.....
So, for example, I’m struggling to think of anything red that’s in season at the minute. This is the moment for root vegetables and brassicas. Other pretty colours come in far later in the year. I suppose apples could conceivably be red, but it's a bit of a push.
How about curly kale? Admittedly it is more purple than red but maybe that would be ok? I have some ready to pick, and also rainbow Swiss chard (stems are red, yellow, or pink). I choose my winter veggie seeds for the colour the plants will bring to the allotment (and more recently to the front garden too).
Making the most of the glorious sunshine I’ve just had an hour tidying the back garden, putting last year’s dry stalks into a heap in a corner for any wildlife (bugs & little beasties) to enjoy. Next is a wander in a local arboretum followed by apple pruning (the 2 words together look odd!). Ready for the forecast rain and gloom.
Too right - it can speed away from me as fast as it likes! Ugh.
We then went to have photographs taken for new Permanent Residence cards; now to fill in the interminable forms (again) and wait for them to be rejected for some spurious reason (again). We love Canada and its people, but its bureaucracy would drive you up the wall.
I've just done the PR card thing again after learning that as long as you are very nice to them and don't complain about them mangling your name, they can actually process the thing much faster than they will admit. Their website says something like two months to process it, but my recent one was about half that. The place where you are supposed to be able to track it doesn't work and denies that you exist, even up to the day you get it in the mail.
To change the subject entirely, we have take advantage of the warm weather to visit our local Italian ice-cream parlour: https://www.joes-icecream.com/. Unfortunately a lot of other people had the same idea (it's half-term here) so we did have to queue for a bit. But it was worth it, I had a strawberry sundae and my wife had a knickerbocker glory.
A knickerbocker glory is a wonderful concoction of ice-cream, fruit, chocolate sauce and wafers served in a tall glass with a long spoon. A good one is a Thing of Beauty.
It's very cold here today (-15°C). They say the wind-chill is -27, but I'd say it feels even colder than that - it's been blowing a real hoolie since late last night, and it's the sort of cold that makes your face hurt. We had to get help getting the car out of the drive this evening - the snow had blown underneath it and frozen hard, sort of perching the car on top. Luckily for us, Heroic Snowblower Bloke was passing, and with him and me pushing and the application of some salt, we managed to shift it.
A knickerbocker glory is a wonderful concoction of ice-cream, fruit, chocolate sauce and wafers served in a tall glass with a long spoon. A good one is a Thing of Beauty.
I’ve assume it gets its name from the waves of whipped cream resembling the lace frills on a pair of Victorian ladies’ drawers. It is the dessert every child aspires to.
I’m in another pool of marking today, current looking at ethics in end of life care. But the sky is blue and the sun is shining so I’ll go for a walk first.
I’ve assume it gets its name from the waves of whipped cream resembling the lace frills on a pair of Victorian ladies’ drawers. It is the dessert every child aspires to.
Apparently the name has nothing to do with Victorian drawers. There are various suggestions:
named after a Washington Irving character who became synonymous with New Yorkers: they were called Knickerbockers for a while,
or after the New York Knickbocker hotel
or a variation on an alcohol free concoction that was already in existence
I’m in another pool of marking today, current looking at ethics in end of life care. But the sky is blue and the sun is shining so I’ll go for a walk first.
Enjoy your walk, today is supposed to be the last day of the good weather.
How interesting. I’ve just been reading up and the name ‘knickerbocker glory’ appears to be a British term for sundae but most suggestions for origin are US (knickerbockers being a name for Dutch settlers in New Amsterdam apparently which is where the Irving character comes in with his knee breeches) with little knowledge of how it leapt between the two.
Also, by the way, you can get a warm house discount if you are on a low income (regardless of whether you have a smart meter or a regular one). I never knew about that, but they told me about it and that I can apply, so I am mentioning in case other people didn't know about it.
But beware that not all of the smaller UK energy suppliers are in the scheme. The "big six" suppliers all operate it.
I think the Knickerbocker Hotel sounds the most convincing link as famous desserts were often invented by hotel chefs. It would also explain how the term travelled here. The hotel claims to have invented the martini.
