Notes from the Lady Gardener

Welcome to the new Gardening Year!
I hope you are all going to try your hardest
and, with our support, flourish and make us proud.

Firstly, a round up of news for this week:
Well done to the Tree Paeonies
who have put on a splendid display in the last week.
A little bit disappointed with you, White Iris...
I think that you might not have been entirely frank
when you joined - we were expecting tall not small
so you will have to be moved where we can see you.
I am sorry about the cold temperatures
which are out of our control
but I hope you are all enjoying the mulch
which should keep you nice and cosy.

Right-oh, now let's look forward to next week:
We will shortly be joined by a lot of little Box plants,
I hope that you will make them feel welcome.
They are slow but work well as a team.
We are keeping our eye out for the roses
who have been a little bit shy this year.
And finally, the Paeony team - don't let us down!
I am going to be quite clear - I want garnet red flowers.
Any half hearted magenta rubbish from Karl Rosenfield
and you will be out of your place in the sun
and off to the end of the border.
Do I make myself clear?

A word of warning...
I want you all to be on the look out
for Bindweed and Ground Elder -
they are bad influences and we must be Vigilant.

And now for some exciting news from Estates!
The Wendy House has been removed
and consultations are underway to agree a replacement.
I am delighted to report that funding has been agreed
and the decisions are now at committee stage.

And finally can I remind you of our garden motto
"Videamus coalescit"
Remember it at all times.

You are dismissed.

comfort eating

It was winter-cold, windy and wet today,
the wind leaked through the louvred glass
and I felt trapped in my office.

MrM's train was delayed by a fallen tree
and so I collected him from the station
and we went to our favourite Chinese restaurant.

The wonton soup was salty and steaming hot
and so soothing. I needed that.

Comfort food.

A Difficulty Remedied

Let's pause, take a deep breath,
and forget about exams for a while.

Why not consider the hattage
and impressive curves
of these delicious silhouettes.

They were all created by Isabella Beetham (c.1744-1825)
who specialised in cut paper and painted silhouettes.
You can read more about her here
Isabella had a mean line in self-publicity...

“By application leagued with Good Natural Gifts
Mrs Beetham has enabled herself to remedy a Difficulty
Much lamented and Universally Experienced by
PARENTS, LOVERS AND FRIENDS
The former, assisted by her Art,
may see their offspring
In any part of the Terraqueous Globe.
LOVERS the Poets have advanced,
‘Can waft a sigh from Indus to the Pole.
She will gratify them with
more substantial though Ideal Intercourse
by placing the Beloved Object to their View.
FRIENDSHIP is truly valuable was ever held a Maxim.…”

I can relate to the problem of PARENTS
with offspring in all parts
of the Terraqueous Globe

and she was right about FRIENDSHIP...
it is truly valuable.

Thank you for all of your comments yesterday,
a problem shared is a problem halved.

Confessions of a Proof Reader

The exam author had intended to ask students to discuss

"the purification and privatisation
of public space
through urban regeneration".

Unfortunately, the exam paper was missing a crucial l.

I'm feeling frail - be kind to me.

Bank Holiday Monday

Sunshine on a Bank holiday!

Has it ever happened before?

Breakfast on the patio...
and then a stroll around the garden
to see what we can see:

clouds of apple blossom,

pink camellias,
(very, very pink.)

all of my pots are done!
I am impressed by myself...

and here is the first tree paeony
just about to burst open.

Summer is just around the corner!

white : blue : white

Was there ever such a Spring?

My cherry tree is in full bloom,
a snow storm of blossom
against a brilliant blue sky.

It hurts my heart to look at it.

May Day

Thoughts while filling my car with petrol

1.
MasterM has never filled his car with petrol.
Someone has always done it for him.

2.
Shall I have garlic prawns with pesto salad
for my lunch tomorrow
or kiln smoked salmon.
Prawns? Salmon?
Why does life have to be difficult?

3.
The enthusiastic Professor loves ironing.
She would rather iron for a month
than do her marking.
I have a plan...

4.
I am wearing ankle boots
with a short skirt.
I am not sure it is age appropriate.

5.
Caramel cream Frappucinos.

6.
My sister called me from Padstow
just as the 'Obby Oss was going past.
She does it every year.
I love her for it.

7.
Dr H-Next-Door has just bought
a grape purple cashmere scarf
It is soft, huge and beautiful.
She is wearing it even though
it is the first warm day of the year.
We indulge her.

8.
Dovegreyreader is not enjoying
'Life after Life' by Kate Atkinson.
I am unhappy about this.
I thought it was a tour de force.
I must have words.

9.
What shall we have for supper?
Boring.
Boring.
Boring.
What is MissM cooking?

10.
Those Russian chocolates
were very delicious.
Perhaps I should set up
an import business.
"Kremlin Confectionery" anyone?

11.
Sunglasses.
I love them.
They are my secret vice.

12.
It's the GeogSoc Boat Party soon.
There will be dancing.
What shall I wear?
Aaaargh.

MasterM, paparazzo

Sangria

Serve with
slab of watermelon,
cinnamon stick,
large paper peacock
and a splash of chutzpah.

Bento #7

Post-holiday, I am inspired
to dizzying new heights
of Bento achievement.

Couscous and roasted vegetables
with lamb from my Sunday roast.
Turns out you can use leftovers.
Who knew?

What's that I hear you cry?
"Give me a CLOSE UP
of the ORANGE tomato"

'kay...
since you asked so nicely...

Goat's cheese with nutty toasts.
Same old, same old?
I think not.
This coriander leaf was home grown.

My famous mango and black grape salad.
It is a secret family recipe
I could give you the method
but I would have to kill you afterwards.

I am eating this one with Jee.
She has done my job
and knows how much pain
the Exam term involves.
She will fan me with marksheets
and I will look at photos
of her adorable granddaughter
and I am sure I will stop hyper-ventilating.

thought for the day

I think it is my duty
to share these pictures
of embroidered boots.

I really want a pair of these boots
even though I am sure that I would not
be brave enough to wear them.

There is an H.E.Bates short story
which haunted me as a teenager
about a woman who had a wardrobe
full of extravagant ball gowns
that she looked at but never wore.

Have I become that woman?