The Backyard (Continued)

Today I spent time in the backyard, and a lot of work has been done.  The yard looks better, neat and tidy, I must maintain it well to keep it right all the time.
Irene,  a friend of ours,  invited us to see her garden, it is not only a beautiful garden, but it is a large garden,  the plants are so healthy, and it is a neat and well-kept garden.   Not only that,  but she did it by herself.  She gave me great inspiration to do better for my garden.
I am glad that we visited Irene, from now on I have to keep up and discipline myself to look after the garden.  As she said, if you like gardening the workload in the garden is nothing, I do it with ease because I love to do it.  She is totally right.

Here I am sharing, showing what I have done in my garden today, I am pleased to say that I worked in the backyard for long hours, but it was good.

The Clean Corner

This space was a very messy corner, took us a few stages to make it right and clean.  Today is the day, now no more mess, broken branches or dry leaves.  I started it last month, trimming and cutting, but Rayner finished the job today.  It does look good.

Magnolia Grandiflora

It is a young tree now, smallish but eventually, it will be a tall tree.  I love the flower, it is white, and the tree is perennial, not deciduous.  It keeps the garden green.  Lately, some of the leaves are yellowish, so I put some blood and bone; hopefully it will fix the problems.

Rayner's Kalamata Olive

This year it has lots of flowers, maybe he will have a good harvest.  I like to preserve the olives and use them for cooking: pizza or mix them onto salads.

Nectarine Tree

It is healthy enough, but it does not have lots of fruits.  It needs a rest this year.

Small bushes to Conifers

Small shrubs, standard roses, conifers are looking well, I think this year is the year of Roses.

Potted Plants and Hydrangea

Potted plants are at their best, and the hydrangeas will soon be flowering in summer.

It has been an enjoyable day to be in the backyard. My burgundy iceberg rose has the first flower.  I cut it, and it is on the coffee table, I love the beautiful deep red-burgundy colour.  Beautiful!

Iceberg Rose

A Beautiful View

A part of the backyard, beautiful scenery from our kitchen window, the twin standard crab apples were trimmed and dressed today.  Soon this space will change its look, but it will change for the better.  Stay tuned to find out.

We both love our garden, the backyard such a green place.  It has a bushland feel.

Until Next Time

Thanks For Visiting

Susy

The Backyard

From The Backyard 

Fresh cut red roses for the house are beautiful this year, they are in large red vases, I place them in our family room.

A basket of red rosebuds, a red vase with the roses buds (after a few days)

the buds start to open after a few days

I always want to cut the full bloom roses for flower arrangements; however, I never did it,  until only a few days ago.  They look amazingly rich, beautiful and absolutely gorgeous.  It doesn't last long, though, but it's worth it.  It was a treat for myself.

A basket of full bloom red roses, a tall red vase with the full bloom of red roses.

In The Backyard - The Seedlings

Catching up with mixed salad seeds, now the seedlings have grown, the leaves are broader and more significant.  I am glad and proud of it.  Soon I will harvest them.

Seedlings on the ground

 Potted seedlings

A Wise Protector 

A wise Owl guards the strawberries on the strawberry patch from the nasty birds.  Thanks, Eileen for the thoughtful gift.

Mr Wise Owl

Irises

The iris flowers are laying on the ground, they won't stand straight.  It is because of a strong wind? Maybe.  I could not help it to pick most of them.   Now more flowers in the house.

The flowering Irises

More works in the backyard have to be done, the hedges need to be trimmed, but colourful flowers starting to bloom.  More importantly, all good things are coming in the backyard.

Until Next Post

Thanks For Stopping By

Susy

Farmers Market

Fresh Vegetables

Fresh vegetables from the Traralgon Farmers Market can be purchased every last  Saturday of the month. I got four fresh greens,  cabbage, Dutch carrots, beetroot and potatoes which will keep us going for weeks I think. The cabbage is so large, the farmers do wonders with their crops.  Vegetables are very friendly and healthy food; however some people may be allergic or not allowed to eat them.  Choosing the right vegetables that suit for the diet is necessary.

Beautiful flowers, seedlings, homemade jam, honey, organic vegetables and fruits, cheeses, Barramundi fish,  free range eggs, deer and lamb meat and freshly brewed coffee to name few that you could get in the Farmers Market. People enjoy to come to buy that fresh produce, or they come for strolling looking around while having hot fresh coffee.

What I do with my vegetables.

The cabbage is for salads, sliced and braised.  I could stuff the leaves with spiced rice.

Grate the cabbage, cook with other vegetables and use it for vegetarian spring rolls.

Potato is such versatile vegetables, you could do so much with it.  Baked, roasted, mashed is the natural thing to do.  However, small serves are always advisable.  It is a shame that some people have to avoid eating potato due to health reasons. But if you take potatoes on your diet but not too often, good cooking is needed.  Using high fat and adding cream and cheese products can be replaced with vegetables oil and herbs for the flavours.  I may have the recipe for it.

The Dutch carrots are excellent to be eaten raw for snacking, and of course, they are delicious boiled, dressed with chive/parsley butter then served with meat.  I think for my family, it is good to have the Dutch carrot as they are, have it fresh.  It tastes sweet, is also crunchy and tender.

The beetroots, I will roast and serve them with a lot of herbs to garnish a homemade flatbread. Spiced yoghurt is the companion for it.  Beetroots cooked this way are an excellent garnish for grilled or roasted meat dishes as well.

I could make ricotta pies or fritters,  served with a green salad and the roasted beetroots.  A good and delicious vegetarian meal.

A week with fresh vegetables to play, it is going to be fun.  More creative cooking is happening in the kitchen.  I am looking forward to sharing recipes with you all.  Stay tuned.

To Be Continued.

Thanks For Stopping By

Until Next Post

Susy

Seeds and Flowers

Seedlings

The joy of gardening is unlimited, from soil preparation, planting to harvesting and a lot more. In the meantime, we have to do the caring for, such as watering, giving fertiliser and protecting the plants from diseases.  Every day is a new day in the garden; there is always something to be glad about.

I put some new mixed salad seeds last month, they are sprouting Beautifully since.  From then on I have been noticing that the leaves are growing every day, every morning I look at them and make sure that the new growth is protected from the snails and/or slugs.
The new seedlings indeed delight me.

Sprouting and Growing

Potted Seedlings-Sprouting and Growing

I cannot tell you how exciting it is to watch the seedlings grow, it makes me so addicted that I should do more planting from the seeds. 

I am thinking of the nature-the rain, the sun, the soil that makes these beautiful things happen.

Springing

Springing-Crowding

Budding

Budding - Flowering

Today is sharing about enjoying the simplicity that makes a day what it is, life is so sweet we shall celebrate.

Happy Midweek To You All.

Today Reading

Words of Wisdom

It is our uniqueness that gives freshness and vitality to
a relationship.

Dr James C. Dobson, Love for a Lifetime.

_______________

A sneak peek for my October table, stay tuned

Flowers of the Month from my garden.

Thanks For Visiting My Blog

Until Next Post

Susy

RED

Red is a bold and robust colour.  You can find Red colour in the garden, from fruits, leaves and flowers.  In the kitchen, cooking with Red tomatoes and Red chillies is a perfect combination.  Fruit salad is colourful and vibrant if it has Red, so the leafy salad and Red wine are complemented by Red meat.  Red roses represent love, romance, and peace.  Roses in my garden which have delicate fragrance is the Red.

It's all about Red, what could you do without Red.

Red is festive, Opulent And Grand. 

Thank You All

Until Next Post

Susy