Meet the...Organic Farmer

Michael Seymour is one of the driving forces behind The Nenagh Farmers Market.  Every Saturday morning you will find him selling his organic lamb and beef products in Quentin’s Way, Nenagh.  He is the man with the smiling face, the gentle manner and happy and appreciative customers.  Not only does he have the best meat to buy and take home but will also cook you a lamb or beef burger or south African style sausage to eat there on the spot…mmm who can resist.  He farms on Sheepwalk Farm in Borrisokane with his family.  I spoke to Michael or “Farmer Michael” as he said he is commonly known as, about farming and selling.

Did you grow up on this farm and have you always been a farmer?
Yes, I grew up on the farm but I wasn’t always a farmer per say.  I had considered other occupations but was drawn back to the farm.  I wanted to leave my mark on the farm.

North Tipperary has very good land and is known for its cattle.  The local town provides a market for these with the creamery and beef processing plant…so why sheep?

My Dad, and his father before him, was a livestock dealer and specialised in store lambs and breeding ewes. I spent a lot of time at sheep marts and there was always sheep on the farm, so it was to be expected for me to farm sheep.  Actually North Tipperary and South Offaly was renowned for fattening lambs and hoggets. But I farm cattle as well and keep an Angus Herd.

As consumers we know about the benefits of organic to the land and also to our bodies, as a farmer why did you make the decision to become organic?
We always farmed extensively and wanted to maintain and develop this type of farming.   Back in the mid 90s the only way to put that stamp of natural production was to be certified organic.

How long did this process take and did it involve a nightmare amount of paperwork and monitoring?
There is a two year conversion period and yes, there is plenty of paperwork and monitoring. But it has to be that way to ensure the integrity of the certification.

Is this a route you would encourage other food producers to go and what advice would you offer them?

To succeed at organic farming you must believe in it and your heart must be in it.  It doesn’t suit every farmer but if you are considering organic then find out as much as possible about it before you start converting.

You sell direct to your customers, how important is this for you and what are the benefits of this to you and to the customer?

I believe and have value in what I am producing. I know it is a very natural product and nobody can sell this produce as good as you can yourself.  The benefit to the consumer is that they know where their meat is coming from and they are assured of consistency in it.  The benefit to me is that I can sell my product as organic 12 months of the year.

OK two cheeky questions about money.  Firstly what do you say to the customer that says your meat is too expensive and they can get it elsewhere much cheaper?

Like everything in life you get what you pay for.  I keep an eye on what others are charging so I know I am not that much more expensive.  If you want good quality food then you have to pay for it.

And secondly, most farmers are saying there is no money in farming, they just continue because it’s what they’ve always done, is it possible to make a liveable income from a farm or will it always need to be subsidised with income from elsewhere?
If farm subsidies stopped then farmers would stop farming, the income from farm activity just covers the cost of production. Farmers live on the subsidies they receive from the EU.  It is staggering to think that 100 acres could not sustain a farmer but that is the case, however if the price per kilo was higher then a living could be made. But people have become used to a cheap food society.

You were part of the group that set up the Nenagh Farmers Market and are now involved in starting one in Borrisokane.  Why do you feel farmers markets are important?It is important to be able to sell direct to the consumer as they get the best food and the farmers realises how important his job is and can take great pride in what he is producing and selling from his land.

Why do you feel this is the right time to start a market in Borrisokane?

Now, is always the right time! We can’t wait or expect others to give us a leg up, we must take the initiative ourselves.  We are a great food producing country, let’s celebrate that locally in every town.  When people visit us in our area they will feel pride in what we can do for ourselves.  My own experiences tell me that local food and craft markets are the starting point for regeneration.
What would you like to say to customers to bring them to this market?

I don’t know the figures but for every euro you spend locally at least half of that is circulated back into the local economy.  But it is a different way of shopping; meet the producer, meet a lot of new people, experience the buzz of an outdoor market – it’s more fun and less stress.
If you weren’t farming what would you do?

Something in the economics or accountancy area I think.

Any final words of wisdom?
Be positive, think positive.  Surround yourself with positive people.  Count your blessings, appreciate good health and remember there is a solution to every problem.

I think Michael has a great attitude to work and to life in general, I have never seem him stressed and he seems to enjoy what he does.  He passes this good feeling onto his customers.  I can vouch for the quality of his meat and this week our family haver dined on the most fantastic bolognese sauce made with his beef mince and tonight is slowed cooked ox-tongue stroganoff, my husbands favourite dish.

