Meme: 6 random things about me
I have been tagged by Compostwoman at The Compostbin to share 6 random things about me. Tag Rules: Link to the person who tagged you. Post the rules on the blog. Write six random things about yourself. Tag six people at the end of your post. Let each person know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog. Let the tagger know when your entry is up. I like being tagged. It resolves the question – what shall I write about tonight? For some bloggers it lifts the veil of mystery. After nearly two years my veil must be in shreds...
read moreCauliflower and broccoli cheese with socks on recipe
I’m not keen on naked cauliflower but cauliflower cheese has been a staple for years. Somehow dressing the cauli in a cheese sauce and grilling the top transmogrifies the ingredients into something delicious. Or so I thought before I presented my old traditional version to Danny with a flourish. He wasn’t overly impressed. “Can we have it with baked potatoes next time? It’s not really a proper meal on its own. More of a snack.” This was a bit of a body blow. D is very particular about his baked potatoes. His...
read moreKindly control your animal
Many years ago, eight years at least, I was walking Dr Quito and his new wife, The Contessa. Suddenly a large dog jumped out from the shadows and sniffed them. He worried them but did not bite. Dr Q had just recovered from a nasty ˜left for dead episode’ on Newmarket Heath. Just the mere sight of a big dog had him shrieking. The Contessa followed suit. So in one movement I swept the Min pins up from the ground and tried to shift the dog away. The owner just kept his distance and observed. As his dog leap to the height of my earlobes his...
read moreVisiting Celia Hart’s open studio 2008
There is something magical about Celia. This was the last day of her open studio and garden. An irresistible combination. As with most of the Cambridge Open Studios, Celia’s place is as intriguing as her artwork. Many bloggers know her as Magic Cochin. She writes the excellent Purple Podded Peas blog. Celia is that wonderful combination of talented artist and knowledgeable gardener. Living with Cliff, two cats and her chickens she is busy yet relaxed. Her studio and garden is an oasis of calm. The small exhibition was delightful. I was...
read moreStrange eggs
Sometimes I find an egg with a small deformity on the shell but last month I found these two weirdly shaped eggs. What was going on? The larger one is Carol’s (aged three) and the one with the twist was laid by Barbie (aged four). I rushed back to the cottage and fired up the computer. DEFRA has a good, informative article relating to eggs here. Irregularities in egg shells can indicate a host of horrifying diseases. However as Carol and Barbie look well and healthy the cause is clearly age. If you don’t replace your hens every two...
read moreThe ten minute soup challenge: Low fat spicy tomato and courgette soup recipe
“What do you think galengal tastes like?” My mum shrugged. “I would leave it if I was you.” I was examining the spices to add to our ten minute soup. So I put back the galengal and grabbed a small jar of Massaman Thai curry paste. This includes a lot of the ingredients that I use for our soup all in one jar – chilli, lemon grass, tamarind, corrriander and a few others such as shrimp and cumin. Galengal has a small walk on part too. We don’t eat soup every day for lunch. Sometimes we still eat a...
read moreLandslide
“This bread looks mouldy. Or is it just dusted with flour?” Danny held the slice under the light. “It’s definitely mould.” We had some sliced bread in the barn freezer so I pulled on my wellies and went out. I knew that something was wrong when I tried to open the door. There was a scraping sound of glass on concrete. The way to the freezer was barred. I shot back to the kitchen. “Danny, come quickly. The shelving unit has collapsed. Most of the demi johns were on the top shelf. My dark brown one is smashed....
read moreGarlic sprouting inhibitors – beware
In the autumn of 2006 I split a fat head of French garlic and planted it in a sunny position in the kitchen garden. Even though we grow our own, our supply is supplemented with huge heads of garlic that Jocelyn and Miles bring back from France. Danny pottered down to the engine room (gardening wise) of our ship and christened it The French Row. “When will we see these French ones sprouting?” “They’ll send up shoots in the spring if all is well.” In the spring it was clear that all was not well with The French...
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