Autumn Sowing

The days are most definitely shortening so it is a good time to get busy in the garden. The weather is milder (today it is even overcast) so working is more pleasant. Everyday I can rely on the garden to provide for us and I want to make sure we don't have a lean gap between summery vegetables and wintery ones.

I have seeds on the go and I'm looking forward to the wholesome tastes of the cooler season crops. In the trays are:

• Musselburgh leeks
• Kale- Nero di toscano
• Cauliflower- snowball
• Cabbage- sugarloaf and Dutch red
• Brussels sprouts- ruby and Evesham special
• Broccoli- Romanesco, Waltham 29, purple sprouting, green sprouting and red arrow.

Today I will directly sow a few things too. I spent last night looking through my Digger's newsletter at the lovely things they have on offer. Although I'm not one who is prone to shopping trips for fun, I can certainly get carried away dreaming of new plants and seeds.

Tracy

Greenhouse

Greenhouse by Joost that is. After reading about this pop-up cafe and seeing images hof the carpet of strawberry plants covering the exterior walls, I really wanted to visit this cafe while we were in Sydney over the weekend. It is a temporary venue and will be gone at the end of the month. If the busyness is any indicator though, it could easily become permanent.

I really liked the idea of the strawberry pots balanced in the reinforcement steel. So much so that I would like to use the idea somewhere around our garden. There were very few srawberries on the young plants and those that were there were very small and looked like they were struggling just a bit. Althought he location is very pleasing on the eye, I'm sure the sun, city pollution and salty air from being on the waters edge is not good for them.The structure also acts as an interactive art installation. The magnesium oxide boards used for the walls are covered in thought provoking words and phrases which Tim enjoyed reading. For me the effect was just a little too large to enjoy. each to his own as far as art and life goes I suppose.

I did like the re-used wine bottle as water carafes. This is something we do at home too.

The roof top was lovely. We visited in the morning so the roof top area was just for enjoying the view. Later in the day, it acts as a bar. The outer edge is planted up with herbs. Parsley, basil, marjoram and perhaps a few others. These were definitely suffering from the aspect. Although some herbs often tolerate and sometimes enjoy more arid conditions, these looked like they would rather not be harbourside. The gardener in me felt sorry for them but not for the lucky person who gets to tend the little plot.

The views were good all the way around. This is from our 'window' seat. It is an open structure so there really aren't any windows.

Unfortunately we missed breakfast and it wasn't quite lunch service so we just had a coffee. I was expecting it to be over-priced because of the 'trendyness' but the coffee at least was on par with other cafes. I can say for certain it is the first time I have had my coffee served in a recycled jar. Different, fun, a little gimmicky but best of all, a day out with my favourite man. I do wish he had have taken a picture featuring the coffee in a jar rather than a picture of me with the coffee tacked on.

There is a much better description and pictures on this blog. Anyway, the cafe culture lifestyle of yesterday is over and today it I'm happily back to being a hillwilliam.

Tracy

Savoury Please

I'm feeling a little in need of a savoury fix this afternoon. I have Tim and Tom both at home today. They are the two most appreciative of my cooking so I treated them to a little sweet treat. Meringues for Tom(he doesn't like cream) and meringues fancied up into mini-pavlovas for Tim.

Merinuges

Ingredients

3 tablespoons water

3/4 cups white sugar

1 teaspoon white vinegar

2 teaspoons cornflour

1 egg white.

Method

Pre-heat oven to about 120degC.

Beat egg white until peaks form.

Beat cornflour and vinegar into the egg white.

Heat sugar and water over a low heat until dissolved then bring to boil. Pour into the egg white mixture whilst the beaters are still running.

Continue beating until the mixture is quite stiff.

Place mixture into a piping bag and pipe onto a tray lined with baking paper.

Bake for about 30-40 minutes and then allow to cool in the oven with the door ajar.

The final straw on the sugary front though is the seven kilograms of honey we bottled up. You can't bottle it without a taste or two. I never ate honey until we had our own bees and now I am a definite convert. A couple of jars have been claimed but the rest should last us until next harvest.

One thing is for certain there will be no dessert in our house tonight. I am off to Sydney this weekend for my son to participate in an English workshop. Dinner out on Saturday night and most of Sunday to see the sights.

Tracy

Sweet

Today was one of those sweet days. The kind where yoou seem to get a lot done and even have time for a little nap in the afternoon too. It might be that my pace isn't so hectic today or that the tasks themselves are sweeter.

