON
¾ C. RAISINS
¾ C. CHOPPED DATES
1 C. CHOPPED WALNUTS
TOPPING:
2 TBS. VEGAN MARGARINE
2 TBS. HEATED SOYMILK
1 TSP . VANILLA
2 C. POWDERED SUGAR
Mix oil with sugar. Add soda to applesauce. Combine with sugar. Add salt, cinnamon and flour followed by raisins, dates, nuts and vanilla. Turn into a greases and floured 9 X 13 sheet cake pan. Bake at 350 for 30-35 minutes. Frost immediately. If frosting is too firm, drop by spoonfuls onto cake and cover with foil until softened. Spread frosting. Let cool for 5 minutes. Cut into 3x3 inch squares.
As promised, here is the list of members who have submitted their blogs, twitters, facebook entries, etc. Please take note, visit, enjoy and leave your comments - thank you:
From Artist Penny Lindop, plus some important comments and suggestions:
I'd like to promote:
my website : www.pennylindop.com
my blog: http://cardartnorfolk.blogspot.com
my Twitter name: cardartnorfolk
And I'm on Facebook too.
I'd just like to promote blogs and Twitter (not that I'm an expert by any means!) for helping promote your business and also for helping others.
I don't write a regular blog (but I'm intending to make more effort here) and what I write isn't all about what I do with the business. Obviously if I'm launching something new I'll blog about it. But I like to blog about people I meet or something I hear from someone.
For example, I met a lawyer at a training seminar - boring, I thought at first. But she runs an online business about landlord law - I have a daughter about to go off to university and will, at some stage, be needing rented accommodation and a tenancy agreement. So I thought that would be a good website to bookmark for later. But, more importantly, there are other people in our situation with students and they might like to know about this website too ( www.landlordlaw.co.uk by the way) so I wrote about it on my blog. And a few days after that, I bumped into someone who'd read my blog, gone to this website and had a tenancy problem sorted out. How good is that!
And of course you can tell people about your blog post via Twitter and Facebook (and all the other social networking sites out there)
So my advice would be to use these tools to help others more than for promoting yourself.
From farmer Sara Ridsdale – my sincere appreciation to Sara for featuring several members as well as Countryside Connection on her blog again this month:
Here are my sites, twitter and facebook addresses:
http://farmingfriends.com/forums/
http://twitter.com/farmingfriends
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=44523236595
From Martin Kay at Martin Kay Web Designhttp://kaywebs.co.uk – always a comfort to have an ‘IT person’ admit they are still having to learn new techniques like those of us with MUCH less knowledge and experience.
Hi Heléne
Happy for anyone interested to follow me on Twitter at martinbkay. A bit of a mish mash of web/software related stuff and other personal interests, which I understand is the best way to do it. To be honest even being someone who is an "IT person", I am still getting to grips with it all myself, I started back in January. But I think I may know enough now to help any members who are thinking about getting involved in "tweeting".
Best regards, Martin
Cally Smart of Country Gate Home Finders and Country Gate Garden is very interested in receiving comments on her blogs, especially her new blog for Country Gate Gardens , her latest project which was featured last month. You will find a wealth of interesting information there so please take time to visit and share your thoughts with Cally!
www.countygategardens.co.uk – Cally’s garden blog is found here
www.countrygate-blog.co.uk – Here, on the property blog you will continue to find some useful and entertaining hints and tips for househunters and home movers
In addition to her special listing for Country Gate Home Finders in Relocation and Restoration Services www.countrygate.co.uk Cally now has new listings in our Farm and Rural Business Support Categories for Country Gate Gardens www.countrygategardens.co.uk
Country Gate Gardens
Bespoke herb gardens and potagers.....making gardens beautiful & productive
My love affair with herbs and vegetable plots began at my grandfather’s side picking mint, popping peas and lifting Pembrokeshire potatoes for the Sunday lunch. I have long been a passionate organic gardener and more recently have taken this a step further by embracing the principles of permaculture and biodynamics in an attempt to make my gardens truly sustainable. Having spent the last twenty years cultivating even the most unpromising spaces on roofs, balconies, backyards and school playgrounds and providing plants for friends and acquaintances I decided to set up Country Gate Gardens to give everyone a taste of the good life.
We are a family business based in the medieval market town of Bradford on Avon in Wiltshire. Whether you fancy a potager or herb garden of country house proportions or a humble windowbox allotment for your flat, we design and build productive plots for any space. We’ll even provide ongoing maintenance and refill your baskets and pots if you require. We have plenty of experience of working with schools and nurseries on their gardens and can also work with community groups who are setting up communal growing spaces.
