Spring Gardening

Garden picThe Garden in Spring

Weather in March dictates what work can be started in the garden.

In Ireland night frost can damage early seedlings and so raised beds should not be planted with salads etc until later in the month.

Greenhouses will benefit from frost protection ( i.e. covers and heating) to help with early seeding of summer bedding flowers.) Lawns and grassy areas can be topped and will probably need a treatment of sulphate of iron and general fertilizer (7-6-17) to encourage growth later in the year and keep moss at bay.

Shrubs, climbing frames and hedges can be cut back before growth and nest building begins and the vegetable patch will benefit from a dig to expose the clay to early morning frost.

Pots and tubs are  flowering since early Feb with early spring flowers: Violas, Primulas, daffodils and tulips. They will be OK until mid May when the summer planting is due. Garden furniture can also be given a facelift.

A verse often quoted by my grandparents comes to mind at this time of year:

The kiss of the sun for pardon

The song of the birds for mirth

One’s nearer Gods heart in a garden

Than anywhere else on earth.

Wishing you happy gardening for the coming year.

Fresh Fish

 

Fish ShopLocated on the harbour at Clogherhead, the Fishermans Catch Fish Shop is open year round, 7 days a week between the hours of 9.00am – 6.00pm, including bank holidays.The fish sold in the shop could not be fresher as it is delivered directly to the shop from their own boat Argonaut IV, as soon as it returns to harbour. A wide variety of white fish is caught — species that are available for sale in the shop, including haddock, whiting, pollock, hake, ling, cod, plaice, lemon sole, monkfish, gurnard, red snapper, john dory, brill, turbot, squid plus numerous other seasonal species.  The shop also stocks a good range of locally sourced shellfish.Fish can be purchased in the shop either as whole fish or filleted, which is done on the premises.  If you prefer, your selected whole fish can also be filleted to order.

 

Fish Pie

Fishermans Catch Fish Piefish pie

Ingredients

  • 900g of chowder mix (Sold in the Shop)
  • 700g of potatoes
  • 1 pint of milk
  • 4oz of frozen peas
  • 1 onion chopped
  • 2oz of butter
  • 2oz of flour
  • 4oz of grated cheese
  • 1 tablespoon of wholegrain mustard (optional)

 

Cooking Instructions In a pot add the chowder mix and chopped onion and cover with milk. Bring to the boil and drain. Set aside the fish and drained milk.

In a pot melt the butter and add the flour. Add the drained milk and slowly bring to the boil, and then add the grated cheese and wholegrain mustard. To this add the part cooked chowder mix and frozen peas. Place in an oven proof dish.

Place peeled and chopped potatoes into a saucepan and boil for 8 minutes. Drain and add butter and milk and cream together. Cover the dish of chowder mix with the cooked potato and sprinkle with grated cheese. Bake for 20 minutes at 200°C.

Serve with crusty rolls.

 

Chinese Chicken Curry

Chicken Curry

Ingredients:

3 chicken breasts cubed

1 onion chopped

2 tsb Garam Masala

1 tsb ground coriander

2 tbl sp curry paste

Ginger

3 cloves garlic

100g apricots chopped

2 peppers chopped

4 apples chopped

Tin chopped tomatoes

Chicken stock

Fry in pan or bake in oven  the chicken cubes till cooked ( 20 mins)

Heat some oil in saucepan and add the onion ,ginger,and garlic . sweat for 2 mins then add the garam masala coriander and fry for another minute. Add the peppers and curry paste. Pour in  chicken stock and simmer, also add the tomatoes apricots and apples.simmer for about 20 mins till apples are soft.

Liquidise the cool mixture if required and then add the cooked chicken to the mix

Allow to simmer for 10 mins before serving with naan bread and long grain rice.

Spirituality

Ch'iCh’i.….The ancient Chinese described it as “life force”.

Ch’i can be best defined as the name given to the life process or flow of energy that sustains all living beings. The Sanscrit (a sacred language used by Hindus and Bhuddists) defines it as  “ Life Force”. Ancient civilizations believed ch’i permeated everything and linked our surroundings together. They likened it to the flow of energy around and through the body, forming a cohesive and functioning unit.

So can we relate spirituality and ch’i ? Pondering the origins of spirit and of ch’i feeds very much into the need in the human psyche for a sense of belonging. There is a logical need in all of us to belong. To be more than the physical, to hope for more than what we experience in our human existence.

Religions, Sects, Prophets and Philosophers have all addressed this need to a greater or lesser extent. Some seek proof of a greater existence and some seek to prove the existence of spirit or soul  with arguments of logic or faith.

But how are we to explore the possibility that a greater life force exists or that we are a part of a greater entity?

What part do religions, dogma and faith play in helping understand this great mystery? and where should we go for inspiration?

Hobbies

Hobbies

In the Hobbies section explore the sub menu items below of Golf, Soccer, Gardening, Photography and Art. share your opinions and add any tips you may have by clicking on the red comments button.

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Doonbeg Links

Mulligan Cup

The Mulligan Cup

In October 2015 there was a great weekend in Dromoland and Doonbeg links in Co Clare. The Mulligan Family Cup changed hands.

The trophy is competed for annually with two rounds of stable ford competition off full handicap. Visitors are welcome to compete for prizes but only family members may compete for the cup.

The winner selects the following years venue.

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