We're quietly working away in our home with a day out here and there for Hanno's doctors' appointments and grocery shopping. Life at our home is a mix of house and garden work, sitting in the garden, morning teas on the verandah, reading, knitting and thinking about what's happening in the world around us.
Above and below: we drove over to Bribie Island last weekend where Gracie discovered ibis.
This chard will be a part of our lunch today. Closer up (below), it looks like a little forest in there.
This first pink rose is the Montville Rose. I've just taken cuttings of it so Sunny can grow it in her new garden.
This lipstick saliva is starting to get out of control and it looks a bit like a dog's breakfast. I'll cut it back over the weekend.
And Mary Rose continues flowering through thick and thin. I have another David Austin standard rose called Munstead Wood which is just coming into flower now. I'll post photos soon.
In the coming week, I hope to clean and organise the greenhouse and reorganise the front verandah. They're big jobs because I'll have to repot several plants and move them. These are jobs that would have taken a few hours in the past, now they'll probably take most of the week with a couple of hours work each day. I'm still getting dizzy and need to sit down quite a lot. Still, it's work that needs to be done and I'll enjoy the end result.
What are you doing? I hope you've not had any first-hand experience with COVID-19 in your family. The situation is still potentially dangerous in many countries and it looks like it will remain that way for a while yet. Stay safe, stay at home and if you can, let me know you're okay.
I hope you enjoy the weekend and the reading below.
🌿💛🌿
- From going grey to hand washing: 12 lockdown habits we're going to keep
- Gardeners' World, last week
- Of course, it's all made from scratch, here is The Fairy making kartoffel puffer (potato pancakes) and other potato treats.
- A Plain and Simple Place - I shared this very interesting link years ago in another Weekend reading post. It's well worth a reconnection for those who have already read it and I hope it will be a helpful resource for many others.
- The best books on racism you can read for free right now
- Natural All Purpose Cleaner - Fairyland Cottage
- Huntsman Spiders Are Great (No, Really)
- Wood carving HD images
- How to water the garden
- DIY Knit Twine Scrubbing Sponge
- 10 DIY Ways to Repurpose Chairs Into New Furniture
Oh, those Davin Austin roses are beautiful. I may try planting a a couple up at the mountain cabin. I think it's too hot for them to survive down here at the cottage. Sorry that you've been dizzy. I have to allow more time to complete routine tasks now, too. It feels good to reduce pressure. I think I had the virus for five days last November. I had taken a cruise from Barcelona through Italy. There was a huge percentage of travelers from China on board with us. I got better, though. So far, so good. Hope you and Hanno are healthy and happy. Your chard looks so healthy! I planted some, too.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you're well now. Slowing down comes to most of us so I don't resent it, I just try acknowledge it and get on with it. Yes, you should plant some David Austin roses. They really are beautiful flowers, they're bullet-proof and easy to grow. xx
DeletePhysically all well and good here, my mental health is lower than I'd like. I know it's all quite expected for the current situation but I'm keeping a close eye on myself least it takes hold.
ReplyDeleteYour salvia looks gorgeous, I have tried to grow them here but I think the wallabies found them to be a tasty treat. Sigh they do make gardening harder than it needs to be, and I'm not a very good gardener to start with.
I love the picture you paint with your words of a contentment and peaceful string of days even with the challenges you have.
Thank you for writing here and sharing
Cheers Kate
Good to hear you're all well there, Kate. You might be able to find some small salvias that will grow well in pots and keep them away from the wildlife.
DeleteMy brother is a hairdresser, has his own place and just started working again last week. (told me he worked 73 hours last week btw, as he's trying to catch up). Anyway, I asked him if any are wanting to go gray. He said a few, but not too many. I expected more, frankly.
ReplyDeleteI work in a library, and we never closed, as so many libraries did. We have been doing a curbside service, which our patrons have greatly appreciated.
