Do You Recognise These?

I need some advice please, from those of you who are proficient gardeners. 

Back in the spring  🌱🌱🌱 planted lots of seeds - mostly tomatoes - in little pots and kept them in the Futility Room on a sunny sill. I kept them moist, spoke encouragingly when I passed, and waited for little green shoots.🌱🌱🌱  Nothing happened . 

After a couple of months I decided I'd done something wrong. I tipped all the compost into a nearby bowl, then used it to top up the dip in the soil in Row 10 of the raised bed [depleted after I'd harvested all the radishes] And I acquired replacement tomato plants 🍅🍅🍅from a couple of neighbours which went into the greenhouse.

And now the end of Row 10 is blessed with four large tomato plants, laden with cherry tomatoes which are slowly ripening. 🍅🍅🍅

But mysteriously, in Row 9 and also a pot in the back garden I have two large "volunteer" plants.🌱🌱 Their leaves are as big as my handspan. I do not think they are weeds, but as yet have neither flowers nor fruit of any kind. 

Does anyone recognize what these are?

They look like they ought to produce courgettes or squashes or something. Or are they just enthusiastic weeds? Advice please. Thankyou!!

And a huge thank you to everyone who shared such lovely fishy memories yesterday. Our parents and grandparents seem to have eaten much more shellfish [from British waters] than we do now. Perhaps it was affected by wartime rationing...Sue, you are our current expert on WW2 food , are you into cockles and mussels on your new regime? 

Singing Cockles And Mussels

My Mum used to love it, when we visited my gran in Leigh on sea , if she could have a paper cup of cockles to enjoy as she looked out over the water.  I remembered that last week, when I called on my 90 year old neighbour. "I had a lovely treat for lunch - my daughter brought me a jar of cockles. I enjoyed them with bread and butter". It hadn't occured to me that people outside of Essex ate them in jars. I've only ever known people buying them fresh, by the sea 

The empty jar by her sink was so sweet, with a pattern of sea shells pressed into the glass."You can have it, if you like it. It was only going into recycling" I brought it home and put it in my "useful jars "box. I said to Bob "I know you love mussels, being half Belgian. But do you also like cockles?" 

He grimaced and said not at all. Chewy, slimy things, rubbery...like eating snails. I said "Barbara gets hers in a jar from Morrisons. And it is such a charming little jar." 

He looked at me sternly. "Ang, a fancy jar is no justification whatsoever for buying Snot-in-a-Pot!"

Well that retort definitely concluded our discussion of Molly Malone's Molluscs.

[RIP Sinead]

Baby Shark, Do-Doo-Do-Doo-Do-Doo

 

This song has been around for 8 years now. It is ridiculously popular with small children. Bob came into the kitchen the other day, singing "Grandad Shark! Do-Doo-Do-Doo-Do-Doo"

The shark in question is my new IKEA oven mitt. He said, very graciously, that he had been quite sceptical when I bought it, but has now realised it is incredibly useful, and it fits comfortably on his large hand as well as my smaller one.  

It's so flexible. I find it easier to manage for lifting small things out of the microwave, and for holding pan handles. Especially when I don't want the double-handled glove. Furthermore it is completely washable if I do get grease or gravy on it.

A couple of weeks ago, Jean mentioned her new Jarkey , which she had purchased following my blog review. I thought I should share this gadget too. I paid £3 for it, and it hangs neatly on the hook with my longer fabric glove. I suspect it may migrate outside to the BBQ if we have any good weather this month!

Walk Like An Egyptian

Kirsten warned me that the 'Flat Gift' for this month's embroidery was not that flat and would be arriving separately. Rosie was delighted to be present when the delivery arrioved, and helped with the unboxing

Not one. but two Egyptian Walking Onions. What?! I hear you ask. As Rosie is fond of saying "It's in the name, Grandma"

Onions - members of the allium family [like garlic, shallots etc]

Egyptian - this is because it is believed that the Romani people brought these plants to Europe from the Indian subcontinent. And the travelling Romani were mistakenly thought to be from Egypt [hence the term Gypsy]

Walking- these onions do not grow underground, but form little bulbils at the top of the stem. When these get too heavy, they flop down, and the bulbils take root, a short distance from the mother plant, and form a new plant. And this continues, and the onion plants appear to 'walk across' the garden.
They are also called tree onions [I guess because they look like little trees] or topsetting onions. 

