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Merchant Homestead
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Kitchen Lemon Slice

Lemon Slice Recipe

Debbie,
July 28, 2022February 17, 2023

Lemon slice is the perfect treat to brighten a grey winters day. It’s the season…

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Garden Seed swap package

NZ Secret Santa Seed Swap!

Debbie,
July 18, 2022July 18, 2022

It’s that time again! Friends. Last year I participated for the first time in New…

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Kitchen Apple Harvest

Homemade Apple Pectin

Debbie,
July 14, 2022July 29, 2022

I have always enjoyed making jam and preserves, but struggled with the massive amounts of…

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Garden Self-watering seedling pots

Self-Watering Seedling Pots

Debbie,
July 7, 2022July 7, 2022

I am guilty of being an inattentive and generally distracted seedling mama! But rather than…

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Kitchen Mandarin Almond Cake

Mandarin Almond Cake

Debbie,
June 29, 2022July 7, 2022

Ok team, by popular request the mandarin almond cake recipe. Enjoy! Cake ingredients350g mandarins200 g…

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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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