Pilgrims Kitchen

2012-04-03T14:23:00.000+01:00

Next to free food if you plant it yourself...Go on!

Just think if you get the seeds potted now you too could have vegetables like this, and they do taste better when you have grown them yourself. Hello Carrots.......

2012-04-01T12:11:00.000+01:00

Grow your own vegetables.

OK you have your chance now, the winter is over, spring is here. It is now time to put some seeds in the ground and grow some of your own veg this summer. You know you have been meaning to do it for years, believe me it is so easy to grow a little veg....go for it. Just look at the beetroot and garlic, if I can do it anybody can. Even with a pot in the window, a little soil and a packet of seeds you can grow lettuce, which you can pick all summer. It tastes a 1000 times better than the supermarkets. Go on, go for it.

2012-03-29T18:39:00.000+01:00

OK who's the BOSS around here?

2012-03-27T19:31:00.000+01:00

Ride him Cowgirl.

You know I said I would give you a break from the gossiping pigs.... I could not hear myself think the other day in the ‘Fields of Plenty”. All I could hear across the fields was “ride him cowboy” and lots of cheers and hoots. Finally got to the bottom of it and took this picture of the Boss riding the Pig. The Sows spot even looks like a saddle (if you look closely) I think so anyway? I had to stop the Rodeo after a while as the Bossy Hen had forgotten that the sow is pregnant again and the Boss (Hen) was asking for her cowboy hat and spurs. You never do know with the Boss! Anyway she went off and laid her eggs where I could not find it again.

2012-03-25T16:18:00.000+01:00

Oh how Cute!

Fed up with pigs for a time they are always gossiping about something or other!
You must be due a Cute moment from the ‘Fields of Plenty’ again…oh go on then. Can you see the chick?

2012-03-24T21:16:00.000+00:00

Did you hear shhhhh, come a little closer, let me whisper in your ear?

Yes you got it right… It’s little miss piggy that has got herself pregnant again!Here she is having just given birth to 7 beautiful little piglets just a few months ago and then the Sow goes and does it again. She is the talk of the ‘Fields of Plenty”. It should be 3 months 3 weeks and 3 days before the birth of who knows how many little ones. But the animals are all talking and saying the birth is going to be sooner. What will she do... show the little ones off again I suppose, just like the last time.

2012-03-23T18:03:00.000+00:00

The good looking pigs dilemma.

Get off sucking my ear like that. I was talking to all my fans to ask if I was the best looking one at the "Fields of Plenty" and you come over and lick my ears like that, in front of everybody......You know I like it?

2012-03-21T19:01:00.000+00:00

Who's a good looking Pig?

I am sick and tired of mucking around. Who is the best looking one around here? I have huffed and puffed over that question all day trying to get that one over! I started arguing with geese at dawn this morning. Now the sheep think their new lambs are the best looking. How they say that I don’t know? Yes they are cute but all they do is ba baa all day long. I know the chickens think they are good looking in fact they woke me up this morning cock a doodling that they are the best looking on “The Fields of Plenty” I wish someone would just tell me please.

2012-03-19T16:49:00.000+00:00

I just Love Potatoes

It was not too long ago when I said, now's the time to plant your first early spuds was it? My first earlies are coming through right now take a look and see before I cover them over to get more potatoes!

2012-03-16T16:55:00.001+00:00

Where are my Socks? The dog has them again.

2012-03-15T16:50:00.002+00:00

Lazy Days.

You know those lazy days that just catch up with you and you do not feel like doing anything.... I have one, I think I'll just wipe my nose and go to sleep?

2012-03-13T18:30:00.000+00:00

Have you got your first early Potatoes in yet..... Its getting near that time.

Miss potato went out with Mr Mushroom because he was a fun-gi.

2012-03-12T16:32:00.000+00:00

Pig on a Stage!

I'm just standing here on this stage waiting for the applause...

I've been waiting for quite a while so could you please clap me. Please?

2012-03-08T17:57:00.001+00:00

There are moments in life that you feel that God has winked at you.

This is one of those moments!

A big CUTE of the week.

A Lamb moments old called Black Beauty.

These moments have to be remembered and treasured as they make you feel so wonderfull. How about these two pictures taken of Black Beauty who was born at 0320 today. I am sure you can see why we named her Black Beauty. Just moments after she stood and took her first steps. Come back and visit us on the 'Fields of Plenty' at 'Pilgrims Kitchen' to see more new births, Black Beauty was one of three, so there are lots more photographs for me to post. See you on the road!

2012-03-07T11:26:00.000+00:00

Fresh Produce

I am so looking forward to reaping the benefits of the hard work of winter and producing fresh products from the "Field of Plenty" it does pay off, so keep preparing , sowing and planting for that satisfying rich harvest you would have worked so hard for.

2012-03-04T15:35:00.001+00:00

Pig quote...I'll tell you this once 'little pigs' if you go off there will be no supper for you, and no playing in the mud today you have your Sunday best on!

Pig Quote from http://pilgrimskitchen.blogspot.com

2012-03-02T15:10:00.000+00:00

Guardian open journalism: Three Little Pigs advert - video casting Pilgrims Kitchen 'Fields of Plenty' Pigs as their main characters?

The Guardian's open journalism advert, screened for the first time on 29 February 2012. Is it Pilgrims Kitchen's Pigs? Only you can tell! www.theguardian.co.uk

Can You tell the difference apart from a little make up!

