tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48382343602133134542024-03-18T16:49:10.844+11:00All the Blue DayGardener. Writer. IdlerJohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17803297366197086152noreply@blogger.comBlogger653125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4838234360213313454.post-71997917796506434412024-02-02T13:45:00.001+11:002024-02-02T13:45:55.885+11:00New Beginnings<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFJev0TqfiJvQfB65cz86exj3F1UXRzdwAKK7K-h3-tcElzT9YNk1lkXMNZZtUcoFeQ7kCeM8BKVndRIRAoXKHEqoR9Yjwoa_i1uI3X-RrfkRBodRepvWs8kmZQqnPOGKDpk7_jUmu58_xrwt9eKCNFp4jcOnqVn7X-lNkIIrg6RN4jViaVitzRprxiOg/s1944/IMG_20240122_112327_689.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1944" data-original-width="1944" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFJev0TqfiJvQfB65cz86exj3F1UXRzdwAKK7K-h3-tcElzT9YNk1lkXMNZZtUcoFeQ7kCeM8BKVndRIRAoXKHEqoR9Yjwoa_i1uI3X-RrfkRBodRepvWs8kmZQqnPOGKDpk7_jUmu58_xrwt9eKCNFp4jcOnqVn7X-lNkIIrg6RN4jViaVitzRprxiOg/s320/IMG_20240122_112327_689.webp" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>Hello to you, my lovelies. It is I, I have returned from a long space of reflection and reorientation after my Dad died. It has been discombobulating, but here I am, still finding myself with things to say. It is the new year, well, sort of; happy February, and although it is really just another beautiful summer's day, I have bought into the <i>zeitgeist, </i>and I am contemplating the season of new beginnings, and find myself excited to begin another year.</p><p>2023 was somewhat brutal, and a season of endings. My beloved old puppy friend Benny left me, as did my Dad. I broke up with Paul after nearly six years together, a couple of weeks before Dad died. We are still the best of friends, Paul and I. He came to Dad's funeral, I went to his mum's birthday party, he came to ours for Christmas. We are both happy to be single and immersed in our own projects, coming up for air occasionally and waving and finding out what the other one is up to.</p><p>I saw him just the other day, up on the mountain, as Rosy has bought a campervan to travel around Australia in this year, and she is storing it up at Paul's place and they are tinkering on it together to make it safe and ship-shape for an early March departure. And you will be glad to know this - Paul has been declared well and cancer-free. At his latest six-monthly scan he was told not to come back for a year, and that all is most well. And that was a very good ending to a very difficult year.</p><p>And so onward to the next things. First, work. I don't think I've ever really talked about what I do now for work. I gave up my gardening job a couple of years ago because my hands and wrists couldn't manage the strain of it, and I was developing arthritis. I was so sad about that, but I had a call from a friend who wanted me to do some disability support work for her. After a few months I began working for another friend as well, and then for a friend of a friend, and now I work around twenty to twenty-five hours a week doing absolutely anything my clients can't manage by themselves, from walking the dog to ironing and cooking (hilarious! Cooking! Me!), meal prep, decluttering, driving, doing errands, shopping, and also some gardening, but not so much that the hands give out. I feel very privileged to be useful, and to be making life easier for some extra lovely people. </p><p>This year I am planning to pack as much work into the afternoons as possible so I can go back to writing in the mornings. This past year I have written very little and have had work shifts all over the place. I find it difficult to exercise creativity in the midst of multiple life crises, and in 2024 I am hoping for less crises, more creative endeavours. I am more than halfway through my second novel, without having published the first novel, but that was more of a practice novel. And even if I never publish anything at all, I will keep writing. Creating a whole world out of nothing is extraordinary and addictive. </p><p>Despite last year's crises and sadness and difficulties, I am full of joy. Every day is beautiful. There is blue sky and bees, there are zucchinis (so many zucchinis), there is very dear family, the kindness of friends, fulfilling work, the possibilities of the creative spark. I am so very fortunate. </p><p>It has taken me a long time to get back to this space, but I am glad to be here, and looking forward to the splendid community of kindred souls who turn up here. Much love to all, and do tell me all your news xxxx</p><p><br /></p>Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17803297366197086152noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4838234360213313454.post-78778174569089172012023-10-22T20:28:00.001+11:002023-10-22T20:28:43.869+11:00Dad<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt07pnG6uuDjbQPZJK24V6ba174MhOAmYxoRmJ0VGk0xF_rvhQUeVIT5oLofZIW2flyueIt-3Ipzysfm85kL1pv3yPX3xAnyMHOiGYDzhBHWqmrttFJTYATp_6D5GFWwVGUlselFwmcw2UGCiN_gUUyTlv4GZu4GwMFNumPEIjRlP8GDi6xOu8elwuNOA/s3264/20190315_194358_IMG_0495.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt07pnG6uuDjbQPZJK24V6ba174MhOAmYxoRmJ0VGk0xF_rvhQUeVIT5oLofZIW2flyueIt-3Ipzysfm85kL1pv3yPX3xAnyMHOiGYDzhBHWqmrttFJTYATp_6D5GFWwVGUlselFwmcw2UGCiN_gUUyTlv4GZu4GwMFNumPEIjRlP8GDi6xOu8elwuNOA/s320/20190315_194358_IMG_0495.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>Two weeks ago my dad died, suddenly and unexpectedly, from complications after a surgery. We are all in shock. Death comes to us all in the end, but still, it is often a nasty surprise. Two weeks ago Dad was living a normal life, doing his thing, and then he was gone, and he will always be gone. That is the inexplicable part of death. Here, then not here. We who are left behind are still shaking our heads and wondering what just happened.</p><p>The other unsettling thing about death is that life goes on around it. The sun keeps coming up, the seedlings need watering, the bills need paying, we need to vote, we all still have to eat and feed the cats. Life is so insistent. A funeral, paperwork, hosting afternoon tea for all the uncles and aunties, having a houseful of grown-up children all of a sudden. And outside on the street there are all these other people walking around who are not going to a funeral today, who have not lost their dad, who are just living their normal lives. It seems extraordinary that that was me two weeks ago, just walking around with not a thought in my head that Dad would be going, that he would be gone. He is not here, a Dad-shaped hole in the fabric of our lives. </p><p>He has been there all my life, fifty-two years of a dad there in the background of everything I do, and for Mum he has been a constant presence for fifty-four years, right there, without fail. And now, where he was, he is not.</p><p>"I keep thinking of things I want to tell him," says Mum.</p><p>It is the little things that sneak up and grab me. Mum asked me to pick up the things we had forgotten to bring home from the hospital. The kind nurse hands them over, passes on her condolences. And there I am holding Dad's red sponge bag, the same one he has used for the last forty years or so, and his glasses, just ordinary reading glasses, the everyday things that he used, and now here they are, without him. Things that mean Dad, but are not Dad.</p><p>And here we are, going on in time; it's two weeks now, since he went, and soon enough it will be a year, and then a decade. Our days will go on, but his have stopped. He is outside of time now, timeless.</p><p>I saw someone who looked liked him the other day and sobbed all the way home. There are still people on this earth who remind me of my dad, who are like him, but no-one is him, the particular flavour of human being that he was has gone from us and will not come our way again.</p><p>The sun still rises each day, the garden still blooms. I am back at work, I wash my hair, I make dinner. And yet. The world has tilted a little. The balance has shifted. A man who was my Dad, a man who enjoyed his life, a man who was loved and valued by many, a man with a very cheeky smile, has gone through a door and shut it behind him. I am almost waiting for him to pop his head back around the door and grin and say, "I'm back, I was only joking!" He'd do that.</p><p>But it's not a joke and he's not coming back. He's put his hat on, strapped on the old red rucksack, and headed out the door to his next adventure. </p><p>Bye, Dad. I hope that wherever you are, there's plenty of cake xxx</p><p><br /></p>Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17803297366197086152noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4838234360213313454.post-14321575006331949112023-09-10T18:35:00.005+10:002023-09-10T18:35:51.878+10:00The Sun Returns. We Are Blessed.<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCPi-KOFfnHDtZL1rN-54fEfGi6Q2GZ4iRrDszTdUeSLl0EgxrmO2DWwGN6_36nqDesEG218D1YVGI_0iWKFVuMYtztoeVg38umMqlt_yERDUeygVYp52Bzsgsz0C9sjOOaO-9W_7Z9pboGyuA_m8d7WD0a_NrWccjV9BgHYlO0VW1GlLDIrejtjtUsTE/s4032/20230901_091829.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCPi-KOFfnHDtZL1rN-54fEfGi6Q2GZ4iRrDszTdUeSLl0EgxrmO2DWwGN6_36nqDesEG218D1YVGI_0iWKFVuMYtztoeVg38umMqlt_yERDUeygVYp52Bzsgsz0C9sjOOaO-9W_7Z9pboGyuA_m8d7WD0a_NrWccjV9BgHYlO0VW1GlLDIrejtjtUsTE/s320/20230901_091829.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Spring returns again with blossoms and bees and daffodils and silver wattle and blue skies and the odd warm day. It's seed time! Every year I plant more and more seeds because it is thrilling and fun! ..and also useful and thrifty, but mostly Thrilling and Fun. This year I have lots of baby flower seeds as well as vegies, and required a more productive seed set up, so I bought a mini plastic greenhouse and some heat mats to grow the seeds more efficiently, and set it all up in the attic.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB3QCBUNvncG7FksBfffAQbL3dH-iZMCB31uTuNAncLsA4X9Ex0vPBhzeya56wjCdUqMb82Txc8jZpHgT9k7XhGOhQouSlAfS5JPkyO71DzacGbdMKr08zvDlQtkXCykknDOdDqKqNQbJcsz2ppZNmVcppxAt0r1JiYolxn7j1S3j-OalChWOXy2ZCvmc/s4032/20230909_173114.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB3QCBUNvncG7FksBfffAQbL3dH-iZMCB31uTuNAncLsA4X9Ex0vPBhzeya56wjCdUqMb82Txc8jZpHgT9k7XhGOhQouSlAfS5JPkyO71DzacGbdMKr08zvDlQtkXCykknDOdDqKqNQbJcsz2ppZNmVcppxAt0r1JiYolxn7j1S3j-OalChWOXy2ZCvmc/s320/20230909_173114.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p>While the attic gets some light it's really not enough to grow strong and sturdy seedlings. Nowhere in my house is really light enough for that, but I have come up with a system that works in our climate. It is way too cold to plant out cold-sensitive seedlings like tomatoes right now, but it is warm enough for them during the day in the sun, so during the day I take the tomato seedlings outside, and bring them in again at night and tuck them into their warm cosy heated greenhouse (the heat mats heat up the greenhouse nicely with the door zipped up). I did the same for the peas and spinach you can see above, but because they are cold hardy I planted them out today and they can make their way in the wide world. </p><p>Maybe one day I will have an outdoor greenhouse, or some grow lights inside, but currently, this is a workaround. If it is a cold, nasty day the tomatoes stay inside sulk a little, but from now on they should be fine outside during the day. </p><p>Meanwhile, it's spring! There are daffodils and grape hyacinths!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio-ii4rr1FGCjk2VLwEruQN90b8wlKzKGwQ8ZFjlNN4iYhMfQ0rEaCewHez5R9bzKKpaVGaSTPLHTIKA0_g6gMtrJ5RBiNoexG0y7bIl5R9UqfFrQISmfFlWXafRNVk7AXOw0-Yqwh7rwSiTUFfXaxfHlO3RYNL7AkD7TV0k-xq8wzqlGAsAgSJO2nYcQ/s4032/20230901_112917.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio-ii4rr1FGCjk2VLwEruQN90b8wlKzKGwQ8ZFjlNN4iYhMfQ0rEaCewHez5R9bzKKpaVGaSTPLHTIKA0_g6gMtrJ5RBiNoexG0y7bIl5R9UqfFrQISmfFlWXafRNVk7AXOw0-Yqwh7rwSiTUFfXaxfHlO3RYNL7AkD7TV0k-xq8wzqlGAsAgSJO2nYcQ/s320/20230901_112917.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>Daffodils and pink shasta daisies and forget-me-nots:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7sdXwlqgYq0__IjZ8_u---eNWma4Y6IBqACkqZVhPQ1UG04mO5mwp94vTvVt3BF9RbuDowDH5HzlstT016epym_RCa3Myp7kBQkyVj3xSuEsbLGlfpsX-3AMTOjRhi5ejNHmcQbK3VZbgC9JLPwlkjgFoffrQRDgMrO9sPjEo9OPfvjavcjtb_OfYLD0/s4032/20230903_110825.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7sdXwlqgYq0__IjZ8_u---eNWma4Y6IBqACkqZVhPQ1UG04mO5mwp94vTvVt3BF9RbuDowDH5HzlstT016epym_RCa3Myp7kBQkyVj3xSuEsbLGlfpsX-3AMTOjRhi5ejNHmcQbK3VZbgC9JLPwlkjgFoffrQRDgMrO9sPjEo9OPfvjavcjtb_OfYLD0/s320/20230903_110825.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>Daffodils and dill! I have always found dill difficult to grow, but finally it self-seeded in the garden last autumn, and now I know that one of the secrets to happy dill is sowing it in early autumn in our temperate climate, where it can flourish all winter:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE9PfeE1XDj7ZKc11cRq3qE9T0KMXEPcbZKHIpHfwL55Vsz56_dCCBzO6l-FpiEXza7XhO00qEDiAkoLO0X67tRhglkC_kiTgq6Xqs00aTViUeArfX9sAEY_L6VukeEX9ew9-LjMwEhapoBTjv7OQXC_ByBlZ1OtDIyGDobcTlS6QsNToiur5dFn6VSHk/s4032/20230901_112936.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE9PfeE1XDj7ZKc11cRq3qE9T0KMXEPcbZKHIpHfwL55Vsz56_dCCBzO6l-FpiEXza7XhO00qEDiAkoLO0X67tRhglkC_kiTgq6Xqs00aTViUeArfX9sAEY_L6VukeEX9ew9-LjMwEhapoBTjv7OQXC_ByBlZ1OtDIyGDobcTlS6QsNToiur5dFn6VSHk/s320/20230901_112936.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>Daffodils and apricot blossom:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFsk4cwEOPkSgQYYhU8ncvXgx3y6DZWW4rmkeUJKISzIDE3RMTvBauLF6zlwcwZdk61FdS6OHeTAfMKyY_pzkovU9OYyptCoFX1JpaPelE2KLChsVkDHFGiwrWiRXPtCy-xSKy47xjlUIAFzxJaUCl3yVZwW-esqtFdaREfzD6kiQTL4yHzQ9vlL2Rcx8/s4032/20230902_140605.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFsk4cwEOPkSgQYYhU8ncvXgx3y6DZWW4rmkeUJKISzIDE3RMTvBauLF6zlwcwZdk61FdS6OHeTAfMKyY_pzkovU9OYyptCoFX1JpaPelE2KLChsVkDHFGiwrWiRXPtCy-xSKy47xjlUIAFzxJaUCl3yVZwW-esqtFdaREfzD6kiQTL4yHzQ9vlL2Rcx8/s320/20230902_140605.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The first shift of spring, when everything in the garden begins to wake up, is so invigorating. The magic is happening again. The sun returns. We are blessed.<br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17803297366197086152noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4838234360213313454.post-4682331282378823142023-09-02T17:05:00.000+10:002023-09-02T17:05:42.346+10:00Benny<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicRx39unT6GjMRfk6dw6-48u7G1xoIu-3YTsMikgAes0NTBwIlcHgXdvqm57vNVoOp09QSXtM8pNQhm856s5xjUoiM0DS4d7KxQ6eOIDWrDJ6KBUuZSYHrvEeYp2Jb_wIgX7n6FVcpgECUvVAD7GMBBuQ3oSM2sWnK8Tv8jbgQWC7smxTCm86-IgxGzes/s4032/20230808_112052.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicRx39unT6GjMRfk6dw6-48u7G1xoIu-3YTsMikgAes0NTBwIlcHgXdvqm57vNVoOp09QSXtM8pNQhm856s5xjUoiM0DS4d7KxQ6eOIDWrDJ6KBUuZSYHrvEeYp2Jb_wIgX7n6FVcpgECUvVAD7GMBBuQ3oSM2sWnK8Tv8jbgQWC7smxTCm86-IgxGzes/s320/20230808_112052.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p>Our beautiful boy, Benny, our silly, darling dog, has left us. He was sick for such a short time - he went from his cheerful self to being unable to walk over the space of two days. The vet found that he was riddled with tumours and Red and I held him one last time and stroked his beautiful silky ears and told him how much we loved him as the vet put him to sleep forever.</p><p>We buried him under the loquat tree on a sunny afternoon with his lead, and a handful of cat kibble. Stolen cat kibble was his absolute favourite. </p><p>Benny came to us in <a href="https://alltheblueday.blogspot.com/2014/12/the-menagerie.html">2014</a>, when we fell in love with his sandy eyebrows and lovely brown eyes at the dog shelter. He came home with us and proceeded to create havoc on a daily basis and we discovered what it is to be loved by a dog, wholeheartedly, unconditionally, and without a sliver of judgement. Benny has been our first and only dog, and I didn't realise how dreadful it is to lose a dog. The house is so quiet without the jingle of his collar and the click of his toenails on the floor boards. The couch is so empty without his warm and solid presence and gentle snores. </p><p>It's been three weeks today, and this afternoon I finally tipped the last of the kibble from his bowl into the compost. That last meal that he couldn't quite finish. Every few days I tidy up and give away another corner of his life. The dog shampoo from the bathroom, the allergy meds from next to the stove, the treats from the pantry. He is disappearing piece by piece, but his lovely, gentle soul is still here with us, perched in front of the door waiting to go out, leaping up and down in the front porch while I try to wrestle his lead on, snoozing on the couch with his head on my lap. He was always, always there for us, and he always loved us. </p><p>Good night, darling boy, and sweet dreams x </p> <p></p>Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17803297366197086152noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4838234360213313454.post-47890568496570396252023-08-06T10:45:00.000+10:002023-08-06T10:45:05.616+10:00Flower Garden Epic<p> After seven years of living here at Blueday Cottage the back garden is still more or less a clearing in the jungle. Every year the clearing gets slightly larger, and this year I am determined it will get much larger. At the bottom of the yard is an area of wasteland that I tend to weed once a year and then neglect, despite promising myself that things will change. This year is the year I am turning it into a flower garden. First I decided to make a path.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHl5Is5wW1EEwONR8R2gZjVxjR_WtzvBPqLoTCsHAk-IQvHQICz3BOr769WwMozauLEGYxzJcoKYGqtAHM0qnij7iIrCA9B7FYtLmN58Ai3rA5112DyOhEGLyUychLEhQkBpMA21DB_AkrJ6DLROV905lfM6zZtMuHEyc2y0hygyPOHV_wuvZzjUdZ/s4032/20230402_121041.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHl5Is5wW1EEwONR8R2gZjVxjR_WtzvBPqLoTCsHAk-IQvHQICz3BOr769WwMozauLEGYxzJcoKYGqtAHM0qnij7iIrCA9B7FYtLmN58Ai3rA5112DyOhEGLyUychLEhQkBpMA21DB_AkrJ6DLROV905lfM6zZtMuHEyc2y0hygyPOHV_wuvZzjUdZ/s320/20230402_121041.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>My thoughts are that if I put a garden bench at the end of the path I will go and sit on it to have a nice cup of tea, then immediately get up again to weed because it is impossible for a gardener to sit and look at weeds from close up for any length of time. This is the true purpose of garden benches. I started with the path, and then I had to do some digging for the wide part at the end where the bench will go. Because I am working with a slope I had to dig at one end, and then build up the other end with a rock wall. I go to visit Paul every couple of weeks and fill up the car with rocks for my wall building antics. His land is 99% rocks so basically I am just clearing off his front lawn for him.</p><p>For the low side of the path I have been collecting all the stones and bits of old asphalt and half bricks that I dig up in the garden, and use them as fill, then I covered them with the soil I dug up from the other side of the path where I am digging into the hill.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAWU6GPzkhAGz3sYXJxq5llD7lp4onosEW7cOye-Bp5yDJLToNTUjcHqRm-uj7Bov8UN7f1NogGEGyS4r0SfF_jjzwsFzWAl-DNZD-L_UTMN-kpZE2MsStSCaprb4IA3ViBgGZ4bNWY4CFyII4DfRTSIlHAOWrbuYH4EFd50sw-hYUtUYaO0hiv30x/s4032/20230409_150657.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAWU6GPzkhAGz3sYXJxq5llD7lp4onosEW7cOye-Bp5yDJLToNTUjcHqRm-uj7Bov8UN7f1NogGEGyS4r0SfF_jjzwsFzWAl-DNZD-L_UTMN-kpZE2MsStSCaprb4IA3ViBgGZ4bNWY4CFyII4DfRTSIlHAOWrbuYH4EFd50sw-hYUtUYaO0hiv30x/s320/20230409_150657.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>I think I am nearly done with the path. I just have to haul some heavy rocks from one side of the garden to the other to shore up the high side.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga32KNrf3JeoshA0irwIA1GVv5-j4egYtN9Vb1LWhF8jsNlTVcMdQDckDJtcjGzrVcZwuZBnXKE6VBhLY7jqEvWtq5QcEawjASrGRmVJPS75h50T8O1drE8-9G7UhMt042aiUmERIfOLtaK0kzFPEguZKMnP_IjosM_sduvA4myLa-AJa0mdTGpO6q/s4032/20230409_154047.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga32KNrf3JeoshA0irwIA1GVv5-j4egYtN9Vb1LWhF8jsNlTVcMdQDckDJtcjGzrVcZwuZBnXKE6VBhLY7jqEvWtq5QcEawjASrGRmVJPS75h50T8O1drE8-9G7UhMt042aiUmERIfOLtaK0kzFPEguZKMnP_IjosM_sduvA4myLa-AJa0mdTGpO6q/s320/20230409_154047.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>Meanwhile, back in autumn I ordered a lot of flower seeds, and planted the ones that would survive the winter. I have planted out larkspur, yarrow and blue cornflowers, and have a plantation of purple cornflowers to put in when I have hacked out some of the jungle on the lower side of the path. It has been a very wet winter so far, and the jungle is flourishing.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDCWqsKFk135bxqHRKkTf1l68vEY-ChWwfXNAphkysaFSxRHUC2fHKISGrxXLxI85Othj7Ga1ksTKIu1Oqy3FO134wHxULg52DXp7amYxUujuKyYk1w7ViAvO7VoyIHYXPRG3ruAVaSaCXLUVc1Hx8NUfnEzcnFL2-xFLmINFrD-RwfWc0nqnLCZflLjw/s4032/20230621_150424.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDCWqsKFk135bxqHRKkTf1l68vEY-ChWwfXNAphkysaFSxRHUC2fHKISGrxXLxI85Othj7Ga1ksTKIu1Oqy3FO134wHxULg52DXp7amYxUujuKyYk1w7ViAvO7VoyIHYXPRG3ruAVaSaCXLUVc1Hx8NUfnEzcnFL2-xFLmINFrD-RwfWc0nqnLCZflLjw/s320/20230621_150424.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>The cornflower plantation on my potting bench</i></div><p>I finally finished my summer painting job in the first week of winter, so the last wall of the house has been painted. I had to take down the clothesline to do it. That clothesline has always been too short - I have to fold the ends of my sheets over to hang them up, and then they take longer to dry, in what is already the shady side of the house. I thought at the time that I could only have a short line because there is a drainpipe in the way, however it occurred to me about two years ago that the line would pass well in front of the drainpipe, and it has only taken that long for me to get around to doing something about it.</p><p>So I bought a very long clothesline last week, and put it up on the weekend, with Red helping me by holding the end of the measuring tape and putting up the long rail and threading the clothesline through. I think we did an excellent job. I absolutely love the feeling I get when I DIY a thing. However annoying it was in the process, the satisfaction of doing a thing myself is priceless.</p><p>It is pouring with rain right now but tomorrow is forecast dry and I am so excited to wash the sheets and hang them out to dry tomorrow:)</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD8ie3ds9YuNPSBkZe1NEiB_qDHRuahXCqNyLkmufyhlVLdaYhYWlulxaAEk554ui0TA18jLJjRXciFrVz7YWgHMITcWkCgN2OeC_IuX-yCPZIoQ1MuUpl9bVtD-RPrpfu8Wg9CgmrAWcaYq6cAiMktTPgqVs1m_aJOCHfWCO_SKCSr1PgtLE45DkE/s4032/20230618_131352.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD8ie3ds9YuNPSBkZe1NEiB_qDHRuahXCqNyLkmufyhlVLdaYhYWlulxaAEk554ui0TA18jLJjRXciFrVz7YWgHMITcWkCgN2OeC_IuX-yCPZIoQ1MuUpl9bVtD-RPrpfu8Wg9CgmrAWcaYq6cAiMktTPgqVs1m_aJOCHfWCO_SKCSr1PgtLE45DkE/s320/20230618_131352.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>It was tomorrow several days ago now, and I was just as excited as I thought I would be to hang so many sheets and towels on my new long clothesline. How wonderful when life is so joyous:)</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBScKlTRWk68AiPsmK19AWCwivS-Lddve60OsEGbXcK9r0YkIyQ8S5m36dcr7fSzePw7188sbTAbns_XxDvhhaiK2blELRoMwwnbUUCHtvhd_x52sUxEw0HDl442R_UCLqoGXjmPwL3KIvPHPQLHI4_e6vbYqlPdHOnsJN8v0wLypPbrY-YOwYPi8fEnA/s4032/20230621_150408.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBScKlTRWk68AiPsmK19AWCwivS-Lddve60OsEGbXcK9r0YkIyQ8S5m36dcr7fSzePw7188sbTAbns_XxDvhhaiK2blELRoMwwnbUUCHtvhd_x52sUxEw0HDl442R_UCLqoGXjmPwL3KIvPHPQLHI4_e6vbYqlPdHOnsJN8v0wLypPbrY-YOwYPi8fEnA/s320/20230621_150408.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div><p>In other news I tried to clean a light fitting tonight and broke it so now I am sitting in the dark to write this.. which should be a lesson to me not to clean things. I should have learned this by now..</p><p>In other, other news I have been writing this post since June, and maybe now is the time to post it. I am still slowly making progress on the new flower garden. It is currently mostly a calendula garden, for reasons of when I weeded this whole space, all I left were the self-seeded calendulas, and they are so happy now to have lots of space and light.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdcPlTPMjz1-bUWKaMwGqjde4E_sXB9FyE8k1qa_WKuHCf0etXAtZRU-8aCdytM1luZn_VrO71r0a0RAHqDy8MXXcztMlFMUMjoz_FPSUEyVK-D55rG06M8l01j7eI6q1EVLc7vuLRd2VzyUatFr7WZuEBce7wfFzt2or97uO_Md17ZKt1DURHbm9xQlc/s4032/20230711_103715.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdcPlTPMjz1-bUWKaMwGqjde4E_sXB9FyE8k1qa_WKuHCf0etXAtZRU-8aCdytM1luZn_VrO71r0a0RAHqDy8MXXcztMlFMUMjoz_FPSUEyVK-D55rG06M8l01j7eI6q1EVLc7vuLRd2VzyUatFr7WZuEBce7wfFzt2or97uO_Md17ZKt1DURHbm9xQlc/s320/20230711_103715.