in the garden...

The past few days have been oh, so wonderful. The sun has been shining and the warmth... oh, the warmth! I am so glad for spring. 
It has been perfect weather for gardening, we've been busying ourselves with planting out seeds and seedlings.
We don't plan on staying in this house past May next year, so most of our vegies are being planted in containers. Pots of all shapes and sizes are being put to use along with any other random container that can be up-cycled.
All of the small pots are on the front balcony away from hungry chookens. Beetroot, rainbow chard, basil and lettuce joined the herbs today. 

I went to town on a garden bed out the back, pulling out two ugly shrubs and removing bark. Boy, did that feel good. In its place are three pumpkin plants, four zucchini plants and a whole lot of straw from the chook house. I can't wait to have a gazillion zucchinis and pumpkins. Positive thinking here. Grow my pretties.

We've got a great amount of tomato plants too, which we're going to put in big pots out the back. I'm doing my research on the best way to grow them in pots, as previously I've grown them along a fence and tied them to the fence. Perhaps dog wire around the perimeter of the pot would be a good support for their heavy limbs.

How is your garden growing?
Do you have any tips? I'd love to hear them.

P.S. It's almost November! Eeeek! Where did the year go?

8/52...

Huckle :: gentle and sweet, yet so loud and crazy as well. 
Arlo :: this one is very, very cheeky. His most favourite thing at the moment is blowing raspberries.

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inspired by this mama

escape...

A few weeks back, when we were having one of those days and dinner hadn't been cooked... or even contemplated... and it was 4:30. 

We bundled ourselves into the car and drove the 40 kilometres to the sea.

We played in the park while we waited for our fish and chips and afterwards we ventured down to the shore.

It was freezing, the fish and chips were horrible and ridiculously overpriced, but I'm so glad to have escaped.

I'm also glad to have taken the camera too. 

this and that...

 :: I made ginger beer... but it smells like farts {not my words}. 
Sam thinks I caught some bacteria in my starter. 
Apart from the sulphur smell, I think I did quite well. 
It has a lovely light fizz and a gentle ginger flavour... but yes, it still smells like farts. 
Better luck next time.

:: I love cook books. 
Not just any cook book though. I need one with a story, with substance. 
This stack has some old favourites, some new purchases and a borrowed one that needs to be purchased. 
Who needs to smoke or drink when you can buy cook books instead?

:: Spring. When it is good, it is very, very good {and when it is bad, it is horrid}. 
The lawn is proving to be the perfect spot for colouring, tea parties and cubbies.
When not on the lawn, you'll most likely find us on the front verandah. 
Huckle takes great pride in the watering of the herbs {when he's not pulling them out}.
We have oregano, thyme, mint, coriander and parsley. He knows which is which and fetches them for me when I cook. 
Knowing real food is important to me and I hope that I can instill that in my children.

:: There's been a lot of sewing happening over here.
We happened to be near a spotlight last week and I made the mad dash in, sans children. 
I was pleasantly surprised with the designs they currently have {and not at all surprised at their understaffed, unhelpful ways}.
I haven't purchased new fabric in oh, so long. I felt completely indulgent. 
The first three will be used to make pants and shorts for the Huckle and Arlo.
The other two are for me. I'm thinking floaty, summery tops.

Have you made ginger beer before? Any tips?
What's happening at yours this week? Sewing? Cooking? Outdoor tea parties?
Hope it's lovely.

7/52...

Huckle :: in his own little world, exploring the rockpools. our first visit to the seaside for the season. 
Arlo :: he's really getting this "grab and shove into mouth" business down pat

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