Marmalade, Bears and Penrith

ART
Peggy Fortnum is the artist this week or should I say illustrator. Well as this is a Paddington/Marmalade blog why not the original illustrator of those very first Paddington Bear books back in 1958. A bear called Paddington was the first in a long line of books she would illustrate. The drawings were originally in Pen and Black ink and later coloured in by other illustrators and even her niece Caroline Nuttall - Smith.

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Born in Harlow Middlesex on the 23rd December 1919 Margaret Emily Noel "Peggy" Fortnum attended the Central school for Arts and Craft in London. Peggy was an art teacher, a painter, and then a textile designer all before she became a full time book illustrator. Peggy has illustrated over 80 books so far in her career.

Did you know that Paddington tried his hand or rather paw at painting?! The story introduces Mr Gruber to us and aired on TV January 1975 Paddington and “The Old Master”. After hearing Mr Gruber talk about painting, Paddington decides to try his hand at it himself and then tries to help Mr. Brown win a painting competition.

SOMETHING DIFFERENT

Chase Marmalade Mule in a Can

First sip is an ooo of Ginger ale. Right i'd better pour it into a glass. The colour is that of a ginger ale with a hint of Orange. This is a bad drink!!! It's 6.4% and my brain is telling me to drink, drink, drink to quench my thirst. I have to remind myself it is an alcoholic drink involving Chases Marmalade Vodka. So when I mean bad I don't actually mean disgusting or horrible, it is actually quite lovely.

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A zesty Lime appears to pop in your mouth every so often along with the gentle fire of the ginger. And right in the middle I think appears the Marmalade taste just for a brief spell. A great refreshing drink, when summer comes around this is the drink you will be making – forget the Pimms it's Marmalade Mule o'clock!

Chase Marmalade Vodka
Many moons ago I worked for a local posh supermarket called Booths on the Licence section. I'd already heard of Chase Vodka which is made from potato (the only one in the vodka line up in store that actually was) and I took interest in it. Then I read that the potatoes were actually the ones used in Tyrrell's crisps (few years ago). Here's the rest of their story. So when I heard they had produced a Marmalade Vodka and we were getting it in store, but, only six bottles were coming in I had to have one. Well I couldn't open a bottle as a sample for the customers so I had to try it for myself and tempt the customers and 6 month later I'd managed to sell all five on the strength of my own tasting. Here's Chase's description of their Marmalade Vodka.

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COVERED IN WEEDS

We have passed that time of year where you tidy your garden, sit inside in the warmth planning out your colourful boarders and beds for the year. You've already ordered your seeds and bulbs and have no doubt already planted most of your haul. I am yet to get to grips with the whole plant now and watch it grow and flourish in x month. I'm of the mind set, if I've bought it before it's optimum time of flowering then plant it. If it doesn't flourish into a masterpiece this year, it'll be a nice surprise next year.

I have a whole load of things to do in our small garden as well plant out my little stash I bought in the winter. It looks like the weather is starting to be more kind to us fair weather gardener types, so perhaps tomorrow or even later today I'll be out tidying the garden, moving pots around and planting a few bulbs.

Has anyone got these little beauties in their gardens?

Lilium Orange Marmalade
Their preferred place in the garden is in partial shade or dappled sunlight and they flower between June and August. Which in my books means you can plant them now and get a lovely display come the summer. They make a great container plant and are just perfect for cut flower arrangements. The best thing about them is they have a light scent and have NO pollen like most Lilies, which means I can bring them into the house and not be sneezing and wheezing everywhere. Once these lovelies have established in your garden they can grown to 4ft tall. It also attracts butterflies. This plant was bred by Ed Robinson, who introduced it in 1972 under a different name, but, in 1994 the flower was re registered as Lilium 'Orange Marmalade'.

MUSINGS
Have you seen the Paddington Bear Movie? If not why not? It's not just a child's movie it's one for the adults too, mind you most animations/films created for children also these days have an adult appeal to them too, after all someone has to accompany your young child to the cinema.

As I little person I used to watch the occasional Paddington Bear episodes, so it was not really a surprise to myself (or even to my man) that when it came out on DVD I purchased it.

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I shan't spoil the film for you but it had me crying, laughing and on tender hooks in the space of  ten minutes. Hey I don't normally snivel at films! Nicole Kidman appears in the film as the villain who seems to know a lot about marmalade eating bears. On her walls hang lots of animal heads, so you know what she will do with Paddington when she gets a hold of him.

Paddington in Cumbria!

Yep that's right Paddington is in Penrith this week. Dalemain Mansion and Historic gardens hold a Marmalade festival every year for the past 11 years. The marmalade festival has competitions galore. It's not just a local 'thing' people have entered their home made marmalade from all over the world. This year they have made it even bigger by involving Penrith town and Rheged. An artisan market, games, crafty things, competitions and events galore. So if you are in Cumbria this week get yourself to Penrith. For more info here is the Dalemain website and Rhegeds website

Women's Institute Judges Deliberate over the winning Jar at Dalemain Mansion and Gardens

Click on the photo and it will take you to Discover Penrith Page for more info

I'm not afraid to say, but, I follow Paddington on Twitter.

Are any of you popping to the festival? Or actually making some marmalade inspired goodies this weekend (share your  recipes with us if you like). Maybe it is sunny where you are and I've inspired you to sit in the garden sipping a Marmalade Mule. If its raining pop on some old Paddington episodes for the little ones whilst you sit upstairs and watch the film. Have a great week. If you enjoyed my blog and don't want to miss any (I'm a bit erratic at the minute posting - very busy at work and then art to finish at home) press the RSS feed at the top of the page.

Tunes for the week
MARMALADE - Ob La Di Ob La Da  Yes there really was a band in the 60's called Marmalade!
But lets go for a more modern tune from these lovely ladies .
The film this was in also featured Nicole Kidman. I wonder if she likes marmalade?
Christina Aguilera, Lil' Kim, Mya, Pink - Lady Marmalade