the ongoing search for a decluttered lifestyle

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February 7, 2013

Tasting some Tamarillo's or should that be Tamarillos or maybe Tamarilloes??

Linking up with the lovely Veggiegobbler.   I've decided to join in her Thursday Garden Gobbles - what's happening in our gardens this time of year.
It's sort of an in-between time here, while we wait for things to cool down and plan for the winter plantings.

These tamarillos looked a little sad on the tree, so it was time to do something about it.

They seem to fruit a couple of times a year without much ado, and are getting a little sweeter as they go along.... which is nice, as they can be a little tart at times!
So I decided to just steam them to remove the skin just like tomatoes (they look a bit weird I thought).
Then I just poached them lightly in a little sugar, honey and vanilla, and let them cool in the syrup.
Yummo!  especially with some home made (easiyo) greek yoghurt, it is a nice contrast.
These trees are fairly new to us, I'm sure there are many more ways to deal with tamarillos.  However, I was definitely surprised how much they looked like tomatoes!

Sorry VG but I won't be able to join in next week - but I've got a good excuse!  We are off the California for a 10 day break........ squeeeeeeeealllllll!

Cheers for now
Wendy

January 31, 2013

If you listen very carefully .....



you can just about hear the grass grow!


Lots of rain here of late. No damage thankfully.  Living in a fog of humidity at the moment though in the aftermath.

I have been a bit slack in the blogging department of late, hope to relaunch into things with some more frequent posts ..... soonish!

Take care.

cheers Wendy

January 18, 2013

The Grille Team - heading for the block

Awwwww.... chickens they start out so sweet don't they??

Then they grow up

The solution this year (apart from deciding not to breed so many next summer) was to sort out the roosters, put them all together in the shadehouse.  Strangely enough, there has been no fighting since we put them in together without any hens around.  Go figure!
So the veggie garden /shadehouse is now our rooster pen.  These guys are destined for the pot.  Sad but true.  The word rotisserie has been tossed around a few times also, as this is hubby's new toy on the fire pit.
When you start out with chickens, they are so cute and I love them. .... but then they grow up and usually half will be roosters.  So in a practical sense, this is our next step in being a little self sufficient.
Hubby did make a little temporary shelter for them, with a roost and all, but it seems that height is preferred. I guess it is cooler at night too. I find it amusing to see them perched on what was previously a grill frame for growing beans.

They are doing a good job in the meantime of clearing out the veggie garden, before it is rotary-hoed and made ready for winter crop of vegetables.

I am planning on concentrating on pekin breeding too, so next seasons crop of chicks will be pure bred pekin bantams, and hopefully more saleable. 

cheers for now 
Wendy