20 January 2014

Harvest Monday - 20th January, 2014

With the horrendous heatwave of last week, which for those of us who live in South Australia looked like this, 42.8, 45.7, 46, 46.4, 44, I honestly didn't think that I would have any vegetables left never alone have anything to harvest. But as always the plants continue to amaze with their resilence and while it isn't much of a harvest it is at least something to show for all all the time, energy and water I have put into the garden.
Mostly cocktail tomatoes, 1 green zebra and a lone grape tomato. The chillis are yellow hot wax and cayene. Drop by Daphne's Dandelions to see more harvests from around the globe.

01 January 2014

Hello 2014

Well, here we are, the first day of a brand new year, time to wipe the slate clean and start anew. And as it's the first today I thought I would share a couple of firsts with you.
The first loaf of bread,
made in my shiny, new breadmaker which was part Christmas present, part birthday present, (my birthday falls on the 19th).
And the first of what I am sure will be many bowls of ice cream made in the ice cream maker that my youngest daughter Samantha picked up at the Boxing Day sales.
I know it doesn't look very appetising (bad lighting) but trust me, it was good.
It was rich and creamy and very chocolaty but I think I will cut back on the sugar next time as it was just a little too sweet even for me.
I am hoping to add to my list of firsts this year with cheesemaking being top of the list as well as making my own soap which I have been putting off as it scares me a little bit.
It was hot here yesterday and we are in for the same again today. The weatherman has forecast rain for today and tomorrow and I am really hoping that they have got it right, because not only could the gardens do with a good soaking, my rainwater tanks need replenishing as well. In the meantime we are all trying to stay cool anyway we can.
The chickens spend most of the day under the coop where it is about five degrees cooler, I also put a frozen bottle of water in their drinking water and a dish of water for them to stand in.  
Grace cooling her heels.
Keeping our rabbits cool is our main concern on very hot days as they can overheat very quickly, one way we do this is to freeze bottles of water to put in their cages.
Willow snuggled up to her ice bottle.
And of course we can't forget about our feathered friends.

Well, that's it, my first post for the new year. Wishing you all a very Happy New Year and I hope that it turns out to be a very good one for all of us.