Thursday and Friday Catch up

I have not been able to do anything courtesy of our ageing Jack Russell and the cat who today performed a tag team at how to disrupt mum's plans.  

Thursday

If it was not one it was the other.  It started early at 7:30am  with an accident on behalf of Missy.  I got her all sorted out and cleaned up.  Then she would not settle and eventually got her off to sleep however took absolutely ages as she just would not settle.  She has been like that on and off most of the day.  Then Mischief the cat started circuit training!  On the plus side I did get some washing done and out on the line to dry but that is all in retrospect.

G had cheese on toast for tea and I had some carrot and coriander soup.

I was going to do some work in the study this evening but in the end did not get there.  Tomorrow I intend to be kitchen bound for at least part of the day.

I did not manage to get back into the herb garden yesterday but that will happen over the weekend.  The garden bed needs weeding, but otherwise the pavement leading to the main garden is clean and sorted.  I may start sorting some of the rubbish for an hour or so tomorrow which is in the garden.  It needs bagging and labelling as to what is in each type of bag and then G can when he gets a moment start getting rid of it.  I am going to be working down to the greenhouses.  I checked the temperatures and they seem to be reasonably warm for the next week or so.  I therefore intend to sow some seeds this weekend at long last or at least make a start.

Beautiful clear night here tonight and can clearly see the moon.  Checked and full moon starts on Saturday here running into Sunday when it is at its peak.  I have always been fascinated by the Lady Moon ever since I was a child.

Friday

Had a very good night's sleep last night I crashed out again.  I did manage to get to bed earlier and am aiming to get into a new routine so that I wake up earlier.  Early days yet, but feel much better for it at the present.

An unexpected trip out was had to the Butchers.  This time I went too.  I did not get everything I wanted this time, I want some flour for bread making etc. and all I get is tutting if I go anywhere near the supplies but next time I will make up for it.  However have come away with some goodies. Two tray bakes a garlic and chicken one, and a mint and lamb one; two Beef Barbecue melts, two sirloin steaks, some fresh Kale and some fresh Purple Sprouting Broccoli, a bunch of young carrots with tops.  Real seasonal treats my Nan always used to grow white and purple sprouting broccoli and it is a favourite here.  Also bought two pies one a chicken and bacon and the other a lamb and mint.  That should keep us ticking along nicely.  Were some good offers on with the meat again for the mince and stewing steak.  Mince was £14 for 1kg, stewing steak £17 per kg (4 x 500 bags per tray).  Chickens were also on offer of three smaller chickens for £15.  I will try and go with him next time and get some packs as I want to start re-stocking the freezer for later in the year.  I have some veggies in the freezer which I will keep a small supply of but the majority of the contents are meals in themselves or the basic meat supplies.  I do so wish I had more capacity and space so that I could have another chest freezer, however I am very grateful I have this one after being three years without one at all.  Next time I go I will have a membership card to hand in to claim the bonus of the membership scheme which may be a 1lb of stewing meat, a chicken or whatever else they are offering at the time we go in.

I have also subscribed to Kitchen Garden magazine so I will now have Grow your own and the Kitchen Garden magazines delivered monthly.  As part of the Kitchen Garden magazine when you subscribe you get 20 three packets of seeds.  This morning the seeds have arrived and I received the following:

1. Green Sprouting Calabrese
2. Butternut Winter Squash
3. Kohl Rabi
4. Leek Musselburgh
5. Cabbage Consulate
6. Aquilegia
7. Cucumber Marketmore 76
8. Salad leaf Rocket Wild Fire
9. Rhubarb Chard Beet Leaf
10. Celeraic
11. Aubergine Long Purple
12. Turnip Snowball
13. Foxglove
14. Lettuce Mixed
15. Brussel Sprout Long Island
16. Salad Leaf Mizuna
17. Savoy Cabbage Vertus
18. Calabrese Green Sprouting
19. Parsnip Tender and True
20. Onion Rijnsburger

It is therefore very evident that I shall actually be doing some seed sowing going forward.  Weather looks good enough at the moment in any event and it would be good to have some home grown produce to either eat or to preserve with.  It will either keep me out of mischief or get me into it at the end of the day.  Have to keep ourselves diverted and occupied at all costs.  It is just my way I can never quite keep still.

And of course I have my two little chests of seeds as well.   It looks as though I am going to be vey busy.  Perhaps towards the end of the year I will be able to get my seeds sorted a bit better than I did last year.  However am grateful for the freebies that have come across.  Every little helps as the saying goes.

I also want to get some pansies and some viola and one or two other plants as well such as Tagetes and some plants for hanging baskets and tubs.

Today G had to go to the hospital for eye tests as part of his diabetic screening and so I am babysitting Missy and Mischief at the present time.  Once he returns I am heading for the kitchen.  He did get his cooked breakfast before he went for the appointment as we had nipped to the farm whilst Missy was out for the count.

It has been gloriously warm here today which I am enjoying why I can.  Hopefully will get another early night here tonight so that I can get an early start tomorrow morning.  I am trying to get into a better routine all around.

Have booked an eye test with the Optician for Monday afternoon - G is also going for his eyes to be tested as it turns out he has a cataract that will need dealing with from his appointment today and the Optician needs to refer him to the GP/Hospital.

I was hoping to do a little weeding in the herb border tonight but I am not sure that is going to happen.  Will see how it goes.  Might have to do first thing tomorrow.  Little update - made a small start and have shifted a few weeds from the far end of the bed.  Still need to get stuck in - tomorrow will try and do some more.

I think we are going to the fish man tomorrow in any event as we fancied some fish for tea.  Will see what happens.  

Tea tonight the Garlic Chicken tray bake - it was blooming lovely.  Lots of Garlic flavour which I love.  Has gone down very nicely.  

Swiftly followed by some wedges of refreshing Honeydew Melon.

Hope everyone has a lovely evening and gets to enjoy this lovely weather.  Makes everything feel that much brighter.  To the garden I go tomorrow.

Catch you soon.

Pattypan

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