Not having expected the strange warm weather here to last I have kept the central heating going ( as Mr RoS has poor circulation and really feels the cold). Yesterday evening he was out, and I was stripping off layers, so turned it off.
He is out for most of today, so I will leave it off, and tomorrow we are due to have the boiler serviced anyway, so it will stay off until that's done.
According to the weather forecast Friday, officially the first day of meteorological spring, will see a return to chillier weather, so it will probably be turned on again.
As it's -12° with a wind-chill of -20 and still blowing a hoolie, I don't think al fresco eating's going to be on the cards here.
It's a beautiful day though - not a cloud in the sky.
We got a flyer in the post the other day offering a good deal at a rather good roadside caff a few miles out along the highway, so as it expires tomorrow we're going to take advantage of it for lunch. It won't be haute cuisine, but it'll be decent grub.
Today I went to our Cathedral to pray for our grandson Little Beaky and then I bought a sandwich and sat outside in a lovely little walled garden to eat it. In February. Weird and delightful in equal measure!
My favourite Dutch treat was those chocolate sprinkle things to go on your toast. Mmmm.
Interesting phrasing, as "Dutch treat" in these parts refers to two people going on a date but splitting the check.
I think it's called "Going dutch" (I'm sure I've seen a lowercase d) in Oz.
Have not heard of these sprinkles... The Netherlands is a tad far away so perhaps I need to investigate a Dutch migrant community in NZ, or see if I can import some.
@MrsBeaky - prayers ascending for Little Beaky from over here too.
D. came home this evening having bought some microwaveable hand-warmers: they're stuffed with oatmeal and are apparently very effective. They're also recommended for aches, pains and whatnot, or putting anywhere you need a boost of heat.*
Now if Murphy would just enact his Law, such a purchase would surely bring on the start of Spring, wouldn't it?
Or not ...
* such as when you come in after shovelling sn*w at -15° and you can't feel your hands.
I had absolutely the Best Day yesterday! I got up ridiculously early and defrosted the car (yes, even in the UK!) to get to the station, to catch two trains to London to meet Master S. He had taken a day's leave to accompany me to the 'Good Grief, Charlie Brown!' exhibition at Somerset House (it closes on Sunday btw). We walked through Whitehall and had lunch in the sunshine on the Embankment before spending the best part of three hours in the exhibition and we agreed that no other companion would have been as good*, as we both wanted to examine everything in minute detail (and reminisce!)
Afterwards we went for a drink in Covent Garden, accompanied by a most enthusiastic string quartet (I've never seen anyone play AND simultaneously dance the cancan before<eeek>) and then collected his Lovely Wife and Delightful M-I-L for an early supper before I caught the train home. I was shattered but it was SO worth it - what a great Christmas present!
* I had been going to go with friends but my eye operation intervened - which was a Good Thing as they would not have enjoyed it half as much <spinning smile>
@The Intrepid Mrs S , that sounds like a glorious day. In our family we call such things one day holidays, and the memory of them lives on years after the event. There was the summer evening in the early eighties husband, friend and I cycled round Nottinghamshire looking for Stilton and getting very drunk in various pubs on the way. Goodness knows how we all got home safely, and the lovely time husband son and I went out to visit a coffee shop they wanted to see and ended up exploring Twickenham and drinking Pimm's on Eel Pie Island and eating pizza at a street market.
@The Intrepid Mrs S , that sounds like a glorious day. In our family we call such things one day holidays, and the memory of them lives on years after the event.
I've just looked out of the window, and there's some strange wet stuff running down the gutters on the road outside. The road surface too seems to have gone uncharacteristically shiny, and the sky has turned grey. Any idea of what's going on?
Not yet raining here in Cambridge but light rain is expected soon and I need to go and get the washing in.
My day off today so I’ve been to yoga this morning (not the relaxing type, we did standing poses, lunges and back bends), then had coffee with the ladies. I might pop online and check up on my students before baking a chocolate cake.
