THE GOOD LIFE

I don't want to harp on about the weather, but this year our vegetable plot has suffered badly.  Weeds have taken over because of the rain, and most things have grown so rapidly they've gone too seed before their time ... we are still learning (I don't think you ever really stop) but it is disappointing when all the planning, digging and really hard work, doesn't quite pay off. Thinking even Tom and Barbara might be a bit ticked off ...

However, yesterday was a lovely day and I wanted to make a completely free meal, being a thrifty soul, and this is what I got when  I ventured forth, trug in hand to collect the bounty ...

Eggs from my chickens, lovely new potatoes, radishes, spring onions, peas, kale and rhubarb.  I made a spanish style tortilla and we had stewed rhubarb swirled into creme fraiche (alright, I bought that!).

Please don't think I'm being smug and taking all this for granted, I do know how fortunate we are to be able to do this, but I do urge everyone, no matter how big or small your garden (mine is only a smallish patch next to the house), to try and grow a few veg as the taste and quality is just amazing, and totally different from anything you buy in a supermarket. For the price of a few packets of seeds you can amazing food on your doorstep, and if you're lucky enough to have an allotment, can share seeds and produce with other allotment holders.  

I had great visions of how my vegetable patch would look, a bit Mr McGregor's garden, with a touch of Vita Sackville-West, but it somehow hasn't turned out like that!  Next year we are going to lay membrane between the raised beds to stop the dreaded weeds, and put gravel on the top, so it might look a little more orderly.

Can you see Marilyn and Audrey looking a little disgruntled in their run? They are waiting to be let out into the back garden, on account of delicious vegetables growing which they can't wait to shred to pieces.  It's really funny, because during the autumn and winter they have the run of the whole side and back garden, but in spring and summer have to be ushered into the back.  After this has been done a few times, they know the drill and just trot happily into the back garden, seemingly oblivious to the cabbages they could be digging up!

The big and blousy Marilyn,

Florence, the one remaining of our 3 original rescue birds, once the henpecked, now leader of the pack!

Had a lovely evening visiting one of my oldest friends (as in, length of time I've known her, not age!) who has just returned to Old Blighty after living for about 30 years in Israel, so me and Millie had a catch up with her and her children.  I've seen her every summer since she went and the years just fall away as we chat about our school days and teenage years.  Can't believe it's 40 years in September since we met for the first time on our first day at secondary school.  She's only here for a couple of weeks, and then starting a new life in Brighton, so hopefully will be visiting her there too, can't wait to see all the lovely vintage treasures that seem to abound in Brighton.

Have also been busy painting and titivating front room, so will share those pictures later with you.

Have a fabulous Sunday, and hope the sun  shines for you!

Love Claire xxx