Monday 6 April 2015

Monthly 9 Link-up for March 2015......

 
 Joining in with Linda for the monthly 9 for March.  Where does that time go?

 Nourish:  I was lucky enough to be invited to pick my fill of apples from a local orchard.  Gave loads to friends and family, stewed and froze some and also added my own rhubarb and made a delicious crumble.  Have an abundant supply of rhubarb running wild in the vegie garden so was great to put some to good use.
Apple & Rhubarb Crumble  ..... didn't remember to get a pic until it was almost too late.

 Prepare:  Made a batch of tomato sauce from my tomatoes....not so many this year.  I have another load on the kitchen bench as I write which will hopefully be turned into tomato relish this afternoon!

Homemade tomato sauce....it's a little runny but still tastes good.
Reduce:  Plans are in the pipeline and we may be moving!  Am spending quite a lot of time clearing out cupboards and storage getting rid of all things unwanted.  Trips to the local charity shop are on the horizon.

Green:  Two great books found their way into my hands.  Free-cycled from one of the ladies at book club who was giving away several of her unwanted books.  The Book Thief and Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela ..... I couldn't resist them and happily gave them a new home. 
Free-cycled books....
Grow:  Plenty of fruit on the lemon tree but doesn't appear to want to turn yellow...not sure what's happening there.  Also lots of fruit on the fig tree but it is a constant battle with the local Currawong's to get to them first....those birds wait until they see the purple start to appear on the figs and they are onto it .... looks like I will need to get the bird netting up!

Lemons that don't want to ripen...one is getting almost grapefruit size

Planted out some additions to the vegie garden now that the summer crops are out.  New bed for the potatoes.... and also planted out some snow peas, baby spinach and lettuce.  Another two beds for Broccoli, Cauliflower and Leeks. 

Vegie gardens freshly planted....homemade trellis for the peas using recycled star posts and wire.

Create:  Haven't got to any of my creative projects this month with the exception of the novel.  This is taking up quite a bit of time. Writing Group each Friday is very inspirational and motivating.  Who knows maybe one day I will actually finish it . 

Discover:  It was really a re-discovery, but a beautiful day at the zoo reawakened my inner child... the majestic lions, elephants, gorilla's, birdlife and butterfly house.  Just fabulous and a magical experience to watch my Gboy be enthralled with all that he saw. If only we could all see the world through the eyes of young children.


Enhance:  Bookclub  this month was Her Father's Daughter by Alice Pung.  This is the second book we have had by this  author.  It's a little similar as they are memoirs but still quite a good read.  Also on the nightstand I am eagerly waiting to read my daughter's copy of The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath. So many books .... so little time.!


This months' book club read
 
The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath.....just sitting there waiting for me to pick it up!
 Enjoy:  So much to enjoy in March.... not the least the last of the good weather.  We celebrated a significant birthday in the gardens at the Zoo....it's not everyday you turn 4.  Several dinners out with friends, a 21st, an afternoon Tea to celebrate several birthdays...and a 50th where a little too much wine turned into everyone's worst nightmare ...Karaoke !!

Birthday picnic at the zoo for the super GBOY !!
Here's hoping March held something special for everyone else.  Happy Autumn.

8 comments:

  1. Isn't it a treat to have your own lemon tree....as for figs, I wish!! You wouldn't try one of the plastic hawks from Bunnings Suzie to try and keep the birds at bay? We've had great success with ours this year. Jan x

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    1. it's really only a couple of clever birds Jan...they are so cheeky they even attack the figs when I am in the garden.. I'm happy to share with them, but the figs ripen very slowly...they pick them off one at a time !!

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  2. Look at your fig tree! I have recently discovered that there is a variety of fig that is hardy enough to grow where I live when we get our front garden sorted I am planting one!

    Wow you are writing a novel, how amazing is that!

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  3. I need to find a few good recipes to use the figs....the novel has been a project for a long time...fingers crossed one day I will finish it.

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  4. Isn't apple cooking time just so wonderful…all those yummy smells of cinnamon and apple wafting through the house! Thats what I've been doing today, in fact, and its reminded me of how much I love it. Enjoy your figs if you get any, they are such a delicious fruit and have such a short season.
    Thanks for sharing a slice of your life, is always interesting to read what others are doing!

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  5. Your fig tree looks great Suzie! You better get that net on. I love figs but our tree is still small. We did a picnic at the zoo to celebrate two birthdays as well. It's a great place for all ages. And moving? Such a big thing!!

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    1. I loved the zoo it was a fabulous day....and moving is quite the task... but we have done it several times now so not too bad...it's in the wind.

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  6. What a great month you have had and you seem to be much more on top of your veggie garden than me. I have a few things going but with the house on the market I do not want to plant too much but then we might be here a while so I have to keep a few things going.

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