I went to an amazing party last night.  The live band were really good, the food was delicious and best of all, lots of my local friends were there.  Thank you Mike and Mirella for such a great party – happy birthday La Bella Mirella.

We were out of essentials in the kitchen today, even milk, so I took the opportunity to try out a new farm shop I had been recommended – Frankie’s Farmshop.  This is a plant nursery and farm shop and is located on Clapper Lane, Staplehurst.

This is a new building but has the feel of an old barn.

Inside it is light and airy and huge.

At one end is a cafe which had a Scandinavian feel to it.  I like the simplicity and brightness of the decoration.  I parked the little fella here with an enormous slice of cake and glass of juice, so I could enjoy shopping.

This is a lovely spot to sit and stare and he was quite happy with his cake and paper to look at.

Everything here is new so it is obviously still spick and span.  There is a deli counter with cheese and cooked meats

more cheese and fresh meat in a chiller cabinet,

fresh chilled produce,

jars of yummy things

fresh bread,

and fresh fruits and vegetables, beautifully displayed.  There was a lot of local produce such as these berries

and a good variety of other fruits and veggies.

Lots of orchard fruits and juices.

There is also a kitchen that cooks fresh food you can eat in or take away and the menu will change daily.  There are fresh salads,

cooked goodies such as chicken, sausage rolls and these “Murray Eggs”.  Love it.

Outside there are chickens, providing the eggs they sell and goats.

We both really enjoyed our visit to Frankie’s Farmshop and will be going back, for sure.  I have lots of local and healthy treats in the fridge to enjoy this week.

Back at home I foraged in the garden for some salad and noticed how well my raspberries are doing.

I have never grown berries before.  I was given these canes by Kath when she moved to NZ and stuck them in behind the vegetables beds.  I was worried they would not do well as it is a shady spot but they are doing fine.

I picked some lettuce, spinach and radishes and served them with tomatoes and the Murray egg, which was delicious.  I brought them home warm as they had just been cooked.

I also made some baked figs with goats cheese.

Baked Figs With Goat’s Cheese, Honey and Walnuts

Ingredients (serves 4)

• 4 figs
• 80 g goats cheese
• 4 walnut halves
• 1 heaped teaspoon runny honey

Method

1. Preheat the grill and line a baking tray with foil.
2. Place the walnuts on the baking tray and grill for 2 minutes.  Remove and set aside.
3. Cut the figs open about 3/4 of the way down and squeeze the bottom of the fig gently so they open up.
4. Place the figs on the baking tray and put 20g goats cheese in each fig.
5. Place under the grill for about 5 minutes.
6. Serve with runny honey and chopped walnuts.

A very tasty addition to our lunch menu.

Wimbledon Men’s Finals day.  Murray Vs Federer.  I do love my tennis and always enjoy the mens final.  I particularly enjoy watching tennis when you really want someone to win.  I am cheering for Murray, even though Federer is probably my favourite all time ever player.  I just hope he hurries up.  I have to collect Harvey from a party and then head up to the Midlands.  I am working in the Birmingham office tomorrow and Harvey has a day out with his God-Father to look forward to.  Come on Murray!