Living a contented creative life.

It’s been an exciting week with the launch of my little cookbook. Many thanks to those readers who’ve either bought it or expressed an interest. My only regret is that I can no longer say I have nothing for sale on my blog. It’s really just my hobby and I never intended to sell anything. Several regular readers asked me to compile my recipes in a book. I thought, “Why not?” So here it is at last! It’s been a pleasure to work on over the Winter and I’m pleased with the end product.

Back to the real world though, of sunny days and cold nights. The garden is holding up well. It’s not been severe and nothing seems to have shivered too much despite a few snow flurries. The Spring cabbages are snug in the polytunnels along with this year’s garlic, Spring onions and lettuces.

The fruit trees are coming on apace now. The plum trees are covered in pure white blossom. The pears buds are about to burst. A huge ornamental cherry behind our neighbour’s garden is always a picture at this time with it’s lovely pink flowers.

Around the garden little violets are looking pert and pretty. They grow like weeds and can be a nuisance but at this time of year they’re delightful and I welcome them. I just wish they were the scenty ones but they’re lovely to look at.

The wonderful Fritillarias with their chequered petals are nodding their bells in our little orchard.

The shrubs are colouring up as their leaves or flowers make an appearance. Berberis is a mass of tiny daffodil shaped blooms. The female form of Skimmia has waxy white petalled flowers among the scarlet berries. Mahonia has acid yellow blossom among its dark green spiky foliage and Spirea “Gold Flame” lives up to its name each Spring with its wonderful leaves.

So much to please the eye and still good things to eat. Spring onions and chives are spicing up sandwiches, the kale is still producing, I have a few leeks to use up and the lettuces are providing a few little leaves. Stored apples and garlic are beginning to show signs that they need using soon.

The cooking apples need using as soon as possible. They’re beginning to shrivel slightly but when I peel them they’re still juicy and firm. I stewed a good amount and froze some of them. I find it’s best to cook apples before freezing. Although the raw apples keep well in the freezer, they quickly go brown as they thaw. They don’t look appetising like that. Golden apple sauce though, looks tempting and is delicious, either hot with icecream or cold with greek yoghurt. Or it makes a filling for a scrummy apple pie.

Best to slice them into salty water until they’re all peeled, rinse and drain them in a colander and tip them into a pan with just the water clinging from the rinse. The heat needs to be high at first to rapidly begin the cooking process but it’s important to stir at the same time to prevent sticking. When the apples start to go mushy the heat can be turned to low and let them simmer for a while. A few lumps are fine and will be sweet and tender when the sugar has been stirred in. Best not to overdo the sweetening or it will mask the flavour.

Next week I’ll be making my Iced and Spiced Squares. Perfect for Easter. I love these, especially with that delicious pop of sweetness from the icing on top. I find them a good substitute for hot cross buns which are far more difficult to make.

The recipe is in my new cookbook.

Available on Amazon in paperback or kindle, with the link https://geni.us/eANQu

If you don’t want the cookbook but you’d like to bake the cakes you can find the recipe in my post from last year, titled “Spicy Cakes and Spring Flowers”. Just scroll back to find it.

Although it’s April, I’m still thankful for warm clothes, the fire at night and any glimpses of sunshine. I love the way the sun floods the living room, warms my back and lights up the paintings and pottery. They seem to come to life in the glow.

Time to say bye for now. I hope you are enjoying Spring, keeping warm and baking tasty treats. With you again next week.

We had beautiful Spring weather last week, so the Daffodils are singing out in their golden glory and even Tulips are beginning to add their glowing colours to the garden. Some of these flowers are not subtle but that’s a bonus after the drab months of Winter.

The garden is filled with the scent of Hyacinths. I love the blues, mauves, pinks and pure white as they open their waxy flowers.

I bought some Primulas, the colour of egg yolk, and I discovered a pink bud nestled alongside one of the plants. I separated the two plants and I now have a lovely bright pink one in addition to the others.

I have a few more dainty Primulas dotted around, looking lovely.

The fruit trees are opening their blossom. Plums are the first with their snow white flowers looking wonderful against a blue sky.

The Magnolia is blossoming. Fewer flowers this year because it had to be pruned. It had grown tremendously and needed checking. It still looks lovely though.

