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

Out of sorts, and some lovely pick-me-ups

About ten days ago I had a flu jab at my GP's surgery. I never ever get flu but as it was offered to me I decided to take it up. Best to be safe than sorry I thought. I asked the nurse if it would have any adverse effects on me and was told "no, it won't give you flu". Well, less than 8 hours afterwards I started to get a fever - hot/cold and aching all over and after dosing myself up spent the next day sleeping. All week it's been in the background and I've just not felt myself. Yesterday I had another shivery day with more aches and again dosed myself up. I phoned the GP's surgery for advice and was told that you definitely cannot get flu from the jab but that I "was probably about to come down with a virus anyway" - (on the very day I had the jab? I think not) for someone who never gets flu, and probably wouldn't have caught it this year either - I've ended up feeling worse than when I'd started.

On a lighter note, I had a lovely surprise last week when I received a parcel containing the Halloween giveaway that I'd won from my friend Tammy's Carry it Forward Giveaway which included:

24 Bat large baking cases for cupcakes and 100 witch hat mini baking cases, 

 two flat fabric quarters and one rolled Jack O Lantern fabric quarter

a bat cookie cutter, and a pack of edible candy eyeballs for making spooky desserts.

and a box of cute wooden characters for colouring in

Grandson Leo is already helping me with some Autumnal and Halloween decorations

and is going to LOVE helping me bake the cakes (as well as eating them of course) So thank you very much Tammy at My Journey for this lovely giveaway which I plan to carry forward at the beginning of December for the Christmas season.

Talking of cakes, I must just show you my favourite Chocolate spice cake that I made recently for a family gathering. It came from my very dog-eared Be-ro Cook book which I've had for nearly 40 years and simply couldn't be without. It really is gorgeous.

Enjoy!

Have a great weekend and I'll be back again very soon

5 in 5

I've joined Sandie at Itchifingers for October's "5 in 5" photo challenge.  Five photos taken in five minutes posted on the 5th of the month (day late as I didn't have my laptop with me on our weekend away).

These were taken at a recent visit to the Essex Wildlife Conservation centre at Langdon Hills in Essex after a lovely spot of lunch at the Bell at Horndon on the Hill.

I can't believe this gorgeous butterfly let me hone in on him without flying off in terror

 This stunning nature reserve is set in 461 acres of woodland, meadows, lakes and former plotland gardens where many species of butterflies, fungi, lichen and mosses are to be found as well as an abundance of wild flowers and colourful hedgerows.

The plot lands were originated back in the early 1900s when families were encouraged to move from London out into the countryside of Essex to work the land and build their own small homes. Many advertising campaigns offered free train tickets and free champagne to lure people towards a "healthy life in the countryside with breathtaking views overlooking the Estuary" and where plots could be purchased at a cost of about £6. Most plot-landers grew their own fruit and vegetables as well as keeping livestock such as chickens, goats and pigs. A museum of plot land life is housed within this Conservation centre and gives an insight into the living conditions of the families who settled here. More information here

Thanks to Sandie for this fun challenge.

See you soon

Celebrations afoot.....

Firstly many thanks to all you lovely people who left comments on my last post about the celebrations for my Graduation. I am so grateful for your lovely messages which meant the world to me.

My baby girl turned 40 last  Sunday - I just cant believe where all those years have gone.

 A surprise party organised by her partner on Saturday meant I needed to get her out of the house for most of the day. We visited a new (to us) antiques centre near Chelmsford and before  having coffee, managed to buy myself a lovely set of bone handled knives and forks which I'd wanted for ages and a bargain I thought at £12.

We then did a bit more girlie shopping in Chelmsford and then later on to Leigh on Sea for Afternoon tea in the 1930s style Parlour Tearoom at one of my favourite shops called Mad Dogs and Englishmen.

Our birthday girl - Emma

It was stunning and very quintessentially English -  where we enjoyed dainty finger sandwiches, scones, home made cake and lots of frivolous fancies - a wonderful afternoon.

The surprise party went down well and we all had a fantastic time - so much so that I hardly took any pictures.

We were very lucky with the weather - fortunate really as some of the 

70 guests were able to spill out into the garden later

The following day was actually her birthday and what better way to celebrate than with a spot of bubbly while opening her presents

which went down very well indeed for those of us watching!

All in all a fabulous weekend celebrated with all of our family and friends.

The Celebrations are not completely over though - John and I celebrate our 43rd Wedding Anniversary today and spending the weekend with some very good friends down in Sussex. More about that another time.

Bye for now - have a wonderful weekend.