Author: Fiona

2015 – not sorry to see you go!

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In my day job, this has been a challenging year. I'm not sorry to see the back of it. Some of my best times

The Pavement Persian Princess

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Three years ago this month (December), just after the first anniversary of our arrival in McGregor, we had to say goodbye to our Pavement Persian.

Pots and a poet

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Just a week ago, our village was bursting at the seams.   It was the second McGregor Poetry Festival which brings many people and amazing poets to our village - including a colleague and his wife.  She and I had worked together nearly thirty years ago and we hadn't seen each other since those days - … Continue reading Pots and a poet

Roasted Red Pepper Pasta

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This is a warm pasta salad with roasted  peppers, cilantro and ginger - another of my "made-up" dishes.  I had not made it for a while when I saw Jamie's recipe for roasted red pepper and walnut spread. This prompted me to make it again. Ingredients: Sweet bell peppers. I generally use robot peppers as that gives great colour variation, … Continue reading Roasted Red Pepper Pasta

Places and spaces – I

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Tiny as McGregor is, it is a place of places and amazing spaces.  One such place with amazing spaces is Temenos. Choose a path - literal or figurative - to take you to beautiful spaces or with views - out to the village

Bountiful broad beans

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Next to the pea patch, we had a bed of broad beans.  Broad (or fava) beans are another childhood memory:  picking them during a sunny winter afternoon and then shelling them in front of the fire for supper.  We had another bumper crop this year, I am delighted to say, so some are safely stored in … Continue reading Bountiful broad beans

Here today, gone tomorrow!

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Here today, gone tomorrow just about epitomises last week. Summer arrived with a vengeance on Monday and the thermometer hit 38 degrees Celsius (just over 100 Fahrenheit). Overnight, a little swarm of bees took residence in our Cotoneaster.

Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Cranberries and Feta

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After I posted Getting Brave with Brassicas, a couple of people commented that I had not included Brussels Sprouts . In response to the comments came some great suggestions and here's another.  This not only looks delicious but could also be a lovely simple light meal all on its own.  Linda, I look forward to … Continue reading Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Cranberries and Feta

When spring flew in!

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Late last summer, a pair of African swallows, built a nest under the eaves of our front veranda.  At the time, we thought it a bit late in the season for a brood, but a brood they had.  Many a late afternoon, we watched as they went about the very frustrating job of getting their babies … Continue reading When spring flew in!

Sweet peas…Tiger’s chilled minted pea soup

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This year we grew peas. So what? There is something almost magical about peas that you pick and shell - to pop into your mouth - in the pea patch.  Little can beat the flavour of those little round orbs as they pop with their unique sweetness. Peas are "up there" as my favourite vegetable.  I remember … Continue reading Sweet peas…Tiger’s chilled minted pea soup