Over the Easter Long Weekend

It was extra quiet here over the Easter extra-long weekend.  Our neighbours either side and over the back have all gone away. Many folk go camping, to the beach or travel to visit family over the four day holiday here in Australia. We stay home and enjoy the slowness of days without work or school. With nowhere pressing to be, we can settle in and relax ...

Friday:

We brought out our special Easter treasures.

(One rabbit & one hare discussing who should get the carrot!)

I finished another sailor top in a mustard-y gold.
(Can't wait to wear it!)

Little zucchini slice muffins were baked.
(Fresh from the oven with a generous dob of butter. Yum!)

Some of us "worked" hard in the garden. 

(Others simply supervised & guarded the plants.  Ahem!)

Saturday:

Cuttings for this garden-bed-in-progress were potted up. 

(Do you like my new watering can?   I do!)

A spot of reading & a little light-hearted viewing were enjoyed.
(I recommend the book:)

Gifted limes from a fellow gardener were gratefully received
(I gave him a cardamon ginger plant as a thank you.)

Sunday:

Little chocolate eggs appeared in our son's Easter basket. 
(Sunday morning's excitement!)

Fresh produce came home from a local Farmers' Market.

(... & The Big Issue to read too:)

 A simple homemade cheesecake was shared at Easter lunch.

(Our family needs very little excuse to have cheesecake.)

Monday:

A little knitting happened while curled up on the lounge.

(My shawl is growing!)

Seed potatoes were planted in grow bags.

(Two delicious varieties - Nicola & Desiree)

This delicious chicken & vegetable pie was made from this recipe.

(I used leftover chicken from Easter lunch & veggies from the Farmers' Market.)

Four days at home, without the tug of other commitments, made time for all of this simple and homely goodness. Some work in our home and garden, some time to become absorbed in our own particular interests and hobbies and unhurried days together. Plus, a little chocolate, of course!

How did you spend your weekend?

Meg

Golden Tones

Golden tones in a spectrum from the brightest of yellows to almost orange to mustard and burnished brown, found in and around my everyday.

A deeply golden pumpkin destined for the roasting pan & soup.

The flowers of a climber that twines itself over our fence from next door.

Slices of sunshine & a pineapple top to plant. 

The mustardy yellow fabric for a new top.

A dusting of warm cinnamon on little apple muffins. 

Sandy coloured yarn for a shawl.

(I'm not sure if you can see the flecks of a deeper yellow.)

My fascination with these colours of late comes as somewhat of a surprise to me. Normally, I favour beautiful blues and the greens of nature but at the moment it's these rich golden colours I feel drawn to. Perhaps it's the new season? Perhaps, I just feel like something in my wardrobe that isn't blue? Whatever the reason, I think these golds are gorgeous and glorious. 

What colour/s are you enjoying right now?

Meg

A City Farm's Nursery

I could while away many an hour at local nurseries immersed in all the garden goodness they have on offer. Everything from plants to fountains to mulch! My favourite nursery though is in at the city farm. I love to visit, to talk with and seek advice from staff and to browse their range of incredible and edible plants!

The colourful gates at the entrance to the City Farm Nursery.

Bright and early, on the Saturday just gone, I spent some time at the nursery choosing some seedlings to plant in my Autumn veggie patch. I came home with some tiny little lettuce seedlings and some silverbeet to plant out too. These will be the first things I tuck into the soil this Autumn. I'm looking forward to picking the leaves of our own lettuce again!

 An amazing selection of vegetable seedlings and herbs.

 My lettuce and silverbeet seedlings and a pot of lemon thyme.

I love to wander the little paths of this small nursery. Besides the interesting range of edible plants (herbs, veggies and fruit trees) there is so much inspiration to find...

Beautiful leadlight bamboo! 

(This has me thinking about Art for the garden.)

Gorgeous tumeric flower.

(I hope my newly planted tumeric will flower too.)

The nursery's native beehive. 

(Could I make a little roof like this for my own hive?)

There's a wonderful range of herbs at the nursery. Everything from tansy to thyme. I bought a pot of lemon thyme as I lost mine recently. Too much rain?? I'm looking forward to flavouring our Winter stews and casseroles with this wonderful herb. Such a zingy scent!

My new vanilla bean orchid.

I always find new-to-me or unusual plants too. Things that are a bit different! This time, I chose to bring home a vanilla bean orchid. (It was a hard choice between that and a pepper vine!) I'm going to plant it in the dappled shade that the trees near our back deck rotunda create. I really hope I can get it to grow! If I am lucky and it blooms, I will need to learn how to hand pollinate the flowers because there are no natural pollinators of the vanilla bean orchid outside of Mexico. No wonder vanilla is one of the world's most expensive spices.

A re-purposed laundry trolley full of liriope.

A visit to the city farm and its nursery always renews my enthusiasm for growing food and provides so many ideas of what is possible in the area where I live. I always leave with many new ideas and always more than a few plants!

Do you have a favourite plant nursery? What do you love about it?

Meg