The Nectar Hall Of Infinite Infamy

: A kiwi is not a fruit – it is New Zealand’s native flightless bird (pictured above) and a slang term for a New Zealander.

: Kiwis call the fruit “kiwifruit” – they are also known as Chinese Gooseberries.

: The 2010 Winter Olympics opened in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

: The games got off to a tragic start when a luger from the Republic of Georgia, Nodar Kumaritashvili, dies tragically in a crash during training run.

: "Out of sight, out of mind." The reverse of that is true too. When it's in sight, it's in mind and we cannot help but be distracted.

: Studies have shown that a person working with a messy desk will spend, on average, one and a half hours per day either being distracted by things in their view or looking for things.

: That's seven and a half hours per week.

: Keep the clutter before you at a minimum and you will have a more accurate focus on what you need to do to increase your daily productivity.

: The Red Baron wasn't particularly patriotic - he just wanted to fly. He applied to both the German Army Air Service and the British Royal Air Force.

: This day in 1901 Queen Victoria of England died after reigning for 63 years (the 4th longest among longest-reigning monarchs and the longest for queens).

: To cure that New Years Hangover?? Just ease yourself back into it!!

: Plan your trip well in advance. Consider the time of day that you're travelling and the route you plan to take. When driving, you need to pay maximum attention to road conditions and you can't do this if you're too busy looking at maps and worrying about exactly where you are.

: Before setting off, check your vehicle's oil, water, windscreen washer fluid and tyres.

: Plan stops along the way. To avoid becoming too tired, you should aim to take a break from driving every two hours. Give yourself and your family time to stretch. A stop of five to ten mintutes will help prevent children from getting too scratchy and becoming a distraction.

: When travelling in a stream of vehicles, DON'T suffer from "highway hypnosis". If you follow the car in front of you blindly, you are placing reliance on the reaction time of the person driving it. By constantly scanning the road ahead and to the side for yourself, you can anticipate and react to potential hazards. Remember the "two second rule". As the vehicle ahead of your passes a fixed object such as a power pole, start counting "one thousand, one hundred and one, one thousand, one hundred and two". If you pass the fixed object before you've said "two", you're travelling too close.

: DON'T SPEED! There is no gain in risking your life and the lives of others just to reach your destination 5 minutes earlier. If you haven't read the Road Code for some years, a good look at an up-to-date version may be beneficial. Visit the Land Transport website to review the Road Code.

: We’re of the mindset that there’s only one way to pack, and that’s to pack light. Packing light saves time (e.g. waiting for baggage to be unloaded), money (no overweight fees), stress (no worrying about lost luggage) and the environment (less luggage means less fuel used to carry it).

: DON'T FORGET YOUR TOOTHBRUSH!!

: Check it Twice Edit Your List. Edit it down. Way Down. Cross off everything you don’t absolutely need. Remember, you can buy just about everything abroad if you end up needing it.

: Choose the Right Bag You know how work expands to fill the time? The same is true for bags. If you bring too big of a bag, you will fill the space. It’s just human nature.

: Find Your Own Style Ultimately, you are the only one who has to to live with the way you pack, what you pack, and how much you pack. (Eds note, actually all of us have to live with what you pack because if you bring your entire house with you on the plane, this is costing us in fuel and carbon emissions, but that’s beside the point for now.)

: Lifejackets – a legal requirement: You must carry a correctly sized, serviceable lifejacket (also known as a personal flotation device or PFD) for each person on board a pleasure boat in New Zealand.

: Skipper responsibility: It is the skipper's legal responsibility to ensure that lifejackets are worn in situations of heightened risk, such as when crossing a bar, in rough water, during an emergency, and by non-swimmers.

: Why wear a lifejacket? Most drownings in boating accidents involve craft under 6m. All on board boats under 6m should wear a lifejacket, unless the skipper has assessed this is not necessary, due to the low risk at the time.

: The right type of lifejacket: It is important to have the right type of lifejacket. Consider the type of boating you do, the distance from shore you intend to go, and the kind of conditions you are likely to encounter. Your lifejacket retailer should be able to help you choose the type most suited to your needs.

: Well its nearly that time of year again so if you love the great outdoors here's a couple of things that may help to get you started=)

: Check all your camping gear at home BEFORE you go away – Make sure all the tent poles and pegs are there, there are no holes in the tent or fly.

