bunnies in the kitchen

Last saturday we went to a farm shop somewhere near Thornton, and by farm shop I mean farm superstore that sells delicious local things as well as, strangely enough, a huge selection of snickers bars, crisps, etc.

We didn't realise it would be heaving with people, all desperate to get their share of local fruit and veg, beer, meat, etc. Also, it was pouring with rain and I think in Yorkshire just like everywhere else, when it's raining, you either curl up in bed with a book or go out and spend money. Well spend we did, the freezer  is full of meat and the cellar is full of potatoes! 

 

We also bought some strange and delicious vegetables:

Little baby carrots! Salicornia! Double yum! Triple yum with cod in pasta and cream, although it's so angelic tasting that the holy light emanating from it has made it impossible to photograph.

The blackcurrant and apples were on offer so I took it as a sign to make crumble. I got my Mama's recipe and although my version didn't taste quite as good (lacking in the magic ingredient called motherly love), it did take me back to my childhood.

A quick interlude while the crumble bakes: ladies and gentlemen, let me introduce: pasta bunnies, on sale for just £1!

There, I just felt like I should share. I haven't cooked any yet, I'm saving the bunnies for something really special, like if the Queen comes to visit.

Driiiiiiiing! The crumble is ready! Should we eat it outside in the sunshine? Yes I think we should.

Skipping to Skipton

A couple of weeks ago we went to a vintage fair in Skipton, partly to pick up a mirror (more about that soon! pictures have been taken and are being uploaded!) that I bought in march from a vintage shop in Saltaire that has since closed down, and partly to have a good old snoop around the town because you know I love a snoop.

The tea and victoria sponge were so scrumptious I didn't even think to stop to take a picture. After picking up the mirror and "splurging" on some Canadian Mason jars (more on those very soon too), we made our way to the castle. It's been rebuilt many times and is really well preseved. Every room is oozing with history. For a more detailed description, you can click here.

This is a yew tree planted by Lady Anne Clifford, who had lots of work done to the castle to make it pretty and fit to be featured in an interior design magazine (or so the historians say).

Let's dive right in to a view from the loo. Thank you Boyfriend, for taking such brilliant and relevant pictures.

Now that's what I call a kitchen. No Dishwasher, but 2 bread ovens and plenty of natural light.

Some essential fashion accessories of yore

I couldn't help asking myself how I would place my furniture in such a big house. I'd need a lot more of it for starters, which can't be a bad thing.

The light!

I've developped a thing for stripey and perfect looking lawns. I need a new pinterest board.

Down into the dungeon!! Apparently it wasn't really used much and nobody was tortured in it, which made me feel good about being in it.

More perfect lawns, perfect skies,and pretty old buildings. I liked Skipton, mainly for its good charity shops (hello pretty wine glasses for £5!) and its castle, not so much for the touristy pubs that serve average pub food. Now on to the next adventure!!

Bits and bobs

Ooops...has it really been that long? Have I really got 6 posts to write before you're all caught up with events? Can I hire someone to do this for me? Going out for afternoon ice creams and a bit of random lolling about seems to be taking up a lot of my time these days. Can you forgive me little bunnies? Picture me emerging from a long winter of hibernation in the Parisian smog, only to find myself in a (mostly) sunny field of daffodils and daisies (and charity shops). You can't blame me for making the most of it now can you?

To avoid a series of boring posts with no particular direction, and to make the task of writing this long awaited post less daunting for me, I'm going for a really quick summary of what's been going on lately. Ready? Steady? GOOOO!

There was a music festival with some lovely locals (including my cousin. Hi Snoo!!)

Then there was a first round of visitors (including this little cuddle monster)

And then a second round 

We did some stuff with them (some much prettier photos to follow, as soon as my talented photographer friend has finished editing them)

And at some point before/after/in between, we did some fun stuff just the two of us

 (This is my favourite photo because I can see my house!!)

Somewhere in the middle of all that, I (with much help from Boyfriend and from a lemon juice and olive oil recipe) cleaned, de-waxed, and basically de-disgusted the beautiful table and chairs that I found on Preloved. More on that soon.

Now on to some interesting facts that I haven't got photographic evidence of: Boyfriend has found a band and is currently at his weekly rehearsal! We've had our lovely neighbours round for drinks and laughs, and have exchanged a series of random objects over the last couple of days, including an owl shaped candle and a biscuit barrel from the 1950's! I've spent hours searching for a solution to my sofa problem. The solution is to wait until the perfect sofa enters my life and to do nothing towards finding it. It will come to me when it's ready. What else? I'm learning to live without a tumble dryer. Ask me about this again in January.

Most important of all: I've got about a billion things to show you in the house, but that would mean going around taking nice pictures, which would mean tidying up first, and that means getting all this translation work over and done with. It's going to have to be soon as we have more guests booked in for the weekend after next! I feel as if we're renting the most popular holiday cottage in the world and everyone wants to come and stay in it and do touristy stuff with us and eat ice cream and drink beer. It's a nice feeling.