We had a lovely day yesterday visiting Sam’s grandparents down on the South coast. We had a mosey around a little garden centre (& enjoyed a fish finger sandwich, which I’m a sucker for).
This garden centre had a deli area, which promotes small-family run businesses who provide fresh, home-made produce. The cakes were to die for, and I must confess I bought six butterfly cupcakes and a beautiful glazed fruit loaf – I would have bought the large size but I have to learn my eyes are bigger than my belly!
We live in the countryside and have always tried to shop in the small, independent stores around the area. When we were planning our wedding in 2015-16 we applied the same principle to our suppliers (& our reception was held in an eco-centre). Its lovely to see such different ideas being applied to a traditional, much-loved item.
Take jam for example. You often can’t beat the standard strawberry flavour in my view, but to come across loganberry, and apricot and peach is delightful.
On our way out I happened across a small bowl-shaped log and a white cracked-ceramic vase which I knew would look lovely in our home so I simply had to buy them. And then we came to the indoor flowers and how radiant they were on that blustery grey wintery day!
From there we went for a wander around the local area, driving along the winding back roads and having to peer around the high-walled hedgerows to check no-one else was coming the other way. We stopped by the local church where there were the most amazing pink blossom trees in bloom. Blossom is not a particularly common tree in our neck of the woods(!) but I think it is one of my favourite. Its so gentle, delicate and pretty.
We rounded off our day with some home-made parsnip soup and, yep, you’ve got it – more cake!
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