The Homely Year

This damson gin is now a lovely colour and well ready for bottling. Hopefully, a nice warming tipple for cold winter nights. All you have to do is to strain through some muslin, into a jug. Put in a bottle and label.

Can't beat the aroma of a beef casserole on the timer and cooking slowly when you come in from work. A good slug of red wine, plenty of mushrooms and a bay leaf or two...give it two and half/three hours and Bob's you uncle (whatever that means).

Even better if it's left for a day for the flavours to develop. I like to put half in the freezer...and try to cook another dish at the same time to save on fuel.

We spotted these in Llandudno and they were friendly, obviously used to much passing attention. Aren't they cute, though...think they know it!

Didn't expect to come back with a Westie from our local antiques/flea market...but you never know what you'll find. Already looks quite at home on our mantelpiece.

This train does from Llanberis to the summit of Mount Snowdon. What a wonderful exhausting experience that walk/climb is. And no, I didn't do it this time...too late in the day to start out (well, that's the excuse)

At last the two wardrobes are done...complete with door catches...always seems to be the one job that's left for ages. Shame the rest of the house isn't looking so good...sorting out the plumbing and central heating just now, so carpets and floor boards have had to be lifted.

And all this while Noreen's sunning herself in Llandudno...alright for some! Not that I'm envious, or anything.

Spotted at a local ploughing match...Alison and Emily. Aren't they magnificent?

Most flowers in our garden have faded by now. But a few cling on well into autumn...not least these cosmos. Sown from seed, they've definitely been worth it.

Next year I must remember to sow the white one (think it's called 'Purity')
as it's especially lovely.

3oz, 75g self-raising flour
6oz, 175g good dark chocolate
6oz, 175g butter
6oz, 175g unrefined sugar
2 eggs
1 tablespoon cocoa powder
Melt most of the chocolate, by putting into a bowl over a saucepan of steaming water.
Chop remaining chocolate into little pieces.
Cream butter & sugar.
Gradually add in eggs, mixing well.
Fold in flour & cocoa powder.
Mix in chocolate bits.
Put into a buttered baking tin & bake in a moderate oven for about 30 minutes. When cool, cut into squares.

The way the colours of hydrangeas soften is very appealing...prettier than in summer - now green, but still tinged with pink around the edges.