Morning. I got a spring in my step :)

Off to the compost pile again with friends with bags and shovels.

Happy Potter said:

Morning. I got a spring in my step :)

Off to the compost pile again with friends with bags and shovels.

Stop by and drop it off at my place on your way home?

roughbarked said:

Happy Potter said:

Morning. I got a spring in my step :)

Off to the compost pile again with friends with bags and shovels.

Stop by and drop it off at my place on your way home?

If only I could.
I’ve dug out 30 cm deep old soil in this bed and replaced with nine bags for this seasons tomato bed. The old soil in the cart will go to the chooks for replenishing and dust bathing :)

Those garlics/leeks look like they are trying to get out of their cage!

I have washed down the laundry/shower room ceiling and walls and floor this morning and applied sealer/undercoat (with added fungicide). And pulled some beetroot and carrots. And some weeds. I have some seedlings to put out, and I think there might still be some shrivelled garlic from last season in the pantry….I might as well pop it into the ground, it might shoot. Or rot.

It’s garlic and nearly ready :)

I’ve planted some spuds and chipped some weeds :)

bluegreen said:

I’ve planted some spuds and chipped some weeds :)

I’ve been doing native cuttings.

Now I’ve weeded, planted out some Chinese broccoli seedlings and some lettuce seedlings into soil I dug a sprinkle of lime and some dynamic lifter into……and then hilled up over a row of chookpoo and paper shreds. So as the chook poo was rotted, the little babies will start using it when their roots get that long. I’m not sure it’s a recommended way of creating compost (burying the stuff and planting over it), but it seems to work OK. Now I need to sit down with my garden plan and work out where the tomatoes are going this season. I’m itching to put the seed in, but it is way too early. I do have a little plastic roof thing I can put over the soil to hurry up the warming…..but it requires sunshine! Today we have lovely sunshine!

Here it is. Amazing what you can do with bits of stocking, some old bricks, some old bits of wood and a tent peg.

buffy said:

Here it is. Amazing what you can do with bits of stocking, some old bricks, some old bits of wood and a tent peg.

and a cute frog.

buffy said:

Here it is. Amazing what you can do with bits of stocking, some old bricks, some old bits of wood and a tent peg.

Terrific :)

anyone know this flower?

roughbarked said:

anyone know this flower?

nup.

bluegreen said:

roughbarked said:

anyone know this flower?

nup.

nope.

painmaster said:

bluegreen said:

roughbarked said:

anyone know this flower?

nup.

nope.

I just can’t recall ever having seen it before.

roughbarked said:

painmaster said:

bluegreen said:

nup.

nope.

I just can’t recall ever having seen it before.

maybe try over at Scribblygum.

bluegreen said:

roughbarked said:

painmaster said:

nope.

I just can’t recall ever having seen it before.

maybe try over at Scribblygum.

scribblygum of old.. has gone, disappeared.

the new .. is sadly lacking friendliness.

roughbarked said:

bluegreen said:

roughbarked said:

I just can’t recall ever having seen it before.

maybe try over at Scribblygum.

scribblygum of old.. has gone, disappeared.

the new .. is sadly lacking friendliness.

:(

My pattern recognition system suggests Tagetes (marigold) for the way the petals curl back and the general form. The seed pod looks a bit odd though. There are single forms in those colourings.

bluegreen said:

roughbarked said:

painmaster said:

nope.

I just can’t recall ever having seen it before.

maybe try over at Scribblygum.

got the answer in the holiday forum from neomyrtus Monoculus monstrosus

roughbarked said:

bluegreen said:

roughbarked said:

I just can’t recall ever having seen it before.

maybe try over at Scribblygum.

got the answer in the holiday forum from neomyrtus Monoculus monstrosus

what’s it doing at your place?

bluegreen said:

roughbarked said:

bluegreen said:

maybe try over at Scribblygum.

got the answer in the holiday forum from neomyrtus Monoculus monstrosus

what’s it doing at your place?

It isn’t at my place. I have carefully avoided bringing it home.. It is however to be found on a gazetted nature reserve. The only place I’ve ever seen it. It could be hand weeded which I may well have a go at doing before it spreads too far.

Actually, giving us a location might have helped too. It could have been something in someone’s garden, a feral in the bush, or something you were trying to trick us with that you already knew.

buffy said:

Actually, giving us a location might have helped too. It could have been something in someone’s garden, a feral in the bush, or something you were trying to trick us with that you already knew.

No.. I’m no trickster. I’d only do that if you could see my eyebrows.

It is probably an escaped plant from someones garden. The site it inhabits is adjacent to an old rubbish tip.

Sorry, but you do put up things you already know about, and it’s difficult sometimes to know if you do or not.

buffy said:

Sorry, but you do put up things you already know about, and it’s difficult sometimes to know if you do or not.

OK. I’m perhaps not as forthcoming with info that I know. That though is probably because if I know it, most others also would.

buffy said:

Sorry, but you do put up things you already know about, and it’s difficult sometimes to know if you do or not.

we all do.

i just forget to mention several salient facts until i replied to BG.
it’s almost impossible to write a comprehensive description of anything in one paragraph.
….and mostly we submit one paragraph replies to keep it flowing.

buffy said:

Now I’ve weeded, planted out some Chinese broccoli seedlings and some lettuce seedlings into soil I dug a sprinkle of lime and some dynamic lifter into……and then hilled up over a row of chookpoo and paper shreds. So as the chook poo was rotted, the little babies will start using it when their roots get that long. I’m not sure it’s a recommended way of creating compost (burying the stuff and planting over it), but it seems to work OK. Now I need to sit down with my garden plan and work out where the tomatoes are going this season. I’m itching to put the seed in, but it is way too early. I do have a little plastic roof thing I can put over the soil to hurry up the warming…..but it requires sunshine! Today we have lovely sunshine!

the little plastic roof thing looks terrific.
beaut sunshine here too.
manure with mulch over is my standard treatment for all garden soils – and yep – it composts and the worms feed in it.

Hi everyone. Hope you had a good w/e. I had the best Father’s Day. We packed a picnic lunch and headed for a cove area of the coast. D enjoyed the solitude lying on a rug under the casaurinas while I roamed the waters edge for bits of driftwood. Got some cracker pieces too. Some will be fairy houses and some I might just mount because they look so good. It’s really best to do a scout like that straight after some heavy weather. Lots and lots of flotsam around them.

pomolo said:

Hi everyone. Hope you had a good w/e. I had the best Father’s Day. We packed a picnic lunch and headed for a cove area of the coast. D enjoyed the solitude lying on a rug under the casaurinas while I roamed the waters edge for bits of driftwood. Got some cracker pieces too. Some will be fairy houses and some I might just mount because they look so good. It’s really best to do a scout like that straight after some heavy weather. Lots and lots of flotsam around them.

Then…even.

landline had an article about truffle trees in southwest W.A. ……. that climate is closer to mine and gives us some hope that we might produce black gold eventually.

….and the US president is brewing his own ‘honey ale’. so are we – we’re on a roll….LOL.

justin said:

landline had an article about truffle trees in southwest W.A. ……. that climate is closer to mine and gives us some hope that we might produce black gold eventually.

….and the US president is brewing his own ‘honey ale’. so are we – we’re on a roll….LOL.

I read a little about the president’s ale – I like the idea that “the people” petitioned for the recipe to be released, and it was :)

Been to Casterton to mow the grass. And plan out extending the veggie bed there. It was meant to be a sort of wedge out of a circle, but ended up pretty rectangular. I’m going to spread one end out and angle back to the so-called pointy end. And I think that is probably the place to try my capsicums and chillis this year, as they don’t grow well here. The citrus do well there (I just picked all the tangelos and mandarines today as they are developing a black spot rot sort of thing). Next trip over will be with the chipper/mulcher as a wattle has split and I have been ‘saving’ lots of prunings for a chipping day anyway.

Also picked some asparagus and silver beet to have with our duck breasts tonight….which I will cook in orange juice from the early (tart) oranges.

I picked a beautiful bunch of Callistemon Pinifolius today. It’s the bottlebrush with green brushes. Looks great in a vase. Not many green flowers around.

The miners that have the nest under the shadecloth that’s slung over the old clothes hoist, lost the nest and the eggs today. I told them that the nest was a bit too flimsy where they had built it, amongst the few leaves of the Thunbergia that’s growing there. I had noticed that the nest had a swaying base and eventually it gave way. We tried to fix the nest and picked up the unbroken eggs and put them back in. The birds have come back and checked it out but I think the game is over.

We have one of the strangest sights you will ever see for a paw paw tree. The tree has about 20 smallish paw paws on it but frost has stripped all the mature leaves from the trunk and there is just a tuft of baby leaves at the top now. D has wrapped the trunk and all the fruit in shadecloth to stop them getting sun burnt so we hope we will get to eat something from that tree once they are mature. Looks a bit spooky though. ZeeZee had a good bark at it when she first saw it. Makes me look twice when I catch it out of the corner of my eye.

I like the green callistemon. There is a grevillea (Moonlight) which is a very light greeny yellow. But I’m always wary with both of those flowers as they tend to have ants on them, so generally they stay outside to be admired.

pomolo said:

I picked a beautiful bunch of Callistemon Pinifolius today. It’s the bottlebrush with green brushes. Looks great in a vase. Not many green flowers around.

The miners that have the nest under the shadecloth that’s slung over the old clothes hoist, lost the nest and the eggs today. I told them that the nest was a bit too flimsy where they had built it, amongst the few leaves of the Thunbergia that’s growing there. I had noticed that the nest had a swaying base and eventually it gave way. We tried to fix the nest and picked up the unbroken eggs and put them back in. The birds have come back and checked it out but I think the game is over.

We have one of the strangest sights you will ever see for a paw paw tree. The tree has about 20 smallish paw paws on it but frost has stripped all the mature leaves from the trunk and there is just a tuft of baby leaves at the top now. D has wrapped the trunk and all the fruit in shadecloth to stop them getting sun burnt so we hope we will get to eat something from that tree once they are mature. Looks a bit spooky though. ZeeZee had a good bark at it when she first saw it. Makes me look twice when I catch it out of the corner of my eye.

pawpaws down here are looking decidedly sick ( bananas, ginger and – alas – calothamus aboinicus too) – they will pick up tho.

pawpaws down here are looking decidedly sick ( bananas, ginger and – alas – calothamus aboinicus too) – they will pick up tho.

—————————————————————

plectranthus amboinicus – not as above failed memory test

Morn. The sunny season is back :) I’ve been busy replenishing vege beds and gardens with the good compost, tending chook runs and going to build a dust bathing box frame for them, will add pretty dead soil for them to till and sort.
I’ve potted up seeds and popped more into the hothouse and potted up many tubers and bits of the yacon crown to give away as advanced plants.

I have a dozen good fertile eggs in the incubator out of 27 that I’d put in and turned twice a day. I knew less than half would be fertile and I’m happy with that amount. I took them all out, discarded the duds and put the turning rack in and placed the eggs in. Now I can take down the ‘turn eggs’ notes I’d left about where I would see them.

I’ve attended meetings re this and that and another to go to tonight. Busy busy. My orchard friend was over to further tighten the ties for the apple espellier, buds all over it now, it’s looking great.

Next project is to put castor wheels on the two empty filing cabinet planters. I was going to paint them but have had a better idea..I can get many very old fence palings so I thought I’d cut some and tie them on, whitewash would look good. I have pots of ferns for them and they’ll sit on the patio as dividers.

The man had a great fathers day. One of the girls bought him a tennis raquet shaped battery operated fly swatter. Well that was it, Mr Mortein was off and running prancing around like an idiot swatting flies and getting in everyones way. I hastily covered the cake and told him to go outside with it, lol.

buffy said:

I like the green callistemon. There is a grevillea (Moonlight) which is a very light greeny yellow. But I’m always wary with both of those flowers as they tend to have ants on them, so generally they stay outside to be admired.

Can’t say that I’ve ever had a problem with ants in any of my natives. ‘Cept maybe meat ant nests in the trees. Isn’t Grevillea moonlight white/cream? Mine is.

Happy Potter said:

The man had a great fathers day. One of the girls bought him a tennis raquet shaped battery operated fly swatter. Well that was it, Mr Mortein was off and running prancing around like an idiot swatting flies and getting in everyones way. I hastily covered the cake and told him to go outside with it, lol.

why does a fly swatter need batteries?

justin said:

pomolo said:

I picked a beautiful bunch of Callistemon Pinifolius today. It’s the bottlebrush with green brushes. Looks great in a vase. Not many green flowers around.

The miners that have the nest under the shadecloth that’s slung over the old clothes hoist, lost the nest and the eggs today. I told them that the nest was a bit too flimsy where they had built it, amongst the few leaves of the Thunbergia that’s growing there. I had noticed that the nest had a swaying base and eventually it gave way. We tried to fix the nest and picked up the unbroken eggs and put them back in. The birds have come back and checked it out but I think the game is over.

We have one of the strangest sights you will ever see for a paw paw tree. The tree has about 20 smallish paw paws on it but frost has stripped all the mature leaves from the trunk and there is just a tuft of baby leaves at the top now. D has wrapped the trunk and all the fruit in shadecloth to stop them getting sun burnt so we hope we will get to eat something from that tree once they are mature. Looks a bit spooky though. ZeeZee had a good bark at it when she first saw it. Makes me look twice when I catch it out of the corner of my eye.

pawpaws down here are looking decidedly sick ( bananas, ginger and – alas – calothamus aboinicus too) – they will pick up tho.

Good to hear that the herb is still alive and kicking. Well, alive atm anyway. lol.

bluegreen said:

Happy Potter said:

The man had a great fathers day. One of the girls bought him a tennis raquet shaped battery operated fly swatter. Well that was it, Mr Mortein was off and running prancing around like an idiot swatting flies and getting in everyones way. I hastily covered the cake and told him to go outside with it, lol.

why does a fly swatter need batteries?

It’s like one of those electric fly zappers, it zaps flies dead and sparks. It’s a better strike rate than the plastic fly swatters. He’s off again swiping at flies lol

been out this morning with the gardening group on a bit of a working bee at one of the member’s place. She is waiting on a new pacemaker and hasn’t been able to do much so we went and did some weeding for her. Get half a dozen or so ladies with weeding tools for a couple of hours and you would be surprised what a difference it can make.

pomolo said:

buffy said:

I like the green callistemon. There is a grevillea (Moonlight) which is a very light greeny yellow. But I’m always wary with both of those flowers as they tend to have ants on them, so generally they stay outside to be admired.

Can’t say that I’ve ever had a problem with ants in any of my natives. ‘Cept maybe meat ant nests in the trees. Isn’t Grevillea moonlight white/cream? Mine is.

I made a boo boo about my green bottlebrush. It’s Callistemon pachyphyllus not C. pinifolius

It’s sunny and warm now. Still 5c minium though. Off on the medical round-a-bout again today. Got to give these Doctors A for effort. I just tag along and do as I am told.

The compost pile run is on again this sat morn and this time I’ve booked a caged trailer for half a day. There’ll be a bobcat to load trailers and I’m going to bag what more I can to sit on top of the loose stuff.
I’ve gathered as many people as I can, ordering them off their bums, who I know need this stuff for their gardens. Really did order too, I’m ‘orrible I’m told lol. I have the trailer from 9 to 12, so I’ll be on fast mode :)

Been doing some more pruning but called it a hault when I exposed a baby green frog on the Brisbane wattle. He felt so safe under all that greenery and I put him in a precarious position. Wildlife makes all the jobs more difficult than you could imagine.

Been out looking around the property for a suitable piece of wood for a tiny fairy house. With all I brought back from the cove last w/e, none are suitable for the next project. This one has to go on a plane to it’s owner so size is very limited. That’s the story of my life. Never what I need close at hand.

Too bad. Might just have to take another trip to the seaside and have another scavenge around the beaches. Foreshore pieces are much better because they are usually bleached and clean.

you all out gardening? I’ve just collected some bags of local horse poo for mine, but it is raining again.

bluegreen said:

you all out gardening? I’ve just collected some bags of local horse poo for mine, but it is raining again.

shopping shopping shopping. No signs of Xmas yet although I hear it is close. The garden is producing so the Grocery items were well down. The warmer weather up here means less clothing is required and is a great time of year to show off your tattoos. Even woman in Townsville has been inked in some kind of form and they were all on display at the stupidmarket. I didn’t realise some people could get any uglier but nope, I was wrong. I saw some ugly ladies with ugly tattoos which really did nothing for them. And the sticker on the back of their ute that says “There are no ugly people after 2am” well that is wrong too. Visited the fishmonger and got good service for a change. Pity they still do not know how to shuck an oyster. Neanderthals! The bike shop was cool, the owner’s young daughter was helping out with sales. She is a sweet tiny young girl but knows how to ride a bike. GF asked her if she rode and she shyly replied “yes, I ride BMX” and I interrupted and asked “when is your next race?” and she said “Next week at the State Championships in Cairns” and I asked are you going to win, to which she said “yup”. GF thought that was sweet, until I mentioned later in the car that the young girl was the reigning State Champion and I think second or third in the Nationals…. The Asian Grocer was cool, they have some great stuff in there and the owners love it when we visit. We took food and recipes and growing vegetables… there were a whole bunch of Asian shoppers in there, stocking up for their weekend foodie feasts! The booze shop was full of people wearing Cowboys Jerseys, buying up XXXX by the pallet to help celebrate this evening when the Cowboys take on the Broncos in the elimination final. Up here in NQ we’re excited…. Go Cowboys!

painmaster said:

bluegreen said:

you all out gardening? I’ve just collected some bags of local horse poo for mine, but it is raining again.

shopping shopping shopping. No signs of Xmas yet although I hear it is close. The garden is producing so the Grocery items were well down. The warmer weather up here means less clothing is required and is a great time of year to show off your tattoos. Even woman in Townsville has been inked in some kind of form and they were all on display at the stupidmarket. I didn’t realise some people could get any uglier but nope, I was wrong. I saw some ugly ladies with ugly tattoos which really did nothing for them. And the sticker on the back of their ute that says “There are no ugly people after 2am” well that is wrong too. Visited the fishmonger and got good service for a change. Pity they still do not know how to shuck an oyster. Neanderthals! The bike shop was cool, the owner’s young daughter was helping out with sales. She is a sweet tiny young girl but knows how to ride a bike. GF asked her if she rode and she shyly replied “yes, I ride BMX” and I interrupted and asked “when is your next race?” and she said “Next week at the State Championships in Cairns” and I asked are you going to win, to which she said “yup”. GF thought that was sweet, until I mentioned later in the car that the young girl was the reigning State Champion and I think second or third in the Nationals…. The Asian Grocer was cool, they have some great stuff in there and the owners love it when we visit. We took food and recipes and growing vegetables… there were a whole bunch of Asian shoppers in there, stocking up for their weekend foodie feasts! The booze shop was full of people wearing Cowboys Jerseys, buying up XXXX by the pallet to help celebrate this evening when the Cowboys take on the Broncos in the elimination final. Up here in NQ we’re excited…. Go Cowboys!

you make even going shopping sound like fun :)

bluegreen said:

you all out gardening? I’ve just collected some bags of local horse poo for mine, but it is raining again.

