Sprigs and Sprouts

We’ve had a few nice days this week so I’ve managed to do a bit of work outside. The polytunnels had become very humid with the damp air and mild temperature. The slugs were having the time of their lives, so I thought, “Right! Must get out there and tackle them!”

I removed all the yellowing leaves from the Spring Cabbages and the ones which the slugs had feasted on. Luckily the damage wasn’t too severe. The inner leaves are still perfect and will form beautiful solid heads once they start growing again from about February.

Sadly, I’ve had a complete failure with sprouts this year. The plants are tiny and the sprouts are like pin-heads! I usually use them in my festive flan on Christmas Day so I’m very disappointed. Had to buy some frozen button sprouts. They’re quite nice but don’t match up to homegrown in flavour and sweetness.

Got some nice winter vegetables though. Leeks, parsnips, carrots, turnips and salad leaves. I shall use the carrots and leeks along with my homegrown parsley in my flan.

There are some pretty things in the garden, even now. The two Hebes, pink and purple, are full of flowers.

The Hellebores are beginning to flower. I have a large cream one which is spectacular every year. Cyclamens are lovely and so hardy.

I have a lovely pink-flowered clematis called “Freda”. My sister gave it to me as a gift because it bore my name. Right now it is a bare tangle of stems but the other day I was thrilled to discover a beautiful nest behind it. Perhaps a Robin’s nest. Made of grass, it was perfectly round and bowl shaped. The photo doesn’t do it justice. It was difficult to find a good angle.

While it was sunny the other day I made a Christmas wreath to hang on the garage door. It may not look very professional but all the bits of greenery came from the garden and I enjoyed the creative process. I couldn’t find any holly berries this year so I used some Skimmia instead. Just as bright and cheerful.

Of course I had to write a little poem!

Christmas Wreath

The beauty of the holly sprigs
Arranged in a pleasing way,
Their berries glowing brightly
Make a seasonal display.

Elegantly the ivy trails
And splays its lovely shapes.
Its leaves so dark and shiny
As around the wreath it drapes.

Spikey rosemary takes its place,
Adding fragrance to the show
And finally some scarlet ribbon
Tied in a pleasing bow.

The wreath with all its greenery
Is more than decoration.
It represents the circle of life
And signifies creation.

No recipes today but if you need a quick and easy pud and you have baked some little sponge cakes, try this. A cake with a good spoonful of some quality jam ( best homemade) and a dollop of greek yoghurt. Delicious and oh so simple.

Presents wrapped, tree up, cards delivered and cards arriving in the post. Something going on every day. Good to be busy doing enjoyable things.

So much to tell you at this time of the year! I hope you have enjoyed my ramblings. Enjoy the season. With you again before Christmas.