Tag: garden

Share, Share…Fair, Fair.

I’ve been trying to harvest herbs this week to make pestos, herbed cheeses and the like.

Having a garden again after 2 years makes me VERY happy.  Every time I had to buy rosemary at the store, I died a little inside.

Anyway, I got all my ingredients together for a rockin’ tabbouleh and when I went out to harvest the parsley….

Whaaaa?  Why are there stems where my lush leaves used to be?  Oh…well hello there!

It’s the very hungry caterpillar…I think he’ll be happier with the parsley than those old cupcakes anyway.  In my last garden, dill was their favorite nosh, with the occasional parsley appetizer, but since my dill is done for the summer…parsley it is.  Enjoy little guy..just leave some for me..MmmKay?

Those Wizards of Oz

The latest issue of Dwell had me nodding my head vigorously as I read the cover “Why are the world’s best houses in Australia and New Zealand?”

The Aussies have also got this building material I’ve been trying to source in the US – unsuccessfully, so this is a call for help if anyone knows.

The magic I’m after is concrete crib walls and concrete “sleepers” or rail ties.  Concrib in Australia makes the crib wall retention systems I’m so fascinated by – they are used in big commercial projects such as highway bridge erosion control.  Engineering genius- and I think the look is stunning – softer than solid hardscape.   The other option I seek is the concrete sleepers. The photos of those here are from Modular Concrete Sleepers and Boonah Landscaping.

I have a retaining wall situation in my 70’s modern home with a 6 foot high tower of crumbling, chipmunk infested, rotten wood sleepers.   I especially like the sleek joining of sleepers with the metal beams.  Anyone who has some knowledge to share will be my hero.