You can buy from Michael at Borrisokane Food and Craft Market Friday's 2pm to 6pm or Nenagh Farmers Market Saturday 10pm to 2pm

Find him on facebook https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Sheepwalk-farm/216901208329910

Backhanded compliments

The weather has finally started to behave itself and my wardrobe screamed with excitment.  I can finally stop wearing leggings and wellies and big woolly jumpers and ear warmers.  At last with a bit of scrubbing and some other body maintainence summer clothes and sandals can come out.

Or so I thought...
I am at work today so thought a light cotton shirt and white linen trousers would work...but I'm having a fat day and the white linen trousers wouldn't co-operarate. I had a root through and found something to wear including a green fancy t-shirt/top from  M&S 3 years ago that is fairly respectable.  When I put it on it reminded me of a back-handed compliment I got from someone before...you know when they mean to give you a compliment and it goes wrong.  It set me off thinking about a number of these I have received.

So, the one with the green top went as follows:
I was teaching a class and at the break one of the older ladies came up to me,
Her: I love your top, it's so bright
Me: Thanks, it's really comfortable for work
Her: Were did you get it, I haven't seen it around
Me: Marks and Spencer's
Her: Was it recently, I might pop in
Me: No, it was last spring I got it
Her: That's a pity, it would be perfect on my daughter...she has a really big belly too.

How do you respond to that.....

Another one was a family member at our house at Christmas, me in a floaty top.
Her: That top is really nice on you, the shape suits you.
Me: Thanks, I didn't want a whole new outfit, I had the trousers and was lucky to find this top in Next last week.
Her: Wow, you were very lucky, I didn't think they did sizes that big

One night after a hectic day at work I stopped at the Chinese takeaway to get a lazy dinner for us all. The owner knows us all and had a surprised look on her face when she seen me and asked was I sick, nope, I replied and she said there was something wrong with my hair so she thought I was sick.  I just replied that I was trying to save a little money and hadn't got my hair colour done.  She was very surprised and said she didn't realise I was that old!!!!!!

A short final one...someone came into the office looking for me but didn't know my name..she asked for the pleasant stout girl.

So, have you ever received a similar "compliment?

Borrisokane Market

Here it is...a total and complete plug.  We have been working really hard to get a market started in Borrisokane and now the start date is almost here, June 1st.  It is a food a craft market with stalls from North Tipperary and will take place in the square each Friday 2pm to 6pm.   We have a press release going into The Nenagh Guardian today...we have been told it's on the front page.

We have a facebook page and every few days it features one of the businesses that will be participating.
https://www.facebook.com/Borrisokanemarket

and I have made this little picture for us all to put on our blogs, facebook pages, websites...nice and colourful.

Sunday Roast Dinner

I have been a bit lax in posting lately…that’s actually good because it means I have been busy.  I have missed the weekend make-a-long and the Wednesday recipe so I am going to make up for it today. Warning this is a super long post and I am going to share some family secrets with you.  Today’s post is how to make a wonderful family roast chicken dinner with all the trimmings for your favourite family members.

The menu:

Stuffed Roast Chicken
Mashed potato
Roast potatoes
Gravy
Stuffed tomatoes
and two vegetables

I like sprouts and carrots
Maeve hates sprouts
Mam doesn’t like carrots
David likes carrots…so does Oisín
Dad loves mashed cauliflower
If it’s food Oliver will eat it
Áine’s not fussy, neither is Fiona
and I don’t think I’ve seen Gina eat a vegetable…even though she’s a vegetarian

So, to start you will need the following:

A clean kitchen: Empty of other people is best, I like to cook on my own.
Good music: The Red Hot Chilli Peppers, U2 or maybe The Beatles, a compilation on shuffle works well.
Two hours: You may get the actual cooking done in1 hour but need 2 hours to get everything else done.
Wine: Chilled bottle of white wine, Sauvignon Blanc or Chardonnay. Red wine, Merlot or Malbec.

Note: If you don’t have music but have a TV then a really old classic Sunday afternoon film will do just aswell.  A musical would be really good or a cheesy Christmas film if it is that time of the year

Ok let’s start:
Take out all the pots you have-all different sizes, and two frying pans and leave them all on top of the cooker.
Pour out a glass of white wine for yourself and take a sip, turn on the music and sing while you cook.  Refresh your wine and change the music as necessary.

The first thing to make is the stuffing, you will need lots of it.
Enough to go inside the chicken,Enough for the tomatoes,
Enough to make some in a dish,
and then another big pile of it if Maeve is eating.

