My poor garden is suffering from a bit of neglect that goes a little deeper than the usual seasonal overload and fatigue. There have been secret projects, general unwellness and a storm. The garden is a little … messy. Looking at it fills me with a touch of shame and despair. How could I have let it get so bad. But in the busyness … Continue reading After the Storm
I have a vague recollection from when I was a kid. There were these school books we had to read to help us in our journey towards literacy. There were a few books in the series, filled with short stories that would be easy for young minds learning the finer points of reading. Two of the books really stick in my memory – ‘Sweet Porridge’ … Continue reading The Donkeys Egg
I had to buy garlic again this week and I looked at those fat juicy bulbs and felt pangs of despair. It seems so unfair that I don’t have overflowing baskets and bulging braids of similar sized garlic stored in my shed beside my onions – just waiting to be used. But alas no. The rust took care of that – two years in a … Continue reading Garlic on my mind
Because it is the least I can do with my ever so slightly overgrown garden. I’m working on a bit of a project that has torn me from my garden for days on end. I’m not disappointed with this project, in fact I am really excited by it and enjoy every moment crafting it together. The only problem is it comes with a tight time … Continue reading Looking for beauty among the weeds
This is another of those weird and wonderful things that find their way into my odds and sods bed. I spotted the seeds in a catalogue last winter. It seems like such a long time ago now, but I remember double backing on my page turning and thinking “hmmm…. I wonder…..” This often means something crazy is about to happen. Once I got to the … Continue reading I tried to make marshmallow – the old school way.
Tonight’s meal was another fabulous offering, straight from the garden, but created especially for the seasonal delicacies by the lovely Warren Elwin for Bite magazine in the New Zealand Herald and inspired by what is going on in my garden. I feel so privileged to have such amazing recipes drawn from what I have growing and it wouldn’t do not to attempt the wonderful recipes … Continue reading The tomatoes were the star of the show
My recent article in Bite, the fabulous foodie section of the NZ Herald came with a wonderful accompaniment, a collection of recipes to complement what is being harvested in my garden. Each one was a mouth-watering wonder and it only made sense to recreate each one for my dinner each night, using the very harvest that was the inspiration in the first place. First up I … Continue reading Reaping what has been sown.
I am slowly coming to terms with it being autumn. I don’t really mind it so much as a season, but the thing that does bother me about it most is the year is whizzing by so fast. Days are turning into weeks and weeks into months and before we know it, it will be Easter! I’m still feeling my way in this new … Continue reading Seeds of a new season
In the heady days of spring when the seed trays yawn open wide, demanding to be filled, I try ever so hard to stick to my plan. There is only limited space in the garden and so I need to choose the occupants wisely. But I also have a deep sense of curiosity within me. I can’t help myself as I fill my pots with … Continue reading Chickpeas: Is that it?
For the entire month of April we will be in a challenge to only eat local food, organised by the good people at Happyzine. The boundary set for local is 200km from your house. Which is actually quite generous considering where we live is often referred to as the bread basket of the nation. We are in the heart of a rich agricultural and horticultural … Continue reading How exactly do you define ‘Local’?
