A slow, sunny weekend, as I was still recovering from an eye injury and a virus. We went to a garden centre to check out some parasols, but they were so enormous, they would fill the entire space. We came home and ordered a smaller one online. I was in the mood for summer food, so I made mackerel salad with greens and avocado, taken from Georgina Hayden’s amazing cookery book, Stirring Slowly. It’s not a new book, but it’s full of healthy, tasty recipes. Then I made our favourite poached peaches in white wine, and added some apple mint and raspberries. For this one, just simmer some cheap white wine and sugar until slightly reduced and syrupy. Add the peaches (it doesn’t matter if they’re not properly ripe) and cook until soft.
While my son and husband watched the Liverpool/Spurs football match on Saturday evening, I planted a salvia and some bedding plants, swept the slabs, watered my pots, and then sat in my sanctuary listening to the birds.
I could not resist the white foxglove at the garden centre. It probably won’t be a permanent feature as I don’t have a proper space for it, but I shall enjoy it momentarily, and then pass it on to someone who has a larger garden to enjoy it.
I’m pleased with the way the diascia and the nepeta are mingling. It is starting to look cottage-y.
Car boot loot
Sunday morning, I was up in good time, and decided to go to the nearest car boot sale. It doesn’t start at the crack of dawn, which is a blessing. I was still early though, and the man on the gate said I could pay a bit extra and go in before the crowds. That proved to be a great decision. I was looking for a very large container for my plum tree and I spotted this zinc dolly tub. It was £20, which is a great price for these tubs, so I snapped that up, along with two large wall planters for £4, and a selection of plants, and some old terracotta pots. So much cheaper than the garden centre! My plant haul included salvias, lavenders and more bedding (calibrachoa). I resisted all the other temptations, and there were many, and just allowed myself an old metal tea pot, which will be a nice prop for styling, and a small picture. On the way home, I took a new route through country lanes, and I marvelled at the wildflowers blooming in the verges: white campion, dog rose, buttercups, the last of the cow parsley, elderflowers and grasses.
Violet Bakery banana loaf
After lunch, I used all the old bananas in the fruit bowl to make the Violet Bakery Buttermilk Banana Loaf cake. And then I painted some hedgerow flowers. So, a slow, quiet weekend…just what was needed.
These lights, and the photo, are from the Garden Trading website. I haven’t really cracked my garden lighting yet, and this is one of my goals….