I don't have a set plan for the day, just a broad outline and a list in descending order of priority
Tea, toast and more tea. done
Get ingredients ready for dinner and some baking. done
Dog walk. done
Make a pot of coffee and enjoy. done
Set more Autumn King carrots. done
Make a cuppa. done
Set more coriander seed. next job
I won't bore you with the rest, it concerns manure amongst other things.
I went through the fridge yesterday and found some cheddar that had not been wrapped too well and is starting to dry and harden. There were also 2 pots of buttermilk getting close to use by.
On peering into the freezers I found some space. Woo Hoo.
There is a bottle of lemonade that was started the day before.
Cue Cheese and sage/chive/parsley buttermilk scones and lemonade scones (there was also a pot of thick cream) some with raisins and/or cranberries.
Cottage pie for dinner so that can go in the oven when the scones come out and I might prepare a tray of chickpeas and fennel seeds to roast, that will slide in on the next shelf.
Result, I hate putting the big oven on for one thing but that lot would take for ever using the mini oven.
Scones, like Yorkshire Puddings are a wonderful item to have in the freezer. They take no time to reheat, I do nuke the scones but the yorkies go straight on the shelf in a hot oven and are ready in minutes.
Now where's my list. I want to complete it today while the garden still has a little shade.
Stay safe.
TTFN Pam
PS. I dont over do the scones just enough to warm them slightly. if they are too hot the butter melts and the jam and cream end up on the plate or worse in my lap.
Friday, 15 May 2020
Thursday, 14 May 2020
It's been a bit fruity round here
Naughty, but very nice.
The fruit in question was a mixture of bags of frozen berries and the last of my blackberries from the chest freezer.
The first batch was turned into jam, a very nice 8 jars of not too firm a set. I had to scrape round the maslin pan for a taster.
The rest I cooked and strained overnight for jelly, I had to pick out the strawberries as they do not agree with Michael.
No waste, I cooked them with a little sugar and made a lumpy sauce to pour over porrage. Frozen in small blocks they will liven up my breakfasts till my strawberries are ready.
The pulp left in the jelly bag was pushed through a sieve, weighed and matched with sugar, and a good squeeze of lemon juice, and cooked till really gloopy. A bit like chutney. Into jars and sealed. I first read about this on Frugal in Norfolks blog several years ago and have done it ever since.
As it is a glorious morning I threw another load into the washing machine, I had one on timer overnight, and that is all pegged out.
To complete my session as wannabe domestic goddess I cleaned the oven!!!! At 7 30 am? It was a bit smokey when the jars were sterilising so I felt compelled.
Now I feel smug.
The dogs have had their long walk, the kitchen is back to rights and the jelly bag is soaking. I think I need to make a new one as it is getting on a bit.
I have a tin of jack fruit to try and I know that it is promoted as a vegan pulled pork but I am going to try to replicate Kung Po. I have a selection of Asian spices and they haven't been touched for a few weeks.
Told you it was fruity.
On the same theme, my fruit bowl has a plethora of citrus fruits. I will be making some more mixed up marmalade. However I am going to put it all through the mincer, with a coarse disc in. I was friendly many years ago with a family who always minced the fruit for marmalade. They did make well over 100 jars each year so slicing would have taken forever.
I use marmalade in various cakes and puddings and I hope that this will go smoothly into the mixture.
Note that I haven't mentioned the garden. That's because pegging out is as far as I have been. I want to sweep and wash the kitchen floor and whizz round the bathroom first.
I need to find a new tin to keep my seed packets in, my old faithfull has more dents than a banger car and the lid no longer stays on. I looked online for a tin of biscuits ( that would make the tin free, right. Or the biscuits) Duh, they are either tiny little things or such fancy shapes that render them useless for my needs.
