I absolutely adore asparagus and love that throughout May we get to eat spears that have been grown in British soil. I also love that I can buy it for a reasonable price from the market, wrapped with a paper label and secured with an elastic band. It's a little bit weird to admit that I actually daydream about this vegetable, its bizarre how much it occupies my thoughts at this time of year.
My favourite way to cook it is to oven roast it - drizzle the spears with a little olive oil and use hands to shimmy it all around and get those spears completely coated in oil. Place them in a single layer in an oven proof dish, season well with salt and pepper, then pop in a hot oven (210 C / 400 F ) oven for about 12 mins or until lightly golden and tender. If I have feta cheese in the fridge, I like to crumble a little of that over the asparagus before it goes in the oven. Eat immediately whilst piping hot, I like to eat mine straight from the oven dish with my fingers, I can't even seem to wait to get this veg onto a plate, I love it so much. I am drooling as I write this.
May is definitely the month of green greenery, everything is so lush and fresh-looking and there are new leaves everywhere I look. I walk past this beautiful beech hedge many times a day and those vibrant leaves always beg to be touched and admired, they are so showy-offy!
The bluebells are here, yiipppeeeeeeeee! Such beauty in the woodlands, we went on a family walk last weekend to immerse ourselves in the glorious colours, it was so lovely. I went a bit bonkers with my camera and took a shed load of pictures - every image filled with green and blue and sunshine and shadow. I'll share them with you in a day or two...
Oh my Harmony blanket is giving me so much pleasure, it also occupies my thoughts a huge amount (competing with asparagus and bluebells and fresh green leaves!) I am on the home-stretch now and this afternoon I'm hoping to finish making the last of the 126 squares. I cannot wait to get myself on The Edge of this beauty (a Harmonious Edge), I am very, very, very excited about that prospect.
We have had a terrific amount of rain this month, we are sloshing around in puddles almost every day it seems. Occasionally the dark grey clouds briefly chase away and we are left with a spell of clear bright sunshine, it feels like such a treat. Our school run is delightful at this time of year, the light is magical when the sun decides to shine. I took this photo on Friday last week - today we were back to puddle-jumping with heads down against the rain :(
I have really, really enjoyed the blossom this year, just as I do every year. It is pretty much all gone now, the pavements and pathways are covered in petal confetti. I wish the season lasted longer.
Raindrops on alchemilla leaves stopped me in my tracks this morning as we dashed out the front door on our way to school......
....as did this snail. It's amazing the things that make us late for school, raindrops and snails and baby ducklings being this week's culprits.
I am busy working in my studio again this week, with beads and yarn, camera and computer. Crocheting and photographing and writing patterns and tutorials.
I loved your enthusiasm for the little Solid Squares in my last post, ((thank you)), you lot are just wonderful and you make me happy. So I've been photographing a tutorial for you this morning, using the wide windowsill in my studio which has been pretty much perfect for the job. I need to make up a bunch of squares now so that I can show you my joining method, hopefully I can get that done in the next day or two. It's on my mind to make a glorious little patchwork cushion with these squares, I can picture it, can you??
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I just adore your blog. The photos are always stunning, getting to peek at a place I may never see. Your sense of color thrills me. I just discovered roasted asparagus this Spring and it is divine. I have cooked it the way my husband likes it for 24 years and have never enjoyed it. So now I can cook some for him and some for me :) Adding the Feta is pure genius! Thank you for the happy walks and color-filled projects.
Posted by: Debbie | May 29, 2015 at 03:46 PM
Loved your blog about asparagus. when I was just a wee girl, we had them growing wild in our yard...Many fond memories of grazing on them (raw) whilst playing in the yard.
No such luck now, but do so enjoy this time of year when they are sensibly priced!
Also love your pics of your lovely walks - and always feel almost as if we are walking along with you!
Such beautiful work! Someone asked if your blanket was too challenging for a novice - Your Blooming Cushion was one of my very first projects when I re-started crochet after a 20+ year layoff...and it remains one of my very favs!
Your tutorials are so excellent a rank beginner can follow them with excellent results every time!
Thank you again for all you do for all of us across the whole world! We surely do love you, Lucy!
