Eggs .......

.......In the fridge or out of the fridge?  

Where do you keep yours?

I get my eggs from a neighbour who runs a poultry farm nearby. Lovely fresh eggs, when I want them, varying in size and colour with beautiful deep yellow yolks.  I usually buy a tray of 36 eggs (at a mere £3.80) that last for a couple of weeks. We get through quite a few - breakfasts of boiled, poached or scrambled eggs; Yorkshire puddings, omelettes, pancakes and of course the odd cake or two.

Many years ago there was quite a debate about salmonella in eggs - I believe it was Edwina Curry who raised her concerns and from a health and safety point of view it was deemed safer to refrigerate. My neighbour the poultryman favours keeping them at room temperature whilst I have always kept them in the fridge since I was first married simply because of the health issue. But what about cooking them from cold?

Most recipes ask for room temperature eggs which I do. But when poaching an egg, I have for years put them in the boiling water straight from the fridge, where they end up with the whites swimming messily around the pan and end up looking very sad indeed. So today I tried room temperature and - hey presto they looked normal. In fact my best yet - and a tip from my grown up son no less.

Then there's boiled eggs. My husband, like his late mother, brings the water to a boil and then puts the egg in for four or sometimes five minutes depending how soft/firm you want it - but they always crack. I put mine in cold water and after the've come to the boil, time them for three minutes. So, on the odd occasion that we may have gone away and the hotel/guest house asks if we want a 3 or 4 minute egg, we have to go into the whole tirade of asking how they do it - cold water or hot water?

 So - what is the consensus of opinion?

~~~~~~~~~~~

Incidentally, my dear friend Val at Val's Alentejo asked me to say Hi to all those who know her. She is having some blogging problems at the moment as well as busy with her family but hopes to see you all again very soon.

Patricia x

My mojo's back

It's taken ages for me to settle down after six years of studying at home. I've been faffing about, dipping into this, dipping into that, can't concentrate and generally lost my  mojo.

Unlike many of my fellow bloggers I'm not what you'd call a prolific quilter, crocheter or knitter. I do a little now and again but that's as far as it goes.

For several years I have been doodling and sketching with the idea that one day I'd like to create an art journal, logging my life - holidays, cooking, family, nature to name but a few.  Today I met up again with a lady who has just had published a non fiction book about her life sailing around Leigh on Sea. I am so in awe of her and told her that I would love to write - albeit an article, a column or even a book one day. I also said how I enjoy my sketching and art journalling as well as blogging, and she said "Pat you're halfway there and you're being very derogatory about yourself, you just have to go for it - don't think you might do it, just do it". So - I'm going for it.

 I get my inspiration from various books, the internet and You Tube. It's exciting and I'm enjoying the challenge. I'm only in the practicing stage at the moment with a few sketches here and there but from "little acorns" as they say.

 I was inspired a couple of years ago when I saw the work of my dear blogging friend Connie at Crafty Home Cottage  - take a look she's so talented.

I sometimes draw from photos I've taken

and it's giving me so much pleasure 

I took a photo of this picture hanging in the wall of a pub and then sketched it at home.

Well, after taking the plunge to post these, I've definitely got my mojo back 

and now keen to pursue it even more. 

Age shall not weary them...

.....nor the years condemn

At the going down of the sun

and in the morning

We will remember them

For your tomorrow

we gave our today....

Thoughts go out on this Remembrance weekend to all those who served their country in times of war and for those who paid the ultimate sacrifice.

5 in 5 photo challenge

It's that time of the month again when I take part in the 5 in 5 photo challenge organised by Sandie at Itchifingers.  Five photos taken in five minutes for posting on the 5th of the month (or thereafter).

Since John cut his working week to three days, he now has Mondays off and we've taken to going out for the morning/day and taking in what I call a "Monday Munch", whether it's lunch in a small country pub,  a snack in a hotel in the middle of town or a bacon roll in a village tearoom somewhere. In fact I'm keeping a journal recording all the places we've munched in and what we thought about it. Yesterday we took ourselves off to the seashore at Westcliff on Sea, just a short 10 minute drive from home and a place we regularly love to walk.

The morning started very wet indeed and the skies were grey but before we knew it, the sun was shining and the skies completely cloudless and blue. We headed out towards the coast because I had an errand to run in the area but decided it was too nice to go back home.

The tide was up and the sun was out and the sound of the waves lapping over the shingle was quite hypnotic. I love the beaches when no one else is around. This shoreline can get very busy in the summer with holiday-makers and day-trippers alike but today was just perfect. 

 The Cliff gardens just across the way from the beach are amongst the most popular in the town giving stunning views of the Thames Estuary and to the coast of Kent beyond.

where an abundance of winding woodland paths, specimen trees and exotic plants adorn these popular Victorian gardens. I think this might be Rowan but not entirely sure?





You could almost be fooled into thinking you were abroad,  where the numerous Palm trees line the promenade under the bright blue skies.



Our Munch today was here at The Beach Hut - a wooden building on stilts which actually sits in the sea when the tide is up. In fact you almost feel as though you are on board a boat where the waves rise and fall around you. We sat on the decking area in the front by the windows overlooking the water - probably not a wise choice as the sun shine reflecting off the water was exceedingly hot - not complaining I promise!

John had a fish finger sandwich and a bucket of chips. Not just any fish finger sandwich mind, it was a huge Ciabatta roll filled to its capacity. Mine was similar but with sausage and caramelised red onion. All washed down with a nice cup of Earl Grey. 

Hope to see you soon x