I have only seen a few butterflies so far. It’s a sad fact that they are declining. I still catch a glimpse of them now and then. A Brimstone went flitting by, a Comma was airing its wings on a warm surface and a Red Admiral was taking nectar from the flowers.

The shield bugs have been out, basking on sunlit leaves.

In the vegetable garden the Kale is doing well, since we covered it, after an attack by pigeons.”Red Winter” is our favourite and I always grow it for Winter meals. Deep green leaves are very nutritious and said to be able to prevent cancer. I picked a trugful the other day and made our favourite cheesey potato bake.

I find the best way to cut the stems off Kale is to use scissors. I fold the leaf inwards , exposing the stem, and cut along it to snip it out.

Talking of cooking, I have some news! My little cookbook has now been published and is available on Amazon as a paperback or a Kindle edition.

It has taken me a few months to put together my recipes in a form which others can use and I’m pleased to now be able to share them in this way. I’m very grateful to my daughter, Sam Maxfield, who helped me to navigate my way through the publishing process. As an author herself she has a lot of experience. I couldn’t have done it without her.

I include line drawings to mark each chapter and an introduction to explain how it came about.

I would welcome feedback from anyone who buys it and tries the recipes. I hope you will enjoy them as much as I do.

You might remember the drawing I did last week of Muscari (Grape Hyacinths) from my garden. I outlined it with pen and since then I’ve painted it with gouache. It’s not what I would call a painting. It’s more of an illustration. I usually make a painting with a background and a story to tell, or at least a context. This is simple and fresh looking which I think is enough with some flowers.

I hope you’re making the most of the longer days, the sunshine and the flowers. With you again next week. Stay safe and well.

It was the Vernal Equinox on March 20th, so Spring has officially arrived. The sun has been shining on the garden and flowers are bursting out. The bumble bees are busy and taking advantage of the Crocuses.

The Hyacinths are opening but some are not quite there yet. I’m looking forward to their wonderful scent wafting around the garden. The pink ones I have at the front of the house are always first to shine and look pretty with the blue Muscari.

The Ladybirds seem to enjoy basking in the warmth of the sun on the Sage leaves. I find lots of them on these shrubby plants.

Here’s a selection of lovely flowers and things I’m enjoying in the garden at the moment.

A visit to our local nursery provided bright new additions. Vividly coloured Primulas and delicate Violas and some perennials to enjoy during Summer.

In the vegetable garden there is much to do. I have some enormous parsnips which are going past it now. I need to compost these and replenish the soil ready for a fresh crop of mange-tout peas. You can see how fat the parsnips are compared to my hand trowel in this photo.

The rhubarb is coming up but not ready yet. I still have some in the freezer from last year. I thought it was time to use it so I stewed some. Very nice with greek yoghurt and a square of ginger cake.

A little tip if you like the taste of rhubarb but don’t enjoy that bite on the teeth. I put it into a saucepan of water, bring it to a boil, then immediately drain and rinse it. Then I cook it gently with some sugar. It takes away a lot of the unpleasant acidity but doesn’t spoil the flavour.

Also have plenty of strawberries stashed in the freezer from last Summer’s bumper harvest. Strawberries are not very exciting after being frozen but cooked gently and sweetened they are wonderful. I thaw them in a saucepan on a low heat and when the juice has run I cook them for a few minutes with some sugar. Absolutely delicious warm on some vanilla icecream or cold with greek yoghurt.

My little cookbook is coming along. Just had a proof copy and it’s looking very nice. Just found a few small errors which need correcting and it will soon be ready to launch.

It’s taken a lot of thought to arrange my recipes into an order which others can follow easily. I have enjoyed doing it though. Producing the book is very exciting and a bit daunting. I hope it will be well received.

The garden flowers have inspired me to start a tiny painting of some Muscari, often known as Grape Hyacinths. I have only drawn it so far and outlined it with pen. I shall paint it with gouache in beautiful bright blues and greens.

There is a lovely Robin flitting about the garden and it sings in a tree at the front of the house, often during the early hours of the morning. It makes me feel grateful to be safe and happy. So many people are not. I wrote a poem to express how I feel.

A New Day

The curtains glow with dawn's golden light
And I lie and ponder before I rise.
Thankful for the ending of the night
When morning's promise greets my eyes.
The Robin sang his familiar song
As darkness ebbed and sunlight grew,
Assuring me that I belong
Among that very fortunate few -
Those who have a happy life
Filled with simple pleasure,
Love and laughter, free from strife;
The values which we treasure.
The daylight starts another day.
Who knows what it will bring?
But I'm reassured it will go my way
Now I've heard the Robin sing.

