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Decided that since the hens are laying really well at the moment today we would treat ourselves to Lemon Meringue Cupcakes…take a basic victoria sponge recipe and add some lemon zest and juice, bake in a muffin tin with cases, when baked make a hollow in the tops and fill with home made lemon curd and then pipe the top with meringue – pop into the oven to set the meringue – yum, yum

Just going to walk Emmie round the valley to burn off some calories!

Sue x

This morning I have made the most delicious butternut squash soup, I roasted the squash in the Aga with fresh sage leaves in the cavity and drizzled with Wharfe Valley rapeseed oil, left it for an hour or so and scooped out the flesh and added it to a softened onion.  Grated in some fresh ginger and then topped with stock and S&P.  Blitzed it and served with Leah’s homemade cheese scones – DELICIOUS!

We have visitors arriving and as Leah has Cupcakes Galore running today I am going to nip into her Pantry and pinch some cakes.

Catch up shortly,

Sue x

Great comment posted online from an American Guest: When I stayed on a farm in Rainow, England (near the Peak District), I was advised to stand still near the pen with all the bulls in it. One had been hand-raised and was inquisitive. I stood still and let them feed normally, and they gradually worked their way around to where I was standing. The one that was hand-raised let me stroke its head and neck, and it was a wonderful experience.  – Andy P, Brooklyn, NY

The smell in the kitchen is divine, David is making the new batch of Seville Orange marmalade, we have spent a good deal of time juicing, chopping and slicing – hope tomorrow’s guests enjoy.

Catch up shortly, Sue x

Highlights
The outstanding hospitality, superb quality of food and attention to detail offered by Mrs Stevenson is commendable.

So I am now really looking forward to our new year of guests arriving, having had a little January lull we busy up now so today I’m madly baking!    But talking about baking, the week started very well for Leah has she was in the ‘Best 6 Baking Courses’ in the Country according the Daily Mail (Saturday 21st January) well I know how good Leah’s courses are as I took part in the Cornucopia of Canapes recently but how fantastic to receive this public accolade…Well done Leah, love from Mum xx

Must dash as my warning bell has tinkled…first batch of shortbread piggies are ready.

Catch up soon,

Sue x

The kitchen is filled with the delicious smell of mincemeat I just love this time of year but I don’t think the Christmas preparations have ever been carried out before with the leaves still on the trees and the lovely golden colour of Autumn.  The cows are all happy outside too and have not started their mooing to be let into their winter barn.

Eldest Son has now let out the 2 peacocks and 1 peahen who have settled into the farm  they are named, Brenda, Alan and John.  They are roosting in the rafters over the pig pen and I hope they will soon discover the courtyard to delight our visitors.

Speak soon, Sue x

New bathrooms have also been fitted and may be seen with all the changes on the self-catering page of the website.

Leah bought me a new copper jam pan which I am using this morning to make some fudge, only problem is that it is very tempting as it is cooling on the table – must not look at it or it will all be gone!

The swallows are all in residence now and today are swooping round the yard catching flies and I am sure they are bombing the poor cat to tease him.  We have had a problem with the buzzards as we believe that they have taken all but 2 of the doves, I guess it is nature but it is such a shame.  The 1 remaining pair seem to not want to leave the yard and spend their time flying from barn to barn but will not venture down the field.

Time to put the fudge away and catch up on the morning’s jobs.

Speak soon, Sue x

Cat in a basket

Spring has really sprung into Rainow, Harrop Fold Farm has enjoyed the most beautiful sunrises (I’ve been up early for breakfasts) and the most stunning sunsets…enjoyed with a glass of wine!  Today Arthur the Cat has slept all day in the stone trough outside the window…it is certainly a Cat’s Life!  Last night 1 swallow landed on the telephone wire and sang his return…where are his chums?  One swallow does not make a summer, but this is certainly a fantastic start.

Going to hang the bedding out to dry and hopefully take Emmie for a walk before our new guests arrive.

Sue x

News about the pigs is that they have not yet farrowed but we are very anxious birth supporters! Any day now we think.

The Aberdeen Angus have settled in well and David has been giving them corn daily to help them to settle, the only thing is now whenever they see him they moo very loudly…’We want our snack!’, they are adorable with such beautiful gentle faces and the calves are very lively and growing very, very fast.

The fruits are being gathered now, David collected some greengages yesterday to make some jam and we were able to collect a number of damsons. The blackberries are becoming ready and I think this rain must be making them very plump. So need to go out today to buy some jam sugar.

Next job now is the silaging, we really need abit of dry weather to begin this, but Rachael and her tractor are ready for action.

Leah has Cupcakes Galore running today and has now released her Christmas dates, check them out on her website www.leahspantry.co.uk .

Dashing to peg out the bedding to catch today’s sun rays.

Catch up again shortly, Sue x

Busy weekend on the farm, the chickens have hatched…the dogs have been tempted, but we have  now put the proud mother with her chicks in a pen for their safety!  Our weekend guests have enjoyed feeding them and listendng to them  cheep-chirping.  The pigs are growing daily and are so friendly, biggest son is home for his birthday weekend and we have been entertained by him ‘dancing’ with the pigs…well not really but they do look like they are dancing – maybe it is the excitement of feeding time, but it is fun to watch.

And talking of big son, today we have been baking a Cupcake Tower for his birthday tea, lucky guests arrived at the all important candle blowing time and enjoyed sharing the cakes too!  Usually we greet our guests with tea and cake but today’s very wet arrivals on a motorbiking tour were treated to cakes and a very deep hot bath in the new tub.  I think it was the first time I have drawn a bath for our guests but poor lady was dripping.  Roll on Summer and abit more sunshine.

Away now to stew some rhubarb for breakfast, we took the opportunity of a walk up to Arthur’s yesterday evening to pick some lovely looking rhubarb, we are making a delicious breakfast treat with our homemade yogurt and Arthur’s rhubarb, it is simply yummy.  Whilst we were up there we called into The Highwayman for a quick beer.  It is amazing how green everywhere now looks after this warmer weather and of course, the rain last week.  The grass is growing quickly now and David is going off to market tomorrow hopefully to buy some more cows to eat the meadow down.

Speak again soon,

Love from a very happy Sue x