Yesterday we had our first complete homegrown roast dinner (well, apart from the chicken – we've not yet despatched one of our ladies, although Chic Chick may well be heading that way if she keeps waking us up with her rooster impression each morning!)

All the veggies though have been homegrown and were picked, pulled and dug before being quickly washed, briefly cooked and eaten hungrily with great enjoyment. I'm really loving being a veggie grower!

Amy and I have now used the first of her summer vouchers when we went strawberry picking early this morning. We gathered around 4lbs (plus around half a pound in our tummies!) which were brought home, wiped and swiftly turned into jam.

This year I invested in a jam thermometer which has definitely helped – last year's batch ended up very sticky and thick. This year we have a lovely oozy jam with a little added vanilla.

The lovely labels that we used for the jam are from Cath Kidston.

Another reason why I love this time of year – apples from our neighbours tree (gifted, not scrumped) for an autumnal apple and cinnamon pie. Perfect for warming the cockles after a wet and windy Remembrance Day parade with Amy’s Brownie pack.

Enjoy what’s left of the weekend.

PS: scrump, Verb. Brit dialect to steal (apples) from an orchard or garden [variant of scrimp]