Cornflower

Renovation

    The willow pattern scarf I made four years ago was in need of a bit of sprucing up. Despite its garter stitch border, the edges were curling, and to my horror I discovered three holes - goodness knows how they got there but they've now been mended, the scarf has had a gentle wash and been pinned out flat to dry overnight, and it's as good as new.

    I don't think Dee is stocking this handspun cashmere any longer, and that's a pity as it's so beautifully soft, but I have one skein left: 50g/125 yards - what to make?

A special guest

 

    We have a special guest on Cornflower Books today, and yes, we did talk about fishing - and fishing dogs and their hair-raising exploits (though I think we'll leave those stories for another day) - but pop over there, if you will, and meet novelist Paul Torday. 

One year on ...

   ... Pippin the pup

has grown up.

Making Monday - I made a mitt

    Ribbed handwarmers: one down, one to go. Pattern from The Purl Bee, yarn, 'Ochil' 100% Falkland merino (superwash), from The Yarn Yard.

Total length: 10 3/4", so they come well up the forearm for extra toastiness, but of course you could make them shorter.

Edited to add: Natalie's Making Monday post (one with a difference) is here.

Friday flowers

    Nigella, grown from the seed 'harvested' from last year's birthday bouquet (it was much like this one), still going strong.

Things to do with kale

    What to have for supper can be a vexed question here at times as we try to work round our offspring who number a vegetarian, a cheese-hater, and a fair omnivore who yet avoids fruit and vegetables when possible. A suggestion of Kale and Chickpea Curry (which sounds good in Sarah Raven's Garden Cookbook and may yet appear on the table) was greeted with a resounding 'No', but tonight, with one member of the family away and another one out for Edinburgh's finest fish and chips, that kale had to be used, so I opted for Hugh F-W's Pasta with Greens, Garlic and Chilli from River Cottage Veg Every Day.

    The verdict on this was "tasty, warming, filling - and virtuous", and it's quick, simple and cheap as well. While you're waiting for your pasta water to come to the boil you gently cook an onion, garlic and chilli in olive oil. Then when the pasta has about three minutes left to go, toss your greens in with it (I used chard along with my kale), and when done combine the lot, drizzle with oil if liked, and have plenty of Parmesan ready. One of the variations given involves adding a tin of chickpeas (and adjusting other flavours) for a more substantial dish; I used mixed beans instead. because that's what I had, and I'd do the same again.

    The picture is Kale Field, Beaumont Quay by Robert Buhler.