This is the journal of my endeavours to grow a range of fruit, veg and flowers from seed, grow organically, and my attempts to create a personal paradise with 1/2 acre of maintained gardens and 1/2 acre wild meadows. Northern Ireland's average daily high temperatures are 18 °C (64 °F) in July and 6 °C (43 °F) in January. Soil type: Clay

Sunday 22 May 2011

If it rains eat cake (not cows)

The past two weeks were filled with gales and rain.

New neighbours arrived at the weekend. Eleven young beef cows. They're curious and watched me potter about in the garden in between rain showers.
The don't look very friendly - yet.
Above:  The courgette was hardened off last week and this one was planted into a pot outside at the weekend. Variety: Courgette (zucchini F1), Carters Tested Seeds, 20 seeds, 79p. Sown: 3 April 2011.
Above: The Purple Queen Dwarf Bean are in flower. Two have been planted outside. The others will be hardened off this week. Variety: Bean 'Dwarf Purple Queen', Mr Fothergills, 100 seeds £2.35. Sown: 3 April 2011.
All my digging and planting exhausted the poor cat.
"If it rains eat cake." So that's what I did in between rain showers. Unfortunately the strawberries weren't homegrown as my strawberries have a long way to go. There's a layer of lemon curd in the middle with the cream. Ever notice how store bought strawberries have very little flavour!?

10 comments:

  1. What a nice post! I love your new neighbors..they will soon be best friends. You have some nice looking veggies; your hard work will pay off handsomely. And that yummy looking strawberry shortcake. The lemon curd sounds really good between the layers and if it is as good as it is pretty, it will be fantastic!

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  2. What a beautiful place to sit! That cat has the right idea. Yummy looking cake. I try not to indulge, but you are tempting me to get into that last box of Girl Scout cookies (not as good as cake, but easier to make!). I hope your neighbors aren't too nosey and stay on their side of the fence!

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  3. Looks like your have cute new neighbors! Your kitty friend looks exhausted! Delicious looking strawberry cake! YUM!!

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  4. Oh Kelli, such curious neighbors, really the staring, tis a bit rude ;) Your zucchini is looking healthy and appears to be ready to produce for you very soon. Nice cake!

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  5. How I'd love neighbours like your's, I'm sure they'll get to be very friendly in time. That cake is making my mouth water, it won't be long before we're picking our home grown strawberries.

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  6. What a suspicious eyes those cows have...but as they get to see you more, you have more company other than the cat. Isn't it interesting that my summer veggies is almost over and yours is just starting. You be collecting beans next week!

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  7. Hi Kelli,
    Thanks for your nice comment on my blog. Here, in the Netherlands, it is very dry. Almost for four weeks no real rain and very warm for the time of the year. It seems summer instead of spring.

    That are very beautiful photos of the cows and the last picture!!!!.....yammie, yammie !!!
    Lovely greetings, Elly

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  8. Luvin Lupins... I accidently scheduled the Luvin Lupins post incorrectly. It is supposed to display on Wed 25th May. I've corrected my mistake and hopefully the comments fellow bloggers made won't be lost. I went to bed last night and woke up this morning to find it had posted and there were four comments. I'd blame it on technology, but I was looking at the wrong week on the calendar when I did the 'schedule post'! Happy blogging, Kelli.

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  9. Oh goodness sponge, I love sponge....and just look at your cliffs...amazing..Im popping in to follow, I look forward to seeing what is happening over the other side of the world...Suzanne,

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  10. Can I come for tea? Don't suppose they are your own strawberries yet....

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