herbalicious.......

I've long subscribed to the "Simple Abundance" way of living.

This week I've been enjoying picking fresh herbs from the overflowing pots outside my kitchen door, creating dressings and simple sauces to add flavour to our food.

Finding 3 large pots of organic Greek yogurt in the fridge, (no I don't know why either) had me googling for recipes.
I found Jennifer Segal's blog onceuponachef , choc a bloc with amazing recipes
I decided to make her creamy Greek Yogurt dressing and shamelessly imitated her food styling, of the finished result, in my photo.

With two basil plants going head to head to be the biggest and best I had a glut on my hands and once again found a simple basic pesto recipe on Jennifer’s blog.

Finally I tried my hand at drying sage and hung a big bunch up to dry naturally.

I also tried Eileen's (@viewingnaturewitheileen) suggestion of drying it in the microwave, so I did, and it worked a treat.

I couldn't resist crumbling some into our brunch omelette today, herbalicious!

Would love to hear what's been cooking at your place this week?

Linking to Mosaic Monday # 93 

with Angie @ Letting Go of the Bay Leaf

see you there!

things that happened this week

Before I launch into what happened on Darley Moor this week I think I'd better explain about the bread crusts and curly hair reference in last week's post.

Lorrie @ Fabric, Paper and Thread  and Sallie@ A Full Time Life  both told me that they had heard this tall tale too whilst some other visitors were puzzled and wanted to know more.

When my sister and I were growing up during the 1950's our Mother always encouraged us to eat the crusts on our sandwiches. She told us that if we did our hair would grow curly but I think I figured out quite early on that that old wives tale just wasn't true! 

It was just something that mothers would say to make English kids finish the meal.

Now for a little roundup of some nice things that happened this week despite the rain and not being able to go out into the garden or take more than a quick walk down the lane very often.

Monday was the SP's birthday. I had hoped that we might drive up the road a little bit and visit the gardens of Chatsworth House, home of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire but after considering the pros and cons we decided to avoid any possible crowds and stay home instead.

I did have one small surprise for him though, a gift from Peak Brewery @ Chatsworth Estate.

A case of their finest ales was delivered by a chauffeur driving a Mercedes just before lunch and was very well received by the birthday boy.

Another thing to celebrate this week although on a much smaller scale was the delivery of an item of furniture which we ordered way back in January but which had been delayed because of lockdown.

We have sofa in the family room at last!

And finally, Friday was National Fish and Chips Day in the UK. and we enjoyed this favourite British meal that evening, with many thanks to the Darley Dale Fish Bar.

So, how was your week?

Linking to Mosaic Monday # 83

with Angie 

@ Letting Go of the Bay Leaf

UK lockdown. Day 52.

Yesterday was day 52 of the UK lockdown.
The "Stay Home, Protect the NHS, Save Lives" message from the Government has now been amended to "Stay Alert, Control the Virus, Save Lives".
Prime Minister Boris Johnson tweeted this message.

"Everyone has a role to play in helping to control the virus by staying alert and following the rules.This is how we can continue to save lives as we start to recover from coronavirus.#StayAlert "

The Senior Partner and I have been self isolating since we arrived back in the UK, only leaving home to shop for essential food supplies. 

We've been shopping at some of the local family owned businesses which have stayed open. A small 7/7 convenience store; butchers who will deliver if you can't use their click and collect service and an excellent deli called the Sticky Fig.

Yesterday garden centres were allowed to open to the public as long as all the social distancing measures were in place.

So, we headed to one nearby to purchase some house plants, aromatics for my herb garden and bags of compost so that I could get my hands in some dirt.

Later that afternoon I chatted with a neighbour who had also been out to buy plants (standing 6 feet apart of course) for her garden and we laughed at how excited we were to finally be able to work outside.

I came across this handsome chap at the garden centre but at that price sadly had to leave him behind.

Happy gardening.

Joining Angie @ Letting Go of the Bay Leaf for Mosaic Monday #80, see you there.