It was a lovely summers day, yes we are getting a quite a few now, although would hate to jinx it. I dragged, or should I say encouraged my son to come with me on quite a long walk with involved crossing Markeaton Park in Derby.

It's ok my son walks quite quickly when there is a cafe on the route, can't think where he gets that from. So after walking for a while we spotted our oasis. The Orangery is a lovely cafe situated right in the middle of Markeaton Park next to the craft village. There is a good selection of food drinks and ice cream and I had to stupidly ask myself at 10am if it was too early for cake. of course it isn't is it? In some countries they do eat sweet pastries for breakfast and what a great idea. I had already had a sturdy and well nutritious breakfast so I thought I would blow it with a nice generous slice of lemon drizzle, gluten free too. I swapped a tea brew for a coffee latte and we sat outside in the quiet courtyard.

I think we went here just as the right time, it was lovely and peaceful, such a lovely morning. I passed by again later and it was heaving. The park had welcomed the annual fair and it was in full swing by late afternoon. This place does get busy at peak times. It's a popular place to come with children especially in the summer holidays. Markeaton Park does have some great walks around it so there is a chance to go and work off the cake or big cooked breakfast if you should feel too guilty. My son polished off his soft drink and chocolate muffin and we started again on our way. Only 15 minutes later did he announce he was exhausted. 'We've only just stopped and refuelled' I said. I think it was his way of saying he could of stayed there all day or more likely why on earth have you made me walk all this way?

He did admit to having a good time though and he did like The Orangery too. It has a lot of seating and there is a nice atmosphere so pop in for a brew. They have a Facebook page at: 
www.facebook.com/pages/The-Orangery-Cafe/279305118750306

Thank you for reading today I will be back tomorrow for Whatever Wednesday but until then take care.

This was a lovely find, a gorgeous little online gift shop with mugs and stationery. I love a nice new mug for my brew and have always been fond of a notebook, even from being a little girl I always preferred notebooks and pens instead of a bag of sweets.

This mug and coaster set would make a perfect gift for someone, maybe for a birthday or you could start your Christmas shopping? Did I just mention the 'Christmas' word? Yikes.....but it won't be long. I have already seen the big boxes of Roses and Quality Street in Tesco today so it is on it's way. These mugs come in other designs so you can choose something to suit you or that special person. I purchased this for myself and it looks fabulous on my coffee table. The mug is a good sturdy quality mug too if you are wondering, I cannot stand cheap mugs, if you're making a good brew you need a quality home for it.

So where did I purchase it I hear you all screaming? Well the store is called A Thousand Yellow Daisies and they have a selection of mugs and floral stationery to buy, fabulous notebooks and other great gift ideas such as cute little bottle openers, badges, colouring and activity sets. The mugs and coasters can be bought together in a gift box or separately. 

So please take a look you can find them on Etsy at:
www.etsy.com/uk/shop/ATYD?ref=search_shop_redirect
they are also on Facebook at:
www.facebook.com/AThousandYellowDaisies/
Instagram too at:
www.instagram.com/a_thousand_yellow_daisies/
and you can also Tweet them on Twitter @thousanddaisies

So no excuse for not at least taking a look. You'll love it. I may well be going back for more so I will post my future purchases on here just to let you know exactly what you can expect if you buy from here. I always think there is nothing like recommendations as customers will be honest so I can recommend A Thousand Yellow Daisies so far.

Thanks for reading today, please join me tomorrow for Whatever Wednesday when I basically talk about.....well......anything.

Take care for now.......

Woah! look at that gorgeous Strawberry slice and gluten free as well!! I love Massarella's Restaurant, it's a nice stop to take a break from shopping around the Peak Shopping Village near Chatsworth Park in Derbyshire. They have a nice selection of gluten free cakes, yes....thumbs up from me. The lovely lady asked if I wanted some whipped cream with my cake......errrmmmmm think diet Sue from the Brew and say NO! Brain doesn't engage with mouth and out comes a YES. I must be the worlds worst person at Slimming World right now.

Who cares though it was gorgeous and a fabulous brew to accompany it too. This is a great restaurant, never seems a problem to find a seat and they have a great range of food. You can have a traditional English breakfast up until 11.30am, there are light bites available such as soup, toasted sandwiches and jacket potatoes. Lunch offers delights such as pies, lasagne served with roasted or steamed vegetables. Deli burgers and Welsh rarebit in the afternoon including fresh salads with goats cheese or smoked salmon. Oh my mouth is watering now just writing all this and it is top food, it looks great and served with a smile. Plenty of options for children too so there's just something for everyone. 

I love how they have an express counter if you would like to order just drinks or ice creams. At busy times this can take a bit of relief away from the main counter and keep queues down, well thought out I think. There is plenty of space and seating outside on a nice summers day. All this loveliness surrounded by plenty of shops to visit.

It is a big shopping outlet with shops such as Mountain Warehouse, Cotton Traders, Regatta, Pavers Shoes, Edinburgh Woollen Mill, The Gift Company, Alexara (previously bought a great handbag from here), The Baggage Factory (more bags!!), Ponden Home, Holland & Barrett, Jatins Emporium (yankee candles!), The Works, Peak Village Cards and The Ashgate Hospicecare Shop. So worth a visit, we always drop in here on the way to Chatsworth and Bakewell. 

