A beautiful sunset at Zinkwazi beach - weekend before last.It feels like forever ago that I posted here and visited this little spot of mine, but in truth, the environment and it's issues are something I carry with me all the time...even though my posts are a little infrequent...ok well a lot infrequent - giggle... . So even though I haven't documented much, it's because I've been a busy bee, and actioning things.
For starters, just to update where I'm at with things - our veggie garden is doing well - we really just need to get into the habit of planting - all the time. I have to laugh - I get all excited - plant, watch it grow, and then harvest. And then I look around and think...????...ok now what??? - um - well I guess if one's plan is to EAT REGULARLY from the garden, one needs to PLANT REGULARLY in the garden or CONTINUOUSLY if you plan to SURVIVE! So - this week, we'll do lots more planting - now that I've grasped the whole - it's a continual work in progress thing?!?!
Unfortunately both our kitchen and veggie gardens took a real beating a few weeks ago after a freak hail storm, which according to my electrician who lives across the valley from me, turned our garden into a winter wonderland of white carpet. All this whilst we merrily shopped away at Makro in the heat! Crazy - but 30 mins. in distance can mean a huge difference in weather in our part of the world. But that said, plants are incredible, and despite the damage (visualise the 'hail damage' on thighs and then you get an idea of what it can do to fragile seedlings - LOL!) our seedlings have flourished into among other things, lovely heads of lettuce, which we munched in our tuna salad today - YUM!
I must say I've also been so encouraged by the number of people I've spoken to in the last few weeks, who are also starting to grow their own food. In terms of the rest of my grocery cupboard, I have decided to try where possible and replace any non natural product with an organic alternative when I replenish.
Having just returned from an Evironment Committee meeting at Hillcrest Primary School, I was inspired by a comment made by my son's teacher, who has been one of the main instigators and driving forces behind the GREEN FLAG initiative, along with the ECO Club (extra mural activity). As myself and one other parent will soon be starting and running the ECO club in the senior primary school as well, we were asking for advice, and Mel said that her main aim and purpose is just to keep instilling a love and appreciation for nature in our children, and that the rest would come.... . Her comment was a wonderful reminder that so many of us return to nature because of it's simplicity, and made me realise that whilst it may seem daunting to undertake this task, I need to always be mindful of the fact that if all Debbie and I do is remind the children about how wonderful nature is, that'll be enough...
The pics were taken weekend before last at Zinkwazi beach - the children found this little hideout on the beach and were absolutely ENTHRALLED - they played here on both days, for hours...contructing boundary walls and made enough space for 7 of them to sit inside...as I've said before......the best things in life are free....
And last but not least - I am now the proud of owner of a WORM FARM! True story - I know! Wish I could share some of the reactions I've had when I say "Hey!!!..GF - you won't BELIEVE what I just bought!!! - (and in my excitement, I totally miss the fact that she's thinking a pair of "Jimmy Choo shoes!!!) - a WORM FARM!!!! Some friends WILL NOT BELIEVE this Dolce Gabbana loving GF can get just as excited about a "can of worms" so to speak, as she would over a feather boa or faux fur for winter, but hey - baby steps - still lifting the "runaway" worms (screaming EEEUW!!!!! in my head) with a plastic fork when they have to be returned to their base. I can't wait to start producing vermicompost, and earthworm tea, which BTW is also commonly referred to as earth wom wee!...but isn't earthworm wee at all (once again - EEEUW!!!!), but rather a combination of the water you use to keep the farm moist, and the nutrients from the compost.
