Jewel Colours Inside and Out.

This dappled light through the window during the evening is a pleasure to see. It set me thinking about how wonderful glass is. Everything from a window pane to a delicate crystal wineglass is a thing of beauty and yet so functional.

We don’t often appreciate the wonder of glass as a product. Even ancient civilisations made and used it and it contributes so much to our daily lives. A windowpane allows us to see the daylight while it also protects us from the wind and rain. A drinking glass enhances our pleasure whether we’re drinking water or wine and many lovely things are made simply to look pleasing as they capture or reflect the light.

I have always loved glass and have a few bits and pieces just because they’re nice to see. Like the old oil lamp we bought in Canada many years ago. We’ve never used it, of course, but the look of it pleases me.

Or the lovely scent bottle I found in a charity shop. The twists of glass as it was being formed make a delicate pattern and I love the stopper. It has maker’s initials scratched into the base. Perhaps someday I’ll track down who made it.

Here’s a selection of some of my favourite things.

Jewel colours and pleasing shapes. Lovely to see those in the garden too although it’s a bit forlorn at the moment. The early flowers have gone and the soil is so dry despite bouts of rain and our frequent watering. Still a few treasures dotted here and there though so I make the most of them while they bloom. Lovely marjoram, a herb which is good to eat and has pretty pale pink flowers which attract bees and butterflies. Alchemilla, with leaves which catch the raindrops like diamonds and golden flowers which splay in a pleasing way. Purple Iberis, known to some people as candytuft, with beautiful flowers glistening with raindrops. A few roses here and there as well.

Here are some flowers which caught my eye.

The vegetable garden is giving up tasty treats. The peas have been very generous and the lovely yellow French beans are now producing a crop. Runner beans are just producing tiny pods but will soon be ready.

A lot is written about growing runner beans. For instance, that they need masses of food and water to produce a crop. Old advice is to dig trenches and incorporate loads of compost material over winter. I used to do this years ago but since I grew old I’ve had to scale back some tasks. For a few years I’ve simply planted them without any special treatment except some homemade compost as a dressing on the bed and a few comfrey pellets. They’re watered regularly but have little attention otherwise. I have a huge crop, more than needed, so I think sometimes old ideas are not necessarily the best. Trying out other ideas can also bring about a desired result.

Salad onions have been a flavourful addition snipped over open sandwiches and the radishes have been tender and hot. I had some setbacks with lettuce seeds but luckily the few lettuces I have keep providing new leaves. I never pull up a whole lettuce. If I take the medium sized leaves from the outside and leave the middle to grow they continue to produce for weeks. I’ve grown my favourite called “Buttercrunch” this year. Fresh and crisp and sweet.

I used the first tasty kohl rabi of the season and some peas to go with my nutty sausages. I make these from cashew nuts, onion, apple, egg, breadcrumbs and herbs. The basil is abundant in the greenhouse with big flavourful leaves, so I added some with fragrant marjoram.

The sausages are easy to make and the nuts are a good source of protein. Good hot or cold and for a quick meal they are great with baked beans. My recipe is in my cookbook along with other ideas for using nuts. You can find it with this link:

https://geni.us/eANQu

Cashew nuts make a good alternative for vegetarian meals. Although cheese is a popular option, nuts give a bit more variety and are quite versatile. Cashews grind well and can make a creamy sauce to serve with vegetables or they can be used in nut loaves.

With so much gardening to do and time in the kitchen I haven’t painted for a couple of weeks. I need to search my photo library on the computer to find a good subject. Perhaps flowers, although a Still Life of other objects would be pleasing too. I brought in some flowers for my favourite vase so I might try painting these.

I hope you’ve enjoyed my ramblings this time and you are having many pleasures of your own. Bye for now. With you again next week.