After clearing the table quickly this afternoon, I took a picture of this little posy even as the light was starting to lessen. We are not far off the winter solstice and soon the days will be getting longer again. A few years ago, when we first moved to Somerset, one of the IAVOM ladies realised that I was not far away and introduced herself. Since then Alison and I meet up several times a year, and today Alison came to lunch.
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| Posy for Alison |
In the posy are five early flowering snowdrops all from one clump, some pale pink and darker cerise cyclamen coum, for foliage I have used some Pittosporum Tom Thumb, and some of the lovely soft green leaves of Corydalis ochroleuca which self seeds gently around the garden. I first saw this plant in Alison's garden and it was from her that I got my first plant. At present I can't locate the label for these snowdrops but what I can say I haven't had these ones flowering so early before.
I like stones, and at a local Calligraphy exhibition picked up these three beautifully decorated stones, even though they have been on the table for several months, because they are suitable coloured, they are my nod to Christmas decorations
I had made a soup new to me and also a Pecan Pie which I have never made before. . I love the flavour of pecans, and also maple syrup, and after two elegant servings you can see what is left.
On flower themed books, I have enjoyed The Book of Garden Flowers with the artwork by Angie Lewin and the text by Christopher Stocks.
On a more serious note, but one I would also recommend is Stuck Monkey: The deadly planetary cost of the things we love by James Hamilton-Paterson. This book was on display when I last went to my local library. I thought this would be a book I would dip into, and skim or speed read sections, but how wrong was I. It was a page turner and an eye opener! I was half way to understanding many of the aspects James Hamilton-Paterson was covering, but I learnt so much more.
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| Stuck Monkey by James Hamilton-Paterson |
It looks as though you did well in welcoming Alison to your home, Noelle. Even though I'm quite a distance south of your part of the Northern Hemisphere I'm also getting very tired of the shorter days. I paid them little attention in the days I was working full time (and then some) but now they really bug me!
ReplyDeleteIt was lovely to have Alison come and have lunch. Do you have blue skies during the day Kris? This really lifts the spirits, it is when is is raining or very heavy clouds and low light levels during the day that get to me.
DeleteA lovely posy Noelle! It is nice to see snowdrops so early, and some green foliage too - I am in England at the moment and enjoying how green everything still is here. The pie looks delicious - not sure I have ever eaten pecans, but I am sure I would like them.
ReplyDeleteThose are early snowdrops Cathy, I have different varieties giving me a succession of flowering over three months or so. Pecans are even nicer than walnuts...and I like them lightly roasted which brings out the sweetness as toppings on yogurt or porridge. Hope you manage to find some whilst in England, Grape Tree is a very good outlet for dried fruits and nuts, and can be found in many towns these days.
DeleteI usd to enjoy Alison's contributions to IAVOM but I think she became too busy for blogging, didn't she? How is her business going? Do send her my best wishes when you are next in touch. I love your little posy, and I know I would be exactly the same in the posy/dress dilemma! I have offered up the Book of Stones (or was it pebbles?) as a suggestion for a present for me, and had noticed the Book of Flowers when I was looking at it on Amazon. What soup did you make? I don't think I have ever had pecans either, but would like to try them although maple syrup has never appealed to me
ReplyDeleteAs I mentioned to the other Cathy, Pecans IMHO are superior to walnuts, but I still also have walnuts too. I made a Sweet Potato and White Miso soup with a topping of pan fried kale with garlic ginger and spring onions, with home baked Focaccia bread. Alison is easing off on her flower growing business and expanding in other areas, but is still very busy.
Deleteand what a sweet little posy it is. How lovely to have an actual face to face friendship from a shared blogging interest!
ReplyDeleteLucky Alison. What a treat. Your beautiful posy, homemade soup and that amazing pecan pie. I love stones too and wherever I go in the world I always come home with a stone in my pocket. I am checking out the flower book.
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