The so called Seed Tins are on the small side or are an horrendous price, not made for real gardeners at all. I would not spend the equivalent of my weekly food budget on a tin and trail it round the garden, leave in the greenhouse or shed etc. Mind you I have no intention of buying one, can not justify the cost. I do have a fairly sturdy cardboard box and thought of lining it with thick aluminium foil, hmm the outside would get damp and soggy.
Then I wondered if a coat of some sort of paint might do it, hmm that would mean buying paint.
Wood, handmade, by Michael from scrap wood.
Michael is building a shed/summerhouse/storage for a neighbour. Observing all the social distancing regs.
There is bound to be a raft of offcuts.
He shares my belief that nothing should be wasted,
Especially wood.
He built a large deck for friends a few years ago and they have an array of planters made from the offcuts.
This time no planters are required so I will beg the offcuts and barter, maybe with preserves as they always have a jar or 2 from every batch that I make, or ask what they would like.
I am happy to wait, there is no hurry I will not be buying more seeds yet. Thinking further ahead I intend to start growing some perennial veg this autumn so the seed box will not need to be quite as large as I first imagined. Act in haste and repent at leisure, that's Granny again.
Now I need to act on the remainder of my chores so I can get outside asap.
Stay safe.
TTFN Pam
The fruit in question was a mixture of bags of frozen berries and the last of my blackberries from the chest freezer.
The first batch was turned into jam, a very nice 8 jars of not too firm a set. I had to scrape round the maslin pan for a taster.
The rest I cooked and strained overnight for jelly, I had to pick out the strawberries as they do not agree with Michael.
No waste, I cooked them with a little sugar and made a lumpy sauce to pour over porrage. Frozen in small blocks they will liven up my breakfasts till my strawberries are ready.
The pulp left in the jelly bag was pushed through a sieve, weighed and matched with sugar, and a good squeeze of lemon juice, and cooked till really gloopy. A bit like chutney. Into jars and sealed. I first read about this on Frugal in Norfolks blog several years ago and have done it ever since.
As it is a glorious morning I threw another load into the washing machine, I had one on timer overnight, and that is all pegged out.
To complete my session as wannabe domestic goddess I cleaned the oven!!!! At 7 30 am? It was a bit smokey when the jars were sterilising so I felt compelled.
Now I feel smug.
The dogs have had their long walk, the kitchen is back to rights and the jelly bag is soaking. I think I need to make a new one as it is getting on a bit.
I have a tin of jack fruit to try and I know that it is promoted as a vegan pulled pork but I am going to try to replicate Kung Po. I have a selection of Asian spices and they haven't been touched for a few weeks.
Told you it was fruity.
On the same theme, my fruit bowl has a plethora of citrus fruits. I will be making some more mixed up marmalade. However I am going to put it all through the mincer, with a coarse disc in. I was friendly many years ago with a family who always minced the fruit for marmalade. They did make well over 100 jars each year so slicing would have taken forever.
I use marmalade in various cakes and puddings and I hope that this will go smoothly into the mixture.
Note that I haven't mentioned the garden. That's because pegging out is as far as I have been. I want to sweep and wash the kitchen floor and whizz round the bathroom first.
I need to find a new tin to keep my seed packets in, my old faithfull has more dents than a banger car and the lid no longer stays on. I looked online for a tin of biscuits ( that would make the tin free, right. Or the biscuits) Duh, they are either tiny little things or such fancy shapes that render them useless for my needs.
The so called Seed Tins are on the small side or are an horrendous price, not made for real gardeners at all. I would not spend the equivalent of my weekly food budget on a tin and trail it round the garden, leave in the greenhouse or shed etc. Mind you I have no intention of buying one, can not justify the cost. I do have a fairly sturdy cardboard box and thought of lining it with thick aluminium foil, hmm the outside would get damp and soggy.
Then I wondered if a coat of some sort of paint might do it, hmm that would mean buying paint.
Wood, handmade, by Michael from scrap wood.
Michael is building a shed/summerhouse/storage for a neighbour. Observing all the social distancing regs.
