Blighty part 2

Well I promised myself I would record our travels but had no idea it would take me this long to actually do it.  Once we had made it through the snow and ice to Somerset we then had to set off early from GG's to Devon for work meetings.  The country lanes were hideous and I had forgotton how scary the high hedges can be, as I am uses to Italian roads now (fast, windy, high).  Having got the work stuff done, we headed for the coast to see my other Grandma, the kids had a rare treat - fish and chips and we spent the afternoon with family, which always makes me feel sad when I go as I wonder if Nanny will be around when I next get to the UK.  The following few days were spent in a whirlwind of travel, friends and family, birthday parties, drunken evenings, beautiful countryside, sea views, fabulous food, the zoo, christmas shopping, nativity scenes and finally the last leg of our journey to venice.  I can't describe how wonderfully welcome our friends made us feel, feeding us up, forcing us to drink heaps of wine, and generally keeping us warm in the freezing depths of the West Country.  Thanks to all, we miss you all lots and hope to see you here in Tuscany soon x

organic gardening

Yesterday I spent a couple of hours at a friends house looking at her amazing garden, using all natural compost and mulch for beds. So inspiring, wire cages lined with card and filled with grass cuttings, veg waste and chippings to create rich environments for plants to grow -truly fab and almost free way of making your own compost. The veg plants were thriving and I came home with a car full of roses, iris, leeks, herbs, wild strawberries, vines and many more wonderful gifts. We have planned our next step and will build more large tubs and fill with natural waste, as it rots we top it up and plant straight into the planter in the autumn. To say it was better than Christmas would be very true and the morning was rounded off with a glass of local wine and some smoked salmon. Pure bliss. This morning off to the market in Poggibonsi with my old baby buggy to snap up some cheap veg for preserving and pasta sauces. A very good friend is going to give me the low down on the best buys and the local cheeses etc, as I haven't had the time to really get to grips with all the different types of pecorino yet - only been here 2 years, pathetic time management!!!!!

Foraging

I am determined not to buy anthing this weekend - can't anyway. The fridge is empty bar lemons, butter, eggs and various jars. BUT, we have veg in the freezer and lots of pasta/rice/polenta/orzo. So here goes a four/five day scavenging plan relying on our preserves from the garden and store cupboard basics.

1. Lentil Lasagne with homemade bread
2. Courgette Risotto
3. Figgy pudding (figs on tree)
4. Pasta a pomodoro & basil
5. Flapjacks / scones
6. Baked polenta with rataouille (from freezer)
7. Orzotto with veg
8. Spaghetti with herbs and oil
9. Pancakes stuffed with veg/rice
10. Courgette Bread
11. Fairy Cakes
12. Pasta Bake
13. Tomato and Bread Soup
14. Popcorn for nibbles
15. Rice fritters with tomoto sauce Phew. That should see us through, though maybe, just maybe I should cycle to the vineyard for a 5 litre bottle of Red, only 7 Euro. No, no must be strong!