Company Beans

I used to have a recipe book that had an entry called "Company Beans" to be prepared when guests were due. I suppose that recipe must have been left over from the days when we didn't have a lot of money. Today I am making Haitian Black Beans which is very similar to the Cuban Black Beans I learned to make when I lived in Key West. These beans will be served not with the traditional Cuban yellow rice but with the more healthy brown Basmati rice. We're also trying out a recipe that is made with tomatoes and eggplant (or aubergine as eggplant is called here in the UK). There will be fresh strawberries and cream (if desired) for dessert. The Kellys will arrive in another few hours so I must finish tidying up before Don and I have lunch.

This morning I planted the two Himalayan Blue Poppies in the back garden as they like a sheltered spot and part shade. We had never seen these remarkable blossoms until we came to Scotland. They are the most amazing blue you can imagine. I think there is probably little chance that we'll have blossoms this year but fingers crossed, the two plants will provide some lovely colour early next summer.

I also finished feeding/fertilising and watering plants I set out yesterday as well as some of the established plantings. It will take a while for the front bed and the window boxes to fill out but, if we can get some sun for any length of time, that shouldn't take too long. The above photos show some of the blossoms we can enjoy until that happens.