BEING A CULTURE VULTURE IS VERY TIRING..

Because whatever YOU want to look at does not slide past YOU on a moving display! 

Dear Readers.. YOU have to walk to go and look at 'it' and then walk onto the next thing.. up and down flights of stairs.. today the twisty stairs at The Tower of London with LOTS of other people were not so much 'fun' but SHE got down ok.

London is very, very busy, there are thousands of visitors of all different nationalities young and old, the coffee shops are busy and the museums are absolutely full to the brim! 

It really seems as if the world, his wife and their three children are all here, amazing! 

The last big place they plan to visit is Hampton Court Palace, SHE will take another picnic. The long range weather forecast is good, it has to be for Hampton as there is that long walk from the station!

And it is a great pity if YOU do not go out to look at the gardens, which have been taken back in time to their original planting designs in the different areas.

And, of course, there is the famous Maze!

At home, SHE is working hard on sourcing stuff for the plots, SHE is half way through designing a 
Solar House, SHE has sourced and priced the timber, now has to make up which sort of glazing 
would be best.

SHE is taking out two large beds which grow a 
mix of flowers and vegetables and changing them 
over to growing all vegetables. This will be made into four raised beds but much higher than normal, about two feet high.

Being made higher will enable HER to fill them with a lighter soil, this will be very beneficial for carrots and parsnips.

But that is for another day.. now WE are heading off to Noddy's Land.. it is bed time for us dollies.. SHE is tired and tomorrow is surely another day.

Funny ( peculiar) yesterday, for on Sunday WE 
had a huge amount of Dear Readers.. yesterday.. barely a handful! WE find it strange when that happens..

Good night Dear Readers.. WE will write lots of Posts for YOU next month but on the First day of May, SHE is going to give HERSELF a wonderful present.. I will tell YOU what it is tomorrow!

GeeGee Parrot.
April 30th, 2013.

AN INNER TUBE & A JUBILEE CLIP MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENCE!

Apparently it was bright and cold today but with no rain at the allotments. 

Old Jack Frost was certainly there last night, he left the Broad / Fava Beans alone but had nipped one of the Peonies that were planted last autumn.. norty Jack.

I did not go because SHE was carrying pots of seedlings to plant, French Beans, Runner Beans and two types of Peas. 

Lots more bulbs were planted, some Iris and more of those dark red Gladioli. Very sadly, a couple of the new Rose bushes don't look too happy, SHE will give them a month to see if they cheer up. 

The small square beds which have the Apple trees in the middle were weeded, there is lots of action going on in these two beds! 

There are Lilies of the Valley, Freesias, white Lilies and other Lilies, their name escapes us, they look just like Butterflies. Also lots and lots of Narcissi.

It is looking to be a GREAT year for Lily of the Valley! Both at home and at the allotment, they are spreading happily, such a glorious perfume!

The newly planted Currant bushes are all good except for one Black Currant, it looks to be dead, SHE will give it a couple of months to see if it shoots.

But HER idea to use an inner tube and a Jubilee Clip, because the new taps are of such a fancy 
design, they will not take a hose! Very silly.



One day last week, 'it' came to HER. An inner 
tube from a bicycle is much more malleable than 
an hose and a Jubilee Clip slips onto anything.

Perfect.. great solution. Problem solved, all SHE has to do is slip the tube over a hose using another Jubilee Clip to secure the two together.

SHE is not just a pretty face MY mum but I am afraid to say, SHE did get some 'strange' looks on the bus coming home tonight.

SHE was so tired and not about to heat up water to wash HER face, so SHE had a 'slightly' grubby 
face and very dirty hands when SHE got on the 
bus and fell asleep!

WE are having an early bed tonight. I get a cuddle and a kiss, then off to bed. Oh, but before WE go, thanks to lots and lots of YOU Dear Readers, this month had the most readers! How about that!

WE thank all of YOU wherever YOU may be for reading MY Blog.

GeeGee Parrot.
April 28th, 2013.

WHOOPIE-de-DOO! SERIOUS CAUSES FOR CELEBRATION..

Greetings Dear Readers.. many greetings.. 

Most of YOU are all wondering, if YOU are awake, as to why WE so happy so early on a Sunday morning, when WE should still be in Noddy's Land? 

Just now the records showed that this month has been a bumper month of lots of Dear Readers reading MY Blog, including many new countries that have shown up on the audience charts.

It is a bright sunny day and at home, old Jack Frost did not nip the plants! WE do hope that he spared the Broad / Fava Beans at the allotments.

And WE have a new packet of LapySang, SHE purchased this at Twining's shop in The Strand.

Hopefully, but SHE is not hopeful, it will be ok.. the strength of the Pine smoking on the Keemun tea is not as SHE knew it to be previously. The smell used to be amazing when YOU opened a packet, now all YOU get is a very faint whiff.

Sadly, this means that after thirty five years SHE will have to find another smoked tea to drink in 

the early morning.. I lurved that old LapySang. 

SHE could go and sniff the blend at Fortnum & Mason, they are owned by a Canadian family, the Weston's, the cousins of the people who own Twining and Primark. 

Or perhaps SHE will go tea sniffing at Harrods, whose 'own label' tea is blended by a firm of tea importers called Betjeman & Barton, based in Paris.. Excellent teas.. yum.

They are jaunts for another day, for in a couple of hours time, SHE will decide what is happening 
today, because the weather forecast is for lots of rain and although it is very bright, it is not warm.

Not time to flap wings yet, still snuggly-buggly time.

GeeGee Parrot.

April 28th, 2013.

"SELAMAT PETANG" TO OUR FIRST MALAYSIAN DEAR READER..

SHE is SO happy.. oh so happy! For WE have just seen that WE have had a Dear Reader from Malaysia.. the first!

Now, unless YOU have been diligent and read all of the Posts on MY Blog, YOU will not be aware of why this makes HER so happy, so I will rescue  YOU from the agonising state of being un-informed.

SHE was born in the BMH in Kuala Lumpur, BMH stands for British Military Hospital. HER father served with The Malay Regiment in the Communist Emergency which ran from 1947 through to 1960.

SHE was brought to England in December 1953 and found the whole experience VERY traumatic. 

It was bitterly cold, the food was beyond strange and where was HER: beach, dog, father, friends and why was Constance insisting upon speaking in English, was SHE not going back home?

Home being, as far as SHE knew, Malaysia..

Because for all of HER short life SHE had spoken 
Malay much more than English but Constance realised would not be good for HER schooling in England. Since leaving Malaysia, SHE has never spoken one word of HER first spoken tongue..

So WE both welcome YOU, Dear Reader in Malaysia, the land of HER birth and WE send YOU OUR very best wishes.

GeeGee Parrot.
April 27th, 2013.

IS THIS GOING TO BE ANOTHER BUMPER MONTH IN DEAR READER NUMBERS?

Oooooh.. Dear Readers.. such excitement! 

Is it going to be like last September when YOU gave MY Blog stat figures that BIG wallop and sent the monthly figure rocketing up sky high?

