I am obsessed with my garden. All I can think about is what I want to do with it. I am planning to reduce the size of the lawn, plant a raised bed, how to get rid of the monstrous weeds outside the fence, grow some vines and just enjoy it all.

But boy, do I need this distraction!

Mum bought a couple of avocados so I picked up some roquefort to make Nigella’s Roquemole. This is a recipe from Nigella Express – she has quite a few winners in there.

Roquemole
1 cup roquefort or crumbly blue cheese, crumbled
2 ripe avocados
1/4 cup sour cream
2 tbsp scallions
1/4 cup chopped pickled jalapenos or gherkins
Paprika, a sprinkling

Mash and mix all together. Serve with corn chips.

So scrummy!

Dinner: Asian Oxtail Stew

Mum made oxtail stew in my new pressure cooker. It took all of 45 minutes to make this tender, fall-off-the-bone goodness that you see here. We sopped it up with no-knead bread. A perfect supper.

Movie: All About Eve

Dinner: Gnocchi with Italian Sausage Ragu

Drink: Tefft Cellars Cabernet-Merlot

Another 16 days before I can be with him again. The last 55 have been occasionally challenging but going forward is the best I can do right now. I miss him so much.

When the canvas frays
in the curach of thought
and a stain of ocean
blackens beneath you,
may there come across the waters
a path of yellow moonlight
to bring you safely home. – John O’Donohue

Happy Birthday, darlin’, come home soon!

My parents are back here again – YAY! I’m so glad that they have come back after being away for a year now. It will be a good summer. The weather has cooled down a little from yesterday. That’s what I like about it here, even though we may have a hot day, the evening temperature always goes down to a more comfortable level.

Dinner: Braised duck with tofu puffs and eggs, served with red rice

Drink: Sprite

I had a great day today and it all started when I went shooting with S & S at Kubota Gardens. My first real session with my new toy. I am loving it. There is so much to try and learn, but one photo at a time is how I will tackle it. Here are my pictures from today.

My folks arrive tomorrow morning so I have to get some sleep for now.

Movie: Woman of the Year

Dinner: Goat Cheese and Green Onion Scone

Drink: Welch’s Grape Juice

Book: A Life at Work by Thomas Moore

Dinner: Mee Rebus

Drink: Sencha

I opted for a book this evening because I picked this up this afternoon at lunch. I didn’t think I would find anything, I just wanted to leave my desk and get some of the lovely rays.

I made Eton Mess for J’s shower brunch and it was a hit – my new favorite version of strawberries and cream.