Treen and Tomatoes

I’ve always been happiest at home and now I’m older I appreciate more than ever the things which I’ve collected over the years. I love pottery, whether it’s antique factory ware or contemporary studio pottery. I also have a fondness for wooden objects, known as treen, and old furniture. The subtle colours of wood, the texture and the grain are all pleasing. I have many bits and pieces which I’ve picked up here and there.

This little collection has special memories for me. My husband made the candlestick from a piece of oak he found in a previous home, he made the wooden bowls and tiny lidded box while he was teaching students how to turn wood. The tobacco jar was a find at an antique fair and still has a tobacco fragrance when the lid’s removed. The little owl was found in a Canadian junk shop.

These two bowls were made with Edwardian pokerwork. The design was burnt into the wood and painted. The bigger one belonged to a much-loved aunt and the little one was found in a flea market. Both have lost the knob from the lid and the paint is very worn but I love them.

The patina of old furniture is pleasing too. It has a soft sheen which can only come about after years of polishing and use. Wood grain is fascinating and beautiful even on more rustic pieces. The old chair, below, is one of a pair from my parent’s home. They were bought from a very old pub.

For me a garden is also an essential part of a home. Growing food and flowers has been a lifelong pleasure. Summer is just about to begin. More beautiful blossoms are filling the garden with colour and the humming of bees. Here’s a selection of pretty flowers.

Roses struggle in our dry sandy soil but a few lovely flowers appear every summer to give me so much pleasure.

Been busy sowing seeds again and planting squashes. Last year the squashes didn’t grow so I’m hoping for success this time. I grow a type called “Buttercup”. Delicious orange flesh and they keep in a cool room for months.

I used to grow tomatoes from seed but a few years ago I decided to buy grafted tomatoes. They’re developed to yield more fruit. They have been very good but as I can only find them by mail-order, they often arrive in a sorry state. This year’s tomatoes have been delivered and I doubt they will make it. The box was crumpled and they were dry and knocked about. I have planted them but not expecting great results. I will let you know how they fare.

I wish I could grow tomatoes all year round but sadly I can’t. They like a lot of heat and sunlight. I did bottle some last year to save for Winter and they were delicious and very handy to have in the cupboard.

When I need quick and easy food I make a one-pan meal. So tasty and no trouble at all. The other day I had some leftover, cooked, sausages. I put cauliflower, carrots, garlic and frozen rice with a little water and a crumbled vegetable stock cube into a deep frying pan. I sliced the sausages into chunks and added them. Simmered it all for about 15 minutes until the pan was almost dry, then stirred in a spoonful of creme fraiche and stirred. Delicious.

When I have sausages or meat, I always cook more than I need for a meal. It saves a little on fuel and means I have something ready for the next day to eat cold or add to a quick meal like the one I’ve just described. Or freeze portions after I’ve cooked and cooled them so I have something conveniently ready for another time.

Eating less meat though now. It’s not healthy to eat too much and I always have vegetables and herbs in the garden. I use cheese, eggs or nuts for protein and I find breadcrumbs are good in so many meals. A little imagination can go a long way.

That’s all for this week. I hope you enjoy your own garden or have the opportunity to visit others and find plenty of pleasurable moments doing interesting things. With you again next week.