Chop two onions finely and put in a pan with about ¼ lb of butter.  Sweat gently until they are soft.  Get a big bowl and half fill with breadcrumbs. Add in loads of chopped herbs, pick your favourite (I like parsley, thyme, sage and rosemary and have these in the garden) …you want it to look really green. Next add a packet of chopped mixed nuts and half a packet of chopped apricots. Stir in the onion and butter mix. Taste for seasoning, add some pepper and chilli flakes if you want, be careful of adding salt as the butter has salt in it. If you are not cooking the chicken straight away make sure the stuffing is cold before you put it into it.

Note: If anyone else comes to help,
let them taste,
let them stir,
then give them a glass of red wine, tell them it will be ready soon and send them into the sitting room to watch TV.
If you have a lot of people you may need more than one bottle of red wine.

The chicken: Ideally kill it the night before and leave it in the fridge.
Failing that, take it out of the wrapping and take off the funny elastic string thingy.  Look inside it and take out the extra flap of fat and MAKE SURE there isn’t a plastic bag of giblets still inside.
If you want you can cut out the wishbone, it makes it easier to carve.  Put the stuffing inside, don’t pack it too tight you want some hot air to circulate in there to cook it through. Put the stuffed chicken into an oven dish UPSIDE DOWN…it is best to cook the bottom first. Put it into a pre-heated oven at 180 degrees, it will take about an hour to cook.

Wash your hands.
Clean down the counter.
Go to the loo.
and then it’s time for another glass of wine and maybe a 5 minute sit down.

The potatoes: I find roosters are great for mash and roast but use your favourites.
Peel the potatoes and put into a big pot. When you think you have enough add lots more. If Oisín is eating with you it’s best just to double the amount. Cut them so they are all even sized, rinse and cover with cold water.  Add some sea salt, cover and bring to the boil.

Open the oven and carefully take out the chicken and turn it over so the breast is now on the top and can cook and crisp.

If you have hens put the potato peeling into a casserole dish with a splash of water and put into the bottom of the oven to cook…feed to hens when cold.

Hint: Vegetables, hot or cold water.
This is simple, if it grows in the ground start cooking in cold water, if it grows above ground start cooking in boiling water.  Don’t ever put a lid on green vegetables it makes them go a yucky grey colour.  Only ever add salt to potatoes to cook.

Back to the potatoes: When they boil turn down and simmer for 10 minutes.  Then take out half of the potatoes and leave to dry, these will become the roasted ones.
Get a big frying pan and add some goose or duck fat or some olive oil with a knob of butter. Add some chopped garlic, put in the potatoes and toss around until covered in the fat.  Place on a roasting dish and sprinkle with smoked paprika or dried mixed herbs, whichever you like best.  Put into oven to roast.  Check a few times and turn around a bit and baste in the oil.  They should be crispy in about 30 minutes.

Check the chicken, if it is getting brown then cover it in foil.  If the tray has a lot of juices or fat then carefully pour it off and keep.  The potato skins for the hens should be cooked now, take them out to cool and then sprinkle on the grass for them to peck through. If you don’t have hens then give them raw to the pigs…if you don’t have either then save them for me.

Note: Some people like to cook the potatoes around the chicken, I don’t as I find with the juices and the fat they get too soggy.  It’s better to save the juices for the gravy and keep the fat for the next lot of roast spuds.

Go into the sitting room and tell everyone that the potatoes are in the oven so it won’t be much longer. You can get them to set the table and sort drinks out for everyone. If they are complaining that they are hungry give them a bowl of olives to nibble.

Sneak back into the kitchen and top up your own white wine.  Change the music, it’s probably time to slow it down a little now, Enya or Maria Doyle Kennedy are good choices.

Sprouts: Open the net of sprouts, cut each one in half and take off any black leaves. Put into a pot, cover in boiling water, bring back to the boil and simmer for about 15 minutes.
Carrots: Cut off the top and bottom, I don’t bother to peel them.  Cut in half lengthwise and cut into chunks about 3cm long, then cut each chunk into two diagonally, they will look like mini carrots. Put into pot, cover with boiling water, bring back to boil and then  simmer about 15 minutes.
The carrot top and bottoms can be used for stock, or let the children grow the tops in a saucer of water.  Don’t keep the sprout peelings for stock, and the hens won’t eat them either…so it’s the pigs or compost heap. Watch out of Dad comes in as he will eat all the raw carrots.

Stuffed Tomatoes: Cut the tops of the tomatoes and scoop out all the seeds. Put some stuffing into the tomatoes.  Put some more stuffing into an ovenproof dish and place the tomatoes on top, they will balance well here.  

