It wasn't us

Suspision is growing that the reason the patio is looking such a mess is because 3 little feathered ladies are out there each day re-arranging the pebbles and relocating mud around the garden!

No, really Gladys? I cannot imagine that your feet got that dirty just walking from your house. More likely you took the long way around via the veggie patch and had a quick scout around for worms before you thought you would clean your beak on the patio door.

Of course to leave the gravel along the side of the patio would be a nice little finishing touch to make it all neat and tidy, but why do that when there are so many interesting bugs and things to eat living at the bottom of the gravel, far better to hoof it all out where we can get a good look at things and sift through all the insects.

But away from the house, this is why we no longer go in the cow field!

Some may say that they look cute and adorable, but I say that this is a menacing cow look. Underneath all that lovely coloured fur is a brain which is working out just how exactly it would like to keep all the field of grass to itself and not share it with any human of any kind. Not that I would like any of the grass to take away but try telling that to one of these.

They are also the new tennants of the mystery paddock which was being fenced off the other week, so you would think that as they have twice the space they would spend some time in the other paddock so we could have a play in this field, but no such luck!

Take care all

Sarah x

Roch Furniture

Just before my internet access went awol I was planning on introducing some of the clever folk I get to work with at the Welwyn Garden City Craft Market. I like what they do and thought you may be interested too.

Roch Furniture is based in Hitchin, Hertfordshire.

Roz and Rachel select solid wood furniture and restore it into beautiful items that would look fabulous in any home.

Each piece is handpainted and waxed.

Some items are finished with decorative handles and knobs.

Whilst others are decorated with beautiful wallpaper.

I have picked my favourite pictures from their collection but for more information and plenty of other items of furniture have a look at their website.

I think they are just so clever to have the vision of what each piece can look like with hard work and good taste! I have to repeat - definately good taste - you see the first picture, well I thought it looked familiar when I first saw it in person at market, turns out that I have a cupboard the same but in its original, still needing tlc state! One day I shall treat it to a makeover but for now it blends in with the rest of our 'worn in' furniture!

Next time I am at Welwyn I shall corner another clever crafter and show you what they can do! I am off to walk the dog now in the mist and rain - don't know exactly what happened to the sunshine that was forecast for the weekend!

Take care all, til tomorrow

Sarah x

Drifting day

Ooops, spring cleaning has suffered a setback - just sat and watched the film Antz! Should be finishing the big clean, but lets face it - the dirt isn't going anywhere is it?

To be fair, all I have left to do is hoover the stairs and keep the door shut on my workroom! Everything else in every other room of the house has been duely dusted, wiped, cleaned, disinfected, washed and scrubbed, not necessarily in that order!

Now the other problem I have is that now I have watched Antz, how am I going to deal with the little critters if they decide to pay a visit in the warmer weather? Couldn't possibly just exterminate them with no thought now! I thoroughly enjoyed watching the film, did just managed to catch the fact that Finding Nemo is coming on later too! Maybe today will be my day off after all!

Well if I am to skive off again shortly, I had better put some effort in now. Does anyone else get days where your head just wont focus on any one thing in particular? I am just not feeling 'driven' today, like I forgot to set myself a few goals before going to bed last night so therefore I am just drifting through the day. So I am going to drift off here then, take care all, til tomorrow
Sarah x

TV Debut

So the cow field is back to having cows in it after its brief encounter with sheep. I must say I prefer the sheep, not that I have anything against cows and would be more that happy to own some one day but I do not really trust someone elses cows! They can actually move rather fast and don't seem to like folk being in their field so I shall be leaving them to it for now!

In a few weeks time we shall be walking in golden fields as the un-identified crops that have been quietly growing over the winter have shown themselves to be rapeseed. It will be so uplifting to be walking through these when they are in full bloom.

This paddock is a little further ahead than the others, already showing its yellow blooms.

Talking of blossom, I passed some beautiful flowers in the hedgerow, had to take a number of pictures.

Some of the trees appear to have mostly leaf buds with one or two branches only bursting into bloom, whether it is just the most recent growth that blossoms I don't know, but they are beautiful.

So TV debut! Oh my how funny! OK so I probably shouldn't really laugh but it is just so unexpected to see and hear yourself pop up in a televised report! Last weekend when I was at the Festival of Food I saw the camera man and presenter from Local-News TV and desparately tried to remain busy hoping that they would film my stand and get Land Cuckoo out there whilst not capturing me! No such luck, eventually the customers moved away and they asked me if I would like to do an interview - help - what do I say? Yes please, great advertising, how exciting! But that means I have to be filmed - eeeek, I prefer not to get on the wrong side of a still camera! Anyway the bit of me that seems to operate the business side of things just said 'yes, that would be lovely'. So here it is - my first televised interview! I, or at least someone that doesn't sound like me but seemingly in my body, pops up half way through, a little bit loud and very scary, I was so nervous! I have no problem talking to any amount of customers but stick a camera infront of me and I seem to lose the plot, thank goodness they edited it well! Considering how many traders there were there with some fab products (The Wine Guest being one of them) I am really very flattered that they chose me and my products to put on the report.

Off to see if I can get the biscuits on the website now - mail order biscuits anyone?

Take care all

Sarah x

Yes I am going to crack on with the spring cleaning - in a minute!!!!

Weekend planning

Sorry no photo for you today, have not got back into the fact that I have my blog back again! Will get back to full service tomorrow! Ha, not that I know what that is anymore. My work room is yet again a great big pickle and the whole house needs a good spring clean. My Mum commented on some dust last week when she visited so I told her it wasn't dust but icing sugar from where I had been baking! The kitchen is spotless and seems as that is where I have spent most of my time this past week that is all that matters, I can shut the doors on the rest of it! Oh I knew we got doors put in for a reason, it has just become clear!

Right going to go and prepare myself now for the day ahead, a good sleep is required me thinks and I feel like sitting in my pyjamas for the rest of the evening. Good night folks, til tomorrow
Sarah x

Connected!

Yes at last I am back on line and cooking on gas - well I never did run out of gas but you know what I mean!

And the best bit? If I had spoken to the same person as I eventually did at 4pm this afternoon, three weeks ago when the problem first occured (actually I think it may have only been 2 weeks) then this whole fiasco would not have happened at all! All it needed was some code entering to kick start it back into action. I wouldn't be as miffed if it hadn't happened exactly the same last year which is what I kept telling everyone at the no-help call centre but until last thing this afternoon no-one seemed to be hearing me! This time I have written all the instructions down too so I will fix it myself next time!

So, have I done anything whilst not being here? I did take a stand at the Festival of Food last weekend, booked it only 3 days before the event which meant I had a marathon of baking to do last week! Did it though and it was a success. I had quite a bit of interest in my biccies and have a few farm shops and coffee shops to catch up with on the back of it. I also decided to get myself out there and show off my biscuits to local outlets this week too. I figure that no-one will know I am here unless I go and tell them, so I did! Hope to know how things are going better over the next few weeks.

Well I am quite sure I have more to say but I am eager to catch up with what you have all been doing so I'll leave you now and catch you tomorrow!

Take care
Sarah x

Still not connected!

Hello all!

I trust you are all keeping well and on line. I am still not back in the land of the t'internet, hence I have grabbed a moment to borrow a friends internet briefly.

I do, however, believe there to be a modem at home waiting for me to return and then with any luck we shall be back in business! Keep your fingers and everything crossed for me as following technical instructions is not a strong point of mine! Give me flat pack furniture anyday over connecting computery things!

Am looking forward to catching up with you all soon. Don't want to overstay my welcome on someone elses computer so shall love you and leave you for now.

Take care all

Sarah x