Tag: Recipes

Autumn is here…

clairecoard71 Comment

It has been a busy summer at 2 Ivy House. Chloe and I have had so many lovely guests from all parts of the world. We walked with some, whilst others chose to walk on their own. The fields have been beautiful! Spoilt for choice in this area for fine pubs and restaurants. It was lovely to provide some of our walking guests with good home cooked meals. The vegetarian chilli and lasagnes proving to be a firm favourite. Our dog Chloe is seen here taking a rest on Donald’s bench before heading down to St Thomas’ church.

Church of St Thomas…

The tiny Norman Church of St Thomas, which is now cared for by the Churches Conservation Trust, has many medieval features. This year a very old tradition of the village will hopefully take place once again. The little Christmas service that was once held on the last Saturday before Christmas will take place this year at 3.00 P.M. (21 December).

Homemade & Local…

The fantastic selection of local produce around this area is encouragement for anyone to try new recipes. Having now made my own mayonnaise I cannot imagine buying it again. It’s quicker to make than I thought, and so few ingredients:

  • 2 egg yolks
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • 250 ml sunflower oil
  • 2 tsp white wine vinegar and or lemon according to taste
  • Salt & pepper

Slowly, slowly, drop by drop add the oil to the egg yolks and Dijon mustard by whisking. I do this by hand and it takes about 10 minutes but an electric whisk speeds this up. Once mixed and thickened, add the salt and pepper to taste, and the white wine vinegar and lemon juice. It’s delicious! Keeps in the fridge for 3/4 days…

Summer Fruits..

Lots and lots and lots of damsons… Who else has had a bumper year? What else can you do with them? Jam, gin????? Well, who would have thought I would get first prize at the local produce show. lol…

News, Views & Events

clairecoard7Leave a comment
D-DAY COMMEMORATION…

The poppies in the garden came out just in time to help with the 80th anniversary D-Day events. Lambourn Parish council together with Nicky Henderson light the beacon to commemorate the anniversary, it was a perfectly, still, warmish evening and I am pleased to say a huge amount of people turned out to show their respects. A very poignant evening! You could see at least 2 other beacons in the distance.

D-DAY BEACONS

SUMMER FIELDS… I am sure it has not gone unnoticed but we have had so much rain! The flowers, shrubs, trees and even the meadow fields look amazing though. I think the mild winter and lack of heavy frost has certainly benefitted some of the plants, certainly in my garden. In Great Shefford, just 5 minutes from the house we have the most beautifully planted meadow field. Its an absolute joy to walk along the river and see all the wild flowers. This is one of our favourite walks, The Lowland Walk. So lucky to have this on the doorstep.

Wild FlowersIN gREAT shefford
Meadowfields…

RECIPES & RADIO… A few weeks ago I was invited to Join Penny Locke on our local radio station. Slightly out of my comfort zone, but talking about food and local produce seemed quite natural in the end as here at the B&B I love to cook, garden and produce meals from our garden or locally. I am trying lots of new recipes from jams/conserves to delicious vegetarian options for our walking guests.

OUR LITTLE GEM… St. Thomas Church set in idyllic remote surroundings. A simple church of pre-Norman origin. On the edge of a water meadow. This little church is in need of love and appreciation. Well worth a visit as it takes in some wonderful views and wild life, Canadian geese, ducks, kingfishers, trout, to name but a few.

The pretty St Thomas church at East shefford…

AND FINALLY… My blogs would not be complete without a picture of my beautiful Chloe. We cover many many miles in a week. Its an absolute joy in such wonderful countryside…

Chloe in the wheat fields…