There is bound to be a raft of offcuts.
He shares my belief that nothing should be wasted,
Especially wood.
He built a large deck for friends a few years ago and they have an array of planters made from the offcuts.
This time no planters are required so I will beg the offcuts and barter, maybe with preserves as they always have a jar or 2 from every batch that I make, or ask what they would like.
I am happy to wait, there is no hurry I will not be buying more seeds yet. Thinking further ahead I intend to start growing some perennial veg this autumn so the seed box will not need to be quite as large as I first imagined. Act in haste and repent at leisure, that's Granny again.
Now I need to act on the remainder of my chores so I can get outside asap.
Stay safe.
TTFN Pam
Tuesday, 12 May 2020
The sun had its hat on today
and boy did it play.
After yesterdays wind it was marvellous to wake and find stillness, even if there was a miniscule shimmer of frost.
That soon melted and the day warmed up nicely, no frost damage but quite a few plants were ruffled by the wind.
I have put the fleece back again tonight, just in case as the sky is devoid of cloud. Not so much as a wisp of white to be seen.
Does anyone remember Jasper Carrot? He used to do a joke about a machine gun turret and moles in his garden.
Well I would like to see many speed traps to deal with the maniacs who regard the traffic denuded roads as race tracks. They roar through the village at breakneck speed, overtaking anything in their path, regardless of all the parked vehicles. There have been a few near misses with screaming brakes and lots of loud hooting and probably a fair bit of language too.
I wouldn't machine gun them but happily see the cars hauled off to the crusher and the drivers left to walk home.
Did I tell you about the cucumber seed? I set it nice and early and waited, and waited, its in a warm place, and waited. So I set some more and waited, and waited, its in another warmer spot, and waited. Spoke to my sister in Norfolk to find that she was in much the same boat. These are outdoor ridge cucmbers, all the greenhouse ones that she grows for her daughter are romping away.
Time passed and when walking past the first lot I noticed a strong green shoot through the cover, Woo Hoo.
A little later and there were 3, Woo Ho again.
Next day I decided to check the second batch, nothing Boo Hoo.
The day after there were 2, today there,s another 3. I shall be over run with them, I see lots of cucumber pickles in my life, good job that we like it. Lots.
I managed to buy a 16Kg bag of bread flour, white but better than nothing. Of course I am low on yeast so sourdough is back on the menu.
Nothing wrong with that, we both like it.
Lots.
Far too much.
I will be making small loaves.
We have been known to eat a loaf at one sitting.
Greedy McGreedies.
That's us.
Now, who's for toast and marmalade.
Stay safe
TTFN Pam
After yesterdays wind it was marvellous to wake and find stillness, even if there was a miniscule shimmer of frost.
That soon melted and the day warmed up nicely, no frost damage but quite a few plants were ruffled by the wind.
I have put the fleece back again tonight, just in case as the sky is devoid of cloud. Not so much as a wisp of white to be seen.
Does anyone remember Jasper Carrot? He used to do a joke about a machine gun turret and moles in his garden.
Well I would like to see many speed traps to deal with the maniacs who regard the traffic denuded roads as race tracks. They roar through the village at breakneck speed, overtaking anything in their path, regardless of all the parked vehicles. There have been a few near misses with screaming brakes and lots of loud hooting and probably a fair bit of language too.
I wouldn't machine gun them but happily see the cars hauled off to the crusher and the drivers left to walk home.
Did I tell you about the cucumber seed? I set it nice and early and waited, and waited, its in a warm place, and waited. So I set some more and waited, and waited, its in another warmer spot, and waited. Spoke to my sister in Norfolk to find that she was in much the same boat. These are outdoor ridge cucmbers, all the greenhouse ones that she grows for her daughter are romping away.
Time passed and when walking past the first lot I noticed a strong green shoot through the cover, Woo Hoo.
A little later and there were 3, Woo Ho again.
Next day I decided to check the second batch, nothing Boo Hoo.
