It is wickedly cold here in Southern Queensland. So cold that even with the heater on I’m dressed in three layers with a wool hat, scarf, slippers, and blanket and still shivering. Only 40 minutes south of us, they are under a blanket of snow. Snow!! In Queensland!! I can scarcely imagine it. We’ve had a bit of rain at our house, but no snow yet. Fingers crossed, though!
In spite of this amazing cold snap, my gardens continue to soldier on, giving me all sorts of good things each day. Like these oh-so-sweet yellow cherry tomatoes. It doesn’t matter if we get frost or ferocious winds, every couple of days there are new ripe tomatoes for us to eat.
Our Muscovy ducks, who usually stop laying over winter, have been laying like crazy! Every day I collect a bowl full of eggs, and I’m not complaining one bit. Keep going, duckies!!
Much to my surprise and delight, my lilly pilly is flourishing. Last year this one got well and truly frosted, but this year I have her in a sheltered spot and she’s rewarded me with heaps of gorgeous little berries.
For two years I’ve been trying to get lemons to grow on the trees in my kitchen garden, but caterpillars kept ravaging them. Grrr. This year, however, I’ve been vigilant about picking the critters off, and now I’m finally getting lemons. Woohoo!!! Just a wee bit excited about that.
I first heard of black radishes while doing research for the book I wrote on the history of Freestone (a small town near us). So I searched and searched until I found seeds and this week I finally got to see and taste them. Aren’t they interesting? They may look as though they’ve been dipped in black ink, but they taste great.
My purple beauties are doing well too, and I’m looking forward to roasting a big batch tomorrow with sea salt and thyme.
Now it’s time to cozy in with big cups of tea and a steaming Beef Burgundy Pie for dinner. They oughtta warm our frigid bones a bit.
What is your favorite cold weather food? xo
Wow, Krista, Can’t believe how much is still growing in your garden in that weather – especially those cherry tomatoes. A great splash of colour for winter. 🙂
Julia
Hey Julia, I can’t believe it either! I’ve never lived in a place where I could grow year round. 🙂
stay warm and enjoy your serious bounty! wow snow!
http://mlleparadis.blogspot.com
Thank you, paradis! 🙂 I’m all rugged up and not too cold today. 🙂
question: what does one do with a lilly pili?
I don’t know yet, @mimirippee:disqus 🙂 I’ve just been eating them straight off the bush. But I think you can make jams and jellies with them.
We’re freezing here in Sydney too. I can’t remember a winter this cold. In fact, Sydney is surrounded in all directions with snow and a lot of roads are closed preventing us from even leaving the city. Congrats on having some lemons and how lovely to have all those daily fresh eggs. I’ve never seen black radishes before! xx
I can only imagine how much colder it is where you are, Charlie!! Snow everywhere sounds incredible to me. 🙂 I loved your snowy pics of the not-so-ideal cottage you stayed in. 🙂
Yes, I am amazed at the produce you still have despite snow falling near by! Enjoy your winter wonderland!!
Thank you, @disqus_WseMqaTPwi:disqus 🙂 It’s a foggy world this morning and we’re loving it. 🙂
We can imagine how fun it is to harvest that many goodies you have in your backyard, Krista! So many wonderful things to find! Go duckies!!
Julie & Alesah
Gourmet Getaways xx
gorgeous colours! Love the yellow cherry tomatoes against the grey and those lovely berries too! We have black radishes here but I’ve never bought one to try. Maybe next time 🙂 Keep warm!
Your garden is positively thriving. Everything except for a rather resilient mint bush died in my garden this winter, it is soooooo cold here in Canberra. At the start of winter I always enjoy the slow cooker feeds, but now, months in, I am craving lighter style summery foods. But a risotto is prob the go to feed when its chilly. 🙂