Nutty Knitting and Snow

We had some snow again. Not my favourite thing but I have to admit it does look wonderful and remains a mysterious phenomenon no matter how old you are. I wrote another poem about it.

Snowy Night and Morning

The powdered snow lay all around.
Flowers drooped their frozen heads,
The wind had dropped, there was no sound
And people sheltered in their beds.

Flakes floated down and dropped
And glistening white lit all.
The wintry shreds of grasses flopped
And birds refused to call.

But the black night gave way to day
And sunlight burst upon the scene.
The shimmering light began to play
Where only ghostly forms had been.

The beauty of the snow was all around,
Elusive, fleeting, bright and pure.
Every undulated mound
Preserved only till the melting thaw.

Since then we’ve had extremely low temperatures and icy winds. Far more damaging to plants than snow. Looking around the garden at first I only saw a scene of devastation. I don’t think my lovely Hellebores will survive this freezing blast. They look very sad.

I went around with my camera and was cheered to see a few hardy plants holding their own.

I spotted a few Ivy berries which the birds had missed and the scarlet Skimmia berries still glowed. The Hydrangea has lovely faded flowerheads which I leave until the Spring.

With all this cold weather we need comfort food. I made some sausage and apple patties for a simple, satisfying meal. I mixed sausagemeat with finely chopped onion which I’d softened first in the microwave oven, then added a chopped Cox apple. Formed them into flattened cakes or patties. ( Never know what to call these!) Cooked them in the oven at 190C/170C fan oven, with foil over the pan. Served them with baked beans. They are brilliant with beans.

For a crispier patty, they brown more if the foil is removed before the end. They also go well with sweet potatoes and vegs. If there are any left over they are delicious cold.

If the pan has fat stuck to it after cooking I just put a little warm water into it and sprinkle it with soap powder (clothes washing powder) and leave if for a few hours or overnight. Comes off like magic without all that scrubbing and rubbing.

I have knitted all (I think) the acorns and leaves I want for my autumn wreath. Not quite sure of the final arrangement yet but I laid them out to get an idea of how they’ll look.

It’s been a pleasant way to spend a few hours during the winter, when I can’t do any gardening and has made a change from painting. Here’s a peek at what I’ve done so far.

I have to decide how to make them into a wreath. I can probably buy a form to attach them to and I will perhaps cover it and stitch the bits onto it. No hurry. Winter isn’t over yet.

Then it’s the problem of where to put it! I have a house full of paintings, pottery, books etc. No doubt somehow I’ll find a little space to do it justice.

I hope you’re finding lots to do and enjoying the warmth of home. Even if you enjoy spending time outdoors it’s good to have simple pleasures when you’re back inside. Stay safe and well. Back with you again in a few days.