Please access our blog at www.countrygategardens.co.uk for details of what’s happening on our own plot and for information on our ongoing projects.
To chat to Cally about your requirements or book an appointment call 01225 869344 (evenings) or 07913 595749 (during the day) or email cally@countrygate.co.uk
Address: Easter Cottage, 57 Avonfield Avenue , Bradford on Avon . Wiltshire. BA15 1JF
Email cally@countrygate.co.uk http://www.countrygategardens.co.uk
Speaking of Gardens and Growing, Sara Ridsdale has written a wonderful book with Sally Osgerby, entitled How To Grow Herbs For Cooking. The ebook is available through Sara’s website www.farmingfriends.com for only £3.00 and as the proud owner of a copy that has been in constant use since early April, I can attest to its excellent and practical advice. Whether you are planting your herbs in your garden, window boxes, in indoor pots for the kitchen windowsill or in garden containers, you will find detailed information. In addition to guiding you through every step of the way, the book provides helpful answers to any questions you might have about how and where to grow a wide variety of herbs for the best results; which are best for certain dishes; how to take cuttings from existing plants and how to preserve and dry them.
I highly recommend this wonderful book and as for fresh herbs when cooking . . . if you aren’t already using them (and hopefully growing some of your own favourites) you cannot imagine what you are missing. I promise you that even the simplest, basic omelette is transformed into culinary magic when fresh herbs are added, especially when you have just picked them from your own garden, window box or container.
In addition to my wonderful new herb book, in April Sara very thoughtfully surprised us with a box of her incredible quail eggs. We could not contain our excitement when the package arrived and was opened to reveal these beautiful miniature eggs. For anyone who has missed these treasures of nature I urge you to try and find some from a farmer or farm shop near you (unfortunately at the present time Sara’s are only sold from farm shops in her local area of East Yorkshire and supplied to nearby restaurants). I have searched locally for some to no avail but hopefully you will have better luck and be able to enlighten others as to where you found them. We are hoping to go to Sara’s area in the near future so we can purchase some – having enjoyed them once again after much too long without them, I fear we will soon be going through withdrawal. We prepared some of them with cooked spinach, layered atop a toasted circle of granary bread, then a perfect egg fried in a tiny amount of olive oil and all lightly covered with a homemade cheese and mustard sauce. We also hard-boiled some to top a spinach salad. One of my favourite ways to use them is with toasted sesame seeds:
Quail Eggs with Toasted Sesame Salt
Yield: Serve as part of a buffet, appetizer or for any other group gathering.
This recipe can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.
Ingredients:
6 ounces sesame seeds
1 teaspoon coarse sea salt
48 quail eggs
Method:
Preheat oven to 350°F. / 180 C / Gas Mark 4
In a baking pan spread seeds evenly and toast, stirring once halfway through toasting, until deep golden, about 12 minutes. Cool seeds and using a mortar and pestle grind with salt until coarsely ground. Sesame salt may be made 2 weeks ahead and kept, covered, at room temperature.
In a saucepan cover eggs with cold water by 1 inch and bring just to a boil. Remove pan from heat and let eggs stand, covered, 7 minutes for quail eggs. Drain water from the pan and run cold water over eggs, cracking the shells against side of pan. Peel eggs.
Serve eggs with salt.
April was my month for receiving wonderful presents. A package arrived from Sandra Morton’s fabulous company ‘Perilla’. After opening the padded envelope, Inside I found:
After reading Sandra’s lovely note, I carefully unwrapped the paper to discover:
a pair of the softest socks I have ever felt or worn. I have them on now as I am writing this and after wearing them whilst working in the garden and walking along the stone jetty and promenade on a recent day out to seaside, I can attest that Sandra did not exaggerate one iota when creating the slogan 'The ultimate treat for feet'. My socks shown above are Three quarter ribbed socks in Indigo. Sandra believes these socks are the most useful for this time of year, not as thick as their walking socks butstill with a lovely padded sole and perfect for everyday walking. Sandra designed them particularly to be the perfect riding sock. They are long enough to go over the breeches but not so long as to interfere with the top of a long boot and are great for skiing as well. Order a pair of socks, or any other ‘Perilla’ items; you will definitely be in heaven! www.perilla.co.uk - perfect gift options, but do not forget to get something for yourself!
