Mulberries, Peas & Flowers - Hello Spring!

Finally we had some rain in the couple of days, but in the last few weeks we have been watering most days and not spending much time in the garden for pleasure. Getting a chance to wander around this afternoon we feasted on mulberries (Oliver loves these - thank heavens for stain spray I say) and snow peas.
Here are some random shots of life in the garden at the moment taken with my in-built phone camera. Enjoy :)

Seed pods emerging on the sweet peas -
we will save all these for next year's planting.  

Free Trees

It's rates time again! Our local council has a scheme for us landholders where we are entitled to a couple of native trees every six months. You just have to show your notice to Landcare Nursery and they let you take what ever you want! Pretty cool hey - apart from the fact you still have a substantial bill looming. I mean lets face it, a couple of two dollar trees ain't exactly something most people would get terribly excited about...

Except for me maybe - especially when you have family that don't see the value in it and couldn't be bothered to go and collect theirs... well hello - I'll take that voucher thanks!

So today Julie got the privilege of collecting an array of tubestock - with a bundle of vouchers in hand!

including a couple of freebies, about 12 new plants
came home today!

Pretty flower pictures generally gets her excited - but I also note she choose drought tolerant varieties. Good thing too when "imminent rain is not on the horizon" (thanks Mr Weatherman... not)! These signs at the nursery are great.

The Flax Lilly's made it to the garden this afternoon, the others will have to wait until the weekend. I say most things that are free are worth the effort! Especially when it means adding some greenery to an otherwise  bare patch of dirt. So for all you locals, do yourself and the planet a favour, get out there and go plant your free trees!

Father's Day Choc-Beet Treat

I don't need too much of an excuse to bake a cake - but being Father's Day - the temptation was too much. I've had baby beets just begging to be eaten so I fished out the chocolate cake with beets recipe from my deceptively delicious book. Jessica Seinfeld has created this deceptive cookbook trying to hide all sorts of healthy vege amongst her baking - often disguised with lots of sugar! That is a whole other topic so I will try and stay on track.

The beetroots get roasted first - save yourself some time and electricity by doing this the night before while you have something else in the oven.

Beetroots trimmed but not peeled
then wrapped in foil and roasted
for approx 40min - peeled when cooled

I then finely diced them using my nifty tupperware chopping gadget - you could try and puree like the recipe says, but this way seems far easier. You need half a cup for this recipe.

Beat 1 cup of firmly packed light or dark brown sugar with 1/4 cup margarine until creamy. Add one whole egg then 2 egg whites one at a time, beating well after each addition. Then beat in 85grams of melted dark chocolate that has been cooled. Then add the beetroot (1/2 cup), 1/2 cup buttermilk (I used skim) and 1 tsp vanilla beating well.

Add 2 cups plain flour, 1 tsp bi-carb soda, and pinch salt, beating well again. You will have the gloriously deep pink mix that looks divine!

Pour into a lined 9-inch round cake pan and bake 180deg for about 40 minutes. Let the cake cool for 5 minutes before turning out and when cooled completely ice with some chocolate icing. The recipe says it will keep refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 4 days - but they are kidding themselves - ours will not last the day out!

While we are munching down this divine cake I fess up to the kids and admit the added vege - but it did not bother them at all! Happy Fathers' Day to all - especially our Ol' Rusty Possum daddy!