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Merchant Homestead

Month: August 2024

Seeded sourdough bread

Seeded Sourdough Sandwich Bread

Debbie,

August 19, 2024August 19, 2024

I’ve lived most of my life as a plain white sourdough bread enthusiast. The classic….

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Welcome to Merchant Homestead

This is me, Debbie, in my natural habitat. Messy hair, natural face, wearing Dan’s borrowed jersey. This is the happy face of a girl in the sunshine, snacking on peas and picking spinach. It’s a good time and I’m glad you can enjoy it too. Thanks for following along my garden journey.

Last night, as a little birthday treat, we made a

Last night, as a little birthday treat, we made a rustic Potato Dauphinoise and it did not disappoint. Creamy cheesy herby slow baked potatoes. Ultimate indulgence. 😍🥔🤤

#fromscratch #homemadefood #potatoes #homecooking

It looks like one of the last big bowls of blueber

It looks like one of the last big bowls of blueberries to come in from berry forest this season. The bushes are just about finished, and it feels like summer has just flown by in a blink. 🫐☀️

It's my birthday, and my sweet flock all pitched i

It's my birthday, and my sweet flock all pitched in and got me some eggs! Aren't they the best? 🤩

Over Auckland Anniversary weekend, we were booked

Over Auckland Anniversary weekend, we were booked to hike the Routeburn Track. Unfortunately, the forecast wasn't looking promising for us, and at the last minute, we decided to cancel. Instead, we spent rainy days enjoying Glenorchy, but then on Monday, the sun came out.

Determined to make the most of it, we set off from Routeburn Shelter, climbing over 15kms and 1200 vertical metres to the Harris Saddle in time for lunch. We ventured through old river beds, mossy wonderlands, fern filled forests, alpine tussocks and rocky mountain peaks to reach the stunning vista.

Then we turned around and did it all again, downhill to the car. A huge mission, a mighty effort, and a trip well worth it. ❤️🏔

#natureisbeautiful #hiking #tramping #trekking #thegoodlife #outtheredoingit #mountains

We've been battling a rough cold this week, so I'v

We've been battling a rough cold this week, so I've been indoors more than I would like and missing the garden. But today, I hoisted up my pjs and managed to get myself out to berry forest. Of course, I was richly rewarded. 🫐

Summer tomato bowls 😍🍅

Summer tomato bowls 😍🍅

Homegrown peach snacks - it's a yes from me 😍🍑

Just a lil peachy number today, bringing this fuzz

Just a lil peachy number today, bringing this fuzzbowl inside for summer fruit indulgence 😍🍑

It's a good afternoon for a cup of tea and a bowl

It's a good afternoon for a cup of tea and a bowl full of future pickles. These pickles got away on me and have grown bigger than ideal, but they're still good, so into the pickle jar they go! 😅🥒

#merchanthomestead #thegoodlife #urbanhomestead #fromscratch #homemadefood #picklelover #pickling #preserving #gherkin #pickles #homegrownfood

Cherry tomatoes are such a summer joy. Different c

Cherry tomatoes are such a summer joy. Different coloured little bursts of sunsweetened juice. 😊🍅

When you haven't done a harvest in far too long an

When you haven't done a harvest in far too long and the gherkins have been left unsupervised 😅🥒

Sometimes self care looks like a leisurely blueber

Sometimes self care looks like a leisurely blueberry harvest 🫐 ❤️

Do you salt your gherkins before pickling? I do! T

Do you salt your gherkins before pickling? I do! They sit in this little salt spa for a good few hours, which pulls a lot of the excess water out, making for crispier crunchier more delicious pickles. 😋🥒

#merchanthomestead #thegoodlife #urbanhomestead #fromscratch #homemadefood #picklelover #pickling #preserving #abundance #homegrownfood

Venturing into the summer garden without my basket

Venturing into the summer garden without my basket 😅🍅

Plum cake fresh from the oven! 😋 #merchanthome

Plum cake fresh from the oven! 😋

#merchanthomestead #fromscratch #homemadefood #homebaking #homemadedessert #treats

Quick pickle harvest this evening for another roun

Quick pickle harvest this evening for another round of weekend pickling ahead 🥒🥒🥒😁

Alright folks. I have been blessed with an abundan

Alright folks. I have been blessed with an abundance of gorgeous plums from my gorgeous friends. I have a few treats in mind but I'm also open to further inspiration. Hit me with your best plum recipes 😁😋

Where to go if you want to spend some time up clos

Where to go if you want to spend some time up close and personal with New Zealands white tail deer? Port Williams hut on the Rakiura Track, Stewart Island.

These beauties were completely unphased by a tribe of smitten on-lookers. This hind, and three spikers, entertained us for the afternoon. Grazing around the lawns, paths, and picnic tables, and playing chasing games down the beach.

What a special experience.

#natureisbeautiful #deer #stewartisland #greatwalksnz

I love the colours of a summer harvest basket, esp

I love the colours of a summer harvest basket, especially the tomatoes 😍🍅

This evening, after all the chores were done, I to

This evening, after all the chores were done, I took my little bowl (the one I handmade at pottery class) out into berry forest and filled it up with hundreds of little blessings. Each sweet berry, a treat from my own backyard, right at my fingertips. And it felt pretty special. 🥰🫐

#merchanthomestead #thegoodlife #urbanhomestead #mybackyard #natureisbeautiful #gardening #blueberries #pottery #handmade #gratitude #blessings #foodforest

The feijoas are starting to look pretty promising

The feijoas are starting to look pretty promising this season 👌 😍 I remember last year, being able to walk over every day after work and pick up a couple to snack on before dinner. It was such a satisfying little ritual. Here's hoping we can do the same again this year! 🥰

Another beautiful courgette blossom. Yellow and br

Another beautiful courgette blossom. Yellow and bright like this summer sunshine ☀️ 🤩

When you've left a wild summer garden unattended f

When you've left a wild summer garden unattended for a couple weeks, there's a fair bit of catching up to do! It's early morning pre-work pickling day to get these beauties preserved for future me and my future burgers. 😅🥒🍔

#merchanthomestead #thegoodlife #urbanhomestead #fromscratch #homemadefood #homesteading #preserving #canning #picklelover #pickles #pickling #abundance #gardening

How do you tell if the little black tomatoes are r

How do you tell if the little black tomatoes are ripe...? You peek under the hood!

Once ripe, there's a little orange coloured flower shape under the little hat. If it's not ready, this area will still be green. Happy harvesting tomato enthusiasts! 🍅❤️

Do you remember the huge plum tree we netted with

Do you remember the huge plum tree we netted with friends a few weeks ago? Turns out we did an excellent job and these plums are almost perfect. In a few short days they'll be hauling in an abundant harvest. 🥰

#thegoodlife #fruittrees #gardening #abundance

A bountiful harvest after 5 days away from my swee

A bountiful harvest after 5 days away from my sweet garden. I am really so grateful for the joy of coming home. Visiting berry forest with Dan. Picking armloads of beans. And dreaming of future pickles. Home always welcomes you. ❤️🥰🫐

These last few days we've spent hiking the Rakiura

These last few days we've spent hiking the Rakiura Track on Stewart Island. Spent an evening with white tail deer. Found kiwi tracks on the beach. Overcame the muddy mile and spotted some cool little mushies. Hauled ourselves and our packs over big hills, powered by scroggin and apple snacks. Satisfied to have made it back in one piece, tired feets and all. ☀️

#hiking #newzealand #trekking #natureisbeautiful #thegreatoutdoors #outtheredoingit #adventure

New year. Same delicious harvests. 😍🍓🫐

New year. Same delicious harvests. 😍🍓🫐

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