Living large in a tiny house

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/living-large-in-a-tiny-house.html Found this very uplifting and inspiring :)

English wine making

The lovely MarkD, formerly of River Cottage , and his first wine grape harvest - the video is well worth watching, take a look at the wonderful press that's used for the grapes http://www.otterfarm.co.uk/blog/ Photo by Mark Diacono from Otter Farm blog

Martha's school dinner blog

Remember that?  Lates update is that the school have told her, on direction from the local council as I unerstand it, that she is no longer 'allowed' to write about and photograph her meals on her blog. Disgusted. http://neverseconds.blogspot.co.uk/ Would it not be better if their energies were irected into providing decent meals for the children rather than trying to cover up the crap they've been serving them and effectively gagging a young girls' freedom of speech and honest opinion on HER OWN blog?

Good news for the corn crake

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-18446921


Love this little eccentric bird!

(pic from RSPB/BBC)

Pincushions that make you smile

Well - they made me smile :))    Aren't they just lovely - simple, effective, useful, pretty.

I picked up the link to this blog  http://scrapbookfreubelen.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/speldenkussen-in-een-notendop.html  on Facebook.

Shetland wool week

Shetland wool week http://www.shetlandwoolbrokers.co.uk/Shetland-Wool-Week

Puffincam

Just wonderful :) http://www.shetland.org/puffincam/index.php?file=stream2

Do you use Fairy liquid for washing up?

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE do not buy anything from Proctor and Gamble

http://www.theecologist.org/green_green_living/behind_the_label/268721/behind_the_label_fairy_liquid.html

And one of the biggest, stupidest myths out there? 'Oh it's alright, I'm 'green' because I use much less of it than say Ecover or similar!' That is nonsense - how can you even think you are remotely green if you buy Fairy Liquid? Using less of everything is commendable, but for God's sake use the RIGHT stuff in the first place!!

Yes, I sound ranty, but Proctor and Gamble are one of my all-time nasties, always have been.

http://www.uncaged.co.uk/pgproducts.htm

Puffins at the Mull of Galloway - how exciting is that?!

Pic from http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/m/mullofgalloway/

Yvonne Coomber, artist

I came across a link to this artist's website on Facebook, take a look, fabulous work http://www.yvonnecoomber.com/index.aspx?wsid=25003&sectionid=740073 'Beautiful storm' by Yvonne Coomber, from her website

Homegrown watercress

Very pleased with this, the first time I've tried it. Easy to grow from seed, just needs to be kept damp. This potful is ready for splitting so I'll have several plants to pick from. Taste is wonderful, it feels as if it's doing you good!

How to make elderflower cordial

This one is well worth making - summer in a bottle,and will keep for a long time, either processed in a hot water bath or frozen in eg plastic milk containers. Drink it with soda or plain water and lots of ice, drizzle it over cakes, use to flavour stewed fruit. icecream, whipped cream etc, mix with gin or vodka..........endless uses :) 1 colanderful of flowers, as much green removed as possible, but I don't worry too much water to cover sugar Place flowers in pan and cover withcold water; simmer for about 15 minutes or so, strain, and measure the liquid. Return it to the pan and add 12 ox white sugar to each pint of liquid. Heat getnly until sugar is thoroughly dissolved. Leave to cool, then store/process/drink as desired. Use diluted as squash; also makes lovely summery ice lollies