Busy as a bee in a honey pot. I’ve got 3 metres of compost sitting on a tarp in my carport with bagfuls on the perimiter keeping it in. Then some shopping and running about collecting supplies for tomorrows sustainability fair and I’ll be with the orchard members who are doing a sausage sizzle. BBQ’s, aprons, onions and containers, food delivery confirmation, ect.
Stuffed now and ready to slouch on the couch and have food and drink brought to me :)

Compost. and a rhody in flower in the silkies yard.

painmaster said:

bluegreen said:

you all out gardening? I’ve just collected some bags of local horse poo for mine, but it is raining again.

shopping shopping shopping. No signs of Xmas yet although I hear it is close. The garden is producing so the Grocery items were well down. The warmer weather up here means less clothing is required and is a great time of year to show off your tattoos. Even woman in Townsville has been inked in some kind of form and they were all on display at the stupidmarket. I didn’t realise some people could get any uglier but nope, I was wrong. I saw some ugly ladies with ugly tattoos which really did nothing for them. And the sticker on the back of their ute that says “There are no ugly people after 2am” well that is wrong too. Visited the fishmonger and got good service for a change. Pity they still do not know how to shuck an oyster. Neanderthals! The bike shop was cool, the owner’s young daughter was helping out with sales. She is a sweet tiny young girl but knows how to ride a bike. GF asked her if she rode and she shyly replied “yes, I ride BMX” and I interrupted and asked “when is your next race?” and she said “Next week at the State Championships in Cairns” and I asked are you going to win, to which she said “yup”. GF thought that was sweet, until I mentioned later in the car that the young girl was the reigning State Champion and I think second or third in the Nationals…. The Asian Grocer was cool, they have some great stuff in there and the owners love it when we visit. We took food and recipes and growing vegetables… there were a whole bunch of Asian shoppers in there, stocking up for their weekend foodie feasts! The booze shop was full of people wearing Cowboys Jerseys, buying up XXXX by the pallet to help celebrate this evening when the Cowboys take on the Broncos in the elimination final. Up here in NQ we’re excited…. Go Cowboys!

nice bit of culture there PM
boo to the stupid marts and tats
yea to the bmx girl and asian stores.
who R ‘ the cowboys?’

bluegreen said:

painmaster said:

bluegreen said:

you all out gardening? I’ve just collected some bags of local horse poo for mine, but it is raining again.

shopping shopping shopping. No signs of Xmas yet although I hear it is close. The garden is producing so the Grocery items were well down. The warmer weather up here means less clothing is required and is a great time of year to show off your tattoos. Even woman in Townsville has been inked in some kind of form and they were all on display at the stupidmarket. I didn’t realise some people could get any uglier but nope, I was wrong. I saw some ugly ladies with ugly tattoos which really did nothing for them. And the sticker on the back of their ute that says “There are no ugly people after 2am” well that is wrong too. Visited the fishmonger and got good service for a change. Pity they still do not know how to shuck an oyster. Neanderthals! The bike shop was cool, the owner’s young daughter was helping out with sales. She is a sweet tiny young girl but knows how to ride a bike. GF asked her if she rode and she shyly replied “yes, I ride BMX” and I interrupted and asked “when is your next race?” and she said “Next week at the State Championships in Cairns” and I asked are you going to win, to which she said “yup”. GF thought that was sweet, until I mentioned later in the car that the young girl was the reigning State Champion and I think second or third in the Nationals…. The Asian Grocer was cool, they have some great stuff in there and the owners love it when we visit. We took food and recipes and growing vegetables… there were a whole bunch of Asian shoppers in there, stocking up for their weekend foodie feasts! The booze shop was full of people wearing Cowboys Jerseys, buying up XXXX by the pallet to help celebrate this evening when the Cowboys take on the Broncos in the elimination final. Up here in NQ we’re excited…. Go Cowboys!

you make even going shopping sound like fun :)

I caught the Munno Para mall at peak hour on Friday. Foodland was so busy that driving your trolley took skill. I ran into 6 ailse blockages. Negoiated three of them with forced smiles, met a lady I knew in one (and only realised who she was 6 hours later), was delayed for 5 minutes in two whilst indiscriminating shoppers took forever to decide in the spices section and finally had to ask for advice to find the pine nuts and artichoke hearts.
The checkout chick had a sense of humour tho’ – so all finished well.

justin said:

painmaster said:

bluegreen said:

you all out gardening? I’ve just collected some bags of local horse poo for mine, but it is raining again.

shopping shopping shopping. No signs of Xmas yet although I hear it is close. The garden is producing so the Grocery items were well down. The warmer weather up here means less clothing is required and is a great time of year to show off your tattoos. Even woman in Townsville has been inked in some kind of form and they were all on display at the stupidmarket. I didn’t realise some people could get any uglier but nope, I was wrong. I saw some ugly ladies with ugly tattoos which really did nothing for them. And the sticker on the back of their ute that says “There are no ugly people after 2am” well that is wrong too. Visited the fishmonger and got good service for a change. Pity they still do not know how to shuck an oyster. Neanderthals! The bike shop was cool, the owner’s young daughter was helping out with sales. She is a sweet tiny young girl but knows how to ride a bike. GF asked her if she rode and she shyly replied “yes, I ride BMX” and I interrupted and asked “when is your next race?” and she said “Next week at the State Championships in Cairns” and I asked are you going to win, to which she said “yup”. GF thought that was sweet, until I mentioned later in the car that the young girl was the reigning State Champion and I think second or third in the Nationals…. The Asian Grocer was cool, they have some great stuff in there and the owners love it when we visit. We took food and recipes and growing vegetables… there were a whole bunch of Asian shoppers in there, stocking up for their weekend foodie feasts! The booze shop was full of people wearing Cowboys Jerseys, buying up XXXX by the pallet to help celebrate this evening when the Cowboys take on the Broncos in the elimination final. Up here in NQ we’re excited…. Go Cowboys!

nice bit of culture there PM
boo to the stupid marts and tats
yea to the bmx girl and asian stores.
who R ‘ the cowboys?’

Good news, the Cowboys won and will meet up against the Manly Sea Eagles next Friday night. Manly knocked the Cowboys out of the finals last year, so maybe some payback is due?

justin said:

bluegreen said:

painmaster said:

shopping shopping shopping. No signs of Xmas yet although I hear it is close. The garden is producing so the Grocery items were well down. The warmer weather up here means less clothing is required and is a great time of year to show off your tattoos. Even woman in Townsville has been inked in some kind of form and they were all on display at the stupidmarket. I didn’t realise some people could get any uglier but nope, I was wrong. I saw some ugly ladies with ugly tattoos which really did nothing for them. And the sticker on the back of their ute that says “There are no ugly people after 2am” well that is wrong too. Visited the fishmonger and got good service for a change. Pity they still do not know how to shuck an oyster. Neanderthals! The bike shop was cool, the owner’s young daughter was helping out with sales. She is a sweet tiny young girl but knows how to ride a bike. GF asked her if she rode and she shyly replied “yes, I ride BMX” and I interrupted and asked “when is your next race?” and she said “Next week at the State Championships in Cairns” and I asked are you going to win, to which she said “yup”. GF thought that was sweet, until I mentioned later in the car that the young girl was the reigning State Champion and I think second or third in the Nationals…. The Asian Grocer was cool, they have some great stuff in there and the owners love it when we visit. We took food and recipes and growing vegetables… there were a whole bunch of Asian shoppers in there, stocking up for their weekend foodie feasts! The booze shop was full of people wearing Cowboys Jerseys, buying up XXXX by the pallet to help celebrate this evening when the Cowboys take on the Broncos in the elimination final. Up here in NQ we’re excited…. Go Cowboys!

you make even going shopping sound like fun :)

I caught the Munno Para mall at peak hour on Friday. Foodland was so busy that driving your trolley took skill. I ran into 6 ailse blockages. Negoiated three of them with forced smiles, met a lady I knew in one (and only realised who she was 6 hours later), was delayed for 5 minutes in two whilst indiscriminating shoppers took forever to decide in the spices section and finally had to ask for advice to find the pine nuts and artichoke hearts.
The checkout chick had a sense of humour tho’ – so all finished well.

sweet.

I’m stuffed, again. Burns from the bbq, scratched and sore and I can’t feel my legs, lol. I spent from 9 am till 3 cooking snags onions and vege burgers on two bbq’s. Then near the end we discovered that the other insulated food transport crate was ours………shoot! We rang the co to come take it back but they said they can’t, so just give them away, give them to a charity, take em home ect. When I confirmed the food order this morn, someone else did too and we both spoke to different people, and ended up getting two lots. But we only paid for one. A thousand fresh sausages, 3 boxes of frozen vege burgers, about 50 in each, and 5 crates of sliced bread. The council were considering buying them for their social groups but said they haven’t room in a freezer.
So… I’ve ended up with 25-30 kilos of sausages 15 loaves of bread and a box of vege burgers.

Right, the great snag cook up is go! Casseroles and curries and the like, I’m cooking up the lot then packing and freezing it. Some for GS and the rest for his old resi unit, inc some 2 kg snag trays that I’ve frozen. A staffer from the resi unit is going to pick them up on Wed.

As I said, stuffed. I’m going to have a beer I think. I will sleep like a dog tonight!

Happy Potter said:

I’m stuffed, again. Burns from the bbq, scratched and sore and I can’t feel my legs, lol. I spent from 9 am till 3 cooking snags onions and vege burgers on two bbq’s. Then near the end we discovered that the other insulated food transport crate was ours………shoot! We rang the co to come take it back but they said they can’t, so just give them away, give them to a charity, take em home ect. When I confirmed the food order this morn, someone else did too and we both spoke to different people, and ended up getting two lots. But we only paid for one. A thousand fresh sausages, 3 boxes of frozen vege burgers, about 50 in each, and 5 crates of sliced bread. The council were considering buying them for their social groups but said they haven’t room in a freezer.
So… I’ve ended up with 25-30 kilos of sausages 15 loaves of bread and a box of vege burgers.

Right, the great snag cook up is go! Casseroles and curries and the like, I’m cooking up the lot then packing and freezing it. Some for GS and the rest for his old resi unit, inc some 2 kg snag trays that I’ve frozen. A staffer from the resi unit is going to pick them up on Wed.

As I said, stuffed. I’m going to have a beer I think. I will sleep like a dog tonight!

ps, I didn’t cook the lot tonight, I did about a third in 2 ovens ( the big oven is fanforced and had 2 roasting dishes in) and the bessermerware roaster on the stovetop. I’ve made one lot of tomato basil snags and about to pack that away and the rest of the cooked ones will go into casseroles and curries tomorrow. There’s still 2 boxes of snags in the spare fridge. Just as well GS and co love sausages……..

Good morning. We’ve had a bit of a sick weekend here but feeling a bit better today. Stomach is still delicate though.

Have just had a friend to visit with a bag of tumeric roots ready for us to plant. I’ve bought it fresh from the s’market before but never grown our own. We’ll give it a try. She also bought us some homemade chilli chutney made in the authentic way by an Indian friend of hers. Apparently made with chilli plant leaves is the correct way. I bet you didn’t know that!

I traded her with Italian Spinach (of which we have an overload) Brocollini, Kumatoes and Fennel bulbs and a jar of Lemon Honey that I’ve been meaning to share around.

Fair mornings trade I reckon.

pomolo said:

Good morning. We’ve had a bit of a sick weekend here but feeling a bit better today. Stomach is still delicate though.

Have just had a friend to visit with a bag of tumeric roots ready for us to plant. I’ve bought it fresh from the s’market before but never grown our own. We’ll give it a try. She also bought us some homemade chilli chutney made in the authentic way by an Indian friend of hers. Apparently made with chilli plant leaves is the correct way. I bet you didn’t know that!

I traded her with Italian Spinach (of which we have an overload) Brocollini, Kumatoes and Fennel bulbs and a jar of Lemon Honey that I’ve been meaning to share around.

Fair mornings trade I reckon.

hello. sorry to hear you have been ill pomolo. Was it something you ate or is there a bug going around?

I buy fresh turmeric sometimes too from the organic fellow at the local markets. I sometime think about growing my own but it would probably grow better in your climate than mine. It does stain your fingernails yellow though! lol!

I never knew that about the chilli leaves! Sounds to me like you did a good trade too.

So a plover bird swoops me! haha.
I thought someone piffed a lump of dirt at me. I had to come inside and look it up because that was no magpie.

I’m off for some ingredients to continue my snag cook up, a bag of curry powder and some soup mix things, then arvo I’m filling the triangle strawberry bed, if I can get some potting mix bags home. I’m mixing it with clean dirt and a little compost.
So far I have 30 strawberry plants but can get heaps more from others. On the outside section I’ll plant borage and calendulas (sp?) and thyme. I want to grow a tumeric too. In a pot only though.
I was given some wormwood seeds, but I doubt I’ll have room here to grow one without affecting nearby plants.

Happy Potter said:

I’m stuffed, again. Burns from the bbq, scratched and sore and I can’t feel my legs, lol. I spent from 9 am till 3 cooking snags onions and vege burgers on two bbq’s. Then near the end we discovered that the other insulated food transport crate was ours………shoot! We rang the co to come take it back but they said they can’t, so just give them away, give them to a charity, take em home ect. When I confirmed the food order this morn, someone else did too and we both spoke to different people, and ended up getting two lots. But we only paid for one. A thousand fresh sausages, 3 boxes of frozen vege burgers, about 50 in each, and 5 crates of sliced bread. The council were considering buying them for their social groups but said they haven’t room in a freezer.
So… I’ve ended up with 25-30 kilos of sausages 15 loaves of bread and a box of vege burgers.

Right, the great snag cook up is go! Casseroles and curries and the like, I’m cooking up the lot then packing and freezing it. Some for GS and the rest for his old resi unit, inc some 2 kg snag trays that I’ve frozen. A staffer from the resi unit is going to pick them up on Wed.

As I said, stuffed. I’m going to have a beer I think. I will sleep like a dog tonight!

Hooley Dooley!

pomolo said:

Good morning. We’ve had a bit of a sick weekend here but feeling a bit better today. Stomach is still delicate though.

Have just had a friend to visit with a bag of tumeric roots ready for us to plant. I’ve bought it fresh from the s’market before but never grown our own. We’ll give it a try. She also bought us some homemade chilli chutney made in the authentic way by an Indian friend of hers. Apparently made with chilli plant leaves is the correct way. I bet you didn’t know that!

I traded her with Italian Spinach (of which we have an overload) Brocollini, Kumatoes and Fennel bulbs and a jar of Lemon Honey that I’ve been meaning to share around.

Fair mornings trade I reckon.

The Chile Chutney sounds interesting…

Happy Potter said:

So a plover bird swoops me! haha.
I thought someone piffed a lump of dirt at me. I had to come inside and look it up because that was no magpie.

I’m off for some ingredients to continue my snag cook up, a bag of curry powder and some soup mix things, then arvo I’m filling the triangle strawberry bed, if I can get some potting mix bags home. I’m mixing it with clean dirt and a little compost.
So far I have 30 strawberry plants but can get heaps more from others. On the outside section I’ll plant borage and calendulas (sp?) and thyme. I want to grow a tumeric too. In a pot only though.
I was given some wormwood seeds, but I doubt I’ll have room here to grow one without affecting nearby plants.

we’re growing turmeric quite successfully up this way…. just sayin’

hi folks. moved some compost today, then had a nap :)

anyone know what RB is up to? He is conspicuous by his absence…

bluegreen said:

pomolo said:

Good morning. We’ve had a bit of a sick weekend here but feeling a bit better today. Stomach is still delicate though.

Have just had a friend to visit with a bag of tumeric roots ready for us to plant. I’ve bought it fresh from the s’market before but never grown our own. We’ll give it a try. She also bought us some homemade chilli chutney made in the authentic way by an Indian friend of hers. Apparently made with chilli plant leaves is the correct way. I bet you didn’t know that!

I traded her with Italian Spinach (of which we have an overload) Brocollini, Kumatoes and Fennel bulbs and a jar of Lemon Honey that I’ve been meaning to share around.

Fair mornings trade I reckon.

hello. sorry to hear you have been ill pomolo. Was it something you ate or is there a bug going around?

I buy fresh turmeric sometimes too from the organic fellow at the local markets. I sometime think about growing my own but it would probably grow better in your climate than mine. It does stain your fingernails yellow though! lol!

I never knew that about the chilli leaves! Sounds to me like you did a good trade too.

It was one of those 24hour wogs that lasted 3 days.

Friend has given me two typed of tumeric. One is the standard yellow and the other is orange. I actually have my doubts about the orange one. Isn’t Galangal orange?

painmaster said:

pomolo said:

Good morning. We’ve had a bit of a sick weekend here but feeling a bit better today. Stomach is still delicate though.

Have just had a friend to visit with a bag of tumeric roots ready for us to plant. I’ve bought it fresh from the s’market before but never grown our own. We’ll give it a try. She also bought us some homemade chilli chutney made in the authentic way by an Indian friend of hers. Apparently made with chilli plant leaves is the correct way. I bet you didn’t know that!

I traded her with Italian Spinach (of which we have an overload) Brocollini, Kumatoes and Fennel bulbs and a jar of Lemon Honey that I’ve been meaning to share around.

Fair mornings trade I reckon.

The Chile Chutney sounds interesting…

Might sound interesting but it tastes hot, hot, hot.

bluegreen said:

hi folks. moved some compost today, then had a nap :)

anyone know what RB is up to? He is conspicuous by his absence…

Hope he hasn’t got a 3 day/24hr bug too.

pomolo said:

bluegreen said:

pomolo said:

Good morning. We’ve had a bit of a sick weekend here but feeling a bit better today. Stomach is still delicate though.

Have just had a friend to visit with a bag of tumeric roots ready for us to plant. I’ve bought it fresh from the s’market before but never grown our own. We’ll give it a try. She also bought us some homemade chilli chutney made in the authentic way by an Indian friend of hers. Apparently made with chilli plant leaves is the correct way. I bet you didn’t know that!

I traded her with Italian Spinach (of which we have an overload) Brocollini, Kumatoes and Fennel bulbs and a jar of Lemon Honey that I’ve been meaning to share around.

Fair mornings trade I reckon.

hello. sorry to hear you have been ill pomolo. Was it something you ate or is there a bug going around?

I buy fresh turmeric sometimes too from the organic fellow at the local markets. I sometime think about growing my own but it would probably grow better in your climate than mine. It does stain your fingernails yellow though! lol!

I never knew that about the chilli leaves! Sounds to me like you did a good trade too.

It was one of those 24hour wogs that lasted 3 days.

Friend has given me two typed of tumeric. One is the standard yellow and the other is orange. I actually have my doubts about the orange one. Isn’t Galangal orange?

Galangal is a lot larger than Turmeric, Galangal is like a big knobbly pink ginger. Turmeric is as thick as your finger and normally orange like a carrot. Not sure on your yellow one.

Friend has given me two typed of tumeric. One is the standard yellow and the other is orange. I actually have my doubts about the orange one. Isn’t Galangal orange?

Galangal is a lot larger than Turmeric, Galangal is like a big knobbly pink ginger. Turmeric is as thick as your finger and normally orange like a carrot. Not sure on your yellow one.

Well now I’m confused. The yellow one she has given me is exactly the same colour as the powdered tumeric you buy at the s’market. The orange one is the one that they show on Google Images but there are yellow ones too. I accept that it isn’t galangle.

We only got one root of the orange one but lots of the yellow one. Time will tell I guess. The flowers look really nice anyway.

Heading out for a bit of R&R today. Lots of cloud but Livio has said no rain and you know I trust Livio.

Gidday BG. Our paths are crossing.

hello Pomolo :)

so what do you have in mind for your R&R?

bluegreen said:

hello Pomolo :)

so what do you have in mind for your R&R?

Down towards the coast again. I’m on a bit of a roll about finding driftwood. the beach is the best place for the good bits

pomolo said:

bluegreen said:

hello Pomolo :)

so what do you have in mind for your R&R?

Down towards the coast again. I’m on a bit of a roll about finding driftwood. the beach is the best place for the good bits

A nice way to relax even if you don’t find anything :)

bluegreen said:

pomolo said:

bluegreen said:

hello Pomolo :)

so what do you have in mind for your R&R?

