Tales from The Shire

themadvix

Just wanted to thank you for sharing the tart tatin link Fortune - it’s delicious and really wasn’t that tricky.

Fortune_Smiles

Jessy103 said:

Sounds like a lovely day, fortune

I think and hope that lockdown is making us all appreciate the little things in life and that it's not all about buying the latest and most expensive items to keep up with the Jones 's. With that in mind, being in a veg patch and picking home grown radishes sounds delightful! 

Absolutely Jessy.  I think that's something we've all learnt via this forum.  I would just love to go out for dinner with friends and family though.  That's what I'm missing most.

Fortune x

Fortune_Smiles

South_coast said:

Sounds great to me!

themadvix said:

Likewise! We’re having pub takeaway tonight and really looking forward to that too - it’s the simple things (like the afternoon tea, but also the pleasure of home grown produce!). 

rtandon27 said:

Your day yesterday sounds blissful! 

Thanks guys.  It's been lovely to kick back for a bit.

Fortune x

Fortune_Smiles

Cheery_Daff said:

What a lovely day Fortune! I've been thinking of you today as we set out our veg beds. No wine drinking here but we've done a little sitting out today at least 😁

Good luck with the veg Cheery.  I've been watching the weather forecast closely for the last few days in case frost is forecast.  Can't let my little baby veggies come to any harm 😂

Fortune x

Fortune_Smiles

themadvix said:

Just wanted to thank you for sharing the tart tatin link Fortune - it’s delicious and really wasn’t that tricky.

I'm glad you enjoyed it MV.  I'm going to keep it in mind for later in the year when we have a glut of apples.  We found we didn't even need cream or custard with it as it has a creme patissiere vibe.

Fortune x

Fortune_Smiles

Lazy Days

We've had a lazy weekend 😴  Since lockdown started we've been filling our days and trying to keep occupied.  It was nice to kick back and do very little for a change.  We've been mostly reading and watching telly with a little bit of gardening thrown in.  We skipped Saturday night bingo as we were both feeling tired.  On Sunday, I went back to bed in the morning... for a few hours! 🙄  We dialled in for our quiz night with the boys last night and had a much needed good laugh.

I made a Courgette, Mushroom & Mozzarella Tart which has done us for lunches.  Saturday's supper was Gnocchi with Courgette, Mascarpone & Spring Onions - we seem to have rather a lot of courgettes in the house 😆  To compound our laziness we had freezer pizza topped with tuna and sweetcorn for supper on Sunday.

Anyone going back to work today?  Do take care.

Fortune x
  

Cheery_Daff

Ooh, that tart looks lovely Fortune! I never think of buying puff pastry but that looks like a quick and tasty lunch. 

I was never off work, but am back today after a 4 day weekend. I could get used to a four day weekend.... Trying to be efficient and get everything done so I can finish at 4.30 and do a bit of digging in the veg patch with the chickens before they go to bed. Should probably get off here I suppose!

Jessy103

Ooo the tart does look yummy! I used to make one similar with pesto but I'm going to try the sundried tomato paste, for sure x

Fortune_Smiles

Cheery_Daff said:

Ooh, that tart looks lovely Fortune! I never think of buying puff pastry but that looks like a quick and tasty lunch. 

I was never off work, but am back today after a 4 day weekend. I could get used to a four day weekend.... Trying to be efficient and get everything done so I can finish at 4.30 and do a bit of digging in the veg patch with the chickens before they go to bed. Should probably get off here I suppose!

Jessy103 said:

Ooo the tart does look yummy! I used to make one similar with pesto but I'm going to try the sundried tomato paste, for sure x

It was very tasty.  I always keep a sheet of puff pastry in the freezer.  It's useful for rustling up a savoury tart when we need a quick lunch and have sulky veg that needs using up.  And for a sweet tart when we have unexpected guests and I need a quick pudding.

Fortune x

Fortune_Smiles

The Weekend Already!

This week has gone so quickly.  Perhaps because Mr F had Monday and Tuesday off so we had a break in routine  I've been busy doing the usual stuff - housework, gardening, etc.

I lost my courgettes and butternut squash plants to the frost 😥  I knew they'd gone in too early but I needed the space in the coldframe.  I'd covered them when the frost was due but it didn't arrive then and surprised me later in the week 😡  Fortunately I have some spares 😉  Our hanging baskets arrived yesterday.  We order five every year from our local indepedent supermarket.  They are always fabulous and I can't make them up for the same money.  I figure it's money well spent as it cheers me to see them brightening the place up.

A young cousin of mine is doing a project on WW1.  He asked if we had anything he could include so Mr F had a hunt around in the barn.  He found treasure!  Lots of letters and items belonging to his grandparents.  I've started typing the letters up.  They are charming!  And poignant.  The current one talks about plans for Grandad and Grandma's wedding.

Money spends have been on gifts.  Books for said cousin who is turning 13 and finding it hard having a birthday in lockdown.  A little surprise for each of the boys to make them laugh.  A book for my sister who is starting a new hobby.  A rose bush for the daughter of the friend we lost.  Just trying to spread a little kindness and cheer.  Mr F and FDawg are benefitting too 😉

I've had a video call with my girls group and one with a specific girlfriend.  Also drafted a newsletter for our WI.

Yesterday's meals were Balsamic Roasted Sausages with Red Veg along with garlic bread and Welsh Rarebit with Leeks, Bacon & Sage.  Very impressed with Riv£rford'$ recipes recently - the Rarebit was fabulous.  We also tried their Indian Masala Roast Carrots with Coconut Red Lentils which was delicious.  The recipe came with last week's veg box and I also saw peeps on the forum recommending it.

We're back out in the garden in a minute.  I'll replace the frost damaged plants and do the weeding and feeding.  I've promised some seedlings to a neighbour so will sort that out today too.  Then I must wash the kitchen floor - it's long overdue 🙄  Yesterday I cleaned the oven 😮  Lockdown must be getting to me 😂

Hope you have a good weekend folks.

Fortune x