A Bluestocking Knits

Monday.  Rain.

Farmer Cotton kindly sent me a small round garden bed, which I set up near Ruby’s old square ones, opposite the kitchen door, near the edge of the stream so that I can easily fill the watering can (when it isn’t raining).  Planted the seeds I’d bought in the morning.

Explored after luncheon, into the Forest on the other side of Willow Took’s place.  Lost my way any number of times, & found myself going around in circles more than once.  There is a fabulous old fallen-down tree beside a small pool that looks like it might be just the thing for some fishing.  Couldn’t make a sketch as it was too wet, & anyway the raindrops kept getting on my spectacles.

Tuesday.  Fine.

Fished in the morning.  Went foraging in the afternoon, this time to the western end of Bywater.  There is a big open meadow there – it was lovely to feel the summer grass on my feet.  Ended up somehow – had come out without my map – at the mill, & so I bought some flour from Sandyman.  “No doubt I’ll see you nosing around soon enough, Underhill,” he growled. Nosing around!  I ask you!

Am not a little curious about the rooms that Old Ruby closed off – surely there is enough space for my elderly uncle to come & live with me – but I would have to ask Willow Took about opening them up, & I confess that I’m rather afraid of Willow Took.  She speaks quite sharply at times – though apparently she does so with everyone.

From memory, needless to say.  I don’t think she would suffer very patiently the time it takes to do even a little sketch!  And the supercilious expression is not very flattering.  Not exaggerated, by the way.

Wednesday.  Fine.

Harvested not one but two rather good vegetables – a Shallot & a handful of Brown Taters.  Planted the rest of my seeds in a frenzy of delight & dashed up to Cotton Farm to show Rosie.  She said she’d never seen better!  Even Farmer Cotton had to agree.  Rosie is now the leader of Bywater’s Gardening Club!

Daisy & Willow Took here for luncheon.  Made Very Good Fish Cakes, this time with a Honeyed Chub I’d almost just that minute caught in Old Ruby’s Pond, & a Raised Cheese Bread, both of wh. went over pretty well.  Daisy is an excitable child at times, but I admit that I am warming to her. 

Thursday.

Daisy sent me an effusive note & some plum jam as a thank-you for the luncheon yesterday.  Willow wrote that my table is a bit wobbly (!) but it was nice to come down from the workshop.  Typical of each, I think!

Saw a fellow in the Village Square with a splendid waistcoat.  It seems that Nora Burrows makes them, & so I stopped by to have a look.  Will have to start saving my pennies.

Friday.  Very fine.

Spent some time this morning chatting with Young Tom at his stall in the village square.  He has been making cheeses, & I bought one that he calls a Shirefield – “it’s crumbly, & got a good sourish taste to it,” he said, adding that he wanted to name it something that would represent all of us – a generous thought.  At present the cheese is sitting on my pantry shelf waiting for some good company to share it with!

Am out exploring down to the northeastern edge of Bywater.  Saw the Three-Farthing Stone, so now I have been in the Westfarthing, the Eastfarthing, & the Northfarthing.  A great many things to sketch –

Later. – Was so involved in drawing that I nearly forgot that Orlo & Young Tom Cotton were coming for dinner!  Made it just in time, though perhaps it was really a supper.  Used the Mutton I’d bought in the morning from Young Tom to make a Saddle of Mutton Stuffed with Cheese – one of Tom’s tangy Shirefields, in fact – & a Rich Rhubarb Pie with my home-grown Rhubarb & some Blackberries & Raspberries I foraged yesterday.  Quite good, if I may say so myself!