Broccoli

Just picked some really large broccoli heads they have been in the pot soaking for a little while to get the caterpillars off etc.  Will head into the kitchen and start blanching so we can have a good supply of the green veggie over the winter months.

Tomatoes

Have just picked some tomatoes and we are having Pasta tonight.  So just finished peeling the tomatoes and now have an onion and some garlic from the garden simmering in a pot awaiting the addition of tomatoes, zucchini and  capsicum all from the garden as well a first for us.  I always find that simmering the onion and garlic for ten minuets before adding sugar and the rest of the ingredients helps to fuse the garlic and onion.  While the sugar helps with bringing out the tomato flavour.

Potatoes

Having just run out of store brought potatoes just went to the garden and dug some new spuds they look great.  Now have them in the pot boiling away I do not think there is much nicer then freshly dug boiled potatoes and (dare I say) butter.

Whats Growing

We have a medium garden area not to much in it as we are on a water tank and need to conserve water.  We are able to purchase water for a nominal charge from the neighbours who have a bore.  We plan to purchase a water pump to pump water direct from the stream to water the garden and orchard during the dry periods.  Growing currently are mainly staples Broccoli, Kumera, Potato, Corn, Toamto, Egg Plant, Cucumber apple and telegraph, Beans and Capsicums, Strawberries and some herbs there are also watermelon and pumpkin.  We have a few blackberry and raspberry vines most of these are pickend and frozen for later use in pies and muffins ...

Family

We are an average size family in Pirongia where we live.  My name is Paul and I am 55 years old.  I live with my wife Catherine aged 40 and my three children Ella, Ruby and Kate.  Ella has just turned 4 Ruby and Kate are 22 months old, with Ruby being 2 minuets older.  We have 3 dogs and live on 3.5 acres on the slopes of the Mountain.  The soil is volcanic and we have been here for 1 year have planted the beginnings of an orchard grow our own veges.   Have two steers and 20 chickens.  We moved here so our children could grow up in the country and know where their food comes from.  AWe have no television by choice but we do watch movies from time to time and the kids are allowed to enjoy kids films etc.  I am a full time dad and have been for four years it is tough while ,y partner works and she finds that tough.  I am involved in Play center and Mainly music.