Vivi's Cottage Garden

I’m chatting as I cook today…..reflecting on how my cooking has changed since giving up my allotment, the surprise of being self-sufficient in one ingredient from my tiny cottage garden, how I use recipe books etc…..as I make a gorgeous sun-dried tomato and sweet pepper risotto. The perfect nod to the slow cooking movement that started in Italy.

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Living a simple, mindful life by the sea in rural England (Dorset).

In the Kitchen: Chatting and Cooking – sun-dried tomato and sweet pepper risotto

When work makes it even hotter. Phew…I’m giving myself a sauna! The book I briefly mentioned is Clare Hunter’s ‘Threads of Life’ which I reviewed in my video ‘Good news, bad news’ which I’ve posted the link for on the end of this video.

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Living a simple, mindful life by the sea in rural England (Dorset).

At Home: Turning up the Heat!

It’s hot in the garden but the work carries on; more seeding today and a bit of a shuffling of pots…..and looking for pests! And a look at the growth in the last 10 days.

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Living a simple, mindful life by the sea in rural England (Dorset).

Vivi’s Cottage Garden: Summer Growth

On a hot morning I set off on a four hour round trip to see my solicitor. I take the number 50 bus off the Isle of Purbeck via the Sandbanks Ferry. Later on I prepare food, perfect for this hot weather…..and make the most of a gift of over a kilo of fresh strawberries.

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Living a simple, mindful life by the sea in rural England (Dorset).

At Home: Bus & Ferry + Hot Weather Food (No 50 bus route via Sandbanks Ferry)

Now that the garden is all planted let’s see how it’s doing right at the beginning of July (actually, it’s June 30th).

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Living a simple, mindful life by the sea in rural England (Dorset).

Vivi’s Cottage Garden: Cottage Garden Tour – July 2026

I’ve had a lovely birthday which feels like it lasted a week! Some lovely gifts and some lovely jaunts with friends including to the ‘ghost village’ of Tyneham in Purbeck, Dorset.

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Living a simple, mindful life by the sea in rural England (Dorset).

Out & About: Treats! Plus – into the woods…..and a ghost village

Another day in the cottage garden by the sea……the heatwave is waning but it’s still pretty warm…..and there are plenty of plants still left to plant so….roll up those sleaves and get stuck in. Plus…..a tiny glimpse of the lightning storm from the night before…..

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Living a simple, mindful life by the sea in rural England (Dorset).

Vivi’s Cottage Garden: Get it planted!

At the start of another heatwave I take time-out for a chat. A quick visit to the beach plus chat about local facebook, summer sports, books and a ‘grr’ advert moment etc.

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Living a simple, mindful life by the sea in rural England (Dorset).

On the Sofa: Chatty Stuff

It’s a scorching afternoon in the garden so I am alternating jobs between sunny spots and shade spots. The brassicas were due to be pricked out a couple of weeks ago….the foxgloves likewise…..and the tomatoes need their cares….at least the ones that are alive and growing do!

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Living a simple, mindful life by the sea in rural England (Dorset).

Vivi’s Cottage Garden: Midsummer Heatwave

A busy day…..phone calls, emails, waiting for phone calls back….and a visit from my electrician. Getting on with jobs while I wait…..indoor plants, fertilizing, pulling things from storage, putting things into storage…..

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Living a simple, mindful life by the sea in rural England (Dorset).

At Home: Trying to make progress