Spring in full bloom
March 9, 2015
After a slow start the snowdrops have bloomed and we are waiting for the daffodils to come into flower. We were a little fearful that we might lose some after the ‘big move’ they made last year. We needed to move snowdrops and daffodil bulbs last winter to make room for the three large tanks which needed to be installed as part of our new waste water facility. So we lifted the bulbs to fresh ground and whilst there may need to be a little adjustment after they have flowered this year they have weathered the move well. As a great deal of clearing of undergrowth has also taken place we can now see those snowdrops hidden for recent years now they are in full bloom . We do need to try to remove more of the brambles which have thrived as we have concentrated on the walled garden.
Renovation of the Stables
The renovation of the stables is moving on as the ground floor has been tiled and the floorboards will be going down upstairs over the next two weeks. We think this project has been a veritable modern minor miracle. The building once the hub of farm life here to virtual dereliction had taken years. When we returned from Canada it was full of old farm equipment, my late mother-in-laws car, old working saddles, travel trunks and many other ‘items’ which were designated as being ‘might be useful at some time. Needless to say all has been move or disposed off. The studios will be available for use by guests or for rent by others. Indeed they will be suitable as a destination and use for small boutique weddings or other family gatherings. More news will be posted on our website once the project is complete.
Jams and Chutneys
On a cold and chilly February morning there is nothing more rewarding than making a batch of jam or chutney or jam. Once we had cleaned the freezer and counted the bags of fruit still waiting to be used. we set to work to make some strawberry and raspberry jams to restock the store cupboard. The smell of the jams as they cook welcomes neighbours as they drop in for a chat.
Raspberry Jam
1 kg. Raspberries
1 kg. Granulated sugar or preserving sugar
Method
- Prepare jam jars by washing if necessary and put into oven at 100°C
- Place raspberries into a heavy based saucepan.
- Using a potato masher crush the raspberries to release the juice.
- Add a small hazel nut sized lump of butter.
- Heat the fruit and stir in the sugar. Making sure that all the grains are dissolved before bringing the mix to a rolling boil.
- Boil for 4-5 minutes until setting pint is reached.
- To check for setting draw pot from heat, put a little jam on a plate and allow to cool. Jam should wrinkle when pushed or form a flake when poured off a wooden spoon rather than steady drops.
Bluebells and Apple blossom, Food Fairs and Farmer’s Markets May is upon us
Coming to Ireland? Plan to include s visit to a Food Fair or Farmer’s Markets. The season of Food Fairs May is ‘High Season’ for food fairs in Ireland. From The Kerrygold Ballymaloe Literary Festival of Food and Wine to be held 16th-18th May 2014; to
The Sheridan’s Food Festival http://tinyurl.com/lfx3ram From Ballymaloe to Cavan http://tinyurl.com/n9xwvy2
From Multyfarnham to Mayo Irish food is celebrated. Our recommendation to any person visiting or living in Ireland is to include at least one Food Fair in your itinerary. Celebrate Irish Food and go to a Food Fair in May where Irish food is being celebrated. It is a great way of meeting some of Ireland’s best known or top chef’s.
Ross Lewis of Chapter One Restaurant is appearing both in Ballymaloe and at Sheridan’s Food Fair in Co. Cavan
For lists of Food fairs and farmers Markets For links to sites http://goodfoodireland.ie/markets irishvillagemarkets.ie http://www.bordbia.ie/aboutfood/farmersmarkets/pages/guidetofoodmarkets.aspx The season began at Easter here in Multyfarnham with their Country Fair.By all accounts it was a great sale.
Multyfarnham Country Fair
The next Multyfarnham Country Fair is to be held on 28th & 29thJune 2014 at the time the National Cycling Championships which are to be held in Tyrellspass and Multyfarnham, Co Westmeath
Bumper Parish Flower Sale- Apr’14
Bumper Cake and Plant Sale is to be held Saturday, 17th May’14, at All Saint’s Church, Mullingar,
A Busy Garden
Taking a moment to perch on the patio wall and watch the many birds finding food for their young. It is non stop activity. Nests are well hidden, though as you walk around the garden you may hear the calls of fledglings as you pass by. The blackbird nesting in one of the yew arches is seemngly oblivious to our passing. Whilst we ignore any noises and resist the temptation of taking a peek! Occasionally a break is taken and you are stopped in your tracks by a bird in full song. This morning, I stopped and had difficulty identifying the bird.
