Oh, Barry

Nothing simple living about this post, just a bit of comic relief.

As a treat for my birthday Tony and I went along to the Powerhouse Museum last Sunday to catch Mr Barry Morgan from Barry Morgan's World of Organs in Adelaide. Regular viewers of the ABC's show Spicks and Specks will be familiar with Barry and his wonderful organ. I have to say the show was hilarious, almost like being in an infomercial. Heck there was even a set of steak knives throw in for the person lucky enough to purchase Barry's wonderful Hammond Aurora Classic.

Check out Barry on Spicks and Specks sharing the love.





To top off the night our car got locked into New Farm park, my fault for being in a rush and not reading the signs. We managed to get out, just had to drive along the walkway / bike path to the road. Beats paying the $40.00 council call out fee for opening up the gate. Shhh....don't tell anyone!

Have a great weekend
Cheers Lisa

Under attack

Just when I thought all was going well in my tomato patch.


Yesterday I discovered that my Rouge De Marmande tomatoes are being devoured by some caterpillar beasties.....argh!! Initially I was a little worried about the plant as I think it has some type of disease (black spot, wilt?). We had a busy day on Sunday and I didn't get out to the vegetable patch for my usual daily check. Monday morning came around and I was out there watering and checking when I came across this.


Anyway after a bit of a chat with google, I sprayed all the tomato plants with garlic and chili spray and today I'll get some Dipel and try that.

This year I have eight tomato plants growing, two of which I purchased as seedlings. The Tommy Toe is at least 2.5m tall and still growing, fruiting like crazy. The second one purchased is a Pot Prize, such a sturdy little plant. The rest are all volunteer tomatoes, the Rouge De Marmande from last year. I wont be growing it again as I think it is best suited to cooler climates. A Roma tomato and two mini pear shaped tomatoes, I know they are from a Diggers plant from last year plus a mystery tomato.




Summer is really upon us now so I don't know how my tomatoes will fare with the heat. I'm thinking I might invest in some type of shade netting to put over the garden beds. It's so disheartening seeing all the plants wilting away from the heat.

On a positive note, check out my tropical apples, this year is it's first proper crop. On last count there are about thirty apples on the tree. Whilst they look lovely, taste wise they are a bit on the tart side and appear to have been stung by some type of insect. I'll have to look into a suitable type of organic spray, any suggestions?


How is your garden growing?

Cheers Lisa

Buy Nothing New Month - final update

This is the first year I've participated, as I rarely buy new things that part was easy. The challenge I set for myself was to buy nothing unnecessary for the month, this is where I came a little unstuck. As I mentioned in my previous post I needed supplies for the garden, all for food production, so extra compost, potting mix and mulch was purchased. Oh and a few seedlings, all grown from saved seeds or cuttings. I felt justified that this was OK, I wasn't buying cheap imported unnecessary stuff, that would either fall apart after wearing a few times, be out of fashion next season or break. Did I bend the rules?

Buying nothing unnecessary was a little more difficult, I tried my best but fell down in the final weeks. Blame it on a funky looking garage sale on the way to the organic markets. Normally I don't bother with garage sales however this one had so much wonderful looking stuff we couldn't resist. Then there was the quick stop at the local Lifeline shop on the way home, again I couldn't help myself. Actually I did restrain myself, there were heaps of things that I liked but didn't purchase.

Anyway this is my little stash for the month, some unnecessary but all secondhand.

I can hear you already, not more sewing patterns and vintage sheets

Two genuine vintage shirts

I didn't take photos of the never used expanding bamboo trellis or the three brand new fowlers preserving jars.

Tony and I are on a savings mission at the moment, he's given up junk food for a month (I know, one of my pet hates) and I'm really trying to not spend at all. I'll definitely be joining in Buy Nothing New Month next year, actually I'll just keep going in the same vein till then.

Hope you have a great day

Cheers Lisa

Buy Nothing New - week 3 update

Gosh we're into week three already of Buy Nothing New Month and to be honest it's been fairly easy. The only new non food items I've purchased have been seedlings, mulch and some compost, I just cannot make enough of the stuff to replenish my no-dig garden beds. As its all for food production and necessary I'm allowing it....here we go, making up my own rules :'}

There are a couple of items that I am almost tempted to buy because they are kind of necessary, a new battery charger for my camera, inserts for my bike helmet, oh and a very belated birthday present for my nephew. OK not really necessary I guess. I did however received a Visa gift card recently for doing an online training course, maybe I can use that to get my nephew a gift. At 11 years of age I'm sure he wouldn't appreciate knitted face clothes and soap...lol.