: Torch/Flashlight or battery powered lantern (better than a torch for reading or playing cards at night) …and the torch to dodge those shin-bruising obstacles as you go to toilet in middle of night.

: Water – make sure you have fresh water on hand, or know where to get it and have suitable water bottles to carry it if you are planning on going hiking/walking during your holiday.

: First aid kit – sticking plasters/bandaids, bandages, gauze strips, cotton wool, disinfectant, anti-histamine cream for bites and stings, aloe vera gel for sunburn, insect repellent, tweezers, scissors, aspirin/panadol. Your local pharmacy will probably have something that comes readymade.

: An Orange.

: Chocolate.

: A small toy that will last at least one day.

: Somthing noisey to wake up the rest of the house to open the rest of the presents!!!!

: A fun pack of cards.

: For a lot of people this is out your back doorstep, but for a lot of budding hunters, finding land to hunt on is the first stumbling block.

: Let's be clear about one thing, private land is exactly that, private land! A lot of landowners are more than happy for you to shoot on their property providing you respect their wishes.

: Going to see a farmer or landowner face-to-face to ask is a lot better than calling on the telephone. It shows you are more serious and gives the farmer a chance to see whether you look dodgy or not.

: If he gives you the thumbs up, respect this in return and you may have found a hunting spot for life.

: Also never underestimate the value of a few beers or other small gift to show your appreciation.

: The best thing about Christmas cake is you can make it in advance - so less to do on the big day. It's all about planning and preparation when it comes to Christmas cake, but it's worth it when you can tell family and friends you made it yourself, and Novembers the perfect time to start.

: Use the right tins (check your recipe) otherwise you could end up with a burnt or soggy cake. If you are following a recipe, it's best to stick to it. Christmas cake takes time and effort so don't go off the beaten track unless you know the way back!

: Soak dried fruit overnight in a bit of sherry, rum, whisky etc. It gives your Christmas cake a boozy flavour and keeps it moist too. One dessert spoon per 450g of fruit is about right. For an alcohol-free Christmas cake, use orange or apple juice. Don't worry if your cake mixture curdles a little when you add eggs. You can add a tablespoon of flour but there's so much fruit in the mix that the curdling won't affect the cake.

: Before you turn the oven on, put a baking tray with about 2 pints of water at the bottom of the oven. The moist atmosphere bakes a better cake. Avoid opening the oven door before the cake's cooked. Storage is so important. Wrap the cake in greaseproof paper or a cheesecloth/muslin and then foil, and keep it in an airtight container in a cool dry place (not the fridge!). Don't let the foil touch the cake as any alcohol in the cake could react and affect the flavour. 'Feed' your baked cake regularly. Make some small holes in the top and base of the cake with a cocktail stick/small skewer and spoon over a few teaspoons of brandy, juice etc. Do this every other week until Christmas to keep it nice and moist. If you make your cake the week before, 'feed' it daily. 'Feeding' stops the cake from drying out.

: Decorate your cake however you like, this is the bit where you can let your imagination go wild! (If you can't make your Christmas Cake in advance, dont fret, there are recipes you can make a week ahead or even the day before. Just Google it!)

: If you plan on heading outside to get physical—going for a run, doing a tennis match, wicked game of beach volleyball, etc,—then you should wear a sunscreen that’s as dedicated as you are to keeping your bod healthy.

: Your best bet: Sunscreens with “sport” or “active” in the title usually are sweat resistant...meaning they’re designed to not rub off when you start to, uh, glow.

: Sport sunscreen also doesn’t sting your eyes as much if it manages to drip into your peepers.

: Choose one with an SPF 30 or higher, and be sure to re-apply every two hours.

: Its guna be that time of the year soon, so heres a headstart of how to do it right!!!

: Make sure your tree has lots of water – treat your Christmas tree like your favourite pot plant. You should fill the water container every day. This will prevent the tree from drying out and make a healthier looking tree.

: Select a place in your house that is cool and away from busy areas, stairs and doors – especially doors leading outside.

: Remember your lights have been stored away in their box since last Christmas. Check the lights carefully before placing them on the tree. If any of the wires are frayed or broken, throw them out and buy a new set of lights.

: Never leave the tree lights on overnight or when leaving the house. Never use candles near the Christmas tree or as tree decorations.

: Po-tay-to, po-tahh-to – however you say it, now’s the time to plant one of New Zealand’s favourite veges. So get outdoors and gear up for spuds this summer.

