And I was coming wearily home from work. I drove into the yard to be greeted by cows in my way. Oh heck (or words to that effect) I thought, Brian is still milking. I hate it when he is still working at this time. But no, the milking parlor was in darkness and all was quiet. Then seated on the wall...was our friend in the picture. Well, it amused me! (And they say farmers have no time to do anything but work!).

You need:
1lb plain flour
Pinch of salt
half teasoon each of ground cinnamon & nutmeg
3/4 oz of yeast (fresh)
2 eggs
2oz butter
1lb of mixed fruit
2 tablespoons sugar
1/2 pint milk (warmed)
Either a loaf tin or 8" round tin

Butter the tin. Blend the yeast with a little of the milk & half the sugar. Sieve the flour, salt & spices. Add sugar. Mix in the yeast mixture, the milk and the eggs. Give a good stir. Fold in the fruit. Put into tin. Allow to rise for an hour in a warm place (cover tin with a tea-towel). Bake in a moderate-hot oven for about an hour. Allow to cool in tin before turning out onto a wire tray.
Enjoy!

Such colour at the moment, don't you think?...for me, it's what makes autumn so special. This is a flagpole cherry in our garden that turns such fiery reds and gold, if only for a few days. I suppose it's pretty in spring when it has that familiar pale pink and blowsy blossom, but I like it far better at this time of year...how much more spectacular it is now. Another few days and the show will be over, though in winter we use its branches to hang bird feeders as there's a really clear view of it from our kitchen window.

There is a Halloween tradition in Ireland, of making a barm brack - which is a type of a fruit loaf (the Welsh & Scottish people have their own versions). Into the mixture you bake a coin, a little piece of cloth & a ring. These symbolise...riches, poverty, or marriage in the coming year for the person who gets the apposite slice! Will include a picture of the cooked loaf & the recipe tomorrow. The picture you see now is the brack rising nicely on top of the stove.

In this case...a mess! But scooping the flesh and seeds from a pumpkin was a novel experience and kept little hands busily engaged for quite a while...think I'll be finding stray pumpkin seeds for several weeks. Bring on the 31st...we're ready...better check I've got some tea lights though.

This sort of robust fare does begin to suggest itself as the weather grows cooler and the nights draw in.

I made half-puff pastry by sieving 8 oz plain flour with a pinch of salt. I cut 6oz butter into small pieces and mixed in. - Don't break up. Add a little water and bring together. Then I rolled this out into an oblong, folded in 3, turned the other way & rolled out again into an oblong. This was done 4 times. You could always buy pastry I suppose - but the ready pastry I've seen seems to contain a lot of hydrogenated fat. I then set aside in the fridge for a while. in the meantime, I cut 1lb steak into cubes, coated with flour into which I had added some salt, pepper & a little mustard powder. I fried this in a little good oil, with some garlic. I added the tomatoes(about 10), the olives(about 12). Then I added some balsamic vinegar, some beef buillon (dissolved in water), some dried basil, some tomato puree, a dash of Worcestershire sauce and a large glass of good red wine. I simmered this for about 40 minutes. You really must taste this and check that the flavour is right. I then put this in the dish, covered with the pastry, letting it hang over the edges. The dish was baked in a moderate oven for about 35 minnutes. You can serve with whatever vegetables take your fancy.

Some days, and today was one, I have the urge to bake, and a recipe for a date and walnut cake has been festering in my head for a while...so what with the clocks going back and it raining all morning, this seemed the ideal time. I don't know about you, but I always feel a bit despondent about losing the light and need to plan some good things as compensation...tea and cake always help.

Date and walnut cake
4oz/110g butter
1 cup golden granulated sugar
1 cup chopped dates
1 cup chopped walnuts
2 cups self-raising flour
1 tbsp black treacle
1 large egg, beaten
half tsp bicarbonate of soda
Put butter and dates in a saucepan with 1 cup hot water. Bring to the boil and simmer for 2 minutes. Take off heat and cool a little. Add sugar, black treacle, flour, bicarb, egg, walnuts and mix well.
Grease and line bottom of loaf tin. Pour in mixture and bake for about 45 mins at 150C, gas mark 2, until risen and golden.
You can glaze the top of the cake if you wish, with 1 tbsp treacle, 1 of sugar and 1 of water. Heat in pan until the sugar disolves and spread on top of the warm cake.

We had a day put in Shrewsbury for our 10th wedding anniversary on Thursday. We chose it becasue it is beautiful, interesting and it doesn't take too long to get there - though we did a have the relief milker for evening milking. On our way, we thought we'd get some beef for my pie from Fordhall Farm shop, which was on the way. I'm sure many of you will have heard or read about Ben & Charlotte's successful struggle to stay at Fordhall? An insiring story, indeed. However, they do not open on Thursday's, so I got some instead from our local market butcher. How does beef, olive & cherry tomato pie grab you? Recipe later.