Down towards the coast again. I’m on a bit of a roll about finding driftwood. the beach is the best place for the good bits

A nice way to relax even if you don’t find anything :)

You betcha! You have a good day too buddy.

been sowing seeds in punnets for Spring/Summer veg. As usual I will probably have more than I can plant out, but I can give some away.

painmaster said:

justin said:

painmaster said:

shopping shopping shopping. No signs of Xmas yet although I hear it is close. The garden is producing so the Grocery items were well down. The warmer weather up here means less clothing is required and is a great time of year to show off your tattoos. Even woman in Townsville has been inked in some kind of form and they were all on display at the stupidmarket. I didn’t realise some people could get any uglier but nope, I was wrong. I saw some ugly ladies with ugly tattoos which really did nothing for them. And the sticker on the back of their ute that says “There are no ugly people after 2am” well that is wrong too. Visited the fishmonger and got good service for a change. Pity they still do not know how to shuck an oyster. Neanderthals! The bike shop was cool, the owner’s young daughter was helping out with sales. She is a sweet tiny young girl but knows how to ride a bike. GF asked her if she rode and she shyly replied “yes, I ride BMX” and I interrupted and asked “when is your next race?” and she said “Next week at the State Championships in Cairns” and I asked are you going to win, to which she said “yup”. GF thought that was sweet, until I mentioned later in the car that the young girl was the reigning State Champion and I think second or third in the Nationals…. The Asian Grocer was cool, they have some great stuff in there and the owners love it when we visit. We took food and recipes and growing vegetables… there were a whole bunch of Asian shoppers in there, stocking up for their weekend foodie feasts! The booze shop was full of people wearing Cowboys Jerseys, buying up XXXX by the pallet to help celebrate this evening when the Cowboys take on the Broncos in the elimination final. Up here in NQ we’re excited…. Go Cowboys!

nice bit of culture there PM
boo to the stupid marts and tats
yea to the bmx girl and asian stores.
who R ‘ the cowboys?’

Good news, the Cowboys won and will meet up against the Manly Sea Eagles next Friday night. Manly knocked the Cowboys out of the finals last year, so maybe some payback is due?

we don’t get the neckless footballers down here – good to see you are into local sporting culture tho’.

I’ve actually just finished vacuuming the house. That hasn’t been done for quite a while. Hanging head with shame I am. I’m a bit like that with all the household chores now. I’ve learnt very well how to ignore the dust and the dirt. Except when someone is coming to visit. Then It’s a mad scramble to get everything ship shape. Such a sham.

D is pumping up water from the dam into the yard tank. We are going through so much water with the amount of hosing that’s being done. Some rain is needed and pretty soon too. Who do I have to speak to?

pomolo said:

I’ve actually just finished vacuuming the house. That hasn’t been done for quite a while. Hanging head with shame I am. I’m a bit like that with all the household chores now. I’ve learnt very well how to ignore the dust and the dirt. Except when someone is coming to visit. Then It’s a mad scramble to get everything ship shape. Such a sham.

I’m the same. Mind you, with just me there is not that much to do, except in the kitchen. I really know how to make a mess in the kitchen :D

bluegreen said:

pomolo said:

I’ve actually just finished vacuuming the house. That hasn’t been done for quite a while. Hanging head with shame I am. I’m a bit like that with all the household chores now. I’ve learnt very well how to ignore the dust and the dirt. Except when someone is coming to visit. Then It’s a mad scramble to get everything ship shape. Such a sham.

I’m the same. Mind you, with just me there is not that much to do, except in the kitchen. I really know how to make a mess in the kitchen :D

Spend a week with me camping in a dugout on the opal fields and you’ll lose all fear of shame. Dust will take on a whole new meaning

Anyway, there was only the one plant I could see. In an area where I’ve previously seen approx 50 acres of red flowers.

roughbarked said:

bluegreen said:

pomolo said:

I’ve actually just finished vacuuming the house. That hasn’t been done for quite a while. Hanging head with shame I am. I’m a bit like that with all the household chores now. I’ve learnt very well how to ignore the dust and the dirt. Except when someone is coming to visit. Then It’s a mad scramble to get everything ship shape. Such a sham.

I’m the same. Mind you, with just me there is not that much to do, except in the kitchen. I really know how to make a mess in the kitchen :D

Spend a week with me camping in a dugout on the opal fields and you’ll lose all fear of shame. Dust will take on a whole new meaning

Caked on dust is good. It stops you getting sunburnt.

justin said:

painmaster said:

justin said:

nice bit of culture there PM
boo to the stupid marts and tats
yea to the bmx girl and asian stores.
who R ‘ the cowboys?’

Good news, the Cowboys won and will meet up against the Manly Sea Eagles next Friday night. Manly knocked the Cowboys out of the finals last year, so maybe some payback is due?

we don’t get the neckless footballers down here – good to see you are into local sporting culture tho’.

helps keep the conversation going around the water cooler on Monday mornings.

Oooh my poor sore muscles.. getting back into it though :) We had a second delivery of 7 metres of eucy mulch right on our driveway. This lot the POW group (permaculture out west) are coming to collect it over a few days. Hubby and I spent all arvo shifting it under the carport so it could be bagged under cover. Light rain now. My chickens are on higher ground, like half a metre deep of eucy mulch, lol, but loving their new view.
I’m going have a shower rigt now then bed for me.
Tomorrow I’m being picked up early (read saved) by bestie and off to St Erth nursery for a day of strolling the gardens and stopping at the cafe for delish eats and coffee. Bring it on!

Happy Potter said:

My chickens are on higher ground, like half a metre deep of eucy mulch, lol, but loving their new view.

Amazing how they like to be entertained! Good that they’re out of the mud and all, tho’…

Morning green ones, I’m all ready for my trip to St Erth with my friend, looking forward to having a relaxing day.

Comfry, I want to learn how to use it for our and animals benefit. In my current herb study for all it’s good I came across this site in my search. Interesting read. http://herbsarespecial.com.au/free-herb-information/comfrey.html

Happy Potter said:

Morning green ones, I’m all ready for my trip to St Erth with my friend, looking forward to having a relaxing day.

Comfry, I want to learn how to use it for our and animals benefit. In my current herb study for all it’s good I came across this site in my search. Interesting read. http://herbsarespecial.com.au/free-herb-information/comfrey.html

I know my chooks loved it so much at the old place, that I never got a look in! I had to protect it to let it have a chance of growing.

roughbarked said:

Anyway, there was only the one plant I could see. In an area where I’ve previously seen approx 50 acres of red flowers.

That’s beautiful. I’ve never seen one for real.

Happy Potter said:

roughbarked said:

bluegreen said:

I’m the same. Mind you, with just me there is not that much to do, except in the kitchen. I really know how to make a mess in the kitchen :D

Spend a week with me camping in a dugout on the opal fields and you’ll lose all fear of shame. Dust will take on a whole new meaning

Caked on dust is good. It stops you getting sunburnt.

One thing about dust is that after the first layer, added layers don’t make that much difference.

Done the shopping. Budget fairy is busted. I don’t know how carbon tax is affecting you lot but it’s beating us up a bit. Well, that’s what I think the excuse is they’re using for the price rises. F & V prices included. D said i’m not to whinge about prices anymore. we just have to accept what’s happening. I’ll try but no guarantees.

bluegreen said:

Happy Potter said:

Morning green ones, I’m all ready for my trip to St Erth with my friend, looking forward to having a relaxing day.

Comfry, I want to learn how to use it for our and animals benefit. In my current herb study for all it’s good I came across this site in my search. Interesting read. http://herbsarespecial.com.au/free-herb-information/comfrey.html

I know my chooks loved it so much at the old place, that I never got a look in! I had to protect it to let it have a chance of growing.

I have 2 comfeys, one between fruit trees and the other next to the chooks run, they can eat it through the mesh. I’m looking up info about human consumption and one site says surper food and another says poisonous..confusing.

Back from our day trip to St Erth, we had a blast.
Among my usual seed packs I get from there, leeks and butternut pumpkin, I got seeds of tomato brandy wine pink, capsicum chinese giant, capsicum alma paprika (going to dry and crush to make my own paprika powder) and a tumeric root ‘Curcuma Longa’ I’m told it’s the orange one, and my star buy of the day a mountain pawpaw ‘Carica pubescens x quercifolia’ :) I will need another 2 so I will get them next visit. I have just the spot for them hedged along a fence.
After there we visited Baccus Marsh fruit outlets and I got a large 20 kg bag of onions and we shared them between us, and lasty a raid of an op shop where I scored 3 gorgeous winter weight linen shirts for $6.
Fab day! Now for a coffee and then raid the shed for empty seed punnets :)

Happy Potter said:

Morning green ones, I’m all ready for my trip to St Erth with my friend, looking forward to having a relaxing day.

Comfry, I want to learn how to use it for our and animals benefit. In my current herb study for all it’s good I came across this site in my search. Interesting read. http://herbsarespecial.com.au/free-herb-information/comfrey.html

To say that two leaves, eaten daily – over a couple of years – will cause serious disease, is simply not true. In our house, we have eaten 70 leaves, or thereabouts, daily, for 24 years: in the form of comfrey tea, liquidised in a vitamiser as a green drink, and in salads. I also fed comfrey to my farm animals. Knowing the power of comfrey to restore a worn out animal quickly, and make her milk again…

very interesting as you say – hmmm? – not sure?

Happy Potter said:

Back from our day trip to St Erth, we had a blast.
Among my usual seed packs I get from there, leeks and butternut pumpkin, I got seeds of tomato brandy wine pink, capsicum chinese giant, capsicum alma paprika (going to dry and crush to make my own paprika powder) and a tumeric root ‘Curcuma Longa’ I’m told it’s the orange one, and my star buy of the day a mountain pawpaw ‘Carica pubescens x quercifolia’ :) I will need another 2 so I will get them next visit. I have just the spot for them hedged along a fence.
After there we visited Baccus Marsh fruit outlets and I got a large 20 kg bag of onions and we shared them between us, and lasty a raid of an op shop where I scored 3 gorgeous winter weight linen shirts for $6.
Fab day! Now for a coffee and then raid the shed for empty seed punnets :)

paprika ? – interesting – will it grow there?

Happy Potter said:

Oooh my poor sore muscles.. getting back into it though :) We had a second delivery of 7 metres of eucy mulch right on our driveway. This lot the POW group (permaculture out west) are coming to collect it over a few days. Hubby and I spent all arvo shifting it under the carport so it could be bagged under cover. Light rain now. My chickens are on higher ground, like half a metre deep of eucy mulch, lol, but loving their new view.
I’m going have a shower rigt now then bed for me.
Tomorrow I’m being picked up early (read saved) by bestie and off to St Erth nursery for a day of strolling the gardens and stopping at the cafe for delish eats and coffee. Bring it on!

sounds like a day of strolling is a perfect idea.

justin said:

Happy Potter said:

Back from our day trip to St Erth, we had a blast.
Among my usual seed packs I get from there, leeks and butternut pumpkin, I got seeds of tomato brandy wine pink, capsicum chinese giant, capsicum alma paprika (going to dry and crush to make my own paprika powder) and a tumeric root ‘Curcuma Longa’ I’m told it’s the orange one, and my star buy of the day a mountain pawpaw ‘Carica pubescens x quercifolia’ :) I will need another 2 so I will get them next visit. I have just the spot for them hedged along a fence.
After there we visited Baccus Marsh fruit outlets and I got a large 20 kg bag of onions and we shared them between us, and lasty a raid of an op shop where I scored 3 gorgeous winter weight linen shirts for $6.
Fab day! Now for a coffee and then raid the shed for empty seed punnets :)

paprika ? – interesting – will it grow there?

there are some interesting plants there they may grow but how well will they fruit?

Happy Potter said:

I have 2 comfeys, one between fruit trees and the other next to the chooks run, they can eat it through the mesh. I’m looking up info about human consumption and one site says surper food and another says poisonous..confusing.

It’s more of a medicinal herb…if you look at it like that, so much is beneficial and after that it’s detrimental…I think…

painmaster said:

justin said:

Happy Potter said:

Back from our day trip to St Erth, we had a blast.
Among my usual seed packs I get from there, leeks and butternut pumpkin, I got seeds of tomato brandy wine pink, capsicum chinese giant, capsicum alma paprika (going to dry and crush to make my own paprika powder) and a tumeric root ‘Curcuma Longa’ I’m told it’s the orange one, and my star buy of the day a mountain pawpaw ‘Carica pubescens x quercifolia’ :) I will need another 2 so I will get them next visit. I have just the spot for them hedged along a fence.
After there we visited Baccus Marsh fruit outlets and I got a large 20 kg bag of onions and we shared them between us, and lasty a raid of an op shop where I scored 3 gorgeous winter weight linen shirts for $6.
Fab day! Now for a coffee and then raid the shed for empty seed punnets :)

paprika ? – interesting – will it grow there?

there are some interesting plants there they may grow but how well will they fruit?

The paprika will grow here. The rest better grow!

Hello gardeners. Work seems to remain busy. Visited my Mum and Dad in Melbourne last weekend, so not a lot of gardening got done.

I grow comfrey to put into the compost. Not used for anything else.

Although comfrey was used for many years quite widely, about 10 years ago it was shown to be toxic to the liver:

http://www.med.nyu.edu/content?ChunkIID=104671

justin said:

Happy Potter said:

Morning green ones, I’m all ready for my trip to St Erth with my friend, looking forward to having a relaxing day.

Comfry, I want to learn how to use it for our and animals benefit. In my current herb study for all it’s good I came across this site in my search. Interesting read. http://herbsarespecial.com.au/free-herb-information/comfrey.html

To say that two leaves, eaten daily – over a couple of years – will cause serious disease, is simply not true. In our house, we have eaten 70 leaves, or thereabouts, daily, for 24 years: in the form of comfrey tea, liquidised in a vitamiser as a green drink, and in salads. I also fed comfrey to my farm animals. Knowing the power of comfrey to restore a worn out animal quickly, and make her milk again…

very interesting as you say – hmmm? – not sure?

Not that I know anything about comfrey, but to me that’s no different to the people who say “I’ve smoked for 50 years and I’m healthy!” or “we didn’t have baby carseats when you were a baby, and you’re fine!”. Not really a sound basis for decision making.

I wonder if there’s any science out there on comfrey? I’m intrigued now.

buffy said:

Although comfrey was used for many years quite widely, about 10 years ago it was shown to be toxic to the liver:

http://www.med.nyu.edu/content?ChunkIID=104671

Ahh, more science than you can poke a stick at! Sounds like any medicine then – beneficial in some ways, harmful in others, and a case of weighing up risk vs benefit.

bon008 said:

justin said:

Happy Potter said:

Morning green ones, I’m all ready for my trip to St Erth with my friend, looking forward to having a relaxing day.

Comfry, I want to learn how to use it for our and animals benefit. In my current herb study for all it’s good I came across this site in my search. Interesting read. http://herbsarespecial.com.au/free-herb-information/comfrey.html

To say that two leaves, eaten daily – over a couple of years – will cause serious disease, is simply not true. In our house, we have eaten 70 leaves, or thereabouts, daily, for 24 years: in the form of comfrey tea, liquidised in a vitamiser as a green drink, and in salads. I also fed comfrey to my farm animals. Knowing the power of comfrey to restore a worn out animal quickly, and make her milk again…

very interesting as you say – hmmm? – not sure?

Not that I know anything about comfrey, but to me that’s no different to the people who say “I’ve smoked for 50 years and I’m healthy!” or “we didn’t have baby carseats when you were a baby, and you’re fine!”. Not really a sound basis for decision making.

I wonder if there’s any science out there on comfrey? I’m intrigued now.

Me too Bon. It’s a wonder plant, but mustn’t touch..

Happy Potter said:

bon008 said:

justin said:

To say that two leaves, eaten daily – over a couple of years – will cause serious disease, is simply not true. In our house, we have eaten 70 leaves, or thereabouts, daily, for 24 years: in the form of comfrey tea, liquidised in a vitamiser as a green drink, and in salads. I also fed comfrey to my farm animals. Knowing the power of comfrey to restore a worn out animal quickly, and make her milk again…

very interesting as you say – hmmm? – not sure?

Not that I know anything about comfrey, but to me that’s no different to the people who say “I’ve smoked for 50 years and I’m healthy!” or “we didn’t have baby carseats when you were a baby, and you’re fine!”. Not really a sound basis for decision making.

I wonder if there’s any science out there on comfrey? I’m intrigued now.

Me too Bon. It’s a wonder plant, but mustn’t touch..

I was once a member of the Henry Doubleday association(organic gardening science).. I suppose that makes me a lifetime member.. Comfrey was their catch-cry. The CSIRO banned them because comfrey may cause liver cancer in rats.. emphasis on .. may.. remember this.. we may look like rats to some others but rats we are not.
The age old knitbone is a wonder in the case of fractured framework.
The active ingredient is Allointin.

Comfrey is a great compost maker but requires a rather damp spot to survive. Damp spots are costly for me to keep up, so I lost my comfrey plants when the price of water went from free to expensive.

bon008 said:

justin said:

Happy Potter said:

Morning green ones, I’m all ready for my trip to St Erth with my friend, looking forward to having a relaxing day.

Comfry, I want to learn how to use it for our and animals benefit. In my current herb study for all it’s good I came across this site in my search. Interesting read. http://herbsarespecial.com.au/free-herb-information/comfrey.html

To say that two leaves, eaten daily – over a couple of years – will cause serious disease, is simply not true. In our house, we have eaten 70 leaves, or thereabouts, daily, for 24 years: in the form of comfrey tea, liquidised in a vitamiser as a green drink, and in salads. I also fed comfrey to my farm animals. Knowing the power of comfrey to restore a worn out animal quickly, and make her milk again…

very interesting as you say – hmmm? – not sure?

Not that I know anything about comfrey, but to me that’s no different to the people who say “I’ve smoked for 50 years and I’m healthy!” or “we didn’t have baby carseats when you were a baby, and you’re fine!”. Not really a sound basis for decision making.

I wonder if there’s any science out there on comfrey? I’m intrigued now.

the basis of the warning seems to be on the fact it contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which, according to Wikipedia

Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) are a group of naturally occurring alkaloids based on the structure of pyrrolizidine. Pyrrolizidine alkaloids are produced by plants as a defense mechanism against insect herbivores. More than 660 PAs and PA N-oxides have been identified in over 6,000 plants, and about half of them exhibit hepatotoxicity. They are found frequently in plants in the Boraginaceae, Asteraceae, Orchidaceae and Leguminosae families; less frequently in the Convolvulaceae and Poaceae, and in at least one species in the Lamiaceae. It has been estimated that 3% of the world’s flowering plants contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids. Honey can contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids, as can grains, milk, offal and eggs. To date (2011), there is no international regulation of PAs in food, unlike those for herbs and medicines.

Unsaturated pyrrolizidine alkaloids are hepatotoxic, that is, damaging to the liver. PAs also cause hepatic veno-occlusive disease and liver cancer. PAs are tumorigenic. Disease associated with consumption of PAs is known as pyrrolizidine alkaloidosis.

Of concern is the health risk associated with the use of medicinal herbs that contain PAs, notably borage leaf, comfrey and coltsfoot in the West, and some Chinese medicinal herbs.

Some ruminate animals, for example cattle, showed no change in liver enzyme activities or any clinical signs of poisoning when fed plants containing pyrrolizidine alkaloids. Yet Australian studies have demonstrated toxicity. Sheep, goats and cattle are much more resistant and tolerate much higher PA dosages, thought to be due to thorough detoxification via PA-destroying rumen microbes. Males react more sensitively than females and fetuses and children.

so is it a case of comfrey contains the liver damaging type, or has been conveniently bundled into that group by pharmaceutical companies who have a vested interest in discouraging home and herbal remedies?

bluegreen said:

bon008 said:

justin said:

Not that I know anything about comfrey, but to me that’s no different to the people who say “I’ve smoked for 50 years and I’m healthy!” or “we didn’t have baby carseats when you were a baby, and you’re fine!”. Not really a sound basis for decision making.

