A NAFAS Area Demonstrator

Well finallyI retook my NAFAS Area Demonstrator test.  I trundled up to the Mercia and North Wales Area on what was the start of the warm July weather with mum.  Nervous - yes.  Four days later I learnt I had passed, and done the best ever in the plant material ID that i had ever done.  So now I am available for demonstrations to flower clubs.  I am based in the South Midlands area, but happily go out to North Midlands; East of England; BB & O and also further afield.

Here is my first piece from my demo Music

What do you do with a frozen blackberry or two.....

As the new crop of blackberries is well on its way, we still had a tub full frozen from last year.  As this year I will be taking part in also the cookery section of a local horticultural show, I thought lets make some blackberry orientated entries.  Unfortunately there weren't enough blackberries to fill my blackberry chutney pots, so will have to enjoy that on our own, however i did have my first entry ready Blackberry and Strawberry jam with a hint of rosewater.

Recipe

800g of blackberries and strawberries
800g of preserving sugar
3-4 tablespoons of rosewater
juice of one lemon

Prepare the fruit with the lemon and rosewater, and cook to soften in a large saucepan.  Add the sugar to dissolve and bring to a rolling boil for approx 10 mins.  Leave for 15 mins to cool and skim off the skin.  Sterilise your jars and put in oven to make hot and decant and immediately seal.

A short leave of absence

Sorry to all of you who were following me but i am about to return after a hectic few months of demos, floral art competitions and weddings. I have lots to share and also the exciting news that I passed my Area Demonstrator exam a couple of weeks  ago.To whet your appetite for all things food and flowers here are two pics from my trip to Gardeners World live in June. I won an RHS bronze award for my floral art entry and me and mum had the pleasure of taking tea with the one and only Mary Berry. I have some fab recipes and floral pieces over the next few months. Also in September some very exciting wedding flowers. Amanda x