The day after there were 2, today there,s another 3. I shall be over run with them, I see lots of cucumber pickles in my life, good job that we like it. Lots.
I managed to buy a 16Kg bag of bread flour, white but better than nothing. Of course I am low on yeast so sourdough is back on the menu.
Nothing wrong with that, we both like it.
Lots.
Far too much.
I will be making small loaves.
We have been known to eat a loaf at one sitting.
Greedy McGreedies.
That's us.
Now, who's for toast and marmalade.
Stay safe
TTFN Pam
Monday, 11 May 2020
Woosh, there goes another carrier bag/crisp packet/sweet wrapper
That was my morning walk with the dogs, it made for a full body workout. Anything that landed near us was pounced upon by Herbie and Poppy, the jack russel. Anything that sailed overhead was a target for the Springbok that is disguised as a chocolate labrador puppy. I had to check once or twice that both arms were still in their sockets, and my footwork whilst avoiding the little ones was worthy of Fred Astaire or Michael Flatley.
Once we got off the road, 2 minutes of hopping and dancing, and onto the footpath we were fine.
We used to put out recycling into plastic bags and tie them up, now we have these heavy duty square bags with hook and eye closures that are prety much useless. There is a sizeable gap along each side ot the bag and the wind rushes through carrying anything light out with it.
We also have black rigid plastic bins for glass and paper and textiles, much better you think. Well if the lids locked in place it would be fine, as it is most households no longer have lids and the hedgerows, and garden hedges are festooned with splinters and chunks of rigid black plastic. They ride the wind better that any frisbee and when dropped thay shatter like a cup hitting quarry tiles.
Moan, moan, whinge whinge, that's a collective from the whole village.
Of course the carrier bags have only come back as deliveries are all bagged up to preserve social distancing. Swings and roundabouts I am lining all my pots and planters with said carriers. The idea is that it will be easier to get the contents out than trying to tip a huge planter out.
My little mouse having decimated the peas that were direct sown has passed through to further fields, or someone elses garden, fat and happy.
The brassicas that I planted early are growing well inside their pop bottle homes, I have just sown some 60 day broccoli seed, we will see if I am eating it in 60 days time. I have grown it before and on the eastern side of the country it was always another 10-15 days.
I have been researching perennial vegetables and will be trying some out next year, along with some "polyculture" broadcast sowing several different plant types in a raised bed for a long harvest season without having to replant. it looks interesting and there is time for me to play that game this year.
Just have to convince Michael that there IS room for another raised bed. not to mention finding the materials to build it.....there is a heap of old bricks lurking some where at the top of the garden. Might have to "discover" them later on today.
I haven't been converted solely to the garden, once I get my eyes sorted there will be sewing and patterned or colourwork knitting taking place. Fingers crossed just in time for the end of the gardening season.
Now it is time for a cuppa and perhaps a sandwich as it is gone 2.
Stay safe.
TTFN Pam
Once we got off the road, 2 minutes of hopping and dancing, and onto the footpath we were fine.
We used to put out recycling into plastic bags and tie them up, now we have these heavy duty square bags with hook and eye closures that are prety much useless. There is a sizeable gap along each side ot the bag and the wind rushes through carrying anything light out with it.
We also have black rigid plastic bins for glass and paper and textiles, much better you think. Well if the lids locked in place it would be fine, as it is most households no longer have lids and the hedgerows, and garden hedges are festooned with splinters and chunks of rigid black plastic. They ride the wind better that any frisbee and when dropped thay shatter like a cup hitting quarry tiles.
Moan, moan, whinge whinge, that's a collective from the whole village.
Of course the carrier bags have only come back as deliveries are all bagged up to preserve social distancing. Swings and roundabouts I am lining all my pots and planters with said carriers. The idea is that it will be easier to get the contents out than trying to tip a huge planter out.
My little mouse having decimated the peas that were direct sown has passed through to further fields, or someone elses garden, fat and happy.