Posted by: Carol D | May 28, 2015 at 06:12 AM
All the things in your blog are wonderful! I always look at the blossom-covered pavements and grass and think they look very Japanese. Love asparagus (sadly my family don't appreciate it) (still, more for me!) - tried planting some last year in my allotment but it doesn't seem to be doing anything. My craft is patchwork quilt-making, and although I always have one in progress I'm not getting much time with it at the moment - so much else is happening with son's GCSEs and consequent moodiness (that's putting it mildly), work, the allotment to weed, dig, and plant etc. Still, might get some time for it today.
Thanks for sharing your special daily moments.
Posted by: Sue Jones | May 23, 2015 at 10:54 AM
oh! and I meant what I said as a compliment to you. I wish I had your energy.
Posted by: melissa | May 22, 2015 at 07:19 PM
We are only about two years apart in age, and I CAN NOT IMAGINE still having little ones at home. Where in the world do you get the energy at this time of life? I guess working full time all these years and raising kids at the same time, probably didn't help my energy level at all. But still, much as I adored my babies, I'd shoot myself if I got preggers again. mmmm, love love fresh asparagus no matter what soil its grown in. Looks delish!
Posted by: melissa | May 22, 2015 at 07:17 PM
Lovely to meet you in Skipton today. I enjoy all your blogs and having been up to the Dales I can one imagine it all much more clearly. Although we have scenery down here it is usually with a small 'c' whereas the Dales It is scenery with a capital 'C' !
I will definitely be making a blanket and look forward to the pattern for the solid squares with instructions for joining them.
Hope to be back in Skipton soon.
Keep on with the studio etc.
Posted by: Bernie Birkett | May 22, 2015 at 05:18 PM
Hello Lucy, Mmmmmm yes I love asparagus too, they were saying on the radio yesterday that this year has been a bumper harvest for asparagus, the more the better!! Looking forward to the new tutorial. xx
Posted by: Denise Marshall | May 22, 2015 at 01:07 PM
Hi Lucy. I love your work. I recently bought your ripple blanket pack and am so enjoying crocheting it. Do you have a pattern or tutorial for your gorgeous lamp shade in one of your photos of 22 February? It is so very pretty and would love to do one for my granddaughter.
Thank you for your wonderful blog and all your tutorials. I have made many of your things. Lovely xxx
Posted by: Lydia | May 22, 2015 at 07:49 AM
Hello Lucy!-Attic24... Want to say to you that your blog is very beautifully contagious! I look forward to seeing your pictures that paint your neat home and personality..... Just finished the Granny stripe blanket just as you sequenced your colors as I had to make one like yours. I ordered your pack and loved the way the yarn came packaged.... So great! I heart it as soon as I opened the box. The blanket came out so gorgeous if I may say. This blanket will be a memory of my mum as she helped me wind the yarn into balls. She much enjoyed the colors as she also loves color! Thanks for the pattern and for posting the colors in sequence.
I will be trying feta cheese on my asparagus and the other bloggers additives sound great as well.
So happy to have found your site and thanks for all your hard and thoughtful work. Much appreciated all the way from Texas!
Posted by: Estella | May 22, 2015 at 01:25 AM
I took some photos of Bluebells yesterday on my walk. I'll probably add the photo to my blog eventually. Joan at www.aviewtothefells.com
Posted by: Joan Jepson | May 21, 2015 at 06:42 PM
This is really a great time of year for colour and lovely veg. I like the squares - looking forward to the tutorial.
Posted by: Gillian | May 21, 2015 at 02:00 PM
Ok, I now need to go buy some asparagus! Love your blog posts. I'm a beginner but working my way through my first cushion after being inspired by you. Would love to try this blanket afterwards - is that too ambitious for a novice? Can't wait to see the finished blanket x
Posted by: Gill | May 21, 2015 at 01:22 PM
Oh I so envy you being able to buy such fat gorgeous fresh asparagus at a reasonable price! Here in South Africa, it is soooo expensive all year round, not on my weekly shopping list I am sad to say ... loving your Harmony blanket too!
