Thursday, 10 November 2016

Pumpkin traditions

pumpkin pile Attingham Autumn, a time to show off the bountiful harvest and admire and enjoy what you've put all your hard work into growing over the year. I love fruit and vegetables, not only to eat but as decorative items and little autumnal vignettes. So here in the bothy of Attingham walled garden was a tumble of pumpkins and squashes on a table, then some illuminating windows with fat gourdness and orange globular delight. 

Fingers twitching I edged closer, a pumpkin lovers dream and what do I see but writing on them. What is this sorcery on a crisp autumn day? And so I discovered pumpkin scarring where in the summer (August perhaps)  you etch your words or pictures onto the growing pumpkin that is still on the vine.

To heal the wound, the pumpkin scars and so shows your words or design. Absolutely trying this next year on my allotment plot pumpkins. 

From looking around on Pinterest the engraved pumpkins seem to be a Thanksgiving tradition and farms take your engraving orders in the summer - how cute is that. I'm already researching which varieties I'm going to grow, Musquee de Provence is top of my list as they look like Cinderella pumpkins, an heirloom variety. Also, 'Rouge Vif d'Etampes' which are stunningly beautiful and a deep orange colour. 
pumpkin scarring the seeds of victory are the fruits of peace keep the home garden going heirloom pumpkin pumpkin scarring in the bothy at Attingham writing on pumpkins writing messages on pumpkins seasons in the walled garden at Attingham complete victory if you eat less bread pumpkin scarring tradition
Joining in with How Does Your Garden Grow? at Mammasaurus.

Tuesday, 8 November 2016

Kooky crafting day

dolls heads What to do on an autumn day but craft with a good friend who shares your interest in the weird and wonderful. When you love mooch around your friend's book shelves and treasures. 

I came home with a list of folklore, church and graveyard books. Lovely. 

Also lots of ideas for crafting as my good friend is very talented and makes models from papier mâché. There is a style that I know as being called primitive folk art and when I mentioned it, my friend produced a magazine full of that style. 
BB Little Grey Men Halloween Primitives British Folk Customs book papier mache dolls jack o lantern man books and creatures Halloween craft creature So we had a lovely afternoon chatting about curious things and merry olde England and she taught me how to start crafting figures with paper and glue. Candles flickered, we had warming soup and some Halloween cakes, what could be better. Edward Gorey illustration witches tea towel

Friday, 4 November 2016

Degustabox October - was it a trick or a treat?

Degustabox October was most definitely a treat! Some really tasty goodies for autumnal snacks and warming food.
Degustabox October 2016

So how about a tasty bowl of soup?

IAM SOUPER soup is a delcious soup in a carton that is full of gorgeous chunky ingredients. We received the Supergreens and the Pulled Pork and Jalapenos flavours. As you can see above, that's the pulled pork one, it is so, so, chunky and that is really going to keep you going on a chilly day. It's a high protein soup so should keep you fuller for longer. £1.49
Souper soup

Pitch Choco Bars £1.40
The trick or treaters were not getting their hands on these! A brioche with a solid mini bar of milk chocolate. Yes please! Will be looking out for these in the shops. Delicious.
delicious chocolate
Yushoi Snapea Rice Sticks £1.99
We have had these as part of Degustabox before. I enjoyed them then and of course I enjoyed them this time too. Only downside is that they are one of those snacks that you really need to brush your teeth after. Lightly salted rice sticks baked and made from green peas and low calorie. Like a posh chipstick :) 
Pea Sticks
Robinsons Squash'd Orange £2.49
I have tried these before and enjoyed them, handy little plastic containers of squash to pop into your bag. There are 6 flavours and we tried the orange one. These are so, so handy for us as Little Bird only drinks orange juice so very handy to take with us on days out, just dilute with water. Also when we go and visit my parents it saves us taking a full standard size bottle of squash. A useful product. 
Robinsons Orange Juice
Levi Roots Smokey BBQ Coat n'Cook £1.00
I love it when Degustabox choose items that I can use as a main dinner, helps me with jazzing up meals so this Levi Roots sauce was used in a couple of meals with chicken where I coated the sauce on and then baked or I even added it to baked beans to make them tastier. A great item and it was very hot so really kept the chill off!
Levi Roots sauce
Hershey's Cookies 'n' Creme £1.00
Degustabox have outdone themselves with this one, Hershey's chocolate and King Size! Cookie pieces and smooth creaminess. Perfection. I had about two pieces before it was promptly taken off me by my 6 year old chocoholic. I wanted it too to help me get through my uni work....
Maggi Fusion Noodles 2 x £1.39
Maggi are a brand I've used before, they do a great range in packets of food mix for casseroles and chillis etc. They also do these noodles, bringing a taste of Asia as everything you need for a light lunch or to make up dinner in the evening is in this little packet - noodles, sachet of flavouring oil and dried veggies. And here is a huge plate of tasty food for an autumn evening. 
Maggi noodles
Beloved Date Fruit Hearts 2 x 75p
I think we may have tried Beloved date bars before but these are little hearts - look how cute they are. 100% date fruit with hints of natural flavouring. Gluten free and suitable for vegans. There are five hearts in each packet. 
Beloved Dates
Heinz Kid's Pasta Shapes £1.19
Heinz Kid's Pasta Sauce £1.55
50% wholewheat Minions and a smooth tomato pasta sauce to go alongside it. No added sugar or salt and enjoyed by all of us with some roasted butternut squash. I actually think we all prefer kid's pasta and have since bought some in the weekly shop. The pasta sauce was really, really good.
Minion pasta by Heinz
Jim-Jams 83% Less Sugar Milk Chocolate Spread £2.59
Gluten free and diabetic friendly chocolate spread. I've been having a teaspoon of this to satisfy a sweet craving but I am going to bake a cake and use the rest to sandwich it together. A versatile product for the kitchen cupboard - how about chocolate pancakes or dipping fruit into it. Super item for Degustabox to add this month.
Chocolate spread

Probably one of my top Degustabox months in terms of fab products, really pleased with the offering. 

If you would like to try and experience the surprise of a Degustabox, the code 1GWLB will get you £7 off so the box will just cost you £5.99 including delivery. Well worth trying for some autumn and winter pick-me-ups whilst hibernating at home.
Pumpkin lantern

* I received a Degustabox for the purpose of the review, words are my own honest opinion.

Photobucket

Hi, 

If you cannot see any photos it's because Photobucket is down and that's where most of my pictures are stored.

Hopefully will be back soon!

Thanks,

Sam