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Wednesday, July 17

Argggggggh!

ABC Round 13 is here and this time I am using our garden as the theme. We have a very large garden which to be honest leaves me feeling rather helpless as there is always a job which needs to be done. Jon's passion are the lawns and we do want to turf a few more areas so the task of mowing is easier.


This is our back garden - the shrubbery recently weeded and awaiting turf.



We have an ASSORTMENT of trees - scattered around the various areas which are as follows:-
 Front Ornamental Cherry Tree Hawthorne hedge Holly Tree
Shrub area Ornamental Grass Lady's Mantle * Aquilegia *
Hedge/Shielding at side of house
 Small boxptype shrub, very overgrown Elder tree x 2 Horsechestnut Tree Sycamore Tree Lilac
In back garden
3 pine Trees Various conifers...dwarf??? 2 established older apple trees 1 younger apple tree (Discovery) Laburnum Tree
Perimeter
Hawthorne May Blossom? About 20 damson/plum trees
Shrubbery
#Euphorbias Escallonia.Crimson Spire? * Hydrangea -  * Yellow Rose - not sure of name * Lady's Mantle * Flowering Currant Periwinkle Sedums
Patio/Kitchen area
Tomatoes  Strawberries  Geranium  Varigated Ivy  Lavender  Rosemary  Chives *Primulus - many of * Violas * Pansies * Basil * Peppers * Rhubarb * Mint Thyme *
 Dry Stone Wall at side of Drive
Various succulents
 
 



 






 
One of my favourite plants is  Lady's Mantle [Alchemilla mollis]




........ A frothy haze of tiny, chartreuse yellow flowers appearing from June to September above softly hairy, rounded, pale green leaves, which catch water droplets like pearls. No garden should be without this charming perennial! Ideal for groundcover or edging paths, it tolerates a range of adverse conditions including heavy clay and, once established, is drought tolerant. Position: full sun or partial shade Soil: moist, humus-rich soil Rate of Growth: fast-growing Flowering period: June to September Flowers: greenish-yellow Other features: excellent cut flowers Hardiness: fully hardy Garden care: Cut back the faded flower heads and foliage in August and the plant will often produce a second flush of flowers. Alchemilla has a tendency to self-seed freely, so to minimise the spread of the plant remove the seedheads carefully after flowering.

I used our garden flowers including the Lady's Mantle for our silver wedding anniversary table centre pieces.





We hade adopted a "make do and mend" approach to the garden - so I will break down the various tasks to make them manageable and affordable......watch this space!

Friday, July 12

Food glorious food.

Some of the wonderful food we have been enjoying this past week. Salads - summer living eh?




This was a new recipe - Slimming World - as often the case sounds bizarre but heavenly - good for vegetarian diet.
Batchelors savoury rice (cooked) pressed down on the bottom if the dish. Peas pudding spread thickly on top then the cottage cheese & eggs mix. ( 1 tub 3 eggs)  Turn it into an extra easy one with superfree such as tomatoes & onions




Another Slimming World idea - scrape out the middle of a breadbun - ham and favourite salad - laughing cow cheese triangle instead of butter! LUSH!!!!!!


Our own eggs - (well the hen's) lol salad wrap - ham and lots of salad rolled in a large lettuce leaf...


Salad with a barbeque.


Picnic by Lake Ulswater
 
 


 
Salad wraps
 



Scotch eggs - capers added to the sausagemeat - unbelieveably wonderful!
 
 



More salads.