Growing herbs at Sunnyside ~ Mint

Mint would have to be one of my favourite herbs ever.  With it's unique flavours & medicinal qualities it is not only beneficial to your body, but tastes wonderful too!  Mint is one of the few herbs that is a must~add to your herb garden...even if it's just a pot on the varanda.  It is definitely an integral part of Australian cuisine. Although it is a terribly invasive plant, it makes up for itself with an abundant year~round harvest, lovely striking leaves that look just as pretty in your flower garden as your herb and lends itself to a surprising endearment for even the most inexperienced gardener.

Mint generally is easy to grow if you have good rainfall & fertile soils, yet if you are anything like me and have killed more than your fair share of mint plants you may be wondering how unfair it is when you hear that.

GROWING MINT:

From it's purchase my mint plant had an unlikely chance ~ sure I'd purchased more than my fair share of this lovely plant, but I'd also killed each & every one that I'd touched ( my husband would tease me relentlessly about my black thumb).  It seemed that no matter what I did I had the touch of death when it came to this supposedly hardy herb.  That is until an experienced gardener told me her secret for keeping her mint alive before it was planted:

Mint loves moisture, mint needs moisture & it flourishes in shady areas ( here in our dry climate areas at least).  She directed me to put my mint plant in a bucket of water & keep it there for the remaining months of the summer & once autumn ushered in her cooler weather only then to plant it into my garden giving it a good start through our wet winter seasons.  

My chocolate mint plant ~ before the chickens :)

Using this method I was able to plant not just a common mint plant ( which I put into the shade-house as it was so close to death I knew the shade-house was the only place where the ground was constantly moist enough to promote life for it)  but also my chocolate mint plant in the garden.   Over the winter we enjoyed the chocolate mint as it vigorously came to life.  Unfortunately as spring came my chickens found the mulch in that part of the garden too tempting ( the hazards of free ranging chickens).   After multiple times of being dug up the plant finally lost it's heart to grow & died a lingering death to the amusement of my husband ( who says it was lucky to last that long).  Fortunately for me I could direct him to the shade-house where my other mint plant was doubling & quadrupling in size right before our eyes.  Not only has it continued to grow, but it has given us so much delicious mint that this summer has been full of minty~goodness!  I've even been able to share it with friends!

To counteract it's invasive nature I grow mine in a raised bed.  This means that while it is now taking up half of the bed & I'm sure will take up the whole lot by next year, it will not get into my other garden beds.  I've heard of people planting in containers in the ground to prevent the roots from spreading.  Also it is ideal for pots as it looks so pretty!

MEDICINAL USES:

Mint has been used for many centuries to treat a variety of conditions including gastro-intestinal issues, heart troubles, cramps, migraines & nervous disorders.  Used externally it helps alleviate skin itching when added to bath water, can be used in a vapour treatment  to clean out the sinuses and can be applied to toothache & to provide local anesthetic to pains & inflamed joints. (Source: Natural Remedies Encyclopaedia)   

My wild mint patch in the shade-house!

CULINARY USES:

Mint is also a flavoursome addition to our meals with many uses throughout the kitchen from savoury to sweet dishes, mains to desserts.  I find that adding a few leaves of mint to my salad gives a subtle flavour without overpowering the main ingredients.  It will dress up your meals delightfully!  Who hasn't eaten a lamb roast with mint sauce??    A yoghurt, garlic & mint sauce is always delicious on a greek kebab & mint iced tea is such a tradition in some parts of the southern states of the USA that according to the West Ladies in The Homestead Blessings Cookbook ( which I highly recommend) it is sometimes referred to as "tea" rather than mint.

I love to add herbs to our recipes, not only adding nutritional value, but also flavour.  When I added mint to my egg & bacon pie recipe I was a little unsure how it would be, but was delightfully surprised at the way it's delicate flavour highlighted the other ingredients!  

On my mint wishlist ~ veriegated applemint.  I'm hoping to get some this  coming autumn!
Source 

 The ability to pluck a leaf of mint straight from your garden & enjoy it's pleasurable taste & heavenly aroma is one of God's gifts to us!

Enjoying God's gifts today!

Linking up to :

(Congratulations to the ladies on their 50th barnhop!)