Stay safe, well and happy. With you again next week.

Spring is definitely in the air! The birds are calling, the frogs are spawning in our pond and the pear trees have lovely fat buds.

More Daffodils are appearing with their glowing yellow or orange trumpets. Perky little “Tete-a-tetes and “Jetfire” are the earliest to appear in my garden. The Crocuses keep surprising me although the best of the show is almost over. The pink Hyacinths are almost out in front of the house and multi-coloured ones are peeping up at the back.

So many lovely flowers appearing now. Leucojum is blooming and resembling a giant Snowdrop with it’s green-tipped petals.The white Iberis is an abundant flowerer and goes on for a long time. So fresh and pure looking. The beautiful Corydalis under the fruit trees is a pretty sight and will be even lovelier when the blue Muscari pop up to complement it.

I discovered I have a yellow Hellebore. It started flowering this year. A small plant with only two flowers but very nice. The pink ones are still a wonderful sight.

One of the unexpected pleasures of the replacement paving is the shadows which fall across it from the trees. Lacy streaks cast by branches give an added appeal to the eye.

I’m sowing seeds now in the polytunnels. Early carrot “Nantes” and parsnip “Tender and True”. The carrots will only take a few weeks but the parsnips will grow slowly and be ready next Autumn.

The garlic is coming on. Nice green leaves are standing up and looking promising. I hope the bulbs are fattening beneath the soil to produce delicious cloves in May. I only have a few stored ones left to use in the kitchen so the fresh crop will be eagerly harvested when the time comes.

The Spring cabbages and the kale are growing nicely with the extra light and warmer days. The kale was almost destroyed by Wood Pigeons a few weeks ago and had to be netted but it’s recovered well.

This is my favourite kind of kale called “Red Winter”. It’s more tender and sweeter than the very curly types and cooks very quickly. Goes brilliantly with my cheesey potato bake. ( The recipe will be in my cookbook, which I hope to publish soon.)

The longer, warmer days are welcome but it’s still nice to snuggle up by the fire at night. I enjoy making up the fire in the morning, setting it ready for a chilly evening. I never need to buy kindling. We use the dried flower stems, small twiggy bits which fall from the fruit trees and little branches from pruning, to start the fire.

The logs are placed around and over the top. Some paper underneath and a match will bring about a good blaze in minutes.

If you have a log stove it’s worth remembering that you don’t need to buy cleaning products for the glass door. Just wet a piece of kitchen towel and dip it in the wood ash. A rub over the glass with this will bring all the smoke and tar off like magic. Shine it up with a clean dry piece and it will be crystal clear. We’ve had our stove for thirteen years and the glass is still perfectly free from deposits.

When I sit by the fire it’s nice to have something to do. Although I struggled with my last knitting project I’m missing it now. There’s something satisfying about having a bit of knitting or crochet ready, to pick up and do a row or two whenever I sit down. Won’t be long I expect before the needles are clicking again. I have some very tempting balls of yarn tucked away to inspire me and bits of wool to make little flowers or nice stripey things.

I haven’t painted anything for a week or two. I did some little black and white drawings for my cookbook, outlined in pen, but I’m itching to paint some lovely colours again. I often do Still Life, usually objects I love around the house; pottery I have collected or kitchen utensils.

Familiar everyday objects have beautiful features as well as sentimental value. If you like to paint but struggle to find appealing subjects just look around at the things you love. It can often be something so familiar that you hardly notice it but when you paint it you will be surprised how lovely it really is. Painting and drawing make you observe proportions, light and shade, the reflections on a shiny surface, or a rough texture. The roundness of a pot or the angular lines of a knife are challenging to draw or paint and this is what makes them interesting and satisfying to reproduce. Close observation makes you appreciate the design, the craftsmanship and the beauty.

Here’s an acrylic painting I did of some favourite pottery.

I’ve probably rambled on enough for this week. I hope you’re finding pleasant ways to relieve sad thoughts at this worrying time. All our hopes and wishes go out to all those who are suffering.

Bye for now and with you again soon.

With the cost of living rising so dramatically I’m more than ever glad that I invested in my thermal cooker. It saves so much on fuel for cooking.

