The strawberry field forever

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I do have work to do. But I'm having a serious translator's block right now, and, decided some therapeutic gardening and blogging is in order. Unfortunately the weather today is not great, and, is expected to stay that way for a while. Still there are some things I can do out in the garden, such as admiring this view. 😀 …


Not too bad, aye? And after a few minutes of hands-on job, I get this. 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀😎 😎 😎 :happy: :happy: :happy:
Now please excuse me for leaving you to admire and be jealous, while I go wash, sort and store the red bounty of goodness. Hopefully my translator's block is gone by the time I'm done with them. 😉

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  1. If it's not gone, perhaps you can find a few more ripe strawberries. You never know which one has been touched by the Muse.

  2. I'll keep looking. :pThe look could be quite deceiving when looking for ripe strawberries. I use my sense of scent to find ripe ones. I usually set aside the good ripe ones to eat straight away. (which I've just done :D) Then I sort good but slightly unripe ones from dubious ones with bruises, mushy spots and darkened seeds.The good slightly unripe ones are quartered, sprinkled with a little sugar & left to stand & macerate in fridge for between a few hours and overnight, and made into fresh smoothie (shake). The dubious ones will have really dodgy bits cut away, quartered, macerated, bagged & frozen. I'm planning to make strawberry sauce (or even coulis) once I've accumulated enough in the freezer. :chef:

  4. 😆 😆 😆 A perfect expression for the exquisite joy of eating fully ripe homegrown strawberries. :happy: :happy: :happy: Thanks, Aadil for the inspiration. I shall add another tag to this post, "foodporn" 😀

  6. Thanks, Crysta. Love that cupcake smilie. And I had a very nice smoothie earlier. 😀

  10. Another #foodporn story :DJust had a light pre-indulgence weekend dinner consisting of warm (microwave-) roasted baby beetroot (from my garden) & potato salad served on bed of baby leaves (from my mesclun pot) and Cos & Red frill lettuces (from my garden), and garlic sautéed beet leaves (from my garden) & potato, eaten al fresco in the gorgeous evening sun. 😎 :happy: :chef:

  11. :chef: I don't recognizes some of those Mum. You call them beetroots? We just call the beets and beet greens, as apposed to other greens. You do serve up a very nice meal, when you get into that garden of yours, don'tcha!!!

  12. Thanks Crysta. I had a good day, warm & sunny, real summer weather. 😎 :happy:Beetroot is the term we use here. I'm not really sure beet leaves is the right terms, as English is not really my native tongue. Beetroot leaves might sound better to kiwis. Somehow I seem watching quite a lot of food shows on TV these days. The ones I like tend to be about growing own produce or going to places to find good fresh regional produce and cooking with it. I've picked up a few tips from those shows about what I might try growing, and do some more online recipe hunt for the kind of recipes I might try next. :chef:You have a good Sunday and keep warm. 🙂

  13. Dreaming of a white Christmas but bogged down in foodporn? Merry season 🙂

  14. I don't do much drama TV neither ….. Food, DIY, House and Garden are my kind of TV. Concerts are good too. As I believe I have said, I watch allot of NHK on Japan TV channel that I have and I only speak English, but it is surprising what I do pick up. I like Tsurbe allot as he wanders around Japan with Celebrities. If you don't know him, he is famous for Japanese Tradition Narration Art and acting in movies when he was younger.

  15. @CrystaGreat to hear we like same kind of TV shows. :yes: Interesting to hear you can pick up spoken Japanese. We have a lot of words borrowed from English. And good actors and narrators can convey just more than language. :up: Do you get those NHK shows via satellite or Internet?It's actually already Monday here and I've got work to do & grocery shopping. I don't do Christmas but I normally roast chicken with spud & have strawberries with cream for mid-afternoon dinner on Christmas Day. And I've a killer stuffing recipe. :chef: (Possibly another foodporn story later ;))Enjoy your Sunday afternoon, Crysta. :cheers:

  16. Well at least it is still morning for you ….. In North America we have TV Japan for Cable and Satellite. I get it on my Cable, most of the content is NHK. It is based in New York, and used to be in the World Trade Center. We lost it 2001, 911. Then they broadcast NHK World from Japan through the west coast I believe. 🙁

  18. Originally posted by crystalacey:

    In North America we have TV Japan for Cable and Satellite. I get it on my Cable, most of the content is NHK.

