Gathering In

Pretty aren't they, it's just a shame that they don't taste so good! Well at least that's what I thought earlier this summer but then I roasted them with a sprinkle of sugar, some good olive oil and some basil leaves and 'voila' some really good tasting tomatoes! Don't you just love the shapes and colours? The kinda crinkly red one is Brandy Wine and the ones that look like lemons are called Banana Cream but I can't remember what the other yellow one is called! I glad I persevered to try and find a recipe that brought out their flavour, I hated the thought of all that watering and tending for absolutely nothing. Things do have to 'pay' their way in the veggie patch and there are some things that I won't be growing again next year. The butternut squashes, although a decent size, taste of nothing, just not enough sun!

Still if the sun continues to shine as it has done in the last few days I will try them again. Butternut squash soup is my absolute fave and I was so disappointed with the flavour even after roasting them!

This time for the first time I grew sweetpeas and I definitely will grow them again. I had beautifully scented fresh flowers for the house for most of the summer which was wonderful. I have collected some of the seed and will dry it to plant for next year. We erected a wigwam affair in the veggie plot and grew them there. It got rather taken over by the squashes so you are not seeing it at its best!

Earlier this month my embroidery group met for 3 days in succession, what a treat! From doing very little sewing to 3 whole days, absolute bliss! I came home everyday feeling calm and refreshed and dying to get on with my sewing projects!

This is my Victorian patchwork which is taking ages but is very enjoyable.  The little rose spray above is in ribbonwork, one of my favourite ways of working. Not sure what it will be but one possibility is an  evening bag. I found this little bag in a junk shop and paid very little for it. The fabric is really past its best but the frame is really lovely, blue and purple enamel with small jewels and the colours match the fabric! Watch this space as they say and hopefully I will have an evening bag to show you all!

Have a good week!

Comments

[Wild Rose]

What pretty embroidery. I think that it would look wonderful as a bag using the frame you bought.

I love sweet peas - a real scent of summer.

Marie x

[Sue]

I love sweetpeas but haven't grown any for a few years. Hopefully next year!

Your embroidery looks super and I agree with Marie that it would look really good with that frame.

As she's French, how about Dominique?

Sue x

[beachy]

Your tomatoes look lovely! That recipe you used for them sounds so tasty. I love your gorgeous embroidery-work, too!

And sweet peas! So pretty!!! (They are my birth flower.) =)

[Alison]

I love roasted Tomatoes on toast!
What beautiful embroidery work and that evening bag frame is just gorgeous...the two together would look stunning.
Take care,
Alison x

[kelly]

That patchwork/embroidery is truly stunning. Im very impressed! you talented girl!

[Tash]

I am in awe of your ribbonwork skills, those flowers you've done are really intricate and beautiful.

We love sweet peas over here and as a child our garden was never without them, so now that I have my own garden it's never without them either! We grew "borderline" this year and they were such pretty, happy plants we'll be growing them next year too.

Beautiful photos!

[Jayne]

Those white butternuts aren't worth growing - they are tasteless. Here's my "secret" butternut tip....buy an organic one at the supermarket, eat it, but scoop out the seeds before cooking. Dry those seeds & germinate them next year. We did this & the plant went all around the veg garden & up a trellis & we had loads of huge tasty butternuts.

I do the same with fancy looking peppers & chillies - it's an easy way to get seeds from vegetables that you like the taste of!

[Cathy]

You are so lucky to have any tomatoes at all this year - all of ours (and most of the other ones at the allotment site) rotted with all the rain we've had. I'm glad they were good - they look delish! Your ribbon embroidery is just gorgeous and will look great as a bag.
Cathy X

[donna]

Beautiful embroidery Jane, you are clever and I can't wait to see what you do with the bag.

I love Butternut squash soup too, deicious with a touch of cumin and a little ginger.

[Sandra]

Your ribbon work is stunning. I would like to see more please!! It is something I have often thought of trying but for some reason as scared to, I don't think my flowers could look that intricate!
Sandra.x.