Ascott Newsletter - November 2012

November Email Newsletter

Christmas at Ascott We have some exciting news...this month’s issue is our first new style email newsletter, packed full of advice and information to help you with your seasonal preparations. Gift Ideas For Christmas present ideas we have sourced an eclectic range of gifts for you and your family.  With children in mind we have our Tractor Ted range, including the Tractor Ted School Ruck Sack, great for carrying school books and lunch! Plus the full video range, to keep your little ones occupied over the festive period. For something a little more unusual we have our traditional Swiss Bell, perfect for goats, sheep and cows, so you can always hear them coming! If you are looking for something less quirky and more personal we have our contemporary stoneware range in a pretty spot pattern. Choose from stoneware egg cup and plate or Classic Mixing Bowl and start to build a set. For a final gift idea take a look at our traditional stainless steel Stilton Spoon, a must have gift for Christmas, it delicately removes portions of the cheese without disturbing the main cheese! Recipe of the Month With pumpkins and squash everywhere at the moment and the chilly weather here, this month we are including a delicious easy soup recipe. You will need: 4 tbsp olive oil 2 finely chopped onions 1 kg pumpkin/squash peeled and chopped into chunks 700ml vegetable/chicken stock 142 ml double cream 1 Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large saucepan and gently cook the onions for 5 mins until soft but not coloured. 2 Add the squash/pumpkin and carry on cooking for 8 - 10 mins until it starts to soften and turn golden. 3 Pour in the stock and season with salt and pepper. Bring to the boil and simmer for 10 mins until the squash is very soft. 4 Pour in the cream and bring back to the boil. Puree with a hand blender, for an extra-velvety consistency you can push the soup through a sieve. Serve drizzled with the rest of the olive oil and sprinkled with croutons. New for this Month

Ask the Experts I would recommend a trio of birds, beginner’s breeds like the decorative Pekin, that come in many colours, so that each member of even the largest family could have their own different coloured bird to care for. They are docile and patient. Alternatively, try Silkies, Dutch or Belgian bantams or the massive Orpingtons or Brahmas. If you have a large garden, why not give a home to a few commercial hybrids or re-homed battery survivors? They also lay far more than the pure breeds (try the Battery Hen Welfare Trust www.bhwt.org.uk). Cockerels are not a good idea, a large cock bird, however docile, can frighten small children and put them off chickens forever.

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