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Calendulas are a wonderful medicinal herb. When the children were little and had sticky eyes - which for some reason so many children do when they are sick with anything, I would steep whole calendula heads in boiling water in a tea pot, then use the cooled water to bathe their sticky, irritated little eyes, and they would clear up really quickly. It's good for soothing eyes in general, as it is an anti-inflammatory. Used as a tea it also helps sore throats and colds in general. Its magical uses include repelling evil and inducing prophetic dreams. Also, "if a girl touches the petals of the marigold with her bare feet, she will understand the languages of birds." (Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs)</div><div>I have not attempted this last one, as I don't think I qualify as a girl anymore, but if anyone is willing to do the experiment, let me know..</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmi9Q_hi7U4D3FPpk012dlTO9TIGFJp0q1I46pDZEqxMN1O05euz2x7AmeEXvGp0qQ8KBAscoSGSbWsmcgS7yPY5irK0-yojXaUyjYuNb1vrpKkgP-FJk_izIih9JSRiTimQmuTg0RKtrEiPBByRXT6noWDv_vH_bFvyucyjrkbZtisCoQUFYvgiYK7jU/s4032/20230717_161642.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmi9Q_hi7U4D3FPpk012dlTO9TIGFJp0q1I46pDZEqxMN1O05euz2x7AmeEXvGp0qQ8KBAscoSGSbWsmcgS7yPY5irK0-yojXaUyjYuNb1vrpKkgP-FJk_izIih9JSRiTimQmuTg0RKtrEiPBByRXT6noWDv_vH_bFvyucyjrkbZtisCoQUFYvgiYK7jU/s320/20230717_161642.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div>My latest project is terracing the area of the hill right down next to the fence line at the bottom of the garden. While I was doing that I discovered that the lower 30cm or so of fence is covered by soil that has eroded down the slope over the years and is now busy trying to decompose the fence. The soil there is wonderful, loamy and filled with worms so I am slowly digging it out and hauling it back up the hill to fill in the terraces. I will have to make a permanent wall down there to save the fence. Maybe rocks from Paul's place, maybe landscaping bricks? There will be experimentation...</div><div><br /></div><div>Meanwhile I have planted out a lot of cornflower and larkspur plants that I grew from seed in autumn, and now I am waiting for a couple of weeks until I can get all the seeds out and start the spring planting. So exciting!</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsKryuiNPblOmO1gjY9xvaKZ2op-MPXKzRWAAdSF567_X5fdXZf9GZTgkUM-PmYQTmCJIIQn-uhlRouost5401iOyR696icsj9JZGh5KEksT6gnYriAxEwfMNj7BQuGqfBdlcXhEdeV0wyCHfNOzfMvEtm1OOn0haI09As6_xzlyVyTubduWgTwmgLfW4/s4032/20230723_120236.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsKryuiNPblOmO1gjY9xvaKZ2op-MPXKzRWAAdSF567_X5fdXZf9GZTgkUM-PmYQTmCJIIQn-uhlRouost5401iOyR696icsj9JZGh5KEksT6gnYriAxEwfMNj7BQuGqfBdlcXhEdeV0wyCHfNOzfMvEtm1OOn0haI09As6_xzlyVyTubduWgTwmgLfW4/s320/20230723_120236.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>What is going on in your gardens right now? Planting? Harvesting? DIY? Tell me all. I have missed your stories:)</p></div>Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17803297366197086152noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4838234360213313454.post-77265165025517934372023-03-29T14:38:00.001+11:002023-03-29T14:38:59.189+11:00More Fun in the Garden, Indoors and Out<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQrHvV0MNmpfRKfpt5uO_KTuWHRHYfdRUZPSCS9Bfs_QoDBeXfIpvJFkAjH7iHu2SohEbHc3Edgzi_t4WylBm1D3cLSELBv6WUgVOSvl4bL6vrKfQXHDj7lfNq-dRbwr9mBD6jr38T9mhySC30O7azhROpOW8hb2g_LWZRngY1wZf1szEME0Z5SbYf/s4032/20230123_125032.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQrHvV0MNmpfRKfpt5uO_KTuWHRHYfdRUZPSCS9Bfs_QoDBeXfIpvJFkAjH7iHu2SohEbHc3Edgzi_t4WylBm1D3cLSELBv6WUgVOSvl4bL6vrKfQXHDj7lfNq-dRbwr9mBD6jr38T9mhySC30O7azhROpOW8hb2g_LWZRngY1wZf1szEME0Z5SbYf/s320/20230123_125032.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p>Look at this absolute pair of sweethearts. All Red wanted for Christmas was a friend for Simon the Tabby Cat so on the day the cat rescue place opened after Christmas we went and adopted this dear little poppet who had been in the shelter for months. She is blind in one eye and not very friendly, because she is scared. But after spending two days hiding under Red's bed we introduced her to Simon and she ran straight out, miaowing, and booped him on the head and gave him big kisses. She has been in love with him ever since. Red named her Quinni, and she lets Red pat her now, and mostly still just glares at me. They are both inside cats, but we wanted to give them a spot to catch some sunshine and fresh air, so we built a catio. Paul donated the tea tree branches, and he and I put the whole structure together one day, and then we borrowed an electric staple gun from my friend Sandra (who is queen of DIY and has made a magnificent catio for her own cats) and Red attached the chicken wire. We filled up the bottom of the catio with firewood rounds so the cats aren't tempted to use the ground as a kitty litter tray, and made a shelf for them from a fence paling. The kitties love their new vantage point.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGoyXetTb0D3NM1eoT-rKUCeD2DyNCwcNx03opzWWkdgcgR5lNw0j06yh5AnzStkU3tAX8ZnFYF73fF_--tG1AkyC0VZG0IXZBoR2N7oRUyIvrQvtkl7ulaBynmGjt52eVbCLftQtYP6zuZedGx75LXc49psBf47ZqotsPI99QxciFJ_a5R8pR2n6H/s4032/20230317_115300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGoyXetTb0D3NM1eoT-rKUCeD2DyNCwcNx03opzWWkdgcgR5lNw0j06yh5AnzStkU3tAX8ZnFYF73fF_--tG1AkyC0VZG0IXZBoR2N7oRUyIvrQvtkl7ulaBynmGjt52eVbCLftQtYP6zuZedGx75LXc49psBf47ZqotsPI99QxciFJ_a5R8pR2n6H/s320/20230317_115300.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Yesterday it rained and I cancelled my gardening job and made passata instead. This is this week's tomato harvest.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWGvETmLfXoxUcB3QiU0gkt9GKPsiUqf8OyLczoPiCMe5ExiF3klh7nXSSL8m7mfwApfAkJNUL2bSSD7KKFSn7YkOoNOsXC7YzGceRJW6rGcVWr5zjAF_p74vgsQJH_f7ZJB5Lyqc7GgtglDNyAWcBgwbcbmZpuYmQ1EOo5P5svRJonQY_PNMw_-Vn/s4032/20230328_120556.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWGvETmLfXoxUcB3QiU0gkt9GKPsiUqf8OyLczoPiCMe5ExiF3klh7nXSSL8m7mfwApfAkJNUL2bSSD7KKFSn7YkOoNOsXC7YzGceRJW6rGcVWr5zjAF_p74vgsQJH_f7ZJB5Lyqc7GgtglDNyAWcBgwbcbmZpuYmQ1EOo5P5svRJonQY_PNMw_-Vn/s320/20230328_120556.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p>I chopped them up and boiled them down, then added some basil donated by my friend Lesley. She planted basil in pots and kept them in saucers which always had a bit of water in them, and has a magnificent basil crop. I think basil wants more water than I have been giving it. I will try Lesley's technique next year and see if it works for me.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4sKvwqgvgLndIy9rhKA7Qntlk84wuhEIOLQY_pUauH1zNCZk9YcNdxpnics970mHbX-dVYtvNhrbQ0AuZGeXtm6KmChNOcqxTbuoInjVvvJN69qDnUjASZDqqum_mw0gzadTMjtYs-v5dYpIXQSDpwMtR_goA1rfDCfL4_fDqoB9t017HA8XDldaE/s4032/20230328_131038.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4sKvwqgvgLndIy9rhKA7Qntlk84wuhEIOLQY_pUauH1zNCZk9YcNdxpnics970mHbX-dVYtvNhrbQ0AuZGeXtm6KmChNOcqxTbuoInjVvvJN69qDnUjASZDqqum_mw0gzadTMjtYs-v5dYpIXQSDpwMtR_goA1rfDCfL4_fDqoB9t017HA8XDldaE/s320/20230328_131038.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Four tubs of passata go into the freezer. Earlier this week I made a huge plant-based chili with last week's tomato harvest, plus zucchinis, onions, garlic, mushrooms, lentils, black beans and kidney beans, and a jar of 2020 salsa that I have been trying to use up for three years now. Only a few to go.<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYKPX7HYk2NdYF6fpBReeFPFKysIWxYcOgSnu2oCySV0R06P7DX5MFvGEiFu6wToneM-6_5ayx6P-u_3czYJrgyDMDHhvN8P37jS8BFf4uKWiQcXCisgo-KiDacAMBjhCaBZEAHMFnroSsuUzMUGMfRoi0TmqLnjW2VacecZXQ8wR87RFd8tmNw6eH/s4032/20230328_194551.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYKPX7HYk2NdYF6fpBReeFPFKysIWxYcOgSnu2oCySV0R06P7DX5MFvGEiFu6wToneM-6_5ayx6P-u_3czYJrgyDMDHhvN8P37jS8BFf4uKWiQcXCisgo-KiDacAMBjhCaBZEAHMFnroSsuUzMUGMfRoi0TmqLnjW2VacecZXQ8wR87RFd8tmNw6eH/s320/20230328_194551.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div>After yesterday's rain this morning the ground was in a perfect condition for weeding, adding manure and compost and planting pea seedlings for spring. I added some extra protection from blackbirds who love to dig up baby peas. I still have another tray of pea seedlings which germinated later than these. Next week I will plant them on the other side of the trellis.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiHjdDW4s60zkVu9ONF50AbqZqcxPdy7Wflmtv5PN7BKpkyIIGKwJ47C4wkLmj-K7H2Pkm-SmsQR-HdSSfmRuJNg87gV9-TLOwEk4REwEF1W9SYfMcp1pg_HPiOBEWpiJtbqZBQMLiEQu67Kl8rrpzhZ1EiQjbFcNUhtOH8OYxBbn_EozwKN82cfEf/s4032/20230329_120439.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiHjdDW4s60zkVu9ONF50AbqZqcxPdy7Wflmtv5PN7BKpkyIIGKwJ47C4wkLmj-K7H2Pkm-SmsQR-HdSSfmRuJNg87gV9-TLOwEk4REwEF1W9SYfMcp1pg_HPiOBEWpiJtbqZBQMLiEQu67Kl8rrpzhZ1EiQjbFcNUhtOH8OYxBbn_EozwKN82cfEf/s320/20230329_120439.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>This is half of my capsicum crop! These are mini capsicums, about the size of a cherry tomato, and very cute. I got them from a local seed library, and I will save the seeds and plant them again next year. Maybe a few more! The mini ones are good as they form and ripen a bit faster than full size ones. We often have quite cool summers here in Tasmania, and capsicums don't always ripen, but I think these tiny treats are winners. I think they would be adorable stuffed, but who am I kidding, I have never stuffed a capsicum in my life. I will probably cut them into tiny crudites and eat them with hommus:)</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJvU0qt1rjVR1KzAfGNSRGrpMUp5E6EatqD_r69_kq4aUm8Ucfs_x-KDNwEizhntjs2SSQsXj6_VVQaWeC6BIp1ZDUXDyj4o_vxyP6fK-tdPVg93cJf4oPk9DnsyI0KK2Rqs3b-rdbjhGY29mldN3Cvv4KzEWigQlO73XneyycX4WR7SOGSqievW9z/s4032/20230329_092022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJvU0qt1rjVR1KzAfGNSRGrpMUp5E6EatqD_r69_kq4aUm8Ucfs_x-KDNwEizhntjs2SSQsXj6_VVQaWeC6BIp1ZDUXDyj4o_vxyP6fK-tdPVg93cJf4oPk9DnsyI0KK2Rqs3b-rdbjhGY29mldN3Cvv4KzEWigQlO73XneyycX4WR7SOGSqievW9z/s320/20230329_092022.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div>I've had these antique chairs in the dining room for years. They are horizontal surfaces and attract clutter, and they are a little bit delicate, so if I use them as extra seating for a gathering they often break again and that's embarrassing for whoever is sitting on them. So I moved them to the attic.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifk8YE94YHMrF1cgSBNyxetHXOPiT1nBRl6VEWsrI8sitPVdiEuCIFOKdsrq5swTZZiar3Ke2GZETVQaeDJcMoqb4Ei8rD6GGNpaVdaoO-Rnslj8ySZsnKBJxfQ2Pyz53Yp_iLwK0CN_zJCnhIBNMcesq7l-Oh0SxYS1bk3c4qR6OmY4Z-OMe95qXb/s4032/20230319_111233.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifk8YE94YHMrF1cgSBNyxetHXOPiT1nBRl6VEWsrI8sitPVdiEuCIFOKdsrq5swTZZiar3Ke2GZETVQaeDJcMoqb4Ei8rD6GGNpaVdaoO-Rnslj8ySZsnKBJxfQ2Pyz53Yp_iLwK0CN_zJCnhIBNMcesq7l-Oh0SxYS1bk3c4qR6OmY4Z-OMe95qXb/s320/20230319_111233.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div>I swapped them for these plants which have been living in the attic because I didn't have space for them downstairs. The ctentanthe was a tiny little plant I bought seven years ago and is now a giant. I have repotted at least two babies from her in that time. The fiddle leaf fig is the same age. I bought both plants to 'stage' my old place when I was selling it, in 2016. The fiddle leaf has grown straight up, and I am going to prune it in the spring to gain another plant, and encourage it to branch out. In the meantime, it gets to be tall. The begonia is from Paul, and he in turn received it as a cutting from one of his friends. The cats' water is under the begonia so they can pretend they are panthers in the jungle. I love my plants and cats. I am the cat/plant lady, which I think is a perfectly reasonable ambition in life for anyone.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3lf5OVAbrLswqVPs8A0GVQ-wjYUVE206qVa1F0ByEE98d7-E9HpxANAEkzjoqZX_DFg6Y0MkFanHbuDlRMCBGv3z1Ik2QI1rrHaxvYZwQaxaToNZhA3RM_wVrErpfqOrGuCPd3mjub9VNXMjdYzSZDrH_eeKbtcurxQvxFl2iaz0Ivtd029noKwHx/s4032/20230329_123659.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3lf5OVAbrLswqVPs8A0GVQ-wjYUVE206qVa1F0ByEE98d7-E9HpxANAEkzjoqZX_DFg6Y0MkFanHbuDlRMCBGv3z1Ik2QI1rrHaxvYZwQaxaToNZhA3RM_wVrErpfqOrGuCPd3mjub9VNXMjdYzSZDrH_eeKbtcurxQvxFl2iaz0Ivtd029noKwHx/s320/20230329_123659.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>A couple of weeks ago Rosy and I went to the adorably cute little village of Evandale to see the Glover exhibition, a Tasmanian landscape art prize. While we were there we went into an antique shop and I found this steel box which we both decided that I needed. Because it is a steel box I should probably store important documents in it, but as it is, all that is going to escape from the house fire is my seeds:)</div><div>It is such a cute box. It has layers! Up the top I have the seeds I am planting right now (broad beans and peas).</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFbEDYvEn6ASqSLeLHRAugLgbrODE31NNkKvxIm7BHFAwuNUt0t4VpU_ovZnA7luoSfP7zsCVomFG0bJTmrtadQMOS2Mnfz3G-m9ltD6JHK_bInB7CaVhi90-YVLSuY_h6j_eTEZiHu1IblMhpjereBkyriY0Rl4UNOaRajZlPCZhFfwg4vyqweMsh/s4032/20230329_123727.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFbEDYvEn6ASqSLeLHRAugLgbrODE31NNkKvxIm7BHFAwuNUt0t4VpU_ovZnA7luoSfP7zsCVomFG0bJTmrtadQMOS2Mnfz3G-m9ltD6JHK_bInB7CaVhi90-YVLSuY_h6j_eTEZiHu1IblMhpjereBkyriY0Rl4UNOaRajZlPCZhFfwg4vyqweMsh/s320/20230329_123727.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Underneath there are all the other seeds, and bags of empty seed envelopes for seed saving, and a bag of plant labels so I remember what all my plants are called. On the side are my seed sowing aids: plant labels (icy pole sticks), a sharpie, sticky tape and scissors. All set for planting all the things now.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYUXnqiisa16UQNpa0x8D5lfLl3pQU05UZaOewOrqnzJKiewtBxizRb4o4L5uEmLKl2JbDgS8fH4iFOd49dc1kMB3CGw-ec45ebQgdUpsA3XjopVKBU3wKRFAxWeig0UDF21vns7bVecbOcvF3D4CVY53agc3gIS5yiCX20_QLpr38PsqC4b-ksGqF/s4032/20230329_123734.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYUXnqiisa16UQNpa0x8D5lfLl3pQU05UZaOewOrqnzJKiewtBxizRb4o4L5uEmLKl2JbDgS8fH4iFOd49dc1kMB3CGw-ec45ebQgdUpsA3XjopVKBU3wKRFAxWeig0UDF21vns7bVecbOcvF3D4CVY53agc3gIS5yiCX20_QLpr38PsqC4b-ksGqF/s320/20230329_123734.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The last thing I have been up to while it has been wet is fertilising all the indoor plants. This should really have been done in spring to give the plants some nutrients in the warm growing season, but let's not allow the perfect to be the enemy of the good. Good enough, that is. It's good enough that it isn't actually winter yet, right? So, because many of my plants are attached to the walls I can't take them outside anymore, so I brought in a pail of potting compost and some pelletised chicken manure, and fertilised and topped up all the plants in the house. I think they enjoyed it. I am enjoying my indoor jungle. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuGk6Eu-AOzFqEZJMZ4uKFo3ztU0M_sHJK4Lj51uHlzb55ljhS8wkuH4T8U4ii5hQOIiv_jmkLGw_zLXi2g7jiaOOc1qGNYeK2OURV9occxc2_YKk3OJ2xRt23P00MaHr00e2fcyod5XENM__6ankDc2dm4fynYaCATqn9nIUOtfJdUDONyZFjwtuw/s4032/20230329_130008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuGk6Eu-AOzFqEZJMZ4uKFo3ztU0M_sHJK4Lj51uHlzb55ljhS8wkuH4T8U4ii5hQOIiv_jmkLGw_zLXi2g7jiaOOc1qGNYeK2OURV9occxc2_YKk3OJ2xRt23P00MaHr00e2fcyod5XENM__6ankDc2dm4fynYaCATqn9nIUOtfJdUDONyZFjwtuw/s320/20230329_130008.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Tell me, are you also the crazy plant lady (or gentleman)? Do you spend your spare time training plants up walls and around windowsills? Isn't it fun?</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17803297366197086152noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4838234360213313454.post-45965446963505885562023-03-16T20:58:00.001+11:002023-03-16T20:58:41.864+11:00Early Autumn Garden Life<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT7rBANYR784sUTKirMpgNHR6qsYamQCa0ncFzuqw7jTgD9Gq_4qkP-o9jkweHn6RvNkIFpXbBrJbK2zEeG8DyGDxuKvpWEVOXwCe5qkEPYuOVZs-TC3l-ss7Pm6MXOF76ksjt__jehDCM4vNzLH5nxSiMSb7BJbSKBY4IVrrEKSp228mTjxus5oKD/s4032/20230305_170058.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT7rBANYR784sUTKirMpgNHR6qsYamQCa0ncFzuqw7jTgD9Gq_4qkP-o9jkweHn6RvNkIFpXbBrJbK2zEeG8DyGDxuKvpWEVOXwCe5qkEPYuOVZs-TC3l-ss7Pm6MXOF76ksjt__jehDCM4vNzLH5nxSiMSb7BJbSKBY4IVrrEKSp228mTjxus5oKD/s320/20230305_170058.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Sunday</b>: Today I weeded two (very small) garden beds ready for winter planting. One of them has a lot of self-seeded granny's bonnet plants in that I will pot up before I plant the bed out with more lettuces and winter greens. The other still has some sad little capsicum plants that are going to provide me with approximately four mini capsicums when they finally ripen. I finished weeding under the pea trellis, and dug up two potato plants. You can see the enormous potato harvest above:)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">However, while not large it's enough for four meals for me.. I made the potatoes into potato salad, and made a completely home-grown meal: Sauteed zucchini, tomato salad with home-made dressing, potato salad. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBxPRaldXCoflWDCLj6L9WE5xNBN3B-4ESEIhFQ5_ge1r54faGewmPBdZn2PbA-XAriHP-CYri5e81pp_jxkR1_rWe0KISzMylG176xQICeLM2so-OjNTKEXWfFZOSj6fsP3lzFIWBFbMzNQbf-DqwpzxCrCuiJ8QXB470WgkWJlkXWropEwJPEJpF/s4032/20230305_185325.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBxPRaldXCoflWDCLj6L9WE5xNBN3B-4ESEIhFQ5_ge1r54faGewmPBdZn2PbA-XAriHP-CYri5e81pp_jxkR1_rWe0KISzMylG176xQICeLM2so-OjNTKEXWfFZOSj6fsP3lzFIWBFbMzNQbf-DqwpzxCrCuiJ8QXB470WgkWJlkXWropEwJPEJpF/s320/20230305_185325.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Then half-way through the meal I remembered I'd also cooked kale to have with it:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiagqloUhuFz8I1ByrRnt4oA6twRRU3z2ZyVz9kPw6TwxwOlIbbMnoU1STnU0ZQpsD8ZZg-VEmN2vZbCoSE50Pvfd_tLGKtKalcKAL56jnHpFtSo4DryEjULy9pg-4RTrA3YGkYyIpWGpzNwBoXs35VogqLZsIByHeRHQACpQ-jEydCHzEAmc1UArei/s4032/20230305_185635.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiagqloUhuFz8I1ByrRnt4oA6twRRU3z2ZyVz9kPw6TwxwOlIbbMnoU1STnU0ZQpsD8ZZg-VEmN2vZbCoSE50Pvfd_tLGKtKalcKAL56jnHpFtSo4DryEjULy9pg-4RTrA3YGkYyIpWGpzNwBoXs35VogqLZsIByHeRHQACpQ-jEydCHzEAmc1UArei/s320/20230305_185635.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here's my tip. Always check all pans on the stove before serving up dinner. Can't go wrong. Anyway, I am rather chuffed to be able to say that I grew everything on my dinner plate, including the tarragon and rosemary on the potato salad. Not the mayo. I didn't grow the mayo.. I didn't grow many potatoes this year, but the few I have grown have been so delicious, I am determined to grow more in spring. I know I can grow all my vitamins - all the greens and fancy additions such as tomatoes, but I haven't ever really provided any of the carbohydrates in my diet, so here's to summer 2024 being potato year.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So while I was cooking dinner I got up from the kitchen table where I was reading to check on the potatoes or kale or what-have-you, and when I sat down again, I saw I had used a zucchini as a bookmark. I do that all the time, absent-mindedly mark my place in a book with random objects. So there's a thought for what to do with any zucchini you may have lying around. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJYEBCVBF3XEDVJxcOHiVBqoCcGQZwUyzgGMgsG9C4YTFwiLapmTWk6nRgumkPN1EwtLL1RusSiYDc5pHNG2oecHS2cau8Rt67fHWrq1lActTmPmXPGgcIQHvHpcKt4pB_gib9ss7Sp22QLduckwgRydl6G6f5HRGwJMYlaixXB7tzCG7-VGg5jatk/s4032/20230228_185306.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJYEBCVBF3XEDVJxcOHiVBqoCcGQZwUyzgGMgsG9C4YTFwiLapmTWk6nRgumkPN1EwtLL1RusSiYDc5pHNG2oecHS2cau8Rt67fHWrq1lActTmPmXPGgcIQHvHpcKt4pB_gib9ss7Sp22QLduckwgRydl6G6f5HRGwJMYlaixXB7tzCG7-VGg5jatk/s320/20230228_185306.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /> I looked in the vegie crisper today and all that is in there is a bag of carrots from the shops and a ziplock bag of washed garden kale. Everything else lays about on all the kitchen surfaces. I have found that all the vegies except greens, peas and beans actually keep better out of the fridge, even cucumbers. Fridge vegies go mouldy whereas bench vegies just dry out eventually, but before that they keep remarkably well. On the other hand, then the kitchen benches are covered with produce all summer. I love to garden, but I am not that keen on the cooking bit. Eventually, when I run out of room on the kitchen benches I am forced to cook some of it. Also, I make giant salads with the tomatoes and cucumbers. Rosy has convinced me that thin slices of raw zucchini in sandwiches are delicious. Extra crunch and no cooking!<p></p><div>My last garden job for the day was sowing radish seeds. And then my seed order arrived. Mostly flowers because I am planning a huge and glorious flower garden next season, but some veg as well. This is only half my seed order, from Tasmanian seed company <a href="https://veggiegardenseeds.com.au/collections/flower-seeds" target="_blank">Veggie Garden Seeds</a>. Their flowers are to die for. I also have another order with my old favourites, the cheap and cheerful <a href="https://www.theseedcollection.com.au" target="_blank">Seed Collection</a> from Victoria. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuq0F6MIAg114vMCh15aPEuwMrmw205Oz2nEvtJxVqfNd1_MErHpXwH_LCJh4KgXcKGPwMRr7cO_OAvs2tXIVgWUXlJKBobPFQstWkX8FGWa1h7cLOykhriWJtfjHslbgHMEEkL3r6h59GiRsSX7pgUAS-2-x5ayma2v1KRvlNJ74CytbWMFiisZAT/s4032/20230309_144236.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuq0F6MIAg114vMCh15aPEuwMrmw205Oz2nEvtJxVqfNd1_MErHpXwH_LCJh4KgXcKGPwMRr7cO_OAvs2tXIVgWUXlJKBobPFQstWkX8FGWa1h7cLOykhriWJtfjHslbgHMEEkL3r6h59GiRsSX7pgUAS-2-x5ayma2v1KRvlNJ74CytbWMFiisZAT/s320/20230309_144236.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div>Most flowers need to wait for spring, but I put in yarrow, larkspur, cornflowers and lots of peas and greens (must have food to go with flowers) here in Zone 9b.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoxV21oF4upBZfTY_BRAm57fNH0-_yHBg_pZaZbcOI84wHHMFEEVmmoW0agTAZikV2nFE-bOTVB9MVnxJcpXJa5E2bh22ILlYZl9qPFWvwuNfJqiQNtZXA8KT67T6K8AX4qqwO81TQRUbjpcOXNziJlQpSv3UldxBRjnwsIRFBwrLqQwo5hAo3hm32/s4032/20230313_154259.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoxV21oF4upBZfTY_BRAm57fNH0-_yHBg_pZaZbcOI84wHHMFEEVmmoW0agTAZikV2nFE-bOTVB9MVnxJcpXJa5E2bh22ILlYZl9qPFWvwuNfJqiQNtZXA8KT67T6K8AX4qqwO81TQRUbjpcOXNziJlQpSv3UldxBRjnwsIRFBwrLqQwo5hAo3hm32/s320/20230313_154259.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div><b>The Next Sunday:</b> This is where the flowers are going to go. It is currently a wasteland of weeds about 3m by 6m on a west facing slope on well-draining loam that is packed with a hundred years of rocks and bricks that have been thrown there by previous owners. Here is how it looked before I started weeding: upper half.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2UDijxS3Sn-njKi5P2SbY8-AR3I3vjRtcLbV-GjOlYJ5BotaetlNDiG1H_Dm9J3sGKiikhmiQINiZ_YjYa-l4tfk55FUj1_7s01NWKukR2Zx7cdDcVfeFn8_DTKgfN7FDrKPpJudrBMCK6DcgIIS7-ujMzjQa3jsdl_skorb15xMfpd1SRgfyU1Hw/s4032/20230311_104917.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2UDijxS3Sn-njKi5P2SbY8-AR3I3vjRtcLbV-GjOlYJ5BotaetlNDiG1H_Dm9J3sGKiikhmiQINiZ_YjYa-l4tfk55FUj1_7s01NWKukR2Zx7cdDcVfeFn8_DTKgfN7FDrKPpJudrBMCK6DcgIIS7-ujMzjQa3jsdl_skorb15xMfpd1SRgfyU1Hw/s320/20230311_104917.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div>Lower half.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0jWFBBBqID-fw3mpE5hJE3ItBoA3dUtKVI-YBa7qGPHQ9LNGYUsRlGV840n1PQy3PrGbT65VSaOIcC2d5MqQTFxe5SwVwR_C8Gt05eB-W8J-aPNysbpb7VoSzuofdywlznHzzS8e7hwFCLTEOcTfGVSLqyvo5xIIfi9h_f5u1qsLKaGkMTPCa8_lg/s4032/20230311_104925.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0jWFBBBqID-fw3mpE5hJE3ItBoA3dUtKVI-YBa7qGPHQ9LNGYUsRlGV840n1PQy3PrGbT65VSaOIcC2d5MqQTFxe5SwVwR_C8Gt05eB-W8J-aPNysbpb7VoSzuofdywlznHzzS8e7hwFCLTEOcTfGVSLqyvo5xIIfi9h_f5u1qsLKaGkMTPCa8_lg/s320/20230311_104925.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div>Did a bit of weeding while procrastinating over the stupid painting, and rescued and terraced two little miniature peach trees. Or possibly nectarines. I shall look after them better and surround them with flowers and they will be very happy. I will have to do more terracing before planting flowers or they will just fall down the slope. Luckily Paul has an almost infinite supply of rocks at his place, many of them with my name on them.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4ZdrSjGldNEJc4V15HXoip_5m3rbMP3vUV-tRGwxDTEwklxio5NFhDaJi4yGd8TtM33JidOKD6juC6NoxRwVYLbuL0bxnZuo0nC6SaUhyW7vDyC9WOPXDdOdrqxl6cMxVK2UKGKvQcP-6vjjUwVMQtQrI3iuT2mGNQ54Iav0dv3V-N9xYUkzZyAR8/s4032/20230313_153951.