Hedgehog Boxes

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We have slate roofed hedgehog boxes for sale, have you thought about giving a hedgehog a home?

Supplier spotlight - CPS Nepal

We have some lovely items that are made in Nepal and the proceeds go to CPS orphanage

Re-use or Re-purpose

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We have many items in the shop that can help you make something like new, or of use again, as well as items for sale that are already preloved ready to start a new life.  We throw so much away when there is a lot of life still remaining it just needs a new owner.

Restocking Thursdays

Country Matters at Hexton is open from Thursday through to Sunday every week (except we are closed first Sunday of the month).  So Thursday is our day for stocking the fresh produce.  All our produce is locally sourced, and therefore will be what is in season.

Our collective

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Country Matters Hexton is supported by 120 producer/suppliers, which makes our range diverse and quirky and hopefully interesting.

We have (list is not exhaustive):

Dolls clothes

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So do girls still play with dolls?  Or are we now all electronic?  Years ago we used to have some barbie/sindy outfits and was reminiscing about them this week.

Carrots and a carrot cake recipe

At Country Matters Hexton, we normally stock carrots, so I thought I would wow you with some interesting carrot facts:

Scott's Porage Oats - overnight porage

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We now stock porage, it can be eaten hot or cold, and I do overnight oats several times a week, and was lovely during the summer months, eating on sunny mornings on the patio.

I find a nutella jar perfect for this, and it has a nice plastic lid for washing over and over.

Clearly you can put it in a bowl, but I like the jar, and no one can tip it over in the fridge, and in fact you can pop it in your bag and take it to the office.

I use the same quantity of oats as hot porage - half a cup of oats, but only half a cup of milk/water.  (I use a small glass).  you can add yoghurt instead of some of the milk or all of the milk.

Add strawberries (cut up), raspberries, banana, blueberries - what ever takes your fancy really, see the links below for many ideas.




lots of ideas here

slimming world

and a few more here

Log burner at Country Matters Hexton

For many years we just had a few electric heaters around the place, after much saving we now have a log burner installed, and it is lit on cold days, so making the shop nice and cosy.  Now the weather has turned a bit chillier it will be lit.

There is also a fire in the tea rooms.



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Spring Onion & Cheese Scones

We have spring onions in the shop this week, so thought I would make some savoury scones.

Perfect for lunch with pickle, salad and cheese, or with a bowl of soup.

Flour and onions available in the shop Hexton Country Matters

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Hexton Country Matters

Scott's Porage Oats - porage

Did you know we are stocking Porage oats (or is it Porridge oats).  A perfect start to the day especially on a winters morning.

I have got my porage making down to a fine art, I have found a glass that is just the right size for me (approximately half a cup)

I do mine in the microwave - so choose a bigger bowl than you would normally have.

I do one measure of oats...do this first when the glass is dry, and then one of milk and then one of water.  Now this is clearly depending on taste and you can do all milk if your prefer.  I use semi skimmed.

Then stir, put in the microwave for one minute - do not leave it for more than this as it may boil over.

Stir and do for another minute, or until you see it rising up.

With quality oats like these they will be soon done, I would suggest another minute or so - you will see what you like.

You can add sugar, honey, dried fruit fresh fruit - whatever takes your fancy.

Don't forget we have honey in the shop too.

Scott's Porage Oats - flapjacks

Did you know we are stocking Porage oats (or is it Porridge oats).

On the back of the packet there is a recipe to make flapjacks, these are so easy to do, great to make with the children or grandchildren.

The recipe below suggests using ginger, but you can swap this for cinnamon or mixed spice, or leave out.

You can add dried fruit, chopped apricots, dates, walnuts.

More about our knitting & crochet

Following on from Carolyn’s post regarding yarn here are a few more photos of the handmade knitted and crocheted items we stock at Country Matters ….. beautifully made by our talented local makers including Dawn, Debbie, Dolly, Nicki, Janet, Sue, Helen and Suzanne. 

Blankets, cushions, cardigans and with autumn and winter approaching we are beginning to stock cozy hats, gloves, mittens, wrist warmers and scarves for adults, children and babies. We stock a range of Robin and Wendy yarns and I’m sure Helen would be pleased to receive any suggestions for new additions to the range. We have knitting needles , crochet hooks, stitch markers, stitch counters, Pom Pom makers and lots of vintage patterns.

Our free drop in crochet/knitting skills workshop is on a Thursday morning starting at 11.00 a.m. - please feel free to join us to share your current project or start a new one. This is an informal friendly session and all are welcome .... if you cannot make a Thursday morning please let us know what times would be more suitable for you. Hope to see you soon for a knit, natter and a cuppa.

Yarn

Did you know we have a range of yarn suitable for many projects, come along and see what we have.  It is always good to feel your yarn, rather than buy on line.  And also we are running a regular crochet session on a Thursday morning.

And if you love hand knitted items - but just can't do it yourself then we have a range of handknitted and crocheted items for sale.