Intriguing sights at the local carnival. I never did get to the bottom of the group of Spidermen. Some things are best left unexplored. Some people I didn't photograph. Middle-aged men in skintight fishnet and bright pink lycra might be a bit much for any of you contemplating breakfast.
Summer things are under way everywhere. Here in blogland everyone's gardens are looking phenomenal. I'm looking forward to the summer holidays. Right now it's a bit of a last minute frenzy of events. I was in Birmingham today with the middle boy at a music event. His little recorder group did brilliantly, we were so proud of them. Tomorrow there is some sporting thing or other, then there are outdoor Scouting things and cricket matches and parties, honestly, it's all a blur.
I do love these summer days, but I could do with a little more time. You know how it is. The allotment has run away with itself and is a giant mass of weeds. Of course, I could be down there now instead of sitting on the sofa talking to you, but right now that would involve effort and I seem to be in a little bit of a slump. Don't worry though, there are still courgettes. There will always be courgettes.
Hope all is well with you. Any motivational tips you would care to share will be well received. Failing that a courgette recipe will do.
One last thought. COME ON WALES.
Hey CJ,
ReplyDeleteCourgettes are an only constant here too. I'm focusing on flowers next year. I'm even finding snails on my hand. Courgette cake a la Domestic Goddess?
Leanne xx
Looks like I will need to post the annual link to courgette recipes on my blog sidebar.
ReplyDeleteThis is fun, CJ! I just visited Teresa's parade post and now yours...celebrations across the pond from each other! I recommend my Almond Flour Ginger Molasses Spice Cookies to energize you. http://grayseasailor-onesaylorslog.blogspot.com/2016/05/flowers-and-formulas-for-fun.html Gracie xx
ReplyDeleteMy tip is.. rest and don't worry about the world.. it will revolve just fine if you take a day to take a deep breath and go Ooohhhhmmmm.. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)
ReplyDeleteI love your carnival / parade photos. I would've loved to be a fly on the wall when the brass band proposed/decided to dress up like Spiderman. I say you've been running around a lot with all these end of the year activities, keeping up with your boys and just life in general. Take the breath. Feel that butt on the couch -- that will revive you plenty. Your personality does not seem like it would allow you to sit still for as long as you deserve. Also have a walk, alone if you can. Lastly for the courgettes I'm a simple girl. I like them grilled cut length wise with olive oil and smoked sea salt and pepper. I also like to mandoline slice them (or just thinly slice) and sautee them with garlic olive oil and salt and pepper. If I'm feeling wild I'll throw in another herb. but sometimes keeping it simple makes me happy. The leftovers are good to mix in with some pasta, slice some cherry tomatoes, add a little red wine vinegar if you're feeling kooky. ;)
ReplyDeleteLove the photos, CJ - especially the classic cars and that little pony. As for the spidermen - well, what can I say! I'm quite tempted to buy a spiralizer to deal with all the courgettes. Other than that, Delia does a nice courgette and potato cakes with mint and feta recipe. I hope that the end of term comes quickly for you and then you can breath out. xx
ReplyDeleteThat should be breathe, not breath. Sorry! x
ReplyDeleteMy advice would be take a few hours for yourself before all the summer activities kick in and pamper yourself with a good book. Take care.
ReplyDeleteThe last weeks of the summer term always seem to be packed full of things, it gets easier once they go to secondary school...summer holidays will soon be here, hang in there! :) xxx (now why don't they make cars like that anymore!)
ReplyDeleteThe carnival looks splendidly bonkers (Spidermen?!). It is the time of year when parents and schoolchildren across the land are exhausted. My daughter reminded me this morning about a friend who let his daughter have a day off school in the run-up to the summer holidays because he and she were so tired. She knows I have no truck with this but was testing to see if I might waver. No. I'd cut yourself some slack and not worry about the allotment too much. Drink tea/wine/gin, potter in the garden, read a book, put your feet up, make the most of any quiet time before the summer holidays! Sam x PS I have no veg this year, just flowers :-)
ReplyDeleteI reckon you have two weeks to get on top of the allotment weeds before the summer holidays kick in so bags of time. I follow Monty's advice which is to start every session with a half-hour hoe, then looking to the future I usually sow a short row or plant out something, harvest, water if necessary and go home. I haven't picked a courgette yet but I'm mentally running through my best-loved recipe repertoire for you: courgette, mint and feta frittata, HF-W's (creamy cheesy) courgette pasta, a Waitrose pasta recipe combining sautéed thinly sliced courgettes with lemon zest, Parmesan and chilli (my favourite for speed and taste) and if you really want to impress your boys - courgette soufflé, basically the creamy cheesy courgette mix with eggs beaten in and baked. Serve with salad and lots of crusty bread. I'm willing you on CJ and yes, COME ON WALES!
