Thought for a summer Monday.............

I believe in cord wood, iron stoves and breakfast
I believe in freshly baked bread and mail order catalogues,
Ticking clocks, dogs and cats and corn right out of the garden.
I believe in families who laugh together and because of this
I believe in tomorrow and the day after
And the goodness of man and the joy of living.

Maxwell Mays

Rainbow.............

A beautiful double rainbow appeared this evening a wee while ago; by the time I'd got the camera ready, the second bow had faded, but I managed to get this:

The predicted rain showed up early evening - a proper deluge for about half an hour, but the sky is stormy looking out there, and I'm hoping the thunder doesn't materialise. Showers again tomorrow, it's said, but needed for the garden, so that's OK by me :)

Letting things be................

My garden could be described as somewhat rambling; this year it's gone blowsy and full, dripping with fertility, resulting in the most glorious slightly unkempt looking mix of flowers, fruit, vegetables, herbs, grasses - you name it!
I love it like this - the wildness takes the edge off man's attempts to control nature, and nature herself cannot be bettered for colour combinations, getting the right plant in the right place and making sure everything gets along just fine.
The picture of the yellow Graham Thomas rose scrambling up the the young hazel tree could be a metaphor for life - don't interfere - take a step back, and things will find their own place and balance, there will be mutual support and help along the way, the result being something that will astound you in its simplicity and its sheer and absolute rightness.

Gardening in the rain..........

I am usually a fair weather gardener, and have a tendency to skulk in one of the greenhouses if the rain starts - not always conducive to a good garden really! However, there is rain and there is rain - you know what I mean :) Summer rain is just wonderful - fresh, clean, splashing off green foliage, refreshing and invigorating, not unpleasant to be out and doing in, wonderful to listen to.
On Monday morning, I was literally venturing out of the backdoor to plant some beans when it started - a gentle plop plopping to begin with, so I thought I'd get the beans in anyway. I didn't bother with a coat or hat, just a sleevless t-shirt and skirt - what I already had on.
I stayed out in it for the best part of two hours, getting wetter and wetter as the rain intensified into a good, steady downpour, really. I got lots of vegetables planted out into their growing positions, and a good number of waiting plants out of their pots and into the ground.
I also spent quite a while just standing there, trowel in hand, face raised to the sky, just watching it rain - fascinating, spellbinding and awe inspiring. Rain, something so seemingly simple that can so easily be taken for granted.
Yes, I was soaked through, but the invigorating effect of that rain is something I will remember for a long time. I came back indoors eventually, refreshed and recharged.
Gardening in the rain - definitely recommended :)

Homemade sausages

I made these yesterday afternoon, having defrosted a whole shoulder of pork from the freezer. In addition to the sausages, I got a good 8lbs or so diced pork for casseroles etc.
I really enjoy making these; you can put in the flavourings of your choice, add plenty of seasoning, and they're incomparable to anything you can buy. These have minced pork shoulder, breadcrumbs, red wine, nutmeg, fresh thyme, a little smoked paprika, salt and pepper.
The trick to getting the flavour just right and the seasoning balanced is to taste as you go; have ready a frying pan on the heat, and when you add the seasonings, mix thoroughly, then take a little amount, form into a wee pattie and fry it, then taste. From there, adjust the seasoning as needed.
With sausages as good as these, the best way to serve them is with plain mash and fried onions - they need no embellishment of any kind.

Rural idyll

This is a picture of our cottage, taken from across the big field over the road by MrL

See what happens...........

...when you give a box of jewellery bits and other unwanted but eminently useful and pretty bits and pieces to your creative daughter:



She makes things like this and you buy them from her for five pounds lol

Isn't that lovely?