My Friend the Robin

Every time I go out into my organic garden a little robin appears. He has become so friendly that he perches only two feet away from me and watches every move I make. If I leave a watering can, the garden frame on which I kneel or even an pile of earth, when I return he is perched on one of them.

This morning, I left the greenhouse door open while I had a cup of rooibos tea. When I returned he was in the greenhouse. However, when he saw me coming in he panicked and stayed in mid air fluttering his wings to maintain his position.

I stepped out. He flew away but returned a few minutes later to see what I was doing.

Sugar and Spice and All Things Nice

No matter how well-stocked my kitchen is I never seem to have enough spices. Today, I was very pleased when I popped into a large shop, which mostly sells items for an Indian cuisine, and found a small jar of mace which I had not been able to find elsewhere. Although I was short of time the sight of exotic fruit and vegetables, a large variety of spices and sweetmeats as well as chutneys and pickles made my mouth water. I shall shop there again at leisure.

As a vegetarian I cook dishes that originate in many parts of the world and often made Indian curries, soups and much more. I even included a recipe for a favourite curry at the end of my novel Far Beyond Rubies, in which the delightful hero had served in India with the East India Company and earned the nickname Beau Hindu

First Day at School

Today was my youngest granddaughter's first day at primary school. The four year-old  had been insisting she would only go if the uniform was pink. Yesterday evening while I put her to bed she said she knew she would be sad at school. Her oldest brother was going on a school trip to Wales and had to be at school at 7 30 a.m. so I stayed at my daughter's house overnight. My daughter dressed her in her uniform in the morning and handed over her red book bag and red sports bag. When she came downstairs my granddaughter was bubbling over with smiles and enthusiasm.

She knew her class teacher, who had taught her older brother. The teacher asked them to go into the classroom and sit down in a circle. My little 'princess' was first through the door and first to sit down. When my daughter collected her she was very happy. Phew!

Apple Cider Vinegar

If you have painful joints and/or muscles apple cider vinegar can help. I drink two teaspoons of Bragg Organic Raw unfiltered, unpasteurised apple vinegar in a glass of water twice a day. Besides helping with aches and pains a c v has too many benefits for me to list. I suggest you google it to find out more. To use a cliché, the proof of the pudding is in the eating, and I know I have benefitted from dosing myself with a c v.

Busy Morning, Writing, Gardening & Cooking

I enjoyed myself this morning working on 'writerly matters', mostly applying scribbled notes in my shorthand notepad, looking for places to let people know about my historical novels.

At ten o'clock I went into the garden where I planted out purple sprouting broccoli, which I shall enjoy next year. I did some weeding, picked runner beans to prepare for the freezer, apples, pears and tomatoes.

Next I pulled up the last of the white radishes, aka mooli aka daikon. I made spiced mung with thinly sliced mooli in it and ate it with brown rice at lunch time.

Peaches for Monsieur le Cure

Yesterday evening, I was enthralled by Peaches for Monsieur le Cure, turned the pages and read until I finished the novel at midnight. At one point while reading descriptions of the chocolate truffles, Vivanne, the heroine, makes my mouth watered. I went downstairs to the kitchen to see if I could satisfy my sweet tooth, but as I'm dieting had to settle for a peach. I'm sure it was as succulent as the one Vivanne gave to Monsieur le Cure.

Massage

Let’s face it, many of us work for hours on computers, which can lead to back problems and aches and pains. I am no exception so I had another deep tissue massage by a lady with excellent qualifications. She also recommends drinking a dessert spoonful of organic apple cider in a glass of water three times a day in order to dissolve the salts that build up in the spine and joints. Another one of her recommendations is to take two flaxseed tablets twice a day. Also a medicinal tea made with grated ginger and turmeric root relieves pain. I sweeten mine with organic honey.

Organic Gardening in Early Autumn

September 3rd, autumn is here in S. East England although the weather is mild the leaves are beginning to change colour.

As a vegetarian (I don't eat meat, fish or eggs) my ambition is to be as self-sufficient as possible throughout the year. At the moment, my curly kale and black kale, cabbages, chard, New Zealand spinach and lots of herbs are flourishing in my organic garden and will last until spring. Under cover there are cherry tomatoes and three other varieties ripening including a delicious grafted one called Indigo Rose, as well as cucumbers. And there are other vegetables such as carrots, lettuce, white radish aka mooli aka daikon, small radishes and much more.

This morning I planted out spring greens, aka collards, and covered them with netting to keep off the pigeons, which would strip the leaves bare. I will also plant out purple sprouting broccoli to enjoy in the spring. In the meantime I shall grow winter salads in the greenhouse and move the tender herbs into it.