Networking connections are going on throughout the village – I LOVE hearing from members about the unique ways they are discovering to combine their talents with others. Here are just a few of the new connections and initial contacts that have begun during the month of April:
Debbie Bamford, ‘The Mulberry Dyer’ and Isobel Davies of Izzy Lane: Debbie is working with natural dyes and has been inspired by Isobel’s work with her sheep sanctuary leading to the clothing range she offers. I suggested she contact her and explore ways they might be able to help one another. It never hurts to try and our members are always so willing to try to find ways to support one another! Here is a brief excerpt from the initial contact:
Hi Isobel,
I am being very forward here, but thought I would get in touch. We are both members of Countryside Connection and I would like to think that we can network and work together.
I don’t know if you have ever considered having your yarns naturally dyed, but my business and passion is natural dyes – I specialize in cloth, linen and wensleydale wool - Blarty, my 10 yr old sheep is wensleydale/welsh cross (his mother was wensleydale and father was the local farmers’ welsh) - I do not have organic certification for my dyeing – well you can’t really, only for the end product, but I do have a very ecological attitude and an environmental policy that is more stringent than any of the organic standards!
Please do get in touch if you decide that natural dyes are the way forward, I am more than happy to send some samples – although I don’t really produce swatch cards of colours, it is possible to do colour matching to a reasonably high degree but there is no guarantee even with chemical dyes!
I notice that you used to use Joseph Horsfall as well – such a shame that they have retired and the business has been sold, I hope you have found a suitable replacement. I now use the Natural Fibre Company for the organic wensleydale that I stock.
Best wishes,
Debbie Bamford
The Mulberry Dyer
I wrote to thank Debbie for her thoughtfulness in copying the email to me and asked for updates as they came in, about this and also their ongoing pursuit for a new home. They are trying to fit their search in as they travel almost continually. I know you join me in wishing them well in finally find their dream home. On the same day, I received the following reply:
Hi Heléne,
I had a response straight away from Isobel, which is lovely, I will let you know how we progress – I may actually not be big enough to fulfil her needs at the moment, but we shall see!
The house hunting is wearing me out!! We have several places we are interested in, but none of them really fulfil my criteria! There is a house that I would love to move into, but the access is part shared and part owned by next door and I can foresee too many problems when we arrive home at 1am and want to park the caravan or trailer!! Another is in a town, lots of road noise! Another doesn’t quite have enough outbuildings……..! I keep trying to convince myself that there is a place for me somewhere!
Ah well enough moaning – we are so busy I am very lucky from that point of view!
Will keep in touch Best wishes, Deb
Artist Penny Lindop has expanded her range and added a brilliant slide show on her website, www.pennylindop.com! On her blog: http://cardartnorfolk.blogspot.com/ she has the following entry – please do contact her to let her know what you think!
I would really appreciate comments on the new layout of my home page. There's now a slide show of some of my products - do you think the slide show is at the right speed? Is it of interest to you to see a range of products in this format?
I also now have a button to enable you to sign up for a newsletter and another to come here to my blog.
As a tiny thank you for any useful comments, I will send you out a little sample - so do please email me separately to let me have a postal address: info@pennylindop.com
Thanks!
Penny has begun working on a range of cards featuring alpacas and I was delighted to share some of the many images I have received from Sandra Morton and Hilary Shenton. I wrote to share the news with Sandra and also Hilary (who has been travelling back and forth from the UK to Italy and well as within Italy so I receive lovely little notes asking me not to give up on her and a full update will soon be in my mailbox) This is part of the email response I received from Sandra:
Hi Heléne,
Delighted you love your socks - they are great aren't they! It is so much easier to sell a product you really believe in and I still think they are the best socks I have ever come across.
I would be happy to have a look at a sample card from Penny with a price - I do send out gift cards occasionally - more so at Christmas of course so perhaps an alpaca with some sort of Christmas theme would be good.
Best wishes,
Sandra
Please send in your networking news to share with everyone. Not networking with other members? What are you waiting for? Take the time and reap the benefits of new friendships and opportunities to expand your business and horizons! We await your news...
A chain of networking is going on which is fantastic! Sara Ridsdale is going to feature a wonderful recipe supplied at her request by Cally Smart and promote Cally's work at both Country Gate Home Finders and Country Gate Gardens. Cally is going to review Sara's Herb Book featured above on her blog and also recommend it to her clients and those who attend her workshops. Cally and Morgan are going to pursue their mutual interests in working with children in the outdoors and see how they might be able to combine their interests in future workshops and other areas. Cally comes from a long line of Welsh farmers and Morgan and Jinsy Robinson of Penyrallt Farm in Wales have also been in contact - Jinsy works with local groups of schoolchildren who are invited to their farm and in their communications they have discovered that children today, whether residing in city or country, share many of the same problems and also the lack of experience out of doors. Morgan returns to Cardiff again this week to present another workshop in den building at Play Wales and is becoming increasingly familiar with the universal concerns for children's lack of opportunity to explore and experience the world of play.
