Sweetbriar Dreams

So where shall we go on our journey today?

Monday, 31 October 2016

Happy Halloween


The pumpkins have been lit by candle and electric.  The bunting and ghoulish witches and skeletons are in place.  Time for the fun to begin and to also say goodbye to a wonderful and colourful October.

HAVE A HAPPY AND SWEET FILLED HALLOWEEN!

Saturday, 29 October 2016

Capture and Share #27 - Autumn in a Nutshell


To me, this shot is autumn in a nutshell!  On my walk in this particular nature reserve each year I always collect any autumn related bits and pieces and put them on the wooden seat to capture.  This is my autumn, colourful and rustic.  Perfect!

Friday, 28 October 2016

Capture and Share #26 - Raiding the Hedgerows


Walking along the black and red jewels scream out to me "JaM... cRuMbLe... SaUcE!!".  I LOVE this time of year!

Thursday, 27 October 2016

Capture and Share #25 - Old Scarlett


A snippet of one of the photos I captured at Peterborough Cathedral's night time photography evening.  Old Scarlett, the Tudor gravedigger who lived to 98.  He said he buried three queens, Queen Catherine of Aragon (Henry VIII's first wife), Mary Queen of Scots and his own wife.

Wednesday, 26 October 2016

Capture and Share #24



Another trip planned for this half term holiday... back to Durham's Beamish Museum for their Halloween weekend.  Lots of opportunities to visit this amazing place and some ghostly figures.  Another post to write up for next month.




Tuesday, 25 October 2016

Capture and Share #23



Lots of moments to capture... getting ready to head off to Greenwich to see the Cutty Sark and to see the newly renovated Queens House.  A longer post will be written next month!



Monday, 24 October 2016

Capture and Share #22 - Creating Warm Lines


A sniffle, a cough, time to rest a while and create warm and snuggly lines of crochet loveliness!

Sunday, 23 October 2016

Capture and Share #21 - Ghostly Rain


While standing in the cloisters at Peterborough Cathedral on the competition evening, the fine rain danced quite chillingly around us like ghostly apparitions.

Saturday, 22 October 2016

Capture and Share #20 - The Chrysalis


A chrysalis with a difference!  The snail has made itself quite cozy on the crispy leaf.  It can only end badly when the weight will bring the leaf down!

Friday, 21 October 2016

Capture and Share #19 - Cathedral Night Photography


The camera was charged and a very enjoyable evening was had with fellow photography enthusiasts at Peterborough Cathedral's evening photography event.  Many shots captured and now for the sort through to see which one I will enter!



Thursday, 20 October 2016

Capture and Share #18 - Sweet Little Munchkin


Have you seen these little cuties in the shops?  Our local supermarket calls them 'munchkins', little pumpkins the size of the palm of my hand.  Incredibly cute!

Wednesday, 19 October 2016

Capture and Share #17 - Autumn Wings


On our regular woodland walk it was so satisfying to see so many of these beautiful winged sycamore seeds just waiting for that gust of wind to enable them to fly.

Tuesday, 18 October 2016

Capture and Share #16 - Smile!


The gorgeous bull (on the opposite side of the river) was more than happy to oblige smiling for the camera!

Monday, 17 October 2016

Capture and Share #15 - A Visit to be Made


There's a photography competition on at Peterborough Cathedral on Tuesday evening.  Guess who's going along?!!  Time to charge the batteries.

You can see more about the competition here.



Sunday, 16 October 2016

Don't Waste those Apples!!


Interrupting my daily Capture and Share photos this month, I felt I needed to write a quick post on how I use up my apples for a roast pork accompaniment - apple sauce.  It's quick, it's easy, it won't break the bank and it will be a nice thank you to autumn as we head into winter and those comforting roast dinners.  Thanks to all those who emailed me and commented to ask how I made this.  The sauce is usually served cold at the table and spooned next to the pork.  A great marriage of flavours.

So, here we go...

1.  Gather up all your apples, it doesn't matter how many.

2.  (The worst bit!...) Peel and core your apples and chop up into chunks.


3.  Add them to your pan along with half a cup/mug of water and a spoonful of sugar.


4.  Bring to a simmer, reduce the heat and then put a lid on, stir occasionally and reduce water content as apples begin to soften.


5.  Once the apples are mushy, take the lid off and if there is too much liquid, drain this away.  Then begin to mash them.  I like to have ours with some chunks still left in.


6.  Add sugar to taste (depending on how tart the apples are)... also don't burn your tongue!!

7.  Take off the heat and allow to cool.


8.  Once cool, put a small jar amount into freezer bags and then keep in the freezer until you need them.  I LOVE these little bags from Sainsburys!  No need to mark them on what is inside!!


9.  When it is time to use some, I either microwave to defrost, or I put the portion into a saucepan while I'm making the dinner and heat it through gently.

So, don't waste those apples... the sauce can be used for apple crumbles, pies... the list goes on.  And don't forget that you can cinnamon, fruit etc for different uses too.


Have a wonderful Sunday.


Capture and Share #14 - Bringing in the Herbs


The kitchen windowsill begins to get greener at this time of year.  Time to bring in the sensitive herbs!  Basil being a firm favourite of ours, along with other regulars like parsley, thyme and rosemary.

Saturday, 15 October 2016

Capture and Share #13 - Sunshine and Stars


With the freshly dredged drains along the Fens, a little sunshine dances above the ripples showing off little happy stars.

Friday, 14 October 2016

Capture and Share #12 - Making Apple Sauce for Winter Roasts


There is nothing more satisfying than picking the apples from our tree and making apple sauce that will accompany our winter pork roasts.  I think the freezer will be full this year!

Thursday, 13 October 2016

Capture and Share #11 - What's for Tea


The morning rain muddies the garden containers but the chives have clearly enjoyed this wake up shower.  Perfect for cutting and mixing in with mashed potatoes for tea this evening.

Wednesday, 12 October 2016

Capture and Share #10 - Keep Away from the Mud


The beautiful, lovely and sweet Tia on a more gravelly path on the Fen.  The mud is at epic proportions after the sugarbeet harvest so, step away from the muddy paths Tia, step away!  (As you can see, the ears and paws have already been exploring that muddy gorgeousness!)

Tuesday, 11 October 2016

Capture and Share #9 - The Eyes of Autumn


I love collecting autumnal trinkets for the house.  These exquisite conkers will fill a glass vase to give a real rustic feel to the dining table.  Don't you think that the one still in its casing looks like a lizard's eye?

Monday, 10 October 2016

Capture and Share #8 - The Start of a New Week


Another week begins and the beauty of an early autumnal foggy morning greets me.

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