The brassicas that I planted early are growing well inside their pop bottle homes, I have just sown some 60 day broccoli seed, we will see if I am eating it in 60 days time. I have grown it before and on the eastern side of the country it was always another 10-15 days.
I have been researching perennial vegetables and will be trying some out next year, along with some "polyculture" broadcast sowing several different plant types in a raised bed for a long harvest season without having to replant. it looks interesting and there is time for me to play that game this year.
Just have to convince Michael that there IS room for another raised bed. not to mention finding the materials to build it.....there is a heap of old bricks lurking some where at the top of the garden. Might have to "discover" them later on today.
I haven't been converted solely to the garden, once I get my eyes sorted there will be sewing and patterned or colourwork knitting taking place. Fingers crossed just in time for the end of the gardening season.
Now it is time for a cuppa and perhaps a sandwich as it is gone 2.
Stay safe.
TTFN Pam
Saturday, 9 May 2020
One day out
For most of this week I have been a day out, thinking that it was a day later. No idea why, I message people every morning, watch the news and listen to the radio. Each day I have realised at some point what day it is but the next morning I am back in the time warp.
It may be age related, or too much sun. It could be all the fresh air or maybe I am going stir crazy.
Whatever the cause is it doesn't really matter as most days are much the same.
Not moaning, just saying.
A big positve from all this outdoorsy time is the effect it has had on my quality of sleep.
I fall into bed and am asleep before my head hits the pillow around 10 and am waking up around 5. That's 7 yes 7 whole hours, 2 nights sleep for the old me. I love it, I feel refreshed and full of energy each morning. I still get a couple of hours to myself in the morning in which I drink tea and map out my day.
I do not always follow the map but the intention is there.
I have been potting up rooted cuttings and some self rooted shrub branches that drooped onto the soil. These will all become gifts, some have been dropped off on doorsteps including some tiny crab apple trees that I grew from seed. There is no telling what they will be like but as long as they give joy it does not matter.
Jess and I have swapped seeds and plants along with encouragement and advice. Both gardens should be bountiful for some time.
I am hoping to source a perrenial kale for the autumn, we had one when I was a child and tremendous amounts were cut on a regular basis. We had to as it was a big beastie and grew like a triffid.
I am aching to get my eyes sorted, it is affecting all parts of my life and I really want to sew again.
We had a humdinger of a thunderstorm this afternoon, Herbie was incensed that something was making all that noise in HIS garden, he launched himself through the door at the first clap and stood on guard for ages.
The rain was plentiful and my water butts are now well topped up.
That is more than my tea levels are so I am off to get the kettle singing.
Stay safe.
TTFN Pam
It may be age related, or too much sun. It could be all the fresh air or maybe I am going stir crazy.
Whatever the cause is it doesn't really matter as most days are much the same.
Not moaning, just saying.
A big positve from all this outdoorsy time is the effect it has had on my quality of sleep.
I fall into bed and am asleep before my head hits the pillow around 10 and am waking up around 5. That's 7 yes 7 whole hours, 2 nights sleep for the old me. I love it, I feel refreshed and full of energy each morning. I still get a couple of hours to myself in the morning in which I drink tea and map out my day.
I do not always follow the map but the intention is there.
I have been potting up rooted cuttings and some self rooted shrub branches that drooped onto the soil. These will all become gifts, some have been dropped off on doorsteps including some tiny crab apple trees that I grew from seed. There is no telling what they will be like but as long as they give joy it does not matter.
Jess and I have swapped seeds and plants along with encouragement and advice. Both gardens should be bountiful for some time.
I am hoping to source a perrenial kale for the autumn, we had one when I was a child and tremendous amounts were cut on a regular basis. We had to as it was a big beastie and grew like a triffid.
I am aching to get my eyes sorted, it is affecting all parts of my life and I really want to sew again.