Morgan and Cally have both mentioned Guerrilla Gardening this week – a comment on Cally’s blog www.countrygategardens.co.uk caught my eye when she wrote:
I also read that Manchester is to transform itself into a giant orchard, with fruit trees and vegetable patches set up in public parks, and the produce available for free. Beehives are also to be introduced into many areas. We could do with some of that happening countrywide. I admire the Council’s attitude, irrespective of the cynics who have already voiced their comments. You know the sort of thing
……waste of money. It will get trashed.
Somebody will sue the council when their child gets sick of eating too much fruit/ an apple falls on their head/ they slip on a stray gooseberry
I’m tempted to do a spot of guerilla fruit gardening on a grass verge myself.
Morgan telephoned with her news that she had finally had her day of Guerilla Gardening – a gift she received months ago. This was followed by a further explanation in an email so that I would have a clearer idea to share with everyone:
Hello!
The day was at School of Life (http://theschooloflife.com/) doing Guerrilla Gardening (http://www.guerrillagardening.org/index.html) with Richard Reynolds (http://www.guerrillagardening.org/onguerrillagardening.html) who started the movement.
We looked at some of the first sites, around his flat in Elephant and Castle, talked theory and plant choices, looked at some traffic islands and other little scraps of forgotten public land, then went back for a slideshow of the history of urban gardening at the School and a tour of private gardens in the area. Then, cocktails and a dinner of organic food sourced exclusively within the M25!
I am preparing a webpost http://playeverything.wordpress.com/ which will have lots of additional information.
For those of you who would like to learn more about Guerrilla Gardening, you might also want to have a look at the following website: Many others are also online
http://www.guerrillagardening.org/onguerrillagardening.html - This site is about Richard Reynolds’s book, evolving from his blog & experiences in meeting other G.G. around the globe & the New York artists who gave it its name. He began by secretly planting flowers outside his tower block at night without any idea that he was part of a global movement to combat the forces of neglect, land shortages and apathy towards public places.
April and May always seem to bring a mixture of early summer sunshine and late wintry showers to most areas of Britain and America. This is the time of year I think it is easiest to fall into a bit of gloom and annoyance with the rain, forgetting that it is the reason for the great beauty of lush green grass and flowers and the bounty of nature's produce all around us. With this in mind, I want to share something else we are so apt to forget in our hectic lives and struggles to move forward in these very challenging times - as children we LOVED the rain and the experiences of playing, splashing and hearing the wonderful sounds our splashes created. In reading a recent entry on Morgan's blog: http://playeverything.wordpress.com/ I was also reminded how times have changed and children and their parents often have to be encouraged to get outside and enjoy the experiences that are so often limited today by our fears for safety. Note: Morgan presents a wealth of images so visit her website for the delights of this particular rainy day, as well as the den building and other events that are shared. I promise it will raise your spirits no matter what the weather is like outside! Please leave your comments!
Rain didn’t stop play during one recent session on a local estate. It had been cold and wet all day when we shuffled on site, and no children anywhere to be seen. It’s not uncommon for the children around here not to be allowed out during the rain - in spite of that being London’s default weather! But it was also Easter break and we could see so many little faces pressed up against the glass that we knew we were needed. One child shouted out that they’d be down, if the rain stopped.
We amused ourselves with the cling film (Saran Wrap) and washing up liquid we brought, damming a drain and making frothy islands and streams.
It was a world within the familiar, offering landscapes of bubbles and air pockets that rewarded examination. It was dynamic, changed by the breeze and subtle currents, it could be altered with a breath.
It was made with soap, rainfall and dips in old tarmac. It was play.
All of this, the ripples and oily rainbows and the messy-clean play that followed once children joined us for fishing with homemade stick-and-string poles for paper trout and ferocious washing-up liquid battles, happened in an area only this big:
Play does a lot with a little. It makes the mundane magical. It costs nothing and can happen anywhere.
That’s the point, really.
We all know the saying about ducks and rainy days, so this delightful image which was sent to me by my brother, our “Mr VP in America”, which he received from a relative by marriage that I have known and enjoyed for many years enables me to close this month’s issue with a theme that truly fits the image and final contributors – a family affair in human relations and also in the delights of nature. Have a wonderful May and when it rains, remember your childhood and get outside in your wellies and enjoy it! Heléne