Never heard of Blood Orange & Chili Marmelade, sounds great but gory!! What do you eat it with?
Lovely sunny afternoon. Don't think much of being jammed in kitchen but have made lots of chocolate cakes and cookies for Jo Public this w/e as it is half term and of course St Valentine w/e hops, so the Parisians will be out!.
It's no good will have to go outside -even if it's only a potter with a cup of tea. Have a good w/e.
Need to get in quick GW before the blood oranges go out of season.
Still no gardening here as we've been sodden up until yesterday - lovely for future projects - and are now being frozen. In addition, I had a bad fall last week and have very bruised, tender, colourful and mis-shapen swollen knees which make gardening impossible at the mo.
On the up side, I did manage to get a new water butt yesterday and some sweetcorn seeds and this pm we're off to get another butt if we can. They're from a supermarket that has them for a very short period and only displays one at a time and chappy wasn't there to fetch one out of the store room for me yesterday. Best we've found tho in terms of price/size/design. Super U BF, if you're interested.
Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
"The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
Good old Super-U -That's where I got my Raised Beds from on Promo. Their Bio Terreau is good too.
Now Obelxx you are not to complain about rain -You did say that you wanted it!!!! I'm thoroughly sick of it, just can't get out and work any of this sodden ground -I'd almost prefer snow then I couldn't see the things that have to be done!!! -Anyway Rennes was good and warmer than here! First Garden Fair 17-18th March so hope weather improves (a sneaky glimpse at my Bio Lunar Weather Calender shows Spring like weather after the 6th) - Just received reservation Form for The Crazy Nettle Fair 'Les Orties en Folies' 8th April. Really looking forward to this one, lots of lectures and a section devoted to Companion PLanting in co-ordination with Lunar Cycles. O/H will just have to man our Stand whilst I walk around and listen in!
Look after those knees - I bit on something over the w/e and bust a tooth -Hurts!
Cats full of joy on our return-5 voles and a fieldmouse have been delivered on the terrace as presents.
Bought some white onion sets that I pull as Spring Onions - Hope to get them in.
Forgot to mention -Found great heap of Ficoide 'Carpobrotus edulis' or what I call giant mesembryanthemum on the road opposite the beach yesterday -The Spring Tide had washed it all out of someone's rockery, came home with it so lots of planting out to do later long drive bank. Interesting that the French call it 'Witches Fingers' or 'Hottentot Fig' -No idea what colour the flowers will be -Surprise discovery and I like those!
I am not complaining about the rain, just commenting that everything is too sodden to work in. That should have improved by the time the knees have recovered enough to kneel so I can work my way in from the edges and not trample any possible babies or shoots.
I saw wild primroses in banks along the lanes yesterday. Gorgeous so spring is on its way despite this coming cold snap.
Never liked mesembryanthemums much in Belgium - not enough sun for them to open wide - but I did try some early on in pots by the south facing front door and they seeded into the gaps in the cobbles so a plucky plant. Might try them again as they'll do better here.
Have fun at all the fairs. Ours tend to be in April and May and include one in La Roche-s-Y organised by Asphodèle, the garden club I have joined.
Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
"The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
Just walked round garden soussing out new wild flowers as we did not move here until April -violets and primroses coming out . Must start crystallising them to decorate cakes. If you pick them at the Full Moon they keep up to 3 weeks longer after crystallising, tried this out last year. Preserved them at two totally different Moon Phases plus Full Moon and it is true. They look fresher and don't curl at all whilst you crystallise them, seem to have much stronger petals.March is really early for a Garden Fair, as you say most in April - May then Sept -Oct. Only problem - I sell lots of things but buy far more!!!
Tooth slotted back into place -dentist in March - May have to give in to extraction! Oil of cloves working well though, plus whisky bath!!!. I'm a real coward.
Snow forecast end next week for us even in Jersey -Weather warning in France Tues/Wed next week extreme low temperatures -look at meteofrance Obelxx for La Vendee. Seems the big freeze is arriving.
O/H putting up greenhouse (polytunnel) frame today and tomorrow. Buying matting on Sunday from Bargain Van that travels around the villages. I shall put this down as Tunnel base as directly on lawn next to Raised Beds. Potager design coming on well. Went to Bio Gardening Club yesterday and had lecture on green manuring in between crops to attract bees and to nourish ground and avoid bare patches. Not sure where you would walk if you grow in between crops but it would be good with Raised Beds or 1.50m Square Beds. Will write up notes next week and let you have them.
Kitten sick all morning yet full of beans. Keeps eating then vomiting. May have to go to vet, but he is full of joy having caught 2 mice this morning. Will buy wormer tomorrow.
Wails of anguish from O/H as he wants me to hold measure for new gate -I think he's given in to 'not needing any help' Needs to have 5metre arms. Better go.
Posts
Never heard of Blood Orange & Chili Marmelade, sounds great but gory!! What do you eat it with?
Lovely sunny afternoon. Don't think much of being jammed in kitchen but have made lots of chocolate cakes and cookies for Jo Public this w/e as it is half term and of course St Valentine w/e hops, so the Parisians will be out!.
It's no good will have to go outside -even if it's only a potter with a cup of tea. Have a good w/e.
https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/blood-orange-chilli-marmalade
Very fresh and clean tasting. Eat with cold meats, sausages, cheese and anything else you fancy.
