Wednesday Potterings.

After yesterday's efforts and after I eventually got sat down last night, I started to strip some of the Bay Leaves off the stalks in order that I can get them dried naturally without using the Dehydrator.  I have also  planned to do some bunches for the Dresser as well, but I am starting with the loose leaves.  As OH has scalped the Bay tree and I am not sure whether I will have any leaves available later in the year or if I do not perhaps as many as I would need,  I therefore decided to dry what I could in the here and now. I use an awful lot of these leaves in cooking for giving a subtle flavour to gravies, sauces, casseroles and stews.  Once dried they can then be jarred up and popped into the Pantry. They can also be ground down into a powder.

I must say that I felt very tired after everything that was done yesterday, but am pleased with how things are progressing in the Herb garden.  Despite being very tired when I went to bed last night I could not settle and sleep was a bit fitful.  I did wake to the Dawn again this morning though and the beautiful bird song.  OH is deaf and cannot hear this.

I had planned on doing some seed sowing yesterday evening.  I got the compost outside the back door, I got the trays all washed and the hoods sorted I did not get to the seed sowing though.  I had planned on doing them today, but plans have changed so fingers crossed for tomorrow.  I am hopeful to get some compost in time for the weekend in any event.

Had an unexpected shopping trip out as I had run out of  milk. I like to buy the largest milk cartons I can, which the larger supermarkets do stock.  The smaller ones are a bit savvier in getting people to spend their money though and have since Covid not stocked the larger bottles.  I think that they would rather you buy the standard bottles and pay twice for them which I absolutely object to unless I do not have any choice.

On the Easter dinner front, have managed to pick up a good Leg of Lamb for approximately £17.  Looking forward to this as we have not had Lamb for a little while.  It is probably too big for the pair of us but will get at least three meals out of it.  Will get my garlic and Rosemary stuffed leg joint, cold cuts and Posh Shepherd's Pie made from the remnants of the meat and any leftover veg with some mint sauce.

I also bought some more nuts.  This time around I have purchased another pack of Brazils and some Walnuts.  Next time will probably be some Cashews and Almonds.  I am trying to stock up on nuts, which I am trying more and more to incorporate into our diet whether that be in Muesli, Granola, cookies, cakes and baking, just to eat a few, in salads etc. The offer that is on at the moment is two bags for £4. This is from Morrisons. I also want to explore some more vegetarian ways of preparing some foods, the recipes of which use a lot of nuts.  I am therefore stock-piling for this and once I have enough and a significant choice I shall start playing a bit.

We have fresh wet fish for tea tonight.  I have a fillet of proper smoked Haddock (it is not dyed).  OH has a Haddock fillet.  Will make a nice change.  We do love our fish here.  I poached mine. OH will probably have his fried.  In the end he decided to have it on his own and both meals have gone down very nicely.

OH's Haddock gently fried face down to start with and then turned over.

My smoked Haddock was poached in a combination of milk and water, a sprinkling of white pepper and a couple of Bay leaves which seem to be a theme around here at the moment.

Also bought bacon, Seriously strong cheese spread, Salad, Tomatoes, Jam Doughnuts (yes they are jam rather than the custard ones picked up by mistake last time), and a Strawberry tart made with confectioners custard and which we should get two good wedges each out of which worked out to be cheaper than buying two separate tarts. Individual tarts were £1.75 for one!  This was intended as a treat only as I have not been buying baked products per se because the mark up is so strong on them.

We also paid a visit to M & S, and bought a couple of things from there.  A couple of Rib Eye steaks, a large Chicken, some large sausages (4 per pack), some Cornish Cruncher cheese.  Last time I bought that (which was sometime ago) that was £6 for the larger block.  Now up to £7.25.  Still it is one of my favourite cheeses.  There are a lot of Cornish cheeses which we tried last year when we were down in Cornwall which we cannot get around here.  Hopefully we will be down again this year to the caravan and will be able to indulge in some of our favourites then.

We also bought some Hot Cross Buns, a Pork pie, sliced Wiltshire Ham, and sliced Roast Beef for use in a salad or to eat in sarnies etc.

Not a great deal of shopping, but enough to get us through to next week.  There are still a few more things needed, like oil, tea bags, sugar, flour, a tray of eggs, some cream, more potatoes and some veggies, bin bags, foil, zip lock bags and some jars for putting my nuts into but those will be bought later in the week.

I have my oranges and lemons for making pancakes, could do with some Blueberries or Strawberries. I also have apples.  Lots to use and be creative with as well as still some bottled fruits on the Pantry shelf.  Therefore lots of potential options.

This evening I have more housekeeping to do on my computer.  Apparently my One Drive Box is full so I am chucking out more emails (which I was part way through in any event)  If  you are having trouble getting hold of me this is why.  Then I have the photos to sort.

Right am off to get on.

Catch  you soon.

Pattypan

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