Celebrations, daffodils and St. David’s Day
March 26, 2014
”Are you busy on the 1st of March?” A simple question which elicited another simple question “why?” Our daughter and fiancé had decided to get married! In such a simple way, the advent of a wonderful day was announced. Ferry tickets booked, wedding cake made, house sitters arranged, an alarm call booked and the morning of departure arrived.
So on the 1st March, St. David’s Day, we waited to take Katy to her wedding. On the way out of the hotel, she was serenaded by the Flint Male Voice choir who were also staying in the hotel. I do not think any bride could have received a more rousing send off. Particularly appropriate as her great grandfather, Evan Evans, was Welsh. As the young couple are living and working in England, they opted for a small family wedding near to their new home in Cumbria. It gave Warwick and I the opportunity to visit an area that we have visited a number of times in the past.
* I am including the recipe for the gluten free cake later in the blog.
Another Great Celebration
Last Saturday, nerves jangling and kept sitting on the edge of our seats as the Irish rugby team edged towards a win against France and at the same time winning this year’s Six Nations Championship. For Brian O’Driscoll, it was his last match in an Irish Jersey so we were already in great spirits on St. Patrick’s Day. In the past, St. Patrick’s Day was an occasion to pack up the car and travel either to the local parade with uniforms and tin whistles or to Pony Club hunter Trials. This year, it was spent in the garden cutting shrubs back as we get ready for the opening of our season and the arrival of our first guests. All day long, we were serenaded by a robin, who hopped from branch to branch, occasionally, dropping down onto the freshly turned soil to hunt for worms or other tasty morsels. At one point, there was a quick scuffle in one bush as two cock robins ‘squared off ‘ against each other. Fighting for territory, no doubt. Dispute over and the hunt for food continued.
Potato Plantinag and St. Patrick’s Day
Country people traditionally begin planting potatoes about the time of St. Patrick’s Day, beginning with ‘first earlies’, Main crop potatoes are planted later. However, the seed potatoes, we had ‘ chitted’ in February had developed good shoots, so they were planted last week. We laid the potatoes out in tray and covered them with newspapers to keep out the light. In Warwick’s father’s time the men on the farm would sit in the harness room or the coach-house and cut some of the previous year’s potatoes into pieces, ensuring that each piece had shoot buds.This would usually be done in February and was dirty, cold work.
The Renovation takes shape.
Faced with a semi derelict stable block apparently in terminal decline we took a big step in deciding to convert it into Studios and Exhibition spaces. In partnership with Leader, we started to halt that decline which we began by emptying the stable block last autumn. (see November’s Blog). Now re-roofed with some of the original and other salvaged slates; new floors have been poured and the plumbing and electrical systems are going in. The project is heading towards completion. The plan is to provide facilities for guests staying in the house and other similar accommodation operators in the area. For small business meetings, family events, possibly even small weddings.
February Filldyke or You’ve got to expect rain in February.
February 18, 2014
February Filldyke, once the old name for the month of February, has been particularly apt this year as dykes or ditches are not only full but overflowing. Poets have written many poems linking weather to months of the year. The Loughan or Pond at Mornington Cottage empty at Christmas is now is filling up.
Baked Lemon Soufflé Recipe is at Bottom of page.
Living in the Midlands of Ireland, we have been spared the storms and resulting high tides that have occurred in the much of the coastal areas of the country.
Builders replacing the roof on the stable block have been blessed to escape the worst of the weather. It is wonderful to see the old building being restored. Old slates have been recycled for the roof. Old blocked up window spaces have been opened and we are waiting for windows to go in. The plan is to create four studios or exhibition spaces which can be rented out to artists, craft workers or small business meetings. We hope to have the project completed by St. Patrick’s Day. Keep your fingers crossed for us!
Vegetable Gardening 2014
In the last few years growing our own vegetables has become rewarding; it has provided the kitchen with a variety of fresh vegetables for family and guests. Frustratingly, success cannot be guaranteed and can vary from year to year. In 2011 the parsnips were gigantic, whilst in 2013, the crop was disappointingly stunted. This was probably due to the lack of rain in the winter of 2012-2013.
Can you have too much garlic or too many onions?
I have just been told that we have planted too many garlic and onion sets! So as our crop rotation plan needs to be changed. Now we must work out where the rest of the vegetables can be grown. It may be necessary to plough a patch of ground outside the garden for potatoes and root crops.In the ‘old days’ a patch of ground would be ploughed for oats and barley and for ridges* of potatoes and root crops for the ‘house’**
Pepper and tomato seeds need to be planted this month so we have already purchased and planted same.
