<a href="http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/steve-tea-breakmar21.jpg"><img class="alignright wp-image-6726" src="http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/steve-tea-breakmar21-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="169" height="225" /></a>I don't often post photos of myself but I was trying out a new gizmo this week - a smartphone stand attached to my tripod with a Bluetooth button (in my right hand) to take the photo. For the first time this year the weather was warm enough to be sitting outside the back door on the south facing patio with a cup of tea. I was taking a break from the many activities the garden demands of me. There is more sun here now since the Ash tree was removed and I look forward to more days like this although the forecast for Easter is looking decidedly bleak with daytime temperatures dropping from 22 C to 10 C.

<a href="http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/home-made-pizzamar21.jpg"><img class="alignleft wp-image-6724" src="http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/home-made-pizzamar21-300x169.jpg" alt="" width="211" height="119" /></a>As some of you might know I've always said I don't like cheese. I've repeated this mantra since I was a child and making a series of excuses along the lines of "I'm allergic". I found it easier to say I was allergic than being labelled a fussy eater. My "dislike" probably developed out of a childhood rebellion which has persisted for the last 60+ years.  In an attempt to try anything once I have ventured into the world of cheese and discovered that I don't dislike it hot or cold. As a test of my taste my social bubble friend persuaded me to try a pizza. I made the dough in the bread machine and they selected the toppings including two varieties of Mozzarella cheese. I really enjoyed - go figure... Pizza is now on the menu.

<a href="http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/crockpotmar21.jpg"><img class="alignright  wp-image-6725" src="http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/crockpotmar21-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="231" height="173" /></a>With a view to expanding my cooking skills I decided to buy a combined steamer/slow cooker. It was a difficult decision as to which one to buy and the Which? website was less than helpful. In the end I opted for the Crockpot and, as always, delivered by Amazon the next day. I also bought a recipe book. So far I've pressure cooked brown rice in it which turned out very fluffy. I now need to explore the sauté and slow cooking capabilities. Watch this space.