The Way I Do It - Planting Garlic and Onion 2025

Dear Gentle Reader

It's October, so time to plant some garlic and onion sets. Information galore online and on YouTube, but this is what I do. Once the soil in my low raised bed is weeded, dug up and raked the cloves and the little onion sets are easy to plant. I also add some farm manure or chicken manure pellets because the garlic cloves are hungry plants and that will give them a bit of boost until they go dormant. No rocket science here. I plant my onion sets pretty close to each other, but not touching close, then pick every 2nd or 3rd in their spring onion state next year, leaving the rest to grow into big onions during the summer. 

Red onions - Electric

Yellow onions - Radar

I plant my garlic approx 10 cm from each other and 10 cm between each row, and approx 5 cm deep. Garlic needs frost so the clove can split and form next year's bulb. I only plant the bigger bulbs, the small ones I will use in the kitchen. 

Soft neck garlic - Germidour

It's called softneck because the stem coming from inside the bulb together with the husk that covers the bulb after drying will be plyable enough so it can be plaited together easily. 

Hard neck garlic - Morado

Hard neck ones, as the name suggests, stays hard, can't be manuvered so easily then the soft neck ones. 

Elephant garlic

Look at the size of this clove! It's huge, compared to the tiny Morado hard neck garlic next to it. 

I love Elephant Garlic because it has a milder flavour the the other 2 and it's unique to its size. The bulb will be huge too, you'd expect 20 cloves when there are only 4 or 5 of those big cloves. I'd be harvesting these next year when all the foliage turn straw yellow, but more about that then. 

Here is how I planted them. 

Between 2 rows of onion set there's a row of garlic. Between the red ones I planted the Elephant garlic, and the Hard neck Morado was planted between 2 rows of yellow onion sets. 

The onion sets will be mostly eaten by the time the garlic starts growing. They won't effect each other's growth. In the spaces between them I shall plant lettuce in the spring. The space between the cloves are approx 10 cm, this will give me a big enough bulb, but if you increase the space between the cloves, the bulbs will grow bigger. 

Then I pushed them with my hand into the soil as far as they went, being careful not to squash the cloves and lil onions. Brushed some soil on top of them and covering it with another layer of farm manure I bought from my local garden center. Then with chicken wire I covered  the hole place, that will keep the cats away. 

I didn't water them, because being in Ireland in Autumn one never is short of rain. The rain will wash all the goodness into the soil what will feed my onions and garlic, but once spring come they'll get a generous feed of chicken manure pallets to help them grow into a gorgeous crop. 

Well that's all for now. 

All the best. Enjoy your garden. 

Annamaria 

A new way of making lace - Cro-tatting :)

Dear Gentle Reader, 

I've been flirting with cro-tatting for a while now, until the day I ordered 2 tatting needles with hooked and I gave this lace making techniques a try.

Was a bit tricky at the beginning but then like a light bulb my hooked tatting needle behaved and we created the 1 motif that put a silly grin on my face. Cro-tatting might not be everyone's cup of tea, but I had fun creating this motif. 

Cro-tatting, or crochet tatting, is a lacemaking technique that combines tatting and crochet, using a tatting needle with a crochet hook on the end instead of traditional shuttles or large hooks. The process involves making stitches on the needle, similar to needle tatting, but using a tool that resembles a crochet hook. This technique creates more intricate, detailed lace that is more flexible than traditional tatting, and can be used with thread for delicate edgings or larger yarn for wearable items.

Tools and Materials 

Cro-tatting needle/hook: A specialized tool with a long, straight shank and a hook on the end.

Yarn or thread: Cotton-based threads are preferred as they don't stretch as much.

Technique

Making the stitch: The thread is manipulated around the fingers and slid through the stitches on the hook. 

Creating rings and chains: Rings and chains are formed, similar to other forms of tatting. 

Joining elements: The completed rings and chains can then be joined together to create larger, more complex designs. 

Key Characteristics

Flexibility: The technique offers a more flexible lace than shuttle tatting. 

Error correction: Unlike shuttle tatting, errors can be easily corrected by unfolding the work. 

Versatility: It can be adapted for various projects by using different sizes of hooks and threads or yarns.

This is what happens when doodles just fit into eachother

My 1st cro-tatted Daffy Doodle.... How cute is that!! 😁The middle is something that should have looked like something else I was working on, but it curled up, so in my frustration I just chucked it on my craft table and it landed right next to the round motif. Then it caught my eyes and after a few seconds I was grinning ear to ear because I just knew it was fate or providence or some other magic that brought these 2 elements together. Not only that it brought them together, but made them look cute too 😁😜😂

My Garden - September 2025

Dear Gentle Reader

September is one of those brrrrrrr months that with every day that passes draws closer to the end of the year. Kids go back to school, some go back to work from their extended holidays or start a new job or a new crafting challenge, who knows? New season, new start? However, whatever that is I hope this month goes well for you all. 😊🍁🍂

Slowly Autumn creeps into my garden too making the dog rose hips blush with it's cheeky antics. Fruit and nuts give their best, the last push of bounty from everything before frost stills growth and time.

