Sunday, 6 April 2008

Fraiche Snow

It was the sunshine streaming in that actually woke me this morning, and I had totally forgotten the promise of snow until I peeked through the (not very efficient) blackout blind. I don't think I will ever not be excited at the sight of snow. Yes, I know it's supposed to be spring, but let's face it, there's not a lot we can do to control the weather so we may as well make the most of whatever it throws at us. (But no rain please, yuck)

Rob took the photos at half past eight this morning. Take my word for it, we are NEVER awake at half past eight on a Sunday usually (no children) but at the sight of snow we did behave like children and decided to get up. Is it possible that the back garden got more snow than the front?

A favourite breakfast destination of choice is Carluccios in Stratford, so off we toddled, half a loaf of old bread to hand to feed the ducks, and a beautiful journey consisting of snow covered trees and fields. The ducks were most appreciative of their breakfast. I had no idea they were so violent though! At one point two ducks jumped on the back of another and tried to drown him because he got to the bread first. I stood on the towpath helpfully shouting at them to get off him, and we ended up throwing bits of bread at them by way of diverting a duck- disaster. Oh dear.



(These are different ducks, not the ones mentioned above looking down and laughing at the third, sinking to the bottom. Just thought I would mention it)

Back home in the warm and I planted some more seeds, both for the allotment and for home.

I bought these yesterday to add to the stash. Seed buying can become quite addictive, if you're so inclined. This afternoon I planted the tomatoes, lettuce and courgettes and they are now enjoying the sunshine on the bedroom windowsills until they germinate. Then the tomatoes will go in a growbag in the greenhouse, the courgettes to the allotment and the lettuce into the garden, heavily proytected from slugs, I might add. Michele (cowboys and custard) very helpfully gave me some advice on my last post for Jasmine, who has now happily been re-homed into a bigger pot with new compost and looks much happier.


Finally I managed to make Driftwoods' Rhubarb and Orange cake this afternoon. We picked the rhubarb from the allotment yesterday morning (still loads of it) and as Sunday is baking day I decided to give it a go. Even if you're not a rhubarb fan I implore you to give it a go, it really does taste amazing, especially with a big spoonful of creme fraiche on top. Yum.


28 comments:

Locket Pocket said...

Oh no! I still haven't sown any seeds! Aaaaaaaaaaaaah!!!!!!!!!!

Mr Gardengirl said...

The rhubarb cake is legendary.

dottycookie said...

I need to get a move on with seeds and a few summer bulbs, but the weather's been so rotten it hardly seems possible time's running out!

Thank you for the reminder ;-)

julia said...

Sounds like the perfect day! We were so excited to wake up to snow here, gave me an excuse to act like a 7 year old and sledge down the hill!
I'm so envious of anybody with gardening/growing skills. My friend sat out in our little garden last week and said "Y'know this garden has great porential". Hmmmm!
Julia x

mollycupcakes said...

Yeay! you got snow too.
Isn't it lovely? We all just turn back into kids at the very sight of it lol
Snowball throwning and screaming with delight hehe!
Naughty ducks you behave for Auntie garden girl when she's bringing you treats. I'm sure there was enough for you all.

Loving all your seeds, they will be yummy. And so glad you're Jasmin is feeling better.

Yummy cake sweetie.

Hugs.
Catherine x

Tracy said...

What a lovely day you had! But Mother Nature seems to have forgotten that it's spring not winter--LOL! I need to get busy with seeds too--that actually purchasing of them would be a big start. ;o) Great cake--we're looking forward to rhubarb soon. Happy week! ((HUGS))

Curlew Country said...

Oooh I love your seed stash, I have been banned from doing anything with seeds because I do all the important stuff like plant etc then forget the really important thing of waterign regulalrly! Woody is fed up of knocking over dusty seed trays with dead shoots in so I now get my mum to do me extra of whatever she's up to in her greenhouse! A cheat I know but a plant murderer I no longer am!
Carluccios sounds nice - as in Antonio? Yum!
Glad you got some white stuff - brings out the child in most of us I think.
Have a lovely week.
Stephx

Summer by the sea said...

Your Sunday morning sounded lovely - I wonder if you could give me some advice on planting - I bought some seeds to plant (sweet peas) but realised after planting that I had used general potting compost instead of seed compost, and now they have come through, but they are really spindly - Should I invest in some seed compost if I want to plant some tomoatoes etc? - Natalie x

Ragged Roses said...

Ooooh another delicious cake recipe, I'm going to have to find that recipe now!! I love rhubarb. I'm just like you and love snow, not sure who was more excited yesterday, me or the girls! also love Carluccios but have never managed to have breakfast there. Must try and do that one day
Kimx

tess said...

your snow photos are fun!
glad you liked the cake!

dragonfly said...

I had dinner in Carluccio's in Stratford a couple of weeks ago - I didn't know they did breakfast too!

I feel like I'm way behind with my sowing, but I did put in onions, shallots and my first earlies at the allotment yesterday.

Twiggy said...

Fantastic stuff, I went to the garden centre with my mum today and remembered I love gardening better than all my crafting - wow!! I love buying seeds too, even more than buttons. That cake looks yummy!

Carol said...

We have just had snow too...it does look so nice when it snows.
I must also get on with planting some more seeds...the day is just not long enough. I have so much I want to fit in. Cake making for example!!
Have you got one of those nice enamel seed containers?
Cx

No one is you ...& that's your power said...

I know where to come for advice on my growing veg when i start now. I managed to plant some snowdrops up in a pot this afternoon in the sun and popped them on the doorstep. it was lovely in the sun today.
x

Clothcat said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Clothcat said...

Sounds like a perfect day. That rhubarb & orange cake looks lovely.

Cowboys and Custard Mercantile said...

Hello Anna..
Snow and seed packets... just two of my favourite things! So glad to hear that Jasmine is happy in her new home!

Love
Michelexx

Wendster said...

I can't even tell you how much I enjoyed that post. But I will anyway! ha.
You just surpassed yourself with the way your wrote it. I loved the way you behaved like school children, and the walk in the snow, and the ducks celebrating as the poor ousted duck sank to the bottom.
Just really really good.
I still wish we would get a dusting of snow. I'd love to see my house with snow on the roof.
Welcome back. You were missed!
Wendy

Wendster said...

p.s. To clarify, I am AGAINST ducks ganging up on each other and being horrible.
Although I acknowledge that it must make them all a lot tougher, which is probably good for them.

Brierley + Clover said...

Oh yum - that cake sounds lovely!

cd&m said...

That looks yummy and I'm sorry to say that like lucy locket-pocket I too haven't sewn any seeds.

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Carol said...

No, no new yet.....getting a bit fed up now. Kate did have another sweep (if you know what I mean?) and things are getting 'riper' just need the contraction to turn full on!Have a great week.
Any gardening posts on their way?
Carolxx

Wendster said...

OK. You have been gone for a very long time and we are patiently awaiting a lovely new post. You must really be enjoying your garden, I guess.

Come back! Come back!

Wendy

Wendster said...

.... nibbling on orange and rhubarb cake while I wait for your return!

Wendster said...

Have you forgotten your blogger password?

It's "hurryup" .... as in hurry up and post a new post. LOL

We want to see your lovely garden!

Plllleeeeeaaaaaaaaase!