Author Archives: Earthy Homemaker

I just love Summer! Evenings in the garden working while it’s a pleasant temperature, comfortable clothes and tasty treats. The strawberries are ripening. Definitely my favourite fruit. I pick them before they’re fully ripe. I like them that way and I can have them before the pesky slugs find them. The broad beans are readyContinue reading “Summer Pleasures”

Enjoying summer. So many good things to eat and beautiful flowers in the garden. The mange-tout peas are providing endless supplies of tasty treats. Lots of vegs in the polytunnel; lettuces, radishes, spring onions for now, carrots and other things for later. One thing I can’t grow is a banana but then I’m a bitContinue reading “Summer Treasures and a Banana Pudding”

Roses. The essence of a summer garden. Not quite time for a vaseful like this one from a previous June but they are opening slowly now the weather is kind. Everything about them is lovely. Their colour, shape and scent. So beautiful that I can forgive them their thorns and their temperamental nature. Roses don’tContinue reading “Roses and Cherry Wine”

Sunshine and cake. Two of life’s pleasures. Plenty of sunshine the last few days and I baked my recipe for date and ginger squares, so lots of enjoyment. What could be nicer than a delicious bit of cake and a cup of tea. These are very easy to do and are moist, tasty and satisfying.Continue reading “Cakes and Teapots”

At Christmas I always buy angelica to decorate little iced cakes. It has become a tradition. Now I have an angelica plant which is maturing nicely and I have always wanted to try candying my own. So I have been doing just that. Because the plant has some lovely flowers developing I didn’t want toContinue reading “Candying Angelica and Painting a Picture.”

Some ribbons for wrapping gifts. They look so pretty even as a jumble in the box. It doesn’t take much to please me! Talking of pleasing me … Sometimes when I can’t sleep I like to invent new recipes. Occasionally, I find it stimulating to read a cookbook to stir my imagination and then makeContinue reading “Sweet Treats and Sunsets”

With the hope of family get-togethers possible again soon I baked a pecan pie and stashed it away in the freezer. It’s a family favourite; wickedly rich, sweet and satisfying. It always looks special and tastes divine. It takes about 250g of pecans and I find it best to empty the packet into a dishContinue reading “Pecan Pie and Painting”

It’s been very cold, wet and windy so I have been reluctant to venture out. The house is snug and warm and the garden will wait. Nice inside the greenhouse and polytunnels though and things are growing well. The lettuces are showing promise and I’m already using the spring onions and radishes. The peas willContinue reading “Cabbages and Wine”

The pear blossom was lovely but it’s fading fast. The petals are scattering around the garden like confetti at a wedding. The apple blossom will be lovely for a few more days and looking fabulous right now. Delicate pink petals, rosy buds and fresh green leaves are filling out the trees with all the promiseContinue reading “Crab Apples and a Country Scene”

The winter lettuce has finished but I’ve started on the cabbage I’ve been growing over the last few months. Sure sign that Spring is well and truly underway. I cut off a large fresh and juicy head and steamed it with diced apple and leek. It was delicious with a spoonful of soured cream andContinue reading “Banana Loaf and Apple Blossom”