We robbed one of the hives this afternoon so we are honey rich at tonight. The bees weren't too pleased but there were no stings and we left them plenty for the winter which will be here soon enough. Tomorrow we bottle. Sticky fun.
Tracy

Tuesday

If I had to take a picture to show you what my Tuesdays look like, it would be a picture from the drivers seat of my car. Every Tuesday during the school term is hectic. Well hectic for me anyway. It is not my favourite day of the week. I leave home at 6.30am after having a hard time rousing the kids at 5.45 to get ready for the day. Grace has a violin lesson 7.30 to 8.30 and then we have to dash to school. During the hour of her lesson, we often head to the only venue open in town for a cup of coffee or tea. Thankfully, I take my knitting, crocheting or some other on-the-run project and relax even if the atmosphere is not too condicive to relaxing. Today I also had to be back closer to home to drop off the girl's baking for the next round of CWA competitions. I am half hoping that they don't make it any further in the competition just so they don't have to make the same things again so soon.

Now I have finished the chores associated with my 'simple' life such as poultry feeding and garden watering and am enjoying a break with a cup of peppermint tea and one of Grace's rock cakes she baked for the competition. Then this afternoon, it is back to town for Hope's violin lesson, drop the car off for a pre-registration check and home to cook dinner and bed.

I'm not complaining. Just letting you know that the rural life although it is idyllic most of the time, has its draw backs. If you want to or need to do anything, it is usually a long drive to do it. I love seeing my children learn their instruments and develop their sporting abilities. It brings me joy. The driving however I could live without. A 100km round trip each time we go to town gets a bit tedious sometimes. In the blink of an eye though, this stage of my life will be over and I will then be wishing back the times when my babies needed me. Car time is great for talking and thinking. I must be a glutton for punishment though because I am off on the weekend for a trip to Sydney so Tom can attend a workshop for his year 12 English class. It's an excuse to visit my sisters and to have a little taste of life in the city.

Does anyone else have crazy, hectic days? I'm sure everyone does.

Tracy

Tomato, chilli and coriander relish

Yesterday afternoon I decided to take charge of some of the rampant tomato bushes and do something with the abundance of fruit. I'm always on the lookout and ready to try a new recipe but sometimes a tried and true recipe is called for. On a Sunday afternoon, I don't usually feel like experimenting so I made up a batch of Tomato, Chilli and Coriander Relish from a recipe that I have used before with success. This batch was just as good as the others. It is sweet, spicy and savoury and lends itself to many uses. On potatoes with sour cream is a favourite here.

Tomato, Chilli and Coriander Relish

Ingredients

1kg tomatoes, halved

olive oil

5 cloves garlic, peeled

1 tablespoon fresh ginger, chopped

5 red chillies, stems removed

1 tablespoon cumin seeds

1 tablespoon mustard seeds

3/8 cup vinegar (red wine or balsamic)

1/8 cup fish sauce

160grams brown sugar

1/2 tablespoon ground turmeric

1/2 cup chopped coriander leaves

Method

Coat tomatoes in olive oil and roast at 180deg C for about 30 minutes.

Place garlic, ginger, cumin and mustard in a food processor and chop finely.

Combine all of the ingredients in a heavy based saucepan and simmer for about an hour until the mixture has thicked to a consistency you are happy with.

Remove from heat and process with a stab blender or in a food processor.

Return to heat for a few minutes.

Pour/spoon into hot sterilised jars and seal.

This morning we had one little duckling that needed a bit of TLC. The cold weather this morning brought his body temperature down and a half-hour on a hot water bottle was all he needed. It is funny to watch a little chilled duck be all floppy and drowsy one minute and then suddenly it's up and running around as if nothing has happened. I have a helper at home today studying for exams so the ducky interuption was welcome for the scholar at least.

There are plenty more tomatoes to be made into edibles for the future so off I go.

Tracy

Autumnal

The weather today is decidedly autumnal. There is cold wind blowing in gusts yet in the sun, it is hot. That is how it was in town at cricket this morning. As if the weather is trying to decide which season it wants to be. At home though it has definitely settled for autumn. The sun is a little more friendly and the nights are cool enough for a blanket. It is lovely.The change of season is bringing the pumpkins that little bit closer. I have only eaten pumpkin twice in about six months and I am waiting (im)patiently for these to be ready.

Thankfully the the two vines growing in the compost heap turned out to be recognisable varieties. The butternut and the jap. They were both in flower at different times so the seeds should be good for saving too. I can't wait to taste their pumpkiny goodness.

The windy weather we have had has brought down a lot of bark and a few tree limbs too. This one thankfully missed everything that it could have hit and landed on the grass causing no damage. Now it will be cut up and become future firewood.

I am working on a few little projects behind the scenes. A swap for the Girls day in the Country organised by Kerry. I'm looking forward to meeting some fellow bloggers in Nundle in a couple of weeks for a day of stitching and fun. A little thank you gift and some other swaps too. I'll post some pictures soon.

Tracy