Struan Farm

Good Morning & Mel

at 9am | TV ONE

29 April 2012  | Mel Clark

0:06:17

She's supplied knitting to some of the biggest stars in Hollywood, Mel Clark is in the GM studio to share her new book, "Knitting Everyday Finery".

via tvnz.co.nz

Transitions

Bit of a sad day, yesterday. Piopio Orchard closed for the season. I picked up my last stash of fresh blueberries for this year from Angela and Mike, getting some for the freezer as well.

The seasonal transition was even more apparent at Struan Farm this week:

 

John and I have fingers and toes crossed that the colors will last for our event on May 12th celebrating the launch of Mel Clark's new book "Knitting Everyday Finery." We think we can count on the dogwoods and the NYSSA sylvatica, but the oaks, walnuts and liquid ambers could pike out on us depending on wind and rain in the interim.





Our fate rests in the hands of Mother Nature. Surely she's a knitter?!

 

Home Brew

John had a bad cold this past week. It was bordering on "man flu," we weren't sure he was going to live through the night, you know how that story goes. (Actually, he really was quite sick.)

To try to help him feel just a wee bit better, I made several cups of soothing lemon honey: freshly squeezed juice from 2 or so lemons, a big spoonful of honey (in this case my special Happy Sheep Manuka Lemon Honey), and hot water.

John remembers his mum making this for him when he was sick, and he queried if we did the same in the USA. My family did not make this remedy at all. If we were sick to our stomachs we had Coca Cola (how American is that?), but nothing specific for colds and flu when I was young. As an adult I remember drinking lots of fresh orange juice. Some people swear by chicken soup.

Which led us into a discussion about when the benefits of Vitamin C were actually publicized. The name Linus Pauling bubbled into my memory banks, but I couldn't remember exactly when. (He published "Vitamin C and The Common Cold" in 1970.)

Seems that this home remedy of well ahead of Linus. Of course John says that his mum always knew best!

Cornered at the Cottage

Major seasonal cleaning marathon at the Cottage at Struan Farm this past weekend, I needed to get the winter bed linens installed in each of the three bedrooms. It's just turned quite chilly at night and we want everyone to stay warm and cozy.

Love this shot of the season's last hydrangeas with a shock of pink dahlia on one of our white Cottage chairs:

 

Tree People

You will know from previous posts that we are "tree huggers" at Struan Farm. Sometimes quite literally-- John has been known to take visiting children out to hug the big oak tree in the Pet Paddock. 

The property has quite a number of special, feature trees planted over 60 years by my father-in-law Maurie, along with stands of native bush protected in perpetuity via the QEII Trust scheme.

As a result, our Struan Farm farmstay logo (and signage, etc.) features a skeleton tree:

Maurie passed his love of trees on to his children, they're all passionate about trees. While I've been busy acquiring and planting heirloom fruit trees in our orchard, John is planting what he hopes to be the next generation of feature trees around the Homestead as part of our re-landscaping and also around the new house site. This past weekend he planted three, FAGUS sylvatica "Dawyck Purple," COTINUS "Grace," and PYRUS calleryana Pendula.

 FAGUS sylvatica is a variety of beech that was raised in Rotterdam. It won the Award of Garden Merit in 1973 and again in 2002. It is considered a superb rare specimen, a great choice for planting where dramatic contrast is desired, and when planted as a focal point and on the perimeter.

COTINUS "Grace" is a cross of the European smoth bush (C. coggygria) and the American smoke tree (C. obovatus). It is thought to be a garden "gem" due to its multi-season interest, with iridescent spring foliage followed by pink clouds of blooms in summer and then brilliant red-orange foliage in autumn.

PYRUS calleryana is a species of pear native to China and Vietnam. It flowers abundantly in spring, but I've just learned that the flowers have an unpleasant odor (oops John, I'm sure it will be fine..?). Two out of three ain't bad.

