A Power Within

Category: Gardens and Gardening

Late Autumn – the last of the leaves – We Will Remember Them.

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From my window across the fields, the leaves are nearly gone, it is chilly and  starting to look  somewhat bleak already. Still my little firs give some  colour to the view now that Winter approaches.

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It is Remembrance Sunday tomorrow and our thoughts  return to those who gave their lives for us in the first and second World Wars. We also remember the brave men who have been lost, in the Falklands War,  in Iraq and Afghanistan.  In our little village, at the service tomorrow, we shall wear our poppies with pride as we remember these brave and courageous men

They shall not grow old, as we who are left grow old. Age shall  not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun We Will Remember Them…                                     

A New Plot !

Late October - Hemingway - 2008 002 This week I have been planting more trees! on the top lawn, as if we don’t have enough already at “Hemingway”  Not being a very capable gardener, I am at least enthusiastic.  I do try to keep these rather large gardens tidy with a lot of help from my brother-in-law who is so helpful with all the heavy work. I felt a new border would be nice to create a bit of interest near to  the ‘House of  Hope’. This idea is slowing taking place, with the clever removal of  a rather large amount of turfs with a special spade, this one borrowed from a rather kind neighbour that allowed the careful slicing out of the turfs to be used elsewhere. One side of the border, some small evergreens are to be planted and the rest hopefully a colourful rose bed.  Once established, a much needed vegetable patch beyond will be started. Having such a large garden the time has come for us to make it a lot more productive. We  enjoy so much, and use all the apples and blackberries we harvest now and with the wonderful vegetables from Sister Jenny’s crop, which are so good, we have decided to use this valuable land to further good use, watch this space…

How Clever They Are – Spiders Webs

Such a shame to disturbed their work of art. On my car this morning.

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Autumn Changes

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“As pears that do not ripen, affirmation takes it’s place, when Autumn leaves turn to gold, my mind trenchant and keen; I conquer many fearsome things, subdue and overcome, and as the mists arrive, how precious days become” …

Extract taken from the poem “Seasons Pass” by Susie Hemingway.

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~ Major Moursi’s Chutney ~

Major Moursi's Chutney Sept 2008 010

  As there are so many Apples on the trees right now and many windfalls as well, I thought it was time for my chutney making to begin, storing some jars away for the winter season.  The following recipe has been devised by me and makes a very good  delicious tasting chutney that is very simple to make and lasts well.

~Major Moursi’s Chutney ~

Garden Apples (as many as you can peel, well at least 8 large ones )windfalls are good for chutney if not too damaged and a great way to use them.

Ingredients: 4 -5 large onions –   4-5 cloves of garlic – 2 tablespoons of good honey, 2 tablespoons  golden syrup – small cup of  soft brown sugar – at least 250 grams of  pitted prunes ( 500 grams  would be better) – cup of sultanas – 3 good teaspoons of  ‘Madras’ curry powder – 2 teaspoons of  all spice – 1 good dessert spoon of  Dijon mustard – good quality vinegar to cover.

Chop apples, onions and prunes to med size about 1″ ( not too tiny – not too big ) chop garlic. Place in a good solid saucepan . Add everything else and bring to gentle boil and stir. Then turn down to lowest heat and cook for at least 3 -4 hours stirring occasionally. When everything is soft and of a good dark rich colour, take from the heat and allow to cool.

When chutney is cool place in very clean sterilized jars pushing down to get rid of air spaces. Cover with greaseproof  paper lid pushed closely on chutney to get rid of any air bubbles then seal with screw lid.  Looks nice  to cover with pretty cotton lids made from scraps of  material.

Enjoy with any cold meats or chicken, curries or fabulous with cheese. This chutney last for ages and even better when cooked with love.

