Friendly Robin

Every time I go out into my organic garden a little robin appears. He has become so friendly that he perches only two feet away from me and watches every move I make. If I leave a watering can, the garden frame on which I kneel or even an pile of earth, when I return he is perched on one of them.

This morning, I left the greenhouse door open while I had a cup of rooibos tea. When I returned he was in the greenhouse. However, when he saw me coming in he panicked and stayed in mid air fluttering his wings to maintain his position.

I stepped out. He flew away but returned a few minutes later to see what I was doing.

Sugar & Spice & All Things Nice

No matter how well-stocked my kitchen is I never seem to have enough spices. Today, I was very pleased when I popped into a large shop, which mostly sells items for an Indian cuisine, and found a small jar of mace which I had not been able to find elsewhere. Although I was short of time the sight of exotic fruit and vegetables, a large variety of spices and sweetmeats as well as chutneys and pickles made my mouth water. I shall shop there again at leisure.

As a vegetarian I cook dishes that originate in many parts of the world and often made Indian curries, soups and much more. I even included a recipe for a favourite curry at the end of my novel Far Beyond Rubies, in which the delightful hero had served in India with the East India Company and earned the nickname Beau Hindu

The Fortune Hunter by Daisy Goodwin

Since childhood I have enjoyed reading. All too often a novel that seems promising disappoints me. That is not true of The Fortune Hunter by Daisy Goodwin. Based on historical fact it is the tale of a love triangle. The three people involved are Elizabeth, (Sisi) Empress of Austria - the Princess Diana of her time - Charlotte Baird, the Lennox heiress and Bay Middleton, a distant ancestor of Prince William's wife, the Duchess of Cambridge. The Fortune Hunter begins in July 1875 when Bay Middleton, the best equestrian in the united kingdom,  is chosen to pilot the empress on the hunting field. Daisy Goodwin has used fact and her imagination to create a fascinating read that kept me awake until I couldn't keep my eyes open any longer.

First Day at School

Today was my youngest granddaughter's first day at primary school. The four year-old  had been insisting she would only go if the uniform was pink. Yesterday evening while I put her to bed she said she knew she would be sad at school. Her oldest brother was going on a school trip to Wales and had to be at school at 7 30 a.m. so I stayed at my daughter's house overnight. My daughter dressed her in her uniform in the morning and handed over her red book bag and red sports bag. When she came downstairs my granddaughter was bubbling over with smiles and enthusiasm.

She knew her class teacher, who had taught her older brother. The teacher asked them to go into the classroom and sit down in a circle. My little 'princess' was first through the door and first to sit down. When my daughter collected her she was very happy. Phew!

Peaches for Monsieur le Cure by Joanne Harris

Yesterday evening, I was enthralled by Peaches for Monsieur le Cure, turned the pages and read until I finished the novel at midnight. At one point while reading descriptions of the chocolate truffles, Vivanne, the heroine, makes my mouth watered. I went downstairs to the kitchen to see if I could satisfy my sweet tooth, but as I'm dieting had to settle for a peach. I'm sure it was as succulent as the one Vivanne gave to Monsieur le Cure.

Massage

Let’s face it, many of us work for hours on computers, which can lead to back problems and aches and pains. I am no exception so I had another deep tissue massage by a lady with excellent qualifications. She also recommends drinking a dessert spoonful of organic apple cider in a glass of water three times a day in order to dissolve the salts that build up in the spine and joints. Another one of her recommendations is to take two flaxseed tablets twice a day. Also a medicinal tea made with grated ginger and turmeric root relieves pain. I sweeten mine with organic honey.

Organic Garden in Autumn

September 3rd, autumn is here in S. East England although the weather is mild the leaves are beginning to change colour.

As a vegetarian (I don't eat meat, fish or eggs) my ambition is to be as self-sufficient as possible throughout the year. At the moment, my curly kale and black kale, cabbages, chard, New Zealand spinach and lots of herbs are flourishing in my organic garden and will last until spring. Under cover there are cherry tomatoes and three other varieties ripening including a delicious grafted one called Indigo Rose, as well as cucumbers. And there are other vegetables such as carrots, lettuce, white radish aka mooli aka daikon, small radishes and much more.

This morning I planted out spring greens, aka collards, and covered them with netting to keep off the pigeons, which would strip the leaves bare. I will also plant out purple sprouting broccoli to enjoy in the spring. In the meantime I shall grow winter salads in the greenhouse and move the tender herbs into it.

False Pretences Traditional Regency, Mystery and Romance, Vie Book Trailer

The book trailer of False Pretences, a traditional Regency novel: Mystery and Romance can be viewed at www.rosemarymorris.co.uk

amazon.com/dp/B009YK1MFO

https://museituppublishing.com/bookstore.

If you watch it a comment would be very much appreciated.

Silver Car

Blog.

 

Before my son dropped off the second car Vauxhall Corsa he bought on my behalf I had a 2 hour, full body deep tissue massage. By the time I reached home I was too tired to test drive. Prior to driving it today, I studied the instruction manual. Somewhat nervous about the various controls I drove it this morning. The car is in excellent condition. The engine is quiet. I enjoyed a smooth, enjoyable drive. I’m smiling again although the AA mechanic misdiagnosed the problem with my old car.

 

According to the mechanic the problem was the starter motor. As it broke down on a Sunday the car was taken to Quick Fit. The new parts cost almost £500 which will be met by my AA repair cover. The car would not start and had to be relayed to Mercedes-Benz. The verdict – the throttle needed to be replaced. It would cost £700 + vat + £300 for labour and it might need some other parts.

 

My son and I decided the car was not worth repairing. Now, as the car can’t be driven and it is ten miles or more away from home we have to sort out how to dispose it – sell it for parts or scrap it.

Vauxhall Corsa

I decided to scrap my car. It needed more repairs than it is worth. I am now the proud owner of a Silver Vauxhall Corsa. Its compact, easy to drive and cheap to run. Lucky me. After the fiasco with the AA and being stuck at home it's a relief to be mobile again. Too tired to write more tonight.

A Broken World, Letters, Diaries and Memores of the Great War

I've finished reading A Broken World, Letters, Diaries and Memories of the Great War edited by Sebastian Faulkes and Hope Wolf.

At times the poignant words of those who endured the First World War brought tears to my eyes.

I've now made a list of fiction set in the era and non-fiction also set in the era which I would like to read.

Guest on Sara Jayne's Blog

Today, I am fortunate to be a guest on Sara-Jayne's blog.

http://sayssara.wordpress.com/2014/08/25/mondays-friend-rosemary-morris/

www.rosemarymorris.co.uk

Black Kale and Runner Beans

Pleasant day, today, the weather slightly chilly but warm enough to dry the washing on the line. I like the smell of clothes dried in fresh air. Finally, II planted out some black kale which had outgrown its pots. Son number two popped in to replace the lock on the garden shed. As part of out lunch we had thinly-sliced, fresh runner beans and decided they are one of my favourite vegetables.