Isn't this just the busiest time of year? Went along to Mary's cheese stall this mornning and took this photo - I suppose there aren't really that many places where you can still get true farm butter. This got me thinking...this is the very thing to use this year in the Christmas cake...which, should, of course have been made this week... After all if you are taking so much time and so much trouble then it's daft to stint on the ingredients. Then, I started thinking about making nice meat pie to counteract this dismal weather...then of course, there's some more wine to make...the damson gin needs bottling...help!

I can't truthfully say that I look forward to winter...BUT if there's one compensation, it's enjoying a glowing fire on a cold night. We're well into the firelit evenings now and it's the first thing that visitors comment on...'ah, a real fire' they sigh, 'how cosy'. So it's definitely worth the mess of cinders and ash, bringing in the coal, making sure we've got sticks and logs (fortunately as Les is a joiner, there's generally a good supply).
It can be useful for burning private mail and documents, but it can also be a bit of a hazard as I know to my cost...yesterday, having had a clear out of old paperwork, I got a bit carried away and ended up with burning paper on the hearth rug...I then proceeded to try and extinguish it by stamping on it and nearly set the soles of my shoes on fire! Good job I was wearing shoes, I guess! Think I'd better stick to sitting in front of it.

If there's one thing that Georgia loves, it's being creative...drawing, making jewellery, any craft work in fact. And if she can bring her creative skills to baking then so much the better...hence her exuberant decoration of the cup cakes she made. A visit to the local shop resulted in choccy buttons and jelly babies to top the luminous icing...a triumph we agreed!

Keswick, in the Lake District, is one of my favourite market towns. A traditional street market is held every Saturday and I'm always torn between wanting to stay and wander around the stalls or head off to walk the fells. The walk took precedence this time...there's only so much you can do. Of course, there are loads of shops full of hiking gear and a wonderful olde worlde toffee shop...I have to drag myself away.

As anyone who knows me could attest - I am not gifted at sewing. But, when Margaret passed one of her bargain pieces of material onto me, I felt so guilty, and inspired by the mellow look of the material that I actually made this throw for the old sofa that sits in the corner of the kitchen, just by the Aga. However, it is a farmhouse kitchen...as Brian reminds me when I "mention" the old wet coats, 90 pairs of wellies etc. I agree, really. It could never be like a showroom. Especially with a dog that has claimed the sofa as...essentially...hers.

This was taken yesterday morning, at the start of what was a perfect autumn day...cold, sunny and invigorating. Don't the colours just inspire you to try something creative?

Thanks very much to everyone who wished me (N) a happy birtday...a year older, and certainly no wiser.

Yesterday's pie/cake was made by lining the tin with a shortcrust pastry (6oz plain four, 4oz butter & a little water). I baked this, with some greaseproof paper & dried beans on top - to prevent it rising in the tin. Then I made a madeira mixture (6oz flour, 4oz butter, 2 eggs). I topped the pastry with this; sliced some apples on top; brushed some honey on top and baked in a moderate oven for about 30 minutes.

We were SO lucky with the weather this weekend...sunny days and blue skies just right for walking. This is taken as we're approaching Watendlath near to Derwent Water. Our walking pace picks up speed considerably as we get close to the little cottage cafe...the smell of tea and cake while sitting outside irrisistible.
I was a bit disappointed that I didn't see a red squirrel this time...we walked through the wood where we've seen them before but nothing doing. Les did see one the following day though, but I missed it as I was up ahead.
So amazing though...as I've been writing this, through the window I've just seen a fox making its way across the little wood behind our house! In broad daylight too! I've just been out to see if I could get a better look but it has gone. That's made my day!

Will try this later as sister-in-law and nieces coming to visit.

Yesterday, I slowly cooked some blackberries with a little sugar and just a drop of water. I removed some of this and pressed through a sieve to make puree, adding a little icing sugar. I added some chopped-up small pieces to the rest & cooked again until soft. In the meantime, I whipped some double cream, folded in some natural yoghurt, a little icing sugar and a little of the puree. This, I froze in an old washed carton. The brandy snaps (yes, that is what that oddly-shaped thing on top of the concoction is meant to be! Well, my advice would be to buy some brandy snaaps...you can take this home-made business too far, you know!

I made this using Margaret's frozen blackberries and some apples. It has been mentioned that today is Apple Day - worth reminding ourselves that the amazing variety of apples is threatened by supermarket policy: wanting uniformity and lasting potential more than other characteristics - like taste or diversity. There are signs that there may be a bit of a renaissance though. Over 2,000 distinct varieties are grown in the Apple Collection at Brogdale, in Kent.

Here Margaret & I need to ask for a bit of help. We are struggling to pass awards on - even though we would love to. Blame it on a combination of impatience and dimness!!

