Friday Favourites: Peonies and Strawberries

 

After dinner this evening, (grilled chicken, potatoes and carrots bundled in foil and cooked on the grill, and coleslaw), I spent some time in the garden. Birds sang sleepy songs as the light softened. Everything is looking lush and green. Now, nearing 9 pm, the sky is streaked with backlit clouds along the horizon. 

I so look forward to peonies in May. There are several varieties in the garden and they bloom at different times. I love their extravagant ruffles and slightly spicy scent. I'm so pleased that there are plenty of blooms so I can cut bouquets for the house. 

Now that my book is finished, I'm doing some serious cleaning. My sewing room, which is also my writing studio, has suffered from a lack of tidiness recently so I spent two afternoons pulling things off the shelves, reorganizing the cupboards, dusting and vacuuming. It looks and feels so much better. I have another storage cupboard that needs the same treatment and I'll start that soon. 

A friend of a friend stayed with us for five days recently. She lives in another province and was in town for a garden tour, but needed emergency surgery. She stayed with us until she was able to fly home. I found myself cooking differently to accommodate her diet and made some old favourites from my growing up years. Scalloped potatoes, homemade macaroni and cheese, hamburger gravy on mashed potatoes, baked custard, and bread pudding. I enjoyed it all, but the first meal I made for the two of us was Shrimp Creole which has punchier flavours. It made me think about how my cooking has changed over the years. 

"I'd like to add some beauty to life," said Anne dreamily. 

"I don't exactly want to make people know more...

I'd love to make them have a pleasanter time 

because of me...to have some little joy

or happy thought that would never have existed 

if I hadn't been born."

L. M. Montgomery (Anne's House of Dreams)

I've been reading the third book in A. J. Pearce's Emmy Lake series, set during the Second World War in London. Emmy works in a magazine office and it's a fun and unique setting. There are four books in the series; I've read three and will be looking for the fourth. Very enjoyable!

We watched Remarkably Bright Creatures recently. I had no expectations and didn't know what it was about. It's heartwarming and lovely, a very easy movie to watch, and told from a distinctly different perspective. There is a book upon which the movie is based, but I've not read it. 

Strawberries are ripening! The price of local berries in the stores is eye-watering and I am glad that we grow enough for the two of us. They are sweet and juicy. We enjoy them with our breakfasts. I like to freeze some in two-cup amounts for fruit sauces and desserts in the winter. So far, just one bag has made it to the freezer. 

I wish I spoke bird so I could have a little chat with the ones who are pecking at a few of the berries, but leaving the majority of the berry behind. "Bird," I would say, "you are welcome to a few of the strawberries, but please finish eating what you start. Wasting food is not ideal." 

Tomorrow we are meeting friends for brunch at a local restaurant, and on Sunday afternoon, another group of friends is joining us here for a barbecue. Tomorrow is also my parents 71st wedding anniversary. My mother says she can hardly believe it! 

June is just around the corner and I've included one photo of a rosebud that will soon join many others in bringing colour and beauty to the month.