I decided that rather than risk my raised bed being overrun [walked over?] by these. I would plant them in a trough, giving them room to grow and travel just a little. K was surprised I had two in my parcel - she'd ordered three plants, one for herself and two to give away, and didn't know my plant package contained a pair, nestling together. Thanks K - we wait and see what happens.

Rosie promptly declared that we should give them names, "Anubis and Basted, Grandma!" She's been reading about the Egyptian Gods, and thought the jackal and the cat would be good monikers for these. I shall label them. 

They are apparently a cross between a Welsh onion and a shallot - and can be used in cooking as regular onions.

I am old enough to remember seeing "Wilson, Keppel and Betty" doing their Egyptian Dance on "The Good Old Days" in the early 1960s. TV was much simpler back then. 

They were a rather eccentric act, performing for around 35 years - only retiring when they were nearly 70 [the frist 'Betty' retired much sooner, and her daughter took over from her] I can't see Betty, or The Bangles performing on Strictly. 

I will report on the progress of A&B...

A Prayer For Refugees

Another boat full of migrants sinks in the Channel. Hundreds in Hawaii, and in the Mediterranean lose their homes through wildfires, and those migrants put on a barge earlier in the week had to be evacuated for fear of Legionella. One is left speechless by the sadness of it all. Here is a prayer from Christian Concern for One World which I found very challenging - especially the verse in red...

Loving God,

You sustain us with mercy and grace
And call us to share the compassion we receive.
Help us to love as you want us to love:
Not to ask ‘Who is my neighbour?’
But to see our neighbour in everyone we encounter
And to offer help and hospitality when people are hurting.

In a world that can be rushed, give us patience and time to care.
In a world that can be harsh, help us to be kind.
In a world that can be fearful, make us bearers of hope.

We ask this in the name of Jesus our Lord,
Who came from heaven to earth,
Lived among us as a wanderer,
And offers salvation to all.

Sorry for late post - power cuts in village and no WiFi!

Rosie's Holiday At Cornerstones

Rosie has spent a whole week at Cornerstones.Mum, Dad and Jess are back in London. Every morning we have cycled to swimming lessons at the village school. We have made origami animals, tried  breadmaking and boatbuilding, written up a holiday diary, visited The Museum of Norwich, done the Animal Trail in the Shopping Centre, visited the Workhouse Museum, read books, completed maths challenges, had a film night with the grandchildren staying next door, and generally had lots of fun. 

Grandma's Thankyou awards for child friendly places

1. The Museum Of Norwich We got in free [we are members, and Julian gave me the voucher he got last month when we went to the Castle] Lots of extra free activities for the children; a Snap-the-dragon finger puppet, and museum guide. More dress up gear, and a puppet theatre where families could put on impromptu plays. 
   
2. Chantry Place Shopping Centre with a free Animal Trail, medal and goodie bag on completion and all entrants have the chance to win an annual family pass for Banham Zoo. 
   
3. Bill's and other eating places offering free meals for children. Very impressed with staff who chatted with Rosie as they served us, and took a genuine interest in her 'dining experience' and her holiday plans. 
   
4. Waterstones, Norwich Rosie knew which book series she was looking for. The assistant helped her find it, and had a great conversation with her about her current reading choices
   
5. Dereham Library and all other libraries running brilliant free holiday reading schemes
   
6. Charity Shops - too many to list - where there are clear, well displayed children's books and toys. Special mention for EACH and RSPCA Dereham, and their friendly staff. 
7. Gressenhall Museum - so much to see and too, enthusiastic staff and volunteers, well planned activities for all ages. As Museum Pass Holders we get in free, and get 10% discount in the café, but entrance fee is rather pricey for school children I think. However we were there over 3 hours. There's the museum, farm and adventure playground, plus café, gift shop and 2nd hand bookshop. Always enjoyable with new things to discover. 
   