I didn't have sugar with pectin so just used a sachet of pectin with ordinary caster sugar and it's fine.
Bio thanks for update , mixed weather lots of tidying up done in garden , not much at Allotment
Looks like we are in for another cold spell before spring starts , hope Rennes goes well
Oberlix , interesting Marmalade ??
Need to get in quick GW before the blood oranges go out of season.
Still no gardening here as we've been sodden up until yesterday - lovely for future projects - and are now being frozen. In addition, I had a bad fall last week and have very bruised, tender, colourful and mis-shapen swollen knees which make gardening impossible at the mo.
On the up side, I did manage to get a new water butt yesterday and some sweetcorn seeds and this pm we're off to get another butt if we can. They're from a supermarket that has them for a very short period and only displays one at a time and chappy wasn't there to fetch one out of the store room for me yesterday. Best we've found tho in terms of price/size/design. Super U BF, if you're interested.
Good old Super-U -That's where I got my Raised Beds from on Promo. Their Bio Terreau is good too.
Now Obelxx you are not to complain about rain -You did say that you wanted it!!!! I'm thoroughly sick of it, just can't get out and work any of this sodden ground -I'd almost prefer snow then I couldn't see the things that have to be done!!! -Anyway Rennes was good and warmer than here! First Garden Fair 17-18th March so hope weather improves (a sneaky glimpse at my Bio Lunar Weather Calender shows Spring like weather after the 6th) - Just received reservation Form for The Crazy Nettle Fair 'Les Orties en Folies' 8th April. Really looking forward to this one, lots of lectures and a section devoted to Companion PLanting in co-ordination with Lunar Cycles. O/H will just have to man our Stand whilst I walk around and listen in!
Look after those knees - I bit on something over the w/e and bust a tooth -Hurts!
Cats full of joy on our return-5 voles and a fieldmouse have been delivered on the terrace as presents.
Bought some white onion sets that I pull as Spring Onions - Hope to get them in.
Happy Gardening!
Forgot to mention -Found great heap of Ficoide 'Carpobrotus edulis' or what I call giant mesembryanthemum on the road opposite the beach yesterday -The Spring Tide had washed it all out of someone's rockery, came home with it so lots of planting out to do later long drive bank. Interesting that the French call it 'Witches Fingers' or 'Hottentot Fig' -No idea what colour the flowers will be -Surprise discovery and I like those!
I am not complaining about the rain, just commenting that everything is too sodden to work in. That should have improved by the time the knees have recovered enough to kneel so I can work my way in from the edges and not trample any possible babies or shoots.
I saw wild primroses in banks along the lanes yesterday. Gorgeous so spring is on its way despite this coming cold snap.
Never liked mesembryanthemums much in Belgium - not enough sun for them to open wide - but I did try some early on in pots by the south facing front door and they seeded into the gaps in the cobbles so a plucky plant. Might try them again as they'll do better here.
Have fun at all the fairs. Ours tend to be in April and May and include one in La Roche-s-Y organised by Asphodèle, the garden club I have joined.
Just walked round garden soussing out new wild flowers as we did not move here until April -violets and primroses coming out . Must start crystallising them to decorate cakes. If you pick them at the Full Moon they keep up to 3 weeks longer after crystallising, tried this out last year. Preserved them at two totally different Moon Phases plus Full Moon and it is true. They look fresher and don't curl at all whilst you crystallise them, seem to have much stronger petals.March is really early for a Garden Fair, as you say most in April - May then Sept -Oct. Only problem - I sell lots of things but buy far more!!!
Bio , hope you have got tooth sorted out
Pleased to hear Cats ? are doing well
The fair on 8th April sounds interesting , I will be at Wembley that day watching Lincoln City Football Club in a Cup final ⚽️
Just spent afternoon in garden trimming / pruning , the big stuff will burn on fire ?
Allotment going well , shredded Hawthorn branches for paths . Just harvested the rest of the sprouts o/h will freeze, Hoping to spend tomorrow there
How the new garden going ?
Tooth slotted back into place -dentist in March - May have to give in to extraction! Oil of cloves working well though, plus whisky bath!!!. I'm a real coward.
Snow forecast end next week for us even in Jersey -Weather warning in France Tues/Wed next week extreme low temperatures -look at meteofrance Obelxx for La Vendee. Seems the big freeze is arriving.
O/H putting up greenhouse (polytunnel) frame today and tomorrow. Buying matting on Sunday from Bargain Van that travels around the villages. I shall put this down as Tunnel base as directly on lawn next to Raised Beds. Potager design coming on well. Went to Bio Gardening Club yesterday and had lecture on green manuring in between crops to attract bees and to nourish ground and avoid bare patches. Not sure where you would walk if you grow in between crops but it would be good with Raised Beds or 1.50m Square Beds. Will write up notes next week and let you have them.
Kitten sick all morning yet full of beans. Keeps eating then vomiting. May have to go to vet, but he is full of joy having caught 2 mice this morning. Will buy wormer tomorrow.
Wails of anguish from O/H as he wants me to hold measure for new gate -I think he's given in to 'not needing any help' Needs to have 5metre arms. Better go.
Keep warm and Happy Gardening.