I have never actually dedicated a post to anyone … I wonder why? 😀
But as Bill is leaving on Sunday and given how busy he has been cooking meals for us, making jams and jellies, picking and freezing fruit and generally being a top bloke, I thought I would – although I hate to say he has stopped doing my ironing!
Bill’s famous salad .. tastes as good as it looks!
Yes he will be greatly missed, his two mth sojourn literally flew past.
So in no particular order, just a few pics current and a couple from the library of our ‘super man’.
Handsome
Harvesting those damsons
Hauling the harvest
Even doggie helpers
Quince
Damson tree in the late afternoon sun
Oh look at that haul
The helpers return – father, son and dog
Plum jam .. my larder is full, jelly too
Panna cotta with white chocolate and rosewater
As this is a gardening blog I think it only right that I should mention that my garden is doing very well thank you. The green shield smelly foul things are back, hanging off beans, corn, tansy anything they desire. Did I say I love squishing them? The corn is climbing skyward and the tassels are dropping pollen onto the silks .. perfect!
The orchard is nearly bare which made me smile when I spotted Mrs Turkey and her kids, meandering around the trees the other day .. too late!
It’s that time, leaves are slowly turning colour … my favourite season is on its way.
A huge THANK YOU to all you wonderful people that follow my blog – I have finally hit 500!
Happy gardening
Bill is indeed a superman, and drop dead gorgeous too!!! A fitting tribute to a man who knows his way around a kitchen and orchard.
Hey Francesca .. hear hear! If I could share his prowess in the kitchen, I would! Shall miss him when he leaves …
Great pics. Superman is good to have around. We are starting to get some nice, warm, pre-spring days.
Everyone needs a ‘superman’! Good news about your weather up Tim. End of summer for us .. Glad you enjoyed the pics 😀
So lovely to read, Julie. Such wonderful men… creative and helpful around you! Enjoy the goodies… 🙂
Hi Iris .. thank you! I’m very very lucky. Spoilt in fact! Thanks for stopping by, I shall enjoy all the goodies 😀
Well thank you so much for your blog Julie. Yes my time here has just flown by. Sorry about the ironing. But still got mine to do. Once again thank you 😊 both for my stay. It’s always a pleasure to visit your farm. You both work so hard keeping it in beautiful condition. And cooking is something I really enjoy 😊 doing. I’m hoping the damson jelly is going to set! Otherwise you’ve got damson sauce! Yes in four days time, on my way back to the UK. Hope it warms up. All the people I forward Julie’s blog to she would love ❤️ a reply. Hopefully will be back next year. Lots of love ❤️ to you both. Bill xxxx
You are very very welcome! I don’t know what we would do without you. You are such a star in the kitchen! And don’t you worry about the ironing either. Thanks for all your help, love and fantastic cooking! Lots of love right back at you Mr Bonner 😀
Lovely 😁 safe trip home to chilly Croxley. Lots of love xxx😉
Thanks Sue yes it’s going to be a shock. After being warm for the last two months. Love ❤️ to you both Bill xxx
Aww, what a beautiful dedication to a wonderful man (and I just read his lovely comment too, just before mine!) I’m sure Bill enjoys time spent at your gorgeous farm and you will certainly miss his help and his company. Safe travels, Bill. <3
Thank you Joanne. Andrews sister is called Joanne. But calls herself Jo! I prefer Your name and that’s what I call her. Regards Bill
Hi Bill, so lovely to ‘meet’ you! 🙂 I am often called Jo, which I really don’t mind, but I always give my full name, Joanne, and let people decide for themselves what they will call me. Take care. xx
Hey Joanne … thank you so much! I really appreciate your comment as I’m sure Bill does too. I always miss him when he goes .. the place seems very quiet and the kitchen is devoid of wonderful aromas …
Big shout out to Bill from John, Fiona and lily, in Cambodia, having left the boys back home at uni. Glad to see him looking so well – and cooking up a storm! Love the seasonal photos – the garden looks sublime. Xx
Sent from my iPhone
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Thanks Fiona and and family we go back a long way. I ending up 48years with the BBC . Such a good time. Lots love to you all Bill xx
A wonderful post and looking at the images my mouth is watering – yum 🙂
Hey Lisa … thank you. Good to know your mouth was watering .. trust me that panna cotta was out of this world! Great to see you at Frog Pond 😀
What a legend you have in Bill! Good on you mate. I’m sure he gets huge pleasure from doing all that amazing cooking and harvesting. So lovely to see regular updates from your awesome happy place and gorgeous photos. Love to you both.