As the weather slowly changes, days gets peppered with sunshowers and heavy downpours one is looking for some comfort food. Stewed apples, apple crumble and such are a good choice.

Today (21st) I thought I check on my pears to see if they are ready to pick. As I was walking in the biggish grass I saw a few on the ground and that's when I knew it was time. So armed with a bowl I went back out and picked 12 gorgeous, sweet smelling, juicy pears. The pear growing guide said after picking to out the fruit on a sunny windowsill so it can ripen further. So I did. But there was one that had a little mark that was surgically removed, cut into wedges and handed out to be taste proofed. Bobbing heads from hubs and father in law proved me that my pears are a success. Can't wait to enjoy their delightful juicy flesh in a few days. My one and lonely apple still hangs to dear life onto the branch blushing every time I go out checking if it's ready and it's stubborn clinging to the branch says "not yet". All right then, I shall try again. Honeycrisp apples are typically ready to harvest from mid to late September, extending into early October, but the best indicator is to taste one: it should be sweet, crisp, and juicy with a creamy or white flesh and brown seeds. Also, check that the apple's background color is a creamy or yellow hue and that it releases easily from the tree with a slight twist or tug.  Knowing this I move on to the Hazel nut tree checking if there's any nut left for me to harvest. Zero. All the nuts vanished, gone, evaporated, vamoosed. Birds? Rodents? Squirrels? Who knows? Oh well, bit disappointed, I shall live in hope that next year's harvest will be better. As you can see this day ended with a gorgeous sunset, however the weather hadd been totally disappointing, more showers then sunshine, tad bit chilly, but we are in the first brrrrrrr month, so I wouldn't have expected less.

On my way to work next day I noticed this sicamore tree in the car park that has been changing it's colors since August. The autumnal pallete always amazes me, each year at this time is the same, yet so different. I think the colors are more vibrant this year then the year before. The deep and then suttle pastels are just fabulous.

All the best, enjoy the season

Anna

Special projects 2025

Dear Gentle Reader 

A while back I started this special project for a friend.  She needed some napkin ring holders in autumnal colours.  After days of searching (mostly YouTube), digging on the Internet I found a few patterns that inspired me to make these. Although I've met a few technique challenges along the way, I had to learn how to tat around the cabon/curtain ring, then how to make picots on the carbon ring - this wasn't easy because, holding a picot gauge against the ring can be a challenge itself. I nearly borrowed a few fingers from hubs for this.😜But as you can see, I've managed to do it on my own 😜😂😁. Then I had to embellish them with beads and leaves to make them even more special. I used my own mix called Frosty Autumn. 

and these.... Don't they look like leaves on a branch or leaves dancing in the wind? If they do, mission accomplished, because THAT was the idea 😜😁🍁🍂The leaves are Muskaan patterns from her collection Let's flourish, E25-Leaf Doodle nr 2, link here. These small leaves were tatted using Lizbeth heard size 20, 40 and 80. And just like that another idea was born. 

These are and inspiration from another pattern I love. Wanda Salmans at wandasknottythoughts has the most amazing little button Ornaments for one's Christmas tree, link here. Ornament nr 1 inspired me to steal a little bit of Ireland in those decorations; the limpet ring and the seaglass are from the beaches near to my home, I hope they'll bring smiles to their faces and they'll enjoy those ornaments as much as I enjoyed making them.

All the best

Happy Tatting

Annamaria

Rathescar Lake outing with my local photoclub 2025

Nestled in the picturesque surroundings of Co. Louth, Rathescar Lakeside Walk is a stunning nature preserve that beckons tourists with its serene landscapes and tranquil atmosphere. This scenic area features well-maintained walking paths that wind around the sparkling lakes, making it an ideal spot for leisurely strolls, invigorating jogs, or a peaceful afternoon picnic. The gentle sounds of nature, coupled with the vibrant flora and fauna, create a captivating backdrop for visitors looking to escape the hustle and bustle of daily life. Each season offers a different charm, from vibrant wildflowers in spring to the rich hues of autumn leaves, ensuring that no visit is ever quite the same. The area is also a haven for birdwatchers and wildlife enthusiasts, with various species residing in the habitat. As you walk, be sure to keep an eye out for the local wildlife that thrives in this natural setting. Families will appreciate the safe and welcoming environment, making it a great outing for children to explore and enjoy the outdoors. With no entry fee, Rathescar Lakeside Walk provides an affordable and enriching experience, allowing visitors to connect with nature without breaking the bank. Whether you're seeking adventure, relaxation, or a perfect spot for photography, Rathescar Lakeside Walk is a must-visit destination that showcases the natural beauty of Ireland. (according to evendo.com)

Every single word is true of what was said. The place is a real sanctuary for wildlife, occasionally surprising everyone with something. You'll find swans, ducks, moorhens, bugs and butterflies and plants for every season. It's the closest walk to my home so we often go out there for a walk.

