Mud Cakes and Wine

A few weeks ago I was delighted to get home from the school run and see the Architectural plant's lorry parked in the drive, this meant the Viburnum Tinus had arrived and were going to be planting. Mr MC&W had greeted them and explained exactly what we wanted to achieve, equal heights and distances apart. We played about with the design a little bit but found our original idea was the right one. The boys then went to work, they got the job done in a couple of hours. They were very careful to make sure that as requested the trees were the same height and an equal distance between each one (I think Mr MC&W reputation proceeds him). This was made harder by the fact it is on a slight slope and they had to think carefully how deep they planted each tree. We could have attempted this job but the digging alone would have taken us a day and then trying to get them equal heights, we know our limits. We are thrilled with the outcome and can not wait for the wi...

We have been beyond busy and the meal plans have been last moment and really suffered. We seem to have caught up a little and I have finally got sometime to write the weeks meals up. Friday - Chilli with rice. The boys will have meatballs. Saturday- Gammon, egg and chips for everyone Sunday - OB has his party but we will have his favourite as a late lunch. Roast Chicken, lots of Roast Potatoes, orange oven cooked carrots, green beans and spinach Monday - Cod and Chorizo Stew with crusty bread Cod and Chorizo Stew Tuesday- Mango Chicken, the boys will have plain rice Mango chicken with spiced pilau Wednesday - Omelette and Chips Thursday- lentil Ragu Lentil Ragu

My mum has to battle bindweed constantly, the stuff is rife through her garden and she was convinced the moment her back is turned the plant would shoot again. Our garden we have to battle ground elder, it is everywhere and I have had to declare war. I was informed by Andrew  Gardens Weeds and Words  that you can make a wonderful pesto using ground elder and I did have an evening considering if I could set up some amazing home business. Selling it from a little stall at the local farmers' markets, maybe even the top restaurants in London would want my homestyle artisan pesto. Then I remembered that I have three boys and can barely find the time to keep us all fed let alone making homemade pesto and taking over the culinary world.  The smallest front border is so full of it I could barely put the fork into the soil to dig it over. I have started this border now as I want some pots to go along the edge as the soil is so terrible. We considered putting down a membrane bu...