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4ZdrSjGldNEJc4V15HXoip_5m3rbMP3vUV-tRGwxDTEwklxio5NFhDaJi4yGd8TtM33JidOKD6juC6NoxRwVYLbuL0bxnZuo0nC6SaUhyW7vDyC9WOPXDdOdrqxl6cMxVK2UKGKvQcP-6vjjUwVMQtQrI3iuT2mGNQ54Iav0dv3V-N9xYUkzZyAR8/s320/20230313_153951.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>I popped down to the local toy shop on the public holiday on Monday and picked up a lot of cardboard to use as weed suppressant on my vegie garden paths and on the paths I plan to dig out in the new flower garden. It is not pretty, but very effective. I will top them with wood chips, eventually.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisMhheJsdPBd8gmYcPmQsSsZsiWp6AOM8WEa2QPuw8fksPX2BVDYR9ykeRpnsBEbCvfBYIfgS_RZDzpII5R-Rz-97ZGPfGCVUYoybDWWotro2xP395b_OvR4web9hWj1IdxtnC9iFdMcU6iV8nqHe7JhtglCBmtAygSbh-w1uof_PPbnocJtOurojZ/s4032/20230313_103957.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisMhheJsdPBd8gmYcPmQsSsZsiWp6AOM8WEa2QPuw8fksPX2BVDYR9ykeRpnsBEbCvfBYIfgS_RZDzpII5R-Rz-97ZGPfGCVUYoybDWWotro2xP395b_OvR4web9hWj1IdxtnC9iFdMcU6iV8nqHe7JhtglCBmtAygSbh-w1uof_PPbnocJtOurojZ/s320/20230313_103957.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>I dug up the last of the potatoes which were planted in the weed garden, soon to be flower garden. I might plant some more potatoes there next year. Potatoes were first grown for their pretty purple and white flowers when brought to Europe from South America. It took awhile before people could be persuaded to eat them.</div><div><br /></div><div>Also, look, my first full-sized tomatoes (grosse lisse) have ripened. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUivJgcox5ipDsk16wDnenuB9FP93hJRuibV4ijNd5Xyz6z9KKJt66ghm3EJ7Ro22q6vXoTciUwc3YeKA5GUoxVJEMHPAlQ_ERrS-muCZ8BNmxfoxa4TdCRNr_Lb-2lytBaNkjlMKrodnZZ9fFGv38RXSJ9d2mjYnLHLTX6jdUFRfAASv2gdR_vV_y/s4032/20230311_120209.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUivJgcox5ipDsk16wDnenuB9FP93hJRuibV4ijNd5Xyz6z9KKJt66ghm3EJ7Ro22q6vXoTciUwc3YeKA5GUoxVJEMHPAlQ_ERrS-muCZ8BNmxfoxa4TdCRNr_Lb-2lytBaNkjlMKrodnZZ9fFGv38RXSJ9d2mjYnLHLTX6jdUFRfAASv2gdR_vV_y/s320/20230311_120209.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div>Let's finish with flowers. This is my top bee garden, at the top of my vegie plot, and just underneath my back verandah. I also have a bottom bee garden, which is a strip of flowers between the top and bottom vegie garden plots (following?). Next year I will have a giant (for me) extra bee garden where my weed garden currently flourishes, which will border the vegies on the southern side. Then the vegies will be nearly completely surrounded by flowers, which probably won't be as sinister as it sounds.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7EtCr8WKJf0xYm9RaHrydRXe4e0GnsuQMM4qfNF0r0w4KA3yThocfPq3urQY2treiZxdveKC0VAacYgAv4Rtm_gnG0kH5m5XN6knqXwK0CQBCpC9ZNC91q_LrQ2sgxEslMjCbZqYTizzcQBlNdg_5fcqo7fYBxDCl42wOzPvu3U-M1Klcc2-XyLfh/s4032/20230311_120806.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7EtCr8WKJf0xYm9RaHrydRXe4e0GnsuQMM4qfNF0r0w4KA3yThocfPq3urQY2treiZxdveKC0VAacYgAv4Rtm_gnG0kH5m5XN6knqXwK0CQBCpC9ZNC91q_LrQ2sgxEslMjCbZqYTizzcQBlNdg_5fcqo7fYBxDCl42wOzPvu3U-M1Klcc2-XyLfh/s320/20230311_120806.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div>This is the mini larkspur I transplanted from the front garden. I have just received a packet of giant Salmon Queen larkspur, which sounds very exciting:)</div><div><br /></div><div>How does your garden grow? Are you a flower enthusiast, or are you more a food gardener, or do you like a native garden? I love all three and have different garden spaces for all of them:)</div><div><br /></div>Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17803297366197086152noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4838234360213313454.post-37016116551659958852023-03-04T20:15:00.001+11:002023-03-04T20:15:44.916+11:00Garden Days<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFCV2AGWG3zYvFjGwVkO1tlpSlQuhJT_aO2DaUIou5w1BCeRadt2KA2OnX4SpIO0eQ4NqL5PaTPt8mI26HdLtRw6eVstJiFGsV1NKm78sBz5H3h5YaS25pfr5HFG3K0S8BQ3E-1CBK3QngjW3bf239Z204BhtabMNCWSz288-3TkmInD8nzeH_j_16/s4032/20230304_174642.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFCV2AGWG3zYvFjGwVkO1tlpSlQuhJT_aO2DaUIou5w1BCeRadt2KA2OnX4SpIO0eQ4NqL5PaTPt8mI26HdLtRw6eVstJiFGsV1NKm78sBz5H3h5YaS25pfr5HFG3K0S8BQ3E-1CBK3QngjW3bf239Z204BhtabMNCWSz288-3TkmInD8nzeH_j_16/s320/20230304_174642.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><i>I planted a packet of cactus dahlia seeds two years ago and forgot about them. This year they flowered for the first time and I was so surprised and happy.</i></div><div style="font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;">Today I am bringing you several more days in the garden, because they are quite fun.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4wPi-Qr1bCa-K6rN0AwmM6GPG1mDYhUlVOVK2xY-J0FgQGounFa_V5MjjoGxruiez6_X4CXDFjHkmZsVupOl63D_ubUVewR-R_Ub7orLllBc7kxEr-CKZVmrYKjeS8mJYJ8Bkvs7G6MfNsEhK_ZZyYEg7wdLxJjUum9M7fGa0ue61iKUtvPpmSDE4/s4032/20230304_174523.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4wPi-Qr1bCa-K6rN0AwmM6GPG1mDYhUlVOVK2xY-J0FgQGounFa_V5MjjoGxruiez6_X4CXDFjHkmZsVupOl63D_ubUVewR-R_Ub7orLllBc7kxEr-CKZVmrYKjeS8mJYJ8Bkvs7G6MfNsEhK_ZZyYEg7wdLxJjUum9M7fGa0ue61iKUtvPpmSDE4/s320/20230304_174523.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /> </span><b style="text-align: left;">Wednesday</b><span style="text-align: left;">: Today is a good day. One day near the end of summer you wake up here in Tasmania, to a chilly morning and an intensely blue sky. The air is still and clear as glass, and suddenly your hands itch to plant and harvest. The beginning of the end of summer is here, and the beginning of the beginning of autumn. It will get no doubt get very hot again throughout March, but the land knows: it is nearly time. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkfMNzZHVkbbXrsLnYA6-dObcM1_OBYbW4jU3n3EmQEoGwWw6pYOL10doX5X0kA4TDYLE76WZRL9t2-N9JpWC85VyBCDGQMnsvvfzTjryqxPL3aLOrPhqg2R3bcUduJdpEacrZ1DpUFtXOqf5XRBYSsNyUuUye43IGLXCmytqAfxVvj78L5KtKaV7P/s4032/20230222_112031.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkfMNzZHVkbbXrsLnYA6-dObcM1_OBYbW4jU3n3EmQEoGwWw6pYOL10doX5X0kA4TDYLE76WZRL9t2-N9JpWC85VyBCDGQMnsvvfzTjryqxPL3aLOrPhqg2R3bcUduJdpEacrZ1DpUFtXOqf5XRBYSsNyUuUye43IGLXCmytqAfxVvj78L5KtKaV7P/s320/20230222_112031.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>I started out a day's gardening today trimming the grape vine over the deck. My neighbour was concerned that grape leaves will block her downpipe, fair enough, the leaves are kind of large, so I cut them back. While I was up the step ladder I cut the first bunches of grapes. This is so exciting. The vines are fairly dripping with grapes this year. I popped a basketful into the dehydrator to make my very own sultana bunches:)</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHfTueN-o6Xwj9gXxXEC41K-49aQ4ET-6f_WeBtZQWjNLLWr-OfyjAz6CEIsVaKCtNpryb-t2hDRIPSj8GbtedR20PlJ48ETKeWpcSM2S2ukXFglzZ4je66VC9zSAhMw_tzEBR9PeIpvFfjU48gSCgOvDj9Y-2FSuWlYOU5KGm-7tmmVAjPqllLicw/s4032/20230222_112541.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHfTueN-o6Xwj9gXxXEC41K-49aQ4ET-6f_WeBtZQWjNLLWr-OfyjAz6CEIsVaKCtNpryb-t2hDRIPSj8GbtedR20PlJ48ETKeWpcSM2S2ukXFglzZ4je66VC9zSAhMw_tzEBR9PeIpvFfjU48gSCgOvDj9Y-2FSuWlYOU5KGm-7tmmVAjPqllLicw/s320/20230222_112541.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Update on dried grapes: well, the difficulty lies in the fact that the bunches don't dry evenly. I either have crispy dried up grapes, or ones that aren't quite dry, but delicious. I have popped them into paper bags so they don't go mouldy and may have to eat them over the next couple of weeks. That will be so difficult..<p>The next job was trimming the ivy back along the southern fence. I love the high wall of ivy, but I don't love ivy flowers, which make me sneeze. The bees have been loving them for a couple of weeks, but that's enough of a turn for them, now it is cutting back time. The fun of this job is climbing on the shed roof to trim the hedge. The shed roof is below the level of the street, because my cottage is on a steep hillside. Before: here is the view from over the front fence.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtArl5ty2BtQYB7LX3AYeF5VEmY0R7djyT4Pr8Utky7NTH0UvRDIctljICx988t-oYQR1g49SvWS8e7mWa9XZ9DnCrQiHBKmjvLv3Xfw2SYlc7JLS_cEd9ajB0rhbadRo30Zp2LPoWGYOFS6P-TQq7UHsxVRMLJ8IVvDngSgwC-kHKHipqiHpZvuv1/s4032/20230222_114039.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtArl5ty2BtQYB7LX3AYeF5VEmY0R7djyT4Pr8Utky7NTH0UvRDIctljICx988t-oYQR1g49SvWS8e7mWa9XZ9DnCrQiHBKmjvLv3Xfw2SYlc7JLS_cEd9ajB0rhbadRo30Zp2LPoWGYOFS6P-TQq7UHsxVRMLJ8IVvDngSgwC-kHKHipqiHpZvuv1/s320/20230222_114039.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>Ivy trimmings are one thing I don't compost, because otherwise I would have a garden full of ivy, so I cut the hedge until I filled up the bin. The rest of this job will have to wait until the weekend when the bin is emptied. (Update, it will now have to wait until next weekend, because rain) After: so neat:)</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeCjKaA-n91FJ38pv9-fV22k2Rb0IWRbh2xeZyVbVIrj84JFa5QmWRFKDnsc00Nqd03NEQFctMljbsCtY6TQrrA-0ry4nVR6tr9FekZLLS7SDPowE7aCoMlHujk3cnklZozygrcnBZTmrz_FAP9coHt7jRiM9mI5GP6hX__2ZkzrXr_38h3XC0-FiE/s4032/20230304_185956.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeCjKaA-n91FJ38pv9-fV22k2Rb0IWRbh2xeZyVbVIrj84JFa5QmWRFKDnsc00Nqd03NEQFctMljbsCtY6TQrrA-0ry4nVR6tr9FekZLLS7SDPowE7aCoMlHujk3cnklZozygrcnBZTmrz_FAP9coHt7jRiM9mI5GP6hX__2ZkzrXr_38h3XC0-FiE/s320/20230304_185956.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>Next I put chicken manure pellets, crushed egg shells and compost on the garden bed I cleared last week and gave it a good water. On the weekend I can plant the lettuce and silverbeet babies. I cut back a lavender bush and deadheaded the dahlias in the bee garden. I cut back some leggy chrysanthemum stems and brought them inside to root in a bottle of water. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfv0el34vqdLB_zja6kBTLV-GBeaZKDqyS8TA1hfRSG51I4bxCL1k3oML7ngUx_-xv-h0C6VilCpcwK0KHZhSl-QxgWXyc8cmy7L-d2QfQiYYeWWrXJ2D7oYNOSimds4u3NbcOGJKOBWzv2PE1w0QCdlgtOp_8RHJsdXqn3iNa73b5F6nrjR0vQmDi/s4032/20230304_190239.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfv0el34vqdLB_zja6kBTLV-GBeaZKDqyS8TA1hfRSG51I4bxCL1k3oML7ngUx_-xv-h0C6VilCpcwK0KHZhSl-QxgWXyc8cmy7L-d2QfQiYYeWWrXJ2D7oYNOSimds4u3NbcOGJKOBWzv2PE1w0QCdlgtOp_8RHJsdXqn3iNa73b5F6nrjR0vQmDi/s320/20230304_190239.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>It has been a lovely, lovely day of pottering quietly and being so grateful to have a garden.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixEQg2f4Z-e_Gh9b2rFflK5lxYaXgGFaFOOofk_Cn0wDJKjvin6sDW5zEVeI3VvesTm353jde5Ff4OXNw6S54e3BV4CQjmHeX9TWBXXlC0ROa6aJ4_SSxJFbiJCiNCZRm5KMWVsbrZlq1k5ELdib_f1mmkUX66S97NSPSFRlrZWiYITJg1_ws84MXV/s4032/20230223_170529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixEQg2f4Z-e_Gh9b2rFflK5lxYaXgGFaFOOofk_Cn0wDJKjvin6sDW5zEVeI3VvesTm353jde5Ff4OXNw6S54e3BV4CQjmHeX9TWBXXlC0ROa6aJ4_SSxJFbiJCiNCZRm5KMWVsbrZlq1k5ELdib_f1mmkUX66S97NSPSFRlrZWiYITJg1_ws84MXV/s320/20230223_170529.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p><b>Thursday</b>: Grated a lot of zucchini in the food processor, and froze it in ziplock bags for later. I squeezed out as much juice as I could before bagging it up, and fed the zucchini juice to the lemon tree. Nine cups of zucchini for the freezer. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9HT2K6rUN6M9k2yBPx0Lq3FlVmGK3oTGfkuJTIGiEg_J_wxQVVXARrszE3vyS_5Mgb6tAymZnyttCaFrbvnrlFnLxY86WtknMQH2gwyuL7ne9tk28rtGFqP75sDRgkil3JhKBWnHqMtvWTbHH2cb7aLLL8PamIWZDZk36NnCHOv_3VLXOwB9fQEbg/s4032/20230223_105721.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9HT2K6rUN6M9k2yBPx0Lq3FlVmGK3oTGfkuJTIGiEg_J_wxQVVXARrszE3vyS_5Mgb6tAymZnyttCaFrbvnrlFnLxY86WtknMQH2gwyuL7ne9tk28rtGFqP75sDRgkil3JhKBWnHqMtvWTbHH2cb7aLLL8PamIWZDZk36NnCHOv_3VLXOwB9fQEbg/s320/20230223_105721.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p><b>Friday</b>: A big gardening day today, because I have a day off work. Gardening work at home is such a joy because I potter and stop to have snacks and read and play with the cat. I pruned the tomato plants first. It is about eight weeks to first frost, not enough time for more tomatoes to form and ripen, so I tip pruned the plants above the top tomato bunch so the plants can put their energy into ripening and growing the tomatoes that are already on the bush. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhibNg2aqrjS3oXbNfLd56UAWbDcqohCFZ0w45o74aL06zoouB3gv4GT73LaqtVRwaANkU-nVNCBANZwcTSEv-RKEKrZASX66v3hYWVOVBA2Ao9mX_n625jUdSmN0gAJfu90Qj4vQwiBC9TtAuSxm-1iqd0uMVKAJ-ymzmzm5TONYWnv3mgK9GUSJzW/s4032/20230303_104918.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhibNg2aqrjS3oXbNfLd56UAWbDcqohCFZ0w45o74aL06zoouB3gv4GT73LaqtVRwaANkU-nVNCBANZwcTSEv-RKEKrZASX66v3hYWVOVBA2Ao9mX_n625jUdSmN0gAJfu90Qj4vQwiBC9TtAuSxm-1iqd0uMVKAJ-ymzmzm5TONYWnv3mgK9GUSJzW/s320/20230303_104918.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>I also pruned away the leaves that were covering up the tomatoes so they can have some more sunlight and ripening time. Before: can hardly see tomatoes.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVtR9AwODp-e9JuBS8Ab5DlqVZaY-iviO0LKZpfpNaVJgPREg2Lb2umNRF5E8oJbrFQufmJZ9JAOEZ8u5hRjGta5r3lduaAnb_6CpbtuAfgd8Qpf_OFxhKcPTrt4rUB_rPrGJmZdiahRg51bKnz_M-jMxIhF59_uyGHoJPNs9IgmEqh5OAoKmP957o/s4032/20230303_100444.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVtR9AwODp-e9JuBS8Ab5DlqVZaY-iviO0LKZpfpNaVJgPREg2Lb2umNRF5E8oJbrFQufmJZ9JAOEZ8u5hRjGta5r3lduaAnb_6CpbtuAfgd8Qpf_OFxhKcPTrt4rUB_rPrGJmZdiahRg51bKnz_M-jMxIhF59_uyGHoJPNs9IgmEqh5OAoKmP957o/s320/20230303_100444.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>After: Not a huge difference, but a lot more tomatoes visible now. I found a lot more to pick as well, now that I can see them all. Especially the ones hiding at ground level.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwqOh6U_9nTdyDOIR5nATlQw8AIOxd5aZJyE-3-MBjMc3MqrxMvsRqPxupDFDNw0NCSZRFXqusqxig4cPzXFAxFiSzXoh_eredYzdcPAFStxANfUIkRxO6jli_kJuSLuYmRcA6akWO3gYaNOHglia5OzbOO-GI5sWhoarGnSHQfwduMSC3jI_9FcTE/s4032/20230303_104839.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwqOh6U_9nTdyDOIR5nATlQw8AIOxd5aZJyE-3-MBjMc3MqrxMvsRqPxupDFDNw0NCSZRFXqusqxig4cPzXFAxFiSzXoh_eredYzdcPAFStxANfUIkRxO6jli_kJuSLuYmRcA6akWO3gYaNOHglia5OzbOO-GI5sWhoarGnSHQfwduMSC3jI_9FcTE/s320/20230303_104839.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>I hope you are appreciating my cardboard-covered paths. Ideally they would be covered in woodchips, but I haven't had any delivered this season, and the cardboard is not pretty but does an excellent job of weed inhibition. </p><p>Climbing on the roof to prune the nectarines today. That was fun. And I cleared out two overgrown wine barrel tubs and planted the new citrus babies. Before:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu-J_1FU1POsupBhoWdUX1APIAgSm5NGPYqUP0OwUWSyBN5clkKbjapiD8NajkIzj3I9pvbXBMYU1obHzGRRZNajwK4hZJcbTsZRDZcUQXNTaFtFwYfa6frp5RZuSwWBs6W0cXv9VJQz_IAchcn4ft9ztyPM7uFLyO6rrazcFxt_sqon8riLiMleug/s4032/20230301_144314.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu-J_1FU1POsupBhoWdUX1APIAgSm5NGPYqUP0OwUWSyBN5clkKbjapiD8NajkIzj3I9pvbXBMYU1obHzGRRZNajwK4hZJcbTsZRDZcUQXNTaFtFwYfa6frp5RZuSwWBs6W0cXv9VJQz_IAchcn4ft9ztyPM7uFLyO6rrazcFxt_sqon8riLiMleug/s320/20230301_144314.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><i>Herb Robert, seaside daisy and warrigal greens. Big mess.</i></div><div style="font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjflGCrl7BHx3YFgGdufQDpZfjxkgZ7RX8s1-_hr3ILTPZb12Zi65S4uZB-CqDhRmpQzunU44R5-_s9mIDUBWsz54tx4useJ2fTdIanUZNhlGibIvxsc5TktOa9Kag_HVhHD55H54frK-5yI82pg_NrqhSkOdoBYbkdT_0gnGd5wqEMXN_wk5k1gtjq/s4032/20230301_144305.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjflGCrl7BHx3YFgGdufQDpZfjxkgZ7RX8s1-_hr3ILTPZb12Zi65S4uZB-CqDhRmpQzunU44R5-_s9mIDUBWsz54tx4useJ2fTdIanUZNhlGibIvxsc5TktOa9Kag_HVhHD55H54frK-5yI82pg_NrqhSkOdoBYbkdT_0gnGd5wqEMXN_wk5k1gtjq/s320/20230301_144305.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>Snow in summer, gazania, cotyledon, weeds. Big mess.</div><div style="font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">These half wine barrels are over ten years old now, and beginning to deteriorate fast. If I could go back in time I would sternly lecture past Jo on the advantages of treating the inside of the tubs with waterproofing before planting in them, no matter how impatient you are, because in ten years time they will double in price, and then where will you be? Bit late now, so I will just hang onto them as long as I can and do better next time. Maybe. I am very impatient.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><p style="text-align: left;">After: </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrjk3X-d3ohCthKvRP3dqag15SJEqEDsMOMQrMowaqxMiLoGkcn-Bx5AENzqgi15JlnYwafjeKB9oKBvQaUp3bY6UBbLHWTFFaY0ON2ClUg_SguG44fmwKml2Na8SOr0YY4k8TfSDMLRV6kWcU29XCkD9bq46vQrc7hxFkneywuNLfpVVb1OuUYCfH/s4032/20230304_150901.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrjk3X-d3ohCthKvRP3dqag15SJEqEDsMOMQrMowaqxMiLoGkcn-Bx5AENzqgi15JlnYwafjeKB9oKBvQaUp3bY6UBbLHWTFFaY0ON2ClUg_SguG44fmwKml2Na8SOr0YY4k8TfSDMLRV6kWcU29XCkD9bq46vQrc7hxFkneywuNLfpVVb1OuUYCfH/s320/20230304_150901.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Cara cara orange tree</i></div></i><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkUihb9EqgdqL26b_Nw8Yy3t6O_PpasKy4uhWt4N7iR1cdHKeUAHFqsHfvNa1h2qqp24v726lk5GvAQkiQ-Nefmi20w13HJBeA74KpS9V1XWbn96Q75JUhIX3nk-Q4YEHq1b0k83GoUX4kDcYiTPXT3nehYL9Q2O-a5qClpjMNxD7Kt6tKuUoMW-9D/s4032/20230304_150845.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkUihb9EqgdqL26b_Nw8Yy3t6O_PpasKy4uhWt4N7iR1cdHKeUAHFqsHfvNa1h2qqp24v726lk5GvAQkiQ-Nefmi20w13HJBeA74KpS9V1XWbn96Q75JUhIX3nk-Q4YEHq1b0k83GoUX4kDcYiTPXT3nehYL9Q2O-a5qClpjMNxD7Kt6tKuUoMW-9D/s320/20230304_150845.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><i>Emperor Mandarin tree</i></div><div style="text-align: left;">Last week in the comments Blueberry recommended some rusty iron in the pots, because citrus need a lot of iron, and don't always get enough. I have a collection of odd objects I dig up in the garden, and added several rusty iron spikes to the new citrus pots.</div><p style="text-align: left;"><b>Saturday</b>: It is going to pour with rain tonight so I have spent the day getting things ready. I pruned the grapevine which hangs over my neighbour's gutters, swept all the decks and paths, and trimmed all the wild growth along the paths so I can walk to the compost and the bin between showers without getting wet. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJmGiSRtvkg_q3RX1_m6eULvFpoGMAJdIYrM1-DU-YZw-zNZDDPxJfoMjOcZcXaxkU6JRUHJiog4REtDPsHL_la5FRrCLXBuVYCh3M4XyZsVQlZX9-GM1B1yGip3oVYDBd9zwuLlgJl4K7hjwUO91SRpyEVtvss1pykDJA9ecSWVkaW_PyuTD9KHLu/s4032/20230304_174539.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJmGiSRtvkg_q3RX1_m6eULvFpoGMAJdIYrM1-DU-YZw-zNZDDPxJfoMjOcZcXaxkU6JRUHJiog4REtDPsHL_la5FRrCLXBuVYCh3M4XyZsVQlZX9-GM1B1yGip3oVYDBd9zwuLlgJl4K7hjwUO91SRpyEVtvss1pykDJA9ecSWVkaW_PyuTD9KHLu/s320/20230304_174539.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: left;">This week a friend gave me a dahlia she didn't want in her garden anymore, so I planted that in my bee garden (dahlias, rudbeckias, salvia, sedum, Japanese anemones). </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAILaz5uQqV6llvpWo_e3rTSdGW1CXbLONYxfrSSXzjpXZNZrZ0Lt6CJg9eQfoJFHfMakYukL9W8pdIEFoUiMeuHVEUHW1CiwWpMRucuUK583W4TpFp5m2MHuWfdybKel1EBndHU2M2tMVy5prlkMKiAUAqYwzkDDs1odtHHTm7i2i0HGFcbuembO2/s4032/20230304_174558.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAILaz5uQqV6llvpWo_e3rTSdGW1CXbLONYxfrSSXzjpXZNZrZ0Lt6CJg9eQfoJFHfMakYukL9W8pdIEFoUiMeuHVEUHW1CiwWpMRucuUK583W4TpFp5m2MHuWfdybKel1EBndHU2M2tMVy5prlkMKiAUAqYwzkDDs1odtHHTm7i2i0HGFcbuembO2/s320/20230304_174558.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Rudbeckia, from seed I planted in the spring, and a very pretty gifted dahlia in the background.</i></div></i><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj01NKZhusYwAH8fzi4qZ3VeZhmhnGkyJePLcBKQzpS-bBihnC7sA2r4LLdCL-mZZrCLe5gqiI9YkYqQvFFyebjZkEGERC4QUyxO9kuxjcn7UEe2c-cBI6jG7Aql0HsibdJANKEtcrtxsA1hK1vG-51W99Gg3AyB4FHmsWmLxeDhV4Wlut5yQlKsp9S/s4032/20230304_174546.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj01NKZhusYwAH8fzi4qZ3VeZhmhnGkyJePLcBKQzpS-bBihnC7sA2r4LLdCL-mZZrCLe5gqiI9YkYqQvFFyebjZkEGERC4QUyxO9kuxjcn7UEe2c-cBI6jG7Aql0HsibdJANKEtcrtxsA1hK1vG-51W99Gg3AyB4FHmsWmLxeDhV4Wlut5yQlKsp9S/s320/20230304_174546.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Japanese anemones. I brought these from the old house, and have dug up clumps of them to give away for years. They pop up everywhere.</i></div></i><p style="text-align: left;">The dahlia friend (one of two dahlia enthusiast friends) also potted up a heap of dahlia seedlings from her garden and gave me a couple. She has so many dahlias, they could turn out to be anything, although my dahlia friend says most of them throw back to yellow (dahlia enthusiasts are a bit snobbish about plain yellow dahlias, which is fair enough, because fancy dahlias are amazing and gorgeous). One of the two seedlings has buds on, and I am too excited to see what it will be. There is nothing like the bud of a new flower in the garden to send me mental with impatience. I am perfectly happy for it to be a yellow dahlia. I am not precious. I just want to see it! It is probably at least a week away..</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivDMTu6eXQGOZAa2L9V2KLtBC8yCPKyQMiSeXa-rBNaQQXLahMJLGFseLdnc7Xtc1Z3flGQ8yqS3vvXo1ig-qSV6JLOuo3RwhfWYl6VUHmg_lId3ZpauUzrgudN2UQnmhFKCf3cM5OUB1FXDhM_CiSEPG1Mw0iti_aXyFHPEExsXbk0FSTJEMwQ5X1/s4032/20230304_174741.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivDMTu6eXQGOZAa2L9V2KLtBC8yCPKyQMiSeXa-rBNaQQXLahMJLGFseLdnc7Xtc1Z3flGQ8yqS3vvXo1ig-qSV6JLOuo3RwhfWYl6VUHmg_lId3ZpauUzrgudN2UQnmhFKCf3cM5OUB1FXDhM_CiSEPG1Mw0iti_aXyFHPEExsXbk0FSTJEMwQ5X1/s320/20230304_174741.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Well, that is nearly all. Today I also fixed the pea trellis, which was sagging sadly. I bashed the iron droppers with a metal mallet until it stood up straight again. I can be very persuasive. Then I weeded all the grass and wild clematis out of the trellis, and this week will plant snow pea seeds ready for spring. All the winter veg will have to go in in the next couple of weeks. All hands to the wheel!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvDrXMlJMzQJAroxkkcqMOhYWkv-s9f2R3LZ5yICuBdJN2yBewrF6bmqvsJ1_5AUaMbO6G219f4hM3dyJ8PPvt_nCSi9kniXz3XlgTQyAfzHOuklrHIgJ6iris9QJgqxkotowKOU6yJbq5hgD7xsmdwOMM7UPqx-Il47c2gM5SqIhawEAcILFBiYBz/s4032/20230224_100745.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvDrXMlJMzQJAroxkkcqMOhYWkv-s9f2R3LZ5yICuBdJN2yBewrF6bmqvsJ1_5AUaMbO6G219f4hM3dyJ8PPvt_nCSi9kniXz3XlgTQyAfzHOuklrHIgJ6iris9QJgqxkotowKOU6yJbq5hgD7xsmdwOMM7UPqx-Il47c2gM5SqIhawEAcILFBiYBz/s320/20230224_100745.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div>Yellow rudbeckia and pink geraniums. Not a classic combination, but I think it works. </div><div><br /></div><div>Tell me about your week in the garden. Did possums, deer, rats, iguanas or bugs eat everything? Did you plant some seeds, not quite able to believe that spring is around the corner, or as in my case, not quite believing that it will soon be cold enough for cabbages and spinach? I love your garden stories and advice:)<br /><p><br /></p></div>Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17803297366197086152noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4838234360213313454.post-72446532569526395132023-02-22T14:40:00.003+11:002023-02-22T14:40:29.639+11:00What I Harvest in a Week & Gardening Jobs.<p> I thought I might do some posts occasionally on a week of harvests from the garden. I am a very scrappy food gardener, and mostly forget about succession planting, but I realised recently that I do eat something out of the garden every day. Sometimes it's just a bay leaf, but sometimes it's enough for a meal. So here is a week of summer harvests from the garden, and a week of garden jobs. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUZUln1_rHCviEIVk9kcO81Yamq_ThKSSXvbNqsTRvP_1Isj-E6eKWHnH2r1cKpYitpg-gSP9QSORMhM8VJmmPQstbeWY1eyjOLQp-WcO0Fg0SZCXUmaU9ACOCz5aJ6x4Z4hUrtUerI3Tw-eZ--Eo2kYeTh2DO8_5Z5tgsITQVzzw6zp05NXnpPlIq/s4032/20230210_133220.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUZUln1_rHCviEIVk9kcO81Yamq_ThKSSXvbNqsTRvP_1Isj-E6eKWHnH2r1cKpYitpg-gSP9QSORMhM8VJmmPQstbeWY1eyjOLQp-WcO0Fg0SZCXUmaU9ACOCz5aJ6x4Z4hUrtUerI3Tw-eZ--Eo2kYeTh2DO8_5Z5tgsITQVzzw6zp05NXnpPlIq/s320/20230210_133220.