Marrow-tastic!

I've said before that it's rare for us to leave Norfolk empty handed, and last weekend was no exception especially as it's prime marrow time. They grow prolifically in dad's garden. often seeding themselves from compost. I tried to leave with just one, but the choice I was given was "this three" or "those three" - so I did the honourable thing and opted for three, I've no idea which three though! 

To make it up to a nice round number - well five - dad also cut a couple of pumpkins for me to ripen at home. I've a growing supply of pumpkin recipes, but marrows not so much.  Stuffed marrow was a childhood favourite and I've updated that by using a spicier bolognaise sauce and even adding some chorizo, but even so there's only so much of that you can eat.  My other top use for marrow is chutney making, but as I've a mountain in the cupboard already from previous years chutney making isn't on my agenda either.

So, hit me with your marrow recipes, I'm all ears...

Post Comment Love 28 - 30 July 2017

Hello there and welcome to another #PoCoLo and of course Friyay!  I've been looking forward to it all week as I've a few days off coming up and am hoping to get out on my bike and finally shake off this summer cold I've got. I think summer colds are the worst.  But I digress, if you were here last week, thank you, it was great to see you and if you're new here this week *hello* it's lovely to have you along, and both Morgan and I hope you'll find some cracking blog posts to read, and come back again next week!

We spent last weekend in Norfolk and it's true we never leave empty handed, this time with lots of marrows from dad's garden. The option was did we want those three or these three, so we chose three! But in my forgetfulness I forgot to bring the banana chilli plant I bought at a roadside shack home, so dad is growing double the amount of banana chillies he expected too.  Pop back on Sunday to see my marrow acquisition, now that's an offer you won't get everyday is it?

I've spent this week trying to get ahead of myself for next week, both at work and at home, and making slow progress, which given that my head feels like it's full of cotton wool - that's was a summer cold does! There's lists to make and things to pack and the greenhouse to sort out. Now that things have finally started growing... And an allotment to visit and check on, but given the weather the past few days I'm hopeful that it will be better placed to managed without us for a few days. 

This week's photo isn't from my garden (sadly), but from our recent visit to RHS Hyde Hall in Essex - the flowers look fit to burst don't they?

Could you be one of our future Bloggers Showcase?

Sadly we don't have someone to feature this week as the blogger we had lined up appears to have stopped blogging. Our list is growing, and stretches to the middle of October, which is awesome, but Morgan and I would love to feature you, especially if you already link up with us. There's no time limit on how long you need to have been blogging for, it's open to everyone. All you need to do is tell us a bit about yourself by answering our #PoCoLo questions and send them over to us. 

Here's the questions:

An InLinkz Link-up

Let's talk fireplaces and fire surrounds

JUST LOOK AT THAT FIREPLACE

Now, one thing we don't have in this house is fireplaces, and so you might think it's an odd thing to feature in my Let's talk series. But I haven't always been fireplace-less. In my previous house I discovered some original fireplaces which had been boarded up.

A magnificent - and lucky - find, and as you can see (on the right) the one in my old front room took pride of place (and let me just say it was the early 90s, so please excuse the rest of the decor!) Those tiles were original too, one was cracked, but still gorgeous and worth keeping.

When we moved into 139a, it seemed odd not to have a fireplace and it's one of the things I miss from my old house. I know that sounds odd, but even though I know we don't have space for one here, every now and then I can't help but find myself lusting over a beautiful antique fireplace, such as those on the Westland antiques site. 

Last summer I was able to get my fireplace "fix" while on holiday in the Loire during our visit to the Chateau de Blois, remember this post: Ceilings, fireplaces and fancy floors?

Today I'm sharing my top 3 pieces from there, so you can join me drooling over some of their gorgeousness.

1. A Victorian Cast Iron Fireplace Surround

This is my absolute favourite, and proves once again that I have expensive tastes! MOH won't be surprised at all. But I think he'd be easily persuaded by its classic charm. He's the traditionalist in decor, while I tend to go for the more modern styles - but I think this one would please us both.  It seems quite large at 1.75 metres wide, but I think even with its £3,800 price tag, for the right space it would really make a room, don't you think?

Photo credit: Westland Antiques, see more details of this item

2. A Victorian Cast Iron and Steel Tiled Firegrate

Yes, this one has a nod to the fireplace photographed above.  In fact looking at it again, it's closer in style than I expected it to be. Black is a more classic look than my self-renovated version with copper paint. I'm sure all of the fireplace affectionados are gasping, but it worked for me. 

This is most likely a similar size at just under a metre wide, and easier on your purse too at £1,500.

Photo credit: Westland Antiques, see more details of this item.

3. A Louis XV French Rococo Style Portoro Marble Antique Fireplace

Now I've shocked myself with this choice, as I wouldn't describe myself as a marble kind of girl. But I think it's fair to say, this isn't your usual kind of marble. It dates from the late 19th century but with its black and gold Portoro marble looks decidedly modern. 

Reading more about the marble, it's almost certain that this came from the quarries on the Island of Plamaria, in the Gulf of La Spezia in Italy. That's probably unremarkable to you, but we stayed just outside of La Spezia when we visited the Cinque Terre a good few years ago. Coincidences like this amaze me, there are hundreds of items on the Westland site, and yet I've stumbled across one that comes from somewhere I've visited (or very close by at least).

This size of this one is between the other two at 1.5 metres, but with the largest price tag of £6,800.

Photo credit: Westland Antiques, see more details of this item

As well as the cast iron and marble items I've shown you (and many more besides) there's also antique stone and wood fireplaces, and many more architectural and garden items too; the site is a complete treasure trove and one I think I'll be going back to over and over again.

So what do you think of my fireplace and fire surround choices?  I've decided I need a new house to suit them!

* This is a collaborative post but all views are my own.