Major Moursi's Chutney Sept 2008 001

A Village Affair

The 34th Annual Flower and Vegetable show was held this Saturday in our village. A great bustle filled the air as the villagers took their wonderful produce to the village hall to await judgement. The eighty categories make it a fabulous affair.  The hall was filled to bursting with all manner of  superb vegetables with the Onion Competition displaying some of the biggest and best onions I have ever seen.  Every vegetable from the common potato and carrots to the not some common kohlrabi,  very popular in Germany and known as the German turnip, it dates back to the 16th century.  Also on display  were the marvelous  victoria sponges, fruit cakes, plum breads, apple pies,  jams and preserves, such wonderful jars of pickle onions and mint jellies. Mostly all the items are auctioned at the end of the day, selling at  the most reasonable prices and the villagers snap up the  scrumptious cakes  and first class vegetables. On arriving home I  made  a very  good leek au gratin for supper and some  butternut  squash and chili soup for freezing.Village Veg Show August30 2008 013 Village Veg Show August30 2008 015

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It has not been a very good summer  this year and yet these amazing village gardeners always managed to produce the most wonderful vegetables and should be so proud of themselves when collecting their various plaques and trophies.

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It is such a nice social afternoon with tea and cakes or a glass of wine for those who choose.  Long may this wonderful show continue, I look forward to the 35th Flower and Vegetable show, in our really lovely little village.

A Summer Party

  50th Party - July 5 2008Party 5th July

On Saturday we were invited to a wonderful  50th birthday party for a friend who lives in the same village. It was so beautifully planned, I believe there was upwards of one hundred and thirty persons present, yet the organization was amazing.  A fantastic live band which always sets the scene  for me, was ensconced under a canopy,  and arriving to the gentle sounds of a saxophone was very pleasing. It was held in the extremely large rear garden  of a village house and there was something for everyone, the children had loads to do as there was a wonderful ‘Sumo ‘ wrestling’ game among many others.  The food was scrumptious, with a wonderful ‘hog-roast’ and some amazing desserts.  We chatted and danced to some wonderful old tunes and what a perfect evening it all was.

50th party 5th July 2008sumo - July 5th 2008 

And The Winds Do Blow

Unusually strange weather in our little Wolds Village today. The Sun is shining brightly but the wind is charging through, blowing sun umbrellas  and summer – swings about. With potential  gusts of  55-65 mph and isolated gusts of  70 mph  it seems a strange June Day. Not one for gardening I feel.

A Summer Celebration

Marquee @ Hemingway

Well the weather held for us last weekend, when all the family arrived  for a long weekend to celebrate Jenny and Ian’s Pearl Wedding Anniversary.  From the Friday  it was fun and laughter all the way. We had put up a Marquee in the garden of  “Hemingway” just in case the weather let us down and also to add to the fun. On Friday night we all ate in the evening at “Orchard End”  fourteen of us enjoyed a wonderful curry with all the trimmings and delicious desserts cooked lovingly by Jenny, it  was as wonderful as always. On Saturday we started our garden party with delicious jugs of Pimms, the sun shone and everyone was in a joyous mood as we ate copious pizza’s, garlic bread, and potatoe salad, all al fresco.  Jo played his guitar and sang for us, Manu at eight years sang the James Blunt song ‘You’re Beautiful’ with Jo accompanying him, absolutely word perfect which brought tears to all our eyes and a very large cheer at the end .Well done Manu.

Manu singing June 14 2008 11 June 2008 034

In the evening we all dressed up and went to Jenny and Ian’s for Champagne cocktails before a wonderful Steak Dinner at the village pub and a great party where the villagers join us for nibbles and drinks.

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On Sunday we had a good BBQ at “Hemingway”  expertly cooked by son Matt, enjoyed some more garden games, good music as we all celebrated together. The boys all went to the Village pub in the evening to round off their weekend.

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It was a truly lovely weekend  and I believe enjoyed by all. Creating some more good Memories.

13th to 16 th June 2008 en and Ian's Pearl Wedding Anniversary 127  13th to 16 th June 2008 en and Ian's Pearl Wedding Anniversary 112

So The Start Of Summer ?

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June officially being the start of an English Summer, we all wonder how the weather will be this year,  We are to have a family garden party at Hemingway on the 14th of this month so I am really hoping for a dry bright day. What a difference it makes when the sun is shining from the heavens and the coloured umbrellas are up and the ladies can wear their pretty dresses and  the men can relax from the stress of their working lives with a cooling glass of beer. An English Garden on a sunny day can be the most  perfect place in the world to unwind and spend time catching -up with loved ones. We plan some  fun garden games  for the little ones, a spot of cricket, for the not so little ones!  A light ‘summery’ lunch but what we really need is the good weather, is anyone listening up there? 

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