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p><b>Monday</b>: Eating tomatoes and home-grown cucumber pickles on toast for lunch. Transplanted baby larkspur plants from the front garden to my flower garden out the back. The front garden is my dry garden, but having transplanted an olive tree and a native shrub out of pots and into that garden a few weeks ago, I have been watering that spot, and lots of weeds and self-sown plants have sprung up, including the larkspur, which came from a 50c punnet of sad larkspur on clearance that I planted here six years ago. I haven't seen them since I stopped watering, but the seeds have been lurking in the soil all this time waiting for some moisture at just the right moment. Soon I will have a little larkspur garden as a bee magnet out the back next to the vegies. I love re-using plants!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF6RAbSS9wV-iXsSiK5U2jdTGKvkPdpPFKcb9_i6_LETybQ5SclhISJiZShbczTNiWZXsdEw7a1ZbNhcSZPwgl_CB7JKEZhk7PqOveN-oZmTiVQI83nDoZNOelLigtbqYDodzHIDFedybawQ8urgG4SgD0a-tJHH0Lwc7ebb7wumhwSDhMhirNhWVm/s4032/20230211_110214.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF6RAbSS9wV-iXsSiK5U2jdTGKvkPdpPFKcb9_i6_LETybQ5SclhISJiZShbczTNiWZXsdEw7a1ZbNhcSZPwgl_CB7JKEZhk7PqOveN-oZmTiVQI83nDoZNOelLigtbqYDodzHIDFedybawQ8urgG4SgD0a-tJHH0Lwc7ebb7wumhwSDhMhirNhWVm/s320/20230211_110214.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Sometimes the harvest is very small. One Ronde de Nice zucchini, and the last handful of the first crop of green beans, which has been lush and prolific. The second crop of beans is coming along but it is not so enthusiastic. A different bed, different soil, may need a nutrient boost.<br /><p><b>Tuesday</b>: Pruned half the apricot tree. The best time to prune stone-fruit trees is after the fruit is finished. The warm, dry weather means less potential virus spread. Also, in my shady garden, lopping a metre of growth off the top of the apricot tree means another hour or so of sun on the tomatoes. </p><p><b>Wednesday</b>: Pruned the other half of the apricot tree. That's mostly done now, although I am a serial tree pruner, and sometimes while standing in the garden communing with a tree I realise that it needs a branch taking out to give it breathing space. I have a window of about a month to continue my occasional pruning habit.</p><p>I cut back the hebe bush which has just finished flowering. Hebe bushes get very leggy if not cut back regularly, and I have the added motivation of needing it compact in order to open the front gate. I also cut back all the Boston ivy around the gate and the letterbox so the postman can get to it. He arrived to deliver a package while I was doing this, and appreciated my handiwork. I am a gardener who likes appreciation.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_xOYkW-sqopE8EXMJUpBp8lh2XZh9khthFcxYmqpn8YSmi-y29N-60IBKItcv0TVCg2MpciM0ju-1-F9y4kUw0WZe-D09ocXbUe4sSnVDhrETsO726j06th9pwsVgGN7fqXx2EalyZYbzpQ3cF3Qq1-wExbYkqgGIEi9xsoXmCp1YysS748rXecqy/s4032/20230215_105629.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_xOYkW-sqopE8EXMJUpBp8lh2XZh9khthFcxYmqpn8YSmi-y29N-60IBKItcv0TVCg2MpciM0ju-1-F9y4kUw0WZe-D09ocXbUe4sSnVDhrETsO726j06th9pwsVgGN7fqXx2EalyZYbzpQ3cF3Qq1-wExbYkqgGIEi9xsoXmCp1YysS748rXecqy/s320/20230215_105629.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>Harvested a handful of tiny tomatoes, a zucchini, some rocket for a salad. I cut the last leaves of the winter kale which is going to seed, and pulled out the kale plants, thanked them for their service, and laid them to rest on the compost heap. I cut the seed heads off my very small dill crop. I have had very little success over several years growing dill. If anyone has dill growing tips, let me know. So far, I have had the most of my limited success growing it in part shade with lots of water. It seems very temperamental, but maybe it's just me.. anyway, the few heads I harvested yielded quite a lot of dill seeds, more than enough for next season's seed, and some for pickling. After a stressful week, pulling seeds off dill flower heads is very calming.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2LCdHEayIPzIzwLRzicLySl2lktfi96j_Av5-z_QGC8FYaS2tWENlLbKEC0m8bnyi_X9icL9oWC4tn0BFhDjtDvdkawtWbkijxTvuEKOvz0G_v6Kbx9m36Ndo4rCdh3Z3kRmeloLqPnHFPmx7NXCjBCL-NdImOhJ-2p1tqrFZ2dHQYxVCohTPf5Rn/s4032/20230215_110855.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2LCdHEayIPzIzwLRzicLySl2lktfi96j_Av5-z_QGC8FYaS2tWENlLbKEC0m8bnyi_X9icL9oWC4tn0BFhDjtDvdkawtWbkijxTvuEKOvz0G_v6Kbx9m36Ndo4rCdh3Z3kRmeloLqPnHFPmx7NXCjBCL-NdImOhJ-2p1tqrFZ2dHQYxVCohTPf5Rn/s320/20230215_110855.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p><b>Thursday</b>: Went out to put the sprinkler on in the back yard and accidentally weeded a whole garden bed ready for baby silverbeet and lettuces. I took out the winter silverbeet with stems as tall as I am, and have little babies the size of my pinkie to replace them with. This afternoon I went to the garden centre to buy some compost, and brought home two trees as well.. I have been looking for a nice mandarin and orange at a good price, and found them today:) A cara cara orange, which looks like a blood orange, and an emperor mandarin. Does anyone have these? Have I made a good choice? I am going to be planting them in half oak barrels on the narrow front garden strip which is bounded by a tall concrete, vine-covered wall. This wall retains a lot of heat at night which I am hoping will keep the citrus happy in the winter. I've been eating up nectarine and rhubarb crumble. Nectarines from my tree, rhubarb from Mum's garden.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY2uiCKq91cms7HsV9fCa2SE7ToMJ01tE_325rmW1WuSzsLOrMNo12ORztRXd3OSppSPAtANmDGiZW8By1vNiLGPT_mWPQd0dxzx8LWqVJmrFUmebm0A8cft532HDJTesXCB77YGiRIwlIHBpHTM4ixkhtM4TTvXyUCM_fZ-DEC6i2Ma-nv1dAyrK6/s4032/20230216_190930.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY2uiCKq91cms7HsV9fCa2SE7ToMJ01tE_325rmW1WuSzsLOrMNo12ORztRXd3OSppSPAtANmDGiZW8By1vNiLGPT_mWPQd0dxzx8LWqVJmrFUmebm0A8cft532HDJTesXCB77YGiRIwlIHBpHTM4ixkhtM4TTvXyUCM_fZ-DEC6i2Ma-nv1dAyrK6/s320/20230216_190930.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>Today I harvested another small handful of tomatoes. Tomatoes are still ripening on the dead tomato plant...</p><p><b>Friday</b>: My neighbours went away and I am watering their garden and feeding their canary. They begged me to pick zucchini and cherry tomatoes from their garden - yes, it's that time again, Too Much Zucchini Season - and they also gave me a bag of perishable groceries from their fridge, so I am not harvesting from my garden today, or probably tomorrow either. I made banana cake with the neighbours' brown bananas. It's very hot, so all I am managing in the garden is watering.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9OzgzMcJjrExY23kgAtKq5BxBbcpWhhA38Ledm6D0COTMfloU1Te0dOwzz8lgxf9mDGO66OUsS64VcGY2rOdMS7ZNGbrIcu43a9Up2r8gclnWAp1JUwdKwXiOnwhAwPFljp9mr-Us2EbcgFhiaj-C0dSeT4qKiRQKxwr5oFfur_vrJrk6e_-3bRr4/s4032/20230218_133027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9OzgzMcJjrExY23kgAtKq5BxBbcpWhhA38Ledm6D0COTMfloU1Te0dOwzz8lgxf9mDGO66OUsS64VcGY2rOdMS7ZNGbrIcu43a9Up2r8gclnWAp1JUwdKwXiOnwhAwPFljp9mr-Us2EbcgFhiaj-C0dSeT4qKiRQKxwr5oFfur_vrJrk6e_-3bRr4/s320/20230218_133027.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p><b>Saturday and Sunday</b>: It is hot, there are social activities. I water the garden. I have a little nap. On Sunday I paint the side of the house. This is the fourth year of painting and I am up to the fourth wall! This is a slow and painful process as I detest painting, not least because of all the stupid faffing about that needs to happen before you even get paint on the wall. </p><p>I took a banana cake to a house warming, and gave half of the other one to Paul. My gardening consists of reading a detective novel while watching a turtle dove taking a bath in the birdbath, and admiring how the evening light catches the <i>verbena bonariensis.</i></p><p>So here we are at the end of the week, starting a new one, even, as the week waits for no woman to get around to publishing a post. So here we are, in the middle of the next week, I'm picking grapes off my own grapevine! More soon..</p><p>Tell me what is going on in your garden this week, whether you have an abundance of tropical fruit or maybe you are snowed in..</p>Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17803297366197086152noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4838234360213313454.post-53086017103365212492023-02-10T13:21:00.000+11:002023-02-10T13:21:03.777+11:00Ups and Downs of the Week<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUg_aBhzjKNmcYA_1GQ2mab7FnnKngMNDkZWk763_9aRs1_BJfMQ38k-2U3h7rQTM4qEgr2XGREQA4rygacbOnV3UY_VTRVVNOmF0r2_0_igEpbUYFdhT3t4YBe0ZANKhMW6TRNHBryHwDFIp6YQvgKIKskuXwoTxfavHatbz_Exndvlcg5Ccy10YH/s4032/20230108_190056.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUg_aBhzjKNmcYA_1GQ2mab7FnnKngMNDkZWk763_9aRs1_BJfMQ38k-2U3h7rQTM4qEgr2XGREQA4rygacbOnV3UY_VTRVVNOmF0r2_0_igEpbUYFdhT3t4YBe0ZANKhMW6TRNHBryHwDFIp6YQvgKIKskuXwoTxfavHatbz_Exndvlcg5Ccy10YH/s320/20230108_190056.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p> Sometimes it is just better to go back to bed. </p><p>This week The Girl and her partner came to stay. Lovely.</p><p>Then The Girl, Rosy and Red suddenly had to go to a family funeral in Adelaide. The Girl's partner and I were going to stay here and spend a couple of days making pickles and assorted preserves, because we both enjoy that sort of thing. But then they fell ill, and got sicker and sicker until we ended up at the hospital at 1am, and then appendicitis and surgery. </p><p>The plumber, who was going to come on Monday, still hasn't arrived and this morning one of the biggest, healthiest tomato plants keeled over and died. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR1fNCe6jK4MD6KvHY6Zv0L25XaPMA5omJNUXT40byoIoL4YYRfxl1I2Ctpy2zojCzIs_oObfiPAoMMnmLvrB_Qe-xpqQq8RsmTucNi4alFdaX2OeIby4Eb3IdS9DcKAL_rwpNVuvn0mrPleUCqSR5lykLIZAjwbZNnSSrCsPhc_ZxwoDMznL7nwKb/s4032/20230113_173314.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR1fNCe6jK4MD6KvHY6Zv0L25XaPMA5omJNUXT40byoIoL4YYRfxl1I2Ctpy2zojCzIs_oObfiPAoMMnmLvrB_Qe-xpqQq8RsmTucNi4alFdaX2OeIby4Eb3IdS9DcKAL_rwpNVuvn0mrPleUCqSR5lykLIZAjwbZNnSSrCsPhc_ZxwoDMznL7nwKb/s320/20230113_173314.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>On the other hand, the kiddos got home yesterday, safe and sound. The funeral they went to celebrated the long and happy life of a great grandfather who had just turned ninety. </p><p>The Girl's partner got through surgery very well and comes home this afternoon, and is very thankful they chose the option of not travelling to the funeral. </p><p>The hot water, while not very hot, is also not getting colder and even if all the tomatoes die we won't develop scurvy, because supermarkets and edible weeds.</p><p>Everything looks much better after a full night's sleep..</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNErtFrTdDHhfpF0hm0XrJeqNXGQwiUKpB3wbPQdCC_7GG5vwUdzUt-dO55VXPYRSoy-4C7mJ4qiipMn4AHJpgWts8gXNuB4bXtvL6b6R3ty7cwni3KptwFpi2qLQeCWbc9dizYfWg2KQnhOmfhaH-C1cBV4Ueanqf0kODIvLebU7v8-MXTZIwvpzf/s4032/20230113_173337.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNErtFrTdDHhfpF0hm0XrJeqNXGQwiUKpB3wbPQdCC_7GG5vwUdzUt-dO55VXPYRSoy-4C7mJ4qiipMn4AHJpgWts8gXNuB4bXtvL6b6R3ty7cwni3KptwFpi2qLQeCWbc9dizYfWg2KQnhOmfhaH-C1cBV4Ueanqf0kODIvLebU7v8-MXTZIwvpzf/s320/20230113_173337.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>Friday morning update: The Girl's partner is has come back home here, and is resting on the couch with the dog and a cup of tea. The plumber came and fixed the hot water. The bees are buzzing in the garden. Feeling pretty fortunate here.</p>Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17803297366197086152noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4838234360213313454.post-30301568172100870502023-01-29T18:20:00.006+11:002023-01-29T18:20:41.146+11:00Green and Thrifty: January<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdeOj8XgiwPE8RdTgevjp_EnM0TGXCpFxOFWpCjl_UFMjOIT6uP2f3H8M-uiYtgtrbcYMkkFNRNd_zOb412aTj8DHNyJaivObnFcRVGkbWoAX7NUe3VB3szjjE0LEpcsP8rf9jmP0N93dpwIhe6EnjMOsqCt964EgKYxzh_uY4jim-nFqMzWIBXqtQ/s4032/20230119_153724.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdeOj8XgiwPE8RdTgevjp_EnM0TGXCpFxOFWpCjl_UFMjOIT6uP2f3H8M-uiYtgtrbcYMkkFNRNd_zOb412aTj8DHNyJaivObnFcRVGkbWoAX7NUe3VB3szjjE0LEpcsP8rf9jmP0N93dpwIhe6EnjMOsqCt964EgKYxzh_uY4jim-nFqMzWIBXqtQ/s320/20230119_153724.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>The Boy rang and said "I'm coming to visit for a few days," and there he was. It was so lovely. Nothing thrifty about that, but lovely all the same. On one of the days we went to the beach. One of the amazing things about Tasmania is the beaches are fabulous and there's mostly about four people on them. It was so rejuvenating to walk on the sand and paddle in the sea and lie in the sun. The important thing about choosing a beach is to go to one that has trees growing down to the beach. My favourite kind of beach has sun plus shade. The best. <p></p><p>It is finally properly summer here, and so I washed all the cushion covers, which have had pets sleeping on them all winter. Later I washed the couch blankets and the cat blankies. Everything is clean again, and even the dog had a bath! (Not his favourite)</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicp07dpehN0a2XHu-KrEyYPEWDn19wLADInaN3va1hbdmRg_A0neaZiuIIE9MiUROHXQjv6ayvTIIhiMSsSn-BeMXyQmdDscqFMGx6Cd7AwBGhCdPcMqiXEZdGAmEnLIEkw64vsjjUwZZIaevs0Z6b43RqVaCUfB5wWjbhzNgN6vpOQItDYfH6152E/s4032/20230114_120837.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicp07dpehN0a2XHu-KrEyYPEWDn19wLADInaN3va1hbdmRg_A0neaZiuIIE9MiUROHXQjv6ayvTIIhiMSsSn-BeMXyQmdDscqFMGx6Cd7AwBGhCdPcMqiXEZdGAmEnLIEkw64vsjjUwZZIaevs0Z6b43RqVaCUfB5wWjbhzNgN6vpOQItDYfH6152E/s320/20230114_120837.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>I don't often go op-shopping anymore, because I don't often go shopping anymore. Life is much more peaceful and cheap that way. But last week I went and found a haul of pillowcases. Many of my pillowcases are ten to fifteen years old and starting to fall apart. I found five nice pillowcases for $5.50. The kitten was thrown in for free:) I saw the elephant pillowcase and decided that it was just what Red needed. Luckily they agreed it was.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLU9e0_JoLgb82daFJqEd-2H1J8PyKWIMM0hAsWyP6htFXx09qrO-7l2krYgt3FYt0-JRwVQgX6L2-3JiIZJw1eCRn6V247ZNIjBRnvtxXKAVY8tj3n0qE29r50oMltaQQ0vwqxYE5jA_xiusiKMGea65YTU924Q2u4kc7Q7zHR5mWvFLSkO8mY8mu/s4032/20230120_124524.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLU9e0_JoLgb82daFJqEd-2H1J8PyKWIMM0hAsWyP6htFXx09qrO-7l2krYgt3FYt0-JRwVQgX6L2-3JiIZJw1eCRn6V247ZNIjBRnvtxXKAVY8tj3n0qE29r50oMltaQQ0vwqxYE5jA_xiusiKMGea65YTU924Q2u4kc7Q7zHR5mWvFLSkO8mY8mu/s320/20230120_124524.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I think it was reader Blueberry who recommended rosemary tea. I have so much rosemary, so I made rosemary tea. It is good. Refreshing. Tangy. Almost citrus-like. A winner! Thnak you, Blueberry. I learn so much from this community:)<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4cwp_yKqH_0Y5Bc3gP4Q9gZxrDBhyhiRnxs_vYA8DE51Gk4PrD2Xo7jOhZqECjjpRvID8pCG4YQydhf9dQryg3V_pDzGz7sfSp_SHhzWxwFH3le2VUw1Y3cxiDf8uHvZJ-4_h-tcIMUoLCgr6sGaSeeY4OigpNUxcRydOIl3wVdOJS7eZtcDIQG43/s4032/20230112_133929.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4cwp_yKqH_0Y5Bc3gP4Q9gZxrDBhyhiRnxs_vYA8DE51Gk4PrD2Xo7jOhZqECjjpRvID8pCG4YQydhf9dQryg3V_pDzGz7sfSp_SHhzWxwFH3le2VUw1Y3cxiDf8uHvZJ-4_h-tcIMUoLCgr6sGaSeeY4OigpNUxcRydOIl3wVdOJS7eZtcDIQG43/s320/20230112_133929.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>My friend Lesley is a dahlia enthusiast, and has been experimenting with breeding new seedlings. The pink dahlia below is the stunning result. She has named it Pink Genie. I have such clever friends.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_0f_EMBVG5y8hdtor5lBRcULk1ZjkpgtFjOFh42rDkH8MjS-KRXOjGN7cAQLJYjqjOvXbVVFvWJq3rOVYyZ-PZx9njuq6DPhnnt2fiVVSqbghoaZHOrHDeeKk8tk997K1sHcElYYumE59Xb_a2J1LzRFK3hrLFOhbEeLvtlYuI6CR3TcmMEySa9pG/s4032/20230120_174912.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_0f_EMBVG5y8hdtor5lBRcULk1ZjkpgtFjOFh42rDkH8MjS-KRXOjGN7cAQLJYjqjOvXbVVFvWJq3rOVYyZ-PZx9njuq6DPhnnt2fiVVSqbghoaZHOrHDeeKk8tk997K1sHcElYYumE59Xb_a2J1LzRFK3hrLFOhbEeLvtlYuI6CR3TcmMEySa9pG/s320/20230120_174912.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>New seedlings for summer. Beans and lettuce. The beans I planted last week, and they are climbing the trellis already. I am getting a handful of delicious green beans daily from the first bean planting back in November. I planted at least half of the lettuces into punnets a few days ago. I may go out when I have finished this post and plant out the rest. Maybe.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS1lKPdSTTgVeoX5QzIECi0ZmU5Oha3J4bUgrkYV9UJ_Ak7RYo_3-PCAi-G21d3oivSlbqov390QpbJKb3AN3LbybN4G2QU3-SJ0kAczcYuAgg0V2qhfALCPtt7mXd0d7IzIrqduIuN--TM6DMwOL-NI96tX6kN7kcJ18iG39ZGZGnjQjGzGf2Jtyq/s4032/20230111_183603.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS1lKPdSTTgVeoX5QzIECi0ZmU5Oha3J4bUgrkYV9UJ_Ak7RYo_3-PCAi-G21d3oivSlbqov390QpbJKb3AN3LbybN4G2QU3-SJ0kAczcYuAgg0V2qhfALCPtt7mXd0d7IzIrqduIuN--TM6DMwOL-NI96tX6kN7kcJ18iG39ZGZGnjQjGzGf2Jtyq/s320/20230111_183603.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>I haven't bought fruit for several weeks now. I started eating from the loquat tree in December, then came the apricots and now the nectarines. The stone fruit still have brown rot this year, despite the spraying. It is heartbreaking, but I am harvesting just enough good fruit to eat something every day, and cutting the bad bits off to stew some. I will get on top of the brown rot. I am determined.. the latest fruit is the cherry plums leaning over the fence from the neighbours' yard. Thanks, neighbours.<br /><p>Eating from the garden: lemons, the first tomatoes, green beans, basil, zucchini, cherry plums, nectarines, rocket, kale, silverbeet.</p><p>Talk to me about you thrifty triumphs this week..</p>Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17803297366197086152noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4838234360213313454.post-85830473188240891862023-01-12T12:22:00.000+11:002023-01-12T12:22:18.655+11:00Two Breakfasts, Same Ingredients, Winter and Summer Versions<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwHdBACi_1qo0WYzxAHSDwqVZSRrak78YSPhsJ2Nag2SAyCqZhROakdBlmm9isw3Ro-PZY_B5y5Fsizr5kr_21AAvAgR-2riPf4bXV5C3gm1Cs3brcGNTyiUX_Z6hlhewHBMH1QE88NqoKYmKMEqce6NpEHpUPzTDHFUX1qdwuFSjEDYBDCqypdpxE/s4032/20230112_110800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwHdBACi_1qo0WYzxAHSDwqVZSRrak78YSPhsJ2Nag2SAyCqZhROakdBlmm9isw3Ro-PZY_B5y5Fsizr5kr_21AAvAgR-2riPf4bXV5C3gm1Cs3brcGNTyiUX_Z6hlhewHBMH1QE88NqoKYmKMEqce6NpEHpUPzTDHFUX1qdwuFSjEDYBDCqypdpxE/s320/20230112_110800.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>Yes, I have found a way to be even more boring. I have learned how to turn my winter porridge into a summer smoothie with exactly the same ingredients. I hope you understand how happy this makes me. Porridge is my one and only favourite breakfast food. It fills me up for hours, is yummy, has very little sugar, and takes very little preparation. Its only downside was that it is not fun to cook a hot breakfast in summer. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYk4piX5lc8tJ-9hmVvoknWiyqTRPg6pHg65iXAMbWStDs7Svgxn46vQFT0hchS6FtAWW_m9zGVDwVYqen-5pIdwDwk2P_gNDcEcJg9lT9YdYGUcjHWgbHJg9SN64LNpONm80AhU_5RoDq1vTbK5Ql41dSCZ5464hSQi4sIninRpOl1mNwXtUt87oD/s4032/20210927_092755.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYk4piX5lc8tJ-9hmVvoknWiyqTRPg6pHg65iXAMbWStDs7Svgxn46vQFT0hchS6FtAWW_m9zGVDwVYqen-5pIdwDwk2P_gNDcEcJg9lT9YdYGUcjHWgbHJg9SN64LNpONm80AhU_5RoDq1vTbK5Ql41dSCZ5464hSQi4sIninRpOl1mNwXtUt87oD/s320/20210927_092755.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>Enter the oat smoothie, the existence of which I discovered accidentally while researching ways to use up the last of the dry almond butter and peanut butter in the bottom of the jar. This confirms to me that the universe is pleased with me for using up leftovers, and sent me a new/but not new breakfast to reward me. The universe knows I appreciate only tiny, incremental positive changes in my life. It understands.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFIEvOMwMvKYQCBsUBjGQ6c3Md2gnpNfP9SmndUuREwHDRR9ah-Uj9pXwy2cMPJrZZyFPsdzJCZMZfqmJn23BE8urnKtAoBw4g7Vau0uwPVqgZVhUW6o76BOUqs3NjF_TpPQzk4SpbI2ooC8iCn8D48UkeFwPRS3bBY5Bzat8wmevSnmi8iI4jOHr7/s4032/20221224_120920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFIEvOMwMvKYQCBsUBjGQ6c3Md2gnpNfP9SmndUuREwHDRR9ah-Uj9pXwy2cMPJrZZyFPsdzJCZMZfqmJn23BE8urnKtAoBw4g7Vau0uwPVqgZVhUW6o76BOUqs3NjF_TpPQzk4SpbI2ooC8iCn8D48UkeFwPRS3bBY5Bzat8wmevSnmi8iI4jOHr7/s320/20221224_120920.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>While looking up oat smoothie recipes I immediately saw that I could make one with nearly all the same ingredients as my porridge.</p><p><b>Winter Porridge</b>: oats (1/3 cup), soymilk (2/3 cup), cinnamon, ginger, nuts, hemp seeds, whatever stewed fruit I have on hand.</p><p><b>Summer Oat Smoothie:</b> oats(1/3 cup), soymilk(1 cup), cinnamon, ginger, cocoa powder(1 soup spoon), hemp seeds, peanut butter(1 teaspoon), apple sauce(2 soup spoons).</p><p>In the winter I soak the oats in the milk for an hour or so before cooking, and for the oat smoothie I stir up the ingredients with a chopstick in the blender, then soak for an hour or so in the fridge before blending and drinking up. Heads up, do not omit this step or there will be lumps of unsoaked oats in the smoothie, and it will taste like raw oats instead of chocolate yum. I haven't tried any fruit other than applesauce yet, but that is something for future fun. </p><p>I am doing so well in my goal of embracing my inner boring person, while being flexible enough to change with the seasons. Change while staying the same! I am so chuffed that now I get to experience my boring and satisfying breakfast all year round. </p><p>Happy Days!</p>Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17803297366197086152noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4838234360213313454.post-6376391049098748232023-01-10T09:47:00.001+11:002023-01-10T09:47:20.176+11:00Shall I Disappear Under a Sea of Green?<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEtkV1SSQoAFK0nhdWYlCnqyeIWEfwncfjYUT-sVCEgRLcqpbLdHreF9VQf3Rb2OeRuVCp32QObDweOS9OaRHZx2eOjoX3RQcEksWNaTyMvYe0LY1o_j0koioQdnv5U4BwYYFb_vX2_ZWTd4gq7uZ5TbuyZNYPhY_NCyMo5KF18epNIp6yTzGfBJLM/s4032/20230101_193157.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEtkV1SSQoAFK0nhdWYlCnqyeIWEfwncfjYUT-sVCEgRLcqpbLdHreF9VQf3Rb2OeRuVCp32QObDweOS9OaRHZx2eOjoX3RQcEksWNaTyMvYe0LY1o_j0koioQdnv5U4BwYYFb_vX2_ZWTd4gq7uZ5TbuyZNYPhY_NCyMo5KF18epNIp6yTzGfBJLM/s320/20230101_193157.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Weeds can be so pretty. Grass going to seed in the evening sun. Gorgeous. Did I weed out the gorgeous grass going to seed? Why, yes I did.</p><p>And here is my front garden, pretty and madly overgrown across the front path.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgAikK7jQlDRXu_551qMpe5al1D03C8i6qC0kqH3oXJkDLry687GwpWltUyoQyy_2fWwoxNm95JbQSmzoEQXy6nyLYwQ8AT3MQ-6UWtH6lE0YQP931fAMa0t_6RU-BAgUron62JnskbreYQWSmjdhU63uyKmXlge2KDnPQEQemq-suMWeghCdsHmWD/s4032/20230108_111745.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgAikK7jQlDRXu_551qMpe5al1D03C8i6qC0kqH3oXJkDLry687GwpWltUyoQyy_2fWwoxNm95JbQSmzoEQXy6nyLYwQ8AT3MQ-6UWtH6lE0YQP931fAMa0t_6RU-BAgUron62JnskbreYQWSmjdhU63uyKmXlge2KDnPQEQemq-suMWeghCdsHmWD/s320/20230108_111745.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>Today I pruned it all back, and now it looks a lot less Secret Garden-esque, but at least I can get the bins out.. I love gardens that are a bit wild, a bit overgrown and mysterious, but I also like paths where you can get the bins out without swearing.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx942W1HGdi0SZSSeKbMrmStkTa87Z70Jubi68X_a7l4lilOLL_UKvT7ZVZ100EcrG0h3rxdl7GEGlvaX3uHJ_4Xq6GYZO5EZV9XQR146bjgDALsahSaEkeVH9Z2vu3dLFNg49UsuVbdZBq55kLlTnF_u3AXgOsyPPzSVNSgUAVDWNP0WA4qRXX5vv/s4032/20230108_190002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx942W1HGdi0SZSSeKbMrmStkTa87Z70Jubi68X_a7l4lilOLL_UKvT7ZVZ100EcrG0h3rxdl7GEGlvaX3uHJ_4Xq6GYZO5EZV9XQR146bjgDALsahSaEkeVH9Z2vu3dLFNg49UsuVbdZBq55kLlTnF_u3AXgOsyPPzSVNSgUAVDWNP0WA4qRXX5vv/s320/20230108_190002.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Let's face it, sometimes you also need an unobstructed path to the garden tap..</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7FUUlp6SEneqiFVdvmCArTDtyfAKcVgowiqGfO6JI4kdxMyOZQPjVy1WmJa3g43Y0HLM5YjqTn2CuSWLrlfb_L48ZzhWge7pcGWEr6beoK_Lp9OVPAsgYrXRjNji7S6skkznO3XVX8SrHDtM4x6tBAMkUSNiiWFlqu29evytGCK1fMxYo2TpE-NGt/s4032/20230104_150344.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7FUUlp6SEneqiFVdvmCArTDtyfAKcVgowiqGfO6JI4kdxMyOZQPjVy1WmJa3g43Y0HLM5YjqTn2CuSWLrlfb_L48ZzhWge7pcGWEr6beoK_Lp9OVPAsgYrXRjNji7S6skkznO3XVX8SrHDtM4x6tBAMkUSNiiWFlqu29evytGCK1fMxYo2TpE-NGt/s320/20230104_150344.