I’ve got some admin to do; forms for this year’s re-enactment and for a local craft fair.
Rain has arrived here, just as forecast. I’m so glad I made the most of the sunshine and left admin until,top today. Well, “glad” might not be about admin, but better in the rain than in the sunshine.
Yesterday I went to a tai chi taster session and found it to be very relaxing, especially the lovely mellow music. I now plan to make this a regular session. It’s held opposite where my allotment is, so fits in well with other parts of life.
Wet stuff arrived here midday, just light showers so far. Mr RoS & I enjoyed watching a couple of pigeons fluffing up their feathers in the wet grass and lifting their wings to let the rain dampen their 'armpits'.
The men have been and done the boiler service and the heating is back on. The invoice arrived in my inbox within half an hour of them leaving - a bit eye-watering, but I'd rather keep it serviced regularly than have it die on us for lack of same. Also, it's not covered by our insurance if we don't keep it properly maintained.
That's because the Dissolving Sky has spread to south-east Ukland, and is presently hammering on the deckhead of the Episcopal Ark.
Still, the various pots/tubs of Flowers, Weeds (aka Wild Plants) on the said Ark will doubtless be grateful. The leaks in the deckhead, possibly less so....
Seriously, it's oddly reassuring to get back to normal for February!
The weather here today has veered from rain of the bouncing off the shed roof, flooding the road variety and rather nice sunshine. I managed to be out and about doing what I wanted to do in the drier bits. My daffodils look a lot brighter after all that rain though.
The weather here today has veered from rain of the bouncing off the shed roof, flooding the road variety and rather nice sunshine. I managed to be out and about doing what I wanted to do in the drier bits. My daffodils look a lot brighter after all that rain though.
I have been told that tomorrow's dinner has to include Welsh lamb, leeks and potatoes. (We already have some Pembrokeshire daffodils by the fireplace).
Can anyone think of a suitable dessert, apart from appropriate Cheeses?
I agree, BF, it’s reassuring to get back to (more) normal for February.
Mrs S, that sounds like a lovely day. Did you go to the Crusting Pipe in Covent Garden? There are often musicians and singers outside there, in the downstairs bit.
We had a nice day last Thursday, we went to see the Hilliard miniatures exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery and in the evening we went to a thing at the British Library about P G Wodehouse. We weren’t quite sure what to expect, but it was a mixture of readings, interview-type discussions with a couple of biographers, reminiscences from his step grandson and songs from his step great grandson.
They seem to have quirky things on there sometimes - last year, we went to a reading of some very early radio scripts written for Tony Hancock that had never been broadcast. I’m not surprised they were never broadcast, they weren't very good. It seemed like a fan club thing.
Mrs S, that sounds like a lovely day. Did you go to the Crusting Pipe in Covent Garden? There are often musicians and singers outside there, in the downstairs bit.
MMM
That's exactly where we were, MMM! Master S's office had had a Christmas party there a year or two ago.
It's been a 'round the family' race* this week - I went down to see the Dowager today, and it was raining stair rods on the M5 - most unpleasant! However, it would have been much worse if it had rained like that yesterday, so I was Duly Grateful.
*When I was an undergraduate at York in the 70s, there used to be non-Health and Safety friendly 'round the bars' races. ?Eight college bars, a pint in each, and back to Derwent across the stepping stones in the lake, below Central Hall. Ah, them were't days...
Interesting phrasing, as "Dutch treat" in these parts refers to two people going on a date but splitting the check.
The first time I took my later-to-be wife out for a meal we "went Dutch", and she has never let me forget it. However, I have been paying for it ever since!
... Can anyone think of a suitable dessert, apart from appropriate Cheeses?
Not exactly desserts, but what about Welsh cakes or Bara Brith? Personally, I'd skip the pudding and go straight to the cheese ...
I'd forgotten about St. David's day being tomorrow - if I hadn't, it would have been a good excuse to have one of the lamb shanks. As they're frozen, it's probably too late to get one defrosted by tomorrow, but I might contemplate it for Saturday. I would leave it until Sunday, but it's already taken care of because there's a few of us staying on at church between morning and afternoon services and the verger (who's a very good cook) is bringing a lasagne, and I'm doing bread.
