Completing the circle

It could be said that 2021 has been quite a ride - a complete sea change in fact. It was incredibly difficult to choose a photo a month so, rather than trawl up and down until I saw what I wanted, I have chosen at random the first one that catches my eye and have written about that one  .... 

Top left - January : I started a new job, as head gardener in a walled kitchen garden as part as a charity which works to help with people's minds and mental welfare. It has been a steep learning curve, not just how to manage a large vegetable garden so that it produced a steady flow of fruit and vegetables to the cafe and for sale rather than a series of gluts, but how to manage volunteers, meet their needs, teaching them new skills, making use of their existing skills base, form a community and a safety net whilst getting the best from them - I am still learning.

Top Right  - February : I, on a whim, sort of 'sashiko style' stitched my work trousers all down the left leg. Why? Well why not? It does sometimes start a conversation, which when meeting someone new does help break the ice.

Bottom Left - March : Although we walk all through the year, March really kicks off walks that are further afield.  This particular walk resulted in a rather muddy and wet (but very happy) dog,

Bottom Right -April : A good month for walking,  gently balmy days, camping, once again a happy (and usually muddy) dog.

Top Left - May : Wild camping as often as we can, we walk along pathways strewn with cow parsley. The light levels are clear and bright and days are warming while nights remain chilly.

Top Right -June : I'd decided to allow the garden to gentle 're-wild' and for a brief few weeks in June, it was beautiful, romantic, flower filled with birds, insects, frogs and hedgehogs. However, it was not long before it became not so much 're-wild' but down right savage so required a bit of a machete job....

 

Bottom Left - July : Warm and wet. Sunny days that warmed me to the bone and rainy ones that drenched me in equal measure.

Bottom Right - August : Dusky hot days melted into sultry evenings with the most glorious sunsets

Top Left - September : The call of wild camping and walking had us revisiting places we love, sharing them with Moss who delighted in swimming in rivers and the sea, walking in woodlands and along the coast line. May have to take her back!

Top Right - October : The mellowing of the seasons, softened the light, made things feel reflective and contemplative. 

Bottom Left - November : I tentatively dipped my toe into the loom-weaving waters and was dragged off into a delight of weaving. The rhythmic movement and the gentle building of the woven fabric really pleases me - I know I need lots more practise and I have been experimenting with reasonable success - I shall certainly be playing with this a whole lot more!

Bottom Right - December : take today, this misty early morning photo brings the circle around back to January when I started at the walled garden.  I wrote - this year has been quite a ride and a rather good one.

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Don't think you have reached the end of my waffle just yet!

I have just one (or three) more photographs to share with you - December 2021 to me will be forever linked to festive wreath making, the pictures only show about half of what was made .... 87 in total to be precise ... a mixture of wreaths made by myself (44) and the rest made by participants of the wreath making workshops.  

It has been a busy month.

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Slipping through the mist

The crunch of my boot seemed unnaturally loud as I walked along the track. It seemed rather intrusive.

Smudged by the mist, the distant wistful song of an unseen bird, it's tune distorted and hollow sounding, seemed to echo around the trees.

Moss trotted on ahead, sniffing and following scents, reading different stories to the ones I could see with my eyes. Her ears pricked and listening to sounds I did not hear.

A faint dripping sound as the trapped mist ran down branches and collected at the tips, wobbling a while then dropping to the leaf litter below. 

Above me I could hear the breeze shush through the upper tree level, it was almost lazy as it swirled through the branches. I could just about feel it's chilly touch on my left check as we walked.

Along the route we were watched over by the guardians of the woods, it was magical finding them as they silently appeared out of the gloom.

A Victorian home, now an outdoor centre - looking forlorn, sulked with curtains half closed and an air of abandonment. I know that the pandemic has pushed it to the brink - it remains to be seen if it can recover....

Storms Arwen and Barra have certainly left their mark with hundreds of trees flattened it their wake.

Trees twisted and torn, still hanging or leaning on telephone wires, some cleared, others still looking shocked and felled.

It was eerie and beautiful in one moment. The dampening from the mist making sounds soft and muffled and the view fading until invisible.