Your comment about the salvia looking like a dog's breakfast was funny - I never heard that one. :D
I'm sure your patrons really appreciated having books to read during the lockdown. I wonder why people don't want to leave the hair chemicals and hairdressing appointments behind them. This would be the ideal time to do it.
DeleteThanks for sharing your news, Lisa.
Hi Rhonda,
ReplyDeleteyour part of the world looks beautiful, not to mention your glorious roses. All well here, certainly feeling much better now that I am back to face-to-face teaching. I had trouble with my eyes and terrible insomnia the whole time I was teaching online. From the first day back (Monday last week) I have slept well and suddenly don't need my reading glasses all the time - what a relief! Mentally I feel better too, it has all been a bit too much on top of the drought and bushfires where we had about 5 months indoors due to smoke. We also visited friends for the first time last weekend and it was exhilarating!
Enjoy your weekend,
Madeleine
Thanks for checking in and passing on your news, Madeleine. It's good to know you're feeling better and back at work. xx
DeleteI am sorry to hear that you getting dizzy a lot but glad to hear that you are finding a way to still do what the jobs that you need. I am really enjoying the ability to really slow down at this time and am not wanting to go out and about and do more.
ReplyDeleteI am in the UK (England) in a part which is sparsely populated (for here) so we have had fewer cases than elsewhere and no deaths for a while now. There has been one case in my village (pop about 1,000). It all feels very remote to me but we have been staying at home, our only journeys out to shop, we have yet to meet up with anyone outside our immediate family as yet even though that is 'allowed'. I am a home body and am loving this time. My garden has never had so much attention.
It's good to hear you're pottering away in your garden and not meeting anyone. Being remote has a certain appeal, doesn't it. xx
DeleteIt's always lovely to catch up with you through your blog posts Rhonda. Are you far from Bribie? Looks like a beautiful day out with Gracie. We're doing well here. SA is slowly getting back to 'normal' and I heard today that our borders will open at end of this month. To be quite honest, I've enjoyed the quiet pace with no calls on me to be sociable, so I'm hesitant to wish for a return to the busy-ness of having people around again. Perhaps the "Do Not Enter" sign will remain on our gate for a wee bit longer. XX
ReplyDeleteIt's good to catch up on your news, Sally. Bribie is about a 30 minute drive from here. Gracie loves it there because there are always a lot of people and dogs walking about. I've loved the lockdown although I recognise that it's been really difficult for some people. Thanks for checking in and sharing your news.
DeleteSorry to hear of your dizziness. That can be such a burden. I'm glad you were able to get away. Sometimes a change of scenery is just what we need.
ReplyDeleteEveryone here is still doing well. Working, gardening and experimenting with some delicious new recipes found on Downshiftology. Hubby decided not to go back to work after being laid off, so that is an adjustment. ;0D
Today we will enjoy once again hosting a "free" yard sale, where everything is free! It's wonderful to be able to pass along things to folks who might be able to give them a new life.
Our garden is coming alive with the warmer temperatures and ample rainfall. We are blessed indeed!
Thank you for the reading list. I will make some time this weekend to slow down and go through it.
It sounds like a time of change at your place, Daisy. I hope your husband settles in well being a homebody. Good luck with your garden. xx
DeleteLove those links, Rhonda. There has been much reading and watching YouTube films lately. You gave us plenty to explore this week. I must say though, that while the potato feature was quite interesting, it was nowhere near the appeal of the German kartoffel puffer I am used to. I love German food, and they are among my favourite things in that cuisine. Also enjoyed Fairyland Cottage. There is LOTS to love there!
ReplyDeleteI loved that Fairy washed the starch off the potatoes and then drained them. I think that would make a big difference to how I do them. I'm going to try it. Yes, Fairyland Cottage is charming. xx
DeleteHi Rhonda
ReplyDeleteI have four David Austin roses, three are standards and one is a low growing shrub type. Two of the standards are Anne Boleyn, very reliable and masses of flowers but the third standard is LD Braithwaite. Beautiful crimson blooms but very few of them and the plant is not a good 'doer'. Wouldn't recommend it to anyone.