Open the oven, it’s probably full now so check the chicken. Cut open the thigh of the chicken, if the juices are clear it is cooked.  Take it out and leave it to rest, cover lightly with foil to keep warm.

Important: Make sure there are no cats in the kitchen…or Oliver, because he will eat all the chicken now.
Put the stuffing and tomatoes into the oven, check the roast potatoes and baste.
The boiled potatoes should now be done, drain and leave to dry for a minute or two.  Mash with a knob of butter, a splash of milk and some salt and pepper. Keep warm somewhere.  For a different mash use some olive oil and some minced garlic…or some grated cheese…or scallions…or parsley.  Or what I like to add is a raw egg and stir well.

Check to see how everyone is, they may be getting more hungry but should be in good humour from the wine.  Offer some garlic bread.

Garlic Bread: Cut a baguette or ciabatta in half, rub with garlic and drizzle with olive oil and put under the grill until golden. Or add minced garlic to butter, spread on bread and toast.  You can sprinkle either of these with some grated parmesan.

The Gravy: Chop an onion finely and sweat in a little oil. Go into the sitting room and get the red wine…nag them all because the table isn’t set. Pour a good splash of red wine into the gravy pan. Now pour the juices of the chicken into the pan aswell. Add a dessert spoonful of chutney, or relish, or cranberry sauce, or even a glug of ketchup… that will add a depth of flavour. Top up with water and add a spoonful of instant gravy mix and stir well (yes, I know, gravy mix…but it does work well). Taste and see if anything else is needed...herbs or seasoning.

Check the vegetable and if ready drain them…if any fall in the sink, just pick them out and ad back to the pot, they’ll be fine. Add a knob of butter to the sprouts.  Add a splash of orange juice and some coriander seeds to the carrots. Put everything into dishes ready to be served.

Now the most important part: Carve some chicken and put it onto your plate and serve yourself everything you want.  Hide some roast potatoes so you can have seconds if you want some later. And only then tell everyone else that food is ready. Get someone else to pour you a glass of red wine, complain that the bottle is almost empty and don’t let on that you finished a bottle of white wine while cooking.  Pick some music that everyone likes, maybe Coldplay, and enjoy dinner.

…and don’t forget the best part of a big roast dinner is the leftovers sandwich later on for tea.

Weekend make-a-long: Welly garden

Apologies for this being late and also in terms of a make-a-long it's a bit of a cop out. I have had such a busy week and weekend, good I suppose.  So this week it was about re-using or upcycling things about the house.  We all have wellies, well I mean you need them in the country.  But some of them are a bit old and had perished and no longer waterproof...so no longer a functioning welly.  These wellies have served us well, they have been on welly walks, they have been puddle jumping with nieces and nephews and cousins, they have forded many a stream and more importantly kept us cosy at more than one Slane concert.  I believe they have seen The Rolling Stones, Madonna and The Red Hot Chilli Peppers.  So with service like that they deserve more than the bin, in fact they need a new purpose in life where they can be admired.

And so they became a welly herb garden.

I just plonked them on the ground but some of them seemed to have taken on a human stance and attitude of their own.  These were mine so naturally I prefer them.

I filled the bottom with stones, up to about ankle length.  This was to provide drainage and also stability, I don't want them blowing over.  It was suggested that I put drainage holes in them first but I didn't as I didn't have anything to hand to do that and also they had holes in them anyway...that's why they didn't work as wellies.  Then in went potting compost, the herbs and some more compost to fill up gaps, plenty of water and that was that.  For me the advantage of this welly garden is they are too small for the hens and cats to want to sit in and to tall for them to pee or poop in.  That was the problem I had with window boxes, they have just become locations for animals to lie in and sunbathe. I went to Woodies yesterday to get some plants and couldn't believe that the first thing I saw was a ceramic plant pot shaped like a pair of wellies...mine are better.

Wednesday recipe: Potato nibbles and other veggies

Not really a recipe today, just some ideas for using potatoes and other veggies for parties and drinks.

Curry potato wedges:
Some nice oval potatoes like Pinks that have tasty skins
Sunflower or other light tasting vegetable oil (don't waste good olive oil on these as you wont taste it)
Medium Curry powder.

Heat the oven to 180 degress centigrade.
Cut the potatoes in half and then each into wedges. You want a decent size to eat with fingers.
You can decide weather to peel them or not.
Put wedges into a bowl and drizzle with oil and add some curry powder, about a teaspoon to each potato.
Toss together and then place on an oven tray.
Roast in oven for about 20 minutes or until crispy.

