Lucky to call this place home

We were lucky enough to go on the Aqua Taxi into our nearby National Park today.

We got up close to our iconic "split apple rock" where the red head was most impressed as the boat driver said they think it has been there since the last ice age.

I loved the wildlife. Getting to view it all up close from the boat was fabulous. It was just the right time of year to see shags nesting and a mother seal feeding her pup on the rocks on the predator free Adele Island.

The water was quite rough today so we didn't spot any of the dolphins we had been hoping for, but that just gives us an excuse to go back again another day.

Perhaps if we had lived here 150 years ago we might have been lucky enough to see some giant moa which were native to New Zealand but are now extinct. The statues at the gallery by the entrance to the National Park were pretty impressive. How lucky are we to have all this at our back doorstep.

shop update

Yesterday I popped some new bags into the shop

Fantastic odds on the giveaway though so don't be shy.

Thank you, a giveaway

A thank you to all who have read, smiled, frowned and reflected at this wee place for almost 4 years. It has been a pleasure to share here. Your comments and emails have meant more than you could possibly know.
You may not know, I love orange (and red heads) so I'm giving away one of my favorite orange and black retro fabric tote bags to celebrate 300 posts. It's a good size for knitting, magazines, market, shopping, etc. It's one of a kind, no one else will have one of these.

But,

If you don't love orange as much as I do I'll send you a mystery package, it will include hand spun wool, patchwork scraps and design samples. Just make a comment or send an email with your preference at the bottom of this post. I'll happily post to the winner anywhere on this fabulous Earth.

Just promise me you'll make one concession for your environment this week and try and make it a priority at least once a week if you aren't already.

Simple ideas to start you off are:

buy local,

buy in season,

teach it to your kids, friends and family,

walk,

bike,

give,

recycle,

share,

grow it,

smile,

love,

forgive,

THANK YOU,

From your friend GILLY BEAN

Quick change of plan

I just passed my 300th post and I've been thinking about a giveaway to celebrate,

but when the fresh caught whitebait arrived for dinner last night sausages went off the menu really quickly and a salad was sourced from the garden. I just had to share the images here for your mouthwatering pleasure.

Whitebait patties:

For 1lb of freshly caught whitebait, have the children beat up two free range eggs, sprinkle in a tablespoon of flour and season with pepper and salt, add whitebait. The kids will enjoy tipping the whitebait in the bowl and giving it a stir. Mine love the eyes and tease each other to eat them raw.

Then easy peasy, put spoonfuls in a pan to fry in butter.

Come back for the giveaway next week.

Allies

My plant allies this spring are the perennial herbs.

The strong potent roots revealing and releasing their energy,

Full of promise after the cold and darkness inward,

stored potential,

restored,

anchored strongly,

bursting forth into sunshine and warmth.

This spring movement feels very significant to me in this season.

Moon waxing

Gosh look at that moon waxing.
Shall I sacrifice a sleep-in tomorrow for seed sowing?
Cucumbers, tomatoes, gourds, pumpkins, zucchini, capsicum, chilli, basil, early corn and beans in trays, sunflowers, zinnia, buckwheat, orach, cleome...
Ok I'm convinced.
Happy weekending

Where do all the hours in the day go?

Either I'm completely disorganised or it is just a myth that you gain a whole lot of free time once your youngest child goes to school. People keep asking me "What are you doing with all your free time?"

?

What free time ?

Maybe it's because it's spring and there's so much to do in the garden.

Maybe it's because the kids have each had almost a week off each with flu.

Maybe it's because I've been helping out at school a bit.

Maybe it's because this youngest one seems to be finding it hard to transition to school.

Rain,

Leak in the hot water cylinder wetting all the sheets and blankets in the linen cupboard.

I don't know?

Roll on school holidays.

Favorite things today

A new vessel for short stems An old one for favorites.A new blanket of old favorites, finished finally for an adorable new baby.

Shaken awake

We're thinking of everyone down in Christchurch this morning, hoping they have enough food, warmth and water to get through the next couple of days.
We had some girls here for a sleepover for PJ's birthday and the shaking woke us all up. Luckily we are far enough away for it not to have any serious effects. After lots of questions and reassurance they went back to sleep.The girls helped Pj to celebrate by decorating cupcakes, making pizzas and playing games.
A very happy birthday girl.

The best fresh food in my garden at the moment is Purple sprouting broccoli, it features in almost every evening meal. It has been really slow to yield, I think I planted it about 8 months ago and wondered if it was ever going to do anything. Early spring is perfect timing though, there are only leeks and salad greens to choose from otherwise.

Everyone I talk to is getting enthusiastic about the coming season, conversations quickly turning to planting, compost, nutrient dense food and calcium. I'm simply looking forward to peas and asparagus rubs hands together and smiles. I'm mulching, weeding, planting radishes, carrots and spring onions. Hand pollinating the apricots because I've only seen about 3 bumble bees and they're amongst the broad beans, I'm not even sure if they do fruit blossoms? It's a bit of concern that there is not a honey bee in sight, last year was the same. Beehives are on my wish list but not until the one with anaphalaxis leaves home. Water chestnuts and Earth Gems have arrived from Koanga today. So I'll be gardening, if you're wondering.
*!Happy birthday to PJ she's 9 today !* My goodness, she has grown up too fast.