I wonder if there’s any science out there on comfrey? I’m intrigued now.

the basis of the warning seems to be on the fact it contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which, according to Wikipedia

Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) are a group of naturally occurring alkaloids based on the structure of pyrrolizidine. Pyrrolizidine alkaloids are produced by plants as a defense mechanism against insect herbivores. More than 660 PAs and PA N-oxides have been identified in over 6,000 plants, and about half of them exhibit hepatotoxicity. They are found frequently in plants in the Boraginaceae, Asteraceae, Orchidaceae and Leguminosae families; less frequently in the Convolvulaceae and Poaceae, and in at least one species in the Lamiaceae. It has been estimated that 3% of the world’s flowering plants contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids. Honey can contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids, as can grains, milk, offal and eggs. To date (2011), there is no international regulation of PAs in food, unlike those for herbs and medicines.

Unsaturated pyrrolizidine alkaloids are hepatotoxic, that is, damaging to the liver. PAs also cause hepatic veno-occlusive disease and liver cancer. PAs are tumorigenic. Disease associated with consumption of PAs is known as pyrrolizidine alkaloidosis.

Of concern is the health risk associated with the use of medicinal herbs that contain PAs, notably borage leaf, comfrey and coltsfoot in the West, and some Chinese medicinal herbs.

Some ruminate animals, for example cattle, showed no change in liver enzyme activities or any clinical signs of poisoning when fed plants containing pyrrolizidine alkaloids. Yet Australian studies have demonstrated toxicity. Sheep, goats and cattle are much more resistant and tolerate much higher PA dosages, thought to be due to thorough detoxification via PA-destroying rumen microbes. Males react more sensitively than females and fetuses and children.

so is it a case of comfrey contains the liver damaging type, or has been conveniently bundled into that group by pharmaceutical companies who have a vested interest in discouraging home and herbal remedies?

it is more a case of .. it may damage our livestock industry.

Seriously.. thousands of toxic weeds already exist in the landscape which are hardy and may escape into the wild. The likelyhood of comfrey doing this in the Australian climate is low in general though it is possible in the higher rainfall cooler parts .. like.

The possibility of damage to humans is way overstated.. scientifically.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Compost-Doubleday-Research-Association-Gardeners/dp/B0000CKBYW

http://www.herbsarespecial.com.au/free-herb-information/comfrey.html

http://www.gardenorganic.org.uk/about_us/history.php

some old cars and an aeroplane

I was wondering how long before borage was mentioned.
I grew both borage and comfrey at my previous residence in the Adelaide Hills.
I ate both too. The Russian comfrey definitely sent my head spinning, in an uncomfortable way, when I included it in a soup, so I’ve never eaten it since.
The borage never caused any ailments but it was never a tasty food IMHO.

I had a week or more of having a spoonful of molasses each day.
That resulted in a violent session of wishing I were dead whilst seated on the toilet.

I’m growing comfrey for the compost but not growing borage.
Molasses is used as a liquid fertiliser and is dissolved in the chook mash once a fortnight.
If there were other uses recommended for any of these three I would try them.

justin said:

I was wondering how long before borage was mentioned.
I grew both borage and comfrey at my previous residence in the Adelaide Hills.
I ate both too. The Russian comfrey definitely sent my head spinning, in an uncomfortable way, when I included it in a soup, so I’ve never eaten it since.
The borage never caused any ailments but it was never a tasty food IMHO.

I had a week or more of having a spoonful of molasses each day.
That resulted in a violent session of wishing I were dead whilst seated on the toilet.

I’m growing comfrey for the compost but not growing borage.
Molasses is used as a liquid fertiliser and is dissolved in the chook mash once a fortnight.
If there were other uses recommended for any of these three I would try them.

If anything, you should grow borage for the bees.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/99559986@N00/4869956409/
http://www.flickr.com/search/?w=99559986%40N00&q=Borage&m=text

Borage flowers make beautiful sights on both orange and blood orange juice drinks. the youngest leaves are less prickly and do taste like cucumber in salads.

Borage flowers make beautiful sights on both orange and blood orange juice drinks. the youngest leaves are less prickly and do taste like cucumber in salads.

————————————————————————

ok – that’s a couple of challenges I’ll gladly accept.

need to buy a bit of borage.
great closeups as usual RB
- the plant is a bit scraggly-looking in real life – but it certainly attracts bees.

justin said:

Borage flowers make beautiful sights on both orange and blood orange juice drinks. the youngest leaves are less prickly and do taste like cucumber in salads.

————————————————————————

ok – that’s a couple of challenges I’ll gladly accept.

need to buy a bit of borage.
great closeups as usual RB
- the plant is a bit scraggly-looking in real life – but it certainly attracts bees.

I could just mail you some seed.. when I actually bother to try and harvest some.. This season I haven’t treally noticed any plants, which is odd.

roughbarked said:

justin said:

I was wondering how long before borage was mentioned.
I grew both borage and comfrey at my previous residence in the Adelaide Hills.
I ate both too. The Russian comfrey definitely sent my head spinning, in an uncomfortable way, when I included it in a soup, so I’ve never eaten it since.
The borage never caused any ailments but it was never a tasty food IMHO.

I had a week or more of having a spoonful of molasses each day.
That resulted in a violent session of wishing I were dead whilst seated on the toilet.

I’m growing comfrey for the compost but not growing borage.
Molasses is used as a liquid fertiliser and is dissolved in the chook mash once a fortnight.
If there were other uses recommended for any of these three I would try them.

If anything, you should grow borage for the bees.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/99559986@N00/4869956409/
http://www.flickr.com/search/?w=99559986%40N00&q=Borage&m=text

Borage flowers make beautiful sights on both orange and blood orange juice drinks. the youngest leaves are less prickly and do taste like cucumber in salads.

Borage is being planted in my strawberry bed for this reason. I remember you mentioning it before, to bring bees. I don’t have to get a hive now as other’s around me have them.

justin said:

If there were other uses recommended for any of these three I would try them.

I use a slurry of molasses if the compost heap just stops working…not recommended of course if the heap is anaerobic…

Good morning gardeners. I will be doing pottering, weeding and grass cutting today. I think. The grass is a bit wet at the moment, but you never know, by this afternoon it might be dry enough for the recycler.

Now, out into the weeds. Yesterday I found a juvenile bluetongue lounging amongst the irises. I wonder if it is still there. I weeded sort of around it so it still had some cover. I dropped a worm on its nose at one stage too. I think it ate the worm….slowly. They are pretty sluggish in the cold. It just opened its eyes and looked at me.

Have taken spinach, brocolli and lemon jelly to share around the neighbourhood. Picked a big cauli, the last of the komatos, 4 leeks (not the biggest you’ll ever see) fennel and a few broad beans. Also picked a 1.6kg pawpaw but it’s been rubbed by the shade cloth that’s been protecting it from the sun since the leaves all fell off. Such a shame. Not sure whether to eat it now before it’s fully ripe or risk that I’ll lose half of it due to the bruising it’s had if I leave it any longer. I love paw paw but I like them full flavoured and sweet.

Potatoes are powering.

buffy said:

Good morning gardeners. I will be doing pottering, weeding and grass cutting today. I think. The grass is a bit wet at the moment, but you never know, by this afternoon it might be dry enough for the recycler.

Now, out into the weeds. Yesterday I found a juvenile bluetongue lounging amongst the irises. I wonder if it is still there. I weeded sort of around it so it still had some cover. I dropped a worm on its nose at one stage too. I think it ate the worm….slowly. They are pretty sluggish in the cold. It just opened its eyes and looked at me.

I haen’t seen a bluetongue for years. They were always around where we used to live but don’t seem to live in this neck of the woods.

I used to put water melon down for them. they love it.

I’ve got some beetroot, some silver beet and a few asparagus spears for picking at present. Oh, and various loose leaf lettuces. I should bandicoot around the parsnips and see if they are big enough to pull yet. Might have some turnip too, but I didn’t thin the seedlings, so they are pretty squashed together. I am in the process of getting the summer stuff underway. The broccoli and mini cabbage seedlings that have been pretty dormant are now growing, as is the celery. And the climbing peas have started to flower. My broad beans are in flower, but it’s still a bit early for them to produce yet. I have potatoes growing too (Nicola), so I’m hoping to have some for Christmas if I am lucky.

Good morning Roughbarked and Buffy. If you are still around that is.

I think this is the bluetongue that was a baby last (?) year or the year before. I should have a photo somewhere, with it curled up next to my secateurs. I’ll see if I can find the picture.

buffy said:

I’ve got some beetroot, some silver beet and a few asparagus spears for picking at present. Oh, and various loose leaf lettuces. I should bandicoot around the parsnips and see if they are big enough to pull yet. Might have some turnip too, but I didn’t thin the seedlings, so they are pretty squashed together. I am in the process of getting the summer stuff underway. The broccoli and mini cabbage seedlings that have been pretty dormant are now growing, as is the celery. And the climbing peas have started to flower. My broad beans are in flower, but it’s still a bit early for them to produce yet. I have potatoes growing too (Nicola), so I’m hoping to have some for Christmas if I am lucky.

I forgot about the lettuce. Gave some of them away too. We grew the yellow beetroot and they were a disappointment. Tasted like beetroot but a dismal crop. Never grown celery. Should give it a go.

pomolo said:

Good morning Roughbarked and Buffy. If you are still around that is.

good mornings.

um, reading about your leeks.. Here’s what I do with leeks. When harvesting for the pot I run the sharp knife in a circular motion just above the roots, not cutting all the way through. Then I twist the top off for the kitchen leaving the core and base of the leek for replanting. Within a week I can see my new replacement leek emerging.

Here is the baby:

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n245/lizza_06/Penshurst%20garden/BabybluetongueDec09.jpg

We have had mature ones too, just wandering around:

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n245/lizza_06/Penshurst%20garden/Bluetongue4Jan09.jpg

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n245/lizza_06/Penshurst%20garden/Bluetongue24Jan09.jpg

And this one shows you how concerned about us this one was……that’s Mr buffy lying down to take the above photos. The lizard just wandered up past him, between him and the fence. You can see its tail beside him:

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n245/lizza_06/Penshurst%20garden/Bluetongueencounter4Jan09.jpg

:)

pomolo said:

buffy said:

I’ve got some beetroot, some silver beet and a few asparagus spears for picking at present. Oh, and various loose leaf lettuces. I should bandicoot around the parsnips and see if they are big enough to pull yet. Might have some turnip too, but I didn’t thin the seedlings, so they are pretty squashed together. I am in the process of getting the summer stuff underway. The broccoli and mini cabbage seedlings that have been pretty dormant are now growing, as is the celery. And the climbing peas have started to flower. My broad beans are in flower, but it’s still a bit early for them to produce yet. I have potatoes growing too (Nicola), so I’m hoping to have some for Christmas if I am lucky.

I forgot about the lettuce. Gave some of them away too. We grew the yellow beetroot and they were a disappointment. Tasted like beetroot but a dismal crop. Never grown celery. Should give it a go.

celery really needs a huge amount of water.

roughbarked said:

pomolo said:

Good morning Roughbarked and Buffy. If you are still around that is.

good mornings.

um, reading about your leeks.. Here’s what I do with leeks. When harvesting for the pot I run the sharp knife in a circular motion just above the roots, not cutting all the way through. Then I twist the top off for the kitchen leaving the core and base of the leek for replanting. Within a week I can see my new replacement leek emerging.

You’re kidding! Do they get to a usable size? that’s what I do with shallots and chives.

I intend to treat the celery like the looseleaf lettuces. Just pulling off outside stems. I expect them to be quite strong in flavour as they won’t be water forced. And I also expect to have to peel off the strings. So I guess I’ll be using it more as a flavouring than as a veggie. We shall see.

I’m going weeding. Back later.

buffy said:

Here is the baby:

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n245/lizza_06/Penshurst%20garden/BabybluetongueDec09.jpg

We have had mature ones too, just wandering around:

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n245/lizza_06/Penshurst%20garden/Bluetongue4Jan09.jpg

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n245/lizza_06/Penshurst%20garden/Bluetongue24Jan09.jpg

And this one shows you how concerned about us this one was……that’s Mr buffy lying down to take the above photos. The lizard just wandered up past him, between him and the fence. You can see its tail beside him:

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n245/lizza_06/Penshurst%20garden/Bluetongueencounter4Jan09.jpg

:)

those pics bring back memories.

roughbarked said:

pomolo said:

buffy said:

I’ve got some beetroot, some silver beet and a few asparagus spears for picking at present. Oh, and various loose leaf lettuces. I should bandicoot around the parsnips and see if they are big enough to pull yet. Might have some turnip too, but I didn’t thin the seedlings, so they are pretty squashed together. I am in the process of getting the summer stuff underway. The broccoli and mini cabbage seedlings that have been pretty dormant are now growing, as is the celery. And the climbing peas have started to flower. My broad beans are in flower, but it’s still a bit early for them to produce yet. I have potatoes growing too (Nicola), so I’m hoping to have some for Christmas if I am lucky.

I forgot about the lettuce. Gave some of them away too. We grew the yellow beetroot and they were a disappointment. Tasted like beetroot but a dismal crop. Never grown celery. Should give it a go.

celery really needs a huge amount of water.

Water isn’t really a problem for the gardens. thankls to the dam.

buffy said:

I’m going weeding. Back later.

I’m off to the river, fairy house hunting. LOL.

pomolo said:

roughbarked said:

pomolo said:

Good morning Roughbarked and Buffy. If you are still around that is.

good mornings.

um, reading about your leeks.. Here’s what I do with leeks. When harvesting for the pot I run the sharp knife in a circular motion just above the roots, not cutting all the way through. Then I twist the top off for the kitchen leaving the core and base of the leek for replanting. Within a week I can see my new replacement leek emerging.

You’re kidding! Do they get to a usable size? that’s what I do with shallots and chives.

Yes it does work especially well with leeks chives and garlic it can also be done with all the onions too, though onions may tend to flower and seed, if out of season. I keep a lot of vegetables in the soil rather than inside the house, until I need them.

I have an aunt who befriended a blue tongue in her back yard. She gave it a name called it and fed it peanut butter. It disappeared for a while (bruminating?) then one day she saw one and called it and it came up to her, so it was the same one.

bluegreen said:

I have an aunt who befriended a blue tongue in her back yard. She gave it a name called it and fed it peanut butter. It disappeared for a while (bruminating?) then one day she saw one and called it and it came up to her, so it was the same one.

I have magpies that chase other people but walk across my feet.

My own bearded dragons and blue tongues will alow me to come within inches but those in the wild will disappear in a puff of dust if my shadow comes near them.

buffy said:

Good morning gardeners. I will be doing pottering, weeding and grass cutting today. I think. The grass is a bit wet at the moment, but you never know, by this afternoon it might be dry enough for the recycler.

Now, out into the weeds. Yesterday I found a juvenile bluetongue lounging amongst the irises. I wonder if it is still there. I weeded sort of around it so it still had some cover. I dropped a worm on its nose at one stage too. I think it ate the worm….slowly. They are pretty sluggish in the cold. It just opened its eyes and looked at me.

you dropped a worm on its nose – chuckle – poor creature is a little confused as well as cold now LOL.

only one bluetongue and one skink spotted in this garden so far.

buffy said:

Here is the baby:

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n245/lizza_06/Penshurst%20garden/BabybluetongueDec09.jpg

We have had mature ones too, just wandering around:

And this one shows you how concerned about us this one was……that’s Mr buffy lying down to take the above photos. The lizard just wandered up past him, between him and the fence. You can see its tail beside him:

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n245/lizza_06/Penshurst%20garden/Bluetongueencounter4Jan09.jpg

:)

if you put a ! (exclamation mark) before and after those http numbers it show the photos to us without the cut and paste

geat shots!

roughbarked said:

pomolo said:

buffy said:

I’ve got some beetroot, some silver beet and a few asparagus spears for picking at present. Oh, and various loose leaf lettuces. I should bandicoot around the parsnips and see if they are big enough to pull yet. Might have some turnip too, but I didn’t thin the seedlings, so they are pretty squashed together. I am in the process of getting the summer stuff underway. The broccoli and mini cabbage seedlings that have been pretty dormant are now growing, as is the celery. And the climbing peas have started to flower. My broad beans are in flower, but it’s still a bit early for them to produce yet. I have potatoes growing too (Nicola), so I’m hoping to have some for Christmas if I am lucky.

I forgot about the lettuce. Gave some of them away too. We grew the yellow beetroot and they were a disappointment. Tasted like beetroot but a dismal crop. Never grown celery. Should give it a go.

celery really needs a huge amount of water.

grow celery in winter for that reason.
so if the wet in coming (- and q’billy stores stock celery punnets -) try some after the first rains.

justin said:

buffy said:

Good morning gardeners. I will be doing pottering, weeding and grass cutting today. I think. The grass is a bit wet at the moment, but you never know, by this afternoon it might be dry enough for the recycler.

Now, out into the weeds. Yesterday I found a juvenile bluetongue lounging amongst the irises. I wonder if it is still there. I weeded sort of around it so it still had some cover. I dropped a worm on its nose at one stage too. I think it ate the worm….slowly. They are pretty sluggish in the cold. It just opened its eyes and looked at me.

you dropped a worm on its nose – chuckle – poor creature is a little confused as well as cold now LOL.

only one bluetongue and one skink spotted in this garden so far.

Up and back on my recent trip to White Cliffs I was dodging bearded dragons sitting on the road everywhere. Also saw snakes people had killed. Too busy doing that to notice sharp rocks so did get two flat tyres.

buffy said:

I intend to treat the celery like the looseleaf lettuces. Just pulling off outside stems. I expect them to be quite strong in flavour as they won’t be water forced. And I also expect to have to peel off the strings. So I guess I’ll be using it more as a flavouring than as a veggie. We shall see.

if you plant them close together (only 100 – 150mm apart) in 2 rows they do self blanche. unfortunately snail and slug plagues will ruin them some years – and the old milf carton coat will make it impossible to get at the snails so i don’t board up at all..
yes – pick a few leaves at a time .

justin said:

roughbarked said:

pomolo said:

I forgot about the lettuce. Gave some of them away too. We grew the yellow beetroot and they were a disappointment. Tasted like beetroot but a dismal crop. Never grown celery. Should give it a go.

celery really needs a huge amount of water.

grow celery in winter for that reason.
so if the wet in coming (- and q’billy stores stock celery punnets -) try some after the first rains.

I can only grow it in the cooler months. It would be different if I could just throw a siphon or a pump in a passing channel as so many do.. Some people get water for free but this is very unequal theft of equity from others.

roughbarked said:

justin said:

buffy said:

Good morning gardeners. I will be doing pottering, weeding and grass cutting today. I think. The grass is a bit wet at the moment, but you never know, by this afternoon it might be dry enough for the recycler.

Now, out into the weeds. Yesterday I found a juvenile bluetongue lounging amongst the irises. I wonder if it is still there. I weeded sort of around it so it still had some cover. I dropped a worm on its nose at one stage too. I think it ate the worm….slowly. They are pretty sluggish in the cold. It just opened its eyes and looked at me.

you dropped a worm on its nose – chuckle – poor creature is a little confused as well as cold now LOL.

only one bluetongue and one skink spotted in this garden so far.

Up and back on my recent trip to White Cliffs I was dodging bearded dragons sitting on the road everywhere. Also saw snakes people had killed. Too busy doing that to notice sharp rocks so did get two flat tyres.

you’re a good man – the bearded dragons are common roadkill here. stupid bloody creatures seem to sunbake on the bitumen.

Grazing animals generally prune the plants, leaving the roots to recreate more forage.

I try to emulate them as much as possible.

roughbarked said:

bluegreen said:

I have an aunt who befriended a blue tongue in her back yard. She gave it a name called it and fed it peanut butter. It disappeared for a while (bruminating?) then one day she saw one and called it and it came up to her, so it was the same one.

