Simply Staffordshire

Spring in Staffordshire

noreply@blogger.com (Simply Staffordshire) — Sat, 25 Feb 2012 17:01:00 +0000

I feel like this week I can officially talk about Spring! Beautiful days, longer days and the very smell of hope and promise. I have enjoyed a fabulous afternoon taming a rambling rose in the garden. One of my absolute favourites "Wedding Day" which I have had for over 12 years. It is very much a one hit wonder in early June, but boy what a hit. Positioned in a south facing spot near the patio doors, it fills the air with the most heady scent which wafts through the house and gets positively narcotic in the evenings. Starting out as a mass of tiny little yellow buds, opening into properly old fashioned, single petal flowers that become whiter and whiter and turning slightly pink at the edges. It is an event I look forward to every year - almost to the point that I won't arrange any kind of holiday in that time!

It is, however a bit of a brute and fancies itself taking over the entire garden and inviting itself into next doors too, so I have had to have a word this year with a pair of loppers. This was brought on by the necessity for a new fence and desperate measures were called for. Despite the fight back (scratches all over) it now looks smart, tidy and pulled into the right directions against the new fence and ready to go ramble again this spring.

In another garden wonder, I have also managed to pull some leeks worth eating (not something that my veg patch has blessed me with before). A simple Leek & Potato soup is called for, to make the most of that beautiful strong flavour you get with home grown leeks.

2-3 leeks, chopped and washed

1 onion, sliced

a little butter and olive oil

1 medium to large potato, cubed but not peeled.

1l of good vegetable stock (my fave is Bouillon powder)

I simply soften the onion and leeks in the butter and oil, taking care not to brown them. I then add the potato and coat with the buttery juices. Pouring over hot stock, I cover and simmer for about 15 minutes, until the potato is soft. We like it whizzed until smooth and served with hot bread rolls, but you might want to indulge in a swirl of cream to finish. I season at the end.

Enjoy...

If you want more recipes or want to share your, please get in touch through our website, or check out our recipe section.

Shrove Tuesday is sprung!

noreply@blogger.com (Simply Staffordshire) — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 19:10:00 +0000

This is the week folks! This is the week that you can start to smell spring in the air, plan for Easter, see off the back of deep winter - yey! It all starts with Shrove Tuesday and if you are lucky enough this week - it will end with warm weather and new shoots. Pancake Day is a ritual in our house and involves pancakes for all courses at tea and lots of them. As Ashbourne, home to the original Shrovetide celebrations, is only just over the border, Shrove Tuesday is kinda important in these parts.

Friends are invited, eggs are sought from all available local hens, pints and pints of milk are involved as are lemons, sugar, ice cream, Golden Syrup, sauces, apples, bananas, etc etc. As mentioned before, all courses have to be pancake based but this year we are going Staffordshire Oatcakes for the savoury bit. Traditionally, it will be Oatcakes rolled like canelloni and filled with tuna, sweetcorn and cheese sauce, baked in the oven.
It is such a special time the start to look forward to Spring. I can see snowdrops, crocus, shoots on the trees and over wintered purple sprouting is nearly ready for picking in the veg patch. When I walk Stan the dog, I can hear the birds are busy, the hedgerows are teeming with activity and there the grey of deep winter is beginning to take on a hue of green.. Best of all it is light until half 5 - a real treat time to peek round the garden to see what is going on and emerging.
Find an ideal pancake recipe in our recipe section.

February food...

noreply@blogger.com (Simply Staffordshire) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 19:23:00 +0000

It will be the coldest day of the winter so far in Staffordshire and boy does it feel it. The snow of the weekend was a fabulous treat that forced us out to sledge, throw snowballs and drink hot chocolate at the top of the slopes (a la Kloisters). It has been a chance to enjoy the best of winter and not those slightly too warm grey days (yuk!).

As with all changes in weather it brought on a bout of baking, cooking and eating and so I thought I would share what's been coming out of the Simply Staffordshire kitchen.
There is something fabulous about having yellow in the house in winter and so I was seduced by a bag of unwaxed lemons. I made a layered lemon cake with lemon curd and a lemony syrup on top. Simply made two 8 inch sponges (4 large eggs, 8oz of everything else plus rind of a lemon) and once cool, split each cake in two and then layered the slices back up with lashings of good lemon curd.. I topped it with a rather thin mixture of lemon juice & icing sugar which drizzled satisfyingly down the sides. Perfect fireside fodder.
Today has been different, speed required but also comfort. It started with porridge made with half water and half milk. Then it was the almost compulsory lunchtime soup which seems to be my current staple. I sometimes go smart and combine chorizo & sweet potato or traditional leek and potato (hard to beat) but today was a classic leftovers soup. Fresh chopped onion, carrot & celery sweated in olive oil with some thyme. Then I added last night's leftover cabbage and sprouts and two cold roast potatoes. Once cooked for a few minutes more and with some good stock - it was ready to bring to a simmer and then blended. Simple, easy & just a little frugal.
To finish off, it was pilau rice cooked in stock with onion, garlic, peppers and smoked mackerel flaked through at the end and stacks of chopped chives (amazingly poking through in the garden) and a quick squeeze of lemon juice....delicious and filling.
Tomorrow promises banana cake with a twist...
For more recipes, please visit us at www.simplystaffordshire.co.uk.

Guest post by Simply Scrumptious Cupcakes

noreply@blogger.com (Simply Staffordshire) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 13:21:00 +0000

It's really exciting to present our first guest blog post of 2012. Today we introduce our fabulous Simply Staffordshire member, Liz from Simply Scrumptious. We love to share our member blog posts with you so you can get to know local Staffordshire businesses really well! If you would like to join Simply Staffordshire and benefit from marketing, networking and knowledge sharing support, please get in touch through our website.

It’s a frosty February morning and the first signs ofspring are beginning to show. Springtime always symbolises a new start for meand brings a certain optimism with the prospect of longer days and warmerweather. This time, two years ago, Idecided to take a leap of faith and set up my own business. We had moved to thelovely town of Eccleshall just over a year before and my life changeddramatically in that time. I became a mum for the first time and although I wasloving spending time raising my son, felt I needed to find something new andexciting to do that could fit around family life.

My new start was to setup Simply ScrumptiousCupcakes. Even as a child, I loved nothing better than making cakes andbiscuits and even the 1980’s classic microwave sponge pudding (which I’m gladto say doesn’t make it to our table anymore). My first part-time job was in abakery and although I took a detour career-wise, working for an advertisingagency, a bank and even a tractor manufacturer, baking has always been animportant part of my life. After a long chat with other mums due to return towork from maternity leave, I realised was in a very fortunate position as I’dbe able to work from home and still spend lots of time with my toddler. The bigquestion became not shall I do it but how soon can I start? I began by baking cupcakes for a few friends’birthday parties, catered my own 30^th celebrations and then took thebig leap at Eccleshall Festival when I had a stall to gauge local reactions tomy cakes. I practically sold out!

