gorgeoux's Profile

Not sure on that garlic chopper. I like fingernails, thank you, and long while at that. Manicured in bright colours, too. Also, not a chef, just a cook, and not enjoying onion tears, or its smell on my fingers, for that matter.

We have a brilliant chopper from OXO and my onion is chopped much quicker than your video suggests it'd be possible for normal people. The chopper also minces loads of other produce, when needed, and can make a tasty rough pesto in no time :)

I can't think of many unitaskers around, but I do love the tiny nutmeg grinder which also holds the nut in use, and hardly ever needs washing.

When I saw your balcony I couldn't help thinking: there goes my sister! Not only that you created a lush space, but you also enjoy it a lot. I smiled seeing that you know when the sun reaches your garden. Many have no idea. Good luck growing your babies!

Very cool and promising, I would enjoy my time a lot if visiting :) It is my experience that gardens, small or big, have the power to grow as a seed, into a rather large tree project- and time-wise, but at least they deliver so much more joy back, and in your case, herbs and veggies, too. I also like your choice of flowering plants. Both calla lilies and Mexican marigolds can be quite happy and sturdy with very little care, while bringing just the right lively colours to the party. A balcony matching my heart, thank you for sharing :)

It's truly amazing to hear from so many of you! Thank you :)

@maike Your happiness makes ME happy.

@dmstudio Yours looks lovely. Maybe more blue pots and some in ochre, too, for a bold, happy statement? They go so well together: http://www.flickr.com/photos/gorgeoux/2700863719/ and http://www.flickr.com/photos/gorgeoux/2290755015/ (a year ago).

@Pixie Much appreciated :) A baby sparrow visits, as well: http://www.flickr.com/photos/gorgeoux/3573045810/

@ilovenature4ever Even to those without a balcony, it seems :) http://www.gorgeoux.com/2009/05/neighbours-got-flowers.html

@poweredbytofu I did have to work with the blue of the chairs, as they arrived first. Sorry to hear you're out of a balcony. I see you used to have African daisies, too :) Maybe you need a small/ midsized indoor garden? We had a large chili plant and other herbs living inside in a pot (http://www.flickr.com/photos/gorgeoux/2535919875/) but we had to pollinate with a feather to replace bees and get some fruit (!) In the past I had devil's ivy inside (http://www.flickr.com/photos/gorgeoux/621013985/), English ivy in tiny pots (http://www.flickr.com/photos/gorgeoux/621686582/), passion flower (http://www.flickr.com/photos/gorgeoux/620959669/), a fern (http://www.flickr.com/photos/gorgeoux/2307603111/) and mother-in-law's tongue (http://www.flickr.com/photos/gorgeoux/3384798153/), to name a few. Most of these are easy to grow and propagate. Good luck!

@tabithacat Many thanks :)

@isolde How amazing is that? We're close to BT Tower and Fitzroy Square. You can find the balcony on Google's Street View, in fact ;)

@junklover The size of balconies in London, when they exist, is indeed intimidating, and not in a good way, but I love myself a challenge. My previous balcony (http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ny/outdoor/outdoor-home-mironas-kindergarten-of-green-babies-025454) had better proportions, but I didn't do as amazing a job at it. Go figure.

@harbourbridge Quite so, and you should see how fun it is for guests who stay with us (my sister and her boyfriend arrive in just a few hours). Needless to say, it's where I do my gardening, as well, and I can certainly keep an eye on everything and quickly remove dead flowers or attack bugs. I'll miss that when I have a proper garden.

I'm doing something in between, to be honest. I've got a small bin, with no cap, and use the plastic bag inside the bin, which stays under my kitchen counter. That way, the moment the plastic bag is full or smelly (say I peeled an onion), I tie it fast, throw it away, and replace it with a new one. Note that there's no way to recycle in Romania yet, so finding use for the carrier bags that end up at home is better than buying special bin bags. Plus, with a small bin, you do dispose of the garbage faster.

MrGreen, I believe that few homes here qualify for conscious interior design, implying some level of taste and interest :) In that respect, the answer is no. However, those who make a difference, either as designers or owners/ renters with design gusto have grown up in a very eclectic environment and that still is a major orientation. Eclectic. Securitate-style is more of a joke, sad for many generations like mine and behind, and if I'll ever see it revived, I'm certain it will be treated/ integrated as a joke.

Thank you. It's a lily by common language, amaryllis otherwise. The flower lasts for a day or two. Read all about it here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zephyranthes. I also have the white version in that pot. Can't say where I got it; I've never seen it in another house or in a flower shop. My mom has it from my grandma, and so on. I guess I'll carry the bulbs away with me to UK one day :)

And many thanks, dear therapists. I was amazed to see so many photos and nearly my entire e-mail published. Very happy you liked my babies :)