ReplyDeleteLove the idea of starting every session with half an hour of hoeing, I am adopting this immediately. Some great recipe ideas, thank you, the Waitrose one sounds particularly good. CJ xx
DeleteFantastically odd spidermen ;-). I'm looking forward to the summer hols too. I'd watch Wimbledon this afternoon if I were you instead of gearing up energy-wise (a little rest is a good thing I tell myself). My solution to never ending courgettes is invite the grandparents round and feed everyone on them. Got rid of loads that way last sat :-) xx
ReplyDeleteLovely post and photos. You're certainly busy at present, or rather busier than you usually are. I hope that you get a chance to relax, and do some gardening/plotting.
ReplyDeleteFlighty xx
Have you tried fried zucchini (courgette)? Cut the squash into long spears and dip them in egg, then in bread crumbs, and fry in vegetable oil until crisp. So good. You could have them with marinara sauce or even ranch salad dressing. Another thing I do is sort of a ratatouille with slice zucchinis simmered with a can of stewed tomatoes (do you have those there) and eaten as a thick soup. I might even make some tonight for dinner because I have at least one extra zucchini lying around at the moment. :)
ReplyDeleteLove your carnival photos- you can't beat a local town carnival for eccentricity! Ah yes - courgettes - soup?!!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the summer! Courgettes - try courgette risotto, cook some onions, add rice and stock and a tin of chopped tomatoes - or fresh of course - some very thinly sliced courgettes bring up to a simmer, put into an ovenproof dish, bake, covered, for about 30 mins on 180 ish, check and when it is done serve. Delicious!
ReplyDeleteGo down to the allotment with the intention of doing just an hour. Bet you stay longer..
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to the summer holidays. In fact I can tell you there are 8 school days left here. I have a habit of dicing courgettes and freezing them for winter soups. x
ReplyDeleteI am in a major slump and not even knitting is helping. The heat index today is 110 degrees with high humidity, no wonder I am not myself. Enjoy the events with your boys, time passes so quickly even though the days seem long.
ReplyDeleteSending you a slump lifting hug,
Meredith
I have a lovely courgette banana bread recipe. I'll send it to you x
ReplyDeleteCourgette cake sandwich with lemon curd in the middle - had it for my birthday one year an it was awesome :)
ReplyDeleteI always wanted to be a Scout (or Girl Guide as it would have been) and so I'm getting back into camping and hiking. The Scout shop is close to my hubby's office in Belfast and I am going to get myself badges when I complete a cool task (seriously, NOW is the time to live the life I dreamt off),haha.
Cool carnival,there's going to a Pirate's day on Monday at our campsite, I just hope I can remember how to take photographs!
Haven't been to work at the allotments for months now but those weeds in my last post - they are playing on my mind, grrr xxx
Local carnivals are fabulous, aren't they? Ours is tomorrow, I wonder if we'll have any Spidermen? It all gets so busy towards the end of term, I would hide in the allotment if I were you, CJ. Courgette cake for end of year teacher presents? xx
ReplyDeleteLovely snapshot of your local carnival. Looks like something for everyone (though not sure who the chaps in lycra and fishnets were aiming at!). Courgette fries make an alternative to the usual ones made with spuds. Just cut into thin chips, dip in milk, dredge in seasoned flour (gram/chickpea flour is best) and deep-fry until golden and crispy. You know, I wouldn't worry about the lack of motivation. It comes. It goes. It comes back again. Your slump is probably just a bump in the road.
ReplyDeleteThis looks like a lot of fun. I love local events like this but I always find things amusing which I don't think were intended to be amusing, if you know what I mean. End of term is manic here - every day another thing to remember or do, and that's just the kids, it's also crazy at work in the office. So much to do, it makes my head swim. Nearly there! xx
ReplyDeleteCourgette & feta fritters (which can be eaten hot or cold) are definitely the way to go with a courgette glut. The boys seem to like them too! :-)
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