Every time I go away I see something which changes the way we live at home Here is a list of some influences
While in Maine, Lisa made us Granola. Did you know that you can make muesli/granola by roasting 8 cups of oak flakes with 1/2 cup of oil for an hour, meanwhile adding seeds, nuts, maple syrup, whatever, to taste.
I don't know what kind of oil, assumed not olive but found, when I'd used it, that my vegetable oil made it taste stale. As a result of that I've revised my oil buying habits, instead of buying huge amounts cheaply and (for non olive oil) then spending 3 years using them up, I've thrown out all our oils and bought small amounts of almond oil, corn oil, walnut oil, groundnut oil and vegetable oil. And I shall make my own granola. - if I can achieve Lisa's deliciousness it will be wonderful.
I don't know what kind of oil, assumed not olive but found, when I'd used it, that my vegetable oil made it taste stale. As a result of that I've revised my oil buying habits, instead of buying huge amounts cheaply and (for non olive oil) then spending 3 years using them up, I've thrown out all our oils and bought small amounts of almond oil, corn oil, walnut oil, groundnut oil and vegetable oil. And I shall make my own granola. - if I can achieve Lisa's deliciousness it will be wonderful.
When visiting Katy in Nantucket several years ago our bed was white on white on white. Up to then I had though white boring and difficult to manage. The Nantucket bed was wonderful All our linen at home were dark blues or greens. Now only the old ones are coloured.
But it is difficult to keep it ironed and bright. Thinking about it, (and about our bed in Maine) maybe it's time to replace it all with new fresh and expensive linen from John Lewis or M&S. (instead of IKEA)
But it is difficult to keep it ironed and bright. Thinking about it, (and about our bed in Maine) maybe it's time to replace it all with new fresh and expensive linen from John Lewis or M&S. (instead of IKEA)
In Israel for Hannah and Erez' wedding we drank arak and mint and lemon juice. Unbelievably wonderful. We bought 4 bottles of Arak on the way home and I planted a huge old tub with mint. The arak is now all drunk but the mint grows back every year. Cara gave us a lemon tree which gives us a lemon or two most years. But we do buy them too.
We also enjoyed salads made by Menia with finely chopped tomatoes and cucumber and mint- and a dressing made with vegetable oil now I come to think about it. Our salads have changed too,
We also enjoyed salads made by Menia with finely chopped tomatoes and cucumber and mint- and a dressing made with vegetable oil now I come to think about it. Our salads have changed too,
In 2010 (or thereabouts) we stayed in Nairn and, at breakfast, watched dozens of birds on the other side of the window feasting on various birdie delights. I now hang birdie delights on a bush outside our study window so I can gaze at tits, finches and nuthatches and an occasional woodpecker whenever I should be working.
There is a tit on this tree is you can spot it, the six different bird delights are hidden in the leaves to protect them from passing predators.
There is a tit on this tree is you can spot it, the six different bird delights are hidden in the leaves to protect them from passing predators.