the ethicurean & barley wood walled garden

Last Sunday the sun was shining so my boyfriend and I went on a little road trip to the Ethicurean  restaurant and Barley wood walled garden near Bristol. We've wanted to visit for ages and as you can see it's a pretty amazing place. We spent the whole day wandering around the gardens and through the cider orchards, taking photos and drinking tea on the lawn and then enjoyed a delicious long lunch in their restaurant.

Love this idea of vintage cutlery hung up with brown string.


The best welsh rarebit...I could eat one right now..

saturday market

My boyfriend and I had a rare Saturday off work last weekend, so we decided to take a trip to London's Broadway Market. It was one of those lovely cold and sunny winter days, perfect for eating and drinking your way around a new market.

These smoke salmon open sandwiches were delicious....



No market post is complete without a cute dog, this little chap looked very happy with his ears blowing in the wind...



We stopped for a cup of hot apple juice which tasted like apple crumble to warm ourselves up as we did a bit of people watching.  
It was fun exploring a different area of London.

2 north parade produce store

Here's my lovely boyfriend Pete, looking very proud outside his new shop, which he has opened just a few weeks ago with his business partner Jojo. It's a produce store selling local bread, seasonal vegetables, Cotswold charcuterie, homemade cakes, British cheeses, wines and amazing coffee!

It's been really exciting going to flea markets finding old crates, tables and light fittings for the shop. It was once a butchers and the white tiles still remain now with veg prices written on. I think it looks amazing, but I probably would...

Pete and Jojo are really passionate about working with all these great local farmers and producers. You can just pop in to the store, get recipe ideas and have a chat about where the produce comes from. It's a lovely little shop with a friendly atmosphere. So if you are in the area, check it out.

2 north parade produce store, oxford, OX2 6LX. 01865 552311
northparade2@btinternet.com
follow them on twitter @2northparade.

jj

sunday bits

What a gorgeous day it's been today! One of those perfect sunny autumnal days that you want to last forever....
This post is a bit of a catch up, as finding time to take photos seems difficult at the moment, but I'm hoping to get back on track soon. It's been interesting reading how people find time for their blogs and I've been getting some tips here. I'd love to know how you all fit it into your day?

I'm reading this lovely Cath Kidston book, which also looks pretty on my sewing room shelf amongst the jam jars of buttons.
I've been busy sewing away and my desk is currently covered in floral fabrics, ribbons and sketch books.



Blue stripy bunting that I made for a new shop opening... (more on that soon)



...Cup of tea with my mum in her sunny kitchen, don't you love this pale blue teapot. And finally picking lots and lots of cooking apples. We are storing some for the winter and I've been making quite a few apple crumbles. x

getaway

Well I'm back from our getaway to Spain, it's a bit of a shock to be back at work after spending our days enjoying the warm sunshine, simple lunches of fresh prawns, buying fruit from the local market and our morning coffees at our favourite cafe.

I may slightly have the post holiday blues, but now I'm settled back at home, I'm looking forward to wrapping back up for the winter months ahead.

 

Enjoy the rest of your week!

 

golden summer

Have you been enjoying the sunny weather? Here are a few random shots from the last few days while my sister has been staying. We've been having barbecues, lazing in the garden and long summer walks ending up at our local pub and visiting family.

It's been lovely to catch up with my sister...I'm planning my trip to see her soon.

I love this beautiful old oak tree, I used to play under it with my best friend when I was little, There is a little stream that runs along side it which we would paddle in. ahhh memories....