Sweet potato wedges:
These need to be cooked slightly different as they are softer than potato and absorb all the oil.
Put a small amount of sunflower or vegetable oil on an ovenproof dish and put in an oven at 180 degress to heat.
Peel the sweet potatoes and cut into wedges.
Put on the heated tray and toss slighty.
Roast for about 15 minutes or until crispy.

Deep fried aubergine:
Make a batter with 4oz flour, 1 egg and 1/2 pint milk, beat all togther and make sure it isn't lumpy.  Leave to settle for a few minutes.
Heat oil in a pot or deep fat fryer.
Slice aubergine into rings and dust in flour.
Dip into the batter, shake off excess and drop carefully into hot oil.
These only take about 2 minutes to cook.
Drain and eat immediately.

Some dipping saiuces are good with these, simple mayonaisse, garlic mayonaisse and chutney are my favourites.

Design faux pas

Have you ever had any?  We all have some sort of a disaster when an idea in our head doesn't translate into a product...that's allowed, it's part of the design process.  As is improving a product and refreshing it.  But have you ever had an "oopsie" moment with something...I have, read on.

A few years ago my husband had some business meetings in France and I travelled with him.  He was to have a meeting in Toulouse and as we had discovered previously the other party would always suggest a pricey hotel to meet you in to gauge your reaction.  Anyway, the Sofitel at the airport was suggested and we agreed saying we had stayed there previously and had already booked in for this trip.  It is a lovely hotel, bright, airy and spacious but from my previous trip a little dated.  Apparently they felt the same because they had just recently hired a top designer to give the hotel a makeover so I was looking forward to seeing it.

A few things you need to know about me, I get very very hot, I don't travel well and I need comfortable clothes.  I was trying to think what to wear so that I would be cool enough in, that I could be in the car for the 3 hour drive and be comfortable in and that would be at least a little bit respectable for a business meeting.  White linen trousers and a white cotton string top and sandals came to mind but I felt I needed something more respectable to throw on over the top for the meeting.  Before the trip I had gone into Hickey's in Limerick and bought a sheer stripey fabric.  I made a sheer poncho type top out of it and this seemed ideal to go over the outfit, it offered a little bit of classiness without any heat, and it didn't crinkle.

Well, in we went having previously had a call to say the person we were meeting was already in the lobby area.  We got to the reception, explained we would be checking in but were just dropping our bags first to meet someone.  I had a quick look around and the hotel looked fantastic, the designer had done a great job.  In we went to the lobby...and I stopped and tried to turn but it was too late.  I couldn't believe it, I was wearing the curtains...yes the bloomin curtains. The complete wall was glass and had sheer fabric panels the whole way along in the exact same fabric as my top. And to make it worse my husband commented on the new design saying how well it looked and that the curtains looked familiar.....aaaarrrrrrrgh, men.

I can laugh at it now, my Sound of Music moment but it wasn't funny at the time.
Have you had any experiences of design faux pas?

The area were we had our meeting with the curtains at the window in the exact same fabric I was wearing

Weekend make-a-long: Birdie phone charm

I was making some little phone charms and bookmarks to have as little pocket money items at the market.  But I found I was putting so much work into them with hand sewing, beading and other embellishments that they weren't going to be cost effective at all.  I tried to source a "cheater" fabric that had small things ready printed to cut and sew.  I have found a few but still dear enough and not quite what I wanted...or always out of stock. I was in Penny's (Primark) on Wednesday buying new wellies (the old wellies will be the subject of next weeks make-a-long hopefully) and I saw these tea towels at the counter.

Well some people may just see a cute tea towel, but not me... my first thought was what wonderful bookmarks they would make...and even better the tea towels were only €1.50 each.  I got up this morning and still in my pyjamas started to see what I could make.  I always start the lazy and quick way and then see how to improve it.  So I cut out the little birdie and pinned it onto a scrap of felt.

Then using a blanket stitch on the machine I sewed the bird onto the felt.  Using a pinking shears I cut the felt around the birdie.

I added some ric rac for legs and a phone charm lanyard and there it is a little birdie phone or bag charm. 

As I said I take the lazy way with the first one and then see how to improve it. So for the next one I stiffened the fabric first with interfacing and decided to embellish it with some beads.  The stiffening worked but I don't think the embellishment showed up enough to make it worth my while.

I put one of these onto my phone to see if it works as a charm, it's a bit big but that's ideal for me as I can never find my phone in my bag.  The I decided to see how it worked as a bookmark and I have to say I am very happy with these.

 

Anyway, give it a go yourself but not until after next Monday when I plan on going to Penny's to buy more tea towels....and when I'm done you can start.

