Been a long time gone!

Tis with a heavy unhappy heart I write this blog. Having been away on holiday for two weeks in the non tropical Cornwall, I arrived home with cheer in my heart to see how my little garden was growing! This Mary, Mary wasn't quite contrary - actually she was rather hacked off and more so! My pots and hanging baskets had been left for ruin and not watered and lovingly tended to as instructed. The reason? "Well as soon as I went to water them, it started to rain. So I didn't bother!" The fact that a few droplets does not constitute as rain in my eyes and still, my pots and baskets still needed extra water, as they are partially undercover! Grargh! On the upside, my Passionflower decided to encase the whole of our back wall, including the back door and bedroom windows! It did look rather beautiful, but I felt a bit like the Prince in Sleeping Beauty, and had to hack my way into the house. All has been rescued, and is looking slightly better - I am also very much happier as my picket fence has been fixed and my dear TT and Havoc Boy finally installed my water butt. Oh Happier Days!

Things on the Jam front have been a tad bit slim as the Blackberry crops are not up to scratch (Har Har) this year, due to lack of rain and sunshine to boot - but I made up for it when I went and visited my local market stall friends and they informed me that they were throwing out punnet upon punnet of Raspberries because they were on the turn. Well, 2 hours later and wafts of juicy Raspberry Aroma whisping from the kitchen, I made 11lbs of free Jam! Well I lost one in my Dressing Gown Pocket, the lid popped off and slow motionly guggled into my pocket all down the cupboard doors and pooled around my new leopard patterned slippers! And Yes, I like to make Jam in the comfort of my Eeyore Dressing Gown and unmatching slippers bought for me by my dear TT.

Pasta Sauce Success

Finally uploaded my photos from my new camera - which is no mean feat for me, as I am totally computer illiterate! As you can see I made a few jars of Pasta Sauce, infact 14lbs of the stuff. Being one who can't turn down a good offer from my friends at the veg stall in Huntingdon Market, I took them up on their generous offers. £2 for a box of Cherry Tomatoes and other things thrown in aswell, saw me chopping veg for a few hours - 5 to be exact! All good, especially as I have been told it is good enough to sell - along with my strawberry jam too.

Here Goes!!

Have finally finished planting the front garden, and am wishing for some rain to save the grass. The water butt is nearly empty and am having to resort to the hosepipe - which isn't good on the water rates front!! Have also lost a few shrubs due to adding fertiliser before planting them. Can only think that this is the cause, as everything else I planted without it, are doing well?!

On the Jam Making front, I haven't been so successful! I lost 12lbs of Apricot Jam a few weeks back, because my thermometer exploded, and I couldn't be sure which pot it happened in! I cried as I poured it down the sink, it had taken me hours to get it to set! I like to use all natural ingredients and it seems to take an age to get the jam to set! Did manage to make Cherry Jelly, but only 4 1/2 Jars - also have 21 lbs of Strawberry to re boil as the setting point wasn't quite reached - Major mammoth task being saved for a rainy day!!

Tester