Stormy Weather and Meaty Treats

What a week it’s been! Extremely wet and windy. The Clematis arch blew down and a storage trunk which holds wire netting had its lid ripped off. Fortunately, we were able to re-erect the arch and the pretty flowers seem undisturbed.

It’s amazing how flowers withstand the storms and are still beautiful. The Snowdrops are nodding in the wind and the Hellebores drip glistening drops of rain. They look so delicate and elegant despite the weather.

The Crocuses with their satin petals have been tossed about in the wind. Some have succumbed and are lying flat but others are standing firm.

A single scarlet Anemone has popped up and opened it’s lovely flower to the light. I love all kinds of Anemones but these are a particular favourite with their brilliant colours and feathery foliage.

In the vegetable garden the polytunnels have stood up well against the wind. When we installed them my husband made a door frame at each end. One he sealed with a mesh- covered panel and the other he made into a mesh-covered hinged door. It means the air can circulate freely through the tunnels during the warm months and in Winter we cover the mesh with a thin fabric to limit the effects from freezing winds. It also reduces condensation which can build up and cause problems with moulds.

He dug trenches around the frames and buried a good length of the polythene to anchor them. This has made them very secure and they’ve never flapped about. They’ve served us well for a long time with food all year round.

The mesh doors mean we can keep them closed even in intensely hot weather so we don’t have any invasion of pests like carrot fly. Now I can grow perfect carrots and they never mind the heat. It’s a system that works really well.

I have gardened organically for many years. It’s best for good growth, the environment and wildlife. Some people have a mistaken idea that organic gardening is all about dirty hands, scruffy practices and a belief that dirt is good for you. It’s simply not true! Soil is a wonderful and under-rated part of the ecosystem but it belongs in the garden, not under fingernails. I always wear gloves and wash my hands thoroughly after I’ve finished. There are many beneficial microbes in soil but also some pretty bad ones. Good for growing but best respected.

With all this extra handwashing, because of Covid, my hands were becoming dry so I’m going to use olive oil soap. It’s gentle and has a nice olivey scent. I used to use it years ago but for some reason lost the habit. Won’t rejuvenate my ancient hands but it will make them feel nice.

Gardening is hungry work and food is never far from my mind. This week I made a favourite of ours. My sausage meatballs. Very easy, economical and tasty. I just mix breadcrumbs and an egg to sausagemeat which has onion and herbs added, shape into balls and cook.

This is actually a very cheap meal but makes sausagemeat seem something a bit more exotic!

350g Pork Sausagemeat with Onion and Herbs
1 large Egg
50g Breadcrumbs
Makes 12

I brown the outsides in a little heated oil, being careful to keep their shape, then add a small amount of water to the frying pan and half a vegetable stock cube. Then I simmer them, with the lid on, for 15 minutes. Once they’re in the simmering stock they keep their shape well.

I remove with a slotted spoon, discard the stock and serve them with rice and my peanut sauce. For a quick meal they’re delicious with baked beans and chutney. Any leftovers are really good crumbled into an omelette.

I’m hoping to bring out a cookbook containing my recipes sometime this year. Working on it.

The single Anemone reminded me of a small painting I did a couple of years ago. One bud half open and a flower fading. Like life itself really, beginning for some and ending for others. Yet always something lovely, something to appreciate.

With you again next week. I hope to have my knitting finished by then and some Daffodils glowing in the garden. Bye for now, stay warm and safe.