"With Pomp, Power & Glory the world beckons vainly, In chase of such vanities why should I roam?While Peace & Content bless my little thatched cottage,And warm my own hearth with the Treasures of Home."*Beatrix Potter

Monday 16 March 2015

Spring Days at the Cottage & Mothering Sunday


This has been a beautiful week at the cottage, a week full of sunshine & all those jobs that need doing after the Winter. 
The tree's although leafless are full with buds just waiting to open. Our magnolia tree is full of large buds, how pretty that looks when it is in full bloom. Hedges around the village are springing to life & the cow parsley is coming back on the sides of the lanes around us. 
March carries all the hope for the year ahead with a lovely fresh smell of all things new in the air.
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Some more sweet delicate flowers found popping up near the old pear tree.
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A little baking for the weekend.
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Hearty soup made with the Sunday chicken bones, we quite often have soup on Mondays. This one is a favourite with vegetables, rice & pasta.
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Banana & Chocolate Chip Muffins.
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I sometimes make these smaller as they last a little longer & the larger size is a little too much for the twins sometimes.
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10 ozs self raising flour
1 tsp baking soda
3 large banana's
4 ozs sugar
1 egg
3 flozs oil
2 flozs milk

Add flour to bowl with baking soda & mix with a fork.
In another bowl mash banana's & add sugar.
Mix oil, egg & milk together then add it to the banana's & sugar.
Pour wet into dry mix & stir gently until combined, do not beat.
Pour in to muffin cases & bake for around 20 minutes at 200 c / 375 f.
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We have wonderfully happy hens, these are a few of them.
There are so many eggs at the moment that we are giving a lot away.
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The mother sheep are in the field just waiting for the babies to be born.
Lambing is due to start on around the 1st of April at the farm over the road.
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Amish Spiced Honey Cookies for the Mothering Sunday church service.
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This is one of our favourite cookie recipes, the children love them.
I have all the Amish Cook recipe books & love them, every recipe I have tried has turned out beautiful.
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George loves Geraniums & sunshine.
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The girls love to bake, on Saturday they made some plain cupcakes from a Mennonite cookbook we have.
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Choosing the one they would like.
These are a lovely soft plain cake & great to fill a tin.
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Diary of an Edwardian Lady.
After our studies in the morning the girls choose what they would like to do in the afternoon.
Painting is one of their favourite things to choose & also crafting.
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I have not picked up an artist brush for fifteen years, there has been plenty of other sorts of paint brushes though. I used to love to paint & did so much of it when I was at art college.
Seeing as I was sitting with the girls I thought I would do a little painting too.
I had such fun painting with them & Kitty even gave me a few flicks of paint to add to my work.
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We had a special service at our little church for Mothering Sunday.
During the service all the children went to the back of the church to make cards & little bunches of flowers for their Mother's.
I put my bunches all in an old jug & have them in the parlour, they are full of Spring.
I received some beautiful handmade cards from the children. more memories for my keepsake chest upstairs.
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I was really spoilt on Mother's Day & received some special gifts.
My wonderful husband gave me a beautiful old miniature of an old gentleman, now my lady is not on her own.
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I hope all the English Mother's that follow me had a beautiful Mothering Sunday. We celebrate it at a different time of the year to the rest of the world, it is always in between Shrove Tuesday & Easter Sunday.
Thank you all for your lovely comments, I love hearing & learning from you all.

