Simplicity is the New Black: mushroom

Monday, 5 November 2012

Picking Sloes and Blackberries

We spent a chilly and slightly damp weekend in Ireland, just before Halloween, but the weather did not prevent me from picking sloes and this week I plan to make some Sloe Gin!

I love Autumn, the preparation for the cold of winter, making delicious supplies which will be here for both family, and as seasonal gifts for friends.

This week, as well as sloe gin, I plan to bake my Christmas cake, prepare some mincemeat and make various scrumptious chutneys.

Sloes are mini plums, which grow wild,
be careful when picking as the trees are very thorny!

Some times they can be tricky to pick out
well hidden behind the bare branches.

It's worth the hard work though, there is nothing
as wonderful as warming glass of sloe gin
after a long winter's walk.

The crop was sparse this year,
but I hope I have enough for three to four bottles.

Amazingly the blackberries were still around,
my sister in law made a scrumptious blackberry
and apple crumble.

And it was very wet...

So lots and lots...

of mushrooms

Sadly I didn't have an identification book with me
so left them well alone.

It was wonderful to come into the house
out of the chill and damp
and sit by the fire

Or the range!

We were joined by some wonderful
Halloween characters

And had a cheerful, fun

Halloween evening.

Monday, 10 October 2011

A Sunday Morning Walk, Virginia Water.

Yesterday the sun was shining, and we decided to venture further afield.

I lived in Bracknell for several years when I was a child, and one of our favourite family walks was around Virginia Water. Yesterday I went back for the first time in over thirty years! It was lovely, beautiful trees laden with chestnuts, imaginative sculpture in the woods, and the water so tranquil and calm.

There were, however, far more people then I remember! But it was lovely to walk somewhere where dogs were allowed to run off the lead. People were having a great time, walking, running and (mainly) chatting!

What a wonderful way to spend an autumn morning!

My photographs are not the best, as I spent most of my time rounding up our five year old girl and the dog. Keeping tabs on them both was a (delightful) challenge!