: Once purchased, remove your seed potatoes from the bag or container and leave them in a dark, dry place to sprout for a few weeks. A garage bench or pantry cupboard is ideal. When the potato shoots are approximately 2 cm long they’re ready to plant.

: Before doing so, add some compost to the soil and mix well. A well composted garden will give you better results come harvest time.

: Once a month mound the soil around the potato plant. Ensure 5 cm of the plant’s stem is left sticking out the top. You don’t want any light to reach your spuds as this can affect how many potatoes your plant will produce. The more roots coming off your plant, the more spuds you will enjoy come Christmas.

: To keep diseases away don’t overhead water your potatoes excessively. Once planted the rain should be enough to keep them going until they’re ready for harvesting.

Every one enjoys having good tasty food so heres a couple of things to help along the way with the prepping=) : Wash your hands before preparing food Follow the 20+20 hand-washing rule to ensure your hands are clean. Do this before and after you handle food.

: Refrigerate and reheat the food you take home The food you buy may be safe, but what happens after you buy it is important too. If you don’t eat it immediately, put it into the refrigerator or freezer or a chilly bag.

: Storing food safely is important to avoid getting sick from a foodborne illness. Freeze food you don't eat straight away. Read and follow the storage instructions on packaged food eg 'Refrigerate after opening' Throw away expired food. Packaged food has a date mark that tells you when the shelf life expires. Carefully wash and dry all food storage containers before use

: Take extra care with food safety at large gatherings Safe food handling is important when preparing, cooking and storing food for large gatherings. For example, cooking a hangi or umu and preparing food for Christmas dinner.

: Keep your food safe in warm weather Bacteria are able to multiply more quickly in moist, warm conditions. The risk from foodborne illness due to contaminated food is much greater in summer.

: Packing for a vacation is every-one's nightmare, although many of us love to travel, very few of us love to pack! Packing usually comes at a bad day too - people often finish work one day and fly the next, or even later that night! Packing is squeezed into the time between, when you tend to be at your most stressed. As with most things - if you have a plan things will be easier and less-stressed - I'm sorry I can't promise stress free! Efficient packing should ideally mean that you return from holiday having used everything you took more than once! So heres a couple of thing to start you of on what to take.

: Choose clothes appropriate for the climate.

: Stick with one basic colour scheme preferably a dark one which won't show marks and wrinkles so much.

: Toiletries: take a minimum. If you are only going on a short trip take sample sizes or buy small containers and decant some to take with you. If, however, you are traveling for a long time then don't take 6 months supply - you can buy almost anything anywhere these days.

: Shoes are always difficult: heavy and bulky. Try to wear your heaviest/bulkiest pair on the plane. I try to limit myself to 3 pairs: a pair comfortable for walking extended distances, a pair of sandals or flip flops and a dresser pair for evening!

: To discover and explore the best parts of New Zealand, which are often the best kept secrets, you need to know where they are. You won't find all of New Zealand's best travel secrets in the guide books, but you will find them if your either friendly or sneaky...

: Befriend a Kiwi and pick their brain for their favourite locations or memorable childhood camping spots.

: If that doesn't work carefully follow that old Holden stationwagon with the surfboards on the roof to find that hidden beach of your dreams...

: Did you ever skip making a list because the task was so easy even a caveman could do it?

: Sometimes we think forgetting only happens to others. Actually, forgetfulness happens no matter how young, old or smart you are. That is why you should make and use checklists.

: Nobody likes to lose, yet in every even remotely competitive situation, someone will. Perhaps it’s the next promotion at work, or the woman that both you and your best friend have your eye on. Even small things, like who gets the last piece of pizza, have an air of winning and losing to them. Assuming you are the 'loser,' all of these situations present a choice. You can either be a sore loser or you can lose gracefully. Sore losers get angry. They blame their loss on the opponent, not taking responsibility for their own actions. Sore losers hold on to resentment, and may internalize their failure, leading to low self-esteem or even depression. Graceful losers are quite the opposite. They congratulate their opponent, embrace their failure and get to work on figuring out where they went wrong. Graceful losers do not take failure personally, but they do accept responsibility. They learn from the loss, then apply what they've learned so that next time, they may win.

