The Swinging Sixties

The old plum tree has surprised me with a pretty good crop this year. A couple of years ago it was suffering from a fungal infection and the few plums it produced were horrible, distorted things. Fortunately it’s recovered. Often though the plums are blown down and bruised, or nibbled by birds and other garden creatures.

Although they weren’t ripe we harvested a couple of kilos. I washed, stoned and froze them. During the winter I’ll make plum and apple jam with them. They will be fine for this.

I was pleased to find that every one was perfect. No grubs or other imperfections, just nice juicy flesh. Satisfying work.

I’ve planted about a dozen little spring cabbages in the polytunnels. These will grow slowly over the winter and mature around April or May. These have ball heads and are delicious shredded in salads as well as steamed.

The late flowers are now colouring the garden again. The asters are lovely in shades of purple or pink and among my favourite flowers.

A few other pretty sights catch my eye as I wander around with my camera.

Time to feed the birds again soon. Many people put dry bread out for them but the RSPB says that this swells inside them unless it’s thoroughly soaked. Mouldy bread is very dangerous for birds and must never be given. I prefer to treat them to sunflower hearts. There are are so many other good ways of using leftover bread.

I often have a few dry slices to use but I find them endlessly useful. I make puddings, savoury or sweet. They’re fabulous as a topping with or without cheese on savoury bakes. Cut into cubes they can be mixed with a little olive oil, basil, olives, garlic and tomatoes to make a tasty salad. Gently fried they make delicious croutons and with beaten egg poured over them and allowed to set they’re a tasty omelette. I add them to many dishes such as my vegetarian sausages, cashew cakes or nut loaf. They are good in juicy flans to soak up the delicious syrup. If none of these are convenient I make breadcrumbs in my food processor and freeze them for another day.

With all this gardening, baking and preserving I’m obviously never dressed up. I was reminiscing about the clothes I wore when I was a teenager in the 1960s . Such sharp, tailored styles then. We always looked dressed up whatever the occasion. Sadly I haven’t many photos from those days but I can remember them clearly. I drew them, complete with my hairstyles and shoes and coloured them with felt tip pens. An enjoyable hour or two.

I didn’t have these all at the same time. They span a few years. I had very little money but even cheap clothes were very stylish and colourful.

Nowadays I’m more often in an apron. I pickled some eggs yesterday. A new experience for me. Don’t even know if we’ll like them but fancied having a go. I like things preserved for winter and I love pickles so thought I’d try them. I have to wait a month for the flavour to develop.

A bit of a ramble this week but I hope you found it interesting. Enjoy these last few pleasant days of early autumn. With you again next week.