Even in the kitchen second hand is best

After the month is up I aim to continue in this no spending mode. I know it will be tuff avoiding the op shops and markets, goodness knows I don't need anymore stuff no matter how useful or beautiful it may be. Perhaps if I've been good I'll allow myself a little treat and have a once a month nosey.

Did you join in, how are you fairing?

Cheers Lisa

Meeting in real life and a muffin recipe

Yesterday I had the opportunity to meet a fellow blogger and moderator from the Down to Earth Forum. Narelle from Just Like My Nan Made is in Brisbane with her husband for a few days and dropped in for a visit. I had a lovely time chatting with Narelle, we talked about gardening, crafts and our pets, amongst other things.


Tana and Chester thought they were in heaven with all the pats and attention they received. Poor dogs, you'd think they never got any attention from us.

For morning tea I decided to adapt my favourite lemon and coconut muffin recipe.

Tropical Fruit Muffins
1 1/2 cups unbleached white SR flour
1/2 cup wholemeal plain flour
1/3 cup dessicated coconut or 1/2 cup shredded
1 teaspoon finely grated lemon rind
1/4 cup lemon juice
1/3 cup macadamia nut, virgin coconut oil or similar mild flavoured oil
1/3 cup honey
1 cup milk kefir or 1/2 milk and 1/2 yoghurt
3 eggs
1 lady finger banana chopped and equal amount of mango flesh chopped (I have both frozen from last years season)

Preheat oven to 180C and lightly grease muffin tins or line with papers. Sift flours together, stir in coconut, lemon rind and chopped fruit. In another bowl beat together eggs, oil, lemon juice, honey and kefir/milk until well combined. Add the liquid ingredients to the dry and lightly mix until just combined. Spoon into muffin tin and bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown. Allow to cool a few minutes then remove from tray.

Makes 12 - 14 1/3 cup muffins.

The addition of banana and mango makes a nice change.

Thanks for visiting Narelle, I hope you managed to find your way to the op shop and nursery and didn't spend too much money.

Cheers Lisa

Samosa, curry puffs or little vegetable pasties

These little treats are a quick and easy way to use up leftovers. Today I used leftover chickpea and vegetable curry or you could use leftover roast vegetables, chili, thick lentil and vegetable pasta sauce, tofu and stir fry vegetables. Anything really, just make sure that the mixture isn't too moist, otherwise you'll end up with a big mess when you cook your parcels.


Here is the original pastry recipe, I'll add my modifications in (..........)

1 cup wholemeal flour

1 cup unbleached white plain flour

1/2 cup wholemeal SR flour

3 tablespoons + 3 teaspoons olive oil

1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon lemon juice

1 cup cold water (I use 4 tablespoon of milk kefir or yoghurt in a half cup measure, top up with water, then add more water as you mix the pastry).


Sift flours together add oil and lemon juice. Using a butter knife lightly combine the oil and lemon juice into the flour, then rub the mixture using your finger tips till it resembles breadcrumbs. Add the kefir/water then gradually add more water as needed. Mix well until it comes together in a ball. Knead lightly then allow to rest 3o minutes or longer in the fridge.


Prepare your filling, chop or mash the mix to the desired consistency. Sorry I'm not able to give exact amounts of filling required. I'd say you need approximately 2 cups or, if you're like me just stretch it out with the leftover rice from the curry.


Prepared your baking sheets, either grease or line with baking parchment. Preheat the oven to moderate 180C.

The parcels can be whatever size you like. Divide equally into eight for large size, I usually stretch it out to make 16 or 18 puffs. Roll the dough on a lightly floured surface into a circle, you want it fairly thin. Brush some water around the edges of the dough, place a spoon full of mixture on one half (keep about a 1 cm clear from the edge), fold over the dough to encase the mix, either crimp the edges with the tines of a fork or if you want to be fancy, lighty brush the curved edge with a little water and fold the edges over (sorry its a bit hard to explain). Use a fork to make a few holes in the top of the parcel, then place on your baking tray. Continue on till you either run out of filling or pastry.




Brush the tops with egg wash (optional) and bake for approximately 30 - 40 minutes depending on your oven. Turn your trays around and swap shelves half way through baking.


Serve as a meal with a green salad, chutney or homemade ketchup. They are great for a snack or even as finger food for a party.

Leftover pastry can be stored in the fridge and used the next day.


Enjoy


Lisa

Buy Nothing New Month

After my recent spending sprees (all secondhand mind you) I remembered that I wanted to join in this years Buy Nothing New Month . Whilst buying nothing new will be easy, I'm challenging myself to buy nothing unnecessary. No more op shops or markets for me this month.....eeek!!

Come on, join in, you could even win a prize and you'll feel better for doing it.

Cheers Lisa