I have magpies that chase other people but walk across my feet.

My own bearded dragons and blue tongues will alow me to come within inches but those in the wild will disappear in a puff of dust if my shadow comes near them.

i must get back to forking soon – but i am being stalked by my friendly new holland honeyeater. usually it’s the willy wagtails and murray magpies that are keeping an eye on my activities but they are currently absent for some unknown reason.
the wagtail and m.magpie are so aggressive and such good acrobats that they often chase off the bigger magpies and crows, even dive bombing the kites and falcons at times.

the second flat tyre cost me $230 for a $25 repair.

if you right click you can go and read the comment..

Thanks justin, I do know about the !, but I choose not to embed unless the picture is quite small, as there are still some people using pedal power internet.

Update: The bluetongue has moved, but is still quite close to where he/she was yesterday. I thought it had been attacked, but on closer inspection I think it is just starting to shed. I found another worm and some snails for it. I think it ate the worms, but I didn’t stay watching for too long….there were weeds offending me.

My neighbour just dropped in to give me a load of fresh grape marc.. off to play in it.

roughbarked said:

the second flat tyre cost me $230 for a $25 repair.

why?

buffy said:

Thanks justin, I do know about the !, but I choose not to embed unless the picture is quite small, as there are still some people using pedal power internet.

Update: The bluetongue has moved, but is still quite close to where he/she was yesterday. I thought it had been attacked, but on closer inspection I think it is just starting to shed. I found another worm and some snails for it. I think it ate the worms, but I didn’t stay watching for too long….there were weeds offending me.

good point about the download size.

roughbarked said:

My neighbour just dropped in to give me a load of fresh grape marc.. off to play in it.

my daughter just bought me a pot of four borage seedlings ..off to plant them.

I meant to say (I don’t think anyone else mentioned it) that borage flowers frozen inside iceblocks are very pretty in a summer drink.

We’ve been for a pub lunch and cut grass for an incapacitated friend, and I turned over most of his veggie garden. It was easy digging, it’s been worked for some time. He’s still in rehabilitation in Melbourne after a nasty car accident. I’ll get Mr buffy to ask him what/if he would like me to plant for veggies for when he can come home….in about a month, we hope. The crash was in March. It’s a long, slow road back.

roughbarked said:

justin said:

buffy said:

Good morning gardeners. I will be doing pottering, weeding and grass cutting today. I think. The grass is a bit wet at the moment, but you never know, by this afternoon it might be dry enough for the recycler.

Now, out into the weeds. Yesterday I found a juvenile bluetongue lounging amongst the irises. I wonder if it is still there. I weeded sort of around it so it still had some cover. I dropped a worm on its nose at one stage too. I think it ate the worm….slowly. They are pretty sluggish in the cold. It just opened its eyes and looked at me.

you dropped a worm on its nose – chuckle – poor creature is a little confused as well as cold now LOL.

only one bluetongue and one skink spotted in this garden so far.

Up and back on my recent trip to White Cliffs I was dodging bearded dragons sitting on the road everywhere. Also saw snakes people had killed. Too busy doing that to notice sharp rocks so did get two flat tyres.

I saw my first snake for the season, this morning. Fortunately we were visiting friends and this big brown was in their yard. Boy O Boy could it move. Now my radar is working overtime.

justin said:

buffy said:

I intend to treat the celery like the looseleaf lettuces. Just pulling off outside stems. I expect them to be quite strong in flavour as they won’t be water forced. And I also expect to have to peel off the strings. So I guess I’ll be using it more as a flavouring than as a veggie. We shall see.

if you plant them close together (only 100 – 150mm apart) in 2 rows they do self blanche. unfortunately snail and slug plagues will ruin them some years – and the old milf carton coat will make it impossible to get at the snails so i don’t board up at all..
yes – pick a few leaves at a time .

A couple of handy hints there.

roughbarked said:

the second flat tyre cost me $230 for a $25 repair.

Call it carbon tax. Everybody is doing it.

buffy said:

I meant to say (I don’t think anyone else mentioned it) that borage flowers frozen inside iceblocks are very pretty in a summer drink.

We’ve been for a pub lunch and cut grass for an incapacitated friend, and I turned over most of his veggie garden. It was easy digging, it’s been worked for some time. He’s still in rehabilitation in Melbourne after a nasty car accident. I’ll get Mr buffy to ask him what/if he would like me to plant for veggies for when he can come home….in about a month, we hope. The crash was in March. It’s a long, slow road back.

Special pats on the back for Mr and Mrs Buffy. I mean it too.

pomolo said:

buffy said:

I’m going weeding. Back later.

I’m off to the river, fairy house hunting. LOL.

No decent bits of wood at the river. Lots of wood but mostly sticks and tree trunks. Leftovers from the last flood.

Will have to make a new plan for another day.

justin said:

buffy said:

Here is the baby:

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n245/lizza_06/Penshurst%20garden/BabybluetongueDec09.jpg

We have had mature ones too, just wandering around:

And this one shows you how concerned about us this one was……that’s Mr buffy lying down to take the above photos. The lizard just wandered up past him, between him and the fence. You can see its tail beside him:

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n245/lizza_06/Penshurst%20garden/Bluetongueencounter4Jan09.jpg

:)

if you put a ! (exclamation mark) before and after those http numbers it show the photos to us without the cut and paste

geat shots!

Nice shot, right at the Tip of Queensland recently I saw my first ever Qbilly Blue Tongue, they are commonplace in SA so was always disappointed when I did not see them up here. But the one at the Cape was really long and had distinctive striping. Photo somewhere…

justin said:

roughbarked said:

justin said:

you dropped a worm on its nose – chuckle – poor creature is a little confused as well as cold now LOL.

only one bluetongue and one skink spotted in this garden so far.

Up and back on my recent trip to White Cliffs I was dodging bearded dragons sitting on the road everywhere. Also saw snakes people had killed. Too busy doing that to notice sharp rocks so did get two flat tyres.

you’re a good man – the bearded dragons are common roadkill here. stupid bloody creatures seem to sunbake on the bitumen.

Again up the Cape recently, I avoided a Frill Necked Lizard and a Goanna, and also a Coastal Taipan. Got photos of the Taipan somewhere…

roughbarked said:

if you right click you can go and read the comment..

cool shot!

been out riding my motorbike :)

couldn’t turn down a lovely sunny day ;)

justin said:

roughbarked said:

the second flat tyre cost me $230 for a $25 repair.

why?

$80 per hour plus call out fee $50 plus 70 c per KM plus $25 for the repair plus GST.

pomolo said:

justin said:

buffy said:

I intend to treat the celery like the looseleaf lettuces. Just pulling off outside stems. I expect them to be quite strong in flavour as they won’t be water forced. And I also expect to have to peel off the strings. So I guess I’ll be using it more as a flavouring than as a veggie. We shall see.

if you plant them close together (only 100 – 150mm apart) in 2 rows they do self blanche. unfortunately snail and slug plagues will ruin them some years – and the old milf carton coat will make it impossible to get at the snails so i don’t board up at all..
yes – pick a few leaves at a time .

A couple of handy hints there.

I planted my celery close together because of lack of space. It worked fine. Chickens sorted any slimey creatures.
smug look

bluegreen said:

been out riding my motorbike :)

couldn’t turn down a lovely sunny day ;)

:D

Baby Bluetongue has moved. I’ll have to be careful where I put my feet over that part of the yard. I don’t want to step on it.

Now. I seem to have some young turnips. How do you make turnip edible?

buffy said:

Baby Bluetongue has moved. I’ll have to be careful where I put my feet over that part of the yard. I don’t want to step on it.

Now. I seem to have some young turnips. How do you make turnip edible?

you cook them with a stone.. and when the stone is soft, you throw out the turnip and eat the stone?

Actually such root vegetables make good soup and stew stocks.

Actually, you can roast them with carrots, beetroot, potatoes and carrots, with garlic and thyme. Apparently. Might try that tomorrow.

roughbarked said:

buffy said:

Baby Bluetongue has moved. I’ll have to be careful where I put my feet over that part of the yard. I don’t want to step on it.

Now. I seem to have some young turnips. How do you make turnip edible?

you cook them with a stone.. and when the stone is soft, you throw out the turnip and eat the stone?

Actually such root vegetables make good soup and stew stocks.

love turnips baked or in soups. Baby turnips would be nice steamed as a side vegetable, or you could mash with some butter and pepper.

bluegreen said:

been out riding my motorbike :)

couldn’t turn down a lovely sunny day ;)

nice.

buffy said:

Baby Bluetongue has moved. I’ll have to be careful where I put my feet over that part of the yard. I don’t want to step on it.

Now. I seem to have some young turnips. How do you make turnip edible?

dice and add to carrot, parsnip, potato and lamb and wrap in a pastry. Called a Pastie I think….

Just took a walk around and counted 30 different Eremophila species in my garden. Planted another 500 cuttings.

If I ever become a Grey Nomad, RoughBarked, I’m gonna visit your garden…

Dinetta said:

If I ever become a Grey Nomad, RoughBarked, I’m gonna visit your garden…

Of course you would be welcome but for now, just go to http://www.flickr.com/photos/99559986@N00/sets/?&page=2 check out the Eremophila set or my backyard set.. etc..

I even have some that I have no idea of the species.. http://tokyo3.org/forums/holiday/topics/2429/

roughbarked said:

Just took a walk around and counted 30 different Eremophila species in my garden. Planted another 500 cuttings.

Lovely!

Also watched two mallee ringnecks chase off two magpies and around 8 blue faced honeyeaters unsuccsessful at trying to shift mother sparrowhawk off her nest.

walking around is a bit like this..

Good morning gardeners. I’m about to head outside to do yet more weeding. I’ve noticed this morning that a pair of ravens are building a nest very high in the old gum tree that is next to the prop clothes line. We’ve had maggie nesting up there before, but I’ve not seen the ravens there.

And I looked up what a group of ravens is called the other day. I knew you had a murder of crows, but our corvids are ravens. Apparently you have an unkindness of ravens.

:)

There are some great group names in this list:

http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/about/faqs/animals/names.htm

buffy said:

Good morning gardeners. I’m about to head outside to do yet more weeding. I’ve noticed this morning that a pair of ravens are building a nest very high in the old gum tree that is next to the prop clothes line. We’ve had maggie nesting up there before, but I’ve not seen the ravens there.

And I looked up what a group of ravens is called the other day. I knew you had a murder of crows, but our corvids are ravens. Apparently you have an unkindness of ravens.

:)

they get a bad rep..

They are sleek and glossy and the colours refracted off their feathers are gorgeous. I could do without the monotonous sound at times though. And their babies are noisier than maggie chicks!

Now….weeds.

Baby bluetongue update…..taking it’s life into its hands, it headed off for a walk. Luckily I look when I am mowing. I moved it back onto a garden bed. Now it is sitting halfway through the fence between our place and the neighbour’s. Looking at my broadbeans and seedlings. I have advised it that fingers will be pointed if my seedlings get their heads bitten off…..

buffy said:

Good morning gardeners. I’m about to head outside to do yet more weeding. I’ve noticed this morning that a pair of ravens are building a nest very high in the old gum tree that is next to the prop clothes line. We’ve had maggie nesting up there before, but I’ve not seen the ravens there.

And I looked up what a group of ravens is called the other day. I knew you had a murder of crows, but our corvids are ravens. Apparently you have an unkindness of ravens.

:)

pm makes note of this… an unkindness eh?

Now that I am not weeding and pushing a mower, it seems to be colder than it was before! I guess I will have to get a small fire going to warm up the house a bit.

buffy said:

Now that I am not weeding and pushing a mower, it seems to be colder than it was before! I guess I will have to get a small fire going to warm up the house a bit.

currently 0.6C at Mt Hotham and 36.6C at Telfer Airport, so I would guess you are somewhere closer to Hotham then you are to WA.

SouthWest Victoria, just a bit South of Hamilton. It is 11 degrees outside at the moment. I was quite warm while cleaning and working outside, but sitting here in just a t-shirt is starting to get a bit brisk now.

buffy said:

SouthWest Victoria, just a bit South of Hamilton. It is 11 degrees outside at the moment. I was quite warm while cleaning and working outside, but sitting here in just a t-shirt is starting to get a bit brisk now.

25C here and a bit overcast. Would be great to see a drop of rain.

buffy said:

I meant to say (I don’t think anyone else mentioned it) that borage flowers frozen inside iceblocks are very pretty in a summer drink.

We’ve been for a pub lunch and cut grass for an incapacitated friend, and I turned over most of his veggie garden. It was easy digging, it’s been worked for some time. He’s still in rehabilitation in Melbourne after a nasty car accident. I’ll get Mr buffy to ask him what/if he would like me to plant for veggies for when he can come home….in about a month, we hope. The crash was in March. It’s a long, slow road back.

thanks for the cosmetic tip re the borage.
i have four borage plants up and growing. that was quick ah but? they look a lot like artichokes at the earlier seedling stage.

I saw my first snake for the season, this morning. Fortunately we were visiting friends and this big brown was in their yard. Boy O Boy could it move. Now my radar is working overtime.

———————————
none here yet – but i foresee another season of gripping snake tales coming LOL.

btw
i have cleaned, sprayed and oiled the henhouse, bottled 19 bottles of orange melomel (wine), and made and bottled 130 stubbies on non-alcoholic lemonade.
so just called me HP2 – LOL.

roughbarked said:

justin said:

roughbarked said:

the second flat tyre cost me $230 for a $25 repair.

why?

$80 per hour plus call out fee $50 plus 70 c per KM plus $25 for the repair plus GST.

oh – sorry about that – it’s a bugger when it happens in the never- never and the spare has been used. :(

Happy Potter said:

pomolo said:

justin said:

if you plant them close together (only 100 – 150mm apart) in 2 rows they do self blanche. unfortunately snail and slug plagues will ruin them some years – and the old milf carton coat will make it impossible to get at the snails so i don’t board up at all..
yes – pick a few leaves at a time .

A couple of handy hints there.

I planted my celery close together because of lack of space. It worked fine. Chickens sorted any slimey creatures.
smug look

- but do you still pick yours a whole bunch at a time?

buffy said:

Baby Bluetongue has moved. I’ll have to be careful where I put my feet over that part of the yard. I don’t want to step on it.

Now. I seem to have some young turnips. How do you make turnip edible?

cornish pasties – actually down there in australia felix – you should be cooking them for winter warmth – do you want the recipe?

painmaster said:

buffy said:

Baby Bluetongue has moved. I’ll have to be careful where I put my feet over that part of the yard. I don’t want to step on it.

Now. I seem to have some young turnips. How do you make turnip edible?

dice and add to carrot, parsnip, potato and lamb and wrap in a pastry. Called a Pastie I think….

dice ? – mince i do believe cousing jack.

buffy said:

SouthWest Victoria, just a bit South of Hamilton. It is 11 degrees outside at the moment. I was quite warm while cleaning and working outside, but sitting here in just a t-shirt is starting to get a bit brisk now.

might I suggest a jumper or two.
i“ve lit bonfire. 30 minutes of extreme flames and heat then smoke as the bottom layer prove they are still damp.

Pasties is all I’ve used turnip for in the past. I presently have a mix of carrot, parsnip, beetroot, turnip and potato pieces roasting in olive oil, a smidge of duck fat and some chopped thyme. Smells good.

Also chocolate cake in the oven, for chocolate cake and custard dessert.

buffy said:

Pasties is all I’ve used turnip for in the past. I presently have a mix of carrot, parsnip, beetroot, turnip and potato pieces roasting in olive oil, a smidge of duck fat and some chopped thyme. Smells good.

Also chocolate cake in the oven, for chocolate cake and custard dessert.

sounds good – homemade pasta here – and I have just tasted the parmesan – and it is excellent.

And indeed, turnip is quite edible roasted like that.

:)

(Mr buffy is not entirely convinced)

buffy said:

And indeed, turnip is quite edible roasted like that.

:)

(Mr buffy is not entirely convinced)

I’ve never bothered growing turnips because I was never over fond of baked turnip which is about the only way I ever got it as a child.

justin said:

painmaster said:

buffy said:

Baby Bluetongue has moved. I’ll have to be careful where I put my feet over that part of the yard. I don’t want to step on it.

Now. I seem to have some young turnips. How do you make turnip edible?

dice and add to carrot, parsnip, potato and lamb and wrap in a pastry. Called a Pastie I think….

dice ? – mince i do believe cousing jack.

oh mince filling in a pastie is disgustingly horrible and the thing I cannot stand about Queensland and its poor Pastie making ability! The vegetables need to be tiny little dices just like Balfours know best.

justin said:

I saw my first snake for the season, this morning. Fortunately we were visiting friends and this big brown was in their yard. Boy O Boy could it move. Now my radar is working overtime.

———————————
none here yet – but i foresee another season of gripping snake tales coming LOL.

btw
i have cleaned, sprayed and oiled the henhouse, bottled 19 bottles of orange melomel (wine), and made and bottled 130 stubbies on non-alcoholic lemonade.
so just called me HP2 – LOL.

Hahaha! Well done!

justin said:

Happy Potter said:

pomolo said:

A couple of handy hints there.

I planted my celery close together because of lack of space. It worked fine. Chickens sorted any slimey creatures.
smug look

- but do you still pick yours a whole bunch at a time?

No, I pick the outside stalks as I need them.

The Traditional Cornish Pasty
This recipe is for 4 good sized Cornish Pasties
METHOD 1. Pastry
 500 gms strong bread flour (It is important to use a stronger flour than normal as you
need the extra strength in the gluten to produce strong pliable pastry.
 120 gms white shortening
 25 gms cake margarine
 5 gms salt
 175 gms cold water
Mix fat lightly into flour until it resembles breadcrumbs.
Add water and beat in a food mixer until pastry clears and becomes elastic. This will take longer than normal pastry but it gives the pastry the strength that is needed to hold the filling and retain a good shape.
Leave to rest for 3 hours in a refrigerator, this is a very important stage as it is almost impossible to roll and shape the pastry when fresh
2. Filling
 450 gms good quality beef eg. skirt
 450 gms potato
 250 gms Swede
 200 gms onion
 Salt & pepper to taste( 2/1 ratio) Clotted cream or butter (optional)
Chop the above finely then add to the rolled out circles of pastry raw. Layer the vegetables and meat adding plenty o f seasoning. Put your dollop of cream or a knob of butter on top. Then bring the pastry around and crimp together. Try practicing on a potato first or just flatten like a turnover and mark with a fork. Crimping is the secret to a true Cornish pasty but it really has to be taught it is almost impossible to describe.
HANDY HINTS
 Always use a firm waxy potato such as Maris pier or Wilja.
 Put in plenty of seasoning.
 Ensure that all your veg is freshly prepared
 Never attempt to add carrot, this is sacrilege!!
Use a good cut of BEEF eg. skirt. This is the underside of the belly of the animal. Its juice produces wonderful gravy, has no fat or gristle and cooks in the same amount of time as the raw vegetables.
Butter or cream gives the pasty that extra richness.
 Cooking time and temperature
 Gas No6 approx 50 min-1 hour
 Electric 210 approx 50min-1 hour
 Fan assisted 165 approx 40 mins
This recipe shows how you can have a go at making a pasty yourself at home. Cornish pasties were awarded the Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) in 2011 and need to be made to the following specifications.
A genuine Cornish pasty has a distinctive ‘D’ shape and is crimped on one side, never on top.
The texture of the filling is chunky, made up of uncooked minced or roughly cut chunks of beef
(not less than 12.5%), swede, potato, onion with a light seasoning. The pastry casing is golden
in colour, savoury, glazed with milk or egg and robust enough to retain its shape throughout
the cooking and cooling process without splitting or cracking. The pasty is slow-baked and no
artificial flavourings or additives must be used. And, perhaps most importantly, it must also be
made in Cornwall.
The Cornish Pasty Association. www.cornishpastyassociation.co.uk

And, perhaps most importantly, it must also be
made in Cornwall.
The Cornish Pasty Association. www.cornishpastyassociation.co.uk
———————————————

so what am I going to call my magnificent thin-skinned vego pasties?

