On my balcony - Cucumbers!

Growing your own vegetables is easier than you think! If I can do it, anyone can! And not only do you get to eat what you plant, but you also get to enjoy the bright luscious flowers that announce what there is to come! You don't even need a garden or an allotment! All you need is a container. Or several containers. This year I tried growing cucumbers. I grow mine on our balcony in a pot approx. 25 cm in diameter and 30 cm high. It'd probably be better if it was bigger, but they seem to be doing really well!

I always get loads of green flies, black flies, aphids... on many of the plants on the balcony, so this year I decided to follow the advice in one of my favourite planting books, "Organic Crops in Pots", by Deborah Schneebeli-Morrell, which I came across last year in England. Apparently aphids don't like the smell of the orange tagetes! So this year my balcony is covered in orange tagetes, which aren't even my favourite flower, but have definitely become my favourite friend! So far, the aphid situation is totally under controll! Now I'm just waiting for the first cucumber and as at home we all like cucumber, everyone will be very happy!

So I realise that I started this blog for my sewing projects. But since I haven't had the time to do any sewing for the past year, why not show some other things that I like and are also my own produce! I hope you enjoy them as much as Ido!

A table is a table. Or is it?

Challenged by Concha at Saídos da Concha, who was challenged by Alice, who also challenged others, here I am showing my working table.

It isn't actually a table, but it works as one. And as an ironing board as well (because it is one), which is really practical!
Because of lack of space, this is the best solution. I tried several. And working on the floor - which I still do for bigger projects, like when I make clothes - wasn't so practical with two young children around.
I like being able to leave unfinished projects visible and ready for the next move.

And now I also challenge Mona, Mai and Amélie to show their working tables.
Mona, for her collage like houses, Mai, for her delicate and incredible handsewing of all her creative projects, and Amélie for the perfection in her sewing and her short animations.

Then they must also challenge three other people to do the same!

This table business made me think of a Portuguese children's book I bought a while ago.

A Table is a Table. Or is it?
Isabel Martins, Madalena Matoso
Planeta Tangerina

A little girl sees a table and for her that's exactly what it is. A table. She meets different people that day who have so many different ideas of what a table is.
I like the collage illustrations! Just like Mona's collage like sewing.

It'll be fun to see other people's working tables!

And I hope you enjoy visiting Mona, Mai and Amélie!