: The Difference Between Sore Losers and Gracious Losers

: Everyone has failed at some point in their life. This is nothing exceptional. However, it’s what you do with that failure that makes all the difference. Losing gracefully is the first step to moving forward, past the loss. In fact, graceful losers are hardly impacted by the loss at all, because they know another opportunity awaits them. Perhaps the biggest risk of being a sore loser is this loss of hope for the future. A sore loser is stuck on the loss, and in so being, may miss out on a new opportunity, or be passed by for one because of their poor attitude. Of course, making lemonade out of life’s lemons is not always easy. In fact, it can be downright hard. But it is a principle worth living your life by, and teaching to your children to live theirs by as well. How can you lose gracefully, even when you really, really wanted to win? By using The Sedona Method to realize something great: you never really lose. In fact, once you learn how to release the feelings you have about losing -- the anger, the embarrassment, the resentment -- you will always feel successful. And then a funny thing will happen. When you FEEL successful, you will ACT successful, and then, sure enough, you will BE successful. “As you let go of the feelings that cause the sensation of loss you discover that you never really lose anything,” says Hale Dwoskin, CEO and Director of Training of Sedona Training Associates.

: Plan your weekly meals and create a list to shop from. It takes a few minutes, but saves time in running back to the store for missing ingredients.

: Don't shop hungry, an empty belly often results in impulse purchases.

: Shop the perimeter of the grocery store, where fresh foods like fruits, vegetables, dairy, meat, and fish are usually located. Avoid the center aisles where junk foods lurk.

: Choose "real" foods, such as 100% fruit juice or 100% whole-grain items with as little processing and as few additives as possible. If you want more salt or sugar, add it yourself. Avoiding foods that contain more than five ingredients, artificial ingredients, or ingredients you can't pronounce.

: Shop seasonally, when fruit and vegetable are at their best and more nutritious. This will also save you money..

: For warmth while working, wear Fingerless Gloves. And wear a hat, we lose a massive 30% of heat through the scalp.

: Try star-jumps, I've been told 20 in a row will warm you up nicely

: Tuck yourself in. Wear an extra layer under your clothes (wool is good), and if you are a young man stuggling with keeping your pants up, try notching your belt up 2 or 3 notches.

: Switch from Sauvignon Blanc to Mulled Red Wine, warm AND delicious.

: If by now you are not any warmer, take a holiday to the Cook Islands. I imagine Aitutaki would be lovely this time of year.

Pouring and enjoying : Begin your beer pour down the middle of the glass and, as the head forms to your satisfaction, slow down as you shift to pour from the side. Leave a little open air at the top of your glass in order to smell the beer and swirl it in your glass. This releases carbon dioxide fizz, which carries the aromas of hops, malt, and fermentation out of the beer, into the foam and to your senses. Gently inhale as you quaff your brew—you'll notice exciting shifts in flavor and aroma balances as you drain your glass. Look for floral and spicy-herbal hop character, sweet malt, fruity fermentation, bold, complex alcohol, and other intended surprises.

Freshness : People ask me all the time what my favorite beer is, and I always reply that it's the freshest beer wherever I may be. Check freshness dates like you do when buying milk, and purchase beer within 90 days of being bottled or within the manufacturers Best Before date. (Most brewers provide a freshness date on their package.) Buy from the refrigerated section, only buy what you will consume in a week, and keep the beer in your fridge. Remember that beer is liquid bread—you wouldn't buy a three-month old loaf and expect it to taste good.

Glasses : Every brewer wants you to fully experience the pleasures they have brewed in each of their beers. For aromatic, hoppy, or strong ales and lagers, try glassware that resembles a brandy snifter, trapping the complex and tantalizing aromas released by the carbonation. Elegant beers are enhanced by slender and thin-walled glassware. Hearty ales and full-malt lagers do you well in hearty straight-up glasses or handled mugs. For barrel-aged and/or very strong brews, try short-stemmed wine-type glassware.

Temperature : Yes, ice cold light lager does taste great on a hot summer day at the ball park, but when enjoying a well crafted American brew, English style ale, or a spicy Belgian-style beer, make sure that you serve the beer between 45-50F (not 35-40F where most American's set their refrigerators.) Lower temperatures may add to refreshment, but it lowers the perception of flavor and aroma—numbing the tongue. Allowing a beer to warm up a little will go a long way to releasing the flavors locked inside.

Culinary uses : The most famous that comes to my mind is Carbonnade, a traditional Flemish dish. It's basically a beef and onion stew that simmers in a dark beer for hours. Acidic beers, like Flemish sours, tend to work best as they soften the meat. But dark Abbey type beers can be used too, just with the addition of a touch of malt vinegar. You do need to be careful about cooking with bitter beers, especially in a reduction or long simmer of any sort as the bitterness will override the other flavors of the dish. India Pale Ale makes a good chicken marinade.