 

 

Happy Birthday/Anniversary

Very organized husband this year on the birthday (and anniversary) fronts. John and I were married on my birthday--he decided this way he had a better chance of remembering the date....

I was asked what I might like as a gift. Coincidentally I had just seen an interesting piece at the Creative Waitomo Art Exhibition in Te Kuiti by Coromandel artist Daniel Kirsch, from a group called "The Manuka Beehive Series." He's screened prints onto wood from recycled bee boxes, apparently he often works using recycled materials, including old car bodies. More information about Daniel can be found here. 

So this interesting piece is now hanging at The Cottage at Struan Farm. I love it. I know you're not too sure about it yourself but thanks John!

When we were first married years ago John tried to double up and get (away with) only one gift to commemorate both my birthday and our anniversary. He's since learned that I see my birth and our wedding as two distinct events. Truth be told I am willing to negotiate, since this issue is about principle, not gifts, per se.  I want to make sure neither event is overlooked, plus I do happen to be somewhat sentimental.

And so my anniversary gift was a battery operated hedge trimmer! John recently saw me trying out Anna's on our hedges at Struan Farm, they're much easier and faster than the hand clippers. 

I like the contrast between these two gifts: one nourishes my spirit while the other is highly practical. I appreciate them both. 

You're probably going to ask what John's anniversary gift was, weren't you? I've bought some Sirdar eco wool DK knitting yarn in an oatmeal color to make him a new sweater. To be handknit with love by the winter fire!

 

Fighting the Good Fight, Naturally

Please don't laugh! Right now the rabbit is winning, nibbling my germinating broad beans and rouge d'hiver baby lettuce at will. Suffice it to say this cannot continue.

Fencing has been purchased but has yet to be installed. I suspect it might get done when/if my emotional state reaches an hysterical pitch over this issue.

In the meantime I've researched natural means to keep rabbits away from a vegetable garden. These include chile powder, garlic, and soap flakes, so I've combined all three in a little ring around the garden.

Another option is supposed to be human hair. So if chile powder/garlic and soap flakes don't work I'll be asking my hair salon for a bag of their floor scraps to test that next.

The chile and the garlic have definitely kept Clifford away from running through the garden; so perhaps this will work, at least until it rains!

Struan Farm's new blog banner

What do you think of Struan Farm's new blog banner above? Typepad offers an upgrade service to help refresh blogs and ensure they're functioning as efficiently as possible, something I decided to take advantage of.

One of the benefits was assistance creating a customized banner. This was my favorite from several great options put forward by the designer. I liked the trio of images, including the rustic green gate to the Pet Paddock, our infamous pet lamb Woolly Joe, and view of the Pet Paddock in autumn.

This was my second choice:

We also now have the ability to be "liked" on Facebook or "pinned" on Pinterest too. As a result of the latter last week's post "Never Too Old for Tangerine Tights" got quite a bit of exposure. 

Thanks to Kymberlie and Melanie at the team at Typepad One Services!

New New Gate

John just finished hanging this gate at Struan Farm. Nice job, eh? As previously posted, we're in the process of re-doing the front fencing along the Pet Paddock across the entrance through to our back gate. We're working to make the turn into the drive off State Highway 3 easier than it is currently, widening the entrance so it can be seen in advance of the actual turn (rather than when you're flying past it!).  We'll also have signs up when Struan Farm farmstay is operating full time that will also help with this.

Part of this project entails moving the farmgate for the Pet Paddock currently on SH3 to the side, accessed off our main driveway. This will now be the farmgate. 

New Old Gate

John finally had a chance to hang the new old gate he'd given me for Christmas a few years ago. It's now installed at the top of the garden at Struan Farm, leading up to the (old) orchard paddock. It was crafted out of old weathered fence posts, the sort of recycled, rustic thing I like but that sometimes results in raised eyebrows.

In this case we both like it, especially with the ponga (tree fern) to the side:

 

 

 

 

Slip Slip Knit » lovely book event in May

Nice post from Mel Clark on her blog, Slip Slip Knit, about our upcoming event at Struan Farm to celebrate the launch of her new book!