I now bake delicate cupcake towers for weddings,create themed cupcakes for children’s parties and have diversified into miniand giant cupcakes and a selection of cakepops. It’s a wonderful business to bein as I get to experiment with all sorts of new and exciting flavours and getto meet lots of interesting people, each with a different need. No two ordersare the same, which keeps the job creative and exciting.

The trend in handmade and vintage products isbecoming more and more popular. I’m increasingly baking vintage-style cupcakes to be served forafternoon tea at parties and weddings. It’s certainly a style which evokes nostalgia and seems to be supportedby the resurgence for home baking. Shows like The Great British Bake Offreceived 3.1 million viewers during the last series and I’ve started to receiverequests from customers for cupcake decorating classes. Most people can make a half decent fairycake, but need a little guidance (and glitter) to turn it into something trulybeautiful! Great ingredients, the right tools for the job and few secret tipscan create the recipe for success. Lo and behold, the first signs are springare here again and I’m launching my first class this month. I can’t wait!

If you’re interested in any of our cupcakes orclasses, please take a look at the website www.simplyscrumptiouscupcakes.co.uk

10 reasons to love Staffordshire

noreply@blogger.com (Simply Staffordshire) — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 10:50:00 +0000

Ok, so I know it's not original to post a top 10 about somewhere or something...but actually in this case it is the perfect way to quickly give you a run down why loving Staffordshire is so easy! I sat down to make a few notes about the post, thinking I should be methodical and prepared - but in fact I had filled ten places in 5 minutes and thought I should have done a top 20. Anyway...I have stuck to a top 10 for now so don't panic if I haven't mentioned you fave place - there will be more!
1. Landscape - obvious to many but not to some. The countryside and landscape of Staffordshire can rival any of it's more famous neighbours. Not only is it beautiful, it is also wide ranging. You can enjoy dramatic moorlands, deep, secluded valleys, lush open fields, rolling hills and woodland and forests all in one county. Many comment on the peace of the landscape and lack of crowds too. How can you resist?

2. People - I know everyone says it about their own place or home, but really the people of Staffordshire are very friendly, warm and welcoming. We have little arrogance or self importance, we work hard and enjoy chat and are pleased to invite folks to enjoy the county. There have been many times over the years when guests have been blown away by local people who put themselves out to be friendly and visitors have said that it has genuinely made all the difference to their visit.

3. Food - maybe this should have been number 1! Food is so important to a place and Staffordshire is no exception. Not only is the county blessed with rich farmland for meat, dairy products and great local veg, Staffordshire also has a rich industrial heritage that has produced wonderful local recipes and specialities like the oatcake and Staffordshire Lobby. Staffordshire is quickly becoming known for it's great local food from award winning sausages and cheese to fabulous restaurants and pubs. Don't forget this also goes hand in hand with ale too! Staffordshire boasts many award winning breweries and micro breweries - so be assured your mouth won't be dry.

4. History - Well you can start with a Roman settlement like the one in Wall, near Lichfield then try a Norman village like Alton, moving onto a wonderful market town like Leek whose origins are said to be Saxon. There is the Staffordshire Hoard to be enjoyed and of course the fabulous castle in Tutbury to name but a few places. The options are endless in this truly historic county, once in the middle of Mercia.

5. Architecture - Staffordshire is teeming with beautiful buildings, places to visit and places to enjoy. The obvious place to start in Stoke-on-Trent, where you can visit bottle kilns and original factories and works like Gladstone and Burleigh in Burlsem. Less known are the Pugin treasures of Cheadle church and Alton Castle or Croxden Abbey. Lichfield Cathedral is an absolute gem - perfect location in town for coffee, shops & views but comes into its own when hosting a musical concert.

6. Location - seems obvious but isn't Staffordshire in the most ideal place?! If you are planning a holiday it is within easy reach for all your guests to get to and enjoys fabulous public transport links from London and up north. If you are in Staffordshire, you are within an hour of Manchester, Birmingham, Nottingham, Sheffield, The Peak National Park, Shropshire...do I need to go on?

7. Walking & Activities - where to start? Although the National Park, the Lakes and the Yorkshire Dales are popular and deservedly so - Staffordshire is a hidden gem. There are the moors and hills of the north of the county. The famous Roaches and the Staffordshire Moorlands are stunning, dramatic and above all peaceful and not crowded. If you like dingly dells and woods there are plenty. Dimmingsdale, the Churnet Valley, the Cauldon Canal etc are all beautiful and offer special walks and secluded wonder. If you like open spaces then Cannock Chase may be for you. There are activities available on the Chase or simply walking and picnics. Again you will find there aren't the crowds to encounter compared to some of our neighbours.

8. Places to stay - The beauty of Staffordshire and its landscapes, means that the choice of accommodation is really great. You can stay in the historic towns of Lichfield, Stafford, Leek, Uttoxeter and more, where you will enjoy cafes, architecture and local markets. You can also stay in amazing cottages looking over open fields and landscapes. Whatever your preferences, there will be the choice for you. Check out a handpicked guide here.

9. Markets - Staffordshire has a growing reputation for great markets. There are regular collectors markets, good farmer's markets and busy local markets as well as special fine food festivals and vintage fairs. One of my favourites is Leek Collectors Market every Friday - full of stalls with baskets of old door knobs, ancient garden tools and special costume jewellery. A good list of food markets can be found on our site.

10. Festivals - Every year there is the Peak District Walking Festival and what is little known is that many of the walks are in the Staffordshire Peak District. Held in May, they are fabulous routes led by enthusiastic locals and normally involve cake opportunities! This year there is a Pugin Festival to celebrate the 200th anniversary of his birth. Also this year, there will be the opportunity to see the Olympic flame in Staffordshire. The summer brings the Lichfield Arts Festival, which brings famous musical names from all over the world. This year it's taking place from the 4th to the 15th July, with the Literature Festival following in October.

2012 and all that...

noreply@blogger.com (Simply Staffordshire) — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 19:20:00 +0000

Where did that go? Christmas has come and gone and although we might relish time with family and time to enjoy the season, it is also a time to relish the New Year and plans to come. It came up in discussion over the last few days that in fact 2012 is a big year! There are the Olympics obviously but also European Football, The Jubilee not to mention our very own Pugin Festival in Staffordshire. But really how does this effect Staffordshire, us up here in the north, anyone in rural Britain...well you'd be surprised....
Staffordshire was host a few weeks ago to the premiere of some film aimed to bring the spotlight of the Olympics on Staffordshire farmers. Farmers on Film is the brainchild of Sarah Gayton, Staffordshire Olympic coordinator for Women in Food and Farming Union and award winning baker. The idea being to highlight the very bast of locally produced food to the Olympic audience.