   Less than satisfactory - The Smiggle Store. This place was teeming with children, pestering parents for backpacks, water bottles, pencil cases etc. The basic* pencil cases start at £8, regular backpacks £20+. A back-to-school "bundle" with just four matching items  [backpack, pencil case, lunchbag & water bottle] sets you back £65. I see no evidence these will last any longer than cheaper stuff, and I imagine they will be more easily "lost". Kids do not need these. Parents don't need to be pressured into purchasing. *not sale prices

Smiggle Stores this year are proudly supporting The Diana Award, an anti bullying campaign encouraging kindness. Rosie, bless her, recognised that the stuff on offer was beyond her budget, but asked if she could fill in a Kindness Pledge. She wrote her thoughtful message, then took it to a member of staff [as per the notice by the till] The girl took it [without a word of thanks] walked back to the till, and put it in the drawer. We stood there "What happens now?" I asked. "Later on we will stick it on the wall" she replied. No sign of any certificate to take home [as promised on the notice] , or any comment on what Ro had written. Or any display of kindness. Rosie and her grandmother were not impressed! 

This is a Smiggle Beau Jewellery Box. They came out in 2020 and cost £25. But Ro found one, as new, for just £2 in a Dereham CS. Well done Rosie! 

My Dishy Fella!

The china we use everyday is my wedding present Hornsea Cornrose, and I love it. I've got a few other bits of Hornsea ware, like my three big 'Fleur' canisters, and a smaller 'Brontë' canister, with wooden lid.

I have a Brontë butter dish too, and a matching butter dish

Both were acquired very cheaply from Charity Shops. In hot weather the butter dish is ideal, if the butter gets soft and a bit messy! 

Last week I saw an identical one, £5 in a CS. "We don't need two" I said. And the next day, the lid on my dish at home got broken!. Online it costs upwards of £15 for a new one - and people even sell them without the lid. Bob tried to glue the bits together. [We need Kirsten from the Repair Shop]

Glueing didn't work. He disappeared into the Lathe Palace. 

Look at this! Bob's made a wooden lid, with a clever inner recess which fits neatly over the rim of the dish. Stained in oak to match the canister, and finished with a food grade oil to protect the surface. I think I prefer this to the original! Thanks, Bob. [The wood is a scrap leftover from George's Triangle]

Another triumph for the Make Do And Mend Brigade

Have you done any satisfying repairs recently?

Rain Did Not Stop Play

It rained a lot on Saturday. The planned family walk was cancelled. The family asked if they could come over to Cornerstones instead. I decided we needed a Plan Of Action. 

Signs went up on doors and windows outside. The IKEA igloo playtent was put up in the lounge, and swathed in an old blanket. 

Inside the Bear Cave I put all the teddies I could find plus some cushions, a bag of storybooks, and a box of cups, plates and cutlery. And we waited for the grandchildren to arrive. They really enjoyed having a pretend picnic. 

Jess was telling little stories and chatting to the bears - and Grandad was involved in the fun too

After lunch I baked biscuits with the girls, while Mum and Dad went for a stroll in the rain. It really didn't take long to assemble the "props" - and it was much more satisfying than just sitting in front of a screen. I got the igloo for about £5, back in 2010 and it's been well used, as a prop at Church Holiday Clubs, a play tent for the grandchildren and a Dinosaur Cave during Lockdown. 

But I will admit, I was utterly exhausted by the time they all went home! 

 

The Unique Boutique

Did you catch this joyous programme on Channel 4 last month? Possibly not, as all four episodes were shown late on a Monday evening and it wasn't that well publicised imho. All my life, I have bought trousers, and then shortened them for my less-than-five-feet-tall frame. I can sew, it is no problem. But the Unique Boutique makes a serious effort to address the needs of those for whom 'off the peg' clothes are an impossibility. The designers/craftspeople at UB accept the diverse challenges brought by those who daily struggle with wheelchairs, prosthetic limbs, stoma bags and so many more impediments to 'easy to wear' garments. Lucy Webster. the Guardian's columnist who specialises in disability issues gave it a great review. A wheelchair user herself, she knows what she is talking about! And then I found myself presented with a similar challenge. 

