Tales from The Shire

Fortune_Smiles

Carrying On

The days are passing uneventfully - and that's to be grateful for although it feels a little dull.  I am filling the time with cooking, chores, gardening and the occasional video call.  Mr F is still working during the week and there are plenty of jobs left to keep him occupied at the weekends.

I have re-started C25K.  We lost our friend shortly after I started it and I missed a week as I didn't have the energy for it.  I've also progressed Wednesday's yoga to the more challenging sessions.  More rocks have been painted for hiding out and I have a nest of tables I've been intending to paint since I got them so I might start that project at the weekend.

A local country hotel is doing VE Day afternoon teas on Friday so I have ordered one for Mr F to collect.  My car needs a run out if it's not to seize up and the hotel is in the middle of a large estate so plenty of room to social distance.  The tea looks lovely and the weather forecast hopeful so our plan is to sit out on the patio, eat cake and drink prosecco.  Not the celebration we had planned but still something to look forward to.  Mr F's car will not be getting a run out as it has a Dunnock nesting in it 😂

I have cooked Swiss Chard Tart and, because I had leftover pastry,  Apple Tart Maman Blanc.  The apple tart was really easy to do as there was no blind baking required and very yummy.  Also Spinach, Gnocchi & Tomato Soup.  I made my own Soffritto, used green pesto instead of red and added a bay leaf and some parsley.  Mr F's meat treat this week was a rump steak.  I don't think I've ever cooked one before but Mr F was very happy with the results.  I served it with peas and Dauphinoise Potatoes.  I was supposed to be having a mushroom bake with mine but I forgot to turn the oven to the right setting 😕 so we're having those for breakfast this morning with an egg.  My meal wasn't quite as special as Mr F's 😆

Anyone else got plans for Friday?

Fortune x

themadvix

I know what you mean Fortune - the days seem to have settled into a calm, but a bit monotonous routine and seem to fill up with very little happening.

I love that there's a dunnock nesting in Mr F's car - a testament to how little we're using them! Perhaps everyone should be warned to check their bonnets before they take their car out for the first time in ages! The afternoon tea sounds lovely - I think it's been really interesting how different establishments have coped/adapted to the lockdown - and it's surely got to be good for them if they've managed to offer something. 

Is there any chance you could repost the recipe for the apple tart - the link goes to the Swiss chard tart. I've got a glut of apples and it sounds like it might be just the ticket (and I have time - and flour - to make pastry!). We're going to have scones tomorrow - and I might whip some bunting out, but I expect that will be it.

Fortune_Smiles

themadvix said:

I know what you mean Fortune - the days seem to have settled into a calm, but a bit monotonous routine and seem to fill up with very little happening.

I love that there's a dunnock nesting in Mr F's car - a testament to how little we're using them! Perhaps everyone should be warned to check their bonnets before they take their car out for the first time in ages! The afternoon tea sounds lovely - I think it's been really interesting how different establishments have coped/adapted to the lockdown - and it's surely got to be good for them if they've managed to offer something. 

Is there any chance you could repost the recipe for the apple tart - the link goes to the Swiss chard tart. I've got a glut of apples and it sounds like it might be just the ticket (and I have time - and flour - to make pastry!). We're going to have scones tomorrow - and I might whip some bunting out, but I expect that will be it.

That's exactly how it is MV.  I am grateful we don't have any drama though - being careful what I wish for 😂  I've amended the link to the tart so it should take you to the right site now.  Enjoy your scones 🧁

Fortune x

themadvix

Fabulous, thanks Fortune. That looks delicious and I have everything but the Calvados - never mind!

Fortune_Smiles

themadvix said:

Fabulous, thanks Fortune. That looks delicious and I have everything but the Calvados - never mind!

I didn't have Calvados either so I used Brandy instead - any apple friendly liquer would do I expect.

Fortune x

rtandon27

themadvix said:

...I have everything but the Calvados - never mind!

...any kind of brandy or rum will do in a pinch...

themadvix

I’ve got some rum, although for 1.5 tsps, I doubt it would matter if I left it out. Thanks again!

Fortune_Smiles

Muck

The most exciting part of today was when Farmer Giles arrived to do some muck spreading.  Just pellets, although I did fear our picnic tomorrow might be marred by the spreading of proper muck in nextdoor's field 😮  Fortunately they were spreading a muck pile that's been mouldering in the top of the field for the past couple of years so most of the smell has already gone off.  It seems to be a tradition in the farming community to spread muck just before a bank holiday weekend 😆

I did my second C25K run this morning then crunched some numbers to find out what Mr F's redundancy pay out might be if it came to it.  Then housework this afternoon whilst listening to my current audio book, 'The Conviction of Cora Burns' by Carolyn Kirby, which I'm very much enjoying.

Lunch was the Spinach, Gnocchi & Tomato Soup leftover from yesterday and supper was Cod, Cauliflower & Chorizo Mornay with boiled new potatoes and peas.

We've decided to make Thursday nights 'Culture Night' so will be watching The Tempest on iPlay£r later.  There are so many plays, ballets, operas, etc to watch at the moment which wouldn't be available usually so we plan to take advantage.

It's the weekend tomorrow folks!  Hope you have a good one.

Fortune x

PurpleFairy26

Enjoy the show! And the weekend. 

Cheery_Daff

Good number crunching Fortune, and I'm glad your afternoon wasn't ruined by muck spreading. Things can get rather, er, ripe round here too 😮 I don't mind the muck so much, it's when they spray the liquid slurry 😮😂