Picking Sloes

Tom found a blackthorn bush on his run yesterday, laden with sloes ripe for the picking. So we returned today, eager to fill a box. I’ve heard mention of sloe gin before, but it wasn’t until Tom was given a bottle for Christmas last year that I realised what all the fuss was about. A sweet, red liqueur with a warm burn just perfect to be sipped by the fire in December. Sloes are a beautiful berry, far more satisfying to pick than blackberries as they don’t crumble in your hands, and there seems an abundance of them on each bush.

Beyond the grunting of pigs in the field behind, the countryside was quiet. It seems noone really uses this path, so we were free to pick in piece. On such a grey day, this, our first sloe-picking expedition, was the perfect excuse for some outdoor time before the rain set in. Now we just need to turn this box of beautiful dusty purple fruit in to some winter liqueur worthy of its fine reputation.

Knitting for the Chill

There is a distinct snap in the air today: a chilly wind and an almost-frost. I finished these mitts off in the nick of time. This pair have been hanging around on the needles since last winter (after all, who wants to knit something they’ll have no reason to wear in the heat of summer?) so I only had one cuff and a thumb to polish off in time for the October chill.

I abandoned the pattern after I decided I had to use this tweed yarn that was much skinnier than what was advised. So they’re a little tight, and the thumbs spent last night being stretched out by a carrot. Not a very stylish beginning, but these are everyday gloves- perfect for chucking on when it’s chilly, with no delusions of grandeur. I’d really love to knit some fair isle but for now my fumbling fingers will have to settle for standard stripes. I am revelling in some chilly days and a excuse to wear a newly finished project.

Books, Bikes, and Bread

There are so many good things that begin with the letter B: bacon sandwiches, beach walks and bumble bees, to name a few. Tom and I spent far too much time adding to this list, but there really are a lot of good B words! No matter the length of the list, the top three remain the same: books, bikes, and bread. What could be better than working up an appetite with a whizz around on your bike, followed by a slice of hot buttered toast and a good read?

We filled our weekend with all three, riding out to a photography exhibition at Dimbola Lodge, finishing off some recent reads, and baking a buttery banana bread. There are no photos of the banana bread.. it seemed far more important to simply dive in and eat it.

Do you have any B words to add to the list, or suggestions of another letter I have seriously overlooked?

Afternoon Tea

These autumn days pull me back to baking after hot summer days of beer and barbecues. Tom and I pulled forces to bake an afternoon tea for my brother who stopped by. Homemade bread, red velvet cupcakes, and ginger tiffin cake, all delicious if I do say so! Just the right start to getting our baking mojo back. Tom’s bread gets tastier every week, and I’ve got a growing list of things to bake next: apple crumble bars, cranberry flapjacks, white chocolate brownies, and a proper Victoria sponge (can you believe, I’ve never made one!) Grey days are delicious when they bring you back to simple pleasures.

Beach Run

This is a new feeling for me: pounding feet in the sand, eye on a distant horizon, rush of waves, and salty air. Arriving on this firm stretch of sand feels all the sweeter when it comes after hopping over tussocky clifftop grass and gingerly racing down steep steps. Taking my own advice, we found plenty of excuses to stop, for blackberries on the hill, and photos on the beach. The blackberries made a pretty sweet crumble for pudding, washed down with plenty of custard, and well-deserved after my first beach run.