Packaging samples for Mummys Macarons

We are trialing this style of box for the macaron launch later in the autumn - hopefully we are only about 5 weeks away from launch and will hit the christmas retailers just in time.!

Latest batch of macarons

Lynne has made another test batch of french macarons. we should perfect this by the end of the week, as well as all of the flavours and colours. Here are some pictures as they look now

Slimming WOrld Weigh in

Not looking forward to slimming world tonight as I think I may have put on weight due to wine and chips, and not enough cycling this week - only managed 30 miles.
on well.

Lynnes Vermontier website updated!

Just spent a few hours changing and updating Lynnes Vermontier wedding cake website - it was looking a bit dated so I have changed it and added some new pictures.

If you are looking for the highest standard of handmade luxury cakes in the Cotswolds, Gloucestershire and Worcestershire then you need look no further. With many years of experience I have regular customers. I produce a wide variety of cakes and luxury sugar craft ranging from luxury tiered wedding cakes to handmade luxury cakes for birthdays, anniversaries and much more beside.

Wet weekend at the Ludlow Food Festival? I think not!

Well it is almost here - the Ludlow food Festival. This year we are off with Mark and Wendy and the children for a camping experience. This means that we can taste all of the foods and drink available without the worry of driving. We are staying just outside Ludlow.

We are looking forward to having a BBQ using local produce, tasting all of the puddings at the pudding tasting, as well as the famous Sausage Trail and Bread Trail...can't wait! The weather does not look that good though? I hear that Levi Roots is also going to be making a guest appearance and talk on his loves: food and music.

If you would like to visit the festival then click HERE for more information - whatever you decide to do this weekend, Ludlow is a great place to visit.

We had a great time and the best sausage was definitely Mr Walls of Ludlow

mummys muffins: In Search of the perfect Macaroon

mummys muffins: In Search of the perfect Macaroon: "Lynne is back in the kitchen trying to perfect her macaroon recipes, so that we can look at selling them into delicatessens throughout the C..."

Mummy's Muffins

We are still trying to get Mummy's muffins off the ground. Lynne has started baking for a couple of people and has done some wedding cakes over the summer - so it is all going in the right direction. We have also got the website up and running, as well as her own food blog - so we are getting on with things. A food packaging expert arrives this week to talk about proper packaging

Slimming World for Quentin

Having had some chest pains recently I now realise that I have maxed out out my weight, and need to do something about it (like my smoking (now 1 and a half years!)) I joined slimming world last week and lost 5.5lbs in my first week. Weigh in day is tuesday night. Mark also gave me a really useful calorie app which I follow http://www.myfitnesspal.com/ and this is helping.

We also have now all got bikes and have been cycling every day this week - we all seem to be enjoying it as well. We might have got the bug!

Anyhow I started at a massive 22st and 3lbs. Jeremy has also joined weightwatchers - and we are trying to win against each other in a competition - whoever looses the most weight by our next Spanish Golf trip in February 2011 takes the other out for a gourmet meal. SO the race is on, and so far it's neck and neck!

Here I am at my biggest. This picture was taken by Charlotte when we went to the Wye Valley on a weekend away camping, cycling and canoeing - the cycling we did got me back onto a bike back at home as we both loved it so much. We hired a bike for me from Pedal a bike away

We used this weekend as one to start things off and not let my weight get any worse than it was. Kids....always the best help and surprise you with how helpful they can be!.

Here are some of the pictures of the trip - we stayed at a local farm campsite, where we took our small 2 man Vango Omega  tent.

James Bond

Having just seen the James Bond film "For your eyes only" it reminded me of these pictures taken when I was at school - Dad surprised us with a visit with the actual car!

The Willersey Fete (August Bank Holiday monday)

The sun is out and it's going to be another beautiful day in the Cotswolds. Lynne and Charlotte have entries into the baking sections of the horticultural show this year .Lynne is hoping to get disqualified again this year.

Charlotte as grown a massive sunflower, so we are expecting great things from her, and she ahas entered these lovely cupcakes. Judging starts at 11am and the Fete opens at 2pm. Mark and I are on Skittle duty outside the Bell.
Henry and Sam have a stand which they are raising money for the Village, so if you would like a game of Top Trumps and beat them you could win a bag of sweets.

Valentine Warner Evening

Here are some pictures from our Valentine Warner inspired dinner party - using his crayfish recipe (unfortunately I could not find a hazelnut tree locally) and also Lynne made a lovely crayfish bisque which tasted a lot like a Lobster bisque. The crayfish were caught and supplied by our own local fish farmer (Rosbson Green) Mr Riley, thanks Mark!. Another great evening of food and fun over the bank holiday weekend. Off cycling with Mark later this morning to burn off some of the calories!. Next blog after today's Willersey Fete which starts at 2pm.