It will take a small, whole chicken, a meat joint or a ham. A few minutes of simmering on the hob then the pan is placed inside the thermal shell and left to continue cooking for a few hours without power. I was sceptical before I tried it that meat cooked in this way would taste as good but I needn’t have worried. The meat is tender and delicious. I add a couple of stock cubes to the water and it works well. Vegetables can be added too. It’s also good for rice pudding and if you don’t like the skin that forms in the oven, this is ideal.

Last Christmas I bought a couple of extra frozen turkey breasts. Last week I thawed one and popped it in the thermal cooker. About 20 minutes on the hob then into the thermal cooker instead of an hour and three quarters in the oven. I could just leave it to continue cooking without power. Almost free cooking. Provided three very satisfying meals.

Turkey mince is also an economical and healthy meat. I sometimes make turkey burgers although I can’t do these in the thermal cooker.

Turkey Burgers (makes four)

454g Turkey mince
1 sweet Apple
1 Clove of Garlic
1 large Egg
Salt and Pepper
Preheat the oven to 220C/200C fan oven.
Peel and chop the apple into small pieces. 
Place in a bowl with the mince.
Crush the garlic and add to the mince.
Add the egg and salt and pepper.
With a fork or clean hands mix well.
Form into four flat cake shapes.
Place in a greased roasting tin and cover with foil.
Cook for 30 minutes.
Uncover, flip over and cook for another ten minutes.

To make full use of the oven it's a good idea to roast parsnips or squash and potatoes at the same time.

I have been working on a small cookbook which I hope to publish soon. A few of my blog readers said they would be interested in having my recipes in book form and I thought it would be an interesting project to work on. I have enjoyed compiling it and have done some simple illustrations to decorate it. They will need a bit of freshening up before adding to the book. A couple of examples here:

Meanwhile outdoors the garden is springing to life. Yesterday we had this year’s first frogspawn. Unfortunately the frogs have placed it over the tiny new plants I put into the pond a few days ago! I hope they will thrive along with the tadpoles.

Flowers appear almost every day and look so beautiful even in the rain.

When the sun comes out the lovely Crocuses open their petals to reveal golden stamens.

More Daffodils are appearing and the Corydalis are producing their pretty pink flowers under the fruit trees. The Primulas are holding their own against the slugs and the arch has lots of lovely cream Clematis bells.

The Snowdrops are withering now. It’s time to transplant, to spread them or to fill up odd corners of the garden. Best to lift them with soil under the roots and plant the bulb with its leaves into a new spot. Many expert gardeners recommend this. They seem to thrive better than when dry bulbs are planted.

Sometimes potted Snowdrops that haven’t been sold are discounted in the nurseries and garden centres around this time. A few planted now will spread eventually and give you pleasure in the darkest days of Winter. An inspiring and hopeful sight.

Still a bit chilly out but the longer days are so welcome. I love the sunlight flooding the living room when the weather permits. It lights up the pottery and paintings and warms my back while I read or write.

These little pleasures mean so much and my thoughts are with the people everywhere who have had their lives disrupted and lost their homes. At times we need to take stock of what we love and be thankful.

With you again next week. Meanwhile stay safe, keep warm and enjoy the things you like to do.

The weather has been a little kinder the last few days. The return of sunny spells is very welcome.

The Crocuses have flourished, offering up their faces to the sun and looking very beautiful. Their satin petals look like they have been painted with the most delicate strokes of colour.

At last the Daffodils have started to open a few flowers. I brought in a few to enjoy them at close quarters. The little “Tete-a-tetes” are so dainty and fresh.

The polytunnels are still supplying a few carrots and leeks. Very tasty and full of vitamins. It’s a pleasure to pull them up for a good meal. They smell wonderful as well as being delicious.

One of the advantages of undercover growing is that you can start sowing earlier because of the protection from the worst weather. I have sown Kohl rabi in the last week. These are pretty hardy and taste really good. If you’re not familiar with them they are similar to a turnip but with a much nicer, sweeter flavour. Not something you usually see in the supermarket.

One of the big Hellebore plants has a white version growing with it. They must have become mingled at the nursery when they were being grown. It usually only has a few flowers and I thought it had given up finally with the vigorous competition from the pink one. I was so pleased to discover just one flower, almost hidden under the abundance of pink ones. So pure looking and very pretty.

