Experiment, week 5. This week’s five things which have made me happy or for which I’m grateful.
- Parakeets. Ring-Neck Parakeets to be precise. Not going to write more here as I posted about them earlier in the week.
- Pine Cones. I love pine cones; indeed I love pine trees. We always have a basket of pine cones by the fire over Christmas as part of the decorations. But even better … Some years ago I bought, in different years, a couple of mini-Christmas Trees in pots; one certainly came from M&S. After their Christmas duty they were planted out at the far end of the garden. Both are now well established, one being as high as the house; the other not far behind it. We were delighted this week, in clearing lots of overgrowth, to find that both have a good crop of pine cones. I think the trees are probably Norway Spruce as the cones look like those pictured.
- Small Potted Christmas Trees. Last year Waitrose sold small potted Christmas Trees (about 12-15 inches high, plus pot), complete with some decorations attached. I bought one, so now we have yet another to plant out when it’s bit bigger — we’re getting quite a little copse in our suburban garden, and the birds love it. I wondered if Waitrose would sell these small trees again this year and was thinking I’d not seen them; but on Friday there they were amongst the cut flowers. And not just with decorations, but also with a small set of battery driven LED lights. All for £14.99. A much better investment than something that’s hacked off at the ground as after its festive duty it can be planted out with the others — or kept potted and used again next year.
- Oxtail. We’ve not had oxtail in years, but Noreen bought some from our favourite butchers, Hiltons in Pinner, last week. It was casseroled. And our stomachs said it was good.
- Biscotti. I’ve been making batches of biscotti in the last few days. Yes, I like them, but I also like making them ‘cos they’re quick and easy. And they always seem to be appreciated as presents. My recipe is here.