Here is the recipe for Valentine's Crayfish.

40th Birthday bash for Quentin

40 came and went, and I have had my mid life crisis. It was so nice to catch up with all my friends and family over the weekend. We turned Willersey into a mini Glastonbury for 24hrs. Thanks for all the pressies and wine, and turning up

Catching Crayfish with the Riley's

Watch out we'll soon be calling ourselves the Fernley-whittinstall-warners! A new adventure took place just down the road in Broadway, where we were taken to a secret place to find the illusive cray fish. The promise of fat juicy lobster like shell fish was truly tempting (especially after 2 pints of best beer at the Crown & Trumpet).

Crayfish are eaten all over the world. Like other edible crustaceans, only a small portion of the body of a crayfish is edible. In most prepared dishes, such as soups, bisques and étouffées, only the tail portion is served. At crawfish boils or other meals where the entire body of the crayfish is presented, other portions may be eaten.

We were not disappointed, and caught about 20 of the beasties. We then cooked them on the BBQ later that day. Thanks Rileys!

40th Birthday treat with Mum & Dad

Fine dining at Mr Underhill's

Just came back from a birthday treat and visit to Ludlow to see the folks - and were taken out to the very lovely Mr Underhill's restaurant - wow! what a delight. We had an absolutely fantastic meal, and would highly reccommend the restaurant

You will find them at the foot of Ludlow Castle ramparts on the banks on the River Teme, just five minutes walk from the market square.

The Michelin starred restaurant looks onto the courtyard garden, romantically candle-light at night, and the River Teme beyond. All the rooms and suites overlook both garden and river. To ensure they maintain a five star gold award all the accommodation continues to be fine-tuned and upgraded.

Just be sure to book well in advance

Short Holiday in Devon

We finally managed to scrape enough dosh together to go to Branscombe in Devon to see friends (Catherine, Paul, Evie, Lilly and Jessica) we have a lovely few days and even managed to get into a little boat and go sea fishing. Charlotte caught a mackerel, and we ate it on the BBQ that evening. We also saw Toy Story 3D in Exeter (adults beware it's s little weepy!) what a great end to the trilogy.

Mummy's making cakes

Another day making cakes and baking. Lynne has just started producing cakes for Market Pantry in Broadway. As always the house is filled with a lovely smell of sweet scones, flapjack, chocolate brownies, cookies and cupcakes. ....and I'm on a diet!

The Pitcher Inn Vermont

The Pitcher Inn was recreated after a fire in 1993 burnt the original 1800s structure to the ground. Under the careful direction of David Sellers and a team of architects, The Pitcher Inn was intentionally recreated by a nostalgia mirroring Vermont's beauty and simplicity, whilst still remaining true to the original structure. Hence the Inn's nine rooms and two suites are each an adventure in the state's history. In addition, now a member of Relais & Chateaux, the Inn's philosophy emphasizes the 5 Cs: calm, cuisine, character, charm and courtesy. The Pitcher Inn's eleven rooms are patterned to reflect the individual designers' interpretation of a particular Vermont theme. From the whimsical to the classical, each room is a spectacular display of talent and taste lavishly manifested in unique motifs.

Ludlow Food Festival

The 2010 Ludlow Marches Food and Drink Festival takes place on 10-12 September in Ludlow, Shropshire, England, the small town with the large reputation for good food and drink.
This year the Festival will feature more than 130 top quality small independent food and drink producers from the Marches, the England-Wales border country, inside Ludlow Castle.
As well as the food producers, throughout Ludlow's historic town centre there's seemingly no end of food-related events, such as the famous Ludlow Sausage trail and the Festival Loaf trail, not forgetting all the old favourites both inside and outside the Castle, including great demonstrations, talks, food vendors and more.
This was Britain's first successful food and drink festival when it started back in 1995. It's grown considerably since then, with large numbers of visitors from throughout the UK, as well as from overseas - but we've stayed firmly with our original idea of highlighting the great food and drink that is available in the Marches, and to have a great time!
Come and join in - there's something for everyone, and a great party atmosphere!
Buy tickets online here and beat the queues that can form at busy times!

Welcome to the Thomas Family Blog!

This is the new blog site for Quentin, Lynne, Henry and Charlotte. All of us will update the blog with pictures, events, news and recent holidays that we have had. It will also include some places we like, recipes, and business news for all our family and friends to catch up on