Food for Thought for Friday -- Recipe for Peace

Last weekend I had a the great honour to meet poet, Colin Will and be shown round Dunbar in Scotland. Why oh why had I never been there before? Well I tend to go to people not places and before I knew Colin I knew noone in Dunbar. 

Colin and I shared some poetry on that occasion sitting in a WWI exhibition and later discussed how these connections between people are so important in mutual understanding and how children should be taught the lessons of peace. Thanks Colin.

That Day in Dunbar

On the anniversary

of the beginning of

the first  world war

I shared poetry

in Dunbar

with a man of peace

on a peaceful shore

and thought how lucky

placed in time we are.

Still we export arms to kill

with futuristic efficiency

undiscriminating far

and wide the lens

lies hidden and politicians

spin their truth only

death wins the day

and money drowns

children’s cries.

By Oonah Joslin 2014

Food for Thought for Friday -- Lunch with Amanda

Term is just ending here today. In Scotland term ended two weeks ago but they go back to school early (around the Glorious Twelfth) since Scotland becomes autumnal in late August. Amanda's daughter came for the end of term in her old school and so Amanda came here for lunch :) It was good to catch up on news.

 

What does one serve on such a warm day?

Carrot Orange and coriander soup and fruit salad.

 Ingredients: 5-6 large carrots, onion, garlic, water enough for 6 bowls, stock cube. Boil and blend.

Add orange juice and coriander leaf to taste and black pepper. I like it quite orangy and peppery. It's a delicately flavoured soup and never heavy.

Already there are squashes and swedes in the grocer's and Scottish raspberries and strawberries are the best you can buy. I love this time of year, making use of such fresh ingredients, especially water melon in fruit salads -- so crisp and juicy!  

Make use of your local greengrocer.
in my case:
Browns of Pegswood

Friday at Dunstanburgh

My sister and we have been having such a hectic time. I will post more wn=hen I have time on my hands. For now...

Corners of my garden

 California Poppies

 Roses and Canterbury Bells

Sage and lilies

Lilies and Hollyhocks

Windmills and lights

As you see I am not a gardener

Food for thought for the Longest Friday -- Windowdressing

I was determined to get my bedroom repainted by summer and I just finished today with a little help from a friend -- thanks Bet! What I am most proud of this time is that I did a little window dressing on the cheap. 

Half price curtains each 60'' wide -- £21
Pelmet made from two table runners each 72'' long in a toning colour £8
Curtain tape and fringe £16

Total £45

Bet did the sewing!

It's a sunny  and rosey look for mid summer and I am very pleased with my little self for seeing the potential in those bargain table runners :)

Thought: Never think what a thing is FOR only what it can be used for. My house is full of little tricks like that. After all , who cares? It is all just window dressing! 

What's your favourite inventive thing in your house?

Food for Thought for Friday -- Summer has arrived

It's been such lovely weather this week that we have been out and about rather a lot in our usual haunts but the thing with our usual haunts is that they are mostly gardens and gardens change. There's always something new. Yesterday at Wallington I saw the most beautiful poppy I have ever seen. Impressed?

I didn't know you could get a poppy that colour. Stunning. It looks like raspberry mousse.

 The usual poppies were present too of course

The wisteria was out too.

And this whatever it is:

I really think Neptune was thinking of taking a dive in the garden pond -- he was suitably attired :)

 We always have a favourite place to sit in these gardens. At Wallington everyone wants this seat because of

its view and shade and in my case because of a nearby tree whose leaves make a sound like rain even on a dry day -- perverse of me maybe ;) 

 I do love the sound of a heavy shower.

and the tranquility of a beautiful garden

No walk today alas -- I am painting our bedroom -- sigh!

Food for Thought for Friday -- Living on Sunshine

There was nowhere you could look today at Cragside where there was not a riot of colour! And for a change it was a glorious day!! So FEAST your eyes on this. I really feel sorry everyone can't see it for themself. If you live in Northumberland this is the weekend to go to CRAGSIDE for this spectacle.