Frozen swimming pools, cats, chocolate, cows and other things

OK, Update time.

The yeast is definitely active in the grape juice. The Snug (the snug is a tiny room with a couch, a beanbag and a TV in it, this is where John  makes the wine, cider etc as he can regulate the temperature in there and sit with his wine whilst watching the game! ) The Snug is taking on a real cellar’y’ smell which is good evidently. The ginger beer is a raging success (Moscow Mule anyone or would you rather a Dark and Stormy?) It is still raining. Good for me, bad for the corn and bean  growers waiting to harvest. Let them wait!  My tiny herd is laying about in  the barn, Daisy is practising her gate opening skills – That Cow! You should see her opening gates she is so naughty!  All the catches are being changed to cow proof locks!  Everyone else is out in the rain, those filthy sheep need a wash!  TonTon and Mary’s Cat are fast asleep on the door mat on the verandah and the rest of the cats are out hunting (or sleeping as well who knows). The guineas are sat outside the dining room window peering at themselves in the glass and if those chickens don’t get busy and start laying again there is going to be trouble.

I am very lucky to have been tagged again for the fab Versatility award by two entertaining bloggers. Tandy who runs fantastic competitions that I am dying to join (but too scared).  She makes great food using good clean ingredients and workingmom who is indeed a working mom (I can empathise) and fabulous mother who still finds the time to read and write (she really writes) and cook and do all that other good stuff. Thank you both!

I am thrilled to receive this award again because there are a few more people on my list who I wanted to nominate last time.  So the list of people I am calling on is small but good! Also eclectic, something for everyone in this list so check them out when you have a chance.

Please see below for this small list.

And  here are my SEVEN things.

1. I am not a cat person, I think they are pretty and photogenic and everything but I like them to live outside and look pretty in trees. My cats look especially beautiful laying in a patch of sun on a bale of straw in the BARN! In the winter they have been seen sleeping happily  ON TOP of Daisy.

2. And this is a terrible admission and I just know I am going to be unFriended or UnFollowed but I don’t eat chocolate. I can eat plain unsweetened dark cooking chocolate but I do not have a sweet tooth so all those other chocolates and candies are not for me.   Though  just to prove me a liar, maybe once a year I will become desperate for a Snickers Bar. Me!! Who rages against processed foods. I grab it off the shelf.  I buy it. I unwrap it and I eat it before the change is even in my hand.  Then after a long stuggle trying to forgive myself I  am done for another year or so.

3. My little VW diesel car runs on recycled cooking oil that I collect from local restaurants. Our John refines it in his workshop and all summer my car just beetles along on it. And No it does not smell like a fish and chip shop.

4 One winter I encouraged  two of my grown sons to drag a garden seat out onto the middle of our frozen swimming pool, then they sat on the chair in summer clothes and bare feet, in sub zero temperatures with a cold beer while I took the photo.  It is a very crazy photo, because a cat walked out there with them and sat on the ice contemplating his navel making the boys laugh out loud. Our  John was standing by, shaking his head solemnly, with a grappling hook at the ready!

5. When I turned 35 I  swore never to peel potatoes again. I just could not bear to peel one more potato! So I haven’t.  I just cut out their poor miserable eyes and wash them a bit. Done.

6. I could never be a vegan or even a vegetarian for that matter because I HATE rules!

7.  I have a terrible memory so I make lists about everything, then I forget to read them then I forget where I put them, and when I finally find them I cannot remember why I wrote them.  Such a trial.

And so to the four new players!

Now I know there are rules but just joining in the fun is really cool. So I think you can nominate as many readers as you like up to 15. And if you want to, we are DYING to hear seven things about you. You may mention that sweet wee kitchengarden as having nominated you if you like!!

And this is what happens if you leave your cow out in the bad weather! Now look below for my wee list.

Miss T

Zeb Bakes

Florence and Freddie

Gourmande in Osaka