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Merchant Homestead
Merchant Homestead
Kitchen 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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Kitchen Roasted white beans and tomatoes on toast

Roasted White Beans and Tomatoes

Debbie,
May 26, 2024May 26, 2024

This recipe for Roasted White Beans and Tomatoes is a highly nutritious, delicious and vegetarian…

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Garden

Salad in all Seasons

Debbie,
March 21, 2024March 21, 2024

Salad greens are a staple in many diets, offering a burst of freshness and nutrients…

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Kitchen harvest of lemons and tangelos

Tangelo Spritzer Cocktail

Debbie,
October 27, 2023October 27, 2023

It’s Spring cocktail time! This is my go-to sunny evening sip for this time of…

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Garden Large blueberry grown in a pot

Potted Blueberry Forest

Debbie,
September 29, 2023September 29, 2023

Blueberries are a delightful and delicious addition to any garden. While they typically thrive in…

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Garden Italian basil

Basil Growing Guide

Debbie,
September 21, 2023September 21, 2023

Fresh basil is such a wonderful addition to the summer garden, check out our Basil…

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Chickens

The Multi-coloured Egg Carton

Debbie,
September 15, 2023September 15, 2023

While we are very used to the standard supermarket brown eggs in New Zealand, us…

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Kitchen cornbread

Cornbread Recipe

Debbie,
July 12, 2023July 12, 2023

Let’s be honest here, when I was a child the only good thing about Soup…

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Garden

How to Grow Spinach

Debbie,
July 10, 2023July 10, 2023

Spinach, known for its vibrant green leaves and nutritional value, is a versatile and easy-to-grow…

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Garden

Marigolds – Blossoming Benefits to your Garden

Debbie,
July 6, 2023June 28, 2023

Your garden is a sanctuary of nature’s wonders, a place where vibrant colors, soothing scents,…

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Welcome to Merchant Homestead