We had a humdinger of a thunderstorm this afternoon, Herbie was incensed that something was making all that noise in HIS garden, he launched himself through the door at the first clap and stood on guard for ages.
The rain was plentiful and my water butts are now well topped up.
That is more than my tea levels are so I am off to get the kettle singing.
Stay safe.
TTFN Pam
Thursday, 7 May 2020
Resolution cancelled
I don't really make resolutions for the new year, or the old one come to that.
This january though I decided to limit my online purchases to those that I could not get any other way.
Well that soon went out the window.
Before lockdown and all the ensuing madness.
I watched the news, I listened to the experts and the drips under pressure and came to my own conclusions.
I also remembered my Granny telling me of villages that were decimated by Spanish Flu.
I checked my cupboards.
I set up a weekly delivery spot for 12 months with Asda (they were the only company that had such a thing).
I did not panic buy 5 million loo rolls and half a tonne of pasta/rice/baked beans etc.
I have cancelled 2 of my delivery spots as I did not need them.
It is not perfect but it works. I much prefer to select my own shopping but have no desire to queue for hours and then be jostled round the store at breakneck speed.
My shopping arrives mid week without delay. There are sometimes substitutions, they do not always make sense to me, but I either use them or pass them on.
My Granny did this as a matter of course. She had 2 notebooks, filled in one during the week and passed it to the delivery man and received the other back with her groceries. That one would be duly used and swapped a week later.
She never ran out of anything and there were never any meals concocted from a random selection of oddities.
Meal planning was the norm and most weeks followed a set pattern, roast on Sunday, cold on Monday, cottage pie on Tuesday and so on. The fish man came on Friday and we had whatever the catch was.
I have sidestepped.
As I was leading up to, all my shopping is now online. A Brucie bonus is that I have plenty of cardboard for the brown portion in my compost bin.
A big downside is that much comes in plastic, very little of which is suitable for recycling.
We do not have a milk delivery in the village and cartons and plastic are the only option.
I am using the plastic containers in the garden every pot has at least one beside it, filled with rain water for the ericaceous plants, tap water for the rest. No need to reel out the hose, the pots are mulched the plants take up water at varying rates and the water is right there on hand. As I empty one I refill and return it for the next time.
I am enjoying having no need to leave the village, there are many options for dog walking and most times I see nobody.
Once we have (if we ever do) reached a point where there are zero new cases, and some time has passed, I will resume shopping myself. However I will be doing one trip and only one per week, regardless of anything that I feel that I want or need. Meal planning has run so smoothly over the past weeks, wereas it was rather eratic, that it has become the new 'norm.
I list what I want to make, order just what I need and nothing extra because it caught my eye.
Mind you I do miss the "fridge bottom" meals.
Clothes are not an issue, I always relenish the "undies drawer" in the January sales. Most of everything else I make, and there is still a sizeable stash of yarn and fabric. Still waiting for elastic.
The only possible hiccup will be my eyesight, hopefully that will be the first item to be crossed of the To Do in the Outside World list.
Of course my hair is growing steadily more unruly but I scoop it up into a bun, plaits or pony tail and ignore it.
Some of my outfits are rather loud, I love colour, but the only people who see me are accustomed to that. any that care about it don't matter and those that do matter don't care.
I care that I do not dissappear into a cloud of beige and none colours, my Mum and Granny were the same. Bolder is better and brightest is bestest.
On that upbeat note I am off to have a look at the garden while it is still a bit overcast, we are due some more searing heat and I don't venture out in that.
Stay safe.
TTFN Pam
This january though I decided to limit my online purchases to those that I could not get any other way.
Well that soon went out the window.
Before lockdown and all the ensuing madness.
I watched the news, I listened to the experts and the drips under pressure and came to my own conclusions.
I also remembered my Granny telling me of villages that were decimated by Spanish Flu.
I checked my cupboards.
I set up a weekly delivery spot for 12 months with Asda (they were the only company that had such a thing).