    They make good shows. 🙂 They are the Japanese equivalent of BBC to the British. Actually some of the BBC natural docos were actually produced in cooperation by NHK. :yes:Originally posted by crystalacey:

    We lost it 2001, 911.

    🙁

  19. :yes:, CBC(Canadian Broadcast Corp), BBC and NHK do allot together especially on NHK World. They also do allot with ABC in the States even though ABC is no longer a Public Corp like PBS is. ABC is owned by Disney.I don't watch shows where I need an in depth knowledge of language or culture. There is quite a bit of English too, sometimes translation. the March Earthquake and Tsunami was all English direct or Translation. Japan has quite a few Personalities who's 1st language is English and love Japan. Some have a Japanese or Oriental background. So it makes it quite good for International audiences.

  20. Merry Christmas! :star: :star: :star: 😀 😀 😀 I wish we had that much Japanese programming & broadcasting partnership here in NZ. We do have those BBC/CBC/NHK joint production nature docos, but they were all promoted as BBC programs. A bit frustrating.Anyway, it's a beautiful morning here in Wellington and I'm thinking about the plan of the day. May sound funny that I don't do Christmas but do a mid-day roast dinner (only chicken, but free range :chef:). But that's been my tradition for a few years. ;)You have a lovely lovely Christmas Eve, Crysta. Now I shall go and check how ripe the strawberries are. 😀 TTFN

  22. Sounds Great, Mum, you taking invitations? I will jump in my Jet and be right over if you are? OH Yes, I will have dig it out first, all most forgot….. :doh: Or perhaps I should consider my Flying Saucer??? What do you think? BTW, I am not sure I understand "TTFN" Talk To ??

  23. Veggies harvested & washed. Stuffing done. Chicken stuffed and ready to go into oven. Desert garnish components, all chopped up. Time to chill out a bit. 😀 :cool:Originally posted by crystalacey:

    you taking invitations? I will jump in my Jet and be right over if you are?

    Sure! You might want to use a teleportation portal instead. UFO might alarm my neighbours. Come in T-shirt & shorts for a little tan. And don't forget sunglasses and also warm jacket, the weather around here is very changeable, we can often have four seasons in one day. ;)Originally posted by crystalacey:

    BTW, I am not sure I understand "TTFN"

    😆 I didn't know that expression until I started blogging, either. It's a short for 'Ta-ta for now', which is apparently a Brit expression for "Bye for now"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TTFN

  25. Just having the second bowl of berries & cream. I'm so full it's hard to keep my eyes open. And I don't even drink. I'll finish this bowl of indulgence and cup of tea, then on the couch for a mid-afternoon siesta. :zzz: If you don't hear from me today, you know I started hibernating. :pTTFN. Have a lovely evening and merry merry Christmas. 😉 :bye:

  27. Merry Christmas, if you do and yours haven't been over yet. :cheers: :star: :hat:Thank you for the chocolate smilie, Crysta. Very cute. :happy: (I still have almost whole block of dark chocolate but truly feel I had enough indulgence for some time. :p)

  28. Originally posted by mimi_s_mum:

    If you don't hear from me today, you know I started hibernating.

    I haven't gone to hibernation, but really feel like one. :zzz:We had a really hot day yesterday and the temp just stayed on in late 20s (Celsius) until sun set. I found my bedroom temperature was still 28C after 10pm. Tried to cool off a bit out in the deck until past 11, but still too hot. I finally had a cold shower to get cool down enough to go to bed. It was nearly midnight. :faint: Today's still warm & humid. Now looking forward to the forecast shower and cooler southerly change. Harvested another big bowl of strawberries this morning. Decided to make strawberry sauce. Just finished bottling & waiting the bottles to cool down so that I can put them in the fridge. I'm hoping the sauce makes good strawberry shake and fool.

  29. I assume you have no AC, else you'd use it.Do you have a bathtub? (Don't laugh; you'd be surprised how many modern cultures use only showers. Showers are fine for getting clean, but that's not our present concern.)If you have a bathtub, lie down in it, then plug the drain and turn the cold water on (I do hope you remembered to take off your clothes!). Let the water fill the tub, gradually submerging your body. The slow creeping-up of the water on your body avoids the shock of more sudden immersion. When the water level reaches the overflow drain (You'd better hope it's clear!), it begins to flow out. If you need to adjust the flow of the faucet to maintain an equilibrium of inflow and outflow, do so. Then relax and let the water, which has a very high specific heat, carry the heat from your body.Stay in as long as you can; remember that you're trying to lower your core temperature a little (In other words, you're trying to induce a mild hypothermia.). When your fingernails turn blue (and your lips, too, but you won't notice it unless your bathroom mirror is in a very strange place, indeed) and you find yourself shivering pretty vigorously, you've gone far enough. This usually takes me about 30 minutes to an hour, depending on the water temperature. You probably have a smaller biomass, so it might not take you as long. Get out and drain the water. Dry off. You won't have any trouble sleeping; the heat will feel good.If you wake up in the night too hot, do it again.

