Gone!

Last week I had a very wonky carport...

This week I don't!

After four weeks insurance and the builders finally got themselves sorted and removed it yesterday. Just in time too, it took on a bit more of a lean during last weekends windy weather. The new ones goes in next week! Looks like we have a bit of pruning to do...

When we had a carport, the dogs were kept down the back of the yard, away from the fence so they couldn't bark. Now that it's gone, they get a little more lawn and sun time. Millie is really making the most of it.

I'll admit that this week hasn't been my finest, hence the lack of posts. I had a revolting day at work on Monday that left me wondering if it was worth it. I actually started looking for a new job. I had hoped my yoga class would calm me down but it really didn't have the desired effect. Then I capped it off by whinging at the man, which made me feel worse...

I'm excited that I made a little progress on Hopscotch; those lines take forever! I've done two rows of blocks, so just six to go.

  

I also finally picked up one of my birthday pressies; a little sapphire ring from Tiffany. So really the week wasn't all bad, but it certainly didn't get off to the best start.

(instagram: blackcat20)

Spring Garden

I love watching all the little things popping up in the garden at this time of year.

I especially love my rununculus.
  

  

And the lavender. The bees love it too.

My quince tree is flowering; there is nothing better than poached quinces over winter.

My berry canes are also flowering. You've got to be quick to beat the birds for these yummies!

Lots of new vegies planted too; I'm looking forward to eating several types of zucchini this year. Hopefully whatever critter ate my winter vegies will be gone by then....

And my Millie turned 12 on Sunday! She's definitely gone quite grey, but she is still a puppy at heart.

I was waiting...

...for my single, lonely pumpkin to be ready. Apparently I waited too long, as this is what greeted me this morning.

Apparently there is a critter living in my garden with very good taste in homegrown produce. Not happy!

Basil Pesto

Nothing says summer like basil, even when it's already half way through autumn. While we are still having lovely warm days, the nights are getting cooler, and the basil was starting to look a little weary. Pesto is the perfect solution!

My recipe is done by feel:

A colander full of basil (or a bunch, if you've bought it)

Handful of pine nuts

Handful of Parmesan

A couple of cloves of garlic

Pinch of salt

Olive oil

Whiz your basil, nuts, cheese and garlic in a food processor until finely chopped. I use a mini processor as there isn't much bulk, so it works a bit better. Add in some oil to get it to the consistency you want, and thrown in a pinch of salt.

If you aren't going to use it straight away, put it in a container or jar, and cover with a layer of olive oil to keep it green. Then put it in the fridge or freezer until you are ready to use it. It's a great back-up meal when you're in a bit of a hurry. Yum!

The Good News

Ever have one of those weeks (or months) where everything seems to go your way? Apparently it's finally my time! I've been offered a part-time job, which I'm still thinking over...trying to weigh up the pros and cons, but I think I'll probably take it unless a better offer comes my way in the next week... It's not perfect, but something is better than nothing.

Things are coming along nicely in the garden; I think summer has left us now so it's time to start looking ahead to winter.

The zucchini glut is pretty much over; there are a few babies left still, but they don't seem to grow as quickly now that we aren't getting the hot weather.

The bok choy is in and growing; love this in my stir fries.

I have a couple of pumpkins growing too; after an attack by a whipper snipper early on (lost some fruit), the plant has bounced back well ('scuse the weeds).

The quinces seem to have ripened way earlier than usual; I already have quite a collection on my kitchen bench which I need to get poaching. They take a bit of time but are definitely worth it.

I've got two markets lined up for this month. The Boutique Market is on Sunday 18th March from 9-1 at the Malvern Town Hall. I'll have all my fabric and patterns there as per Mathilda's Market.

Then on the following Sunday, 25th March, I'll be at the Huckleberry Market in Mornington from 9-2 with a mix of fabrics and handmade goodies. Click on the links over on the right for more info on either market.

Instagram

I'm no photographer; I'm more of a point-and-shoot kinda girl. I also don't know my way around Photoshop; the only skill I have there is pimple-removing when I need an ID photo to look good.

So it's no suprise that I'm loving Instagram! Take a quick snap on my iPhone, pop it into Instagram and let it work its magic. These are a few shots I've taken over the last week or so...

I love a good cup of tea; I've been drinking it every morning since I was little. Usually I'm an English Breakfast girl, but Twinings bought out an Aussie blend in time for Australia Day and I really like it.

