I met Gem several years ago on a garden forum. Gem lives in north Queensland and from my home in Victoria, chatting on line about gardens we became firm friends.

Gem has her learner driver,  plates now and is enjoying driving to the nearest town to shop, I told Gem, one of my daughters never learned to drive until her children were growing up, nearing the age when they would want to drive and start looking for cheap insurance companies to cover their first car purchase.  I feel these, late start, drivers, like my daughter, like Gem, are often the safest, as they are generally very cautious and aware of the latest road rules.  Congratulations Gem for getting proficient at your drivingJ.

Gem was in love with daylilies when we first met and I am so very happy to have many of her day lily varieties in my garden, thriving, flowering and multiplying well.

These are a few of the beautiful, Bromeliads,  Gem grows.
 
 
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BEAUTIFUL Easter weather here in northern Victoria.

I had intended to spend Easter, packing the caravan, working in the garden, preparing it for winter by pruning roses, and tidying the climbing plants, but I have so far left Reg to potter in the garden while I try to improve my blogs.  A little tidying up and looking at the direction they are taking.

I have decided this, blog, my more personal diary style blog should feature a little more arts and entertainment and lol :-0, this might mean that I can also include a little more entertainment in my life. A sneaky move I think. lol.  I can call it 'research', and con my husband into stepping outside his comfort zone of a quiet rest at home or outside the caravan. lol.

Here is a picture of my husband, lol J, where I need him, in view, where I know he is safe, outside the window, tying back the only part of the garden he had any say in lol J and the part he is rightly very proud of, the wisteria vine over the pergola.  He chose the vine and the location of the pergola in the garden and the truth is, I could not have chosen better myself J.  

 
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Rain beautiful rain.

After the short heatwave, what could be more welcome than rain?

I was preparing to go shopping and I realized I could scratch a line through most of my shopping list.

I am going to get a plump ripe crop of silver beet, peas, beans, tomatoes strawberries, nectarines and potatoes out of this rain and warm weather. :-), I will not need to buy very much at all, :-), just let the rain and sun provide. Capsicum, corn and eggplant,, all progressing well too.

I planted six different varieties of tomatoes to try to space the harvest time, also five different  potato varieties, just the same i will need to search for multiple ways to prepare and cook the large crop of ‘tommies’ I will have for the next few months.

From my favorite source for my coking and how to, home use ideas:-About.com:-

Tomato Recipes

Tomato recipes and information, including how to peel, fried green tomatoes, tomato ketchup, and more.

Green Tomato Recipes @ Salsa Recipes (27) Green Tomato Recipes Tomato Links

Homemade Ketchup
This homemade ketchup takes time, but the final result is well worth the effort. Homemade tomato ketchup recipe with spices, onion, garlic, and other ingredients.

Spicy Tomato Jam
Use this delicious tomato jam as a ketchup alternative in meatloaf or on burgers, or serve it with cheese and crackers or as a dip for shrimp

 

That is IF the tomatoes ever make it to the kitchen. I LOVE eating them ripe of the bushJ, nothing tastes more beautiful than sun ripened, fresh harvested and eaten in the garden fruit.

Health Benefits of Tomatoes :

Tomatoes is said to promote clear skin and purify the blood, by detoxifying the liver and assisting in the health of the gallbladder, even helping to dissolve gallstones.

Tomatoes are a natural antiseptic, add garlic to your tomato dishes and you have a powerful natural way to help counter infection.

The Nicotinic acid in tomatoes can help to reduce blood cholesterol.

Tomatoes strengthen bone both as the Vitamin K content assists calcium formation in the bone, doing the same job many of the drugs prescribed for osteoporosis do, but in a SAFER, more natural way and without the side effects. of the drugs. Vitamin K also helps prevent haemorrhages. 

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