Thursday, January 28, 2010

more from the gardening-quilter

I just knew it wouldn't be easy remembering how I got here last time but lookie - here I am.
Had to tell you about my kids (I know they are all adults but always they will be mine and 'kids' to me). I have to tell you how they rallied to launch Nina into her fourth decade and how proud they made me.
Nina readied her place for the party - no mean feat and with Jab and Lou (his lovely lady) helping they put the ram lamb on the spit, the turkey and vegetables into the hangi oven, invited all the whanau and friends and let rip. Adults and youngsters celebrated Nina's 40th through the afternoon and right through the night - lots of eating and dancing and ... how many of you have your own air show? Well two of them to be precise. Her 'squire' or neighbour is right into throwing his plane about in the sky (sky-ting) and even better it was the turn of his guest later in the afternoon to get up there and write a big '40' just for my girl.
She truly has come a long way in recent times and what is really heartwarming is the way her friends support her now and have been there for here right through her tough times. (that story is far too long suffice to say she is a wonderful human being now in spite or because of all that). I love her. You too Eth, Jab n Lou.
My garden continues to delight me and work me ragged. It's seems it's not enough to keep everything growing I then have to process all the goodies.
I was beginning to regret planting four gherkin plants cos I had done two big batches of bread and butter pickles and was running out of space in the pantry. Had decided to pick them much smaller and do a couple of jars of cornichons (is that what they are called? you know those little ones!) but then yesterday I was saved. My neighbouring farmer turned up at the fence with two large tractor scoops of manure-laden soil from his wintering over pads. I did a trade - two gallon jar of pickles and more room in the pantry for all that loverly dirt. It even smells like the country.
Today I got the first of the sweet corn into the freezer - have to admit I had a good gnaw at the cobs once the kernels had been cut off. Yum!
I also discovered that my tree laden with damson plums is about ready for picking. Stood under it and tried them out. The stevia (you know - that herbal sugar) that thriving beneath this tree helped with sweetening the tartness. Tomorrow's chore ...
Quilting has taken a back seat in recent weeks though I had about 30 friends and fellow quilters turn up for my 'picnic' at the weekend. It was a lovely day and well worth repeating.
As for preparing for my exhibition in March - I have one quilt out of the drawing board in my head and almost ready for sewing. Given that it is next month next week I should really stop typing and get sewing.
Just had to tell you about Nina's 40th - it was fun.


Natalie
Wholly Quilts
http://nataliemurdoch.co.nz

Thursday, January 14, 2010

re-birth of the quilting gardner

Natalie
Wholly Quilts
http://nataliemurdoch.co.nz

Today feels like my birthday and not my daughter's!
For many reasons not least that my first-born Janine, hereinafter referred to as Nina :-) is 40 right NOW. I can't believe it. Happy birthday beautiful. Love you.
What an amazing 40 years it has been - Nina was the first of three amazing kids and the reason for a marriage that survived 20-odd (that's odd as in peculiar not about) years and yet another reason for today's blue funk or 're-birth'.
The 'dearly departed' has sent the divorce papers more than 19 years after leaving us. Am in two minds about obliging by signing and returning - do it now and move on or mess him up a little one last time.
Today I began as I intend every day should - a walk, half an hour in the garden cutting back the orange berries that have finally yielded a tasty crop and pickling the gherkins that threaten to get away from me in the garden.
And then there is the writing of my first blog. Don't know if anyone out there is listening but then I am used to speaking to thin air. I have after all been a mother for 40 years - wow!
I'd like to keep a record of my quilting and gardening if just for that son of mine who keeps nagging me. Hi Jab!
So in the garden right not I am having great fun with vegetables - fresh beans, beetroot, potatoes, strawberries and cape gooseberries. Not forgetting the herbs and plenty of other green stuff - all very healthy.
Nina and Jab were here for dinner a couple of nights ago and laughed and my (very young) apple tree and passionfruit vine each with one fruit. Wait until the figs, damson plums, persimmons and grapes are all ready for consumption.
And then there is the buttercup squash - heading across the garden and up the neighbouring fence.
On the quilting front I have just covered Nina's kapok eiderdown for the fourth time. It was first done for her 10th birthday BQ (that is Before I became a Quilter) in a very stylish Trip around the World pattern as I recall. It had worn out at about her 20th birthday and by then I was a bona fide quilter (well I had four months experience by then) so I re-covered the beast. Ten years ago it was given a funky blue job and summer holidays just gone I finished an autumn-toned Afro 'do' for it.
I have been asked to exhibit some of my work in the local art gallery in March so need to work on a couple of pieces. Will keep you all posted.
This blogging has taken up more time than I thought it might but then I did have to find my way around my computer to do it so maybe now that I know the way there might be more to follow