Blogging can be good for your health
When I started blogging, five years ago this August, I had no idea what I was doing or what to expect. Danny had installed the WordPress software on my laptop. The sample words for the first article were. “Hello world.” Just two words that had me scuttling for cover immediately. “Well what are you going to write about?” Danny’s eyes were bright and expectant as he peered under the duvet. He had taken so much trouble. I felt I couldn’t just say. “IknowthatIwantedtoblogbutI’vechangedmymind.” Basically I couldn’t think...
read moreDelicious, simple prawn and asparagus spaghetti recipe
I love prawns and asparagus. At this time of year there are a lot of two for one offers on UK asparagus and we cash in. Our asparagus patch is into its second year and not thriving. However, an asparagus expert visited the garden recently, inspected the spindly spears and gave me some great advice. “Apply fish, blood and bone and bank up with earth like spuds. These roots are clearly not being fed enough!” Maybe, next year we might be cutting our first spears. Prawns are expensive but Danny often finds them half price on the *CFC. They...
read moreKeeping chickens – the flip side
“There’s something wrong with Florence. She’s looking odd, not eating or drinking. She’s isolated herself from the others.” “Let’s put her in The Emerald Castle – with food and water of course. Away from the rest of the flock she can relax and concentrate on geting better.” Wise words from Danny that apply to any ailing chicken. It’s strange but it usually seems to be my favourite birds that keel over. As in any group there are some that have more attractive personalities. I still miss Mrs Boss, Carol and...
read moreFive £50 Homebase vouchers up for grabs in our Grand Draw
We’re delighted to have teamed up with Homebase to run this Grand Draw. The five lucky winners will each receive a £50 Homebase voucher. The vouchers can be used throughout the store. As you know, they have a huge range of other products too. However frugal I try to be each year I always need to invest in supplies for the cottage and garden. Compost and seeds are an annual outlay along with tools to increase our ability to be more self sufficient. Our nearest home and garden store is Homebase and I always enjoy pottering about in there and...
read moreThe pugs have returned home
Seraphina collected the brothers pug yesterday. She arrived laden with vodka and tobacco – to feed my naughty vices. She had been to stay with my big brother in New Zealand. She’d had a fabulous time – he has a happy and large extended family. Through my brother, I’m an aunt and a great aunt too! The pugs waited by the front door on their first day – expecting Seraphina to return. Then they gradually got into the cottage routine. Inca our youngest Min Pin became Goody Two Shoes, pointing out when the pugs were sunning themselves...
read moreOrach – a very useful cut and come again veg for a limited space
I invested in orach last year – supplied by The Real Seed Company. The young leaves can be eaten in a salad and the older leaves are a great alternative to spinach. As long as you do not let it go to seed – the buds are delicious steamed – this will produce for you until the first frosts. The final height is about a meter high. Beautiful and tasty – what more could you want from a leafy vegetable? I was planning to save the seed last year but just didn’t get around to it. The seed heads stayed on the plants all through the cold and...
read morePerennial vegetables: Tree cabbage
Recently I visited a small and very good privately owned local nursery. Even though it was a weekday, there were quite a few people browsing. I always enjoy chatting to the counter staff if it’s quiet. These people know what exactly is passing through their tills and are often more straightforward than management. I was at the end of a long snakeing queue so I jumped in. “How’s the grow your own stuff going this year?” “OK but not a patch on last year. Of course we’re selling loads of tomato plants as usual.” I was stunned....
read moreThe Royal Wedding
I was planning to give the Royal Wedding a miss – I was delighted that Prince William had found someone that he clearly loves and trusts. But to sit glued to the telly for the morning – nah! I woke early for me – couldn’t resist a peek at 8.30 and from then on I was hooked. Rather scary looking guests in hats and fascinators were intriguing. Some people I recognised some were just interesting to watch. Adjusting their suits and hair. Knowing that they were going to be on telly and not realising that they were already being displayed on...
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