I've been drawing pictures for the new labels and sent them off to the printers this week. I picked them up this morning and here they are! They look proper lovely, thank you so much to Sema printing, - a Walthamstow institution - , and good luck in your move to Chingford.

Dark and delicious

In between rain showers I gathered in half of this year's blackcurant crop. The netting I put up has kept out the pesky blackbirds and as a result the bushes are covered with strings of shining black jewels. All bagged up and in the freezer now, and awaiting the addition of some vanilla pods and a litre or two of vodka. Rib*na it ain't - but I'm almost certain it's good for you!

Raspberry delight...

With the rain pouring down and the men's finals at Wimbledon, it's a day for for staying indoors and straining last year's raspberry vodka through muslin. I'm left with a delicious heap of drunken raspberries. May try a magnificent and possibly very sticky experiment with melted chocolate as a product development idea...

The last of the early summer rhubarb has been harvested and is steeped in vodka and fresh ginger quietly turning it a delicate rosé colour. I am now jealously guarding the black currant crop from greedy blackbirds who scold me whenever I turn up at the allotment to water. If the sun would just come out for a day or so they'll be ready for picking.
Mother's Ruin took a day off from the whirl of gin production to go Morris dancing with her mates Sharp Morris in Stratford upon Avon

Mother's Ruin planned to work in the Cumbrian orchard today, but the rain is rainin' and the wind is blowing a gale It's a summer tempest up North

Elderflowers are now in season, just in time for the gooseberry harvest. I have been picked bag fulls of blossom from the hedges and wild spaces around Walthamstow. The house is full of the heavy scent of the flowers which are now being packed with sugar and steeped in vodka.

E17 Gin Palace

Mother’s Ruin and the East London Gin Palace is coming soon! This blog will tell the story of one woman's escape plan from the daily grind. Will gin be my salvation???