Wednesday 25 March 2009

One of my lovely co-workers left this week. We had a picnic lunch for her, so I made this Orange Blossom sponge . As I don't have access to the right blossom, I decorated it with white Violets.

These elegant Fritillaria meleagris are in the Orchard. I love how they look so oriental and aloof. They are native plants, though. And I admit to buying them from the local W.I. market. I am trying to get a colony going in the dampish grass.

Socks!!

Well, here they are -the Socks. Will I ever make any more? Unlikely. They were quite straight forward, but goodness me, tedious in the extreme. On with the Aran cardi, I think.

Thursday 12 March 2009

Spring Flowers.

It was such a lovely, sunny morning, that I had to go out, and take some photos of any plants blooming.

These Cyclamen coum are snuggled up under the Viburnum tinus.They look small and delicate, but are quite hardy.

This is a pool of species Narcissus. Obvalaris, I think. I put in ten bulbs about eight years ago, and they are gradually increasing.

I am very proud of this. Cowslip. Primula veris. I sowed some seed when we moved here, and grew on a few plants. Of those I planted out, five survive. The others are not flowering yet, but have nascent buds.

Good old Primrose, Primula vulgaris. A very good, long-standing friend, Micky, gave me trays of young plants from her garden. They now self-seed around the garden with gay abandon.
I had intended to have different forms of gardening in different parts of the garden. The land itself has dictated otherwise. Apart from the vegetable garden, most of what we do now is wild, and woodland, gardening. It suits the place, and, actually, feels right.

Wednesday 11 March 2009

Listening to a 'Pirate'.

Joy unbounded, it was Close Knit on Friday. So, I made a little cake. The pastry base is almost a shortbread, spread with chopped currants and cherries, then topped with an almondy sponge mix. I did not bring much home.
I have been listening to 'Pirate Johnnie Walker' on BBC Radio 2. It reminds me so much of listening to the pirate radio stations (actually, Radio Caroline) on my little Transistor radio, under the bedclothes. He has captured something of the breathless excitement, the joy of the music. None of the D.Js talked very much between records, particularly Johnnie. They were in too much of a hurry, to hear the next record, themselves. My second favourite from those days, Emperor Roscoe, is due to visit the studio/ship, in the next few weeks. Great fun!

Wednesday 4 March 2009

Busy.

Looking at the crocus in the sunshine, I noticed one which is pinker than the rest. It's such a lovely shade. I think it is Crocus thomasinianus 'rosea'.
I was on leave last week, and goodness, what a busy week. I made four pairs of curtains,for the sitting room, as well as going on the Shaftesbury trip. I did a large amount of baking, prepared some Honey for bottling ,and (yawn ), caught up on some ironing.
The curtains are of deep oatmeal coloured linen, with a dommet interlining, and pale oatmeal lining. I am delighted with them - or rather , at having made them. The fabric has been on my desk since last summer, but something always seemed to stop me from starting. Now it only remains to make the last pair, but they will be huge, so must wait until the Easter Bank Holiday weekend, for me to have time to start them.
I also turned out some cupboards. While doing that, I came across this Fair Isle sleeveless sweater. This was made in ( about) 1980/81. It was made for Best Beloved, and was my first stranded colourwork project. After this, I made a number of sweaters with patterned yokes, in heavy Icelandic wool. They were very warm and comfortable. (We were glad of them, as we kept going off on camping holidays in the Lake District, Northumberland, and Welsh mountains, then getting caught in rotten weather!).