Tuesday 1 November 2022

Getting Ready

 November and still mild. Soon we'll be saying "we must have frost, otherwise the bugs won't die and the fruit trees and shrubs that need a touch of frost to fruit next year will stay barren." For now I am glad the heating can stay off. Radiators on for an hour in the evening is all that's needed at the moment to stay comfortably cosy.


This tray of tomatoes is the end of them, There were more green ones than ripe ones, I'd left the whole lot on the table in the conservatory for more of them to turn red.  I could have made green tomato chutney or fried green tomatoes, but turning the red ones into soup was already enough work for just two bowls of it. These are called Gardener's Delight and although the plants are very prolific producers the tomatoes are quite watery, not worth hours simmering down to a pulp. The soup was tasty and it felt good to be eating something entirely down to me, but that's where the pat on the back ended. Anyway, the compost heap is grateful for any offerings.


 

Il Gatto had to come in too. We've had him for years; I fell in love with him in the art department of a London Department store and had to have him although it took many months for the Italian artist to produce him and ship him to the UK. In winter Il Gatto stays indoors, I am not sure that he is totally frost hardy.




A last look over to the hills and time to go in. Tools can stay out until tomorrow. The rays of the late afternoon sun turn the tips of trees, shrubs, spiky herbaceous plants and the fields the opposite side of the valley golden. There is a nip in the air and it's been a good days work outside. Time for a rest and a mug of something hot, possibly even a chocolate biscuit to tide me over until supper time.



19 comments:

  1. This is a lovely glimpse into your countryside life. We are having an extended mild period, too, occasionally an hour of the space heater in the morning, that's all. Usually by now we've had a hard frost.

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  2. That last picture shows my favourite time of day; isn‘t the golden late afternoon light this time of year the most beautiful? It does not last long and, if possible, I try to be out on the fields for it.
    Il Gatto looks like good, quiet company for the winter. I can see why you wanted him.

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  3. Thank you for these glimpses of productivity, calm and beauty.

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  4. Love the glimpses of your life we get through your posts. Your hard work on your yard pays off.

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  5. Lovely post, Friko. Love the pics and especially love Gatto! A chocolate biscuit and a hot mug sound good too.

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  6. It finally cooled off enough here to be able to work outside and take care of some of the tasks that have been piling up. Haven't needed to turn the heat on here though, short dips into the 50s and 40s but it warms up fase.

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  7. That view is just magnificent. Beautiful.

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  8. Golden tips, a biscuit, sounds just this side of heavenly! Wishing you Golden Days

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  9. You still have flowers! Ours are all gone. Love that last photo.

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  10. The light and the expansive view across the hills in your last photo are utterly lovely. How satisfying to work in the garden and then come indoors to warmth and coziness. I wish you many more. Green tomatoes are ripening here, too.

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  11. Excellent photos! The tomatoes! You had quite a haul! Living here in desert, my tomatoes gave me some excellent ones until the heat took them.

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  12. What a lovely post. I know what you mean about the satisfaction of a soup that is just down to you! But you're so right about how many tomatoes you need to get a good batch! I bought a half-bushel of tomatoes (they weren't that good by the time I bought them and there was a lot of waste I had to cut out) but managed to get five bags of pasta sauce out of them. That will come in handy during the winter -- or, if I add a bit of water or stock and blend it a bit, a nice tomato soup. I'll look forward to that. Do you ever ripen tomatoes in a brown paper bag? I've had luck with that but never tried it on the small ones. Our weather is unseasonably warm and I'm happy to take it. I know what is coming and it's not pretty. Well, sometimes pretty but almost always aggravating and expensive! I've a bit more to cut back and still need to wash out the flower pots and weed a couple of spots but making more progress than my poor hips appreciate! This year will be worse but that's global and it doesn't help to complain. Your view is so beautiful. And so is Il Gatto -- he definitely belongs inside for the winter! Enjoy that tea! And yes, you deserve a biscuit.

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  13. Hi Friko - it is beautiful in your neck of the woods ... and a good day's gardening - always worth a chocolate biscuit or two, or a slice of rich fruit cake! Sounds like you've made the best use of your little Gardener's Delight fruits ... tomato soup always good - then an extra nourishment for the compost heap. Il Gatto looks quite delightful and I'm sure he'll be much happier indoors ... while the lowering sun does bring out beautiful colours. Take care and with thoughts - cheers Hilary xo

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  14. The tray of tomatoes is the best photo I've seen this weekend. Thank you.

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  15. It certainly has been a mild autumn so far. A bit too much rain for my liking, but it's desperately needed.

    *Waves from just over the hills*

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  16. A burst of lovely colours, Friko, thank you for the lift.
    XO
    WWW

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  17. Your photos each tell a story. Just when we think frost is ont he way, the temerature rises to high 70s. It is confusing to the plants. My rose bush is flourishing all of a sudden.

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  18. I read your post, dear Friko and so vividly imagined a warm autumn evening, a cart with a shovel in the garden, the autumn sun. It's so romantic. I'm glad that you're in a good mood and enjoy the warmth and sunshine.

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