January foodie penpal

This months Foodie Penpal exchange was a lovely start to the year. My package from Jenny at Silver Screen Suppers arrived last Monday, but I wasn't home during daylight hours till later in the week to photograph it. Which meant a lot of self restraint of my part!

As you can see a wonderful selection of goodies, very thoughtful and delicious.
The Cornish sea salt and peppers immediately went on an egg, post photos.

The 'olives' are chocolate covered almonds, very moreish.

I'm most intrigued by this umami paste, haven't decided where to use it yet, I suspect it will be a great addition to soups, the guys I live with are very fond of this taste.

I had some fun putting a package together for Sarah at  the wwfoodie, took advantage of the cold weather,many sent some Irish cheeses. Also some shamrock flavoured crisps from Keogh's. And some home made flapjacks. (Must take photos of my package next time!)

Already looking forward to my February pals!

More planting

Weather was very mild this weekend, so a few things achieved in the tunnel and outside. I had planted broad beans inside, these were a good dive, so I put them in one of the new tunnel beds. It will be interesting to see if slugs demolish them. Most are quite tall, so they may be safe enough, I put eggshells round the smaller ones. I also planted some more broad bean seeds in between them, in case of failure.

Seeds planted:
Indoors - Aubergine and chilli. Also sweet peas and broad beans.
I put some turnips and corn salad in the tunnel, it's pretty warm in there, and a lot brighter then the windowsill.

2 large pots with potatoes too, these were seed potatoes that started sprouting back in oct, they have been on a window sill since. They'll need fleece if it shows signs of freezing.

Great to have this much activity this early, taking some chances here too, but all in the name of learning....

Early sowing

It may be a little early, but I seem to recall early spinach doing well before, so I'll start some off inside, and move to the tunnel and plant in beds as soon as they have a few leaves. Planted NewZealand spinach, giant winter and Bordeaux.

Also put in a few different tomatoes, will put more in as these progress.

planted:
Ildi, idyll, aurora, black cherry, black trifele, purple Ukraine, millefleur, and Danish export.

In organising the seeds, I find I have loads of self saved aurora, black cherry and ildi, so if you'd like me to send you some, leave me a comment.

Thanks and apologies

Thanks to all of you that are still reading the blog - I haven't been updating it nearly often enough, but I'm hoping to track the polytunnel progress - as much for myself as anything, but there's not a lot out there about tunnels as far as I can see.

And apologies to any of you who left comments in the last few months - I approved a good few this evening that were waiting a long time, sorry about the delay, I will try to be a better housekeeper in the future.

Poly tunnel

Late last year I had a big birthday. And rather than throw a party, I decided to gift myself a poly tunnel (hoop house to the yanks).

It went up In November. That's a 'bath chair' you can see in the foreground.

I had hoped to prepare all the beds over Christmas, but managed to pull a muscle in my shoulder, so I got only 20% of the way there. We are laying down weed control over the entire surface, so we need to dig up the existing raised beds, move the clay in them out of the way, lay the weed control, rebuild beds and move the dirt back.

I need to get some organic manure from the best pig farmer in the midlands, to get off to a good start on fertility. We have a few compost bins to empty also.

Spring comes early in under plastic, there's no time to waste!

You can see some really healthy Daikon at the front right of this photo - it was planted outside in August or so, and the tunnel built over it. It's doing very well. 

November foodie penal

Very late posting this, but between travel and Christmas, the time has not been right till now.

After a disappointing exchange in October, when my package never arrived, the November exchange came up trumps.
I put Sarah's package in the post early, as end of November was looking busy with some international travel. She was very happy, and the 'experimental' I made for her  flapjacks were well received.

Annie sent me an amazing package with two kinds of Lincolnshire cheese, plum bread and chocolate treats. The cheese and bread made for a wonderful midnight feast, and the artisanal chocolates went into the advent calendar, lucky boys!

The combination of the plum read and cheese was an revelation - I'll be trying that again.

The January swap has just begun, looking forward to shopping and receiving at the end of the month. If you'd like to try, click on the picture below.

Foodie pen pal package arrived

After a bit of misdirection, and much anticipation, my package arrived today. Edith was spot on - Japanese goodies, Indian spices to inspire me, poppadums, chocolate flapjacks for the boys - they had to share with me, and some lovely decaff tea.
Reckon I'll go again next month, this is great!

Organic week finale at Lough Owel Organic Farm

Pig on a spit, cheffy demonstrations, delicious organic beef and pork, all making for an excellent way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

Foodie Pen Pals -connecting through food

Foodie Pen pals is a idea that started in the US only a year ago. It has really taken off, and I'm delighted to be a new member of the UK/Europe part of the program. I signed up for September, I have been assigned a penpal in Greece, so I'm having fun putting together a package with local food and home made and home grown produce. I have been assigned to an Austrian living in Ireland, looking forward to getting my package from her also. Once I get my package, I have to blog about it, so I'm getting a bit warmed up here. It's been a long time since I blogged here. Is anyone still listening?

Natural Cosmetics, and Summer Camp

My soapmaking course participants prevailed upon me to teach a Natural Cosmetics course, so I'm planning to run it as an evening course, on June 14th.


It will be at Mullingar Educate Together from 7:00pm to 10:00pm
Cost is €35.

Participants will learn how to make Bath bombs and other bath products, Massage oils, Body creams, Exfoliants, and will make origami boxes to package them in. All materials will be provided, including a wide variety of essentials oils to scent the products. You will go home with clear recipes so you can make them on your own, or with your friends and family.


I'm also getting ready for a Science and Nature Summer camp for 7-12 year olds - at the same location. Working on some interesting projects - getting inspiration from this site - the school gym would be an excellent location for walkalong glider flying, and learning about what keeps airplanes in the air....

To book either, email annambrowne@gmail.com or phone me - 087 2222562