Kitchen Window - June 2011

I always smile when I go to the Dashboard and see a comment in red to be moderated or see a new follower to the blog. This blog was just somewhere where I could jot down things that simply give me pleasure now that I've retired. I didn't intend to show it off in public. I also like to visit other blogs where I find other people with some of my interests. I always lurked in the background of these blogs. One day I plucked up the courage to make a comment and then become a follower of a blog. This escalated (as it does) and then I got my first comment, with my first follower a little while later. I got loads of smiles today when I went to Custardino's website as she has awarded me my first blog award. Thank you - I'm chuffed to little mintballs.

The Liebster Blog is awarded to blogs with less than 100 followers. I think I've got a long way to go to reach 100. Now I'm going to pass the award along to blogs that I have been reading.

The first is the Tightwad Gazette. I follow this blog as Mrs. Tightwad's interests are very similar to mine. She also has another blog Amkitty International. This blog is wonderful if you're a knitter. Her output is amazing and the quality of her knitting is superb. I'm sure this award can go to this second blog aswell.

My third award goes to ... (This sounds like the Oscars doesn't it?) ... Isobel from The Cosy Corner. I loved reading about her visit to Cornwall.

Next one to The Vintage Knitter who enjoys (obviously!) knitting and also delights in other crafts.

Shirl from The White House enjoys the 'abundance of life on a shoe string'. I couldn't agree more - so do I.

I enjoy reading The House of Jones. I don't know how many followers follow this blog but I'd like to include her in my list. This lady lives 'in a crafty world' and also blogs about her flowers and plants.

I think I'd better stop there and thank you again Custardino - my first 'follower' and my first 'blog awarder'. 

Whoopeee!!!

Jugs 'n' Spuds

It's not good working in a Charity Shop. Instead of them paying you, you pay them. This little jug was so lost and I had a playmate at home for it so I had to buy it. It's a Lovatts 1950s jug in pale yellow.

It's joined my other jug which is pale green - apparently called Windsor Green. I wonder if the yellow one is Windsor Yellow?

Oh and it's very pleased because it's got Big Jug for company aswell.

The first of the spuds were eaten for tea. I didn't harvest the whole plant - just dug down and picked out what we needed for a meal.

The others are still in the bag ...

... and the compost has been added to the lettuce trough in preparation for another sowing.

Mangies Tootsies

Time to harvest and process the mangies tootsies. I also picked the first 2 courgettes. The asparagus I knocked off accidentally while picking.

A quick wash in the sink,

a quick drain

and a quick dry.

I don't bother blanching but just pack into containers and put straight in the freezer.

Each container is enough for 3 portions.

My Simple Din dins

I had only myself to please today so I decided to eat the garden for dinner. 

First  - go out and pick. I chose mangetout, beetroot from the back garden and calebrese from the front. (It was all that was ready really.)

Wash carefully.

The trimmings go in a compostable receptacle.

Cook in one pan to save energy.

Serve with homemade bread and yesterday's left-over roast potato.

I did not grow dessert but I did use the same plate.

How many a day is that?

Plants grow

Our edible garden is coming along a treat.

lettuce, pak choi and mangetout

mangetout

courgettes

new potatoes

outdoor tomatoes and strawberries

corn with leeks behind (not very big yet)

carrots

garlic with beetroot, parsnips, mangetout and asparagus

We like mangetout! There's no need to pod and they can be eaten any size, cooked or raw.

indoor tomatoes with cucumber behind

Where shall we walk today?

A walk around the local hotel would be nice. It is set amongst 236 acres of parkland and lakes. 

I walked one of the 2 bridal paths.

I love this walk because the pathway always curves into the distance with more exciting views around each corner.

There are always new flowers and plants to see as the seasons progress.

The blossom smelt heavenly.

Not many people were out walking today.