What Katie Did

That Autumn Feeling

This morning, for breakfast, Geoff and I shared the last of the peaches, a good crop this year, never very sweet and quick to go mouldy, but tasty stewed and added to porridge.

it feels really autumnal here as August gives way to September, it was dark so early last night. But now I am going to enjoy September, which can be a really surprising month, full of mellow light, fruits and vegetables a-plenty. Another good crop of courgettes. These chocolate and courgette muffins appear and disappear regularly hereabouts!

Sunny start to September here after thunderstorms for the last of August.

Owen has a new kitten - Puma. Named after the cat not the sports wear.

We have been good vegetable gardeners this summer, but not so very good at the flowers. My theory has a lot to do with time and the fact that you can eat the results of Geoff's gardening efforts. So the flowers have to come from the shop. Flowershop ... Flowers hop.... did you know that? have you ever seen a flower hop?
 

Sweet Post

Look what the postman brought!

These are a present from my Mum and Dad

This is how they spent the night and today they will be planted out to the prepared sweet pea trench.

Here in Northumberland the ground has only just started to warm up, Geoff remembers snow on June 6th one year, so while the rest of the country - ie - The South - may have sweet peas ten feet tall by now, planting out now is just fine for us.

So now the fun is how to plant them! We have Old Times, Pulsar, Cathy and Heathcliff (!), Blue Danube and Terry Wogan! I had no idea sweet pea namers got so carried away!

Obviously Cathy and Heathcliff have to be on opposite sides of the canes so that they are together but always apart....  and Terry? well he could be dotted around the place like he is on the BBC. The others? I'd need suggestions I think. They are going in tonight because now I have to go to WORK!! (and guard the fridge)

Thank you Mum and Dad and enjoy your French adventure!

Happy Alan's Birthday

Today is my brother's birthday so my parents came to visit me? But they are going to see him in a couple of weeks and that is a journey that needs a bit more planning!

We had a love time today. Dad has made a window box for my shed and brought it and the plants to fill it.

Here we all are reflected in the window with the new box behind the wonderful tulips. They are at their best just now but when they are finished, the plants in the box will be well established and ready to take over! (We are going to paint it the same as the shed) I am so looking forward to looking out at it when I am making things! THANK YOU DAD!

We phoned to say 'Happy Birthday' and here is your birthday cake Alan.

4 oz currants, 4 oz raisins, 4 oz sultanas

8 oz butter, 4 oz brown sugar, 3 oz chopped dates, 2 oz chopped prunes, 3 oz chopped apricots, 2 oz sunflower seeds, 2 oz chopped nuts (you've got pecans) half a pint of orange juice, 4 oz apricot jam

melt everything together in a pan and simmer for one minute.
then add

8 oz self raising wholemeal flour, 1 teaspoon each of ginger, mixed spice and cinnamon, three eggs and 2 tablespoons of brandy.

mix the whole lot together and pour it into a well greased and lined 8/9 inch tin. bake for about 50 minutes at 160'C

This is now in a tin in the back of Dad's car and will be on it's way to France in less than two weeks, by which time it should be nicely matured. Sing the birthday song if you want to - but enjoy it with my love!

We've had a lovely time and the weekend is only half done! And I haven't mentioned the jumble sale, the trip to the quilt shop and the garden centre and lunch out. All very lovely! Always time to sit with the paper and a patchwork magazine though.