Meet the ... blogger

This is the first in an occoasional series of interviews with others that do things in their own way or have achieved in areas that I aspire to.  Today it is Sarah, a blogger and forumer...but as you read is so much more.

I first “met” Sarah on the River Cottage forum where she was always willing to engage in conversation with us newbies.  She was then and still is a fountain of knowledge relating to all aspects of what I proudly call homecrafts, the art of living, providing what you can yourself and sharing with and caring for those around you.  She lives in Dorset with a large garden full of delights, animal and vegetable…both decorative and for eating.  I would say she is addicted to knitting…and she would agree… but I know she is very competent in all needle crafts.  And as I said is an excellent “homecrafter” meaning she will make soap and washing products, make cheese, brew, can and tin, make preserves and jams and I’ve known her to make a sausage or two. She has a number of blogs and runs the Creative Living Forum.  This is her perspective on what she does and why?

When did you start blogging?

I think I started blogging in 2007 or thereabouts; I've never been one to write a diary as such, but this presented me with a way to record my life and share knowledge gained over many years, keep up with technology and have somewhere to share my photos with others.

What is the main focus of your blog?

The main focus of the blog is day to day home life, with a smattering of quotes of wisdom, links of interest and to share information freely with others.

Who do you believe your typical blog reader is?

I'm not sure I have a typical blog reader as such, but would like to think they share a lot of my interests and concerns. I imagine them to be mainly women, but I know I have a few blokey followers lol

How often do you blog and how does this fit in with and reflect your daily life?

 I try and make a post most days, and this fits in with sitting down for cups of tea mostly. Just day to day stuff more or less as it happens. Sometimes there a few posts in one day if I have a lot to share. Rarely I miss more than say two days, I just seem to have a lot to say lol

What type of blogs do you follow?

I don't follow any blogs as such, but there are a few I read regularly - craft ones of various sorts, self-reliance/home-steading ones, gardening ones, and ones where the writer gives a little of themselves to you so you feel you can begin to know them a bit.

What do you believe makes a good blog?

A good blog is an honest, unpretentious blog- not overly smart or clever, just interesting and thought provoking. It makes you want to return and read more about the person and their life. Photos help a lot, and a bit of humour from time to time, not too much personal detail either.

Blogging do's and dont's?

Do's - keep it honest, posts not too long, acknowledge writers etc if you have taken from elsewhere, include photos, keep it up to date, including the items down the sidebars etc

Don'ts - don't keep changing the layout or background, not too much negativity or ranting and raving, no pretentious writing, no Americanisms unless you are American, don't make things up or gild the lily, don't patronise or talk down to your readers, don't get mushy or overly sentimental, and don't pretend you can write well if you can't, consistency is the key, no humble bragging, no bragging, no name dropping, no snobbishness.

Do you blog for you or your readers?

I blog both for myself and my readers.

I often feel a little narcissistic when blogging and slightly voyeuristic when reading others, do you ever feel this way?

I don't see my blog as narcissistic, but I do see some others that are! I think the whole internet can be seen as voyeuristic to an extent, everybody wants to know things about people and then talk about them! We all do it............. lol

Do you have any blogging mishaps that you would like to share with us?

No blogging mishaps - so far, but there's plenty of time yet!

You also have a forum with a large following, tell us about that.  Why did you set it up and what is the focus of it?

I set up Creative Living forum after becoming disillusioned with a few that I was on or had been on. They weren't quite what I wanted, so in true MrsL style, I went off and made my own.

Do you have a typical forum member?

No forum member is typical I think; I love the diversity of people on there, there are a lot of very interesting and talented people who belong. If there was one typical trait in my forum members, I would plump for compassion I think, they're a lovely bunch in the main.

From a user perspective what do you believe are the advantages and disadvantages of a forum?

Well it's great to be part of a community, albeit online (I find it little different to life itself though), mutual support when you need it, spending time when you choose to with people you choose. It's a great place to have wide ranging discussions that can be mind-changing or re-inforce your own beliefs/ideas, great for inspiration.
Disadvantages - some folk can come over as a bit pushy and competitive, but if you can give them the benefit of the doubt, it's not too bad. Can be a bit addicitive, and you can easily get caught up in others' problems sometimes.

How do you believe the internet and in particular social networking has changed the way we live, and is this change a positive or negative one?

I think in the main the whole online and social networking thing has changed lives for the better; communications are ever changing, and people like and feel the need to keep up. Computers are more and more available now, to all generations, and any form of communication is better than none. Personally, I love Facebook, and have made some good friends via there, and play Scrabble, share photos etc. As with everything, parts of the net can be misused, but in the main, I think it's a good thing to be involved with. I can't imagine my life without it now.