It is quite funny (peculiar) when there is a massive readership from one country, this month WE have seen a huge increase in Dear Readers from Russia and several from some South American countries whom WE have never seen listed as 'audience' before.. Brazil.. Peru.. Chile.. and, of course, WE don't know how YOU find MY Blog.

Have YOU seen it on a Search Engine or did a Dear Reader friend tell YOU about MY Blog?

I am excited by these figures, to say the least and so what with this news and HER humming a new tune, I shall have to be careful how I do that very sharp left turn into the bathroom.. can't afford to crash.. Pip pip.. chocks away..

GeeGee Parrot.

April 27th, 2013.

NO GOATY MILK.. SHE HAD TO GO AND COLLECT SEVERAL METRES OF TRANSPARENT HOSE.

As YOU do.. a kind supplier called to say that he had just what is needed at home and on the plot. 

SHE will get the Goaty Milk for our Ricotta next Sunday at the Farmer's Market which is just past Parson's Green. I, of course, will grumble for I do love Ricotta but SHE will give one of 'those' looks and tell ME tales of poor African Grey Parrots who live in Central Africa who NEVER get to eat Ricotta.. sigh.. grumble.. under breath..

What a Chilly-Billy day! SHE was so very glad to have worn a wool coat with a funnel neck but a pair of gloves would have been happy making, but alas and alack they were sitting in a drawer at home and not in the bottom of the handbag.

Home to a very late lunch of dandelion leaves, sorrel, lovage, oregano, melissa, chives, wild garlic leaves and a smidgen of radicchio with fusilli pasta with olive oil, chilli flakes and black pepper. WE love this dish!

Now SHE is off to pot up some seeds and I am heading for bathroom door, so to have MY 'bird's eye viewing of these proceedings. WE hope that YOU too have been 'gainfully' employed today? Or are YOU jurst having a very lazzzy day?

UGH.. On the local radio, they have just given us a 'FROST' warning, apparently temperatures are due to plummet tonight. As our last Frost date at the garden is June 9th.. it will be at least SIX weeks before WE put our very precious Tommie plants out there!

Flap flap.. off WE go.

GeeGee Parrot.
April 27th, 2013.

HAIL.. RAIN & SUN.. Ah yes, it must be London in the month of April.

Got to be quick.. quick quick, for Debbie aka The Goaty Mum will be at the Wimbledon Farmer's Market today and WE need more fresh, raw Goaty Milk!

Yesterday was a in-and-out day.. by this I mean they went in and out of a lot of places.. including New Zealand House, Australia House, National Gallery, Twinings, Apple Store, various coffee & sandwich places, HER favourite restaurant to eat yummy Chinese Beef in Black Bean sauce on crispy noodles, the North End Road Market and then HER special place for Humous, Olives and Taramasalata.. all achieved by travelling on bus, foot and going underground on the Tube.

Ending up in Kew having supper with Leigh and Ossie.. Leigh thought that I was coming too but it was not possible, SHE would not be so mean as to drag ME around all day in that travelling cage. 

I missed out on their jolly evening but I am sure there will be another evening planned, perhaps when that norty Asparagus decides that it is going to grow! 

It is is saying "Far too cold" at the moment and it is right, for this month of April HAS been much colder than the previous three years. SHE has the photos and the weights for those first pickings and 
they were considerable! 

But now.. SHE has to go, so it is "bye bye" from us until later.. enjoy YOUR day Dear Readers..

GeeGee Parrot.
April 27th, 2013.

A PICNIC WITH A CROW.. IN THE KENSINGTON PALACE GARDENS. . PART TWO.

Yes, Dear Readers, YOU did read that correctly!

The gardens of the Palace are a delightful place to have a picnic and there is absolutely NO pressure on YOU to have to bought YOUR food or drink from either of the two restaurants.

They found a shady spot and then they were found by a 'local'.

For a very large Crow decided that their picnic was worthing 'hanging' around for! Now, as they are not known for being the most gregarious of birds with humans, to be joined by a Crow, SHE considered a huge honour.

He liked those Cashew nuts SHE threw for him.. I wonder if he had ever eaten one before? Probably not.

Picnic.. some roast Chicken with HER very special sauce! SHE makes it with Goat Yoghurt and Wild Garlic, SHE uses the leaves, not the 'root' or clove from under the ground. This is never sold in a market or shop, YOU have to learn how to grow it and WE.. have lots of it!

A salad of French Beans, Tomatoes, Barberries, crisp Lettuce (torn not cut), Pomegranate seeds, Olive Oil, salt and pepper. For 'pudding' there were mixed Nuts, Blueberries and Grapes and bottled water.

Then off to sit on the grass and watch the avian life which floats about on The Round Pond.. lots 
of Cygnets (young Swans), Swans, Mallards, some very cheeky Moorhens and LOTS of Rock Doves, YOU would probably recognise them if I called them by the more familiar name of Pigeon.

It was time to go and sort out the Travel Pass!

When visiting London.. 

Buy an OYSTER CARD BUT.. WE BEG YOU.. DO NOT USE 'PAY AS YOU GO'.

For this is incredibly expensive! For zone 1 - 3, a day pass is £8.00. 

A single underground trip will cost YOU £4.50, so do the maths.. If YOU are here for 7 days, it costs under £36.00, when SHE was at school.. 7 days x £8 was £56.. and it still is. YOU save £20.00!

Always check with the information / ticket office.

Off to do 'stuff'.. more later..

GeeGee Parrot.
April 26th, 2013.

THE VISIT TO KENSINGTON PALACE.. Part One.. IMPORTANT NEWS FLASH.. READ IT HERE FIRST!!

Good morning Dear Readers.. WE do hope YOU are all as fit as fiddles and twice as happy?

They went to Kensington Palace yesterday and what a perfect day it was for a jaunt such as this, it was like an early summers' day.


Besides studying this beautiful building, which evolved over many years, there are three exhibitions to view inside the palace..

NEWS FLASH. YOU READ IT HERE FIRST!

They are making a new exhibition which will open on July 4th, 2013. It will be on the life of the late Diana, Princess of Wales at Kensington Palace.. 1983 - 1997.

There used to be a small collection of five of her dresses on the ground floor, this exhibition is now closed and these dresses, together with many more, will form part of the much bigger exhibition opening on July 4th.

Back to the jaunt.

The first part they visited was the King's Section. 
To get to this exhibition, YOU walk all the way through the ground floor of the Palace, if entering through the main doors, it is almost 'hidden away' right at the back of this part of the Palace.

When YOU have passed the massive circular seat, go further on and turn left, there is a small painted hall, leading out of this YOU will find a wooden staircase, the walls of which are covered in the most marvellous murals of real people that were at the Court of King William of Orange.

The suite of rooms that YOU walk through lead YOU through his 'day' rooms where he conducted his day-to-day business with courtiers and politicians and then they progress through to his own private quarters.

The artwork is beyond fabulous.. to say the least! Though, in HER mind, the best 'art work' is the decorative painting on the walls and ceilings, for this is truly magnificent.