Although the UK is slowly releasing lockdown we are still staying at home, having groceries delivered, gardening, baking, sewing and making things we need for the garden often from repurposed bits we have already. The calm is lovely at home and I am grateful for this time, while acknowledging how tough times are for many people.
My youngest daughter is a respiratory nurse and has been nursing Covid patients for months, she is very tired but virus free thank goodness.
I've seen the stunning Ann Boleyn but not the other. I appreciate the calmness too and I think the lockdown has been an eyeopener for many people.
DeleteYou must be very proud of your daughter. I hope she gets through all this without getting sick. xx
Hi Rhonda, I'm glad to see your beautiful roses and the pictures of the seaside. Gracie looks cautiously interested in the ibis ;). And thanks much for the links. Luckily, I've been able to avoid the virus and so have my friends and family. Our state has been gradually reopening and cases are decreasing. I hope the reopening will not cause the tide to go back in a negative direction. I think you know I'm in Minneapolis. Your blog is not the place for politics, so I'll just say this has been an awful, heart and soul-wrenching two weeks. Remember George Floyd. Beth in MN
ReplyDeleteThanks for checking in, Beth. It's good knowing you and your loved ones are doing well.
DeleteI've been watching what's been happening after the death of George Floyd - a tragedy that's affected millions of people. Hopefully real change will come from it. RIP George.
I'm glad to hear you're still able to enjoy the garden but that continued dizziness is not good. Take care, dear lady, for you are dearly treasured by so many who read of your simple and contented life.
ReplyDeleteHere is Townsville it's been an odd late autumn and winter so far - rain, unheard of, and regular bouts of it in our very mild and normally dry cooler season. I'm watching all my pumpkins intently as they are close to harvest now but too much rain could ruin them. On the other hand our numerous tomatoes love it when the heavens open, as do all the herbs.
Bless you, Rhonda.
I am taking care, Jenny, thank you. My kids went to the Cathefral School so I remember winters in Townsville. Rain isn't part of my memories. It must be doing your garden the world of good.
DeleteThanks for sharing your news. xx
that twine scrubber looks interesting.....I'm sure I've got a ball of it here. I'll give it a try and see how it works.
ReplyDeleteLet me know how it goes. 🙂
DeleteI read and enjoy your posts so much Rhonda ... they relax me somehow. I don't often comment but just wanted you to know that.
ReplyDeleteXXX
Thank you for your comment. 🙂
DeleteYour lovely garden, love having a peep. A very tiring week here has finally come to an end. Severe close-Family illness (not Covid 19) and a new Covid 19 case in near proximity have given me some grief. I shall spend the weekend pottering in the garden, home is a quiet peaceful place in a turbulent world now. Stay safe, blessings, Pam in Norway
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry to hear your news, Pam. I hope your health is improving. Enjoy your garden. Like you, I think of my garden as a quiet and peaceful place. Take care, dear. xx
DeleteRhonda, once again you have found some spectacular links to blogs/youtube vid. I am still watching the Liquzzi ones you recommended from a few months ago, so beautiful! And now the Fairytale cottage and the Quaker one...I will be watching/reading all of both of them from the beginning. I have been a naughty girl and stayed up past my bedtime watching Fairytale Cottage tonight! Thanks so much for sharing!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome. I'm pleased you're enjoying the lists.
DeleteA lovely post...nice reading. The rose is just beautiful!
