Biffsugar

Elderflower cordial

I always wanted to make Elderflower cordial and last year came very close, but a heavy bout of rain finished off the Elderflowers before I got chance.

This year we were out and about, as soon as the first heads were fully out.

We picked around 30 heads in all and followed a recipe from Hugh (Fernley-Whittingstall for those of you who aren't on first name terms with him!)

In a 'Country Living' style we filled our baskets as we jollied our way along the country hedgerows.

 

 

Then back home again with our pickings.

 

 

A day later we had 2 litres of Elderflower cordial - for free!  (Well, apart from the sugar, and the oranges and lemons - mainly free!).  1 bottle in the fridge and the rest is freezing for later.

We gave the first glass to Sam to taste as it was his interest in it that spurred our cordial making enterprise.  However, he gave it a thumbs down - like he was the 'Man from Delmonte' or something.  He said it didn't taste like the one from the Supermarket.  The rest of us all thought it was delicious and indeed, over time, he has grown to love it to!

Topsy & Tim Go Fishing

I've always been a fan of Topsy & Tim and still have some of the books that were read to me as a child.  Now I read them to my children and they love them just as much.  For me it's Topsy & Tim's Bonfire Night that will always be my favorite, but recently we've had a couple of Topsy & Tim moments ourselves.  Earlier in the year, when we had our brief but exciting 'Snowy Day', Sam worked hard to clear the path to earn his Snowshifter's Medal!  More recently, the better weather has allowed another classic reenactment!

Remember the stockings on sticks that their mother makes?  And jam jars with string?  And then there's the naughty donkey that pushes Tim in the river and it all ends in tears, going home without a stickleback.  Still, this is Topsy and Tim, so after a nice warm bath Dad saves the day by going out and getting them a goldfish each.  I mean who wouldn't enjoy a day like that?

Magic

 

Sometimes, in what might be just another ordinary day, a little bit of magic happens!