I could hear the lapping of the water in the tarn and knew from years of walking along this route that the tarn, unseen, was a few meters away, the only confirmation being the wooden sculpture and the shadowy shape of the boat house.

The air was chilly and I'd reached the furthest point on our walk, time to turn and return back to the car.

 It was a brief escape - one that would have been longer if there'd been time, however for that magical half hour, Moss and I evaporated into the landscape and walked with memories and plans.

Tea and Toast

 What is it about a mug of freshly brewed tea and a slice of hot buttered toast?

Is it the salty butter that melts and drips on to your fingers making them so tasty to lick?  

Or the warmed seeds in the bread that add such depth of flavour as you bite into the toast?

Oh, there is that crunch of the outer crispy layer then the inner warm soft bread washed down with a mouthful of smoky Assam tea - warm enough to fill your throat with a comforting glow without scalding yourself. You can feel yourself radiate warmth from within.

It is a guilty and go to pleasure - when I want something to eat quickly - it fills that need. 

Some days I can fill the kettle and the toaster and patiently wait as both heat up. I can stir the tea and allow the vapour fill my nostrils and swirl around my head as the toaster emits a warm mouth-watering fragrance. I can then spread the butter and savour the taste and enjoy the moment .... then...... there are days that I slam the kettle on with barely enough water to give it the quickest boil time, I throw bread into the toaster - usually one slice in the false hope that is all I need, then fling open the fridge and retrieve the butter and milk.

The tea bag is hurled into the mug as the kettle clicks off and the water follows soon after. A teaspoon twirls the steaming hot liquid, fishes out the soggy bag and stirs the milk. Heaven help the toaster if, at this point it is still gently warming the bread - often I pop it up, give the bread a hard glare and quickly press back down.

Often the toast is barely tanned, more dried out when 'fridge-hard butter is forcibly smushed along the top and stuffed into my mouth ... as I put in a second slice, ignoring the voice in my head which in a  disappointing tone reminds me that I was not going to have that additional piece. However, I am usually so busy chomping that the voice is drowned out and then soothed by a glurping of tea.

The second slice is usually a little more genteelly quaffed  as the first slightly warm and dried out bread has taken the edge off..... but not always!

I was going to share a photo of an artfully arranged slice of toast and gently steaming mug of tea - but as you can see, the toast did not make it to the photo shoot and the tea ... well, the tea is all but finished.... oops.... it has been one of those days!

Never too late

 I'm numbingly tired, so only popping in to say hi ...

...and how are you? 

...and are you taking care of yourselves?

I saw this the other day and thought I would share it with you - just in case it was just what you needed xx

Never too late and never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream

I am still weaving - both gifts and stories and I love that two intertwine and become one. Really love it.

I'll pop back soon, just need to get the next 8 days or so wrapped up then I can relax - promise, xx

Red sky in the morning ....

Shepherd's warning - Red sky at night... Shepherd's delight.

The sky first thing was a rather startling pink and as I sipped a mug of tea I watched the pink slide rapidly upwards then vanish almost immediately. The sky darkened as Storm Barra arrived with a bang - it ripped through the village making the trees howl as they lost the last few remaining leaves they'd held on to. I worked briefly in the morning - regretting the decision and managed to hold on for an hour before I blew home dripping wet and frozen handed.

It took a couple of mugs of tea, a warmed mincepie and a change of fleece and socks before I began to feel human again and buoyed up enough to go back out and do a bit of shopping. I was was glad to get back home though - Barra was not for playing nicely at all.

In the afternoon, after I'd completed a few unescapable chores, I persuaded Himself that today would be the last day I would have time to put up the tree, before December melted into an unruly mix of work and festive get togethers, family and friends.

So, tonight, sitting watching 'Winter Walks with...' I keep looking over to the now dressed tree - I've tried to be more 'Scandi' than my usual style and I rather like the simple charm of stars and lights and nothing else.

So, apart from the tree there is only the wreath on the door and I like the simplicity of it all.

