Category Archives: Uncategorized

At this time of year a warm kitchen is the best place to be. Often called “the heart of the home”. I love it on a Winter day with rain lashing the window. I had some parsnips to use up so I thought I’d try them in my cake squares. These are not guilt-laden cakes;Continue reading “A Warm Kitchen and Spring Flowers”

The Snowdrops are increasing by the day. Such a welcome sight. Winter so far has been kind and new activity in the garden spurs me on, knowing life out there is going on apace. My collection of oriental Hellebores are so pretty. They look delicate and yet they flower despite the cold and lack ofContinue reading “Filling Food and Misty Mornings”

It’s been an exciting week. We had some much-needed work done in the garden. When we moved here 20 years ago most of the garden was covered in concrete, much of it old, broken crazy paving. Over the years we removed a lot of it to produce growing areas. Some of the ground though wasContinue reading “A Garden Miracle and Nutty Cakes”

Halfway through January and time to use some of the stored fruit and preserves. I brought some apples from the shed and made my apple and cinnamon squares. These make a lovely pudding on a wintry day and freeze well so there is always cake available. Although the apples look blemished they are good underContinue reading “Preserves and Painting”

The first Snowdrop to show its lovely head has appeared in the garden. So pure and redolent of the beginning of a new year. Seed packets have arrived so lots to look forward to. The beautiful Hellebore which always flowers first is bursting with blossom. Others are showing fat , lovely buds. The Garrya catkinsContinue reading “Fresh Flowers and Food”

HAPPY NEW YEAR everyone. Time now to believe we can make a new beginning, shed the old life of last year and look forward to a fresh start, renewed optimism and determination. Of course, it’s not always easy but “hope springs eternal” as the saying goes and it’s this renewal which lifts our spirits andContinue reading “Old Life and New Life”

Another Christmas is over but the enjoyment lingers. The food was delicious, the wine was full of fruity notes and warmth and love completed all of it. But there is still time to savour the pleasures of the season. My lovely husband surprised me with a bouquet on Christmas Eve. He’s not usually one forContinue reading “Christmas Past and Pleasures Yet to Come”

We’ve had a lot of rain recently. The garden was dripping, raindrops were glistening and the windowpanes were being hammered. I managed to catch a few glimpses of how it fell on leaves, twigs and other surfaces. The fruit trees are bare now but beautiful, silhouetted against the sky and revealing the many lovely birdsContinue reading “Cushions and Coffee Cream”

Haven’t been able to do much outside. It’s been so wet. Dreary old perennials need trimming back to remove their soaking leaves. This is when the evergreens in the garden really earn their keep. No matter what the weather they always look beautiful. I’m especially fond of euonymous. We have the green and white andContinue reading “A Quiet Garden and a Busy Home”

We’ve had snow, stormy winds and lashing rain in the last week or so. The garden has taken a battering yet still manages to surprise and often please me. I’m not a fan of snow but it does look magical as it falls silently over everything it touches. It only lasted a day for usContinue reading “Winter Weather and Christmas Ideas”