Merry Christmas!
23 December 2011
Zöe Lynch's Blog
A collection of posts about life, gardening, cooking, and more
Posts from 2011
67 posts
-
-
On being unemployable ......
06 December 2011I made this last night, its made from 925 Sterling silver chain, beads, findings and wire. Lapis Lazuli beads, small freshwater pearl beads and tiny w... -
Things I like to do: Decorate a candle
03 December 2011Finished candles, with a bit of bling added to tart things up a bit. I showed a couple of candles on Facebook yesterday, and so at the request of Ryan... -
For Joanie and Sarah: Stroke Awareness
29 November 2011Yesterday evening I logged on to Facebook after dinner for a quick spin around the block and to play 'Words' with Maggie, Marcia and Sally, to be stop... -
Thoughtful Thursday: Bees and healing
17 November 2011My bees - can you see the honey comb and propolis they have made on the frames? An extract from Last Night As I was Sleeping "Last night as I was sl... -
Wordless Wednesday: Playing with Alan Titchmarsh
16 November 2011n.b. photos taken today hence the gloom - it is foggy here! -
Things I like to do: Papercraft
12 November 2011Lately, I have been exploring a whole raft of new hobbies, from carriage driving to paper crafting, and several more esoteric pastimes such as dowsing... -
Looking backwards and letting go
07 November 2011It has been a difficult weekend for me. I have felt a huge void in my world open up. I know it has to happen, and my children need to fly, but when it... -
An eggstreme eggsample
01 November 2011Spot the difference? Since Agnes died, I don't think I have mentioned the hens on the blog. I can see them now from my study window scratching around ... -
Changes
31 October 2011Me - wondering which way to go next at Wollerton Old Hall gardens I thought the unthinkable today. I even surprised myself with how little resistance ... -
Things I like to do: New Obsession? Probably
27 October 2011I am known for getting obsessive about some things, I am definitely like it with food, and will get sudden urges much like pregnant ladies do for a pa... -
Wordless Wednesday: After the rain
26 October 2011 -
A letter to my MP: The reply .....
24 October 2011On Friday, I received a reply to the missive I sent my MP, The Rt. Hon. James Arbuthnot Esq.. I have to say I was pleasantly surprised by his response... -
Friday Photo: If you go down to the woods today .....
21 October 2011 -
In the Kitchen: Pickled Onions
20 October 2011Believe it or not today is National Pickled Onion Day! So I thought I would help with the celebrations of this auspicious occasion and share my love o... -
Things I like to do: More Sewing....
19 October 2011I don't very often go into town to the shops. I have to declare an aversion to shopping and crowds of people. Occasionally I will meet up with a girl... -
A letter to my MP
12 October 2011Today I am a deeply unhappy person - this letter of complaint to my MP will explain why. I am supposed to be resting having had a surgical procedure c... -
Words and Pictures: Passiflora
04 October 2011I. The Sacred “She heard no sound before her gate, Though very quiet was her bower. All was as her hand had left it late: The needle slept on the ... -
Things I like to do: Sewing
27 September 2011I thought I would share one of those sides of me I tend not to talk about very much, I know when I tell people about it, they seem surprised that I am... -
Friday Photo: Autumn colour in my garden
23 September 2011From top to bottom: Malus 'Evereste' Euonymus alata Cercidphyllym japonicum 'Nana' Viburnum carlesii -
Work in Progress: A thing of beauty is a joy forever
21 September 2011For time to time, I have mentioned that this year we have embarked on a complete redesign and overhaul of the garden, which was essentially a large pa... -
Harvest Time: Forest Fungi Foray
17 September 2011John Wright - Forager in Chief Extraordinare Yesterday, was an uncharacteristically early start for me. I had to be in the New Forest for 10.30am at ... -
Me, myself and I
15 September 2011Often I am described as a difficult person. I suspect there is a lot of truth in that perception of me. I am not difficult intentionally, but I am aw... -
Just pictures
01 September 2011 -
In the Kitchen: Pear Brandy Liqueur
28 August 2011This one is simplicity itself and can be used in cocktails, to make sauces to go with meat - works especially well with pork in much the same way as ... -
In the Kitchen: Spiced Damson Chutney
24 August 2011I am a keen cook, and love experimenting with new recipes or ingredients, and being an advocate of the waste not want not brigade and keen on the conc... -
Harvest Time: Damsons
20 August 2011I went to visit my bees in the orchard yesterday to see how they were adjusting to their new home. I drove up the tiny track and into the field, to b... -
Harvest Time: A fine Pear
16 August 2011For several years now, I have had a Williams Bon Chretien double-u cordon growing in a pot along with a Conference pear and a couple of Reine de Reine... -
Not Beefore Time!
14 August 2011Me, my bees, and the orchard At long last I have now successfully set up a colony of bees in a local orchard, and I can't tell you how much pleasure t... -
Proud Mother Moments: Robyn Graduates
19 July 2011 -
Naming of the Rose: 'Wollerton Old Hall'
07 July 2011A new David Austin introduction this year; 'Wollerton Old Hall' as shown on their stand at Hampton Court this year. I visited the garden, whose name s... -
Hampton Court: A day to be forgotten
06 July 2011The Tudor Rose Award for Best Show Garden 'I am, because of who we are' The day didn't start well; someone had thrown themselves on the tracks betw... -
Hampton Court: Sleb spotting
05 July 2011The Lord of Cord, his eminence, Monty Don, in earnest conversation with .... I will have to watch the TV to find out. Joe Swift plus suit carrier lac... -
Life is just a bowl of cherries
04 July 2011Morello Cherries picked in my garden this morning I have been keeping my eyes on these; not quite sure when to pick them, as they vary so much in colo... -
To Bee or not to bee ....