Eat a variety of nutrient-rich foods.: You need more than 40 different nutrients for good health, and no single food supplies them all. Your daily food selection should include bread and other whole-grain products; fruits; vegetables; dairy products; and meat, poultry, fish and other protein foods. How much you should eat depends on your calorie needs. Use the Food Guide Pyramid and the Nutrition Facts panel on food labels as handy references.

Enjoy plenty of whole grains, fruits and vegetables. : Surveys show most Americans don't eat enough of these foods. Do you eat 6-11 servings from the bread, rice, cereal and pasta group, 3 of which should be whole grains? Do you eat 2-4 servings of fruit and 3-5 servings of vegetables? If you don't enjoy some of these at first, give them another chance. Look through cookbooks for tasty ways to prepare unfamiliar foods.

Maintain a healthy weight.: The weight that's right for you depends on many factors including your sex, height, age and heredity. Excess body fat increases your chances for high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, some types of cancer and other illnesses. But being too thin can increase your risk for osteoporosis, menstrual irregularities and other health problems. If you're constantly losing and regaining weight, a registered dietitian can help you develop sensible eating habits for successful weight management. Regular exercise is also important to maintaining a healthy weight.

Eat moderate portions.: If you keep portion sizes reasonable, it's easier to eat the foods you want and stay healthy. Did you know the recommended serving of cooked meat is 3 ounces, similar in size to a deck of playing cards? A medium piece of fruit is 1 serving and a cup of pasta equals 2 servings. A pint of ice cream contains 4 servings. Refer to the Food Guide Pyramid for information on recommended serving sizes.

Eat regular meals.: Skipping meals can lead to out-of-control hunger, often resulting in overeating. When you're very hungry, it's also tempting to forget about good nutrition. Snacking between meals can help curb hunger, but don't eat so much that your snack becomes an entire meal.

Driving in Snow and Ice: The best advice for driving in bad winter weather is not to drive at all, if you can avoid it. Don't go out until the snow plows and sanding trucks have had a chance to do their work, and allow yourself extra time to reach your destination. If you must drive in snowy conditions, make sure your car is prepared (TIPS), and that you know how to handle road conditions. It's helpful to practice winter driving techniques in a snowy, open parking lot, so you're familiar with how your car handles. Consult your owner's manual for tips specific to your vehicle.

Driving safely on icy roads: Decrease your speed and leave yourself plenty of room to stop. You should allow at least three times more space than usual between you and the car in front of you. Brake gently to avoid skidding. If your wheels start to lock up, ease off the brake. Turn on your lights to increase your visibility to other motorists. Keep your lights and windshield clean. Use low gears to keep traction, especially on hills. Don't use cruise control or overdrive on icy roads. Be especially careful on bridges, overpasses and infrequently traveled roads, which will freeze first. Even at temperatures above freezing, if the conditions are wet, you might encounter ice in shady areas or on exposed roadways like bridges. Don't pass snow plows and sanding trucks. The drivers have limited visibility, and you're likely to find the road in front of them worse than the road behind. Don't assume your vehicle can handle all conditions. Even four-wheel and front-wheel drive vehicles can encounter trouble on winter roads.

If your rear wheels skid...: Take your foot off the accelerator. Steer in the direction you want the front wheels to go. If your rear wheels are sliding left, steer left. If they're sliding right, steer right. If your rear wheels start sliding the other way as you recover, ease the steering wheel toward that side. You might have to steer left and right a few times to get your vehicle completely under control. If you have standard brakes, pump them gently. If you have anti-lock brakes (ABS), do not pump the brakes. Apply steady pressure to the brakes. You will feel the brakes pulse — this is normal.

If your front wheels skid...: Take your foot off the gas and shift to neutral, but don't try to steer immediately. As the wheels skid sideways, they will slow the vehicle and traction will return. As it does, steer in the direction you want to go. Then put the transmission in "drive" or release the clutch, and accelerate gently.

