Friday 31 July 2020

Friday Chat Day

Hello friends

Well this week's post could be interesting as Blogger has been updated
and everything switched around. There's an option to make photos huge
so fingers crossed it comes out looking normal.

Big thanks for all the get-well wishes for my Mum.  She is still in hospital
having undergone quite a marathon with surgery and treatment.
She needs to build up her strength before being allowed home,
it feels like such a long time especially not being able to visit.
Thankful we can chat on the phone, she has an iPad so she'll be reading this...
hello Mum xxx

Garden:

I have 'Gardenitis' - noun - the strong compulsion to spend 12+ a day
in your garden instead of indoors!
Honestly, you would think it was enormous garden, it is tiny but
I still find things to do.  
So this is a little project still in progress.
My cat shelter is behind that repurposed garden gate and trellis.
The trellis got spray painted last weekend, one can doesn't go that far.
The intention is to grow clematis but for now I've stood pots there.



Name that plant!
This was a plant I acquired on Freecyle, it's not happy, leaves are dropping off
but I have espied some tiny white buds so perhaps it is clinging on.


And Mitchell has been a star this week, he secured some old trellis
to the wall to hide the outside tap and soil dustbins.
And this double planter is looking rather abundant.


My table in the conservatory has become my greenhouse. 


And this plant haul has come from Secret Gardening Club.
They do offers whereby you can purchase 15 perennials plants 
for £20 inclusive of postage.
I recognised about 2 of them!  
I've been on Google and working out where best to plant them.
Some look a little tired but overall very happy.


And this garden specimen is Bella who often stands, stares and wonders
where her tennis balls are now hidden.
That huge container is a cut down water butt awaiting an apple tree.
It belonged to my parents' neighbour, it was leaking so not serviceable as a 
water butt but perfect as a planter.
Apple tree news next week - hold onto your seats! Haha.


Okay...enough of the garden, let's switch to something else.

Crochet:

With all this gardening I've been even slower adding those squares
to my Harmony Blanket but it is growing.


This is the squares pile left to do on my dining table,
should have the table back by Christmas!


Recipe:

I cannot take any credit for this week's recipe, this is 
Mitchell's Tagliatelle and Mushrooms.
He often cooks at home and he's very good,
the cleaning up afterwards needs improvement though!
This dish is perfect for vegetarians or those 'meat-free' days.


8oz dried tagliatelle, 8oz mushrooms,1 onion, 

2 tablespoons of butter,

2 garlic cloves, ¼ pint of single cream,

¼ pint of white wine, parmesan and parsley

 

Cook pasta in a large saucepan until al dente,

Meanwhile chop onion and fry in melted butter,

Add garlic, mushrooms and cook until soft. Season.

Add wine and cream, simmer for 5 minutes, add parsley.

Serve with the pasta and parmesan and

lots of garlic bread.


And here is the printable recipe.

Telly:

 I still manage to squeeze in quite a bit of telly and this 
week's recommendations is The Umbrella Academy - Netflix.

On one day in 1989, 43 infants are inexplicably born to random, 
unconnected women who showed no signs of pregnancy the day before. 
Seven are adopted by billionaire industrialist Sir Reginald Hargreeves, 
who creates the Umbrella Academy and prepares his "children" to save the world.


It is quirky but enjoyable. Season 2 is out today.

And that wraps up this week's chatter.
Please stop by on Sunday as it is the first Sunday of the month 
and Charity Kit Day, August's charity is
I've made extra kits this month and they will be announced 7am 
here on the blog and splashed across Facebook and Twitter.

Have a lovely weekend, stay in the shade - scorchio weather forecast.

Take care friends.

10 comments:

hazel young said...

Love the trellis and gate with the clematis idea. It will look gorgeous when it gets going. Omg what a gorgeous planter wow well done you. Love the colours and plant choices. Love the recycled water butt idea, great use as large planters can be expensive. The Crochet blanket looks wonderful. Love the recipe, might give it a try but not keen on mushrooms. The Farm programme is the most watched this year. I have not seen it yet but she has been on Jeremy vine a few times and seems like a lovely family and a great watch. Have a great week, looking forward to the Charity kit on Sunday, can't believe its almost August. xx Hazel

kittyedavies47@gmail.com said...

Morning Christine.
So happy to read your Mum is on the mend, she has had a rough old time.
Your garden looks so pretty, I am not an outdoors person, all my hobbies are indoors.
Thank you for the lovely chat, Bella is so cute.
Take care stay safe and have fun Kitty.

CraftyCoffey said...

Great news update today. Love seeing your gardening & crochet projects.

Get well soon to your Mum if she pops in to read this.

Michele

Xarolyn said...

Good morning. Well it is a warm one already , love seeing all that you are doing . That blanket will be gorgeous , I never mastered the art of crochet myself . Bella was looking a little perplexed. Are you sure you have enough room for all of those plants? Look forward to seeing August’s charity kit . Stay safe . Hope mom makes a speedy recovery xx

Anonymous said...

Hi Christine, you certainly have a lot of plants for a tiny garden (lol), hopefully you still have room to sit in the garden to enjoy your spoils. It looks very chic and beautiful. I'm useless with plants in pots and am very envious. Continued get well wishes to your Mum on her long recovery journey. I know you all miss her and I'm sure she misses you all just as much but thankfully technology does help. Going to try the recipe Mitchell has shared - please thank him. Wishing you all a good week. WakeyL

Craftychris said...

Ooh your garden is looking lovely as is the yummy dinner! Bella looks so cute as always and slightly confused, even cuter! I hope your Mum recovers soon, bless her. Take care and stay safe! xxx

pinksparkle said...

I love your garden with its secret spaces and beautiful flowers! Thanks Mitchell for the recipe, looks very tasty and I shall try that this week. Soo hot today, no crafting just reading. Best wishes for your Mum's recovery. X

Littlelamb said...

Hope you mum will be better soon but good to hear she is improving. Your garden is looking lovely. Well done. The blanket is looking good but not doing mine at the moment. It’s getting very big now but I can’t put it on my lap as the weather is too hot . Wait until the cooler weather. Will be glad of it then. Recipe looks good. Like all these suitable for vegetarians recipes. Enjoy your weekend.

karenlotty said...

Your garden looks beautiful Good luck with naming all of the plants The recipe looks tasty but my OH hates mushrooms!
The blanket really is growing I’m on the scout for a biggish crochet project but not blankets
I will try and remember to pop in on Sunday
Take care and best wishes to your mum x

Patricia Howarth said...

Hi Christine, Lovely lovely plants, you are surely getting the gardening bug haha.
My love and best wishes to your Mum. I hope she is back home with you all soon.
Your crochet is fabulous and so many squares you have made, they are beautiful.
I hope you have a lovely weekend.
Take care, stay safe.
Lots of love from Patricia xx

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