(btw PM – i did mean a big chunky mince and not a slurry
and – btw2 – balfours are not keeping pace imho)

buffy said:

And indeed, turnip is quite edible roasted like that.

:)

(Mr buffy is not entirely convinced)

.. Am I the only one who likes to just munch on raw turnip? Habit I picked up from my dad. Like a good raw swede, too.

bon008 said:

buffy said:

And indeed, turnip is quite edible roasted like that.

:)

(Mr buffy is not entirely convinced)

.. Am I the only one who likes to just munch on raw turnip? Habit I picked up from my dad. Like a good raw swede, too.

I hope you aren’t too fond of Norwegians as well.

Raw root veg is fine as long as it has been grown rapidly enough to be mild sweet and juicy. I can eat radish every day of the year if it is there. The big white Chinese radish are a fave.

roughbarked said:

bon008 said:

buffy said:

And indeed, turnip is quite edible roasted like that.

:)

(Mr buffy is not entirely convinced)

.. Am I the only one who likes to just munch on raw turnip? Habit I picked up from my dad. Like a good raw swede, too.

I hope you aren’t too fond of Norwegians as well.

Raw root veg is fine as long as it has been grown rapidly enough to be mild sweet and juicy. I can eat radish every day of the year if it is there. The big white Chinese radish are a fave.

Ooooh, I LOOOOVE radish. But it’s one of the very few foods I have gone off while pregnant =/

I don’t think I’ve ever tasted a raw turnip or swede and thought it wasn’t as nice as usual etc – so I’ve either been extremely lucky or I’ve just not got a sophisticated palate in that area?? :)

bon008 said:

roughbarked said:

bon008 said:

.. Am I the only one who likes to just munch on raw turnip? Habit I picked up from my dad. Like a good raw swede, too.

I hope you aren’t too fond of Norwegians as well.

Raw root veg is fine as long as it has been grown rapidly enough to be mild sweet and juicy. I can eat radish every day of the year if it is there. The big white Chinese radish are a fave.

Ooooh, I LOOOOVE radish. But it’s one of the very few foods I have gone off while pregnant =/

I don’t think I’ve ever tasted a raw turnip or swede and thought it wasn’t as nice as usual etc – so I’ve either been extremely lucky or I’ve just not got a sophisticated palate in that area?? :)

Give me a radish any day.

bubba louie said:

The Traditional Cornish Pasty
This recipe is for 4 good sized Cornish Pasties
METHOD 1. Pastry
 500 gms strong bread flour (It is important to use a stronger flour than normal as you
need the extra strength in the gluten to produce strong pliable pastry.
 120 gms white shortening
 25 gms cake margarine
 5 gms salt
 175 gms cold water
Mix fat lightly into flour until it resembles breadcrumbs.
Add water and beat in a food mixer until pastry clears and becomes elastic. This will take longer than normal pastry but it gives the pastry the strength that is needed to hold the filling and retain a good shape.
Leave to rest for 3 hours in a refrigerator, this is a very important stage as it is almost impossible to roll and shape the pastry when fresh
2. Filling
 450 gms good quality beef eg. skirt
 450 gms potato
 250 gms Swede
 200 gms onion
 Salt & pepper to taste( 2/1 ratio) Clotted cream or butter (optional)
Chop the above finely then add to the rolled out circles of pastry raw. Layer the vegetables and meat adding plenty o f seasoning. Put your dollop of cream or a knob of butter on top. Then bring the pastry around and crimp together. Try practicing on a potato first or just flatten like a turnover and mark with a fork. Crimping is the secret to a true Cornish pasty but it really has to be taught it is almost impossible to describe.
HANDY HINTS
 Always use a firm waxy potato such as Maris pier or Wilja.
 Put in plenty of seasoning.
 Ensure that all your veg is freshly prepared
 Never attempt to add carrot, this is sacrilege!!
Use a good cut of BEEF eg. skirt. This is the underside of the belly of the animal. Its juice produces wonderful gravy, has no fat or gristle and cooks in the same amount of time as the raw vegetables.
Butter or cream gives the pasty that extra richness.
 Cooking time and temperature
 Gas No6 approx 50 min-1 hour
 Electric 210 approx 50min-1 hour
 Fan assisted 165 approx 40 mins
This recipe shows how you can have a go at making a pasty yourself at home. Cornish pasties were awarded the Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) in 2011 and need to be made to the following specifications.
A genuine Cornish pasty has a distinctive ‘D’ shape and is crimped on one side, never on top.
The texture of the filling is chunky, made up of uncooked minced or roughly cut chunks of beef
(not less than 12.5%), swede, potato, onion with a light seasoning. The pastry casing is golden
in colour, savoury, glazed with milk or egg and robust enough to retain its shape throughout
the cooking and cooling process without splitting or cracking. The pasty is slow-baked and no
artificial flavourings or additives must be used. And, perhaps most importantly, it must also be
made in Cornwall.
The Cornish Pasty Association. www.cornishpastyassociation.co.uk

where’s the Apple?

justin said:

And, perhaps most importantly, it must also be
made in Cornwall.
The Cornish Pasty Association. www.cornishpastyassociation.co.uk
———————————————

so what am I going to call my magnificent thin-skinned vego pasties?

(btw PM – i did mean a big chunky mince and not a slurry
and – btw2 – balfours are not keeping pace imho)

agree on btw2, I had a Balfours Pasty just recently and yeah, it was pretty naff…

roughbarked said:

bon008 said:

roughbarked said:

I hope you aren’t too fond of Norwegians as well.

Raw root veg is fine as long as it has been grown rapidly enough to be mild sweet and juicy. I can eat radish every day of the year if it is there. The big white Chinese radish are a fave.

Ooooh, I LOOOOVE radish. But it’s one of the very few foods I have gone off while pregnant =/

I don’t think I’ve ever tasted a raw turnip or swede and thought it wasn’t as nice as usual etc – so I’ve either been extremely lucky or I’ve just not got a sophisticated palate in that area?? :)

Give me a radish any day.

Eat my radishes like justin eats strawberries.

bon008 said:

roughbarked said:

bon008 said:

.. Am I the only one who likes to just munch on raw turnip? Habit I picked up from my dad. Like a good raw swede, too.

I hope you aren’t too fond of Norwegians as well.

Raw root veg is fine as long as it has been grown rapidly enough to be mild sweet and juicy. I can eat radish every day of the year if it is there. The big white Chinese radish are a fave.

Ooooh, I LOOOOVE radish. But it’s one of the very few foods I have gone off while pregnant =/

I don’t think I’ve ever tasted a raw turnip or swede and thought it wasn’t as nice as usual etc – so I’ve either been extremely lucky or I’ve just not got a sophisticated palate in that area?? :)

When I was a kid my father used to tell me that belly buttons were made to hold the salt when you ate radishes lying on your back.

bubba louie said:

bon008 said:

roughbarked said:

I hope you aren’t too fond of Norwegians as well.

Raw root veg is fine as long as it has been grown rapidly enough to be mild sweet and juicy. I can eat radish every day of the year if it is there. The big white Chinese radish are a fave.

Ooooh, I LOOOOVE radish. But it’s one of the very few foods I have gone off while pregnant =/

I don’t think I’ve ever tasted a raw turnip or swede and thought it wasn’t as nice as usual etc – so I’ve either been extremely lucky or I’ve just not got a sophisticated palate in that area?? :)

When I was a kid my father used to tell me that belly buttons were made to hold the salt when you ate radishes lying on your back.

Salt? For a radish? Really?

painmaster said:

bubba louie said:

When I was a kid my father used to tell me that belly buttons were made to hold the salt when you ate radishes lying on your back.

Salt? For a radish? Really?

Really…yup…can’t imagine radish without…

Dinetta said:

painmaster said:

bubba louie said:

When I was a kid my father used to tell me that belly buttons were made to hold the salt when you ate radishes lying on your back.

Salt? For a radish? Really?

Really…yup…can’t imagine radish without…

I once asked a woman did she prefer kissing her husband with a moustache? (I was just a little kid at the time).. She replied, that kissing a man without a moustache was like eating an egg without salt.

shrug.. I can take or leave a bit of salt. Not sure about picking moustache hairs out of my food though.

Today, while mowing the lawn the local magpie came in and followed the mower about. I called the wife and said try and get a photo of both of us..

By the time she got outside the magpie had already cleared off to feed babies bits of walnut.. I told her she was too slow and lo, the magpie came back. Trying to set up a photo I cracked a walnut while the magpie sat in the tree and watched.. Immediately I cracked it the bird sang, “thanks mate”.. meanwhile the mower is muttering away so I went back to it. She got a photo but without me in it.

roughbarked said:

Today, while mowing the lawn the local magpie came in and followed the mower about. I called the wife and said try and get a photo of both of us..

By the time she got outside the magpie had already cleared off to feed babies bits of walnut.. I told her she was too slow and lo, the magpie came back. Trying to set up a photo I cracked a walnut while the magpie sat in the tree and watched.. Immediately I cracked it the bird sang, “thanks mate”.. meanwhile the mower is muttering away so I went back to it. She got a photo but without me in it.

The magpies here are madly feeding young too but not on walnuts I can assure you. Saw one catch a mouse the other day. After it has finished feeding (under a shrub) I went to check the area but there wasn’t a bone or a tail or anything left. I didn’t know they went for live stuff.

pomolo said:

roughbarked said:

Today, while mowing the lawn the local magpie came in and followed the mower about. I called the wife and said try and get a photo of both of us..

By the time she got outside the magpie had already cleared off to feed babies bits of walnut.. I told her she was too slow and lo, the magpie came back. Trying to set up a photo I cracked a walnut while the magpie sat in the tree and watched.. Immediately I cracked it the bird sang, “thanks mate”.. meanwhile the mower is muttering away so I went back to it. She got a photo but without me in it.

The magpies here are madly feeding young too but not on walnuts I can assure you. Saw one catch a mouse the other day. After it has finished feeding (under a shrub) I went to check the area but there wasn’t a bone or a tail or anything left. I didn’t know they went for live stuff.

Oh yes, mice lizards slaters even.. wiggling maggots.. baby birds

Dinetta said:

painmaster said:

bubba louie said:

When I was a kid my father used to tell me that belly buttons were made to hold the salt when you ate radishes lying on your back.

Salt? For a radish? Really?

Really…yup…can’t imagine radish without…

ewwwww.

roughbarked said:

Dinetta said:

painmaster said:

Salt? For a radish? Really?

Really…yup…can’t imagine radish without…

I once asked a woman did she prefer kissing her husband with a moustache? (I was just a little kid at the time).. She replied, that kissing a man without a moustache was like eating an egg without salt.

shrug.. I can take or leave a bit of salt. Not sure about picking moustache hairs out of my food though.

and here I am on the cusp of removing my beard and moustache for the summer…. better confer with GF first.

roughbarked said:

Today, while mowing the lawn the local magpie came in and followed the mower about. I called the wife and said try and get a photo of both of us..

By the time she got outside the magpie had already cleared off to feed babies bits of walnut.. I told her she was too slow and lo, the magpie came back. Trying to set up a photo I cracked a walnut while the magpie sat in the tree and watched.. Immediately I cracked it the bird sang, “thanks mate”.. meanwhile the mower is muttering away so I went back to it. She got a photo but without me in it.

Cool yarn.

painmaster said:

Dinetta said:

painmaster said:

Salt? For a radish? Really?

Really…yup…can’t imagine radish without…

ewwwww.

…but then when I was a kidlet, I had to eat pawpaw with a thin layer of sugar…to this day I do not like pawpaw and was astounded when I grew up and found out that you don’t put sugar on the pawpaw…or icing sugar on the strawbs…erk erk erk

Dinetta said:

painmaster said:

Dinetta said:

Really…yup…can’t imagine radish without…

ewwwww.

…but then when I was a kidlet, I had to eat pawpaw with a thin layer of sugar…to this day I do not like pawpaw and was astounded when I grew up and found out that you don’t put sugar on the pawpaw…or icing sugar on the strawbs…erk erk erk

I still use a bit of icing sugar on strawbs if they are less than best. Just a sprinkle and then let them sit for a while.

bubba louie said:

Dinetta said:

painmaster said:

ewwwww.

…but then when I was a kidlet, I had to eat pawpaw with a thin layer of sugar…to this day I do not like pawpaw and was astounded when I grew up and found out that you don’t put sugar on the pawpaw…or icing sugar on the strawbs…erk erk erk

I still use a bit of icing sugar on strawbs if they are less than best. Just a sprinkle and then let them sit for a while.

My cousins always sugared cucumber.

painmaster said:

roughbarked said:

bon008 said:

Ooooh, I LOOOOVE radish. But it’s one of the very few foods I have gone off while pregnant =/

I don’t think I’ve ever tasted a raw turnip or swede and thought it wasn’t as nice as usual etc – so I’ve either been extremely lucky or I’ve just not got a sophisticated palate in that area?? :)

Give me a radish any day.

Eat my radishes like justin eats strawberries.

dehydrated and soaked in vodka?

bubba louie said:

bon008 said:

roughbarked said:

I hope you aren’t too fond of Norwegians as well.

Raw root veg is fine as long as it has been grown rapidly enough to be mild sweet and juicy. I can eat radish every day of the year if it is there. The big white Chinese radish are a fave.

Ooooh, I LOOOOVE radish. But it’s one of the very few foods I have gone off while pregnant =/

I don’t think I’ve ever tasted a raw turnip or swede and thought it wasn’t as nice as usual etc – so I’ve either been extremely lucky or I’ve just not got a sophisticated palate in that area?? :)

When I was a kid my father used to tell me that belly buttons were made to hold the salt when you ate radishes lying on your back.

Hahaha! Love it :)

pomolo said:

The magpies here are madly feeding young too but not on walnuts I can assure you. Saw one catch a mouse the other day. After it has finished feeding (under a shrub) I went to check the area but there wasn’t a bone or a tail or anything left. I didn’t know they went for live stuff.

One of my pet mice was once carried off by a magpie, thanks to the actions of my brother. The ridiculous thing is that my brothers chased after the magpie and got the mouse back..

Also we had a stillborn mouse once, so my dad took it outside and gave it to a magpie. Circle of life etc! I wasn’t young enough to be upset by that at all.

bubba louie said:

My cousins always sugared cucumber.

Whoah!

bubba louie said:

bubba louie said:

Dinetta said:

…but then when I was a kidlet, I had to eat pawpaw with a thin layer of sugar…to this day I do not like pawpaw and was astounded when I grew up and found out that you don’t put sugar on the pawpaw…or icing sugar on the strawbs…erk erk erk

I still use a bit of icing sugar on strawbs if they are less than best. Just a sprinkle and then let them sit for a while.

My cousins always sugared cucumber.

chicken stock cubes for cucumber. What I learnt at Kokoda.

justin said:

painmaster said:

roughbarked said:

Give me a radish any day.

Eat my radishes like justin eats strawberries.

dehydrated and soaked in vodka?

hahaha.

Evening. Not sure if I’ve visited here today or not, lol. Busy in the garden and planted out heaps, overseeing the taking of the eucy mulch by happy people with utes and trailers and big carry bags. The pile is really small now.
Cold and rainy again.

I was given a bag of native limes. I cut one open tonight and recoiled at the smell. It is B horrible! I chucked the lot. I even had to take the small bin with the cut one in it out of the kitchen. And wash the knife I used. I know I’ve smelt this before..my mind shot back some 40 odd years ago as a kid and I remembered it made me throw up. I didn’t think I was that sensitive. So, a native lime tree is definitely off the list.

Good evening Gardeners. I’m glad some people were gardening today while I was working.

>>I still use a bit of icing sugar on strawbs if they are less than best. Just a sprinkle and then let them sit for a while.<<

A smidge of caster sugar and a dash of brandy. And let them sit and breath. And to with a bit of cream and eat. Very yummy.

Happy Potter said:

Evening. Not sure if I’ve visited here today or not, lol. Busy in the garden and planted out heaps, overseeing the taking of the eucy mulch by happy people with utes and trailers and big carry bags. The pile is really small now.
Cold and rainy again.

I was given a bag of native limes. I cut one open tonight and recoiled at the smell. It is B horrible! I chucked the lot. I even had to take the small bin with the cut one in it out of the kitchen. And wash the knife I used. I know I’ve smelt this before..my mind shot back some 40 odd years ago as a kid and I remembered it made me throw up. I didn’t think I was that sensitive. So, a native lime tree is definitely off the list.

so what did you do with the seed?

roughbarked said:

Happy Potter said:

Evening. Not sure if I’ve visited here today or not, lol. Busy in the garden and planted out heaps, overseeing the taking of the eucy mulch by happy people with utes and trailers and big carry bags. The pile is really small now.
Cold and rainy again.

I was given a bag of native limes. I cut one open tonight and recoiled at the smell. It is B horrible! I chucked the lot. I even had to take the small bin with the cut one in it out of the kitchen. And wash the knife I used. I know I’ve smelt this before..my mind shot back some 40 odd years ago as a kid and I remembered it made me throw up. I didn’t think I was that sensitive. So, a native lime tree is definitely off the list.

so what did you do with the seed?

Do you want the native lemon seeds? I can stick a peg on my nose and retrieve them for you if you like.

Happy Potter said:

roughbarked said:

Happy Potter said:

Evening. Not sure if I’ve visited here today or not, lol. Busy in the garden and planted out heaps, overseeing the taking of the eucy mulch by happy people with utes and trailers and big carry bags. The pile is really small now.
Cold and rainy again.

I was given a bag of native limes. I cut one open tonight and recoiled at the smell. It is B horrible! I chucked the lot. I even had to take the small bin with the cut one in it out of the kitchen. And wash the knife I used. I know I’ve smelt this before..my mind shot back some 40 odd years ago as a kid and I remembered it made me throw up. I didn’t think I was that sensitive. So, a native lime tree is definitely off the list.

so what did you do with the seed?

Do you want the native lemon seeds? I can stick a peg on my nose and retrieve them for you if you like.

I’m always interested in seeds. especialy fresh. Do you know where they came from? Was it really a native lime?

roughbarked said:

Happy Potter said:

roughbarked said:

so what did you do with the seed?

Do you want the native lemon seeds? I can stick a peg on my nose and retrieve them for you if you like.

I’m always interested in seeds. especialy fresh. Do you know where they came from? Was it really a native lime?

It came from a fellows place not far from me, a couple streets away. Yes a native lime..I can put a pic up. brb.

Happy Potter said:

roughbarked said:

Happy Potter said:

Do you want the native lemon seeds? I can stick a peg on my nose and retrieve them for you if you like.

I’m always interested in seeds. especialy fresh. Do you know where they came from? Was it really a native lime?

It came from a fellows place not far from me, a couple streets away. Yes a native lime..I can put a pic up. brb.

Happy Potter said:

Happy Potter said:

roughbarked said:

I’m always interested in seeds. especialy fresh. Do you know where they came from? Was it really a native lime?

It came from a fellows place not far from me, a couple streets away. Yes a native lime..I can put a pic up. brb.

Or kaffir limes??

Happy Potter said:

Happy Potter said:

roughbarked said:

I’m always interested in seeds. especialy fresh. Do you know where they came from? Was it really a native lime?

It came from a fellows place not far from me, a couple streets away. Yes a native lime..I can put a pic up. brb.

looks like a kaffir lime

Happy Potter said:

Happy Potter said:

Happy Potter said:

It came from a fellows place not far from me, a couple streets away. Yes a native lime..I can put a pic up. brb.

