So much news

First may I say to you all...

Happy National Allotments Week!

http://www.nsalg.org.uk/news-events-campaigns/national-allotments-week/

The society only covers England and Wales but I am not about to let that stop me from celebrating my Plots! Okay so there are lots of events lined up for those who do live in those countries but it doesn't mean we can't all love our little patch even more and maybe allow ourselves a bit of cake so something ;)

***************

In fact, though it was in hindsight a really daft thing to do, I visited my plots this very morning. I got a great haul of broad beans and some flowers for posies in the house. Was it worth the horrendous panic and now the exhaustion?? The jury is out. But in Maggie's case Yes, yes it was worth it, so much to sniff :)

***************

It's this very blog's 6th anniversary on Friday and I am hosting my very own giveaway. My giveaway isn't too fancy, I'm really not great a approaching companies for freebies. So this is a much more personal affair. I shall be giving a lovely book 'How to Grow Food - A wartime guide' with a personal book plate to glue into it, also a few of my own little greetings cards (from my online shop).

 The entry for it starts today and the winner will be announced on Thursday. The competition is open to  all - simply leave a comment and an address of some sort to help me contact you should you be victorious.

***************

This humble blog has also been nominated for blog award alongside some fabulous people. I am not one who goes all into for these things but just once in a while it feels nice to feel you're good at something. Everyone chosen is good in their own right and no matter who wins I shall be happy that easysheds.co.uk has done this for us.

If you do feel the love however... Here is where you can vote for my work.



*blush*

Love and hugs
Carrie xx

the great onion challenge

So it all started when Bill grew some 'Kelsae' onion seeds and each participant was given 6 seedlings each, all from that one batch. They were planted and then the secrets began, the 'special' fertilisers that people won't share, the fleece to protect them, the placement of the seedlings and what soil they were put in and goodness knows - the type of persuasive loving chats that each person has with their potential winners?, I wouldn't be surprised.

Oh I love the camaraderie of it all, the sneeky glances and the questions over whether the prize should go to the biggest one, or the heaviest one. Do they need to be trimmed and tied up according to the RHS show rules and more importantly -WHO exactly is the judge going to be???

There are far more people involved in this challenge than I have photos for and you will notice I have taken the pictures from different angles and some are close ups - just so you can't tell for sure whose looks best.

The big day must be coming up soon but this is a boy's game and I'm just watching from the side lines (though of course I know where my loyalties lie, haha).

Any tips for making your onions big and heavy (without cheating!) would be greatly appreciated. Thanks xx

Oh and the prize? some beer probably, a WEE CUP! and the knowledge amongst the lottie community that yes, you were the best in 2010!!

Dougie's

Our's (the best maybe, hehehe)

Stephen's ~ one of which is stuck in the yellow tube and is now a leek of sorts instead :)

Ronnie's

Colin's (he has a cheeky hidden one too that is rather big)

Bill's

News just in : there are 2 sections to this competition.

1- the biggest (weight) onion

2- the best pair (closest matching) out of the 6.

The competition is fierce my friends and I shall of course cover the big day for you. Including an interview with the winner perhaps!!

Mingling with the hoi poloi

Yesterday Andrew and I had lunch with the Mayor in the Town Hall. Sounds very fancy and really is was very nice. We weren't alone though (we aren't that important), instead we were part of a large group of winners and runners up in the Carrickfergus in Bloom competition. Oh, the photos in the papers and the acolade of winning Best Kept Alloment of the year 2009 wasn't enough, no, we also had a gorgeous lunch, a certificate, a gift bag, Lottie book and our fabulous vouchers for the local nursery. Then again, there were another few photos taken for the papers; our 15 mins of fame is over.

It had been a very long time since I had been in the main hall of the Town Hall. I used to do solo singing when I was wee there, for the Music Festival. I always came 4th every year ( 5th once) - which is great but I never once got a prize or a certificate. Wick. I remember one year I was the 149th (last) person to sing, everyone was so bored and it ended up with most of the audience singing the bloody song with me! Can't blame them, sitting listening to that may kids sing the same song that many times I would go insane now.

So, to me the Hall was tiny, not the huge venue it was when I was 6-11yrs old. There were people from all over the brough and the whole age range too. We had a lovely elderly couple at our table who came second in the' Container Gardens' section and the winner of the 'Childrens' Painting Competition', Gemma, and her parents.

We had a very tasty lunch and red wine (yummy) and a short speech by the Ulster Co-ordinator of Ulster in Bloom, Ken. He spoke about how he was visiting his doctor recently and she asked wheater he was still in the post, telling him that gardening wasn't just good for you physcially but mentally too. I nearly jumped out of my seat I was so happy. Had to go over to him and have a wee chat. I've said it before.....Ecotherapy Rocks!!

It was fun, we have to try really hard to at least be runners up next year and get to go back. Oh and Stephen if you're reading this.... I didn't get a name badge and my name isn't on the certificate!! Shame.

For all the winners, runners up and a chance to see Gemma's fab painting check here.

The Garden Society's Competition Day (Alloment entries this year!)

The Carrickfergus Garden Society's 52nd Flower Show was held on 15th August 2009. Andrew and I just happened to be in the town center and though we personally didn't exhibit anything, we were very interested in the competition and wanted to support those from the Lotties with their entries. We dandered around to the War Memorial Hall and although early (the judges were still doing their thing) we were warmly welcomed by Myrtle (yep, she of the lotties and last years chairwoman) who is also on the committee for the Garden society. It was like getting press passes (okay it's only a flower show in Carrick, not a big international musical festival, but it still felt good) and we had free coffee! A couple of other friendly faces were there too - Ivan and Phil, who were stewards for the day.

Ivan, Andrew, Phil and Myrtle

Anyway, as soon as the judges left the hall Andrew and I were in. Straight over to the Veggie section and snap, snap, I took my photos. It was fabulous, such old town charm to see people displaying their flowers and veggies, jams and cakes. We spotted a good number of Eden lottie people's names and lo and behold lots of those same names had won prizes!! I was so proud. Ronnie, Myrtle, Mary and Godfrey were just some I noticed - Congratulations to them.

Look at the cups! Who wouldn't want one of those.

Unfortunately we couldn't stay long as our car parking ticket was running out but boy was I impressed by my 1st ever show. Plus, even though I say it myself, a lot of our own lottie produce could have won a prize too had we been bothered to enter. We generally just eat everything!

Parsley plants looking like Bonsai trees

I leave you with a couple of non-veggie entries..