(no subject)

[turps]

Yesterday James had gone to pick up fannish niece from the train station and I was in the bath when I heard a noise from downstairs. I figured it was Murphy knocking down the car parcel shelf we'd been using to block off the bottom of the stairs, but nope, it was Milo. He'd managed to move the shelf and hopped upstairs.

He looked pleased with himself, settling in his usual corner of the landing, but I was worried about him getting back down so carried him down again when I was dry. I know he'll have to work out how to get down the stairs eventually, but maybe once he's had his stitches out on Wednesday we'll give him free run of the house again.

I was looking at the Aldi leaflet and from next Sunday one of their special buys is cat steps, which is great timing, so we're going to try and buy two sets, one for the bed upstairs and one for the couch in the living room.

Before heading to Company this morning we took advantage of Tim Hortons breakfast deal again, I mean, £2 for a breakfast wrap or sandwich, a hashbrown and a drink you can't be robbed. I always stick to the veggie sausage and egg muffin, but have been working my way through the coffee menu. Today it was chai latte, which was nice enough but a bit too sweet for my taste.

I'm very pleased with my tomato crop this year, it's the best it's ever been and the tomatoes taste great. I've had two huge cucumbers, the pepper plant is thriving but yet again, has no fruit and as for the courgettes...

Okay so, I planted courgettes and what grew was these. I've so many more of the things since I took that photo, and I can't understand why they've grown like that and not the usual kinds of courgettes. Problem is, I've no idea what to do with the things. I looked for recipes and am going to try sliced baked mutant courgette slices sprinkled with parmesan, but I had at least twenty more to deal with.

Comments

[manna]

I think they're just a fancy courgette variety. Maybe these ones? I grew some patty-pan courgettes a couple of years ago, and although they look different they taste just the same.

[turps]

You know, now you linked to those I remember picking some different courgette seeds and planting them. I guess it's a total coincidence those are the ones that have thrived.

But, now I know they taste the same I'll treat them the same as the usual courgettes. Apart from the one in the raised bed that got overlooked and is now the size of a big pumpkin. I'm thinking that could possibly do for Halloween.

[topaz119]

Can you shred them & make a tea bread? I could hunt down the recipe we used when I was a mad teenage baker & my dad’s garden ran wild. I’d make mini-loaves by the dozen & freeze them for when it was gray and cold.

[turps]

That's a good idea.

I know how busy you are so as long as it doesn't put you out I'd love the recipe.

It's fantastic that things have grown so well this year, but I am at the point of being badly overrun with those courgettes.

Though thinking about it, I think if I catch them small enough they'd be nice stuffed.

[shadowhive]

Awww Milo🖤

Ohh those sound usefully, hopefully he’ll use them

Wow those do look so strange, they look more pumpkin like

[turps]

He looked so proud when he hopped around the corner and looked in the bathroom.

I hope he will use them. He usually sleeps on our bed but it's far too high for him to jump up onto atm. So, steps should be useful.

They do look like pumpkins. I've got a really big one in the raised bed which I'm going to leave and see if it lasts until Halloween.

[shadowhive]

Awww what a sweetboy

I hope so too! Cats are funny creatures though

I hope so!

I just saw this on twitter, seems like Tom’s lower decks ep is this week!

[turps]

I just saw this on twitter, seems like Tom’s lower decks ep is this week!


!!!!!!!

That makes me so happy! Thank you for linking.

[frausorge]

My goodness, Milo! I hope that's a sign that he's regaining his energy. The cat steps sound perfect. I hope they will serve him well.

[turps]

I couldn't believe it when he appeared around the corner. It's good to know that he's still got his energy and need to move around.

I was thrilled when I saw the cat steps. The timing couldn't be better.

[kat_lair]

Milo is getting quite active which surely is a good thing!

Well, my approach to gourds of all kinds is that use is quite interchangeable. Roast them with other veggies. Layer with other things for a bake. Stuff with things and bake. Grate raw for a salad. Make long strips and use as pasta alternative...

[turps]

He is getting active. Then has long periods of sleep, which I guess is to be expected.

Those are excellent suggestions. I've made courgetti before but do like the idea of layering for a bake. I was just overwhelmed by the sheer amount of the mutant courgettes this year. So, all the ideas have been gratefully taken.

[kat_lair]

I think the only thing to note is that there's a fair amount of water that comes out of courgettes/most other gourds so either factor that in (not a lot of extra liquid/sauce needed) or get some of the liquid out first off the slices with salt.

[spikedluv]

Wow! That was pretty industrious of Milo! He SHOULD look pleased with himself. *g*

[turps]

I felt bad carrying Milo back downstairs, but, a few days and we'll give him the run of the house again. I mean, he's obviously getting his energy back now :)

[turlough]

It's wonderful to hear Milo is feeling well enough to hop upstairs! I'm sure he'll soon be able to get down them by himself too. He's so awesome!

I've never heard of special cat steps before but they sound like an excellent invention. And that's a very timely offer from Aldi indeed.

I don't remember what varieties I sent you for Christmas so I MIGHT be the culprit behind those mutant courgettes :-)