Tales from Pixie Wood

I'm moving my blog!

I am moving my blog. I can now be found here
My reason for moving is that I can add, update, link to and make general 'prettiness' much easier over there.

See you over on the other side.

Love Cherry xx

Keeping the iron hot.

I have my own range of hand printed t-shirts. They have been designed by me and I sell them in my store. But, if you sell items similar to t-shirts the chances are you have to have a whole bunch of them made to start off with. This is fine but all of my t-shirts are white, which means that NOTHING is allowed to come anywhere near them before they are shipped out to the dear folk who have bought them. This is tricky. I have a cat who knows that they are forbidden territory and takes great delight in seeing just how close she can get to them before watching me sprint across the room. And I have an LBH who likes to be able to move and not topple over a whole pile of white t-shirts and listen to me scream like a banshee. So, my dear, dear Mum is heading over tomorrow to help package them. I am going to give a full demo on how this has to be done as careful packaging is a cornerstone of mine. This is great, this is fantastic in fact. But it means that I have to iron over 100 t-shirts this evening in one go. Have I told you how warm it is in England right now. How it was so warm the other day that LBH put his pinky finger on my arm and it felt like it was wrapped in angora it was so warm. Are you hearing me when I say that to be ironing on a night like this is utter torture? Yes, I know you are. So I'll stop now, take a breath and head back to it. My diva of an iron is hissing at me, it clearly needs liquid!!!!!!!!!!!
P.S
Do you know how much joy you give to a blogger when you post a response? Lots and lots and lots. That's how much!! Thank you. xx

Keep on keeping on!

Now these sweet things are the latest addition to my store. I Love Them! They are hand painted here in England with the little cottages set in relief giving a 3d effect.
It's very hot here in England with the newspapers giving advice on how to beat the heat. So, I'm taking the evening off. I am going to watch television with LBH, drink an ice cold diet coke and watch the sun set over my town.

'The Boo'

I suddenly realised I hadn't introduced you to Boo! Boo is our cat. She is a pewter, chinchilla Persian. She is 9 months old and came to be ours on the 28th of December last year. She stays at home and rarely ventures outside unless it's with us. She sleeps on my side of the bed with me, wakes up with the alarm (occasionally before, oh ok, she wakes us up early ALL the time) and she never stops talking. She chats away non-stop. I'll ask her a simple question "Are you hungry Boo?" and I'll get a 10 minute answer. She allows herself to be used as a big fluffy mop to clean the kitchen floor. That's right. She plops on her side and I drag her around the kitchen floor getting in to all the nooks and crannies and all she can do is purr and purr and purr. Can you tell I love her? I love her because she is always there. Like 'Where's Wally'. Always there. She follows me from room to room at my heel. If for some reason she has missed me leaving the room and suddenly discovers this she runs to find me. She sighs occasionally when she's bored or hot but has never had an 'accident', never gets knotty and looks more beautiful on a daily basis. I knew in my heart of hearts that it was time for us to get a cat. And we got 'The Boo'. Timing was never so perfect.

"Breakfast, you must eat breakfast!"

I struggle to eat breakfast every day, even though I know the importance of it. It's just that I wake up, have some water, immediately put the kettle on for tea and when I have poured it in to the pot I head back to bed where I drink it for the next half an hour. By that time the caffeine has kicked in and I'm throwing the bedclothes off and saying things like "that's it, I can't stay in this bed a MOMENT longer" I jump in the shower and eventually head off to begin my day. I invariably have a double shot latte when I reach work and then before I know it, it's lunchtime. Now I do kinda like it this way, but only because the morning passes so quickly. I'm so busy I have no idea where it's gone. But by the time the evening rolls around I'm shattered. This is no good if there is still a lot to do. So, I have started to think about breakfasts. I have started to think about experimenting with different breakfasts until I find one that suits my total lack of appetite in the mornings.

As you can see I started today with the most wonderfully juicy nectarines. And yesterday I had blueberry's with natural yoghurt. To cut a long story short, I'm telling you all this because I've decided on a new way to organise my recipes for cherrymenlove.com It's not particularly inspired but I think that I might quite like them this way if I was searching for a dish. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, desserts, snacks. I'll also have a section for dressings and marinades.

Saturday, Saturday!

Today has been lovely. Boo slept right through the night, which was a total blessing. I jumped up and got on with some work after having popped out for my 'grande skinny'. It's very hot today in my town, so getting down to work has taken some doing. But tomorrow we're heading off to the trees and fields so I don't mind so much. I had lunch cooked for me today. Doesn't it look it look delish!!!! The chef can't lay claim to the recipe unfortunately, we had this dish when we went to the River Cottage but he did a wonderful job and it tasted so wonderful. Ahhhhh!

A small note to readers: It looks like all of my posts have been written today. I should explain, I have transfered them today from where my previous blog was being held, hence the same date on all the posts. C xx

My latest creations!