The Peak Shopping Village  is situated on Chatsworth Road, Rowsley.
DE4 2JE and they have a very informative website at:
www.peakshoppingvillage.com

From what I can see in the activities section on the website it looks as though there is going to be a soft play area to open soon, that will be a good addition to work some energy off the kiddies so they have a snooze and you can buy loads of handbags shoes and camping equipment. Just a thought. Afterwards a quick run around Chatsworth and finish the day with fish and chips in Bakewell oh and a Bakewell Pudding to take home. There you go I've just sorted a day out for you all. I should be one of those touristy events people. Watch this space for 'Make a Brew Tours' - coming soon! I said that in my head like the voice over in the cinema. Big, loud and dramatic!! If I go into organising tours it will be dramatic I can tell you.

So go for a brew at Massarella's (such a cute name) and let me know what you think.

Thanks for reading, please come back tomorrow for a bit of Whatever Wednesday but for now.....

Take care.

A brew starts with a bit of boiling water so how do you boil yours?

I opted for the 'on the hob' whistling kettle as I just fancied a bit of an old fashioned option and there is something about hearing a kettle whistle. Or is there? I thought so at first but blimey I think I've changed my mind just recently. Yes it is great because it's another gadget that I don't have to find a plug for and I'm using the gas and not electric but when I'm a bit busy it is so annoying to have to go and physically switch it off. 

Hard life eh? I suppose it adds a few more steps to the fitbit but with an electric kettle, well that just turns off automatically doesn't it? I was a bit torn and was ready to put the whistle to rest as I saw a lovely retro style electric number just recently whilst out shopping. It was like love at first sight, I nearly ran across the store in slow motion ready to whisk it up into my arms and kiss it endlessly but I may have got thrown out of Aldi or at least attracted a few funny looks.

I may need some more time to think about it because it does mean finding another plug but then I do have my Tassimo machine as well which I use religiously every day. That has a boiling water feature and I could just use that as a kettle. Not sure why I don't really. Oh it's only boiling water at the end of the day, does it really matter where it comes from? The other plus about an electric kettle is the rapid boil. You have to have rapid boil don't you? I do anyway, I need my brew very rapidly sometimes. In fact there are far too many wasted minutes waiting for the whistle to go when I could have downed at least half a dozen mugs of tea while waiting. 

It does make me swear slightly (I know, how rude Sue from the Brew). I have tried ignoring it but it's so loud, the kitchen turns into sauna and there is the danger it's bottom will burn out. I know the feeling but can't ever remember whistling whilst my bottom was burning out. 

I'll just plod on for the time being, it's a big decision and a purchase I may not need to make. You are going to be waiting for the review now on my new kettle, well watch this space, I do have a habit of randomly changing my mind and going for the impulse buy. I made the mistake of looking on Amazon and found smart kettles. Crikey, you can connect everything to your smartphone these days, yes even the kettle. This got me thinking that I could set my app to boil my kettle for when I got home from somewhere. Very handy but then it may be cheaper to just ask a teenager to pop it on, I can text that request through as that's the way we all communicate with teenagers these days. I would be waiting days for a cuppa if relying on my youngest though as he never answers his phone, not good!!!

I will keep you posted on the kettle dilemma, I may still be whistling for another ten years or so and it does look nice. I cleaned it especially for the blog so it is feeling loved, I just wish it would stop nagging me to turn it off. Ah well you can't have everything, I could be living with something that nags me to turn it on, now there's a thing!

Thanks for reading my teapot lovers, I shall return tomorrow for a bit of 'whatever goes' on Whatever Wednesday so do come back.

Until then take care.......

Well what is the best way to start today's 'Teapot Tuesday' than with a new teapot. I love this one and use it a lot as it holds quite a bit of tea. I purchased this little collection from Derby Garden Centre, there was an offer on at the time of 'buy teapot get the two cups for free' so couldn't resist. Although I did have to let the checkout staff about their offer as they had no idea. Sue from the Brew did you cause a bit of a queue while they investigated? Yes I did. Sorry I believe in obtaining a bargain when I see one.

The cups are not huge, they only measure 3 inches in height but are a lovely addition and I use them for herbal and fruit tea. I tend to like these teas in smaller portions. My traditional tea? yep tend to go for a big mug at home. I think the design of this set is sweet as well, I like the Chinese style with the bamboo handle, it's just a bit different. 

Derby Garden Centre situated on Alfreton Road, Derby DE21 5DB has had a massive change. If you have been in past weeks you will have noticed the refurb underway but it does look really good now. There are more plants available and they are looking healthy and watered. I say this as I did visit a few months ago and the plants never seem to look watered and seemed, well a bit dead! I was a bit reluctant to go back but glad I did. The cafe always pulls me in as they have gluten free cake and a massive big teapot, even for one so I can be drinking tea all morning. Definitely worth a visit again if you haven't been for a while, even if it is to take a look at the changes.

There are some similar 

on Amazon so click on the link above (affiliated) and take a look. Thank you for reading, I hope you pop by tomorrow for 'Whatever Wednesday'

Take care for now. 

​Happy Teapotting!!!

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