I love this plant because it pleases twice over. Early in the season you have a mass of purple flowers; and now there is this very different delicate beauty. The old names for honesty include: Penny Flower, Money-flout, Prick-song-Wort, Silver Plate and White Satin

So now she's off to the Lake District...off to enjoy the beautiful countryside, walks in the autumn glow...followed by fine wine and delicious food. Not that I'm jealous, you understand. What do you mean green? That is merely the way the light is shining on my face.

I would love to tell you that I made this quilt. But that would be a lie. We found it in a charity shop. It cost £5.50. As anyone who reads this blog knows, we are always looking out for things that make home homely...at as little cost as possible.

It's a busy time of year, don't you think?...lovely with it though...especially when we have these beautiful crisp sunny days, blue skies, autumn leaf colour...ah!!
This mess you see here is completely necessary of course as I'm trying to prepare some planters with spring bulbs and pansies...so there's a purpose even though it looks a tip at the moment. It's just so good to be outside making the most of it.
We're off to the Lake District (just about my favourite place) this weekend for some walking and looking forward to the beautiful landscape there...so this work at home will have to wait for a day or two.

I was mooching around the local greengrocers as one does when these vibrant vermillion gem squash caught my eye...just had to buy one to form the basis of an autumn decoration. At home I played about with some papery heads cut from the hydrangea, the last of the Michaelmas daisies and some furry golden seed heads from a clematis. Well, if nothing else, it looks autumnal anyway.

I'm glad I took this photograph yesterday, as we had our first frost last night. I noticed the cars frosted over when we came out of the village pub, where we had been for a meeting; discussing those really important matters...like the bonfire, the Christmas Fair, and a scarecrow party for next spring. Ah, yes, never let it be said that life in the countryside is dull!

The last of the cherry tomatoes are ripening now with a bit of warmth and light. But I just can't resist them. Everytime I walk past there's another ripe little beauty (ot two) that just begs to be eaten...and how sweet, juicy and full of flavour they are! Great for lunch too, as part of a sandwich, with granary bread and some mature Cheddar.

Even though I mostly do my shopping on Fridays or Saturdays, Wednesday is the traditional market day in our Moorlands town. It is not all about shopping - though of course that's the focus. There is a buzz in the town, which starts on Tuesday evenings as the marketplace is closed to parking and the stalls are set up. People come to town (as generations have before them) by car, or in some cases, bus, from outlying areas. Friends meet in a particular part of town for a gossip, sometimes to go for coffee, or lunch. For many people it is an important part of the week. If you are in town on a Wednesday you are sure to bump into someone you know and go home with a bit of news.

Noreen's right about comfort food. What have we had for tea?(a good northern term for an early evening meal!)...cottage pie. It's a real staple...not messed about food but nourishing and simple nosh...just right for a day spent in the fresh air - or in Les' case, in church, as he's been mending a lectern and some wooden fretwork on a screen. Sounds really interesting work!
He did say the 12th century building was so quiet it induced a really peaceful feeling working there.

I've been blackberrying today as I'm not superstitious about picking them by the 29th September so, touch wood,(oops!) they will be ok for Noreen's special dessert. Can't wait!

Margaret & I are both madly baking at the moment, it seems. Could it be anything to do with the rather gloomy, murky wet weather, and the need for comfort where we can get it...or make it?

My excuse is I wanted to use up some more of last year's damson jam. I just rubbed a couple of ounces of butter into 6 oz of plain flour (to which I had added a teaspoon of baking powder). I added an ounce of dessicated coconut, 3 oz caster and a large egg & a little milk (ah, that's why we have those pesky cows). Then I made into a dough, and shaped each on with a little hole & put the jam in. A moderate oven for about 20-30 minutes.

Another quick biscuit recipe to pander to our sweet tooth...we can assuage guilt because we've made them ourselves from wholesome ingredients...that's why they taste so good. Georgia arrived while I was making these and she was straight there with the rolling pin and fluted cutter...her enthusiasm is heartwarming...long may she bake!
8oz/225g self-raising flour
4oz/110g butter
5oz/150 caster sugar
1 free range egg, well beaten
1 lemon

Rub the butter into the flour until it resembles fine breadcrumbs. Stir in the sugar. Add the zest of the lemon and a good squeeze of the juice from half of the lemon with the beaten egg and mix gently into a paste. Put in the fridge to chill. Roll out on a floured board and cut into rounds. Bake in a moderate oven 150C, gas mark 2 for about 10 minutes until lightly browned. Cool on wire rack.

Yes, cannot even have a peaceful nibble of the last of this year's grass without someone sticking a camera in our faces. Can't even call our fields our own any more it seems. We could have told her she was wasting her time, yesterday, looking for blackberries - you'd think she'd know September 29th is the last day you are supposed to pick blackberries. Humans! Time she wen