Friday 19 June 2015

Five on Friday















Joining in with Amy and Five on Friday.

Those sad hostas are trying to pull themselves together in the front garden, post-snail attack, and I have filled my blue pots with these sorts of things.  The snails are wandering round the patio going, "I'm sure it was around here somewhere Mavis".  I wonder what they'll be eating instead.

There are nice things coming home from the allotment now, enough to fill our plates, although some of the smaller people are a bit dubious about artichokes, broad beans and turnips.  There have been enough strawberries from the garden to have strawberries and cream.  They're a bit earlier this year I fancy.  Last year they weren't properly around until Wimbledon week, I distinctly remember, it all seemed rather fitting.

I finally remembered to photograph this scarf, which I made from the exquisite silk that Ellen sent me a while back.  It's just a simple Bias "Before and After" Scarf, happily easy to knit.  The silk is divine, it feels like a cloud round my neck.  And best of all there is more of the yarn left, enough to make something else.  I love the subtle striping  with these short rows, but no doubt a whole different pattern will emerge if I make something wider.

A bit of cake.  I've been spending some time doing the writing course, so there's been less time for baking, but yesterday I felt the need for a coffee and walnut cake.  It's from a Monty Don cookery book, and Monty says it's his favourite.  Quite popular round here too Monty.  The internet is a vast place full of information isn't it?  I've lost myself in thousands of posts on writing.  It's like a million connected forests, all moving round so you don't know which one you'll wander into next.  I think I need to take a step back for a moment, it's made my head buzz.

At the end of the day when everything is spinning too fast I have a little knit.  This is a blanket for the littlest boy.  Shades of grey.  Oh how that dreadful book has ruined the word grey.  But I refuse to stop using it.  We shall overcome.  The blanket is grey with a light blue stripe so far.  I'm thinking a few different colour stripes.  It feels nice and warm.  Ah yes, summer is here, beautiful June, and I'm blogging about scarves and blankets.  Out of step as ever.  Next week, Christmas cake and making the most of your festive bird.  CJ xx

40 comments:

  1. Fabulous strawberries, they look amazing. The grey blanket is looking good with the blue stripe. I could just have a slice of that cake with a cuppa right now, it looks delish. I used to make this one when I was a teenager, I always loved to bake. I am jealous of your allotment produce, its inspired me to get my own veggie garden growing.

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  2. It's a wonderful time of year when the harvests start, isn't it? I don't think we'll be picking many strawberries this year, I need to sort a new patch out and prepare it ready for next year otherwise I'll be without them again. I quite fancy attempting a knitted blanket, I've only crocheted them so far. I got some lovely ideas when I attended Yarndale last year but just haven't had the time to get past the thinking about it stage yet. Mick's favourite cake is coffee and walnut but I've never ever made him one, I'm such a rubbish wife.

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  3. My mouth is watering at the sight of your allotment harvest. Our artichokes are far behind. I can't wait. I remember these being one of my favourite treats when I was little. Boiled until tender we were allowed to dip the leaves in mayonnaise and scrape the tasty little bit off the leave with our teeth. Delicious. Funny, my mum always ate the hearts :-)
    I once had an email conversation with Monty Don (about quince trees). I was a bit disappointed actually because he seems so approachable but he seemed a bit put off that I had contacted him out of the blue. I emailed using the address provided in the article about quince trees. Still, he gave me advice about choosing the right kind of quince.
    Your knitting is lovely. Grey is just a perfect colour, in all shades. I get so annoyed because nowadays it is impossible to talk about a shade of grey without triggering a snigger. I could rant but won't, or maybe just in my head. Have a lovely weekend. xx

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  4. So much bounty from the allotment, the scarf is really pretty love how you describe it as cloud like.
    Clare x

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  5. The scarf does look so soft. You really don't need a fancy pattern when the yarn is so beautiful. You have lots of delicious looking veggies and fruit from your garden! You'd think the kids would be fascinated by the artichokes from their interesting shapes. Have a wonderful weekend!
    Wendy

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  6. I am so impressed by all your allotment harvest, those strawberries are a wonderful sight. I have loads of berries but not one has turned red I suppose patience is a virtue. Beautiful scarf. Have a great weekend.