Thank you Jenny. Yes I’ve always loved cooking I find it very relaxing. By the way anyone who reads Julie’s blogs, the damson jelly did set. Thanks again Jenny, Regards Bill
Hello Jenny … A legend indeed. I know he gets great pleasure .. and to think I forgot to mention his seaweed butter. Oh that is just divine! Thanks for the lovely comment .. lots of love right back at you 😀
What a gift to have a visitor who loves to work hard, cook and preserve! Solid gold. I’ve heard you mention Bill in the past and I’m glad you gave him full exposure this time. Well deserved. I’m so ready for a green garden… we are still slogging through the mud. I have heaving raspberries so ready to be dry with all roots in ground. xx Happy eating!
Hey Wendy .. I know how lucky am I! And yes solid gold and more … Thanks for your lovely comment and full exposure is justly deserved. I bet you are looking so forward to that green garden as we head in to autumn! Cheers Miss
Bill sounds absolutely lovely, the perfect visitor. The damson jam looks good, that’ll do nicely for breakfast, it’s one that I make with fruit from the tree in the cemetery and salad with pannacotta for dinner, are you crazy? I wouldn’t let him leave. I’m intrigued now I see he lives here.
The perfect visitor! Damson jam and camembert or brie, oh divine. And his signature salad and panna cotta – sensational! I shouldn’t let him go, should I? Yes he lives in Croxley Green and eagerly waits for his visits leaving winter behind. Thanks for your lovely comment.
Someone’s been spoiled, right royally. That salad and the panna cotta!!! I’d be happy. Thanks for letting us into your life, Julie. I am jealous. 🙂
Mr Draco … I suspect you are royally right! LOL .. Bill is a legend in the kitchen, mind you, his son is pretty good too! Don’t you be jealous 😉 Thanks for stopping by
I don’t think I’d let Bill go home! I presume you work as hard when you visit him.
Very envious of your harvest haul, especially as our garden is just bare earth and branches at the moment.
I’m with you Anne .. 😀 I have to fess up though, I don’t work hard at all when we visit ..too busy catching up with friends and family. I’m really looking forward to catching up!
Great post and lovely photos! Safe travels Bill x
Hey Alison .. thanks Miss, nice to see you at Frog Pond Farm 😀 Let’s book in that lunch 😉
Thanks Alison it was good to meet again. Hope to see you all next year. Bill xxx
WOW! What a great post dear Julie, beautiful photographs. Bill, he is so nice, does he visit us too, especially to our village home 🙂 Blessing to him. Yes, time runs and autumn will be there soon and in here spring. I hope and wish you all to have a wonderful season, Thank you dear Julie, I love your blog and your farm and your photographs, and sure, I love you too, Love & Hugs, nia
Hey Nia … I always enjoy your visits! And thank you so much for your delightful comment. You would love Bill .. and his cooking is superb! I bet you are looking forward to spring .. Thank you again dear Nia.
Nia thank you for your comments. Yes I’m back to the still winter by the looks of it. Very best wishes Bill
How nicee to hear you, Bill! You are so nice. Welcome and Thank you, Love, nia
Such beautiful photos whenever I see them it puts a smile on my face back in the UK especially when the weather is dreary as it is at the moment . Bill looks great and his food to die for, my mouth is watering looking at his salad and panacotta, food of the Gods ,am I right ? Safe travels Bill.
Hi and thank you! Nice to think the pics make you smile! Sorry to hear about the weather – we have been experiencing hot days .. And yes, Bill’s food is to die for. Food of the Gods .. absolutely!
Hi Lynds nice to hear from you. I must make the effort to visit you all. When the weather improves. Love ❤️ and best wishes to you all.Bill xxxx
Doesn’t time fly? I remember Bill’s last visit from a previous blog post – his prowess in the kitchen and handsome looks left an impression on me😉. Your photos are gorgeous as always and your posts always convey a sense of natural beauty and bounty – as the world should be but so rarely is…
Thank you! Time sure does fly … He is a whizz in the kitchen and looks so debonair when dressed up 😀 So pleased that you enjoyed the photos .. thank you again. Lovely comment … I miss your blog!
This is such a beautiful post! I love how you love your father-in-law! That treats in the kitchen and the glorious photos of your yard as just outstanding. I love coming here and visiting with you!
Gorgeous Linda … thank you! And yes I do love Bill. Hard not to, he is a top bloke and a wicked father-in-law. I’m spoilt no doubt about it. I love your visits Miss 😀
Well done Bill, you have left a treasure trove of wonderful colour and taste to see Andy & Julie through the winter to come, & happy memory’s of a summer in your good company.