It is the 200th anniversary of the birth of Augustus Pugin and the Pugin Festival. Renowned for designing the Houses of Parliament but also the architect for the 14 buildings in and around Cheadle, Staffordshire - "the land of Pugin". These year long festivities start in January 2012 and promise to be a fabulous celebration of the man and his work.
The Olympic flame is coming to Staffordshire! If you are local or plan a holiday - chose May or June!! This could be your chance to see the fame for real and in beautiful surroundings! You know where to search for a holiday break too ;-) The flame come to Gnosall, Houghton and Stafford on the 30th May and then Burton, Streethay, Lichfield, Tamworth, Great Wyrley and Newtown on the 30th June 2012. It will also visit the National Memorial Arboretum in Alrewas.

For events and things to do on a slightly smaller scale or for those of your searching for a course or new hobby - try us. We aim to be the most passionate Staffordshire advocates and promise to handpick everything we recommend!

See you in 2012 eh?

Winter breaks in Staffordshire

noreply@blogger.com (Simply Staffordshire) — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 13:08:00 +0000

We have a little snow here to day and it is really feeling cold and wintery and got me thinking...have I really told you of the virtues of a visit to Staffordshire in the winter? I know many of you love a winter break...somewhere cosy, preferably with walks and a good pub. Some of you like a little quality shopping and maybe an historic find along the way. There are those of you appreciate a good foody market too so you can try local treats back at your accommodation or to take home to family. There are also those of you who have friends all over the country and like to meet up at a quieter time of year and in a place that all your friends can get to more easily - don't forget that we are only 2 and half hours from London and only an hour from Birmingham and Manchester! There is no question in my mind that the place you are looking for is Staffordshire! So here is my potted guide to a winter break in Staffordshire...
Staying

There are fabulous places to stay in the county. You can enjoy a smart hotel in the country where all you have to do is relax or maybe a self catering gem overlooking rolling hills? Because we are such a large county your choice of location is huge. We have the Moorlands in North Staffordshire, the majestic scenery of the Staffordshire Peak District, the beautiful open spaces at Cannock Chase or the secluded farming landscapes throughout the county. The fabulous thing about Staffordshire is that where ever you choose, you will always be within easy reach of somewhere to visit, enjoy, to eat and explore. Try our NEW Where to Stay guide on the Simply Staffordshire website for some beautiful handpicked places to stay today!
Things to do
Where do I start?? Again, because Staffordshire spans such a large area, you can enjoy a wide range of days out and activities. In the North of the county you obviously have Alton Towers for the family. However in the winter you have the opportunity to find so much more. Leek is a fabulous traditional market town with some really great independent shops offering antiques, homewares, gifts, art and crafts. There are award winning cafes and accommodations like the White Hart Tea Rooms where you can enjoy great local food in the historic market square. William Morris lived in the town from 1875 and his work can be found in churches and makes the town an essential visit for Arts and Crafts enthusiasts. There is the Nicholson Gallery and the exciting new venture at the historic Foxlowe building in the square. You will find a great collectors and fine food markets, history, food, antiques, shops all set in stunning scenery.
Further south is the county town of Stafford and Lichfield. Both a steeped in history and Lichfield is the home of Samuel Johnson and the magical Lichfield Cathedral. This gem is in the heart of the county and enjoys a great cafe and deli culture, great restaurants, places to stay and independent shops. You are also within easy reach of Cannock Chase and its amazing walks and activities.
Stoke on Trent has wonderful heritage and the pottery industry is alive and kicking! Whether you are more interested in the history (visit Gladstone, The Wedgewood Museum, Stoke on Trent Museum and more...) or you want to find some of the great work that goes on now (visit Burleigh or Emma Bridgewater) you will always find friendly people and amazing finds! For family fun, Trentham Estate, Go Ape and The Monkey Forest all offer great days out for all ages.
For a handpicked guide to Staffordshire and how to discover some of its secrets, visit our website today!

Wishing you a very local Christmas...

noreply@blogger.com (Simply Staffordshire) — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 07:51:00 +0000

Christmas is a very special time and for me a time to think about your community as a whole. Whether this is by shopping for those who can't get out, carol singing for charity or clearing snowy paths for the infirm. I think there is another way to think of your community too in the lead up to Christmas. Buying locally is not a new concept, indeed I wrote about it last Christmas, but it is especially important at this time of year. At a time when we are all spending more and when we are looking for that special Christmas feel, buying from someone local can help you get that feeling. You are supporting your local economy, community and giving a gift that is more than likely not found on the high street. In business terms, you are also helping support the economy as they move into the difficult early months of the New Year.
I think there is another dimension to this and largely what prompted me to write this post. I think buying from charity shops, upcycling old items and even making hand made gifts is wonderful. Encouraged by Facebook campaigns and Kirsty Allsopp, we can all have a go at making and buying gifts that are truly personal and unique. If your making abilities aren't up to the grade or your time is limited, then visiting local craft fairs and Christmas Markets will ensure you find the gift you want. There are so many fabulous people making beautiful things and you can buy in the comfort of knowing that your spend stays local! You could also try local courses to help you learn how to make beautiful gifts...you support local again and you gain a new skill - everyone's a winner.
There is another great reason too for keeping it local...no more horrible multi story car parks...no more expensive petrol usage...no more grumpy faces and squashing crowds...convinced yet?

Sustainable Travel - Staffordshire Style!

noreply@blogger.com (Simply Staffordshire) — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 19:31:00 +0000

I have been doing some mentoring for the Staffordshire Environmental Quality Mark and it has been fun to really get to grips with what makes something sustainable and how best to travel sustainably!
You may know that I am a fully paid up member of the "take care of the world" gang and wanted to share with you what I think it means to achieve sustainable travel - it doesn't mean you have to knit your own bedding!
First and foremost I don't believe that green tourism has anything to do with being earnest and grave. I absolutely think that you can enjoy fabulous times while being sustainable. Focus on what you like to do on your hols or when you have time off work. Maybe you're a foodie so you might want to discover a local market or farmer's market. You can enjoy fabulous local treats and often find really great food. Almost by accident you will be supporting the local economy and helping keep food traditions alive - easy! Obviously you can also take a reusable shopper & ask for as little packaging as possible too. There is even less food waste too - more often that not they let you try before you buy - result!

Ok so you are a great outdoors person - maybe hiking or a simple stroll in great surroundings. It might be possible to find out about the local flora & fauna before you go out - check out local wildlife trust websites - many of them even let you volunteer for the day as part of a holiday - anything from dry stone walling to pond clearing. It may be as simple as reading about the history of the place you are visiting - is it a very special place or is it suffering from too much development. This may seem superficial, but it is in fact the way in which we can keep out environment in mind and stay in touch. More than likely you will need a cuppa along the way and of course trying and supporting a local cafe is no difficult task! It goes without saying that you don't leave litter or over wrap your packed lunch - greaseproof is great and can be recycled or an old fashioned paper bag!

Maybe you are a leisurely shopper? You may be away from home or a local who is used to big mall type places. You might want to use the opportunity to explore a market town. You will often find amazing local crafts and skills, independent clothes shops that actually care about what they sell you and there is often local shopper schemes to earn local points and vouchers. There will more often than not be a great piece of cake on offer somewhere & lots of architecture to look at. Again these are simple steps to supporting economy and independent retailers. Sustainable and easy!

