I don’t wish to tempt fate but I have “potentially" found a way of keeping the dreaded mares tail under control, for now! I have been banging on about the mares tail for ages now and was given loads of advice about what to do. Amongst the suggestions were a) salt water - but be careful of the surrounding plants and be prepared for the soil to lose its nutrients, b) vinegar - mixed with water and sprayed generously, c) boiling hot water - wear gloves, the watering can gets ve

Selecting a gift is an art. I like to think that the gifts I choose are ones that the recipient will like and enjoy, thankfully this was definitely the case when I sent a freshly baked baked Bara Brith to my mother for a treat on her 75th birthday. Some time ago Mum had asked me if I could bake her a Bara Brith as she loved it so much but baking wasn't her thing. To be honest baking isn't my thing either but luckily I know Baked by Mel! MeI started baking as a business as a

I'm in autumn mode now. Socks on the radiator, boots by the door, pockets full of poo bags and conkers, misty mornings and hearty meals in the evening. I love it. So many pointers to autumn with the autumn drama trailers on the telly, leaves changing colour and falling off the trees, shorter days and salad beating a hasty retreat to its seasonal hibernation. Yes it's autumnal. I was recently walking the dog in the woods and saw one of the regular dog walkers with a dog I'd

Crikey that was a windy night the other night, despite being kept awake a bit during the night I forgot the wind and wandered out into the sunshine without a coat and found it rather nippy. Note to self, time to dust down the warmer clothing and wrap up! As I said last week now is the time that I get ready for winter and haul down the winter duvet from the loft and start getting cosy. Of course it’s all very well to be warm and comfortable inside the home but the house and

With the sight of conkers and browning leaves on the ground it's a sure sign that autumn is around the corner and the nights will soon be drawing in. I love the change of seasons and whilst I can't choose my favourite I have to confess that autumn with the promise of cosy open fires, warm jumpers and hearty soups and stews does thrill me. Granted that waking up in the dark and the afternoons getting dusk during school run isn't my thing the fact that we're entering the phase