Now, back to the garden…

I have been loving the weather- I don’t want to leave the house so I can spend every single moment in the sun and work in the garden.

This time last year it was a tip, a building site… a work in progress. This year it is a real fully functioning garden and I couldn’t be happier to have it outside our little kitchen.

All of the things I thought were dead a few weeks ago are unfurling and blooming back into shape, actually much stronger than ever before, I have been planting seeds everywhere and we have BLOSSOM which is A. A first for our sloe tree or B. We have just never been around when it has happened in previous years – I know last year we were on a 3 month world tour… anyway it’s SO lovely, it makes me smile so much and really suits the garden!

Also the forsythia is stunning – I have been bringing lots into the house and putting in vases with water all over the place – they really bring spring inside.

We still are working through a checklist of things to finish which will never end, but I like it that way… when something is ‘done’ it gets, well… boring! I thought I would tell you about the first couple of ‘ticks’ on that checklist.

1) Sort and redo the pond edging and fountain – CHECK!
Stephen is a genius. He not only worked out how to connect some old taps to the pond pump but last week he turned it into a beautiful fountain. I helped by holding rocks in place – but this is his baby and I definitely couldn’t have done it!

Hobbes was on hand to look out for frogs…

Frogs?! There are MANY this spring and lots of spawn!! (I’ll keep you posted!)

The ‘tap’ running! NB, our pond was once a bath so it’s very fitting!!

We also re-adjusted the pebbles and rocks around the pond, tidied the plants, sieved out some weed and voila! The pond is looking fantastique!! (Fit for many frogs!)

2) Sort out the sunloungers – CHECK!
On my birthday (a couple of weeks ago) we made a trip to our local re-use centre (yes, I know I keep going on about it!) and the universe gave me a great present – 2 beautiful sunloungers, which is exactly what I had been saying I wanted to relax on in the garden (strange how that keeps happening)!

As you can probably see, they needed some TLC so we sanded, scrubbed and varnished like crazy yesterday…

LEFT – Before, RIGHT – After. (Don’t mention my roots!!!)

TA-DAH!!

They are awesome and today I lay down on one and read a book in the sun – bliss!

Alas… the weather is turning and tomorrow is cold, Sunday colder and Monday? RAIN! Yes, I know our gardens need it and I know I shouldn’t be so selfish to my poor little plants but I am a little depressed about the upcoming week of wintery weather- especially as I packed away all my warm clothes a few days ago! Curses! The sun WILL put his hat back on soon… I hope.

In the meantime I will enjoy the last of the daffodils and forsythia that brightens up our dark, cave – like flat!

Luckily my cooking bug stayed with me since my last blog and might just last (fingers crossed!) have you all heeded my advice and started watched Rachel Khoo- Little Paris Kitchen?! It’s my new favourite programme and I am trying out the recipes that I can. Tonight I treated myself with a new meal – egg fried rice with red peppers, carrots, sweetcorn and red onions. Very simple (I’m new to this) but truly delicious! Let me know if you want the menu and maybe i should start adding that to my blog to? My cooking adventures?! What do you think? Does anyone have a nice recipe to share? Comment on this post and let me know!

Love and everlasting sunshine,
Xox Gabfrog xoX

PS. If you want more of my ramblings (and some local knowledge!) I have written a piece for The Kentishtowner about Camden Garden Centre and ‘Why It Matters’…here!