Hospitality

My hospitality skills aren't tested very often but I always find myself lacking in this area. I think that due to our location (and probably my personality too) we don't entertain very often. In fact I can't remember the last time a non-family member crossed our threshold.

This week we played host to my sister and my nephew for a couple of nights. It was fun to have a few days of frivolity with my family from afar that I don't see nearly as much as I would like.

Afternoon tea, some assistance with a hairdressing issue and a semi-comfortable place to sleep was about as far as my hostessing skills stretched. I'm sure she will come back though.

I was even so terrible as to make her do some chores. Collecting the eggs in the places that are hard to reach and tending the sheep.

Having a home that is more inviting and friendly to others is something I would like to work on. I don't think I will be hosting any major events any time soon but maybe a morning tea or two could be a start.

Tracy

Spring weather, Spring dessert

The weather had taken a decidely spring-like feel but today has reverted back to wintery winds in preparation for some more predicted rain. I am at the point with the rain that I have to remind myself not to complain because it will be summer soon enough and we will be in need of a shower or two.
The mower has been in action for the first time since autumn because rain + balmy spring days makes for lots of grass (and weed) growth.

Back in May, I was thrilled with my son's Mother's Day gift to me. A Blood Orange tree. It may be many moons before I have any fruit off it but the lure of Blood Orange Sorbet makes the wait worthwhile. My usual sorbet recipe was in a folder so through sheer laziness, I looked on the internet instead. I'm glad I did. David Lebovitz's recipe is so simple, just a combination of sugar, juice and the ice cream churn.

Blood oranges are so juicy that there is very little waste. The pulp that gets through the juicer doesn't even need to be strained so it is about as healthy as a sugary, juice concoction can be.

The colour alone is irresistible. It is a pity the kids love it too because sometimes you just don't want to share.

tracy

Grumpy

I have been in a cranky mood lately. I don't know why, I just have. So I haven't been blogging. I haven't been doing much of any interest just going about my business 'in a mood'. The poor people who live with me. I have snapped out of it now. Thank goodness.

The weather here has been a bit damp. We have had a lot of rain with minor flooding in low lieing areas (not us). It really isn't even good weather for ducks, everything is so very wet.

The sub-soil moisture is going to be great for the spring/summer season coming up. Bumper harvests should ensue as long as the predicted locusts don't get them first.

I have joined up Jodie's swap. It sounds like fun. So a little more knitting before it gets warm and Iput the needles away for the season.

Tracy

'WInter' gardening

Not much goes on in the winter garden. A little bit of weed removal but mostly just waiting for the brassica plants to bear there deliciousness and try very hard to wait for enough snow peas for a meal. Really just a lot of observing and planning.
This morning on my turn around the vegetable patch, the Roi de Carouby snow peas were looking forlorn. The very wet weather we have had during the last month has knocked them down from the trellis.

The broccoli plants are growing well. I think the wet weather has kept the dreaded cabbage moth away (for now).
My asparagus are showing their heads early this year. I'm not sure if this means that spring is on its way early this year or if our weather patterns are changing and this will become the norm. All I can do is pick it and enjoy it and do my best in my part of the world for our Earth.

My favourite of the mornings walk though was this gorgeous heartsease. They come up year after year and are so jolly and sweet. I'm enjoying this break from the hard work of summer in the garden but I am very much looking forward to spring planting time and summer harvests.

Tracy

Happy Girls

The girls are happy and settling in to school. I was prepared to be a bit sad myself and feel a little lonely too but I wasn't prepared for a sad cat. Puss has followed me around the house and needs to sit on me every time I sit down. Right now though she is asleep just where she is in the picture above. On the end of Hope's bed, waiting for her to arrive home from school to annoy her.

I have been filling my days with catching up on housework that was put off for when I had more time and going on longer bike rides than usual. When the yard dries out after all of the rain we have had, I will be able to fill the day with gardening too.

Tracy

Letting Go

The time came this week to say goodbye to my old sewing machine. I was surprised after I listed it on Freecycle that I actually felt an emotional attachment to a sewing machine. I shouldn't have been surprised by the sentiments. I have been hanging on to the machine without using it for about 4 years since I got my new machine.

Anyway, off it has gone to a new home where I hope it can be enjoyed or at least used. It was a great machine. It is strong and heavy together we had a dolls clothes business back when I was at university, we made my daughter's christening gowns, lots of dresses and bags and quilt blocks. It wasn't always a rosy relationship. The machine would stop zig zagging, it wouldn't make button holes anymore and would often jam mid- seam.

I have been missing for a while whilst we made a big decision. My girls are going to start going to school. They both want to be in a school environment and for us home schooling was never a rejection of regular school. So with feelings of great excitement for Grace and Hope and mixed emotions for me, they start on Monday morning.

Tracy

Settling back down

The last week and half have been hectic. I had to take Grace and Hope to drama/ theatre workshops all week. As part of the syllabus, they must have some exposure to drama and as I strive to keep my life pretty much drama free, I thought it best to have someone else do the dirty work in this department.

I didn't have much time at home. It was just like being at work, away all day and coming home tired. Unlike being at work though, I didn't really get much done during the days. I did finish the dreaded cross stitch and made an unfortunate trip to the hairdressers ( but that will wash out).

So this week it is back to 'normal'. Tim at work, Tom at school and the girls enjoying getting back into homeschool routine. Me, I am cooking, cleaning, going on long bike rides and just generally reigning over my domain. It's a treat.
Tracy