Christmas

I've really enjoyed this Christmas, even though the weather hasn't provided any snow, or particularly cold days, the whole month has felt very Festive. Our living room is evidence that Jamie and I enjoy a bit of sparkle :-)

Brussels sprouts and carrots are the only veg we've had fresh from the allotment during the holiday and, I have to admit, that we bought some sprouts rather than going back to the plot.

We've discovered how delicious sprouts are roasted (with olive oil, salt and pepper). They need to be properly browned and are much more flavoursome than steamed.

They even taste good cold, squished onto a cheese cracker! So I intend to make some sprout pate, with the addition of seaweed flakes that my sister gave us for Christmas - I fancy the Dulse, smokey-flavoured one. Perhaps I'll make some carrot pate too...

We had our Christmas roast (Quorn) with all the trimmings at about 11:00pm on Christmas Eve and subsequent meals have mostly been snacky/tapas. The Granovita vegetable pate is so delicious - you should try it! I never ate meat pate so don't know how it compares.

We received lovely presents from family and friends including beautiful decorations, books and lots of food and drink to keep us going well into the new year.

I spent some time with my newest Great-Nephew, Isaac, at his Great-Grandma's (my mum) on Christmas Eve - he's such a cutie. Since then we've only set foot outside a couple of times and still no visit to the plot. We've been having too much fun watching films, playing games and doing quizzes in between eating and drinking - so much eating and drinking!

Next stop, new year's eve but first a Christmas song - I thought I'd struggle to find one (hohoho) but decided on this by The Who.

Wonderful Wonderful

What a wonderful pre-Christmas week I've had - culminating in last night's Hungerford Extravaganza, where a few of us plotholders joined in with the lantern parade, I don't think I've ever been in a parade before, it was a lot of fun!

The HAHA lanterns were a beetroot, a carrot and one decorated with flowers and a butterfly.

And we managed to get HAHA into each of our designs...

We made our paper lanterns over the last two weekends at workshops. First we made the structures, then added tissue paper coated with a PVA/water mix, then they were hung up to dry for a week.

And after the parade Kerry, Zoe and I walked to Marsh Lane Allotments with our lanterns - look how lovely the look on the plot. (I expect they look a bit sad now as it's raining - freezing rain!)

While we were looking at the lanterns and star-gazing the Extravaganza fireworks display started and we had a great view from the allotment site. The ricochet around the town from the whizzes and bangs was amazing - echoing all around and such beautiful fireworks.

Earlier in the week Jamie and I enjoyed the HAHA Committee Christmas meal - delicious food and lovely company.

I'll say HAPPY CHRISTMAS now and please listen to this song, at least twice. It's so beautiful by The Killers - enjoy x

The Day the World Turned Day-Glo

There's been a lot of rain recently - our rain gauge had over-flowed at some stage during the week. And it's been very windy - with rubbish, composters, cloches and polytunnels all making their way to the North-Eastern corner of the site. I'm pleased to say to say most of our belongings stayed put - perhaps we're protected by these two :-)

Something has been enjoying pecking at those pumpkins... could it be this handsome fellow? There are two male pheasants wandering the site at the moment. There isn't much left to eat on site which isn't protected behind netting.

We were only visiting the plot to pick some veg and show a new plotholder round - not the best day for a visit, but now they have their new plot for Christmas. We were watching this redwing, which is enjoying the berries on the hedge near our plot - my photography through a hedge needs improvement :-) But I hope you can see the red patch, which is very bright in real-life and identifies it from a thrush.

Now, obviously this first post of December shouldn't be pumpkin-based, but I thought the three biggest squashes which we have left in the greenhouse look so colourful they deserve another share.

I expect I'll end up chopping them into chunks to share with friends and work colleagues - they're far too big for me. I used half a Festival squash to make my dinner last night and today's lunch. Squash, beetroot, chestnut and onion tart - so tasty, hot or cold, and just a sprinkling of cheddar. I roasted the beetroot, chestnut and squash before adding to the ready-made puff pastry. Delish!

So, why the Day-Glo song title? The colours are nice but not that bright... well, I couldn't go for another week without mentioning my handbag on this blog. (Anyone who knows me is now rolling their eyes). But just look at it....

Quite interesting...

The colours are more obvious when the sun or other bright light shines on it. And for maximum effect, in the blink of an eye - or the flash of a camera...

Amazing, huh? Thanks Lumikay - fantastic design!
So now you see why the XRay Spex song is appropriate :-)