Fondly Michelle
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54 comments:

  1. Hello dear Michelle.. I am always happy when I just happen to turn on the computer and there you are.. smile.. Loved reading about your days and doings.. Your Spring has sprung that is for sure while we wait and try to dig out of another huge amount of snow.. I know it will soon all be melted, though..
    Your presents are awesome and your wee girls are darling..
    God bless.. xo

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    1. Hello Faye,
      Thank you for your dear comment, I am so glad you enjoyed the post.
      I can't wait to see photo's of grass on your posts.
      Fondly Michelle

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  2. Lovely presents for mothers day , I am going to choose some fabric as a present from our daughter to make me a couple of dresses , We will do it together something that doesn't happen now she has a demanding job but i love to see your children having fun it brings back the memory's of the fun I had with our daughter as she was growing up , they grow up so quick xxx

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    1. Fabric for Mothers Day is a lovely idea & to do a fun thing together is wonderful.
      Yes they do grow up so quickly, it makes me want to relish these to more as we know how quick it goes.
      Fondly Michelle

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  3. My heart always lights up when I see a post from you! I think you are hiding your light under a bushel with your painting and we should see more of it.
    When I ate meat, chicken soup was always on the menu on a Tuesday, but with a Welsh flavour of leeks, of course!
    Your posts are always full of such mouthwatering goodness to tempt me into baking more goodies. Of course, with your 'girls' {the hens} giving you so many eggs, baking must be on the menu daily for you now.
    Isn't it wonderful, spring in the air, the longer and lighter days?
    ~~~Deb in Wales

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    1. Hello Deb,
      We love leeks too, we had leek & potato soup yesterday. We did not eat meat for ten years or so so have many non meat recipes.
      Thank you so much for your lovely comment, I really enjoyed doing a little painting & hoe to do it again.
      Fondly Michelle

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  4. That baking looks good. It is my favourite occupation too, but I have a husband who doesn't care for cakes or biscuits, so I give a lot away : ) The girls are good bakers already, tell them.

    What lovely Mother's day gifts you had. I smiled at your Sweet Pea box - I've been sowing Sweet Peas all afternoon, having gotten a packet with 6 different sorts this morning. The bees will be happy.

    I'm sure you are familiar with Nella Last's diaries already, but if not, you are in for a treat.

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    1. We all love cake here, to much maybe.
      I love Nella Last & have the three diaries, this is a fairly new book with new entries in it.
      Thank you for your lovely comment.
      Fondly Michelle

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  5. Sorry - I meant to mention what beautiful artwork from you and your children. That is one of my favourite books and never fails to give pleasure.

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  6. What a charming post! You hens are just too cute, and I love that photo of you cat with the geranium. :)

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    1. Thank you Michelle for your sweet comment.
      Fondly Michelle

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  7. -"March carries all the hope for the year ahead with a lovely fresh smell of all things new in the air."

    You have expressed beautifully just how I feel about March. Here in Queensland, Australia it is the start of our autumn and signals the beginning of our gardening season.

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    1. Hello Sherri,
      Thank you for your lovely comment, I didn't know you started to grow in Autumn in Australia.
      Fondly Michelle

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  8. Dear Michelle, I think that I have discovered the secret for the one that works out quite so wonderful for you, and it is because it does everything with very much love, and this it is the result. His girls have inherited his skill for the painting are a few big artists. We here in Spain this Thursday is the day of the father, for what I have thought to bake something very good for my dad, for my husband and for my father-in-law, is a special day for all the dads. A strong embrace for the whole family. Mary Carmen

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    Replies
    1. Hello Mary,
      Have a wonderful Day of the Father on Thursday, I love hearing about other culture's.
      Thank you for your lovely comment.
      Fondly Michelle

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  9. I think your garden and village must be in a very sheltered spot because here on the Suffolk coast we have had very cold East winds and nothing much is happening outside yet, perhaps warmer weather is on the way.
    Your painting is lovely, the cakes all look delicious and it's good to hear your lady has a gentleman to keep her company on your mantel shelf!

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    1. I hope warmer weather is on the way for you. I had not thought about it but it might help us with the church on one side & a little spinney at the back of the garden.
      Thank you for your lovely comment, I must hang my gentleman on the wall, that is were the lady is now.
      Fondly Michelle

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  10. Such a lovely post! All of your baking looks delicious, I will have to look for the cookbook you mentioned. We have some wonderful Mennonite shops in our area. I live in an area with a lot of Mennonites, in fact their school house is on our road. The daffodil you painted is beautiful! And the picture of George is adorable! : )

    May you have a blessed day!