The Queen's exhibition is situated in the oldest part of the building and YOU learn about the 
Glorious (bloodless) Revolution when James 2nd left England for France and the arrival of William and Mary of Orange.

Mary was the eldest daughter of James 2nd, niece of Charles 2nd, it was through her being James's daughter that they became King and Queen of England (UK).

The last section is about Queen Victoria, for this is where she was born. YOU will see the dress she wore to take her first ever Privy Council Meeting. 

She was only 18 years of age and it was the day 
after her uncle, King William 4th, had died.

It is a charming exhibition and, of course, has many detailed possessions pertaining to Prince Albert.

Throughout all the exhibitions there are lots of 'newspapers'.. they are on hanging rods, do read them, YOU will have a much better understanding of the 'affairs of the court'.

The Docents are well worth engaging as they are 
all extremely well versed on their subject. 

It was a busy day.. so WE will be back with Part Two.. and SHE is glad that yesterday was sunny for the trip to the Palace.. for today is very wet! 

No picnic in the park today..

GeeGee Parrot.

April 26th, 2013.

ALL CHANGE.. No, WE didn't get to the end of the line!

WE only got as far as the North End Road which is where WE change buses.. and suddenly, it was very cold.. SHE looked down and all MY feathers were up.. for a very chilly-billy wind was blowing.

So WE went to the market, very quickly quickly, SHE bought fruit from lovely Kaza, meat from Dickinsons, then ran for the bus to bring us home.

Oh, it is so dreadfully dreary when the weather is like this. Cloudy, dull and chilly-billy, not at all like yesterday! I do so hope that that one fine day was not our summer! If it was, it was pretty dingy and short.

Anyway, I got to go on a jaunt, saw some friends and came home with swag, yes, one of MY friends who LURVES ME, gave ME some spicy sausages that he makes, SHE grills them for ME, they are truly very scrummydumptious.

SHE also got food for tomorrow, I know that SHE is going to go to Kensington Palace and plans to take a picnic.. ME.. I am staying here but if it is fine on Friday, WE are all going to the plot as Leigh and Ossie have invited US for supper and SHE is hoping that there will be lots of Asparagus to pick.

Fingers crossed folks.. Now.. to get HER to heat up that grill, I could Beak a sausage or two, with perhaps a slice of cucumber.. slurp-the-durp. 

Off to YumYum HQ, I must flap.

GeeGee Parrot.
April 24th, 2013.

OUR PICNIC BASKET PACKED TICK.. ONE PARROT IN TRAVELLING CAGE TICK!!

Dear Readers.. SHE didn't arrive home until eight o'clock last night! It was so late, a good thing I had radio, wallaby, nuts, fruit and seeds to occupy ME or I would have been extremely bored.

I gave HER a good 'Beaking' and then proceeded to eat a large proportion of HER supper, that will teach HER! And yes, SHE did have Vietnamese for lunch for I sniffed a certain smell when SHE was cuddling ME and apologising for being late. 

Apparently the Jeffyre Museum was very busy, there were many students doing research and lots of overseas visitors and yet, it was, as always, a calm oasis and one that is totally unique, there is nowhere else in the world quite like this.

People were sitting on the central lawn and the benches just inside the wall, because finally, old Sun switched on his biggest beam and the day turned out to be very warm.

And throughout London, there were people in t.shirts and no jackets, this makes such a change to their psyche and general demeanor, it is very hard to be grumpy when old Sun is out and about..

And talking of 'out & about'.. that is where WE are going.. yes folks, I am off to the plot today, in MY big travelling cage. When WE get there I will have a roof on it so that I have shade but it will be oh so good to have fresh wind blowing through MY feathers.

Now, I wonder if the 'Under Eleven's' team will be playing today? For I am sure that I will be able to whistle up that 'Referees Whistle' again.. heehee.. that did cause so much chaos and confusion but everyone had to admit.. that, indeedy, I do blow a very fine whistle.

Now WE are off to catch the bus and WE hope that YOU have a happy day. Remember.. all YOU have to do is put YOUR lips together and blow! That's how YOU whistle.. heehee..

GeeGee Parrot.
April 24th, 2013.

SHE FELL IN LOVE TODAY.. WITH A STAIRCASE!

No point in telling ME that I should keep HER at home for WE live in London, one of the most world's most fascinating cities.

The staircase is in the south wing of Somerset House. As YOU come into the central courtyard, YOU will face towards the river, walk across the courtyard and upon entering the building, turn right, walk past an excellent cafe (full of delicious things) and YOU will come to a small side hall. This is where YOU will find this glorious 'floating' staircase, built in the 1780's. 

And, whilst YOU are there, walk back across the entrance hall and along the corridor in front of YOU, at the other end is the 'Nelson Staircase', this is much larger. 

SHE is so happy when people show off their 'treasures', for SHE has been here many times but was not aware of either of these two 'gems'. 

The original medieval building was begun in 1547 for Edward Seymour, the ambitious uncle of King Edward 6th, the young son of Henry 8th, half brother to Queen Mary Tudor and Elizabeth 1st. 

The King was very young, so his uncle proclaimed himself The Lord Protector of England, Duke of Somerset. Long story, cut short. He was hugely unpopular and upon his execution for treason, all of his lands and possessions were seized by the Crown. 

During the time of the English Civil War between the Parliamentarians and the Royalists, it was held and used by General Fairfax, a strange man, born in to huge wealth and privilege, a brilliant soldier, he fought on the side of The 'Roundheads'.

It was he that confiscated the Crown Jewels (and other priceless objects from people from all over the country). They were catalogued and held at Somerset House and then sold at auction in order to fund the army. This list still exists to this day!

And, this is how so much medieval English Silver ended up in Kremlin Museum in Moscow.

He was remarkable because upon the death of Oliver Cromwell, he managed to 'switch' sides and  retained his head upon his shoulders! 

In later times, it was used by the Dowager Queens of England, the last Queen to use it was Catherine of Braganza, wife of Charles 2nd.

History folks.. WE live in a town where all these people lived and loved and died.. and it is all here to be explored, so I can hardly confine HER to the plot, can I?

Tomorrow SHE is off to The Jeffyre Museum, SHE loves this place! It is located on Kingsland Road and SHE will eat at a Vietnamese restaurant close to the museum.. 

SHE will come home with chilli breath! I don't get to go to such places, sigh, when are WE going to visit Tash at Pizza@Home? 

This is HER favourite place to eat pizza.. oh, they are so delicious! I go there because SHE eats there when WE are tired coming back from the plot and 
feel like a treat! 

Tonight was not such a night! But never mind, for WE will go soon, I am sure. So I will dream of crisp crusts and chilli oil.. yum.

GeeGee Parrot.
April 22nd, 2013.

Dark red Gladioli, bright red Crocosmia, palest pink Peonies, black & red Currants and white climbing Roses!

That was what was planted today.. but not just one of each! SHE never plants ONE of anything!

Thirty Crocosmia, seventy Gladioli, three Peonies, four black Currant bushes, five red Currant bushes and two Roses.

