Sandra the Sour Dough...

Back in November 2007 De Vere and I travelled to The United States of America. We landed in San Francisco. While there we very much enjoyed the famous Sour Dough. So much so that I purchased a Sour Dough Starter pack.

Recently I started my Sour Dough Mother Sponge and in keeping with Sour Dough tradition.. I call her Sandra...

Here is the line up of ingredients.

I chose bread mix over bread flour,

not sure why I think I was running with a bread theme.

add dry and wet ingredients and mix.

leave the batter to ferment.

oohh the bubbly goodness of bacteria.

You can then store your Mother Sponge in the

fridge using as required.

De Vere is still waiting to taste test the finished result.

I will get back to you on that.

Audrey, Lady of The Manor.

Tea for Two...

With De Vere's very important and stressful employment he often travels overseas. When he returns my gift is not jewellery or perfume.. He likes to bring me Green Tea. There are a few reasons for this.

I really love tea, particularly Green Tea. I often consume 14 cups of green tea each day. Can't help myself.

De Vere avoids jewellery purchases, at least by himself. I don't understand why as to date he has done very well in that department.

Another reason why De Vere chooses Tea over jewellery or Eu de Toilette is just that.. Too much choice between Perfume, Eau da Perfume, Cologne, Eu de Toilette. With the green tea choice he knows he is on a winner.

Today Mrs Poo and I shared a lovely cup or two.

Audrey, Lady of The Manor.

Who Loves a Sleep-In?

As a rare treat The Hounds occasionally are allowed to have a little sleep-in..
In the big bed, as apposed to the lounge suite. This usually coordinates with wash day for the sheets, it's a De Vere thing!

What is TGD doing??

Well actually I think he has a little addiction to the

smell of my hair, well maybe not my hair per say, more my shampoo.

Here he is scratching at my pillow..

then rolling around while rubbing his back

and making a kind of snorting sound.

It's a talent, what can I say.

mwmmwwmmmwwwww....

big stretch

and finally, with a loud sigh, TGD can relax and enjoy a little R & R.

Meanwhile Polly the 20 kilo lap dog has laid very still at the end of the bed.

More than likely hoping to be forgotten about for a few hours.

Well you know what sleeping on the lounge does to your back.

Audrey, Lady of The Manor.

Fish Chips and Salata...

De Vere loves fish and Mrs Poo loves to prepare fish for De Vere. After a long week trudging into the office for De Vere, Saturdays are a day of lunching here at Boyle Manor. With fish often on the menu. Here is a recent fish lunch lovingly prepared by Mrs Poo.

after a light dust in plain flour Mrs Poo fries the fillets

till they are golden brown
the outside is crisp and the flesh is moist and tender


fish - chips and salad

hand peeled potatoes, blanched and deep fried.

Real Potato Chips!

Mrs Poo is a great cook and she has a great talent for turning

a simple salata into something special.

This salata consists of;

snow peas - fresh from the garden

cabbage, carrots and of course

Mrs Poos Salata Staples

onions, feta cheese, salt, olive oil and

lets not forget fresh herbs and dried oregano.

Audrey, Lady of The Manor.

Just Keep Swimming...

Waiter! There's a Cricket in my water!!

Audrey, Lady of The Manor.

Sticky Little Flowers...

The Guard Dog was having a difficult time dealing with the hazards of the yard.

Here is the beautiful hedge/vine (?) that covers the side fence

here at Boyle Manor.


Here is the difficulty TGD was experiencing.

the dropped flowers stuck to him like Velcro!

Sticky little Suckers..

Audrey, Lady of The Manor.

Nice n Easy...

This little dish is a real winner. It's quick, light and easy!

Here I have used the usual line up of herbs however chili is a nice alternative.

Chicken Wings Boyle Manor Style...

season with oregano, salt and pepper.

drizzle with olive oil.

cook wings under the grill.
for some reason I always cook the inside of the wings first.

then turn them over and grill the top side

mmm...

Just like Roast Chicken, only faster and everyone gets a wing or four.
Don't forget a squeeze lemon juice over the cooked wings.. yum!


Audrey, Lady of The Manor.

Old Ned and The Twig

Dear Old Ned he is a wonderful fellow.

We had a small problem with the front door of the Manor so Old Ned was called to fix it.

he unscrewed

He chiseled.

and chiseled.

Then he realised that he needed to fill a small hole in the timber frame.

There was only one 'issue' - he didn't have any product to fill the gap.

Never mind, Old Ned is not old for nothing.

He simply took a small twig from a tree and whittled it to size.
Then hammered it in.

Door 'issue' resolved.

Audrey, Lady of The Manor

Can-O-Worms

Here at Boyle Manor we are endeavoring to Go Green and one of the first steps we took was to purchase a Worm Farm.

Or a Can-O-Worms.

Can-O-Worms may be either order online and delivered direct or
you can do as De Vere and I did and lug it home from the store yourself.

assemble the 'worm house'

This is a package of coconut husks that is
used as a starter for your worm bedding

soak the bedding

until it has broken down and absorbed the water

it ends up looking like a big bucket of sloppy cow poo

only without the smell!

The Worms! Yes, you buy them in a box!

oh dear, looks like our worms spent a little too long on the shelf

however they managed to live boxed up on a shelf at the store

after laying out the coconut bedding,

simply add the starter pack of worms

cover with newspaper and cardboard to keep the moisture in

Voila! High Density Worm Living,

at Boyle Manor.

Audrey, Lady of The Manor

Sundays...