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    1. Hello Sarah,
      How lovely to have Mennonite shops in your area & a school down the road. I have many books about the Amish & Mennonites & enjoy reading about them. We have been to Lancaster Country twice & loved it apart from the tourist part.
      Thank you for your lovely comment.
      Enjoy your day.
      Fondly Michelle

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    2. Michelle, Lancaster is one of the most touristy Amish areas in the US. There are other communities in Ohio and Indiana that aren't as bad, plus smaller areas in Pennsylvania that I've visited.

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    3. Good Morning Cathy,
      I would love to visit other Amish communities but Lancaster County was so much easier for us to organise & travel too.
      Fondly Michelle

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  11. Lots of Amish and Mennonites in our area. We like to eat at one of their restaurants occasionally, it's very good food. :-) I like the Land Girls, and George is so cute! When my children were younger, we did Nature Journals too. They learned so much and have retained it too.
    Thank you for another lovely post,
    Blessings,
    Anne♥

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    Replies
    1. How lovely Anne to have a wonderful restaurant near you. I love Amish recipes & we enjoyed many treats while on holiday in Lancaster Country.
      The children love to paint to create.
      Thank you for your kind words.
      Fondly Michelle

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  12. I agree with Deborah about your painting. You must take it back up and share more with us. You give me something to aspire to! :-) And your girls are very good. I love that they love to cook at such an early age. I have several Amish/Mennonite cookbooks, too. Their sauerkraut and pork is great as is their beef brisket recipes. Also, potato pancakes and chicken corn soup to name a few.

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    1. Hello Cathy,
      Thank you for your kind words, I really enjoyed painting again.
      The girls love creating anything, they are like their Mum.
      The recipes you like sound wonderful, I love my Amish & Mennonite cook books.
      Fondly Michelle

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  13. What a treat to stop by your lovely blog today! I enjoyed hearing about the bits and pieces of your life across the "pond" and so glad to hear that spring is arriving there! I didn't know your "Mother's Day" was called Mothering Sunday, and I really love the sound of that! You have a beautiful talent for painting, and your twin girls are just darling! May the Lord bless you and your family richly today :)

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    1. Welcome, it is lovely to hear from you.
      Thank you for your lovely comment, were about's in America do you live.
      Enjoy your day this March.
      Fondly Michelle

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  14. I am glad you enjoyed your Mothering Sunday Michelle. I too was very spoilt by my five wonderful children and my lovely husband. We are so lucky aren't we?
    Enjoy your week. I hope it's a happy one full of the joys of Spring.

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    1. Thank you Debbie, I am so glad you enjoyed your Sunday.
      This week is a busy one, there is lots of baking to do for the party on Saturday & then family coming for a long weekend.
      Fondly Michelle

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  15. Happy (belated) Mothering Sunday. :-) It's evident that you are a good mother. Baking and painting with your kids will give them such wonderful memories. And you are such a good artist! Love the daffodil painting!
    March here in Texas so far has been very wet. But come July and August, we will be begging for rain, so I don't mind so much rain now. Our house and yard are very shaded with lots of trees, so not much will grow without the sun. Therefore, I enjoy seeing what others are growing! You seem to already have such pretty flowers coming up.
    Oh, and the picture of George is adorable. :-)
    Have a great week!

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    1. Hello Jennifer,
      Thank you so much for your kind words, I love being with the children & doing things with them, they are all such blessings.
      I agree George is adorable, he is such a mummy's boy & full of cuddles.
      Enjoy your day in Texas.
      Fondly Michelle

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    2. Hello Jennifer,
      Thank you so much for your kind words, I love being with the children & doing things with them, they are all such blessings.
      I agree George is adorable, he is such a mummy's boy & full of cuddles.
      Enjoy your day in Texas.
      Fondly Michelle

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  16. I've just found you via Stephanie. What an interesting post. I fondly remember the days when my children used to bake with me...now it's grandchildren!

