Deck The Halls

Deck The Halls  The phrase Deck the halls came from the carol we all know and love. Believed to be Welsh, from a tune called "Nos Galon" in the sixteenth century. The first known publication of the lyrics is 1881 and the author is unknown but thought to be American, although J.P McCaskey is sometimes wrongly credited. I have noticed you do not hear the first line of the second verse to often today shame really, shows how times have changed and the meaning of words.  ( Don we now our gay apparel).

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Christmas Tree All Decorated

Christmas tree up and decorated ready for Christmas. The dilema is do you go artificial or real. We always choose the real option. This year our tree is a Nordmann Fir and looking very pretty too.

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Christmas Lights On The Village Green

The Christmas lights look just lovely yet again on the village green for 2011. It provides the essence of the Dickensian Christmas.

If you are still looking for some gifts for Christmas you may be able to find just what you need at Period Cottage Interiors, just click on the web address to take you there  http://www.periodcottageinteriors.co.uk/

The First Snow Of Winter

The first dusting of snow has blown in, making everywhere look very pretty. The rural country side takes on a whole new world while covered in snow. The problem is the birds find it difficult to find their food, so do remember to put some food out. I will provide a recipe for the birds in a few days.

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Time To Dress Your House For Christmas

Time to dress your house for Christmas, maybe these houses are a little over dressed, but they do put a smile on your face as you walk by. You may find some extra touches to dress your home for Christmas at Period Cottage Interiors click on the link below to take you there. If you find some over dressed houses for Christmas please pass them on and we can spread the joy.
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Recipe For Sloe Gin

Now that we have had our first frost the time is right to pick those sloes. The full what to do recipe will follow tomorrow.
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Lumiere In Durham

The Lumiere in Durham does the city proud. period cottage interiors has an early evening outing to the big ciy and witness the Lumiere in Durham. Durham Cathedral looked fantastic with it draped in light, with images of the Lindisfarne Gospels. The wire figures  by Cedric Le Borgne were also very special.

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Autumn Continues With The English Oak

The English Oak will shed about 750,000 leaves each autumn, and each and every one is a perfect piece of art, and what is more it will all happen again next year.

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Christmas Gifts On Show

Christmas gifts go on show at New College Durham. Period Cottage Interiors had lots of lovely things to see and buy, all is not lost for anyone who did have the opportunity to go as you can just visit  http://www.periodcottageinteriors.co.uk/  and browse in the comfort of your own home while looking for Christmas gifts or even treat yourself, although it is nice to be able to meet you all. Please do comment if you like what you see, also if there is something you would like to see. 

Rival Arts Christmas Gift Fair

We are out and about again this weekend, Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th November at Colin Caygill Christmas Fair, New College, Durham, we will have a great selection of goodies and gifts for you, your family and home, do pop by our stall, Period Cottage Interiors and say hello, we would love to meet you

To view the details of the event follow the link http://rivalarts.co.uk/

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The First Hard Frost

The first hard frost of the winter hits.
Please leave comment, and let us know what you think of  A Rural Life.

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Recipe For Toffee Apples On Bonfire Night

What you will need :- 8 Granny Smith apples, 400g of golden caster sugar, 1 tsp of vinegar, 4tbsp of golden syrup.
This will only take 20 mins. To start cover the apples in boiling water, and remove the waxy coating, this helps the toffee stick. Dry the apples and push a wooden skewer into the end of the apples. Place the apples on greaseproof paper on a metal tray. Keep the tray close to your oven hob. Tip the sugar into the pan along with 100ml of water and place on a medium heat, until the sugar dissolves. Stir in the vinegar and syrup. Place a thermometer in a pan and boil at 140c. As most of us do not have a thermometer, so to check it is ready, pour a little toffee into a bowl of water, if it hardens instantly and is brittle when removed, that will be perfect. Next take each apple and cover in hot toffee and place back on your tray to cool. They should be eaten within two days . That is not normaly an issue.  Enjoy

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Tradional Bonfire Night

At the heart of any good Bonfire Night is Toffee Apples and baked potatoes, even better if the potatoes are wrapped in foil and cooked in the fire.

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Pumpkin Soup

I hope you remembered to make your pumpkin soup for Halloween. If anyone would like the recipe please get in touch, as I am happy to share.

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Rose Hip Tea Recipe

A recipe for rose hip tea. This is very simple and can be enjoyed through the winter months. After you have picked your rose hips, always picking the nice red ones. Lay the rose hips out on a tray after cutting them in half, and wait three weeks while leaving the rose hips in a dark place, or if you are unable to wait, put them on a metal tray and when you have used the oven, make sure the heat is 140 degrees pop the tray in and leave the oven door open and turn the oven off. Once the oven is cool, if you have a food processor use that or like me I like to use my mortar and pestal, then place the rose hips in a metal sieve and shake the rose hips over some news paper. Next natures magic will happen, all the little hairs that would irritate some peoples stomachs fall away. Now place the crushed rose hips minus those hairs into a dry jar ensuring it is air tight. We are now at the best part, make some rose hip tea. this is done just as if making tea in a tea pot. Though do not add milk my little secret is to add a little honey the amount is purely down to your taste. Always make sure you use a nice farm house style mug, and if you can make a pot for two and  cosy up with the one you love. mmmmm

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Pumpkins For Halloween

The candle light helps to keep away those scary spells, so have a bit of fun and cut a pumpkin face. It is alot easier using a pumpkin than a turnip as was the tradition when I was a  child. So join in the fun for Halloween and and have a pumpkin face on show at the front of your house for Halloween.

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Traditional Halloween

Why not have a tradional Halloween, all you need are a few apples and a bowl of water along with some string, much fun can be had by all, young or old. Remember no hands allowed. 

An Outing To Rheged

Period Cottage Interiors goes on tour, and make a weekend stop at Rheged, all was enjoyed by the visitors to Rheged.


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Mushrooms And Toadstools Continue To Amaze

The mushrooms and toadstools continue to amaze with their fabulous shapes and textures. If you do choose to pick a selection please take care, as if you are not sure leave well alone it is not worth making a mistake. The repercussions can be a lot worse than just an upset stomach.  

You're Never Too Old For Conkers

Let's play, you are never to old for conkers. To start with you have the enjoyment of collecting them, always best if a couple and try it without the children. Then we have the threading up and the big decision of what type of string to use. Then the ulimate debate - to use the conker natural, bake it or some would say to soak in vinegar. My choice would always be - natural. The point is, so much fun can be had, who needs an X Box or Playstation?

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Time To Pick The Rose Hips

Time has come round again to pick the rose hips. Wheather you are going to make rose hip syrup, or rose hip tea, now is the time. I will be making tea and a recipe for rose hip tea will follow in a few days.


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The Autumn Colours Continue To Amaze With The Horse Chestnuts

Natures art is just the best, how can you improve on nature. The colours and the textures of the conker are perfect. 

The Fairies Leave Some More Of Their Mystical Magic In The Garden

This time of year is fantastic for a wide variety of mushrooms and toadstools to appear.

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Rose Hips adding a Flash of Colour to the Hedgerows

The rose hips lifting the hedgerows with a lovely flash of colour. It is almost time to pick the rose hips. It is best just around the first frost. We will let you know how to make your own rose hip tea very soon, a very simple recipe.

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A Squirrel Feast

Lots of food for the squirrels. The squirrels do not need to travel far in order to find a great feast.
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Wind Fall Sticks

Fuel ready and waiting to be collected in the wicker basket for use in the log burner.

Mushrooms Put On A Show

With the warm September and a wet October an extra good show of Mushrooms and Toadstools.