(no subject)

I'm sure I asked my sisters to be here at 11am.

It is now 11:30am and no sign. Our guests arrive in an hour. (Uncle and Aunt on Dad's side who weren't at Christmas lunch and have always been lovely to us. We try to keep in contact.)

Hmf. Guess I'd better start clearing the dining table myself...

Snowflake Day 9: GOals

In your own space, set some goals for the coming year. They can be fannish or not, public or private.

writing
1. finish one novel manuscript
2. complete a practical acquaintance with bees
3. complete the Meeting Halfway series.

reading
1. read all the unread books on my shelves at home, fiction and non-fiction both
2. read 1 chapter of my bible twice a week

sewing
1. complete 6 quilts (tops already done, finish the rest)
2. complete 6 tops (not including Promise of Spring and Passacaglia)
3. make 1 bag
4. make 3 items of clothing.

January Talkmeme - Gardening

sixbeforelunch asked: Gardening. How did you get started? What do you most enjoy growing? Any memorable successes or failures?

My mother was a gardener in her spare time; she pottered around, growing a variety of ornamental plants and flowers. Succulents and ferns were particular favourites of hers, but she was never into vegetable gardening.

I was *handwobble* about gardening until I hit about 20, and a friend loaned me a book by an Australian, Linda Woodrow's book Permaculture Home Garden in which she described herself as a hippie who wanted a way to stretch her household budget, a less energy-intense way of living, and food that hadn't been sterilised, poisoned, or otherwise meddled with to grow. It revolutionised the way I thought about food and gardening. From that point on, I wanted a garden like that.

( long story short )

Things I need to do for the garden during January
1. make a planting plan - when to plant and where.
2. add more perennials - things that don't need planting every where - plant once, repeat harvest.
3. make some really good, rich compost - the banana and the avocados are going to need it
4. plant potatoes, garlic, and other bulbs for winter/early spring next year.