Winter in the vegetable plot

The shortest day has come and gone. The weather seems to get nastier after this. Still the vegetable garden is providing us with greens and herb garnishes. The vege plot was pretty neglected this autumn and it surprises me that it keeps giving.

Our brasicca crops were late in and we have yet to reap any rewards. Silverbeet is the winter staple and with the addition of three lovely little hens it is picked daily. The girls love their daily dose of Silverbeet and there is great excitement when they find a bug hiding in the little leafy dimples.

Spring onions, garlic and brasicca

Chooky, Heihei Marmite and Dotti are the cutest gals and such characters. On the sunnier days they are great company and entertainment whilst I sip some tea al fresco. They hail from my parents' place and flew up with me on my last trip home (probably the most expensive bantams in NZ now) but Chooky and her daughters are pretty special.

 Chooky was the tiniest and cutest little thing, raised by Ma and Pa Fox but completely besotted with my father. She jumps onto his hand and loves to be in his company. Now that Pa. Fox is back to work the number of animals to tend was too many....so they joined our Foxy clan. They have settled into West Auckland urban life quickly and will hopefully produce eggs in the coming days.

New family members

Their housing is not ideal with a wooden floor and no access to scratching but until our bathroom renovations are complete they must wait. We have two coops that we will modify so they can scratch the ground and do normal chicken things but remain safe from the neighbourhood cats.

Herbs on a sunnier winter day

Garlic did OK in our garden last year although it had been planted too late. This year I planted out many more cloves and within the recommended month. Already the shoots have come up vigorously and I love their bright green against the earthy browns of winter. This year I planted them with soil from the worm garden and a generous helping of sheep poo, fingers crossed it will be a bumper crop.

Garlic planted...underneath a protective shield of wire to deter cats

Our rhubarb plant has been battered by wild winds and is struggling to become established. I think it will be fine with a little TLC but am looking forward to harvesting it next year....mmm dreaming of stewed rhubarb on porridge and rhubarb crumbles.

The wee Pak Choy are now nearly ready to add into stirfrys. We improving at planting in smaller successive crops this year. We have a row of carrots ready to start eating with another two rows about six weeks behind them. Carrots are not my favourite vegetable when cooked but homegrown ones are so much sweeter.

Rhubarb pre the gale force winds, and baby Pak Choy

The broad beans are starting their upward climb, these poor fellas were in the $1 bin at the Nursery so came home with me. That first meal of broad beans I can nearly taste...although many don't make as far as the kitchen. So tender and sweet will when fresh from the pod..YUM!

Broad beans

Sweetpeas have been on my mind. Not sure if I have missed the boat this year so will have to do a little research. Pretty sure they were meant to have been in the ground weeks ago. So that note it might be time to boil the jug and reach for the gardening books.

Flowers make me happy

As the winter set in with all it's windy and wet fury the garden slowed it's growth. I'm enjoying the quieter pace and pottering around when the weather allows.

Pansies are prolific in the vege plot.

Since Mum's passing I have found great solace in the garden, her passion was flowers and herbs; mine the vegetables but I have noticed myself gravitating towards the flower section in Nurseries. Foxgloves, stock, primulas and other cottage dainties have found homes in corners of the garden. Their cheery little faces bringing colour to our winter landscape.  Bringing a few of the blooms inside has also brought me joy. Mum always had floral arrangements inside in nearly every room. She knew how to make a house feel like a home and it's comforting to have this echo in our place.

Violets

 Violets never seem to last very long in a vase but gosh they smell heavenly. They grow like a weed in our most shady, damp corner. I just love them and although the practical side of me knows we could utilise this space better, the happiness these tiny blooms give is enough for them to remain safe.

The primulas below have put on quite a show even on the most dreary days. The yellow ones have the loveliest perfume and last for ages in little jugs. They are much happier with the added mulch. Our little lavender bushes are becoming established and I can't wait to harvest their flowers in the summer. 

We recently caved and brought a wisteria bush...Dad has the most awesome wisteria plants growing along the front of the verandah at home and we have visions of creating something similar here.  They tend to grow quite rampantly in the Auckland climate so we have to be vigilant with keeping it in check.

Front garden getting established.

Normally I wish away the winter months in terms of gardening (especially as our lawn turns into a swamp) but this year I'm in no rush. Our little one arrives in the Spring, and so as much as I look forward to the new green growth and abundance the returning warmth brings the slowness is good. It reminds me not to rush..too enjoy the time that my little cublet is tucked up warm and snug. To savour the long winter evenings and the birdies who crowd around our feeder. To relish those last few months as just Mr. and Mrs Fox before we become three. 

