Easter is a wonderful time of year when the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ causes us to meditate upon the wonder of new life. I love Easter –  the yellow shock of daffodils against the green of the fresh new grass and the new growth on the rose bushes with the promise of gorgeous […]

I wanted to write down for y’all a good few verses of the book in the bible Song of Solomon or as it’s also known Song of Songs. It seems a most appropriate passage for Valentine’s Day and as funny as it is raunchy.  It describes the author talking about his amore’s gorgeous figure and […]

Here in Ramsbottom we are blessed with a number of eating establishments of note, and The Cultured Bean is one of them. We went for lunch there recently on my husband’s day off and were impressed with the quality of the food and the service. Opting for the same first course we ate some absolutely scrumptious […]

This photo really makes me laugh & feel virtuous! Hark back to the days when I used to make homemade oven baked Kale crisps for my children! It’s been a long time since I’ve made those! These were made simply by turning them in a little oil and ground coriander and roasting them for a […]

The blog I initially had planned for today was all about beautifully illustrated vintage and current books, but God had different plans! On the way back from school, while watching a mummy duck waddle along with her ducklings in tow, two of her ducklings fell down a drain at the side of the road. Determined […]

Here we have been eating a lot of gingerbread lately and it’s reminded me of some Snowman gingerbread I made at Christmastime many years ago.  Despite years of artistic training, I wouldn’t say I’m anywhere remotely expert at writing with icing pens, so I was really pleased with how well my snowman turned out. I’m […]

I’ve been so sleepy today.  I keep thinking about my bio for here and cringing. I mean I’ve described myself as super-energetic, but to be honest I’m just so tired a lot of the time at the moment, it feels as if I have made a ridiculous assertion. This week alone, I’ve gone back to bed every […]

Motherhood came unexpectedly early in my marriage for me. I remember waking from sleep in the night to use the bathroom and just knowing I was pregnant. Feeling this dynamic change, I looked at myself in the mirror and felt a wave of uncertain realisation. Although we hadn’t planned it in any official way, I […]

Last year, for six Tuesday evenings between 6.30-9.00pm during September and October, I was privileged to be able to attend an excellent course in Food Styling at Prue Leith’s Cookery School in London. It had come highly recommended by my food writer/ food stylist friend Ren Behan (www.renbehan.com) who had completed it a few years […]

This would be nice wouldn’t it?! Bobbling around in a boat! As lockdown lifts this will be possible again. Today we woke to snow which transformed into bright golden sun with a chilly wind! Still, it has been such a lovely day. Sending wishes to you for a happy & blessed Easter Monday Everyone! 

Today was a big day for Christmas shopping and Christmas dinner ingredient buying and preparation. When I finally returned home from the shops I made this chicken pepper and pasta dish. Our children like to grate cheese on top. And although I don’t normally buy pre-prepared vegetables, there is one circumstance when I do. When […]

   Thank You for Victory in Europe Day 2021. This wonderful culinary spread was from our VE Day celebrations last year, which marked the 75th Anniversary of Europe’s liberation from the tyranny of Nazi Germany and the Second World War.  Sadly due to my being unwell and an extremely busy day, we weren’t able to […]

I’m feeling really encouraged and motivated at the moment about getting back into the groove of focussing more on my health and vitality.  I’m not quite sure what has changed but in the last week or so, I’ve noticed a difference in my mindset that has made me fear less the challenge of refining my […]

My breakfast of Avocado & tomatoes on toast with Green & Black’s hot chocolate made with Jersey dairy milk. And…. preparations for Christmas Day. Onions, bay, cloves and mace infusing in warm milk ready to add freshly made (although from slightly crispy bread is easier!) bread crumbs in the morning to make my beloved bread […]