Or kaffir limes??

yep, kaffir. the native lime has smooth skin by comparison

Kaffir lime leaves are used in cooking but the fruit is usually thrown away.

roughbarked said:

Kaffir lime leaves are used in cooking but the fruit is usually thrown away.

Argh, sorry I was misinformed. And I know why the fruit is usually thrown away. Yuk.

Happy Potter said:

Happy Potter said:

Happy Potter said:

It came from a fellows place not far from me, a couple streets away. Yes a native lime..I can put a pic up. brb.

Or kaffir limes??

Looks like Kaffir Limes. They’re grown mostly for the leaves.

roughbarked said:

Kaffir lime leaves are used in cooking but the fruit is usually thrown away.

Yes, but it doesn’t smell bad to me.

bubba louie said:

roughbarked said:

Kaffir lime leaves are used in cooking but the fruit is usually thrown away.

Yes, but it doesn’t smell bad to me.

I’ve never held a kaffir lime in my hand.. so I don’t know what they smell or taste like.

roughbarked said:

Kaffir lime leaves are used in cooking but the fruit is usually thrown away.

When my kaffir lime makes the odd fruit, I put little wedges in my lemon lime and bitters.. oooooh it tastes divine.

bubba louie said:

roughbarked said:

Kaffir lime leaves are used in cooking but the fruit is usually thrown away.

Yes, but it doesn’t smell bad to me.

Me either. Just limey! But then, plenty of people cook with curry tree leaves, and I think they smell bloody awful – so sometimes I guess we all just smell things differently.

bon008 said:

roughbarked said:

Kaffir lime leaves are used in cooking but the fruit is usually thrown away.

When my kaffir lime makes the odd fruit, I put little wedges in my lemon lime and bitters.. oooooh it tastes divine.

Well I never drink lemon lime and bitters so I’ll have to take your word for it.

bon008 said:

bubba louie said:

roughbarked said:

Kaffir lime leaves are used in cooking but the fruit is usually thrown away.

Yes, but it doesn’t smell bad to me.

Me either. Just limey! But then, plenty of people cook with curry tree leaves, and I think they smell bloody awful – so sometimes I guess we all just smell things differently.

someone I once knew feels ill at the smell of coffee, even to the point of throwing up.

bluegreen said:

bon008 said:

bubba louie said:

Yes, but it doesn’t smell bad to me.

Me either. Just limey! But then, plenty of people cook with curry tree leaves, and I think they smell bloody awful – so sometimes I guess we all just smell things differently.

someone I once knew feels ill at the smell of coffee, even to the point of throwing up.

When I was a child.. coffee and many smells did that to me. Still can’t be where people are cooking things like fish.

bon008 said:

bubba louie said:

roughbarked said:

Kaffir lime leaves are used in cooking but the fruit is usually thrown away.

Yes, but it doesn’t smell bad to me.

Me either. Just limey! But then, plenty of people cook with curry tree leaves, and I think they smell bloody awful – so sometimes I guess we all just smell things differently.

Curry leaves don’t taste like they smell. Trust me, they do wonderful things for Dahl.

bubba louie said:

bon008 said:

bubba louie said:

Yes, but it doesn’t smell bad to me.

Me either. Just limey! But then, plenty of people cook with curry tree leaves, and I think they smell bloody awful – so sometimes I guess we all just smell things differently.

Curry leaves don’t taste like they smell. Trust me, they do wonderful things for Dahl.

I love dahl.

roughbarked said:

bubba louie said:

bon008 said:

Me either. Just limey! But then, plenty of people cook with curry tree leaves, and I think they smell bloody awful – so sometimes I guess we all just smell things differently.

Curry leaves don’t taste like they smell. Trust me, they do wonderful things for Dahl.

I love dahl.

Then you need a curry leaf tree.

bubba louie said:

roughbarked said:

bubba louie said:

Curry leaves don’t taste like they smell. Trust me, they do wonderful things for Dahl.

I love dahl.

Then you need a curry leaf tree.

Can’t I just get it in a packet?

Roadworks out the front, hope my rooster doesn’t get spring…he’s got no tail feathers courtesy of Puta, if he doesn’t crow he can keep his harem…lol!

Laying a traffic counter outside my place…not sure what this will mean for my “quiet” backwater of a street…

painmaster said:

bubba louie said:

bubba louie said:

I still use a bit of icing sugar on strawbs if they are less than best. Just a sprinkle and then let them sit for a while.

My cousins always sugared cucumber.

chicken stock cubes for cucumber. What I learnt at Kokoda.

As a salt substitute I suppose.

pomolo said:

painmaster said:

bubba louie said:

My cousins always sugared cucumber.

chicken stock cubes for cucumber. What I learnt at Kokoda.

As a salt substitute I suppose.

as a child I used to love sprinkling sugar on lettuce leaves.

prefer to eat my cucumbers alone.. without other foods.. hate salads that have cucumber added.

radish are great by themselves, or with other foods.. work really well with tomatoes and cheese.

roughbarked said:

pomolo said:

painmaster said:

chicken stock cubes for cucumber. What I learnt at Kokoda.

As a salt substitute I suppose.

as a child I used to love sprinkling sugar on lettuce leaves.

prefer to eat my cucumbers alone.. without other foods.. hate salads that have cucumber added.

radish are great by themselves, or with other foods.. work really well with tomatoes and cheese.

I always ate lettuce with peanut paste, now peanut butter spread all over it.

bubba louie said:

bon008 said:

bubba louie said:

Yes, but it doesn’t smell bad to me.

Me either. Just limey! But then, plenty of people cook with curry tree leaves, and I think they smell bloody awful – so sometimes I guess we all just smell things differently.

Curry leaves don’t taste like they smell. Trust me, they do wonderful things for Dahl.

I’ve been told that, but it makes no difference to me. It would be like forcing myself to drink rancid milk – I just can’t eat something that smells that awful. It feels completely wrong.

bon008 said:

bubba louie said:

bon008 said:

Me either. Just limey! But then, plenty of people cook with curry tree leaves, and I think they smell bloody awful – so sometimes I guess we all just smell things differently.

Curry leaves don’t taste like they smell. Trust me, they do wonderful things for Dahl.

I’ve been told that, but it makes no difference to me. It would be like forcing myself to drink rancid milk – I just can’t eat something that smells that awful. It feels completely wrong.

I’m like that with beer. Can’t stand the smell so I am not interested in drinking it. The Ex was on a campaign to find a beer that I would like to the point of almost forcing me to taste them, but one sniff and I would decline. They all smelt of hops and I didn’t like it.

I’ve been juicing oranges and grapefruit like they have no end.

pomolo said:

painmaster said:

bubba louie said:

My cousins always sugared cucumber.

chicken stock cubes for cucumber. What I learnt at Kokoda.

As a salt substitute I suppose.

yup. I was chatting to three kids outside a store opposite the Kokoda Hospital, they were good kids, pretty bright, and the smallest guy seemed to be the boss. As I walked inside the store I said to the boys “yupela laik wanpela lolli wara?” to which the boss boy said “orait” and then he said “saposim yu laik baim mipela wanpela cucumba?” to which I said “cheeky blighter” and then boss boy said “oh, na sampela maggi seasoning!”

So I walked in and said to the store owner “Fourpela cokes please?” and he said “na cucumba na kakuruk seasoning?” to which I said “Em nau”

We all sat on the step and ate cucumber sprinkled with Maggi Chicken Seasoning and drank our cokes.

if I got the gist of that right the kids AND the store owner took you as a soft touch :D

roughbarked said:

I’ve been juicing oranges and grapefruit like they have no end.

Ours are finished. Plenty in the freezer yet though.

bluegreen said:

if I got the gist of that right the kids AND the store owner took you as a soft touch :D

good story but.

pomolo said:

roughbarked said:

I’ve been juicing oranges and grapefruit like they have no end.

Ours are finished. Plenty in the freezer yet though.

I’d have done them earlier but I was away.

roughbarked said:

bubba louie said:

roughbarked said:

I love dahl.

Then you need a curry leaf tree.

Can’t I just get it in a packet?

You can but they’re quite expensive for what you get.

roughbarked said:

pomolo said:

painmaster said:

chicken stock cubes for cucumber. What I learnt at Kokoda.

As a salt substitute I suppose.

as a child I used to love sprinkling sugar on lettuce leaves.

prefer to eat my cucumbers alone.. without other foods.. hate salads that have cucumber added.

radish are great by themselves, or with other foods.. work really well with tomatoes and cheese.

We used to do the sugar on lettuce thing too.

bubba louie said:

roughbarked said:

bubba louie said:

Then you need a curry leaf tree.

Can’t I just get it in a packet?

You can but they’re quite expensive for what you get.

Growing a tree isn’t cheap when water is proced at a premium.

bluegreen said:

if I got the gist of that right the kids AND the store owner took you as a soft touch :D

I think it was more the case that the kids had tried this on before and the store owner knew what to expect. Oh and yeah, I was a bit soft. I saw it this way… Cans of coke with K4, just under $2 and a cucumber was locally grown and sold for 20t or around 8c and the chicken seasoning was 5t or 2c, so for under $9, I got to practise my Tok Pisin, learnt a little bit more about the dynamics of Kokoda and which man did what as they wandered past, the kids got something to eat and a little bit of sugar, the store guy was wrapped, we all a bit of a laugh and I had made a good impression.

I discovered in PNG, if you made the kids happy, you made Mums happy, and in turn if you could impress the Mums and make them happy, then Older men would be happy, and if the Elders were happy, you then scored free passage to the village.

But it wasn’t always about buying the kids off. On my next visit to Kokoda, I was warmly welcomed, and when I did not buy the same treats to the same kids, the store guy said “good move”. I did however, give the kids a copy of that photo, which they thought was even better than a cucumber.

roughbarked said:

bubba louie said:

roughbarked said:

Can’t I just get it in a packet?

You can but they’re quite expensive for what you get.

Growing a tree isn’t cheap when water is proced at a premium.

And Curry Leaf Trees can become invasive. While I do grow one myself, I am ever vigilant of its reproductive capabilities. I do like not having to purchase the expensive leaf though. And bon, I don’t detect an offensive odour on them at all. I in fact cannot smell much at all….

painmaster said:

bluegreen said:

if I got the gist of that right the kids AND the store owner took you as a soft touch :D

I think it was more the case that the kids had tried this on before and the store owner knew what to expect. Oh and yeah, I was a bit soft. I saw it this way… Cans of coke with K4, just under $2 and a cucumber was locally grown and sold for 20t or around 8c and the chicken seasoning was 5t or 2c, so for under $9, I got to practise my Tok Pisin, learnt a little bit more about the dynamics of Kokoda and which man did what as they wandered past, the kids got something to eat and a little bit of sugar, the store guy was wrapped, we all a bit of a laugh and I had made a good impression.

I discovered in PNG, if you made the kids happy, you made Mums happy, and in turn if you could impress the Mums and make them happy, then Older men would be happy, and if the Elders were happy, you then scored free passage to the village.

But it wasn’t always about buying the kids off. On my next visit to Kokoda, I was warmly welcomed, and when I did not buy the same treats to the same kids, the store guy said “good move”. I did however, give the kids a copy of that photo, which they thought was even better than a cucumber.

:D

painmaster said:

roughbarked said:

bubba louie said:

You can but they’re quite expensive for what you get.

Growing a tree isn’t cheap when water is proced at a premium.

And Curry Leaf Trees can become invasive. While I do grow one myself, I am ever vigilant of its reproductive capabilities. I do like not having to purchase the expensive leaf though. And bon, I don’t detect an offensive odour on them at all. I in fact cannot smell much at all….

I had to rip mine out because of the smell too. Passed on to some friends that are forever grateful for it. Blowed if I can understand why.

painmaster said:

bluegreen said:

if I got the gist of that right the kids AND the store owner took you as a soft touch :D

I think it was more the case that the kids had tried this on before and the store owner knew what to expect. Oh and yeah, I was a bit soft. I saw it this way… Cans of coke with K4, just under $2 and a cucumber was locally grown and sold for 20t or around 8c and the chicken seasoning was 5t or 2c, so for under $9, I got to practise my Tok Pisin, learnt a little bit more about the dynamics of Kokoda and which man did what as they wandered past, the kids got something to eat and a little bit of sugar, the store guy was wrapped, we all a bit of a laugh and I had made a good impression.

I discovered in PNG, if you made the kids happy, you made Mums happy, and in turn if you could impress the Mums and make them happy, then Older men would be happy, and if the Elders were happy, you then scored free passage to the village.

But it wasn’t always about buying the kids off. On my next visit to Kokoda, I was warmly welcomed, and when I did not buy the same treats to the same kids, the store guy said “good move”. I did however, give the kids a copy of that photo, which they thought was even better than a cucumber.

if you made the kids happy, you made Mums happy>

That isn’t only true of PNG. World wide I’d say. Make my kids happy and you make me happy………for sure.

Been on the medical round a bout again this morning. I think I’ve worked out why I’ve lost so much weight that no Dr seems to be able to fathom. I’d say it’s possibly because I have had my thyroid completely removed and now my body is trying to become normal. That would mean that my whole life I have been overweight because of a crummy thyroid gland. If that is what it turns out to be then I will feel cheated for those 50years of obesity.

So there!!!

pomolo said:

Been on the medical round a bout again this morning. I think I’ve worked out why I’ve lost so much weight that no Dr seems to be able to fathom. I’d say it’s possibly because I have had my thyroid completely removed and now my body is trying to become normal. That would mean that my whole life I have been overweight because of a crummy thyroid gland. If that is what it turns out to be then I will feel cheated for those 50years of obesity.

So there!!!

my mum is in hospital atm having had her thyroid removed on Tuesday. She has been on medication and had a goitre for I don’t know how many years now and the doctors are worried about the goitre starting to press on her voice box. If they left it any longer they wouldn’t be able to remove it without damaging the voice box. Also there are issues of side affects with the level of meds she’d have to keep taking. For some time now she has had difficulty swallowing anything that is not cut up very small and her tablets.

pomolo said:

painmaster said:

roughbarked said:

Growing a tree isn’t cheap when water is proced at a premium.

And Curry Leaf Trees can become invasive. While I do grow one myself, I am ever vigilant of its reproductive capabilities. I do like not having to purchase the expensive leaf though. And bon, I don’t detect an offensive odour on them at all. I in fact cannot smell much at all….

I had to rip mine out because of the smell too. Passed on to some friends that are forever grateful for it. Blowed if I can understand why.

Well it is a bit like a lemon tree.. one would do the whole neighbourhood if they were communal.

Back from another day at St Erth. I went with a group from the orchard to do a tour of their orchard and check out their espelliered fruit trees. Had a blast and came home with more goodies from the nursery :)
On the way home we stopped off at the local footy ground to have a look at the largest pine tree I have ever seen in my life. It’s a living skyscraper! I also grabbed out some bags from the boot of my car and filled them with pine needles..great mulch for strawberries, and my azaleas and rhodys. We had a delicious lunch at Blackwood merchants shop in the main town and got loaded up with even more organic goodies, garlic, grey box honey and a kilo of large field mushrooms. I’ll slice and dry the mushies to use in dishes.

I get home and rush in to see if there’s any chicks out in the incubator and there’s only one out! None others have pipped, but I reckon they will overnight as I candled them and could see movment in all. Must be patient…

pomolo said:

painmaster said:

roughbarked said:

Growing a tree isn’t cheap when water is proced at a premium.

And Curry Leaf Trees can become invasive. While I do grow one myself, I am ever vigilant of its reproductive capabilities. I do like not having to purchase the expensive leaf though. And bon, I don’t detect an offensive odour on them at all. I in fact cannot smell much at all….

I had to rip mine out because of the smell too. Passed on to some friends that are forever grateful for it. Blowed if I can understand why.

Like I say, I can’t smell much at all…

pomolo said:

painmaster said:

bluegreen said:

if I got the gist of that right the kids AND the store owner took you as a soft touch :D

I think it was more the case that the kids had tried this on before and the store owner knew what to expect. Oh and yeah, I was a bit soft. I saw it this way… Cans of coke with K4, just under $2 and a cucumber was locally grown and sold for 20t or around 8c and the chicken seasoning was 5t or 2c, so for under $9, I got to practise my Tok Pisin, learnt a little bit more about the dynamics of Kokoda and which man did what as they wandered past, the kids got something to eat and a little bit of sugar, the store guy was wrapped, we all a bit of a laugh and I had made a good impression.

I discovered in PNG, if you made the kids happy, you made Mums happy, and in turn if you could impress the Mums and make them happy, then Older men would be happy, and if the Elders were happy, you then scored free passage to the village.

But it wasn’t always about buying the kids off. On my next visit to Kokoda, I was warmly welcomed, and when I did not buy the same treats to the same kids, the store guy said “good move”. I did however, give the kids a copy of that photo, which they thought was even better than a cucumber.

if you made the kids happy, you made Mums happy>

That isn’t only true of PNG. World wide I’d say. Make my kids happy and you make me happy………for sure.

Em nau.

Happy Potter said:

I get home and rush in to see if there’s any chicks out in the incubator and there’s only one out! None others have pipped, but I reckon they will overnight as I candled them and could see movment in all. Must be patient…

How eggsiting!

anyone fancy a short holiday in Swanpool for 4 or 5 days in October (25-29)? I want to go to the MotoGP at Phillip Island but need someone to feed the animals. Assuming that all comes together and I can actually afford to go, which is looking dubious atm but that’s another story. My bike has been accepted in the “Show and Shine” which gives me free entry so would be a shame to have to turn it down….

roughbarked said:

pomolo said:

painmaster said:

And Curry Leaf Trees can become invasive. While I do grow one myself, I am ever vigilant of its reproductive capabilities. I do like not having to purchase the expensive leaf though. And bon, I don’t detect an offensive odour on them at all. I in fact cannot smell much at all….

I had to rip mine out because of the smell too. Passed on to some friends that are forever grateful for it. Blowed if I can understand why.

Well it is a bit like a lemon tree.. one would do the whole neighbourhood if they were communal.

Definitely. I give whole branches to anyone who wants them, and cut the tree just about in half quite regularly to keep it under control.

Grandson has teef.

toyz r fun

Ah, that’s the spot..

orright, which one of you chicks wants to go for a spin?

They’re both just dollink, RoughBarked…dollink!

They look so healthy and it’s lovely to see them getting along so well together…

Dinetta said:

They’re both just dollink, RoughBarked…dollink!

They look so healthy and it’s lovely to see them getting along so well together…

Thanks. Though none of it is my fault.

Awww, you and Mrs RB must have done something right … at one point…lol!

Dinetta said:

Awww, you and Mrs RB must have done something right … at one point…lol!

.. well, twice actually ;)

…and it’s certainly paid off… Has your daughter had her infant yet? Have I missed the good news?

Dinetta said:

…and it’s certainly paid off… Has your daughter had her infant yet? Have I missed the good news?

That would be Evelyn Hazel..

maybe this hairy monster will put me down.

roughbarked said:

Dinetta said:

…and it’s certainly paid off… Has your daughter had her infant yet? Have I missed the good news?

That would be Evelyn Hazel..

maybe this hairy monster will put me down.

Adorable toddlers, wonderful pics RB :)

roughbarked said:

Grandson has teef.

and a lovely smile :)

my grandson does push-ups :)

roughbarked said:

That would be Evelyn Hazel..

What a lovely name! She’s a beautiful baby, looks in the “pink” of health, lol!

Whoah! So he does, BlueGreen! Clever shot… :D

bluegreen said:

my grandson does push-ups :)

Mini Mighty Man! :D

Lovey Grandies you two. :)

bubba louie said:

Lovey Grandies you two. :)

indeed and the kids looks good as well.

beautiful weather outside
umm – i might leave the last six pages and do some mowwing.

btw my first beans are up. snapbeans, i was worried about the soil temps because one morning the air temp dropped to 6C.
anyrate they are up – but psst – don’t tell the birds.

bluegreen said:

pomolo said:

Been on the medical round a bout again this morning. I think I’ve worked out why I’ve lost so much weight that no Dr seems to be able to fathom. I’d say it’s possibly because I have had my thyroid completely removed and now my body is trying to become normal. That would mean that my whole life I have been overweight because of a crummy thyroid gland. If that is what it turns out to be then I will feel cheated for those 50years of obesity.

