The seasons turn, a new year arrives. My Christmas gift was a traveller’s journal which is why my story begins here. I carried it around in my backpack and to and fro between my desk and bedside table for weeks before beginning to use it. Sometimes getting started is the hardest part. We were living…
Tag: homemade
Seasonal Recipes: Homemade Maple Toffee Apples
These are the maple toffee apples from my story A Week in Books: Stories to treasure, traditional recipes and seasonal flowers Maple toffee apples are wonderful in autumn, for evenings spent outdoors, wrapped up warm by a fire. Consider also making these with surplus apples in August and enjoying them cool from the fridge on…
Seasonal Recipes: English Cherry Flapjacks
These are the sweet treats from my potager garden story: Umbrella boats, windowsill seeds and chocolate flapjacks and I quickly learnt through the comments I received from curious readers that in many other countries, flapjacks are another name for pancakes. These are the English variety – a quick and easy store cupboard oaty bake. This…
Seasonal Recipes: Scottish Raspberry Shortbread
Scottish Raspberry Shortbread (Original recipe: Scottish Baking by Sue Baker) I’m going to file this recipe under “Autumn” as raspberries are in season from August-October here in England. However, they do make a delicious treat for Burns Night. I’ve reduced the number of raspberries from the original recipe, as my children find the shortbread very crumbly and this ratio helps…
Seasonal Recipes: Smokey Garlic Ketchup
Vegan Smokey Garlic Ketchup The base for this ketchup comes from one of my favourite books The Homemade Vegan Pantry – which provides great basic recipes and also explains the science behind store cupboard staples. I was surprised how incredibly easy and fast it is to make ketchup – I’m a complete convert to the homemade version. Ingredients: …
Seasonal Recipes: Homemade natural orange and candelilla furniture wax
Homemade natural orange and candelilla furniture wax We have had the same french pine kitchen table for nearly 20 years. It started as a big desk for writing university essays in my late teens, and it is now in the centre of our kitchen, where our family of six have our meals everyday. With a bit…
Seasonal Recipes: Aloe vera ice cube soothers for children – with added dinosaurs
Aloe vera ice cube soothers for children – with added dinosaurs The inspiration for freezing aloe vera comes from James Wong’s natural home remedy book Grow Your Own Drugs. I have greatly diluted it (so it is less messy to use with kids) and added little frozen toys, to cheer children and keep their interest in…
Seasonal Recipes: Homemade lavender oil pillow spray and sleep cloth for children
One of our little boys has profound autism and this sleepy spray blanket forms part of our nightly routine to help him to settle down for sleep peacefully. I prefer to spritz the mild scent onto a cloth, as opposed to a pillow, because I am then able to warm the blanket on a radiator…
Homemade Natural Antibacterial Kitchen Cleaner
The peppermint and orange oils in this cleaner not only cancel out any vinegar scent, but also add antibacterial properties – making it perfect for wiping down kitchen surfaces. It’s also much safer to have around the house with children than commercial kitchen bleaches. Ingredients: 300ml of boiled, cooled water 60ml white vinegar 10 drops peppermint oil…
Seasonal Recipes: Whipped Coconut Lotion with Frankincense and Vitamin E.
This coconut body lotion is really quick and easy to make, and results in a lotion with a light, soufflé-like texture. Recipe: 1 cup coconut oil, room temp1 teaspoon vitamin E oil5 drops essential oil of your choice (effective essential oils for skin lotions include lavender, frankincense and geranium) Whip for 6 mins in an electric mixer,…
Seasonal Recipes: Hazelnut Milk and Dark Chocolate Fudge
Hazelnut Milk and Dark Chocolate Fudge Inspired by Colleen Patrick-Goudreau’s recipe in The Joy of Vegan Baking. This fudge requires very few ingredients and is simple and quick to make. It stores very well for a week or more, if kept in the fridge. Ingredients: 340g Dairy-free Dark Chocolate Buttons 6 Tbsp Vitalite, with extra for…
Tiny Potager 