Going Lupi (n)

No gardening today due to rain - Hurray!

Just thought I would share some back garden shots from two days ago.  The lupins are out, although this snap does not do full justice to the vibrant colour of these ones.  Maybe a bit of photoshopping is required to faithfully reflect the hue. Also in the background is blue Wysteria growing up an arch.  In the foreground is Pixie a companionable cat from hereabouts who love to check up on gardening activities. He thought the shot would be enhanced by his presence.

A wider angle reveals a big clump of catmint, so that may be an accessory.

This is a cat's idea of help:

The tree is a mulberry btw.

A Bread a Day Week, Day Six - Apple and Oat Bread

There are some that have enough of this bread obsession:

But a friend gave us a bag of apples from their garden and I was sure that Dan Lepard had an apple and oat loaf.  The start was not looking that promising.  A cup of grated apple mixed with a a cup of porridge (real oat porridge)

But mixed in with a standard white dough it's not that extraordinary...

...until you try to turn it out...

...when it all got a bit messy...

...but it turned out...

...pretty well