Chelsea Writes

Om nom nom

The time is nigh… Now that the basil is coming good I plan on serving these with the aforementioned green herb, a sprinkling of sea salt and a glug of olive oil. I’m also going to eat one plain, so I can get a real sense of the flavour. I cannot wait!

We also have a new addition to the Acreage - the gorgeous hydrangeas that my husband bought for me during my time of convalescence. I really wanted to use these flowers as my wedding bouquet, but a lazy florist sold the bunches I had ordered, so instead I had roses of some sort. They were pretty prosaic but I couldn’t be bothered getting upset at the time. After all, they were just flowers and I wasn’t going to let that affect how I felt on the lead up to my wedding, nor on the day itself. They served their purpose; looked pretty and gave me something to hold onto, aside from Dad’s arm, as I walked up the Sydney Opera House steps. So no harm done. But everytime I look at these flowers I feel like giving them a wink and saying, “You would have been so much prettier than roses.”

Berry, mark II

I’ve only grown one strawberry so far (despite having two plants), but I think number two may not be far away.

The first one was everything I hoped for from a fresh, homegrown strawberry; sweet and full of flavour. I may not be able to eat store bought now … though if my sub-par success with strawbs continues as it has, I may not have a choice. Nevertheless, I’m excited about this one, it’s full of promise. Have just put worm castings on all of the plants today, so I might see an explosion of growth. Fingers crossed, more strawb flowers will bloom.

Hungry Little Caterpillar, indeed

“I went on what the movie advertisements refer to as a roaring rampage of revenge. I roared. And I rampaged. And I got bloody satisfaction.”

Be warned caterpillars, I will go all The Bride on your green little butts. I found around 20 today, of many different sizes as well as, rather disconcertingly, one that had already created a cocoon, cheeky little bugger. This one was the biggest of the lot. The smallest was no bigger than a grain of rice and almost see through.

Fair notice ‘pillars; you venture onto my turf (how do you find me, by the way, I’m two levels up!) and your days are numbered. Kthxbai.

Progress

The first bunch of cherry tomatoes are growing to an impressive size. Just wish they’d ripen so I could have my first taste.

There are so many small bunches of marties now, I’ve lost count of them. And still more bunches of flowers turn up. Brilliant! I love this bunch, the tomatoes have started growing even though they haven’t ditched the flowers yet. Cute.

The first blush

Welcome, darling little berry. You are undoubtedly the world’s ugliest, loveliest strawberry (this is your good side). I can’t wait to eat you.

Your siblings don’t seem to be doing so well. I don’t think they’re going to fruit. Tell me, do you need more fertiliser? Less water? More sun? I’d hate for you to grow up to be an only strawberry. Fill me in on what you need and I shall do my best to accommodate you, because I love (to eat) you.

Nom, nom.

Tiny tomatoes

The first signs of success … and of a summer that will probably be remembered for its bounty of homegrown marties, if all continues to go this well.

Celebratory bubbles

I’m drinking 14-year-old Krug while wearing trackie pants … ‘cause that’s the way I roll. Russ starts his new job tomorrow, which calls for a celebration! The bottle came in its own box with liner notes about the year in which the vintage was created. Schmancy.

in 1995 I had just started uni. Where were you?

Book love

You know you’re in for a ride when the book you’re reading opens the second chapter with this quote: “You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You must do the thing which you really think you cannot do.” Eleanor Roosevelt.

Wow. I’m equal parts inspired and intimidated. I can imagine using the above quote in one of the latter chapters when, as a reader, I’m totally fired up, believing I can do anything and ready to change the world. But, nope. This introduces us to the second chapter, which makes me wonder just where the author is going to take me. Good lord, woman, I’m already challenged by your intelligence, your vision and your confidence! Where to from here?

It’s taken from the book, The Blue Sweater, which I bought after wanting to find out more about how microfinancing businesses in developing countries appears to be more effective than charity in relieving poverty. It makes sense in the “give a woman a fish/teach a woman to fish” kind of way.

The book details the various experiences that lead the author, Jacqueline Novogratz, to form Acumen Fund, a nonprofit that identifies micro-businesses that not only help pull the entrepreneur from poverty but assists their community in a long term, sustainable way.

Currently she has just landed in Nairobi, where she will be working for a bank as an ambassador to African women, helping to create structures so that women with business ideas can get access to loans. Unfortunately, many of the African women she will be working alongside are annoyed that the position has been taken by a white woman, not an African woman, which is understandable. In conjunction, Novogratz has been given little idea as to what her job will actually involve, so she is mentally preparing to roll up her sleeves, work hard and, in doing so, hopefully win favour within the community.

I’m only at the start of her journey and Novogratz has already eclipsed anything far beyond what I’ve done or could imagine doing. Good thing I’m reading this while sipping tea and nibbling chocolate in between naps on a Sunday afternoon. I wouldn’t want to be taken completely out of my comfort zone after all!

Growing

This is what a balcony garden looks like in Bondi; small, cramped, barely enough sun but full of potential deliciousness.

My plants really only get about 4-5 hours of direct sunlight, so it will be interesting to see if the strawberries and tomatoes actually fruit. So far I have a few flowers.

It looks like the strawberries may fruit, but I’m not sure about the tomatoes. It’s a bit of an experiment.

Nonetheless, if it doesn’t work out, I’ve always got my pansies (I think) and Rampagin’ Roy Slavin kangaroo paw to keep things looking purty.

The bliss that was Rotorua

More pics of Rotorua, because I just can’t stop looking at them.

We sailed around Lake Rotoiti. Its name, which translates to small lake, is a misnomer, it’s around 10 km long.

Another view of Lake Rotoiti.

Soda Springs, where we soaked our muscles in a mineral hot spring.

We visited the house of a local artist who had carved sculptures into the rocks at the back of his yard. Hauntingly beautiful faces peered out everywhere. His garden was a work of art.

New Zealand has the greatest number of fern varieties in the world. This is but one of them.

One day, I shall go back. Oh yes. One day.

Eel = yum

Holidays are all about doing something different. Me? I ate eel.

Yes, eel. Slimy, gross-looking, incredibly delicious eel.

Lake Rotorua

For four days I woke up to this stunning view and now I think a bit of post-holidays blues have set in. I’m considering using this as my computer wallpaper, but in doing so I may run the risk of making myself even more blue.

I really do wish I was back in Rotorua, looking out to Mokoia Island, sipping tea and kicking back with a great book.

Incidentally, this book just arrived from Amazon. I’ve only read the first chapter but I’m hooked. I was inspired to read it after writing this post and wanting to know more about alternatives to charity work. I want to find out what really works. Once this book arrives, I should be a little more educated.

Mum always said, if you’re feeling depressed, do something for someone else and you’ll feel a little better. This is my slightly ammended version: reading about better ways to help others will help me get over my post-holiday come down. :)