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The frosts have kicked in although we have been lucky this year. The weather has been very mild. Even though the plants will finally give up their flowers it’s nice to see those wintery scenes. Frosty Morning The crisp, curled leaves Lie frozen on the garden path. Their steamy breath rises In the morning sun.Continue reading “Frost and Fire”

I’ve had a few things to do over the last few days. The garden needed attention. The brown drooping leaves were looking sad so I spent a little time cutting down the perennials. The woody aster stems with their fluffy seedheads are ideal for starting the fire so I save those along with marjoram sprigsContinue reading “Busy Days”

Christmas is only a month away so my thoughts are occupied with seasonal things. I have almost knitted a sixth Christmas cracker from the pattern in Landscape magazine. Because our son used to work at Christmas we usually have a get-together the weekend before. We have a festive feast and exchange our presents and thenContinue reading “Christmas Thoughts”

I bombarded you all with lots of ideas and quick tips on the last two posts so I promise to be a little gentler this time. Some mindfulness and a little bit of poetry for you. We’ve had some stormy weather with the wind tearing the leaves from the trees and the drainpipe rattling. OneContinue reading “Poetry and Pansies”

Continuing with my favourite kitchen helpers today because we all feel we need easy methods and sometimes a bit of time-saving. So my next item is the microwave oven. Of course, the microwave is absolutely brilliant for reheating. Leftover casseroles, savoury bakes, all come back to life after a few minutes in the microwave oven.Continue reading “More Quick Tricks”

We all have our favourite bits of kitchen equipment and tools. One that I find essential is a food processor. Some people buy one when they’ve seen a television chef whizz up some amazing recipe but sadly put it away and neglect it afterwards. Yes, you can manage without one but a creative cook canContinue reading “Quick Tricks”

It’s been a lovely day here. The sky was bright blue, the sun was shining and the warm damp earth smelled so good. The beech tree is looking fabulous with gold and orange leaves and the Ivy clinging to its trunk will provide the birds with berries through the winter. I was out planting bulbsContinue reading “Mellow Autumn”

I didn’t succeed with growing my squashes this year. They were too crowded and shaded from the sun. I usually grow one called Buttercup, a green skinned squash with bright orange sweet flesh. Delicious roasted but good in many ways. Never mind, I have a plan for next year. I will plant them in anotherContinue reading “Gardening and Cooking”

I will be baking my Christmas cake soon but I don’t need to make puddings or mincemeat this year. I made them last year and they keep perfectly. Mincemeat actually improves with keeping. I think the booze helps! My puddings don’t taste like bought ones which seem to have a lot of citric acid toContinue reading “Puddings and Poppies”

The birds are busy in the garden again now that the feeders are full and squirrels are trying their best to cash in on the feast. The blackbirds have been flinging leaves and soil around, messing up the paths and making the garden untidy. I love to see them though. Blackbirds have such attitude andContinue reading “Birds and Bulbs”