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend now :)
Titti
Love your roses! Here in the states (TX) things are heating up rapidly. Ever since my husband's stroke 3 years ago, we have a "deck garden." Roses and veggies in barrels, lots of herbs. Very therapeutic to tend and look at. We have stayed well here. Hubby spiked a temp last week with no other symptoms and it ended up being a UTI. I have kept so busy, learned how to make kefir, both milk and coconut, fermented pickles and sauerkraut and salsa. So easy and so delish and so good for us! I made beet kvass as well, it is tasty. So glad you are staying well.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you're both well too, Lori. Good on you for teaching yourself all those ferments. Take care and thanks for sharing your news. xx
DeleteI especially enjoyed the post about repurposing chairs! Aren't people clever?! Love the sweet blooms in your garden. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteIt's lovely to "hear" your voice, Rhonda! I'm glad you're taking care of you by going slow and listening when your body says slow down. You have a great attitude about all of it!
ReplyDeleteWe've been doing a lot of puttering around here as the school year ends. My youngest goes to high school next year, so they're all well on their way to being adults, at least in theory. Lol. I've had a couple friends come down with covid, but so far, so good. They're all recovering slowly, but surely.
Here in the US, I've heard it's both sewing machine day and knitting in public day. Lololol. Looks like it's going to rain again today, so I'll be inside, working on my sock. It's a new pattern, and I thought I was almost done, but the ankle was too tight, so I had to pull it all back out to the heel. Trying again, again.
Our neighbor offered me two rose bushes that are not getting enough sun in her yard. One is a pink David Austin. I'm looking forward to how they'll perk up with the rest of my roses where they'll get a lot of light all day long. Have a great rest of your weekend!
Thanks for sharing your news, Yvette. I like the sound of sewing machine day and knitting in public. Good luck with your socks and the roses. xx
DeleteAll is well here. Most all of our extended family has had the virus and with very few symptoms. We had all been careful but picked it up anyway. Honestly I am glad we have had it and no one was seriously ill and we are now immune. It is a huge relief. We have just finished a two week project working on all our plants on our large back deck and now we are just happily enjoying the plants and flowers while we eat our meals outside and enjoy our porch swing. It is amazing how long these things take now at our age! I know you will be happy to have yours finished too so that you can just enjoy your outdoor space. That tree at the waterside is wonderful like a full size bonsai!
ReplyDeleteGood morning Rhonda and Hanno, Hope the dizziness is a bit less this week. Thankyou for the photos, a glorious sunny day on Bribie Is.My 'Wollerton Old Hall' rose arrived from Trelours ( amazing really that plants survive the post)I ordered it as a climber and also for beautiful perfume and the fact that it is 'almost thornless' as our yard is small. My 10 inch stick is covered in large thorns!! mmm have to see how it grows! Also planted 3 pots of potatoes,not sure that they work out more expensive but you can't beat the flavour! Glad to hear from people that they are safe in this disturbed world, many things are opening up in Victoria but we will stay hankered down safely at home for a while and see how it goes 🙃
ReplyDeleteLove the 12 habits one, made me decide to do one on my blog about the 10 things I think we should keep post lockdown!
ReplyDeleteThe roses look beautiful. I have been trying to find a Montville rose to plant. Am hoping when the Montville market opens again they may be there, saw them there last year.
ReplyDeleteHave enjoyed all the lockdown time. We have built a chook pen, restarted the veggie garden and spending lots of afternoons infront if the outdoor campfire. The only thing that gets in the way is work. I am fortunate to have a job but would so much prefer to be cooking,preserving,crocheting,gardening and reading. Hope you take is slow and keep that dizziness under control.
I've saved up your Weekend Reading posts to go back and enjoy when I have time to actually dig in and read...I especially enjoyed the article on things to keep from lockdown. My household has not had a direct experience with Covid, thankfully--we've been locked down except for grocery trips since March--but my sister caught it when she had to go back to work (she was doing everything she was supposed to, but someone who knew he'd been exposed irresponsibly still came in to the office while awaiting his test results). She is recovering, thankfully, but it's been scary worrying about her and completely unable to go help.
ReplyDeleteMy state (Florida) is now having a frightening spike in cases, along with a complete lack of coherent leadership at the state and federal level, so unfortunately I don't see our lockdown ending any time soon...