A few unrelated bits and pieces that I was keen to share with you…
. . . . .
Paul Nicklen Photography
If you have an iPad and you’re a fan of wildlife photography, then you might enjoy National Geographic photographer Paul Nicklen’s new app as much as I have. It costs just $5 and features some of the most amazing polar photography I’ve ever seen, accompanied by insightful commentary and a small quantity of video footage. There’s more information on his website here. (Edit: the iPad app is no longer available, but images are available for viewing at Paul’s website).
We are fast losing our polar landscapes – a fact Nicklen works hard to keep in the public awareness. His impassioned TED Talk is well worth listening to, if you’ve got a spare twenty minutes or so…
. . . . .
. . . . .
Diatomaceous Earth
For the first time in years, we’re growing proper tomatoes…
And that’s in part because we’ve discovered Diatomaceous Earth, a completely non-toxic organic powder made from the fossilized remains of hard-shelled algae (diatoms). On a micro level, the powder is sharp and abrasive, which means it stops slugs and bugs by puncturing and dehydrating them rather than poisoning them. It’s basically a form of barrier protection, and washes off with the slightest bit of rain, which makes it quite an expensive option. But in terms of safety and toxicity and earth-friendliness, it ticks all the right boxes!
We bought our supply from Enfield Produce, where they use it for everything from protecting seedlings to de-lousing poultry. It’s food grade quality and completely inert, and the owner has taken to eating it on his breakfast cereal. (They do look at me a little oddly now, because every time we go in, I ask, “Is Todd still alive?”)
It will be interesting to see whether this continues to work as well in summer when the bugs are more active, but given how difficult it is to manage pests in the garden, it’s nice to have something we can use which doesn’t involve dousing the plants in chemicals.
. . . . .
Homemade iPad Cover
I didn’t mind paying quite a lot of money for my iPad as it gives me enormous pleasure – but I just couldn’t bring myself to shell out $50 – $100 for a case.
A quick internet search and a rummage through my sewing room resulted in this nifty number, made following the very elegant instructions here. The fabric was a scrap of Polartec Windbloc (double-sided), picked up years ago from Reverse Garbage (for literally a few cents), and the total construction time was under 15 minutes.
The pattern should work in fleece, suede, or any other fabric that won’t fray or require edge finishing. For my iPad 4, I started with a 53cm x 27cm (21″ x 10½”) rectangle of fabric.
. . . . .
A reminder that I’ll soon be posting a round up of all the scones baked for International Scone Week. If you’ve baked this week and would like to be included, please let me know (if you haven’t already done so). The post won’t go up until early Monday morning, so there’s still lots of time! ♥
Fig Jam and Lime Cordial 
Tomatoes in winter is pretty impressive – I would have thought they would have succumbed to a multitude of viruses. I am making roasted tomato and garlic risotto tomorrow night thanks to you. I took up your suggestion of roasting tomatoes and freezing them during my summer glut. I have nearly used them up!!. We still have hundreds of jars of preserved tomatoes though …
We have two major problems in our garden re tomatoes – one is viruses and the other is bugs. This batch are starting to look a little wilty, but they’ve produced heaps so far, although nothing like your crops! They’re near the end now – I took that photo last week. I’m so glad the roasted tomatoes have worked out well for you – we really like using them out of the freezer as well!
I need to get some DE for my nifty tomatoes in pots! I’d forgotten about that. It’s not the total answer, at least it wasn’t for me in the past, but it does make a difference.
Like the iPad case!
Maureen, I didn’t think it would be, but I’m hoping it will make a difference! Fingers crossed. And thank you, I’m pretty chuffed with the case as well! :)
Lovely iPad cover! We’ve been looking for some in Bangkok and they’re still quite pricey here for really nice ones.
If you’d like a fabric one, I can make it for you. :)
Why does he eat it with his breakfast cereal?
He says it’s good for his stomach. :)
Yeuch.
I’m intrigued re the breakfast cereal too, but those tomatoes look wonderful, mine are still all green. Sounds like great stuff if it helps produce these.
Andrea, apparently it settles his stomach. Swears by it. I just look at him with big eyes whenever I see him. :)
I’m interested in your tomato growing, Celia, will be following with interest.
We only ever seem to be able to grow them in winter Lizzy, but we might try again this summer.
I love that first image. I’m going to try and get some scones made today and if I do, I’ll put the post up tonight. Carl just dropped his i-pad and it’s totally screwed; shattered screen and not functioning. I don’t like the idea of having to fork out the money for a new one but our little guy is a dream child when he’s playing on the i-pad xx
If you buy a new one, I can make you a cover for it, but it probably won’t save it if it’s dropped again.. :D
Diatomaceous earth is also used as cat litter. Don’t fancy eating kitty litter for breakfast. Think I’ll stick to toast.
You and me both, love. :) xx
Good morning Celia, your tomatoes are impressive, well done! I love your iPad cover too…very clever. Have a great weekend x
Jane, I’m now thinking of making a fancier one – you know how it is once you start sewing something, and then you think…oooh, if I just did this, then it might work a bit better, and… :D Have a fabulous weekend too! x
Some great items Celia. I’m glad you’ve found the key to great tomatoes- but what benefit would anyone gain by eating the powder themselves? Surely metamucil would be a gentler option :P (HA ha) x
You’d think so, Becca, but Todd insists it’s done wonders for his digestive system! :)
I love my iPad too but you are right the cost of a case is silly. I wish I had the patience or skill to sew – best I stay in the kitchen.
