And March ends...

I have actually sat at my sewing machine in it's new home for an extended period today, but it is now too late to iron and photograph my progress.

We bought a large house but still a designated sewing room did not eventuate.  I now have a desk at the end of the dining room and the machine can stay out, the dining table can be used for cutting.  And it is only a short trip to the cupboard with the sewing supplies.

We are having a relaxing weekend.  Our visitors left today.  We had a nice wander with them  yesterday to collect more pony poo, (tis good to educate the young!) and I have finally started to plant winter veges and rhubarb.  One of the compost bins has been emptied and a new home found for it, which will be more convenient on dark, cold winter evenings.  And I even made a delicious orange cake for dessert on Friday night.  So am feeling my productive mojo has returned.

And there is still tomorrow for laundry and housework.  Long weekends are great!

The rhubarb plant, some lettuce and silver beet in this photo.  The lettuce will be harvested while the rhubarb grows as it seems best to leave picking the stalks for a year to encourage development according to the tag.

The new piece of garden where Chris has been slaving removing roots and any grass that has survived our dry summer.  Pure sand, now liberally covered in pony poo.

The last of the summer pickings, scallopini and tiny courgettes, their greenery covered in all sorts of pests and powdery mildew so it was time to rip them out.  The tiny capasicum, the plant was over run with little blue bugs.  The last of the passionfruit and some rosemary prunings to dry.

Chris and kids on the swing bridge.  Swing bridges are not my idea of fun!

I love flags

I have always wanted a flag pole in my garden but past husbands were not so keen.  My partner thinks a less formal type of colourful flag would be acceptable.  I have been going to stitch one or two, however we purchased a couple of less traditional ones at WOMAD, they will be unveiled on here eventually.

The flags at WOMAD keep me entertained for hours, each year they add more.  

These were new this year.

Photo from last year.

Flapping flags, perfect for chilling and people watching between artists.

It is here...favourite weekend of the year!

Yes my annual pilgramage to WOMAD starts in the morning.  This is my seventh year, and as in 2007 Salif Keita is performing.  It is always a special weekend but will be more so this time.  Salif Keita is magnificent.

Pantry staples

I have not been totally unproductive.

 Plum sauce that I made last weekend.  I am still using plum sauce made three years ago so made a small quantity of a different recipe.  Lovely flavours of five spice and star ainse but also quite vinegary, hopefully it will improve with keeping. (Thanks Xanthe for the empty Jagermeister bottle, perfect for sauces)

I have put together two kilos of tomatoes with the onions and salt to soak ready to turn into relish tomorrow.  Nothing like a relish and cheese sandwich to cheer up the work day, though I am still finding gluten free bread somewhat blah.

Weekend is here...

Today I left the house at 5.30 a.m. and walked in the door at 7.30 p.m. and my travel time was barely two hours in total, so yet another long work day.  Is it any wonder I am exhausted and my hobbies suffer.

Boris is growing and we are enjoying his antics.  He loves going outside and seems to enjoy popping over the fence to visit the neighbours, after he has had a good look to see what is happening.  Often he is in the above pose with his chin leaning on the fence top for ages.