It is well and truely summer here now. Which is great and sunny and warm and sunny and … well, you get it 😀
Which means I’ve not been home a lot, and not been too keen on being stuck in the sewing room. Despite the fact that I really could use more summery clothes … the irony of the situation isn’t lost on me.
Anyways, there was loads of fun had two weekends ago when I went sailing. I’ll spare you the endless “look – water!” and “more water!” photos (and we didn’t get a single shot of the school of 30 or so dolphins we saw), but this one I want to share as it’s a bit special to me.
Yup, that’s me steering the sail boat we were on! Quite exciting, that … and a good experience on more than one level. Life here has had it’s ups and downs, and despite having gone through the experience of moving to a new country before, this time it’s a lot more challenging. While a lot of things are great, my general mood hasn’t really been. I guess I feel a little lost, and a tad lonely, and just find it harder than expected to settle down. I’m sure all will be well in time, but right now, I’m struggling a little bit.
And quite literally taking the steering wheel has brought back into focus what I knew before, but sometimes seem to forget: it is what I make of it. So … moving on.
That’s me at work, wearing the “broken build” hat. For those of you not familiar with software development methods, it’s a way of letting people know that you’re fixing something rather fundamentally important (which, in all honesty, I wasn’t, but … ah, well, long story).
That’s the promised better photo of the second Laurel dress I made … I really love it. Sadly, there was some sort of weird fabric accident, and one little bit of it looks a tad roughed up – not sure if it was the messenger bag or the washing machine 😦 I think it’s still wearable, but sad nonetheless.
To console myself, of course I made another one … no photos yet, but I’ll get some soon.
And of course, the garden is still growing. After all went so swimmingly with the tomatoes, I should probably have expected some little setbacks. Well, I didn’t.
One day, I noticed the first tomato starting to turn red. It looked amazing:
Then I inspected it’s underside:
I don’t know what this is – if anybody does, I’d love to hear! Also, tips on how to prevent this would be greatly appreciated.
There are, however, many more tomatoes on the bushes, so I won’t fret. Okay, I’m lying. It’s the first one, and I had plans for it, dammit!
Let’s hope these beauties will turn out better!
And the first chilies, too:
Speak soon!
The Very Best Jumper 
Sailing! I cannotn wait when we go for holidays – sailing. I love it. I will have to write a post about it one day.
Your garden looks impressive!
Sailing is great! There’s something equally exciting and soothing about being on the open sea, non?
And thanks – I’m glad the garden has survived so far, especially as I didn’t make it home in time always to give it a good watering at the end of the day, so there have been a few “sad plant” incidents …
Now you are back you will take care of the garden 🙂 and you will enjoy fresh vegetables.
I have been traveling about in Europe the past 20 days and while I certainly haven’t moved here I understand feeling a bit lost and out of one’s element. Hats off to you for being so brave, things will fall into place for sure! Your laurel looks fabulous which suits its fabulous model 🙂 Oh and my Italian mother swears by San marzano tomatoes, please let me know how good yours turn out.
Thank you for your kind words – I generally avoid moaning on the blog, but this time it just needed out. I’m sure I’ll be fine, and a few rough patches were to be expected. So I just gotta get through this one 🙂
Oh, speaking of your mom and the San Marzanos – any chance you could share her favorite tomato sauce recipe with me? I’d love to have an italian original to make them into!
Sure! I think her sauce is more of a process than a specific recipe. She buys canned San marzano tomatoes and churns them up into a liquid paste, then she adds spices and cooked beef and simmers it for an hour or so. I’ll get a more detailed rundown for you and share it later. It is an undertaking but so delicious!
I think it’s really hard to move and think you’re much more adventurous than I am. I mean I live 50 miles from where I was born! You really haven’t been there that long (even though you may feel like it is) so hang in there.
Your little garden looks yummy! I’m looking forward to buying some fresh local tomatoes since I can’t grow a thing.
Take care!
Thank you for your kind words. I’m sure it’ll be fine, and I know from experience that one has to give it a year at least … and I knew there’d be rough patches. Just needed to air it a bit, I guess 😉
Yeah, I really hope my next ripe tomato will be fit for consumption, coz I CAN’T WAIT 😀