Planning the dome

Planning the dome is quite exciting. My brother is putting pen to paper and searching geodesic dome designs and use on the net. I, too, am searching, dreaming and planning.

My husband sees the building process as something to look forward to, plus he knows all if the great things it will bring. He even has some fanciful ideas that won't eventuate because although having an entertaining area and fireplace sounds good, it simply won't be that big. And those things are best left for outside.

Mum and I look forward to the serenity of the space and my plant choices will be guided by her as well.

We plan for the dome to be well insulated, with some form of double glazing, probably polycarbonate. There will be a high opening window and some low opening windows, creating air flow, which is especially important to let out the scorching Summer heat. The south side will probably have a section that is thicker or painted or otherwise made to be a better 'heat sink' to keep it warmer in Winter.

I am so keen to start thinking about what I can grow. I have ideas about tropical plants, but it's probably just wishful thinking. I actually don't know what kind of temperatures will be possible to maintain in Winter.

A few degrees above the 0.9 degrees overnight that my current green house experiences would be good. Although that means I can keep some frost tender things alive (like my marigold seedlings), just a few degrees more and the possibilities are endless!

This year we ate the last of our fresh home grown tomatoes at the end of June. Perhaps we can have home grown fresh tomatoes all Winter next year...

I love planning!

A house in the tree

Well 'kid land' has had its long anticipated addition. The grand plan for the tree house has been consuming my husband's thoughts for some time. This week the paper and pen plans were left inside and a 'plan on the go' attitude was taken in the creation of what can only be described as an awesome tree house.

Using reclaimed timber and metal posts the vision has become a reality. For the cost of a few bags of quick-set and some screws the building was in full swing. It soon became apparent that the splurge on a big slide would be very fun and well used.

It is not yet complete, with roof, hammock and basket pulley still to come but this really is the tree house of my husband's childhood dreams. And mine too.

Keeping out those pesky birds

I love our chickens, we all do. But how they love to scratch. And eat. And scratch.

My search for appropriate bird netting has continued. The wire and plastic mesh frames I have shown earlier are extremely effective, but also rather costly and they don't give much 'head room' for the plants. So I have been trialling a much cheaper and roomier option. 'Anti-bird netting for pesky birds'. Seems to be working!

Dreams do come true.

The past few weeks have been so full.

I went on a very affirming and interesting 'train the trainer' course a few weeks ago, which took me away from my family much more than they, or I am used to. Then my body succumbed to sickness and the last week of term was a write off. My Masters study is tantalizingly close to completion, with my Winter term subject drawing to a close and then just one more unit to go.

Yet, with my eyes bleary from work and my body aching from lack of sleep and bickering children, my heart and mind are overflowing with love and thanks. I have been so well supported by my family and friends. I feel so fortunate.

I actually feel like a dream is coming true. And quite literally it is.

My dreams of a biodome. The wistful thoughts that I spoke of mere weeks ago of building a biodome have been met with a resounding call of excitement.

My brother has also been coveting the idea of building a geodesic dome. With his study and impending career in architecture well underway, he is interested in designing and building a biodome. My husband, who is rather handy with tools, has found several potential places in the garden for me to selects from (even if we do need to move garden beds or shrubs to fit it in). And my Mum, well she is keen too and will be helping with the significant investment that it is.

As I said, I am so very fortunate to have such wonderful people in my life who make my dreams come true.

Carrots are actually making it inside

It seems that for a short time at least, we might actually be getting to eat some home grown carrots. My husband and I, that is. With the garden netting in place to stop the free roaming chickens scratching up the vegies, it seems the children have also had their stealthy carrot consumption curbed.

I am in two minds about this, as I love the taste of fresh picked carrots and finally I'm getting some for dinner. But without having free access to the beds, my children aren't eating so many of their own accord. Fortunately they are all together pretty good vegetable eaters so they still get plenty as snacks and at meals.

Biodome dreams

I would LOVE a biodome greenhouse. I like the way they look and what can be created in the space. I would grow plants as well as seedlings, I could extend growing seasons by months and not just a few weeks. It would be a living space as well as a growing space, where we could relax and enjoy meals.

But, in reality I know it is not really an option. The cost and the space as two big issues that prohibit my biodome dreams becoming reality.

So I need to make the best of what I have. This week I rearranged my polycarbonate greenhouse, moving shelving and making decisions about what plants are to be in there. The big change though, is the new little 3 piece table and chair setting. I now have enough room (just) to sit and enjoy the peace and possibility that a greenhouse can offer. I could probably even enjoy afternoon tea, but the real estate is in high demand with only seating for two.

There are some things that we need to compromise on in life. I think this is a good mid way point because I can already tell how much I will enjoy my new space. But I still have my far off biodome dreams...

Slow progress but the turnip swedes are good

The start of winter means slow progress in the garden.  The patch is slowly taking shape, with good winter plants, such as kale, broccoli, mustard spinach, coriander and lettuce growing nicely.  We have also put in some other perennial herbs, garlic, onion and prepared the soil for peas and sweet peas.  The chickens are loving the patch and are back to laying an egg each a day, which is a nice treat for winter!

In my own yard I have more of the same with the addition of carrots and turnip swede that are at picking stage.  My children have even taken to the swede.  We discovered that when not prepared properly they are really not very nice, but with a little knowledge and correct preparation, they are so delicious we all want more!

I was a little worried when I cooked up my first picking and I didn't like them, thinking 'but we have so many still growing... does that mean we have to eat them...'.  I then saw them being prepared on Masterchef, with a lot more of the outside peel being removed than I had.  What a difference it makes. I think of it now as 'double peeling' and I run the peeler over them twice, blanch then bake in butter. Yum. I think I know what's for dinner tonight.