Hello
Happy Friday!
Apart from enjoying the glorious sun that was belting down over my dear town today and spending several hours doing some much needed updating to my site, I also managed to get my luxury dolly pegs, finished, and on to the site. Do you like them? They are hand painted and tied with a dark red gingham ribbon. I love them! See them here This evening we are off to Jodie and Garry's to have a cook out. It is also Garry's bday so LBH and I are off to find a gift as soon as he gets in from work. We already have an idea of what to get so don't think I'm leaving it to the last minute! Their new house is in a lovely village and I'll post some pics of it as soon as I have some. I can tell Jo-Jo is going to love being there as her new neighbours were round within a few moments of them arriving to introduce themselves.

Just lovely!

Country life!

My dear sister and her lovely hubby have just moved in to their first house together. It's called 'New Cottage' and it's in a lovely village outside of London. They are very excited and have been working like little slaves trying to get all of their furniture in and making it look as pretty as possible. it got me thinking. Is there a way to move house without it being very, very stressful. I'm not sure, if you know of any tips pass them on. I might write a little article on the experience for this site.I was hard at work last night (in front of the tele) finishing off a brand new item for this site. They are luxury dolly pegs. Hand painted and decorated by yours truly and will be on sale this weekend. What fun! I love adding new bits and pieces. I also love making them. I have made them to be used in the traditional way, er.....as pegs. But they are also great as gifts. Perfect as a housewarming or for a brand new shiny married couple just back from honeymoon.
OK I have had my bucket of tea, I suppose the day has to start now. But I love sitting here talking to you...............

Follow the Acorn.

When LBH and I were in Dorset we went on a trail/walk/hike/mountain climb that was signposted by little acorns. This meant that it was a National Trust trail. I had such fun looking out for the little acorns along the way pointing us in the right direction. I can't wait for our next trip, this time to St Ives in Cornwall, hopefully we'll get to follow the acorn a few more times.

Chained up!

I am, at this present time, chained to a computer for much of the day and evening. And yesterday evening it started to make me feel a little blue. I was tired last night so that might have had something to do with it. But even so I still managed to summon enough energy for a really good moan to LBH (amazing huh!) I was complaining about not having enough time to spend on making the items I love so much and want to have for all of you to see and enjoy. The website you see is in need of an overhaul. I have been so fortunate with the positive response from people wanting to share their creations with you through me that it needs a lot more room made for all the lovely goodies. This takes time. "It's not creative enough" I wailed. LBH pointed out that of course it was creative as this was my store, albeit online, but it was still my responsibility to make it as pretty, simple to use, easy to browse through (with a few little pockets hidden away for you to find), did I say pretty? This can be a slow process. But with that in mind I headed back to the machine and really got in the swing of things. I hope you think it's looking ok so far!

Little Chef

Is there a law, one I don't seem to know about, that states that it must rain on your first day back after a holiday? I think so. I was a little miffed I have to say. There I was walking along after a glorious time in West Dorset and my feet were getting wet, my hair was going all 'flat' and the sky was low and grey. So what can I take from this? I had to dig pretty deep for this nugget because as I said I was awfully miffed. But I came to the conclusion that if allowed my return home to be dictated to by the weather I may as well not have gone away at all. We had a wonderful trip, and we will have other wonderful trips. But we also have a wonderful home, whether it's raining and grey or not.
Anyway, for the last 2 weeks we have had Elaine, LBH's cousin staying with us. Elaine is training to be a chef and has been doing work placement in one of the town's top restaurants. It was so nice to have Elaine around. We went on trips to the food market and also visited with my folks one afternoon. Elaine is tiny but tough. She loved hanging out with 'The Boo' and drank diet coke like it was going out of style. I thought she should be drinking at least one glass of water a day and would shove a glass her way wheneverIi could. Hopefully she'll develop that as a new habit. She did very well at her placement and has now gone back home. We miss Elaine telling us about her day and look forward to seeing her again. She is welcome here, with our little family of three anytime.

It's worth using public showers for this view!

Now, of course it is wonderful to wake up, unzip the tent and see the sea but I have to admit that I was really, really cold last night. My nose was cold, my ankles were cold and at one point I realised that I had pulled the entire blanket over my head and was about to run out of air! I'll have to fix this little situation by tonight. Anyway, LBH and I were off on another adventure today. We drove 2 hours to the wonderful coastal town of Salcombe. It is divine. The houses rest in the cliffs like brightly coloured pieces of candy and the shops all seem to be individually owned masterpieces. We had a wonderful day. We took a little red boat called 'Henry' out in to the bay and scooted off across the water to the beach we could see in the distance. There was much pushing to follow as we tried to restart the boat, hahahahahahaha, but a stranger came to our rescue when he could see that we were complete novices.

Adventure Time.