Seven years ago, my young neighbour had a Disney dress which she could not wear - the hooped skirt was impossible to accommodate in her wheelchair, and her body shape meant the bodice/waist would not fit properly. 

I removed the hoops, added a new frill and tulle underskirt to give 'body' and put side panels in to give more room. Brooke is a young lady now - and in a few week's time going to a special party - where guests are coming as film characters. She's chosen Elsa from Frozen.

She'd found a plain blue dress online in the colour she wanted. But it was too long for her in her chair - catching the wheels and dragging on the ground. Also there was a 20cm section at the back where the zip would not close. And finally, it was totally plain. It needed 'blinging up a bit' said her Mum, if she bought some sequins could I stitch them on in a snowflake sort of pattern? I love a challenge like that! 

Don't buy a thing! I said.

Sherlock Holmes has his "three pipe problem" but I have a "three machine challenge" Regular, Overlock, and Embroidery...

First I added extra hooks and eyes to secure either side of the gap in the zip. There were long drapey bits from the shoulder- using my regular machine, I added a velcro panel which meant they closed, edge to edge, covering the gap [and I used decorative stitching] None of this will be seen when she is in the chair.

My overlocker did a brilliant job of hemming the shortened bottom edge [ much firmer fabric than the prom dresses in June, so no need to handstitch, fortunately!]

Then there was the challenge of 'blinging it up' I figured all embellishments needed to be on the front of the bodice as nothing else would really be visible. I found a snowflake pattern for my embroidery machine, and dug out some soluble film to be a stabiliser. But I did not want to embroider straight onto the dress. So I used some of the 10cm strip of pale blue tulle trimmed from Hannah's prom dress and use that as my base. 

It worked perfectly - the stitching went onto the tulle, then I dissolved the plastic in warm water. Once dried and pinned upon the blue fabric, the tulle was virtually invisible.

I then began the process of adding beads and sequins to the snowflakes, and a line of sequins down the centre front seam. There were over three hundred different items hand stitched to the bodice. I deliberately did not make the design symmetrical. The beads and sequins really make a difference, don't they?

I was very pleased with this, and added the centre pearly sequin strip. Then I got really carried away. To this point, all the stuff I'd been using was from The Stash. But I was concerned that Brooke might feel a chill in her sleeveless dress [quite Frozen, said Bob!] So I bought a length of inexpensive sheer sparkly snowflake fabric and made a simple semicircular capelet.

Brooke is really pleased with the dress, it fits beautifully. 

If The Unique Boutique need extra stitchers, I am available!

Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend

My dear friend Kezzie commented on last Thursday's post  "I love the word  lozenge.  I think you should do a post just about Lozenges" . It is my suspicion that Kezzie - who has two Z's in her first name and another Z in her surname is just very fond of words with Z  in them. Maybe her favourite animal is a zebra, she plays zither music in her lessons, and enjoys sprinkling za'atar on her salads, and eating zabaglione. I suspect her least favourite Dr Who characters are the zygons. ...She certainly displays zest for life. So here Kezzie is a lozenge  post.

The word lozenge comes from the old French losenge which originates with the Latin lausiae meaning stone slabs.

The common definition is a diamond or rhombus shape  - a foursided figure with its corners at top, bottom and sides - and acute angles at the top and bottom, obtuse angles at the sides.

Lozenge is also the name of a particular diamond cut - where the stone is shaped as above, but has stepped sides. A popular style for rings

I guess that most people hearing the word lozenge will think of cough sweets. And originally these sweets were indeed made in this shape, a stepped quadrilateral. Now they are round, oval, square...

Archaeologists have discovered hard 'candies' made with honey and flavoured with spices used in 1000BC by Ancient Egyptians to soothe their sore throats. 

I wonder which is your favourite brand of throat sweet today ? 

