Spring Seed Swap?

I had big plans of sharing a late Winter garden update with you all this post, full of beautiful pictures of Wintry produce such as peas(as pictured above), garlic, onions, kale, lettuce, beets, winter herbs, brassica, spinach, and oh so much more.... But, unfortunately, while away with my farmer on a recent week long trip to the city for specialist appointments my entire vegetable garden was wiped out by local wildlife, namely kangaroos! The only plant that is left (from some hundred odd) is a wee rosemary bush - note to self; grow rosemary hedge around garden, asap!

So, after a week of grieving (and tidying up) I've decided to look to the future and start with the planning of my Spring/Summer plantings. Every year I wish that I had started my tomatoes earlier, so this year I am, tomorrow, in a makeshift hothouse like this one.

Do you have a favourite tomato variety that you like to grow? Mine is the Mortgage Lifter, hands down! I have been saving these seeds for as long as I can remember, and it has me wondering - would you be interested in a little Spring Seed Swap? If you are, simply leave a comment letting me know what Spring seeds you have available to swap and we'll make it happen.


Happy Gardening x

simple gifts

I'm such a sucker for a simple, handmade, heartfelt gift. I'm not too sure exactly why that is, maybe it's the time and effort that goes in to each and every aspect of them. Like with this super sweet bag with little cross stitch embellishment - made by my biggest girl (almost 12) as a gift for her Mumma before her latest trip away (see my last post for the details). 

You see, the fabric is one from my stash that I've been hording for quite some time (waiting for the perfect project), the cross stitch is her first ever attempt at that craft, the simple timber beads and natural leather strap were carefully chosen for their 'earthy rawness' and to tone the whole project down, the size and shape of the bag were designed to fit perfectly into my favourite handbag (and to house just the right amount of yarn for a decent sized project), and the whole thing was made with the most important ingredient - love!   

So, are you like me?

Do you value simple, heartfelt things in your life?

Do you take the time to make gifts like these for those who you hold near and dear too?

If you're not a craft-y type to you give heartfelt gifts of another kind? 

lost my voice

I know that I don't frequent this space as much as I'd hoped to this year, for many reasons, but the main one is that I feel my blog writing voice has somehow been lost.

On a recent trip down south I had the pleasure of sitting and chatting all manner of things with the gorgeous Kate over knitting. We touched on the topic of expressing ourselves in a way that escaped the instant realm of other social media types and I mentioned how I missed actually 'writing', and that the Instant-ness of Instagram has somehow lost its shine. Typing meaningful words, as in a journal entry, and publishing them without instant recognition can be daunting, but to me it's therapeutic, somewhat releasing, and a wonderful way to clear and free the mind. 

Her words of advice to me to find my blog writing voice were simple, just 'write', don't think about it, the words will just come.

So, here I am, just simply writing, not about too much, just life as it is today on this chilly Winters morning. 

Today I'm .....

Plating : : the first of my Spring plantings with my littlest two, early I know, but each year I seem to be wishing I had started earlier so this year I am!

Missing : : my biggest girl very much!!! She has embarked on a 10 day father daughter trip, the first of many I'm sure. Where they are there's no mobile coverage or television. Their days will be filled with adventures and their nights will be mostly spent around campfires with other friends, chatting and playing cards. She's been gone for 2 days now and I'm sure that they're both having a wonderful time.

Reading : : this incredible book that's making so much sense to me and where my life is at the moment.

Baking : : so many things from this divine book, and wondering why it has sat unused for so many months on my shelf!

Creating : : my first ever 'for sale' crochet patterns and marveling at how wonderful it has made me feel on the inside.

Dreaming : : about how wonderful a window planter box would be, hanging outside the window at my kitchen sink, the one that frames my favourite part of my garden.

Loving : : that a simple, restrained, purchase of a sweet leather bracelet on a recent trip away is bringing me joy daily.

So, how about you?
Have you lost your writing voice before?
If so, how did you get it back?
Or, maybe you haven't yet? xx

January

Today, I'm pulling inspiration from Pip, and TAKING STOCK!
Making : : A cardigan, this one, for myself.
Cooking : : From this cookbook, for most meals.
Drinking : : Icy cold white wine in the evenings, which is totally not like me - I'm a red wine girl all the way. 
Reading : : Cookbooks, and loving this one full of beautiful interesting recipes and stories. I especially love how Hetty gives you loads of substitutes for ingredients that might be tricky to find.
Next read : : Cut Flower Garden
Wanting : : A new worm farm.
Looking : : At the Soul Craft Festival Schedule and planning a trip down south for June so I can attend.
Playing : : The Podcast 'A Plate to Call Home' and loving the latest episode with Tamsin Carvin.
Deciding : : Which Masterclass to attend while at Soul Craft Festival (if any at all) and thinking this one or this one would be fun!
Wishing : : The school holidays weren't over. My littlest guy started school and I'm missing him like crazy!
Enjoying : : The heat of Summer now that we have a pool to cool down in.
Waiting : : For my next batch of cucumber plantings to get their legs and grow, grow, grow.
Liking : : That water at our new farm is so much easier to come by and our vegetable garden is producing amazing produce as a result.
Wondering : : How long it will be before I can light my wood fired oven again - it's way too hot to light it today!

Loving : : That we bought a boat! And that trips to the water to take the kids skiing are now a regular part of our days.
Pondering : : Expanding my vegetable patch for the next Spring/Summer planting.
Considering : : Raised garden beds for my leafy greens and small herbs.
Buying : : Nothing!!!!! And embracing bartering where I can.
Watching : : 'The Good Life' on DVD with my family, again.
Next watch : : Not too sure, any recommendations?
Hoping : : The Kombucha Scoby that an Insta-friend sent me in the mail arrives safely today.
Marveling : : At the kindness of complete strangers.
Cringing : : At the waste people create without even noticing - that's a topic for a whole other post one day soon.
Needing : : A hair cut! It has been almost 18 months since I stepped into a hair salon - gasp!!!
Questioning : : Whether I've planted enough tomatoes to make our annual sauce/relish/pasata for the pantry to enjoy over the cooler months.
Smelling : : Salvia flowering in my garden - its sweet smell is absolutely intoxicating!
Wearing : : Simple cotton dressed and bare feet, daily.
Following : : The Soul Craft Festival Instagram feed.
Worrying : : About the influence of full-time school on my littlest guy.
Noticing : : That over the holidays my biggest girl grew that much that she's now almost as tall as me!
Knowing : : That I must savor everyday - my little people are growing up way too fast.
Thinking : : About taking my family on an extended overseas holiday and tossing up between Africa and Europe.
Admiring : : Amanda Blake Soule, as always!
Sorting : : Through boxes of fibre and planning a blanket project for 2018.
Getting : : Excited for the year ahead and what it has in store for my little family.
Bookmarking : : New recipes to try from this book.
Coveting : : The last of the Xmas chocolates!
Disliking : : Nothing really.
Opening : : A special present from my dear friend Kylie.
Snacking : : On Zucchini Walnut Cake from this book.
Hearing : : The wind as it whips through the big Iron bark trees outside my window.