Saw it was likely to rain later today, so decided to mow the grass this morning. Boy, what great timing, finished the grass, put everything away, and 10 minutes later, down it came. Was I lucky, I think so 👌

Looking for some advice please on pressure cookers. Have never used one so am looking for a little advice.

I make my own natto, but have read that cooking the beans is best, and easiest, in a pressure steamer. So I guess a pressure cooker plus a steamer basket.

Looking at the usual search results, boy, there are multitudes listed. Has anyone got a pressure cooker, electric or hob powered, plus a steamer basket that all works, who can give me a pointer please?

You really should clean a dishwasher. Debris from plates and dishes, even if partially washed before going in the washer, will accumulate in the filters and grease traps.

Here’s a website - cults.co.nz - not looked at it in much detail, but it seems to have lots of info.

A super blue moon is a rare combination of three lunar events: a full moon, a blue moon, and a supermoon.

A full moon occurs when the Earth is directly between the sun and the moon, and the entire side of the moon facing the Earth is illuminated by the sun.

A blue moon is the second full moon in a calendar month. (The term "blue moon" originally referred to the third full moon in a season with four full moons, but this definition is no longer in common use.)

A supermoon is a full moon that occurs when the moon is at perigee, its closest point to Earth in its orbit.

The next super blue moon will occur on August 30, 2023. It will be the second full moon in August, and it will also be a supermoon.

Super blue moons are rare events, but they are not unheard of. The last super blue moon occurred in January 2018, and the next one will not occur until March 2037.

When a super blue moon occurs, the moon appears slightly larger and brighter than a regular full moon. This is because the moon is closer to Earth, and its light is therefore less dispersed by the Earth's atmosphere.

Super blue moons are a beautiful sight to behold, and they are a rare treat for skywatchers. If you have the chance to see one, be sure to take it!

Later start today, hope everyone is OK.

Got a surprise yesterday, went to the local Warehouse only to find it is now selling fresh veges, fruit, and kitchen pantry items.

Quite a big saving over supermarket prices, and the fresh stuff looks high quality. Looked up on how they were operating this and learned they are concentrating on local suppliers. I’d say their typical prices are 25-30% lower than the supermarkets. Bought 3L of olive oil for $30, in the supermarket that’d be $45.

There’s a book by a NZ doctor called "Treat Your Own Back". Has a set of simple exercises that for me really help if I get twinges.

Hope you’re all good. Have had a horrid couple of days due to serious side effects from steroid medications I was recently prescribed. These things are supposed to help, not make me feel even worse!! Feeling so much better this morning having stopped taking them, though Doctor will tell me I’ve been a naughty boy!!

Trust the day will be good for you.

I’d recommend NOT planting too close to walls. Plants will grow and spread, and could potentially cling to walls causing an ongoing maintenance issue. Roots could also be an issue as they grow. Small plants look nice initially, but can be a menace in the end. Here’s looking at you Buddliah!!! I wouldn’t plant grass that close to the house walls, difficult to keep tidy.

I like the stone/gravel surround idea. Where we are there are suppliers who have a big range of different coloured/shape/size stones.

Morning all, hope everyone had a good weekend.

Another cold night so our grass is very wet atm, that’ll make mowing a job for later. I’d better do something with it before it gets too long.

I saw the bot on Lemmy ChatGPT, so thought getting it to comment on Matariki would be a good try out. With you on ‘Aotearoan’, a great term.

The beautiful Bay of Islands