Greener with the scenery

Last weekend we drove up to Leicestershire to stay with my family and go to a Christening. Not just any Christening, but one where I became Godmother to the daughter of one of my best friends. Very proud and grown up moment!

Harry and I enjoyed some chill out time too which was well needed. We walked my parent's dog Boo across the fields, she hopped through the long wet grass and chased after us when she realised we had walked too far ahead.

I rocked my Hunter wellies that are 14 years old! They're rather tatty... the right one is actually duct taped up on the back of the calf and they haven't got much grip but they are so bloody comfy, I can't bring myself to get rid of them. Maybe I'll treat myself to some new ones for the big Three Ohh next year. 

We popped down to Foxton Locks on the way home from watching my little bro play Rugby... I've been a million times but I love it there, we sat outside with a little shandy, listened to the boats chug along and the watched sun go down. 

I love the Leicestershire countryside... don't get me wrong I adore living by the sea but coming back to the miles of green fields, smell of farmyards and lovely places like Foxton so close by I'm always really happy to be home. 

                                          

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Not just for Halloween

I'm not a huge fan of Halloween, but with the 31st October fast approaching, I thought I'd share the closest thing to a Halloween ish recipe I have! I make it with Butternut Squash but you could easily swap it for Pumpkin if you fancied. This is one of my favourite dinners, I seem to make it more than anything else as it's just so easy.

Squashy Pasta

When I first started making this, I didn't use the Chorizo and it was still as delicious... So if you're a Vegetarian don't worry, just leave it out!

- Preheat the oven to about 200 degrees Celsius / Gas mark 6.

- Chop up the Butternut Squash and onion into chunks and put into a roasting tray. 

- Pop in a couple of chopped garlic cloves, salt & black pepper and drizzle it all with some olive oil. Stir it all so everything is nicely glistening in oil. 

- Roast in the oven for 30 minutes. 

- Around 10 mins before the time is up, put your pasta on to cook (depending on how long yours takes!) 

- At this point you also want to put your chopped up Chorizo into the pan with the squash etc. 

- Once pasta is cooked, drain it but leave a teeny bit of water left in the pan. Put the contents of the roasting tin in with the pasta and add a couple of big spoonfuls of Creme Fraiche. 

- Give it all a good stir over a low heat just so the creme fraiche heats through. It's totally up to you how much you put in... I tend to add a bit more as I like this dish quite creamy. 

- You're ready to serve. Grate some fresh Parmesan over the top with some more black pepper and enjoy! 

It's not the best looking dish I grant you but it's so yummy. I find it such an easy dish to make and I always end up making too much. It's nice the next day too heated through in the microwave. 

Let me know if you give it a go and I hope you like it! 

(Apologies for the shoddy photos... iphone and bad lighting in my tiny kitchen)

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Places and Spaces

The past month has been a busy one. An eclectic mix of a trip to Foxton Locks, 3 weddings, a drive around the New Forest, Date night in Portsmouth, a charity raffle and a visit from my parents and their gorgeous little pooch Boo.

The next few weeks will be spent making things for upcoming craft fairs and getting involved with the Southsea Sisters independent women's group. Exciting things are a comin'!

What have you got to look forward to over the next few weeks?

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Autumn Sounds

Via

Bestival has been and gone... Our crappy little English Summer has been and gone. ..Autumn is here folks.

This morning I woke up to the sound of pouring rain and a slight chill outside of the duvet which made me strangely quite cheery. Don't get me wrong, I love Summer and the happiness that comes with it... but Autumn is just as beautiful. The colours are gorgeous and the leaves are crunchy to walk on. Plus it also means my extensive scarf collection comes out to play... Big bonus. Even on a rainy day like today, I found comfort and joy in my huge grey over-sized cardigan, fluffy slippers, several cups of tea and knowing I didn't have to go out in the wind and rain.

Today, along with a few chores and craft sorting in the warmth of my flat, I finished the next step of my homemade Raspberry Gin.

My mum made some last year and it was amazing. Harry loved it too and was so happy when I told him I was making some for us this year! You can get the recipe here on mum's blog and try it for yourself.

I bought frozen raspberries and left them out to defrost for a couple of hours before using. This is an easier and cheaper option if you plan to make it later in the year like me, as the last remaining fresh ones in supermarkets & farm shops work out very expensive. Next year I'm going to go fruit picking during the summer and pick my own... Organisation is key!

I don't usually like Gin at all but this is so good. We can't wait to have our first sip in December.... until then, these 2 big jars are going to stew for a few months.

Are you happy Autumn is here?

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