Cold November Days

The weather has turned now here in England, the north wind is definitely blowing.

How bare the land looks around our village as the last of the sugar beet is harvested & taken away.

Life at the cottage has been full with jobs this week, there is always much to do before Winter sets in.

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I made cinnamon flop for breakfast.

It is an old Amish recipe from a book I have for many years.

They are very easy to make & very much enjoyed.

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I have been cooking pumpkins.

Pumpkin Butter.

I have been making this for a few years now, the children love it especially on hot buttered English muffins.

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The pumpkin butter ready for potting up.

The smell was wonderful, so warm & seasonal.

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The last of the canning finished for the year.

It always feels so good to see all that your garden has produced for you over the year.

I do not can a large amount but enough for us to enjoy the fruits of our labour for a year.

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Canning shelves in our pantry.

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Pumpkin Loaves.

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Some of the pumpkin went in to bread, two to eat & two for the freezer.

This is a recipe I was kindly giving by a friend 10 years ago that lives in Massachusetts.

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Our beautiful cherry tree is such a beautiful colour this time of year.

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Remember remember the 5th of November.

Bonfire night.

This is how a nearby village celebrates the anniversary of the Guy Fawkes plot to blow up the houses of parliament.

It is a very family affair and all the funds raised goes to the upkeep of the little playground.

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It was so cold, we were glad when the bonfire got going.

The twins in their crocheted scarves I made last year.

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Sidney enjoying his chips.

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Mary enjoying the fireworks.

The girls were so happy watching the fireworks.

We had such a special evening but it was so good to get home & get some warmth in to our toes.

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I finished reading The Cottage Diaries & found it a very enjoyable book that again I didn't want to end.

Now I am reading Larkrise to Candleford.

I have watched the television series & was enchanted by the stories & sets so when I saw this old edition in the old book shop in town I couldn't resist.

This copy is full of pretty country prints which lets you picture times from a bygone era.

I am really enjoying this book & how Flora describes all the little details of a time long ago just before machines came in to the countryside. She captured the countryside before traditions & a way of life disappeared.

This is a book you can disappear into & imagine yourself there in the cottages she describes in so much detail.

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One of the old country prints in the book.

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Rice Pudding.

This is such a simple dessert, we had it with home made canned rhubarb.

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Today it is Remembrance Day, a time to remember our fallen & the families who have lost a loved one. We are going down to the War Memorial Hospital in town to remember those soldiers & read some of the poppy's laid in remembrance.

Keep warm.

Fondly Michelle

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