Where you stay is important too. Many fabulous places now are showing themselves to have eco credentials. These holiday houses and hotels aren't necessarily the expensive ones or the overly exclusive. They are normal 3 and 4 star places that suit more pockets and they are beginning to turn their properties round so that every step they take makes a difference overall. Ask your accommodation provider what they can do. Even if they only recycle, it is a step in the right direction. A customer or guest asking for green measures and features will only give owners the confidence to change their practices as something guests really want.
I have only covered some of they ways in which we can make changes that don't make any difference to cost or quality of our holiday they just make a fabulous cumulative impact on the welfare of where we stay and visit as well as the wider environment.
Staffordshire has launched the Staffordshire Environmental Quality Mark(SEQM) which is based on the long standing and successful Peak District version. IT is therefore even more simple to look for the logo and find out who is making a difference. If you favourite place doesn't display it yet - ask them!

Enjoy your travels and look forward to welcoming you to Staffordshire! For all things local & fabulous, you can also check out www.simplystaffordshire.co.uk

September Promise

noreply@blogger.com (Simply Staffordshire) — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 10:01:00 +0000

September is full of promise, full of ideas and plans. It feels that, even thought you may not have to adhere to the school calendar anymore, there is a new beginning in the offing, new hope and a fresh start. It seems we are in for that rare treat this week too - an Indian Summer. Warmth on our faces and beautiful colours to help us celebrate.
This is my favourite time of year (at least until spring when I shall go on about that again). Despite the farewell waves to summer, somehow there is opportunity written all over this season. There is beauty in the trees and bounty in the hedgerows. There is a chance to clear out and settle down, the chance to be a little slower and less hectic. I love to bottle, stew, pickle, bake & jam. I like to think of using a rainy weekend to redecorate or clear out. Somehow dog walking takes on a new meaning as you watch the season change hour by hour and the cobweb blowing of a blustery day is therapy in itself. New pencil case smell & planning pumpkin designs & fetching out the wellies.
This may seem an overly sentimental view of Autumn but it has a serious back story. Us humans have very busy summers. We bustle and rush, do and dash - which feels great in the sunshine and long, light days - but we can't sustain that speed. We need to hibernate a little. We need to slow and care for ourselves. I relish this chance to cook a little slower, to pootle about more. I think it is an essential part of the years cycle.
It is also a time in which I like to learn. Traditionally a time to enrol in a course or new skill workshop, darker evenings in which to fill with new ideas. This might be something academic like a new language or a maths exam you never quite passed before or it might be a chance to take up painting, sewing, planning a garden or making the perfect cake.

Whatever your plans for this Autumn, I hope it's full of September promise and I hope that Staffordshire plays its part too - whether you simply read about it or plan a visit here - see you again!

Visiting Uttoxeter

noreply@blogger.com (Simply Staffordshire) — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 16:32:00 +0000

This is something I have been doing for many years and really have spent a lot of time ignoring my surroundings and popping to the bank. It has had a reputation for losing its cattle market, having lots of charity shops (not bad in itself but the implication being diversity of shopping opportunity has been restricted.) The market itself has gone through many changes and there have been parking problems in the centre of the town as well as a big Tesco on the outskirts. However...I decided to visit this local market town with a fresh pair of eyes and step into the shoes of a new visitor. I was pleasantly surprised....

Uttoxeter is a proper Midlands market town, with a mix of architecture and shops, cafes and people. Despite its wobbly move into the 21st century, it is emerging as a destination experience. There are several really lovely cafes and coffee shops including the traditional Birds Cafe, the very successful Indulgence and the new Vintage Tea Emporium. All offer great options for a sit down, natter and meeting place for friends.

There are also some great gift shop that mean that it is a good place to visit for something special. Helen Louise has a range of lovely smellies, home gifts and baby wear - and fabulous customer service to boot. Daisy Chain is new and offering well priced home wear and gifts with a range that is ever changing and always a treat to look at. Emma's Cook Store is one of those wonderful kitchen Emporiums that sell every gadget and treat for the cook & baker. I bought some great Union Jack cupcake holders!

There are also the staples that make a visit to Uttoxeter a success for those of you who have a list of jobs to do...a WHSmiths, a Wilkos, a Boots, good Optitions, Butchers, Card shops and banks etc etc. The parking is in fact not a problem and pretty cheap (60p for an hour) and places are ok to find even on a Wednesday and Friday (main market days)

So...pay a visit and say I sent you - you may be surprised and all those independent shops need your support.

Guest Blog from A Wannabe Foodie...

noreply@blogger.com (Simply Staffordshire) — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 12:23:00 +0000

Julia England is a Wannabe Foodie who has kindly agreed to guest blog for us! A member of the Midland Food Bloggers, she has a passion for food and great fun recipes that we can all enjoy. I hope you enjoy her lament for the beginning of the end of summer - we would love to see your comments!

Coo-eeee! Where are you hiding Summer ??

It may still be only the beginning of September, and I don’t knowabout you, but for me, summer appears to be reaching a very abrupt and rudeending! Temperatures are dropping, the nights are drawing in and instead ofthoughts of sipping Pimms on the decking and last minute barbeques on a balmyevening, thoughts are turning to thatold comfy woolly jumper that was packed away in the spring time, to an eveningtipple of a warming Baileys & brandy or a hot chocolate for the non-drinkers amongst us and to pans of delicious soups bubblinghappily on the hob steaming up the windows...

I haven’t convinced myself totally thatsummer has abandoned us at such an early stage... and I truly am praying for a sunny reprieve, to see Summer pop hishead back around the corner with a toothy grin announcing “Aha Fooled You …..” so that we can all throw open our patiodoors and refire up the barbie...Ihaven’t packed away my flip flops and sunscreen just yet. However I am alsofinding myself happily dreaming ofautumnal recipes... of Hallowe’en parties and bonfire night feasts...I know - somebody stop me! So here are a couple of lovely recipes to help you through these last heady days of Summer as they turn to Autumn!

ButternutSquash , Red Pepper & Chili Soup
1 kg Butternut squash , peeled
1 or 2 Red Peppers
1 Red chili or 1tsp chili flakes
Vegetable stock (enough to cover the veggies)
Salt & pepper and any other herbs and spicesyou wish to add to spice it up
1. Chop all the veg into bitesize pieces
2. Place in pan and cover with hot stock
3. Bring to the boil on the hob
4. Simmer until veggies are soft (approx 20 mins)
5. Add seasoning , to taste
6. Take off the hob and blitz away with a handblender or food processor to your hearts content !
7. Serve with crusty bread and a dollop of cremefraiche or a sprinkling of crumbled stilton … should you feel the need
8.Enjoy

Staffordshire Blue Cheese & Purple Broccoli Quiche

This pastry is a recipe used and recommendedduring the second world war .. and whilst you may find the dough quite stickyplease do persevere for a fabulous addition to the humble quiche.