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  7. Just look at your harvest - yum! My girls aren't too keen on artichokes either - apart from the hearts. Love the look of your scarf and the blue stripe looks fab against that gorgeous grey. Your cake looks wonderful - coffee walnut is R's favourite too. I'm really impressed with your bumper crop of strawberries - ours aren't even ripe yet and I'll have to keep a close eye when they are otherwise the pigeons usually beat me to it! What with your blankets and scarves and my winter stitching, I think we're both a bit out of step! xx

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  8. Would you look at those luscious strawberries?!!! Yum.
    And I always admire anyone that knows how to knit. I tried teaching myself, and got as far as casting on...from there, nothing looked like it's supposed to look like, so I stick with crocheting. lol

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  9. Lovely collection of photos - your produce looks soooo good. And I do like the blanket - how soothing that must be to knit, just backwards and forwards.
    Caz xx

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  10. A nice post and lovely pictures. I'm a bit envious of your broad beans as mine are covered in black fly. That cake looks delicious.
    And as for mentioning Christmas....! Flighty xx

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  11. Well I will look forward to Christmas cake - but perhaps not just yet!! Hee hee!! Look at all of that great produce from your garden/allotment!!!! How wonderful!!!!! There is so much already. The strawberries look delicious, but the asparagus and gooseberries catch my attention too!! You must be so pleased about it. The cake sounds absolutely scrummy too!!! I must make a coffee and walnut cake sometime soon! As for your knitting, well it is just wonderful isn't it!!! I wish that I could knit! I hope that Mavis and her pal find something else to eat - preferably some miles away from your garden!! Thank you so much as always for joining in. I hope that you have a great weekend! xx

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  12. LOOK AT THAT ALLOTMENT LOOT! Wow. That is amazing! You must save tons of money on groceries this time of year! And that cake! Veggies and cake are all you need for a great meal these days. Okay, you probably need wine too. Do you grow grapes?? :)

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  13. Oh that cake looks AMAZING!!!

    I love the little blue stripe in the sea of grey. A perfect blanket for a little guy!

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  14. You have a good harvest there well done. You have also reminded me to go out and spray our hostas before settling in for the night.

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  15. Beautiful garden veggies and flowers! And the knitting project looks wonderful. I also love that scrumptious-looking walnut topped cake. My mouth is watering!

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  16. Your cake looks delicious. No wonder it's a favourite.
    The produce looks great too. I had some strawberries from Dads allotment a few days ago. They taste so different to the shop bought ones.
    Enjoy your weekend.
    X
    PS - I have the same green pot outside my front door!

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  17. Beautiful images. Your bounty from the allotment looks awesome! And that cake is so pretty. Have a great weekend. Tammy

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  18. Your pictures make me want to get back to knitting... and gardening! That harvest is impressive! My mom used to make us a sauce to go with artichokes that was mayo with lemon juice and curry powder. She also served some butter for dipping. With those sauces, we were very persuaded to love artichokes. I hope you have a good weekend CJ!

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  19. Oh, that scarf is just gorgeous CJ!

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  20. So much loveliness, the strawberries look delicious xx

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  21. Goodness CJ!!! Your happy things are all so beautiful!!! Your pots are stunning up there! And all of your veggies and fruit from the garden are absolutely incredible! And the scarf! Boy you have been busy...it is so stunning my friend! And to top it all off there is cake! So many things to take in and be proud and thankful for!!! Can't wait to see more of that blanket! Wishing you a weekend filled with more of the same lady! Nicole xoxo

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  22. You are so industrious! Love all your veggies and fruits.. the berries look delish! I also like both of your knit projects. I do adore silk. I really think a few colorful stripes in the grey will pop in his blanket.. what a good mum. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  23. Your veggies are great! I live your radishes, are they the French breakfast ones? I have never grown artichokes, are they tricky and I wonder if they'd grow in our climate. And those strawberries look so good . Your cake looks delicious and I bet it was. I love your bias silk scarf, its season less and silk is divine to wear. Your blanket is off to a great start. So many lovely creative making things. Have a great weekend!

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  24. Your first photo is particularly beautiful CJ. French lavender is a gorgeous plant. What industry - all that lovely home-grown produce (all I've had are a few radishes so far), knitting and cake! I'm not showing anyone here that you ice and decorate your cakes - I usually fill mine and that's it. Looks fabulous. Have a super weekend.