Hi Roy and Ruth … yes indeed, loads of colour and divine flavours. Lots of wonderful memories and a larder full of delicious treats! Yum! Great to see you here …
Hi to you both hope you are both well. Yes it’s been a good two months in the warm weather. I just enjoy 😊 making the preserves with their produce. Lots love ❤️ to you both. Bill xxxx
It sounds as though you had a great time. It will be good to get home for the rest. We are away in our motorhome near Bath for a few days. We would have loved to be in N Z at the same time. All the very best to you.
Hi to you both no I could still do with more time here. It’s so nice and so well maintained by Julie and Andrew. Enjoy your time in Bath haven’t been there in years. Did quite a bit of filming in that area. Very best wishes to you both. Bill
hi Bill.what a great blog.food youve made looks stunning ,as usual.looks like you have had another great stay with andrew and julie ,hi to you all,we will be looking forward to seeing you back in the Fox and Hounds next weekend,callum is enjoying himself as well over on the gold coast,best wishes to all,safe journey home bill,see you soon
martin and esther,croxley green,uk.
Thanks Martin seeing as you have been here you know. The stay here will be so nice. Yes will see you in the Fox 🐺. Glad Cullam is having a good time. Give my love to Esther and very best wishes. Bill
Thank you Martin! You know what a great cook Bill is first hand. I bet you will be looking forward to seeing him .. hope the weather is ok! Take care and as always super to see you here!
He truly is superman
I should know he is my daddy we get you back next week .
Can’t wait to see you ,
Once again Julie love your blog always look forward to your amazing pics . ! Miss and love you
Joe joe xx
Hello darlin … I agree hear hear! Thanks Joe so pleased you enjoy the pics and ramblings. Huge hugs Jules
Thanks 🙏 JOE not looking forward to the weather! But looking forward to seeing you and the Guys. Will be down the weekend after i return. Lots love and kisses 😘 to you. Dad xxxxxx
Hi Julie. Very fine post. Sorry you will be losing Bill in the kitchen. He is a handsome man. Unfortunately, he will have to switch back to long pants when back home. It sounds like you guys had a wonderful visit. Tell Bill I have a jar of Huckleberry Grand Marnier Preserves here. The Huckleberries come from a secret spot on the mountain. I would gladly trade him for a jar of his Frog Pond Plum Jam. Take care. Bob
Hello Bob .. thank you! I am very sorry that we have lost that handsome man from the kitchen. And yes you are right, long pants back in the UK (laughed when I read that!) I’m sure he would be more than happy to swop a jar of jam for those Huckleberry preserves 😀 Cheers Mr E
Beautiful images and whoever Bill is (your father-in-law perhaps?) he seems a great guy and you’ve had a good time together. It’s not often one gets these dedications after spending 2 months with someone, so he must be really special. Take care, my dear, and enjoy this awesome place you call home xx
Hey Annette .. yes, Bill is my hubby’s Dad and a great guy. We always have a good time together. And he is a star in my kitchen. My larder thanks to him, is full. Always lovely to hear from you .. thanks for stopping by Miss 😀
A beautiful tribute! That portrait (the one with his hat on) is simply outstanding! You have a talent for capturing the moment, Julie. (Autumn is my favourite season, too). Happy Harvesting!
Hi Janet, thank you. I love the one with the hat too – handsome! Great to see you as always 😀
Nice food ! I like panna cotta and all your post is colorful and give joy. Thank’s
Panna cotta is divine! Thanks for stopping by Christiane 🙂
What a lovely tribute to Bill. And, as always, your photos are gorgeous – including the sensitive ones of Bill. Do you think he’d consider doing North American summers in North America, like in PEI? I would be thrilled to have a visit from a salad-creator, plum jam maker, Panna cotta expert. (I’ve never had wanna cotta…)
Loved your comment … Can’t share him sorry (ha ha). Panna cotta is divine, just melts in the mouth. The one he made with white chocolate was incredibly good. I felt very naughty eating it! His cooking prowess will be sadly missed
Stunning portraits 🙂
Thank you so much Joshi!
Oh my gosh, how this year has flown by as it seems I just read about wonderful Bill yesterday. What doesn’t that man do, Julie? My favorite picture of them all is the one of Dad, Son, and Dog. How I smiled as I felt the LOVE between the three. Oh what would we do without Love? Your gardens are just full of Love and it shows. Great post, dear one!! <3
Hey Amy … wonderful comment, thank you! 😀 Yes I agree, love the shot of the three boys. So pleased you enjoyed the post. I can’t believe that it is nearly March already ..
Me either. This year just flew!!
It looks beautiful there. Salad was impressive, too.
