Red Capsicums

I found a recipe ages ago for preserving red peppers. So we decided to plant some seedlings to see if we could grow some. Well, they seemed easy enough to grow, but of course they are green at first, and you have to leave them on the plant until they turn red. Which takes a little while up here. Finally I had 2 red ones (there are still several green ones left to ripen) so got to work char-grilling them, then skinning and cutting them up, and put them in a mixture of oil, red wine vinegar and garlic. I have to say I find them delicious. Out of 2 and a half peppers, this is what I ended up with.

What's not to like?

I am sure there is practically no one in the world who doesn't like sausage rolls. Once more my tried and tested recipe was given another go. So, before there are none left, I had to take a quick 'snap' although I am sure everyone knows what they look like!!

For those few who may not know, here is my recipe:-

1 large onion, finely diced
1 large carrot, grated
500g pack of sausage meat
Mixed herbs to taste
2 garlic cloves (or 1 large) minced
3 sheets of puff pastry
2 eggs
1 tablespoon worcestershire sauce

Place onion, carrot, garlic, sausage meat and 1 beaten egg in large bowl. Mix well with hands. Add herbs.
Cut sheet of pastry in half. Put sausage mix in a line along the middle of the pastry. Use second beaten egg to brush 1 edge, and roll up Repeat until all used.
Cut into bite sized pieces, and brush with beaten egg.
Cook in moderate oven for approx. 30 minutes or until golden.
A small amount of breadcrumbs can be added to the mixture if desired.

Autumn

How could anyone fail to appreciate these wonderful Autumn colours?  I went out to do some raking, but when I saw that beautiful red carpet, and stunning trees, I decided to leave it. I know after a while it will go brown and mushy, but just for the moment, it is a joy to see. Besides, it saves me quite a bit of work for the time being, and that's got to be a bonus too!

This is down the side of the house. It is more sheltered there, and not so often used, so hopefully the 'carpet' will stay pristine for a little longer

Autumn Colours

We have had marvellous Autumn colours this year. Maybe the weather was just right. Whatever the reason, I just had to take some photos, as sometimes they can fade fairly quickly. So here are a couple of our Japanese maples, and a Liquidambar down by the driveway.  Soon it will all be bare again, and we shall then be longing for Spring once more. Maybe the cold nights and sunny days have made them all the more vivid.

This original Japanese Maple is usually more brown than red, but not this year.

Looking upward through the same tree.

This one is down in the front garden. Again, more colourful this year

Our Liquidambar next to the front driveway. I just caught it before the leaves all fall.

Mother's Day

Well folks, another Mother's Day has come and gone, and once more I have been truly fortunate. Both Summie and Fraser, and Angus and Amelia gave me super presents. So I must share them with you.

Thank you so much Angus and Amelia. New perfume is always exciting.

My thanks to Fraser and Summie. You know Kate Hill is one of my favourite shops.

Not Again!!!

Yes, I'm afraid it IS again. This morning the pantry was again awash with little tiny ants. Obviously freshly scrubbed and painted walls and shelves just didn't cut it. So once more, (and this was before 7am), everything was emptied out...again.  All the jars and containers were cleaned and stacked, and the shelves once more washed.
Then Jim got to work with the surface spray, and we've now shut the door and left it to soak in before putting everything back. Surely we must have cracked it this time.  So here are more familiar photos...one couldn't let this pass without a pictorial record....again.

Pond Update

With all the rain we have had recently, everything in the garden looks greener, including round the pond. Soon it will be time to wade in and have a clear out....when the oak leaves have stopped falling. So a bit of a temporary respite there.

So here's a picture of the ferns, looking as good as ever, and the new Pittosporum hedging that is gradually filling in the gaps. With this sort of thing, one just has to be patient.

Curtains are Us!!!

Yes....the new curtains arrived early this morning. About 8.30am the van arrived, and in the twinkling of an eye they were installed. I am sitting here getting used to them, after all the dreadful brown flowers we have endured for the last 25 years!  Long overdue I reckon.  I just hope these last as long,  If they do, they will probably outlive us!!

Bedroom

Back sliding door.

The Boy's Toys

Here is just a taste of Angus and his 'toys' . Nobody need ever be short of a ride when we have all these modes of transport lurking about the place.

One more thing. Happy Birthday Fraser. Hope you have a good one.

Here they are...the 4x4, road bike and Aurion

It's Curtains!!

Well, at long last, and well overdue, my new curtains are due to be installed next Monday. So, as a final goodbye to the old ones, here they are, almost for the last time..with any luck!!

These are from the back sliding door

These are my dreadful orange and beige bedroom curtains