2012-03-01T17:16:00.001+00:00

The Robin.

What a day today.... The sort of day that makes you feel good to be alive, sun shining with temperatures in the 60's. Out in the 'Fields of Plenty'
I enjoyed my sandwiches with the dogs at my feet and the Robins beautiful birds, it is always a pleasure to see and welcome these birds and other birds into the field.
Last year they were positioned about every 25Mtrs down the hedgerows with the males violently protecting their territory and the females singing their heads off. Lets hope we get to see this again this Spring. I have also noticed a lot more Hedge Sparrows this year, when I was a kid they were very populated. See how many you can see in your gardens, they are great fun to watch.

2012-02-29T12:17:00.000+00:00

Passion Flowers in February?

I'll tell you more later.

2012-02-28T21:09:00.002+00:00

Keep on digging!

Have you put your first early potatoes and onion sets in yet? I have ( he he ) it was a great feeling, as last year I did not get anything in until May. I just hope Mr Frost stays away that's all. I think its that time again .....For a piggy quote.

Q. Please keep feeding me the weed roots when you are digging as it saves me hunting and digging! Thankyou.

2012-02-26T14:28:00.002+00:00

For those interested in photography

Starting with the earliest caveman (no I'm not that old) paintings, man has always tried to capture what he had seen before. Over the years I look back and think where are the photographs of that trip or that day. If I'm lucky I find them in the bottom of a cupboard. Now with the advent of digital photography, all my pictures are on my Mac ready to go. No more problems of bleached out pictures from that great holiday or when you point the camera you have run out of film (most SD cards hold 500 to 5000 snaps). I mention snaps as I am trying to learn this great art, they say it is easy! Come and join me and lets see how easy it is? Help me where you can, any tips welcome.

Take a look at my efforts on my link to Photography

http://pilgrimskitchen.blogspot.com/p/photography.html

You know those sorts of days...... A Cute day!

With Monty and Tucker.

2012-02-24T15:19:00.000+00:00

How about a lovely scrummy

chocolate and cherry sponge cake ?

By my beautiful Wife Shirley xxx

You will need

175g (6oz) butter, at room temperature

3 eggs, at room temperature

175g (6oz) caster sugar

175g (6oz) self-raising flour

50g (2oz) cocoa powder

1tsp baking powder

½tsp vanilla extract

For a cream and fruit filling:

125ml whipped fresh Devon cream or normal whipping cream if you cant get real cream (I think Devon clotted cream makes it?).

175g cherries, raspberries or strawberries with the same preserve

For quick chocolate icing:

200g (8oz) icing sugar

50g (2oz) cocoa powder

200g (8oz) butter

1tbsp milk

1tsp vanilla extract

How to prepare and bake the cake.

Grease a 20cm (8in) cake tin and line with greaseproof paper

Preheat oven to 170°C (325°F, gas mark 3).

Cream the sugar and butter into a large bowl, beat until light and pale. Add the eggs one at a time and continue to beat until you leave a trail on the surface when the whisk is lifted (with an electric mixer, about 5 mins).

Sift the flour. Gently fold half the flour into the mixture. When it is well combined, fold in the other half of the flour along with the cocoa powder and baking powder. Stir in the vanilla extract.

Turn the mixture into the prepared tin.

Bake the chocolate sponge cake for about 30-35 mins or until a cake skewer inserted in the middle comes out clean.

Remove from the oven and leave to cool. Turn out onto a wire rack and remove the greaseproof paper.

Turn the chocolate sponge cake upside down so the top becomes the bottom. Slice it horizontally and fill with whipped or Devon cream and fruit - raspberries or strawberries work well. You can decorate the top with more fruit as in my picture.

Icing sugar the top. Decorate with cherries, raspberries or strawberries if you fancy.

How about that to finish Sunday tea it takes about 20 mins with 30-35 mins cooking time. Go on you know your worth it. Your Loving it!

2012-02-23T16:41:00.000+00:00

The geese are starting to cuddle!

2012-02-23T15:41:00.002+00:00

I have noticed over the last few days the geese are starting to cuddle up together with their mates. There must be something in the air.....Maybe its Spring.

Geese are one of the most attractive animals for farmers everywhere. There are so many reasons why we choose geese as their first choice for a domesticated flock. First, geese are very independent and can take care of themselves. You can allow the geese to roam around your land, yet expect them to head back home and not lose their way come the night time. Secondly, since these geese can support themselves, they can defend themselves from predators. This is just one of the many natural characteristics of these animals that makes farming geese a lot easier, compared to farming other kinds of water flock. They are a grazing bird, love grass but watch out at feed time that you do not leave a feed bag out, as they love to get at the other animals feed. Also watch out if geese are about as they are great home guards some say better than dogs.

For those interested in photography this shot was taken with a Canon PowerShot A1200HD on Auto setting. A great little camera for those looking for a point and shoot camera that gives you quality photographs.

Take a look at my Photographic page .....Can you help?

2012-02-22T14:03:00.002+00:00

My Granddad used to say if you put the hard work into your fields you will get the reward ten fold? I hope so because I worked hard today digging and preparing the "Fields of Plenty" potato plots for the First seed potatoes', which I am hoping to put in this week (subject to frost). See you on the road.