Posted by: Pat | May 21, 2015 at 07:46 AM
I'm fairly new to this page but I absolutely adore your patterns! I can hardly wait for the tutorial or pattern for the Harmony blanket. My teenager is alresdy planning what she wants made for her room from your site! Love your pictures. You definitely have a fan in Texas!
Posted by: Donna | May 21, 2015 at 04:38 AM
Yay for asparagus season! You have to try this recipe for shaved asparagus pizza: http://smittenkitchen.com/blog/2010/05/shaved-asparagus-pizza/. It's so delicious! Enjoy your spring!
Posted by: Camille in Seattle | May 20, 2015 at 07:35 PM
Thank you for your beautiful, colorful view of the world!
Posted by: Julia Powers | May 20, 2015 at 05:39 PM
As always a beautiful post with lovely pics! Like you I adore asparagus. They are great no matter how you cook them. The bluebells are so delicate. Such beauty is found in every flower. I love roses and right now I have two roses on my computer desk that have such huge blooms. Man they are so big and beautiful!! I look forward to the tutorials you have been working so hard at! Much love to you! XXXX
Posted by: Robin Summers | May 20, 2015 at 04:01 PM
I think I must be the only one who thinks asparagus are overrated. To be honest: they taste Allright, but I dislike the threads in my mouth and I particularly don't like the smell of my pee the 24 hrs after eating them either... ☺️ Too bad, though, because you so enjoy them, sounds like my loss. 😢
Looking forward a lot to your solid square tutorials, hooray! Feels like top service, that you do them for us on request!
Posted by: Danielle | May 20, 2015 at 12:17 PM
I never cook asparagus, but I am going to now - exactly as you suggested! (Crispy curly kale is a standard in our house now, thanks to you!)
Isn't it great how nature puts purple and green together a lot?! The perfect combo, I'd say.
Posted by: Claire | May 20, 2015 at 11:33 AM
Oh by jove, you are not alone in your love for those green veggies! I like to wrap a piece of parma ham around mine, then either cook on a hot griddle or do in the oven much as you do yourself. They are also nice with a bit of parmesan flaked over the top when they come out...Im sure you will be inundated with lots of asparagus recipes now! :D
Love your blanket Lucy, it is making my fingers itch to start another one!
Love, Julia xxx
Posted by: Julia Crossland | May 20, 2015 at 11:31 AM
I share your love for asparagus Lucy, and now I'm going to try cooking as you suggest as it sounds wonderful! I tend to roast most of my veg as it's my most favourite way. Enjoy today, Sam xxx
Posted by: Sam Roberts | May 20, 2015 at 10:18 AM
Such a lovely post, and wonderful photos! I am relieved, I have to say, to see that you too are preoccupied by asparagus. I love it too, the green one especially. So much so that I couldn't resist recently to paint an asparagus field - not quite as pretty as the stalks, but still - and now I am thinking that you might like it (it's behind the link). Oh, and I'm going to start my own granny square project soon, so exciting! You have truly inspired me!
Posted by: Antje | May 20, 2015 at 09:57 AM
Asparagus, especially the white, is the best. Do they sell the white in the UK, too? Will there be a tutorial for your harmony blanket? It Looks great so far.
Posted by: Kokopelli | May 20, 2015 at 09:31 AM
dear lucy. Theres a lovely blubell walk not too far from you at Cowan Bridge. Put Leck into the computer and it will give you a map. Just do the woodland part. Its especially nice in the early evening rather romantic and slightly mysterious.Nearer to home theres the canal banks on the Keighley side of Skipton. You can park in the laybye and walk up to the tow path lots of new beech leaves too.Very much looking forward to the harmony blanket for my autumn project. Its too hot here in Andalucia for blanket crochet. Enjoy the rain I say, we wont have any for the nest few months. Nice to live in a place where we wake up in the night and think, oh goody rain. Lots of love Freddy
Posted by: freddie | May 20, 2015 at 07:55 AM
I have nomiated you for the Sisterhood of the World! blogger award. If you are interested in participating, you can find the rules here: https://piggiesplace.wordpress.com/2015/05/20/sisterhood-of-the-world/
Posted by: Piggie | May 20, 2015 at 07:42 AM