SHE crawled down the steps.. on the way home if there had been a magic carpet flying about with its' 'For Hire' sign up.. SHE would most certainly have flagged it down as SHE was mighty weary.

Two long days back to back.. holes dug, paths raked, those evil old briars taken to the dump, four huge Rose trees 'lopped' back.. yes, lopped as it would have been impossible to cut them as their stems were so thick. 

I know this sounds a bit mad, but I hope it is NOT blazing hot this week.. those newly planted bare rooted bushes could do with a week of 'not-so hot' weather whilst they get their toes used to being back in soil.

So would those Fava Beans, aka Broad Beans in England, baby Fava Beans with Garlic and Olive Oil on Fusilli Pasta have to be, without a doubt, one of OUR most favourite things to eat.

YOU can never get it when YOU are eating out unless the restaurant has a wonderful source of these Beans, they are picked when the pods are very little, worth growing them for this dish alone.

Oh, talk about worth growing, SHE saw three fat but very, very short spears of Asparagus! And it is about time too! Because for the past three years, SHE would have been cutting it for two weeks already.

Bad news, Miss Mouse has found herself a place in HER in Constance's Black Book as she has found the Bean, Courgette, Pea and Spinach seeds and eaten the lot! 

Every single packet. SHE had hung them in a bag from a hook in the ceiling, they have always been safe there before.. not this time, mouse has learnt how to abseil...Grrrrr.

Boring, as SHE brought home the trays in which to start the seeds in.. now SHE has to go and buy MORE seeds.

WE are having a very early night as it has been a couple of lonng days.

Good night folks..

GeeGee Parrot.
April 21st, 2013.

SHE HAD AVIAN COMPANY AT THE PLOT.. ROBIN WAS A'HUNTING THOSE CENTIPEDES..

How about that! And SHE stayed out until past seven of the clock.. apparently much work was done, which is good to hear.. as there IS much work to be done if YOU garden 8,000 sq ft!

The home grown Garlic were slotted into gaps where they have failed to make it through the winter.. ugh, makes ME shivver just to remember how cold it was.. the huge pallet that SHE dragged up the path was erected and is now a smart new fence.

No wonder some of HER beautiful fitted jackets don't fit any longer, because do YOU have the back muscles needed to swing a full sized sledgehammer?

SHE does! But SHE didn't before SHE started working this land and making fences but now whack and another post spike goes wallop into the ground, SHE is 'dead-eyed dick' and never has to pull them out to straighten them..

Bill and Jane are back from their working jaunt in America (Arizona and California) with lovely weather, Joska and his friend are back from Spain, Brett is taking a break from teaching China Restoration, the garden was a very busy place and tomorrow, Monday, oh yeah!

Finally the company, that installed the new water pipes, are coming back to repair the track that they damaged so badly, now SHE will be able to trundle back and forth with wheely-barrow. He carries the manure and wood chippings that are used on the raised beds.

Talking of paths.. it is time to mow them! Little mower was put to bed last winter with a greasing of WD40, so should be a'raring to go and tidy up the grass. But first SHE has to drag all those evil briar clippings off to dump site, remembering, I hope, to wear gauntlets.. SHE already has scars all over HER upper arms from a fight that SHE had with a briar.. people who don't know that are very rude and blame ME!

ME, I have to confess that I am being very tricky at the moment, I am not eating much. SHE offers ME everything that I normally eat but no, it is not tempting, I have fruit, nuts, seeds, pellets, some vegetables and a bit of spinach, which will all make a lovely mess when I throw it onto the floor, are YOU sure YOU want a Parrot?

But now SHE must gather HER bones together and go to work.. it is the day of our city's marathan. So the buses will be out of sync, SHE will walk to South Kensington and pick up the route that way. Much to carry means that I am not going.. although it is very bright, it is not that warm and last night when SHE came home, it was very chilly-billy!

So I will stay here and do what I like.. which is probably to doze on bedroom door and snuggle up to Master Wallaby.. he is there to prevent ME from doing 'nibble-nibble' on door frame..

WE wish YOU all a very pleasant day / evening and hope that everything goes well for all of the runners in the London Marathon. TWENTY SIX MILES.. what a long way that is to run.

GeeGee Parrot.
April 21st, 2013.

HOW DOES A PICTACHIO, APRICOT & LEMON CRUST SOUND TO YOU.. ON A ROAST LEG OF SPRING LAMB..

"Yubba dubda du.." now, Barney would eat this, of that, I am sure! 

Dear Reader, don't YOU know whom I am referring to? Well, in that case, Does YOU mama YOUR mother know YOU read Blogs, such as mine! 

Barney was a Flintstone.. hello, are YOU paying attention at the back there, or do WE do have to send YOU off to the Library?

Well, I know most of YOU are up to speed with ME and YOU will all be delighted with the following recipe for Spring Lamb which SHE made for us last year, it has just been found, lurking in a book, it was marking a page. 

Because Apricot season is just around the corner and there has been much talk about these delicious fruits, SHE loves those Royal Blenheims with their marvellous sweet / sour taste! SHE thought this is just what WE all need.. uh huh!

Leigh.. print this off for Ossie, he'll like this one!

Ingredients.. 
Leg of Lamb (2 kilo or 4.5 lbs). 
At least 3 cloves of sliced Garlic.
Olive Oil. 
50g or 2 ozs EACH of GOOD dried Apricots & of Pistachios.
4 tablespoons of freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
Grated zest and juice of 1/2 large lemon. 
Salt and Pepper.

REMEMBER.. MOST IMPORTANT.. 
Take the meat out of fridge at least an hour before starting.

Method..
Pre-heat oven to 200c or gas mark 6. 
Place lamb in roast pan and make incisions in the skin with a sharp knife into which you push the sliced garlic. 
Rub the skin with olive oil and season with slat and pepper.
Place into preheated oven.
Roast for 30 minutes, then reduce temperature to 180c, gas mark 4 for a further hour.

Crust.
Whilst lamb is cooking, finely chop Apricits & Pistachios in blender, stir in the cheese and lemon zest and juice, season.
Remove lamb from oven and press Apricot mixture over the surface of the lamb. Baste with juice from the pan and return to the oven for a further 15 minutes / until crust is golden.

Remove the lamb from the heat and transfer to a warmed plate.
Leave to rest for 10 minutes. Make your gravy from the pan juice.

This is truly scrummydumptious served with new potatoes and a chicory with radicchio salad, WE cannot wait to have it again!

SHE and I are having an early night, SHE has much to do at the allotment this week-end and will be leaving home early tomorrow morning, this is assuming that it is not tipping down with rain!

So folks.. It is "bonne nuit" from ME.

GeeGee Parrot.
April 19th, 2013.

SOPHIA LOREN & PETER SELLERS.. "OH DOCTOR"..

Well.. it is not a great day, is it? With horrifying stories from all around the world of genocide and violence and scenes of terrible destruction.

