Gravel Drive
Our cottage is set back about fifty feet from the road. Before Danny arrived, grass stretched from the house to the gate. I planted daffodils and in the spring these were preceded by pools of bright blue wild crocus. It was, as a friend described, an idyllic scene. Straight out of Thomas Hardy. The grass was fine for a weekend cottage but when we moved here permanently, the daily toll of tyre tracks scored deep welts in the grass. In the winter, the muddy path to the door was slippery and hazardous. I ignored this but D wanted a solution....
read moreThe mystery of the missing snow baby
Just after the second world war, my parents were stationed in Germany and bought a small bisque snow baby to decorate their Christmas cake. It was happily waving and sledding on the cake each year for as far back as I can remember. “I’ve kept this snow baby for years,” my mother would say as she soaked the icing off the sled after Christmas. A tiny reminder of a happy time. A few years ago it vanished. I don’t know whether it was on a slice of cake that my sister or I took home after Christmas, or whether it was eaten...
read moreSunday Roast: Best roast chicken (or turkey) with piquant automatic gravy recipe
One happy day, Danny opened the small box that holds the Tobasco bottle and pulled out a slip of paper. It was a recipe suggestion for roast chicken baste or a marinade for barbecued chicken. There was just a list of ingredients (no amounts or method). The list intrigued him, it lay beside his place for a couple of days and was studied as he sipped his coffee and tucked into supper. Finally he announced: “I’m going to try this. Can you get a free range chicken from Fred’s for next Sunday, please.” Fred Fitzpatrick,...
read moreHow to attract birds to your winter garden. Part two: winter flowering shrubs for you and the birds
I think that I get more pleasure from winter flowering shrubs than any other shrubs in the garden. When they flower it’s like a surprise visit from an old friend. The birds like them too; the flowers attract insects and these in their turn attract the birds. My Mother advised me to plant winter flowering shrubs near the house, this was good practical advice as we don’t spend much time pottering in the depths of the garden when it’s chilly. She also pointed out that it would be a good idea to put the most scented shrubs in the...
read moreGuest spot: Winning Combinations by Katherine Dodd and Paul Arguile
This is Paul’s and my second guest posting. I feel at this point I should come clean. About a month ago, I invited ourselves to Fiona and Danny’s, which, I think, was very good for me, though I’m not sure how good it might have been for our cottage-smallholding hosts. Despite us eating up half a weekend – precious when you have schedules as hectic as theirs – Fiona and Danny generously welcomed us into their cosy, log-fire-warmed cottage with good cheer. Sitting around the table, with Min Pins at close quarters...
read moreMatthew Rice’s A Year in the Country Calendar
Matthew Rice’s charming paper-covered boxes have delighted me for years. His style, although totally individual, has the comfortable vibe of an Edward Ardizzone’s illustration and the wit of Quentin Blake’s work. When I look at his paintings my heart skips. He just gets it right. I discovered a Matthew Rice calendar a few years ago and fell in love. One year spent with this calendar and even Danny was hooked. This is a must have. So many people that we know just couldn’t do without this fix. My sister and I set out to...
read moreHow to cook perfect sirloin or rib eye steak recipe
Friday night is steak night chez Cottage Smallholder. It has become an institution. We started it when Danny was weekly boarding at at an assignment in Exeter, five years ago. The promise of a really good steak bolstered him up on the drive home. The steak has become an integral part of our life. We now accept no invitations on a Friday night, preferring to batten down the hatches, open a bottle of good red wine and pig out on unbelievably good sirloins and, occasionally, rib eye steaks. These are supplied by Fred Fizpatrick on the Exning...
read moreHow to pluck and draw game: a partridge or pheasant.
Game is a treat. We don’t shoot and I don’t know many people who do. Hero of the kitchen garden, John Coe, is a beater during the winter months and sometimes brings us a brace of pheasant. His presents are always hung and dressed, ready for the pot. Occasionally we’re given a brace of pheasant or partridge, complete with feathers Until today, I have hung, skinned and drawn them, and then cooked them slowly, enclosed in a casserole. Now I know how to pluck a bird. By keeping the skin our repertoire of recipes has increased...
read moreQuick cranberry sauce recipe
Two years ago I made cranberry sauce to die for. It kept for months in the fridge and was wolfed down with everything from goat’s cheese toasties to roast chicken. I particularly loved it with brie in sandwiches. In fact we both agreed that it really comes into its own after Christmas, when it is not jockeying for position with so many other treats. Although I would feel bereft if it didn’t make an appearance on Christmas Day. Cranberry sauce is dead easy to make and it’s quick too. Once you’ve tasted homemade...
read moreIt only takes five minutes
Whoever first said this horrid little phrase must have impressed Danny as he uses it regularly. Particularly when we’re allocating the mundane jobs at home. Most of mine are stamped ‘five minutes’. I used to try and do the tasks in five minutes, now I just laugh. He is also fond of the phrase, “Yes. But it’ll take hours”. I’ve noticed recently that most of his jobs are snuggled in this category. I began to think of jobs that might only take five minutes and prepared a handy list: Answering an...
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Recent Comments
{ I was thinking the same as Magic Cochin but then like you I don't have my phone attached by an umbilical cord wherever I go.... } – Wed 8 :47 pm
{ Good point but I don't tend to take it about with me everywhere 
} – Wed 7 :25 pm
{ Doesn't your mobile phone have an alarm setting? C x } – Wed 6 :32 pm
{ I would put it towards a bbq, it's just a shame you can't purchase some sunshine from b&q } – Wed 12 :04 am- { Hi Lesley The clucking means that she is brrody also plucking her own feathers is a sign too. } – Tue 11 :58 pm
- { Hi Lesley They have to stay in the broody coop 24/7. Could you put in a garden shed or garage? } – Tue 11 :57 pm
FD