I finally got to go to the Chelsea flower show which you can only do during this month of the year! It was a bitter sweet trip as I was meant to be going with my sister in memory of our ate mum who never went but would have so loved too. Sadly my sister is very poorly with a flare of her autoimmune condition so my daughter came instead. We had a wonderful day and raised a glass of eye wateringly expensive Pimms in her memory!!😍
So many golden hour evenings and gorgeous gentle orange/ pink sunsets this week. And cow parsley EVERYWHERE. Yesterday we stopped the car on a country road over to Berwick on Tweed to let a mother grouse and 9 tiny babies cross the road - never done that before!
I am doing no mow May (mainly because the garage door is broken and I can’t get the mower), but I’ve got a swathe of buttercups and daisies and clover patches, giving me a very lovely mini meadow.
Week began with rescuing a large hawk stuck in fencing below the deck as it chased escaping prey...talons went through my leather gloves but hawk was freed, spent remainder of week recuperating inside during cold weather with heavy rain. Looking forward to some sun in the coming week.
Thank you, Rosamund. If I had more presence of mind, I would have first thrown a towel over it but as you said. we were both adrenalinized. It ended well for both of us.
Whilst quietly sat in my garden enjoying a bowl of porridge, topped with allotment rhubarb stewed in orange and ginger, I was delighted to see my first hummingbird moth for this year. It was feasting on the beautiful, and delicately scented, self-seeded sweet rocket.
Usually just the juice of an orange, depending on how much rhubarb I am roasting, honey to sweeten and some ground ginger. I cover and roast in the oven. No exact measurements I'm afraid. Sometimes I add a cooking apple and/or strawberries too. Crumbled walnuts and pumpkin seeds are sprinkled on top when i serve. My porridge is made from oats, ground flaxseeds, ground cia seeds and almond milk.
Give the rhubarb a go, just keep checking it's not dried out. If needed add a little water. I hope you enjoy it. Elderflower cordial is a nice addition to rhubarb, too.
Walking along the canal, a bright green canopy protecting us from the sun, delighted by ducklings. One mother duck had TEN ducklings with her. Ten! What a responsibility!
The short stretch of woods we walk regularly is already dark and gloomy but that means the Hart’s-tongue ferns are unfurling in earnest. Lots of tightly coiled new leaves starting their gentle unwind.
Bright celandine wood poppies tagged along from my wild forest garden to my little patio garden in the city. The ferns & poppies are so lush & happy together. I adore these happy accidents!
Much needed monsoon rain and thunderstorm. It was sunny when I left home and a torrential downpour moments later. Refreshed boy, mind and soul. And the garden.
Spending time in the reawakening forest of Michigan. A successful hunt for morel mushrooms and wild leeks. Camping beneath the freshly emerging canopy, millions of leaves comprising nature's cathedral; birdsong fills the air from before sunup to after twilight. Cooking meals over campfire, marveling how everything tastes so much better when cooked and eaten outdoors.
Ooh I have rain envy! There was a breath of it one day but nothing more, am dreaming of downpours. The elderflower is taking over the frothy role in the hedgerow abandoned by the hawthorn, and we have lots of tiny apples on our tree.
I finally got to go to the Chelsea flower show which you can only do during this month of the year! It was a bitter sweet trip as I was meant to be going with my sister in memory of our ate mum who never went but would have so loved too. Sadly my sister is very poorly with a flare of her autoimmune condition so my daughter came instead. We had a wonderful day and raised a glass of eye wateringly expensive Pimms in her memory!!😍
So lovely to go to the Chelsea Flower show and remembering your mum but disappointing for your sister.Gladyou enjoyed your day
So many golden hour evenings and gorgeous gentle orange/ pink sunsets this week. And cow parsley EVERYWHERE. Yesterday we stopped the car on a country road over to Berwick on Tweed to let a mother grouse and 9 tiny babies cross the road - never done that before!
I say cow parsley is nature's own gypsophila! So pretty and lacey
I am doing no mow May (mainly because the garage door is broken and I can’t get the mower), but I’ve got a swathe of buttercups and daisies and clover patches, giving me a very lovely mini meadow.