It is kind of special .. and so was that salad. Bill’s signature dish 😀
Oh my goodness, that looks like an amazing harvest so far. Hooray for you and your family. Bill is such a treasure. I’ve seen him for two summers so I guess it’s my first anniversary with you and I’ve loved every moment. 500! Congratulations to the max. I’m so happy to be one of the crowd. I don’t think I’ll get anywhere near that …ever…lol. That photo of your three lads is priceless and that garden! It really isn’t showing any signs of slowing down any time soon. 😀
Hey V .. how are you? Bill sure is a treasure, I’m very spoilt! I can’t believe I have finally got to 500 LOL, so pleased that you are one of the crowd! Yes it is a priceless image. I was out there yesterday taking pics and watering and thinking how beautiful it is looking .. just very slowly showing signs of retiring for winter. Did you get my email? 😀
email? No! Darn it. Did you send it thru my blog contact? Are you on FB?
You reap what you sow… Hard work… Blessings flow on the farm…. and beauty abounds… xx
Hey Roberta … you do reap what you so! So nice to hear from you .. and thanks for stopping by
A beautiful tribute post to Bill, Julie! Harvest season there on your farm looks lovely, as it always does.
We are on the tail end of winter here, with a mix of rain and snow coming down today. Your beautiful photos remind me of all the good things to come!
Hey Miss, yes the seasons are changing, won’t be long and the rain and snow will be a memory for you. Thanks so much for stopping by 😀
Oh how I love your pictures….especially the food pics! ;-))
Hey Josephine .. thank you! Always great to see you at Frog Pond 😀
Three cheers for Bill, he certainly looks like a man of great character. Everything looks lovely there, never seen a damson how do they taste?
I agree, three cheers for Bill! Loads of character and so good in the kitchen, lucky me! Damson plums can be bitter if not super ripe. They aren’t really eating plums as such … but they make the best jams and jellies 😀
Fabulous pictures – they show the character of Bill and the lusciousness of the land – that salad looks wonderful 🙂
I’m so happy that you did a tribute to your super man, Bill. He is just wonderful and I know you have enjoyed having him with the two of you. Love the photos of his creations and your beautiful gardens.
Thanks Karen … I’m always sorry to see him go. The place is very quiet without him. Glad you enjoyed the pics 😀
Lovely photos! Especially the “doggie helpers” one 🙂 And yes, the salad looks amazing!
Thank you! I love the ‘doggie’ helper too …
A feast for the eyes and other senses.Stunning pictures !
Thank you so much! 😀
Superman is my favorite character since kid, more than his powers it’s that he is a really good man. In this tribute I have a glimpse to this good man as well. Your garden is marvelous, Julie. Thank you n_n
Hey Francis .. always great to know that you stopped by. Ah Bill sure is a good man! Glad you enjoyed your visit 😀
He is a good looking man
He sure is Rajiv!
A wonderful tribute 🙂
Thanks Julie!
The colours are just starting to change here, too. What a great time you have each summer with Bill. But his visit must feel like two months too short!
Hello Miss … the colours have changed yet again with all the rain we have been having. The grass is electric green! Summers here are very special. I’m a lucky girl 😀
Eve and I can relate to this post in a way we wouldn’t have been able to without our visit. Bon voyage to Bill.
Thanks Steve .. 😃
Julie the food, family time and garden look so good. My favourite season is Autumn too. Although I don’t have gardening skills I admire the hard work involved.
I’ve missed you! So nice to know that you dropped in. 😀 I have my Dad’s green thumb and love of the garden. Time to visit your blog!
Your blog is always inspiring Julie I may not have commented lately but still read them all when i get some time.
That salad does look scrumptious! He puts a lot of care into the things he makes. What a treat of a guest!
Bill is the perfect guest (and a great guy)! His attention to detail with food is amazing! Thanks so much for dropping by ..😃
So did Bill leave you with any recipes? That salad looks great. This is how I picture my retirement years to be; invited to spend a month or two with family or friends and them hating to see me leave for home when it’s time. Of course, I trim my beard and, sometimes, my eyebrows! But I have the hat! 🙂
He has cooked in my kitchen for so many years now that I know and love his style. I have picked up bits and pieces .. no doubt about it. Thanks to him, I have the best bottled pears with cinnamon in my larder which I have done (cough cough). It is wonderful having him come and stay – and good for him to exit the UK over winter. Perfect timing. Good to know you would trim eyebrows & beard! 😀
Grand dedication!
Hey Beth, thank you! 😄
What a beautiful place you have!
Thanks Merilee 😀
Wow, that panna cotta looks to die for…..😋
MM .. if you are a dessert fan, then trust me, this dessert is a beauty! 😀
More of a savoury man myself but I love a raspberry panna cotta, lemon tart etc – something with a bit of bite 😋
I’m a savoury fan too MM .. but love sweet things! Thanks for stopping by ..😀
Super photos of superman