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early morning sky after rains
We are blessed with amazing natural beauty here. It is almost criminal to take it for granted. But we do. Sometimes. Take the clear blue skies we often have… I long for some cloud now and then, not to mention a little rain. Clear blue skies have an implied imperative that one must get out and make the most of it. But all I want some days is to curl up with a book and listen to some music mingled with the sound of drizzle on the metal roof. I got my chance last weekend, which included Mother’s Day. Since I couldn’t be with either our daughter or my Mother, listening to rain, reading and floating between cups of coffee, ginger tea and preparing one of our favourite meals (here) was a fine situation to have.
Rain brought the early signs of winter with it. The vestiges of summer are pretty depressing after the grasshoppers decimated our citrus trees. The lime is an early producer so we had ample limes, but the lemons, which I use much more often, don’t look like they will be able to mature with the lack of leaves for some photosynthesis. (don’t be confused by the photos, the lemon is the green fruit-left and the limes are the yellow ones–I know!) My herb garden is looking very sad, I won’t bore you with a photo, but suffice it to say, most of it will be dug out soon and the soil and irrigation replaced, along with a renewal of plants. I did have one victory, however. The bay tree I worked to save from scale infestation last summer has yielded a nearly perfect harvest this year and will certainly last me another year.
Baking weather has returned and my fourth ever loaf of homemade sourdough spelt bread has emerged miraculously from the oven this morning. Maybe I’m just easy to please after not being able to eat bread for years, but it is pretty much my dream loaf.
Last night the heat bag reappeared and was warmed and woven around my feet. The little mug I save for warm milk and honey was again filled and slowly sipped, until I was warmed inside and out. Such is the change of seasons and our delight in their coming and going.
my comforts
ardysez 
Ardys, you are making me feel homesick… Especially for that special two hour girls’ time, sitting at your dining room table, looking out onto our much loved West Mac Range 😊The bread looks divine 😊
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Sorry to make you homesick, but we will be here, me and the scenery, when you return! Oh, and the bread will be here too. 😊
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In my grownup years I have only ever resided in E Australia, be it Sydney for three decades, Northern Rivers, Mermaid Waters or now, long-time, in the beautiful Southern Highlands south of Sydney. I have oft thought of the ‘Alice’ but cannot imagine what life there on a day-to-day basis would be like. Forgive me: to me it has seemed to be a ‘hemmed in’ situation amidst that of the biggest vastnesses in this world. Thus am totally in awe of your lifestyle and so want to learn . . .
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I’m probably the wrong person to look to for an accurate picture of the real Alice. Like most of us, I have my own reality of Alice that I experience. I am not a ‘joiner’ so all the many, many events and committees here in town have to survive without me. I like a quiet existence watching the scenery and the plants and animals and I love my inner life as well as a few domestic pursuits. Nevertheless, the place does shape my world and happily so. Thank you Eha.
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Similarly, I’ve been treasuring these gentle autumn days that have lingered but at the same time a part of me yearns for the trappings of the season proper. The upsides are lovely warm days, dawn & dusk skys which despite being busy I stop to savour, and cool pleasant nights with heavy dews so good for the garden. But no wood fire… When? we ask. Our potted vege garden still gives us modest produce although things are slower to ripen… will we get a bounty of passionfruit before our next trip is the big question! I’m not sure I’m going to have any luck with backyard citrus… both lemon & lime have leaf curl. And the bay tree after we moved it from a wrong location into a pot looks almost dead. But the flowering alimandra, hibiscus & frangipani are embracing the mild weather. Your Mothers Day sounds wonderful. We delight in any rain, although there’s not been much, both for the rainwater tanks and the ambiance. But fickle we are, when the days turn cold, we’ll lament winter’s chill and count the days until our travels deliver us to the dry season up north.
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You gave me a laugh. Yes, we are so fickle. It won’t be too many weeks before I will be complaining of permanently cold toes and nose! That’s a shame about your citrus and bay tree. Growing food trees and plants is not an easy thing to do for those of us who are not horticulture specialists. Your description of your days is lovely… a blog post in the making perhaps??
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It’s been an endless summer in Brisbane too, especially for this transplanted Melbournite. Loving the overnight chill which has come this week though. Loaf 4 looks fab!! My new oven is ready to go as of today, will bake bread Sunday, just hope the starter fires up after a month off.
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Thank you SO much for all your help in getting me started back on the bread making trail. Honestly, I wasn’t at all certain I was up for it, but am so glad I did. Have a great time with your new oven!
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Glad to be of help Ardys. The enthusiasm for baking sourdough is very infectious, but more so for us ’cause it means we can eat bread. I’m still amazed at how little time and effort is needed to bake a beautiful loaf. Have a great weekend
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Comforting thoughts and beautiful photos. I live rain too..we never get enough.
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Thank you Francesca. Hope you are traveling well.
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that was meant to be ‘LOVE’ rain… phone edit took over as I sit here in semi light in Akaroa New Zealand. xx
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😉 I knew what you meant. xx
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It seems strange for you to be settling into winter, while we are just warming up and soon the heat will be upon us here in the South Central US. We are enjoying some lovely rain the past weeks and the temperatures are still pleasant at the moment. As I look over your photos, I am reminded of the coziness that comes with cooler temps and blustery days spent inside – warmth stoked by a fire, cooking and baking. I am thankful for the Yin and Yang of life. 🙂
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Me too, Lori. I like writing about seasonal change because it helps me and others (I think) to pause and realise the world is a big place, and somewhere in it are other people experiencing something totally different, and yet somewhat familiar. Thanks for reading.
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I have to stop and let it sink sometimes that you actually have fruit growing trees at your finger tips. Even if they aren’t perfect this year, many seasons they are. So fortunate. When I was living in CA, the family had avocado trees. Always there were avocados. Just walk out and get them. Area restaurants even made daily visits to gather them. Celi’s post had a very similar theme the same day regarding favorite things – like the mug you keep for warm milk and honey, and you probably read from the same spot. I, too, love the change of seasons. However, in Michigan, spring always resembles winter. Many days of cold and dreary. I would like to stay in today but must get on with the things that must be done. Have a great day.
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You are right, many years we have loads of lemons. For some reason the lime tree seems a bit heartier and we always have limes. Perhaps it is just better suited to the environment. It does look pretty ‘ratty’ at the moment, though, from the grasshoppers too. Wow, avocado trees in your back yard! That would be great. I know your Michigan winters just hang around until one day it is summer. Have a great weekend.
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