Showing posts with label Pomegranates. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pomegranates. Show all posts

Thursday, November 2, 2017

My Fruity, Fall Mantel


I finally got around to decorating our mantel for autumn. I know... but better late than never, right? Besides, we still have about a month and a half before the first day of winter. This seasonal display is an eclectic accumulation of sorts. For starters, Liberty brought the traditional, red bellows back from Norway this summer, while the black, metal rooster was a sweet gift from a friend, who lives in England, a few years ago.


Looking to Mother Nature for inspiration, I browsed her 'wares' and came home with some pretty vine leaves from a neighbouring vineyard. They remind me of the fiery, fall maple leaves back home. After soaking in the sink to keep them hydrated, their spent scent filled the air and I was instantly transported to my childhood of rainy, autumn morning walks to school.


I also shopped the house and snatched fruit themed prints off the walls, candlesticks from the dining room, and cute, ceramic pitchers from the kitchen cupboard. The bunches of sage were collected from my husband's village and the marigolds, still holding up well, despite a few blustery days, were picked from our flowerpots on the patio, while the pomegranates, finally ripe enough to eat, and the walnuts, both came from our trees.


We enjoy afternoon tea in the living room, when the sun visits the space and sits a spell, covering us in a warm blanket of light, as we cozily sit by the mantel, chatting or reading or napping, to recharge, after the last chores of the day are completed, leaving only dinner to prepare.

 

Have you decorated your mantel this autumn?

Thanks for visiting, everyone.
Happy weekend!

xx
Poppy 

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Thursday, August 17, 2017

August Harvest


Well, it's been almost a month and a half since I last posted, and, in that time, there's been a host of hearty harvests that have graced 
our table, like the platter of sweet, precious figs, above, 


from our one and only fig tree, planted by my husband's father,
 who was a farmer, over sixty years ago, on the outskirts 
of the village in which he was born and grew up.

 

The 'fruits of his labour',
 we are still enjoying, today.


It was very hot, the day we picked the figs, and looking 
up towards the sun to pluck each one from its stem, was
stressful on the eyes, but worth the effort, in the end.

 

   What proved to be more of a challenge, for me, was the rough
 and rocky road back to the car, as I struggled to keep my balance, fearing a flip with every little slip, unlike my husband, whose footsteps seemed to fit perfectly between each pebbly crack and cranny!  


Earlier, we had stopped by the three loaded
walnut trees, to give them a good watering, in
 preparation for their collection, next month.


It's the obvious difference in the shape of their leaves 
that assists in the distinction of each, since from afar, 
these two golden green globes look almost identical!

Facing north, towards the sea, tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, zucchini and cucumbers

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, our veggie 
garden is finally in full swing, after a late start.

Facing south, a variety of tomatoes

Due to our neighbour's towering Leyland Cypresses,
an entire side of our garden, unfortunately, does not
get enough sunlight for veggies or flowers to thrive,
so we planted in the field across the cement wall,

In the background, just before all the dry weeds begin, green onions, most of which 
will be yanked to dry in the sun, then roughly braided and used as cooking onions.





where our little chapel of St. Irene can be found,
 overlooking all the pretty produce in progress.

Clockwise, from top left: lemons, plums, pomegranates and tomatoes

 Our fruit trees are also flourishing! And, since 
tomatoes are technically considered fruit, I 
included them in the collage above. 


Our lemon tree did not disappoint; a second series of blossoms
 a little while ago, freshly scented the breeze and now the fruit
provides tangy, citrus accents in roasts, cakes and cookies.


I hope you've enjoyed reading about our August harvest, this year. We are blessed to have such healthy, organic fare at our fingertips, although, I admit, my  husband deserves all the credit for digging, planting, watering, weeding and worrying about it! I merely whip up a dish with whatever bundle of beautiful, earthy goodness he gathers.


Simple, seasonal, local food (and you can't get any more 
local than your own garden), is, by far, the most exquisite.


What's growing in your garden?
 Thanks for visiting!
xo
Poppy 

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Friday, October 10, 2014

Patina: Prêt-à-Porter, Fall 2014


 Having resumed my daily afternoon walks, I am becoming reacquainted with the beautiful patinas that cover some
 of the unique architecture throughout the village.

Pomegranates, posing for their annual portrait in our garden.

Of course, these finishes aren't only restricted to buildings, 
since they also polish the leathery skin of robust berries -
  did you know that technically, pomegranates are berries?! 

Heavy ornaments, pomegranates bend branches, bringing to mind the decorated boughs of Christmas trees.

A symbol of fertility and abundance in many cultures, the sweet
 seeds of this fleshy fruit are rich in vitamin C, dietary fibers, and
 a host of other beneficial traits when consumed regularly.


Trying to stay on trend, this tropical palm shows off its fall 
foliage, in honey hued stripes, and burnt, beige-y neutrals. 

In the spotlight, maple leaves coated in copper, sparkle in a glittery glow.

Our sensitive maple, having struggled with summer heat, 
is deservedly, the star of the season. Taking centre stage,
 it steals the scene from co-stars green, be it even,
 for its fleeting, fifteen minutes of fame.



Thanks for visiting and
have a lovely weekend!
 A Happy Thanksgiving to
all my friends back home!

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Amaze Me Monday, Inspiration Monday, Make it Pretty Monday,