I did not panic buy 5 million loo rolls and half a tonne of pasta/rice/baked beans etc.
I have cancelled 2 of my delivery spots as I did not need them.
It is not perfect but it works. I much prefer to select my own shopping but have no desire to queue for hours and then be jostled round the store at breakneck speed.
My shopping arrives mid week without delay. There are sometimes substitutions, they do not always make sense to me, but I either use them or pass them on.
My Granny did this as a matter of course. She had 2 notebooks, filled in one during the week and passed it to the delivery man and received the other back with her groceries. That one would be duly used and swapped a week later.
She never ran out of anything and there were never any meals concocted from a random selection of oddities.
Meal planning was the norm and most weeks followed a set pattern, roast on Sunday, cold on Monday, cottage pie on Tuesday and so on. The fish man came on Friday and we had whatever the catch was.
I have sidestepped.
As I was leading up to, all my shopping is now online. A Brucie bonus is that I have plenty of cardboard for the brown portion in my compost bin.
A big downside is that much comes in plastic, very little of which is suitable for recycling.
We do not have a milk delivery in the village and cartons and plastic are the only option.
I am using the plastic containers in the garden every pot has at least one beside it, filled with rain water for the ericaceous plants, tap water for the rest. No need to reel out the hose, the pots are mulched the plants take up water at varying rates and the water is right there on hand. As I empty one I refill and return it for the next time.
I am enjoying having no need to leave the village, there are many options for dog walking and most times I see nobody.
Once we have (if we ever do) reached a point where there are zero new cases, and some time has passed, I will resume shopping myself. However I will be doing one trip and only one per week, regardless of anything that I feel that I want or need. Meal planning has run so smoothly over the past weeks, wereas it was rather eratic, that it has become the new 'norm.
I list what I want to make, order just what I need and nothing extra because it caught my eye.
Mind you I do miss the "fridge bottom" meals.
Clothes are not an issue, I always relenish the "undies drawer" in the January sales. Most of everything else I make, and there is still a sizeable stash of yarn and fabric. Still waiting for elastic.
The only possible hiccup will be my eyesight, hopefully that will be the first item to be crossed of the To Do in the Outside World list.
Of course my hair is growing steadily more unruly but I scoop it up into a bun, plaits or pony tail and ignore it.
Some of my outfits are rather loud, I love colour, but the only people who see me are accustomed to that. any that care about it don't matter and those that do matter don't care.
I care that I do not dissappear into a cloud of beige and none colours, my Mum and Granny were the same. Bolder is better and brightest is bestest.
On that upbeat note I am off to have a look at the garden while it is still a bit overcast, we are due some more searing heat and I don't venture out in that.
Stay safe.
TTFN Pam
Wednesday, 6 May 2020
Indoors! In this weather?
Too right I am. I have no wish to go crisp and red and am rationing the factor 50.
Even the dogs came in voluntarily as the sun soared overhead, usually they have to be turfed off the patio chairs and herded inside.
I have been out and at it for most of the morning. The first sowing of Autumn King carrots to follow on from Nantes, and hopefully sit in the ground over winter.
I have put 4 courgette plants into containers to clear a little room in the greenhouse. The pots are big and I have layered wood chippings for drainage, well rotted manure, homemade manure then some grass clippings, for the worms to munch on, toped off with multi purpose compost.
I know, it's too early to plant them out BUT, they are in a sunny and sheltered spot and have tall covers for overnight. They will each be growing up through a tomato cage, that way I will not have to scrabble through those scratchy leaves. Perhaps missing some that turn into marrows in the blink of an eye.
Some of the tomatoes will have to be potted on again, I thought that I was late getting the seed in but not a bit. I know that I was too early with some of the beans but after next Sunday and Mondays cold snap the larger ones will go out. The bed and supports are ready and I have fleece to protect them. Likewise the potatoes in pots, fleece is to hand ready to fling over, I did cover them last night but the temperature didn't drop that low.