Meanwhile Barra continues to howl and thump around the house. Think it is time for a brew - stay safe and stay warm if Storm Barra is keeping you company tonight xxx

Sunday reflecting

The house has been full of voices the last couple of days with the boys and their girls joining us for our annual wreath making day - it was non existent in 2020 and this year it had been downsized to just a bare minimum of family and special friends; to be able to have a small part of our yearly tradition felt rather special.

With quite a few folk not joining us, I was busy making a number of wreaths - which I have to admit was rather hard to rustle up the enthusiasm I usually have - it seems I have made so many this year that the novelty has well and truly run its course... I also wanted this to be a lovely day because last year was .... well - last year didn't really happen, did it?

However after several mugs of tea, mince pies, gingerbread cake, gingerbread, lots of catching up and a constant background serenading of festive songs - I got there in the end!

Another very special part of this day is the arrival of a gingerbread chrimbly tree - where squeaks of delight and oohs and aahs of appreciation could be heard as it landed in the centre of the table with a flourish!

It is this plate of tasty sculpture that really makes me feel like the festive season has begun. And what makes it even more special is, it is part of my boys festive build up and and once they'd grown up and brought home their girlfriends - they delighted in sharing this tradition with them too. It also amazes me how quickly this plate of biscuits are scoffed - with the larger pieces being torn into large chunks and carried off triumphantly!

Nearly all of us had more that one wreath to make and if I have my calculations correct - I think, by the end of the day there were  15 or 16 made - so we were rather busy!

The pile of greenery both on the table and beneath it certainly looked impressive however I had to ask Himself to brave the dreadful weather outside and gather more as we soon depleted it.

The house smelt gorgeous - citrusy conifer, spicy ginger, mulled punch, mince pies, pizza, baked potatoes,  cinnamon sticks, crusty bread, quiche and nut roast.

In the evening, after all had gone, we sat quietly recovering around the fire, Youngest and his Girl quietly finishing off their wreaths, Eldest and his Girl reading on the settee and the weather howling around the house in a foul temper - I decided that despite this year's wreath day's build up being quite hard work - it was worth it - really worth it x 

Weaving stories

 I've been playing .....

A little while ago, I'd accidently (oops - suspect my finger slipped on my keyboard ) purchased myself a small loom weaving kit and finally today was the first time I was able to get my hands on it and actually play!

The instructions it came with were a rather lost in translation, so I did a bit of online research and after realising where I'd gone wrong with setting up, I stuck the kettle on and got stuck in!

And I like!!

I like A LOT!

I loved the movement of each row as it builds up and the gentle growth of fabric from woollen thread. It is definitely a slow craft - a mindful, methodical and rhythmic craft and while the weather outside was foul tempered and miserable, I was engrossed and wanting to learn more.

I have since knotted the fringe and trimmed it a little shorter, soaked and blocked the mats and I am on with making the next two...... ! 

My chosen colours, all in pre-shrunk 100% wool, are a lovely tweedy grey, chocolate brown and a soft sandy shade. However each mug mat has a different pattern. The edges might be bumpy and my tension still needing practice however seeing the completed mug mats made my heart sing. I may have mentioned that I am enjoying this ... A LOT!

Right - this is the final  #moreblogvember post for November 2021. There is this myth that it take 21 days to form a habit (where in reality it is nearer 66 days - so two months of blogging just might be enough) we shall see.

#moreblogvember

Orl-right treacle? *

What a bit of a day it has been! The village has been hammered somewhat - with large parts of it without electricity, most of it without wi fi and all of it without water all day! Fortunately the water is back - turned out several of the old Victorian pipes split with the cold, most but not all of the residents have power or internet back yet.

It has been, however,  a very good day for sewing though - and I have done eeeeeeven smaller stitches! Think I've gone a little cross eyed in the process 😁

I promised to share the gingerbread recipe after I'd tasted it - no point getting excited about a recipe then on sampling finding it disappointing - however this particular delight was exactly that - a delight! It makes a HUGE cake so next time I make it I will halve the ingredients.

It is from an American site with US weights and measures, so I have converted it - I have added the link for my Stateside readers.

