Daily temperatures around 40ºC suit the roses and some other plants, but not me! I’ve spent a lot of time on the settee with books, keeping cool. Tuning into the Winter Olympics not just for the action, but to gaze longingly at the snow.
in the garden
This red Pierre de Ronsard rose had 13 roses on one stem! Pretty scent and the blooms last a long time in a vase.
These flowers will last a long time, too. That’s because they’re made of Lego! A Christmas gift, they continue to amuse me. The artwork behind is the work of Spence Guerin. You can see more at www.spenceguerin.com
The clivias thrive in the garden. Interestingly, these flowers were originally bright orange with a row of cream clivias in front. Not anymore, they’re all creamy orange now!
This beautiful myrrh scented sturdy rose is Glamis Castle. It blooms most months of the year and was virtually uneffected by chili thrip last year, unlike the other roses. I cut the flowers for in the house. Within days there will be a fresh lot ready to pick. They do well in the heat.
A lunch salad from the garden. Picked the lettuce leaves, the tomatoes, the spring onion and basil leaves then added bought gherkins and red onion plus later, some goats cheese.
The lettuce bed with chives. Since this photo was taken the pick and come again lettuces have been scorched by the heat and gone to seed. Annoying.
The ever blooming hippiastra. I have red, red with white throats and white hippiastra and they seem to bloom for about eight months of the year. Big, pretty and long lasting blooms.
reading
Are you a keen reader? At the end of the year I kept seeing lists made by other bloggers recording the number of books they’d read during the year. These lists ranged from in the 30’s to over 100, so about two books each week. I decided I would keep a list for one year, too, and have made a cracking start. I must add we have had scorching hot weather since before Christmas and we are a family of very keen readers. Too hot to do many jobs outdoors!
We give each other books as gifts. My husband orders most of his books from online book sellers. I reserve many books online and pick them up at the library. I read all the book reviews! If I really like a book I will buy a copy to keep from a local bookshop.
This book, by Annie Smithers, a well known and much admired Australian restaurant owner, is in the ‘buy a copy’ category.
RECIPE FOR A KINDER LIFE
Well known for her French style bistros and restaurants, Annie Smithers has written a manifest describing how she lives a balanced life. Not many of us have hectares or the resources to grow fruit and vegetables on a commercial scale (she supplies her bistro from her farm) but her approach to juggling work, growing fresh food, caring for livestock, her family and staff makes interesting reading. She is determined to live in a sustainable way and to live well.
I enjoyed reading her recipes, too. Based on one of her recipes, this is my new favourite salad dressing. Place into a jar with a lid a dessert spoon of Dijon mustard (buy the French brand as the others are slightly sweet), and two parts extra virgin olive oil to one part vinegar. Shake until it is amalgamated then drizzle over the salad. Thick, creamy and delicious.
treating rust on metal
My week hasn’t been all cutting flowers and reading inspirational books! I’ve been attending to some home maintenance. Some of our exterior door frames are metal and some are timber depending on the protection they have from the weather. The front door is protected by a portico but this door frame is exposed to all the weather. I have had to treat rust patches in the past. During this very hot, dry season it made sense to rub it back, treat the rust and repaint the area.
- Wipe the effected area of the frame clean then rub back the rust using sand paper. Wipe again with a damp cloth to remove any dust.
2. Apply the rust treatment and leave to dry.
3. Repainted the area. This was done on a very hot day and the area dried quickly. I applied two coats of paint over the previously rusted area for lasting protection. Now it looks perfect but I forgot to take a photo!
Next week on the 14th of February, is St Valentine’s day. Are you planning something special?