Recipes are often forced upon us

I went to my mum's house she died 2 years ago and did some gardening. My mum's ex neighbour mark just came back from fishing and felt like you wanted to give me a whole bunch of Squid heads and Squid bodies which is lovely.

Then I came home and had to do something with them and a fried octopus that I can chill sounds good to me

I can't pass on the clam

Here in the Central Coast of the US clearly Seafood is a good thing. I had a lovely clam chowder last night and tonight I was lured in by a place called The Oyster Loft.

A glass of California champagne which I didn't really like but then a half a dozen oysters with some beautiful sauces. So good I had a half-dozen more.

And it did bring home to me how lucky we are in South Australia because our oysters are huge and lovely tasting. But as with all things of America there was a multitude of choice and it was done well.

I like California Poppies

I've known about California poppies for 20 years from when I first saw them at my auntie's place.

I don't know if they are indigenous to this place or it's just a branding thing, but this trip has enamoured to them.

I can't buy the seeds for $2 a pack back in Adelaide and I think I will put some in; sprinkle some in.

Welcome autumn

Turning over from tomatoes to broccoli.

Newly trained chooks  turning over the compost heap

Last year's compost ready to be turned out to the garden over winter

Two baby chooks who aren't such babies anymore ready to go with the adults.

Autumn could be worse.

Quail, native succulents, salt bush

2015 Henschke Joseph Hill Gewürztraminer.

Simple and beautiful; Tomato and Basil

I'm so sorry I forgot. This is one of the nicest things I ever eat but they always come from my own garden.

Citrus gall wasp: You're only helping if you kill thrm

I've spoken about the gall wasp before. I said that it's important to cut them off your citrus and I hope I said that it was important to dispose of the galls.

Yep if you just cut them out leave them there (see the holes in the galls) they will take to flight and give you an even bigger problem next year.