Gifts to Make with Christmas Spices

Oh Rosie - not another Tool Kit - not quite, we are going to use the Tool Kits we have made to make lots of different Christmas gifts for hampers, stocking, table gifts, tree gifts - whatever your usual Christmas is like. We will make gift tags that give the recipient some idea of what to do with what you have made and gifted to them. Every time that this happens - maybe Christmas isn't the best time as it is so busy - this is your opportunity to explain what a differnece having control of your own food makes. Not in a heavy way as that gets tedious but you will find, as I do, every time you explain to someone else how simple it is it all gets a bit clearer for you.

A lot of the time we stumble on, not quite sure if what we are doing is right, and then it all falls into place. What I would like to see is cohesive, gentle preserving communities. A bit less of the social media posts of racks and racks of jars and the smug 'that's us sorted for the next year' sentiments and more 'yes, I made that and it keeps for at least a year at ambient temperature - would you like me to show you how?' A bit less of the 'I've grown so much I don't know what to do with it all' and more of the 'I'm having a Ratatouille Party on Saturday - come round in the afternoon to help and you can take some jars home with you' vibe. How much would we gain from that? Share the load, laughter, chatter, a supportive atmosphere, children playing together - maybe two, three generations sharing their knowledge, sharing the work, sharing the harvest.

Take that forward into year 2 - make it A Thing. Use the Winter for planning who will do what. One person grows the beans, another tomatoes, a third onions and garlic - all the seeds in the packet get used, everyone feels they have contributed. If you don't have a garden, grow herbs, get spices or provide the refreshments for the cook-ins, collect jars together. It would all be so much easier not being responsible for everything yourself. Think about it.

It's what used to happen, years ago.

Our Workshops are friendly, no experience of cooking or preserving is necessary and we try to use everyday, familiar equipment. You can cook along with the Live Workshop or use the recording which will be place in The Library of the School soon after the Workshop finishes

So, take advantage of the block booking discounts to access all of the Season's Workshops with the security of knowing you won't miss anything.

We look forward to meeting you and welcoming you to our preserving family

Rosie x