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lovely book event in May

Look at this beautiful place!

I’m going there in a few weeks because the owners, Karen Barrett and John Robertson, have generously invited me for a book signing over morning tea on Saturday, May 12 at their property, Struan Farm, near Piopio, Waikato.

If you’d like to attend, all you have to do it email Karen at:  [email protected]  to reserve a spot, get directions, and pre-order your book for $35 before May 1st. The event will start at 11 a.m.

I’ll be there to meet everyone and sign books. The original designs from my book will be on display and some yarns available too. Come enjoy morning tea with us!

You can read about the farm and its history on Karen’s blog here.

Karen says that we can go walking on the farm if we’d like. Looking at these photos, I am definitely planning to go for a wander, to say hello to these guys

 

 

 

The Piopio bird is the NZ native Thrush which is now extinct. This must be him:

 According to Googlemaps, Piopio is approximately 3 hours south west of Auckland.

Bring a friend and make a day of it, but please do email Karen if you plan on coming so that she knows how many to expect for morning tea.

I look forward to meeting everyone!

via slipslipknit.com

 

Struan Farmscapes

John, Clifford and I went for a walk over Struan Farm this past weekend, down to the Mangaotaki River. It was a beautiful day, I wanted to see if the red and orange fungi were out under the pine trees. A good excuse for a wander, and I was happy the boys wanted to come along.

The fungi aren't out yet, it's too early. But sometimes it's just good to take time to wander down to the river and back, and this was one of those times.

 

Life Lesson: Dahlias

I've posted recently about how the dahlias in the gardens at Struan Farm were my father-in-law Maurie's pride and joy. And how I really didn't like them, thought they were frivilous and required way too much work. (Of course I never told him that, but I couldn't understand what he saw in them, why he thought they were such a special flower.)

They were starting to grow on me when I wrote that post. I'd begun to see how they provide color at a time when the summer flowers have faded, that they fill a gap.

But it's gone well beyond that the past two-three weeks. I've found myself really liking them, hunting them out for our weekend table arrangements. The pink ones are finished now, but the yellow and orange ones endure.

So my life lesson here is that it takes time to appreciate certain things, dahlias for sure. They don't come to you, you accept them on their terms.  In many respects my father-in-law was like that. Coincidence? Perhaps not.

 

 

Never Too Old for Tangerine Tights

Yet another design preview from Mel Clark's "Knitting Everyday Finery" ahead of the event at Struan Farm on May 12th we're hosting to celebrate its publication.

I LOVE THESE!

Which prompts me to consider: could one possibly be too old for Tangerine Tights? I've decided not. Emphatically not!

Still Life with Walnuts

Another good harvest of walnuts this past weekend at Struan Farm.

I find it relaxing to go out with a basket and wander around the tree in the Pet Paddock, gathering them up. The basket looked lovely sitting outside beside a vase of bright orange dahlias, picked to jazz up the table for guests stopping by for afternoon tea. It's amazing to me how simple things can look so beautiful!

 

Easter at Struan Farm

Easter is a four day holiday here in New Zealand, so a major getaway for most families, particularly with extended school holidays. The weather forecast was for rain, rain, and more rain. But guess what? Glorious sunshine and crisp, blue skies. The best weather we've had for quite some time.

Good thing, because Ella and Livvy and the Easter Bunny came to visit Struan Farm. 

First on the agenda was planting two apple trees, a Bramley for Ella (English cooking apple) and a Cox's Orange Pippin (excellent eating apple) for Livvy. We planted these in the old orchard site so that we have fruit trees in different areas of the property.

Then there were tractor rides around the Pet Paddock:

The Easter Bunny outdid himself, leaving a basket full of chocolate bunnies and eggs on The Cottage doorstep, and dropping a trail of grass leading to Easter Eggs hidden around the gardens, Pet Paddock, pond, and as far away as the bush up near the new house site (okay, that last one was a bit too far away for the little girls, Easter Bunny!).