The group also got 3 photo challenges and these are mine... Photo of a Swan or Duck, macro, and part of the lake....

Silent Valley Reservoir, an outing with my local photoclub 2025

Today we visited a place called the Silent Valley in the Northern Ireland. The Silent Valley Reservoir is a reservoir located in the Mourne Mountains near Kilkeel, County Down in Northern Ireland. It supplies most of the water for County Down, surrounding counties and most of Belfast. It is owned and maintained by Northern Ireland Water Limited (formerly DRD Water Service).

The road to there was smooth, sharp turns and loads of serpentine revealing breath taking landscapes. We were blessed with a gorgeous weather and the breeze was a bonus. When we arrived there was a race for the  Athletic Club's, but that didn't put a damper on our outing because we managed to stay out of their way. (Silent Valley wasn't silent anymore, well for a bit anyway). Full of ideas of where to go, what to shoot, camera settings, the group broke up in smaller groups (lads and lassies) and off we went to find subjects to shoot. Plenty to choose from. Banter and funny remarks are always a bonus, making our adventure more pleasurable. Cams were clicking, drones was flying, pics were taken as we were walking around the this huge Dam surrounded by mountains tainted by the blooming Heather, giving the whole place a magical hue of magenta. By the time we walked our feet off, on our way back finally after all of us were almost dead by hunger we've managed to find a picnic table and wolf down our sammiches that brought us back to life and gave us enough energy to take a few more pics and drive home. From the tens and thousands of pictures I took these are just a few. 

This is the reservoir in its all majesty, comfortably nestled between the mountains. 

And these are my attempts to show some of the unique features of the place and surroundings. 

And here someone must have been thinking that I'm getting ready to take a dip in the lake to cool down, which I wasn't. I was merely trying to shoot a Common Scarlet Dragonfly, before I was rudely interrupted "Hurry up, I'm hungry" sheeeeeesh 😂😂😂😂😂😜😁 some just don't understand, when one is in the creative zone, one should not be disturbed 😂🤣😂🤣😂. 

Of course these are only friendly banters, no bad intention in what has been said. Craic was good as usual. 😜😂 Box of frogs 🐸😂😁😜

My Garden - August 2025

Dear Gentle Reader,

August has arrived and ready to reveal what it has in stored for the gardener. This year my garden, for many reasons didn't perform the way I would have liked, but still it has its own moments. The pears are getting bigger and bigger (don't ask me the type, wind blew away the lable, but I know one of my pear trees is Conference the other something else. Thus coukd be Conference, I'm not sure, though), my apple trees were full of flowers, though only one fruit is on the tree. This could be due to early blooming, not enough pollinators, wet spring, honestly, could be anything at all. Cobnuts never fail they just produce. Happy(ish) days.

Yesterday (the 11th) I had to harvest my grapes, they were so ripped that at the smallest shake would end up on the floor, which would be a shame. They are so sweet and juicy and amazingly beautiful bunches. 3.2 kilos not bad from a 5 year old grape vine. 

This was a bunch from my 1st pick, but I'm sure there are heavier bunches. It doesn't come fresher then this. Tomatoes and chilies are keep giving which is awesome.

Aubergines keep growing which is fabulous too 😜

I decided to try my luck with kiwis....yes, they can be grown in Ireland in a greenhouse, this perticular cultivar is called 'Jenny' and it's specifically bred for colder, Irish weather. More info here. So I got my kiwi plant, gorgeous looking, strong plant and planted it according to instructions in my small greenhouse, because I felt that that greenhouse it's really not used to the max. So, with a bit of luck I shall eat my own, home grown kiwi in about 3-4 years 🤷🤦. I live in hope. 😁😁. So continuing on, that's my huge crop of onions so far and cucumbers and part of my succulents and cactae enjoying the sauna conditions in my small greenhouse. 😜

Autumn raspberries are full of yummie, delicious, sweet fruit. And they'll be producing fruit until the 1st frost will turn them into frozen delights (don't ask me how I know this 😜😂). The beebalms are young plants and I think they are doing well so far. The succulents and cactae in my small greenhouse will join the others in the living room on the windowsill before the 1st frost. 

I feel like all the odds were a bit against me this year, nothing went they way I would have liked. However the little blessings are keep coming and I'm OK with that. I count my blessings every day and I give thanks to God that I can enjoy life with the people dear to my heart 😊❤️