If you are not at a computer what are you doing?

If I'm not at the computer, I'm doing some of the things I blog about - gardening, knitting, making, housework, animals etc. If not that, then just sitting with a cup of tea and lost in my thoughts - quite often that one!

Describe your ideal holiday, who would you be with, where would you go and what would you do?

Ideal holiday - atumn/winter, isolated cottage by the sea (close enough to hear it); paints, knitting, couple of books, good wine, simple food and the man I love. Nothing fancy :)

You have a choice, the internet or your knitting needles…which is it?

That's simple..knitting needles every time!

Any other words of wisdom you would like to share with us?

Words of wisdom, hmm.............you can't be a beacon if your light don't shine and bloom where you are planted :)

When I was interviewing Sarah I said that the working title was "Meet the ...Blogger" but asked had she any sugggestions to better showcase who she was, in typical Sarah fashion she humbly ignored this question.  Sarah works very hard to have a "simple" life. To provide as much as she can herself and reduce her impact on the earth.

You can find Sarah at her blog Unbought Delicacies

Or the Creative Living Forum

Wednesday recipe: Honeyed sesame chicken wings

This is a recipe that happened by accident....a wonderful accident they way the best meals originate.  When I want to make really good soup  I often buy chicken wings to make a tasty stock.  I have a two part pasta pot, into the base goes onions, leeks, celery, carrots and any herbs I have.  The second part of the pot goes in, the strainer part and I put the wings into this. Cover with water, bring to boil and simmer.  I leave this to bubble for about 20 minutes.  The smell is wonderful and this gives me a wonderful stock to make soup.  I normally let whoever was in the house take the wings as they were or pick off the chicken for soup.  Inspiration hit one day and I came up with this.

Pack of chicken wings, about 12, poached as above
2 tblsp Sesame oil
2 tblsp Soy sauce
2 tblsp Honey
1 tblsp Sesame seeds

Line an oven tray with baking parchment or greaseproof paper and spread out wings on it.
Sprinkle with sesame oil and soy sauce and toss.
Drizzle some honey over and stir a little.
Sprinkle over sesame seeds.
Roast in oven at 180 degrees celsious for  about 10 mins or until beginning to brown.
Let cool just a little and eat with fingers.

Visit Nenagh Cycle Classic and Market

I am exhausted.
Every muscles in my body aches.

But it's the good kind of tired...the tired you get from working and achieving something.
Yesterday 22nd April was the first Visit Nenagh Cycle Classic and along with it we had a Street Market and Family Fun Day.  The market was held in Quentin's Way and Friary Court.  It had food and craft.  I arrived early and got my stand set up.

I then had plenty of time to wander around and see what and who else was there.  The Tipperary Kitchen from Holycross was so I made sure I got plenty of tastings of their award winning chocolate biscuit cake.

This stand had olives and oils and all sorts of wonderful things including Buffalo Mozzarella from Irelands only Buffalo herd in Cork...who'd have thought it?  Florrie was there from The Scullery with her wonderful preserves and new to me was her Cucumber Relish.

As usual the queue for face painting was really long and we met a very tall man!!!

I had a great day, the weather was kind to us, we had one major downpour at 2pm and other than that it was sunny all day.  Well done to all invloved in organising it, I didn't get to see the races but heard the atmosphere every time they speed through town.

  

Weekend make-a-long: Rose buds

This was an idea I saw originally in Making magazine where they made loads with newspaper and mounted them in the shape of a heart.  I immediately thought of making some in felt, it's really easy and very quick.

So what you need is a needle and thread, a small piece of felt, a scissors and a skewer.

Draw a spiral freehand on some felt about 2-3 inches in diameter.

Cut it out

Starting with the pointy end wind the felt around a skewer with the narrow part of the spiral at the bottom and wider on outside.  As you go secure with a few small stitches.

Finish of the end with a few more small stitches, slide off the skewer and you have a rose bud.

You can use use them in all sorts of ways, a few as a corsage or brooch.   Shoe, hat or bag decorations.  I have painted a skewer green and added leaves to make a "bunch" or rosebuds.  And I have also used them on wreaths.  What will you do with them?



Wednesday Recipe: Healthy oat bars

I have been trying to eat a little more healthy now that the summer is coming in.  I have also been going for long walks and try to bring a bottle of water with me and a snack.  I love porridgey things and find I like cereal and oat type bars.  Nak'd bars are good...but pricey.  And other cereal bars can still have a lot of sugar.  I want no wheat and little sugar.  I found a similar recipe on a forum boards.ie and thought I would try it out and see how it went.