  30. Originally posted by mimi_s_mum:

    I found my bedroom temperature was still 28C after 10pm. ………..I'm hoping the sauce makes good strawberry shake and fool.

    WOW, Mum!!! Do you know what our temp is to go to tonight…. -28 C. It is supposed to be back to 0 C sometime this weekend. I love Strawberry Shakes!!!! YUUUUMMMM!!!!! I have been immersed in my trains again.

  31. Originally posted by derWandersmann:

    If you have a bathtub, lie down in it, then plug the drain and turn the cold water on (I do hope you remembered to take off your clothes!). Let the water fill the tub, gradually submerging your body. The slow creeping-up of the water on your body avoids the shock of more sudden immersion. … Stay in as long as you can; remember that you're trying to lower your core temperature a little

    Thank you for the tip, dW. The shower was enough last night. But if we get more hotter nights later in summer and shower is not quite enough, I shall try this method. (The bathroom fixtures in NZ, either bath tab or wash basin, don't normally have overflow drain. But soaking in a cold bath alone should do it for me.)Last night I started in lukewarm shower and gradually increased cold water, until I started feeling quite cold and felt I'd start shivering if I stayed longer. The cool air arrived mid afternoon today and temp went down from 27 to 17 in 30 minutes. 😀 I shall sleep much better tonight. Originally posted by crystalacey:

    Do you know what our temp is to go to tonight…. -28 C. It is supposed to be back to 0 C sometime this weekend.

    :no: That IS cold. Dad was saying this winter in Japan is also very cold. Keep warm!

  32. Not too bad, here, yet … I don't think we've hit 0°F yet, but Pam, in Fargo, N.D. says that it's -13°F. But it is inexpressibly dreary. My mood is lower than the temperature.No overflow drain holes? What an expression of faith!

  33. Originally posted by derWandersmann:

    Not too bad, here, yet … I don't think we've hit 0°F yet,

    We had a wintry mix of sleet and snow in the morning, followed by lots of snow. I feel bad for the people who've gone on road trips to see the relatives for Christmas, and then have to drive back in this.

  34. Originally posted by crystalacey:

    In North America we have TV Japan for Cable and Satellite.

    We do?!?! :eyes:You are quite the gardener! The berries look so good, and it was fun reading about the logistics of determining each berry's destiny based on an in-depth quality review. 😛

  35. Originally posted by mimi_s_mum:

    Dad was saying this winter in Japan is also very cold.

    Yes for them it is cold and lots of snow and blizzards from what I have seen on the news. Of course the futher south one gets the better the weathe gets. :DOriginally posted by derWandersmann:

    But it is inexpressibly dreary. My mood is lower than the temperature.No overflow drain holes? What an expression of faith!

    As for your mood DW, I hope you can cheer up, feeling down for any reason is no fun. Originally posted by derWandersmann:

    Pam, in Fargo, N.D. says that it's -13°F.

    Considering 0 C is +32 F, Pam certainly has it cold too. Our weather is heading East and may also affect Fargo. I know they are concerned in Toronto and they are further south then her. An interesting note -40 F = -40 C Keep warm everyone or cool which ever applies.

  36. Crysta: Yes, my 11th grade chem teacher taught me that -40°F = -40°C … that was in about 1955. He also taught me this:(F-32°)/180 = C/100which is a hell of a lot easier than most other formulas.

  37. Crysta: I should be the one apologising … I had absolutely no intention of conveying any displeasure with what you said. I rather welcomed it, because I enjoy that sort of discussion. Please accept my apologies for my clumsiness … one of the difficulties with a means of communication that gives no emotional cues, other than smilies.

  38. Originally posted by crystalacey:

    An interesting note -40 F = -40 C

    Originally posted by derWandersmann:

    (F-32°)/180 = C/100which is a hell of a lot easier than most other formulas.

    😆 😆 It would be the easiest & most useful if it were 0F = 0C AND 100F = 100C :pOriginally posted by crystalacey:

    Keep warm everyone or cool which ever applies.