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    1. Welcome Elizabeth,
      Thank you for your comment.
      Fondly Michelle

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  17. What a joy it is to visit your blog! Your photos are so lovely...a love visiting your home.

    George looks quite regal beside the geranium and those muffins look delicious. Your art is just lovely too and what a lovely Mothering Sunday you had. I hope you enjoyed every moment of it.

    Have a wonderful week!

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    1. Hello Sandra,
      Thank you for your lovely words, I am so glad you enjoyed your visit.
      Yes I had a wonderful Mothering Sunday, thank you.
      Fondly Michelle

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  18. It looks like you had a wonderful Mother's Day. I really like the cards the children made.

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    1. Thank you, I love handmade cards.
      Fondly Michelle

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  19. Hi Michelle, I am always so pleased when I see you have added a new post. It's so nice to see some Spring signs, As you know we haven't had any yet and it is snowing again. How many chickens do you have? I have wanted some for years and one of these days I will get some. My big problem is I know they will become pets and as my husband says "the only thing anything here will die from is old age". Your baking looks yummy and your soup makes me thing of my 5 boys growing up. I always cooked a turkey, roast etc on Sun then we had soup with the bones. Your girls are so sweet and I think you should get back to your painting. It is lovely.
    Take are
    Mary

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    1. Hello Mary,
      We have eight chickens, one is an old girl called Ester. She must be five now but still laying.
      We love soup here & an easy dish for me to make.
      Have a wonderful day, we are out shopping for the party food.
      Fondly Michelle

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  20. Your girls are cuter than a button! I love that they enjoy baking and I know you are creating many sweet memories in the kitchen with them. Banana and chocolate chip muffins sound delicious!

    Thank you, sweet Michelle, for sharing with Roses of Inspiration. I always love having you link up your charming posts. Hugs to you!

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    1. Hello Stephanie,
      Thank you for your beautiful comment.
      Yes the muffins are lovely especially warm as the girls said yesterday. I made some more for the party & they are tucked in the freezer now.
      I love doing the link up.
      Fondly Michelle

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  21. Hello.
    I'm visiting from Faye's blog. You have a lovely blog, and I'm looking forward to reading your posts.
    We just watched the 'Land Girls' series... and we loved it :)
    I'm your newest follower.

    Smiles :)
    ~K.

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    1. Welcome Kerin,
      Thank you for your lovely comment, I love Land Girls too.
      Fondly Michelle

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  22. I've only just found your blog and so enjoyed reading your post. Your girls look so happy and cute.

    Take Care

    All the best Jan

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    1. Welcome Jan,
      Thank you for your lovely comment.
      Fondly Michelle

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  23. Thank you for sharing the beautiful of every day life with us. You really do create some peaceful and pleasant inspiration here. Have a lovely weekend.

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    1. Thank you Jes for your kind words.
      Fondly Michelle

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  24. What a wonderful Mother's Day for you! I adore the Land Girls!!

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    1. Yes it was a wonderful day Kim,
      Fondly Michelle

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  25. that is neat that the kids make you cards... i just finished watching the Land girls series, our Library had them to check out

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    1. Hello Connie,
      We watched Land Girls when it was on tv here, it is nice to ahve them on dvd & revisit them.
      Fondly Michelle

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  26. Hi Michelle
    Such beautiful photos!
    Your baking looks delicious, I'll have to look out for those cookery books you mention.
    Sounds like you had a lovely Mothering Sunday :-)
    I love the Edwardian Diary book, it is such a beautiful book.

    I hope your having a lovely day
    Take care
    Melanie x

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  27. Hello Melanie,
    Sorry it has taken me a little time to write back to you, we have had a full week after the party & I have been catching up.
    Thank you for your lovely comment, I do love to bake.
    I bought all the Amish Cook books on Amazon, some were gifts as they are a little pricey.
    Have a lovely weekend.
    Fondly Michelle

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