Yesterday I enjoyed the sunshine at my balcony, while having a short break from my zoom meetings.

Welcome to the weekend coffee share! Can I get you a cup of coffee? Or tea? April, and this week in particular has been full of surprises when it comes to the weather. We’ve had beautiful days with sunshine, cloudy days, windy days, and hail, however NO April showers. It is very dry.

Chive and walking onions on the way

I visited my allotment garden after I finished school yesterday, and again this morning. Especially this morning it was very windy. I only stayed for about 2,5 hours due to the wind picking up even more.

Rhubarbs are tiny now, but I have no doubt they will be humungous in no time.
The cold planted veggies waiting to be transplanted to the garden beds.
The veggies I transplanted to garden beds last week are doing OK.
Strawberries

Last year I had some problems with rodents eating my strawberries. I therefor emptied all the beds I had problems with, and planted strawberries at other locations as far from the old beds as possible. I now have most of my strawberries at my balcony, in hanging containers and in pots, but I kept one raised bed at the allotment (the one above).

My red currant and black currants ar looking good. I love the smell of the new leaves. Have you ever tried making tea out of black currant leaves? I always dry some every summer and enjoy the tea throughout the year.
Otakar garlic, planted November 1st, 2025.

I have garlic in several places all around the allotment. I use a lot of garlic in my kitchen. It is one of my favourite crops.

My allotment garden is my favourite place from March-November. I always ride my bike there, it is 4.1 miles/6.6km one way, and I go there 3-6 times/week. I took my bike to a professional bike shop for service earlier this week, to ensure pleasant rides to my garden this summer. In two months it is seven years since I sold my car, to see if I could manage without one. Where I live (a conscious choice), in combination with a dependable bike makes it possible. I understand that it is not possible for everyone to live like this, but it is doable for me at this point of my life. I have everything I need within walking/biking distance. I love that, and know that it is not an easy requirement to meet if I should move somewhere else.

Due to the heavy winds today I spent more time indoors than I originally planned for today. I finished a book I picked up at the library yesterday. It is a feel-good, easy read about a group of friends in Stockholm. Are you reading something at the moment? I am also reading another book that I posted about earlier this week. It is also really good, but not an easy read, it’s a book that demands that you savour every page a little longer.

I hope your week is fabulous! Now I’m going to spend some time catching up with all the blogs I’ve missed so far this busy week :) Thank you Natalie for taking the time to host the weekend coffee share! This week I am also participating in Terri’s Sunday Stills since the theme is What’s growing in your garden? I couldn’t resist participating. I’ve followed Terri’s blog for several years, and a few years ago we decided to meet in real life, when I lived in Las Vegas. If you aren’t already following Terris’s beautiful blog you should check it out.

Maria

18 responses to “Weekend Coffee Share”

  1. You will eat well! 😍

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    1. Thank you! I hope so :)

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Have a wonderful weekend Maria. 🌹

        Liked by 1 person

        1. Thank you! You as well!

          Liked by 1 person

  2. Happy Saturday! We’ve had gusty weather recently so the wave must have made it to Sweden. ;)
    Your garden is coming along nicely. My rhubarb jumped up during that warm spell we had, but it was followed by several frosty nights that burnt the leaves back, more to come, of course. I finally got my onion sets in yesterday, a bit late, but it’ll do. I’m excited that my pod peas have sprouted so well, can’t wait to taste their crunchy goodness. Aren’t gardens wonderful? :)
    I’m reading Sara Gruen’s ‘Waters Edge’ which I am enjoying. I read her ‘Water for Elephants’ ages ago, but might get it again. At my age, I forget so much, that I can do that and it’ll feel new, ha!

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    1. I blame you for the weather then ;)

      Gardens truly brings so much more than “only” a harvest. I’d love to know if you enjoy ‘Waters edge’. I’ve watched ‘Water for Elephants’, but haven’t read the book.

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      1. Almost through it, I’m sure it’d be worth a read. :) 👍🏼

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  3. I never tried black currant leaf tea, but now I will! Thanks…Grateful for the sound of tree frogs! Another sign of spring in my area.

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    1. I hope you like it. Black currant leaf tea is filled to the brim with antioxidants, and vitamin C.

      Happy Spring!

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  4. Your plantlings (is that word? plant-lings or baby plants) are looking lovely.

    Thanks for the virtual coffee. Happy Saturday.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I am, not sure it is a word, but if it isn’t we should make it one :) Thank you! Have a wonderful rest of your weekend.

      Liked by 1 person

  5. Brava for being able to make do without a car! Not an option for everyone, as you mentioned, but it is for you, and I so admire your decision. How do you get groceries? Is there a store nearby? Would love to read in a future post how you manage everyday life. Anyway, you are an inspiration to me.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you for your very kind comment. I have a big grocery store 0.3miles/600m away, my work is a ten minute walk from home (or 4min by bike), the regional hospital is 0.8 miles/1.3 km away, the center of our city (shopping/library/farmers market/restaurants/train station/main bus station etc) is 0.9 miles/1.5km from my house. There is also a bus stop two houses away if I for some reason need to take the bus. Thank you for the idea about a future blog post, I’ll take you up on that.

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  6. Your allotment garden demonstrates your amazing talents for gardening, Maria! Im glad you can walk and bike everywhere! I’m still learning what grows well here. Thanks for the extra shout out, my friend. I still think about our LV lunch date! ❤️

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  7. Your plants and garden are looking great. Glad to hear that you’re able to live car-free atm. I’ve been able to live car-free all my adult life as it’s possible to do so in Toronto. Everything I need is within walking or biking distance. Thank you for your weekend coffee share.

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  8. I like your cup design! Do you have a set of them?

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