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A very late Sunday Psalms...

The Lord is near to all who call on Him,

to all who call on Him in truth.

He fulfills the desires of those who fear Him;

He hears their cry & saves them.

Psalm 145:18-19

Putt putt boats

Have you ever heard of 'pop pop' or 'putt putt' steam boats?

We hadn't either, but somehow we stumbled onto this youtube site that showed us these fun toys:

  

As soon as we saw it we were hooked... not only were they fun (there is just something about them that makes you want to create one isn't there), but they are an awesome science lesson as well !   After careful collection of supplies ( ie.  Dave raiding the rubbish at work for cans ~ yes, we cleaned them well)  and watching of the instruction podcasts by sciencetoymaker on youtube (we have only watched the putt putt boat ones so I hope the content of others is suitable ~ he has some fun looking things to make that we intend to try at a later date) , Dave & the children embarked on their inaugural building of a putt putt steam engine & then finally a boat!

After a couple of construction sessions, they were ready to test it out!  We all headed down to little cow dam to ensure a proper launching!

Note the myriad of other boats especially made to accompany her on her maiden voyage!

After a few tries with the wind blowing out the candle, off she went....not very far because the light wind was just strong enough to prevent much progress for the little steam~engined boat!

So off to the big dam we did go ~ with the thought that it may be more protected.  We soon found out it wasn't, but as is typical of our family.... what began as a trip to the dam very quickly became an attempt at sending Daddy swimming......

...which ended in the children being dunked instead!

As the sun began it's descent behind Churchill forest & night rose across the other side of the valley we headed home wet, cool, happy.....

...and sent the little boat asailing in our little blue bathtub....

"This is the place for a  red painted 'putt putt' boat  and this is the life for me"

 (er..sorry... Scuffy the tugboat was one of my favourite childhood books...just add my Mum who still knows if off by heart)!!

Further dam trials will occur as conditions become favourable with plans for a fleet of boats well on their way!

I wanted to add this here as I know there are lots of mothers out there with teenage sons who will love making one of these or younger sons with Dads who will love making these together!  

Have fun

Sunday Psalms

A double rainbow over Sunnyside's front paddock.

You are my portion, O Lord;

I have promised to obey your words.

I have sought your face with all my heart;

be gracious to me according to y our promise.

Psalm 119:57-58

Homeschooling 2012 ~ & our new schedule!

I know I mentioned to you all that we began our school year last week...

2012 is a year which marks a few changes in the Sunnyside School room.  When we began homeschooling in 2009 I truly didn't know if we would last this long & if it would suit us, but we have been pleasantly surprised how well it works for our family ~ sure it is a whole lot of work for me at times, but  I've always said that I'd rather be busy than bored & I thoroughly enjoy the teaching side of it!  I love spending time with my children.  Even on the difficult days ( & there certainly are those) I wouldn't change it ~ each child is unique & a blessing from God!  This year I have 4 'official' students with Eli & Jud beginning what is their 'official' education!

These are their " First day of schooling" photos for the year:

ZAI ~ In 2012 Zai is completing year 4.  Zai is a good student & really needs very little more than general  guidance.  We are working towards more independent learning for him this year.  He has been working through a free typing tutor online over the holidays  & although he still has to complete it I have been pleasantly surprised with how well he is going with touch typing. This year he will continue to study Maths, English, History, Science, PDHPE & Art ( including drama & music) as per the requirements.

ELLIE ~ Ellie is in year 3 this year & we will continue to focus on improving her literacy skills.    Ellie's work requirements often mirror Zai's with them both now being in stage 2 ( NSW).  In fact it is wonderful that they can now do their intergrated (all subjects other than Maths & English) subjects together which makes it easier for me to facilitate.

Eli

ELI  & JUD ~ I hate to bundle these two together all the time, but in this situation I'd be writing the same thing.  The boys begin kindergarten this year & I've decided to embark into using the Spalding method for their literacy component (which lets face it makes up most of their schooling).  I'm a little hesitant as I don't know if I have a complete grasp on the method, so I'm studying up.  It really is an excellent, well tested method that gives fantastic results.  I am hoping to bring in elements of it with Zai & Ellie as well as I think it can only be beneficial to their literacy skills.  The boys will also complete  Maths, History, Science PDHPE & Art at a foundation level.  These are such fun lessons & a lot of what we are doing for first term is a revision of what they did last year in our preschool times ( let me recommend doing a good preschool program with your children the year before they begin their official education ~ I made ours up myself, but it has been so beneficial to my boys (& was so much fun for me :) ).