@The Intrepid Mrs S - that sounds like a day from heaven - although I don't think I'd want to live in London (even if I could afford it), I love spending a day there, and a Peanuts exhibition would have been right up my street. And then of course there's the eating ...
I need an "envy" smilie.
* * * * *
It's not often lately that I've been able to boast nicer weather than you lot, but it's a lovely, sunny day here. Still v. cold and a wee bit breezy, and the snow is still fairly unbudging (although I did manage to shift a bit from the steps, and have applied some road-salt), but it really wasn't unpleasant at all.
Comments
Do you think the Archdeacon of Pontefract gets an annual allowance? (See: http://famouspoetsandpoems.com/poets/john_betjeman/poems/828).
Making the most of the glorious sunshine I’ve just had an hour tidying the back garden, putting last year’s dry stalks into a heap in a corner for any wildlife (bugs & little beasties) to enjoy. Next is a wander in a local arboretum followed by apple pruning (the 2 words together look odd!). Ready for the forecast rain and gloom.
Not sure if I missed it on the site, but what is "knickerbocker glory"? I assume not farm trousers! 😁
It's very cold here today (-15°C). They say the wind-chill is -27, but I'd say it feels even colder than that - it's been blowing a real hoolie since late last night, and it's the sort of cold that makes your face hurt. We had to get help getting the car out of the drive this evening - the snow had blown underneath it and frozen hard, sort of perching the car on top. Luckily for us, Heroic Snowblower Bloke was passing, and with him and me pushing and the application of some salt, we managed to shift it.
Have I mentioned that I hate snow?
Warm enough today to sit in a deckchair and work outside. Was kept company by a pair of robins.
I'm glad you have access to his frequent assistance!
I’m in another pool of marking today, current looking at ethics in end of life care. But the sky is blue and the sun is shining so I’ll go for a walk first.
- named after a Washington Irving character who became synonymous with New Yorkers: they were called Knickerbockers for a while,
- or after the New York Knickbocker hotel
- or a variation on an alcohol free concoction that was already in existence
Enjoy your walk, today is supposed to be the last day of the good weather.But beware that not all of the smaller UK energy suppliers are in the scheme. The "big six" suppliers all operate it.
He is out for most of today, so I will leave it off, and tomorrow we are due to have the boiler serviced anyway, so it will stay off until that's done.
According to the weather forecast Friday, officially the first day of meteorological spring, will see a return to chillier weather, so it will probably be turned on again.
Interesting phrasing, as "Dutch treat" in these parts refers to two people going on a date but splitting the check.
It's a beautiful day though - not a cloud in the sky.
We got a flyer in the post the other day offering a good deal at a rather good roadside caff a few miles out along the highway, so as it expires tomorrow we're going to take advantage of it for lunch. It won't be haute cuisine, but it'll be decent grub.
Yes, same here.
Seems a Good Idea to me.....mean Bar-Steward as I am....
I think it's called "Going dutch" (I'm sure I've seen a lowercase d) in Oz.
Have not heard of these sprinkles... The Netherlands is a tad far away so perhaps I need to investigate a Dutch migrant community in NZ, or see if I can import some.
D. came home this evening having bought some microwaveable hand-warmers: they're stuffed with oatmeal and are apparently very effective. They're also recommended for aches, pains and whatnot, or putting anywhere you need a boost of heat.*
Now if Murphy would just enact his Law, such a purchase would surely bring on the start of Spring, wouldn't it?
Or not ...
* such as when you come in after shovelling sn*w at -15° and you can't feel your hands.
Afterwards we went for a drink in Covent Garden, accompanied by a most enthusiastic string quartet (I've never seen anyone play AND simultaneously dance the cancan before<eeek>) and then collected his Lovely Wife and Delightful M-I-L for an early supper before I caught the train home. I was shattered but it was SO worth it - what a great Christmas present!
