Wednesday 15 October 2014

One of those 'nothing much happened' days.



This guy came to visit us up at the barn yesterday. No idea what it is, but I presume it's some sort of Cricket. We found another one the same, that had a very long spike protruding from its behind. Looked very nasty. 

(Some time later). I now know what it is. My friend Sami has informed me that it's a Saddle-Backed Bush Cricket, and that the one with the backwards pointing spike was the female. Thanks Sami.


It's one-pot stew season again. This one that I knocked-up yesterday contained Lamb, spuds, carrots, red onions, and butter beans. Very comforting, even if our weather doesn't yet warrant such comfort..... It was HOT yesterday.


What better sign of Autumn than Mrs Tiggy-Winkle off to find some cosy nook to pass the Winter. This gal was found walking up the long drive to the barn, in the middle of the afternoon. Lady Magnon helped her on her way, and deposited her under a nice thick warm hedge. Sleep well, Mrs T.


And whilst we're still waiting for the Cèpes to emerge, I found just one Parasol (that was added to the above stew). Meagre pickings, but it should get better.

A demain.


28 comments:

  1. Your lamb stew looks delicious! I've been cooking big one pot meals already, too, even though it's still quite warm here.

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    Replies
    1. It looks as if our hot weather will continue too. Maybe I'll go back to salads for a while.

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  2. So much is happening there. I like this way of life.

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  3. That cricket looks like the Weta that we have here in NZ. Ours can grow quite big and there is a giant cave Weta that is a big ugly basward... I can't say I am particularly fond of them, despite them being almost prehistoric!

    Jo in Auckland, NZ

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    Replies
    1. Your Weta looks much bigger. Our thing's main body was about an inch and a half long, with all the other bits extra. Big ugly bastard indeed!

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  4. Replies
    1. ....and crumbles, and mince pies, and biscuits. In fact I don't touch anything that involves sugar.

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    2. Waitrose are selling quinces at £1 each!

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    3. Good god. I still have one or two lingering, but most have already rotted on the compost.

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  5. I might be too late with this as your chillies may be finished but I've been meaning to share this recipe as you seem fond of chilli:

    http://thehotsauceaddiction.com/sweet-chilli-sauce-recipe/

    I used HOT chillies so it didn't turn out a mild heat (as the website suggests) but I love it regardless. I'm having some as I type, mixed with a little dijon mustard (to cut through the heat) with 'gourmet' sausages. Also great on a lamb, beef, or whatever sandwich.

    You seem to enjoy playing with preserves so this might appeal to you.

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    Replies
    1. ...and it's not a 'sweet' chilli sauce, as I know them!

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    2. Thanks for that Nina. My chilis are finished for this year (I dried them all), but I have bookmarked the recipe for 2015. It does sound very very good!

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    3. It is! I usually 'water bath' the filled jars for about 30 minutes - just to be sure!

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  6. Well, it's chillier here in South Korea than it's supposed to be and that stew would go down a treat. My mouth is watering just dreaming about it!

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  7. I did my first one pot meal of the season yesterday also. It cooked for hours and my house smelled wonderful. Your stew looks wonderful!

    It is summer hot here also, but a storm that is coming will change that.

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  8. That one pot meal looks so delicious it has taken away the horror of that cricket.

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  9. We had a cold spell the last couple of weeks so we're into the hearty cooking as well...then....this week....it's summer again. What the heck is going on? Never mind, we'll take it lol.

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  10. I cooked my first slow cooker meal last week. Black Farmer's meaty sausages, all sorts of veggies including fennel, herbs, garlic and seasoning and a tin of baked beans. It was delicious.

    Jean
    x

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  11. What a strange looking cricket, I've never seen one like that.

    Love the looks of your stew. I was just about to make a stew but then we had some warm weather arrive, so I made stuffed squash instead (stuffed with ground pork and onions).

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  12. That pot looks delicious. Here in Finland the weather has been really cold and it winds a lot.

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  13. It's pouring with rain here and that stew looks absolutely delicious.

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  14. Oh I wish we had hedgehogs here! Their larger cousins the porcupines are not quite as cute. :)

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