PASTRY:

6 ozplain flour

½ tsp mustard powder

3 oz margarine

1 oz cheddar cheese , finely grated

1 tbsp chopped parsley (optional)

Water (to bind)

Salt & pepper , to taste

Sift the flour , rub in the margarine ,add the cheese , parsley & mustard powder and bind with water until a goodrolling consistency.

Wrap in clingfilm & chill for 20 mins

roll out and line a greased 8” flan timewith the pastry. Blind bake for 15 mins at 180 degrees

FILLING:

4 eggs

400 ml Semi skimmed milk

175g Staffordshire blue cheese (or any otherblue cheese you prefer)

170g purple sprouting broccoli (ortenderstem broccoli)

· Arrange the broccoli as youlike on the blind baked pastry base

· Crumble the blue cheese andscatter over the broccoli and the base

· Beat the eggs & milktogether and season to taste

· Pour this all over the broccoliand cheese until almost to the top of the pastry base.

· Bake for one hour at 180degrees until risen and golden

· Leave to cool for around 15 mins before serving

· Serve alongside your BBQ buffetor with a jacket spu and a fabulous crisp summer salad

The Big Staffordshire Recipe Swap!

noreply@blogger.com (Simply Staffordshire) — Sun, 14 Aug 2011 13:45:00 +0000

Simply Staffordshire have a stand at the fabulous Just So Festival next weekend - we have a gallery area where we are showing off some fabulous local art & crafts. There's a fab competition for the kids (& the big kids!) based around a Staffordshire map and the launch of the Big Staffordshire Recipes swap!

We know that recipes are a favourite topic and I get emails asking me about local specialities and so we are asking visitors to the Festival to note their favourite recipe down and we will add it to our stand for others to copy and swap. The best recipe over the 2 days will then be published on our site. There will be crayons for added illustrations and colour and lots of pegs to hang them up.

So what is your favourite recipe and would you like to share and swap them? Is there a special recipe handed down from Granny or a super local one with a funny name? Have you adapted a classic for a frugal family tea or are you looking for a recipe to recreate from a long savoured memory?

We are really looking forward to seeing these fave recipes and if you want to join in but can't be at the Festival - simply leave yours on the comments below and we will print them and add them to the list.

Lotty Blue Guest Post - It's Cool to Recycle...

noreply@blogger.com (Simply Staffordshire) — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 19:32:00 +0000

Please welcome our very first guest blog on the Simply Staffordshire Blog - a fabulous Staffordshire business that re loves and recycles furniture. Perfect for your home & the environment. We re loved many a piece of furniture for our holiday house, not only was this the green thing to do it also meant we have a holiday house that is repeatedly called a home from home! Please enjoy Lisa's words and fabulous creative flair and the great top tips too. Here it is...

Recycle, re-use and eco-friendly are all words that we are hearing more and more these days. We are becoming more aware of the harmful effect our throw away culture is having on our world and the unnecessary waste. We are now pretty familiar with recycling our everyday rubbish and are also more contentious about recycling clothes, toys, books etc to charity shops or to resell at car boots or even to use online auction sites like eBay. But what are our thoughts towards furniture? And how can we re use old worn out second hand pieces? Here at LottyBlue I have been involved in up-cycling and restoring mid-century modern furniture for a few years but I have always loved buying and painting items for my own home.

I have been asked by Emily to write a guest blog post for her wonderful blog on Simply Staffordshire and I am delighted to be featured as I myself live in Staffordshire and it is great to promote other Staffordshire businesses. Also I would love to show Simply Staffs readers how to source great items of furniture and give some practical hints and tips that can transform an old tired piece of furniture into a useful item once again.

The decision to buy second hand

Of course there are many factors involved with buying furniture for your home, money can play a big part but also the style and the practical use of the furniture is essential or perhaps you have already got a old piece of furniture that would benefit from so much needed TLC. By reusing vintage furniture you are already being eco- friendly and saving wonderful pieces of furniture from being destroyed or used for land fill.

Where to buy Pre-Loved

1 Charity shops – there are many ways to find interesting and affordable accessories for your home. Over the years I myself have ford some lovely vintage china and glassware. We are very lucky to be living in the heart of Staffordshire the home to the world famous pottery industry. Below are some links to some local charity websites.

http://www.bhf.org.uk/shop/our-local-shops.aspx
http://www.khhospice.org.uk/pages/support-us/retail.php

2 Charity home stores – More and more larger stores are opening which sell large items such has furniture, electrical items, pictures and so much more. There is certainty something very satisfying when buying furniture this way. You are saving money and also being eco-friendly and of course the money is often going to very worth while local charities. Below is the link to Katharine House Big shop in Cannock which is great place to find furniture, clothes and so much more

http://www.khhospice.org.uk/pages/support-us/retail/locations/cannock-big-shop-details.php

3 Car Boots – Great places to find some interesting affordable items for your home but remember its an early start. Most people have car boot sales near them usually taking place on a Sunday morning.

4 Auctions – If you are looking for a specific item or just looking in general auctions are great places to find bargains.

Most auctions over a preview day so you can look at the different lots or even look online at the auction house website to see if there is anything of interest. Remember always set your self a budget and stick to it and don't get carried away.

http://www.cuttlestones.co.uk/ - Staffordshire Auction house in Penkridge

5 Classifieds and Online auctions sites such has eBay and Gumtree can be useful too.

(a reconditioned G Plan table...)

Recycle, Reclaim & Re-purpose

Being creative by re-using and re-imagining everyday objects in your home is certainty a great way of creating a stylish affordable home which does not cost a fortune. The 'mix and match' approach lends itself very well to incorporate vintage and antique with your modern contemporary furniture. The vintage look has been trending for many years in the fashion world, but we are seeing a return to the look and style of furniture designs from the 1940's through to the 1970's. These iconic designs are once again in vogue and are being featured in home magazines and leading high street stores. John Lewis are commissioning furniture makers to create furniture that resembles the look and style of this bygone era. Perhaps we are returning to a more simplistic lifestyle and moving away from the throw away culture.

Stylish Antique &Vintage!

For most the word vintage conjures up images of old dirty broken and dusty furniture but with a little patience and some elbow grease mixed with a bit of know how even the most worn out piece of furniture can be transformed and be given a new lease of life. The beauty of antique and vintage is that in most cases you are dealing with real wood and so can be sanded down to remove old varnish, paint and stains. I was once told by a local furniture restorer not to be afraid but to have a go as you can do no harm (or at least you can normally correct any of your attempts). I think this is so true so when you do pick up a item of furniture for a few pounds as a first project sand it down and perhaps revarnish or paint it. This can transform it and will give you confidence to try different techniques. It is very satisfying to buy preloved as you can personalise it for your own home and save money too.

Changing the look!

There are many ways of changing the look without costing a fortune and that are quite easy for beginners. Here are a few of my suggestions :

-Use of paint is a great way of creating a funky stylish look.
Show items that have been changed by using paint

Below are just some of the paint manufacturers that I personally use.