One of the wonderful things about being a gardener is the ever changing display, seasonal changes and the delightful surprises. Things pop up now and then. Plants grow from seeds dispersed by the wind or by birds. It’s never the same from year to year and can never be boring. Even the feathers dropped by the birds are lovely to see.

All these lovely flowers, with their promise of renewal and better days, inspired me to write another poem.

The First Flowers of the Year

Snowdrops nodd their dainty petals,
With Daffodils not far behind,
Where every foraging bee settles
When the faltering sun is kind.
The colours of these early blooms
Lift the dullness of the season,
Banish Winter's deadening glooms
And restore again life's reason.
Each satin Crocus shining bright
In all perfection, pure and clean,
Is pointing upwards to the light,
To which each one of us should lean.
Regeneration is our goal.
We welcome signs of early Spring,
Cherish precious food for the soul
And shrug off Winter's cruel sting.

The sun was setting as I looked out beyond the garden. We’re fortunate to have silver Birches in the background and they were silhouetted against a pink sky. The Crow’s nest has withstood all the storms. It must have been built by practised, clever birds.

I finally finished my knitting. It nearly drove me mad! I have never struggled with a pattern as much as I did with this. Perhaps I’m getting too old.

I’m pleased that it turned out relatively well considering the effort it took. I love the colours and the style.

Very floral in theme this week but I hope it was enjoyable. Perhaps we need something beautiful and reassuring in these upsetting times. Bye for now and have a good week

What a week it’s been! Extremely wet and windy. The Clematis arch blew down and a storage trunk which holds wire netting had its lid ripped off. Fortunately, we were able to re-erect the arch and the pretty flowers seem undisturbed.

It’s amazing how flowers withstand the storms and are still beautiful. The Snowdrops are nodding in the wind and the Hellebores drip glistening drops of rain. They look so delicate and elegant despite the weather.

The Crocuses with their satin petals have been tossed about in the wind. Some have succumbed and are lying flat but others are standing firm.

A single scarlet Anemone has popped up and opened it’s lovely flower to the light. I love all kinds of Anemones but these are a particular favourite with their brilliant colours and feathery foliage.

In the vegetable garden the polytunnels have stood up well against the wind. When we installed them my husband made a door frame at each end. One he sealed with a mesh- covered panel and the other he made into a mesh-covered hinged door. It means the air can circulate freely through the tunnels during the warm months and in Winter we cover the mesh with a thin fabric to limit the effects from freezing winds. It also reduces condensation which can build up and cause problems with moulds.

He dug trenches around the frames and buried a good length of the polythene to anchor them. This has made them very secure and they’ve never flapped about. They’ve served us well for a long time with food all year round.

The mesh doors mean we can keep them closed even in intensely hot weather so we don’t have any invasion of pests like carrot fly. Now I can grow perfect carrots and they never mind the heat. It’s a system that works really well.

I have gardened organically for many years. It’s best for good growth, the environment and wildlife. Some people have a mistaken idea that organic gardening is all about dirty hands, scruffy practices and a belief that dirt is good for you. It’s simply not true! Soil is a wonderful and under-rated part of the ecosystem but it belongs in the garden, not under fingernails. I always wear gloves and wash my hands thoroughly after I’ve finished. There are many beneficial microbes in soil but also some pretty bad ones. Good for growing but best respected.

With all this extra handwashing, because of Covid, my hands were becoming dry so I’m going to use olive oil soap. It’s gentle and has a nice olivey scent. I used to use it years ago but for some reason lost the habit. Won’t rejuvenate my ancient hands but it will make them feel nice.

Gardening is hungry work and food is never far from my mind. This week I made a favourite of ours. My sausage meatballs. Very easy, economical and tasty. I just mix breadcrumbs and an egg to sausagemeat which has onion and herbs added, shape into balls and cook.

This is actually a very cheap meal but makes sausagemeat seem something a bit more exotic!

350g Pork Sausagemeat with Onion and Herbs
1 large Egg
50g Breadcrumbs
Makes 12

I brown the outsides in a little heated oil, being careful to keep their shape, then add a small amount of water to the frying pan and half a vegetable stock cube. Then I simmer them, with the lid on, for 15 minutes. Once they’re in the simmering stock they keep their shape well.

I remove with a slotted spoon, discard the stock and serve them with rice and my peanut sauce. For a quick meal they’re delicious with baked beans and chutney. Any leftovers are really good crumbled into an omelette.

