Monday 3 July 2017

Behind Our Blue Gates 1

It's been quiet here of late. Beyond our blue gates, the world hurtles on, but days here have felt gentler and slow. School holiday days. Most have unfolded with very few set plans, content to be here enjoying the place we call home. The temperatures have dropped the past few days, the first single digit readings of the season. Playing and gardening outside, when the sun is on the yard and on our shoulders, coming in earlier before the evening's chill settles in. Warming foods, cosy blankets, jumpers and socks and slippers. This morning even gloves! Winter at our place. Here's a sample of what's been happening behind our blue gates:

The lavender is in fragrant bloom in the garden.


The branches on the Plane Trees are not yet bare.

Board game "battles" have been won and lost.


We've been sharing this book while snuggled under warm covers.

Freshly baked buttermilk scones, with jam and cream,  have been "sampled".

Many trays of this Pumpkin & Silverbeet Lasagna have been baked.
(We have a LOT of silverbeet in the garden to eat!)

Cakes have been mixed and stirred up at the kitchen bench.


Sir Steve dog had an operation to remove a growth on his lower right eyelid.
(He is most unimpressed with the collar protecting his few stitches!)


This spot in our garden, where our son's sandpit used to be, is slowly being transformed.

 The Perpetual Spinach is going to seed ...

... and so is the basil!

There are not a lot of crafty projects to show you. I seem to have been busy with other things and whenever I do pick up my knitting needles or embroidery threads, I seem to put them down again almost straight away. Never to mind though, when that crafting bug does return, I will have plenty of half finished projects to choose from!

What's been happening behind the gates at your place? 

Meg




12 comments:

  1. Love the colour of your pumpkin and silverbeet lasagne - looks so moreish.
    Hope Sir Steve Dog recovers well. The poor thing. The 'cone of shame' as our vet calls it. Samson knows just how he feels.
    Love seeing and hearing about your cooking too.
    Kylie

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    1. Hi, Kylie. Luckily, the lasagna is delicious because there are many portions in the freezer now:) Sir Steve dog's eye is healing really well. He isn't a fan of this collar but if the stitches were to bust, he'd have to go back in, under anesthetic, to fix it up again. Meg:)

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  2. Goodmorning Meg, your days of late look lovely and tranquil. I love my weekends so I can stay at home instead and do all the things that make a house a home. This last weekend I baked bread, made a big pot of carrot and coriander soup, roasted capsicum, made hummus, watered the thirsty garden, fed and turned the compost bin, washed and sun dried the clothes, de-haired the lounges (from our little black cat that likes to sleep on a different lounge every day) took the dogs for a long walk both days and watched my two favourite TV shows- Landline and Gardening Australia . Have a lovely week.
    Fi

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    1. Gardening Australia is one of my favourite shows too, Fiona. I watched it this past Saturday night and now have two new jobs for the garden. I need to divide my one and only yellow Clivia lily and feed the roses with an organic fertiliser...one handful per rose apparently. I hope you have a lovely week too, it looks like it will be a beautiful Winter's day today. Meg:)

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  3. We love a good game of scrabble....did you know that River Cottage Australia is starting on SBS tonight (Monday).....I have the set of DVD's but if you haven't seen it watch it you will love it.

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    1. We love board games here, Kathy, Scrabble being a particular favourite. I didn't know that River Cottage Australia was on, I will have to watch it as I imagine that I would like it a lot. Thanks! Meg:)

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  4. I felt relaxed and happy just reading this post :)

    I love home!

    Our little world has been topsy turvy this past couple of weeks, my FIL passed away last Saturday, his funeral will be this Wednesday. On top of this, I've been working 4 days a week, and finding it very tiring, indeed (But it's eased up now thank goodness!) There is still comfort to be had at home, even though I haven't had time to do much of anything "homely" lately, it's my refuge from the crazy world, hopefully life will settle back down soon.

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    1. Our home feels like a refuge to me too, Cheryl. A place away from the "hurly burly" of life outside those gates. All things "homely" will be there waiting when things settle down, when you have more time to be there. So sorry to hear of your FIL's passing, Cheryl. My love to you and to your family Xxx.

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  5. We have only just started school holidays here and all I want to do is enjoy the days as I dont have to be anywhere at any particular to time, let the kids do whatever they can find to amuse themselves and potter around. Then my mind tells me I should really make an effort to get them out and about and do something. I love the tranquility of home and behind the gates is where I like to be too x

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    1. Our school holidays are nearly over:( I usually find that my son is very content to be at home, to spend his time doing the things he loves here. We might make the odd trip to the library or go for a wander down the bike path to the local cafe for a shared milkshake, but we typically stay close to home. I'm content with that and so is he. I hope you enjoy your holidays! Meg:)

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  6. Praying Sir Steve heals quickly. He looks like a very fine fellow to me. :) I love the cooler months when life slows down and you can take more time to just relax with family. As you know, we here in the United States are in the midst of Summer and it seems like it is such a busy season, which given the gardening tasks, I guess it really is.

    Be blessed my friend!

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    1. Sir Steve has his check-up at the vet today. His eye seems to be healing well so he's hoping they say he doesn't have to wear this dreaded anymore! Are the Summers mild where you live, Debbie? Here Summer is way too hot for a lot of gardening...we tend to garden more in the other seasons of the year. Hope you are having a good day today, Meg:)

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