FLOURISH

I love the word FLOURISH. I recently attended a Woman's conference at our local church, by the same name, and you couldn't help but be drawn into it all, partly because of title they had given it, and the different thoughts it conjured up in your mind - thoughts of possibility, growth, abundance, joy and happiness! And over the last few weeks, I have seen all these things take place right here, in our garden.

The sugar snap peas are just too many to count!! And above all, they are boasting the most gorgeous little white flowers, that almost make me want to plant them all over the garden! It's SPRING here now and everything is just FLOURISHING. The garden is full of colour, butterflies still dance from shrub to shrub, and the birds just can't get enough of it all. Sadly I will soon be saying goodbye to the winter garden of flowers from our succulents that grow right outside my "office window", - and attract the most colourful sunbirds, but who's complaining when there's so much else to see and celebrate! I remember this time last year feeling somewhat cheated by the chilli weather, rain and mist we were having, but this year, MR SUN has definitely come out in full force, with light rain evenly distributed here and there, to bring relief from the heat - perfect!The vegetable garden has grown even more since these pics were taken, and even more exciting news is that even our worm farm is now producing worm tea on a regular basis. We are dousing our veggies and plants with this wonder mixture every week, and it's hard to describe how LUSH and green and HEALTHY our plants are looking.
Onions that are now DOUBLE this size - sadly they take long to grow, so we wait in anticipation.... Carrots - we have since planted more!

The spinach we harvested recently was almost too gorgeous to eat! And there was so much of it, 3 families got to enjoy it's goodness. Very exciting indeed! And yesterday as we lay under the shade of a tree in our garden playing cards with some friends of ours, I was and amazed to see that the bag of sugar snap peas took preference over the LAYS crisps (i kid you not!) - children included, as the snack of choice! And since I've mentioned my picnic blanket I just have to add that it's not just ANY picnic blanket! Each square on the blanket was hand painted by members from an under priviledged community. Each square tells a story or has a message about the environment, and the value and protection of trees. I chose these particular squares from a wide selection of pictures, because trees are without a doubt one of my favourite things:-).
Sadly the photo won't rotate, but you can still see the lovely work.

Enjoying the veg of our labour!

It seems like forever since I last posted something in this little cyber garden of mine. That's not to say that things haven't been happening in the vegetable garden, it's just that since our holiday, we've all immersed ourselves in that familiar rhythm of routine, that we call life!

So while it's been quiet here, we've been sowing and growing and MOWING, and DELIGHTING in the fruits (read veg) of our labour, as our vegetable garden continues to expand, thrive and GIVE BACK. I'm also now in the habit of buying seedlings on a regular basis so the planting continues in the hopes that in the next few weeks, we will be able to harvest on a more regular basis.
We managed to harvest the equavalent of about a pocket of potatoes worth of carrots, which we divided amongst the 3 of us that have brought this garden to life. There's something special about "homegrown". Just as people who are encouraged to explore and enjoy their individuality, blossom because of it, when veg such as carrots for example, are grown in a wholesome, natural environment, without any interference, they mature to these wonderful bursts of sweet orange, of different shapes and sizes - not perfectly shaped as you would see in shops where veg are and have to be mass produced and chemically treated. They all have the bits and pieces a carrot should have, but they all have their lumps and bumps that make them SPECIAL!

Our spinach was marvellous! We had creamed spinach for dinner, and everyone including the children remarked how delicious it was, and how the spinach seemed different - true story. Only then did I remember to mention that it was homegrown:-).

Growing your own food does make you feel connected to it and maybe that's why it tastes better! At the moment, we're enjoying watching our onions, carrots, spinach, sugar snap peas and peppers grow. I can't wait until our garden is a sustainable garden that we can eat from every night.

Aside from that our family are really becoming more aware of healthy eating habits - we've always been this way inclined, but never been as committed as we would like to be. I am however finding that bringing food from the garden straight onto the kitchen counter, somehow makes you inclined to want to eat better, and make better choices, and delve into natures pantry even more......

Homegrown and homemade

Growing ones own food is a slow process, and you learn very quickly how fortunate we are to have "Pick n Pay/Woolies" to fall back on in the LEANER TIMES! LOL!

But there really is something special about harvesting your own veg, however little it may be. Our vegetable garden is now finally starting to resemble one, as every bed now boasts either seed, or foilage of some sort...but mostly seeds, with the new stuff we've planted. This last week we were able to eat homegrown carrots, and I'm really hoping that soon, the spinach will be ready.

Last week I made a batch of homemade lemonade which the children have DEVOURED. I have been told it's "better than lime and soda", which has up until now been their absolute favourite drink. But the REAL TEST is that Sabrina for the first time EVA, has drunk a full bottle of juice at school - I usually only fill the bottle half way because she barely touches it. We've also been enjoying homemade rolls and bread, which is SO MUCH HEAVIER than the bread we buy in the local stores - makes you realise how our food has changed significantly - nothing better than freshly baked bread, butter and JAM!

