Author Archives: Earthy Homemaker

This is the time of year gardeners call “The Hungry Gap”. That is, the gap between last year’s crops and this year’s new ones. With a bit of management though we can spread a few things over the gap so there is always something fresh from the garden. Last October I planted lettuces in theContinue reading “The Hungry Gap”

I’ve been writing my blog for 6 months now. My hope was that my experience was worth sharing and that I might encourage others to have a go at the little things which bring satisfaction and meaning to our lives. It must be obvious to anyone who reads my blog regularly that I’m very muchContinue reading “The Ups and Downs of Spring”

The weather is being very unkind. I’m not a cold weather person. I want the gentle Spring sun on my back as I work in the garden. Can’t be too long now though. Give it a week and hopefully we’ll all be basking again. The newly opened plum blossom is lovely. We have one bigContinue reading “Savoury Sausages and a Sweet Little Doll”

The Easter weather has been kind to us. Plenty of gardening and some sitting on the bench in the sun enjoying a beer. The Pulsatilla, or Pasque flower to give it it’s Easter meaning, opened its first bloom right on cue for Easter weekend. I used to have a few of these but the plantsContinue reading “Easter Flowers and Knitted Toys”

My lovely daughter brought me a little posy from her garden. So pretty and so much appreciated. Easter treats are on my mind. I was thinking I might make some hot cross buns. I could make the dough in my bread making machine and then allow them to rise before baking. I might just doContinue reading “Spicy Cakes and Spring Flowers”

The Spring flowers are bursting out now. More Daffodils, Hyacinths and Primulas. Lovely little Violets, buds on Clematis “Freda” and bright blue little Muscari. I love checking on them each day to see how the show is improving. The sky has been beautiful too. We are lucky to have some lovely tall Silver Birches andContinue reading “Flowers, Raindrops and Wine”

I’ve had a lovely new book, “365 Days of Colour in the Garden”. Full of inspiring photos of beautiful plants to fill the garden with brightness all year round. That’s my aim. I can’t wait to get stuck in and plan how I’m going to improve the seasonal displays with flowers, berries and colourful stems.Continue reading “A New Book and Toby Jugs”

I have finally finished my wreath of knitted leaves. It took hours of stitching to put it together, much more than I expected. I’m quite pleased with it but now I have to find somewhere to put it. Most of the pleasure was in the making. It will eventually settle somewhere on a wall atContinue reading “Spring Flowers and Fruit Tarts”

The daffodils are opening their cheerful glowing flowers. Even on a cloudy day they look as though the sun is on them. I brought in a few for a vase so I could feast my eyes on them indoors as well as out. These are tiny ones, probably Tete-a-tete, although they have only single flowersContinue reading “Daffodils and Ginger”

I’ve been cutting down the autumn raspberries and weeding the bed. Where did all those weeds come from? So many have grown since I harvested the last of the raspberries many weeks ago. I grow the autumn raspberries now instead of summer ones. So much easier. None of that tying in new canes each year.Continue reading “Autumn Raspberries and Chair Covering”