Gardener Debbie
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.
Did a major weeding project on this garden bed yes Did a major weeding project on this garden bed yesterday and found a whole bunch of spinach plants just thriving under all the weeds and grass. Don't you love their commitment to the cause? So unphased. 🤩
First bed of autumn planting complete! We've got b First bed of autumn planting complete! We've got broccoli, kale, cos, mizuna and cute little viola blossoms. Definitely feels good to be back in the garden and getting growing. Love a sunny autumn day!! 🍂❤️🌱 #urbanhomestead #growingfood #gardening #nzgarden #homesteading
Do any of you remember the awesome bean frame I pu Do any of you remember the awesome bean frame I put together last summer? It was so abundant and served us beans all season. Well between our renovations and baby the whole situation was neglected. The frame has collapsed, grass and weeds have moved in, it's a mess. But I've also spotted these bright red blossoms starting to peek out in amongst it all. Scarlett runner beans! Just making the most of the situation and turning up 😁⭐️
Fun* sweet corn facts! I thought this was pretty c Fun* sweet corn facts! I thought this was pretty cool and something not many people know, so sharing with you all! 😁🌽 *fun not guaranteed 😅 #gardening #fromscratch #inmykitchen #thegoodlife #plantsmakemehappy
Spent some time today in the Melbourne Botanic Gar Spent some time today in the Melbourne Botanic Gardens. It's such a lovely place to walk, with grand trees and small details. There's a rockwall plaque naming all the Gardens curators and their years of service and I just have so much wonder for those people. Being able to craft such a beautiful vision from nature, and with nature, in the middle of a bustling city. I could only dream of having such skill on such a large scale. I took this photo, just one little view from inside Fern Gully, where layers of tree are hit by afternoon light, and somehow it all felt a little prehistoric, like maybe a dinosaur might wander past. Isn't it fun how just a glimpse of something different can take your mind wandering?
It's salad and sunshine season with plenty of lett It's salad and sunshine season with plenty of lettuce and cucumber and tomatoes growing out and about. But I have a confession. I'm not a particularly good salad chef. I generally just chop veges and leave it at that. I'm trying to do better, and my not-so-secret weapon is, salad sprinkles! All the yummy toppings that make my pile of chopped veges a little bit more exciting. Croutons, crispy onions, crushed nuts, or toasted seeds. This is my plan. What do you sprinkle on salads? What else can make my salad life brighter? #homemadefood #fromscratch #healthyfood #salad #eatfresh
Feijoas in da houuuuuse! It seems early but I am n Feijoas in da houuuuuse! It seems early but I am not sad about it. Nom nom nom 😋
It's corn fritter season! Get em while the corn is It's corn fritter season! Get em while the corn is fresh and juicy. Mix up with some eggs from the backyard flock, some spring onion and herbs from the garden, and maybe a cheeky side of bacon. There you have it. Summer on a plate. 🤩🌽 #fromscratch #homemadefood #homesteading #inmykitchen #dinnerideas
Got to spend a little time outdoors today, weeding Got to spend a little time outdoors today, weeding the front garden and admiring the flowers with my little bee friends. ☀️🌼🐝
Weekends are for crêpes and kitchen adventures 😋 Weekends are for crêpes and kitchen adventures 😋 #fromscratch #homemadefood #inmykitchen #crepes #breakfastideas
Sometimes the joy is in finding daisies where you Sometimes the joy is in finding daisies where you didn't expect them. Or perhaps allowing yourself to look for joy regardless of where you expect to find it. 🌼
If there's anyone who appreciates a good summer do If there's anyone who appreciates a good summer downpour it's the duckies! Rain or shine they make their daily trip through the backyard, stopping to snack on a flower or grass, or splash in any puddles along the way 🥰🦆🐤 #ducksofinstagram #ducklings #natureisbeautiful #babyanimals #thegoodlife
After this week of wild weather our country has fa After this week of wild weather our country has faced it's a wonder that the tomatoes trudge on! Flowers forget that it's suddenly freezing, bees brave the wind, and while fruit is splitting with all the rain coming down, the little tomato blossoms persevere 🌼🍅😊
First basil pesto focaccia at Merchant Homestead! First basil pesto focaccia at Merchant Homestead! Extra satisfying smoosh with such a bright green colour - have high hopes for a delicious outcome! 🤩🤞🌱 #fromscratch #homemadefood #sourdough #bakingbread #inmykitchen
So little in my grasp but so big in the flavour de So little in my grasp but so big in the flavour department. This pretty little raspberry is anything but shy. 😍💪
Hauling in the basil this summer? Turn it into ult Hauling in the basil this summer? Turn it into ultra quick homemade pesto - what a luxury! Blend together 🌼2 cups fresh basil leaves 🌼1/4 cup roasted cashews (or toasted pine nuts) 🌼1/4 cup parmesan grated 🌼1/3 cup olive oil 🌼1-2 garlic cloves, crushed 🌼1-2 tablespoons lemon juice 🌼Salt and pepper to taste #fromscratch #homemadefood #homegrownfood #inmykitchen #recipes
The first of the seasons backyard peaches 🍑 😍 glor The first of the seasons backyard peaches 🍑 😍 glorious sunny colours and they smell so sweet
A big ol bowl of sourdough starter ready to rise u A big ol bowl of sourdough starter ready to rise up and take on the bread world 😊💪🍞 #fromscratch #sourdough #thegoodlife #homemadefood #inmykitchen
It's turned into a wet and wild summer, the tomato It's turned into a wet and wild summer, the tomatoes who were left largely unsupported this season, have long since blown over but from wherever they lay, they are still working hard and doing their best to produce lil nuggets of summer gold, like this one 🤩🍅☀️
So good to get my hands back on some sourdough. Tr So good to get my hands back on some sourdough. Trying a new recipe with actual kneading rather than my usual folds. So satisfying 🤩🍞 #urbanhomestead #fromscratch #sourdough #inmykitchen #kneading
Banana tree is in blossom! Which is great news bec Banana tree is in blossom! Which is great news because we ran out of backyard bananas like 6 months ago 😅🍌
Finally feeding the sourdough starter after what f Finally feeding the sourdough starter after what feels like a lifetime. 🤍🍞 #fromscratch #sourdough #inmykitchen #UrbanHomestead
We planted some new flowers in front of our home, We planted some new flowers in front of our home, to celebrate the end of our mammoth renovation. I love them. Especially this dainty little number. All charm, so petite, but standing tall with her little face to the sky. 😊🌸
I miss baking our own fresh sourdough loaves! It's I miss baking our own fresh sourdough loaves! It's been too long. I'm reminiscing over bread videos in the depths of my gallery. Perhaps a January resolution for me is to bake some bread. ❤️🍞 #sourdough #fromscratch #homemadefood #thegoodlife #inmykitchen
Eternally forgetting to take an egg basket with me Eternally forgetting to take an egg basket with me 😅🥚
One of the best views you can find at Waiheke Isla One of the best views you can find at Waiheke Island has got to be from the patio at the Waiheke Distilling Co. And if you're feeling the need for a cool refreshment, why not try a tasting flight of vodkas or gins while you watch the cheeky lawn weka run about. What a spot. #natureisbeautiful #newzealandtravel #weka #islandescape #scenicviews
Oh how the raspberries glow! Bright pops peeking o Oh how the raspberries glow! Bright pops peeking out from green leaves. Radiant. Luscious. The most luxurious garden snacks there are to find. 😍
Why not take another perspective? So often the wor Why not take another perspective? So often the world is full of wonder and magic, if we just go looking. 🍄✨️
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