Spring flowers for a gardener.

A much loved member of  the congregation of St Botolph's Church has died. At his family's request the ladies in the congregation have worked hard to fill the church with the spring flowers that John Barber loved for the funeral service today. He managed the church garden for many years.

Cambridge ,a new term begins

I always like this time of the year and the sense of a new beginning.The Christmas tat has been cleared away and the house looks tidy.

There is a sense of anticipation as Rowan Williams , the former Archbishop of Canterbury, has been seen around  Cambridge where he taking up his new role as Master of Magdalene College.

Here is Tony by his college office door, the rooms are very nice in this building and have reasonably modern facilities inspite of the Elizabethan exterior.

                                              

Crystallized Fruits for Christmas

I usually buy some crystallized fruits at this time of the year. They are a delicious alternative to chocolates packed in a pretty box, on top of cakes or with a glass of port.Prices in London last week were ridiculous but I have found a brilliant source of these fruits on Cambridge Market at Emerald Foods.They even have real  French angelica, this is very hard to find but so pretty on top of cup cakes or ice cream.

You will find the  Emerald Foods stall if you turn right at the second row on the market which has loads of other lovely offerings at this time of the year plus some good buskers and carol singers around the edges.

GINGER MARMALADE

I am making marmalade and cakes for a fund raising event  in Cambridge.I have been trying recipes using Mamade and have a good way to make Ginger Marmalade using Australian  ginger from Lakeland with Mamade.
I also want a neat professional finish to the jars,Ryman's labels combined with templates downloaded from Avery give a professional finish.


         Ginger Marmalade


1 can   Orange Mamade--
I packet Australian uncrystalized ginger-- chopped into small pieces
4lb sugar
3/4 pint water


Method

1. Wash and sterilise 6, 1lb jars by putting them in the oven 100C
2. Follow the instructions on the Mamade can adding the ginger during the boiling process
3. When a set has been reached continue to follow the instructions on the can
4. Cover with sterilised lids, label with contents and date made

5. Store in a cool place until needed.

                                                        

We Will Remember Them 11th November 2012

                                                  

Zippos Circus

A good evening may be had at Zippos Circus. No nasty  cruel animal tricks just some well trained horses. The rest is acrobats and two of the funniest clowns I have ever seen doing a slow motion mime of a wild west shoot out.

Wear warm sweaters.

                                                           

Pianos--we love them

The University of Cambridge Music Faculty Festival of Ideas have placed old but playable pianos around the city and have invited passers by to have a go at playing them

This is proving very successful. Our granddaughter was thrilled when people stopped to listen to her play.
The duet playing Embraceable You were brilliant. People are turning up prepared with music, it is getting competitive-- well it is Cambridge!

                                             

Jam Jar issues put fund-raising cooks in a pickle

This what the Church Times has to say

Fund-raising cooks in a pickle


Not sure this makes things any clearer

have decided to re- use jam jars and buy new lids.

Jam Jars and the European Union

Charity fund raisers everywhere are just realising that we can no longer legally use our recycled jars for making jams ,pickles and marmalades to sell at home bake stalls
Buying new ones is expensive and adds  a great deal to the cost of making home produce.

If you are planning a Christmas or Winter fair and selling jams etc. like me you are probably infuriated at this petty restriction , jars are easy to sterilise using a dish washer followed by heating in the oven prior to filling with  hot jam.

The Shower Replacement

I have been at home all day waiting for this repair to take place as promised. It is now 3.40p.m..I suppose it will be the bath tub again tonight.This is not easy to manouevre with an injured wrist. Our bath tub is very deep and getting in and out without drowning / hurting the wrist makes me feel like a surfacing whale.