A woman, a boy and a walnut tree...

Someone once told the Beautiful Boy and I the saying about Walnut trees. It still makes us laugh but we decided to change it to fit us better ...

We've been trying to keep up with our first harvest - at least the harvest we were left after the Rooks and Jackdaws had their fill!
These are English Walnuts also known as 'Wet walnuts' - and we have been trying to work out the best way to dry them. Once we work it out they should keep until Christmas. We're also getting wise to the rich brown stain the green shells put onto your fingers - nothing but nothing will wash it away!
We love our Walnut tree. It gives generous shade to the boy's garden, perfect for long days spent den building...
In Autumn we have dried walnuts for baking Brownies and Puddle Pudding, in Winter the dropped branches will make excellent kindling and in the Spring I will harvest the delicately scented green walnuts to pickle ... mmm.
You will have gathered we are not living at home yet. Builder bother and strife - everyone is doing their best now and I think we have a nicer team working for us than when we started out, but it has not been fun and I do feel I have been suckered more than once! But on the upside when I go home to our building site I can do this.... which gives me hope!
All it needs is to have a sofa in front of it instead of piles of cement bags and plumbing sundries and I'll be a happy girl! One day, I can't keep guessing when, we will be able to go home.  I just trust it will be this year!! Grandma has the patience of a saint to be putting up with our chaos!
Meanwhile we are enjoying our harvest....
For those of you who know the original saying, you will not be surprised to find that we changed the ending too...
"A woman, a boy and a walnut tree, the more you love them, the better they be". 
We like that much better! t.x

Comments

MelMel said…
A lovely post, looks cosy at yours, xx
Anonymous said…
Happy days x
Gigibird said…
Funnily enough as soon as I saw the photo of your walnut tree it reminded me many years ago when I whipped a walnut tree so it would bring a good harvest…..apparently if it stops cropping you can also wrap chains around the trunk. I does work.
How wonderful to have a walnut tree in your garden. My hubby and I collected walnuts a couple of years ago, we didn't know that they were black walnuts which are almost impossibly to crack open....walnuts and brick dust anyone?
Frances said…
It's great to see this report from you, even if it's a lot to do with walnuts. (Have to admit I like almonds and pecans much more...to eat. Yet walnut trees are magnificent.)

Glad to read that you've got some good new workers in to get the renovating accomplished. Hoping that you and that brilliant lad will soon be enjoying that hearth and all the rest of your new home.

Best wishes.
BusyLizzie said…
I always enjoy your blog & catching up with what is happening in your life! I will see Maud, our mutual friend next week! Lizzie x
KC'sCourt! said…
I think I prefer your version of the rhyme. Lovely post. Hope you will be sitting in front of your fire soon.
Julie xxxxxxxxx
Gosh, that took me back. When my two were little we were lucky enough to live in a house with three fully grown walnut trees in the garden, but my those stains off the green out casings! Glad you are seeing light at the end of the tunnel re your building works.
Gorgeous Things said…
Sorry to hear that the building work has not been going altogether smoothly - fingers crossed that it will soon all be finished so that you can enjoy that log burner properly!
Gorgeous x
There is something about boys and their trees. I posted about my boys love of trees yesterday. I much prefer the new saying, my mum chuckles over the old one but says a pear tree.
Unknown said…
I love walnuts ~ especially if they are topping a walnut whip!!!!

I lovely post!
Lovely Walnut Tree and lovely blog too! I really like the piccies of your kitchen and button collection :) Sarah
What a beautiful new home. I hope you will be very happy there. Amanda....x
Niki Fretwell said…
I'm sure Grandma is loving every moment with you! Nuts or not! ;-))
Thinking of you and BB all the time....hope you'll both be home very soon,
Niki xxx
Jennie said…
Hope the work is done you get back to your home soon. Those walnuts look lovely xx
A time to dance said…
themind boggles of what the real saying is....sorry I havent been in touch life has been so busy...I am trying hard to catch up with everyone...I hope you are well...sending lots of love...H
MelMel said…
Just popped by to say hi!
hope you are having a nice half term!
Melx
Anonymous said…
we have a hazelnut tree in our garden. Our little girl loves to collect them in her basket for Christmas time!
Kathleen said…
All the best to you & Beautiful Boy. Hope all is wonderful!