... Getting yet another blood test. I know I'm not well because when the pathology nurse asked what medication I was on it took me a good 30 seconds to remember a) the name of it and b) that I'm not actually taking it anyway (my specialist wanted me to stay off it until after this blood test). I really don't enjoy being this vague.
Making: ... Bliss balls.
In The Garden: ...Further to the tomato issue I mentioned yesterday, I finally found my pH test kit this morning. I tested the soil in the new garden beds and I was right in suspecting a pH issue - it is around pH 8 to 8.5. Way too alkaline! I had some trouble with a load of very alkaline mushroom compost I bought last year, so fortunately I have some elemental sulphur on hand, which lowers the soil pH, so I applied that at the recommended dose around the tomatoes and have watered it in well. Fingers crossed that it will help to poor little 'maters get some colour back into their leaves.
... It is also a good day for planting root crops according to Moon Planting theory, so Miss Five and I sowed seeds of Cosmic Purple carrots, Chiogga beetroot and White Icicle radishes. Miss Five is very excited about the prospect of purple carrots LOL, so I hope they germinate OK. I have covered the rows of carrot seeds with some timber boards to keep the moisture in while they germinate - it worked really well with the last batch of carrot seeds.
...And since this post is rather lacking in photos, let me distract you with one of my bromeliads, Neoregelia Manoa Beauty. Most of my broms look distinctly sad after the cold winter we just had, despite being fairly sheltered. Some TLC over the weekend and the warmer weather will hopefully see them come good over the next few months.
Dinner: ...Lemon and thyme roasted local, organic chicken (homegrown lemon and thyme), served with roasted potatoes and garden salad.
Reading: ... I posted a few weeks ago about how impressed I was with Isabell Shiphard's book, How to use Herbs in your Daily Life. When I ordered it, she was taking preorders for a new book to come out in early November, called How can I be Prepared with Self-Sufficiency and Survival Foods? I couldn't resist - DH knows I always buy my own Xmas presents for him to give me anyway ;-) Well, it arrived on Friday!
I haven't had much of a chance to do anything but flick through it yet, but it is promising to be a fabulous read and a great resource.Contemplating: ...Finally making that television cover for the kids' TV I've been meaning to do for weeks, tomorrow.
6 comments:
im soo hanging out for some chicken, lemon and thyme roast with veges sounds goooood. hope alls well on te blood front.K
Hi,
Love your blog. The book that you mentioned about self-sufficiency in today's post - can you tell if it would be a good book for those living in the US are is it specific to Austrialia?
Thanks!
Hope things go well with the blood work. I am vague today and I don't have an excuse I keep telling the kids I am getting Alzheimers like my mum but they tell me it is too early yet and I have to come up with a better excuse for the next 15 years!!
daisymum
Hopefully the purple carrots do well for you and Miss 5! If not, give me a yell, I have Purple Dragon Carrot seeds that I saved this year. They are our favourites. Groovy carrots! Also White Belgian Carrots. They are lovely, but not as groovy. I've got spares of these, too, if you'd like some.
All the best on the health front. Hope everything picks up very soon. :)
I have a really tasty Black Bean Pizza recipe that even my meat-eater parents liked when I started making it a million years ago. With a wholemeal crust (homemade of course!) and all the fresh veggies, it's a really yummy and healthy dish. If you'd like that and some others, let me know :)
I'm really enjoying your blog!
hey julie. noticed your blog has been quiet for a week. i do hope everything is ok. thinking of the crazy mumma.
kel
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