And I did bake my Easter cake with the speckled eggs for dessert. However, the bigger hit ended up being a rather inspired, last minute "Jelly Bean Cake." I decided to use up the leftover cake batter and icing and make a special cake for the girls. Turns out they really, really like jelly beans. Hopefully the sugar has worn off by now or I'm in big trouble with mum and dad...

It was fun, but after they left John and I took a nap! 

 

 

 

 

Sneak Preview #2: Knitting Everyday Finery

Here's another sneak peek from Kiwi knitwear designer Mel Clark's soon-to-be-released second book "Knitting Everyday Finery." 

These are called "Shiraz Slippers." Perfect to stay cosy knitting by the fire, with or without a glass of Shiraz in hand! And we won't go into the Shiraz/Syrah debate, will we? No need to go there.

We'll be celebrating the launch with a book signing and morning tea at Struan Farm in Piopio on Saturday, May 12 at 11 a.m. Reservations are required to attend the event, contact [email protected] to confirm a spot and pre-order your book for NZ$35. The original designs from the book will be on display, everyone will get a complimentary Struan Farm tote bag plus a chance to win yarns for one of the projects in the book, and Mel will have some yarns available for purchase. 

Sneak Preview from Mel Clark's "Knitting Everyday Finery"

As previously mentioned, Struan Farm will be hosting a book signing for knitwear designer Mel Clark to celebrate the launch of her latest book "Knitting Everyday Finery" on Saturday, May 12 at 11 a.m.

We've got Piopio's fabulous cafe, The Fat Pigeon, coming to the farm to help cater morning tea (FPC owner and chef extraordinaire Melanie Simpson advises me it's technically a "light lunch"). For those of you from Taranaki, rest assured, good Ozone coffee will be served.

Mel will be there to meet everyone and sign books. Original designs from the book will be on display and yarns for sale too.

Reservations and book pre-orders are required to attend ($35, payable to Mel on the day). Everyone attending will receive a complimentary Struan Farm tote bag, morning tea (or light lunch, as the case may be), their book, and a chance to win yarns for one of the projects in the book.

Mel has been kind enough to share a beautiful photo of one of the projects in the book, "July Gloves," as a bit of a sneak preview:

Definitely works for those of us in the Southern Hemisphere with winter heading our way, and what a teaser-- I can't wait to see the other designs!

Contact me to book a space at [email protected] if you'd like to attend the event. Mel will on TVNZ's Morning Show on Monday, April 23rd (the book is scheduled to be released here in NZ on April 15th), and there will also be a feature in an upcoming issue of Women's Weekly.

Obsessing about Rabbits

I've been plotting how best to protect my winter veggie garden at Struan Farm from being foraged/destroyed by rabbits, and I must confess to some thoughts that aren't exactly bunny friendly. I know, I'm meant to leave this mission to John & Clifford, but they really don't care about my organic veggies as much as I do.

I've had to pause after seeing the April issue of UK magazine "Mollie Makes," which has an article entitled "This Month We're Obsessing About Rabbits." At first I thought they'd been reading my mind, since obviously I have been too.

The article reminded me that it's almost time for the Easter Bunny to appear. And we've got two little girls, Ella and Livvy, coming down to Struan Farm to hunt for Easter eggs in the garden, eggs that will be hidden by the resident Bunny.

Oh dear, not exactly the best time to chase off or otherwise eliminate any bunnies from the scene is it? Rabbits are cunning creatures, they truly are....

Creative Waitomo Exhibition

Piopio artist Jo Gallagher is one of several artists participating in the Creative Waitomo Exhibition running now through April 9th at 54 Te Kumi Road (SH3), Te Kuiti, opposite Bosco's Cafe. Hours 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Jo has graciously given me permission to post pictures of several of her paintings on exhibit (all images are copyrighted to Jo Gallagher 2012).

"Wicked Wekas"

"Sunset on State Highway 3"

And last but not least, "Man Shed"