Winter scene

Silent snow

shape shifting in the sunlight.
Diamond’s woven into a cloak of navy blue

the scene is set for all things new.

Virgin snow casts its magic spell

nature knows us so very well,

Sprinkles of stardust

White moon, icy beams

Crispy crunchy crackle of winter.

This is a picture taken by my niece Linda (3 Dec) which I think sums up the weather at the moment.

Mick's cauliflower

Cauliflower fried rice is fantastic. grate the cauliflower in a food processer. Then nuke it for 10 minutes with a T of water. Check it after 7 minutes, you don't want it to turn to mush. Then stir fry whatever you have in the fridge green onions, peppers, bean sprouts, anything really. I don't bother with adding the eggs or meat. I add sesame oil, ginger, soysauce. Then I drain the cauliflower and add it to the fried veg. My friend makes it and adds so much veg and meat that her husband hasn't figured out its not rice!!

Philosophy for beginners

If a man is alone in the garden and speaks,and there is no woman to hear him, is he still wrong?

Chickens: The only animals you eat before they are born and after they are dead.


March isn't the only thing that's in like a lion and out like a lamb.- Probably May West

If, instead of talking to your plants, you yelled at them, would they still grow, only to be troubled and insecure?

The happiest gardeners have simply learned how to relax.

Pearse College Allotments Wildflowers

The orchard is looking great at the moment with all the wildflowers in bloom . We started collecting seeds from them to sow next year .

Willo's Sunflower

Ah, Sunflower, weary of time,

Who countest the steps of the Sun,

Seeking after that sweet golden clime

Where the traveller's journey is done.

Where the Youth pined away with desire,

And the pale Virgin shrouded in snow,

Arise from the their graves,

and aspire

Where my Sunflower wishes to go.

Pumpkin recipe

RONAN'S PUMPKIN

Recipe

Tomato paste and parmesan cheese are the secret ingredients of this luscious pumpkin soup. They add an extra element of sweet and savory that tastes delicious with velvety pumpkin.
Ingredients:

1 tablespoon butter 1 medium onion, finely chopped2 cloves garlic, crushed 1 pound pumpkin, peeled, seeded, cut into 1-inch cubes 3 cups chicken stock 1 tablespoon tomato paste 1 tablespoon grated parmesan cheese ¼ teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon pepper
Directions:
1. Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add onions and garlic and cook until translucent, 3 to 4 minutes, stirring. 2. Add pumpkin and cook 3 minutes, until lightly softened. 3. Add stock and paste and stir to mix. Bring to a boil over high heat, lower to a simmer, and cover. Cook 20 minutes, until pumpkin is very tender.4. Transfer to a food processor and puree until smooth. Add cheese, salt, and pepper; mix and serve warm.