Seed potatoes need to be ‘chitted’ this month. Tired of loosing potatoes to blight we have used a variety of ‘blight-resistant’ potatoes for the past three years with great success. Most garden centres and some traditional hardware stores will be carrying them at the moment. Interestingly the main seed companies appear to have an increased selection of such varieties this year.
Shallots and onion sets should be available from the end of the month.
Seeds can be expensive so share your seedlings with friends. Do you really need 40 chilli pepper plants? If not pass on or ‘swop’ the extras on with friends.
It is not too late to split herbaceous plants.
Do check the roots of exchanged plants for weevils and other pests before planting out.
Only a few of the broad bean plants planted out in November have survived this winter, so I plan to start some more in pots in the greenhouse.
We enjoy the sweet early broad beans cooked in very little water with a little butter, salt and pepper and a handful golden oregano leaves.
- Herb bed needs weeding.
The herb bed with parsley, thyme, rosemary and fennel showing between the weeds.The soil in the new herb bed has sunk down so more top soil will be needed to be added.
Perpetual spinach and ruby chard are still being cut for use in the kitchen as are the red cabbage and leeks. We still have parsnips to dig which will probably be served to the donkeys as they are too small for kitchen use.
Globe artichokes appear to have wintered well, so hope there are no late frosts to kill the leaves.
“Nature is red in tooth and claw” The remains of a pigeon killed by a hawk lie on the grass between two of the raised beds.
A cock Robin singing his heart out in the Worcester Pearman apple tree. The apple trees will need to be pruned in the next week or two; before the sap starts to rise. They also need to be sprayed with dormant spray to prevent codling moths.
Be ready for Shrove Tuesday this year (pancake day)
Shrove Tuesday will be upon us in a couple of weeks. Here is a contribution to your recipe file.
An Indian Summer at Mornington
November 14, 2013
We have been blessed with an an ‘Indian Summer’; a period of bright clear days of milder weather. One night of frost and the trees in the Rock Wood have donned their autumn colours. It has been an opportunity to catch up in the garden Work had been delayed by a massive clear-out of the old stable block as we began it’s restoration.Old farm machinery, tractor parts, bedsteads, incubators, horsehair mattresses, butter churn, and a 1961 Vauxhall Victor ‘One Owner’ car.(Warwick’s mother’s car)
Renovation of the stable block long planned was finally beginning.
Fortunately and coincidentally, our local Community Centre in Multyfarnham held a Scrap Saturday so several trailer loads of old drainpipes, tractor parts, feed bins, paint tins, barbed wire and even Warwick’s old pram headed off to Multy. More trailer loads of recyclables were taken to the Recycling Centre in Mullingar.
Work has continued steadily. Old slates which had already fallen into one section of the stables were rescued and other parts of the roof taken down. Removal of the panelling in the Harness Room revealed a mass of wheat and oat bran left by the mice which had obviously taken up residence there.The loft above the stables was used to store the bags of wheat, oats and barley after ‘threshing’. The hoist used for lifting the bags of grain into the loft was removed several years ago and stored in the garage. It is still in working order and we plan to install it in the stables once renovated.
Halloween
Young callers on Halloween had us completely foxed as to their identity.
Updating the Septic Tank
Last year Ireland implemented an inspection system for septic tanks. The existing tank installed in 1896 and updated in 1987, has been deemed unsuitable, so a new sophisticated tank is being installed. Indeed the team are currently working under floodlights!
The project has involved creating a massive percolation field as well as digging a massive hole. Several young trees, roses and shrubs have needed moving and branches cut, to allow access for the digger.
So no doubt we will be left with piles of soil to move and landscaping to be done.
Christmas Mincemeat
- Ingredients for mincemeat
As children, the approach of Christmas was announced not by a massive television advertising campaign but by bowls of dried fruit being stirred as we each made a wish. Steam filled kitchens as the Christmas puddings were boiled seemingly for days. Always with the instruction not to let the pot go dry! These days we continue making our pudding and mincemeat for mince pies. Indeed we have a cookie jar from Canada which is used for storage when deemed the mix has been stirred enough. It is veritably’ pickled’ with a drop of ‘the hard stuff”
The following recipe is one we have been using for years. Each year we make a batch of our own mincemeat
Mincemeat
(Makes 6-8lb)
1 ½ lb. stoned raisins
1 ½ lb. currants
1 ½ lb suet*
3 large lemons (rind and juice)
2lb soft brown or muscovada sugar
8oz. mixed peel
2lb large apples peeled and grated
3Tbsp orange marmalade
8 floz. Brandy or whiskey
Method
- Mix together all the ingredients in a large mixing bowl.