If you get stuck...: Do not spin your wheels. This will only dig you in deeper. Turn your wheels from side to side a few times to push snow out of the way. Use a light touch on the gas, to ease your car out. Use a shovel to clear snow away from the wheels and the underside of the car. Pour sand, kitty litter, gravel or salt in the path of the wheels, to help get traction. Try rocking the vehicle. (Check your owner's manual first — it can damage the transmission on some vehicles.) Shift from forward to reverse, and back again. Each time you're in gear, give a light touch on the gas until the vehicle gets going.

Axe the aches: Aches and pains, specifically back pain, can worsen in winter and one reason might be that lowered levels of sunlight reduce our vitamin-D levels. “Insufficient vitamin D can make surfaces on the spine soft and spongy, which irritates nerves in the tissues,” says US pain treatment expert Dr Stewart Leavitt. A blood test can assess your vitamin-D levels. If you are deficient, your doctor may recommend taking a supplement.

Book your flu vaccine on a Friday: The more sleep you get and the less stress you experience after having a flu jab the better it will protect you, say researchers at the University of British Columbia. They found chilled out, well-rested people produced up to 17 per cent more antibodies to the vaccine than those who experienced stress in the two to 10 days afterwards.

Pop a bowl of water in your bedroom: It’s the easiest and cheapest way to keep the air humid. In recent studies, scientists found flu bugs survived four times longer in dry air. Humid air will also help you avoid itchy winter skin as it’ll reduce the amount of moisture you lose – and dehydration is a primary trigger for irritation.

Practise the one nostril blow: When sniffles strike, try blowing one nostril at a time. Blowing through both nostrils can actually send mucus back into the sinuses and trigger a secondary infection, says researcher Dr Owen Hendley at the University of Virginia. “Either sniff or, if you must blow, do it one nostril at a time, which reduces pressure in the nasal cavity,” he suggests.

Swap to a feather duvet: If your allergies or asthma worsen in winter, your cosy bed covering could be to blame. Researchers here at University of Otago have found that synthetic bedding contains up to eight times more fungal cells than feather varieties, which can aggravate the airways. And while you’re shopping, mattresses over five years old were also fungus trappers — is it time to change yours?

Ideas for reusing paper: Discarded A4-sized paper can be cut and stapled together to make notepads. Use the envelopes you receive in the mail a second time by placing a new address label over the last address. Old envelopes can also be used for scribbling down shopping lists, to-do lists, and notes. Resealable envelopes can be reused many times.

Making use of your plastic bags: Reuse them as bin liners. Children can use them for carrying PE gear to school. Use them in the garden to hold your grass cuttings and hedge trimmings before transfer to a compost bin. Use them when packing for a holiday to keep dirty/wet clothes and shoes away from dry clothing.

Ideas for recycling household waste in the garden: Aluminium trays from pies and cakes make ideal 'drip saucers' to put under pot plants. Broken crockery can be used as drainage at the bottom of pot plants. Old tyres can be used outside for plant pots - especially good for plants that like warm soils as they trap the heat.

Mmm! Roast Potatoes: First of all, the best fat for roasting potatoes is goose or duck fat. If you can not get either of these, you should try to find lard or dripping. Peel your potatoes and cut them in to medium sized pieces (halve small potatoes and quarter large potatoes). Melt 50g of fat per 500g of potatoes in a roasting dish. Add the potato pieces and roll them around until they are fully coated. Season with salt and cook at the top of a 190oC preheated oven for 40 minutes. Bast frequently with the fat until they are golden and cooked through. Some people like to partly boil the potatoes first, tossing them in the pot until they get a fluffy outer layer. This is perfectly fine to do but you will need to reduce your cooking time in the oven.

Ah! Winter: It's that time of year again! Time to celebrate, time to plant your Garlic!

Wonderful Garlic: With its punchy aroma, less than subtle flavour and more health giving properties than you can poke a stick at, Garlic is one of my favourite things in this world.

Planting: I've had varying successes with growing garlic but here are some tips learned along the way:

Preparing Cloves for Planting: If you separate the garlic cloves as close to planting time as possible, preferably within 24 hours, the root nodules won’t dry out and the garlic will be able to set roots quickly. It is traditional to plant garlic on the shortest day of the year. Whether this is for symbolic or practical reasons is unclear. When planting garlic, choose a garden site that gets plenty of sun and where the soil is not too damp. The cloves should be planted individually, upright and about 25 mm under the surface. Plant the cloves about 10 cm apart. Rows should be about 45 cm apart.

Mulching: Mulch to protect the soil from harsh winter conditions and to slow weeds. Now get back inside it's freezing out here!!