Sunday Prop Shop

In The Woodshed (#SundayPropShop)

October 27, 2013 by TheBoyAndMe 8 Comments

Throughout the past fifteen or so years, there has been an infiltration into both my own, and my parents' house.

Wood is creeping in. Very slowly.

Our wedding present from my dad was a large block of wood, and I've got several others lying around as well with various purposes.

But these aren't just rough lumps of wood, because quite frankly that would be very odd. These have been carefully nurtured into wonderful creations; the texture and natural shape of the wood shining through the hewn branches. And you might occasionally see these creations in my blog posts, with cakes or quiches adorning them, or pinecones and orange slices scattered across the top.

In The Woodshed 2

These are created inside the purpose built workshop that my dad has at the bottom of their garden. And it's quite fascinating inside.

In the woodshed

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The Pumpkin Patch

September 30, 2013 by TheBoyAndMe 12 Comments

We intended to spend a quiet day in the house, pottering around and baking, but the weather had different ideas. Unlike yesterday which was grey and dreary, the sky was azure and the temperature balmy for late September, and I really didn't want to waste the day inside. I'd also seen one or two photos recently of pumpkins being harvested, and so we headed down to Hendrewennol, our local pick-your-own farm.

Fortune was on our side, as today was the last day for pumpkin picking; the inclement weather meant that the chap in charge was harvesting them all today to prevent them going manky. We were handed a pair of secateurs (with instructions not to hurt ourselves!) and trotted off through the field exploring with our trusty trug.

Hendrewennol PYO

It was great fun examining all the different sized pumpkins, and finding the right coloured ones too. Orange are perfect for eating now, but green with a slight hint of orange will keep for several weeks until the end of October, especially if kept in a dark space and brought out a fortnight before Hallowe'en. We also picked a load of lovely 'munchkin' pumpkins, which I have great plans for!

Hendrewennol PYO

After we'd unloaded the trug into the car, we went off in search of acorns en route to the maize maze, which was empty of people but full to bursting of sweetcorn cobs. The Boy was fascinated by them and I did take the liberty of stripping a few down (on the plant) to show him that under the silks and leaves were wonderfully, juicy golden cobs.

Hendrewennol PYO

This was the second time we'd been to Hendrewennol this season, the first was in July to pick strawberries. Within a few weeks they will be closed until May as there will be no crops to harvest; that really brought home to me how seasonal fruit and vegetables should be. We spent a wonderful Autumn afternoon here, learning about the food we eat, finding 'loose parts', navigating the maize maze, and then exploring the fabulous sandpit in the play area.

Hendrewennol play area

I also really enjoyed getting to grips with manual on my camera a little bit more, it's starting to make a little more sense to me, and where better to work out the best settings than in this beautiful location?

Hendrewennol PYO

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Linking this up to Country Kids and The Outdoor Play Party for outdoor fun, and The Sunday Prop Shop to show off my wonderful trug and how gorgeous it looks with miniature pumpkins in it being carried by The Boy.

country kids Outdoor play party

Silver & Glass (#SundayPropShop)

September 8, 2013 by TheBoyAndMe 11 Comments

Whenever I take a photograph I'm always very aware of the background, of the angle, the shadows cast by me. I don't always get it right, but I do try. It's only in the last six months that I've really become aware of different aspects of lighting; natural light versus a flash, slightly dull daylight as opposed to bright sunshine.

And staging.

In the past I've taken a simple photograph of a review product, or of a recipe I've created. Simple and uncluttered. But when I look back at the photographs that I've taken of some of my best culinary creations, I cringe. Poor lighting, no frills, dodgy angle; nothing to show it off. And I had no idea about any of this until I discovered Capture By Lucy who stages her photographs beautifully. Every photograph is so beautiful and like a work of art.

Now I'll admit that I'm not about to buy a bunch of appropriately coloured flowers to make a cake look better, because it's just not me. However, Lucy has made me realise that there are better things to present a quiche on than my standard, grey, Ikea crockery. That there's probably something better than a white plate as well. She has made me think about all the vintage glassware that I have from my nan and great aunt, polish up the silver cake slice and tongs, use the patio table in the golden hour.

Which is why my poor dad had to wait for a slice of his Blackforest birthday cake earlier…

SundayPropShop