OUR hearts are sad and WE are sure that wherever YOU are and whoever YOU are.. Happiness and Peace must amongst the words in YOUR prayers to the God of YOUR understanding.

WE, correction, SHE is preparing to be very busy for three weeks, so it is a pleasant change to sit with HER and drink tea.. not LapySang at this time of day.. it is Indian with a very different aroma and taste.

The sitting room looks positively empty, that HUGE pile of ironing dwindled until there were just HER summer work jeans to be done and with a final whoosh of the steamy-iron.. they were folded.

Ha ha.. raining here now but a tray of Fava Beans has gone outside together with a tray of Garlic that SHE grew to fill in the odd one that refused to grow through the winter.

The Lilies of the Valley are sprouting outside with lots more shoots than last year, such a divine plant for it spreads happily and SHE is more than happy for it to do so! 

'Sunburst' Cherry tree has FOURTEEN blossoms on it! Yippee, SHE is very pleased as it is only a baby tree and growing in a small pot by the front door, in June, it will have the central stem cut back hard, SHE is going to 'Espalier' it against the wall. The pretty blossom is pure white, very dramatic against the red brick of the house.

SHE was very sad when reading all the world's press this morning, not HER normal happy self.. so I was doing MY utmost to practise a high grade level Tomfoolery in order to make HER smile, when all of a sudden, there was in our house, a new tune! 

WE suggest that YOU look for it on YouTube, WE know it to be there, WE have just listened to it! 

What a remedy! I am not, in any way, belittling the dreadful things that are happening, but if the thought of terror goes everywhere and enters YOUR home, then YOU are lost. I would rather SHE read a novel or saw friends than sat in fear, so surely 'a doctor' would approve.. do YOU have a clue as to what it is? 

It dates from a gentler, softer time than now and came from a marvellous film which starred Sophia Loren & Peter Sellers, the film was 'The Millionaress'. He is a doctor and she is his patient.. "Oh Doctor, I'm in trouble"..

I have mentioned before that there is a lot of "boom de de boom" sung or whistled in this house when SHE cannot remember words 
or a tune.. well, this song is just perfect, why? Well, "Boom de de 
Boom" are in these lyrics.. WE kid YOU not.. and, yes of course, the song is 'Goodness Gracious Me'.. and one verse goes..

"Can I see your tongue?
Aaah.. 
Nothing the matter with it, put it away please.
Maybe it's my back?
Maybe it is.
Shall I lie down?
Please do.
Aaah.."

"Boom de de Boom.. oh goodness gracious ME".. and it truly IS goodness gracious HER, for SHE has just realised that these lyrics were written by a client of HERS, Herbert Kretzmer, the amazingly talented lyric writer of Les Miserables, etc, etc!

Boom de de Boom, Boom de de Boom, oh Goodness Gracious Me.

GeeGee Parrot.
April 19th, 2013.

JACK & JILL CAME DOWN THE HILL..

Why was SHE not on the plot? I can hear YOU.. SHE looked at the sky and thought.. huh, don't think you can fool ME! 

So whistling up old wicker and an umbrella, SHE went to catch a 319 bus, such a useful route it goes via Clapham Junction to Streatham High Street. Becmead Avenue is where SHE gets off, for here is an amazing shop where there are useful supplies for homes and gardens plus bare rooted plants for 99p!

The new flower bed needs four rose bushes, SHE found 'Dame de Coeur, Queen of England & Joro'. 

Coming out of the store, what was this! There was thunder and lightening with rain lashing the pavement!  

What to do? Simple, next door to the 99p store is a Wimpy.. don't turn YOUR nose up in horror like that! This branch makes an excellent cup of tea and always have a selection of newspapers.

There seemed to be a break in the storm, SHE ran across the street with wicker, a 319 came with an empty spot for wicker to sit, just in time.. for with a "BOOM & CRACK" the sky opened again.

It became as dark as night, very weird.. bus driver said "Sorry folks, this is going to be a very slow journey" as he switched on the lights in the bus.

They crawled down to Clapham Junction.. no one was speeding, but there were lots of police cars making their "whahwhah" sound together with ambulances.. oh dear, not nice at all.

Through the Junction and the back of Battersea Village, the streets awash with water.. oh, SHE was so very glad not to be at the allotment!

But why are Jack & Jill in the title.. well YOU see, SHE had company on this scary journey. A pair of Terriers and their young owner, yes, YOU are right, a pair of 'Jack Russell' Terriers.

Now, today, SHE has checked the weather, always wise to do this in April! More rain is a'comin from the west.. chores to do at home.. emails to write..

Oh, good news on the package front, both Pegeen and Rosamund have reported that their's have both arrived.. so WE say "thank you" to Mister Posty in France and in Germany. Let's hope that Patsy's parcel gets to California as quickly..

Enjoy YOUR day.

GeeGee Parrot.
April 19th, 2013.

NEWS FLASH.. A BUMPER CROP OF ROYAL BLENHEIM APRICOTS IS A'COMING.. REMEMBER YOU READ IT HERE FIRST!

For DEAR READERS in California.. 

A NEWS FLASH straight, as it were, 'off the farm'.

WE have inside information that Mike Cirone is looking to harvest a bumper crop this year of YOUR own, very favourite Blenheim Apricots!

Of course WE will keep YOU up to date with when they will start selling these delicious fruits and at which Farmer's Market.. 

YOU will get to meet Miz Patsy, don't be shy, say "Hello" and tell her how YOU learnt when and where to find them from MY Blog!

Stay tuned and remember YOU read it here first!

Oh.. fruity tootie.. happy days are here again! Yes folks, fruit season is just a couple of months away!

Now.. where is HER naughty Asparagus.. for there is none to be seen.. the ground is too cold.. Buck up ole sun and put your torch on to a more powerful and much stronger beam please.

Time to flap to YumYum HQ.. oh, slurp the durp.

GeeGee Parrot.
April 17th, 2013.

PLEASE MR. BLOGSPOT.. HOW DO I COMPLAIN?

Very silly Blogspot.. 

I noticed a spelling error in a previous post, went into correct it and suddenly.. it jumped like some demented Rabbit.. right to the top of MY Blog!

So now there is a Post from last week up here, the latest Post that YOU should be reading is a News Flash Post about Mike Cirone's 'Royal Blenheim Apricots'.. not about Easter, which is long gone

Anyway.. such is life.. never mind.. dinna fret lass.

Sleepy time for ME.. very late tonight.. and HER.

GeeGee Parrot.
April 17th, 2013.

APPLES ON BEDS.. THINGS IN CUPBOARDS..

Happy Easter to YOU all.. 

WE know Granny Jo to be in NYC.. are a lot of YOU somewhere else for this short break? We know that Pegeen is in Paris.. and that it is mighty chilly-billy in Paris WE hear. 

WE would like to be on HER plots but too cold.. very boring Spring which has not sprung.

WE sent an Easter card of a Parrabbit.. haha.. no, not an April's Fools Joke, someone has photo shopped an African Grey Parrot's head onto a pretty grey rabbit's body.. it is very clever indeedy.