Week began with rescuing a large hawk stuck in fencing below the deck as it chased escaping prey...talons went through my leather gloves but hawk was freed, spent remainder of week recuperating inside during cold weather with heavy rain. Looking forward to some sun in the coming week.
So lucky you were there, and brave enough, to rescue it. I expect both of you were fizzing with adrenaline. I hope the rest is healing your hands.
Thank you, Rosamund. If I had more presence of mind, I would have first thrown a towel over it but as you said. we were both adrenalinized. It ended well for both of us.
Whilst quietly sat in my garden enjoying a bowl of porridge, topped with allotment rhubarb stewed in orange and ginger, I was delighted to see my first hummingbird moth for this year. It was feasting on the beautiful, and delicately scented, self-seeded sweet rocket.
That sounds so delicious! Do you have a recipe or is it just a pinch of this and that?
Hi Nancy.
Usually just the juice of an orange, depending on how much rhubarb I am roasting, honey to sweeten and some ground ginger. I cover and roast in the oven. No exact measurements I'm afraid. Sometimes I add a cooking apple and/or strawberries too. Crumbled walnuts and pumpkin seeds are sprinkled on top when i serve. My porridge is made from oats, ground flaxseeds, ground cia seeds and almond milk.
Give the rhubarb a go, just keep checking it's not dried out. If needed add a little water. I hope you enjoy it. Elderflower cordial is a nice addition to rhubarb, too.
I’m going to try this Rachel, thank you for the inspiration, and Nancy for asking. Xx
can i come for breakfast ?
as well as sounding delicious and Im sure tasting divine its also a work of art !
delicious eating ! for both of you
Walking along the canal, a bright green canopy protecting us from the sun, delighted by ducklings. One mother duck had TEN ducklings with her. Ten! What a responsibility!
The short stretch of woods we walk regularly is already dark and gloomy but that means the Hart’s-tongue ferns are unfurling in earnest. Lots of tightly coiled new leaves starting their gentle unwind.
I had to look up this fern. Thank you for broadening my plant world.
Found myself face to face with a young adder whilst trying to harvest some elderflower!
🐍 yikes!
Wow, that must have been quite a shock!
It certainly was! I will probably sing and stamp my feet as I approach the tree today.. in the hope the snake population clears off.
A late evening long walk. We didn't get home until 9 and saw the sun going down behind a hill. Lovely orange light.
Bright celandine wood poppies tagged along from my wild forest garden to my little patio garden in the city. The ferns & poppies are so lush & happy together. I adore these happy accidents!
The first roses, my favourite at the moment is ‘The Poet’s Wife’, a soft lemon flower that smells like sherbert.
My favourite is just out - it's called Eden rose (extra special as that's my grandaughter's name too!)
Making a note, for if I ever have a garden. Sounds gorgeous x
I had to look this rose up. What a beautiful rose. I am going to see if they will tolerate Alaskan weather.
My favourite is Grace - a soft peachy rose we all planted in memory of our 12 year old granddaughter Grace who died 7 years ago of a brain tumour.
So sorry for the loss of your grandaughter Sue. What a lovely way to remember her ❤️
oh how sad ! I am sorry Sue
and how lovely to remember Grace with a beautiful rose beautifully named
So sorry for your loss. X
Much needed monsoon rain and thunderstorm. It was sunny when I left home and a torrential downpour moments later. Refreshed boy, mind and soul. And the garden.
Spending time in the reawakening forest of Michigan. A successful hunt for morel mushrooms and wild leeks. Camping beneath the freshly emerging canopy, millions of leaves comprising nature's cathedral; birdsong fills the air from before sunup to after twilight. Cooking meals over campfire, marveling how everything tastes so much better when cooked and eaten outdoors.
Ooh I have rain envy! There was a breath of it one day but nothing more, am dreaming of downpours. The elderflower is taking over the frothy role in the hedgerow abandoned by the hawthorn, and we have lots of tiny apples on our tree.
The evergreens coming to life, bright green tips on the dark branches of yew and holly.
Visiting Paris this week. Seeking pockets of shade on the tree lined streets and watching the Eifel tower light up as the sky darkened. Magical 🙂
Sounds just so lovely ....enjoy!