Sunday 30 August 2020

Sunday morning early!

To be honest 'very early'!   What is that noise I thought - it continued - it was the men who had arrived to continue with my patio.   They should easily finish taking up the crazy paving this morning so then I need to ask at what point I need to go and buy the plants for them to put in.   Will they put them in before or after the weed suppressant layer goes down?   I insist I am having either five or seven evergreen shrubs to sit among the pebbles.   They are greatly amused by this - my insistence on having an odd number.   But I always think an odd number makes for a better display than an even number.  Would you agree or am I being stupid?

 

Doing my Tesco order for Tuesday I have decided on a Chunky vegetable soup for my next recipe in my soup maker.   All the veggies are now ordered.  I am also going to try to be a bit more adventurous with my meals and am going to try Fajitas one day next week with mozarella, olives, tomatoes and a rather strange seasoning which surprisingly Tesco did have.   I have got a bit lazy doing the same things and getting rather bored with it all so I am pushing the boat out - I will report back.

 

I still have not got to grips with the photographs on my new desk top - either the storing of them or the publishing of them on my blog posts.   So for the time being there will be no photographs - sorry.

 

Not a bad day from inside looking out of the window.   Still a strong (cold) breeze but plenty of blue sky and skudding white clouds.   Just needs to warm up a bit now.   Not sure whether Percy and I will venture out today or not.  I went back to wearing my boots yesterday instead of Summer shoes and I fo.und that the ankle support my boots give me makes walking much easier, which is good.   Anything which aids my mobility is a plus these days.   Have a pleasant Sunday despite the chilly weather. We British are a hardy lot - we need to be

25 comments:

Eleanor said...

Great to hear your gardening project is making progress. If you want to liven up your meals may I recommend you look at a blog called The English Kitchen. This site is run by a Canadian lady called Marie. As there is only herself and her husband at home she often scales down her recipes to make just 2 portions. She posts a recipe nearly every day, todays is a delicious bread pudding with blackberry sauce.

Sackerson said...

As for an odd number of shrubs, dead right.

It reminds me, I've read of Zen gardeners positioning stones in their gardens by throwing them over their shoulders.

Karla said...

Jill, you're right on with the odd numbers! Even amounts of plants don't look right to the eye. Odd is much more satisfying! I will be glad to see the pictures of your finished gardening projects. And good Lord yes, we've gotten into food ruts, and are pretty tired of the same old things. It's just the 2 of us, although my husband buys food as if there are 10 of us living here!

Dc said...

Same here re food. We are doing an even more healthy eating regime than normal. Most new meals are lovely.

jinxxxygirl said...

Good early morning Pat.. It is indeed early. I'am up early having a coffee. Daughter ..husband and granddaughter are driving across country to spend a month with us.. and i have more to do to get ready for them..So i will greet the dawn..

I worked for a nursery for a number of years and yes Pat you are right you should always go for odd numbers of plantings... its just more pleasing to the eye.. Ofcourse thats not just for plants.. It applies to many things..

I have eaten my share of fajitas ...lol .. but i have to say i have never had them with olives or mozzarella cheese... I do refried beans... maybe some Mexican flavored rice..black beans..these days i use ground turkey instead of ground beef with the fajita flavoring, a Mexican flavored cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomato, maybe some hot sauce and sour cream... I'd probably cook some onion with the meat..

I hope you'll show pics of your shrubs AND fajitas!!! Hugs! deb

Sarah Dee said...

Yes, def odd numbers when shrub or perennial planting, You do well to be so motivated, I can’t be arsed to get up today so haven’t, what is the point when you live alone, might just as well stay in bed all day. Life used to have a point to it but not any longer if you are old in this country you might as well be dead.

thelma said...

Well I am happily getting through loads of homegrown tomatoes, tiny golden ones like sweets. They will go today with a nut loaf which I have just made, hot and cold it will last a couple of days.

Heather said...

The gardeners are obviously making the most of a dry day. I think plants go in after the weed suppressant goes down. Usually a cross cut is made and folded open where a plant is to go in, and then folded back afterwards. Odd numbers are always better - all the TV gardeners say so.
It is so easy to get into a rut with cooking for oneself. I usually make pan fries or casseroles and use no recipes. They are always a bit different according to my mood or what is in the fridge. A batch of casseroles in the freezer can be so versatile, eaten as they are or with curry added, or a pastry top to make a pot pie.

Marcia LaRue said...

I am on my own, as well and I go through phases of eating Lean Cuisine or similar microwave meals and actually cooking meals ... I am moving into a soup making phase. I have to go shopping for soup ingredients and load up the freezer and pantry!
Landscaping is not my forte so I leave that to the folks that know what to do!

Salty Pumpkin Studio said...

Happy New Evergreens! Uneven numbers are more pleasant to see in the garden.

A thank you to Sackerson for the tip, throwing rocks over your shoulder in a Zen garden. I plan to build an indoor miniature (22cm x 40cm x 10cm) Zen garden.

Yellow Shoes said...

My mother always took cuttings in threes, she called it “striking” cuttings. She never said why! x

Librarian said...

Wow - the men came to work on your patio on a Sunday - that would never have happened in this country! I am sure it will look beautiful, and I agree about odd numbers.

Rachel Phillips said...

Week suppressant membrane, I wonder who suggested you use that. Anyway, whatever, they will lay it and then slashes will be made in it for the planting after in the places you want your odd number of shrubs to go.

Joan (Devon) said...

I also prefer odd numbers to even, for anything. I don't know why.

The Weaver of Grass said...

Thanks for all the information and suggestions, both on the gardening and the cooking fronts. I did have a drive to our nearest garden centre after lunch but the quality of the plants for sale was not good enough. I shall go to The English Kitchen so thank you for that suggestion and Sackerson - not sure about flinging stones over my shoulder.

Simone said...

I would choose odd numbers for a grouping of plants too. Hope you're having a good day! :)

The Feminine Energy said...

Even in art we know that an odd number of something is much better than an even one. So you're spot-on! :-) ~Andrea xoxo

Doc said...

Actually you are quite correct in the odd number of plants, in the field of landscape design it is the rule. Well look at me remembering something from my college years.

Rosie said...

I agree with you about the odd numbers. I think it is because if there are even numbers our brains are always trying to pair them up so odd numbers are more restful!

The Weaver of Grass said...

The English Kitchen, which Eleanor above suggests, is well worth a look - I have downloaded a chicken curry recipe which i intend to try.

Thanks everyone.

Bonnie said...

I agree with you on the odd numbers. I believe that principle is used even in decorating. I'm sure it will look wonderful when all the work is done! It will be fun for you to watch the progress. Have a good evening!

angryparsnip said...

Odd number is right. When you have an even number you eye doesn't know where to go and your brain is confused. I know I am saying this all wrong

Joanne Noragon said...

Odd number here, too. And I need super support in my shoes. I may need to go to books one day soon.

Kathy said...

I agree on the odd numbers. Somehow it always looks better....even in Chicago!

The Weaver of Grass said...

Thanks everyone - have a good day.