03 July 2011Me and some of my fellow students taking part in apiary training classes Tonight, another dream came true - I phoned a bee-keeper that the nice gentle... -
Flower Shows: Hampton Court
02 July 2011Well it's almost here - my favourite Flower Show of the year. Have to admit that the Spring Malvern Show runs a close second, and I am sorely tempted ... -
Nice things come to those who wait ...
30 June 2011one of my hives, ready and waiting to find a home and be filled with bees I have babbled endlessly about this to friends, and anyone willing to liste... -
Wordless Wednesday: Hear me roar!
29 June 2011 -
Wordless Wednesday: Papaver orientale 'Turkenlouis'
25 May 2011 -
Even in death they are beautiful
24 May 2011Today is one of those days that I struggle to keep my mood buoyant. From time to time I get overwhelmed by melancholy, a sadness so deep, I just sit a... -
Things to do with Eggs: Lemon Curd
18 May 2011Two 12oz Jars of Lemon Curd I made this morning Since I got my hens back in early March, this year, we have been the grateful recipients of literally... -
Everything's coming up Roses!
17 May 2011 -
Favourite Herbs: Melissa officinalis (Lemon Balm)
04 April 2011Lemon Balm living happily in my garden under the stems of Rosa Mundi I love herbs, not only for their culinary use, where they bring a special extra d... -
Wordless Wednesday: Camellias in the Rain
30 March 2011 -
Of Hens and Hellebores
28 March 2011Matilda and Edna on slug patrol As you can see the girls are doing well. Their combs and wattles have reduced in size markedly, and turned a much heal... -
Just Desserts?
25 March 2011Apricot Frangipane Tart Somedays, I think I am totally barking. Let me explain. Last weekend, we drove down to Midhurst and got to meet the iGit's Aun... -
Full English?
21 March 2011First attempt at back bacon So, anyone for breakfast? Can I tempt you? I can offer you fresh laid free range eggs from my garden, and back bacon and C... -
Let them eat Cake
17 March 2011Cake anyone? I have been baking today, I made a Victoria Sandwich. What is remarkable about this you ask? Well, doing so has made me feel remarkably p... -
Gardeners' World
11 March 2011A favourite garden of mine that has great bones too - West Green House in early spring Welcome Back Monty Don! Loved it, loved it, loved it and don... -
Wordless Wednesday: Violets
09 March 2011 -
Eggsiting times!
07 March 2011Didn't they do well?! Ok sorry about the awful egg puns, I love a bad y(j)oke! *groans* The girls are settled in nicely and loving their new found fre... -
Here come the Girls!
05 March 2011Me and my new friends, the ex battery hens Well, so far so good. We installed them in their coop, and left the pop hole open this afternoon. It didn't... -
Friday Photo: Hellebores
04 March 2011Helleborus x hybridus syn. Helleborus orientalis Sorry for the silence, I have had a difficult few days. The iGit's Mum fell and broke her hip last F... -
Wildflower Wednesday: Green Alkanet
23 February 2011Pentaglottis sempervirens commonly known as Green Alkanet or Evergreen Bugloss Green Alkanet, sometimes called Evergreen Bugloss, appears in ... -
Call to Alms!
22 February 2011There are some really sad stories out there, and this is one of them. A Free-range Farm near Silverstone, Northants is going out of business, because ... -
Des Res?
20 February 2011Thankfully, the company we bought the flat pack coop from were as good as their word, and delivered 4 large boxes late on Friday. We spent this aftern... -
What the well dressed Hen is wearing this season
18 February 2011Six tabards, hand knitted by a fellow ex battery hen keeper to help keep hens warm During my investigations into keeping hens, it became apparent to m... -
Will I Chicken Out?
15 February 2011Handsome beast isn't he? He belongs to Elizabeth at Welsh Hills Again I have longed for a small flock of chickens for a long time, I love to watch th... -
Valentine's Day Massacre
14 February 2011These aren't ordinary roses, these are Marks and Spencer's roses - dreadful aren't they? The dear iGit made the mistake of entrusting his token of l... -
Friday Photo: It's raining
11 February 2011Cyclamen coum -
More from this Bird and the Bees
10 February 2011Rosa rugosa 'Fru Dagmar Hastrup' at Mottisfont Abbey, May 2008. As seen above, my fascination with bees has been long standing, I can sit and watch... -
Wordy Wednesday:The Snowdrop
09 February 2011Another attempt by me at a macro shot: Galanthus elwesii The Snowdrop Fear no more, thou timid Flower! Fear thou no more the winter's might, The whelm... -
Souper Sundays: Allotment Minestrone
06 February 2011Prepped and ready to cook If the weather is foul on Sundays and I cant get out, like today, its blowing a gale, and the rain is falling sideways, then... -
Friday Photo
04 February 2011Galanthus nivalis 'Sam Arnott' -
The Wishing Tree
03 February 2011'Gung Hei Fat Choi!' she uttered in her best pinyin approximation to wishing you a Happy New Year! Today marks the beginning of The Year of the Rabbit... -
Great Expectations.
31 January 2011Taken this afternoon in my garden, one of several daffodils flowering surrounded by Herb Robert The sun shone today, and encouraged me from my gloom t... -
This Bird and the Bees
29 January 2011Bees have always fascinated me, regardless of which species, their selfless industry is an example to us all. Without the bees, we will be in dire str...