EASTER.. Well.. There was NO Chocolate in OUR house.. I am not allowed it for it would make ME very ick-dick-sick.. it is very poisonous to Parrots and Dogs, if YOU did not already know.

So no Choccy Easter Egg for HER either.. but fear not.. 'cos I found HER with a very smug look on HER face as SHE had opened a packet.. of what, I have no idea. I didn't get to see what it was.. uh.

Anyway.. what did I get.. well, it was a huge, wonderful bag of simply the most deliciously scrummydumptious apples, so tasty! 

And, they all had stalks! It is the first bit of an apple that I like to eat. Snip.. goes Beaky. A nibble here and here, SHE takes it away then and eats the middle bit (the core) because I am not supposed to eat pips, as they have a tiny amount of Arsenic in them.. did YOU know that?

And, WE get to eat them on HER bed.. SHE spreads a sheet over it and then WE can make as much mess AND WE do, as WE like! 

WE also play chase the Almond and catch the Grape.. what a silly pair of Easter Bunnies YOU are thinking.. well, YOU'd be wrong.. because WE are like this all the time.. it does not have to be Easter to be silly in OUR house! That's for sure.

Anyway.. as it is a holiday and the weather is not being at all clement, in fact, it was snowing when SHE looked outside this morning.. WE really do not know what HE is doing 'up here'.. with windy winds from the East splitting the Gulf Stream Air Current in half.. it is too bad and as for that poor bare rooted Black Currant 
bush in the bucket, well, those flowers are going to open soon!

So WE are having a lovely time inside at home.. yesterday was
clean sheets day, bed stripped, remade.. room hoovered, tidied. Then cupboard opened, contents of one shelf at a time taken down at a time and boxes looked into and at! Stuff tossed, stuff sorted and some things laughed at and "oh good" was said several times as a treasure or two was located!

There emerged photos of other birds I don't know, who was 'Beep'? And 'Claude-the-Grate'? SHE did not spell that wrongly, apparently that is a very sweet Tale and he was given that name by HER Hay darling, HER much beloved aunt.. IF YOU have read previous Posts, YOU will recall that it was Hay whose small Burmese Monkey followed her to the Ball at Government House in Madras.

And other photos too.. SHE put some aside.. they have to be copied and sent to New York to Bill's sister. SHE put everything away and 
threw away what SHE had thrown out.

And then for a while, SHE was a little quiet.. one can't live one's life again but if SHE could, well, let's say there are things SHE would have done differently.

Oh.. differently! AHHA.. I will tell YOU something that was happened last night that was MIGHTY different!

Drum roll pleease.. for I put MYSELF to bed at 21.15 hours! 

Yes, I flew onto the top of MY cage.. and climbed inside! SHE, was absolutely dumb-struck! As YOU can well imagine.. I am not saying that it will happen every night but it was ok.. I was sleepy.

Now, that was then and this is now.. and what have WE got for supper in the YumYum HQ.



Pip pip.. flap flap.. bye bye..


GeeGee Parrot.
April 1st, 2013.

A CRATE OF APPLES, A SMALL ALARM CLOCK, A LOVE NOTE & A SONG..

Dear Readers, it is with regret that I confess I cannot read.. 

HER mind, oh yes, but unfortunately not music or words, so all the tunes that I have in MY repertoire I have learnt from HER.

WE have both a cd player and a radio but to learn a tune, it has to be repeated and they don't do that! I rely upon HER for tunes but bless her heart, SHE is not like Bill with his heavenly voice, HER voice goes all over the place and if SHE cannot remember words or the tune, a lot of "do do de doo" is sung or whistled instead..

However, SHE is an ACE whistler!

I have three songs in MY repertoire.. the first is 'Farewell, Adieu' etc from the Sound of Music, this dates from when WE had a very grumpy friend staying for a week and SHE sang it as SHE was so happy when they had gone as there is nothing worse than grumpy guests in a small flat!

The second I learn much more recently, WE wrote recently about Bill playing 'Teenage Wedding' on the piano for Franco, it must have got stuck in HER brain, no matter, for it is a cheerful tune and it was easy to learn!

MY third tune will truly demonstrate exactly how daft Bill and SHE were.. and it involves a crate of apples.. 

A few months after SHE flew home from HER epic trip around America, Bill flew into London for an extended trip to do whatever it was that Bill did. 

He was very busy but they saw each other most nights and in August, he took HER to France to stay with an old colleague and his family, they lived on the Atlantic Coast and with the beach, sea, horses, charming people and lovely food.. it was a very happy week.

But holidays always end, he flew back to Washington and SHE flew back to London. Fast forward to mid autumn and to HER office was delivered a large heavy box.. people asked HER "What is it?" "I have no idea" SHE replied and proceeded to open it only to find.. 

A crate of apples, a small travelling alarm clock set for three AM!! And a note from Bill.. which said "I love you".

But that was it.. No explanation of what the contents were supposed to mean.. YOU can imagine how fast SHE dialled his office number.. but, he was out of town and his secretary said "All I know is what Bill said to tell you.. that the answer is in the song" and roared with laughter!

SONG.. BUT WHICH SONG? Grrrrrr.

Two weeks went by.. with HER scratching head and eating apples..
then a carefully wrapped package arrived from the naughty man himself, it contained a 45 rpm disc with the title hidden under a white label, upon which he had written 'PLAY ME'.. 

YOU get the drift of how daft these two people were!

And this, Dear Readers, is MY third tune.. YOU maybe too young to remember the words but the tune is cute and easy to whistle, here is one verse. Then YOU will understand the significance of his gift.

The tune is called 'Button Up Your Overcoat'.

"Eat an apple every day.
Get to bed by three.
Oh, take good care of yourself.
You belong to me'

I call that MORE than cute..

GeeGee Parrot.
April 17th, 2013.

PRETTY MAIDS ALL IN A ROW..

I don't know how SHE does it? SHE spends months being a bed potato, then old sun shows his face and whoosh.. SHE is off to the garden and works for several hours.

And does not moan about a sore back or stiff knees.. no, SHE just goes to work. There are, in case YOU had not realised the size of the allotment, eight thousand square feet of ground to work.

And, Dear Reader, it is not a case of a little dabble here and a little dabble there.. no, this is serious gardening. All the garlic and onion beds were hoe'd and weeded, the large bed, which will be full of assorted types of beans, was dug over and SHE hand weeded the big asparagus bed.

The peony walk was weeded and lightly worked over with a long handled fork, one of the most useful gardening tools, SHE bought some very beautful dark red gladioli which will go in with the peonies, plus some other bulbs whose name escapes ME.

SHE also dragged a huge pallet up the path, it came off another allotment that was abandoned last year, it will make a very good fence to the left just inside the little foot-path gate.

Gooseberries were pruned, yes, WE know they should have been done earlier but it is only now that the shape can be seen.. snip snip.