- Stir every day for a week.
- Put into jars and store for at least a month to ensure development of flavour.
*Vegetable suet is available from Atora
May day and the Wild flowers are blooming.
May 14, 2013
May Day arrived and warmth in the sun has brought the wild flowers into bloom. Primroses, violets and bluebells are carpeting the wood. I spotted a clump of wood anemones in the lady’s walk wood this morning as we explored to check whether the wild bluebells were in flower.
I am delighted to say they were.
The leaves are finally opening creating the ‘forty shades of green’ so often referred to in Irish writings.
Warwick has been busy in the garden planting seeds and weeding the onions and garlic planted last autumn; whilst Adam, our gardener, has been rotovating the soil of the vegetable beds. Weeding fills any spare time.
Last Tuesday I headed to Ravensburg’s Nurseries in Clara, Co. Offaly to purchase a few replacement shrubs. Their magnolias were in full flower and the air was full of their perfume.
On the way back to Mornington we stopped at Kilbeggan Distillery for a light lunch. The car and coach park was full with tourist coaches. The distillery was purchased recently by the U.S. Company Jim Beam.
On Wednesday we were back in the car again and this time we headed to Co. Wexford and to Kilmokea, another member of The Hidden Ireland. We travelled on the N7/ M7, a new motorway thus avoiding Carlow and Kilkenny. Arriving at Kilmokea is always wonderful as their fruit trees and magnolias were all in full flower and the air was fragrant with their perfume.
Frustration on Friday
Attempting to pass Dexter the gardener’s dog in the space between a box hedge and the greenhouse I manage to crash into the greenhouse!!!! The left-hand front wheel promptly fell off!!!!! So I was marooned! Gravel and wheelchairs are not compatible! So I was pushed back to the house rather than being able to make my own way. The wheel bolt has been replaced and I am mobile once more!
New Years’s resolutions, January and Epiphany
January 15, 2013
Our New Year resolution was to read the books we received for Christmas. So books now all read and there is an overwhelming need to stop being a ‘couch potatoes’ and get on with ‘things’.’Things’ is a wonderfully all-encompassing word, which covers many tasks. On this occasion it includes tidying the garden ready for guests, pruning roses, cutting down the last of the herbaceous plants, pruning apple trees, having the donkeys feet and teeth trimmed, sorting sheets and pillowcases, making marmalade and planting young oak trees grown from acorns, etc.etc.etc!. Quite a mixumgatherum of chores!
Anthony, the blacksmith came and trimmed Holly and Noddy’s feet last week. I gather it was quite a struggle! Noddy takes exception to anyone going near his feet. The following day Mark, the vet came in his role as dentist. Neither donkey could be persuaded to come anywhere near the barn, so the job was put off until the following day. Mark only being called once the reluctant pair were actually in the barn and the gate closed! It reminded me of one of my early visits to Mornington when I attempted to get close to the work horses, Betty, Colley and Joseph. Once I climbed over the fence and began to slowly walk towards them with a pan of oats the threesome took off to the other side of the Lawn Meadow. So much for the offering of oats!
In the garden, the garlic, shallots and onions planted last autumn are now showing their first shoots.The broad beans appear to have survived thus far. The rhubarb is well on the way, the translucent stems a flash of colour in an otherwise dull day. I’m looking forward to it’s sharp taste in the first dish of oven poached rhubarb; we serve with yoghurt and granola for breakfast.
Celebrating Christmas 2012
January 1, 2013
Yet another Christmas has come and passed into memories preserved on i-pads, i-phones and yes even cameras. Events carefully planned are over and gone. only the half consumed boxes of truffles left, sitting on the desk in the library, waiting to be offered to any caller not on a New Year de-tox! Meanwhile, the bluetits and finches are keeping Warwick busy refilling the containers on the bird feeder. The house is quieter now as our young have returned to their workplaces. So we are kept busy walking, keeping the fire fed and reading the books given to us for Christmas.
We are always so pleased when our daughter and son can manage to get back ‘home’* to Mornington for Christmas. As Christmas Day itself was to be celebrated with the Peters Family at Ladestown House Stables, we decided to catch up on some family entertaining with a Curry Lunch Party on Sunday, 23rd December.
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Late afternoon sun in the orchard and a treat of carrot sticks for Holly and Noddy.
Full of good intentions I had planned to finish this blog before 2012 ended, however, the ‘glitch gremlin’ got in the way and I managed to delete an almost completed blog to the dustbin of history; so I decided to look again at some of the photographs taken from the front steps at Mornington in 2012.
September dawn over Knock Eyon