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>That little narrow garden on the left has been a vegie patch for the last couple of years, but despite the fact that it is right outside the kitchen door, I neglect it because it isn't part of the main food garden. Mostly this little space is covered in waist-high radish plants gone to seed, which is nice for the bees, but makes it impossible to get to the garden tap. And I value unobstructed access to the garden tap.</div><div><br /></div><div>I am thinking of planting a fig tree here. It is right between the huge rosemary bush and the grapevine-covered deck, and it will provide figs, plus mediterranean ambience. What do you think?</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWj0AABE_AQAnbQ_cabYps6tQ7NIucg13Y01uhRDFCNHiPA54mEmkivKO9QADATk5e02FzAewR_8pUVa6S4dW_cvDehGCtvcs29mogpsnTxgiv5sZ5AWjbZF4QgmeM88jbbWPwfIQR8i46L7RqNVW2zWkzSDIOyOrB4NCZF72K4za4FzP3pVe3P7D_/s4032/20230107_093824.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWj0AABE_AQAnbQ_cabYps6tQ7NIucg13Y01uhRDFCNHiPA54mEmkivKO9QADATk5e02FzAewR_8pUVa6S4dW_cvDehGCtvcs29mogpsnTxgiv5sZ5AWjbZF4QgmeM88jbbWPwfIQR8i46L7RqNVW2zWkzSDIOyOrB4NCZF72K4za4FzP3pVe3P7D_/s320/20230107_093824.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><i>Unobstructed access to the garden tap. One of the many benefits of gardening</i></div><div style="font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;">For me, gardening is the constant conversation between order and chaos. How much wilderness is too much? How much is just right? Too little wilderness and the garden loses its soul. Too much and the house disappears under the ivy. Once someone came to visit me for the first time, and he didn't have my phone number, only my address, and he couldn't see where I lived because the fence was so overgrown with ivy that he couldn't find the house number, or even the gate, so he went home.. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Sometimes I would like to disappear under a sea of green leaves. It is an ever-present temptation. My garden is the kind of rambunctious one where if I didn't prune for a few years, the house would probably disappear from view, and branches would begin to press in at all the windows, and no-one would be able to find me. I almost nearly want that to happen. However, I sternly send myself out with the secateurs every couple of weeks in the summer now, to trim around the edge of the gate and the street number, just in case.</div><p><br /></p>Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17803297366197086152noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4838234360213313454.post-20928067456729514962023-01-01T20:45:00.005+11:002023-01-01T20:45:51.454+11:00Oh, Dear. A New Year.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNQvRQnQNYOkegniv9bH0mOMqlkh5kJ5G2KuF_anFBiQaAOuk8n1U4Bg1dorEXj9G-pRRtmvRaO7xuYBFLnGJhNXU5iRTkmfZ64eScFS5dwm4PezLJvD9QbwFpns1ldD43q0kHppr0JWYhPLH7u0fZa--TFqCMCQI0L1wXMwYsTRFTEInwz5VcZB6R/s4032/20230101_131934.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNQvRQnQNYOkegniv9bH0mOMqlkh5kJ5G2KuF_anFBiQaAOuk8n1U4Bg1dorEXj9G-pRRtmvRaO7xuYBFLnGJhNXU5iRTkmfZ64eScFS5dwm4PezLJvD9QbwFpns1ldD43q0kHppr0JWYhPLH7u0fZa--TFqCMCQI0L1wXMwYsTRFTEInwz5VcZB6R/s320/20230101_131934.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>Well, here we are in a new year. Hello, new year. What do you have in store? This is a question I now ask with more trepidation than in former times. 2020, pandemic. 2021, <a href="https://alltheblueday.blogspot.com/2021/04/ampulla-of-vater.html" target="_blank">Paul had cancer.</a> 2022, well, it's not my story but someone I love dearly has been unwell for several years, and this last year finally got a partial diagnosis and many trial medications, most of which have had dire side effects. It has been brutal for them, and by extension, me because of my involvement in their life. I went to therapy for the first time ever. I never ask for help! That is one of the reasons I had to go to therapy, to realise it is okay to ask for help. The reason it took so long for me to go to therapy is that I didn't think I deserved to go to therapy, because there are so many other people out there who need help more than me. Hahahahaha... ugh. </p><p>Honestly, I do not have high hopes for 2023. Health problems of my beloved family member are ongoing. There are numbers of scary problems on the horizon, all of which require me to interact with government departments and deal with bureaucracy and <i>call people on the actual telephone.</i> I might die. </p><p>Okay, I probably won't die.</p><p>I decided to come up with a plan for some happiness for 2023. I am going to go out into the garden every day and make it beautiful. Every day I will go to work, I will take care of my beloved family member and do all the scary bureaucratic chores that come with the caretaking, and then I will disappear into the garden and into my world of flowers and bees, and everything else in life will be absolutely optional. I have decided I am too old and tired to care about doing the right thing, being sociable, keeping up with any Joneses that might be lurking about or feeling that I have to look nice or be nice, or eat properly or be productive in any traditional sense, or do any of the 'shoulds' that get shouted at us via the media. I am done.</p><p>There is a lot of freedom in announcing this. And glee.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfgOzSEGKmrhUqn0HbAjzcMyvxo0YHrdxnJfsLtxsoQ4E3zdlPvVLOi0qvWEv_XNEBVRpksxLU_3EuqvxD3qtArPAen0G9ywQiwadhiSEG6E6wgN8Q74D5c6h_9OXxTK9tWr8hH4q9VYfTt20z8EmQLlhWWbdMaumb6UsokJo7gXTxCeUeCkZZc1tf/s4032/20221227_102945.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfgOzSEGKmrhUqn0HbAjzcMyvxo0YHrdxnJfsLtxsoQ4E3zdlPvVLOi0qvWEv_XNEBVRpksxLU_3EuqvxD3qtArPAen0G9ywQiwadhiSEG6E6wgN8Q74D5c6h_9OXxTK9tWr8hH4q9VYfTt20z8EmQLlhWWbdMaumb6UsokJo7gXTxCeUeCkZZc1tf/s320/20221227_102945.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>One of the first things I decided was optional was Christmas. <a href="https://alltheblueday.blogspot.com/2020/12/i-cancelled-christmas.html" target="_blank">I have cancelled Christmas before</a>, and this year I did it again, because sometimes you have to try a thing a few times to see whether you really like it. This year was hard core. Zero Christmas decorations. No Christmas carols. No Christmas baking, or even cooking. There were some presents, in a very low-key way. And there was food! But I didn't make it, which is the best kind of food, in my opinion. On Christmas Eve Rosy dropped by with a lot of leftovers from the cafe she works at, then she came back on Christmas Day and we ate cafe leftovers when we felt hungry, and Red played with the cat while Rosy and I took turns lying in the hammock reading library books. I maxed out my library card the week before, because I Am Prepared. Well, mostly only prepared in situations that require quality reading matter, but at least I'm prepared for something. So Red and Rosy and I had a very calm Christmas Day and on Boxing Day we got together with my parents and we ate sandwiches and cake. So that was nice. On New Year's Eve Rosy and I climbed onto the roof to watch the early fireworks at half past nine. That was also fun. Then I was woken from a deep sleep by the midnight fireworks, Rosy having been long gone into town. I am the person who sleeps through New Year's Eve celebrations now. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1nhKi7NE0m_sDZ6UpLkZc7Z5IbEVnlUHR-TtQ0V-fx-6XPN39gzOLMWIvAjnzSsfb41v_ncb7jri_N20WW51CCjRE5y-s0BEE8MZph_SHF12vmxRXfowTUX70QEcnn66UMlXBzGCzZGbR4YR9Gk3sklA6Ozn0QY9Nm_n9HS8JxdQ8V676ktvi_Y9n/s4032/20221231_213627.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1nhKi7NE0m_sDZ6UpLkZc7Z5IbEVnlUHR-TtQ0V-fx-6XPN39gzOLMWIvAjnzSsfb41v_ncb7jri_N20WW51CCjRE5y-s0BEE8MZph_SHF12vmxRXfowTUX70QEcnn66UMlXBzGCzZGbR4YR9Gk3sklA6Ozn0QY9Nm_n9HS8JxdQ8V676ktvi_Y9n/s320/20221231_213627.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>So, a report on today's gardening. I planted three beautiful native grasses in the front garden earlier this year. It is going to be the dry garden that doesn't need watering, and poa grasses are super tough. But I didn't factor in their final size, which is a mistake I make all the time. They are so beautiful, like a small prairie, and I love them with their silvery feather heads, but it is difficult to walk down the front stairs, and down the path to the front door, so today I pruned them. They look sad and diminished, but I now have a front path. Shall I take them out altogether? I may have to, because it's going to keep on happening, year by year. Sad face. However, this does mean that I will get to plant new things, so not a complete loss. I also did a lot of weeding in the garden, and pruning the bushes I like to keep round. Except I am not great at doing round. They often come out wonky, or square. However, I have fun trying. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRkDPGLihu_tISh1X4_WMGCQPoL2rq4q7JeZ4jSU0HWbYQt-Pys47MdXf5lbRPl0Zom6xy1gbsqWG6cl29BzIHMyltw6emhyDRmBenxvIiCB4TkJPRS56nlgkm8zAkS3QyQLWaKpDIZuNbjeYQ4SadCDDnNaQ3Pf16SmLv1fwBUJkGIvBDXHA0Mt-8/s4032/20230101_122544.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRkDPGLihu_tISh1X4_WMGCQPoL2rq4q7JeZ4jSU0HWbYQt-Pys47MdXf5lbRPl0Zom6xy1gbsqWG6cl29BzIHMyltw6emhyDRmBenxvIiCB4TkJPRS56nlgkm8zAkS3QyQLWaKpDIZuNbjeYQ4SadCDDnNaQ3Pf16SmLv1fwBUJkGIvBDXHA0Mt-8/s320/20230101_122544.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Before</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_fZQfuGKTSwDT7giD9kGR_khD__TPhJ4A1gLyueztdPlt9Z3_F9_ZcOGGKxcWfBt0F_saWT-XtpAzUVyNeszF9vvOjY_Q3rd7cjuw_JNRLFme5VIZyjkH3R-q1oE5_mNxrxyq3RVS-NjLeTAeNMbnDhLfO9cdhzVDl_Bp9DgWfy36P-R431sx944O/s4032/20230101_160641.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_fZQfuGKTSwDT7giD9kGR_khD__TPhJ4A1gLyueztdPlt9Z3_F9_ZcOGGKxcWfBt0F_saWT-XtpAzUVyNeszF9vvOjY_Q3rd7cjuw_JNRLFme5VIZyjkH3R-q1oE5_mNxrxyq3RVS-NjLeTAeNMbnDhLfO9cdhzVDl_Bp9DgWfy36P-R431sx944O/s320/20230101_160641.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>After</i></div></i><p>I am loving the kangaroo paws that I planted recently, against this native pelargonium. Very festive, the only Christmas decorations here at Chez Blueday.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz8S7qIbebEu2UJqOq7F---lOH2faQmoVQa79X3zYTU7W4Q4iTPRRM9ZYOYy0a5xx0gzuU3elg46fLUZrQeHsljueG_FmBzJAI7eVBcdTmsYCgoS-dvi1Pz61FgTdYREusosQB4WIEIGlWhRgHb5jbJ7E0F5YmCQaTb4OmJ6CZ5Y__SC7H9sS67CwT/s4032/20230101_165328.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz8S7qIbebEu2UJqOq7F---lOH2faQmoVQa79X3zYTU7W4Q4iTPRRM9ZYOYy0a5xx0gzuU3elg46fLUZrQeHsljueG_FmBzJAI7eVBcdTmsYCgoS-dvi1Pz61FgTdYREusosQB4WIEIGlWhRgHb5jbJ7E0F5YmCQaTb4OmJ6CZ5Y__SC7H9sS67CwT/s320/20230101_165328.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>There we are: Gardening, Day 1 for 2023. This does not mean, of course, that I am going to post every day about the garden. Hahaha. No. No promises. I won't garden every day either, if I don't feel like it. This is not the New Year's resolution. The New Year's resolution is doing the things I need to do, and then doing the things that make my heart happy, and ignoring everything else. Because in the end, nothing else really matters.</p><p>Tell me about your plans for this year. What will make your heart sing in 2023?</p><p><br /></p>Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17803297366197086152noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4838234360213313454.post-88173512861768376882022-10-12T19:52:00.001+11:002022-10-12T19:52:08.654+11:00Roof Gardening<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUagyl2AI56dxX-Hfgi9HkJf4I-IqzBQqN1TDJMVIA_F3r1Zx3Rq944mwtOAZIqvOojVshGarjLLu-f0hZz-8dypJPZ_X6LfFLI34oUEr3y34IrmMaGZlU4x6dxNinEQcM33OOAXoXKzXPauSNRV6V48_-VIVBy994xxRWxl8zD3UqLLXJ-b9B7E5k/s4032/20221012_151508.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUagyl2AI56dxX-Hfgi9HkJf4I-IqzBQqN1TDJMVIA_F3r1Zx3Rq944mwtOAZIqvOojVshGarjLLu-f0hZz-8dypJPZ_X6LfFLI34oUEr3y34IrmMaGZlU4x6dxNinEQcM33OOAXoXKzXPauSNRV6V48_-VIVBy994xxRWxl8zD3UqLLXJ-b9B7E5k/s320/20221012_151508.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>There is a huge amount of rain bearing down on Tasmania, so today I got the ladder out and climbed onto the roof to clean out the gutters. I had forgotten how much fun it is on the roof. We used to sit up here to watch the fireworks at New Years. While I was up high I took photos of the garden. Everything looks more interesting from the roof. Birds must enjoy their topographical view of the world.</p><p>I planted out many tiny seedlings this last week. All the brassicas, lots of lettuces, radishes, and all kinds of greens, from mustard greens to wombok, to silverbeet. So many tiny plants. But wait, there's more! On a tarpaulin on the dining room floor I have all the tomatoes, distressingly few capsicums, which really didn't want to germinate, a million basil plants, and a whole lot of cucumbers, pumpkins, zucchinis and beans just starting to sprout. I'll plant all these out next week when the risk of frost is hopefully over. It was minus one (30F) last week, so I hope I am not being too precipitous..</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOvCdMDSbeE0Up-IoAo3bJic3BfIaKeV_eY06OS7JwtYoxAlVvUJGt0NuHyljqnQ0jxLd9K6g6eMJ30-FheCo9kmIGMn_-pcVJh1mM8ex8AbKxSIeYAiaqtIfvmCVcPoWAOv2Ra0ZVOsR2dhPQlZB26QipF50hxjieVQB9nLKHSVcE7tPgA5IhMEJD/s4032/20221012_191252.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOvCdMDSbeE0Up-IoAo3bJic3BfIaKeV_eY06OS7JwtYoxAlVvUJGt0NuHyljqnQ0jxLd9K6g6eMJ30-FheCo9kmIGMn_-pcVJh1mM8ex8AbKxSIeYAiaqtIfvmCVcPoWAOv2Ra0ZVOsR2dhPQlZB26QipF50hxjieVQB9nLKHSVcE7tPgA5IhMEJD/s320/20221012_191252.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>Here is the other side of the garden, with the flourishing apricot tree. It is all still a wild jungle, which I love. To me it feels like a forest with a clearing in the middle for growing vegies. I would like to change up the forest to include more fruit trees and less giant acanthus plants in the year ahead. Also, the other side of the yard has waist high alkanet, grass, and the odd potato plant which I would also like to convert to food forest I bet the neighbours would also appreciate more trees and less giant weeds.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT0viT-XxSq48wYjhfZopC6S0706Ady5l5dJbXTcL7-nPm6SYVRqMeCI9J3Pe45G6p7Tw146i3vUDcbVK7fq-yXcqWkxf-ACK97N4tsydc7_2w74z_cyG90XJ-HJlTzf-Kkgw5wUTmzvY99txRuKMQ5LvPAIWVnQpSxdsi1UCUYj5mI3gkyOov_Eeb/s4032/20221012_151432.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT0viT-XxSq48wYjhfZopC6S0706Ady5l5dJbXTcL7-nPm6SYVRqMeCI9J3Pe45G6p7Tw146i3vUDcbVK7fq-yXcqWkxf-ACK97N4tsydc7_2w74z_cyG90XJ-HJlTzf-Kkgw5wUTmzvY99txRuKMQ5LvPAIWVnQpSxdsi1UCUYj5mI3gkyOov_Eeb/s320/20221012_151432.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>Ok, so this is where I realised that the best place to prune the tops of the nectarine trees would be from the kitchen roof. I must remember this.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO4PS-QupCRvPaiKnQOaBUcZiK7lTd9vt4xY86qDJhcRn5YC3_4XyTPlA08__TxPfeeI_9z58wYktVgbkn4HgdpTWyeQfhB8tMLjRGpafd7I0LV5pdLWCOskdbM80C-OO2BWZlNywz4GbWoJTqnrIYzzawTbj6u5d8b75S5WsG4BXUkDCCVDp-AgY2/s4032/20221012_151410.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO4PS-QupCRvPaiKnQOaBUcZiK7lTd9vt4xY86qDJhcRn5YC3_4XyTPlA08__TxPfeeI_9z58wYktVgbkn4HgdpTWyeQfhB8tMLjRGpafd7I0LV5pdLWCOskdbM80C-OO2BWZlNywz4GbWoJTqnrIYzzawTbj6u5d8b75S5WsG4BXUkDCCVDp-AgY2/s320/20221012_151410.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>I faithfully sprayed the nectarine trees with copper sulphate over the winter, and there is only a little curly leaf showing, and that is mostly right up here at the top where it is hard to spray. Another brain wave. Get up on the roof to spray the nectarine trees. Gosh, I'm brilliant! I wonder how much other gardening I can do from the rooftops? There really is a lot of space and sun up there. I could have a roof garden.. I mean, I just pulled multiple weeds out of the gutters, with extensive root runs. I could just replant the gutters with zucchini and broccoli instead of weeds..</p><p>So here is the rain coming in. I love rain. It's getting cold and I have the fire on, with plenty of firewood stacked in the porch. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPmBT3izZ59JnhiT9LW26cBaXvFzuF8LkTUddlA2fyFO2zGC3E-ppUyQuxv62MyIDD9z2F2ieB8iAwYxZZ1E4iwarjGLnZOCQYU72_eIvUw_i-zW7RNDdJtKHgCVI9QSS_mBluKHReoj69akkW94vWtf28qGaS7hEZQto2sd4NYJ1VSW_oD7Dmwbxj/s4032/20221012_150922.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPmBT3izZ59JnhiT9LW26cBaXvFzuF8LkTUddlA2fyFO2zGC3E-ppUyQuxv62MyIDD9z2F2ieB8iAwYxZZ1E4iwarjGLnZOCQYU72_eIvUw_i-zW7RNDdJtKHgCVI9QSS_mBluKHReoj69akkW94vWtf28qGaS7hEZQto2sd4NYJ1VSW_oD7Dmwbxj/s320/20221012_150922.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>The weather has been wild all over the world. The floods keep on coming up the east coast of Australia, and there are fires, floods and storms wherever you look. I sent a message to our beloved friend and Floridian Patricia last week, to see if she had got safely through the hurricane, and she is thankfully safe and well, and only caught the edge of the wild weather. I am so relieved. Hope the garden cleanup has gone well, Patricia, and give my love to the iguanas when you see them. </p><p>Stay safe and warm and dry, all my lovely friends, and enjoy the rain if you live in Tasmania, and hopefully it stays out of your living room xx</p>Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17803297366197086152noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4838234360213313454.post-85671499723315016472022-08-13T20:25:00.000+10:002022-08-13T20:25:40.305+10:00Green and Thrifty<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLIcw8fyAo6QVtL39lKVIOh8FeV3KFzdl6BmBJDkOYDzcDpagCyq7bWBniHJ5TixO4_1_mDMOh8ejvya7mlzBSxTxQWwkCK_7oFIwBfcrBBwtbluW3-FuP-3Z6KnT8qlFjSOPCriKM232hY3AwAEPPGC3p-SWsPuQtQdCRzRIjECp9RoRy6ZUtkhxe/s4032/20220812_103345.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLIcw8fyAo6QVtL39lKVIOh8FeV3KFzdl6BmBJDkOYDzcDpagCyq7bWBniHJ5TixO4_1_mDMOh8ejvya7mlzBSxTxQWwkCK_7oFIwBfcrBBwtbluW3-FuP-3Z6KnT8qlFjSOPCriKM232hY3AwAEPPGC3p-SWsPuQtQdCRzRIjECp9RoRy6ZUtkhxe/s320/20220812_103345.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>Oh, my goodness, baby seedlings are the most cutest things ever, apart from baby animals and baby humans, okay, so baby things are cute all round. I can tell you that the tiny greenhouses worked, as these seeds are up and practically running around, while the control seeds only just popped out of the potting soil yesterday. Still, these mini greenhouses have limited usefulness, as the tiny seedlings are already pushing against the ceilings of their first homes. This week I planted tomato, capsicum and snowpea seeds. The snow peas I'll plant when they come up (I find if I direct plant them the ants and birds try to dig them up and eat them), and the tomatoes and capsicums I'll pot on until they are big, healthy plants and the ground has warmed up.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgutTW9Tu8R_H9XDsXXyNhFAXbkk2kUWEMz-mQzxyoTPlDf3X3OePPreMZM0aP5IuXg7Iy9-n_8JulMC7FQ0-BM22ysDDifX4pYWKNsJ1oJaHuzbatNG5kSGYKG07aiEE4BCluCGOeruUFCGW9mntX8xXUd1vCEM60RFckwGd2NX2l9g1goYELUWMyI/s4032/20220812_104535.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgutTW9Tu8R_H9XDsXXyNhFAXbkk2kUWEMz-mQzxyoTPlDf3X3OePPreMZM0aP5IuXg7Iy9-n_8JulMC7FQ0-BM22ysDDifX4pYWKNsJ1oJaHuzbatNG5kSGYKG07aiEE4BCluCGOeruUFCGW9mntX8xXUd1vCEM60RFckwGd2NX2l9g1goYELUWMyI/s320/20220812_104535.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div>I have been building up my vegie garden beds this week. My vegie garden is on a slope, and every time I add fertiliser or compost or mulch to these beds it all ends up in a pile at the bottom. The plants on the bottom end are very happy, and the plants at the top are starved of nutrients and water. I have been collecting bags of rocks from Paul's place and hauling them home in the back of the car then barrowing them down to the bottom of the garden to build a drystone wall around the vegie patch to level it up.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIrkr7ZLPSwRfbT5l_8snBp8lavZzlZ9vvXYwTHuSod7pwBeNsS8NPzMwoMEwoYIV1DLAQCosYmBym5S8SoR4FPc1PsFGxthDqCCxbCMUZcazb7lazbddHJhz1HD0ifYj9_Iu_yyDPXAPjdK3QgxZtMggEiOZHwphoyUi3EAzQorNgLRMhK_YIu5sr/s4032/20220813_164044.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIrkr7ZLPSwRfbT5l_8snBp8lavZzlZ9vvXYwTHuSod7pwBeNsS8NPzMwoMEwoYIV1DLAQCosYmBym5S8SoR4FPc1PsFGxthDqCCxbCMUZcazb7lazbddHJhz1HD0ifYj9_Iu_yyDPXAPjdK3QgxZtMggEiOZHwphoyUi3EAzQorNgLRMhK_YIu5sr/s320/20220813_164044.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div>There are a lot of weeds visible in my new garden bed - I put them there on purpose. I dug great big mats of chickweed out of the paths and threw them on the surface of the new bed where it will become a delicious green manure for the new garden. Here's to equality for all the the tomato plants this year as they start life on a level playing field..</div><div><br /></div><div>This is Sticky the Stick Insect. For the last two winters he has turned up on Paul's verandah and lived on the plants there. Paul sometimes collects a buffet of different leaves for Sticky to sample. Every morning Paul gives Sticky a tiny high-five with his finger, and Sticky pats him back with his little arms. Here Sticky is waving to us all.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji4Wmwp4rcfVAhBjRIcjl9RQaW9Og21wFTovmFwrBA-58ztELEo4eCEnHbm7E9jfRXVPArNFgJd9Dtf9c_QGo1fy0fhYYIzMdO6mNps0AYDgAunSJDy4BjRb-S6NdSwm2a5lvlltApwYfkXD2Nl68aXJVJT5Jb87KyAJu5yGF0oLXLoOjgDc9If_Pu/s4032/20220813_112539.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji4Wmwp4rcfVAhBjRIcjl9RQaW9Og21wFTovmFwrBA-58ztELEo4eCEnHbm7E9jfRXVPArNFgJd9Dtf9c_QGo1fy0fhYYIzMdO6mNps0AYDgAunSJDy4BjRb-S6NdSwm2a5lvlltApwYfkXD2Nl68aXJVJT5Jb87KyAJu5yGF0oLXLoOjgDc9If_Pu/s320/20220813_112539.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div>Why is Sticky featured in this Green and Thrifty post? Because, if like Paul, you can find joy in the insects visiting your verandah, you will not need to spend money and resources on other kinds of entertainment. And who can resist an animal who looks like a stick? Such talent. Who needs Netflix when you have stick insect?</div><div><br /></div><div>Now, for <b>Mending Club..</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>I had to reinstitute Mending Club in order to get my pyjamas patched, because apparently I need extrinsic motivation to get to the mending basket. So thank you all for letting me use you as a crutch to complete domestic tasks.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4TlWS-NVKP6S5zxdek6WR5IyLEC72g9Ip9QLNl1BUaw60a_nZoDE4HAgB__3shSXFX1KdFieBb4cpWeuG5VQVUsqArqSdq_ppYUtXm_XVDZqf93QEbh5skAOLCBgKoHZJiXz1NQWS1vDpsTk_Ocf5Meikd3q9WJLlLto2LA8g1fdhzxyditEjLT21/s4032/20220812_124336.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4TlWS-NVKP6S5zxdek6WR5IyLEC72g9Ip9QLNl1BUaw60a_nZoDE4HAgB__3shSXFX1KdFieBb4cpWeuG5VQVUsqArqSdq_ppYUtXm_XVDZqf93QEbh5skAOLCBgKoHZJiXz1NQWS1vDpsTk_Ocf5Meikd3q9WJLlLto2LA8g1fdhzxyditEjLT21/s320/20220812_124336.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div>Unfortunately, when I got close enough to sew the patch on, I realised there is another area that needs patching. My bum seems to be wearing a hole in my PJs. It's all the sitting around and reading I do in my pyjamas while drinking tea, I expect. So, there will need to be another Mending Club next week for the next patch. </div><div><br /></div><div>Meanwhile, Madeleine sent me a photo of the extremely cute coat she made for her extremely cute dog. I love seeing what you are all up to, and I am so impressed, because I can mostly just hand sew in a straight line. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglKXu3hm6DhZ6vsYMzV5I4yAPSjXXVrxI3M7KN2Q932-ccgGsjLqQL826e1QenYbUieTX9mJGnkwKaAjanOyZ2v6Bjqzf-ID_5fMbxi7nqUWxtyUmfB4pzwTrZ1nkSOV3bYAEXT-t0j4QVKyYBBhGCLUfbukEmNSUPYgxyPmSf6rrdseObMI37Stv_/s4000/20220731_073447.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglKXu3hm6DhZ6vsYMzV5I4yAPSjXXVrxI3M7KN2Q932-ccgGsjLqQL826e1QenYbUieTX9mJGnkwKaAjanOyZ2v6Bjqzf-ID_5fMbxi7nqUWxtyUmfB4pzwTrZ1nkSOV3bYAEXT-t0j4QVKyYBBhGCLUfbukEmNSUPYgxyPmSf6rrdseObMI37Stv_/s320/20220731_073447.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>Madeleine writes: <i>Thought you would enjoy seeing Rosie’s new coat. In the
end I didn’t use the leftover fabric from the blinds. I decided the
foxy flannelette would be more cosy than linen and she now
matches…ahem….the wee wipes!</i></div><div class=""><i><br class="" /></i></div><div class=""><i>The
wool strap is the tie from a vest top and the button it attaches to is
also from said vest top. Lining is an old scrap of organic cotton