I’m hoping to bring out a cookbook containing my recipes sometime this year. Working on it.

The single Anemone reminded me of a small painting I did a couple of years ago. One bud half open and a flower fading. Like life itself really, beginning for some and ending for others. Yet always something lovely, something to appreciate.

With you again next week. I hope to have my knitting finished by then and some Daffodils glowing in the garden. Bye for now, stay warm and safe.

These are difficult times for many of us. We need to hold on to the things which make our lives meaningful. For most people that means the love of family and friends, the small comforts of home and the pleasures of a garden. If we’re fortunate to have those we can retreat from the world when we need to.

Even a tiny growing space can provide flowers and often food too. After many years of gardening in small spaces or allotments I now have a good sized garden but it’s not without its challenges. It was almost covered in old concrete crazy paving when we moved here and the soil is poor and sandy. After 20 years it’s in better shape and full of wildlife.

I’ve tried to create a garden for all seasons so that even in Winter I can enjoy flowers, berries, tree bark and good food. Here are a few more flowers in the garden this week.

With the lengthening days the Spring Cabbages are beginning to grow in the polytunnels. They’re a bit nibbled but will survive. These are “Spring Hero”. I think they’re the only Spring Cabbage which form ball heads. In a few weeks the heads will be firm and round. They’ll be delicious shredded in a salad or steamed.

The Leeks and Parsnips need using now. I thought up some parsnip cakes, which I mentioned last week. A sweet treat with a nice crumby texture. Very easy to do. Here’s the recipe, as promised.

PARSNIP SQUARES
You will need a large rectangular baking tin or roaster, approximately 12x10"/30x25 cm, greased.

Parsnip, about 200g unprepared weight
4 large Eggs
200g Sugar
200g Self-raising Flour
2 rounded teaspoons Baking Powder
20g Bran
200g Sunflower Oil

Peel and grate parsnip. Or chop finely in a food processor.
Heat the oven to 180C/160C fan oven.
Put all ingredients, including parsnip, into a mixing bowl.
Beat well to combine.
Spread the mixture in the baking tin or roaster.
Bake for 25 minutes. Check middle is cooked with a skewer.
If skewer comes out clean it's done. If not, allow a couple more minutes in the oven.
Allow to cool then cut into squares. 
Slide a cake spatula under to lift out.

Food seems even more important in Winter. Filling, warming meals are appreciated and we enjoy using the chutney I made during the warmer months. Its sweet, tangy taste brightens up any meal.

I’m struggling on with my knitting. The pattern has beaten me but I think I can finish the jacket in my own way. I’m not a natural when it comes to knitting patterns and this one was far too complicated for me. Bit off more than I could chew. I can understand the instructions to a point but easily lose my way. I had to abandon the fancy part of the pattern and continue in stocking stitch. I think it will look alright. I find it easier to think up my own using simple stitches. Not going to be beaten though, so stand by for another progress report later.

With you again next week. Meanwhile, stay warm, stay safe and I hope you enjoy some pleasant pastimes.

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; just simple, sweet and satisfying. I will put the recipe on next time. They bake beautifully in 25 minutes and are the perfect snack with a cup of tea.

As usual I rinsed the egg white from the eggshells and popped them in the bottom of the oven on a metal plate while the cake baked. This is a useful tip if you grow tomatoes like me. The baked shells break up into the tiniest of fragments and it’s easy to pound them into a powder in a bag. Then they can be sprinkled into the tomato compost to provide calcium. I’m grateful to whoever suggested this in a gardening magazine because my tomatoes have been much better. I also add them to my compost bins for added nutrients.

Meanwhile, despite the weather, the garden is thriving. The birds are bobbing about and calling to one another.

More flowers have appeared. A few early Crocuses which the bees are finding already.

Lots more Snowdrops are appearing at different stages around the garden. The Hellebores are a delight with their lovely colours, pretty centres and beautifully shaped petals. The Garrya has even longer tassells, draping gracefully on the branches.

The two Clematis on the arch are flowering a bit now but more buds have yet to open. The one on the left of the arch is “Freckles” and I think the one on the right is “Wisley Cream”. A while since I planted them so I’m not sure.

