My best buddy Ghengis keeping an eye on proceedings out in the garden. He's been with us a few years now and got his name from being an absolute "barsteward" to the other cats when he arrived - attacking everyone and generally being a Bully and a Thug. His alternative name was "Moonface" because he had great big eyes and the round padded face of a tom-cat. I never thought I would tame him (he was completely feral) let alone him wanting to be my lap cat all the time. The minute I sit down on the sofa, Ghengis is there, climbing up from the side and walking over my cup of tea or cold drink so I have to quickly move it before he drags his tail through it! It took him two years to learn to purr, but now he purrs like a grampus, bless him.
He was watching me potter round briefly this afternoon, arranging some plants that had begged to come home with me. These are the last, I will be Good Now . . .
Isn't this gorgeous? I just couldn't resist it when I saw it at Tesco today. Primula Noverna "Deep Blue" - the flowers have a hint of purple and that lovely silvery "mob cap" top.
This is Salvia "Love and Wishes" which I'd not seen before either (Tesco again). They were £5 each, but the OH said go for it, so I did.
Above and below: tubs and new plants either side of steps up to the patio. The two Lavender plants I got yesterday and today and will go in nice tubs when I find some.
As you can tell, I am feeling a lot more chipper this afternoon. My breathing has been better and I'm keeping to the low histamine grub. I discovered that Lidl do tasty Chilli and Lime Sweet Potato crisps today - not entirely without sin, but then neither am I!
The most swiftly-made Elderflower handcream in history. Melt two packets of lard gently, add enough elderflower heads to be totally covered, cook gently for a few minutes, strain and decant into containers with a few drops of a smelly essential oil (I used Ylang Ylang). Brilliant for those cracked finger ends in winter. You can of course use the base of your choice - my lard one is the original recipe and probably 100 years old. It is easily absorbed into the skin.
"Tess" had dropped several flower heads today and rather than compost them, I decided to microwave-dry them and use them either in hand-made soap (I WILL eventually make it) or just as pot pourri with some essential oil sprinkled on. I placed the petals individually across a double sheet of kitchen towel, making sure to discard any petals which had started to brown (they would only get browner). I gave them about a minute and a half, and then a short burst more if they needed it. Smaller petals give one minute and then perhaps 30 secs but be guided by how they are.
