Dumb Cluck

Check out this!  Rosemary made this for me to put in my vege garden.  I love it.  It was her first attempt at this type of thing but I think she is really on to something.  
Don't overlook the home made gift when next racking your brain for the perfect present.  It is a one off and it really makes me smile. When I see it,  I know she loves me even though "I" grow the best veges.

Thanks

Slow as a Wet Leek!

Finally I am harvesting my leeks.  I planted these babies in April and finally they have matured.  Plant in autumn and harvest in summer.  They take a long time but they are low maintenance and look great in the vege patch.  I had no problems with pests so I consider them worthwhile.  Last night we had Potato, Bacon and Leek Soup.

Delicious.

Rosella Flowers in Syrup

Try this simple recipe yourself and impress your friends.  Rosella flowers and the cordial/syrup that they produce are a delight.  Here I have used a champagne flute, put a splash of syrup in the bottom, popped in a flower and topped up with soda water. Give it a whirl.

Ingredients

2 cups sugar
2 cups water
2 cups fresh rosella flowers, chopped
40 - 60 fresh rosella flowers, whole

Method
1. Place the sugar, water and chopped rosella flowers in a saucepan over medium heat.
2. Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat and simmer gently until the liquid has reduced by 30%.
3. Take off the heat and strain to remove the solids. (keep the liquid)
4. Return liquid to the pan, add the whole flowers and bring to the boil. 
5. When it starts to bubble, remove from the heat and pour into clean jars.

Pretty and tasty

Diggin Farmer Louie

Check this out!
Rosellas, corn, capsicum, chilies, beans and eggs. Now I know it looks like I am a natural at this farming thingy .... but I have put in a big effort.  It is time consuming and yet rewarding so I do suggest everyone has a go at farming on whatever scale suits them.

Beans are great producers.  I have been able to harvest enough beans for a family of five in a garden plot of 2 square metres.  In a plot half that size I have 3 Rosella bushes.  I have produced 2 batches of jam and several bottles of the flowers in syrup. Watch this space for recipes.

So you don't need a huge space to reap the benefits.

A big green thumbs up!

Valentine's Day - Love it or Hate it?

I don't know what all the fuss is about.  If you don't want to celebrate it, don't.  I think what is wrong with a day to remind you to tell the people you love how you feel.
I like to make cakes and put them in the lunch boxes for my family.  Hearts if I want to embarrass them.
Just make and cup cakes and pop some cute chocolates on the top - so pretty.

Happy Valentine's Day! 

Teenager's Birthday Cake

Instead of making a round cake - try doing a batch of cup cakes and decorating them with the teenager's favourite sweet.
These sour straps are always a good choice as they look spectacular.

I wonder what else would work!

The Gabba

Recently my family and I went to the Gabba to watch an ODI. It was a cracker of a game..... record breaking even. I really enjoyed the day even though they ran out of Chiko rolls.  It was a real eye opener for me as some people have a strange idea of how to celebrate. I'm blaming the full moon.

I love cricket ...................really I do

Spider Lilies

These Spider Lilies are beautiful even before they flower.  Their strappy, green foliage is enough to make them a favourite of mine. But, after a recent shower of rain - they sprang into action.

Very impressive ... don't you think?