* I had been going to go with friends but my eye operation intervened - which was a Good Thing as they would not have enjoyed it half as much <spinning smile>
Mrs. S, still thrilled
My nail lady is coming today. I have them done once a fortnight, a luxury well worth the cost.
FLEE!!
We call it "going dutch" here in the UK as well. I confess my first thought was that Dutch Treat was some sort of innuendo.
Mrs S - what a lovely family day you had!
Mr Nen and I are away for a few days to celebrate an anniversary and the sky's been leaking here as well.
Not sure if this is due to Climate Change or Genetic Modification.
My day off today so I’ve been to yoga this morning (not the relaxing type, we did standing poses, lunges and back bends), then had coffee with the ladies. I might pop online and check up on my students before baking a chocolate cake.
I’ve got some admin to do; forms for this year’s re-enactment and for a local craft fair.
Yesterday I went to a tai chi taster session and found it to be very relaxing, especially the lovely mellow music. I now plan to make this a regular session. It’s held opposite where my allotment is, so fits in well with other parts of life.
The men have been and done the boiler service and the heating is back on. The invoice arrived in my inbox within half an hour of them leaving - a bit eye-watering, but I'd rather keep it serviced regularly than have it die on us for lack of same. Also, it's not covered by our insurance if we don't keep it properly maintained.
That's because the Dissolving Sky has spread to south-east Ukland, and is presently hammering on the deckhead of the Episcopal Ark.
Still, the various pots/tubs of Flowers, Weeds (aka Wild Plants) on the said Ark will doubtless be grateful. The leaks in the deckhead, possibly less so....
Seriously, it's oddly reassuring to get back to normal for February!
Glad they survived the onslaught!
🌼
Can anyone think of a suitable dessert, apart from appropriate Cheeses?
Mrs S, that sounds like a lovely day. Did you go to the Crusting Pipe in Covent Garden? There are often musicians and singers outside there, in the downstairs bit.
We had a nice day last Thursday, we went to see the Hilliard miniatures exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery and in the evening we went to a thing at the British Library about P G Wodehouse. We weren’t quite sure what to expect, but it was a mixture of readings, interview-type discussions with a couple of biographers, reminiscences from his step grandson and songs from his step great grandson.
They seem to have quirky things on there sometimes - last year, we went to a reading of some very early radio scripts written for Tony Hancock that had never been broadcast. I’m not surprised they were never broadcast, they weren't very good. It seemed like a fan club thing.
MMM
That's exactly where we were, MMM! Master S's office had had a Christmas party there a year or two ago.
It's been a 'round the family' race* this week - I went down to see the Dowager today, and it was raining stair rods on the M5 - most unpleasant! However, it would have been much worse if it had rained like that yesterday, so I was Duly Grateful.
*When I was an undergraduate at York in the 70s, there used to be non-Health and Safety friendly 'round the bars' races. ?Eight college bars, a pint in each, and back to Derwent across the stepping stones in the lake, below Central Hall. Ah, them were't days...
Mrs. S, nostalgic
The first time I took my later-to-be wife out for a meal we "went Dutch", and she has never let me forget it. However, I have been paying for it ever since!
I'd forgotten about St. David's day being tomorrow - if I hadn't, it would have been a good excuse to have one of the lamb shanks. As they're frozen, it's probably too late to get one defrosted by tomorrow, but I might contemplate it for Saturday. I would leave it until Sunday, but it's already taken care of because there's a few of us staying on at church between morning and afternoon services and the verger (who's a very good cook) is bringing a lasagne, and I'm doing bread.
@The Intrepid Mrs S - that sounds like a day from heaven - although I don't think I'd want to live in London (even if I could afford it), I love spending a day there, and a Peanuts exhibition would have been right up my street. And then of course there's the eating ...
I need an "envy" smilie.
* * * * *
It's not often lately that I've been able to boast nicer weather than you lot, but it's a lovely, sunny day here. Still v. cold and a wee bit breezy, and the snow is still fairly unbudging (although I did manage to shift a bit from the steps, and have applied some road-salt), but it really wasn't unpleasant at all.