So Oaty Fruit Bars

100g porridge oats
50g dried fruit, this can be mised dried fruit, sultanas, cranberries, apricots, dates, figs, whatever
50g seeds and/or nuts, again you choose, I used milled flaxseed with nuts and dried raspberries
1 tablespoon honey
water
flavourings, this can be spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg...I used crystalized ginger

So, its simple mix them all up togther adding just enough water to bind the mixture togther.  Press into a greased flat oven tray. This mix is just right for a round 8" sponge tin.  And bake for 20mins at 180 degrees centigrade.  I baked until it was beginning to look crisp on the top.  Take out onto a cooling rack and cut into bars or slices before it cools.   Keep in a tin and great for nibbles.

If you have a swiss roll type tin then I would double this mixture.

So flavour ideas

I used mixed fruit and peel, flaxseed and crystalized ginger because that is what I had.
Will try apricot and almond.
What about date and ginger.
Cranberry and mixed spice.
Dried apple and cinnamon.
Dried banana and nutmeg.

If you want them to be particulary healthy than just read the labels of the fruit to see if it has any added sugar.

Here is how mine turned out, let me know if you give them a try.

The bars are "modelling" my new table mats

Mixed fruit and ginger oaty bars made by me and sampled a lot

To sew or to sow?

Morning all, well it is a cold day here, cold but bright and dry.  Being Irish it's obligitory to comment on the weather regardless of what it is...so that's done.  The Easter holidays are over for me and it's back to my real job later today.  As I am going to a craft fair next weekend ( the visit Nenagh cycle event) I thought I should get some more products made.  I had some fun fabric with coffee cups and went to The Limerick Quilt Centre to get some matching fabrics.  I was SOOOOOOOOOO restrained and brough a list with me a stuck to it...almost.  I am trying to be cost effective with fabrics, I had a half yard of the coffee cups and so bought a half yard of two matching spotty fabrics and then another for pink binding fabric.  I cut and sewed the tops on Saturday and got the backing and wadding cut.

Tops ready to be quilted

Typical, I have these bits leftover, and need to buy even more fabric to finish them off.

I left them all out ready to quilt then on Sunday morning.  Up early and was at the machine by 8am ready to get started...and blast, the machine wouldn't work.  It keeps catching the thread underneath.  I think it's the timing...it happened before and I have noticed it happens after I have been using the walking foot.  Last time I gave it a good clean out and discovered it would work with slightly thicker thread and had been using that for a number of weeks.  Then for some reason it was fine with any thread...now it won't work at all no matter what thread I use.  I know the sensible thing would be to take it for a service...but then what will I do all week.

Anyway, so that meant I had a Sunday free and the weather was dry so I decided to finally get out into the garden. We have four large raised vegetable beds which have had nothing done to them this year and were left to waste last year aswell. So I dug and I dug and I dug...and now my back is killing me but we have three beds all ready to plant.  I cleaned up the asparagus bed and can see the little shoots already peeking through.  Last year was the first year we could pick it and I'm already looking forward to asparagus with a soft boiled egg chopped over it in June out in the garden under the sun I need us to get.  That bed had loads of strawberry plants so I dug them up and divided them and gave them a bed of their own, about 60 plants in it...mmm strawberry jam.  We moved the hen house, it was at the back of the garden but is now at the front in the orchard (pretentious word for 5 skinny apple trees).   We need to fence them in now, they have had free reign of the garden but I don't want them pecking newly planted veggies. 

I have loads of seeds growing indoors in post, tomatoes, peppers, courgette, cucumber, pumpkins and squashes and sweetcorn.  The sweetcorn hasn't taken off and the runner beans just rotted.  Outdoors in pots we have sprouts, cabbage, kale, broccoli, peas and beans. Today I need to sow in the ground all the salads aswell as turnips, kol rabi, scallions and leeks.  I still have loads more seeds to get going in the house but have run out of containers and windowsills.  And I still haven't got my promised polytunnel...boo hoo.

We got loads of weeding done including a huge amount of dandelions.  Darling husband was sending me in to the kitchen to make him a salad with them but they were a little bitter.  They seemed so succulent and it was a pity to waste them so we popped them into a bucket and brought them up to our newly aquired and cute as a button pigs.  They loved them and ate them all...good to know for future reference, I wonder what other weeds they would like?

The pink boy and black girl together on the left are ours. The girl is called Pixie.

Anyway, I'm off to garden.  Any suggestions about my sewing machine please comment.  I suppose I'm off to sow or sew.