Marrying Mr. Fox, December 2013

To say that I love being married is an understatement. Mr. Fox and I have been together for nearly 13 years and they have been oh so wonderful years......but now calling him my husband and wearing his ring it feels so special. Our wedding day was so full of joy, fun and memories for us both.

Photo by Fiona Anderson Photography

The weather was cool and pouring that day but gave us a clear window to exchange our vows. Our friends and family were incredible and worked awfully hard to get the garden and tents perfect. My gorgeous Mum (who was so sore and sick) created some enormous, floral wreathes and hoop that adorned the reception venue. She also created with her sweet friend Maree our amazing bouquets and corsages. My bridal bouquet was straight from my dreams. Big, frothy, green and white blooms with a nod to floral design of yester years. I truly felt like a bride when the bouquet rested in my arms. Isn't funny when you talk to other women what exactly made them feel like a bride...for so many it is the dress but for me it was always the bouquet, closely followed by wearing the wax flowers wreath in my hair. Some of these have been on the maternal side of the family for four generations.

Photo by Fiona Anderson Photography

My dress was brought on a whim from an antique shop in Balcultha. It had belonged to the friend of the owners wife. I believe it was from the sixties or seventies. Mum and I spotted it on the rack...I had no idea what I wanted for a dress at that stage. I just knew I didn't want anything to fluffy, uncomfortable or overly sexy. So there were two dresses I tried on...we took them away for the night as Mum had a chemo appointment the next day. We had fun that evening as I tried them on in our accommodation. We both loved the one I wore to wed the man of my dreams. Simple with feminine touches of lace and the decoration around the empire waistband. It has the sweetest bows on the shoulders and beautiful draping that hangs from the bows...I wore these lightly looped at my back.

It needed some minor adjustments, in at the waist and shoulders. I also had the high neckline at the back slightly lowered to modernise. Being comfortable was fantastic and I felt so me! I often wear cocktail dresses from this era to other peoples weddings so it was so fitting to wear a bridal version. My veil was an etsy find and had the most delicate floral edging...complementing my headdress perfectly.

Photo by Fiona Anderson Photography

We had no clear colour theme for the day, Mr. Fox and I wanted everything to be fun, vintage and relaxed. My collection of vintage sheets was put to good use in the tents, bunting made by Mum and myself hung in the branches of the garden. Flowers from Mum and her friends gardens were arranged around the place and we used porcelain cups for hot drinks.

Dad had a fantastic idea of making signage from Mini doors and boots. He painted blackboard paint panels and they added a special touch of whimsy to the celebrations. For those who know our family Minis being important will come as no surprise. Both Mum and Dad had minis before us kids came along. I can never remember our household without Minis around. Both us girls learnt to drive in Minis and drove these for many years. When I first met Mr. Fox during our high school years I drove a wee Mini. It was so special to have Minis...three in fact decorated for our wedding. They always bring a smile to our faces.

Photo by Fiona Anderson Photography

Photo by Fiona Anderson Photography

We enjoyed an afternoon tea in Garden before heading into the Ascot Park Hotel in Invercargill for the reception. The menu was a bit risky...Vegetarian with a 'Christmas Curry' for the main. We had great feedback from our guests...most who were pleasantly surprised by the unusual choice. Christmas and curry go together for Mr. Fox and I after spending years celebrating it with special flatmates. A tradition that couldn't be left out this in 2013. Having a wedding so close to Christmas was great...it felt like the festive season began early and it felt good knowing our guests were going home to their families to enjoy the holiday period. Particularly those who had travelled from distant places.

 We danced into the wee hours and it seemed a good time was had by most. The venue looked magical with lots of fairy lights and candles flickering on the tables in vintage teacups. Each table had a different toy as the theme...the dinky cars and mini fishing games seem to be the favourites! The wreath that Mum and I made hung above the dance floor. It was huge, with a base of pine entwined with lights, gold stars and beading...we even had silk flowers and a few gold Christmas decorations to catch the light. It felt like a woodland on a starry Christmas night. It is so fun to see all the planning and hard work become real life. 

Photo by Fiona Anderson Photography

Photo by Fiona Anderson Photography

In all the day is one we will remember ever so fondly. Mostly because of the love on the day. Surrounded by loving friends and family. Love for each other as we committed to each other for the rest of days. Love that was in every handmade decoration and homegrown flower present. Parent's love that made the day so very special for this bride...a beautiful garden, in our longtime home and all those special touches they created. A sister who threw a hens party filled with love and special touches. Our wonderful wedding party who made us feel loved throughout the day. A day where we celebrated life and all the joy love can bring. Cheesy but oh so true. Losing someone as special as Mum makes you realise you have to celebrate love while you can.