Wax Wraps

I am not a very neat person, and I am also environmentally conscious. So, instead of using new material and cutting out shapes badly, I buy old linen tableware when I see it, clean it up and use it to make these generous and hard-wearing wax wraps. The linen is far better quality than modern fabrics and takes a lot of wax. It is really hard-wearing. Added to this is my ability to get even more waxon them with my lack of attention to detail.

These are in constant use in our house, with the current ones being between 3 to 5 years old and still going strong.

Use them instead of cellophane or plastic tubs to wrap food. They are breathable and have antibacterial properties, so keep food fresher for longer. Simply rinse in warm soapy water and air dry after use. When they look tired, pop them on a baking sheet in the oven for 1 minute and they are like new again.

My lovely bees work very hard. I like to try and make their work a little easier and more joyous by planting the best medicinal plants for them and ensuring they have food all year round. I never harvest until they have had their fill.

There is lots of good fodder beyond our garden, including a heritage orchard that we saved with the community a few years ago. Local gardens are filled with lovely flowers. Our neighbours are concienscious about wildlife and avoid weedkillers and pesticides. Of course, it is not all perfect and some will be used by the local farmer. He tries to minimise this and warns me when he is spraying.