Which brings ME to the title of the post. For on the right inside the little foot-path gate, there is a fence and on the other side of this fence is a big long bed.. all ready dug, manured and fertilised for Roses.. and planting them in a zigzag pattern.. today SHE planted LOTS of bare rooted rose bushes, yes, those very same bushes that have been living in our sitting room!  

It was sixteen degrees today.. not hot but warm enough to work in a sleveless t.shirt, at this rate, SHE will have a tan before summer!

I have heard ghastly news.. I am being sent to stay at the aviary in late October.. gulp, SHE is going to stay with a friend who lives in Paguera, this is on the island of Mallorca, grim news but as SHE has not had a holiday for five years, I cannot say anything, can I?

So let's us hope that WE have a pleasant and warm summer here so that I, too, can go to the allotment and maybe.. just maybe.. blow the Referee's Whistle.. SHE wrote a funny Post about this many months ago.. go and read it, for it will indeedy make YOU laugh!

Now it is time for US to crunch chicken bones and lick marrow, well, that is what I will do, I think SHE has plans for making some slightly more sophistocated food than a plate of bones.

GeeGee Parrot.
April 16th, 2013.

LOUIS LATOUR MACON-LUGNY '71

Why is this Post about a white Burgundy? 

Because early in 1973 SHE started to work for a friend of Constance and travelled to America.. HER first stop was Washington. DC. 

SHE had spoken with Bill and asked him to find her a place to stay, however, when he met HER flight he said "Darling, you can either stay with me or with Barbara, it's Nixon's re-election week and there is not a hotel room to be had anywhere".

SHE stayed in him in Georgetown, the re-election week was amazing, they went to lots of Embassy parties, private ones and had a very happy time.

There will be more on Barbara, Nat, Betty and the 'F' Street Club in another Post. 

SHE had to go on and continue HER trip around the USA to justify this BIG wage that SHE was being paid. So.. next stop.. Chicago, Illinois..

Oh.. so cold! SHE did the first day's business, then retreated to the hotel as fast as SHE could to ask the concierge "Where can I get ski clothes?" And the next day, SHE went to work in a ski parka..

The 'things' SHE was looking for were available but at a price. SHE knew why SHE had been hired to do this buying trip, the prices would have been higher if Mona and her colleagues were known to be the buyers. 

Whilst SHE was dealing with this stuff, SHE was thinking of what to send with HER "Thank you" note to Bill. 

He had been so very sweet and extraordinarily generous host.. SHE was in Tiffany's on North Michigan Avenue when 'it' came to HER.

Louis Latour Macon-Lugny '71, a case of this white Burgundy would be perfect.

Then SHE flew down to Dallas on Braniff, YES, it was that long ago.

This is too long a Tale for one Post, SHE gardened in the fresh air so WE are off to bed. Sleepy..

GeeGee Parrot. 
April 14th, 2013.

ICH BIN..

A Stinky Bug.. according to HER!  But I am a clever girl.. because it was not I that went to Balham in thin jeans without several layers of thermal clothing.. 

MY name for HER today is 'daft dolly'.. SHE ironed a pair of cotton jeans, put on ONE thin cashmere sweater, short suede boots with socks (where were the woolly tights? I thought), a woollen parka.. and went to meet Debbie aka Ellie's Dairy at Balham.

That was at midday.. SHE arrived home wet at 3.00pm.. it is now drizzling with fine, wet rain.. the sort that gets YOU cold and damp when YOU think it won't..

But SHE does have two large bottles of fresh and raw Goaty Milk.. so by Monday, WE will have homemade Ricotta Cheese in our fridge.

SHE also found four bare rooted Rose bushes, a 'Joro', two 'Queen of England' and last but not least a 'Dame de Coeur', all of them are hybrids with strong perfumes..

SHE has seen that Bees love these Roses and is doing as much as SHE can to encourage them on to the plots.. sadly, last year their numbers were way down.. WE used to have LOTS of Bumble and Honey Bees all a'buzzing around the Lavender, the Honeysuckles, the Lilies and especially on all the Rosemary and the Melissa, very sad, desperate as so many plants are NOT self-fertile and depend on Bees to pollenate them.

WE are hoping to hear the two packages SHE mailed earlier this week have been delivered.. a packet of flower seeds to Rosamund and a bottle of Black Seed Oil to Pegeen.. the oil was sent recorded, perhaps SHE should have sent the seeds that way also? The seeds made a curious noise, WE do hope no inquisitive postu person has snaffled them for themselves?

Yawn, sorry Dear Readers, no Whoosh game for ME today.. old snoozy place on bedroom door is where I am off to.. SHE has to iron by herself.

GeeGee Parrot.
April 13th, 2013.

THE RAIN IN SPAIN IS ON THE PLAIN BUT WE'RE HAVING A HEATWAVE.. OH, IT IS ALL SO VERY CONFUSING, ISN'T IT?

They told us in the papers, so it must be true for they wouldn't tell us lies, would they? Yes, they said that WE were going to be back.. back, WE haven't been there yet, into double digits temperature wise! Huh.. is all what WE say.

SHE had to run an errand, out SHE went in a waxed jacket, rubber boots, carrying an umbrella and as SHE sploshed HER way up the street, SHE started to laugh, yes, I know SHE is strange, don't worry, I am quite used to it after nearly nine years.. 

Why was SHE laughing? SHE recalled these words from two songs, 'The Rain in Spain stays mainly on the plain', the other 'We're having a heatwave, a tropical heatwave, the temperature's rising, it isn't surprising.. she certainly can can-can'.

It is tipping down with rain here in deepest Knightsbridge.. there are huge puddles everywhere, so it has not just been doing it for a short while. HER Orange trees are looking glossy and fat and have a few tiny flowers buds, do YOU know the smell of Orange Blossom? 

And 'Joro', one of our two Rose bushes at home, has three fat buds! SHE said "hold back, dear girl, WE are still likely to have a visit from old Jack and his evil nip". 

Having shared with ME a mini snack-et of scrambly eggs with some spinach, SHE plans to finish off that ironing, I will snooze on MY favourite door and dream of happy, warm days on the plot.

For, despite what they say in Magazines and on Blogs about gardening jobs and chores that there are to do in April, if it is cold and pouring with rain, there IS absolutely nothing YOU can do.

Why do these weather forecasters tell such 'porky pies'? Answers in MY Comment Box please..

GeeGee Parrot.
April 12th, 2013.

I SPY WITH MY LITTLE EYE.. UGH.. MEAN & SNEAKY FOLK..

Dear Readers, YOU have probably come across a couple (YOU are very lucky if it is only a couple) of these people in your life time.

SHE, unfortunately, has come across more than a couple and SHE recently had an experience which shocked HER greatly. 

This person and I know that I say "that the guilty are always named" but this nutter, for this is what she undoubtedly is, shall be nameless because SHE doubts the woman is sane.

What makes people behave in such an un-attractive fashion? How insecure does someone have to be to make them write mean, very sneaky (and usually untrue) things about people?

So SHE has closed down a Group membership and is not in the least surprised that several women do not wish to join, for several of them are 'discussing', not in a very complimentary fashion, one poor woman that none of them have seen since the mid 60's.

