Chilli night...

Chilli night outside, and chilli inside too - not because I have all the windows open (which I do, I love the briskyness. Good for the soul), that is to say, not chilli inside because of the weather, but rather the steaming pot of beef and bean chilli goodness bubbling away on my cook top. Can't wait.

I need to post new pics of 'The Plot' - my how it has grown, and the tomatoes are tomatoe-ing too. Particularly the Black Russian. Double yum.

I'll try to be a better blogger, I promise!

Lemon Blossoms...

Lots going on in the garden now spring has sprung. Today, for your viewing pleasure, some Lemon Blossoms (totally deserved of their capital L). For my Lemon Tree, she is Lovely, Luscious and ... Lascivious? Or is that me? Ahem. Off to watch Fringe now.

Intertwined...

Intetwined and supporting each other. A thing of beauty.

Bird of Prey, Flying High...

If you have visited me before on Crypt Stitch you will know all about the avian antics of Gothbury Manors backyard. The other day I had a new visitor. I got home from work, and the first thing I do is open the back door and let out the chooks, and feed the patiently waiting Galahs. On this day I opened the back door and was greeted with ominous silence. I'm talking hearing a pin drop silence. Which never happens but for the dead of night in my yard. No, really. Never. There is ALWAYS at least two magpie in the tree/foraging on the ground and inumerable redheads, sparrow and doves. But nothing. Perplexed, but heading toward the hen house a movement on my right caught my eye:


You should, like, SO click on the pic above and have a good look - isn't she just beautiful? When I spotted her I went, quite loudly, "huh" (ties in with the whole 'perplexed' thang). I turned around slowly, walked back inside, grabbed the camera and got these two shots in before she gracefully lept into the air, light as a feather and soundlessly flew off. I checked her out in the magical BIRD BOOK (much like a bible in my household), and she is eaither a brown falcon or a spotted goshawk, both are supposed to be found around this area, and their pictures looked similar. Isn't she just amazing? Such intense eyes, and she didn't shy from checking me out at all. It was one of those totally amazing moments we are sometimes luckily afforded. And it totally explained the complete silence and lack of movement in the yard! Ten minutes later though, it was a riot of sound and feathers. Awesome.

Sweet Potato, Sweet Potato...

Spring is here! I do like spring, though I like autumn more, followed closely by winter. I loathe summer. Too hot, sweaty and energy zapping fo me. I started to pull what I thought was a spent sweet potato vine out, disappointed that I didn't get a haul of potatoes I expected - everyone always says they're so easy to grow. Well, what a shock I got! I pulled just over eight pounds/three and three quater kilos of gorgeous orange tubers out from the one area! I think there is at least as much there still. How I want to pull them all out just to see how much there is! But of course, it is more sensible to leave them there until I am done eating this first lot (though I did share some with Mum and Dad, and Nan. They are in a bed with an Iceberg rose, some Rosemary, Fennel, a self sewn tomato and a bunch of strawberries. They must be good bed-fellows. The vine itself was acting like a living mulch, and I only started to clear it because it was looking ratty. I am impressed to say the least, and will always have a vine going now. I need to build up a sweet potato recipe data-base!

The Garden of Good and Evil, Redux...

The seedlings are planted. I've yet to order more seed from Diggers, it always overwhelms me a little - I want a packet of everything, and three each of all the plants! One day, when I win lotto right? For now, though, I am most happy with my little 'plot', though I can't help but covet a wee picket fence to keep the girls out, and to give it that cottage kitchen garden feel.


We planted some strawberries and basil under the lemon tree, it looks ever so pretty now, and will only look better when they 'grow up'. So far, everything has their heads up, and you can almost watch the rainbow chard, spinach and silver beet grow. And I can't wait for the snow peas - delish in stir fry. Mouth is watering. The nectarine is in flower now too - a sure sign spring has almost sprung...



How I love stone fruit, let me count the ways...
The girls are well and truly at home now, and I get at least one egg a day. They get crazy excited when they hear someone come home, running up and down the side of the hen house clucking 'let us out'. They're really such a joy! They totally dig the whole dust-bath thang (and apparently a-wet-dirt-almost-mud bath is just as much fun, but three times the mess), but insist on doing it together, in as small a space as possible. What can I say?

Looks like some mutant two-chrysanthemum headed chook, huh?