A quick meal one night: stir fried pork with beans, wombok and cashews served with rice.

Scones cooked in the Weber BBQ with lashings of that blackberry jam I made over the weekend and thick cream.

Summer fruits; we only got one fig on our little tree this year, but that wasn't a bad effort given we moved the tree over winter. I wasn't sure it would survive...

More homegrown goodness; tomatoes, bocconcini and basil with a little olive oil, salt and pepper. Ensalada Caprese.

And of course a quick snap of Bella, who spends most of her time chilling on my bed. This little girl does not like the heat at all!

Pop Up Market

This Saturday I've got a stall at the Rock Your Stockings Pop-Up Market in Prahran, so I've been busy sewing this week after last Sunday's busy market.

I've got a few more Dr Seuss/Cat in the Hat cushions, as they seem to be extremely popular. And it seems to be adults buying them for themselves...

A couple more owls.

Outside of sewing things have been happening in the vegie patch. I found this enormous zucchini hiding yesterday; those scissors are a standard-sized kitchen pair, and this baby is over 1kg!

I was alerted to the ripening of the peaches yesterday by the wattlebirds. They're getting their share, but we have more than enough to go around. It's so nice to eat fruit that was picked only seconds earlier.

I've also just picked my first handful of butterbeans for the summer. These will be going in a stirfry tonight along with that zucchini and some home-grown roly poly carrots.

I Love Summer!

After the coldest start to summer in over 20 years, the sun is finally shining! The cicadas are chirping and the parrots are certainly doing their bit in my feijoa trees. I'm trying hard to split my time between inside activities and outdoors jobs.

I stitched up all the offcuts from Swoon (I hate the wastage that comes from flying geese) into a big pile of HSTs....now I just need to decide what to do with them.

Swoon is basted and currently residing in the machine; my plan is to have it done by Christmas so I can hand stitch the binding while I'm away on holidays. My sewing machine has been giving me lots of trouble when I free-motion quilt (the bobbin thread catches), but apparently you can stipple with the feed-dogs up, and it seems to be working so far. The middle block is always the hardest!

The garden has completely come alive; the aggies provide a nice bit of colour against my in-need-of-a-paint fence.

Those tiny little tomato seedlings I rescued and planted have turned into mammoth plants, and they seem to be competing with a self-sown oregano plant.

There are little tomatoes hiding everywhere.

After no zucchinis last year, I've already got quite a few this year (and some of them are HUGE!).

My butter beans are already covered in flowers and tiny beans...hopefully they'll be ready by Christmas day.

My poor peach tree is so laden with fruit I've had to tie the branches to the fence to prevent them snapping off.

There are little figs tucked away.

I netted the blueberries this year and I actually get to eat these yummy little morsels.

The quinces are putting on weight, so we should have a nice winter crop.

The hibiscus are also adding a nice bit of colour against all the green.

So that's what is happening in my world at the moment. It's only 19 days till Christmas and I still have three markets to get through, and a bit of baking. Ive already baked (and eaten) a batch of shortbread....

Road Trippin'

This week I went on a bit of a road trip around the state, with interviews scheduled in a couple of distant country towns. It was nice to check out some new places, and spend a little time just chilling under a tree.

But as much as I love being in the car, singing along to my music, road trips are really made for more than one person. And being rung before I even got home to say I didn't get one of the jobs was pretty sucky.

On the upside, I've started quilting Sugar Twist. My plan was to get it done by today, but my little road trip of 800km kinda got in the way.

I also had the October Maker's Market today; despite pouring rain for the past couple of days, the weather gods turned on some gorgeous sunshine today. After posting a pic on Facebook, I had quite a few people enquiring about my Dr Seuss cushion, but one lucky lady snapped it up very quickly!

I also managed to pick up some heirloom tomato plants, just $1.50 each! There's a purple russian, a black krim, and an ox heart. I've never grown any of these so I'm looking forward to a yummy summer bounty.

Spring has Sprung!

Between the jet lag and the chest infection, there's been no sewing going on at my place. Luckily I did all my market sewing before I went away. But, there are signs of spring everywhere and I'm loving it! It certainly makes it easier to come home from a very hot US summer.

The cherry blossoms; I'm so glad I didn't miss them.

Ranunculus.

Bottle brush.

Peas! They were only just flowering when I left, and now they are bowing down under the weight of plump pods. Pea and prosciutto pasta for dinner tomorrow!

Quince tree.

Even the chives are flowering.