blanketing.</i></div><div class=""><i><br /></i></div><div class="">That is such a cute and thrifty coat! <a href="https://macrobioticwholefoods.com/blog-posts/" target="_blank">Madeleine's blog</a> is also very cute and thrifty.</div><div class=""><br class="" /></div><div class="">I would love to hear about any mending projects you have been up to, or what has been green and thrifty at your place this week, including any critters in your house or garden that give you joy (my mum used to have a large huntsman spider she called Fred that she allowed to wander around the house..). Tell us all!</div><div><br /></div>Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17803297366197086152noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4838234360213313454.post-1541648138333962392022-08-07T17:12:00.001+10:002022-08-07T17:12:27.073+10:00Green and Thrifty, Second Week of August<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSn47xJ2UzCpWlH4Gcnjs2iXhUZ1RZowm3e0AO3L4wnaZg7-zHKbcDUnoaJy-hnecZth2L6PBkYkGIK3rwNUR4FLRjXhHHJ2FpMEwuxkC1J9FtYg4G4eO7MUqDSAO75FTKLEN8tFEoKh0_cH479EjIDbZ3asZUXZQBYliH9r0SymvWyHHBwgX5RyB5/s4032/20220730_164024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSn47xJ2UzCpWlH4Gcnjs2iXhUZ1RZowm3e0AO3L4wnaZg7-zHKbcDUnoaJy-hnecZth2L6PBkYkGIK3rwNUR4FLRjXhHHJ2FpMEwuxkC1J9FtYg4G4eO7MUqDSAO75FTKLEN8tFEoKh0_cH479EjIDbZ3asZUXZQBYliH9r0SymvWyHHBwgX5RyB5/s320/20220730_164024.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>Here we are again! More green and thrifty! First, a photo of Paul's small but exquisite lettuce garden. He has a beautiful big vegie garden space, but it is still not fenced, so there is no point planting salad for the wallabies and possums, as they are just as happy to eat grass. He has small pots inside cages instead, and it is amazing how much food you can grow in a pot. </p><p>Here is the possum who would love to eat the lettuce. What a sweet pink nose he has.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9y54dZyY7qYJDLKcmkR97U9GJEcgYQaZGQdiSmL2TzN6EaR1mwyzdzCktDB-k4exk-viYnCzMnbsINjEdvHzDB38pmsOcCBZI3siwcKFXb7wg_egqhiBkGy-aq4ozNVHb-lyesJ5Smh4F3MQSwdEwJZ_-hKz9W_WPx1JrCN6JONmJHHQJZFmaYPbE/s4032/20220730_161729.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9y54dZyY7qYJDLKcmkR97U9GJEcgYQaZGQdiSmL2TzN6EaR1mwyzdzCktDB-k4exk-viYnCzMnbsINjEdvHzDB38pmsOcCBZI3siwcKFXb7wg_egqhiBkGy-aq4ozNVHb-lyesJ5Smh4F3MQSwdEwJZ_-hKz9W_WPx1JrCN6JONmJHHQJZFmaYPbE/s320/20220730_161729.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>When the possum is dancing on the solar panels on the roof at night, Paul chases him away with a rake, but during the day when he is snuggly and cute inside a hollow log in the bush Paul goes down to chat with him and takes him an apple core. It is a complex relationship.</p><p>Meanwhile, here in the city cottage there are no possums, and I have planted the first seeds of the season. Oh, the joy! This is such an exciting time of the year. I am trialling little plastic greenhouses for the seeds to sprout in. When I say plastic greenhouses, I mean cake, biscuit and avocado containers donated by one of my friends who has teenage boys with prodigious appetites. I'm wondering whether the seeds will warm up and sprout quicker in these? I have planted lettuces, spinach, cabbages, broccoli, Chinese broccoli, mustard greens, mizuna and kale. Next week I will start the tomatoes, capsicums and chillies. The greens are hardy and will be able to go out in the garden at the start of September, but the tomatoes I'll pot on and keep in the warm porch until October. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH0MhglYlNB0KLlYUBinYv4d4U1o3IkoiKfNWmMotecKebrwcxKAQ8ap01ubwAsO7sDRYlhhMI4tuFvgGFl510T3Bj4kE8QOOWN8k8gjq1oyLwaUrsRrGOt7Dopa9yJoq2KZeWSwpxDQ2DdAmChD8KSp6wDpdRo2bQarQwfkAHiMhHombwO3Wjc2lB/s4032/20220807_122026.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH0MhglYlNB0KLlYUBinYv4d4U1o3IkoiKfNWmMotecKebrwcxKAQ8ap01ubwAsO7sDRYlhhMI4tuFvgGFl510T3Bj4kE8QOOWN8k8gjq1oyLwaUrsRrGOt7Dopa9yJoq2KZeWSwpxDQ2DdAmChD8KSp6wDpdRo2bQarQwfkAHiMhHombwO3Wjc2lB/s320/20220807_122026.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>This week I was gifted many eggs from my friend Carla's adorable fat chickens. I have been indulging in egg salad sandwiches for lunch, along with lettuce and rocket from the garden. The eggs are so yellow from very free-range farmyard chickens, who eat a lot of green weeds and bugs. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoP4ppMozYKmPCQSsb7yrvtlJiXL6tAoYKMUHK_o-_PmTvhSQ2KwCwVW2y6wJ0lOO1iIj5aWoRFfZzp8jlFXw_EnafWPYqoQLcxrV1KM5pXoSxKVfMlfLMC_7e84JGY7YbOR2AmDKKlG011SNuyJC7JN317-YOm8HSK_--Y9aruQWKB2UPWyTZ7Bav/s4032/20220807_145401.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoP4ppMozYKmPCQSsb7yrvtlJiXL6tAoYKMUHK_o-_PmTvhSQ2KwCwVW2y6wJ0lOO1iIj5aWoRFfZzp8jlFXw_EnafWPYqoQLcxrV1KM5pXoSxKVfMlfLMC_7e84JGY7YbOR2AmDKKlG011SNuyJC7JN317-YOm8HSK_--Y9aruQWKB2UPWyTZ7Bav/s320/20220807_145401.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>I rinse the egg shells and save them up until I have a heap to grind up in the food processor. Usually I tip the ground egg shells into the compost as a general source of calcium, but this year I am saving them and I am going to put a spoonful under each tomato plant. Calcium can help prevent <a href="https://www.homestead-acres.com/blossom-end-rot-on-tomatoes/">blossom-end rot in tomatoes.</a> Last year most of the tomatoes developed this nasty rot, and this year I will be prepared!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOjsr7siSQCxRvuYXexTWiyITgxr67BibOWtSDYAekeMBOrQUutSF2SjvSYxwR9kHopCNpZM10nU-9kpBsPVG0NDyaDxuxSJ7nWxA64JsOPzdWfiYAN6GC55kbnvsUbnOsWgDYe8Omhmsqy8uft4PXegYXOi7cTZUu1Bbb89hqQ2ZwYwlQrOUmcDWM/s4032/20220807_151103.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOjsr7siSQCxRvuYXexTWiyITgxr67BibOWtSDYAekeMBOrQUutSF2SjvSYxwR9kHopCNpZM10nU-9kpBsPVG0NDyaDxuxSJ7nWxA64JsOPzdWfiYAN6GC55kbnvsUbnOsWgDYe8Omhmsqy8uft4PXegYXOi7cTZUu1Bbb89hqQ2ZwYwlQrOUmcDWM/s320/20220807_151103.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>Foraging: this week I foraged a piece of cutlery. I was out with a friend and I found this dinner knife on the road verge. I am perplexed at how someone manages to drop a knife on the road? Anyway, it is a nice Stanley and Rogers knife in the exact pattern of the set I have at home, so thanks to the vague person who takes their cutlery for a walk and fails to bring it home again, I now have an extra knife in my cutlery drawer. I also found another clothes peg on the pavement. I am continually surprised at how that happens as well. There is no moment in my laundry routine at which I take clothes pegs out to the footpath..</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi26k8qNDfA5Fkt-lTDfwWulnflsQ66cQ2PPK56wMU7-FxGtBJF0UmWwsWMIlA7YorOXpiQFyUp3-kJXUCa7ygwlXXguKa4FxSzgaYa2YcvbHSMtUtAZ0ago60Km2Bt5oLd8jYNCughlpcRgRt7g7s6Mg1g3lQYIwpjEnZN7zXIUO5K7Xer0dOnc_fP/s4032/20220807_151126.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi26k8qNDfA5Fkt-lTDfwWulnflsQ66cQ2PPK56wMU7-FxGtBJF0UmWwsWMIlA7YorOXpiQFyUp3-kJXUCa7ygwlXXguKa4FxSzgaYa2YcvbHSMtUtAZ0ago60Km2Bt5oLd8jYNCughlpcRgRt7g7s6Mg1g3lQYIwpjEnZN7zXIUO5K7Xer0dOnc_fP/s320/20220807_151126.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>Today it is not raining for a change, so I washed sheets, towels and tea towels. The sheets take up the whole of my small clothesline, so the towels and tea towels I hang up on the verandah which gets lovely afternoon sun. It is a little bit tricky getting the sheets dry in the winter. I have no dryer, by choice, because the price of electricity, right? But my clothesline is in the shade and it takes two to three dry days in the winter to dry the sheets. Sometimes I have to bring them inside and finish drying them on chairs in front of the fire. I had an idea, the other day, of hanging up a clothesline in the attic to dry sheets, but I will have to think about how to attach a line to the ceiling that will support the wet sheets..</p><p>I do love the smell of laundry dried outside in the weather, and I love that free solar drying power! I can't imagine how many dollars I have saved in the six years I have not used a clothes dryer!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCTGBqpphUkBFG4RuU8cy-V4zrToyhGkqZyUc2o-02CiU-P1wkq0Akn6OmqPtnI6axeuZmrgLRwXOECqexImM703M6p-w1r13QT5m9pOq598oCa_zsIWG_tmDtmyUfgZ-ZOQtRS07qSu4iLt_cLNfCH7CsehmygsYO-zclgfcxNk91GATV_hp8nUcE/s4032/20220807_153203.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCTGBqpphUkBFG4RuU8cy-V4zrToyhGkqZyUc2o-02CiU-P1wkq0Akn6OmqPtnI6axeuZmrgLRwXOECqexImM703M6p-w1r13QT5m9pOq598oCa_zsIWG_tmDtmyUfgZ-ZOQtRS07qSu4iLt_cLNfCH7CsehmygsYO-zclgfcxNk91GATV_hp8nUcE/s320/20220807_153203.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>Paul brought me some garlic from our friend Gordon's excellent vegie garden. I have used it in two big pots of soup so far. I have eaten vegetable soup for dinner for fourteen days in a row now, apart from a couple of dinners I had at Paul's place. I think that is a record! Even I am getting a little tired of soup, although it is still delicious every time. My children do not agree, but I think I make excellent soup. Anyway, tonight I am going to soak some chickpeas so I can change up dinner to chana masala instead. Tomatoes! Rice! See, this is a very clever trick for really appreciating the smallest changes in life. Have the same thing for dinner for two weeks, then basmati rice and chickpeas will seem like a very exotic dish:) </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI7A_bzgrd8EPQSxai7f5xABxeZSKdu3-LGfSEk2eKrTJJC63z6qL9ypI8fXrL4mQbi42S8k_K1EpPV1Hp3KvyYoqViz192gIEtGuH7J-bvW38LM2pGSEiTbdP_4hgvSwnu4LU0Pjnux6VJPDOPPJqHg41MwFnnbHL7z7n3XorNGYvQAsimwZRJK-Z/s4032/20220731_164420.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI7A_bzgrd8EPQSxai7f5xABxeZSKdu3-LGfSEk2eKrTJJC63z6qL9ypI8fXrL4mQbi42S8k_K1EpPV1Hp3KvyYoqViz192gIEtGuH7J-bvW38LM2pGSEiTbdP_4hgvSwnu4LU0Pjnux6VJPDOPPJqHg41MwFnnbHL7z7n3XorNGYvQAsimwZRJK-Z/s320/20220731_164420.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>What I have been eating from the garden: Lemons, lettuce, mizuna, spinach, rocket, silverbeet, parsley, and edible weed, chickweed.</p><p>I was given: eggs, pumpkin and garlic.</p><p>I gave away: flower seeds and bay leaves.</p><p>Tell me about you! What thrifty projects have you been working on? What have you foraged off the street? What stage is your garden at? Tell me all!</p><p>I am thinking that next week I will do a Green and Thrifty somewhere around Friday and incorporate another Mending Club there. I must have some motivation to mend my pyjama pants! So email photos if you would like to join in, or send me a link your mending blog posts or instagram posts. We would all love to see all the mending:)</p><p>Over to you xx</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17803297366197086152noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4838234360213313454.post-25550351754392411132022-07-24T18:00:00.000+10:002022-07-24T18:00:20.511+10:00Green and Thrifty<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSAQvRaDiBFuvfKiUaNx2nnoZ59nG5DLAfg5m8OJNYDVOvUBMsoKA41MQF6A8spx-kzjRUfvRVgabDomoqxek-JSfJUVbyrr4FQRjFUjSB0_i3ZRDMofR2D_L5DgFInrWtc-AErrO6My0jBmS__Rx4vnEBz_ye-VpWv7LNScEh9nIFWJMm0DjUSNtU/s4032/20211230_115502.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSAQvRaDiBFuvfKiUaNx2nnoZ59nG5DLAfg5m8OJNYDVOvUBMsoKA41MQF6A8spx-kzjRUfvRVgabDomoqxek-JSfJUVbyrr4FQRjFUjSB0_i3ZRDMofR2D_L5DgFInrWtc-AErrO6My0jBmS__Rx4vnEBz_ye-VpWv7LNScEh9nIFWJMm0DjUSNtU/s320/20211230_115502.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>This week in green and thrifty news I went to talk to the vet about ways to reduce the cost of Benson the Wonder Puppy's allergy medication, and she told me that every time I get the prescription refilled there is a $20 dispensing fee (I do this once a month) that I had no idea about. She gave me a bulk discount on four month's worth of meds and on top of that I will save $60 in dispensing fees over those four months. It is so worth asking!</p><p>I used left-over pickle juice to flavour potato salad. Yum!</p><p>I have been walking everywhere I can these last few weeks. It's not always possible or practical to walk, but it turns out I can walk a lot more than I had been! </p><p>I was determined to make the 'empty' toothpaste tube last for another week, and I did.</p><p>I have gaps to fill in my 'bee garden' next to the vegie garden, and I transplanted some flowers from other parts of the garden, including viola and love-in-a-mist seedlings which like to seed themselves in the brick path. Gardening for free is my favourite!</p><p>Not quite gardening for free - but close - I bought 16 packets of vegetable seeds for $22 from my favourite seed company, <a href="https://www.theseedcollection.com.au" target="_blank">The Seed Collection</a>. They offer very cheap seeds which have good germination rates, and they do free shipping in Australia when you spend over $20. I am very excited about growing lots of food this year. My nemesis is succession planting to have a constant parade of greens and veg, but this year, I will crack it. Almost definitely... I'll be doing my first seed planting at the beginning of August, indoors of course, as it will still be freezing here in Tasmania at that point.</p><p>Speaking of which, Paul brought me a load of wood in the back of the old Volvo this week. It's amazing how much he stacked in there. I am being warmed by beautiful logs of a big old gum tree that just fell over one day in the bush at his place two years ago. It is now well dried and keeping us warm and cooking the beans at the same time. As always, all my kindling and little logs that I use to get the fire going in the morning come from Paul's place. I go up there every couple of weeks with my chainsaw and fetch some more. Rosy brings me newspapers from the cafe she works at for me to light the fire.</p><p>My friend Carla gave me eggs from her happy chickens and for lunch this week I have been frying an egg, served with wilted greens on toast ('wilted greens' being spinach and rocket from the garden). This is followed by an orange, which are very cheap at the shops right now.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Today I made a tiny bread and butter pudding for lunch, with the crusts from a loaf of bread and left-over cream from a dessert I made for dinner with Paul's mum.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVItk-cOYICdFs3RXDFnAM3k1F105dNlDNondx9--c1EUvRyzB5zJrvewzQ4wVRZqtaZKYK0U_enGBSKinkepyN9DOe2bZloCuA2zk5SMgSHsz1TLjw5XRglrtULgcybPEBpJZSp_835pMDRGGy1AzJ0ZK6N-ZTFUaz60r-fyshTOa8rHTZ1Gm_opy/s4032/20220724_144217.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVItk-cOYICdFs3RXDFnAM3k1F105dNlDNondx9--c1EUvRyzB5zJrvewzQ4wVRZqtaZKYK0U_enGBSKinkepyN9DOe2bZloCuA2zk5SMgSHsz1TLjw5XRglrtULgcybPEBpJZSp_835pMDRGGy1AzJ0ZK6N-ZTFUaz60r-fyshTOa8rHTZ1Gm_opy/s320/20220724_144217.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><i>Blogger will only add this photo sideways. Sometimes I hate Blogger.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">I have been cooking my morning porridge on the wood stove, and today the white beans I soaked overnight for this week's soup are simmering over the fire. When I say simmering, they are either boiling madly or just sitting there in hot water, depending on how the fire is going. Cooking over the fire is not very reliable, but the beans don't care.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><i>Blogger also refuses to left justify this paragraph. I still hate Blogger.</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOkKUBolo-8NTus6Z0ynOl3VsMezPtof7fByXyyGdeGugeUGo0bZKT_FMjKm-VbJRIGRtrsMSK7ySLRtcUbYRL_uGJ90sES_MhAV_et3dau2a0uY18Vd4G2q-Ib1riLu5CeafDfkWsn8DKi5F_vVxF3Bh4xEVcHB9VWzB_dqE_u1sL9-ij1i0I9YVf/s4032/20220723_121021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOkKUBolo-8NTus6Z0ynOl3VsMezPtof7fByXyyGdeGugeUGo0bZKT_FMjKm-VbJRIGRtrsMSK7ySLRtcUbYRL_uGJ90sES_MhAV_et3dau2a0uY18Vd4G2q-Ib1riLu5CeafDfkWsn8DKi5F_vVxF3Bh4xEVcHB9VWzB_dqE_u1sL9-ij1i0I9YVf/s320/20220723_121021.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><i><br /></i></span></div><p style="text-align: left;">I often make a meal that lasts me a week. This week it was vegan chili. I cook a cup of brown rice to serve with it, and that lasts for three serves, so I cooked chili once and rice twice to last for a week of dinners. Now that is my kind of cooking:) Today I will make a vegie soup, featuring pumpkin, sweet potato and carrots, which are the cheapest vegies right now. I will add red lentils and white beans for protein, and that will be my dinner for next week. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj24vr2uUTZSNttlXn0qGVxRJcxvsESsByckfUXIJt1mCa6iXMZOT_iaAbBYRItmhf1R8T9a4SVWOj-WBDqRuEpkGFt_9eP-rpUjcY_Z5YyFNvNxjmowPVCG54EMTCBDAKO8Z4w74YJ3F1QLWFWh8FitiKSExUVuqDy5178LS-jMxKk2APyIBzz6qES/s4032/20220721_183138.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj24vr2uUTZSNttlXn0qGVxRJcxvsESsByckfUXIJt1mCa6iXMZOT_iaAbBYRItmhf1R8T9a4SVWOj-WBDqRuEpkGFt_9eP-rpUjcY_Z5YyFNvNxjmowPVCG54EMTCBDAKO8Z4w74YJ3F1QLWFWh8FitiKSExUVuqDy5178LS-jMxKk2APyIBzz6qES/s320/20220721_183138.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: left;"><i>Vegan Chili,</i> as made up by Jo:</p><p>Saute onion, celery and garlic in a large pot until soft. If you have fresh mushrooms, add them as well. Add a tiny dab of chili powder (my current chili powder is SO spicy. You add however much chili you normally use), and a couple of spoonfuls of a mexican/taco spice mix. Add two cans of chopped tomatoes, and three cans of beans. I used black beans, kidney beans, and a soup mix which was on sale and has four different kinds of beans. Add any kind of chili flavouring you can find. I put in a jar of salsa that I made in 2020. I found them in the pantry recently and have several more of them to get through. Very yum. I also added some chili jam which has been sitting in the back of the fridge for a couple of years now. </p><p>Then I crumbled in some accidently dried mushrooms (accidently dried mushrooms is what you get when you leave them for too long in their paper bag in the fridge. But only if you store them in the fridge part. If you store them in the vegie crisper you just get mouldy mushrooms, which can't be revived in any way). Last I added a few handfuls (two? three?) of pearl barley which thickens everything up. Then simmer everything for half an hour or so. If it all gets too thick, add more tomatoes or some stock. I like corn in my chili, but always add frozen corn at the last minute when reheating, to keep it crisp and sweet.</p><p>Serve with brown rice, and salsa, if you want it, and lime wedges if you have nice friends with lime trees, which I do:) This is so yum. </p><p>If you are after any number of very cheap meal ideas, YouTuber <a href="https://www.youtube.com/c/ArdentMichelle" target="_blank">Ardent Michelle</a> will steer you in the right direction. She has tried many challenges of eating for one or two dollars a day, and as a bonus she has a lovely, gentle voice, which is very soothing among the social media cacophany:)</p><p>Eating from the garden this week: lemons, rocket, spinach, parsley, silverbeet.</p><p>Edible Weeds: Chickweed</p><p>Gifted: Eggs from Carla, potatoes from Carla, firewood from Paul.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17803297366197086152noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4838234360213313454.post-56715702547842683362022-07-17T19:36:00.000+10:002022-07-17T19:36:15.354+10:00Living The Simplest Life: Food<p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKGQGU-nY0XjkBzaziBY0vPjUS7n5m3DqnJPVsJVhWgTku_IWVNfqfiMKcLSEbvUN72j9UJ5KCDsDWfgo-8KQMX3Bb9vzmhs9sZ9BbVH2TrSDOcIvv23fi-8RltB0JJCqr8QFoEI_iQZTSRdgVZnSUq87dCPFG0_LIyQHzTPZcGEJuy2GKUFRnWDhd/s4032/20200726_124201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKGQGU-nY0XjkBzaziBY0vPjUS7n5m3DqnJPVsJVhWgTku_IWVNfqfiMKcLSEbvUN72j9UJ5KCDsDWfgo-8KQMX3Bb9vzmhs9sZ9BbVH2TrSDOcIvv23fi-8RltB0JJCqr8QFoEI_iQZTSRdgVZnSUq87dCPFG0_LIyQHzTPZcGEJuy2GKUFRnWDhd/s320/20200726_124201.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>There is a current crisis in the cost of living. You may have noticed, or not, depending on your circumstances. I have noticed, but I also have a garden full of silverbeet, lemons and edible weeds, so I'm sure I'll be fine:)</p><p>I have put together a little collection of my own food-budget tips, which may or may not be useful, because everyone's situation is so different. I've put it in my Living the Simplest Life series, but again, what works for me might be very different for others. Please fill up the comments section with your own tips, and tell us how you are doing in the crisis <i>de jour. </i>I know many people are doing it very hard right now, and I send you all my best wishes. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh9b21ITY3QeB8oAHMmIwPoBdOpA6IAtN426XGOx6vXYsTdb2cQ-aILQdIU3x-KzoJSfLedgJd3iOpMO16HIhTe1WEo6rC4AzR_vGW45wx3KW8JrrgwnA7XDcGQZuqEdBvHWL2LOYO5I4DzYXfWnHrRlqWvPMtFOhpEAmAKXGqupTlFwB8QiWKg2P8/s4032/20200711_171459.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh9b21ITY3QeB8oAHMmIwPoBdOpA6IAtN426XGOx6vXYsTdb2cQ-aILQdIU3x-KzoJSfLedgJd3iOpMO16HIhTe1WEo6rC4AzR_vGW45wx3KW8JrrgwnA7XDcGQZuqEdBvHWL2LOYO5I4DzYXfWnHrRlqWvPMtFOhpEAmAKXGqupTlFwB8QiWKg2P8/s320/20200711_171459.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>When I need to reign in the grocery budget, I start with the food I have. Most of us have food in the house, and as food does not last forever, cooking up what I already have is the most sensible way of saving on the grocery bill, and saving the food in the back of the cupboard from becoming waste. The easiest way to go about this, I find, is to do an inventory. Take all the food out of the cupboard, one shelf at a time, wipe out the shelf, and put the food back in a more orderly manner, with the food that needs to be eaten first at the front. If there is food that needs to be eaten right now, think up ways to incorporate it into every meal this week. I did this exercise recently and discovered that I have four bottles of mayonnaise that are already past their use-by dates, but not far enough past their use-by dates to panic. I have been making a lot of potato salad. I find my whole cooking life is easier if all the same kinds of food are in the same place, then I can see what I do and don't have.</p><p>Doing the same with the fridge is a big one. I try not to waste food, but often things get put into the fridge to die there, unregarded in their little glass or plastic coffins until it is much too late. Sometimes it works to have a 'leftovers' shelf. One of the great skills to attain in life is knowing what to do with a container of left-over rice and whatever vegetables are in the vegie crisper. Part of that skill is knowing how to make a basic vegetable soup, which is one of the easiest recipes to learn, and the most valuable and rewarding. This is a useful exercise even if no-one else in the house will eat your gourmet left-over wonders; believe me, I know that one. I just eat up my left-overs soup by myself for lunch, and cackle about all the practically free nutrients I am ingesting. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjywnZ8fKclfw1VRip3uN-Rh3sX8s2WTvOl60rS6wqn9T7H4LXHzzDIAcoqutidUL8UeUg1COUE25oK-mKp5GxJa0-lf5SiHfD1rf7j5S0f1YbQva2yHmciL6r6fh5HudyyxaZeXLA6bROuWj5YOtkd85xSpTe7LgYJvtOSJf2q98EBLjeZIBxFxewg/s4032/20210806_114413.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjywnZ8fKclfw1VRip3uN-Rh3sX8s2WTvOl60rS6wqn9T7H4LXHzzDIAcoqutidUL8UeUg1COUE25oK-mKp5GxJa0-lf5SiHfD1rf7j5S0f1YbQva2yHmciL6r6fh5HudyyxaZeXLA6bROuWj5YOtkd85xSpTe7LgYJvtOSJf2q98EBLjeZIBxFxewg/s320/20210806_114413.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Porridge with foraged hazelnuts and walnuts</i></div></i><p>The way I plow through left-overs is that I don't move on to any further meal-making until the leftovers are used up. Well, that is my game plan. Alas I am vague, and those coffins of dead food languishing at the back of the fridge. But we have ideals, <i>n'est ce pas</i>? And remember, it defeats the purpose to go out specially to buy extra ingredients to use up the leftovers. Use what you have. This is a marvellous way to stretch your creativity in the kitchen. It is possible that like me you may not want your creativity stretched in the kitchen.<i> C'est la vie. </i>Sometimes we must be creative whether we like it or not, because pennies must be saved. And who knows? Maybe that creativity will spill over into the rest of our lives. Limitations are a real spur for creative thinking, and all that practice finding ways to use up the leftover rice will no doubt make us better poets and astrophysicists. </p><p>Another resource that is important to use up is what is grown in the garden. If you have a garden, and you grow food, learn to use it every day. I love to garden but I'm not that keen on cooking and for years I have let food go to waste in the garden. Well, it isn't ever really wasted because it gets turned into compost and therefore into soil and further food, but still, it's ridiculous to grow food and also buy it. I try to use food from the garden every day. Some days, when I really can't be bothered, I eat something really simple for lunch, like a boiled egg, then I go out into the garden and pick a salad's worth of greens right out of the garden and eat while standing right there and enjoying the sunshine and the bees. Today I ate a radish, some parsley, a huge number of baby broad bean leaves, some rocket and some chickweed leaves. It sounds like a meal Peter Rabbit would eat in Mr McGregor's garden, but it's one of my favourite ways to eat (my other favourite way is when someone else does the cooking).