Dulux paint and Farrow & Ball
http://www.duluxdecoratorcentre.co.uk/stores/stafford -Great to get expert advice
http://www.farrow-ball.com/

- Trimmings – such as door handles and knobs can add character and style and are a quick design statement and can make a piece of furniture completely unique.

Images 1 here painted chest of draws credit to http://www.outofthedark.org.uk/outofthedark/index.html Out of the Dark.

Re staining and revarnishing

If you feel ready to have a go at restaining and varnishing then in my opinion it will be well worth the effort. I have found many online sites which offer advice and in some cases tutorials. This method is not complicated its all in the preparation time spent sanding down the item to remove old varnish properly will prove invaluable when you come to staining and varnishing, please see here for more advice about a recent project I blogged about restoring a 1950's sideboard

http://lottyblue.co.uk/2011/vintage-g-plan-sideboard-upcycledrestored/

I also find that the E-how site is very useful just type in the search box the information that you are looking for

The use of preloved for me is a life style choice the fantastic designs of the “mid-century” 1940's to the 1970's are to me truly glorious and the designs are synonymous with some of the UK's leading furniture designers. The UK, in my opinion, have often lead the way in design and manufacturing and we have seen many fantastic furniture makers such as Ercol, Nathan , Younger, Parker Knoll to name a few that have contributed so strongly to our rich furniture heritage .

Images here of leading furniture makers

I have written two posts on the UK's leading furniture manufactures here:

http://lottyblue.co.uk/2011/20th-century-furniture-the-major-mid-century-players/

http://lottyblue.co.uk/2011/20th-century-furniture-part-2-parker-knoll-younger/

I feel it is our duty to keep this furniture alive for future generations to enjoy. Please think twice when you are considering buying a new piece of furniture take a look around at the preloved you might just be surprised ! I hope I have inspired you to have a go and create something wonderful!

I would love to see your projects please send me photos (lisa.oakley@lottyblue.co.uk) or comment on my blog (http://lottyblue.co.uk/blog)

Tittesworth Reservoir - a review

noreply@blogger.com (Simply Staffordshire) — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 18:02:00 +0000

I thought that as we are in summer holiday mode proper I would do some reviews of Staffordshire destinations for the family. There is nothing like first hand advice and tips when planning a day out in Staffordshire and it is useful to have the very latest information about any seasonal changes etc.

First of all we chose a gorgeous summer day - beautiful sunshine, cool breeze and not too hot. Driving over the moors you could see for miles over green & yellow fields in a warm haze. It has been a while since I have visited the reservoir, which has always been a favourite for the family as it has that great mix of play area, cafe and lovely walking to suit everyone. The first thing I noticed as we approached the entrance were the traffic cones lining the road before the gate. Odd? The second thing I noticed was that the car parks weren't as busy as I would have imagined for the time of year and the weather. Once parked & man handling an over excited dog, I got a car park ticket...mystery solved...£4.70 (all day, but 2 hrs is £2.00)!! That is a massive increase to last time and clearly an issue to many who were trying to park in the lanes around the entrance. Now I know there is no other entrance charge and you can stay all day for that price but none the less a huge change.

We had afore mentioned dog so weren't able to set up picnic inside the play area itself, which has several table and areas to plonk a blanket. However we had a fab area just outside the fence - we tethered dog, plonked blankets and happily waved off kids which we could see clearly. The play area is great - good fencing and heavy gates that a toddler sized Houdini wouldn't manage. There are also different areas so that toddler up to teens can find something to do. TIP: take spare shoes & buckets & spades for the large sand pit. The loos are new & clean with good baby changing facilities with great accessibility.

We had a great time over picnic and the kids were happy to play and pop by for fuel stops. We had an age range of 6 to 17yrs and all were happy either in the play area or taking dog round the lake for a walk sans adults. There was a lovely area just behind us which proved a good spot for cricket (I got 2 sixes & a four ;)). There is a small covered picnic area just away from the play area for BBQ's. A great option on hot days or indeed cold ones for sausages etc - being used when we were there and the smell made us feel our sarnies were a little inadequate.

Us Mums did manage a break out at one point and popped over the the shop for a nose...and got chatting with staff - apparently Severn Trent no longer run the shop and closed it last September. It has since been taken over by the cafe owners - shame! Fancy having such a fabulous destination and not making the very best of the shop! Today there were some gifts of interest with a good range of books/guides and toys. However Severn Trent no longer produce any guides to the reservoir - no leaflets, no information no maps, anything for a visitor arriving for the first time - which seems short sighted and sad for such a treasure.

The cafe is great - with a beautiful view of the reservoir and lots of glass and a terrace to take tea on. They offer little lunch boxes for children and hot light lunches. Cake tends to be home made and there are ice creams...certainly worth a visit according to 2 guests leaving today.

We chose our ice creams at the visitor centre ( without leaflets/maps or guides!) which were £1.95 for a single cone & flake. We enjoyed a stroll by the water and the kids enjoyed wildlife watching and Canada Geese counting. Across the water, we could see the Peak Pursuits Centre. This is certainly the way to enjoy the water as they are offering holiday clubs this year as well as boat hire, canoeing and more. Behind us were the fabulous Roaches - an absolute must see in Staffordshire and now "as seen on tv"! Stunning in all weathers, in the sunshine it looked particularly breathtaking.

So all in all Tittesworth is still very much worth a visit. It is a cost effective day for a family and offers plenty of opportunity to picnic around the reservoir. There are also lots of choices for all age groups - so taking a football or cricket kit is ideal with many large playing areas. Stan the dog was happy too - we used a long tether to stretch his legs and apart from restricting his desire to "play" with he ducks - he had a great day. I would also look out for special days/events run by Peak Pursuits & others. For your £4.70 parking charge it is possible to enjoy a long and langerous day with the family for little more than the cost of some ice creams.

For a hand picked guide to Staffordshire - visit Simply Staffordshire.

Eco Cleaning for tourism businesses!

noreply@blogger.com (Simply Staffordshire) — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 10:22:00 +0000

I have neglected my Blog - sorry! I had a fabulous day yesterday so now seemed the time to get typing again. I was asked by Felicity from lovely Hoegrange Holidays in the Peak District to do a workshop on eco cleaning for a group of Peak District accommodation owners - something I have done before for various groups. I was invited to give the workshop at Beechenhill Farm, just outside the beautiful village of Ilam - wow! What a beautiful place. Having been brought up in the area and having spent many an hour playing in the river & enjoying picnics, I thought I had seen all the good views...I hadn't.

Award winning and run by the inspiring Sue Prince, Beechenhill now offers eco weddings alongside their holiday accommodation and the position is very special - a haven of peace & quiet. Their newly converted barn is a beautiful spot, with twinkly lights, good food and warm flagged floor!

The workshop was delivered to help accommodation owners gain confidence and knowledge when creating their green businesses. It can be daunting to convert all your cleaning practices to green options overnight and the trial & error nature of the change can be expensive and wasteful. Yesterday was an opportunity to discuss problems, top tips, troubleshooting and how to communicate to your guests about your policy. When using eco products for the first time it is easy to overspend and feel disappointed by the results.

