Up Close at Stourhead

I think it's been well documented on this very blog how much we love visiting the National Trust and Stourhead. If you missed those posts then take a look here.

Since discovering How Does Your Garden Grow? I have started to observe gardens around me more, whether it be my own or those on a much grander scale. Now I stop and look, get close up and really appreciate it. I noticed so much more on our recent trip to Stourhead earlier this week by doing just that.

Flowers dying back, poppies still in bloom, plants climbing the walls, changing colours on the hydrangeas, trees almost as tall as the sky, the red of the Acer, the oak tree without its acorns, fallen leaves and enormous tree trunks.

So much to see.
So much to take in.
But still time to just sit by the lake.
And look for Wally.

All in all the ideal place to spend a sunny, crisp Autumn day.

I'll be linking up with Annie and other wonderful gardens...

x x x

Musing on a Monday... {Domestic Chores}

Domestic chores.

It's an on going cause of debate in our household. I try not to pick arguments over it and I try to see that sometimes it is just best to get on and do something rather than nag. However, when it's noted by certain others that the Hubs does 'too much' then I do get cross. So I've made a list - I do love a good list.

 

Things I do regularly:

• washing-up
• laundry
• ironing
• bed making
• tidying
• vacuuming
• cleaning
• cooking
• baking
• swimming lesson run

Things the Hubs does regularly:

• weekly shopping
• weekly bins
• weekend cooking

He works full time, I work three days a week.

We share the school runs.

 

I sense this is the norm.

I feel I do my fair share seeing I'm not at work full-time.

I don't think the hubs does too much.

 

Sadly I do want to regain the responsibility of the weekly shop - control freak in me - and during half term I did a mini one, which I enjoyed partly due to the fact that I got to try out a new bag. Or more to the point a bag of bags.



 

The bag was fantastic - the Eco 8-bag Set Mini Dot Turq/Choc from ZPM. The colour combo is perfect and the cross body design with adjustable strap is great for hands free action in the supermarket. It has lots of nifty features including a see through pocket for your list, Velcro to attach to the trolley itself, trolley token, phone pocket, zipper compartment for your wallet and extras and a spacious middle compartment holding vest style shopping bags, box shopping bags and net bags for fruit and veg. It definitely beats dragging out bags full of tatty bags every time.

The shape and look means it can also be used for general day to day use with the main compartment comfortably big enough for an iPad and extras.

For more information on how you can get a discount please see here.

So, how do the domestic chores get split in your house?

x x x

 

Disclaimer: ZPM sent me the bag for review purposes. As always, all opinions and views are honest and are my own.

Things that I'm liking...

As we march into November my thoughts turn to Christmas.
I love to make a list of those things I would love to receive but more enjoyably those things that I would love to give.
Keeping a sensible price in mind I have come across these lovely things in the past few weeks whilst browsing online...

1. Vintage Ivy Cake Tins dotcomgiftshop £12.95
2. Papar iPad Cover  Beatrix New York £29.95
3. 'Eat, Drink & Be Hairy' Mug  Bread & Jam £8.50
4. 'Stuff I'm Likely to Forget' Notebook Bread & Jam £6.50
5. 'Today is the Day' Print Bread & Jam £18.00

The notebook would be perfect for home or work - and being a stationery obsessive I believe you can never have enough notebooks.
The mug would suit the hubs perfectly.
The print would hang just nicely in the hallway giving me a positive push out of the door every morning.
The iPad cover is already keeping my precious tablet safe from the prying hands of the children
and the Vintage Ivy tins are full of cakes and sweets sitting in the kitchen as I type.

So, what's on your lists this year?

x x x

 

Disclaimer: I came across Bread & Jam online and simply love their products. I received the Beatrix New York iPad cover and dotcomgiftshop tins for review purposes on this blog. As always my thoughts and opinions are honest and are my own.

Lacock Abbey & Blood Orange Cake

It's been a busy week with the ever increasing build up to Halloween and all things pumpkin. For the first time we have been frugal with our pumpkins baking the flesh and roasting the seeds - the latter being a very pleasant surprise.
The weather finally improved and we had some lovely days out including a wander around the National Trust's Lacock Abbey...

 

A potion trail, clues all around, growth in the greenhouses, outdoor sculpture and tree climbing - one more thing to tick from our #50things list. There is always plenty to see and do here.

 

Back home potions were made.

 

 

And a cake was baked...

 

This delicious, moist and autumnal cake was made using Yeo Valley's Blood Orange & Caramel Yogurt - unfortunately a limited edition flavour. I adapted this recipe.

___



150g caster sugar
230g self raising flour (I used half and half regular and wholemeal)
70g ground almonds
1 tsp baking powder
250g Yeo Valley Blood Orange & Caramel Yogurt
2 eggs
150g unsalted butter
grated zest of half an orange
glug of milk - if mix is thick and not smooth

Mix all of the above using an electric mixer adding milk at the end if not smooth.
Pour into a 20cm greased and lined tin.
Bake at 180c (160c fan) for 45 minutes until the top is springy.
My tin measured 18cm and the cake took nearly an hour.
Cut and serve.

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Enjoy!

I'm linking up with the inspiring Country Kids...

And the delicious Tasty Tuesdays...

x x x