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My English Country Cottage
  • Blog Posts
    • Our Home
    • Interior Design projects
    • How To Create A Cutting Garden
    • Pantry Recipes
    • What Makes an English Country Cottage?
    • Home County Candle Company
    • Their English Country Cottages
    • Country Cottage Creatives Interviews
  • Instagram
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  • Larder Raider Recipe – Chorizo, Chickpea and Spinach Stew.

    This is one of those one-pot wonders that is bursting with smokey, spicy flavours that leaves you always wanting more.  Not wanting as in lacking you understand, but just wanting more…like Oliver.  It really can be done in one pot, I promise.  So for those of you who sometimes struggle with many pots on the go at once, or need a quick post work nourishing supper, this is a keeper…even…

    May 6, 2020
    Pantry Recipes

  • New My English Country Cottage contributor – Lucy Hoyle Cooks

    Lovely Lucy has agreed to help me with the cooking side of this website blog thing. You may well be acquainted with my primadonna La Aga who decides how and whether to cook the food I attempt to create for family and friends. It is definitely La Aga’s fault and not mine. However, Lucy is an actual real life professional with her own catering company “Lucy Hoyle Food”. We were…

    April 30, 2020
    Pantry Recipes
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Latest Posts

  • Forge Cottage
  • Growing in pots
  • Celebrating Garden Day UK with the help of Gardenesque
  • Don’t forget to ‘cut’ your cut flowers!
  • Celeriac, Salmon and Potato Dauphinoise

Daily Instagram Blog

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Yes, this is real life sunshine captured pre hail!! Focus on the suns rays & not the fact that every single thing in this room is seriously wonky. I wonder if I am wonkier for sleeping in here for nearly 8 years of my life? What a wonderful excuse. I might start using it “I’m so sorry I’m just a bit wonky”. Those moments where you laugh waaay too loudly & the room goes silent...”Sorry! So wonky! Not my fault” or where you run out of things to say “I must apologise I suffer from acute wonkiness”. I was once at social occasion filled with Karate enthusiasts, these were the serious kind who practice a form that one can barely pronounce & must be uttered with reverence. I was busy chattering brilliantly, laughing (loudly) & being generally wonderful, drawing one young Karate chap out of his shell, asking him all about his computer science degree, I was a triumph, the lad lit up & talked for at least a minute & a half before abruptly stopping with “....I haven’t got anything else to say now...”. This somewhat quashed my dreams of interviewer extraordinaire, I barely had time to envisage my chat show logo before my career was consigned to my dream job bin (along with “Lawyer - too much studying”, “Florist - too cold” & “multibillionaire - it sounds a bit hard”). I think being wonky sounds more fun than simply getting something wrong. I shall employ this excuse from now on...in fact: this photo was meant to be a genius inspirational photographic blossomic triumph- in my eyes I was able to capture the blossom tree through the window and echo it in the sunlit blossom of the vase. In reality it’s just a wonky window...so sorry...so sorry... I have wonky lens perception. Just imagine the tree outside please. Happy tilting Tuesday x #countrybedroom #cabbagesandroses #hyggehome #bedroomgoals #makingahouseahome #shabbychicstyle #bedroomchair #mybeautifulhome #stylingtheseasons #bedroomstyling #floorboards


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Yup, it’s an in amongst the blossom shot but it smells soooo good that I really don’t mind!!! I might stay here all day, thankfully I am sporting my regulation camo joggers so I reckon if I freeze, even the deliver drivers won’t spot me. Yes, yes, I do have a lot of work to do...that is of course why I am hiding in the blossom, it’s another genius prevarication method to avoid actually writing a million lists and being organised...no 1) take photo whilst sun shines...ooooh sunny....bye!!! So busy...must stand here and get exactly the right light and shade on every single bit of green I can see and then I will definitely finish this list... I really need to get my bottom and a half into gear -the running has reduced the double bottom but not entirely eradicated the hint of Baileys and mince pies- although as I am helping out on three magazine shoots this week (yes! Count them! That is A LOT!!!) and then the gorgeous crew who were here at Christmas need to come back and reshoot Dame La Aga (she wasn’t at her best over Christmas, she churned out one too many mince pies) at least I am in keeping with the festive theme! No.2 force much beleaguered husband into loft to fight mice and spiders and probably broody birds in order to retrieve Christmas decorations that he put right to the back of the loft because we wouldn’t need them for a other year...no 3 make mince pies to ‘encourage’ loft ascension. No 4. Do NOT eat mince pies. Do not even look at them. No 5 Run away. This is why I am hiding in the blossom, it’s much safer here!! Happy don’t move Monday! X #cottagelife #blossom #countrystyleloves #homesweethome #capturinglife #gardensofinstagram #cowparsley #countryhome #englishcountrygarden #englishgardens #cottagedreams #unlimitedbritain #mycamerasnapshot #houseandgarden #morninglight #countryhomestyle #thisisengland #cottagegarden #cottagestyle #countrycottage


