Meanwhile here at home....

 Mid June through to late July hurtled past in a flurry of activities...time away, trips out, socialising...all great fun, but I've really appreciated being able to slow down a bit and catch up on the backlog which had built up. We've pulled our horns right in and cut our outgoings right back. I don't mind....I'm a simple soul and this type of situation always makes me come up with more creative solutions and more inclined to try new things. There will still be treats just all accounted for. Our latest was to join friends for a pizza at a local independently run restaurant which operates out of a farm barn. I can vouch that a peach, basil, caramelised red onion and blue cheese topping is now my favourite ever topping combination!

On the home front I've made a start on redecorating the bathroom and undertaking more kit making for Mythago. After the last bout I thought I wouldn't do anymore, but there's an idea in my noggin that just won't buzz off so I am hurling myself right out of my comfort zone and seeing if I can make this thing I've dreamt up. If it's naff you'll never hear of it again, but I want to try. What with that, Mythago secretarial duties, several huge bags of bottle top sorting for charity recycling every month in addition to all the day to day stuff and keeping up with family and friends it certainly keeps me busy and out of the shops😁 Mind you nothing will ever keep me out of the library!

This space will always be a place I can record the small gems which I so treasure.  This week's include seeing a beautiful slow worm on the path when I was out walking with my friend H on Monday after work, trying and enjoying this new to me recipe [we had it as a main meal in tortilla wraps. I added more mayo, some salt and a bit more curry powder] https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/coronation-chickpea-sandwich-filler, picking the raspberries every morning [we freeze them and then will make jam]. In a few more weeks we'll be able to harvest our own apples too. Our little tree has exceeded all  expectations this year and produces a bumper crop. We removed several small apples a few weeks ago which normally I'd have put on the compost, but if I now need to be true to my gnat bottomed moniker I spent a tedious hour or so peeling and cooking the little blighters up. However, I didn't grumble when they gave me the makings of two crumbles last weekend and gave me the opportunity to really make the best use of the oven when I did a big batch cook. 

Sadly I have never had any luck with growing sweetpeas here, but thankfully others are able to do so. My friend C gave us a bunch from her garden..I have always adored their colours and scent. Hope everyone has a good weekend. 

Arilx