Grateful #20 – What are you thankful for today?

It’s a grey day in Brisbane this morning, and the rain is soaking in and softening our soil again – just in time for a new spurt of vegetable planting that I was hoping to do sometime next week. Our poor veg garden has been a wee bit neglected of late – the weeds are in competition (and seem to be winning), and Ella, our sad-faced mastiff, has taken to burying her bones in the root vegetable patch (and heavens, do they stink!).

But the weather is warming, and I’m starting to think of summer salads, leafy greens, trellis-covered snow peas, and a carpet of cheerful bee attracting flowers. And maybe even some citrus and a small apple tree.

So with gardens on my mind, this week I’m grateful for:

The promise of Spring. Even though I loved winter this year, and revelled in the feasting, sharing, and comforting goodness of it all, I’ve been feeling a bit grey, and unconsciously looking out for signs of a warmer change.

Our house backs onto a steep incline, a bubbling, story-book type creek, and the local golf course, and in the first blush of spring, the trees in this wild ravine become covered in a strange kind of pure white, mock orange flower. The scent is amazing – especially first thing in the morning; and this week, I noticed that the tall gums and smaller shrubs in our pretty bit of wilderness are absolutely covered in it.

A small dance of joy for the beginning of spring in our pocket of the world.

A morning play. The last few mornings, I’ve let the kids play outside in their pyjamas, a little after 7am. With a million things to do first thing in the morning, and two very active toddlers wanting something fun to do RIGHT NOW, this seemed like the most sensible solution. Yes, pyjamas got covered in dirt (and mud after one rainy night), the dog’s dry biscuits got eaten by Lou (ick!), and socks got buried in random holes, but they were content in exploring their early morning backyard, which was cool and fresh and alive with the sound of birds (And inside, I was more than grateful for the space to tick a few tasks off my daily to-do list!).

What are you grateful for this week?

Nat

Ps. Linking up with the wonderful Maxabella– and you can too! Post your Grateful list here, or write it in the comments section below. Have a wonderful weekend!

Mosey-in’ ‘round the garden plot

It seems as though everyone is garden mad at the moment – have you noticed that? There’s such an emphasis on ‘growing your own’ with the people I know; a lot of my friends are experimenting with herbs and basic veg, and I love how we can talk about what is working and what isn’t within our own suburban plots.

We (ok, maybe I) had grand plans to reduce our own vegetable and fruit buying by growing enough of our own; but goodness, there’s such a lot of work to be done, and even more planning, in order to sustain the needs of a hungry family of four. But I really do love the stage that our garden is in at the moment; the crops that we have planted are flourishing.

We manage a good size bowl of tiny tom tomatoes almost weekly...

...are awaiting patiently for the right time to cut our two lovely pumpkins from their vine...

...and are constantly picking off handfuls of herbs for cooking, or to give away.

Next to go in are carrots, potatoes, beans, broccoli, more strawberries and an apple tree. I’m keen for a passionfruit vine, even if they do get out of control fairly quickly. I love the idea of lemons and limes, and towards the end of winter, will be planting loads of Asian greens and salad leaves in time for late spring eating.

Are you growing veges for the first time?

Or do you have an established sustainable garden?

Nat

Marvellously moreish muffins

Rainy or overcast days seem to require baking, and these have quickly become my absolute favourite to make – they’re deliciously wonderful and smell amazing fresh out of the oven...

Roasted nectarine, ricotta and honey muffins

Makes 12

1 ½ cups self-raising flour

½ tsp bicarbonate of soda

½ cup brown sugar

½ cup olive oil

1 egg, lightly whisked

¾ cup milk

125g fresh ricotta

½ cup honey

3 ripe nectarines, stone removed and sliced

2 tbs olive oil, extra

1 tbs brown sugar, extra

Method:

Preheat oven to 180°C. Line a 12 cup capacity muffin tray with paper muffin cases or lightly grease if non-stick.  In a small bowl, combine nectarine slices, and the extra olive oil and brown sugar. Toss to coat evenly, then spread over a lined oven tray. Bake until golden and soft. Set aside to cool slightly.

Combine flour, bicarbonate of soda,  and sugar in a bowl; make a well in the centre. In a separate bowl, combine honey, milk, olive oil, and egg. Pour into the well, and stir gently to combine. Fluff the ricotta and add gently to the muffin mix.

Spoon the mixture evenly among the muffin cases. Push a couple of slices of nectarine into each muffin, and then arrange the remaining slices on the top. Bake for 15 minutes, or until the top of the muffin springs back slightly when gently prodded. Remove from the oven, and set aside to cool slightly.

Enjoy the gorgeous warm honey smell as it fills up your kitchen. Muffins best savoured with a nice cup of tea in a pretty cup, and a lovely, quiet, sunny garden spot.

Nat

 

Point and Shoot: Our blooming kitchen garden

Our kitchen garden is all in bloom at the moment – I’m excited to be finding new growth daily, and so glad that all our hard work is starting to show signs of a harvest…

Our wild cherry tomato bush is budding with new fruits and sweet yellow flowers…

The strawberries are beginning to flower and ripen…

...and the gourmet beefsteak tomatoes are starting to get a rosy blush to their skin!

All our herbs are flourishing, and I’ve been using/experimenting with them in my cooking…

...and our fruiting trees are laden with goodness (thanks to a previous owner who had a taste for the exotic). But the best thing about our garden today? After nearly 20 metres of pesky vines, dozens of sunny flowers, and by allowing a total freedom in direction, I found two baby pumpkins this morning - one hiding under leaves near the fence, and another 10 metres away, hanging from an out-of-control bougainvillea (I may have squealed with delight)!

 

What did you do this weekend?

Nat

Ps. Want to play Point and Shoot too? Find out more here.