When you have been using conventional cleaners, it is important to remember that your eco replacements won't bubble as much, they won't smell as strongly and they won't always be quite as quick. In a limited time, you can simply plan, prepare and use essential oils to get the fresh & clean result you want for your guests.

My advice was to start small and swop just one product at a time and get good at it before moving to the next step. It is easy to feel the need to buy lots of different products for each & every job e.g. a bathroom cleaner, a loo cleaner, a kitchen cleaner, a polish etc etc but really, once you find a good product, you can often use it for many of the different jobs in the house.

When using eco cleaners in business it needs to be cost effective and effective and I recommend buying in bulk and reducing the range you use. I also never underestimate the usefulness of vinegar & bicarb or soda. There are so many jobs & problems that can be solved with these 2 essential items and when owners only have a few hours to turn a holiday cottage round for the next guests - troubleshooting advice is great!

I want to say a big thank you to everyone who made me so welcome and I'm already looking forward to another workshop in the Autumn.

For workshop details and further information, please feel free to contact me through the website...www.simplystaffordshire.co.uk or email: hello@simplystaffordshire.co.uk

Childhood Recipes...

noreply@blogger.com (Simply Staffordshire) — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 14:06:00 +0000

I was just uploading my mums Gooseberry Fool recipe as my Auntie Wynne's was so vintage I couldn't understand it, and it got me thinking about favourite childhood recipes & meals.

There was always lots of produce in the garden and therefore very seasonal options of food. I think the biggest difference for me is the fruit varieties of the summer. We had gooseberries, raspberries, rhubarb, red currents, white currents, black currents and Dad even had grapes in the greenhouse! They are simply not as common now and you certainly don't see them in the supermarkets.

So...I am listing PYO farms and recipes to help us revive the vintage summers of our youth...

1. Manor Farm Fruits in Tamworth have been open since 1973 & have red currents on sale.

2. Gailey Fruit Farm, Penkridge, Staffordshire, ST19 5PP...even have Tayberries!

3. Anslow Fruit Farm, Anslow, Burton upon Trent, DE13 9QL...lots of fruit & veg.

I would love to hear about your recipes, memories & top tips for great summer fruit.

Simply Staffordshire goes to Chelsea!

noreply@blogger.com (Simply Staffordshire) — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 14:54:00 +0000

I know it's been over a week but my intention was always to tell you (bore you with) everything about a day out at Chelsea Flowers Show! Although I love to talk everything Staffordshire, I also love all things gardening, flowers and scents.

The day started well....after "meeting" my new friend at Stafford Station on Twitter I was able to get on the train early, on time and within budget direct to Euston. I can recommend this station for being friendly, having great coffee, a car park at a reasonable price a few feet away and good choice of mags & papers at the kiosk!

Arriving in London is always a shock & it is easy to feel like the proverbial country bumpkin - you step off the train and are simply swept away by the pace and people all heading in one direction. I think stopping to tie a shoe lace is simply not an option! I quickly pulled myself together got urban and found my way to Chelsea with 2 changes and 3 tube stations...

What happened next is simply flowers really and glorious gardens. What can I say except that I floated around in my own happy world people watching, garden watching and celeb watching. I thought the gardens were amazing and especially liked the floral pavilion - the smell!

Things I liked less was the seeming lack of any recycling facilities for people's rubbish despite it being billed as a green Chelsea and the lack of variety of stalls & shops...rather a lot samey stuff (rusty hearts, bells, obelisks etc etc). The exception to this was of course the fabulous Patchacuti - selling their beautiful Fairtrade hats. Carry had created a lovely stall which seemed to be always full and was the reason I got to be at Chelsea at all - so a big thank you.

Here are some of my favourite pictures of the day and look out for the fabulous Burleigh pottery next to the Morris Minor...

Visit Staffordshire

noreply@blogger.com (Simply Staffordshire) — Mon, 09 May 2011 14:36:00 +0000

This little corner of the UK is looking absolutely fabulous (to coin a phrase!) and I wanted to share with you some of the countryside to experience. This kind of scenery is exactly what makes Staffordshire special and why visitors come back again and again. Imagine the warm sun on your back and the gentle buzz of insects and the distant sound of lambs...are you there yet?!

To plan your visit to Staffordshire simply join us here...www.simplystaffordshire.co.uk ...for places to stay, visit and things to do in Staffordshire. To add to the fun try local recipes, local events and top tips for a great stay!

Step into Staffordshire

noreply@blogger.com (Simply Staffordshire) — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 13:21:00 +0000

It feels like I haven't blogged for ages! Easter, a busy Rowan House and school holidays have conspired to mean no spare time! Anyway Stan and I have managed our quiet walks together again this week where we get to take in and love our surroundings without the other puppies in our life to distract.

It was so gorgeous this morning I thought I would share it all with you. It was a little cooler than the last week, but clear with that fab earthy smell that transports me to childhood. Lots of flowers and the hedgerows seem to grow and extra inch each day. The birds are so busy and active and if you stand still long enough you get to see where nests are as birds are in and out of one spot. This unspoilt nature is such a rarity today and I treasure the fact I get to experience & share it.

I also appeared on our local radio this morning discussing the merits (or not!) of using the expression "Staffordshire Peak District" when describing this very special part of North Staffordshire, Staffordshire Moorlands and Peak District borders. It seems that there is real feeling and passion. For me it boils down to affectively sharing this beautiful part of the UK with those who may not know we are here while very carefully looking after our environment and community without which, Staffordshire would lose its essential feeling.

For those of you who may not know...here's a little background. Staffordshire is a huge county that has many very different areas from the the Black Country borders in the south to the Peak District borders in the north. We are based in the very special and unique North Staffordshire which enjoys a range of different landscapes. There are deep valleys like the Churnet Valley, high, bleak moorland that is magnificent and majestic and there are fabulous areas of ancient woodland that give you a feeling of a different age. Within all these areas are communities like no other. Farming, rural business and warmth are the key and one of the big centres is the historic town of Leek with its award winning Fine Food Market and amazing architecture. Many people of Staffordshire will identify themselves with a particular place or area like the Staffordshire Moorlands. However, in order for visitors from outside the county to find us on the net or to understand where we are, the term "Staffordshire Peak District" is used to umbrella all that I have described. There are parts of the area that are part of the greater Peak District, we know that "Peak District" is a term many people use to locate events, accommodation and holidays and it is hoped that more visitors will be able to discover the Moorlands, Valleys and Attractions by associating us with such an iconic location as the Peak District.

I would love to hear what you think as a local or a potential visitor to the area. How do you feel about the use of different terms to describe North Staffordshire? Are you confused or do you feel you know the place better?

