Hello friends.
I've decided that this blog has been on pause for too long.
Time to get back to documenting my simple days.
This summer has really been something else. Since my last post in November last year, we've barely had a day over 40C and have had so much more rain. There have only been a couple of really hot days, the rest of the time has been thundery weather with a lot of almost unbearable humidity.
A few of the veggies suffered and also some fruit, but I still managed to get enough for ourselves. I have been winding down the veggie patch and will post pictures of that soon. Its been a full time job keeping the weeds under control. The country is so green for this time of year, it is amazing.
There are only days left of our Summer and then it is Autumn once again.
A new season with new beginnings. Lets see what it brings.
Chives in bloom, they are too pretty not to bring inside.
Medusa's head succulent.
Op shop tea cosy.
I sewed up some place mats.
I baked vegan scones.
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Dragon fruit night time bloom.
I am trying out water kefir. I have decided I like it better than kombucha.
Apricot Fowlers preserves, a gift from a friend.
Pickled beetroot.
Anzac biscuits made using our honey.
We had a magnificent honey haul of 120kgs {264lbs}.
I crocheted a new hot water bottle cover.
It has been a very wet Summer.
Toadstools after rain.
Homegrown organic produce.
Plant based beetroot and black-bean burgers ready for the freezer.
Peach jam from roadside fruit.
The nectarines were abundant this season.
Showing Dad how to make apricot jam. He has since gone on to make more jam, tomato relish and tomato sauce.
A few days ago for the first time ever, I saw purple colour in the sky. It was so unusual.
Every few minutes the sky changed colours until the final show of orange and red.
That's all for now folks.
Just a quick post to let you know I am still around.
More coming soon.
Take care,
xTania
Nice to have an update, Tania. I always enjoy reading your blog and really admire the things you do to make your garden produce so much.
ReplyDeleteThank you Nicky xxx
DeleteWelcome back. Wonderful pics of your projects. Take care....
ReplyDeleteThank you Kris xxx
DeleteHello Tania, Nice to see one of your posts again. Is it good for Australia to have a summer like this? So good your dad picked up some new knowledge and you helping him. Kindest regards from a very stormy Netherlands
ReplyDeleteIt is really beneficial to have good Summer rains Wendy. Sets the soil up for a great Winter planting of crops etc.
DeletexTania
Hello again! It looks like you have had a very productive summer, despite the odd weather. Here's hoping that your Autumn is a good one. X
ReplyDeleteThank you Tracy, definitely hoping for a good rest of the year. I am looking forward to Autumn arriving.
DeletexTania
Good to see you back!
ReplyDeleteThanks Kev. Its great to hear from you!
DeleteHere in Melbourne we have had a short and very humid summer. Lots of rain and not terribly hot
ReplyDeleteI’ve still managed to harvest but nothing like other years
Here’s hoping for a productive winter cropping season
Sounds like you have had very similar weather conditions to us Angela. The plants haven't known if they were coming or going.
DeleteYes a productive winter would be fantastic!
xTania
Wow, so wet! I hope the humidity isn't getting you down.
ReplyDeleteI think all the rain we have had makes the humidity bearable. I see you have had it very hot over in WA.
DeletexTania
Good to hear your getting into the preserves and teaching your Dad. I made a jar of beetroot for the first time ever and enjoyed having it with salad. It was only 2 beets from my fruit and veggie box. I found I had to cook the beets for such a long time for them to be soft. Do you have any tips or your recipe on what you do. Have a good week. Kathy
ReplyDeleteHi Kathy, my secret to doing beetroot is a pressure cooker. They are cooked after 10 -15 minutes depending upon the size. I then slice and put in jars and fill with the heated pickle mix. I use Rhonda Hetzels recipe from her D2E blog.
DeleteI also use the pressure cooker for cooking the fruit first when making jams etc, makes the task a lot quicker.
I hope that helps,
xTania
ps...I've just read somewhere else that they sliced the beetroot them boiled them for 10 mins. I had mine whole which is why it took forever.
ReplyDeleteI haven't tried that way Kathy. Not sure how it would go because surely they would bleed a fair bit. But in saying that, it could possibly work.
DeleteThis is lovely to see, Tania!!!!!
ReplyDeleteRachel
Thank you so much Rachel xxx
DeleteHello Tania ... how lovely to see you pop up again. Your photos are always beautiful & I enjoy getting a glimpse into life in your part of the world. Its wonderful that your Dad is making Jams & relishes. We have had a long hot dry summer & everything here is very brown & crisp. And humid like you!! I am so looking forward to autumn. xx p.s your hottie cover is SO beautiful Tania 💕
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your lovely comment Julie.
