Saturday, April 13, 2013

The beginning of the cold season

Although we can't really complain about the weather recently seeing we are in the middle of quite a severe drought it definitely does feel like summer is quickly coming to an end.  Well, officially it has been and gone but occasionally it lingers for a little bit longer.  

But now we approach one of my favourite times of the year - autumn.  I think CHB is particularly stunning in autumn and I revel in the sight of Pukeora vineyard's vines losing their leaves when I drive to Hawkes Bay.  Already there are trees on our property stating to change colour and soon the scenery will become like that of a painting.  I can't wait.  

Pete and Rach got married a few weeks ago in Waikanae in a lovely ceremony.  Jen and I were official photographers.  A few shots of the happy couple....



Over the last month I have been transitioning my habits to suit the cooler months.  I've started knitting and crocheting again and am preserving the last of the summer fruit.  I scrumped some crabapples in Waikanae and made some very pretty crabapple jelly and I finally the seemingly endless batches of zucchini relish have ceased.  The field mushrooms are starting to pop up so some frozen  containers of mushroom soup are no doubt on the cards.  Some knitted egg cosies....


And the tea cosy I am attempting to replicate....


I really need to get the seedlings that are in the greenhouse into the vege garden.  I've become really lazy - seeing as I have stocked up the pantry for winter my body is trying to tell me that now the vege garden needs no attention.  But that is not true.  I will get there eventually.  Maybe one more lot of wwoofers is needed. 

I feel like this summer has been the first summer that we've actually had a really successful vege growing season.  I'd like to take some credit for that but I have a feeling that perhaps it was solely due to the amazing weather and some very hard working wwoofers.  Thanks guys. 

Also just in the last week we (well, I) have acquired a new temporary horse named Zen.  I love him!  His owner is off overseas for a wee while and kindly offered for me to look after him while she's away.  So stoked!  He's enormous (17.2hh) and I love it.  I've always dreamed of having a horse 17+hh.  He jumps and floats and does a bit of dressage.  Perfect.  It's going to be hard to give him back but I'll just have to manage!  Here he is the first time I rode him...


And up on the hills today...


Poor Dino isn't quite sure what's going on.  They're in the same paddock now and I'm just hoping Zen doesn;t decide to eat Dino's cover as he has a tendency to do.

Anyway, I'm off to continue on the tea cosy and perhaps a first attempt at a fuchsia.  It looks complicated.  Wish me luck!

Kerry :)