Postcard from my studio

The Ghost Of Major Johns

Last week we said a fond Goodbye to Major Johns. The poor gent had become very wobbly on his pins and was struggling to keep up with his harem. We tried the “He’ll either get better.... or worse” theory, and he got worse.

When wringing a cockerel’s neck it’s important to get it right first time, so we sought the help of a friend, Rob, who has a wide repertoire of techniques to deal with all types of fowl.  Some involve broom handles and fan belts.  In this case it was a straightforward snap.

The Major is succeeded by his son Johns Junior; a glossy green and russet teenager with custard yellow legs. His voice is just breaking into a crow and he is clumsy and impetuous with the girls... no doubt maturity will refine him.

Unexpectedly the Major re-visits us every morning as the dew dries on the flagstones, a shadow of his former self, but he still makes me smile.

An early start...

 in the veg patch, with the rising sun, my favourite fork, and mystified looks from next-door..

Jobs for the weekend...

The Dash at Dusk

Having met up with friends from Helsinki at the weekend I’m feeling even more grateful for every ounce of daylight we get, despite the shortening days.  However, this doesn’t mean that I’m not caught out when I look up from my desk at 5 pm, light fading, and realise I haven’t picked any sprouts for dinner.  I should really take my cue from the chickens. They are already strutting back to their coop, looking mockingly over their shoulders at me as I scamper in their wake, trug and torch in hand, to the veg patch.... in the half-light again. 

Imagine...

“Half the interest of a garden is the constant exercise of the imagination.  I believe that people entirely devoid of imagination can never be really good gardeners.” Mrs C. W. Earle 1897

There’s nothing like the arrival of a big box of tulip bulbs to get the imagination running riot: all that promise of colour and flounce hidden away under papery brown skins.  Planting them is less compelling, but theraputic. Unearthing chips of pretty china in the process turns the whole exercise into a glorious treasure hunt.

Mulling over the limitless possibilities for mosaic, I came across the amazing Rock Garden created by Nek Chand in India, now there’s an imagination really running riot!

photographs © Iain Jackson

Ten hens.... one egg!

Back to the 80's

Half term presents the perfect opportunity for rationalising cupboard space whilst bracing oneself for a mother-daughter shopping trip.  The former activity unearthed some drawings I did 25(!) years ago, the latter left me feeling like the subject of one of those drawings...

ooooh they didn't have park and ride when I was young

was that my ringtone?

is it me or is it hot in here?

I think a latte and some chocolate tiffin would revive me

I'll sit with the bags while you go and try it on

LOT 1351

Sold to the lady with a fascination for rust. 

Ten hens... no eggs

Brrrrr... first frosts this week and nobody's feeling it more than my half dressed chickens.  Tiring of bald patches and empty nest boxes I'm hoping a daily dose of Poultry Spice will perk them up. It comprises, among other things, powdered ginger, turmeric, fenugreek and aniseed.  Mmmn... now they sound like the ingredients for a nice warming squash soup that would perk us all up.

Image adapted from my Kitchen Garden range of cards

Flower Power

If you're a fan of all things floral, check out Rona Wheeldon's gorgeous Flowerona blog where she's currently featuring some of my flower paintings.  I can guarantee that after a good rummage around her site you'll be nipping straight outside to cut a lovely bunch of dahlias.