There are not enough hours in the day for me now, its not all work though. The dogs keep me occupied with 2 long walks daily and a third shorter one if weather permits. They love to be in the garden and I have to be out with them, just like children what one doesn't think of the other one will.
Herbie in particular knows that strawberries are on the way and is trying to climb up to investigate.( I moved all my plants into containers to claim the bed for veggies)
While his foster sister leaps like a springbok and is sizing up the fence round the raised beds.
Little Poppy is a typical terrier and is constantly busy and if there is the slightest space will push her nose into it. She is tiny and I am concerned that she may wriggle free.
The minute that I sit down with a cuppa or cool drink Poppy is on my lap and the phone starts, I am almost certain that there is a concealed camera telling everyone when I am indoors. I have not been into blogland or you tubeville for ages and am so far behind with recorded TV programs that I might just delete them all. Even if I didn't sleep I could not catch up in a month.
None of this should be regarded as a whinge or moan. I love being so occupied, most of my friends are in the same position. Some like me with pets and gardens others with children and gardens. Most of us are only too pleased that we cannot go shopping at the drop of a hat or the wail of "can you just nip to town and pick up.......for me?)
On that note I am off to get the kettle on and check that I have everything that I need out for dinner, pasta with a chicken, leek and cheese sauce. Not forgetting salad leaves and herbs from the garden, baby radishes as well tonight and pea shoots.
Stay safe.
TTFN Pam
Even the dogs came in voluntarily as the sun soared overhead, usually they have to be turfed off the patio chairs and herded inside.
I have been out and at it for most of the morning. The first sowing of Autumn King carrots to follow on from Nantes, and hopefully sit in the ground over winter.
I have put 4 courgette plants into containers to clear a little room in the greenhouse. The pots are big and I have layered wood chippings for drainage, well rotted manure, homemade manure then some grass clippings, for the worms to munch on, toped off with multi purpose compost.
I know, it's too early to plant them out BUT, they are in a sunny and sheltered spot and have tall covers for overnight. They will each be growing up through a tomato cage, that way I will not have to scrabble through those scratchy leaves. Perhaps missing some that turn into marrows in the blink of an eye.
Some of the tomatoes will have to be potted on again, I thought that I was late getting the seed in but not a bit. I know that I was too early with some of the beans but after next Sunday and Mondays cold snap the larger ones will go out. The bed and supports are ready and I have fleece to protect them. Likewise the potatoes in pots, fleece is to hand ready to fling over, I did cover them last night but the temperature didn't drop that low.
There are not enough hours in the day for me now, its not all work though. The dogs keep me occupied with 2 long walks daily and a third shorter one if weather permits. They love to be in the garden and I have to be out with them, just like children what one doesn't think of the other one will.
Herbie in particular knows that strawberries are on the way and is trying to climb up to investigate.( I moved all my plants into containers to claim the bed for veggies)
While his foster sister leaps like a springbok and is sizing up the fence round the raised beds.
Little Poppy is a typical terrier and is constantly busy and if there is the slightest space will push her nose into it. She is tiny and I am concerned that she may wriggle free.
The minute that I sit down with a cuppa or cool drink Poppy is on my lap and the phone starts, I am almost certain that there is a concealed camera telling everyone when I am indoors. I have not been into blogland or you tubeville for ages and am so far behind with recorded TV programs that I might just delete them all. Even if I didn't sleep I could not catch up in a month.
None of this should be regarded as a whinge or moan. I love being so occupied, most of my friends are in the same position. Some like me with pets and gardens others with children and gardens. Most of us are only too pleased that we cannot go shopping at the drop of a hat or the wail of "can you just nip to town and pick up.......for me?)
On that note I am off to get the kettle on and check that I have everything that I need out for dinner, pasta with a chicken, leek and cheese sauce. Not forgetting salad leaves and herbs from the garden, baby radishes as well tonight and pea shoots.
Stay safe.
TTFN Pam
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