My Back yard Container Garden

grannysuggests

I started writing about my back yard in April.I am glad I put in some hard work then because I had to have knee replacement surgery and have had to leave things to their own devices while I recover.I am tottering around out there now and apart from some weeding, feeding with some liquid Tomorite,watering and moving things around a bit there has not been much to do.

This is how things are looking now

Geraniums and trailing lobelia and colour and as long as I dead head the geraniums and keep them watered they should keep going until the autumn frosts.

Hydrangeas are coming out and these make a big splash.The lavender smells lovely. I have put some Tumbling Tom tomatoes near the lavender as this attracts bees which which help to pollinate and set the tomatoes flowers into tiny sweet tomatoes
Lots of pots here .More tomatoes,sunflowers trying to reach for the sky,herbs of mint,thyme,chives and coriander for the kitchen.I shall use some of that fesh mint for a sauce to go with a little lamb joint I am planning to cook for dinner tonight.
I last visited the U.S.A. two years ago and bought some hyacinth bean seeds from the garden shop at Monticello.I was concerned about the cold weather here in England but after starting these seeds off in my tiny plastic green house they are now doing well transplanted into a large pot.I hope to see some of the magnifients purple flowers that I saw in the wonderful kitchen garden in Monticello.

The sun has come out and I am going to sit in my back yard with a cup of coffee.The do some painting .If you want to see my art blog have a look at http://www.jan-arts.com

Shopping for Brexit

grannysuggests

Do you remember The Three Day Week,Suez and WW2?

Then you are old enough to remember what a crisis can be like and the shortages and difficulties than can happen.Based on my real experience I have made a shopping list of extras I am getting together as a hard Brexit looms.I have neither the space or unlimited income to go on a massive spending spree.

Examine where your regular buys come from.Many will come from Europe, our major trading partner.My list is based on what we are likely to run short of fast.

Paper based goods coming from Scandinavia could be a problem.

Keep up with your prescriptions, get them to the pharmacy in good time.

Fresh fruit and vegetables from the Mediterranenan and Holland will not survive hanging about in lorries at the ports.I have bought a mini green house for my tiny garden to grow my own salads.

A recent power cut left me without a radio and torches which soon ran outof battery life.

Based on possible Brexit caused problems this is my list, not huge,just basic stuff for people like me who have modest houses and incomes.

Toilet paper

Kitchen Roll

Tissues

Tea and Coffee

Laundry Pods

Dishwasher tablets

Mineral Water

Water Purifying tablets

Wind Up Radio and Torch

Olive Oil

Frozen fruit

Mini greenhouse and seed trays

Seeds for salads

Supermarkets will have built up huge stocks of non prishables like pasta ,canned foodand rice.I shall not clutter up my cupboards with this stuff yet.Not hoarding, just being practical.



Art Materials You May Like

grannysuggests

Pastels for Artists

A pastel painting by Degas, Ballet dancers practising.
A pastel landscape by the artist Lionel Aggett

These are two examples of pastel paintings by two well known artists.

If you have never tried using them there are a few basics to remember. There are two kinds of pastels,soft and oil which are harder.The best quality are made by Sennelier and Unison.Sennelier in Paris France made pastels for Degas. Lionel Aggett uses Unison.If you are a beginner a cheaper make like Rembrandt would be better to start with.

Good pastel paper is a must. I like Daler Rowney coloured pastel paper, Mi Teintes and Ingres paper are also good.