Lozenge is also a term in heraldry. There is the simple diamond [lozenge]

Then there is the mascle - just the outline, with an empty centre

The rustre is a filled lozenge with a circular hole in the centre 

And finally, when the whole field of the piece is covered with them, it's called lozengy. 

Often a lozenge is used in heraldry to depict a woman [sometimes a widow or unmarried woman, but not always] So Kirsten's stitching of lozenges on my initial A was very appropriate.

In Ukraine, embroidery is an important part of the culture, most women learn the skill - and this stitching is predominantly done by women. The designs all have special symbolism, and the lozenge represents a sown field and female fertility. Here are some colourful examples of the work.

At the beginning of my research, I checked out a particular Norfolk guy, in case he had a connection. Herbert de Losinga was the son Robert, Abbot of Winchester, and he came to Norfolk to be bishop of Thetford in 1090. In 1096 he founded Norwich Cathedral. [He also founded Norwich School, and churches in Yarmouth and Kings Lynn] He died in 1119, and was buried in front of the altar [must check this out sometime]

He has absolutely no connection with lozenges that I can find. I do know the patron saint of Diamond Cutters is St Elegius. Maybe the patron saint of lozenges is St. Repsil...

Thank you Kezzie for inspiring this post, I feel I have really learned a lot about the meanings of the word lozenge.

Music Is Food For The Soul

We had a lovely day on Saturday - Jess and Rosie were with us all day, and as the rain poured down outside they played inside. Rosie wrote a playlist for Alexa, and then as each track played, she joined in singing, or danced along to the beat. Later that evening, when they'd gone, and Cornerstones was quiet again, I read Kezzie's latest blogpost.

Kezzie [and many members of her family] are accomplished musicians - and her post explained beautifully why music is so important to her, part of who she is - and expression of her faith and her joie de vivre. She spoke, with deep sadness, of the fact that the Taliban has banned all music in Afghanistan, declaring it to be a sin. 

Afghanistan has a rich musical heritage, with instruments like the rubāb, tablā, sitār and dutār.  You can read more about all on Kezzie's post, and here, and here.

The International Campaign for Afghan's Musicians, along with Sheffield University are doing all they can - to help those whose livelihood has been taken away, and who are at risk of punishment - and also to protect the cultural heritage, ensuring the Afghan music is not lost. The motto of ICFAM is 'music is food for the soul'

I am reminded of the story of King Saul in the Bible, prone to terrible depression where it says "Whenever the bad depression tormented Saul, David got out his harp and played. That would calm Saul down, and he would feel better as the moodiness lifted"

I decided late on Saturday night that I would share Kezzie's post.

Then on Sunday morning, I listened to Radio 4's "Morning Worship" It was introduced by Anna Magnusson [daughter of the late great Mastermind Magnus] and came from the Edinburgh festival. Among the contributors were a Serbian man and a Ukrainian woman. Both spoke of how the music and art at the Festival helped soothe their souls, when they were caught up in grief and despair about their homelands. Then I found this piece by Meena Karimi, a young Afghan cellist. 

Thank you Kezzie, for sharing this story with us. May we all learn to be grateful for the gift of music which we share so freely. And may beautiful music resound in the hearts and lives of the Afghan people again - soon. 

Be Still And Wait

The new calendar page was turned over this week. A couple of days late I am afraid. But as I was looking at it, and I took the picture for the blog, I suddenly thought of a friend we know who is going through a tough patch. I WhatsApp'd the picture, assuring my thoughts and prayers right now.

Almost immediately a response bounced back...The words were helpful, and our love and prayers much appreciated.

A very timely picture...

Read Proverbs 3;5&6  for more encouragement!

It's A Wrap!

Back in June, the weather was warm, and I was in my briefest summer pjs - a vest and shorts. It occured to me that if we were having a house guest, I really ought to pop on a dressing gown to spare everyone's blushes. My fleecy winter one is way too thick. I checked out the stores in Norwich one sunny Thursday afternoon, and looked online that evening. 

