Friday 26 April 2019

Friday

The plants in my garden seem to have doubled in size overnight after yesterday's thunderstorm and torrential rain.  All the tulips were laid flat when I went out just before dark last night but this morning they were all perky and upright again - and saying thank-you for the welcome rain.   Today has been one of those neither wet nor fine days - just a faint rain in the air all day.   Tess came back from her Petpals walk quite wet and smelling strongly of wet dog - hardly surprising.   A good brush once she was dry and the smell has largely gone - or my nose has got used to it.

I have P and D coming for the week-end, coming for lunch tomorrow and D and K coming round in the evening for 'high tea'.   I look forward greatly to people staying; living alone means that company is good.   I do need to plan meals carefully though to make sure I don't overdo it as walking around in the kitchen soon makes me tired these days.   Tomorrow's lunch of asparagus, pea and mint soup followed by celery hearts wrapped in ham and served in a cheese sauce and with purple sprouting broccoli and baby broad beans should be fairly easy on the legs.   In the evening it will just be everything on the table and 'help yourself'.   The butter bean salad I have made tonight as it is better the next day when the flavours have had a chance to meld together.

John (Going Gently) is having a fine old time with his 'corners'.   If you haven't contributed yet do go over to his blog and put one on - they are coming in thick and fast - I am sure the postman is glad that this time it is photographs via e mail and not postcards via snail mail.

Storm Hannah is waiting in the wings I understand.   Our plan is to go to one or two Garden Centres tomorrow afternoon but if it is wet then it will be a 'no go' - everything is outside and walking round in the pouring rain is not very exciting.   It may well be a sit at home and chat afternoon (although D is very keen on a certain 'walking shop' in our little town and he could easily walk round that without getting wet. 

Seven minutes past ten and bed with a hot water bottle calls.   On wintry nights bed is always welcome.   Strange to think that only a week ago it was summery - certainly not so tonight.   Sleep well.
 

15 comments:

Virginia said...

Celery hearts wrapped in ham with cheese sauce has my mouth watering. Would you please post the recipe. We are coming into winter here but they would be good any time of year, methinks? I'll bet the postie is pleased John has gone for the fast way - and it ought to mean he doesn't have to scan/photograph the entries either. We're on holiday in the Wairarapa and it's around 22 degrees yesterday, and climbing to 20 today so we are appreciating each day before winter's icy grip closes in.

Simon Douglas Thompson said...

I think Storm Hannah may well wipe out our first team match tomorrow, although Sunday looks better for our friendly against Upton

Chris said...

You are very brave to have overnight guests. I'm sure they are old friends and won't need too much attention. Although I enjoy having the occasional company, I'm always glad when my guests depart

Rachel Phillips said...

Celery hearts wrapped in ham sounds positively exotic to me. Here you'd get a stick of celery and a slice of ham and a hardboiled egg and some salad cream.

Joanne Noragon said...

My plants are growing apace, with all the rain we had and is still forecast.

Tom Stephenson said...

I am hoping I will be lying in bed tonight listening to Hannah battering on my windows. Actually, I hope maybe not. Hannah is the name of my daughter. So long as she leaves the chimneys standing it will be ok.

Bonnie said...

Your meal plans sound delicious and much more than I think I would be able to put together. You are quite the cook and entertainer. I hope you have a wonderful time with your guests this weekend!

John's contest is a fun one and as you said the mailman won't mind this one!

Derek Faulkner said...

How envious of you I am after reading of the torrential rain that you've had to reinvigorate your garden. Down here on Sheppey we've had a series of warm and mostly sunny days with a strongish wind. The wind and sun combination means that all day long the ground is just getting dryer and dryer and the garden water butts are empty all ready. The next week is forecast to be dry as well and so I guess we're heading into yet another dry summer.

thelma said...

Never tried celery hearts with the ham and cheese sauce, I use chicory for its slightly bitter taste. Have fun with your visitors, the rain comes and goes so you will probably be able to go out.

Librarian said...

Can I come for lunch, too? Your meal sounds just soooo delicious!
It was raining here on and off all day, but not exactly pouring; the fields and gardens could do with some more water, but for now I'm happy that the sun is back this morning. There is more rain forecast for later today. We'll see.
Yes, less than a week ago we had G&Ts on the balcony at night, it was so warm! Yesterday it was cold enough for me to need a coat for my walk to work.

Heather said...

Your recipes sound delicious - lucky friends to visit such a good hostess.
I was so cold yesterday even with the fire on. I made myself a bowl of porridge in the evening to warm myself up! Such a short time ago I was wearing a sun hat, now I am back to a scarf and warm sweater.
Have a lovely weekend.

JayCee said...

I like the sound of your meal plans. I may copy you! Have a lovely weekend x

Anonymous said...

I have meant to ask about the lovely farm fields photo at the top of your blog, is your dear farmer one of the two men walking? I count on reading your blog entry, each and every day! A fan from across the pond, have a lovely weekend. susan

The Weaver of Grass said...

Anon. My dear farmer was behind the lens and took this photograph while out with his walking group. The view is i Wensleydale - only a couple of miles from where I now live and the two walkers are his friends C and R - he walked with them alternate Sundays through the Summer.

Recipe for those who want it will be posted on my blog.

Thanks everyone for visiting.

Lucy Corrander Now in Halifax! said...

A good snapshot of life.