Mud Cakes and Wine

This summer I was having great fun choosing bulbs for spring. I am looking at one border that we look right out onto, but it is north facing and does not get a huge amount of sunshine. I did a lot of investigation into bulbs I hope will work and give us some flowers in early to mid-spring. This is what I planted other than the daffodil and Narcissi all the flowers are good for pollinators which was a very important factor when I was looking into flowers. I have gone for white flowers as the area is not that light I am hoping they will stand out well.  Fritillaria meleagris Alba  Anemone White Splendour I got two sets of these by mistake. Galanthus Nivalis Single Scilla Siberica Alba Daffodil Actaea  Narcissi Jack Snipe  I have planted  Galanthus Nivalis Single before and they never flowered this is a bit of a plant and hope for the best.  This autumn I found myself having to plant them all. I was very pleased to have my kneeling pad, it took me about a week...

This week is comfort food all week, the news is just heartbreaking, the kids are doing ok with homeschool but it is hard on us all. The weather is cold but beautiful. We are feeding the birds which means the garden is alive this helps us all. Friday - Fish, Chips, and peas ala freezer Saturday - Pizza and Salad again ala freezer Sunday - Toad in the hole with greens Monday - Found this new salmn dish I will use two salmon filets and add some lentils to the dish. The children will have salmon, mini roasts, and peas. Realfood from tesco Roasted salmon with beetroot and fennel Tuesday - This Mushroom tart looks lovely and we will have it with warm greens rather than salad. I found this pineapple and ham dish for the boys but will use puff pastry. Realfood Tesco Ham, cheese and pineapple twirls Jusrol Mushroom Dream Wednesday - I found this lovely sounding slow cooker chicken stragnoff to have a try with  Realfood tesco slow cooker chicken stroganoff Thursday - This will be a made up s...

  We have a new year and it seems like nothing is changing. The kids were meant to be going back to school but their primary has had to close which means we are back to homeschool and for how long we do not know. We are back to more normal food now as we managed to eat up all the gammon and turkey and had no food waste which was really good. Friday - Beef Pie, mash, and green veg the boys will have chicken pie. These are brought in Saturday - Canneloni for us with garlic bread and salad. The boys will have ravioli. Sunday - French Style Chicken BBC Good Food French style chicken peas bacon Monday - Risotto mushroom, I bake this in the oven Tuesday - Pasta, mozzarella and tomato sauce this is a very light dish BBC Good Food Pasta mozzarella mint fresh tomato sauce Wednesday - Chicken keiv, mini roasts, and greens Thursday - Thai Prawn and pineapple rice BBC Good Food Thai fried prawn pineapple rice

  The meal plan is a little subject to change depending on what we have left and what has been used up. We have entered tier 4 on Boxing day and to be honest, I am trying to stick to my online shop only apart from a trip to our farm shop. So this week is a little boring but will be tasty and will limit any food waste. Sunday 27th December - Ham and Turkey Pie I do love this meal and will get some ready-made pastry in and make a white sauce to bring it all together Monday - Turkey Curry well you have to have one  Tuesday - Singapore Turkey Noodles with lots of veggies Wednesday - Fish in sauce with new potatoes and Greens Thursday - Nachos and Party food Friday - Beef Pies I will buy in with mash and lots of green veg Lunches will be lots of leftovers in the form of sandwiches, omelets, and pasta salads.

The sun came out for the afternoon and I needed to get outside, I am avoiding doing anything on the borders at the moment. We have clay soil and any walking on them will compact the ground. I have a few weeds poking their heads up but it is not too bad. The main job was removing the molehills that have appeared again. I need to get the molebulbs on order as they worked last time really well. It is not a fun job as in winter you end up with very muddy gloves, cold and wet hands. The rest of the time was just observing. I do like to just wander around having time to think.  This is a small border I have never really done anything with. I have a leggy rosemary bush, one rescued lavender, a small oregano, and random bulbs that despite thinking I have removed them more pop up every year. It is such a pretty border it needs some attemtion. I think I am going to have to get rid of the rosemary but that's as far as my thought process has got. Lavender is featuring strongly in my plans but ...

  Wow, it is Christmas week, the children and Mr. MC&W have all broken up form school and work. We are having a week of our favorite meals I always do this as it makes everyday feel like a treat. Friday - Ready meal for MrMC&W and me as a treat. The boys have requested cheesy pasta. Saturday - it is our youngest 5th birthday so Dominoes for us all. Sunday - Spag Bol for us all Monday - Fajitas as everyone loves them Tuesday - Scampi chips and peas the boys have fish fingers. Wednesday - Meatballs with spaghetti Thursday - Curry this is a traditional form Mr. MC&W house and we love it Friday - Roast Turkey with carrots in honey and orange juice, roasted potatoes, and parsnips, baby brussel sprouts with bacon and chestnuts, red cabbage with port and pears, and some broccoli and peas. Topped with a huge amount of gravy. Saturday - leftovers with baguettes

 I am putting lunch down as well for the next couple of weeks as I like to be organized. We can easily change them around but I know we are fed lunch and dinner every day.  One more week left at school and we are so ready for the break. We will be watching a recording of our youngest nativity this week and another mum and I are planning to have bubbles and whats app each other as we watch it. Friday - Pizza and Salad for the boys, We are having a fish mornay I found on the Ocado app along with green veg and some potatoes. Saturday - Peri Peri Chicken with chips, coleslaw, and salad such a huge dinner but lovely. Boys have asked for nuggets, chips beans, and peas as they do not like the spice. Sunday - Lasagna I have got a massive one from M&S really good price and will feed us all. Monday - Take Out we have pre-ordered two burgers from a local restaurant as it is my birthday. Boys having tortellini. Lunch will be hoisin wraps again it is my birthday and I love hoisin. Tues...