Nancy, this pattern is literally just two short seams! I’m thinking of making another one…of course.. ;-)
Thank you so much for the Paul Nicklen video, tho’ shall have to watch it early tomorrow morning. Learned about diatomaceous earth from Celi of ‘kitchensgarden’ in Illinois, US: she seems to spread it everywhere in her very ‘multicultural’ barn to avoid disease: natural and health giving! Celi produces everything absolutely naturally, so those of you who have not visited, do!! These tomatoes in mid-winter: oh, I am envious :) !
She’s a star, our Celi, I adore her. :) I talked to her about the diatomaceous earth too – and ran it past Linda Woodrow as well. It’s good to know that everyone thinks it’s a good thing! :)
I adore Paul Nicklen to bits, one hell of a job he has that’s for sure.
I’m crushing on him a bit at the moment, Brydie. I’d say don’t tell Pete, but I think he’s noticed. :)
You’ve got more tomatoes in mid-Winter than I do in mid-Summer, Celia. And people wonder why I’m thinking of throwing in the towel. Hope springs eternal for these next few weeks. :)
I wouldn’t have a helping of your friend’s breakfast. Remember, people once took arsenic and mercury for medicinal purposes.
We’ve had weird seasons eh, John? We’ve barely had any winter this year, and that after a scorching hot summer. I hope your tomatoes come good in the next few weeks! xx
great post darling celia!thank you!
i had seen various documentaries and vids of Paul Nicklen, as that one http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2013/04/manatees/nicklen-photography#/01-florida-manatee-670.jpg and afterwards i decided to name my rudimentary blog with the funny name zazaseacow (name of “my” sea cow-manatee is zaza) :) :)
beautiful baby tomatoes! lovely i-pad cover! looking forward for your scones recipes’ post! love gina✿◠‿◠)
Gina, thank you, I haven’t seen that documentary! His iPad app is wonderful if you can view it! I wondered where the Zaza Sea Cow came from! :) xx
Miscellany is one of my favourite things! Like wandering through a wonderful op shop, and never knowing what will find you. It’s amazing you have winter tomatoes, and they look wonderful. Your Ipad cover is very stylish… all those accessories are ridiculously priced, and thanks to Google there is inspiration and instructions for DIY cases, and in my case, stands. Will have a look at the clip when I have 20mins. Nice work :)
Oooh, ED you’ve got my attention now, I was thinking I needed a stand. Which pattern/tutorial did you use, please? I’ve been playing around with the design a bit more today and made a blue case as well – you know how it is, once we get going.. ;-)
I just Googled DIY tablet stand and there were heaps of results. I actually needed an Ultrabook stand, so they weren’t quite right for me but I did try one option of simply using the post & base centre of a plastic multi CD packaging stand… which I sourced from the office supply. It wasn’t big enough for my Ultrabook but would be perfect for a tablet. I ended up rolling up a gel filled cold pack, and putting a sock around it to make a ledge that the Ultrabook screen rests on at an angle without impeding the air vents. I got a free case for it otherwise I’d be putting in an order. Good luck with the stand :)
You know I’d make you a carry case in a heartbeat, don’t you… :)
I do, but the other one hasn’t seen the light of day yet…
I have never been able to grow tomatoes, I need that product!!! Pinning it!
Good luck, Julie! We’re crossing our fingers and trying again in summer too! :)
Hi Celia! Congratulations on your tomato crop. I remember reading about your struggles with growing them. They look beautiful!!! And I’m intrigued about your new non- toxic powder. Sounds like its fits the bill!
But what I really want to say is how envious I am at the fact that you can grow & harvest tomatoes in the middle of your winter!!! You are so lucky!! We get so much snow around here I can’t even see the ground! Xx
Em, it’s been a very unusual winter – very mild for this time of year! We can usually grow cherry toms, but this year, they’ve been more like proper Roma cross ones! :)
It is August and my slicing tomatoes still refuse to show some color. Love your iPad cover, how clever. Adding DE to breakfast cereal, doesn’t sound very appetizing, to each his own.
Norma, we’ve had such strange weather globally – we’ve barely had a winter, and you’re struggling to get tomatoes to ripen!
I love the iPad case! High five for sewing adventures. Off to make me some buttermilk scones. Hugs, Maz.
Maz, the scones looked wonderful! x
Celia, I’m insanely jealous you were able to ripen those toms to such a gorgeous red! My Romas started off great, but they started suffering through the cold nights and never ripened. Ended up making a whole stash of green tomato pickles…you’ve inspired me to try again, because I’m so impatient and can’t wait for summer :)
Lisa, we’ve had bonkers weather this winter! The tomatoes were self-sown and they’ve now nearly all succumbed to wilt, but we’ve had a really good run this winter!
I love that IPad cover & I agree with you about the costs of the ones in the store.
Diane, the kids have since pointed out to me that they’re really cheap to buy on ebay! Ah well.. :)
Probably some deals out there but if you could see my fabric stash, you’d see why these project ideas catch my eye.
Love your work celia and thanks for all the special tips
Thanks love xx