Everything cool and cotton seemed either way too expensive for my budget and the cheaper ones were made of cheaper sticky silky nylon. Then the great Bedroom Refurb began. I realised I could no longer keep the Wedding Present Duvet Cover, even though I love it. It has been altered once, when we went from a regular Double to as Kingsize bed, and I'd added a plain blue border [made from the bottom sheet which came with it in 1979] But is was so thin, You genuinely could read the paper through it.

But there was enough good fabric to make a wrap.  I found a FREE pattern online. The designer calls it a wrap, others refer to this as a faux-mono. I can understand those who are unhappy abut any sort of wrap being called a kimono. That is like saying every pleated skirt is a kilt, or every shawl is a pashmina. 

The width of the duvet meant I could draft the whole body section in one piece, without adding panels as on the original pattern. I used the narrow border pattern to cut facings and sash, and the larger floral pattern for the body and sleeves. It has worked well. It is light and cool. I was in a rush [as I often am] and omitted the pockets - but I keep reaching for a tissue...so these will definitely be added soon, when other sewing tasks are done. 

By the way, do you like the new duvet cover? It is from the John Lewis Anyday Range bought with our accumulated tokens to go with the new bedroom. Not sure how to describe the colour, it is a greeny blue shade called Fjord on the JL website [where it looks much bluer than it actually is]

I now have just two sets in use - one on the bed, one spare.  And I have applied this rule to spare bedding as well. And so everything stores neatly in the new drawers. Surplus 'decent stuff' has gone to the CS, and worn stuff sorted - the better for the Fabric Stash, the remainder for Bob's ragbag. 

Boxing Match #2

Following Sue's post about sorting her freezer, I felt very challenged about tackling my frozen goods. I have let things get a little out of control of late - there were quite a few half -used packs of this and that, and a few yellow-stickered things which I'd bought, frozen promptly, then forgotten about. So I got everything out, did a proper audit, repacked half boxes into smaller labelled containers, and loaded the drawers in a more sensible fashion [separating meat, veg, bread products into different drawers] The Futility Room was quite chaotic, but Bob helped me to quickly list and sort, so everything was only out of the freezer for a very short while

But once it was all done, it was time to sort the Tupperware [none of which is genuine T-ware anymore, mostly lock-n-lock]  I got everything out, and matched all the boxes to their lids. 

It isn't that long since I did this - and there were only two 'orphans' at the end of it. A lid to discard, and a base which has gone to the Lathe Palace to be repurposed.

I stacked them neatly, then nested them so they all fitted tidily into the cupboard. 

How long this tidiness will last I do not know.

Scotch Missed

 At school we were taught people were Scottish and things were Scotch.  This gets confusing when you discover a schottische is a dance [a slow polka, apparently] and the word scotch has many definitions. It can mean

1. To put an end to - he scotched the rumours
2. To wedge something somewhere - she scotched herself against the wall
3. To cut or score the skin - he scotched the back of the fish
4. To render useless - we have scotched the snake [Macbeth Act 3]
5. Whisky

Catriona made a lovely suggestion for my cross stitching - something to represent a good part of my eventful holiday in Scotland. Thanks C! I decided I'd do an all-over pattern of tartans. I used one based on my maiden name and one from Kirsten's family. Mine [Hall] was red, blue, green and yellow, hers [Gunn] was red, blue, green and black. But by joining along a diagonal, I could use a narrow red stripe and green wide stripe to link them.

To get the warp and weft effect, I did the under thread with 6 strands, the crossing top thread with 3 strands of thread. This gave a dense, but not stiff piece. 

Meanwhile K. has been looking at medieval stitching and illuminated manuscripts. She was stitching the piece which will finally end up with me - so did a capital A in 5 colours, surrounded by green and black lozenges [each one is a different pattern] with a lively border in blues, purples and black. It's exquisitely stitched! 

Getting back to the words - Scotch Mist can refer to

1.  a weather condition, a cold penetrating mist, verging on rain, a drizzle or mizzle
2. a cocktail made with whisky poured over crushed ice
3. In the North of England, a phrase meaning "something unlikely to happen" 

I think the July stitchings are great, as they show that yet again we've both come up with another way to interpret the idea of a cross stitch sampler. My flat gifts from Kirsten will merit their own post later. 

