Morning all!
It`s been a strange old week. On Monday I went to a health spa, to swim and ease up my aching joints.
Whilst I was there a woman came to the reception desk to tell the receptionist that she needed to cancel her spa day on Tuesday, as she had covid. She leant over the desk to look at the receptionist`s screen to check her treatments that she needed to cancel!
By Tuesday my husband and I had covid.
Apart from being stunned by the woman`s lack of thought for others….it did bring back lots of the anxieties that lock down and the virus created for us.
So, in the dark of night, when the coughing has kept me awake, I`ve made myself think about happy things. Most of them I have to say, have been around Christmas. Christmas trees, Christmas morning and the stock cooking, the smell spiralling up the staircase. And lunch. Everyone gathered around eating and sharing stories. Life changes and moves on, and it won`t always be the same people around the table, but however big or small the gathering, being at my table is where I am happiest. I also planned supper for some friends I plan to invite when the virus has passed; thinking about keeping it simple, bowls of pasta, with different sauces and showered in parmesan with punchy garlic bread and a bucket of green salad, coated with peppery olive oil and balsamic vinegar dressing.
I may not have eaten much over the last few days, but I`m still thinking about what to serve up in my kitchen, to bring friends and family together.
Sadly, we`ve had to postpone a family member`s trip, due to the virus and to keep them safe. But I`m already thinking about what I`ll be cooking up when they do come.
In the meantime I`m reading Milly`s Author Page Milly Johnson`s new book, Let the Bells Ring Out. It`s so christmassy! And putting a real smile on my face.
So, when times get tough, think of your happy place, even if you`re not in it. Remember how it feels to be there and what it will be like to be there again.
And please, if you have covid, STAY HOME! Do not go in person to cancel appointments. Someone`s health and happiness depends on it. With Love Jo x #happyplace❤️

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`Another sensational offering from this author.

As I have come to expect from this author, the characters are wonderful and well developed, the scene is set so well and is beautiful and then there is the food.`

`There really are some wonderful characters in this, far too many to mention, but you will fall in love with them all and be rooting for their happiness and success.

It’s definitely hard to put down as it’s so heartwarming and uplifting. I love the focus upon where food comes from and the plight of this country’s farmers. Do read the acknowledgments at the end too, to find out the real life situations some go through, but the determination they show to move on.` Thank you Claire on @netgalley for this lovely review. And yes, please do read the acknowledgement to the @thedpjfoundation and the work they do supporting farmers with their health and well being. Spread the word. #backbritishfarming Support @NFYFC our young farmers and remember where your food came from.

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Did I say there was toad in the hole for dinner? Bacon wrapped sausages, Yorkshire pudding, buttery mash and gravy. #inmykitchen #atmytable

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Table set for the spaghetti bolognaise!

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I`ve had new followers recently so I thought I would say hello and tell you why I’m here. I’m Jo Thomas and I write foodie feel good fiction in places I hope you’ll want to call home.

I love romantic fiction and am a huge fan of Jill Mansell, Milly Johnson, Katie Fforde, Jenny Colgan and Fiona Walker to name but a few.

My stories combine my love of romances and food, whether that be chocolate made in Switzerland, cherries from Spain, pizza in Italy or lavender from Provence in France. I love hopeful, happy books.

I live on the West Wales coast in beautiful Pembrokeshire and right now you find me at my happiest, sat at my kitchen table, with one of my four dogs on my feet, looking out at the garden birds flitting back and for from the bird feeders, listening to Radio 2, where I worked before moving West full time.

I love a roast dinner, the way it brings all the family around the table. And that is where I’m happiest, at my kitchen table and where I write from.

And of course, I love to read, both feel good fiction and cookery books. In fact, so much so, I`ve refer to my instagram chats as #bookery club, sharing with readers both romances and new cookery books I’ve bought.

I love filling the kitchen with the smells of slow cooked food. It’s up there with my favourite smells; the stock cooking on Christmas morning, heralding the feast ahead. Christmas trees (did I mention I love Christmas!), freshly cut grass and the smell of sea air.

Oh, and I love lunch over dinner, every time! So that`s me, talking from my kitchen table. Let me know what you`re reading and your favourite meals, whether it be a picnic on the beach or fish, chips eaten in the car, or a toasted sandwich in front of the fire.

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It’s that kind of weather! #Saturday #spagbol Slow cooked beef mince with onions, celery and carrot. Beefy stock and tomatoes and a good slosh of red wine. #inmykitchen #atmytable

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