An Alsager woman is sharing her tips for creating a happy, healthy home by writing her own blog.

Retired research assistant, Freda Maxfield, has written her own cookery book but now shares her handy tips here

Freda's blog, 'Living a contented creative life' is based around some of the creative activities the 76-year-old is involved in at home in Cranberry Lane.

 The talented mum-of-two who worked at Manchester Metropolitan University, has always loved creative things and is a self-taught artist and knitter and crochet fan.

Freda's artwork hangs in the hall. (Photo: Nub News)l

And she also shares cookery tips alongside planting seeds to grow vegetables as well as wildlife spotted in the home she shares with her husband Allan. 

"I'm an amateur artist and love watching things from the garden room of our home," said Freda.

"I've always loved writing and taking photographs so the blog is a combination of them both.

"My daughter, who's an author suggested I started a blog and it's gone from there."

Freda in her study in front of one of her paintings. (Photo: Nub News)

Freda's most recent blog, entitled 'Cosy Comfort, Jam and Dreams of Spring, features y cushions, blankets, hot drinks and 'daydreams' about Spring.

"Some cold grey days but dry enough to work outside. I did some tidying in the greenhouse," writes Freda.

"Far too many plastic pots and plug trays. They tend to pile up whenever I buy plants. Sadly, the black ones can't be recycled so I try to re-use them.

Her cookbook celebrates a wealth of hearty and easy recipes. (Photo: Nub News)

"The polytunnels need weeding. I pulled out most of the carrots and stirred up the soil in the gaps. At the end of the month I might try a sowing of mangetout. I especially like "Sugar Anne". They produce lots of tender pods, then any which mature are filled with lovely peas.

"On cold days I enjoy being cosy in the kitchen and making jam always seems a good thing to do in Winter. I froze a large bag of strawberries from the garden last Summer so I thought it was time to get on with it."

Freda then goes on to show how strawberry jam can be made giving a few tips. "Strawberry jam is difficult to set as the fruit has very little pectin. Apples are rich in pectin so I added three small, peeled and cored, cooking apples cut into tiny pieces, to the stewing strawberries."

Freda gets inspiration from her lovely garden. (Photo: Nub News)

But Freda, whose father was a game keeper and gardener at Linley Hall, is no stranger to writing. She published her own book on Amazon, "Earthy Homemaker's Cookbook" – simple recipes and useful tips.

Some of the recipes feature regularly in the blog, but they are also available from the book, price £5.99 which can be obtained from Freda herself or through this Amazon link here

And what's in Freda's blog? "I make parsnip wine which is delicious and has a wonderful taste and a lovely winter drink, so it will that."

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