This is my first time of joining in Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge. When I saw the single flower challenge I thought of this little gem. It is an Echinacea – Cone Flower, taken at the wonderful Lost Gardens of Heligan in Cornwall, UK.
I wasn’t looking forward to finding a subject for Y in the A-Z challenge, so I went for something fun. This yummy bird seed toast is fun to do with the kids, a good way to feed the birds as well as using up old bread. Also, I hope Bill Oddie will approve of this better use of bread which has no nutritional value to birds.
Instructions
Toast old bread. Poke a hole through it, not too close to the edge, and thread with string.
Spread it with lard or fat.
Sprinkle on seeds and press down.
Put in the fridge. This helps the fat set and the seeds will stick better.
Hang outside in a secluded spot and watch the birds queue up to enjoy.
In my case, we had other visitors, but we don’t mind.
Neither does Poppy.
Since making this bird seed toast, I noticed a neighbour had made a similar feeder using a pine cone smeared with fat and seeds. This method really would make Bill Oddie happy I’m sure.
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And finally, tomorrow a very special treat for Z…
For links to all my other A-Z blog posts, please click here.
This syrup is a great way to use these lovely vitamin rich Elderberries after a foraging trip. The syrup is quick and simple to make, it lasts for months in the fridge and has been used traditionally as a cold & flu remedy. Plus it tastes delicious.
Beware – the stalks and leaves of the Elder are toxic, so be careful with the preparation. And it is not recommended to eat them raw.
Ingredients
A bowlful of delicious berries stripped from the stalks.
Water to cover the berries in the pan.
450g of sugar for each pint of juice that is produced.
Instructions
I’ve made this for the last few years, and we’ve used it when we feel sniffy or need a vitamin hit. It’s also very tasty if you just want a spoonful of goodness. Last time I forgot to reduce the mixture over the heat for very long and ended up with a thin syrup. It hasn’t affected the flavour and I’ve found it’s delicious adding a few spoonfuls to hot water. It makes a nice alternative to tea, and it’s hopefully doing a bit of good at the same time.
You can also use it as a Coulis and trickle it over ice cream. Yum!
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Next time W for Warwick Castle.
Check out other AtoZ posts here.
Q is a tough letter in the A-Z Blog Challenge. I’m sure lots of other people have struggled too.
I’ve cheated by falling back on my second love next to writing – Photography. I’m really grateful my blog has given me the opportunity to share these photos rather than having them sitting on my hard drive never to be seen.
I choose to focus on Quality Close ups from West Midlands Safari Park. We’ve visited here almost every year for the last 12 years. I’ve filled memory cards with shots and it’s been quite a task to choose my favourite. Some are not the best Quality, but they are Quirky (managed to get in a 2nd Q!)
Here goes…
I’ve lost the will to go to West Mid since they got rid of their wolves. I blame Robin Hobb for my wolf obsession, ah Nighteyes… if you’ve read the Farseer books you’ll understand.
Also check out my post on my favourite writing retreat with wolves, if you’re as mad on them as I am!
Giraffe would like the last word…
Hope you’ve enjoyed the pictures.
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Tomorrow – R for reviewers
Check out other A-Z posts here
Orange is a special colour in my household. My daughter’s name, Amber is on the colour wheel between gold and orange (according to Wikipedia) and my son used to have an obsession with the colour. The obsession controlled him and the choices he made, and if he didn’t get the orange cup or plate at nursery all hell would break loose. Thankfully he’s calmed down a bit now. Now some pictures to celebrate orange.
Orange sky at our favourite family holiday destination, Worcestershire.
Butterflies
Orange flower technically red but looks orange(ish)
I’ve taken better Robin shots, but this scruffy fellow is kind of sweet.
The next pictures are not great quality but I was sitting across the river, in the rain. I was so happy to capture the Kingfisher and his/her young. This year I promise myself I’ll get better shots.
Battle of the orange beaks
Orange scents
The rose smells beautiful, but I’ve no idea what variety it is. The Mexican Orange blossom (Choisya) above will soon be awash with small white flowers that smell gorgeous. It’s a wonderful shrub that flowers at least twice a year.
Feel the heat and hear the crackle of the fire
Finally orange taste
Orange Vitamin C shake
I really enjoy making things with fresh ingredients. Whether I have grown them myself, or bought them from the shop. This is a little vitamin pick me up drink. It tastes really good drunk straight away.
It’s really good with a bit of ice, but even better with a shot or two of vodka!
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Next time Proof reading.
Check out the other A-Z blog posts here
I’ve had tons of ideas for the M post in the A to Z Blog Challenge. These are a couple of things that have stuck with me.
Mood Music
I had an Q&A session with Book Savvy Reviews this week, here is the link if you missed it (Q&A). One of the questions was did I have any muse music I liked to listen to when writing. I thought I would share a couple of youtube videos of my favourite atmospheric singer/songwriter/musician. He is a totally talented and I love his music – Ben Howard…
Esmerelda – I love this song. It is simply beautiful.
Oats on the water – Hauntingly beautiful and builds to a dramatic conclusion though not over the top. Just perfect and it gives me goosebumps.
Old Pine – This is another beautiful track with lots of nostaliga to it. Lovely bit of acoustic guitar.
Keep your head up – I feel this song has a bit of a life motto ‘Keep your head up, keep your heart strong’. Brilliant song. This link also plays other of Ben Howard’s songs The Wolves, Only Love.
I love every track on his debut album Every Kingdom. It’s worth a listen, maybe you’ll find some mood music to set the tone for your next writing project. Also check out the EP’s Burgh Island and The Old Pine. I cannot recommend them enough.
Miracle of life
When I moved into my first house 7 years ago and finally got a garden, I went all out growing my own vegetables. My garden even won a prize for a local competition ‘Best Vegetable Garden.’ Not bad for a first effort!
This year has not gone so well; the a-z blog, a kitten that climbs the window sills and will no doubt knock over my propagating trays, trying to market Visions of Zarua, and finish the edit on my next book. Something has to give.
I’m sad looking back on these pictures full of life and greenery that I haven’t put much effort into my garden. But it’s only April, plenty of time to set that straight.
If you want a hobby, gardening is wonderful. Growing from seeds and watching the miracle of life as tiny green shoots appear. Then tending and nurturing the plants as they grow and later enjoying the rewards of your labour, either visually or gathering your crop and eating it.
Time to plant some seeds I think.
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Tomorrow N for notebooks.
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