Tulips and Toys

The wind and rain were playing havoc with the daffodils so I brought in a few to enjoy indoors. Since then the weather has been kinder.

From an upstairs window we have a lovely view of pear blossom. It won’t last long so we feast our eyes at every opportunity.

These fleeting pleasures are to be enjoyed as long as they last and are such a welcome sight in Spring. Soon the garden will be covered in drifting petals and for a few days it will look as though it’s been snowing.

Some lovely tulips are opening their blooms to the light. The colours are wonderful and the shape so elegant.

Shrubs are also coming back to life. The Berberis is a picture with it’s egg-yolk yellow flowers, like miniature daffodils. The Pieris has lovely cream bells, the Skimmias are in full bloom and the Chaenomeles has beautiful orange flowers.

Whenever the sun shines the tadpoles collect around the sides of the pond, wriggling vigorously as they compete with each other in their haste to grow into froglets.

There are interesting insects about now that the weather is kinder. I found a fascinating tiny fly on a lettuce leaf in the polytunnel. Difficult to photograph because I didn’t want to scare it off. Perhaps, though, you will still be able to see its lovely patterned wings.

New vegs are appearing from my earlier sowings. Peas are peeping through, little lettuces appearing and the Spring cabbages which have been growing over Winter are coming along beautifully.

The kale is now sprouting flower buds but that, for me, is a bonus. They are so sweet and tender that I love to eat them raw. Very similar to broccoli when they’re cooked. I need to use them up now, not only because they’re going to seed but also because I shall need the space for something else in a few weeks’ time. Before then, I shall enjoy the buds and if I keep snipping them the plants will generously produce more.

I made a flan to use some kale and leeks. Delicious, with bacon and sweetcorn added. A hearty meal. Simple to do. I softened the chopped leek and kale in the microwave while I made the pastry. Added the cooled vegs to eggs beaten with milk, stirred in some sweetcorn and seasoning before pouring into the pastry case and placing bits of bacon on top. Baked for 35 minutes. Good hot or cold with some chutney.

Talking of food, many thanks to readers who have bought my cookbook. It brings together my own recipes and some useful tips which I have developed or learned over the years. As regular readers will know, I often put my recipes on the blog and I was asked to put them into a book. So that’s what I did.

The self-publishing route seemed to be the best way forward. My daughter, Sam, who is an author, guided me through the publishing procedure. I’m so grateful for her patient assistance.

The book is available with Amazon, in paperback or kindle editions. If you’d like to take a look, you can type in my name on the Amazon website to find it, or here is a useful link to take you straight there. https://geni.us/eANQu

Now I’m no longer typing for the book, my knitting needles have been clicking again. I’ve done a lot of reading too and needed a change so I got out my wool and pattern book. I made a tiny toy owl. These toys are such fun to knit. Easy, clever patterns that are quick to do and use up odd bits of yarn. He’s not what you might call realistic, with his bright colours, but he’s probably more appealing as a toy for little fingers.

I find the hardest part is sewing the bits together. They’re tiny and I’m not good at keeping things in line. It’s also important to secure every part so they are safe for tots. I enjoy the process though. I will make a few more and donate them to refugee children. A little soft toy might be a comfort while feeling lost in a new home. There are lots of nice ones in my pattern book. Teddies, dolls and little animals. It will keep me happy for a while.

That’s all for this week. I hope you find lots of pleasures of your own. Bye for now.