Colour My World

Grey has been the colour of my world all weekend. We've had constant heavy rain, low cloud, fog, mist & dark skies. So this morning I crave some colour to start the week. Here's to happy days & blue skies wherever you are.

Image : Damian Russell

Today's Favourite Things

A blazing fire (thanks MOTH darling!) & a pair of warm socks to keep the toes toasty. Couldn't want for more really on a freezing cold, grey Hills day. Tomorrow is Blog catch-up time, looking forward to seeing what you've all been up to this week.

Images: Jamb & Tara Sloggett

A Wrong Turn

I honestly think Spring has taken a wrong turn on its way to South Australia, as this weekend we didn't wander away from the fire for more than a couple of minutes before scurrying back. It has been bitterly cold & wet here in the Hills & on Saturday afternoon we experienced a huge hailstorm. MOTH had been given a leave pass to sit in front of the fire & watch the Footy Grand Final on the telly. He needed to break the glass on the emergency Scotch bottle cupboard at about 3p.m., due entirely he said, to the inclement weather. A quick walk around the garden at half-time revealed not much is happening except in the culinary Herb Dept. So hurry up Spring, we need you desperately!

A quick dash outside to capture all the hail on the garden path down to MOTH's wood pile on the old Tennis Court.

The Mint this year is the best. We've enjoyed many yummy Little Lamb Choppie Casseroles (as the boys call it!) full of fresh Mint during the cold Winter months.

The Rosemary has also been prolific. Always wonderful with the boys favourite Rosemary & Garlic Roasted Smashed Potatoes.

Flat-Leaf Italian Parsley in mega amounts. Great in the Veal Ragu MOTH loves so much.

The Kaffir Lime tree is still doing well despite the freezing conditions. I always pop a couple of crushed leaves in with the Jasmine rice as I steam it. It adds a wonderful dimension to the rice when served with a Thai curry.

Coriander is my second favourite herb (after Basil), & I adore using it fresh from the pots.

I struck a cutting of Vietnamese Mint from a friend's garden last week. I'm not holding too much hope that it will strike after being pelted with all these hailstones on Saturday.

All is well with MOTH's famous Christmas Lillies. These are just a few of his many pots. I spent one icy cold Winter's Sunday in July transplanting all the 'Pup's' as MOTH calls them, from the Parent's pots into their own. You can see some of the new babies in the foreground.

Image 1: Chesneys

Come On Boots, Start Walking!

Image Hearst

The weather here in the Hills has turned Autumnal, with a real chill in the air. As I live in boots for at least 9 months of the year, it's time to start my annual pilgrimage to find a couple of new pairs for the season ahead. Although MOTH can never understand why I can't stretch last year's out to another year. When not in his work Blunnies he lives in his RM's, his current favourite pair were bought just after we met 16 years ago. He'll quite happily tell everyone who queries the state of them & that they may be due for retirement, 'Don't be silly, I've just broken 'em in'! Any favourite boot stories from the Hedgies?