Well I sowed the tomato seeds and put the pots in a heated indoor tray and left them on the window sill. They came up quite quickly, but even though they were in a south facing window, they became quite leggy.
When they were big enough, I potted them on and put them in really deep so that only the top most leaves were showing. They are now in a greenhouse tray, on the dining table. I think they get more light there and they aren't showing signs of going leggy yet, so hopefully they'll be alright
The cyclamen were flowering and looking very pretty when the snow arrived and I thought they would emerge bedraggled once the snow had gone. But no! Once it had all melted, they were as perky and beautiful as ever
The snowdrops look very delicate, but are as tough as old boots
and this is the three cornered garlic
The Daphne has been flowering for weeks, as has the sweet box and they both fill the garden with the sweetest perfume. Completely gorgeous, but especially at this dark time of year. Spring seems to be arriving!
Dieting Struggles
I continue to diet, but I'm finding it hard to stick with anything at the moment. I keep on trying and I'm on course to lose a lb this week. I'm having lots of vegetables to fill myself up, and trying very hard not to snack at all
Birds In The Garden
I have some bird feeders in the garden. At the end of the summer, no birds were using them and after looking up RSPB, they said that is usual as the birds prefer the natural food in abundance at that time.
But now we're near the end of February and we're still getting the odd visitor on the hanging feeders. Hardly any at all. I change the food when it's been there a while and wash the containers, so I don't know what's wrong. We don't get any cat visitors going through the garden and we have no pets.
What with that and the pond refusing to clear so we can't see the fish!
Shredding Vegetables
Have you got a food processor?
I have recently used mine to shred 2 large broccoli stalks and 1 small dried up one, the stalks of 2 cauliflowers and some green cabbage past it’s best, including the stalk
It’s a soft and tasty mix. I made some last week and included some red cabbage and used it in soup.
I’ve used some of this in a coleslaw which we had with pizza last night and it worked great
It’s much nicer than you might think just on its own too
You could add some red onion, leeks or even peas left whole and straight from the pack
Had quite a bit left and it doesn’t last long in the fridge like this, so made some soup. I didn't measure anything, just made it by eye
Into a big pot, I poured some red lentils and added the shreds, just covered with water and added garlic, ginger, ground cumin and ground coriander. Simmered for 20 mins. Whizzed and added coconut powder. If you want to use a tin, reduce the amount of water
Tastes superb and made 22 ladles, so lots of lunches
I haven’t tried freezing the shreds yet, might do that next. Could add them instead of peas to the pea tart I made recently
Crisp up some bacon and use in a bubble and squeak type dish - all kinds of ideas are occurring
Crispy Topped Miso Vegetables
I finally got round to writing up this recipe. It's super tasty and gives you almost 6 portions of veg in just one go!
It came out of a need to use up veg from the fridge, but has gone into my notebook as a keeper
Just saute your selection of veg until soft, stir through a bog dollop of miso and top with potato medallions that have been partly cooked. Top with cheese and crisp up in the oven
Bacon and Leek Pie
This gorgeous pie is stuffed with slowly cooked leeks, crispy bacon and moistened with cream. Utterly divine!
That's all for this time, hope all is well with you. After being at home for nearly a year and barely going anywhere except down the local town, I am finally beginning to get a little restless
In a previous life, my husband frequently wanted to walk along the front of Bexhill or Eastbourne - we have a daughter in both towns - and I got rather fed up of going to the same places all the time. What I wouldn't give to be able to do that now!
Do come and say hello on the fantastically frugal Facebook group, or the sensational slimming sustenance group. I'd love to see you.
With all best wishes, until next time
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