Cork Rocket

This is a cork rocket.

we took a piece of toilet paper and wrapped a tablespoon of bicarbonate of soda in the middle. To secure it we used some cotton thread. We pour lemon juice into the bottle then add slowly add water. Next drop the soda in and quickly put the cork in. Stand back and see what happens.

Drawing Lines

Papa Stone here - As one of my alter egos,  I teach Art. On Wednesday I found a great book about drawing and was inspired to go through our old pen pot and draw lines on a faded yellow sheet of A4. This is a great exercise to get kids thinking about line. Thickness, colour, softness and lightness of touch to produce different effects are all explored in a very simple but effective way. Give it a go, you'll be amazed at the results. It's all gone a bit Bridget Riley.

Pruning an Old Apple Tree

Today was the day I decided to tackle the fruit tree.

It has produced well this autumn and I still have some apples left in store. Although I have noticed that I am sharing them with the mice. 
There are more details and ramblings  on the website, if you fancy a peek.....

Getting the Greenhouse Ready for a Survival Party

On Sunday Dan is 10 years old, a whole decade of life passed by. So we are having a survival party. Fortunately we have a large greenhouse in case it rains but  we had to spend the day tidying up. We found lots of broken glass and discovered it made a really interesting material for a small sculpture. We love living dangerously.

Chutney And Jam Day With Lovely Friends

Making Chutney and Jam can be incredibly labour intensive. But with friends around to chat to the chore becomes a pleasure.
Look at the fantastic colour of the elderberry and apple  cooking . Later we drained the fruit mixture and added sugar to make a clear jelly.  Take a peek at Wilderness Wigwam website for details of how to make elderberry syrup, elderberry and apple jelly, apple and tomato chutney and many others!

winter gardening

Over the last few weeks I have planted lots of  veggies for a winter garden.  The thought of some lovely peppery leaves, dressed beautifully  in sweet vinaigrette over the next few months is spurring me on!

I am have planted such vegetables as

• florence fennel
• rocket
• winter purslane
• giant mustard
• mizuna
• onions
• spinach
• cabbage 
• cauliflower
  
  
  
  
  
  

Elderberry Syrup

It is a hard call to make between the beauty of the elderberry and the elderflower.  The white flowers held in open umbrella shapes that adorn the tree in the spring time are followed by clusters of round black berries.
We have been told by a very sage and reliable source (Olive, over the hill!) that the taking of elderberry syrup through the winter stops the family getting any colds.
It only mid Sept and Papa Stone developed a cold. So we all marched out into the fields which are fortunately lined with plenty of elder trees and picked heaps of elderberries.
See our Website Page Home Remedy for Colds for more details of this simple and effective cure for the common cold.