Strong, sturdy and romantically inclined, this table tugged at my heart-strings on first sight. Made from green oak and carved with lines from my favourite poem, The Eve of St Agnes’ by Keats and made by Marnie Moyle, it is one of my most prized possessions. Standing out in all weathers, twisting and shrinking with … Continue reading
“Get in touch with your inner hippy” The hedgerows in Devon are full of the scent of Elderflower blooms, those magical mille fiori blossoms which speak of Summer and blue skies. Time to make Elderflower Champagne! It’s easy to make and requires just a few simple ingredients. Go on; get in touch with your inner … Continue reading
I live in the Dartmoor National Park; a 368 square mile area of moorland, which is rich in myth, folklore, legend, and stories connected with elves and pixies. These tales have been handed down from remote forebears who firmly believed that the forests surrounding their villages were filled with magical creatures such as fairies, elves. … Continue reading
“Happy and dirty beneath a canopy of fragrant flowers and petals” Did you know that I have been a perfumer? As a toddler I would shuffle on my bottom down the garden path with a little plastic pail with some water at the bottom and into this I tumbled scented rose petals which had fallen … Continue reading
The sky is the colour of pale blue Cornflowers and the day feels full of promise as I push open the greenhouse door to let in the sweet morning air. I see it straight away, something which should not be there; a white envelope with my initial on it, a big “K”, for Karen. This … Continue reading
The sweet piquancy of this CUCUMBER AND DILL PICKLE turns smoked salmon, mackerel, trout or a simple tuna and mayonnaise sandwich into a fabulous treat! Quick and easy to make, its fresh taste is perfect for right now! Why not try it? Run the tines of a fork down the length of a washed cucumber, … Continue reading
It’s May; the month of reckless, exuberant blooming and the time when the air is full of the scent of Sweet Rocket blossom and of so many green things growing. My wildlife friendly Cottage Garden with its meandering paths, relaxed planting and imperfect lawns where chemicals can not be used, suddenly bursts into a … Continue reading
Black and bohemian, dark, sultry and the stuff of fairy tales; Queen of the Night and parrot Tulips add a deep, dusky depth to any border or hand-tied posy. Add a touch of chartreuse, some smokey mauve and you have a moody confection fit for Vanessa Bell or Virginia Woolf. Go on, walk on the … Continue reading
“Go ahead, make a little something this weekend and share it with someone you don’t know yet. Spread a little love around and watch the joy spread” Hand baked, with love, these exquisite biscuits were made by Shilo as table favours for a party to mark her recent marriage to David. Shilo and I had … Continue reading
The afternoon is warm and still and the pink petals of the flowering cherry blossom drift silently and slowly down onto the flower beds beneath as if the thick, sultry air is just too tired to stir. In this atmosphere, the scent of the Gillyflowers rises and stays, and I breathe in its heady perfume as … Continue reading
Dartmoor Flower Shed 