I think this year is going to be a good year for apples. We have a magnificent bramley which gives us, in a good year, about 800 apples plus two eaters. These haven’t been great croppers over the last five years but this year they are laden and the fruit is spectacularly sweet.
In addition the Financial Broker and the Journalist have bought a house in Streatham in need of a lot of work – I’ve been hacking back their small garden this week while builders carry out an internal strip out – and in the garden there is a wonderful eater with an ancient and rather dominated plum and an equally ancient and heavy cropping fig. These need cutting back because they’ve been left to pretty much take over the garden but I’ll go round with the Lad this coming week for his expert advice on what to do. Meanwhile we picked off a basket full to bring home and enjoy (Vicky has the figs as they are a bit soft and ideal for her).
It’s been a quiet week, for me. I’ve been back editing my fantasy novel (part one) Pearl Barley and the Surge of the Spirits which has been enjoyable and constructive. Meanwhile my editor, Esther has returned the Diary of a Trainee In-law for the final time before it is published. I haven’t looked at her latest suggestions yet – hopefully not much work. And a generous beta reader has returned the fourth part of the Harry Spittle sagas, The Labours of Harry, which sees our hero dealing with the issues of unwanted management responsibilities at home and work during the election campaign in 1997 when Tony ‘Warmonger’ Blair came to power. From a glance at his mail, there are some cracking suggestions for me to get my teeth into.
I hope that the launch of the Diary of a Trainee In-Law will be during September. If anyone wants a advanced review copy to generate an honest review alongside the launch, that would be marvellous. It’s not a long book, more a novella if that helps.
The Textiliste is becoming busier as this year’s Quilt Show approaches rapidly. Not only has she her own entries to finish, including a competition quilt she has made with a friend inspired by a Frank Llyod Wright stained glass window but Friday was the deadline for the contributors to provide her with the final details of their quilts so she can finalize the hanging scheme. It amazes me she lets the contributors leave it so late before she determines which quilt goes where but, every year she has curated the show she has managed to achieve her goals, even if she takes the ‘just in time’ mindset to its limits and beyond. I am in awe.
One delight of the competition quilt, and here is a sneaky peak, is when it is back lit, as would the original be. As the light permeates the three layers the effect is truly stunning and remarkable.
Meanwhile Dog is enjoying the lower temperatures and our loofa like lawn for some deep exfoliation…
TanGental 
Oh! I do love that quilt , the Textiliste is amazing to have the talent and the patience to curate!
The fruit crop looks amazing both in your garden and the Broker and Journalist’s garden…you have your full sorting that garden! Good luck! Well done on the writing front so much going on a d your on top of it! I loved the Diary of a Trainee In-law and would happily write a review, my sister also loved it too she read my copy while recovering from a bout of gout…she said despite the pain she said it was a laugh out loud hoot! Love to Mylo from Ruby 💜💜
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Thanks so much; as soon as I have it sorted I’ll be back in touch and if your sis wants to join in that would be delightful too
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Oh! She will she really loved it so much like me .
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Lucky to have such a beautiful fruit tree in your yard. The quilt is amazing.
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it is, isn’t it; I’m very lucky to share a house with someone so talented. And the fruit trees are fab. How are you, given the awful flood news we read about. What’s the best way to help, from afar? The Red Cross?
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Things are awful in many parts of the country. Many organizations are helping people. We don’t see any actual presence of the Red Cross here. But Eidhi foundation is very visible and reliable. Thanks for your concern
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I would share those figs with Miss. Vicky, please. The quilt is remarkable even without the back lighting.
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it is totally awesome, I must own. some talent. And Vicky may be prepared to share. I’ll ask
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What a lot of fruit. And such a beautiful quilt. Good luck with the editing.
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thanks; I look forward to editing, unlike some so it won’t be a chore.
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That’s good!
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Promising apples and wonderful quilt
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it should be a good year
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What a gorgeous quilt! Spectacular colors. As for all that fruit – eat fast or learn to can! We had an apple tree at a former house and had to compete with the squirrels for the apples. I made gallons and gallons of apple sauce!
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yep; our freezer is filling though most of them will be picked in the next fortnight and stored, as my dad used to, on some racks in the garage
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My grandmother did that – she had a root cellar.
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Excellent woman!
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Why have I got “Sippin Cider” doing the rounds of my head?
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I prefer not to delve too far into that particular soup, thanks!
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Best avoided!
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Beautiful fruit trees. Where it’s. Beautiful blog written you .
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south london
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Enjoyed the look at the apples. Our little fig tree has given us two figs so far. Our expectations are pretty low. Best wishes on the editing.
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thanks; we will get there. And the fig seems very fruitful but will need a severe haircut as it’s been allowed to go mad. Hopefully it will survive
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😊
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Love the quilt! I’m learning to guilt. Maybe one day I’ll be half as good at it.
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Oh, and jealous of the figs. My poor tree got cut back by contractors and no fruit this year.
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Ouch; we will probably have to cut it back but since there’s plenty of work to do on the house having a dormant year may not be the worst out come; this year’s crop is rather delicious
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yep; just get those 10,000 hours in! She’s been quilting since she learnt in a laundry where she had a Saturday job at 16 back in the early 70s so she does have a lot of experience, including a BA in textile and design but she’d be the first to say it took time
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Sounds like life is sweet! I hope the edits aren’t too painful.
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pretty muchly, thank you
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So much to love in this post. I can almost taste the apples and hope they are as crisp as they are sweet. Textiliste’s quilt looks just like a FLW stained glass window. We live very close to one of Frank Lloyd Wright’s large headquarters, Taliesin West. I love his designs. Finally, I’m shocked to see your yard, your beautiful yard. The weather has ruined it! It doesn’t seem to bother Dog, though. In fact, he couldn’t be more pleased.
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Yes dastardly weather… one comes to rely on it and, like a teen it let’s you down…
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LOL
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It looks like you hit the jackpot this year, Geoff.
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We have . I hink I may hate apples by February
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Have now saved that picture of the quilt and look forward to the fully backlit version. Definitely a competition winner to my eyes!
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Me too but there is possibly some bias..
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So good if you to help with the home repairs. Fig brandy would be a great use if the bumper crop and some apple cobbler! The quilt is fantastic! We live in a Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired house and I can’t get enough of his esthetic even if he was kind of a dick personally. Happy Tuesday.
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Yes one has to distinguish between talent and twatishness
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😂
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p.s. If I wasn’t so underwater with my own projects I’d do an advance review but I’ll never make the deadline. Good luck with it, Geoff.
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Thanks Pam
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😘
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That quilt is exquisite! She is one talented woman. I see apple pies, apple crumble, apple sauce and juice in your future!! Good luck with the new books.
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all of the above along side tarte tatin..
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