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It’s cottage blog day!!! Admittedly only in my tiny world...please don’t feel the pressure to rush to your laptop and begin blogging about beautiful cottages in order to celebrate the day. Instead head to my website for the beat kept secret cottage in the universe. @janiecritchleyphotography is an amazing photographer (one day I will force her to capture my ethereal wafting) but due to lockdown was forced to turn her lens from people to her own home. Thank goodness! Her cottage is unbelievably stunning, her sitting room is like this but on steroids - really beautiful English Country House steroids. Pour a calming cup of tea, make sure you are sitting comfortably (I slightly got carried away with all her amazing photos and the history of the Old Forge Cottage) and indulge in a few minutes of sheer beauty and cottage beamy bliss. (Linkinbio). Happy Cottage Blog surely it must be a real national day Sunday?! X #cottageliving #cozycottage #cottagehome #candles #cottage #cozyliving #cosyhome #mycountryhome #cottagedecor #countryinteriors #cozyvibes #countrycottage #fireplace #cottagelivingroom #countryhome #charminghomes #woodburner #candlelover #englishcountrydecor #oldhouselove #oldhousecharm


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The teensiest slice of blue sky?! I’LL TAKE IT!! I am preserving the blossom through photos so was desperate to take this tea time cup of tea and a slice of blue sky shot. Mid shoot (the two minutes where it wasn’t raining/ grey/ skies and sun were covered by clouds at different times) my Ocado shop arrived. Naturally I scuttled inside as soon as I heard the van half way up the lane. After attempting to normalise my appearance (wild hair that had been forced into a bun when wet so now loose stood out at exuberant right angles and the still obligatory it’s not lockdown anymore but they are so comforting joggers) I opened the door to a very puzzled delivery driver. He wrenched his gaze from the table set for alfresco sunshine and warmth and gently laid the bags at my doorstep. He looked up at the remarkably dark sky then shuffled back to the van for more vittles. On his return he again looked at the table and then at the sky, perhaps three more times before returning for the last drop. With one final glance at the table he shuffled his way back to his van and drove slowly off. Ah! I realised! It’s the blossom!! Of course! He can’t tear his eyes away from its beauty and is probably concerned for its welfare. Poor man, I expect he is already missing these precious petals. Don’t worry Elvio in your lemon van, the blossoms are surviving this rain sodden weather. Happy survival Saturday x #springtimevibes #alfresco #outdoordining #teaparty #blossom #country #countryliving #myenglishhome #shabbydecor #oldhouselove #oldhousecharm #teaandcake #cottagestyle #cottage #cottagecharm #cottagechic #cottagefarmhouse #countrycottagestyle #timefortea #lovewhereyoulive #englishcountrygarden Tagged items previously gifted