For the love of nature...

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.

earth day..

Today is EARTH DAY!!! I don't know what it means - it's EARTH DAY whatever thingie! Ungaaz! I just know that it is. So last night Nick and I had the priviledge of being invited to the "Wilderness Leadership School" Gala Dinner. To say that I was moved BEYOND measure by the presence and speech of one of the world's finest speakers on wildlife and conservation, namely Dr Ian Player, is an understatement. I sat in the audience and made a promise to myself that I would do my part for this cause, for which so many remarkable people have sacrificed of themselves to make a difference - like save the Rhino and the St Lucia Wetland. I asked myself how so few managed to accomplish so much? - and felt encouraged by their testimony that nothing was insurmountable.

As guests of Lewis Gordon Pugh, who was the keynote speaker for the evening, and a remarkable, intelligent, humble and driven man, Nick and I felt so blessed to have been able to enjoy the company of these "warriors of the earth" as I like to call them. Now whilst black tie and diamante have NO PLACE in this blog (no JUDGING me TIEDYE people!!), I just had to post this photo of 2 men, whom I feel are SO NOTEWORTHY of mention. Here are two South African's who have a. (Lewis) swam in a number of challenging waters, but most known for his 1km swim in -1.8 degree water (HELL THAT'S COLD) in the North Pole (to put the temperature in perspective - the Titanic went down in +5 degrees, with only 2 survivors - if you're not thinking OMG!!!! you obviously haven't done the math correctly!) - all for the cause of creating awareness for the plight of our precious polar bears, and b. Braam having run the great wall of China - 98 DAYS PEOPLE!!!!!! makes the Comrades Marathon look like a walk in Central Park! So I guess my occupational hazard is that working with people like this, you can't help but ask "What the HELL am I doing with my life?????"...stressing about getting 1 x vegetable garden going - OH PLEASE!!! (how embarrassing!!! - God forbid they ask me what I've done today!!)...plant seedlings?? (sheepish)

So in celebration of our commitment to EARTH DAY, the kids and I spent a wonderful afternoon in the garden, PLANTING more seedlings into our "kitchen garden". Having some herbs and the basics close to the kitchen, seems easier than planting them all into the veggie garden, which is ideal for the more staple VEG. We all chose a tray of seedlings - Dom = tomatoes, Sabrina = spring onion, and Bee = variety of lettuce. We planted them together with our lovely dark chocolate compost, which I'm DELIGHTED to say included EARTHWORMS....MUCH EXCITEMENT!! (I do believe our Scottish neighbours think we have gone POSITIVELY MAD!!)

TIP OF THE DAY: Buy this book which is not only a WONDERFUL read (like a story) but has become like my Bible of organic gardening - Jane's Delicious Garden.

In the beginning....

A new earth. I wish it was that easy - wouldn't it be wonderful if acquiring a new earth, was as easy as getting a new sofa, or a new car. Sadly, in many respects I feel so many have turned their backs on this wonderful place we call home. When did we stop trusting the earth to provide us with the best that life could offer? - in every aspect, but for the purpose of this blog, particularly when it comes to the goodness we require on a daily basis in the form of sustenance and nutrition. We ask God every day to "give us our daily bread", and yet, I have no doubt that God often wonders why we have failed to see that he already has.

How true are the words of Mahatma Gandhi when he says - "To forget to dig the earth, and to tend the soil, is to forget ourselves". Beautiful.....

I have always been in awe of nature and the miracles we see and experience on a daily basis. I'm passionately green, but as everyone does, I often feel overwhelmed by the reality of HOW MUCH there is to do. Living in a country like South Africa however, has made me realise that just as we tackle problems like extreme poverty, a long and winding road, is best approached with that good old saying that "inch by inch, and elephant's a synch", and that as long as you're moving in the right direction, one step at a time is good enough. A start is all you need. Being environmentally conscious and aware, is a mindset and a lifestyle change that doesn't happen overnight. I made my start 2 years ago, with the following:

- recycling kitchen refuse into our wonderful compost heap, which provides us with free food for our garden, in the form of rich, dark, nourishing organic material.

- recycling and reusing paperwaste etc.and glass jars (glass jars are the ONLY way to go when it comes to keeping things REALLY fresh in the grocery cupboard - for me at least).

- acquiring my very precious "feathered friends" who have done a wonderful job of rehabilitating the soil in what was at the time, a very neglected vegetable garden, and providing us with fresh eggs, righ in Omega, with beautiful bright orange yolks, the colour of the sun.

It is now 2 years later, and I am more inspired than ever, to continue and perservere on a journey that to me is in a sense an "awakening", to the wonderful way that mother nature can take care of us if we let her, by trusting the natural process of growing food. This will serve as a diary as I stumble and learn along the way (just as I did with our chickens), in order to take this passion to the next level.....