Recent Reading
I really took my time over reading this book. I bought it mainly because I have become very interested in the Mortimers and wanted to learn more and also because I hoped it would give me ideas of days out in Herefordshire and the Borders. In both respects it was a brilliant book and very good value for money.
More "comfort" reading.
Another Merrily re-read while I wait for the next book in the series to be published - hopefully later this year.
Baking
I have a jar of mincemeat to use up so made these biscuits - Mince Pie Cookies - a BBCGood Food recipe.
B has been sorting out the garage partly because over the years it has become very cluttered and partly in case we ever do find a new house we could be happy in. Hidden in a corner was this garden gnome which I had forgotten I had bought!
A few early Spring flowers are appearing in the garden - cyclamen, winter jasmine, bergenia, primroses and snowdrops.
I hope everyone is staying safe and well.
Glad you found the Mortimer book useful and good value. I love Miss Read. The biscuits look scrumptious, and your gnome very fun and appropriate with binoculars. The Gatekeeper is special though. Signs of spring bursting out in all the flowers!
ReplyDeleteRustic Pumpkin - Thanks so much. Looking forward to visiting some of the places mentioned in Mortimer book though I suspect not B's cup of tea!!! David would enjoy some though. Biscuits not as good as looked - quite soft I found but lovely flavour. Yes The Gatekeeper is very special indeed :) An expensive impulsive purchase by my son and I. We just could not resist it.
ReplyDeleteps the gnome will be moved somewhere else in the garden. In fact probably should have moved him today before storm!!!!
ReplyDeleteThe book on the Mortimers looks interesting, good to know that there will be another Merrily book this year. Lovely signs of Spring in your garden. Stay safe in the coming storm:)
ReplyDeleteRosie - Thank you. I have a feeling publication Merrily book delayed from last year? Sadly I am sure I read somewhere Phil Rickman wasn't very well - a stroke? But don't quote on me that as not 100% sure. Stay safe too.
ReplyDeleteI haven't dropped by your blog for a while, but have a compelling reason to do so today. I am quite sure that a couple of years ago you recommended a biography of Francis Willughby, authored by Tim Birkhead. I recently found this book in a second hand bookstore I visit from time to time, in pristine condition, for the princely sum of $7.00. It is terrific, as is everything Birkhead has ever written, and I thought you might be interested that I finally found the book. At the same time, also for $7.00, was "Darwin and the Barnacle" by Rebecca Stott, also in mint condition. I am looking forward to getting into this one too. With my best wishes. David
ReplyDeleteDavid M Gascoigne. Nice to hear from you and I hope you are keeping well. I am glad you enjoyed the biography of Francis Willughby. "Darwin and the Barnacle" sounds a great buy too. I must look out for that book. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteIt's great to see a bit of colour appearing in the garden.
ReplyDeleteMidmarsh John - Thank you and yes it is :)
ReplyDeleteyou like Mr Rickman then ;)
ReplyDeleteThe Mortimer Trail book looks really interesting.
ReplyDeleteThe Quacks of Life Who doesn't love Merrily? :) I did try one of his other books though about a guy in a coma and it was too scary for me!
ReplyDeleteCherryPie - Thanks - yes the book is brilliant.
The mince pie cookies look yum! I make little mince pie buns, I think from a Good Food recipe although I could eat pretty much anything with mincemeat!!
ReplyDeleteThe flowers are looking good, I have Snowdrops, a single Japonica flower and i've just noticed the Hellabore has flowered although they're mostly hidden under the leaves! All very nice signs of spring aren't they :)
Pam - Thanks so much. I've made mince pie muffins in the past must look for the buns recipe :)
ReplyDeleteIts lovely to see signs of Spring everywhere just seen my first butterfly of the year - a Red Admiral nectaring on the bergenia!!!!
I originally got the receipe from the magazine but had a quick look and it's online too - https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/little-mince-pie-cakes :)
ReplyDeletePam - Thanks so much for the link. I use that website a lot :) Desperate for cakes this week as forgot to put biscuits on the shopping order!!!! :(
ReplyDeleteOoh I love the sound of those cookies! I love anything to do with mincemeat and make Mincemeat Bakewell Tart for Xmas, and apple mincemeat crumble at any time.
ReplyDeleteYour garden is full of lovely early spring flowers and it’s so lovely when nature all starts to wake up, even if the weather is still miserable! Will catch up on other posts soon, thank goodness you have not posted many! :-)
Millymollymandy - Thanks so much. I love anything with mincemeat in too :)
ReplyDeleteIt is so good when garden starts to re-awaken. Few posts as I haven't been out much!