    Cheers. It has been quite cool here since last night. I had heater on for a while. Talking about extremes 😆

  39. WOW …. DW, I can see your in a real foul mood. Lets try to keep it lite…. OKAY? That wasn't necessarily directed at you or anybody in particular….. It was just a general comment about info that people don't know or have forgotten. I didn't mean to insult your intelligence or pick a fight, my apologies!!!I was 3 years old in 1955, DW, getting my puppy Penny and had no concept of F or C nor did I care. 🙂

  40. Originally posted by derWandersmann:

    No overflow drain holes? What an expression of faith!

    Probably helps to promote conserving water. :p

  41. Originally posted by debplatt:

    it was fun reading about the logistics of determining each berry's destiny based on an in-depth quality review.

    😀 Thanks, Deb. As you see, the algorithm is quite simple:If fresh & sweet smelling, washed & eaten straight awayIf not sweet but still fresh, macerated and blitzed to shake/smoothieIf not fresh, frozen and cooked for sauce:chef:Originally posted by debplatt:

    I feel bad for the people who've gone on road trips to see the relatives for Christmas, and then have to drive back in this.

    The same can be said about a few Wellington based tweeters I'm following. I had to control the very strong urge to tweet to them: 'Should have stayed in Wellington, mate!' :p

  42. Originally posted by debplatt:

    We do?!?!……. I feel bad for the people who've gone on road trips to see the relatives for Christmas, and then have to drive back in this.

    Ya, Deb, some of us do anyway… There offices are in NY and LA. Now I am looking forward to the 4-5 hour Red and White Concert …. Then the Sumo Tournament!!! I know what you mean about driving in this kind of weather…. YUCK!!! :(I don't know why I didn't see your comments earlier???? O.o :(Originally posted by derWandersmann:

    Please accept my apologies for my clumsiness … one of the difficulties with a means of communication that gives no emotional cues, other than smilies.

    Apology accepted!!! 😀 I have been Clumsy too, especially when I am a bit down in my mood. OH Well, lets consider it behind us and we will move on, DW, knowing each other a bit better. Originally posted by mimi_s_mum:

    Talking about extremes

    I can hardly wait for our extreme to kick in…. back to 0 C or higher

  43. I dunno, MM … I got really curious about having no overflows in a bathtub or sink, so I looked up New Zealand plumbing supplies. I got these, and stopped, because there were plenty of others:http://www.clearlite.co.nz/Bianca-P94.aspxhttp://www.clearlite.co.nz/Riviera-P99.aspxhttp://www.clearlite.co.nz/Vanity-Basins-P84.aspxhttp://www.tradedepot.co.nz/home-page/wtm-02503-colorado-bathtubhttp://www.tradedepot.co.nz/home-page/wtm-02505-vinka-bathtubSorry to be such a doubter, but I really found it rather unbelievable. The damage that a house could sustain from a neglected, flowing faucet would be so bad as to wreck a house, sometimes.I also found that there were many tubs and basins that didn't have overflow drains, or at least, I couldn't find 'em, but they struck me as rather special-application things, or "trendy" designs. One would need a porous bathroom floor, or one constructed with a floor drain of some sort, to avoid problems.I did, however, find one type of Japanese wooden tub that looked pretty damned pricey … it didn't have an overflow drain, but rather a notch perhaps 1" deep in a portion of the top edge, intended to act as an overflow spout, but it was installed in a room with a wood floor in which there were gaps between the planks.

  44. Originally posted by derWandersmann:

    Sorry to be such a doubter, but I really found it rather unbelievable. …

    No worries, dW. It's just neither my bath tub or basin has one. And I don't seem to see ones with OF-drain when I visit friends' homes. When I go hardware shopping next, I'll ask my hardware store guys how common it is to have basin or tub come complete with OF-drainOriginally posted by crystalacey:

    back to 0 C or higher

    Past the solstice, another 3 months and it will be spring. 🙂

  45. Curious. I have a basin similar to that one, and the overflow drain is on the near side of the basin. If you were to put your hand on the "tt" in "editted", your fingers would curl down into it.

  46. Originally posted by derWandersmann:

    Past the solstice, another 3 months and it will be spring.

    HAHAHAHA I won't have to wait that long, Mum, there will be several Chinnooks before then, like one this weekend….. :DSpring won't get here before April. Saying here is April showers brings May flowers. People are best advised not to plant before Queen Victoria's birthday or May 24th weekend.

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