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Our Village – Lincolnshire Fayre Supper.
Saturday was our ‘Lincolnshire Fayre’ supper held in the village hall. A really nice evening, enabling us all, to get together for a good chat and sample some wonderful local produce. Each table of twelve was so prettily set with flower centre pieces and laden with some really tasty fayre. We all started with Egg mayonnaise, the delicious taste of free range eggs and local salad made this, a most agreeably piquant start to the main meal. 
The main course was succulent local cold cuts of Ham, Pork, Beef, local butchers Sausages and tasty Pork-Pies, of course the famous and very unique Pork Chine was also present. Pork Chine is salted neck-hind of pork, taken from between the shoulder blades of the pig, salted for up to ten months and then stuffed with parsley, the other ingredients are normally kept secret, it is served cold. Some may say an acquired taste but I like it very much. Huge bowls of fresh salad and new potatoes completed the main course.
We then had a seriously amazing choice of simply wonderful desserts. All home-made, by some of the best cooks in the Village. Ranging from strawberry and chocolate Pavlovas, the wonderful Italian dessert of Tiramisu, creamy Rice Pudding, Bannoffi Tart and Assorted Trifle’s etc. Absolutely a wonderful display and a heaven for the sweet tooth brigade, which rather looked like all of us, seeing the weighty bowls carried back from the dessert table!
Finally to finish, the large trays of Plum Bread, which is another Lincolnshire speciality of dried fruit bread, consisting of raisins sultanas and currents, sometimes soaked in tea and always served with slices of good strong cheese. This particular bread made at one of our local bakers, has now been chosen by British Airways to serve in first class on selected flights.
Then Teas and Coffee for those who wish. What a great meal all served so beautifully, on prettily dressed tables with care and many smiling faces. Sharing all this with good friends, it was a most pleasant evening and enjoyed by all. One little point this evening was all produced for the grand sum of £6.50 !
So The Start Of Summer ?
June officially being the start of an English Summer, we all wonder how the weather will be this year, We are to have a family garden party at Hemingway on the 14th of this month so I am really hoping for a dry bright day. What a difference it makes when the sun is shining from the heavens and the coloured umbrellas are up and the ladies can wear their pretty dresses and the men can relax from the stress of their working lives with a cooling glass of beer. An English Garden on a sunny day can be the most perfect place in the world to unwind and spend time catching -up with loved ones. We plan some fun garden games for the little ones, a spot of cricket, for the not so little ones! A light ‘summery’ lunch but what we really need is the good weather, is anyone listening up there?Â
  
A Quick and Tasty Supper.
A nice fat cauliflower picked-up in the local market for 60p, quick boiled until just tender and topped with a nice strong cheese béchamel, I like a really mature piece of good cheddar cheese for this job. Getting more flavour by adding a small amount of the juice from the cauliflower into the béchamel and then served with a few crunchy sautéed potatoes and a couple of large vine tomatoes does the job well! Good Simple Fare.
And For Dessert. Rhubarb, plucked from a neighbours garden! – in exchange for a little cake when baking – and just as fresh as fresh can be. Simply poached in little sugar water and served with some single cream – heaven in a bowl!
BTW: A new poem ” Pain and Marchpane” for those who like them posted on http://www.susiehemingway.blogspot.com
Pain and Marchpane – by Susie Hemingway
You’re just as sweet as almond marzipan
like marchpane on a silver platter,
your feverish eyes in twinkling glimmer,
tell me the story, in never wasted chatter.
I look in on the tableau,and my eyes
can read your heart,
your pain is like a serpent,
a limbless reptile beast,
who once again returns,
when we expect him least.
Come, bring the Charmer and his pipe
to lure with his music,
to draw away the carrying pain
as he worms his way in coiling.
Come! see if I can sway this serpent!
and charm him from this ‘marchpane’
I have the need to slay this beast
for my eyes can read your heart,
for my eyes can read your heart;
but YOUR eyes can see my soul…
All Rights Reserved.
Marzipan photo kind permission of Mitch Erickson
with thanks.
A Summer Salad.
Sweet succulent home grown salad leaves from ‘Orchard End’ with baked red peppers and vine tomatoes, delicious.
Lemon Curd – A Winning Taste!
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How wonderfully good is Lemon Curd, spread thickly on hot buttered toast, absolutely delicious and a wonderful pick-me-up at anytime of the day or even night! My Sister Jenny, who lives at ‘Orchard End ‘ in the Village, came up with this years winning jar at our Village Flower and Vegetable Show. Being an excellent cook, Jenny gaining the 1st Prize, was really no surprise to us all. I will from time to time, ‘blog’ some more of  her wonderful recipes. So for lovers of this really superb spread, I print the winning recipe below. Do hope you try it.
Lemon Curd – made with love.
Rind of 3 large lemons. Juice of 2 Large Lemons. 8ozs Castor Sugar.  4ozs unsalted butter. 2 large eggs.                                                  Â
Put lemon rind and juice, sugar and butter into a basin over simmering water. Stir until sugar has dissolved, Add the well-beaten eggs and continue to stir until thickened ( about 10 min’s) until curd coats the back of a wooden spoon. Pour into sterilised jars and seal. Allow to cool and store in fridge, Pretty cotton lids made from scrapes of clean linen and trimmed with pinking shears, completes the picture, … I did say store - Still you could always get the toast and butter ready!
         
                                                                            Â
              Jenny.                                                      Â
Interesting – Perhaps?
As I try to read all the latest news regarding articles on Multiple Myeloma from the Mayo Clinic. http://www.mayoclinic.org/ I thought this information might be worth passing on, it sounds at the very least, most interesting – take a look at http://www.mayoclinic.org/news2008-sct/4794.html – the intriguing contents are certainly worth a glance. Then of course discuss with your Specialist . I would be grateful for your comments on this.
Family Visits
Village Open Gardens
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So many of our villagers are keen gardeners, their skills and knowledge are beyond my comprehension. Their knowledge is paramount and their gardens are sanctuary’s of peace and beauty, lovingly tended throughout the year. So when the special day arrives for them to open their unique gardens to us all, we hope for a sunny dry day. To wander the pretty green lanes, chatting and happy to view these priceless jewels is a joy. Â
Open Gardens. By Susie Hemingway.
How glorious the gardens
each and everyone
how extravagant and bursting forth
with riot of perennial fun,
we wandered down the sunlit lanes
on this our lovely ‘open day’.
The splendid evergreens and rosebeds wide
to narrow scented lavender surprise,
walkways of the greenest hues
from red, to yellows and to blues,
the pinks so soft upon your eyes,
geraniums potted on one side.
Hellebores in groups of six
herbaceous borders in pretty mix
cabbages, onions and chickens too!
fruits and herbs in stunning views
delphiniums lush in velvet blue,
sturdy potatoes in their pots!
leeks, carrots and shallots
Water features to cool and trickle
fish ponds, rock gardens and plants that tickle!
Many pots and nursery beds
perfumed scented, that turn your head.
Arbour’s, enchanting ‘rose cascades’
Ah! what a wondrous pleasant day.
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What a wondrous pleasant day…
All Rights Reserved @2008Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
An Evening Sky
 
:Courtesy of Ian Robson Photos.