DeleteUnbelievable how widespread the unusual weather has been. Sorry we have taken all the rain. We even had floods a couple of weeks ago when 120mm fell in four hours, then a few weeks previous to that we had 107mm over a longer period, like all day. So we are very well set up for Winter. The plants are going gang buster and so are the weeds!
xTania
Hello Tanya. I have moved to a hot and dry location on the Murray. I have been thinking about you and looking to your blog for ideas. No rain for us unfortunately . Had a week or two of humidity though, which was horrible.
ReplyDeleteDonnasbackyardfarm - in a new backyard.
Hello Donna.
DeleteGreat to hear from you and good luck with your new move to a dry area. Arid can be challenging but it is doable.
I hope you blog about your new adventures.
xTania
I think about getting back to blogging but just can't seem to overcome the inertia. It was nice to see your post and I am glad to hear things are going well.
ReplyDeleteThank you Tracy.
DeleteI am a bit the same, but then I start to miss blogging and the interaction with like minded friends.
It can be very time consuming to do a blog post, and sometimes life gets in the way of posting regularly. I don't have the same enthusiasm I used to have in the beginning, but I do like to look back on previous posts and see how things have changed.
xTania
Hi Tanya,
ReplyDeleteReally great to hear from you. I have often thought of you and wondered how you were doing.
Your photos tell so many stories. Your gardening and what you produce always inspires me - Thank-you. So many jars of gorgeous things. Looks like your dad is enjoying making the jam and sauces and relish. I am sure he appreciated you showing how to do it. Jams, relish and sauce is a great way to preserve all the amazing summer fruit and veg. stay safe and well. Jo
Hi Jo.
DeleteThank you for your lovely comment. I enjoy doing things with Dad, we are creating wonderful memories. He is coping better than I expected after Mum passed away. He is keeping very busy and getting on with life as best he can, as we all are.
Best wishes to you,
xTania
I've missed your posts. Glad you are back. Happy that you've had rain. And all that glorious produce. While you are gearing up for Autumn, we are looking forward to spring. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for visiting Kay. I love spring and always look forward to it rolling around again. Meanwhile I will prepare all the beds over the next few months in readiness for when Spring arrives.
DeletexTania
Good to see you back Tania. Looking for forward to seeing your life adventures. I am looking forward to seeing your hippy van take shape and go on adventures with you.
ReplyDeleteHello Jane.
DeleteI have almost finished by crochet peace blanket, just need to do the edging. I'm having a bit of trouble deciding what to do around it. I will post a photo on The Tuesday afternoon club this week showing my progress. I think you will be impressed with how it looks now.
I am waiting for cooler weather to go traveling. Wont be long now.
xTania
Lovely to 'see' you Tania, and an inspirational post as always. So lovely that you're teaching your Dad these skills. I imagine it's a godsend for him to have you there, whatever the reason. Beautiful, beautiful photos too. Mimi xxx
ReplyDeleteThank you Mimi.
DeleteYes Dad says he appreciates my help. He knew nothing about preserving because Mum always did that job. We try to include him in the things we do also, so he gets out and about every so often. Yesterday we went to the local farmers market, then a drive up to the top of the Flinders Ranges hills for an awesome view. Dad loved it!
xTania
Hello!
ReplyDeleteReally enjoyed reading your blog and laughed at the chive flowers. Due to 40 C heat almost every day for three weeks my roses are scorched so I've made a vase of parsley seed heads! They look very pretty.
I'm in Western Australia and our hard border will open soon, so we're wondering what will happen with CV 19 numbers then. Lots of work in the house and garden with very few outings.
Hi Deborah, so good to hear from you.
DeleteI have noticed how hot it has been in WA this Summer. Hope it cools down for you soon.
I was worried to start with when our borders opened, but not now. I feel I am healthy enough to fight C19 should I get it. So far it hasn't crossed my path which I am happy about.
I have changed how I shop etc. Only going to the shop maybe once a week. Most of my time is spent at home doing things and working in the garden.
xTania
The cozy for your hot water bottle is so charming! I'm glad you're "back."
ReplyDeleteThank you xxx
Deletehow is your dad coping Tania ? Men find widowhood much harder than women I find
ReplyDeleteHi Karna, Dad is finding it hard, but coping okay. He is keeping very busy working around his little acreage and involving himself in different organisations around the district.
DeleteSorry to take so long to respond to your question.
xTania
It's so great to see a picture of your dad. I've enjoyed catching up with your simple days again. When you go through grieving a substantial loss, it takes time to find yourself back to doing, what you loved before. I've just come out of that myself. So even though you wrote this a while ago, I'm like - yeah, I've reached that place recently too.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kind words Chris, you always make me feel better when you visit. And yes you would have been through the same grieving process too. Hope things have improved for you.
DeletexTania