This can't be described as a really successful weekend, the way I hoped it would pan out, but it did pretty well!
On Saturday I made my first batch of cold process soap; I'm very pleased that I finally tried my hand at it, though it doesn't seem to have been completely successful. In fact, though I won't know for sure for several weeks, I think I need a bit more practise. I overpoured one kind of oil by 10 grams so left another low by 10 grams, but that's not really how soap making works! I'll try again, I really want to make a coffee soap to help me wake up in the mornings during winter.
Today I had a family lunch to attend (meeting a cousin from Queensland!) and asked J to run an errand for me and pick up some wood from the disposal yard so we can build a chicken coop this Easter. He got everything I asked for, so as soon as I got back to mum and dad's, we went to the hardware store to pick up some screws. We need to go back for chicken wire as well, but while we were there I couldn't resist a visit to the garden section. I've been wanting to get a lemon tree for ages now, but couldn't justify the price; we wandered past the citrus and found Meyer lemons reduced to $15! There's now one sitting out the front with a new little strawberry plant to keep my crazy strawberry happy.
Fortunately this week is a short one, and a very rare calendar means a five day Easter/ANZAC holiday, so J and I should be able to get plenty done this weekend (and hopefully still have lots of time to mooch around and be lazy, too).
Sunday 17 April 2011
Wednesday 6 April 2011
Today has been the first day that I have really, truly missed daylight savings. We've just set out clocks back an hour (effective last Sunday) and the sky darkening so early makes me sleepy on the bus. Sadly it also means that any after hours yard work needs to be done in the dark.
In trying not to use nasty litters, my cats and bunny use a biodegradable made from rice leftovers (no, I'm not really sure how that works..). Tonight I decided to empty the litter trays and water my veggie patch, and afterwards decided to pull an old crate from my shed to empty into the bin. After I did all of this, I took a look at the shed in the darkness and saw my old enemy; the wolf spider.
I really don't know if it's the same one as last time I scared myself silly, but it wasn't small, and this time I was the one who stood my ground and the spider was the one who started dancing like an idiot and running away. Unfortunately last time we met, the spider was the one who kept its nerve. I must be getting less wussy as I spend more time in the great outdoors, because I'm sure the neighbours heard me screaming like a little girl last time. This time they might just have heard me taunting it.
I might look into getting some extra lights out there though..
In trying not to use nasty litters, my cats and bunny use a biodegradable made from rice leftovers (no, I'm not really sure how that works..). Tonight I decided to empty the litter trays and water my veggie patch, and afterwards decided to pull an old crate from my shed to empty into the bin. After I did all of this, I took a look at the shed in the darkness and saw my old enemy; the wolf spider.
I really don't know if it's the same one as last time I scared myself silly, but it wasn't small, and this time I was the one who stood my ground and the spider was the one who started dancing like an idiot and running away. Unfortunately last time we met, the spider was the one who kept its nerve. I must be getting less wussy as I spend more time in the great outdoors, because I'm sure the neighbours heard me screaming like a little girl last time. This time they might just have heard me taunting it.
I might look into getting some extra lights out there though..
Monday 4 April 2011
So, my first post was slightly wrong. Only very slightly.
There is something else I can keep alive. Aloe vera. I was ill today and decided to use a little of my afternoon to see what was going on in my pot of aloe vera.
The answer? Many babies. Many, many babies. I've pulled out most of them and have them spaced across three large and two small pots, but I don't have enough space for each to have their own pot. I'll need to work on that.
There is something else I can keep alive. Aloe vera. I was ill today and decided to use a little of my afternoon to see what was going on in my pot of aloe vera.
The answer? Many babies. Many, many babies. I've pulled out most of them and have them spaced across three large and two small pots, but I don't have enough space for each to have their own pot. I'll need to work on that.
Sunday 3 April 2011
I thought I'd best publish the photos I took with my phone yesterday (to prove to my mother that things are indeed alive out there) sooner rather than later. That way I'll be able to see a bit of change as time goes on.
First;
This is an accidental plant. This is presumably what happens when you use donated chicken manure from someone's backyard as a layer or two in your veggie patch. It appears to be a pumpkin plant, but I'm unsure.
These two pictures are why I'm unsure. The top one does seem to have a very plump lower section, but I can't tell if it's a female flower or not. The two flowers are from the same plant.
Easier territory to deal with; I planted this pea! Several of my little pea plants are flowering, and I'm excited to see them progress. I need to get out some wire to run across the patch so they have more to cling to. Ahh, progress, I love you!
These 'little' guys have sprung up behind my veggie patch near my back fence. I'm guessing they're fate's way of telling me to pull my head in; I only found them after complaining about my complete lack of luck with those mushroom boxes. I've love to have those work..fresh yummy mushrooms all the time would be amazing.
Size reference on the larger of the two. Not an inconsequential mushroom considering I have fairly large hands. Pity something ate it before I found it.
First;
These 'little' guys have sprung up behind my veggie patch near my back fence. I'm guessing they're fate's way of telling me to pull my head in; I only found them after complaining about my complete lack of luck with those mushroom boxes. I've love to have those work..fresh yummy mushrooms all the time would be amazing.
Size reference on the larger of the two. Not an inconsequential mushroom considering I have fairly large hands. Pity something ate it before I found it.
My name is Erin. I also go by Bunny, and I've started this blog as a companion to the changes I'm making in my life.
Until recently (about 18 months ago) the only plants I could keep alive were roses; not even cacti were safe from me! If it didn't make noise to remind me of its existence, I couldn't keep it alive. Every spring I had grand plans of starting a veggie garden, and once, I did. It was a terrible disaster, and the lives of the tomato plants sacrificed in my name will be forever remembered. I forgot to water everything, we planted directly into the soil (which was really clay). I just didn't seem to be cut out for it.
Somehow that seems to have changed. I built a raised garden bed. I planted things. Most of them didn't die (corn right before a cold snap was not a good idea). In fact, some things have appeared that I didn't plant. I planted another veggie patch. I made my own seed tape. I water, I weed, I keep things alive. I'm getting there.
That's what this blog is about. I'm planning to document my transition from a black thumbed plant killer to a green thumbed gardener, through blood, sweat and tears. Hopefully someone else's, because blood makes me a little faint. I want to learn to do things for myself, from keeping my turf alive to making things, helping others and being less reliant on external sources. I'll always be a suburbanite at heart, but every little helps.
Until recently (about 18 months ago) the only plants I could keep alive were roses; not even cacti were safe from me! If it didn't make noise to remind me of its existence, I couldn't keep it alive. Every spring I had grand plans of starting a veggie garden, and once, I did. It was a terrible disaster, and the lives of the tomato plants sacrificed in my name will be forever remembered. I forgot to water everything, we planted directly into the soil (which was really clay). I just didn't seem to be cut out for it.
Somehow that seems to have changed. I built a raised garden bed. I planted things. Most of them didn't die (corn right before a cold snap was not a good idea). In fact, some things have appeared that I didn't plant. I planted another veggie patch. I made my own seed tape. I water, I weed, I keep things alive. I'm getting there.
That's what this blog is about. I'm planning to document my transition from a black thumbed plant killer to a green thumbed gardener, through blood, sweat and tears. Hopefully someone else's, because blood makes me a little faint. I want to learn to do things for myself, from keeping my turf alive to making things, helping others and being less reliant on external sources. I'll always be a suburbanite at heart, but every little helps.