Cornflower

A watched pot

    I've been taking part in the RSPB's Big Garden Birdwatch this weekend and have been surprised at how few birds I've seen when actually looking for them compared to those I spot on any day on a two-minute walk to the compost heap, say.

    An hour yesterday afternoon yielded six species, while on this morning's session there were two birds in total! No finches of any kind, no blackbirds, only one robin and no wren.

    At least the bird book I was given for Christmas has come into its own. I Like Birds: A Guide to Britain's Avian Wildlife by Stuart Cox was chosen specially as it contains charming illustrations, not real life pictures which can be unnerving to someone like me who has a fear of birds. I can turn its pages safely without encountering a scary close-up of a raptor or some other menacing creature. 

    The website will give you the idea.

(See also.)

Dr. Elsie's mitts

    Inglis Mitts by Ysolda Teague, named after Dr. Elsie Inglis, (made in Ysolda Blend No. 1 - no longer available, I believe).

    As many others before me have found, the instructions for the thumbs are a little on the sketchy side, and the right one in particular had me tearing my hair. I have a note here which may be of help, should you want to make them.

Times past

  "... [Miss Mapp] glided swiftly to the large cupboard underneath the stairs which was full of the things which no right-minded person could bear to throw away: broken basket-chairs, pieces of brown paper, cardboard boxes without lids, and cardboard lids without boxes, old bags with holes in them, keys without locks and locks without keys and worn chintz covers. There was one - it had once adorned the sofa in the garden-room - covered with red poppies, and Miss Mapp dragged it dustily from its corner, setting in motion a perfect cascade of cardboard lids and some door handles."

    E.F. Benson, Miss Mapp

    Mr. C. is reading Mapp & Lucia just now and found this passage particularly apposite as we have been reorganising our cupboard under the stairs. Poignant finds include some very early needlework, and a signed photograph of Basil Brush and Mr. Derek who passed away this morning.

Rain hat

    Rain, Rain, Go Away pattern by Laura Reinbach, made in Quince & Co. Lark (Frost, Pea Coat, River, & Delft).

     Raindrops jug by Julia Smith Ceramics, project bag by Jenna Rose Handmade, and book by Melissa Harrison.

Winter sunshine

    Classic Seville Orange Marmalade, recipe by Sarah Randell from her book Marmalade.

Our daily bread

    An update on the sourdough-making: I was given Flora Shedden's lovely new book Aran: Recipes and Stories from a Bakery in the Heart of Scotland for Christmas and I went straight to her classic sourdough recipe and found it produces a manageable dough and great bread. There it is on the left above (the right below), and beside it is her Porridge Bread, also very good indeed.

    The quantities specified are just right for proving in an 8" oval Pyrex dish or a little tea towel-lined basket (I don't have a banneton) and baking in a similarly shaped and sized Le Creuset casserole, and while the novelty may well wear off, for now bread making is a very satisfying near daily activity rather than just an occasional one.