A Quiet Garden and a Busy Home

Haven’t been able to do much outside. It’s been so wet. Dreary old perennials need trimming back to remove their soaking leaves. This is when the evergreens in the garden really earn their keep. No matter what the weather they always look beautiful. I’m especially fond of euonymous. We have the green and white and green and gold and a bright low-growing one called “Blondie”.

I discovered a hellebore which must have sprung up from a seed blown across the garden. It’s growing by the leafbin. I might leave it there although it’s not in a decorative area. Seems a pity to disturb it. The cream hellebore which always puts on a good show has lovely fat buds now. These are the oriental hellebores not the bright white “Christmas Rose” types. They produce some beautifully different flowers in shades of pink or cream with lovely markings on their petals.

A tiny solitary rose has appeared. So fragile and pretty yet opening it’s lovely little face to the light despite the awful weather. A few primulas are trying their best to shine out among the soggy leaves and damp borders.

While I was in the garden I noticed a frog with an injured leg sitting forlornly on the paving. It had a gash which was possibly caused by a cat. The neighbourhood cats find our garden fascinating and are always exploring around the pond. When I gently picked it up it hardly moved so I thought it might be better in the water. I placed it by the edge and after a few seconds it leapt in. I hope it heals and finds a safe spot to hibernate.

When it was sunny for a brief spell I enjoyed the reflections in the pond of clouds and the silhouettes of the bamboo leaves. Lovely.

Soon the snowdrops will be pushing up. I noticed they were just beginning to peep through the soil. Meanwhile I have to look for loveliness wherever I can.

There’s plenty to do indoors while the rain lashes the windows. I thought up a new recipe for a walnut roulade with coffee cream filling. Delicious and easy to make. I will include the recipe soon because it’s a good one for a New Year meal.

With all this pre-Christmas preparation we need good nourishment and simple meals to keep us going. One of my favourites is my easy-peasy fish cake. Just boil some potatoes, drain well and mash them. Drain a can of salmon, sardines or mackerel and mash it into the potatoes. If you have a little cream, soured cream or creme fraiche add a spoonful but it’s not essential. Heat a little oil in the frying pan and flatten the mash in the pan. Brown all over, turning now and then to reach all the surface. Serve with vegetables and your favourite sauce or chutney. If you have a steamer you can cook frozen peas over the top of the boiling potatoes to save time and fuel. A very satisfying meal if you like fish and potatoes.

If you prefer, this can be done with lentils instead of fish but you will need to cook the lentils first. Simmer in just enough water to cover, plus about a centimetre above them. They should be mushy and broken down after cooking. Takes about 15 minutes. Tip these into the mashed potato and follow the same instructions as above to brown the mash. Surprisingly savoury and very good with a delicious chutney.

Perhaps this is a good moment to mention the benefits of a cast-iron frying pan. They are genuinely non-stick once they’re “seasoned”. This just means they’ve been used a few times and a little oil is absorbed which gives a smooth surface. Brilliant for omelettes, sizzling croutons or fried tomatoes. The heat is distributed well and with a little care they last forever. They just need to be dried thoroughly after washing to prevent rusting. I’ve used one for almost 50 years.

I much prefer one to those coated with teflon. I never found them to be effective and it eventually must be eaten as it wears off with use. Not a good idea. Very tiny traces of iron on the other hand are quite good for you.

The tree is up and decorated, the cards are ready for posting and gifts now need to be wrapped. I dug out my box of ribbons and the tiny felt Christmas stockings I made two years ago for little gifts at the table.

Our tree is decorated with memories. Things I made with the children when they were tots and baubles I bought over 50 years ago. This is in our garden room where as a family we gather to open gifts. Most nights though we’re in the living room by the fire so I put another little tree in there. I place cones which we have collected, from previous homes and days out, at the base. Such a pleasure to see when it’s lit. Nothing says Christmas quite like a decorated tree.

I like to make a few personal hand crafted presents each year if I can. I bought some guitar shaped coffee spoons but they weren’t in a gift box. I thought a felt pouch might be good but then I thought they’d look a bit more “rock and roll” in a denim one. Luckily we had an old pair of jeans with a buttoned pocket so I cut it out very carefully and I’ll pop the spoons inside and wrap them. I hope it will hit the spot.

I think with a hanging loop attached a pocket like this would be good for hanging keys. It would be easy to find them and keep them out of sight.

I hope you’re feeling Christmassy and creative and keeping on top of everything. It can be a difficult time but it’s usually worth the effort and helps to speed the early part of the Winter along. With you again next week. Bye for now.