What a wonderful week full of sunshine and new beginnings.

It started with a little jaunt to the lake at Roadford to walk the little dogs. Last time I went was the hottest day of last year and we had my step daughter and granddaughter visiting. All the girls went out on the lake on paddle boards. This year maybe I might join them out on the water!

This week it is the turn of G and in truth I used it last week in my scones but I had in mind to make my own pasta. I have had a pasta machine sat in the back of a cupboard for many years after purchasing it when I was doing a lot of clay work for jewellery.

I made a simple pasta dough and added the wild garlic which I had blitzed up with some olive oil and then left to settle for an hour. Then the fun of rolling it through the machine, first into flat sheets and then into ribbons.

I used it to make a dish by cooking it in boiling water as normal and then mixing a tablespoon of garlic and herb soft cheese and lumps of cambozola, delicious!

I found a super new walk that the dog’s could be off lead most of the time as away from main roads and no livestock in any of the fields and some amazing views. It’s a shame the sun had not kicked in, will definitely do this walk again on a sunny day to capture the views of Dartmoor in the distance better.

Last night I went to a wonderful evening event to welcome in Spring. A lantern parade with folk music and children dancing and even a few fireworks.

Looking forward to lighter nights, more warm weather and new shoots.

Talking of new shoots who knew I would one day be wearing gardening gloves whilst baking! Also hoping there would be lots of nice new stinging nettles in my garden 😯

So yes you have probably guessed I used those nettles to bake an amazing Lemon and nettle cake, look at that colour 💖

The recipe is from Kate at https://veggiedesserts.com/nettle-and-lemon-cake-with-lemon-icing-and-blackberries/

The water I drained from boiling the nettles made a very healthy tea which has many benefits from urinary tract health to arthritis and controlling blood sugar levels. It actually has a pleasant taste. I also cooled some to feed my indoor plants. Nothing was wasted.

The clocks have changed and Spring is here so enjoy the extra light we will be getting and to all you Mother’s Happy Mother’s Day.

Chris x