At this time of year we usually enjoy my “Red Winter” Kale but Wood Pigeons have bitten off all the leaves! I have never needed to cover them before. It was never a problem but this year I went down the garden and discovered they had been ripped to bits. Needless to say, they are now covered and I’m waiting for new leaves to grow.

I love wildlife in the garden but pigeons can be a nuisance. They eat all the food if you put it out for the little birds, they will eat any cabbage, broccoli or kale plants and they trample all over any low-growing flowers. Beautiful birds but I wish they’d behave themselves!

In the tunnel, snug and safe, the Garlic plants are coming up. Planted in October, they’ve had their necessary cold spell and now the days are lengthening they will grow away and provide a crop in May.

Indoors, I’m progressing with my knitting. This section of the front of the cardigan has a pattern. Interesting instead of straight rows but I need to concentrate. I’m easily distracted and confused when doing a pattern. Working hard to keep it going though and so far, so good.

Just a few weeks and we’ll be enjoying those wonderful days with glorious flowers and blue skies. Here’s a little painting I did of Spring flowers. Painted with gouache from one of my photos.

Stay safe and find lots of lovely things to help the Winter along. Bye for now. With you again next week.

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 of sunlight. There will be more in the weeks ahead but here are some already giving me pleasure.

Meanwhile, indoors, I had a bouquet of beautiful Tulips from my lovely daughter. So bright and fresh and very much appreciated.

Even this early in the year there are gardening jobs to do. I bought some seed potatoes to plant later and have set them out to “chit”.

This is a gardening term for spreading them in a light, cool place to sprout. If you keep them in the dark they sprout long white shoots and the potatoes shrivel. This way they slowly make little purpley-green shoots which some gardeners believe hurries up their growth once planted.

I have tried planting them without chitting and they seemed to grow well enough. The trouble is though, you have to buy early or they’ll be gone when you want them but, as I said, if you don’t set them out in the light they’ll be ruined by planting time. So I pop them into egg boxes and let them get on with it.

This year I’ve grown celeriac. A lovely celery-flavoured veg, delicious raw or cooked. Not the most attractive to look at when they come out of the ground though! Very knobbly with bits sticking out and covered in soil. Mine haven’t grown big but they’re fine for us, added to other vegs for a meal. When they’re washed and trimmed they are really good.

With the cost of living rising it makes sense to grow food if you can but, if not, it’s still possible to provide cheap meals which are satisfying. Here’s one I do for us, now and then, because we enjoy it.

Lentil and Potato Mash

The quantity is according to your needs. Proportions aren't difficult to work out but remember the lentils will swell as they cook.

Red Lentils
Potatoes
Veg of your choice
A little Oil, preferably olive but sunflower will do.

Put the lentils into a saucepan and cover with water plus a little extra. Bring to a boil,stirring to prevent sticking. Turn heat down and simmer for 12-15 minutes until water has been absorbed and lentils become mushy. Check that they don't dry up. Add a little water if necessary. (Alternatively put the lentils into a heatproof dish, without the lid, with some hot water and microwave for about 10-12 minutes until mushy.)
Meanwhile cook the potatoes and the extra veg in separate pans or a steamer.
When the potatoes are tender mash them well and add the mushy lentils. Mix together with salt and pepper.
Keep the extra veg warm.
Heat a little oil in a frying pan and spread the mash in the pan.
Brown on both sides.
Serve with the veg of your choice and chutney or sauce.

This is just about the cheapest meal ever but it’s also tasty, nutritious and satisfying. Easy to do once you’ve tried it. It’s also easy to do with tinned fish instead of lentils. Just drain the fish and mash into the cooked potatoes and brown in the same way. A lovely inexpensive and delicious Winter meal.

Talking of Winter, we’ve had some misty mornings which stirred my poetic leanings again. Here’s a little poem I wrote about this fascinating phenomenon.

Misty Winter Morning

A chilling mist pervades the air.
It hovers like a ghostly gauze on every field,
On branches stark and bare
With their Winter form revealed.
It clings wherever touch is made,
Each spider's web a diadem of glistening beads
And silver strands displayed
Among the water's reeds.
When once the sun comes breaking through
The wispy whiteness blows away
Leaving drops of dew
To start a fresh new day.

A month gone already. February this week. Slightly longer days and that means more light to stimulate the birds and invigorate the plants. I hope you have plans for Spring and Daffodils will shine in your garden. I will share mine just in case. Bye for now. With you again next week.