runner beans etc....

 

the gals enjoying their treat

here are the gals munching their way through their early morning treat... 

chomp chomp, nearly all gone!

here's another pic showing how helpful they can be - they have been digging away to reveal a fine clump of horseradish! 

lots of juicy worms round here!  

 

 

Hen treats!

Good morning, a fine April morning

just been checking on the hens, 2 eggs already! usually after the pellets they get a treat - here's a pic. I can't resist a few sprouted seeds for myself - delicious ! I have been doing a sprouting seeds rota for a couple of weeks now and it's a great way to add fresh veg to their diet (and they adore them)

sprouted wheat grass, sunflower seeds and beansprouts!

Old Pine

this is one of the many spectacular trees along the dog-walking route. such a beautiful day, tiny moon in sky .....

ICY

ICY GOOD MORNING, 
hello, cold and icy and clear blue sky. I tried to take a pic of the white ice pattern on the car but it seemed to reflect the sky. However, there is a hint of the pattern showing - brrrrr...........

Potatoes !

just noticed this patterning around the potatoes as the water came to the boil !
the weather has been cold and I really needed a HOT DINNER so here's the potatoes cooking.
Sorry, no pic of the hot dinner  but it was YUMMY !

less darkness!

yes, there is finally less darkness! 
feet! I am able to get up earlier and to celebrate I thought I would soak my feet as my toenails have become troublesome. 
I have been walking for about an hour a day and I guess the walking boots have been pressing on my toes causing the problem. Although I feel fitter since the walking, my feet are complaining - so I will give them the attention they require otherwise the walking will have to stop................. 

New Year Resolutions

well - eight days since New Year and I am finally back to normal life. Everything has slid into place and nothing much has changed. I do however have a PLAN!
Chickens - either increase flock as there are only seven and four of them are ancient oh dear! 
today has become very cold, better get out the thermals....

Horseradish!

well today is the last day of the year, so I decided to take a look at the horseradish. the chickens had scrabbled some soil away so all I had to do was pullllll and out it came - the whole root!
washed and grated it - and WOW! the fumes cleared my head, nasal passages and eyes watered and so I quickly popped it in a jar with some cider vinegar. better get on to the internet now to look for what to do with it!

Dark nights in East Anglia

Fingerless mitts...
the next part of my knitting project is to design and knit fingerless mitts to wear with the hat and scarf. I think there is just enough yarn left (I hope!) guess I will have to knit and see.
Re: the weather here - Sunday glorious sunshine and not a breath of wind then Monday FOG, FOG and more FOG...

finished knittin'

finally finished knitting!

this project is now for all to see on the web!
I have been knitting and pattern writing and it is the first time I have uploaded one of my designs onto Ravelry. Here's a pic of the Glitzy hat and Scarf

I have used a glitzy yarn which gives the hat and scarf some golden glints. more info on Angela Mary's Knits at Ravelry knitting website

just Knittin'

today has been a knitting day, unless you like knitting it won't be of interest... I have been trying to finish my Winter project that I intend to put onto Ravelry

Mushroom Foray

Today I am off to a mushroom foray! hopefully to learn about fungi... will take some pics today and post tomorrow....
sorry, no pics cos it was too shady for my camera..

Holy horseradish!

today is a grey wet and miserable day, had almost forgotten about these days...doesn't seem to bother the caterpillars however...

holy horseradish!

Tomatoes

finally the tomatoes are ripening...

marmande tomats

 I had left the green tomatoes in the porch and kind of forgotten about them, but when I finally spotted them 'WOW' here they go...

Tree Bark and Damson jam

Wonderful walk through the park today! the trees were thoroughly wet after yesterday's rain and the tree-bark had the look of a fresh coating of varnish..... 

Feeling much refreshed by the clean dust-free air, I thought I would make use of the Damsons in my fridge - so this afternoon I will be making some sharp and tangy Damson Jam. 

Carboot Sunday

Up with the lark and off to the car boot sale! sharing the cost of the pitch with a friend makes it much nicer, not only cheaper but if there are two of you then each one gets the opportunity to take a wander, cup of tea etc.................... 

As you can see in the photo, my friend had some wonderful vintage dresses and accessories, many of which were snapped up. The remains after the sale finished were sold as a job-lot at a vintage shop. I bought some jewellery which was cheap because it was in an almighty tangle. All in all - it was a calm and sunny day!

Frosty air

Frosty mornings are on their way -  however, I didn't see any frost on the grass but the air has a distinctly frosty feel and I better pick my outdoor tomatoes today. The toms have not ripened at all this year so I do feel disappointed but - maybe they will ripen indoors - I guess it's wait and see time.....

One is never alone with chickens on the loose!




In the meantime - I must concoct a chutney recipe as the garden is littered with Bramley apples and greengages. 

Such a sunny day - I have decided to make a small amount of Greengage jam to remember the sunshine - go to recipes...

Free-range Foragers

Good Morning!
Six of my seven free-rangers up and about....  

Six eggs - just in time for Brunch!

Thistledown

Thistledown..............

exploding seed-heads drifting on the wind in search of a new location - seeing this in action is one of the many perks of dog walking. 
I am reminded of a character from "Mr Norris and Jonathan Strange"
....a Fairy - a gentleman with thistledown hair!