Planting

I haven't sown any spring/ summer seeds yet because it is just too cold for it to be worth the effort but it's going to be soon. Scarecrow has been and it does make your fingers itch a little. What I did plant today though was rhubarb. I have never had an ounce of luck growing it. When Tim and I moved into our first home, there was a huge rhubarb plant in situ which we proceeded to remove (what were we thinking?). Actually I had visions of my yet to be born children poisoning themselves which in hindsight could never have happened as they are the type of children that took some coercing into eating anything green. Also it wasn't something that either of us had eaten much of so out it went. Perhaps that's why I have trouble getting it to flourish now in this garden, some kind of rhubarb karma. No, I just haven't found the right spot but I'm sure the well drained, sunny spot amongst the herbs will be just right. I hope so anyway.

 

If I was a rhubarb plant I think I would like to have this lavender for a neighbour. It was a cheapy plant from Bunnings or Big W and is called Lavender 'Spanish Eyes'. It is a Lavendula multifida and doesn't have the typical lavender aroma but is still pretty with its fern-like foliage.

I also planted some accidental 'cuttings' from my peppermint geranium. I pulled out a piece while I was weeding so I popped three cuttings into some potting mix and now have my fingers crossed that they strike.

The daffodils are one by one blooming. My dream of a small meadow of daffodils is still a long way off but it is closer this year than last.  I have our hammock in amongst them at the moment to make the most of them because the 'moment' doesn't last long.

I don't know if I have ever posted a picture of our dog, Arrow, here before but I thought I would share this one. I  warmed up enough outside gardening to remove a layer or two and in true canine form, Arrow found my cardigan. And as I said on the   Facebook page , it's a tough life being a farm dog here. Well she is doing what she does best I guess.

Hope you are having a nice day. It's lovely here today.
Tracy

Giving

Bhut jolokia

My newest plant arrived in yesterday's mail. It is a Bhut jolokia chilli which is apparently the world's hottest. I can assure I will not be testing the claim, I will leave it up to the resident chilli fanciers. My tolerance for spicy things has waned in the last two years for some unknown reason but I will probably have a little try and regret it after. I'd be interested to hear if anyone has tried this chilli and how it rates heatwise.

 I love getting mail (bills excluded) and our letter box has been very active of late. Secret parcels coming in and now I have a few to post away.

All of my remaining swap parcels are being posted tomorrow and I hope they will be well received at their destinations. I enjoyed getting to know my swap partners by reading their blogs but it does feel a little creepy strange looking in on their lives without even saying hello because everything is top secret.

I'm making a day of being in town tomorrow and doing some Christmas and birthday shopping and also donating blood. And while I'm in the giving mood, I would like to offer a set of  my felt ornaments as a giveaway.

 

I will leave the giveaway open until next Wednesday, 28th November and then draw a name. Just leave a comment to be in the running. Like Sunny Corner Farm on Facebook for an extra chance too.

 

Tracy

Cacti

 I am having a bit of a gardening romance with cacti at the moment. This one I potted up in a wee tea cup and received a few prickles for my troubles. But I still like it anyway.

These teeny-tiny ones are on the kitchen window sill so I can enjoy their company while I wash the dishes but I may pot them up together in a terracotta pot for the verandah or porch. I don't think there is much scope for them to grow in such tiny pots.
Tracy

Another big trip to Sydney over the weekend to take Tom back for university after a mid-semester break. I'm so grateful that Tim does most of the driving most of the time when we go on long trips. This time however we had to travel down separately and I had to drive the almost 500km trip on my own with the girls. We had a good time in the car listening to music and having Grace recount various books she has read recently. That girl sure can talk. But I don't like driving, for me it is just a way to get from A to B and then back again.


This whole experience of having my son move away from home has taught me about living more "in the moment". Instead of wishing I was home on the farm whilst I am in Sydney, I just enjoy the time there. In the past whenever we went away I would always be longing to come home. Now I guess because part of my heart is in Sydney, I really don't mind being away so much. In fact I will admit I was a bit teary last night when we left for home minus one member of the family.

We spent a day at the Sydney Royal Easter Show. Hope requested a picture of the fireworks. I'm sure that pyrotechnics for pleasure is an environmental nightmare but there is something about fireworks that a lot of people enjoy. They are pretty even if they don't last long.

We arrived home to cool, wet weather just perfect for settling the new plants I bought into their new home. The selection of plants in the city is much better than here, the price too. I got a few natives for the driveway, a camellia (because I like them and it has Grace in the name), a few lavenders, a variegated elder and a couple of cacti for the girls. Plants and books are definitely my weakness when it comes to spending and although I like online purchasing, it was nice to actually be able to choose plants in person.

I am tired today but hoping to have a good nights sleep tonight and be rready for a full day of farm and garden work tomorrow weather permitting.

Tracy