Easter in Staffordshire

noreply@blogger.com (Simply Staffordshire) — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 15:16:00 +0000

Wow - the sun is warm today! Really a beautiful early spring day. The washing is on the line, the birds are going mad and there are scented Narcissi bobbing in the breeze. There has been a frenzy of activity this weekend as it feels that hibernation has suddenly come to an end. I had a good "go" at the herb bed which has been bullied for too long by a rampant Lemon Balm and dug out a Bay Tree that couldn't do the Winter gales. The cold frame is now full with trays of chard, purple sprouting, beetroot & cabbage. The greenhouse is now an incubator for french beans, tomatoes, parsley, basil, rocket & the first lettuce...I need a lie down!

It is a joy to see the hedgerows full of wild violets, catkins, crocus & the beginnings of wild garlic. There are lambs in the field and the pheasants are everywhere. It is the perfect time to discover the countryside of Staffordshire and the Staffordshire Peak District as the days are longer, the sun is warm and it's peaceful. Walking around the fields of North Staffordshire at this time of year really connects you with the land and makes you feel part of the Spring awakening. You can take in the Farmers Markets of Lichfield and Leek and we have already had our first picnic of the year...soup, cake and tea!

Easter is still available at Rowan House - we are booked out for the rest of the month but I think folks are thinking that Easter away may be an extravagance...no it isn't!

Our Easter Special is indeed special...we are offering family accommodation with beautiful views over fields and a quiet garden full of herbs (for the chefs among you) and a free Easter basket full of local goodies...milk from the farmer up the road, bread from local bakers, Hammersleys of Cheadle, free range eggs from Ashbourne, home made cake, tea, coffee & sugar (Fair trade)...all for less than £80 per person for the week...visit Simply Staffordshire today before it goes and we'll see you in sunny Staffordshire!

bring your dog to Staffordshire!

noreply@blogger.com (Simply Staffordshire) — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 14:48:00 +0000

We have only had Stan the dog for 6 months but frankly life hasn't quite been the same since. We have new holes in the lawn and toy confetti all over the garden. Barely a cushion in the house has avoided his special form of restyling. The kitchen floor has never quite looked the same and apparently it is impossible to walk past a sock without killing it. We also seem to have picked a dog who has a hearing problem...the dog equivalent of the dog two finger salute. BUT...we do love him and he is adorable lying in the middle of the bed in dead fly pose. He loves us all and despite being half the size of the right breed, feels he is qualified to round us up like sheep.

I have never walked so much and have found paths and fields that up until dog owning days, were a secret to me. I hop (no stumble) over stiles and find I have gone back in time. Hedgerows full of life, quiet, not a house in sight...

As such it has become clear to me that, on planning our holidays, Stan the dog may well not be suited to kennels and I'm pretty sure, despite her kind offers, Mum won't put up with morning cuddles in bed if she took him in for us. So I think it can't be that hard to find holidays that include dogs....ah...

I am finding it tricky to know why we haven't taken dogs in our holiday house before. I assumed they would reek havoc (actually if they are like our four legged friend...) and would make the place smell. I have realised though, the error of my ways. Dogs can make a holiday and we have a large garden that is safe and enclosed, there are umpteen walks from the door and a large utility room with a tiled floor for wet, muddy dogs. So there you have it - Rowan House is now available to dogs by arrangement and for a small fee. I may even source some dog treats to go in the welcome basket...

A day out in Staffordshire...

noreply@blogger.com (Simply Staffordshire) — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 20:53:00 +0000

Blimey it's been nearly 3 weeks since I last blogged! Slack - I am sorry. However I have been moved to write today as it was the first day of spring today - in my world anyway.

So it started with a different smell in the air and the weather men saying things like "warm" and "sunny" and "only nice day of the half term". That was all I needed - friends phoned up, picnic made, car packed with four outfits each ( we were planning Leek guys) and most important flask filled. Kids in & we were off.

It never fails to take my breath away as you head up onto the moors of Staffordshire - you can see for miles around and there is a certain romance and beautiful bleakness that is so special. What was so great today was there was also warmth on your face! We headed to Tittesworth Resevoir under the glorious Roaches. This is an ideal day out if you have slightly younger children although all ours ranged from 5 to 12. There is something for all - great walking round the lake, good playground, posh new loos (if that's your thing) and somewhere for hot tea & cake. We arrived at 11ish and did have to dig deep for new car park charge (£4!!!). We found a large picnic table and settled for a cuppa with one of the most fab views around of the Roaches sitting above us! Really that was it...we sat and enjoyed a knatter, a view and a cuppa and all offspring were happy. We followed this with lunch, a second lunch and then a third and headed off for a walk around the lake. We didn't get all the way round (could take you all day) but there are interesting interludes of some willow art and info/bird watching etc.

In these days of empty purses it was a cheap and effective day out that left all generations satisfied. I felt a rush of love for the place I live and a sense of pleasure that so many other visitors seemed to be enjoying it too. As the days are still short, we kept our visit quite short, but on longer days a visit up to the rock faces or a trip onto the lake would be a great addition to the day. If you were going wild on a day out - you could even finish the day in Leek at the pub or enjoying a good curry.

Go Staffordshire...you rock...

A Short Break in the Staffordshire Peak District

noreply@blogger.com (Simply Staffordshire) — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 14:25:00 +0000

I thought these images would be tempting and represent all you might need from a short break in the Staffordshire Peak District! A lovely view over the hills, a welcome cup of tea, a walk to see some spring daffs and hot toast & our home made blackcurrant jam at tea time!

As I walked Stan the dog this morning it was possible, despite the biting wind, to see that spring is on its way. The sun is just a little higher in the sky and yesterday was just a little warmer on the face. The catkins are now bursting on the trees and the birds are noisy and busy in the hedges getting ready new nests and finding food. I saw a Magnolia tree in someone's garden with new buds peeping out and snowdrops and crocus tips a good inch high out of the ground. All these signs are full of hope and planning and one feels it's time to dare to dream of warmer days and colour. My mind turned to planting seeds and planning crops and guests discovering Staffordshire this spring. What is new for them this year? What can I point out to them and how can I help them get the most out of their break?

Rowan House has a new sofa, TV and newly refurbished flower beds in the garden. Bedrooms will be redecorated soon and there's lots of new walks and adventures in our walking information corner from Treasure Trails in Staffordshire. Staffordshire is offering a new Ben 10 ride at Drayton Manor and there are new features at Trentham Gardens. Leek has a new Museum (The Nicholson) and there are new Cookery Courses for those who fancy a foody day on their holiday. Snowdrop walks at Rode Hall and Dorothy Clive Garden can be enjoyed while those with a passion to shop can buy Royal Wedding mugs direct from the makers at Emma Bridgewater.

Booking a short break in Staffordshire is easy and there's never a shortage of things to do for all the family so take a peek and book today...here.

some of my favourite places...

noreply@blogger.com (Simply Staffordshire) — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 14:29:00 +0000

These are some of my fave local places...what are yours in Staffordshire? Let me know by using the comment button below and we can publish the Simply Staffordshire fan club favourite places in Staffordshire!