</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIvq_24FvxLC6BrgY1kJEtcmQNh30pc0z_ngvMwQHcXIdiWfYvMXL4bdHTwSNncn4JfzG35EU8KTYJo4YyTegXVs8Xrke3sGgOmsmr6blntYhGZFgCwhDKCWY5ZNTzoh5cKpiizD0GRzCggkeo4fwgKRQGxit_R2Ir4fUBjrjz8a3s6rA3daSmU8Je/s320/20200703_135325.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="240" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIvq_24FvxLC6BrgY1kJEtcmQNh30pc0z_ngvMwQHcXIdiWfYvMXL4bdHTwSNncn4JfzG35EU8KTYJo4YyTegXVs8Xrke3sGgOmsmr6blntYhGZFgCwhDKCWY5ZNTzoh5cKpiizD0GRzCggkeo4fwgKRQGxit_R2Ir4fUBjrjz8a3s6rA3daSmU8Je/s1600/20200703_135325.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>There are, of course, all sorts of ways to eat cheaper and greener, and a million resources to tell you how to do that better than I can, but here is my tip: stay out of the shops, and especially stay out of the shops when you are tired and hungry. At the beginning of covid I discovered that shopping once a fortnight is perfectly possible, even if you are reduced to eating potatoes, carrots, cabbage and frozen veg by the end. That's hardly a terrible fate. The more I go to the shops, the more completely unnecessary food I tend to buy. One way to stretch out trips to the grocery store is to buy a few staples in bulk. A sack of flour, a sack of potatoes, a sack of onions, a sack of chickpeas, lentils, dried beans and rice and a few condiments and vegetables and you can get through any crisis. Oh, and don't forget the oats. And always having these staples on hand means that you can create a meal out of what you have in the house and you don't have to go out and buy more food that you don't really need. And here is another sneaky idea - if you have a strict grocery budget and you always shop once a week, say on a Monday, then next week go shopping on the Tuesday, the next week on Wednesday, and so on until in seven weeks you have saved an entire week's grocery budget by stretching it over eight days instead of seven, and you can spend that money on some sacks of rice and beans. </p><p>You do not have to have a large pantry to store bulk food, but you may have to get rid of some useless crap. I store my bulk grains and beans in my bedroom at the bottom of my clothes shelves after ruthlessly sending three bags of things I will never miss to the op-shop to make space. My mum saved large yoghurt buckets and Milo tins for me to store things like sugar, cocoa and dried fruit in.</p><p>One of the nicest ways to use up food is to share it. Preserving excess harvest is a noble art, and one that I do indulge in, but honestly, it's easier to give it to the neighbours and happily also to accept anything that anyone brings you, ever. Sometimes, as in this week from from my friend Karlin, it is homegrown limes and mandarins, yum. Sometimes, Rosy brings us leftover food from the cafe she works at. As you know, I say yes to everything. Life is an adventure, and who knows what it will bring, but surprise food is the best!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMrYqLVRFeXt-jfPoy04xUiLHDGNvDoPwHhGl3hgogt-LqEy2Tr5ecDmGrdplHW6a2suEwFnsyqUTJhbUnQ5Op1OVsgrXRzaqFkzklERukMICzmIBSv3PFvx7tA1FfrLOgiz9HTqSTndB4QOxv0w46-pjfmoiZKp8cLRXn52QoubuW0s-TQ-NI-LPl/s4032/20220321_183012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMrYqLVRFeXt-jfPoy04xUiLHDGNvDoPwHhGl3hgogt-LqEy2Tr5ecDmGrdplHW6a2suEwFnsyqUTJhbUnQ5Op1OVsgrXRzaqFkzklERukMICzmIBSv3PFvx7tA1FfrLOgiz9HTqSTndB4QOxv0w46-pjfmoiZKp8cLRXn52QoubuW0s-TQ-NI-LPl/s320/20220321_183012.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Gifted vegies from a friend's garden</i></div></i><p>Another thing I have learnt is that you don't have to be a foodie. Being a foodie is a nice hobby if you have money. If you don't have money, garlic powder will give more or less the same garlic flavour of local, organic purple garlic. Vanilla essence in a bottle still gives a vanilla flavour to your baking and is magnitudes cheaper than vanilla beans.</p><p>In the same vein, I have given up aspirational eating. I would like to like kale, and I do, sort of, occasionally, if it is hidden in soup, but actually frozen peas and a bit of broccoli seem like a fine side dish to me. Let us embrace who we really are and just buy the peas and stop feeling guilty about the yellowing baby kale in the crisper.</p><p>It is very useful to learn how to cope without different food groups, or staple foods, because they may not always be available or affordable. Learning how to cook some vegetarian and vegan meals gives you the opportunity to get some wiggle space in the budget. Wheat prices are going through the roof - now is the time to work out some alternative bread recipes or how to live without bread. Bread was once the backbone of my diet. I still love bread and will eat all of it when it is in the house, but I mostly choose not to buy it now and have discovered that it is possible to eat soup without it... </p><p><span style="background-color: #fef9f5; color: #121212; font-family: GuardianTextEgyptian, "Guardian Text Egyptian Web", Georgia, serif; font-size: 17px; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures;">'Just four crops – wheat, rice, maize and soy – account for almost </span><a data-link-name="in body link" href="https://doi.org/10.1029/2017RG000591" style="background-color: #fef9f5; border-bottom-color: rgb(220, 220, 220); border-bottom-style: solid; border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 0px 1px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #c74600; font-family: GuardianTextEgyptian, "Guardian Text Egyptian Web", Georgia, serif; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">60% of the calories grown by farmers</a><span style="background-color: #fef9f5; color: #121212; font-family: GuardianTextEgyptian, "Guardian Text Egyptian Web", Georgia, serif; font-size: 17px; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures;">. Their production is now highly concentrated in a handful of nations, </span><a data-link-name="in body link" href="https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/ab832f" style="background-color: #fef9f5; border-bottom-color: rgb(220, 220, 220); border-bottom-style: solid; border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 0px 1px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #c74600; font-family: GuardianTextEgyptian, "Guardian Text Egyptian Web", Georgia, serif; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">including Russia and Ukraine</a><span style="background-color: #fef9f5; color: #121212; font-family: GuardianTextEgyptian, "Guardian Text Egyptian Web", Georgia, serif; font-size: 17px; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures;">.' <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/may/19/banks-collapsed-in-2008-food-system-same-producers-regulators" target="_blank">George Monbiot </a></span></p><p>The point is - if your budget is tight, or if the food you usually eat isn't available, what can you substitute? If you aren't in that situation right now, can you practice eating differently so that it won't be so stressful on the day? Being in a scary situation like losing your job is not the ideal time to be learning new cooking techniques and mastering new recipes. If you put the effort in now, come the day when you need it, you'll have the know-how and the resources. So even if you don't need to eat budget meals right now, just knowing you can will help you not to panic later. Or will give you the resources to share your budget meal plans with others.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsu5iXAaXcHKZ02dpOTclarpTzsuBfx-ybfdrmX3Fa69UGRLhEhcRkcKQHJ7uy44vALVogFS-4TtznguYqHRncoEwUSPoVbD6CE-z4xRkkvt8tNyh_ARTaOHjMdJ6RWGgz3aWmKFQ8zmWKEvLRw12jHXfXYotdV9Y4SYcb3oUeJvhAblK_eNDTnp3t/s4032/20200828_132135.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsu5iXAaXcHKZ02dpOTclarpTzsuBfx-ybfdrmX3Fa69UGRLhEhcRkcKQHJ7uy44vALVogFS-4TtznguYqHRncoEwUSPoVbD6CE-z4xRkkvt8tNyh_ARTaOHjMdJ6RWGgz3aWmKFQ8zmWKEvLRw12jHXfXYotdV9Y4SYcb3oUeJvhAblK_eNDTnp3t/s320/20200828_132135.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Stir-fried greens and weeds:)</i></div></i><p>Ultra, ultra practical grocery shopping tips: I have price points beyond which I will not buy items. Fruit, for instance, I won't buy unless it is under $3/kg (approx $1.50/lb). That means here in Tasmania I can always get pears, and mostly get apples and oranges. Sometimes in season watermelon or grapes get that low. Luckily I have fruit trees and can forage and have friends with fruit trees:) I try to keep to that price point with vegetables as well, but it's not always possible. Still, I am not the person buying capsicums at $16/kg, I am the person buying the pumpkin when it is $1.40/kg. It's actually quite a fun game, working out what to do with whatever vegies are cheapest. </p><p>My other entertainment is seeing if I can wait until the things I want are half price, and then stocking up a lot. Often sales go in six week cycles. Sometimes it's practical to stock up that much, sometimes not, but you can save a lot that way. </p><p>Snacks and processed food are The Most Expensive Things. Technically, we can live without them, but we don't really want to. I try to not buy snacks, because if I have them in the house I will eat them. I mostly only buy snacks for Red that I don't like, such as anything mint flavoured. Vile. </p><p>The most difficult impediment to eating really simply is Other People. I am not an enthusiastic cook and would happily exist on soup six days out of seven. However, I live with another person, and they have their own food preferences, and also they hate soup. In our case, Red is supported by their dad and their grocery budget is not as constrained as mine and they sometimes splurge on raspberries and icecream. They eat meat and I mostly don't. We mostly get around our food differences by eating completely different things. This works for us, kind of like a share house situation, but it doesn't work for everyone. In a family situation this requires a lot of negotiation, which frankly I am not good at, so no advice there. Do what you can. Or provide some tips on how you negotiate food and the budget at your place? It is a big issue, and all advice appreciated.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUPd3_TzRIHPs5Pn3KzVP1SL8zmxeyzzQVmTYoHSIcuXOWjGZgROCFp3j2pnn5YQOEbNl75d7RdhxvwubL1VKMxF93_SIJxNhrEUodQ0kLDXIDp4gnsXa5PaPgOycmIQbuKD6XGJuln824NUhIILQJ5vrYcEd_o0XTzPO36fLSbLbdXe8FtnmW5DF4/s4032/20220630_153647.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUPd3_TzRIHPs5Pn3KzVP1SL8zmxeyzzQVmTYoHSIcuXOWjGZgROCFp3j2pnn5YQOEbNl75d7RdhxvwubL1VKMxF93_SIJxNhrEUodQ0kLDXIDp4gnsXa5PaPgOycmIQbuKD6XGJuln824NUhIILQJ5vrYcEd_o0XTzPO36fLSbLbdXe8FtnmW5DF4/s320/20220630_153647.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Hommus on bread from Rosy's cafe, pickles, grated carrots, carrot sticks. Lunch. Simple food is okay.</i></div></i><p>The last thing I have to say, is it's okay to eat simple. Really, really simple. Sandwiches. Soup. Porridge. I eat those three things nearly every day of my life. I eat boring, but yummy meals, and sometimes, to shake things up, I make a different kind of soup! It is fine not to aspire to exciting or even interesting food. Keeping myself fed and relatively sane, and not making too many dishes are my kitchen mantras. It is enough.</p><p>There is a lot to say about food, and I have said a lot about it on this blog, and will say more in the future, but now I want to know what you have noticed about prices where you are, and what strategies you are using to get by when juggling the cost of food with All The Other Things. Wishing everyone all the best with this tricky juggling act.</p><p>Jo xx</p><p>Some more posts from the Living the Simplest Life series:</p><p><a href="https://alltheblueday.blogspot.com/2020/05/living-simplest-life.html" target="_blank">Living the Simplest Life</a></p><p><a href="https://alltheblueday.blogspot.com/2020/06/living-simplest-life-gift-economy.html" target="_blank">Living the Simplest Life: The Gift Economy</a></p><p><a href="https://alltheblueday.blogspot.com/2020/06/living-simplest-life-my-no-spend-life.html" target="_blank">Living the Simplest Life: My No-Spend Life</a></p><p><a href="https://alltheblueday.blogspot.com/2020/06/living-simplest-life-shelter.html" target="_blank">Living the Simplest Life: Shelter</a></p>Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17803297366197086152noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4838234360213313454.post-18243129620438617802022-06-26T18:12:00.000+10:002022-06-26T18:12:23.607+10:00Green and Thrifty<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbAAM48llCmOk4PouLJiWRSlWZ0fESY3KoCsCdls3Jv9vL6_qIY0022h9SBFflVF0f5eQx_NNQQuQahjYaPSmZ3vH7oW6SYUTkjfWCFJrxak82f6XNNr22ZNWdxK2xPfXMwtHOu1yc3iLQfEGs8N3hBEtcXr4GMsxUA6dqhDWCBLCd_scug0M5EQbB/s4032/20220626_165319.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbAAM48llCmOk4PouLJiWRSlWZ0fESY3KoCsCdls3Jv9vL6_qIY0022h9SBFflVF0f5eQx_NNQQuQahjYaPSmZ3vH7oW6SYUTkjfWCFJrxak82f6XNNr22ZNWdxK2xPfXMwtHOu1yc3iLQfEGs8N3hBEtcXr4GMsxUA6dqhDWCBLCd_scug0M5EQbB/s320/20220626_165319.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>Back to green and thrifty again, an approach to life that is becoming more mainstream as prices of everything go up everywhere. This week the neighbours went on holiday, and I am bringing in their mail and taking care of the canary. Just before they left they brought me the contents of their vegie bin:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSEO8nMppQoee7M5aq6eRDA9GjggPyui6zzBSkvbowwRVZ1jE0gBLwuwv11Hk2aIW0S2f3aljz2TTc4j5Crq-uCyP_3-odY0In02VmCm5yUo1Y5aYk_EI1wJoAp03ViMR0enySQ6lS58uStZ_40hrWlbb2W46wNXyTQnAmP4NKLt2GrH4F5SqXRrZN/s4032/20220624_174454.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSEO8nMppQoee7M5aq6eRDA9GjggPyui6zzBSkvbowwRVZ1jE0gBLwuwv11Hk2aIW0S2f3aljz2TTc4j5Crq-uCyP_3-odY0In02VmCm5yUo1Y5aYk_EI1wJoAp03ViMR0enySQ6lS58uStZ_40hrWlbb2W46wNXyTQnAmP4NKLt2GrH4F5SqXRrZN/s320/20220624_174454.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>Notice I have been gifted a <i>lettuce </i>which probably cost more than their plane tickets:) And there's more:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTiKY6QHqkrgYExVFVub7SQXQXgW16RaOz0ykChEAYnnJuMQLRPwLGi1km4XhQJk_1_WuGEBIDp5gpc1gFEnHV4P_h-lEFzo-ByU405z3htS427yLHnPZtViB-vYYsxucJi0hvlD-e7gv5tZpNrtUDBtbaub48hNatNPifx508SDa5_9v9d5zJO_ub/s4032/20220626_160441.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTiKY6QHqkrgYExVFVub7SQXQXgW16RaOz0ykChEAYnnJuMQLRPwLGi1km4XhQJk_1_WuGEBIDp5gpc1gFEnHV4P_h-lEFzo-ByU405z3htS427yLHnPZtViB-vYYsxucJi0hvlD-e7gv5tZpNrtUDBtbaub48hNatNPifx508SDa5_9v9d5zJO_ub/s320/20220626_160441.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>This is so lovely as it covers a lot of my vegie needs this week. I have sweet potatoes, potatoes and carrots on hand and many greens in the garden, so I decided I was all set, but then I found some very cheap pumpkin at the shops, so I bought that to add to my winter vegie soup this week. So far I have made a salad with the lettuce, the capsicum, mushrooms and a tomato, and eaten one of the oranges for a snack. It was so sweet. Oranges are at their peak right now in winter time. I have more citrus for snacking on as I have discovered that one of my lemon trees is a lemonade, and it produces small sweet lemony fruit that you eat like an orange. Now there's a win. This was a tiny sad stick of a tree that I rescued from a thicket of weeds when I moved into this house six years ago, and now it is thriving in a half a wine barrel on my front path and producing delicious fruit (it took three years to discover that they weren't lemons, mind you).</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoYskmzbZ2LNih1UQWwR_wxB9jyVQ85hlz9YVI8GNRw2lu7k2YE9Sz6w-9u1Acv791NXukmC9Q_50kYdcDsZ7vzv1uhPOgbj9ch_oOVb3KTlXzX1sOxSEWx86id6iGkpxA3OKEoMORjbd_yBvNg1ljFpwKMp5mBkTIIFoCmDIc_qmJL9NK9ASAY9DU/s4032/20220626_170614.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoYskmzbZ2LNih1UQWwR_wxB9jyVQ85hlz9YVI8GNRw2lu7k2YE9Sz6w-9u1Acv791NXukmC9Q_50kYdcDsZ7vzv1uhPOgbj9ch_oOVb3KTlXzX1sOxSEWx86id6iGkpxA3OKEoMORjbd_yBvNg1ljFpwKMp5mBkTIIFoCmDIc_qmJL9NK9ASAY9DU/s320/20220626_170614.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>Meanwhile, my potted Meyer lemon has ripened its first fruit, which makes me very happy. Meyer lemons are so juicy.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMix0l2L3v1bAtXXC6AGTHOVNbDofaiHNsRUpC1LaGHCcvHRNsBQtOcioxG2-2WMiPC9xGk1VwvxhANDOIrkfJ0j6AudB8eLl9yxlvmo14g0zl1VF2z7iG6uL3qalqVJH0x24K5b3Ey0SnBtIz33CZOfqHpLtk1S6z-Su4nRfkR4dn5ugp7uIoiEQB/s4032/20220626_170623.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMix0l2L3v1bAtXXC6AGTHOVNbDofaiHNsRUpC1LaGHCcvHRNsBQtOcioxG2-2WMiPC9xGk1VwvxhANDOIrkfJ0j6AudB8eLl9yxlvmo14g0zl1VF2z7iG6uL3qalqVJH0x24K5b3Ey0SnBtIz33CZOfqHpLtk1S6z-Su4nRfkR4dn5ugp7uIoiEQB/s320/20220626_170623.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>For once I actually planted out the winter garden, though could have done it a month earlier and I would have had much bigger greens now. But I am taking it as a win. Small spinach is better than no spinach, am I right?</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiowYg6VT5rD7B-dVEp1MnxWMvHT-q_xkuitF2UIaXVX130OTJhh8R_70yXF86gS18vcrqROz_YsbjAmsp-dtazJW-iV-RwTKH5wMDmEMy8anBVfoMckeO7zv2Vv7wEATgTfuJoC40IBfRmtYv9SNuDZ2jqWETfzbfz-9Zke4GVgTsnKaZEipHPocC_/s4032/20220626_165219.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiowYg6VT5rD7B-dVEp1MnxWMvHT-q_xkuitF2UIaXVX130OTJhh8R_70yXF86gS18vcrqROz_YsbjAmsp-dtazJW-iV-RwTKH5wMDmEMy8anBVfoMckeO7zv2Vv7wEATgTfuJoC40IBfRmtYv9SNuDZ2jqWETfzbfz-9Zke4GVgTsnKaZEipHPocC_/s320/20220626_165219.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>I also have kale, rocket and parsley, as well as some baby lettuces. Plenty of greens to make up a salad, even if there isn't a lot of lettuce available. Remember you can eat the leaves of your broad bean plants.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9CUlDZSAbhALSwaRyaREx0Rx2I1oT5hfAkafRHXNanYECJh909yuNKJmf4Q1YJHxm-blwQlbHBod_ym4sAtseblcRfWwZnhLdlhVSkg1VNInQ3lJ97BNHYVBiUxrqTvjB2Z_U3xov7WLayGw9U1NloAhrkg9pYn6m3CNsssFGaMTpQzjI5uF2Sj7G/s4032/20220626_165206.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9CUlDZSAbhALSwaRyaREx0Rx2I1oT5hfAkafRHXNanYECJh909yuNKJmf4Q1YJHxm-blwQlbHBod_ym4sAtseblcRfWwZnhLdlhVSkg1VNInQ3lJ97BNHYVBiUxrqTvjB2Z_U3xov7WLayGw9U1NloAhrkg9pYn6m3CNsssFGaMTpQzjI5uF2Sj7G/s320/20220626_165206.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>And the leaves of your pea plants..</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKLp98TvZCRvzi1vcMe-Ro99LY97sn7VdX2f4XBXWBxrhHnYDnNhVgqXBgEEjLU3AbSULnc48aOstf_OskobNRVtRlGGYORKNSv2h66aOYUDvNmsH1iUV5NBSPZYJbJg9Ne1t3rBA3dH5BU5TDhz3IkXpaeUGq0NnWa33vYFeYn2h0CRo_9OH9enD8/s4032/20220626_165236.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKLp98TvZCRvzi1vcMe-Ro99LY97sn7VdX2f4XBXWBxrhHnYDnNhVgqXBgEEjLU3AbSULnc48aOstf_OskobNRVtRlGGYORKNSv2h66aOYUDvNmsH1iUV5NBSPZYJbJg9Ne1t3rBA3dH5BU5TDhz3IkXpaeUGq0NnWa33vYFeYn2h0CRo_9OH9enD8/s320/20220626_165236.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>And also remember to take a close look at that carpet of weeds in your pea patch, as it is probably edible too.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzgXyXHXoT7QUCEwGNSwqlDmKjO1pfOa2e4B2CO-hN371ivf97i4iMw-RmEU54O8dKG-mzILKy2RRBbqUy9qpZ1NdCh0m3-MJ3idt7lDuV3bZph3ape23aKNZ7wAEgykJs5YJHdhz5m4-pU44XXi2cpv62NJ1KFknHC1FK9rVOgWe1e8fwBl3aJMzD/s4032/20220626_165247.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzgXyXHXoT7QUCEwGNSwqlDmKjO1pfOa2e4B2CO-hN371ivf97i4iMw-RmEU54O8dKG-mzILKy2RRBbqUy9qpZ1NdCh0m3-MJ3idt7lDuV3bZph3ape23aKNZ7wAEgykJs5YJHdhz5m4-pU44XXi2cpv62NJ1KFknHC1FK9rVOgWe1e8fwBl3aJMzD/s320/20220626_165247.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>This is chickweed, <i>stellaria media. </i>Look it up and see if you can find it in your garden. It is very common, and incredibly nutritious. Snip the leaves off the stems and nom it down. </p><p>In non-garden thrifty news I have finished all four patches on my <a href="https://alltheblueday.blogspot.com/2022/06/mending-club-polka-dots.html" target="_blank">polka dot shirt</a> and can now wear it again. Next project is a patch for a hole in my pyjama pants. This is why it is tricky to get through the entire mending basket - I keep needing to patch up new holes. I think I am going to have to step up my game and mend multiple items per week. Eek! </p><p>It is deep winter here, so I have <a href="https://alltheblueday.blogspot.com/2015/06/winter.html" target="_blank">winterised the beds</a> (the beds we sleep in, not the garden beds) by adding layers, both under the bottom sheet and on top as well. Double quilt weather! I have covered the couch with blankets for extra warmth, and it is now 'dry the clothes on airers in the lounge room' month, as the rain is somewhat persistent. It does make the lounge room more difficult to walk through, but I also argue that it makes it look cosy and lived in, and also the cat thinks it is his very own blanket fort.</p><p>Today I walked to the shops for groceries instead of driving (no excuse, it is only five blocks) and tomorrow when I am out in the car for other reasons I will stock up on a bunch of half price specials I couldn't fit in my shopping bag today. I imagine that like most everyone else all over the world we are all shopping the half price deals right now.</p><p>And lastly this week I have been trialling steel cut oats for my porridge instead of rolled oats. I read they are even better for our health, as they are the whole grain, slightly chopped. So I gave it a go. I have discovered they are more filling. I need half a cup of dry rolled oats for breakfast, but only a third of a cup of steel cut oats. They take more liquid - the oats to liquid ratio is 1:3 for steel cut versus 1:2 for rolled oats. They take longer to cook, which is not a big issue for me as I cook them on the wood stove, and they take longer to soak. I soak them a minimum of two hours, and could well soak them overnight, if I remembered, which I never do. Verdict? I like them! Chewy. I do like some chewy in my porridge, which is why I always slather it with chopped nuts and seeds. It is a yes from me, and I think I'll keep going with them for now.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3u08eS1L9FWoyAuY1PIsF3FKseNiy0u3O-PpjOwOmgUJ5U5ttxxm9PsR6R2NB5LNHZGRE_UrJ91rv00ROT_GswauCB0S1IYsZnR7IQ9kllIc81LkP1bypCM_uGM0AY4KL2pvZEhVU4_HUmXH0UFfRdm6vhZvYCYd-CT4wkWgoI3qVvUe5n8F2fGEO/s4032/20220624_102529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3u08eS1L9FWoyAuY1PIsF3FKseNiy0u3O-PpjOwOmgUJ5U5ttxxm9PsR6R2NB5LNHZGRE_UrJ91rv00ROT_GswauCB0S1IYsZnR7IQ9kllIc81LkP1bypCM_uGM0AY4KL2pvZEhVU4_HUmXH0UFfRdm6vhZvYCYd-CT4wkWgoI3qVvUe5n8F2fGEO/s320/20220624_102529.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><i>Note I went op-shopping with Rosy a couple of weeks ago and found this adorable blue and white cereal bowl. I always snaffle them when I see them because I also break them quite regularly:(</i></div><div style="font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;">Now over to you. Tell me about your green and thrifty projects. Are you tightening your belts with all the price rises going on? Do you have any budgeting tips on ways to live within your means?</div><div style="text-align: left;">If you want some inspiration, visit <a href="https://thenonconsumeradvocate.com" target="_blank">The Non-Consumer Advocate</a> and look at her Five Frugal Things posts. They are great for starting the thrifty conversation with yourself, and the comment section is brilliant and full of good ideas.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p><br /></p>Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17803297366197086152noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4838234360213313454.post-63960572378966691562022-06-14T19:05:00.003+10:002022-06-14T19:05:38.057+10:00Mending Club: Polka Dots<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq7o1i6QwqyccAqTQtXuqs9fqAlIKHLUtD1H-djerc05pbhti1XG9ZjAQ7Ixe_oD8cCrDHTedqtCb-uZy1Rq21B6YAPfNm7iuK53a0p6elTUltuMjzw8yPKWS1eXAdjI0fGdBIXk7VbNJjfE2ZgoZsHIU5URGMjrS8MyYhDxmNrhfoWi1knKzekL3K/s4032/20220614_161138.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq7o1i6QwqyccAqTQtXuqs9fqAlIKHLUtD1H-djerc05pbhti1XG9ZjAQ7Ixe_oD8cCrDHTedqtCb-uZy1Rq21B6YAPfNm7iuK53a0p6elTUltuMjzw8yPKWS1eXAdjI0fGdBIXk7VbNJjfE2ZgoZsHIU5URGMjrS8MyYhDxmNrhfoWi1knKzekL3K/s320/20220614_161138.