So there!!!

my mum is in hospital atm having had her thyroid removed on Tuesday. She has been on medication and had a goitre for I don’t know how many years now and the doctors are worried about the goitre starting to press on her voice box. If they left it any longer they wouldn’t be able to remove it without damaging the voice box. Also there are issues of side affects with the level of meds she’d have to keep taking. For some time now she has had difficulty swallowing anything that is not cut up very small and her tablets.

Wish her well from me BG. I hope a lot of things go right after it’s been removed. I has surprised me just how important the thyroid is to the functioning of the rest of the body.

bluegreen said:

anyone fancy a short holiday in Swanpool for 4 or 5 days in October (25-29)? I want to go to the MotoGP at Phillip Island but need someone to feed the animals. Assuming that all comes together and I can actually afford to go, which is looking dubious atm but that’s another story. My bike has been accepted in the “Show and Shine” which gives me free entry so would be a shame to have to turn it down….

I can wish.

Happy Potter said:

Back from another day at St Erth. I went with a group from the orchard to do a tour of their orchard and check out their espelliered fruit trees. Had a blast and came home with more goodies from the nursery :)
On the way home we stopped off at the local footy ground to have a look at the largest pine tree I have ever seen in my life. It’s a living skyscraper! I also grabbed out some bags from the boot of my car and filled them with pine needles..great mulch for strawberries, and my azaleas and rhodys. We had a delicious lunch at Blackwood merchants shop in the main town and got loaded up with even more organic goodies, garlic, grey box honey and a kilo of large field mushrooms. I’ll slice and dry the mushies to use in dishes.

I get home and rush in to see if there’s any chicks out in the incubator and there’s only one out! None others have pipped, but I reckon they will overnight as I candled them and could see movment in all. Must be patient…

How many times have you been a grandmother now?

roughbarked said:

orright, which one of you chicks wants to go for a spin?

I bet he gets a fair few chick when he grows up too.

roughbarked said:

Dinetta said:

…and it’s certainly paid off… Has your daughter had her infant yet? Have I missed the good news?

That would be Evelyn Hazel..

maybe this hairy monster will put me down.

Definately a pinkie!

bluegreen said:

my grandson does push-ups :)

Clever boy.

The family are invading tonight, for the weekend. Madly stripping beds and cooking. I might even have to do a bit of cleaning, mores the pity.

Anyway I mightn’t be able to post much for a couple of days. Then again if I feel the need to escape this is where I will come. lol.

Hope your weekend is up to scratch.

pomolo said:

Happy Potter said:

Back from another day at St Erth. I went with a group from the orchard to do a tour of their orchard and check out their espelliered fruit trees. Had a blast and came home with more goodies from the nursery :)
On the way home we stopped off at the local footy ground to have a look at the largest pine tree I have ever seen in my life. It’s a living skyscraper! I also grabbed out some bags from the boot of my car and filled them with pine needles..great mulch for strawberries, and my azaleas and rhodys. We had a delicious lunch at Blackwood merchants shop in the main town and got loaded up with even more organic goodies, garlic, grey box honey and a kilo of large field mushrooms. I’ll slice and dry the mushies to use in dishes.

I get home and rush in to see if there’s any chicks out in the incubator and there’s only one out! None others have pipped, but I reckon they will overnight as I candled them and could see movment in all. Must be patient…

How many times have you been a grandmother now?

Hehe. 3 out now and another 3 pipping. But it’s been a long drawn out hatching this time. Another 4 aren’t going to hatch. The power outage is responsible, but you can’t help those things.

bluegreen said:

my grandson does push-ups :)

Yes it is amazing what they get up to while in training for standing up.

pomolo said:

bluegreen said:

pomolo said:

Been on the medical round a bout again this morning. I think I’ve worked out why I’ve lost so much weight that no Dr seems to be able to fathom. I’d say it’s possibly because I have had my thyroid completely removed and now my body is trying to become normal. That would mean that my whole life I have been overweight because of a crummy thyroid gland. If that is what it turns out to be then I will feel cheated for those 50years of obesity.

So there!!!

my mum is in hospital atm having had her thyroid removed on Tuesday. She has been on medication and had a goitre for I don’t know how many years now and the doctors are worried about the goitre starting to press on her voice box. If they left it any longer they wouldn’t be able to remove it without damaging the voice box. Also there are issues of side affects with the level of meds she’d have to keep taking. For some time now she has had difficulty swallowing anything that is not cut up very small and her tablets.

Wish her well from me BG. I hope a lot of things go right after it’s been removed. I has surprised me just how important the thyroid is to the functioning of the rest of the body.

she comes home today so will call her tonight and see how it went

roughbarked said:

Grandson has teef.

Like the artwork on the back wall there!

roughbarked said:

Dinetta said:

…and it’s certainly paid off… Has your daughter had her infant yet? Have I missed the good news?

That would be Evelyn Hazel..

maybe this hairy monster will put me down.

Nice one.

mum’s home from her goitre op. bruised and sore and croaky but still got her voice. follow up Wednesday to get the stitches out and make sure everything is OK.

bluegreen said:

mum’s home from her goitre op. bruised and sore and croaky but still got her voice. follow up Wednesday to get the stitches out and make sure everything is OK.

Even better to hear.

painmaster said:

roughbarked said:

Grandson has teef.

Like the artwork on the back wall there!

My son’s place.. I’ve never been to Norway.

roughbarked said:

painmaster said:

roughbarked said:

Grandson has teef.

Like the artwork on the back wall there!

My son’s place.. I’ve never been to Norway.

oh, it looked Aboriginal in design…

Good morning Gardeners. It’s rather cold here in Casterton this morning, but I’ll get some gloves and boots on and start on some weeding shortly. Can’t start the mower until 9.00am on a weekend, but I can do tidying first. Anyway, the grass is a bit wet yet.

painmaster said:

roughbarked said:

painmaster said:

Like the artwork on the back wall there!

My son’s place.. I’ve never been to Norway.

oh, it looked Aboriginal in design…

Probably his way of not getting homesick? It probably is an aboriginal design. I can’t get any closer to the picture than you.

roughbarked said:

painmaster said:

roughbarked said:

My son’s place.. I’ve never been to Norway.

oh, it looked Aboriginal in design…

Probably his way of not getting homesick? It probably is an aboriginal design. I can’t get any closer to the picture than you.

Oh I understand now. I thought your comment regarding not being to Norway was a reference to a Norwegian piece of art when I should have remembered that your son is living in Norway… Silly duffer I am. I guess I just believed that every photo you post here is one you have taken yourself, and I can imagine an Aboriginal motif or painting decorating your halls.

painmaster said:

roughbarked said:

painmaster said:

oh, it looked Aboriginal in design…

Probably his way of not getting homesick? It probably is an aboriginal design. I can’t get any closer to the picture than you.

Oh I understand now. I thought your comment regarding not being to Norway was a reference to a Norwegian piece of art when I should have remembered that your son is living in Norway… Silly duffer I am. I guess I just believed that every photo you post here is one you have taken yourself, and I can imagine an Aboriginal motif or painting decorating your halls.

Yep that be true too. Though I do occasionally post photos taken by my children(usually the ones of their children), I generally only post my own shots.

Good morning. Been for a ride, been for a walk, ripped out a mountain of weeds and started chipping sundry garden clippings. Then a shower came through and I retired inside.

I suppose fumitory has the potential to be pretty…..but it’s a darned nuisance. I rolled up mats of it this morning and I now have a pile shoulder height to me. It will just dry out and collapse, and I guess it is one of the easier weeds to pull, but golly it’s wild!

http://toronto-wildlife.com/Plants/Fumitory_family/plants_family_fumitory.html

Is everyone gardening then? It’s got too gusty here now for it to be pleasant. So I am pottering slowly doing little things like pulling out the last of the winter beetroot (result of experiment….they grow better over summer here), picking some lettuce leaves, Aquasol-ing baby lettuce and broccoli plants. Generally considering what needs doing. I see my thornless boysenberries (well, one of the dark berries, anyway) have started to make buds. Mmmm, that has me salivating already!.

buffy said:

Is everyone gardening then? It’s got too gusty here now for it to be pleasant. So I am pottering slowly doing little things like pulling out the last of the winter beetroot (result of experiment….they grow better over summer here), picking some lettuce leaves, Aquasol-ing baby lettuce and broccoli plants. Generally considering what needs doing. I see my thornless boysenberries (well, one of the dark berries, anyway) have started to make buds. Mmmm, that has me salivating already!.

Been outside reading… soon it will be too warm to sit comfortably out there, so making the most of the pleasant sunshine.

I was trying to have a ‘still’ day, where I relaxed and just took in everything. Haha, no such luck!
I’ve been running about madly, including getting a panicked call to attend a worm farming workshop as the host was stuck across town with a broken down car. I grabbed a bottle of worm wee and a handful of worms in casts and took off. The talk went great! One fellow wanted to create a raised vege bed at his workplace about the size of two tables but wasn’t allowed to have a worm farm compost container seperately. I told him he could put a worm farm in the middle with some chicken wire and told him how to do this. He was rapt. I taked about the pros and cons of container worm farming and where to get cheap or free composting worms from. Then the host turned up and took over. Yay lol.
I got a couple freebies for my time inc’ a bag of sugar cane mulch and a couple plants of my choice.I got some seedlings and a purple wisteria. I’ve always wanted to train one across the front of the house and now I shall. I can see a curtain of blooms hanging off the carport and house facia. I’ve already planted it :) Later on I’ll add some decent hooks to the facia, with a block of wood behind each, and a chain to train the climber where I want it to go. The chain and hook thing enables it to be lifted off somewhat so the facia can still be painted.
Visitors came and went, eucy mulch collecters came and went, and now I can have a cuppa and rest. Jaffles for tea!

Happy Potter said:

I was trying to have a ‘still’ day, where I relaxed and just took in everything. Haha, no such luck!
I’ve been running about madly, including getting a panicked call to attend a worm farming workshop as the host was stuck across town with a broken down car. I grabbed a bottle of worm wee and a handful of worms in casts and took off. The talk went great! One fellow wanted to create a raised vege bed at his workplace about the size of two tables but wasn’t allowed to have a worm farm compost container seperately. I told him he could put a worm farm in the middle with some chicken wire and told him how to do this. He was rapt. I taked about the pros and cons of container worm farming and where to get cheap or free composting worms from. Then the host turned up and took over. Yay lol.
I got a couple freebies for my time inc’ a bag of sugar cane mulch and a couple plants of my choice.I got some seedlings and a purple wisteria. I’ve always wanted to train one across the front of the house and now I shall. I can see a curtain of blooms hanging off the carport and house facia. I’ve already planted it :) Later on I’ll add some decent hooks to the facia, with a block of wood behind each, and a chain to train the climber where I want it to go. The chain and hook thing enables it to be lifted off somewhat so the facia can still be painted.
Visitors came and went, eucy mulch collecters came and went, and now I can have a cuppa and rest. Jaffles for tea!

I would have wished you an extra Happy day if I was one of those visitors!

Happy Potter said:

I was trying to have a ‘still’ day, where I relaxed and just took in everything. Haha, no such luck!
I’ve been running about madly, including getting a panicked call to attend a worm farming workshop as the host was stuck across town with a broken down car. I grabbed a bottle of worm wee and a handful of worms in casts and took off. The talk went great! One fellow wanted to create a raised vege bed at his workplace about the size of two tables but wasn’t allowed to have a worm farm compost container seperately. I told him he could put a worm farm in the middle with some chicken wire and told him how to do this. He was rapt. I taked about the pros and cons of container worm farming and where to get cheap or free composting worms from. Then the host turned up and took over. Yay lol.
I got a couple freebies for my time inc’ a bag of sugar cane mulch and a couple plants of my choice.I got some seedlings and a purple wisteria. I’ve always wanted to train one across the front of the house and now I shall. I can see a curtain of blooms hanging off the carport and house facia. I’ve already planted it :) Later on I’ll add some decent hooks to the facia, with a block of wood behind each, and a chain to train the climber where I want it to go. The chain and hook thing enables it to be lifted off somewhat so the facia can still be painted.
Visitors came and went, eucy mulch collecters came and went, and now I can have a cuppa and rest. Jaffles for tea!

wisteria is a wonderous plant – so hardy and yet so colourful.

justin said:

Happy Potter said:

I was trying to have a ‘still’ day, where I relaxed and just took in everything. Haha, no such luck!
I’ve been running about madly, including getting a panicked call to attend a worm farming workshop as the host was stuck across town with a broken down car. I grabbed a bottle of worm wee and a handful of worms in casts and took off. The talk went great! One fellow wanted to create a raised vege bed at his workplace about the size of two tables but wasn’t allowed to have a worm farm compost container seperately. I told him he could put a worm farm in the middle with some chicken wire and told him how to do this. He was rapt. I taked about the pros and cons of container worm farming and where to get cheap or free composting worms from. Then the host turned up and took over. Yay lol.
I got a couple freebies for my time inc’ a bag of sugar cane mulch and a couple plants of my choice.I got some seedlings and a purple wisteria. I’ve always wanted to train one across the front of the house and now I shall. I can see a curtain of blooms hanging off the carport and house facia. I’ve already planted it :) Later on I’ll add some decent hooks to the facia, with a block of wood behind each, and a chain to train the climber where I want it to go. The chain and hook thing enables it to be lifted off somewhat so the facia can still be painted.
Visitors came and went, eucy mulch collecters came and went, and now I can have a cuppa and rest. Jaffles for tea!

wisteria is a wonderous plant – so hardy and yet so colourful.

Yes, I’ve been to old farmhouses that get less than 300 mm per year.. everything else is dead but the wisteria isn’t

Happy birfday to meeeeeeeeee :D
How they manged to keep these boots that I absolutely love a secret from me is a complete mystery! I sniff out everything! They’re gorgeous. So was the birthday cake..an adorable little lemon tart with a massive house candle lol.
I have a bottle of baileys from lovely friends to get through too. I didn’t have a drink because when Mrs Daughter and son in law and bubs came over they looked like they’d been through the wringer.. baby very unsettled and hadn’t slept more than 10 mins and wailed and wailed allllllll day…
Right, hand me the little screamer… bubs asleep in seconds and she stayed asleep the whole time. The secret? a rocking chair :)

Happy Potter said:

Happy birfday to meeeeeeeeee :D
How they manged to keep these boots that I absolutely love a secret from me is a complete mystery! I sniff out everything! They’re gorgeous. So was the birthday cake..an adorable little lemon tart with a massive house candle lol.
I have a bottle of baileys from lovely friends to get through too. I didn’t have a drink because when Mrs Daughter and son in law and bubs came over they looked like they’d been through the wringer.. baby very unsettled and hadn’t slept more than 10 mins and wailed and wailed allllllll day…
Right, hand me the little screamer… bubs asleep in seconds and she stayed asleep the whole time. The secret? a rocking chair :)

damn! I knew that, but forgot to put it up! Happy Birthday, Happy Potter :) Love the boots. Nothing like a grandma in a rocking chair to settle a baby.

I bought a rocking chair expressly for breast feeding mum before baby was born.. Worked a treat.

roughbarked said:

I bought a rocking chair expressly for breast feeding mum before baby was born.. Worked a treat.

They’re getting one today! I did notice both mum and dad tend to rock baby a bit too enthusiastically, told them she’s not on a wild boat ride lol, easy on and best to use gentle rhythmic motion. They did have a good nights sleep last night, all of them :)

Cooking today, a cake and some slices and use up some lemons for a lemon custard slice for a ‘bring a plate’ event for tomorrow.

Morning all. The invaders have gone back to their own nest and peace has decended over the Pomolorosa again. I love them and I miss them but I love my peace and quiet too.

Still trying to give away spinach and silverbeet. There is no stopping that stuff. Broad beans are a bit of a disappointment. Not producing like I thought they would. The plants are almost 2mts high but copped a toweling during the storms. Hard to keep them upright. Brocollini is still producing but I think the bed has been allowed to get too dry. Kids went digging in it for worms (for fishing) and the undersoil was very dry. The whold bed needs turning and compost etc added.

Had 10 bales of hay delivered and D has begun putting it through the mulcher. Now we have to make a place to store the excess. One shredded bale makes a huge pile to be used. We only shred as it’s needed and the remainder has to be kept dry. Perhaps a new shed might be handy.

I’ve been down and picked 3 cauliflowers, all the rest of the fennel and a few lonely broad beans. The broad bean plants are pretty wrecked from the wild winds that came with the storms.

How do the rest of you grow your B beans? We did them in a block with stakes and supporting ties wrapped all around the lot. Obviously not good enough. Besides it makes each pod very hard to spot amongst all that green. Any clues as to how to do it better next time?

pomolo said:

I’ve been down and picked 3 cauliflowers, all the rest of the fennel and a few lonely broad beans. The broad bean plants are pretty wrecked from the wild winds that came with the storms.

How do the rest of you grow your B beans? We did them in a block with stakes and supporting ties wrapped all around the lot. Obviously not good enough. Besides it makes each pod very hard to spot amongst all that green. Any clues as to how to do it better next time?

Plant the broad beans in clumps further apart, is one method.
Sow the seed more thinly if inending to make rows or blocks of rows. Since it is the mass of vegeation that makes a wall for the wind to push over.
Sow the beans amongst old corn stalks or prunings poked in the ground is another.

roughbarked said:

Sow the beans amongst old corn stalks or prunings poked in the ground is another.

I like that idea :)

pomolo said:

I’ve been down and picked 3 cauliflowers, all the rest of the fennel and a few lonely broad beans. The broad bean plants are pretty wrecked from the wild winds that came with the storms.

How do the rest of you grow your B beans? We did them in a block with stakes and supporting ties wrapped all around the lot. Obviously not good enough. Besides it makes each pod very hard to spot amongst all that green. Any clues as to how to do it better next time?

i grow mine the same as yours with the same picking problems. i have just used a few wire cages to keep the b.beans from swamping the caper bushes.

probably we should grow them on low trellises of stakes and sheep fencing wire.
sad about the bad winds – my sympathy.

Phew-ee hard work and getting sweat in my eyes. I’m digging in heaps of the mountain of freebie compost into the front garden where the cordyline was. Yep, was, because it’s all out :D
If I can get the whole area covered by about 10 cm deep and dug over the exected rain will wet it all in for me.
Drinks, then back to it.

I have baby apricots :)
and the cherry is flowering now :) :)
got to get some netting now so that the birds don’t pinch the fruit.

bluegreen said:

I have baby apricots :)
and the cherry is flowering now :) :)
got to get some netting now so that the birds don’t pinch the fruit.

fruit fly will beat them.

roughbarked said:

bluegreen said:

I have baby apricots :)
and the cherry is flowering now :) :)
got to get some netting now so that the birds don’t pinch the fruit.

fruit fly will beat them.

hopefully not too many of them here :(

bluegreen said:

roughbarked said:

bluegreen said:

I have baby apricots :)
and the cherry is flowering now :) :)
got to get some netting now so that the birds don’t pinch the fruit.

fruit fly will beat them.

hopefully not too many of them here :(

There is no such thing as not too may fruit fly.

Two is more than enough.

roughbarked said:

bluegreen said:

roughbarked said:

fruit fly will beat them.

hopefully not too many of them here :(

There is no such thing as not too may fruit fly.

Two is more than enough.

true.

bluegreen said:

I have baby apricots :)
and the cherry is flowering now :) :)
got to get some netting now so that the birds don’t pinch the fruit.

:)