Week 7 - Compost

For those of you who know me - you will know I DO NOT GARDEN! Simple as that... it's not in my make up and I have beautiful nails - so why would I?! Part of me would love too, simply to be outside getting a tan - however, that isn't even enough of a pull!

However, one of the properties work owns was looking rather over grown and run down so on a whim I decided to clean it up - what was I thinking right!?!

These are the before shots! Even the dog joined in the fun - by running around and keeping watch!

After spending 2 days at this property, I had a mountain of weeds and no where to put them! I couldn't even fit them in my car.. that is when the idea of a compost bin was born! I must admit - I cheated a little and brought it from Bunnings - I did however, put it together with a little help from Kay - although I think she was more interested in playing games rather than constructing a compost bin!! What do you think!?



Not sure if you can see in the photo - but the WHITE dog ended up BROWN after playing in the garden! Naughty Miss Gizmo! Just after these photos were taken the skys opened up and we thought we were saved by the rain - however, it wasn't mean to be - the rain stopped and we had to pick up all the weeds and actually put them in the compost bin!

Can you spot the compost bin in amongst the excess weeds? I think I should have brought three of them! 1 was clearly not enough! While I was doing the gardening I did discover the worms in Aotea are like small snakes!! See photos below for finished result - what do you think? Who knew there was actually plants in amongst the mess! I'm pretty pleased with myself! (And I didn't break a nail!!)

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Until next time!

Broni

Week 6 - The Veil

One of my oldest friends (length of time known NOT age wise!) is getting married and I helped to arrange her hens night - it ended up being an epic night with lots of fun had by everyone! How we managed to keep 20 odd people entertained and laughing I have no idea - but we did it!

Every bride needs a veil so I decided rather than buying a cheapy that would ruined by night's end - I would make her one! Off to Spotlight I go! I purchased some white sparkly fabric - every bride needs sparkle right! and a hair slide (comb?) and of course some cotton. The next 2 weeks flew by and next thing I know it's the night before the hens party and I still had the bits in the spotlight bag!

So after 2 or 3 beers out they all came and I proceeded to make a veil! Not much can be said for how I made it apart from - I MADE IT! and it looked pretty darn good I think! See photos below!

What do you think? She loved it and it made her look like a Bride! Her 3 year old daughter was wearing it the next day - I think it was a hit!

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Until next week

Broni

Week 5 - Plum Jam

Last week I got a phone call from my mum asking if I wanted any plums and of course, given I don't really like plums I said no thanks... then I thought hang on.. I can make plum jam! So my lovely mother went and hand picked 2 shopping bags full of plums for me to make jam! I have to admit, mum did tell me what I had to do: pre-sterilise the jars, keep the windows and doors closed (why?!), make sure there is a tea towel on the bench to put jars on and of course you need to seal them with cellophane not a lid - who knew!

Another friend of mine causally mentioned last night that I should get Jam Sugar - he husband told her about it. Again, who knew! So off to Karori shops I trek to get my cellophane and Jam Sugar.

Surprisingly, it was easy to make the actual jam. Even I can't muck up add plums, add sugar and stir occasionally! I guess the proof will be in the jam if it's set! I only make three jars last night, so will head to the shops today to get some more sugar and make some more today.

I am yet to make the material covers for the tops, but see below!

The jars waiting to be sterilised

The ingredients

Sterilising the jars in oven

Dissolving the sugar over a low heat

Boiling the mixture on high



The finished product - note the tea towel




The Jam up close! check out the seals!



What do you think? Have you ever made Jam? Next time I might try Raspberry Jam! As a kid I have fond memories of mum making jams and pickles etc and I always thought it was super hard and it make truckloads but this has shown me it's not too hard (although I am sure my mum did it differently back then!) and it doesn't make 500 jars that I can't store anywhere!

Hope your week goes well with a Public Holiday to start! Mine is exciting: extra day off work then my sister arrives then we are going to Napier for a girls weekend!

Until next week

Broni