We left the comfort of the hotel we had booked for one night only and headed off in the direction of the campsite. We got there and realised that we couldn’t check in until 15.30 so decided to head off on an adventure. Just outside the entrance to our campsite was an old signpost, signalling the way to a tiny village called Eype. Beside it was a board advertising a teashop offering freshly made cakes and bread and hot teas and coffee. So we headed off down a narrow lane, that our silly car filled. We met a few cars along the way and had to pull over into the hedgerow but that was all part of the fun (Well, I found it fun but then I wasn't driving!)About three quarters of a mile along the path we found the entrance to the farm. And there nestled in to the land was the garden tearoom. It appeared that it was being run straight out of someone's house. There was the aga in the corner and the owner was just finishing up the daily specials board. The garden itself had wonderful views of the Dorset countryside so as we sipped our elderflower cordial (LBH) little pot of coffee (Me) we watched the landscape change as the sun came out in force. It was going to be a scorcher!

LBH and I are off again. This time to Dorset. I haven't been to Dorset since I was a child so it will be nice to explore it. We are visiting The River Cottage tonight. I bought this visit as a present for LBH's birthday back in April. Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall is hosting the event and demonstrating how to cook various seasonal produce that his team will then cook for us to eat. We head off in the vague direction we have been told to go and find the farm hidden away far from the road. Immediately we are welcomed by one of Hugh's team and we know that from then on we are going to have a wonderful evening. Hugh himself is wandering around with some wonderfully tasty hor d'oeuvres, yellow beetroot dipped in to a very tasty aioli /mayonnaise dip goes down a treat. As does the refreshingly simple elderflower cordial. We head on in to the big barn/dining room where Hugh takes us through the preparation for the meal we will be eating later. He is a very natural teacher and at no point do you feel like you couldn't ask a question. In fact there are many useful questions asked, jokey and serious alike, and Hugh answers them with good humour, bags of knowledge and much aplomb.We are allowed to wander the gardens in the break and LBH and I walk around the vegetable patch vowing to each other that we'll have a garden like that one day. We pop our heads in the poly tunnels that we remember Hugh discussing on the show and try to sneak a look at the Saddle Back pigs that have turned in for the night. There is also an opportunity to have Hugh sign one of his books for you. I took this opportunity and very much enjoyed a brief chat. Then it's time to eat. The food, of course, was wonderful. It was fresh, seasonal, tasty, imaginative, thought about, lovingly prepared and lovingly served. It was also simple, homely, comforting and also one of the most relaxed, friendly dining experiences I have ever had. This is the key to River Cottage's success for me. What you see on the television you are able to visit. And it is just the way you wanted it to be. There is Hugh greeting his guests and answering all those questions you ever wanted ask, and there is his wonderful team right alongside him. Serving you and telling you about life there at RCHQ. A life, that once you have heard them talk about it, you want to live as well. Yes, it's very inspirational. You go away from the evening with 'warm fuzzies' that last for day and days. We have decided to look much further in to cooking with produce that is in season and are trying to be much more aware about the waste that we produce. It goes without saying that one day we’ll have an enormous vegetable garden. In fact LBH and I predicted that we would like it so much we had already booked ourselves in to a campsite in West Dorset to see the rest of the week out! One of the best risks we ever took.........

'Cherry Pockets'

I know when I'm excited about something as I wake terrifically early in the morning. It has been only 6 months since the official launch of cherrymenlove.com and it's now growing in to the place I want it to be. I like the site. I like visiting it myself. I want it to grow, and to spread. I'd like little Cherry Menlove pockets all over the place - 'Cherry Pockets'!
I travel again tomorrow. This time to Dorset. I can hardly wait to get in to our silly car and head off. This time we take our home with us in the shape of a tent. Yes, we have decided to camp. YEEEEEEHHHHH! Mmmmm, will this still be my mood on our return?

Precious Sue.

We are celebrating today. It's our precious Sue's birthday and the family have gathered. The garden looks beautiful and everyone is feeling so summery and great. People are introduced to folk they have never met and talk for hours on subjects and interests that they have in common. We all pitch in with the food and everyone allows me time to photograph the food for my Bar-B-Q article before they all dive in. Thank you guys, I know you were all hungry! We all know that days like these go by too quickly. The days when everybody is free from their busy lives and able to gather in one place for a length of time that isn't determined by whether or not the phone might ring. I love those days. I cherish them. And luckily I have a million and one pictures to remind me of my 3rd birthday in a row at Sue's.

Today was a perfect sort of day that pops up from time to time and makes you happy to be here. LBH and I had the day off together. We had breakfast outside in the sun together . We shopped for a bit. We had lunch together and then headed home. It was languid and slow and yet we got so much done. Surely that's proof enough that we don't need to rush to get things done. We can go methodically at our own pace and we'll get through it. At six o'clock we jumped in our car and headed off to the countryside.
Like I said, a perfect sort of day.

Tales from Pixie Wood

Saturday, July 08, 2006

I'm moving my blog!

Thursday, July 06, 2006

Keeping the iron hot.

Tuesday, July 04, 2006

Keep on keeping on!

Monday, July 03, 2006