We are now in Summer which means Zebby spends more time out from under his battered quilt (the battering is all his own work) and instead lounges on his beloved old red bathmat, however my lad is refusing to smile for or even look at the camera.
My New Zealand flax plant has started flowering, providing a nectar treat for the local birds, especially the Tuis.
Here is today's scrumptious loaf of "No Knead" bread when it was just out of the oven. Only 4 ingredients needed (flour, water, salt and yeast), it is delicious with a crunchy crust and a soft, moist crumb. Most has been sliced and put into the freezer - it is so hard to wait for the loaf to cool down before slicing into and devouring it.
The veggie garden is growing beautifully - November was far warmer and dryer than usual in NZ so all the plants got an excellent start. I had to water them every evening until today when it actually rained. You can see how dry the soil is all around the plants containers and the grass has dried off way earlier than usual.
Here I have basil, oregano, Lebanese cucumbers, a little gem squash, rainbow beetroot (beets), more radishes, buttercrunch lettuce, sugarsnap peas and 3 rainbow carrots, all raised from seed. In addition there are 2 zucchini plants, a tomato plant, rainbow chard and an apple cucumber that I bought as seedlings.
At the other end of the flat are the dwarf beans (green and yellow varieties) and another little gems squash (again all raised from seed) together with 4 more tomato plants (the type is Money Maker) and a couple more rainbow chard plants. I've never grown tomatoes before!
I'm sure everything will kick into production while I'm away over Christmas - thankfully I have some wonderful neighbours across our shared driveway who will not only water the veg for me, but pick anything looking to be ripe. I hope they eat them too.
Yes, poor old Zebby is in for his annual cattery stay at his vet centre - now renamed "Pet Doctors", not that Zeb appreciates the name change. Luckily the staff there really like Zeb because of his gentle and affectionate nature (my darling wussy cat) so he will get plenty of hugs and cuddles from them.
Its getting late here so, with huggles from me and grumbly snoring from Zebby Cat, Nighty Night Folks.
14 comments:
Ooh that bread looks good - can you post the recipe? Orlando sends purrs.
I'd love to have the bread recipe, too - please.
Can't believe you've never grown tomatoes before. They're SO easy, and SOOOOOOOOOO good!
Where are you going over Christmas?
That bread looks yummy, another one here would like the recipe.
I am so jealous of your garden while I sit here in the UK under a layer of white! Diane
just looking at that bread made me hungry although I'd just eaten.
Drats! You know what I'm saying - too bad it isn't gluten free.
I'll say the gardens look fantastic! Especially since my attempts at an outside garden are hopeless and everything is white anyway.
As for your other picture....mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm - what a guy!
I have missed your post. So glad you are back.
Your vegies are looking fantastic, they make me think that I should get some planted this weekend. Whenever I make that bread we usually eat the whole loaf quite quickly and yes, it is hard to wait for it to cool enough to slice.
Bread barely makes it out of the oven round here unless I make it sneakily late at night :)
I usually enforce a rule for leaving enough for lunch boxes and leave it at that because I like fresh bread too :)
Skilly is curled tight in the spare duvet - it is cold here today. Even her nose is tucked under the end of her tail.
viv in dunedin
Looks like you've been busy and as for brad straight from the oven... bang goes the diet!!
Zebby looks a picture of contentment. My cats are taking it in turns to sit in front of the oven door when it's really cold.
Have a super Christmas :-)
Deborah x
Everything looks wonderful in your neck of the woods. I had the surprise of my life the other night when my friend in Chrischurch called, out of the blue, just to say hello. I haven't seen him in at least ten years, the last time he came to San Francisco to inspect grapes being imported into NZ ( he's an agricultural inspector and we met
about 20 years ago when I was on a Sydney - Auckland cruise and he boarded in Hobart to stay with the ship to Christchurh ). We hung out together every night and, once in Christchurch, he came back and got my friend, Sandi, and I and took us sightseeing for the day! We've beeen friends ever since.
That bread looks soo good Michelle, I can almost smell it.
Hi there Michelle. So glad you are doing well. Zebby is looking as cute as ever!
Where are you going for Christmas? Adventures are always so much fun.
That flax plant is beautiful! As is your garden also. You do an amazing job. I have plants from Daddy's funeral here that I have just put into pots. My green thumb isn't very green so I am hoping I can keep them alive. Any pointers?
That bread looks so delicious and with 4 ingredients it sounds super simple. Would you mind sharing the recipe?
Blessings to you today.
I wondered when you and Zebby were leaving for your Christmas vacations! I figured that things were getting busy whilst you were planning for your trip.
Hope we'll se a post or 2 over Christmas vacation. Give your Mom and Dad a hug from me and Thor!
Huggles, shivers and contented Mastiff snoring,
Marjie xxx
Typical of a per, not looking into the camera. I think they do it on purpose.
Your bread looks lovely and your garden veg lovely and fresh.
I haven't had time to blog for a while. Time of the year and all that.
Sounds like Zebcat will get spoilt while you are away.
Maggie X
Nuts in May
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