Summer has arrived at Snowdrop Cottage!

With building work continuing with our new kitchen build the only tranquility we have is in our lovely kitchen garden,  the one space I'm determined to keep tidy and build free!  The children have their sandpit in one half of the raised beds and can play happily whilst I weed away or simply enjoy a cheeky G&T in the shade of the grape vines. We're trying out a few different varieties this year and although our rainbow beetroot has been a bit of a failure, our early apricot hued flowers of our runner beans are already providing some meals on the table.

 

A good friend bought me this vegetable trug for my birthday last year so I couldn't wait to try it out!  We've sampled the runner beans in our salad tonight and my daughter who grew the beetroot will be sampling some of it roasted in a risotto for dinner tomorrow. The children love growing vegetables and the raspberries are eagerly put into hungry mouths - we've yet to try any of them!

We're trying to grow some squash and kale this summer and so far so good!  The slugs and other bitey vegetable lovers are staying at bay for now.  If any of you have suggestions how to keep the aphids at bay I'd love to hear them!  We try not to spray anything in the garden.

As you can see my rhubarb plant has excelled, one of our customers has put a request in for some rhubarb preserve which will soon be on the stall ready!  Keep your eyes peeled for an update!  Hope everyone out there is managing to enjoy their gardens too!

Pretty Nostalgic Photo shoot - Part 2

Photo from Pretty Nostalgic magazine, taken by Jonathan Rapley greenfieldphotography

I believe in a simple life really.  I find beauty in all kinds of things from the simplicity of a rose, my daughters faces and of course in my home made preserves.  It wouldn't be unfair to call me a 'preserve geek', in fact I'd smile inwardly and glow with pride.  These photos made me smile, in fact several days later having been sent them I'm still smiling.  

Photo from Pretty Nostalgic magazine, taken by Jonathan Rapley Greenfieldphotography

  Of course we stock some little shops, the ones which are quirky, with lovely assistants that make you want to stop and share a cup of tea with them, who know who you are.  To see the shelves lined with our preserves and chutneys is such a privilege.

Photo from Pretty Nostalgic magazine, taken by Jonathan Rapley Greenfieldphotography

If you'd like to stock our preserves, chutneys or pastries please do email us at snowdropcottagefinefoods@gmail.com or telephone 01453 520112 and we'll be delighted to talk with you.  Finally a huge thanks to Oldbury Community Village Shop for inviting us to their photo shoot, to Sarah at Pretty Nostalgic magazine and the amazing Jonathan  who was the man responsible for making me smile for several days after seeing such wonderful photos!

Rode Post Office - award winning business stock Snowdrop Cottage Fine Foods

Photo courtesy of fromestandard.co.uk

Whilst at The Frome Independant market we met the lovely Elaine and David Walsh who run the successful Rode Post Office and Village Shop.   Recent finalists of the 'Rural Oscars' run by the Countryside Alliance they were looking for fresh local produce to stock in their shop and stopped by to taste our pies, pastries, chutneys and preserves.  Impressed they placed an order straight away and now order from us on a regular basis.

Freshly packaged and ready for delivery

We work closely with Elaine and David to ensure their customers receive a good selection of our produce on a weekly basis, always freshly made to order and delivered at a time which suits their busy shop.  It's been so nice to get to know Elaine and hear the feedback she receives from customers.  We're thrilled to be part of their very successful business.  If you'd like to stock any of our produce please email us snowdropcottagefinefoods@gmail.com

Bristol Good Food Awards 2014....... 'Best Preserve' winner

Photo courtesy of Bristol Bites

Humbled, shocked and elated are only some of the emotions we felt when we found out we had won, for the second year running the category of 'best preserve' at the 2014 Bristol Good Food Awards.  There was fierce competition and with some of the most well known and respected food judges out there blind tasting our produce we were nervous to say the least. 

Thank you to all those who voted for us, we wouldn't have got this far without you.  

North Somerset Show

We were thrilled to win 'best trade stand' in the food hall by anonymous judges at North Somerset Show this year.  When we received our award we were told our friendliness and presentation of our stall had really impressed the judges.  We love meeting our customers and take such pride in our produce, it's nice to know our enthusiasm shines though! Thank you to all those who judged our stand and awarded us first place!

Pretty Nostalgic photoshoot at Oldbury on Severn Community Shop

We were thrilled to be asked a long to a photoshoot hosted by Pretty Nostalgic magazine at Oldbury Community shop earlier this month.  Although we had a seriously busy weekend ahead I really couldn't resist going along and sharing in the buzz and excitement which radiated from everyone who was involved.

I love photography so I was determined to hang around and try and pick up a few tips!

It's often the small detail which really counts, seeing these mugs with steaming coffee and tea really made me smile!  What a lovely touch which I'm sure helped Sarah write an amazing article for the magazine!

Here are our lovely preserves on the shelves and ready to go, our Oldbury on Severn customers have I hear really been enjoying the Grapefruit and ginger marmalade, don't worry - we have more prepped and ready to go!

I think this could be one of the pics ready for the magazine, doesn't it all look gorgeous!

Do keep an eye out for the latest issues with pictures from Oldbury and of course of lovely offerings.  I'll be waiting with bated breath for my copy to fall on the doormat.   A big thank you to all those at Oldbury Shop for letting me come and share in the fun, it was a fantastic morning!

Bristol Good Food Awards 2014 - Finalists!!!

I'd like to say a BIG THANK YOU to all those people who have voted enabling us to be runners up for 'Best Preserve'  for the second time in as many years.  We have our selection of preserves ready to submit for the blind tastings on Tuesday 22nd April at The Bristol Marriot Royal Hotel which we hope the judges will love!  The judges this year will include Xanthe Clay (columnist for the Telegraph), Martin Blunos (amazing two star michelin starred chef), Dhruv Baker (Masterchef winner 2010) and Sam Moody (Bath Priory) among others!!! Fingers crossed we can win for the second year running!  Of course we'll be keeping you posted so watch this space!