How does your garden grow??

I love being in the garden with the boys. Looking over as the oldest one calls out "Is this a weed mum??" and laughing as the littlest one climbs into the weed cart and makes a nest.

I dream of all the produce that I will potentially grow, harvest, bring to the table or freeze and preserve.

However the reality is a little shy of this.....

Over the late winter early spring I got enough spinach and salad greens to keep us in salads one or two meals a week.

My broad beans showed promise but made it into about 3 meals.

ooooohhhh and I think I grew the smallest beets in the world!!

It is not all sad news though.....

My cauli's have been huge and so far I have harvest 2 of the 4 plants that popped up.

My broad beans are re-flowering .............fingers crossed and I have snow peas popping out everywhere.

As you know my spuds are out of control.

The 7 tomato plants that made it through the soil are almost knee high.

I am trying to increase my harvest potential by planting a few more seeds in seed pots instead of direct sowing and so far all but 1 of the 24 pots have babies in them.

So I am crossing my fingers that the gardening gods are now smiling this way..... even if it means they have to glance away from this fabulous garden for a second or two!!

;)

Craving.....

Last weekend we all come down with the dreaded lurgy. After spending a whole day pampering my babes and man and trying to keep myself hydrated I was really craving some starchy goodness. Perfect time for a vege risotto.

Vege Risotto

I used broad beans, 2 small zucchini and a medium sweet spud. But you could use whatever you have on hand 1/2 a red onion.

1 cup of alborio rice

1 litre veg stock

olive oil

2 cloves of garlic

Heat oil in a pan.

Add onion and a pinch of salt and cook till transparent.

Add garlic and cook till fragrant.

Add rice and cook till starting to change colour, you may need to add a little extra oil here.

Add any extra spices at this point I used paprika and cumin, cook till fragrant.

Add about one cup of stock and cook stirring till most of stock is absorbed add firm veges such as spuds, pumpkin etc

Add another cup of stock and cook stirring till absorbed. Repeat with remaining stock.

Taste rice if it is cooked and non crunchy add softer vege such as zucchini, spinach etc. If rice still has a crunch add a cup of water and stir until absorbed. Repeat till rice is cooked and then add soft vege.

Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Remove from heat and cover with lid for about 3-5 minutes.

Serve with fresh grated Parmesan.

Ohhhhhhh how I love risotto.

Do you have a fave risotto recipe??

;)

The Race that stops a Nation

Another first for us this year was hosting our first ever Melbourne Cup Party. The race that stops a nation hasn't even caused a blip in my radar since becoming a stay at home mama 2 years ago. With a surge of Aussie pride this year I put a stop to that.

It started with a race sweep amongst the cousins.....

We had cupcakes (of course ;) )...

I froze some of my Martha's from Halloween and they thawed out beautifully.

A cheese plate.....

Some fancy plastic glasses to cheer the arvo on.

It was great to see the kids dressed up (even though Mr 3 went into dress up mood 2 hours into the party with the end result - "Super Wyatt" with a Wags the Dog tail mmmmmm too cute!!).

I was excited to get the kids cheering for their horses but in true kids-run-the-party-fashion they spent the race playing dress-ups in the bedroom while we watched as "Shocking" trumpted to victory. I was so proud that an Aussie horse took the cup!! YAY!!

;)

Shredded

Earlier this month I was gifted a paper shredder. The MOTH was so very excited about his purchase he couldnt stop telling me how much easier it was going to be to get the compost to break down (read how much easier it will be for him to turn it over!!;)).

My first thought was mmmmmm.....awesome another gift that is more for the man than me. However after spending the morning hunting for and shredding paper I am have to stand proud and say I am totally hooked on the shredder ....... thanx babe you rock ;)

Speaking of compost isn't this the most beautiful compost you have ever seen.... seriously!!

Do you compost?? What are your best composting tips??

;)

Swap-O-Drama

I was so excited to join in with round two of the Washcloth Swap organised by Jellywares. Then I found out that I was pregnant and my mojo just up and ran away on me.

I tried my hardest to force it back but it was on a trimester long vacation *sigh*.

Then just as if nothing had happened it up and snuck back right in time for me to get together a package for my very patient and understanding partner Dillpickle..... not too late after all.... whew.

Pattern - tulip stitch cloth I first heard about here and I have rav'ed about here. This is such a super quick free pattern.

I would love to hear any of your mojo busting strategies!

;)

Happy Halloween

Last night the boys hosted their first ever Spooky Party. I was so excited to see the kids dressed up in their spooky costumes. Everyone really got into it and all the kids looked so awesome in their scary best that it made me really glad that we decided against a costume competition.

We had skeletons (even though there was some persistent last minute superman negotiating from Mr 3).....

...a pair of death ghouls stopped by (one slightly camera shy ghoul)....

................some camera shy witches were also here....

.......a rocking pirate girl popped in......

..........and making me green with envy a scaaaaarrrry ghost......

Amongst the required chips and lollies we snuck in some homemade treats.

Spider Jelly (made with real spiders of course ;))

Monster cupcakes (expertly decorated by Mr 3. Hiding under the monsters were Martha's Choc-Malt Cupcakes....moist and delicious)

Halloween Cupcakes (expertly sprinkled over Martha's Carrot Cupcakes by a proud Mr 3. These were the best carrot cakes I think I have ever tasted.)

.............. and Chang's Choc Spiders (this mamas fave ;))

Of course it wouldn't be a party without games. I was so excited to see that the kids were ready to step the games up a level away from the usual pass the parcel.

We ate donuts from a string - a huge hit!!

Wrapped up mummies.....

and bobbed for apple heads. Thanx Martha.

We wrapped up the party with our spooky bags (notice that I got to use my brand new pinking shears here YAY!!).

Wishing you all a super spooky Halloween!!

;)

Halloween here we come....

Over the past week or so we have slowly been gearing up for All Hallows Eve.

We've let the ghosts float down from the rafters.

Some old friends have stopped by to hang out with us.

We have even sent out the invites for our first ever Halloween Party.

The Halloween excitement level amongst the boys is pretty high....even the littlest man of the house has mastered his scary ghoooooooooooost noise!! So cute.

What are your plans for this spooky day??