Spring Cleaning

Spring has well and truly arrived! I sat down outside on the weekend to take a quick break from all my activities and noticed one of my Hippeastrum's has began flowering! Christmas can't be too far off now...

Those are certainly Christmas colours.

Over the last weekend I have been busy. I made myself these bags - one each for the embroidery and sewing machine and one for the overlocker. They look great and are very handy!

The broody hen has been sitting on the fertile eggs for a week now and I keep my fingers crossed she stays on them for another 2 weeks. I'm really curious to see if my eggsperiment works and I end up with little chicks. The eggs of my Indian Ringneck haven't hatched yet. Still not sure if they're developing or not and she's so protective of them, I can't check. I guess I just have to wait and see.

The weekend was reserved for some spring cleaning action. I cleaned the windows, the couch, put new cushion covers on and deep cleaned the rugs. Now all looks nice and fresh now ready for spring and summer.

Mum, you're going to be sitting here soon!!!

I cleaned the kitchen, all lights, fans and air conditioners - ready for another hot summer - hopefully a wet one!!! Also I don't like my chances...

I also deep cleaned the mattress, washed all protectors and the pillows and exchanged the autumn/winter doona to the spring/summer one.

I also checked on my productive garden. I spent last weekend moving cow manure all over my gardenbeds and trees to ensure everything is growing nicely. This is part of my lemon and tomato harvest. I already made a lemon slice, froze juice, started my own batch of limoncello and I still have over a dozen lemons left. More cocktails I reckon! I have dried the tomatoes and marinated them with balsamic onions and feta - that will be my lunch sometime this week.

I'm nearly done with all my chores. My Mum is coming to visit me soon and I'm looking to spend some time with her relaxing and sitting in the garden and talk. By the time she leaves it's going to be pretty warm and the end of the gardening season is near. Over summer I do keep my herbs and any perennial plants going but everything else will be removed, I put the chooks on the area to 'clean' up and then I plant a cover crop to provide nutrients to the soil and to protect it. Depending on the weather, planting will start again in March. I normally plant cherry tomatoes and lettuce in pots in the patio to keep us going over summer. I also preserve all my excess fruit and veggies so we have plenty during the hot weather. 

How are you preparing for spring - or autumn, depending on where you are....