artichokes anyone ?

Artichokes have abounded in the kitchen garden this summer - SHE'S very good at growing them but HE is not very good at eating them.
Everything's thriving down here - armfuls of Foxgloves and delphiniums have made their way to the house.

HE is very relieved that the susanqua espalier against the coach house survived autumn's vigorous pruning.

I just don't like playing hide and seek !

The twig arbour slowly being turned into the citrus arbour

why is Adorabella such a bad loser ?

Whoops, I've been caught !

I get up onto the dining table when they are not watching, it can be a bit slippery on the books but the taller the piles of books the better the view up the drive.

Don't worry about my feet on the tablecloth - it always gets changed - she has a good supply from Pigott's Store.

The trouble is, sometimes I can't get down without some help.

Of course Bella is such a goodie two-shoes. She's no help. 

If I turn away maybe SHE will go away .

Summer is on its way

Peaches, nectarines, apples, mandarines, grapefruit, limes, blood orange, seville orange, quinces, cherries and blueberries………. thank heavens for the fruit cage and sorry to all the birds, especially Mr.  and Mrs. King Parrot.

Breakfast Table

The American Civil War quilt is taken off the sofa and onto the breakfast table ………….

nothing to do with me chewing it

Favourite visitor !

On Saturday we had one of our favourite people to stay….Thomas Hamel.

THEY loved hearing from Thomas about his recent travels to the U.S.   

He is besties with all the top decorators there, and gave us the scoop on the up and coming second series of Million Dollar Decorators (Thomas says Martyn Lawrence-Bullard is a darling, as is Mary MacDonald, whilst Katherine Ireland is as much riotous fun as she seems to be on the show !).

 This post is just a teaser as he's invited me (SHE will come also to take the pictures !) to visit his office and clever staff in a few weeks. It is a hive of creativity there.

Meanwhile, back on the farm, here is TH returning from the kitchen garden with dinner. Can you see me on the right >

Being from the city, Thomas does feel the cold of a Highlands spring.

It is going to be a great harvest this autumn - HE is looking forward to cranking up the cider press.

Iris Country Fair

Recently SHE left us and went on a buying trip with Aunt Nano to India…..

it was OK we had CV and the wonderful and well read William Petley staying - and HE did spoil us a little bit.

Lots of the goodies (tops, tablecloths, shorts etc etc) Aunt Nano bought for Pigott's Store will be at the Iris Country Fair at Frensham, Mittagong this Saturday 17th Nov., along with 70 other stalls. This fair (and market) is only held every 4 years and is bigger than Ben Hur.

It is such fun, do try and get there.

HE loves it as there are lots of delicious things to eat, and hundreds of interesting books for sale, whilst SHE loves all the plants.

Another treat will be Mickey Robertson from Glenmore House with all her kitchen gardening goodies.

Pigott's will be in School Hall - come and say hello !

We think this caftan is straight out of the book POOLSIDE WITH SLIM AARONS

Sunroom Supper

Our friends the Dwyers bought their house guests over for Friday night supper. 

Bella and I always enjoy the extra attention we get from visitors (I think Ruth secretly would rather like to take me home).

I think they're coming!

The last of lots and lots of herbacious peonies from the cutting garden. 

All the peonies get fertilised on Melbourne Cup Day and Anzac Day (a great tip from an old friend years ago).

The real thing, for a change.

 THEY have eaten rather a lot of red cabbage lately so this one is not

going to make it to full size …….much prettier on the table than on the stove.

Garlic anyone?

Today THEY dug the first of the early garlic, together with some pretty and delicious red onions;

and a pair of cabbages (which may well end up as a table decoration, and not as table fare).

SHE loves a good stock of string - perfect for tying up the onions & garlic.

HE made the drying rack for the onions this morning.

Harvesting is all very well, but how about our dinner ? 

That's me on the left. Sally, on the right, is  giving vent to her best mournful impression. It always works.