And.. oh lordly when they say things.. well, SHE has to get away from them.. for apart from the fact that it is so unkind.. SHE does not want to know who or what they are gossiping about.

But.. is the best bit.. HeeHee.. have YOU really looked at gossip's faces when their mouths are spilling their vile wares. No? Well, I suggest YOU should if I were YOU! And pay great attention to the look on their faces.. 

For they become like old witches, their eyes become mean and slitty, their vile mouths may 'smile' as they drip their poison, but all in all, they are not a pretty sight to behold.

Now.. think about this as an antidote for the above..

YOU, Dear Readers, have just heard some wonderful news about a dear friend.. what do YOU do? YOU pick the telephone and YOU call them.. to wish them happy times / to congratulate them / to share their news and whilst YOU are doing this.. YOU have a smile on YOUR face and joy in YOUR voice for someone else's happiness.

Take YOUR pick Dear Readers. For it is entirely up to YOU as to which YOU would be known to be.. it is very simple for the choice is, would YOU rather known as a kind friend or a gossip.

It is, as far as I can see, with MY beady eye, a no brainer!

GeeGee Parrot.
April 11th, 2013.

POMEGRANATES.. ONE OF OUR MOST FAVOURITE FRUITS.

I am ONLY allowed to eat them in YumYum HQ, it is because of that Scrummydumptious juice as I am not the tidiest of eaters. Oh.. they are such delicious fruits and their hard skin gives YOU no warning of tightly packed they are with heavenly jewels.

WE eat a lot of them in our house, in salads, with rice, stuffed into meat.. SHE uses them for sweet and sour foods and also in soup.

They are good for YOU, for cleansing the body of un-mentionable things, put Pomegranate into a search engine, YOU will be very surprised, they have an enxyme which is extremely powerful.

But for YOU, Dear Readers, SHE is prepared to give up an old recipe, it came to HER many, many years ago from an Iranian friend of Constance, a much beloved friend who was a glamour puss.. even when birthing sheep and riding one horse and leading two others in pouring rain.. Mona was simply divine!

Mona and Constance were GREAT cooks.. they had learnt their 'basic' skills whilst at school in Ville D'Avray in France, which is where they met, circa 1934. Two young women from different backgrounds and parts of the world who became and remained friends forever.

Mona and her husband lived, in huge style, very near to where SHE lived just before SHE left home, in a BIG house, with hot and cold running staff, HUGE kitchen garden with several greenhouses, which were overseen VERY strictly by Mona, and hot fruit houses! For Persian Apricots and other such things that she would not live without..

There is a saying that SHE has altered to fit around Mona.. YOU will recognise it.. "You can take a girl out of Persia but you can't take Persia out of the girl".

This dish was something that Mona knew SHE loved and after SHE had been exercising horses and cleaning tack, HER much beloved, very grown-up friend always gave HER this for supper.

POMEGRANATE SOUP..

2 chopped large onions. 1/2 cup of well rinsed yellow split peas

1 cup chopped spring onions (scallions). 1/4 cup chopped mint

2 cups chopped fresh coriander. 2 cups chopped fresh parsley

3/4 cup well rinsed rice. 2 cups pomegranate juice

1 tablespoon sugar. 2 tablespoons lemon juice

2 tablespoons angelica powder - from Iran food shops.

1teaspoon turmeric. 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper.

6 cups of water. 2 tablespoons olive oil.

500 gms of ground - very finely minced - lamb.

Into a large, heavy bottom stockpot, sauté onions in olive oil until golden. Add split peas, water, salt, pepper & turmeric and bring to the boil. Lower heat and simmer (covered) for 30 minutes. Add parsley, coriander, mint and spring onions (scallions).

Roll lamb into small balls and place gently into stock, add rest of seasoning ingredients. Allow 45 mins to finish cooking. This was always served with rice. 

Constance is long gone to the Great Kitchen Garden in the sky. Mona is widowed and lives in Switzerland. Beloved by countless people of all ages, she travels and works for a famous charity.

Aged 96, she is as sharp as a tack and still glamourous. 

GeeGee Parrot.

April 11th, 2013.

SCARLET CONSOMMÉ.. Finding the treasure & stock making.. part two.

So there YOU are, YOU had the chicken and it was delicious but YOU are wondering where the Scarlet Consommé is, aren't YOU? 

It is not good to put warm meat into a fridge, so SHE always leaves the covered pan on the work surface to cool over night and what did SHE find this morning when SHE went to make us our morning mug of LappySang?

There was the remains of the bird with a few potatoes and a red beet and the fat and juice from the bird had jellied. No one ever said OUR kitchen was hot! Remember, it is still pretty chilly here! 

SHE scrapped off the chicken fat and put into a dripping dish but what was this? For underneath the layer of fat was a thick layer of crimson chicken jelly!

Oh.. such excitement! SHE tore the remaining flesh off the carcass and bagged it up into the fridge.

The carcass went into a stockpot which already had last night's bones in it, SHE scrapped every last bit of crimson jelly into the pot. Plus the last beet and half filled the pot with fresh water.

Pot was put onto a rolling boil.. for at least three hours, if it is not boiled for a long time YOU will not get proper stock, bones need time to give up their secret goodness, which is their gelatine!

Much mumbly-mumbling over that pot was mumbled.. Until SHE announced that it was, in HER mind, ready. The level had shrunk considerably, what was left was much less than normal and it was very thick, glossy and very crimson.

SHE strained the liquid through a very fine sieve and set it to cool, then the dish was placed in the fridge. 

Doubtless a Michelin starred or suitably famous Chef somewhere in the world does produce this but SHE has never seen it on a menu or gazed at such a thing.

A dish of delicately flavoured, crimson chicken consommé.. a glorious sight to behold, that is for sure. And SHE gave YOU the recipe, gratis.. for free.. no fee at all..

People ask HER why SHE gives away HER knowledge and tricks 
for free, people have even been known to try and take advantage of HER. SHE's not stupid.. just try and get HER to do something SHE does not want to do.. oh ho.. fat chance.. good luck! 

SHE smiles sweetly, says "no, that does not fit with MY plans".

To make regular Stock of any kind.. take bones and bring to the boil, skim off any froth, add a bouquet garni, pepper, NO salt and allow to boil for several hours. SHE is lucky that Dickinson's, HER Butchers always have trays of bones for a £1.00! 

Most weeks in YumYum HQ, YOU will find a HUGE stockpot on the go, SHE might take some to cook some Bulgar Wheat or rough Semolina if Dumplings are on the menu, it reduces until the boneshave released their treasure and the stock has a great taste. 

Always allow it to cool naturally, pour it into ice cubes and freeze, this way YOU always have it to hand for making, for a cup of stock with some rice noodles and maybe a sliced Spring Onion with a grating of fresh Ginger. 

Whatever YOU want to eat, is made easy to have something tasty and quick.. IF YOU have taken the trouble to make Home Made Stock.. try it and see.

GeeGee Parrot.

April 11, 2013.