Jud

As with every new year I like to do a new MOTH schedule & since I just  L..O..V..E... reading other people's schedules (I am wondering if I'm normal) I thought I'd share ours with you just in case you are like me :) (Remember a schedule is only a guide of how your 'perfect' day would go ~ none have ever gone perfectly yet!)

HERE is the link to an actual copy of our schedule

(Sorry I don't know how to put a word document directly on here).

 You may be amazed at how much time I've set for school work.  Our course I will admit is rather work heavy, but I also like to leave plenty of time for schooling in case a concept takes time to be understood or some distraction happens ( which is rather often for one of my students.... I'll let you guess which one).  Also we only school 4 days a week leaving the 5th day for get-togethers such as our homeschool group (monthly), a dance class with other home schooling families or some farm work which requires a day off the books.  If we end up with an extra day (which is rarely), I always find some kind of project for the children to complete.  This gives me flexibility & still I am able to make sure they cover all the required work.

I've found if I'm dilligent in getting up on time & keeping myself in schedule during the day it helps everyone be on track as well.

Today I'm joining up with other Aussie homeschooling Mums:

I hope you all have a wonderful year full of learning & fun!

Blessings

Sunday Psalms

But you, O Lord, are a 

compassionate & gracious God, 

Slow to anger, 

abounding in love and faithfulness.

Psalm 86:15

Tomatoes, tomatoes, tomatoes & a recipe!

Well it does feel a little like we're drowning in tomatoes here, but truthfully you never really can have too many ... can you?  Since I'm picking at least half a kg a day we've been enjoying fresh tomato a lot lately!!  I've never really had this problem before (because the last time I grew tomatoes the fruit fly got them ~ I'm thankful to not have that problem this year), but I'm enjoying finding new things to make which feature this produce.  

Such a blessing ~ fresh tomatoes!

Dave asked me to make tomato & chilli chutney (link to recipe I used) & the other day I did ~ it was so easy & is just delicious & it really could be used in place of a sweet chilli sauce in most dishes.  I used it in a stir fry as the main sauce & it was just wonderful!  

Yum!!

Another thing I made was a fruit & tomato chutney ~ I changed the original recipe a whole lot (as always) & so was a little hesitant at how it would taste, but it really is just delicious!  

I thought I'd share it with you in case you ever have excessive tomatoes too (or if you just want to make something that is delicious).  This is much tastier than having tomato sauce on your meal ( & being homemade I know what's gone into it!) :

Fruit & onions standing for chutney ~ it looks like a nice fruit salad doesn't it ?

RENATA'S FRUIT AND TOMATO CHUTNEY:

Ing: 10x average sized tomatoes; 2 x granny smith apples; 2 x red delicious apples; 3x peaches ( peeled); 1 x large onion; 1 1/2 cups raw sugar; 2 tbs salt; 1 1/2 cups white vinegar; 1/3 cup pickling spice*

Method:
1.  Finely dice fruit & onions & allow to stand for a couple of hours to remove liquid.  Discard liquid before use.
2.  Add other ingredients ( put pickling spices in a muslin bag).  Allow to simmer for about 1 hour ~ stirring occasionally.
3.  Remove spice bag & ladle into cleaned jars.
4.  Water bath for 10 minutes ( or what is recommended for tomato chutneys in your country) or freeze in 2 week batches in sealed bags once cooled.


*  Pickling spice:
2 tbs mustard seeds
2 tbs ground allspice
2 tsp coriander leaves
1 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp ground chilli
1 bay leaf ( crushed)
1 cinnamon stick

We have quite a supply, but I'm wondering if I should make some more as it's going quickly!

I hope you are enjoying this wonderful time of lovely garden produce or dreaming about when you will have that garden this year & then you can post about it & inspire me in the middle of our winter :)

Have a wonderful day,

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