Fresh Ginger and Treacle Cake

• 114gm fresh ginger peeled and grated
• 300gm treacle
• 200gm sugar
• 225gms (mls) vegetable oil
• 313gm self raising flower
• 1tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp ground cloves
• 1/2 tsp finely ground black pepper
• 236grams (mls) hot water
• 2 tsp bicarb (baking soda)
• 2 eggs

1. Heat oven to 175 deg c, line a 25 cm cake tin with greaseproof paper - I used a large square pan and cut the cake into 'brownie' sized squares.
2. Peel and grate the fresh ginger.
3. Mix treacle, sugar and oil in one bowl
4. Mix flour, spices in a separate bowl
5. Stir the bicarb into the boiling water and add to the treacle mix
6. Add the grated ginger.
7. Gradually add and whisk the dry ingredients to the treacle mix
8. When well blended, add the eggs until thoroughly combined.
9. Pour into the cake tin and bake for about an hour.

The cake is very dark so not easy to check if browning too quickly, so after about cooking for about half an hour, I added a greaseproof cover to protect it.

Leave to cool in the tin for about half an hour - it will still be warm for a long time after. Use a knife or spatula to loosen the edges and take out of the tin to cool further - or in my case feed straight to a waiting husband..........

This is the LINK to the US site with gorgeous photos of the cake - mine are rather less so!

Now, a good 24 hours after it's baking, the cake is still soft and squidgy and just gooey enough to make your fingers worth giving a good lick but not too sticky that you need to rush off and wash your hands. Himself has decided that he'd like to try a goodly portion of the cake swimming in a bucket load of hot custard - hmmmm, might have to humour him😁

*and the 'Orl-right Treacle? of my title? - well it was a catchphrase from a character from the 1980s - a cockney stall holder in a long running soap opera. One, I hasten to add, I do not watch! However I did, under sufferance, see the first few episodes when I stayed with my Gran who was - in equal measure - was both entranced and annoyed by the plot lines and characters!

This is my penultimate #moreblogvember post - tomorrow is November 30th and I know December can be beyond busy for most folk - so, I may be less prolific with my posting. Thank you for coming along for the ride!

#moreblogvember

#52newrecipes

Slow, snow Sunday

This morning felt really chilly with an icy grey cloud hanging low over the village. It was not long before it started to snow, so it seemed a really good time to reach for the thread and needle and continue my sewing.

I can't tell you what it is as the person it is destined for does read my blog however what I am sharing is a little tip I picked up a while ago and used very successfully today. See the two marks on my nail? They line up with the blanket stitches. I'd read that if you are doing tiny sewing, by marking on your nail the distance you want to your stitches to be, it helps give a regular spaced out rhythm to your sewing and once you've completed the stitching - you just wash off the ink on your nail. Simples!

By lunch the snow suddenly stopped and although the sun didn't break through the clouds, the sky lightened and in places the snow glowed gold in the afternoon gloom.

We didn't go too far, just our local 'dog loop' around the village and Moss was delighted - she loves snow, racing around, skidding and chasing snowballs. She grabs mouthfuls of snow and seems to enjoy chewing it - strange. The next picture is my favourite for today - I love how she is 'standing proud' with her stick she 'troffled' out of the snow to carry.

As we reached the highest point of our walk, a snow-laden fog drifted over the hill and down into the valley, slipping in and around of buildings. It gave the village wind turbine the appearance of floating about the ridge.

We dropped off the ridge we were on, back down into the village, as we - although wrapped warmly and walking briskly - were both just barely warm enough and I was certain I could hear the 'kettle calling' to us. And of course - you just can not have a mug of tea whilst warming your toes in front of the fire - without a fiery dark ginger cake ..... so that is what we did! 

I will share the recipe with you tomorrow - unless something more interesting happens - but at the moment the cake will top most things due to it's deep dark gingery and gooey goodness with it's soft and squidgy texture.... just might have to go in for a third oops I mean 'another' piece, before my mug of tea is finished.

Well. 

That is the weekend. 

It has slipped away somewhat. Never mind😊

Hope your weekend was gently kind to you and there were precious moment to treasure xxx💗💗