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  25. Wow what a harvest, those strawberries look so juicy. Mine are still in the flowering stage, so very far behind. The scarf is so lovely, it looks so soft and drapey. Yes summer is here but you wouldn't know it, it was so dark at lunchtime we had all the lights on in the kitchen and eldest child asked if we were going to light the fire! So you're not out of step at all, it's perfectly reasonable to be making a blanket in June :-) xx

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  26. Growing, baking, knitting, photographing...lots of wonderful creativity in your life at the moment. Well done. Your comment about scarves and blankets made smile - I am knitting warm socks at the moment! x

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  27. Your beautifully taken photographs have cheered me up. Thank you for the delightful mixture of flowers, fruits, veggies, knitting and baking. Your coffee and walnut cake looks delicious and good enough to be the photo in the Recipe Book. Amazing I am looking at such things as I woke this morning very early feeling dreadful. Suffice it to say I have had a tremendous bout of gastroenteritis all day - still in bed feeling quite awful almost 12 hours later. Now onto the 'sipping flat lemonade' stage and hope I start to feel less pains in my tummy, head etc very soon. Not the way we had planned Saturday, we were going away for the night and joining the family tomorrow for a Father's Day lunch!

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  28. A lovely post dear C.J., your world sounds so interesting. The produce from your garden looks wonderful, sweet and juicy strawberries, the cake looks delicious, a beautiful scarf, a lovely blanket for your littlest boy and the new plants in your blue pots look beautiful. Two fragrant plants, lavender and geraniums, the rose is gorgeous. I have a pink lavender which is just coming into bud, I am looking forward to seeing the flowers.
    xoxoxo ♡

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  29. Oh CJ - this is a beautiful post. So much activity and productivity to share!!! I'm really quite envious of your home grown goods from your allotment. It is a fraction of a life that I wanted - but not to dwell... I have a few veg boxes at home that are more manageable but not nearly as far on as yours! I love the grey and pale blue colours together. They are right up my street! Just a beautiful post that has really given me a boost - thank you dear friend, J9 x

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  30. Ooh! I want to come and eat at your house this weekend! Lovely looking food items, lovely photos!

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  31. You can't beat a bit of coffee and walnut cake Gromit. Your allotment seems to be doing very well. :-)

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  32. You are so right that book series has ruined the beautiful word Gray, which is my favorite color by the way. You scarf and blanket are wonderful. Ellen is the best and has been so generous with yarn.
    Hugs to you,
    Meredith

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  33. Don't those strawberries look yummy.

    ... and I've always liked grey it also goes well with shades of pink - my most favourite colour.

    All the best Jan

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  34. What a good haul from your allotment! I am dubious about artichokes too - I love them in food, but the raw plant looks so inedible. You seem to have been knitting up a storm; I don't think I have the patience for a project as big as a blanket.

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  35. Oh the photos are fantastic! I really feel summer in them. I'm so glad the yarn worked out for you CJ! The scarf looks fabulous! I'm really glad it has turned out wearable for you!

    I made strawberry frosted tea cakes this weekend. I couldn't find my confectioner's sugar and the first batch had to substitute Nutella for frosting. Not a bad substitution!

    Your cake looks beautiful, before and after. Lovely shots.

    The twinleaf shawl I'm knitting has a very similar color theme as little boy's blanket. Looks to be a relaxing knit for both of us :)

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  36. The sight of that cake is making my mouth water - looks delicious, as does your allotment harvest. As for knitting and blankets, its still cold enough at times for those - I this summer improves!

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  37. What a lovely post - cake, yarn, scarves, allotment produce, flowers - all so tempting and inspiring. I'd happily read about yarn and scarves whatever the weather, and your latest make is so elegant and simple. Excellent allotment bounty too, it must feel great when your hard work really starts to reap rewards. xx

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  38. You're having a very productive time! Your allotment produce looks amazing already, and your strawberries are much earlier than ours. I love the soft colours of your scarf, and I'm with you and Monty on the coffee and walnut cake. It's looking delicious!
    Cathy x

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  39. so many beautiful things in this post x

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  40. I love that purple/pink lavender!! Such wonderful produce from your garden and allotment. So many beautiful things! Love to hear about your projects whatever the weather! X

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