Mystery solved

I couldn’t understand why the path outside my front door was littered with cherry stones. How had they got there? The nearest cherry trees are two streets away.

Then I noticed this young starling on the roof.

When I am Rich I’ll have lots of cherry trees in my garden – some for me, some for the birds – but I’ll have to find a way of teaching them to eat their food where they find it.

Do messy eaters annoy you?

Christmas birds

I did enjoy my Christmas pheasant.

I watched him through the window as he strolled about in the winter sun and then joined his friends to feast on the sugar beet left behind after the field was harvested a couple of weeks ago.

The sparrows helped themselves to their usual snack of peanuts.

This little chap visits the garden most days, but seeing him on Christmas Day is always a bit special.

And my Christmas dinner? A very tasty cashew and mushroom roast with all the trimmings.

Picnic perfection

When I am Rich, I’ll be able to invite my friends to a really posh picnic. Beneath a blue, summer sky we’ll travel in a convoy of open horse-drawn carriages to some idyllic beauty spot where my staff (under the skilled direction of the butler and chef) will have prepared the most delicious selection of food and drink.

It will be a feast for all the senses: pristine white tablecloths, fine porcelain and silver cutlery, arrangements of scented roses and orange blossom, champagne served in crystal goblets, dainty sandwiches, homemade lemonade, colourful salads, a small orchestra accompanied by blackbirds and skylarks, lots of pies and cakes, several types of tea, strawberries and cream, trifle, good conversation, laughter, fun and games …

and not a single drop of rain, a wasp or stinging nettle in sight!

But until then I’m happy to make do with

 

some simple food,

a free picnic table

 and a view like this.

 

Shopping, cooking, eating, shopping, cooking, eating ...

I used to like cooking – experimenting with new recipes and trying different ingredients – but these days it’s become a chore I wish I didn’t have to do. I’ve slipped into a rut of automatically choosing from the same limited list of easy and familiar dishes week after week.

My unfussy husband is no help.

‘What shall we have for dinner today? And tomorrow?’ I say, as I write the shopping list.

He shrugs, and makes a stab at being helpful, and I jot down the usual, boring items.      

My consolation is that I know I’m not the only person with this problem.

So, When I am Rich, I’m going to set up a food company that makes heat-and-serve ready meals with enticing names such as:

 Anything!

 Don’t Mind

 Surprise Me

 Whatever …

 You Choose!

 I’m sure it will revolutionise the eating habits of the nation. (And make me another fortune.)

Of course I’ll also employ a chef who will create a delicious but different dish for me every day!