Autumn tones

Thought of the Week

Gardeners don’t have to die to get to paradise: They can find a little bit of heaven in their own backyards.

Once we are into March it’s easy to think it’s finally autumn, although officially autumn begins on the equinox (22 March). But autumn doesn't mean no more flowers.

Flowering Now:

Perennials: Cane begonia, canna, dahlia, yellow ginger, perennial sunflower, salvia, perennial pholox, mock Erica or obedient plant, plectranthus, liriope and rudbeckia.

Annuals: marigolds, torenia.

Frost free: vincas, impatiens. 

Nanna Chel over at going grey and slightly green brought dad over a German cucumber. He's going to take the seeds from it and try to grow some. When he gets the seeds growing I'll be sure to show some photo's of the plant. Knowing dad he'll get them growing. 

On my work desk I’ve been playing with pressed flowers. I’ve a home made flower pressed made from timber scraps found around in the shed, the bolt and nuts were the most expensive thing to buy but well worth it. Sometimes it’s best not to go cheap on things. 

Here’s a busy cook’s time-saver for pastry (From a vintage magazine):

8 oz of vegetable fat shortening to 1 lb flour.

The idea is to make a large quantity of rubbed in mixture, and then you put the surplus in a storage jar.

Rub vegetable shortening into flour and add a good pinch of salt. Put the rubbed-in mixture in a covered jar. When you want some pastry in a hurry, get your jar; add the amount for water, roll and use. For this mixture use only 100% pure vegetable fat, your Stand-by mix will keep for weeks.

Paste these instructions to your Jar of stand-by pastry mix

Makes 12 oz Pastry Mix

I hope every one is having a good day or evening where ever you are.