Do you have a family tartan? 

Boxing Match #1

 When you order anything 'Click and Collect' it is important to check that the boxes match what you have ordered. There were quite a lot of boxes on 17th July when Bob and Julian went to Tesco for the bedroom furniture. The guy with the lorry assured them he had given them everything.  When they got home, they found they had one extra box. It has been getting in my way for a fortnight! 

This is Box #3 from the Lommarp Cabinet with Glass Doors - £380 for this one item, the same price as we paid for all our stuff. Bob had promptly put a note on local social media, hoping the person missing their box might contact us direct [no luck there]. He also attempted to ring IKEA.
Have you any idea how hard it is to return an extra box? Hours on hold on the phone, then finally being connected with a 'bot' and answering questions, which leads you eventually to a real person. And she cannot understand why you have contacted the company. 

But finally it is sorted out, and they should be coming today to collect this box of components.I expect it will disappear into a warehouse somewhere, and then end up in a store's Discount Hub. 

At no point did the operator say 'thank you'  for the trouble Bob had taken over this. Here we are trying to do the honest thing, and they really do not care. If the guy doesnt come and collect it, I think Bob should keep the wood and other components and put them in his Lathe Palace Stash. I am sure the person with Boxes #1 and #2 has complained and got a replacement #3 by now. UPDATE : THE BOX HAS NOW BEEN COLLECTED!

It was ever thus - back in the 80s a group of young Mums at Church [as I was then] got together to order some goods from Lakeland. We realised a bulk order would get free postage, and someone had a voucher for money off a big spend too. I did all the ordering, and they sent our package. 

One item missing, but an extra included. I rang, and they said 'we'll send the item, and as an apology from the company, you keep the extra item'  I still use the Poultry Lifting Forks, 35 years later!

Have you had any unusual unexpected freebies in a shopping order?

A Gift From The Greeks

I know that Virgil the poet warned about Greek Gifts but that was all about Trojans hauling the wooden horse into their city and being defeated. There are many wonderful things which have come to us from the Hellenic Culture. I have been saddened to see the destruction caused by wildfires in the past fortnight on the Greek Islands. I decided to try a Greek recipe over the weekend.

σπανακόπιτα or spanakopita - simply means spinach pie 

According to the various recipes I found online, the outside is phyllo [or sometimes puff] pastry

The filling is spinach plus cheese [feta, ricotta, or similar] bound together with egg - and sometimes herbs, and other veg added.

This BBC version had only five ingredients - pastry, spinach, cheese, eggs, and a jar of sundried tomatoes. I decided to make my own version with minimum outlay. I bought a pack of phyllo pastry [that's the greek word for leaf] and used half the sheets for my pie. I had a jar of sundried tomatoes in the fridge, and I liked the fact that the recipe used the oil from the jar, rather than butter, for brushing the pastry.

I had plenty of my own spinach in the garden.

I had eggs in the egg rack

And I made a 'soft cheese' by draining some of my yogurt through a paper-lined sieve, and adding a little salt.

I sprinkled in some oregano too. Oregano is a Greek word too, it means 'the joy of the mountain'

My pie looked golden and delicious as it came out of the oven! I love the crispy crack of the pastry as it is sliced. Delicious served hot, warm or cold.

The heat has definitely addled my brain - thinking of the joy of the mountain brought to mind that lovely Greek singer, Nana Mouskouri singing the old Scottish song Wild Mountain Thyme which she recorded in the early 1970s!

Eating Out

 Just some pictures from recent days on the theme of Eating Out

A sculpture of a cheerful diner on the pavement just round the corner for Jess's nursery

A cheeky pigeon who came and ate the crumbs from my scone as we sat on the Terrace at Tate Modern, having visited the Mondrian exhibition

Strumpshaw Tree Fair with Julian - excellent burgers, huge portions of chips, served in the sunshine

My pastel de nata in Leon looked rather like an alien, with those almond eyes