Sausages, Squash, and Fading Beauty

Our Queen has been laid to rest in a moving ceremony. Time perhaps for us all to move on and think positive thoughts about our own lives. Time to appreciate those things which really matter.

Regular readers will know how much I value my home comforts, creative pastimes and self-sufficiency. As Winter approaches once again, we need these things even more.

Because the weather is cooling, I’ve gathered in my small crop of squashes. I grow a type called “Buttercup”. They have sweet orange flesh which is lovely roasted with a drizzle of olive oil.

The cucumber plants are showing signs they’re missing the warmth as much as I am. I was surprised, though, to find three fat cucumbers hiding beneath the leaves. I thought I might pickle them with onion slices in cider vinegar. The seeds might need removing because they will be mature and chewy, but the flesh will still be very good.

These outdoor cucumbers have been generous. Their knobbly, bitter skin protects delicious, juicy flesh. They need to be peeled, then they’re very tasty.

The cooking apples are always abundant. The shed is full of stored ones to last through Winter (providing the mice don’t find a way in) and the windfalls which drop from the highest branches of the tree are making delicious cakes.

I have invented another cake recipe for apples and walnuts. I will share it soon as it’s easy and scrumptious. I baked the mixture with a little wheat bran and brown sugar to give a crumbly texture and complimentary sweetness.

I have some basil plants just about hanging on in the greenhouse, so I made my nutty sausages which include herbs. I vary the herbs according to what I have available. Parsley is good because I have it all year, but basil is my favourite for these. A simple vegetarian meal and very tasty.

My recipe is in Earthy Homemaker’s Cookbook, available with Amazon. Just click this link: https://geni.us/eANQu

My colchicums, known as “Autumn Crocus “, are so pretty. I love their fabulous pink colour. Under the trees they stretch too much as they struggle towards the light and then flop over. The ones opposite the kitchen window are better. They have lovely double petals. These are called “Water Lily ” for their resemblance to those flowers. They stand up well because they’re receiving plenty of light. They’ve given me a week of pleasure already. Here are some photos of them.

The garden is disappointing this year, but a few pretty flowers pop up here and there.

Seasonal colours and fruitfulness are developing every day.

I brought in a selection of seed heads, grasses, berries and flowers to fill a jug with the beauty of this month. It’s so nice to see these close up in the house for a few days.

Although roses and dainty flowers look perfect in cut glass or a pretty pottery vase, a jug looks so right for simple flowers like daisies. With this kind of arrangement, the width of the jug allows for the bulkiness of all the stems as well.

With you again next week with my new recipe for apple and walnut squares. Meantime, enjoy the changing season. Bye for now.