Marmalade

Spent a great day on Monday with our grandchildren. It wasn't brilliant weather, but we set off to Barton Marina, where we fed the ducks, visited the toy museum and helped A & W choose a few things from the shop, followed by lunch at The Waterfront. By the time we had got home, our granddaughter had mastered her new harmonica (up to a point!) so, once back, we formed a very noisy band, with Mike and I on penny whistles, and our grandson with a pan and two wooden spoons. Great fun.

Tuesday was marmalade day. I don't think I've ever made it before, but I am very pleased with the results, although I do prefer it a bit thicker and chunkier. The ingredients were supposed to make about 6 jars but I seem to have managed to produce twice that amount, so I've passed some on to my friends. Next time I'd like to try making it with limes.

We'd called into Walter Smiths in Lichfield and, after testing their samples, bought some wonderful pork and chillie sausages and a pork hock (99p). The sausages went down a treat and we enjoyed the hock the following day, simmered in water with cabbage (off the plot), peas and lentils. I strained the veg to serve up with the meat. This was followed by a marmalade (have to use it up, now I've made it) sponge pudding, made in a few minutes in the microwave. The following day I added more veg to the stock, and the remains of the meat, chopped up, which made a very tasty soup for lunch. Mike made another of his soda bread loaves the next day.

So, what culinary delights can we produce next? Well how about some olive oil? Only joking - but just look at this - our first ripe olive. I have to admit that it is only very small, but I'm very proud of it. The fairly new standard olive in our conseratory seems to be doing quite well so far, unlike the poor bush outside which seems to be dead despite the fact that it has managed to survive quite a few winters outside in its large pot. These 'Paperwhites' are now in full flower, but the perfume isn't as strong as usual. Maybe they need a little more warmth to bring it out.

Thursday was a wonderful, sunny, Spring-like day. I spent a good part of it laying flagstones (with Mike's help) and painting a replacement fencing panel, but it was good to be outside. The species crocus opened up fully in the sun, for the first time. Now the hellebores are all beginning to flower. Here are just a couple of the blooms. No doubt there will be more photos to follow.

As I type I'm enjoying some of Mike's bread, smothered in my marmalade, which I also appear to be spreading all over the keys of my laptop.

Just one more thing. Had a eureka moment this week regarding family history. I'd sent off for a death certificate, with very little hope that it was for the person concerned, but I needed to find out one way or the other. It turned out to be a positive result. Not for the poor ancestor though - as she died of TB n Brompton Consumption Hospital.