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>This is one of my favourite shirts, polka dot, comfy, light weight, good for layering. I wear thermals underneath it in winter. Well, I did. It has lived in the mending basket for the last year. It is a very light cotton, like a handkerchief, and after much use it tore under the arms. Today I have managed to put one patch on. I used fabric from a pair of Rosy's old shorts, which are a similar weight to the shirt. I love polka dots and I love paisley, so now I have both on one shirt! It needs three more patches, as I have just discovered it has worn under the arms as well. </p><p>I also rather like the reverse side of the patch. Very <i><a href="https://alltheblueday.blogspot.com/2022/06/make-do-and-mend-japanese-style.html" target="_blank">boro</a>. </i>I will maybe do the next patch this style.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUq4cGEkEajYfe-vOTLh0mfrFPkSkX7ovnbhcqG56GoG2PiNKWnQUIZddhfNqfVbmTBojZXqWMm98M-6Z_0o-R14kaLyeOjD-WdLzsEu23jNesEcU4nak8J32rw06NAOlWY6GVSBpQZ0R8zqqSthclfUfnAkXFV_lUwkgddjyRLblSMbZULSTj2WCU/s4032/20220614_165533.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUq4cGEkEajYfe-vOTLh0mfrFPkSkX7ovnbhcqG56GoG2PiNKWnQUIZddhfNqfVbmTBojZXqWMm98M-6Z_0o-R14kaLyeOjD-WdLzsEu23jNesEcU4nak8J32rw06NAOlWY6GVSBpQZ0R8zqqSthclfUfnAkXFV_lUwkgddjyRLblSMbZULSTj2WCU/s320/20220614_165533.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>Very excitingly, for this week's Mending Club, reader Madeleine has shared some of her own mending, along with her new mending tools. Who knew that you can get darning tools for glove fingers and large tabletop darning mushrooms for bigger items? <a href="https://macrobioticwholefoods.com/make-do-and-mend/" target="_blank">Here is Madeleine's post</a> and<a href="https://www.booktopia.com.au/darning-hikaru-noguchi/book/9781912480159.html?source=pla&gclid=CjwKCAjwkYGVBhArEiwA4sZLuFoXIto5JI7kEwgvXVqG2z16OHx9nGl2qpFz0H2tn570hUqcpkvkExoCTdcQAvD_BwE" target="_blank"> here</a> is the mending book she recommended to me in her email. Thanks so much for sharing your mending tips, Madeleine, and I would love to hear from anyone else who would like to show us their mending projects.</p><p>To end, this is why I did not finish my mending project today. It was already in use.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIG1eBhgGyohvHn2b9a3iRZ675B8Af-eBhj_cwnNabi53zypzlB2UrofW9j_nJn-FaSwJLSdfW_EnNbpmeBLVr86JHmhTmXXJG74eKeiXJt42WLDdEzXipBH8KcmfQ8AJq1ypax8j1tRA9DE-nZLI-QeQVzljvsabgVOB50Z9loe2_dAr07E_DK-St/s4032/20220614_164925.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIG1eBhgGyohvHn2b9a3iRZ675B8Af-eBhj_cwnNabi53zypzlB2UrofW9j_nJn-FaSwJLSdfW_EnNbpmeBLVr86JHmhTmXXJG74eKeiXJt42WLDdEzXipBH8KcmfQ8AJq1ypax8j1tRA9DE-nZLI-QeQVzljvsabgVOB50Z9loe2_dAr07E_DK-St/s320/20220614_164925.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Simon the cat watching bird telly. He also likes polka dots.</i></div></i><p>Let us know what mending projects you have in hand this week. Or what you wish you would mend. What favourite piece is sitting at the bottom of the mending basket? I can only say I am thankful for peer pressure, or this shirt would still have been there for another year at least..</p>Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17803297366197086152noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4838234360213313454.post-11830230861153171682022-06-12T16:36:00.002+10:002022-06-12T16:36:37.703+10:00Make Do and Mend, Japanese Style.<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFuM4j9_oxcbxDxk4Fljvdd1CQpYNa4TyZvzf1Ca6Qr5eWxi0bZ1h6a5Hh3leIZ0FM299MHPvHg7e24wTIT0mJ17wgyC6ykmufjiXD6P22Y_HoXITz-0CjFcCg_spaDOhWxMX9XAzOJh_rctaTNx_kuoONAnLBdLXYejYkCXCxyWeUgg8b1ugP7dNA/s4032/20220607_123739.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFuM4j9_oxcbxDxk4Fljvdd1CQpYNa4TyZvzf1Ca6Qr5eWxi0bZ1h6a5Hh3leIZ0FM299MHPvHg7e24wTIT0mJ17wgyC6ykmufjiXD6P22Y_HoXITz-0CjFcCg_spaDOhWxMX9XAzOJh_rctaTNx_kuoONAnLBdLXYejYkCXCxyWeUgg8b1ugP7dNA/s320/20220607_123739.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This last week I took my two youngest kiddos and went to visit the two oldest kiddos in Melbourne. The older kiddos live in a cool share house with two other cool people, one of whom is one of their good buddies from school days here in Launceston. They have found a nice townhouse with room for us all to come and crash for a few nights, so we did. They live in a suburb which has housed lots of Greek and Italian immigrants for several generations, and is now attracting Asian immigrants as well. This is perfect for me as every day I could go for walks and be in awe of how much food was growing in front yards up and down every street. It was amazing. So much citrus, so many olive trees, pumpkin vines growing up hedges, pomegranates, and yards filled with vegetables. And these are not large yards, just little small handkerchief size gardens, stuffed with food. These are folks who are going to see $12 lettuces in shops and laugh...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">One rainy day The Girl and Rosy and I went to the National Gallery of Victoria. I always like to do this in Melbourne, hang out with the Impressionists (there are no Monets in Launceston, but two in the NGV. Luxury) and take a visit to the Dutch masters gallery and stand in front of my two favourite paintings, still lifes from the 18th century with all the flowers and fruit so exquisitely rendered. Then, in the gallery under the beautiful stained glass roof that looks like a kaleidoscope, I found this.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A genuine, 19th century Japanese <i>boro</i> kimono (well, I'm pretty sure it's 19th century. I was so excited by the stitching that I forgot to check the date).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYoAx-jhz3kXHLssvsDr7OHuEh_Aefd5W68wPVSn5mxSJZvNHtUU3NFhHOC7q1kdQXzCMxNKYWcA4Iih-sRpCng2XI5pHgPYTc9YuRvqnnvyKfCEvb_uc2tU9TtQvFNpPIfzrLQg5oLiLc2MiEPsi-fXYVca8PBW1g-htUGkoMUFRRxGRFGafgLCm7/s4032/20220607_135630.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYoAx-jhz3kXHLssvsDr7OHuEh_Aefd5W68wPVSn5mxSJZvNHtUU3NFhHOC7q1kdQXzCMxNKYWcA4Iih-sRpCng2XI5pHgPYTc9YuRvqnnvyKfCEvb_uc2tU9TtQvFNpPIfzrLQg5oLiLc2MiEPsi-fXYVca8PBW1g-htUGkoMUFRRxGRFGafgLCm7/s320/20220607_135630.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><i><div><i><br /></i></div>Boro </i>is the Japanese art of patching together scraps of old clothes to make a kimono or other clothing. And when the <i>boro</i> clothing wears out, it gets patched with extra scraps of old clothing. Indigo-dyed cotton gives the clothes their distinctive colour, and it is pieced in layers for extra warmth. <i>Sashiko </i>stitching, a running stitch employed in lots of decorative patterns, quilts the layers together and makes the fabric even more beautiful. I cannot tell you how much I want to make my own <i>boro-</i>inspired coat out of scraps I have stashed in boxes in the attic.<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbFsXNpQpea5uYrNm06MnNjbDFJRDrBSlMLLuCJeVlPJ0G0ZuU_n377dQyK3J7lPKZg5DuJUxCMu4l1fWubdu_60-CSh9gjDRlDhjd4DPmdR1VmDZjvT9E0PruDWxNPB7AHefIK9NajAAfVotqJ_oawb0as4W_YkhZqMXO2fozY-PRRO_BkaNcLgyq/s4032/20220607_135642.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbFsXNpQpea5uYrNm06MnNjbDFJRDrBSlMLLuCJeVlPJ0G0ZuU_n377dQyK3J7lPKZg5DuJUxCMu4l1fWubdu_60-CSh9gjDRlDhjd4DPmdR1VmDZjvT9E0PruDWxNPB7AHefIK9NajAAfVotqJ_oawb0as4W_YkhZqMXO2fozY-PRRO_BkaNcLgyq/s320/20220607_135642.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>I tried to take detailed photos but most of them have my reflection in them. This part below is gorgeous. Scraps on scraps. The edging of the front hem of the kimono opening has worn through and shows the next layer down, in black and white stripes. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGYFbGk3X4WFXhEkkIzbKZ0K-b4xe0dvTWOv1c9YslJH2cuWIu6uyQh-D4c0Y23nKgGNaCmDUjlK-aNpq-_VVyO0TpbYTyKU6o_K-UbYGKiz1TA-vQFDNP5jlGcGnx6X6X2QJBcRHAnWMY41xq3Tn9FSvt6QaBuCQs_F_Co_uyaSWmf3ne4_IF42-J/s4032/20220607_135651.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGYFbGk3X4WFXhEkkIzbKZ0K-b4xe0dvTWOv1c9YslJH2cuWIu6uyQh-D4c0Y23nKgGNaCmDUjlK-aNpq-_VVyO0TpbYTyKU6o_K-UbYGKiz1TA-vQFDNP5jlGcGnx6X6X2QJBcRHAnWMY41xq3Tn9FSvt6QaBuCQs_F_Co_uyaSWmf3ne4_IF42-J/s320/20220607_135651.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>And here is part of the lining, pieced together with all sorts of small bits, and extra small pieces providing reinforcement at the hem. </div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnDS9qyrLc0gKeRrEKE6H_vR-yFGyft86cc_zpBA2u_tKjUbFme1iIAQDeoGJx63Jxt4XL2r-9qUDpHXA-S3ZeaJO5pA04lZcBk-4PbYuFSZaI8AK4StWum4cKrf_E4sGhfUxqB_NhfGU-UUOLHQtbJK0K_K9SJ_hrYCWHfzwOIg835k2CCGVzakJL/s4032/20220607_135727.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnDS9qyrLc0gKeRrEKE6H_vR-yFGyft86cc_zpBA2u_tKjUbFme1iIAQDeoGJx63Jxt4XL2r-9qUDpHXA-S3ZeaJO5pA04lZcBk-4PbYuFSZaI8AK4StWum4cKrf_E4sGhfUxqB_NhfGU-UUOLHQtbJK0K_K9SJ_hrYCWHfzwOIg835k2CCGVzakJL/s320/20220607_135727.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>Thank you, NGV, for your Make Do and Mend demonstration, 19th century, Japanese style (this wasn't part of an exhibition, but a long, narrow gallery just under the stained-glass roof. Last time I was there it was exhibiting pottery, but this time it is showing various items from their collection in a colour theme, with different coloured lights shining out from each display case and spilling across the floor in rainbow colours, possibly for Pride Month? Anyway, this display was indigo, of course). Of course, if the NGV ever does bring out a Make Do and Mend exhibition, I'll be there in a heartbeat.</p><p>I'll be back on Tuesday for <a href="https://alltheblueday.blogspot.com/2022/05/the-magical-art-of-mending-mending-club.html" target="_blank">Mending Club</a>, inspired by <i>boro, </i>although I haven't even got the mending basket out yet. A reader has already sent me a link to her mending on her blog, which is very fun. </p><p>See you then!</p></div>Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17803297366197086152noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4838234360213313454.post-63247995715574910092022-06-02T21:13:00.000+10:002022-06-02T21:13:05.282+10:00End of an Era<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgmK4eJTX2RahcbmhO0tG1gO1LDl_hjFMFMHDv-iGpvwiXRYMCp2d7_LhqCmD0OMqIjrAJRzJ9djKc-2E70yVp8fqXfJXCIX84KxX-59APyMVjYrjLD38c0jMQT6VPVY4omPDuEJiRCA5iwiV9YHdffFDrqbCk6bXkTustmiWGaZ9j7nSuD_s15ssF/s4032/20220602_114203.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgmK4eJTX2RahcbmhO0tG1gO1LDl_hjFMFMHDv-iGpvwiXRYMCp2d7_LhqCmD0OMqIjrAJRzJ9djKc-2E70yVp8fqXfJXCIX84KxX-59APyMVjYrjLD38c0jMQT6VPVY4omPDuEJiRCA5iwiV9YHdffFDrqbCk6bXkTustmiWGaZ9j7nSuD_s15ssF/s320/20220602_114203.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Four years ago I started writing for <i>Earth Garden, </i>a magazine I have been reading for nearly thirty years, since I started my first food garden in the inhospitable red sand garden of a little old house in Broken Hill. It had always been a dream of mine, to write for <i>Earth Garden</i>. It took me a long time to raise the courage to try it, but I have now had four years of articles published there, with the very sweet editor, Alan. And after fifty years of publication the magazine is now closing down. Alan and Judith have been financial councillors for the First Nations people of the Kimberley region for some years now, and they are going to devote themselves full time to that project. It's kind of hard to be mad at them about that, but I will miss the magazine. It has been a long-time companion for learning about everything garden and homestead and low-tech living. And it was the first and only place I have ever been published!</p><p>My very last article for <i>Earth Garden</i> is about the parts of vegetables that are often thrown away but are actually edible. How to harvest more food, in fact, from the same space, just by eating all the parts of the plant that are edible.</p><p>Celery leaves, for instance, are very edible, good for stock, and can be dried and crumbled up to add celery flavour to soups and stews when you have run out of celery.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLZmJo4ahGHI4nTHZezeC_ckhaSkgvFzIk0zeA1Epiuzyx6hqv0tU69lKI0jvJn9F7NkzYvbbTrlNtnBlWTn2gYpjI5CkoQuqryzdS4xEMEoC3hoB_O2rbB457IQVt7vDiENOp0xgH6Ez1UKEdOzRcbl6SHeJsKAQZVlybM-hHK6C4Q_4SCm75a0pD/s4032/20220602_103830.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLZmJo4ahGHI4nTHZezeC_ckhaSkgvFzIk0zeA1Epiuzyx6hqv0tU69lKI0jvJn9F7NkzYvbbTrlNtnBlWTn2gYpjI5CkoQuqryzdS4xEMEoC3hoB_O2rbB457IQVt7vDiENOp0xgH6Ez1UKEdOzRcbl6SHeJsKAQZVlybM-hHK6C4Q_4SCm75a0pD/s320/20220602_103830.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>Pea and broad bean leaves are edible, and I put them in salads and stir fries. Broccoli leaves are also good in a stir fry, as are broccoli flowers. Turnip and radish leaves are wonderful chopped into soups, and radish seed pods are hot and crunchy.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg18WJ0XWZEYfw8ZwtfjdRUy-Nr8QL7YS5Ym_9pX0QHiathFaY8jCXlMYfRmcG8g6AFgEQgiCAzS6NcyXFa1mSkRY5ReGJzG_IhCQQc7WlaLUSSY16tmBbZ2YWFP5JWLloC9xJr-NQt6YNqOAoxZnrrSTVxEZQENa2dlGayNWZXrX4U_zXGSUuf-wpI/s4032/20220602_103850.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg18WJ0XWZEYfw8ZwtfjdRUy-Nr8QL7YS5Ym_9pX0QHiathFaY8jCXlMYfRmcG8g6AFgEQgiCAzS6NcyXFa1mSkRY5ReGJzG_IhCQQc7WlaLUSSY16tmBbZ2YWFP5JWLloC9xJr-NQt6YNqOAoxZnrrSTVxEZQENa2dlGayNWZXrX4U_zXGSUuf-wpI/s320/20220602_103850.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>Have you tried roasting parsley root, sauteeing garlic greens or stir frying baby pumpkin leaves? Well, just know that you can, if you want to:)</p><p>I have very much enjoyed writing in <i>Earth Garden</i> about many of the things I also write about in this space - eating weeds, visible mending, propagating plants. My magazine gig is ending, but I'll continue chatting here about living a quiet life in a small, unregarded corner of the world, knowing that thousands of <i>Earth Garden </i>readers are also doing the same, tending their gardens, planting seeds, making their patches beautiful and magical and productive. <i>Earth Garden</i> was there for me at a time when I needed some help as a young adult - I had no idea about gardening, or doing practical things, or cooking or preserving. I had a degree in English Literature, but it didn't prepare me for the practicalities of life so much! </p><p>I am very grateful to have this small corner of the internet to talk about living small but living very well on very little money. And I am also very grateful to have such a lovely community of readers who teach me so much and who are also very kind:)</p><p>So here's a fond farewell to <i>Earth Garden, </i>and its wonderful publishers, and here's to me finding another writing gig somewhere... </p>Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17803297366197086152noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4838234360213313454.post-51083718538864914152022-05-24T16:12:00.000+10:002022-05-24T16:12:28.536+10:00The Magical Art of Mending - Mending Club<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJc5pWuUoKz6uNvdVqJvQUli0WlAqV8nv-ZfR2gSWcaEIa_SWJb6LdpIUtm_zl177YSkaboEgCrD3n7rJIGpfctCP0-zy5_LDESbZH0pfjoDhfuUjeSK01D6L1ee2yOcATAuvMSbD93X1j3E3CMVFupom88AhSzD2pPqbk1bbcpeYQ3LkmK5t3hCoH/s4032/20220523_210424.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJc5pWuUoKz6uNvdVqJvQUli0WlAqV8nv-ZfR2gSWcaEIa_SWJb6LdpIUtm_zl177YSkaboEgCrD3n7rJIGpfctCP0-zy5_LDESbZH0pfjoDhfuUjeSK01D6L1ee2yOcATAuvMSbD93X1j3E3CMVFupom88AhSzD2pPqbk1bbcpeYQ3LkmK5t3hCoH/s320/20220523_210424.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>Magic is about effecting change, because you want to. It is change through an act of will. We all do magic all the time. The Australian people just did magic by choosing to change out the country's politicians. Good-bye old boys' club, hello to a bunch of determined female independents who want to get things done. Bravo.</p><p>This week I did magic by a) voting and b) mending a thing. Mending is seen by some as a domestic chore. It is seen by me as magic. You take a thing which is not how you want it to be, you do magic, and then it is perfect for its purpose.</p><p>This particular act of magic started with a hat. It had been abandoned on the side of the road, and sat in the rain for more than a week until I decided that no-one was coming for it, and I would have to rescue it. I washed it and sat and contemplated it. I liked its faded rustic charm, but I didn't like its badge advertising the Black Head Bowling Club. Mind you, I'd rather advertise the Black Head Bowling Club than any large corporation bent on doing evil in the name of profit. So there's that. But still, I wanted something more whimsical. I found it in a stack of denim patches that Red was embroidering a couple of summers ago. I snaffled one I liked and then stashed hat and patch in the mending basket for, oh, eighteen months or so. </p><p>And now we get to the moment last week when I claimed I was starting a mending club here at Chez Blueday. What was I thinking? Fora mending club one actually has to mend something. I don't want to mend things. I want to read Georgette Heyer novels and play in the garden. </p><p>But mending. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsbfga80JtQKpVPtY-orVOoSA82eos7GFVnsJVmDxFjf_bwx62WPM35pSlw_u6SZ0JbB8xe26vWSshSONaamKNe8l15QPVAu1MMPOvyHrzjSkez52dElvIOS39bD_EK--hGSRraEPXEu3piZTGcTKytcU9IDuiHRXDaQ2A2JtYjbOIapgabvc0zchh/s4032/20220523_203804.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsbfga80JtQKpVPtY-orVOoSA82eos7GFVnsJVmDxFjf_bwx62WPM35pSlw_u6SZ0JbB8xe26vWSshSONaamKNe8l15QPVAu1MMPOvyHrzjSkez52dElvIOS39bD_EK--hGSRraEPXEu3piZTGcTKytcU9IDuiHRXDaQ2A2JtYjbOIapgabvc0zchh/s320/20220523_203804.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>So last night I looked in my basket and pulled out the thing that seemed like the least work, and spent fifteen minutes sewing a patch on a hat. Whew! So much work! But I did it! I now have a charming gardening hat instead of a hat I didn't want to wear languishing in the mending basket. Magic!</p><p>And now, the most important bit. I have been looking forward to this! Did anyone else mend a thing? Tell us about it in the comments, send us a link if you put it on social media, or send me pics via email. Share the mending magic:)</p>Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17803297366197086152noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4838234360213313454.post-82598694235824807062022-05-17T13:32:00.003+10:002022-05-17T13:32:53.388+10:00Endearing Lighthouse and Introducing The Mending Club<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZQ6i68ycNkp6i5QEtVUgGPv6-DzlHLj75WV2b11I0qe65eHPbNybN-OVmJoytuBTvyhBLR_m-MjmziPOjgCUVig9YJLQEjGHm4_J-Gdmbwe05wtLLEmJVv3LXn0l4jKS0OE9y5Tl6f_aRskIjl_fuaBfnUvGV_uC38A1XGod4pRN8pfpsWKx0FcKW/s2592/20220504_150907.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="1944" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZQ6i68ycNkp6i5QEtVUgGPv6-DzlHLj75WV2b11I0qe65eHPbNybN-OVmJoytuBTvyhBLR_m-MjmziPOjgCUVig9YJLQEjGHm4_J-Gdmbwe05wtLLEmJVv3LXn0l4jKS0OE9y5Tl6f_aRskIjl_fuaBfnUvGV_uC38A1XGod4pRN8pfpsWKx0FcKW/s320/20220504_150907.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /> It was my birthday yesterday which was the second day I had spent in bed hoping I didn't have covid, and apparently I don't, so happy birthday to me:)<p></p><p>Now I am eating birthday chocolate for breakfast and drinking tea, plus my sore throat/headache/aching limbs seem to have resolved themselves so really, everything is looking up.</p><p>Last week Paul and I went to a funeral on a rainy day at Devonport on the north coast and afterwards we walked on the beach in the cold and the wind, and it was wonderful. This has been the home of the <i>Tommeginne </i>nation for thousands of years, a beautiful, fertile gathering place at the mouth of the paranaple river. I love the patchwork of different species of plants spilling over the bluff. I have a small collection of native correa plants at home which are flowering now and attracting tiny native birds, and I said to Paul a few weeks ago that I would love to find some correas growing in the wild. Well, here they are, <i>correa alba, </i>a grey-leafed form with white, starry flowers, cascading down the cliff.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlCCw3uPP7fuXIeb_P_vlJfLz0JebCmHor6l_HKlyaSFHpA7q-liZMSwimF_LxmkUkncHEs1XLpSlfmzrnu_a1UwOwciF0RNScvYmxGNHsENG2XP7c_WnpOOTsNsCiIhxx81eP-yVjprIHr9_TlX_XNacjh859JRo9czAVxBCfs4soHemlmEVPXiMt/s4032/20220504_150833.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlCCw3uPP7fuXIeb_P_vlJfLz0JebCmHor6l_HKlyaSFHpA7q-liZMSwimF_LxmkUkncHEs1XLpSlfmzrnu_a1UwOwciF0RNScvYmxGNHsENG2XP7c_WnpOOTsNsCiIhxx81eP-yVjprIHr9_TlX_XNacjh859JRo9czAVxBCfs4soHemlmEVPXiMt/s320/20220504_150833.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>And here they are in my garden, much smaller, with me attempting to clip them into round ball shapes. I love the contrast of the silver and the green foliage here.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpmi5YLYPkGcZLcBwwLKXu0z7rQkqi8qbDz_cuP1HrWLJDinW2QcnQ9xPSK9ewztpfm7wwCthSM7ZOu9s0lg8nd4oRZXKcRlbXeHcAwXy7l2cUSvpisIarN7-UNHb_XojKT0V_jHSQ8NSHF8Sim8-CsYEOC-1xsbT4Z-k3OSzdu0qxF_lmlD78aZum/s4032/20220517_122749.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpmi5YLYPkGcZLcBwwLKXu0z7rQkqi8qbDz_cuP1HrWLJDinW2QcnQ9xPSK9ewztpfm7wwCthSM7ZOu9s0lg8nd4oRZXKcRlbXeHcAwXy7l2cUSvpisIarN7-UNHb_XojKT0V_jHSQ8NSHF8Sim8-CsYEOC-1xsbT4Z-k3OSzdu0qxF_lmlD78aZum/s320/20220517_122749.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p>The green foliage is another type of correa, with beautiful crimson bells that the wattle birds and eastern spinebills love to feast on. Also the small, but dedicated cohort of bees which are still flying about in the cold weather like to stuff their whole stripey little bodies into the bells to get at the nectar. Adorable.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5xk3yoBTJvGTw7Uqx-w7boIuxf7k3SB7NcgwPNteIogDLUrhlg3ABm_k-gzJcYmch3WVRbhlV7yEWn1V46xJ8lLWJNgBhLaQ3GQ3KHBhoyjobguDljesQSdfgSRz_dAAxtdGgxdDcvaqJWt3KhIIFZ9g7vOnkbwUROYl2MIw9IBv7cpCEHTuAwtTT/s4032/20220517_130043.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5xk3yoBTJvGTw7Uqx-w7boIuxf7k3SB7NcgwPNteIogDLUrhlg3ABm_k-gzJcYmch3WVRbhlV7yEWn1V46xJ8lLWJNgBhLaQ3GQ3KHBhoyjobguDljesQSdfgSRz_dAAxtdGgxdDcvaqJWt3KhIIFZ9g7vOnkbwUROYl2MIw9IBv7cpCEHTuAwtTT/s320/20220517_130043.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Correa Dusky Bells</i></div></i><p>It is walnut season here in Tasmania. There are a number of walnut trees that I keep an eye on during dog walks, and they have been dropping walnuts all over the footpaths in the last couple of weeks. I seem to be the only person picking them up. In the summer I spied a large walnut tree hanging over the dentist car park, so when I took Red to the dentist last week I foraged me up a whole heap of walnuts and put them in the side pocket of the driver's seat door. I keep forgetting to take them out, so every time I drive the car now it is to the percussive rattle of walnut shells.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgwiXMvU-958ZFbHF6rpBMax213xRZ6veQ6ELzS4wpyr7m-qBCOrfM-wao2KR4vzRuPDRw-jq72bWVSA4Kx-2LsBtthgwVmhwvQvybDyhP2NiST9ws8ukRwpXtfwU_ZL7ZXDvyn57u3brRU-SfUlKZwBzI0AYyrPyHnJuEiaGapHDXZ-V79JsQ7xgY/s4032/20220517_123403.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgwiXMvU-958ZFbHF6rpBMax213xRZ6veQ6ELzS4wpyr7m-qBCOrfM-wao2KR4vzRuPDRw-jq72bWVSA4Kx-2LsBtthgwVmhwvQvybDyhP2NiST9ws8ukRwpXtfwU_ZL7ZXDvyn57u3brRU-SfUlKZwBzI0AYyrPyHnJuEiaGapHDXZ-V79JsQ7xgY/s320/20220517_123403.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"> <i>I will shell these and chop them up to put on my morning porridge. </i></p><p style="text-align: left;">I have not touched my mending basket since the <a href="https://alltheblueday.blogspot.com/2022/05/more-green-and-thrifty.html" target="_blank">last post,</a> when I was so proud of myself for doing the mending. Today I am wearing my deliciously warm bamboo socks with bright orange darns on the toes. They make me so happy! I am thinking of starting a Mending Club because I need the motivation of peer pressure. I'll do a Mending Club post next Tuesday with photos of my mending, and anyone else who wants to join in can link to their blog/instagram in the comments with their own mending photos, or email a photo and I'll add it to the post, or tell us all about your mending in the comments. Who's in? Let's mend a thing!</p><p style="text-align: left;">I will leave you with another photo of the adorable Mersey Bluff lighthouse. Lighthouses are so endearing.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiKcaz4f_snWHW5T_KYXEEFdqsvMzayMHGyAhrJiKIQPpKNulUm_oBWmWH76n894RpU5cnu5MVrWMPfb5t7qMUHEQtfRzIJHCSCnSd88UNUXXRSdmAFE3ZP6f14jtTe1yI3bn6sSHkMbFf9rw9S6fNMQgIpbJThJFetiGNND6iZr_B_CM-xuRap1EQ/s4032/20220504_150710.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiKcaz4f_snWHW5T_KYXEEFdqsvMzayMHGyAhrJiKIQPpKNulUm_oBWmWH76n894RpU5cnu5MVrWMPfb5t7qMUHEQtfRzIJHCSCnSd88UNUXXRSdmAFE3ZP6f14jtTe1yI3bn6sSHkMbFf9rw9S6fNMQgIpbJThJFetiGNND6iZr_B_CM-xuRap1EQ/s320/20220504_150710.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17803297366197086152noreply@blogger.com8