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Shards of sunshine. Actually it was pretty full on sunshine but shards sounds more evocative. Be evoked ok? I made hay whilst the sun shone...well I wafted in the garden, picked some pretty flowers and then threw my entire kitchen to the unseen side of this shot and happily took sunny snaps of a tidy and clean heart of the home. Even the mystery dog likes this room. I still haven’t placed the owner as they hide, desperately embarrassed as their dog careers around our house. Unfortunately their walk coincides with us waving goodbye to our son as we stand at the door shivering but being loving parents. I think the dog rather liked the look of ma and pa waving at the door and came bounding up, heartlessly abandoning his owner and joyfully embracing his new home by happily bouncing muddy paw prints through the house. I must thank our new faithless friend for forcing me to clean the house of his trail of happiness and intrigue “what’s this? Cow parsley inside?! Barmy! I like them! What’s this? A piano? Brilliant! What’s this? A unicorn? Oh a small girl covered in softness and unicorns - the dressing gown of mother’s nightmares and daughter’s dreams- a friend! A new friend! I love this house, I shall run round and roun...oh man, I hate this double harness, I get caught so easily. Ok, bye then new family, see you tomorrow!!!”. I rather like having a surrogate dog, I may set up the camera and have full make up and cottagecore dress of joy on standby when he returns tomorrow. Quick snap, perfect family....apart from the Unicorn dressing gown of equal despair and deep joy. Happy four legged friend Friday x Ps for a floral Friday head over to my website to read @flowersandlifestylebymargot latest blog about mixed container gardening - what to plant, how and some sneaky tricks! (Linkinbio) x #kitchen #moderncountrykitchen #modernrustic #farmhousekitchen #countrykitchen #countrykitchens #mycountryhome #countrydecor #sinkie #cottagekitchen #farmhousekitchen #cottage #happyhome #paintedkitchen #kitchendesign #kitchendecor #mykitchen #kitchensink #rustichome #countryhomes


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Ohhh it’s so very, very far from the house...oh I am so weary, toiling over my vegetable beds, how will I ever make it back for a drink? So...very...very....thirsty....cough!...exhaustion.....faint....teeny final coug.... ...hang on! What’s this??? A stunningly gorgeous waxed canvas and leather seriously cool bag with thermal insulation that will keep say a bottle of Prosecco cold for very thirsty, toiling the land gardeners? Large enough for a blanket...probably some amuse bouche and perhaps some chocolate dipped strawberries in amongst an enormous picnic to keep the strength up? And what else do we have here? A gardeners life saving pack? A canvas and leather gardening bag filled with pockets galore for every tool a fed up with trailing to and from shed to flowerbed to veg patch where on earth is my tiny trowel gardener may need all kept safely in one beautiful bag of glory???? “Oh sorry Mummy! I was using the trowel for some excavation work - I found another clay pipe” - “Wonderful darli..excavation work??? Where??? Actually no! Don’t tell me! I need a sit down and some sustenance. A glass of cool fizz should help my weary bones”. Pop. “Mummy why are you sat on our veg bed? It’s too small for you and we weeded it last week?”....”Erm...because....well because my veg patch looks awful and it’s even further away. Now go and do some more excavating whilst I admire my gorgeous new bags from the beautiful @mylifeofriley run by five gorgeous ladies who are practically my neighbours and have sourced the most beautiful quality heritage pieces. Thank you so much gorgeous Life Of Riley team - you have rescued a poor, exhausted tiny strawberry and pea patch gardener from total collapse. Happy thirsty Thursday xxx #gardenlove #gardener #instagardener #englishcountrygarden #gardenergift #greenfingers #cottagegarden #cottagelove #countryhome #countrygardens #mycottagegarden #howdoesyourgardengrow #mygardenstyle #cottagegardenstyle #joyfulgardenmoments #happygardens #countrygardens #mygardentoday


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I am all in for the blossom! We don’t have long! We must make the most of it!!! Hang it in paintings on walls, fill pitchers, jugs, vases with the precious petals and gaze angrily out of the window at the diminishing trees!! The May/ March winds have coincided with me completing my couch to 5k. I can now run for 3.1 miles - I still haven’t worked out how to change my running app to kilometres and I know where I am with miles (one mile to the yoga tennis court barn with the scary dummy stood against the gate who always makes me jump, one and half to the light filled sprawling roofed house of my dreams, turn, return. 3 miles and countless blossom trees raining congratulations down upon me. Try not to gasp with mouth open at 2.5 miles, this will allow prime blossom wind tunnel to blow most of the trees colourful creations directly into mouth. It’s a simple route fraught with petal led danger and how does it scare me every time dummies?! Time to sit back and pick the blossom out of my hair whilst watching it scud past the window. My 3.1 miles has left me a little too tired to be furious. Happy whirling petals Wednesday x #cottagewindow #beams #floralarrangement #floralsyourway #springvibes #floralcurtains #cottagestyle #cottagedecor #cottage



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